Thursday, September 29, 2005
Why moving my sleeping quarters from the Officers' Mess to 4th Company is such a great idea:
No more dust.
No more rats.
No more cobwebs. (Yes, Officers dont do area cleaning. Its disgusting)
No more broken lights.
No more freezing showers in a creepy toilet with one light (especially during the 7th month)
No more lonely nights spent alone in a dark bunk while bunkmates are outfield.
No more wasting 20 minutes walking whenever I wanna book out.
Yup, because 4th Coy has:
Movie marathons every night!
Pool table in the recreation room!
A drinks machine down the hall
A hot water dispenser! (no more boiling my own water for noodles)
A mattress on the floor which gives me access to 6 lovely fans blowing me through the night! (-grin- now that sounds really sick. Heh.)
A cupboard with more than enough shelves.
A location which is 2 minutes from my office, and 1 minute to the main gate.. no more late book outs!
And most importantly, the gift of companionship and cameraderiae during hearty meals, late night bitching, dirty jokes, and everything else to make these 26 weeks pass a little faster.. -grin-
he rocked the party at 4:45 AM |
Sunday, September 25, 2005
It's so depressing, thinking about the 26 weeks ahead. I seriously dunno how the regulars do it. I mean, imagine being stuck in that silly place with its silly rules and big-headed high ranks and all their whims and fancies and silly expectations.. Gawrsh. I'm so glad I didnt sign on so i'll only have to endure 26 more weeks of this time-wasting fiasco.
Still, I cant take the idea of work work work work work coming up the next few months. And though I want to screw everything and take leave, I cant. Everytime I think about it, I get depressed.
Today, my whole family's out at the movies, and I gave up meeting kelly, all because Sunday's the only day I'm free enough (from stupid NS) to do my university essays. But now that i'm home i'm waay to sian to do them.
I'm screaming inside, but no one can hear me.
he rocked the party at 2:48 AM |
Saturday, September 24, 2005
My future has been set in motion! Indeed, this week saw the compilation of university prospectus (what's the plural of prospectus? oh gawrsh, army has dumbed me beyond words), the purchase of $30 worth of stamps (!!), and the chasing after of my beloved SAJC teachers and principals for their reccommendations. All that's left for me to do is to polish up my essays for vetting, before i submit the whole pile up to the powerful hands of the admissions committee.
The decisions for US Unis has officially boiled down to five:
1) UPenn (early decision - haha deb, you're the inspiration!)
2) NYU
3) Brown
4) Stanford
5) Berkeley
That familiar tinge of excitement has built up in my bones again, even though yes, i havent even submitted the applications yet. I cant help but wish time would fast forward to next year. Talking about what to cook there, to where to travel, to what studying and living conditions are like only serves to build up that sweet feeling of anticipation to a greater extent.
It's a whole new life out there, a fresh start perhaps, and a chance at independence. It's freedom from the stupid army, from atec, from wits, and all the other things which take up all my time, but which i dont care about. It's the big unknown, the great adventure, the walk on the path less treaded. Opportunities, exposure, ambition, and of course, a lesson to cherish everything back home.
Can't wait.
It's disgusting that there's still exactly 6 months left to go before I let go of Army. 26 weeks to be exact. Sounds like a short time doesnt it? The flurry of activities from now till then: S2 course, Ex Falcon, ATEC Stage 1 training, ATEC Stage 2 in Thailand.. no chances to take leave, no respite to catch my breath.. makes it sound like a tough last lap. And the shitty thing is that I DO want to go out with a bang, and make things work. Which makes me committed. Which makes time move even slooower. Bah.
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye.
Make a wish, take a chance, make a change,
And break away..
P.S: My mother thinks I should apply to other "sure-fire" unis in the US, as well as other unis in Australia and the UK, just to be safe. Any to reccommend?
he rocked the party at 9:28 AM |
Friday, September 23, 2005
Oh I am so very suay
Because MSD came today
Just like how they came in May.
