[incomplete] Message: What makes me a Hawk [Platoon 2 Section 3]

"When you go to your new unit, just remember to always do what Hawk taught you. No matter its SISPEC, OCS or you become men, even if they say you wayang also nevermind."
- Platoon Commanders of Hawk


I'm a Hawk cause I really miss Hawk. My current unit is Signals as men. Somehow or another, I can't help missing my section, my platoon and my company. BMT was so fun, so exciting, so bonding. The things we did were so interesting, the words we spoke of were so funny, we people we met were so nice. I really regret not appreciating BMT life. I remember my mentality of NS before enlistment was being skeptical about finding life long buddies in NS. I thought i wouldn't even find proper friends, much less good friends. But i did.



Platoon 2
My platoon is the most xiong platoon in Hawk. I really took my platoon for granted until i transferred to another unit. Platoon 2 was fun, loads of great people too. My sergeants were nice and reasonable. I knew lots of people and from there, lots of great friends. Some of them I'm quite sure that will become my life long friends.
"stand by me, stand by me..." - Platoon 2


Section 4
Tsun Wang - We knew each other from Terra Hope. I was really super relieved to know that we were in the same company and platoon. Too bad we didn't get into the same section. If not we might as well become boyfriends liao. Haha! You really helped me to pull through the first 2 weeks of BMT. Whenever I'm having red eyes, you are the one who help distract me. I was missing my friends but you, as my friend, was right there. So I didn't feel so lonely. Thanks sia. And you were the only one who thought of bringing the candle for my day. Really appreciate it. Miss OTOT-ing with you.

Section 3
We should be quite the most all rounded section and the most bonded one too. Of course, all this is thanks to me being the welfare IC and partially the section IC. So it can't be helped. Haha.


Sylvester - My bed buddy. We pulled through thick and thin together, during training and during field camps. I know your favourite phrase! "you know what i mean right?" haha. I won't forget that anytime soon. Mei Ling ah Mei Ling, where are you~~ Sir, we will always respect you as a sir, Sir!


Christopher - Number 1 joker in Section 3. Section 3 will never be as lively without you. Your sarcastic jokes makes laughter rings in our bunk all the time. Too bad I couldn't spend more time doing sai kang with you while on status. Haha. Won't forget your superb acting during OC's evening and Recruit's Night. I laughed out so much i couldn't sing properly. Lol.



Walter - Didn't know you chose to walk with me for 24km route march because i encouraged you for the previous route march. But luckily that i have to keep encouraging and pushing you, i forgot about my own pain and limits. Thanks to that i was able to pull through. I know we both miss our section a lot cause we're both in infantry. Keep it going man.



Kah Soon - the only other TJCian in the platoon, somemore we are in the same section. Its nice to have a fellow jc mate with me. Thanks for all your care and concern. I remember you always ask me if i'm ok, more often than the other guys. Do well in sispec.

Event: Last Days of BMTC

The last few days of BMT was the nicest of all. Firstly, the strictest commander wasn't around. Secondly, we don't have much training anymore, so life was pretty slack. With more admin time, my section was able to bond more. I can remember for the last few days, I always slept at a very late time. Thats when i noticed that one of my section mates also sleep very late at night. So we ended up talking a bit before sleeping. But we only went off to sleep cause we're afraid that the commanders will come and check.


The second last night and the last night was unforgettable. The second last night before Passing Out Parade was a very special day. I ended up spending most of my admin time outside my bunk. I guess I'm thankful that my bunk mates didn't come and drag me in. When I recalled this event with my friend from other company, he asked how come I'm so popular, am I the platoon best or company best?
"Platoon best my ass!"
Lol. I think all my section mates will remember my favourite phrase well. Somehow or another, i kept being targeted for something. Luckily one of my bunk mates said he'll help me delay the time of the "operation". In the end, most of my section mates slept even before they carried out the operation.

I thought that was the end of it. How wrong was i.


On the last night. my company sort of hinted that they wouldn't come up to check if we were sleeping. Thus we were chit chatting for a very long time. Some of us slept already, but most of us were still eating the large amount of food we brought in. Suddenly someone threw a black duct tape on the table. I asked "whats this duct tape doing here?" No one replied me, but little did i know that the tape was for me. All of a sudden, a hand grabbed me from behind, covering my mouth, I thought Weng Kin was just fooling around with me. When i use my hand to try to pull his hands away, i felt something on my lips.

