Thank you guys for all the birthday greetings, letters and messages I really appreciate it. If you didn’t get to catch it, my birthday was on the 25th of this month. And most of the happenings happened in tekong on that day too. And yes It was a good day, everything was brighter that day, cheers and wows- , though I did to esacpe the dreaded taopok ambush, blanket party or ET stick party, surpisingly my whole platoon gave me a nice warm birthday gathering at my bunk where I was led into the hidden surprise in the dark, they had candles on “cake” yea maybe more like a cup warm cupnoodles.. hehe it was fun man.. we had great fun and I really love you guys.. you rock! The presents come later- to keep me entertained are april’s issue of PC gamer, Pop science tech gizmo magazine and a Foxtrot comic book. Whoa!

Today, I finally decided to pass my IPPT today, after staying and coaching my bunkmates for the whole of last week. Many of them had shown very significant improvements, from 0 pullups to 3 and even some 0 – 5 all within one month of training, specially tailored to fit their needs. It’s also very rewarding to see them break the zero barrier and see them fly with their pull ups, standing board jumps and 2.4km run. I finally wanted to disrupt today, as I wanted those free days in my hands. And I feel, its time they are able bodied to carry on themselves. So off I go.. but, I will back.. this wednesday. Freedom is sweet!… However, I am still wondering how I did 2.4km in 11:03 after slacking so much… *duh* miracles :p

And so, I am all back and dry on Singapore mainland, even the deadly SAR virus won’t dampen my spirits- Went out with my family for dinner at greatworld city today, had a zasu (think I got the spelling roughly there) tempura set, chicken claypot rice and ice kakang. I am surprised at my own appetite too, ate the quatity roughly about the same of 2 persons. Maybe its all the training which requires the high carbo intake. LoL! Also, dinner was too, full of surprises, my parents handed a present to me, opened it and woot!, its the $160 pair of Reebok titanium sunglasses I’ve eyeing from sometime.. hehe. Looks very nice with my new army hairdo too.. this rocks baby.

Thereafter, went to “That CD shop” to buy two of Lifehouse’s albums. Linkin Park had their meteor album out for 3 days already, but didn’t get that anyway. The service is very good there, I dunno is it me or what but the salesgirls there just can’t keep smiling and chatting with me.. whee! After leaving the shop.. damn I’ve found out that I’ve spent $43.90 at one go! arghhh! guys are so weak!!

And hey! its my buddy’s birthday today, happy birthday SOR!

Though my birthday is next tuesday, the celebrations with my family are already done, the singapore fragfest is also on, not to mention all the birthday celebration call ups. However, though all these anticipation, I had decided to stay in tekong for one more week. Firstly, because I want to help my section mates who are very weak in their IPPT stations and provide the training and coaching I can offer. A sacrifice you may say. Moreover, being the fitter one in my section, I guess its my duty to do so too. (section intergerity they say, lol!) we had grown very close together not only as a section but as a platoon too, sharing our much needed choiubo contacts, stories and stuffs, (to name a few). Secondly, because I want to set challenges ahead of me and acheive the gold standard at physical training. And third, I set myself a goal that no one in my section will fail their PT at the end of the PTP phrase, no one will disrupt alone and everyone will leave together.

Within my section, I am the only qualifed one to leave, however, I also dun like the idea of leaving them too, my sectionmates may not think so, but I feel that its like betrayal to them as a section if I leave, therefore I purposely failed my disruption test. My platoon commander and platoon sergeants have kinda mixed feelins to my decision, but otherwise they are letting me do my job here.

Moreover, my cough is recovering thanks those bitterly disgusting chinese medicine my dad got which I had to gulp down 3 times everyday, and I say, I am pretty geared up to the challenges ahead of me. However, I will disrupt and be out next week, as I have some post birthday BBQ or chalet celebrations with my ex-secondary school mates, will be looking forward to that.

Currently Listening: Come Come Come- Hit ‘N’ Hide

This week is cough and sore throat week, yea…all the PT and shouting, echoing and singing, I’ve lost my voice for the last 2 days, dammit. It said so too that the water on tekong is not as clean as that on the mainland. The notorious “tekong cough” and common sore throat will set in initially where we recruits will become immune to such water later on. Good thing tough, as my parents are kinda worried of my present “sickly” condition. Otherwise, I am feeling quite well, not much problems.

The ptp phase is kinda slack compared to the future BMT phase, and the company annex (aka leisure room) is a place we all go to enjoy our free time. In the newer future, the annex will be having a new addition- a brand new playstation 2, can’t wait to get our hands on it. Considering how many other company mates we have to wrestle through to get hold of the controller. Darn! I am getting tried of watching movies, playing pool, table football and carem! Lets get on with it!

Lastly, just had a second haircut yesterday, just when our platoon managed to get all our hair grown back covering our heads and appreciating “natural coverings”. The tekong barber anuites are back with their tools and whirrr, almost botak again…. On the brighter side, hey! I’ve gotten my first month’s army allowance already (yea!)- hopefully, I can save up enough to get this cool baby. Oh well, weekends here I come!

