It was just another normal Sunday where all men from my company booked into camp, except timing was no longer the usual 2200. We have been given an extra hour to hang around outside in the civilian world. Even though we were tired because it is already way pass bed time, we were still upbeat and joke around and poke fun at one another. Well, perhaps it just a way to conceal the fact that we are stuck in camp for the next 5 days.
Lights off! time to hit the deck and doze off to a very cold night as the sky began to pitter patter and rain through the night. All were like spring rolls, wrap in our "thick" blankets. Night time do really fly pass really fast and soon phones and alarm clock began to rang. Wakie Wakie! Droopy eyes, slowly one by one drag themselves off the bed, grab toothbrushes and toothpaste and walk towards the toilet. The walk seems so long but soon, we reached!
Back in Bunk, we prepared to fall in. In our t-shirt, shorts and shoes. But wait, something gone missing. A good buddy began to shine his torch in the mist of darkness so as not to wake the others up who are trying to catch that extra minutes of sleep in search of that something. One by one, we started to do the same and all looking for a common item. Socks! Our socks mysteriously gone missing. Time and tide waits for no man, quickly we grab another pair of socks, cutting short our early morning discussion.
The whole day left us puzzled... Who stole our socks? Was it a prank? I concluded that it could have been a rat though, and its looking for something comfortable and able to keep him warm. It was a cold night after all. The day went passed, night falls, lights off, hit the deck!
The next morning, as I dragged myself out of bed, i saw a little creature running acrossing the room, it was a mouse i concluded. The same situation happen again! Oh no! if its a prank, it was a nasty one. This time round, we were rushing for outfield and we were preparing our gear to move out. Until a fellow platoon mate came in to investigate, well, he was curious. Silently, he squeeze in to a tight corner of our bunk, were we stored extra beds and mattress. And hit Jackpot! we found the pile of socks. Our missing socks! we swept the pile out to clearly identify it, and within that pile we found 3 baby mices. Poor mices, wonder where is their mummy? Sorry that we have to destroy the nest, it was a nest nicely stack with socks and roof made of a running vest.
To be continued....
Auf Wiedersehen!
Friday, October 26, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
getting back to school
hmm... quite a routine week other than one day outfield. well, actually was half a day la, the other half was suppose to go on recce mission, ended up spending the whole afternoon sleeping in 5-ton. rain was the cause of it. so basically in the 5-ton is i stare at you and you stare at me. haha!
did lots of singing. got to learn a new song. army song la, written in bahasa indonesia. tongue tied, having problems pronouncing those words. so when singing as a group i will jus go blah blah blah blah and hope that the singing session would end super fast. got hari raya celebration in camp. overall was fun except that my coy is a bit wet blanket la. haiz... never mind.
i am so addicted to Sudoku now. after playing on my friend's DS. very fun and challenging even though it drains lots of brain energy. getting a hang of it, now is to work on my timing. my first puzzle took about 30 mins plus though... haha! anyway it was found within a game to train the brain, created by a japanese professor.
Oh.. got email from SMU, its about the NSmen Jamboree. wee.. looking forward to that event la, its suppose to be a matriculation exercise plus a little performance by the undergrads and interaction with the Dean and Profs. my first step getting back to school and kiss good bye to army. 11 more months to go...! argh!
Auf Wiedersehen!
did lots of singing. got to learn a new song. army song la, written in bahasa indonesia. tongue tied, having problems pronouncing those words. so when singing as a group i will jus go blah blah blah blah and hope that the singing session would end super fast. got hari raya celebration in camp. overall was fun except that my coy is a bit wet blanket la. haiz... never mind.
i am so addicted to Sudoku now. after playing on my friend's DS. very fun and challenging even though it drains lots of brain energy. getting a hang of it, now is to work on my timing. my first puzzle took about 30 mins plus though... haha! anyway it was found within a game to train the brain, created by a japanese professor.
Oh.. got email from SMU, its about the NSmen Jamboree. wee.. looking forward to that event la, its suppose to be a matriculation exercise plus a little performance by the undergrads and interaction with the Dean and Profs. my first step getting back to school and kiss good bye to army. 11 more months to go...! argh!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
oh no! i am older..
last sat celebrated my birthday. this year, quite tone down. Morning received a few greetings, 1 from my late uncle, oh well.. it was actually my aunt using his hp to send. it was the first message i read when i jus woke up, lying on the bed half awake. one moment i thought i was up there! haha.. well.. can't thank you enough uncle pat! =)
Dinner with Suky and my family, food portion was HUGE!! thank god we didn't order a set meal each of us because we ended up having trouble finishing what we shared. haha! oh yah, there is this waiter who serves dishes with his super large arm that can bear the weight of 4 large plates. hmmm.... i rather not build those arm size. otherwise look out of proportion. So after that, finally after soooo.... long we got Donut Factory! Wee.... Still got to queue but quite fast to get our nuts!
Thank you Dear for the present. it was beautiful.
Sunday was dragged out by my 2 ever "wonderful" buddies for breakfast. and then a pool session following by lunch. nice catching up with them, hearing their ever scandalous life. hehe! hey bros, reading this, u know i am just kidding rite! =) borrowed a few CD in fact is many cds from joel, Dvorak, Mahler and Beethoven DVDs. Cool! slowly listening to it. oh.. Dvorak no.8 is nice!
back in camp, busy with revision for our evaluation stage 1, stage 2 will be in Taiwan next year. Ooo.. can't wait to go there, but haiz... its 1 freaking long month i heard. nvm.