Black duct tape.

GG~ (good game)

I tried to struggle but it was too late. Zul grabbed my legs, two other people grabbed me from behind. I bet its Rui Hong and Daryl. People were shouting "start liao start liao!" to wake those who were sleeping up. I was carried to my buddy's bed cause he was having guard duty. I shall refrain from being detailed about what happened next but basically they put camo cream on me. They had lots of fun while i kept struggling. Cun Zhi kept saying "don't struggle and we'll make this easy for you". Lol. I tried to shout and scream by opening my mouth to tear the tape away. But each time i do that, one more layer of tape covers my mouth. I'm sure that was Weng Kin. And the artists camo-ing me was no doubt chief artist Christopher with a few helpers. Zul, Rui Hong and Cun Zhi were most likely pinning me down. I couldn't see cause they switched off the lights. After the whole affair, they went back to bed, leaving me catching my breath. Then i went to shower, and asking Daryl to help me check if all the camo is off already or not. I really didn't expect it cause they kiwi-ed me the day before already. Anyways i spent the rest of the night chatting with Daryl. It was no fun that the rest slept so early.



This event made me "the guy who will never forget the last day of his BMT". Haha.

This is the candle they used for my "cake". Tsun Wang was nice to have brought it and everyone sang a song for me. It was not bad. Thanks Tsun Wang and Section 3!

Events: Pieces of BMT (2)

Event: Sports Day



I volunteered myself into cheerleading committee for sports day, something which i regret soon after. I wasn't really that keen but in the end i guess i'm ok with it. Hawk cheers are quite cool, but those cheers aren't really meant to be loud, so we lose out in a sense. I was surprised at how free and easy was sports day. People really walked around like nobody's business. I went to talk to Guan Wen for quite long before joining back to do some cheers. Then i went to find Danny but i didn't manage to find him. Sports Day was really wet. It rained heavily and stopped again and again. Everyone was pretty much wet by the end of everything. Furthermore i tio 3 waterbombs from Griffon. I think they mistook me for someone else. Afterall my surname is also Lee. My section mates threatened to roll me in the mud since my special day was just the day before and i promptly volunteered to bring the tables back to our company line and escaped the deadly fate. Wearing soggy socks and wet shoes for dinner wasn't all that great either. But at least Hawk didn't get last for sports day this time round.





Event: Passing Out Parade




We waited 9 weeks just for this. Even other companies did not rehearse as many times as we did. And boy i was impressed. I didn't know we could march this well. After the 5 giants right markers marched into the parade square, the drum roll for us started. Quietly, i mumbled "left right left right left right left" under my breath. I felt a heavy pressence in my chest, i couldn't tell if it was nervousness or sadness. After we marched in, i couldn't see my parents. The drum beat finally ended, bringing us to a halt. Halfway singing Stand Up for Singapore and the Infantry Song, it started to rain. After welcoming the guests of honour and saluting with our rifles, we proceeded with the march pass. As soon as our parents were out of sight, we ran to the tonners and said goodbye to our rifles. After that we immediately put on our cap (supposed to be put on by parents but it was raining heavily) and ran into the parade square singing
"Training to be soldiers, fight for our land, once in our life, two years of our time. Have you ever wondered? Why must we serve? Because we love our land, and we want it to be free, to be free ah!
Stand up! and be on your guard. Com'on everybody, do your part. Com'on every soldier, soul and heart. Do it for your nation. Do it for your Singapore ah!
Looking all around us, people everywhere. Children having fun, while we are holding guns. Have you ever wondered? Why must we serve? Because we love our land, and we want it to be free, to be free ah!"
Then we did the stupid BMTC roar
"We are the warriors of BMTC, spirit of bayonet in our blood. Don't mess with us, cause we are the best. We are the best in the SAF. BMTC will crush you, HA! crash you HA! BMTC will shape you HA! toughen you HA! Through basics, we excel! Through basics, we excel!"
Then we threw our caps up, signifying the end of our recruit's life. There and then, we were promoted to privates.