I was BDO for the day,
Tried to find a way
To tell them our security's okay.
But they refused to believe my say
So I ended up running a relay
But it was all worth it, I say
To see my branch all happy and gay.
But my clerk ran off and away
And I told him that "hey, no way!"
I tekan-ed him later in the day.
Telling him he cant behave this way.
And now i'm stuck mugging away
For my S2 course exam that's in less than a day
Oh today's so very very suay
That's the life of a BDO day.
he rocked the party at 8:53 AM |
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
I've noticed that the New Paper seems to be able to link even the most subtle of similarities just to make their stories sound jucier. Last week, it cited "chilling similarities" between the recent two cases of the body parts murders, of how certain numbers occured in the addresses, birthdays, etc of the two victims.
Well, true to the New Paper tradition, I've gone and discovered "chilling similarities" between numbers in my life and the ancient brotherhood of enlightened scientists: the Illuminati!
Now, if you've read Angels and Demons by Dan Brown, you'd realise that the numbers "2" and "5" are associated very closely with the Illuminati. 2 represents their reverence for duality, while 5 has got something to do with the perfect symmetry of the pentagram. Or something like that.
Thus, dear reader, throw away the New Paper and take a look at these "chilling similarities" in my life and the Illuminati. Could I (gasp) have be an Illuminatus in my past life?
- Close friends will tell you that 2 and 5 have been my favourite numbers since the beginning of time. (I swear this is true, even before I read Angels and Demons)
- My birthday is on the 25th of April, 1985. (gasp, one 2 and 2 5s!)
- Everyone's heard about the fabled Illuminati Diamond. Everyone also knows that April's birthstone is.. (you guessed it) a Diamond!
- My postal code has four 5s in it.
- My phone number has three 5s in it.
- I've always been in the second class (2!) throughout primary school.
- My lower secondary class was 1E2 and 2E2.
- My upper secondary class was 3A5 and 4A5
- I was part of the 25th Student Council in JC, SAJC celebrated its 25th anniversary while I was in JC2 (another 2!)
- In BMT, I was part of the second (2!) platoon in my company.
- In OCS, I was assigned the bed of Platoon 2 Section 2 Bed 2. (2!2!2!)
- My current post in 1st Commando Battalion is the DyS2 (ta-daah!)
- S2, my boss' previous post was the Officer Commanding of 5th (5!) Company.
Hmm, maybe I was an Illuminatus before.. like Galileo or John Milton or something. Golly gee!
Hahahaahahahaha.. think New Paper would give me a job?
he rocked the party at 8:35 AM |
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Because words cant describe feelings.
"If I dont have you
To hold on to
I can't go on
In this world alone,
Baby it's true.
If you said goodbye
Girl I would die
I'm a star with no light
A day with no night
If I dont have you."
-Taken from "If I Dont Have You"
Things will get better. I promise.
he rocked the party at 10:26 AM |
My legacy in SA.. Taken from my first notice board, this li'll signboard has seen 3.5 councils, and counting!
he rocked the party at 10:00 AM |
A little outdated, but this was taken at the SA Reunion dinner.. P.R Officers of 2001, 2002 and 2005!
he rocked the party at 9:58 AM |
Thursday, September 15, 2005
I know its still a little early to be thinking of this, (27 more weeks to go!) but I cant help thinking: I really really really want to ORD NOW.
The stress, the regimentation, the wayang-ness, the ego-ism, the uncertainty of the whole concept is really getting to me.
I dont think i can stand being a soldier any much longer.
But I think i'd be really proud when I ORD tho.. At least I aint sleeping 2.5 years away. Though i wish i could at least have 2.5 weeks of sleep right now. Hmm.
he rocked the party at 5:13 AM |
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Anyone who's eaten Changi Village FAMOUS, GENUINE Nasi Lemak will know that it comprises of a fried chicken wing, egg, ikan billis, cucumber, and lovely fragrant tasty nasi lemak that's distinctive from its fellow competitors.
