Updates Part 3 - Random Thoughts On What I Wish and Would Love to Have

Decided to post on some stuff which suddenly came into my mind while blogging, and since i havent posted on what i would like to have before.. so here goes about a few items that captured my eye. *hint hint* =p

First on the list, Ipod Touch! (16GB/32GB)

Know this has been on the market for a very long time, but well, starting to feel that i would rather have this than a psp, and that i could put it to very good use.

Next, Garmin GPSMAP® 60CSx!

Have been wishing that i could have one of these babies and i wouldnt have to fuss over topography and getting lost when out in the jungles, be it Singapore, Brunei, Taiwan, basically the whole world! Tells you everything you need to know, even weather, how high u are, even has games to keep u company on tt boring night in ur hammock!


Lastly for the day, a Honda Varadero XL125V!

Certainly one of the main choices of the bikes i will get when i get my bike license! Check out the lovely v-twin engine and cool looks. Though only 125cc, this pretty thing performs flawlessly, and turns heads wherever you go!


Alright. Better stop fantasizing and drooling about these things from now. Back to camp in another few hours. Till then!

Updates Part 2 - Thoughts About My Future and Career

Have also recently been thinking about my future alot. There is just one more year to my ORD date which gets closer day by day. Have been very keen to sign on to the army, but very restricted due to my posting, my rank and the time that i decided i want to turn regular. Got quite a few paths to take but the most common answer i always get is tt the earliest i could leave is after ATEC. Which will be like the end of this year, so i might as well ORD? I duno.

Many of my friends are persuading me not to do something "foolish" and sign my life to a so called "bad place to be in". But after careful and much thought, i realise that i do not mind such a vocation and life, and that i might actually enjoy it. Trainings are tough, and politics may be aplenty, but where else in the working world isnt there such things happening? I feel that it is how we handle ourselves and situations that will make a difference. True?

Another issue will be the issue of money i guess. Have thought about after ORD-ing and leaving the army, what will i be doing? I only have an O Levels cert, and it will be difficult looking for a job tt pays well. Yes i do want to study more, but where is the money going to come from? I do not want to burden my parents anymore as they still have two other children, and the house, and bills etc. to worry about. Yes, the issue of self-sufficiency arises.

Right now, from what i see, i have two choices. One, i join the ADF, and hopefully study part time. Another, is i take up the joint poly and SAF program. Where the army pays for my full time studies at a polytechnic and then i serve a bond afterwards as a spec. Im still thinking, cos both has their pros and cons. After joining the ADF, work and study would most probably be a concurrent thing, tts IF i get time to study. But the fact is that i will be sent for spec training almost immediately after i sign. The other way is tt i study full time at a poly, then i go for spec training after poly and when i serve the bond. But how old will i be then? These are lingering issues, that only time could iron out for me i guess.

Updates Part 1 - Brunei

A blink of an eye and we're already into the third month of the new year! My.. time is flying so fast everything seems like a blur. It was just like yesterday it was the beginning of the new year, then CNY, then Brunei. Next, hey! I'm back from Brunei and now looking forward to Taiwan on the 8th of April. Phew!

A few updates..

Brunei was great! Totally loved it there man. Serious! Its the first time i went out of the country for a battalion exercise. Not as enjoyable as going as a course level as so many things are being restricted e.g. like canteen breaks and stuff, but the jungle and outfield experience was worth the while.

Brunei's weather is very similar, only wetter! Rains almost everyday at the same time in the evening, so ur not totally dry most of the time. Terrain was agonizing. The whole time its either you are going up, or you are going down. Not forgetting the mud, rocks, moss and of course the numerous times we, as scouts, gotta swim across the river, while the rest crosses it with the help of a rope! But it was all good training and experience nonetheless. Brunei is going to be on my list after Taiwan as to where i would like to be posted to, IF i become a regular. =D

Not forgetting one complaint i have - Brunei's airport is BORING! There is practically nothing to do there, with a small DFS and a few small shops selling souvenirs (btw, things in Brunei is either the same as Singapore, or more expensive!), tts about it. No alcohol, no nothing! And guess what? Our flight back got delayed for close to 8hours! Literally rotted there man! But thank God for the safe and fast journey back.

Brunei - 31st Jan to 13th Feb

Flying off to another country again with the army, and this time is BRUNEI!

Will be flying on Saturday at around 2am, so gotta be at the airport by around 11pm on Friday night.

Did a google on the terrain in Brunei and these are a couple i found.

What could i say but only "GOOD LUCK" TO US WHO ARE GOING!! Man, as much i love the outdoors and adventure and all the outfields we have, one thing is that we're still in SINGAPORE! Our cant even be counted a jungle man, but just a secondary FOREST. Oh my, Brunei is going to be like a totally new level. I'm kinda apprehensive but also really looking forward to the trip for the experience. Just hope i come back in one piece. Hehe.