The Colt M16S1 assault rifle which I would using soon. A time which I had been looking forward to. Guess all those time spent on time crises arcade and first person shooter games will get me thingering to get this baby out for a try. Though the aniticpation of doing well in marksmanship, the thing which kinda give me 2nd thoughts of handling a rifle is its actual firepower- there is a very large gap between real firearms and that on computer games. A single M16 shot can kill, but in games it can even take many more shots to kill, say.. in the game of Half-life counter-strike.

Then there are stories left to be told by our officers of true firearm accidents during training and the different way their victims die from it (Not to metion the all popular ghost stories). For instance, a GPMG (general pupose machine gun) have a actual power of about 12 M16s rifles and how one shot through a person can leave an exit wound about 20-30cm in diameter (and surely won’t want to be in its way). All these incidents taught us a much and gave an impression that your issued rifle is a force not to be reconed with and must be treated with due and utmost respect.

On well, at least gone soon are the days of messing and playing around with rubber moulded “dummy rifles” lolz

My 2nd book out day was yesterday. Yea, went for a good dinner with my family at YMCA stevens road. They had completely revamped the menu. And the food is of a lower standard now. Anyway, glad they introduced baked rice into their menu too. Felt kinda strange going out with my new “botak” hairstyle, esp during dinner and out shopping in public. I like the cooling feel of my head too, anyway my hair’s more of less grown now, and not as short, my sis can’t keep calling my “Saguragi” (the anime slam dunk main character) lolz.

This morning, I woke up with a slight fever, but got over it within 3 hours after some panadol and after drinking and drinking tons of plain water. Guess all those PT training are really getting on me. The “tekong cough” is also a very notorious illness, almost all recruits will get it.. sooner or later, so are sore throats and raspy voices from all the army singing. Oh well, gotta book in later tonight, so gotta enjoy the days at home while I can.

AFTER 2 1/2 weeks in tekong! Haha, this is my first book out (to get the “A”level results), hair short (otherwise much more grown than the first day of cut), clean shaven..otherwise, not far from a shower and stinking like hell…

And clearing out 132 unread mail in my inbox… damn
haha..

I am enlisted into Foxtrot Coy, Platoon 2 @ BMTC school 1. Foxtrot Coy I say, yea, I kinda like that name too, though I am an avid fan of the foxtrot comic heheh.. On the life there, though a little more regimented, I find NS life now really different compared to the impression my father craved into me when I am young about his old NS experiences himself- ill-threatment, overly barking sergeants, dumb extra training/guard duties and stuffs. NS life is pretty on the welfare side now, you can report and difficulties, problem and conselling is readily available. (though no one bothers to do so..)

Our commanding officer for BMTC 1 can be roughly called a BFG (big friendly giant), very big and overly muscled, with badges, stars and craps stuck everywhere, but as welfare as ever. He tame by nature when we received our *introductory gifts* from him. On facilities, we get drink vending machines on every floor of the company for endless supply of root beer, pepsi, geen tea, isotonic drinks..etc. (if you have the cash) Kingcoil is proudly labelled on all mattress and theres Foodfare (NTUC related) catering to cater for all our meals the facilities at tekong are almost brand new… just to name a few…~ And I like it ! ~

Within my coy I am happy to have and say that my platoon have the best sergeants the company. There are our P.S 3rd sergeant Firdarus, Our P.C Lt Alvin & Lt Shaun. Our favorite sergant is our “carebear sergeant” 3rd sergeant Frois, who always can’t keep telling people how rare his name is. (haha) and last but not least, our little 3rd sergeant Jovan, small size don’t matter here, wait till he unleash his horns or superman combo and recruits will start flying here and there… whee..

Heard overall that school 1 have better welfare than school 2. I remembered days before enlistment, my cousin kept telling me that life at school 1 is much much better than 1. Being enlisted in school 2 himself few years back, he said that is so.. and hes happy for me.. for now.. On the funny side BMTC school 1 recuits all wear white socks to go with their PT shoes, while School 2 have green socks. weird thing I say, but white socks are definalty much better than the thicker green ones. However, school 1 do not allow recruits to bring handphine chargers into camp and we don’t get weekly western food specials at the cookhouse. Guess thats the tradeoff.

Enjoying my computer, music, my bed, my shower for the day and tomorrow, whoosh back to tekong, only to book out again on saturday morning.. see you then. Wish me luck on the results coming at 2pm.. hehe

Bags packed, stuffs ready. Off to tekong I go, first thing tomorrow morning.
Will miss my family, friends, my stuffs. New challenges ahead, I come!

We tasted of a world unknown
Surely there must be something better …
Something forever …
– Lifehouse

cya… for now…

Currently Listening: O-Town- These are the Days

In the light of our current situation, the reality of war against Iraq is kinda looming above our heads. Reading from the papers, many had protested against that: millions in Europe and thousands in Malaysia, In Singapore? haiz! the protestors are even arrested and sent for questioning even before they can raise their plycards!

Well, many of course will go against the action of war, its kinda common sense. But think deeper and ask yourself, is that the only way out of this? will peace really too be achieved through this form of peace? Personally war, is not my cup of tea too, but if sacrifices have to be made, well so be it. But too there comes to the question: is it worth it? I leave this to rest here.

Mmm, wish myself luck on my enlistment on tuesday.. got one more day… monday to party.. *sigh* Hope I will be able to book out by the secondth week.. keke

Random thoughts: We may define peace as the absence of war, but without war, will there be peace?