Spent the whole of yesterday stripping the horn and scrubbing it. i mean whole day. took some pictures to document the whole process.. looks cleaner now, jus need to season the horn now. its MINE for NOW!
from left is the valve that just took out from the horn, middle is half way scrubbing it and to the right is a cleaned valve. yah, u still can see some alge on it. best way i think is still get it to chemical clean it professionally. a short horn stripping lesson after alumni band on friday, that's why i ended up getting home late. so to all dearest horn player what you been playing are horn infested with alge unless! u regularly clean the horn.
Dinner with Suky and my family, food portion was HUGE!! thank god we didn't order a set meal each of us because we ended up having trouble finishing what we shared. haha! oh yah, there is this waiter who serves dishes with his super large arm that can bear the weight of 4 large plates. hmmm.... i rather not build those arm size. otherwise look out of proportion. So after that, finally after soooo.... long we got Donut Factory! Wee.... Still got to queue but quite fast to get our nuts!
Thank you Dear for the present. it was beautiful.
Sunday was dragged out by my 2 ever "wonderful" buddies for breakfast. and then a pool session following by lunch. nice catching up with them, hearing their ever scandalous life. hehe! hey bros, reading this, u know i am just kidding rite! =) borrowed a few CD in fact is many cds from joel, Dvorak, Mahler and Beethoven DVDs. Cool! slowly listening to it. oh.. Dvorak no.8 is nice!
back in camp, busy with revision for our evaluation stage 1, stage 2 will be in Taiwan next year. Ooo.. can't wait to go there, but haiz... its 1 freaking long month i heard. nvm.
Spent the whole of yesterday stripping the horn and scrubbing it. i mean whole day. took some pictures to document the whole process.. looks cleaner now, jus need to season the horn now. its MINE for NOW!
from left is the valve that just took out from the horn, middle is half way scrubbing it and to the right is a cleaned valve. yah, u still can see some alge on it. best way i think is still get it to chemical clean it professionally. a short horn stripping lesson after alumni band on friday, that's why i ended up getting home late. so to all dearest horn player what you been playing are horn infested with alge unless! u regularly clean the horn. Auf Wiedersehen!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
A good fight, a finished race
this week i learnt a lot about a great man's life. have been running in and out of camp for compassionate reasons. well, my uncle called home to be with the Lord. surely going to miss him a lot since he was one of an inspiring figure in my life. He is no longer around, but the memories will be kept locked within me. Someone once told me, don't just remember him, remember the memories and the moments together.
"You have fought the good fight,
you have finished the race,
you have kept the faith.
Now there is in store for you the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord the righteous Judge,
will award to you on that day-
and not only to you, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Till we meet again in the house of the Lord my greatest Uncle! =)
Auf Wiedersehen!
"You have fought the good fight,
you have finished the race,
you have kept the faith.
Now there is in store for you the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord the righteous Judge,
will award to you on that day-
and not only to you, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Till we meet again in the house of the Lord my greatest Uncle! =)
Auf Wiedersehen!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Post AOH
last wed a post AOH celebration was held. Quite a simple affair la, some speeches by highest rank personnel. thanks here and there, then there was food. lots of food. espically my platoon who took a mountain high of cheese hotdogs and i was the "choosen" one to carry it.
every pair of eyes stared at me as i walk around carry that plate, ready to serve the ever hungry platoon. haha! so after that, nights out! wee.. went to jurong point. kinda felt like an ass for not going home since it was so near. went to toys-r-us and drool over the boxes of board games. yah, board games.
over there also got those foam swords, squeeky hammers and plastic helmets. fooling around with those toys la, reliving our childhood days. see... how much stress we can get in camp, and this is how we release those stress... haha! ok, got to admit we are crazy. but it helps to surpress the pain and fear inside me.
other than that... nothing much, head back to camp for more Risk and Scrabble... Wee...!
Auf Wiedersehen!
every pair of eyes stared at me as i walk around carry that plate, ready to serve the ever hungry platoon. haha! so after that, nights out! wee.. went to jurong point. kinda felt like an ass for not going home since it was so near. went to toys-r-us and drool over the boxes of board games. yah, board games.
over there also got those foam swords, squeeky hammers and plastic helmets. fooling around with those toys la, reliving our childhood days. see... how much stress we can get in camp, and this is how we release those stress... haha! ok, got to admit we are crazy. but it helps to surpress the pain and fear inside me.
other than that... nothing much, head back to camp for more Risk and Scrabble... Wee...!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Sunday, September 09, 2007
AOH 2007
coming to the end of my long break from AOH '07. last weekend was a quite busy, but manage to see my loved ones at AOH even though weekend burnt! yah, 5 days of standing, bending, teaching and explaining people how to play computer game. sometimes have to endure girls screaming and yelling when they got 'shot' and whinning when they are not winning at all. haha...
most of my time spent is teaching small kids la, all my friends prefer to teach young girls. haiz.. can see them flocking towards them when they are playing, clearly seen all the wolves tails coming out of them and the sharp edged teeth and claws ready to pounce on them. you know what i mean la. i can't be bothered. there are many other people needs to be served.
the young kids quite fun to play with also. i will never forget the expression of this small boy who burst his balloon while the father is enjoying the game, ignoring his son when the son calls for his attention. so... to up hold the image of SAF, be service-oriented and friendly, i play with the kid lo. he is so cute....
once in a life time experience. never to do it again for a second time. sure to be something that i will missed greatly.. oh by the way... 1 YEAR TO ORD LO!