From now till then when i return, take care! ;)

Bernard's Wedding 050109

Attended Platoon Sergeant Bernard's wedding dinner on Monday. Was the emcee for the night too! Great experience although was kinda nerve-wrecking as it was my first time being an emcee for a wedding plus i gotta do it in CHINESE too! For all those who know me well enough, you should know my mandarin is rather "chui" hahaha. But nonetheless, it was a good night, with good food and drink. Here are a few pics.. =)

Suited up! Ready to roll.

Bernard and I

Showing my officer how nice even a Tiger could be when it is really ice cold. He couldnt drink cos he drove. HAHA.

Emcee-ing. Fumbled on the Chinese part!

叶问 Ip Man | Yes Man!

Yes! Caught 叶问 or Ip Man (pronounced 'eep-mun') today with Baolong and Irina! Definitely rate it a 4.5/5! Very well produced! I'm so gonna buy the DVD when it comes out man.

Can't blame me cos I'm quite a sucker when it comes to chinese kungfu movies! Loves those productions from Jackie Chan, Jet Li etc etc; ranging from ancient days Huang Feihong (Jet Li) to more modern production such as Drunken Master (Jackie Chan). Woo!

I wanna collect all the DVDs from such genres man! Then can watch n watch n i never get tired of them!

Also caught Yes Man yesterday with Baolong! Give it a rating of 4/5 for a good comedy movie! Certainly had alot of laughs watching it.

Also realised that many times in life we give in to so many things and say yes, even if it goes against our own morals, jus to please a certain someone or even jus giving into peer pressure. Little do we know we're actually doing more harm unto others and ourselves even though life may seem "good" or "wow, im the in-thing now, im the man!" So go and catch it if u havent!

But i still prefer Jim Carey in his classic shows such as The Mask and Ace Ventura. Only he can pull off such expressions and antics! Haha.

First Fishing Attempt - Failed!

Haha. Went to Lower Seletar to try my hand at fishing today. Woke up at 5.30am to prepare and was out of the house before 6am. Paul came to keep me company soon after. Didnt catch anything, except a couple of PLASTIC BAGS and FISHING LINE! -___-" But nonetheless, company was great and so was the sunrise! I'm so gonna go back there w my camera next time!

Christmas Day 251208

Finally a short rest for me. Schedule's been so damn packed during the weeks building up to Christmas. Just last week had to go outfield, booked out on Sat, booked in on Sun, then live firing on Mon and Tue, and had to be the emcee for my battalion's Christmas celebration on Wed. So yea, finally a breather.

Christmas is literally non-existent this year. Nth has really gone right the past week, and things happened that make you wonder whether have you been living in an illusion all this while. Guess the only choice for me is to pick up the pieces and go, and force myself to bring my attention to other things.

Just be straightforward with me, will you?
If there's indeed nth, then there's nth.
I'd appreciate the honesty.

Maybe Its Better Off This Way..

Better That We Break - Maroon 5

I never knew perfection 'till
I heard you speak, and now it kills me
Just to hear you say the simple things
Now waking up is hard to do
And sleeping is impossible too
Everything is reminding me of you
What can I do

It's not right, not okay
To say the words that you say
Maybe we're better off this way
I'm not fine, I'm in pain
It's harder everyday
Maybe we're better off this way
It's better that we break…

A fool to let you slip away
I chase you just to hear you say
You're scared and that you think that I'm insane

The city looks so nice from here
Pity I can't see it clearly
While you're standing there, it disappears
It disappears

It's not right, not okay
To say the words that you say

Maybe we're better off this way
I'm not fine, I'm in pain
It's harder everyday
Maybe we're better off this way
It's better that we break

So you're sitting all alone
You're fragile and you're cold, but that's alright
Life these days is getting rough
They've knocked you down and beat you up
But it's just a rollercoaster anyway, yeah

It's not right, not okay
To say the words that you say
Maybe we're better off this way
I'm not fine, I'm in pain
It's harder everyday
Maybe we're better off this way

I'm not fine, not okay
To say the words that you say
Maybe we're better off this way

I'm not fine, I'm in pain
It's harder everyday
Maybe we're better off this way
It's better that we break, baby

Guards Rite of Passage Graduation Ceremony

Finally and officially became a Guardsman today. After 4 days of hellish treatment, both physically and mentally, and completing the Guards Assault Course and beach PT before the graduation ceremy, what can i say except "Always Ready, Ready to Strike!"

Dad putting on the Guards Tab on my left shoulder for me.

Camouflage, the Recce Trooper way!

Donning our Khaki Berets.

Here's the pleasant surprise. I was awarded Best Trainee (Scout)!