(let me clarify: in a 20 metre radius around that stall, there are no less than 3 others claiming to be the "genuine" nasi lemak. Dont believe them. The real one with the best tasting rice is the one with the longest queue, and costs $2.50 instead of $2. But heck, its worth every cent)
Do you notice how people always eat everything up, leaving the fried chicken for last? Countless orders from Changi V during late night Duty Officer duties have displayed this phenomenon. All ranks, from clerk to Captain, seem to love leaving the chicken for last.
Strangely enough, i seem to always want to get the chicken over and done with FIRST, since its so friggin hard to eat. Like you have to tear the chicken, get your fingers oily, risk getting your face smudged with chilli.. I'd rather just get it over and done with, so i can enjoy the rest of the nasi lemak.
Am i weird?
he rocked the party at 3:51 PM |
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Recently, I've come to realise that saying "i love you" is pretty complicated.
In the past, my notion of love was really simple. Guy likes girl, girl likes guy. Guy dates girl. Guy likes girl alot. Guy increases like for girl in each passing date, likewise for girl. Like increases and increases until it becomes love. Then guy says, "i love you"! Simple right?
Then came the couple of failed relationships along the way that made me realise that "i love you" was much more than that. That i didnt want to get into a relationship knowing full well that it wouldnt last. "I love you" then became a commitment, a declaration that the other half needs to be "the ONE" before "i love you" is proclaimed. It seemed like a pretty straightforward, logical, not to mention noble attitude.
This lasted till she came along.
She probably deserves the honour of the gal who singlehandedly broke my heart for the highest number of times. She's also the gal who kept me coming back even though i told my heart that i wouldnt. She told me how love is so much more than just a flirty fling, yet it doesnt have to be a be-all-or-end-all commitment. She taught me how sometimes in life love takes a backseat to many other things, yet it doesnt mean that you love that person any lesser. She taught me how to let love come naturally, and how there is so much more to life and a relationship than just love and love alone.
After all, love isnt the focus of life. Life is. Well, for now, at least.
To everyone who expressed concern over my apparant relationship problems, i appreciate the kind gestures and reassuring words. Its nice to know a guy's lucky enough to have friends like you. But really, it isnt as bleak as everyone makes it out to be. I've finally learnt to be over and beyond the petty grieviences of love faded and love lost. Heck, my young and exciting life still goes on.
There's still that little special something between us. I can feel it growing. And the beauty of it is that i am no longer pressured to be responsible for its development. If its lost, well, its lost then. I've got a sparkling life up ahead to make up for it. But if it develops into something more.. well then, that'll be one heck of a bonus, wont it? :)
he rocked the party at 9:22 AM |
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Went for my S2 course test this morning.. two more to go! Never thought that i'd be studying so much while in army, but heck.. it felt GOOD.
Doing up about 8 mind maps through this week, hastily flipping through precis, feeling the old tension in the exam room 15 mins before the paper started.. its a strangely sadistic way of feeling the rush of stress, and loving it. Ahhh.. (am i weird?)
I always knew i was meant to be a student. Maybe when i'm like 50 years old i can nominate myself for that lifelong learner award thing and proclaim my boring story that nobody cares about on radio too!
he rocked the party at 6:48 AM |
Thursday, September 08, 2005
I mean, what the hell man..
Singapore really really REALLY ought to improve the standards of its tv shows. Or at least, Channel 5 does. One bad sitcom/reality tv show/drama series/talenttime is bad enough, but when every single local tv production makes me cringe, then i guess its safe to conclude that there's something SERIOUSLY wrong with our English TV entertainment scene.
Dont get me wrong, i'm a big fan of the local entertainment scene. Local movies such as Army Daze, Chicken Rice War, Liang Po Po, and the very recent Perth are all commendable productions, and have certainly placed our little red dot on the map. Local music acts like the (defuct) Urban Xchange, Parkinglot Pimps, and even Triple Noize (okay, the semifinal version) do justice to our hip-hop scene.
