Camaraderie Of Soldiers

An overwhelming feeling of nostalgia hit me just when I threw my jockey cap in the air. That moment every recruit awaits while going through their Basic Military Training (BMT) as it signifies the completion of our BMT and on to the next phase of our training. My batch fortunately was lucky enough to have our Graduation Parade at Marina Bay on the floating platform after a very demanding 24Km route march. Come to think of it, it was more of a sight-seeing experience marching by the airport, east coast park and marina bay. I will never forget the people and friends I've made this last 9 weeks of enduring pain and going through the struggles of the military life together.

Some things I'll never forget;

1. Digging a shell-scrape for the first time at field camp
2. Turnout at 4 in the morning for our rifle collection
3. Making a bon fire and sitting under the gotex jacket to block the rain and keep warm with my section
4. Entrusted as Platoon i/c for a week
5. Directing the National Education day showcase for our company

There's definitely more that just these 5 but for now that's all I'm gonna list down.

See No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil.

Deception, the ultimate evil.

We need to have more saintly people around us, strictly speaking just plain honesty would be great. What can we do if we see that something is not right. If people we are surrounded by are so fucked up and deceptive. Should we close one eye and pretend everything is fine. But when you ignore a problem, the problem is only going to get bigger.

Help me to understand how someone can be so twisted, shallow and unappreciative. Somebody who claims to care so much and wants to avoid hurting another party BUT goes ahead and does it anyway.

I've concluded that people today are missing what they call good old SINCERITY and APPRECIATION.

PS: I'm not claiming to be a Saint if anybody gets that idea.

It's A Wonderful Life!

'I thought of you again today.

Reminded me how with time I've changed.

If you only knew what you gave to me...

Our time meant so much to me, now you can't be found.

You were the first I trusted.

I learned what love is, when we were just kids.

Thank you for those special moments.

You'll always be here in mind.

Did you know you changed my life.

I'm thankful for those times. Thankful for those times.

It's a wonderful life.'

Dinner and Countdown with the family

River View Hotel

Zouk

New Year's lunch with Corey and Addison

Lord of the Rings Monopoly with Cassie and friends

The Dance Floor Is A Battlefield

A crowd like this, it's going to be sick. You need to work some magic

Bring on the fight and stand ready to die.

I know, I know, a crowd like this, it's going to be a battle

If it's a war they want, a war they shall receive

First Coy warriors marching down the line

Keshik warriors dancing all around

Christmas Speed

What is the season of Christmas really about? Eating? Praying? Showing love to the less fortunate? Spending time with loved ones? Or maybe finding an excuse to party. Whatever the case may be, Christmas is the time we celebrate the birth of Christ and we have so many ways of celebrating with Jesus because he is the reason we have this holiday.

On Christmas eve, some friends and I had planned to spend time at ECP after Mass @ St Pat's. However, due to some unforeseen circumstances we ended up in a hawker place. But hey, Mary and Joseph had nowhere to go when she was about to give birth to Jesus. The only place available was a stable and they humbly accepted it.

Went travelling around after that eating. From Bak Chor Mee to Toast and coffee to Prata. I can't help it, being a soldier has rapidly increased my appetite. In total, checked my meter and apparently I drove a total of about 150km in 2 days. Feels good to be behind the wheel again!

Key events going down this week.

1. 16Km route march
2. Drill Competition
3. Discovery centre visit

Home Near The Christmas Tree

National Education Day will be celebrated this week in my camp and I've been assigned i/c of the event in my company. I need to prepare a showcase and I'm currently planning a skit, dance and montage of photos of the company events from the beginning of our enlistment. Hope everything goes according to plan!

"Corey 'I have 4 tickets to this gay party at Butter Factory. Anyone wanna come I don't want to go alone!'

Nikki 'You go lah. You're gay enough for four tickets!'"

'Christmas is coming up

There's nothing more I want

Than to be at home

Sitting near the Christmas Tree...'

Everything Only In Time

Completed my 'Situational Test' aka Sit Test this last week in camp. Hence the late book out.

Immediately rushed down to Gillian's home for our Lector's Christmas party. A nice start to the festive season especially since I'm undergoing military training and won't get many opportunities to celebrate. I guess we all have different walks of life. Drove down to East Coast beach after for supper with Kelvin.

Attended Mass this morning with my bro (Praying for you Addison that you prepare well and ace your papers this week!) and then met Corey and Bob for steamboat and dessert at Everything With Fries! A belated birthday celebration for Bob and Corey who has just finished his National Service liability whereas I have just begun mine. All in all, I'm very thankful for the opportunity to even book out and experience freedom and spend time with family and friends which we so easily take for granted.

Stand And Deliver!

'There will be no more training for war...
Let your armour be the Lord Jesus Christ...
Stand ready...'

Words taken from Mass today. Being in the army, it's no wonder these words caught my attention. However, the military goes on. And we hold on to our faith and believes in our hearts and minds.

On a different note, had my first official book-out this weekend. Did dinner at Scruffy Murphy's on Friday night with Corey and Bob. Breakfast with G on Sat, lunch with Darren and Sheryl at Dome. Novena and Movie in the evening followed by dinner and drinks at Durty Nelly's with Addison and Corey and Dom and Hazel joined us too. All in all, had really good food with fun and loving friends and family. Will be booking in this evening.

Itinerary for this coming week:

- Outfield Training (Mon-Fri)

- Br Kelvin's sister's wedding (Sat)

- Standard Chartered Marathon (Sun)

Lord, help me!

Pre-Enlistment Madness!

I remember receiving a letter back in May informing me of my Nov 9 enlistment date into the army in which I will be undergoing a 9 week basic military training. And now, 6 months later this day beckons. Running every night at East Coast was literally my only source of escape into feeling safe and drowning my doubts and fears about enlistment.

But this whirlwind of a week was definitely a big push in the right direction. Been receiving so much encouragement and prayers from my family, friends, lectors, etc! And for everyone that I have had the opportunity to meet up with or talk to on the phone, I'm truly blessed and knowing that I have this HELLA GOOD circle of people around, it makes me inspired to serve and protect all of you, UNDERNEATH IT ALL!

"When it's really bad, I guess it's not that bad!"