This special day came with mixed feelings. Part of me don't want it to end, but a larger part of me can't wait to book out of Tekong for the last time. I slept quite well the previous night, without tears, without brooding, without having flash backs. But somewhere somehow, i guess i didn't want it to end. The good 9 weeks i had with my fabulous section was memorable. I can remember the bad times clearly, but the bad times then had all become good times to me already. Happily yet sadly, it all ended on this day called POP.

Then we sang our last song, as Hawk Coy, for Hawk Coy...

"the sun will rise the stars will shine for us for you and me ah, we are from Hawk Coy, Hawk Company ah... Hawk Coy... Hawk Coy... We are from Hawk Comppppannnyyy! Hawk Coy... Hawk Coy! We are from Hawk Comppppannyyyy!!!

the boys will shout the girls will scream for us for you and me ah, we are from Hawk Coy, Hawk Company ah... Hawk Coy... Hawk Coy... We are from Hawk Comppppannnyyy! Hawk Coy... Hawk Coy! We are from Hawk Comppppannyyyy!!!"

Events: Pieces of BMT (1)

I guess i'm not supposed to list down all the highlights of BMT, but still, i guess blogging about some shouldn't hurt.

Event 1: Field Camp 15/2/08 - 20/2/08

Field camp was 6 days long and i could have never imagine myself to have pulled through it. Many say this is the time to see the true colours of people. I didn't see, frankly, but my bunk mate says its because I always sit in front (being bed 1) so i don't get to see whats behind me when we were punished. Field camp was fun though its extremely xiong. Its lots of section training so i got to know my section mates better. I've got to be glad that i have nice section mates. No wayang, no chao geng.


I can remember all the walking through of thick forest, crawling in the mud for long distances, high kneeling like nobody's business, being pumped until we lose count, and especially the times my section had our meals together, sitting in a circle and the admin times at night. We helped each other dig, peed on the same tree, run with the same amount of weight on us, eat the same nasty combat rations, slept in the same basha, camoflaged each other etc etc. I don't mind having another field camp you know, but preferably without the commanders around. Field camp really taught me that mental strength is the key to many things. Also, combat rations arent that bad.


Event: Re-Sitest

Thanks to Sergeant Kang's suggestion of seeing the MO just to get medication but request not to get excuse status, I was awarded the trump card to avoid all punishments and training. 3 days of Excuse Lower Limb disallowed me to go for Sitest with my dearest section mates. I ended up going for Re-Sitest with the rest of the people who missed their own field camp in both BMTC1 and BMTC2. Luckily for me, i had a companion, so it wasn't that bad. However there were quite a few wayang people which totally put my mood off to do my best. Furthermore, it rained on both days, making the Re-Sitest totally a turn off. But i bet no one else was as motivated to build a better basha drainage system than me. I'm also sure nobody in my section experienced the feeling of your whole boots being soaked totally in water. Thats how heavy the rain was.



Event: OC's Evening and Recruit's Night

OC's Evening was a big rush for us. Out of the blue, I was told to performed too, despite my knee injuries. So I went to do some crazy wushu shit which was totally off the standards. I was surprised that the commanders prepared a dustbin to put tons of newspaper which they crushed and used them to throw at us as they jeered at us. Everyone was so good at mimicking their commanders that it was so funny. My platoon did a variety show. It included Rui Hong's singing, Wen Hao and Wey Zi's guitar plus singing, martial arts performance by Hasyer, Wei Xuan and me, Hao Yi's yoyo performance which was totally cool, Sylvester's cool breakdancing while improvising from 5BX, and last was the platoon's singing of Stand By Me led by Zheng Hong's guitar and singing. Though platoon 1 got the best performance award but i still think that we were the best.

Because platoon 1 won the performance and platoon 2 was so zai, my PC chose us to perform for Recruit's Night which was 2 days later. We didn't have time to rehearse much cause of our 24km route march. But we still managed to get through the auditions and got to perform on Recruit's Night. I thought it should be other people performing for us though, it being Recruit's Night. Anyhow, we performed scenes from BMT. Scene 1 was enlistment day, of a toot toot boy parting with his balloon-boobs mum. Scene 2 was the sorting of recruits into their companies using the sorting helmet, I participated as the skinny guy who failed NAPFA (when actually i passed) and got into PTP batch cause I'm weak. Scene 3 was what happened on the first day in the bunk, including a Emo, a Ah Beng, a gay, a act cool guy, a wayang king and a bookworm. Scene 4 was PC interview with the recruit requesting for 1 hour of admin time but was given 2 hours instead. Scene 5 was bunk scene after 2 hours of admin was given. I was in this scene too, with Hasyer, Wei Xuan, Hao Yi, wayang king and me playing a fool in the bunk and kena pumped by our ADF corporal and leopard crawling to him. Other scenes include a SOC training scene, the CNY morning work up with chief FS scene and ended with Stand By Me again. We didn't rehearse much and anyhow act but still got 2nd placing. Not bad uh.