Auf Wiedersehen!
most of my time spent is teaching small kids la, all my friends prefer to teach young girls. haiz.. can see them flocking towards them when they are playing, clearly seen all the wolves tails coming out of them and the sharp edged teeth and claws ready to pounce on them. you know what i mean la. i can't be bothered. there are many other people needs to be served.
the young kids quite fun to play with also. i will never forget the expression of this small boy who burst his balloon while the father is enjoying the game, ignoring his son when the son calls for his attention. so... to up hold the image of SAF, be service-oriented and friendly, i play with the kid lo. he is so cute....
once in a life time experience. never to do it again for a second time. sure to be something that i will missed greatly.. oh by the way... 1 YEAR TO ORD LO!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
i am as strong as the weakest link
been very down lately. things are not as they are used to be.
visited a close relative at the hospital. i shall not mention names. very sad at how his condition worsened, totally lost for words when i saw him la. haiz... but he is more optimistic about his recovery and i pray to god for his speedy recovery. he wants to have a beer drinking session next week with my dad man! =) when we wanted to leave, he stopped us, wants to watch EPL with my dad, but its friday and yet he is too weak to realise its friday. haiz... well, we did stay a little longer keeping him company and give all the moral support we can.
the fight with the illness has been more than a year already, and still why can't the virus jus surrended and admit to defeat. urgh..! can i jus go in and fight them off? i jus wish i can do something. feel hopeless when i can't help.
Am i strong mentally? I asked myself. During exercises where it runs throughout the night conquring the most difficult terrain, lack of sleep. i always tell myself to stay away and never fall out. Climbing up Biang, i tell myself i must get up there at all cost. No doubt its takes alot of physcial strength to overcome it. but mostly its all up there in the brain. so am i strong in the end?
I am as strong as the weakest link
Auf Wiedersehen!
visited a close relative at the hospital. i shall not mention names. very sad at how his condition worsened, totally lost for words when i saw him la. haiz... but he is more optimistic about his recovery and i pray to god for his speedy recovery. he wants to have a beer drinking session next week with my dad man! =) when we wanted to leave, he stopped us, wants to watch EPL with my dad, but its friday and yet he is too weak to realise its friday. haiz... well, we did stay a little longer keeping him company and give all the moral support we can.
the fight with the illness has been more than a year already, and still why can't the virus jus surrended and admit to defeat. urgh..! can i jus go in and fight them off? i jus wish i can do something. feel hopeless when i can't help.
Am i strong mentally? I asked myself. During exercises where it runs throughout the night conquring the most difficult terrain, lack of sleep. i always tell myself to stay away and never fall out. Climbing up Biang, i tell myself i must get up there at all cost. No doubt its takes alot of physcial strength to overcome it. but mostly its all up there in the brain. so am i strong in the end?
I am as strong as the weakest link
Auf Wiedersehen!
Friday, August 17, 2007
disorganise
never update for awhile already. life's been ok ok in camp. National day was well.. spent away from home. so the next day was at NTU watching SSO's campus concert. hmm... i enjoyed it quite a lot. actually, been drowning myself with lots of symphonies and concertos la, hear too much of R&B in camp already. Although i try hard, but couldn't appreciate that genre. =)
Hmm.. I am missing my horn man, after listening to SSO lo. But then, the horn tone was not the idea tone that i am aiming to achieve. it feels great to be able to play like them one day lo. hope it comes soon enough. I WANT A HORN! hehe..
Okay, Sunday's violin masterclass is totally screwed up. First was the ticketing, i felt the salesperson could have took the initiative to ask what kind of tickets i am want to purchase since there was tickets for individual classes and a seasonal pass which entitles entry to all classes la. So, when i mention that i want to get the individual tickets, obviously next is to ask which classes instead of putting me off by telling me that tickets are sold 30mins before start of class. Bad start to the masterclass. Next was a printing error, which i doubt so, i suspect they change the venue and well... without informing people. there wasn't any signage to indicate anything.
So! the masterclasses that i attend is to whereby the organisers specially invite students to perform while a prof would then advise, suggest and teach the students infront of a group of audience on the particular topic its conducting. Haha, this masterclass is sort of a walk in clinic for musicians. well, at least the prof was able to conduct some impromtu lesson on violin techniques la. At least i walk away with my questions answered. phew..!
Weather at night was screwed up, raining cats and dogs at NTU, so for the fear that i will be late, i took cab to camp, ended my camp was freaking dry and i am super early. Conceed defeat to murphy's law, i book in lo, about 2 hours early. haiz... oh nvm.. I love the army.
past 5 days was training to prepare for Army Open house. We are in-charge of the LAN gaming so what we did was to play games and play more games. haha! actually i falling sick soon from playing games. have this puking and coughing sensation as i play. perhaps not used to the quick motion generated from the games. well.. more prep to come until the actual day. I don't have the exact details of the open house. so for those who are interested to come, pls find out yourself from adverts la. okay!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Hmm.. I am missing my horn man, after listening to SSO lo. But then, the horn tone was not the idea tone that i am aiming to achieve. it feels great to be able to play like them one day lo. hope it comes soon enough. I WANT A HORN! hehe..
