In the coy office

Time: 11.45pm

Date: 20 April 2010

Location: 1st Transport Battalion ‘A’ GTC.

well hello guys. Well since I am the Duty Driver and ACOS(assistant company orderly sergeant) today, I will have to standby in the office in case anyone calls or there is a situation. Guys in the army should know this duty isn’t nice to kena, but what to do?

Its been almost 2 months since I updated this soon-to-be extinct page, so I will just briefly touch on the past 2 months. Basically after my driving course and 2 weeks of waiting for my posting, I have been posted to 1st Transport Battalion. It’s basically a support unit, but most of the time, we are on standby “should war break out, we will be activated”, according to my staff sergeant. My task is to maintain the vehicles, do office work and if possible, siam any “arrows” at all times.

However, as I got my posting, I was told that I would be posted overseas to Thailand to serve my NS. At that point of time I was half happy yet half down. Happy in the sense that I get to go out of the tiny red dot in the world map and experience serving NS in another country(plus I never been to Thailand b4). At the same time, I was feeling sad because I have to leave everything here in Singapore for 10 months, away from home and friends/family.

I kept the posting to myself and did not reveal it to my family till most of the details were confirmed as there were cases that people who were chosen to go overseas did not make it at all. About 1 month or so, they told me I would be leaving on the 17th of May, which is next month. Then the feeling really hit me. I am gonna leave everything behind after all.

So for the month of april and beginning of may, I will still be around here(somewhere). Details as to what time and flight I am flying off are still to be confirmed. One thing is for sure, is that I will definitely miss everyone. 10 months is neither short or long, and I have never been away from home for so long in a different country, so it is a whole new ball game for me. Luckily, Gabriel, Hafiz and Shar are going along as well so at least I will have some company..

Alright, as I am typing these last few words, my eyes are getting heavier by the moment, and I still got to collect breakfast at 5am. Gonna crash people, so c ya around soon.

Driving Course

It has been a really long time since I last updated. Well, with reference to the post title, yes people, I have successfully attained the SAF Driving License, which means I am qualified to drive vehicles like the Land Rover, The Iveco and MAN trucks that some of you have been seeing on the road. I am kinda happy in the sense that I passed the driving test first time, considering my civilian Class 3 took me 2 times to pass. Well, some of you have been wondering, since it is also a class 3 License, what is the difference b/w that and of the civilian one?

SAF:

1. Any demerit points above 10 or an immediate failure constitutes to..well an immediate failure.

2. You cannot exceed 50km/h(yes it’s true. No joke). Do that and the Speed Warning Device(SWD) will start beeping. Let it beep somemore and the guys wearing No.4 will come after you with the white motorbikes.

3. You will be tested on Highway Code, Highway Situational Problems(HSP), Height(estimating the height of the vehicle) and Lashing(learning to secure your cargo properly), Parking Test and then finally the driving test.

4. And when you thought it was over when you pass the test, you got to go for islandwide driving for 200 mins. @50km/h!

Civilian:

1. You have 18 points to make a mistake(although people still exceed it).

2. Who cares how much you exceed? As long you know what you are doing and able to outrun the police if you speed.

3. 1 Basic Theory, 1 Advanced Theory and 1 Test. Simple?

4. After your test, drive all you want or better still, drive a year later! No one will ask you to go for orientation anyways.

These are some of the differences. There are many more though. Won mention them since they are irrelevant.

Now, just got to wait for my posting as I am still without a unit or you would say unitless. Hope I get one near my place so that I won’t have to travel so much.

Alright, Till I feel like updating this blog, later peeps~

Oh Well Oh M.C

Can’t belive she was in SG. Damn.

Anyway guys, since a certain someone Al*cough*Vin said that a lot of us have not been blogging a long time, I shall at least dust the dust off this page and write something in it for a change, or at least for a while since I haven’t update in a while.

Well,my Transport Supervisor course ended in November and now I am about 1 month into the driving course. Yea guys you heard it right. I am now officially a driver trainee for the SAF. I got to learn how to drive a Land Rover(which is about the same as driving a car), a 3 Tonner before moving to a 5 Tonner and then finally to the Ford Focus. I am sure some of you have seen those SAF trucks with a “L” plate behind on their tailboards and driving very slow right? Well, make no mistake, it could be me behind the wheel so please be patient..Thanks a lot.

You could say it was kind of a catch up when we had that party at Alastair’s place. Somehow I look at everyone and think “Wow,our poly lives seemed like yesterday. The guys are in army now and the girls are either working or at their studies. A lot has changed.” But I know for sure, our friendship will not change.

Kinda excited and happy as I will be the little brother who opens the car door for his sister yet again. That’s right folks, my sister is getting married and this time it’s my eldest sister, Shi Hui. I have to admit, both my sisters and their partners have a very strong relationship over these years and everyone can see it. To see them both tie the knot within 2 years not only made my parents very proud, but also me. As a brother, I am glad to see that my siblings have found their happiness.

Me? Nah, I still got a long way to go. My time has only began(sounds so cliche). Let’s just say I’m not ready both emotionally and financially to settle down yet. My parents ain’t rushing me too,so OTOT(own time own target).

Zaos peeps, shall update again if I have the time.

Party In The USA

Have this song playing in my Ipod for weeks and I am still not sick of it. This is the lead single from Miley Cyrus EP, The Time Of Our Lives. Bottom line is about her heading to L.A from Tenessee, her hometown and what are the changes she goes through and also what she finds in her new home.