But the unforgivable crap they show on TV: Singapore Idol and shooting stars, with their overexposure of taufik, sylvester and gang, filled with corny scenes, cliched lines and poseur-ish fade in/out change of scenes. Or how about Villa Wellness, with such obvious rip-offs from the Bachelor, the Apprentice and other more tried and tested (as well as entertaining) reality tv shows. There are a hundred other timeless cringe-inducing shows i could bitch about: living with lydia, chase, my grandson the doctor, happy belly, first mums..
Singapore's TV scene does one thing well: Reverse engineering. Or rather ripping off a successful idea, adding some local flava, and calling it our own.
You would think that after years of experimentation, a tv station could possibly come up with something successful. Sadly however, its most successful production has probably been Phua Chu Kang, and even that spawned a musical (Singapore's omnipotent characteristic to milk anything successful till its last drop) which was widely considered a flop. Hell, even my parents said it was a flop. Must have been that bad.
Its sad that they have to resort to below-the-belt tactics such as slotting Shooting Stars right after the National Day Parade and openly declaring it to break the record with "1.2 million viewers!"
Is it any wonder that US productions seem to take off much better than ours? Gems like Lost, the Apprentice, CSI, Who's Line is it Anyway?, hell, even Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with witty lines and better plots, manage to snare viewers and achieve cult status so much better than local ones. Is it any wonder, that Channel i, which tried to focus on broadcasting local tv shows, fell flat on its face?
National loyalty is not an issue here. I'm all for supporting our local entertainment scene. However, how do we force ourselves to applaud something which so blatently doesnt deserves our praise? We should certainly crawl out of our little holes and take a look at the big wide world. Im surprised im saying this even before i'm heading to the states..
I sound like a real complain king dont i? Well, i dont care. "It's my blog, and i'll whine if i want to, whine if i want to.."
he rocked the party at 8:52 AM |
Monday, September 05, 2005
Saturday night was spent:
Rushing down from a grandma's birthday dinner to the grand lovely St Andrew's Junior College for the Saints reunion dinner.
Sharing a table with Wayne, Fu, Merrilyn, Kim, Peter, Jon Jacob, Wayne's (ahem) friend, and Joe and girlfriend, while wolfing down yummy (fake?) sharks fin.
Repeatedly darting to the dance table comprising of Glen (fwah), Zaki(hello!!), Hui (hello!!), Cyn (hello!!), Jess (hello!!), Dewi (whassuup), Mrs Chia (ahem) and Mrs i-admit-i-forgot-her-name..Subariah? We were joined shortly by (are you jealous?) Project Superstar semi-finalist Junyang.
However, the bevy of giggly girls and "lao lian" waitresses who gathered round our table ogling at him put me right off my appetite.
Highlight of the night had to be the gathering of all the generations of Student Councils at the end of it for photo-taking and a spontaneous cheer session lead by Huat!
Ah, the memories. :)
he rocked the party at 5:03 PM |
You know how sometimes in life, major problems are blissfully absent, but in their place are hundreds of little irritations that are not enough to make you miserable but yet bug you and drive you up the wall?
Yeah, its one of those times again.
Allow me to whine:
1) I'm getting fat. Like, really. I havent been (seriously)exercising since i got my ippt Gold. Once AHM ends im so gonna inflate.
2) My upper study conveniently decided to clear his leave, washing his hands off a major piece of work he was supposed to do.
3) I've got Battalion Duty Officer duties THREE times this month.
4) I've been studying for the past 3 days for my Intel Officer Course test, and i'm not even halfway done.
5) My testimonials for uni app are in a mess.
6) My essays are in a mess
7) I'm in a mess.
8) I just typed SUCH a horrible, dull and unimaginative blogpost that i deserve to be shot.
What's happening to me??!!
he rocked the party at 4:49 PM |