Okay, Sunday's violin masterclass is totally screwed up. First was the ticketing, i felt the salesperson could have took the initiative to ask what kind of tickets i am want to purchase since there was tickets for individual classes and a seasonal pass which entitles entry to all classes la. So, when i mention that i want to get the individual tickets, obviously next is to ask which classes instead of putting me off by telling me that tickets are sold 30mins before start of class. Bad start to the masterclass. Next was a printing error, which i doubt so, i suspect they change the venue and well... without informing people. there wasn't any signage to indicate anything.
So! the masterclasses that i attend is to whereby the organisers specially invite students to perform while a prof would then advise, suggest and teach the students infront of a group of audience on the particular topic its conducting. Haha, this masterclass is sort of a walk in clinic for musicians. well, at least the prof was able to conduct some impromtu lesson on violin techniques la. At least i walk away with my questions answered. phew..!
Weather at night was screwed up, raining cats and dogs at NTU, so for the fear that i will be late, i took cab to camp, ended my camp was freaking dry and i am super early. Conceed defeat to murphy's law, i book in lo, about 2 hours early. haiz... oh nvm.. I love the army.
past 5 days was training to prepare for Army Open house. We are in-charge of the LAN gaming so what we did was to play games and play more games. haha! actually i falling sick soon from playing games. have this puking and coughing sensation as i play. perhaps not used to the quick motion generated from the games. well.. more prep to come until the actual day. I don't have the exact details of the open house. so for those who are interested to come, pls find out yourself from adverts la. okay!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Jigsaw Puzzle
u know, i actually started on doing a jigsaw puzzle. hmmm.. amaze at how fast i actually manage to get it piece together. i didn't have the confidence to finish it when i first started it. well that's because i don't always fix one. about one in a decade perhaps.
i find it amazing at how the jigsaw puzzle are piece together. constantly working out the odds of getting the right piece at the right place. think about it, jigsaw puzzle is just like life, sometimes it just manage piece it right the first time, sometimes it takes a little twist and turn around to fit in to the pieces beside it, and most of the time you won't even know where that piece you picked up from the box belongs to too until another piece tells you so.
i know it seems out of place to write this entry, but just too many things are happening recently and my mind seems pretty messed up. well... end of the day, the most important thing it to be happy and contented with what you have. =)
Auf Wiedersehen!
i find it amazing at how the jigsaw puzzle are piece together. constantly working out the odds of getting the right piece at the right place. think about it, jigsaw puzzle is just like life, sometimes it just manage piece it right the first time, sometimes it takes a little twist and turn around to fit in to the pieces beside it, and most of the time you won't even know where that piece you picked up from the box belongs to too until another piece tells you so.
i know it seems out of place to write this entry, but just too many things are happening recently and my mind seems pretty messed up. well... end of the day, the most important thing it to be happy and contented with what you have. =)
Auf Wiedersehen!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
another outfield
this week had outfield. AGAIN. i realise i am begining to hate it. and i am losing appetite eating combat rations. Eww.. okay la, can't be help, i ate that for 10 days while in brunei k. sick of it.
but everytime an outfield makes good training for me to survive in the field whether as a military personnel or civilian next time. hmm.. seems determine to do my Everest Base Camp trek in the near future. my dream. Did nightwalk also, found it no kick at all man! after what i have gone through in brunei. pretty easy walk except for the lack of sleep coz the nightwalk is from 2359 to the next morning to complete 2 missions.
End of outfield, we had a parade to turn ops. That's that... next 2 days really slack and slack, especially today where i can sleep until i don't want to sleep and 100% willing to volunteer to clean arms and do stores. haha! Oh... i shall learn to love outfield again. Soldier!
Auf Wiedersehen!
but everytime an outfield makes good training for me to survive in the field whether as a military personnel or civilian next time. hmm.. seems determine to do my Everest Base Camp trek in the near future. my dream. Did nightwalk also, found it no kick at all man! after what i have gone through in brunei. pretty easy walk except for the lack of sleep coz the nightwalk is from 2359 to the next morning to complete 2 missions.
End of outfield, we had a parade to turn ops. That's that... next 2 days really slack and slack, especially today where i can sleep until i don't want to sleep and 100% willing to volunteer to clean arms and do stores. haha! Oh... i shall learn to love outfield again. Soldier!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
another week
its another week of normal training in camp. i shall not say much. monday on leave so accompanied Suky to NTU for her medical. we did something erm... out of the norm.. haha! read her blog. then meet the guys at army market. i feel so cheated buying the ground sheet. well.. its better than signing 1206. Whoever that fella who took my groundsheet.. ha! i pray that water will seep through when it rainings heavily ah! (even though its brand new!). Ate sinful stuffs, chocolate fondue la! oh my god..... nice nice, especially the home made ice cream.
friday, when to meet dear after her concert at NYP. its such a kick to be able to eat $5 macdonalds.. Oooo la la...then saw my bro who attended the concert, i couldn't make it in time la. and a few alumni's, np band ppl.
Saturday was at esplanade, last minute change of plans. saw lots of kids streaming to the NDP preview. Sakae sushi was nice, but haiz.. should have waited for the seats near the sushi bar, quite incovinient to call waiter to take order. i rather self-service. anyway, i got 3 new CDs! Wee... my ear is dying to listen to some music. or rather new music.. haha! am enjoying it as i type. ok ok, that's all folks! =)
Auf Wiedersehen!
friday, when to meet dear after her concert at NYP. its such a kick to be able to eat $5 macdonalds.. Oooo la la...then saw my bro who attended the concert, i couldn't make it in time la. and a few alumni's, np band ppl.