New Weight Record

Just now, i went to the gym with Tsun Wang for the first time in more than 2 months. Last i check, i was 48kg, or maybe less. Guess what?

This calls for a celebration.

I now weigh 53.4kg, breaking through the 50kg limit finally.

Event: A Levels Results

On 7th March, the A level results are finally released. I shant dwell on it much, all i can say is my results are neither good nor bad. At 11.30, my company took the ferry and by 1.10 i was at home. I didnt want to rush since i was confined the week before, so i took my own sweet time and took a cab later instead. Upon reaching, we didnt really have much time to talk before the results were released. Some things happened and i didnt get to talk to my classmate. That and because i got caught up with my juniors. After all the advices to my juniors, i realised that not many of my classmates are left. I went to thank Mrs Beetsma and Mr Lim Kah Kiat. I wouldnt have made it this far without them. I didnt see Mr Lim Han Yong but i sent him a thank you sms anyhow.


A levels wasnt so much of a disaster for me as compared to my O levels and other people's A levels. I guess i was lucky in a way. But still my results has rendered me unable to enter my desired course or apply for scholarship. So my advice to all my juniors is work hard, expect the unexpected but dont take it too hard on yourself. To all my friends, likewise dont take it too hard on yourself. Like what my Officer Commanding say "This is just another piece of paper, life goes on". But heck, i almost wanted to retort to his comment. Oh well.

BMTC 1

I'm from Hawk Company. Didnt have time to blog everytime i booked out. I'll keep it short, cause i'm not supposed to blog about classified information. Basically on the day of the enlistment, i went in and guess what? I saw Tsun Wang, my fellow volunteer. I really thought i was going to enlist alone cause i asked around and nobody is going on the same date as me. After all the swearing in ceremony etc, we went for lunch and CO sir came to ask why i'm not eating much. Kinda freaked me out. So finally i bade farewell to my parents. Mum tapped on my head and said "be good, ok?". You know, i kinda almost cried. Geez.

Finally we went to get our NS stuff before going to our bunks. Everyone seemed so nice, both the enlistees and the higher ups. But no one knew that it was going to be the beginning of a nightmare. I thought i screwed up and was going to get scolded cause all my boots and shoes sizes were too large. But luckily all they asked us to do it to exchange. All went well and we finally got our haircut. The time was 6.30. There wasnt much to do on the first day. After being introduced to army routine life, we went to bed. And guess what, i was able to sleep cause i didnt sleep on purporse the day before.


14 days of confinement thus began. The sergeants slowly raised their expectations of us. We recruits on the other day, became more and more tired. When i just enlisted, i could do 10 pull ups. The first time i booked out, i could only do 4. Luckily for me, my section mates are all very nice. Its really fortunate that nobody in my section has @#$%^ attitude.


Another thing was, at the beginning of the confinement, i almost always get red eyes at night and during meals. The one thing NS has really taught me is that you wont appreciate something until you lost it. My civilian life, my parents, brother, sister, my friends in NS or otherwise, my computer, my bed etc. It seems to me that my friends who also enlisted didnt have this problem. But oh well, i had. But the feeling faded off roughly after a week.


Something interesting here. Last week when i booked in, there was a bee in my bunk. And one guy was really afraid of bees. Somehow, there was a lot of commotion in my bunk. Lol. People shouting "dont hit dont hit!" at first. Then when one of my section mates tried to catch it bare hand, we started to shout "its there its there! hit it hit it!" Lol. It ended up on my scared section mate's bed and we used a bucket to cover it. It was so funny. Just recalling that mate of mine's face make me laugh. In the end, my courageous section mate used a tissue to catch it and washed it down the toilet.