I personally find this song quite nice, with a little rock element in it as well.

I know, some of you probably think that “Oh Miley Cyrus? aiya bad influence la. always got this and that”. Being number 2 on the Billboard for many weeks will change your mind about how hardworking she is and how her career in music is starting.  Good going Miley!

Time, finally.

Jeez, time is damn packed for sure. Ok I will just basically update what happens after my BMT cause I didn’t really update.

Congrats to myself for passing out of BMT. My current camp is at Sembawang Camp, somewhere b/w admiralty and yishun. It is not my permanent place though as I am only there for courses, after which I will pass out as a Transport Supervisor, meaning to say I will be taking drivers under me. You might think, aiseh, become leader sia. Oh please, the things I have to do now are crap and I believe will be mega crap when there are people under me.

Glad thing is, 2 of my bunk mates from BMT are with me together on this course and staying in the same bunk, plus my friend Chron from Poly and a guy Sean from another platoon in my BMT coy. Well at least life will be better and more fun knowing that your friends are with you on the course.

Met up with the rest at Alastair’s place last week. Seems like Alastair got lucky and his MC extended to December(chao keng..haha). Seems like everyone there has their own lives now. Guys with NS, girls mostly with studies. Haiz, missed those days in Sec school/Poly when everyone was still in the same class, having fun, skipping lectures and hanging out. But that’s life anyways.

Been looking back at my life and also thinking what I am gonna do after army. Seriously the time in NS really lets you slow down and think what you are gonna do for the next chapter of your life. Here are some of my plans which of course still subject to pending..

1. Work part time for school money/holiday money

2. Study @ MDIS Bachelor in Mass Communications

3. Go on a 2 to 3 months trip to USA, preferably California or Maryland(where my uncle lives)

4. Get Class 2 License by end of 2011.

More to be listed though. For the USA trip, I guess I will be heading alone as no one seems to be interested to be going with me for now, except my dad. It’s either I head straight to study after ORD or I go for the trip first, Which I am saving up now. I have done some research and I can say, I really love the beaches at Malibu, California, which makes me more motivated to save up no matter what. San Francisco is not bad too, as well as Long Beach. If I go for studies first, I will be able to go to Oklahoma City for a 3 weeks intern, though that is not the place I want to go.

Sianz, All my friends are in BMT now, and there is no way we get to meet up for about 2 weeks, which leaves my friday night bored.

All right, gotta zao for now. Got a lot of things to settle before booking in on sunday.

The Climb

This is a song I practically will listen wherever I go, and I won’t get sick it of it no matter what other people say or what.

The Climb

By: Miley Cyrus

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there’s a voice inside my head saying
“You’ll never reach it”

Every step I’m taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose

Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

The struggles I’m facing
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I’m not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I’m gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

‘Cause there’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose

Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb, yeah!

There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody’s gonna have to lose

Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It’s all about, it’s all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

This song basically says about life’s struggles and how to keep going despite all obstacles in the way. In the end it “ain about how fast I get there” but its ” the climb”(journey) that matters. I personally think it is a nice song because life is a journey and after all, a journey is bound to have obstacles. But when you look back, its not really the goal that is important, it is the journey that makes you have a sense of achievement.

This song was sung by Miley Cyrus from the album, Hannah Montana: The Movie. I actually heard this song as a single way before it made its way to the OST, but I didn’t really take notice of it till I watched the movie. I guess in the movie, this song is saying how Miley Steward(Cyrus)is struggling to live 2 lives. Day time as Miley Steward, Night as Hannah Montana, famous pop star.

If you guys want more info about the song or movie, just google em’. You are bound to find it.

Life’s a climb, but the view’s great – Miley Steward

back from somewhere

goodness *cough .. the amount of dust here sure is a lot.

Anyway, sorry for not updating as I was “enjoying life” in Tekong Chalet. Well 4 weeks have passed since I enlisted and the 5th is coming aka FIELD CAMP! Well, most of us are not looking forward to it as it is out in the wild with mosquitoes and bugs and snakes and whatever you can find out there. But oh well, this is something all of us have to go through.

I just booked out today after my photo shoot for passing out and also my IPPT. reached main land around 2.30? I don’t know, but I just have the weird feeling that everything is so strange and different here. Maybe being on an offshore island really makes you different…

Oh wells..nothing much to update already.. will update more when I have stuff..

bye guys..for now

bye guys for now. will be heading to tekong for abt 2 weeks before i come back.

take care and see ya.

after the half year mark

Probably after July, you won’t get to see me around anymore, well at least for the next 7 weeks.

Probably most of you will guess, but yea. It’s time to serve the nation.

Went online to check one day at work and confirmed my enlistment date is 24 July. Well most of you guys will probably think”haha this guy go in so early, cannot enjoy liao”. Big deal. I go in early I get to come out early, not like the most of the others, who enlist in october.

Well work was quite relaxing, except for some customers. Oh wells, working in the call centre industry is always the same. Every call you get is totally different. But since the people you work with are mostly ard your age(esp those temps), it is not as bad as u think.

alright, got to go. Heres wishing all mothers a very happy mother’s day!

21st

A short post and simple post. But..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NICHOLAS, KAH LONG AND KE WEE!

Esp to Ke Wee. Celebrating our friendship for 13 years.