Saturday was at esplanade, last minute change of plans. saw lots of kids streaming to the NDP preview. Sakae sushi was nice, but haiz.. should have waited for the seats near the sushi bar, quite incovinient to call waiter to take order. i rather self-service. anyway, i got 3 new CDs! Wee... my ear is dying to listen to some music. or rather new music.. haha! am enjoying it as i type. ok ok, that's all folks! =)
Auf Wiedersehen!
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Progressive Training
first week back in camp after lancer. Feels kinda weird and out of place in Support Coy. haha.. guess attached too much to Charlic Coy already. So basically resume physical training and i am now sufferring from muscle aches! argh...! Progressive training? I don't think so. Lol, coz the amount of push-ups and stuffs its beyond everyone (read EVERYONE's) limit. But i still love the nights where we sit around a table, drinks, snacks and a hell lot bunch of crap to talk and laugh about! weee..!
Wednesday morning had a SAF day parade. Again, its to stand there and look pretty, bask under the morning sun, listening to the SAF day message then take the SAF pledge. It always gives me goosebumps when we recite that pledge especially the last 3 words. Yikes! okay, i shall not say much. must be patriotic (coughs!).
Bored at home, so have been playing with a new post-processing style. LOMO actions in Photoshop. Let me see what i can get out of it. next time then post up some samples la!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Wednesday morning had a SAF day parade. Again, its to stand there and look pretty, bask under the morning sun, listening to the SAF day message then take the SAF pledge. It always gives me goosebumps when we recite that pledge especially the last 3 words. Yikes! okay, i shall not say much. must be patriotic (coughs!).
Bored at home, so have been playing with a new post-processing style. LOMO actions in Photoshop. Let me see what i can get out of it. next time then post up some samples la!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
MILK Charity Run Pt 2
Sorry, i removed the pics from the previous post. Was bored at home because the TV has been invaded by my bro n friends. So i start to photoshop some pics.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Monday, July 02, 2007
MILK Charity Run
Wooh! Join the MILK (Mainly I Love Kids) Run yesterday with Dear. The event was held at Zouk Carpark. Okay, now i know where is Zouk. haha! Sorry guys, i don't club so don't call me a sotong. Hmm.. running route was along Singapore River from Robertson Quay to somewhere before Boat Quay then U-turn around back to start point. All in all the route is 4km.
Initially the start of run is quite slooooowwwww.... i thought i was participating in MILK walk instead. haha! was very crowded la, so everyone was walking, jamming the whole running path. Somebody please put butter!!! argh.. so both of us started to snake around the crowd and slowly overtake the crowd. Wee...!
Overall, not as shag as i thought, long time never do long distance run liao. have always do 2.4km max! but again there isn't a steep up slope at the end unlike in camp, so quite easy. Bananas and 100 plus was a treat at the end, rest and recover back, collected our bags and off we go from the venue not forgetting Ben 'n' Jerry's ice-cream. Yum! We will be back next year! participating in 5.3km la! at least not so crowded. haha!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Ex Bahru
Yesterday my section conducted an exercise code-named Ex Bahru. Our objective is to conquer shops and malls in JB la! haha.. we actually planned this outing while outfield in Brunei and always joke about how "tough" this exercise is going to be, even tougher than Lancer. Lol..!
Fall-in was between 1030-1100. but yet the two guys who stayed the nearest to Kranji mrt is late! grr.. oh well... so we endure hunger and get across the border where good food awaits us. had kenny rogers for lunch. we actually ordered the same dish. so by the time the waitress took order from the 2nd person, she kinda guess what kind of chicken we wanted. Black Pepper.
after lunch, we carried on walking around Citysqaure, actually only 2 guys wanted to buy clothing's la. so they actually walk ahead until we lost them. haa.. the remaining of us just dropped an SMS tell them to meet us at a particular time so we can carry on shopping. so i saw this push-cart selling something interesting that i really wanted to get for Dear. i am not going to tell...! haha! and i got it!
there is this shop that sells clocks and one of their design was a treble clef. oh my god. it caught my eye that i really want to get it. but at the thought of lugging it back to Singapore. erm... next time ba.. when i am not so lazy. Cab over to Holiday plaza, friends want to get some DVD (read: pirated!) kinda scary process.. i shall not explain much. later kena caught! ha!
Met Xiuling at Arcade in Citysquare. haha! surprise, that i gave an expression of "i caught you red-handed" well.. i don't who she was with. main thing was, the world is so small that you can bump into anyone without knowing it.
End Ex at around 2200... by the time all shagged out already. Ex Bahru was quite a success even though a few of them spent so much without knowing what they have spent on. hehe! today everyone will assess the financial damage. for me.. well... haha! not much damage done. phew..!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Fall-in was between 1030-1100. but yet the two guys who stayed the nearest to Kranji mrt is late! grr.. oh well... so we endure hunger and get across the border where good food awaits us. had kenny rogers for lunch. we actually ordered the same dish. so by the time the waitress took order from the 2nd person, she kinda guess what kind of chicken we wanted. Black Pepper.
after lunch, we carried on walking around Citysqaure, actually only 2 guys wanted to buy clothing's la. so they actually walk ahead until we lost them. haa.. the remaining of us just dropped an SMS tell them to meet us at a particular time so we can carry on shopping. so i saw this push-cart selling something interesting that i really wanted to get for Dear. i am not going to tell...! haha! and i got it!
there is this shop that sells clocks and one of their design was a treble clef. oh my god. it caught my eye that i really want to get it. but at the thought of lugging it back to Singapore. erm... next time ba.. when i am not so lazy. Cab over to Holiday plaza, friends want to get some DVD (read: pirated!) kinda scary process.. i shall not explain much. later kena caught! ha!