It was difficult, it was tough.
But certainly, what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger.
EARN IT!

a slow stroll.
a gentle breeze.
a nice red.
a connection.
perfect.

Life The Way It Is - "So Interesting"

Haven't blogged ever since i came back from Taiwan due to the tight army schedule that i have to conform to. Life in camp has been rather tiring and draining from the numerous training sessions and many other issues that linger. Thank God for buddy mates who go through the same things and provide an outlet for you to vent your frustrations to.

Next week's schedule won't be any less slack though, because i will be completing my Guards conversion. Gotta prepare myself for a 16km tactical march on tue and a whole load of "tekan" from the instructors till Friday. Hopefully, nothing major will happen and i will pull through the week and proudly don the coveted khaki beret at the end.

I am also very happy that i was able to complete my SOC (Standard Obstacle Course) in 8min 22secs. This means that there will be no more SOC RT (Remedial Training) till next year when i take my next SOC test. Now i just have to concentrate and work on my IPPT Gold for next year. Its close. Very close.

Have also talked to my battalion S1 (Manpower Branch) about matters pertaining to me signing on to the army as a career. To my disappointment, i was told i wasnt able to sign straightaway and get posted out for commander's training. Reason being that i was in a unit already, and if i were to go, who would replace me? Was told there'd be a recruitment talk early next year and could highlight my interest to them, but even so, the earliest i would be able to leave for further training is ard Dec next year. I'm still pretty much keen to sign on but will take this long period of time to carefully think further.

Have been thinking of a certain someone, but sometimes i just do not know how to express. Possible fears from making the same mistakes perhaps, and maybe too many uncertainties about the future. Unmatching schedules, different qualifications. The question i ask myself most of the time is whether am i good enough, whether my bad points overshadow the good, or is there no good at all? Give me a sign pls, anything, or has it all been wishful thinking on my part? Hmm.

Right on Track

One down...

One more to go...

Back from Taiwan! Here's a slight preview! =D

Leaving on a jet a plane...

Been so long.
Been so busy.
Army is fun.

Am going to fly off to Taiwan with around 6 hours more to go.
Will be taking the 0215hrs flight on SQ8976.
Will be back by the 17th of Nov.

Till then,
Ken

"This is home.. truly.."

Yoosh. Seems like i haven't updated in quite awhile.

Just came back from a 24hr guard duty shift over at Dieppe Barracks, which unfortunately is my 2nd time in the month! Grrr. Its like getting confinement, when you didnt do anything wrong, and just have to accept it as REGIMENTAL. Argh. Man, imagine having to go back to camp after NDP on Saturday, then leave for another camp on Sunday morning, only to get home on Monday morn! After which you book in back to camp on Mon nite. Sad life right? *sigh*

Anyway, complaints aside. Ha ha. It is due to such situations where you really appreciate the company with ur family and closed ones. This is one of the major things that i have learnt after coming to the army, where ur time spent with people around you is majorly cut short/off, leaving only a couple of days or even hours to spend with them each week. THIS, is when you learn not to take people, esp your family, for granted.

Have also been busy the past few weeks with NDP '08, where we commit our Fridays and Saturdays to the floating Platform at Marina Bay, setting up barricades, placing the funpacks, getting the seating right, doing alot of fatigue work. Each time never ends with our shirts or uniform dry. Tough work, we all hate it, but honestly, its quite an experience where you see the army (somewhat free labour?), and other formations being deployed make the show work. Only when you go behind the scenes is when you will see how much work goes into making the 9th of August possible. *Salutes* to all who have put in their hard work and those who are still. Another couple more weeks to go!

Did my first IPPT this past week. Too bad i missed my $100 by 2 chin-ups! Ha ha. But I am improving so passing it is no issue now, its about working harder to get to my silver than my gold! Apart from not getting the $100, i set a new personal record for my 2.4km run! 9min 37secs! Woo! I know its not THAT fast, but hey, its a gold timing! Haha. Still remember the first time i ran the 2.4 in BMT, and clocked 13mins and 47secs! Well, i strived and each time i tried to improve by at least a min, in which i got 10min 10secs in the last ippt in BMT. So im actually rather proud of myself of the results im getting here over at Guards. Well, the road doesnt end here, so i still gotta work harder and achieve better results! =)

Sorry to all whom i havent really kept in contact with these past couple of weeks, really been busy and its not really my habit to contact people when im in camp unless really necessary (even my parents!), and my weekends are rather burnt too with NDP.

So here's a few people im gonna holler to... (Just a few names that came to my mind. Apologies to those i miss out, pls do know that i still have you all good people in my mind and heart and ur greatly missed. Hang out soon.)