Met Xiuling at Arcade in Citysquare. haha! surprise, that i gave an expression of "i caught you red-handed" well.. i don't who she was with. main thing was, the world is so small that you can bump into anyone without knowing it.
End Ex at around 2200... by the time all shagged out already. Ex Bahru was quite a success even though a few of them spent so much without knowing what they have spent on. hehe! today everyone will assess the financial damage. for me.. well... haha! not much damage done. phew..!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
From the Land, Air and Sea
Its been a long time since i was in Singapore. I touched down today around 12.40pm from Bandar Seri Bangawan. Happily shopping at Duty Free, getting some wine and beer. Well, let's rewind back 18 days before.
After posting the last entry, we actually headed to Coffee Bean inside T2 for a cuppa of coffee to keep me awake until i can board the plane. haha! from where we were sitting sipping away, the plane Royal Brunei Airlines was just right in front of us. So every thing felt normal as we go through security at the gate and boarded the plane. i message dear, update her on my flight. the morning was beautiful at changi, only regret is i don't have my camera to capture the moment. Breakfast was served on board, no before long i doze off with the tiny pillow provided. Reality sets in when the plane starts its descend into Brunei.
Once we were on the ground, i wish i didn't make that flight. no one wants to rush off the plane because its the mark of the beginning of a long and tough training in brunei. We were whisked away onto a awaiting bus headed for the water taxi that will take us through the Temburong River towards Bangar Town. Caught a little glimps of BSB, the famous water village in brunei as we sail on. the boat ride was an hour plus long so again, we slept.
Fast forward abit, upon arrival at the camp, we (as in my section) found out that the platoon will be split into our attached coys, so i bunk in with Charlie Coy where it my new "home" for the next 18 days. Training will be with them and for once not with Support Coy. the first few days was in camp training trying to get used to the terrain in Brunei, we climb knolls and get soak in water. First night, i read the letter Support OC wrote to all of us, it made me teared for the first time. In it, was a card with a personal message that goes "Perseverance is failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth."
Ex Nomad, was a 3D2N navigation exercise in the brunei jungle. my first outfield bashing through the vegetation, climbing up knolls and down the spurs as we find checkpoints around the jungle. By 3pm we start to find our harbouring area for the night. the first night out there requires some getting used to. Sun sets at 5.30pm in Brunei and not before long by 7 everything is dark. Even with your hand 10cm away from your face also can't be seen! we slept on hammock. again it's my first time la, so didn't set up properly ended sleeping in an uncomfortable manner. it poured heavily the first night, lucky my shelter was properly built so i stayed fairly dry. Second night harbouring was a little impromptu because as we were navigating, it poured suddenly so we quickly built temporary shelter which ends up where we are sleeping for the night. it became a close bonding session that night as we chat away as it was too early to sleep. not long we managed to navigate out of the jungle on third day noon time. all tired and weary but hey, 1 exercise down, 2 more to go!
the next exercise, came straight the next day after the Nomad, we became the role of enemy to engage in a fire fight with the rifle coy, nothing much for these exercise, just sit around wait for them to come round the training circuit to my check point and fire away! and again, 3 days quickly passed.
We did a technical river crossing to refresh us before the finale exercise.
Before going out for the finale exercise, i got a envelop, in it contains to 2 letter from my parents. again, i cried out. at that point. i missed home. they wrote messages that encourage me and gave me a booster to pull through the last exercise.
Finale exercise includes 2 mission, a climb up Mt Biang and the 7 knolls with river crossing. So we walk again to complete the first mission by day 1 and harbour. Day 2, we waited out in a open patch for a Super Puma helicopter to bring us to the foot of Mt Biang. My first flight on a chopper. Quite exciting to see a helicopter coming into land, then we brisked walk towards it while the rotor blades spin above head and board the chopper. haha! Mt Biang, a legendary mountain for training troops in Brunei. it is a 45 degree inclination uphill for the first roughly 500m then the last part it became steeper that require us to use our hands and feets to get us to the top. My salute to the 84mm when they struggle through the climb to the top when their load is heavier than mine! Day 3 was a mad dash down Mt Biang towards the river crossing site then up down the 7 knolls. I nearly lost my mind and broke down as we walk and walk and walk with no end in sight. but hey, i pulled through even though my section was already down with 2 men that means our load we carry became heavier. Day 4, the happiest day in Brunei, mission 2 was executed and not long...... END EX! yeah! as we cheered because the days in Brunei are soon ending! upon returing to camp, 4 of us, Anthony, Kenneth, Ming Wei and myself, was hurried to pack our kit bag to send back as we are the first 4 pioneers to fly back while the rest are on the last flight which they are making their way back as i type.
R&R was yesterday, we toured around BSB. Visited the M&M&M's (Mosque and Museum and Mall). tell you the truth, Brunei wasn't as bad as it thought other than being a strict muslim country. Everything is Gold! even the dustbin, electrical plugs and supermarket trolley! haha! i have no pictures to show because i never bring camera la! We toured the water village and actually dropping into one of the house to experience what is like to stay in there. this morning was dead straight heading for the airport and no way i was to turn back! got on to my window seat! finally! haha! now back to terra firma.
the past 18 days, like the phrase from the infantry song which all BMTC recruits sing at POP "from the land, air and sea." that was happen during the 18 days. we walk, flew, swim, climb. i don't know how i did it, but i did it! its hard to describe. it takes one to experience it to know how it felt like. glad that i didn't fall out and endure through the training. now back home i shall enjoy the next 7 days relaxing before the next phrase of training begins till turning ops to protect the nation.
Auf Wiedersehen!
After posting the last entry, we actually headed to Coffee Bean inside T2 for a cuppa of coffee to keep me awake until i can board the plane. haha! from where we were sitting sipping away, the plane Royal Brunei Airlines was just right in front of us. So every thing felt normal as we go through security at the gate and boarded the plane. i message dear, update her on my flight. the morning was beautiful at changi, only regret is i don't have my camera to capture the moment. Breakfast was served on board, no before long i doze off with the tiny pillow provided. Reality sets in when the plane starts its descend into Brunei.
Once we were on the ground, i wish i didn't make that flight. no one wants to rush off the plane because its the mark of the beginning of a long and tough training in brunei. We were whisked away onto a awaiting bus headed for the water taxi that will take us through the Temburong River towards Bangar Town. Caught a little glimps of BSB, the famous water village in brunei as we sail on. the boat ride was an hour plus long so again, we slept.
Fast forward abit, upon arrival at the camp, we (as in my section) found out that the platoon will be split into our attached coys, so i bunk in with Charlie Coy where it my new "home" for the next 18 days. Training will be with them and for once not with Support Coy. the first few days was in camp training trying to get used to the terrain in Brunei, we climb knolls and get soak in water. First night, i read the letter Support OC wrote to all of us, it made me teared for the first time. In it, was a card with a personal message that goes "Perseverance is failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth."
Ex Nomad, was a 3D2N navigation exercise in the brunei jungle. my first outfield bashing through the vegetation, climbing up knolls and down the spurs as we find checkpoints around the jungle. By 3pm we start to find our harbouring area for the night. the first night out there requires some getting used to. Sun sets at 5.30pm in Brunei and not before long by 7 everything is dark. Even with your hand 10cm away from your face also can't be seen! we slept on hammock. again it's my first time la, so didn't set up properly ended sleeping in an uncomfortable manner. it poured heavily the first night, lucky my shelter was properly built so i stayed fairly dry. Second night harbouring was a little impromptu because as we were navigating, it poured suddenly so we quickly built temporary shelter which ends up where we are sleeping for the night. it became a close bonding session that night as we chat away as it was too early to sleep. not long we managed to navigate out of the jungle on third day noon time. all tired and weary but hey, 1 exercise down, 2 more to go!
the next exercise, came straight the next day after the Nomad, we became the role of enemy to engage in a fire fight with the rifle coy, nothing much for these exercise, just sit around wait for them to come round the training circuit to my check point and fire away! and again, 3 days quickly passed.
We did a technical river crossing to refresh us before the finale exercise.
Before going out for the finale exercise, i got a envelop, in it contains to 2 letter from my parents. again, i cried out. at that point. i missed home. they wrote messages that encourage me and gave me a booster to pull through the last exercise.
Finale exercise includes 2 mission, a climb up Mt Biang and the 7 knolls with river crossing. So we walk again to complete the first mission by day 1 and harbour. Day 2, we waited out in a open patch for a Super Puma helicopter to bring us to the foot of Mt Biang. My first flight on a chopper. Quite exciting to see a helicopter coming into land, then we brisked walk towards it while the rotor blades spin above head and board the chopper. haha! Mt Biang, a legendary mountain for training troops in Brunei. it is a 45 degree inclination uphill for the first roughly 500m then the last part it became steeper that require us to use our hands and feets to get us to the top. My salute to the 84mm when they struggle through the climb to the top when their load is heavier than mine! Day 3 was a mad dash down Mt Biang towards the river crossing site then up down the 7 knolls. I nearly lost my mind and broke down as we walk and walk and walk with no end in sight. but hey, i pulled through even though my section was already down with 2 men that means our load we carry became heavier. Day 4, the happiest day in Brunei, mission 2 was executed and not long...... END EX! yeah! as we cheered because the days in Brunei are soon ending! upon returing to camp, 4 of us, Anthony, Kenneth, Ming Wei and myself, was hurried to pack our kit bag to send back as we are the first 4 pioneers to fly back while the rest are on the last flight which they are making their way back as i type.
R&R was yesterday, we toured around BSB. Visited the M&M&M's (Mosque and Museum and Mall). tell you the truth, Brunei wasn't as bad as it thought other than being a strict muslim country. Everything is Gold! even the dustbin, electrical plugs and supermarket trolley! haha! i have no pictures to show because i never bring camera la! We toured the water village and actually dropping into one of the house to experience what is like to stay in there. this morning was dead straight heading for the airport and no way i was to turn back! got on to my window seat! finally! haha! now back to terra firma.
the past 18 days, like the phrase from the infantry song which all BMTC recruits sing at POP "from the land, air and sea." that was happen during the 18 days. we walk, flew, swim, climb. i don't know how i did it, but i did it! its hard to describe. it takes one to experience it to know how it felt like. glad that i didn't fall out and endure through the training. now back home i shall enjoy the next 7 days relaxing before the next phrase of training begins till turning ops to protect the nation.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Pre-Flight Entry
haha! blogging from Terminal 2. Just checked into my flight, going to grab a bite before boarding. See you guys in a few weeks time....