Baolong - Miss hanging out with you dude. Great balloon creations your coming up with! keep it up!
Daryl Lee - "Loyalty to Country!!"
Gillian Jie - Thanks for being there and concerned for me. =)
Jolin - Pls pls pls take better care of yourself. Don't overwork and rest plenty when you're not feeling well. You're a nurse! You shd know better okay. =D
TomSum - Miss the outings with both of you and the naughty good boy Joash! See you all soon!

Just for kicks, this is me with a mask on. LOL.

Life so far in 1 Guards...

Guards Creed

WE are GUARDSMAN WARRIORS.
Resolute in loyalty, Steadfast in commitment.
We fight for our country, our Home and our Family.

Land warriors from Air and Sea,
Unfailing in Toughness,
Valiant in our Actions.
We destroy all foes who challenge our Mission.

We are ELITE warriors,
With Daring Initiative,
We Rule the Day,
And we Rule the Night!
Always Ready!
Ready to Strike!

Have been pretty inspired by the Guards Creed above. It speaks of being the best, how to be the best, and putting an extra foot into whatever comes your way, no matter how hard it is.

Have spent a week in 1 Guards already and going through my Guards Advance Course (GAC), where at the the end and completion of this course, i rightfully earn my place as a Guardsman and to wear the khaki beret and Guards tab.

Life is unit is quite different from life in BMT, many changes, many things to get used to. This week has been pretty okay, lesson have been rather interesting where we learnt new weapons and basic protection for key installations n such.

Physical training at 1 Guards is now up-ped a level. 5BX is now twice as much reps and at least a 2km jog in the morning. Push-ups through the day is common affair now (just maybe about 200 a day), where the normal of 20 push ups increase to around 40-50 each time, or becomes 20 diamond push-ups. Tough, but im still able to cope and enjoy it at the same time. Hey, what doesnt kill you makes you stronger right?

Discipline is totally on a new level now. Step a little out of line in what you do and be prepared to bear the brunt of your commanders. Everything has to be done fast, efficient and standardised. It is really no joke when you go to a place and most of your superiors are 2nd sergeants and above, and are regulars in the army. But so far, this aspect has been pretty easy to adapt to, thanks to my sergeants back in BMT who often emphasize for us to move fast and efficient in what we do.

Unit life is not totally all trainings after trainings and punishments after punishments though. Games are an occasional priviledge given for soldiers to relax and have some fun. Went down to Marina Bay today too, where the floating platform for NDP is. Most likely will be involved in this year's NDP after all, and i think i will be manning a lost and found point where i can "zoh bo" (sit ard and do nth). Hee Hee. My sir say one what!

Anyway, most probably training and my course schedule will come full fledged in the next week. So i gotta prepare myself mentally for whatever is to come. "Unfailing in toughness, valiant in our actions...."

Ok. Gotta go face the reality of my 500m swim next week already. =S

Comd SAF BMTC wishes you all the best in your future posting.

Your Posting Order is listed below:

1. You are posted to 1 GUARDS.
2. Your vocation is GDSMAN.

3. Your are to report to: Bedok Camp 2, BLK 102, RM #01-11, Bedok Camp Admin Centre
(CAC).

Reporting Date/Time: 23/06/2008 at 0800 hrs.

--------------------------------------------------------

OMG! YAY! HUH? SIGH? WOOPEEE!

Unpredictability - Life

With a rather heavy heart i type out this post. Emotionally, I am feeling fine. Have just been pondering over some stuff which had happened so quickly, so suddenly, and which leaves me with a certain taint of uncertainty about what is yet to come.

This past week has been shrouded in this word - death.

'Swift and silent' as many writers would pen.

Yet so close to home n heart this time round.

Two people I didn't know, but we served the same organisation.

One was young, my age, fresh into the itinery and operated right at the block next to mine. Took a walk and next moment just left. Just like that. I still wonder whether I may have passed by or even seen him, during the morning's meal.

Another, already decided to commit, and on the path to a fulfilling life with purpose, honor and prestige. Yet, gone, just like that.

So who are we to blame? The lack of proper measures in place, or simply accept the fact that life isn't a bed of roses? Even if it were, do we forget about the thorns?

I can't remember much about him, except for the few occasions that I've seen him when I was very young. I do not know why he would do such a thing, and I do not want to know. But the stories I've been told about him, at least keeps a flame flickering, that there is at least some good, albeit even a little, in everyone. No matter what the person did, no matter who he was. For now, another chapter closes.

Health. Another concern that yet still lingers. Be it physical or mental health, new issues would still pop out. Take a third-party opinion? Or professional care? Can't help but remember the many years that we spent together, the gatherings, the same old lines that she repeats. But would she be able to remember?

No, I am not sad. Just learning to accept the unpredictability of life. Just learning to accept the facts of life. Not knowing what would happen at the next moment, learning to live life to the fullest.