Don't worry guys, i will take care of myself. I pray for all back at home!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Don't worry guys, i will take care of myself. I pray for all back at home!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Thursday, June 07, 2007
jus an update
so this is an account of what happen the past few (or perhaps many) days... not in good mood to write so here goes bunch of rubbish..
its feels wonderful to be able to touch and kiss the french horn again. haha! manage to attend alumni band prac even though they were preparing for concert. i have been labelled as "guest player". oh well... serving the country has higher prority? yah.. so eh, really miss playing horn la. nice to catch up with the rest of the guys. seeing them makes me miss those times before i enlist into army. wish i could have more time to hang out with them. and well.. first alumni concert and i am not playing. what's worst..? i am not around in Singapore.
Saturday was grandpa's birthday. was suppose to be held at some restaurant la, but haiya, don't know what happen. end up doing it at his house. brought Suky along to well... meet the family? it was boring as usual, we kept ourselves entertain by arm and thumb wrestling. i think i should stop doing thumb wrestling, i sprain my thumb in camp and still hurts whenever i play piano. what a pain..
Sunday watched shrek 3 then went to vila'ge for rosti. i love it! wee..! actually watch with suky's collegues la, noisy but lively bunch. hmm... better than those bunch of monkeys in camp i think!
final packing of kit bag for past 3 days. not really in the mood to blog. coz going to brunei soon. haiz.. mood is on a roller coaster ride. going up and down, up and down. i won't want to say much. the following is my flight details.
Outbound flight - BI 428
Departure Date/Time - 9 June @ 0710
Inbound flight - BI 421
Arrival Date/Time - 26 June @ 1245
Auf Wiedersehen!
its feels wonderful to be able to touch and kiss the french horn again. haha! manage to attend alumni band prac even though they were preparing for concert. i have been labelled as "guest player". oh well... serving the country has higher prority? yah.. so eh, really miss playing horn la. nice to catch up with the rest of the guys. seeing them makes me miss those times before i enlist into army. wish i could have more time to hang out with them. and well.. first alumni concert and i am not playing. what's worst..? i am not around in Singapore.
Saturday was grandpa's birthday. was suppose to be held at some restaurant la, but haiya, don't know what happen. end up doing it at his house. brought Suky along to well... meet the family? it was boring as usual, we kept ourselves entertain by arm and thumb wrestling. i think i should stop doing thumb wrestling, i sprain my thumb in camp and still hurts whenever i play piano. what a pain..
Sunday watched shrek 3 then went to vila'ge for rosti. i love it! wee..! actually watch with suky's collegues la, noisy but lively bunch. hmm... better than those bunch of monkeys in camp i think!
final packing of kit bag for past 3 days. not really in the mood to blog. coz going to brunei soon. haiz.. mood is on a roller coaster ride. going up and down, up and down. i won't want to say much. the following is my flight details.
Outbound flight - BI 428
Departure Date/Time - 9 June @ 0710
Inbound flight - BI 421
Arrival Date/Time - 26 June @ 1245
Auf Wiedersehen!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Army takes you places
yes it does! where in Singapore you will find opportunities to sail out to sea on a motorised boat to remote unheard (for the non-adventures) islands around the mainland. For example, Pulau Seletar, a tiny island north east along the coastal border between Singapore and Malaysia, where we set foot on watching people water ski by and waves created by the speed boats crashes onto the shore. It also gives you an opportunity to sleep on the tiny boat while waiting for fellow servicemen training on shore. The gentle waves rock you to sleep.
En-route we sail pass larger vessels unloading sand on to barges tied along side. Sand, fragments of mother nature trinkle down like rain drops as it unload from the jaws of the cranes. Looking across the border, you would see vessels berth aside the Malaysian port, ships carrying cargo of all shapes and sizes coming from different parts of the world. At that point in time, you will realise you are a dwarf among the giant of the seas. A little something related to our job, we saw a World War II bunker amongst the bushes where once British soldiers stood guard against enemy forces protecting our then a British Coloney.
Returning home, we leave behind a horizon with golden rays of setting sun. How we wish we could see such sights again, well of course minus the training we got to do. I once looked up, sun rays peaked through a hole in the grayish clouds, rain drops fall on us, we were tired but the sight just simply takes everything and let us enjoy the moment.
In two weeks time, I will embark on a journey to brunei for my first overseas training. It will take me through the dense forest where i was told you could not see you hand infront of you when night falls. I wonder what it has on offer for me. Only time will tell....
Auf Wiedersehen!
En-route we sail pass larger vessels unloading sand on to barges tied along side. Sand, fragments of mother nature trinkle down like rain drops as it unload from the jaws of the cranes. Looking across the border, you would see vessels berth aside the Malaysian port, ships carrying cargo of all shapes and sizes coming from different parts of the world. At that point in time, you will realise you are a dwarf among the giant of the seas. A little something related to our job, we saw a World War II bunker amongst the bushes where once British soldiers stood guard against enemy forces protecting our then a British Coloney.
Returning home, we leave behind a horizon with golden rays of setting sun. How we wish we could see such sights again, well of course minus the training we got to do. I once looked up, sun rays peaked through a hole in the grayish clouds, rain drops fall on us, we were tired but the sight just simply takes everything and let us enjoy the moment.
In two weeks time, I will embark on a journey to brunei for my first overseas training. It will take me through the dense forest where i was told you could not see you hand infront of you when night falls. I wonder what it has on offer for me. Only time will tell....
Auf Wiedersehen!
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