Almost half of my recruit life is over. I dont know if im gonna miss it. But for now, i guess i wont. Life there is really quite hellish. Later.

NS

The time is 12.06am. Within the next 15 to 18 hours, what is left on my head will all be gone. By 10.30, i will have to report to pasir ris bus interchange and take a shuttle bus to a ferry terminal and then take the ferry to Pulau Tekong. After the swearing in ceremony, a video, eating stuff, my parents will be gone. I'll be stranded all alone in Tekong. At least, at first. But i gotta look at the bright side. I'll put down my 8kg bag soon. Sit down on my 3-months-bed-to-be and unpack my stuff. Then i'll start looking for friends. People say they find their life long BUDDY (not partner) in NS. I dont mind, but thinking of this makes me feel sad about my current buddies. Oh well, put everything in positive light.



Many has wished me luck. My buddies, Edwin, Leonard, Danny, galfriends Chingyee, Yinning, Huiqi, Betsy, Keng Yee, Zuli, Atikah, my juniors Hong You, Jasper, Wei Yeat, Desmond, many more like Lawrence, Bang Hui, Wei Bin, Irvin, Eric, Han Kee, Kai Lin, Jason, Ben Huang, my fellow volunteers like Ivy, Ken, Jie Hua and many more lah.



Somehow i have a bad feeling. Or rather a sad feeling. Like i'm going somewhere far far away. I told Ching Yee this, she said "ya u really are going somewhere far away mah" but i also felt as if i'm not going to return. While posting the message for my classmates yesterday, i really felt quite sad. Its like, when i go for camps during school times, after camp, i get to go back to my school. There's a second home for me to return to, a second home filled with my friends. There's a life to look forward to after the end of my leaving. But this time, there isnt any. When i book out, there isnt anything that i'm sure i can look forward to. Girls are busy with their university or work. Guys have their own programs, girlfriends, or NS buddies to hang out with. Sure i might have too, but there's an uncertainty. And this lack of reassurance make me feel sad.




SPOILERS
I just completed this game again. Its called Kingdom Hearts: Chains of Memories. Its a gameboy advance game. I kind of like the ending. Sora the main character, wants his messed up memories restored. To do so, he will forget his newfound friend Namine. So Sora made a promise, a promise to not forget her, a promise to be friends again. Just before Sora had his memories restored, Namine said "I'll be gone, and you will only forget me. But i have our promise, so that i can come back to you. Someday it'll become our light, the light that brings us together." Then Sora said "right, forgotten but not lost." This scene was shown with the current music in my blog "Always On My Mind".


Maybe a promise would be more reassuring. Lols.



Pulau Tekong, here i come. I'll be going with a bright light. 2 weeks later, my friends. Till then.

Message: To TJCians [15/06]

This is so secondary school and so childish. But you know, last time (and maybe now still like that) people like to post a farewell message to their classmates, like, ALL their classmates. Something like "hey baby you know we've been good friends and i'll always miss you baby even after we've graduated" that kind of lame stuff. Laughable, really. Yet im going to post something like this here. How funny. However i did hestitated. I wanted to post this because JC had been a good time, i quite enjoyed it, i knew many great people. At the same time, there are many whom were supposed to be close to me but end up not being, such as classmates. It would be weird to post this "farewell msg" thingie about so many classmates except those few. I'm enlisting really soon. So it would nice to leave a message for my beloved friends, ya?



My Main Class

15/06
- a really weird class cause TJC has more girls than guys but our class is the other way round. having quieter-than-usual-girls, 15/06 has actions well dominated by the guys. crazy guys, quiet guys, emo guys, funny guys, sporty guys, 15/06 is filled with variety (of guys).

Edwin- nothing much to say, cause the story aint ending here

Li Teng- nothing much to say, except that we both suffered the teasing cause we talk a lot, and that resulted in less talking. nonetheless we're still great friends! gossip all the way! (actually its more like i listen to your complaints lol)

Gerald- you help me to pass standing broad jump, i help you to pass 2.4km run. haha. through thick and thin man. quiet and deep, moral and guai. all the way! must be less conservative then can survive in this harsh harsh society wor. the class chalet time was the best time knowing you and you should work on ur chinese. and tell me when u get a girlfriend. haha.

Leonard- this is the guy who dislike sissy but always listen patiently to my woes (like, a lot of them) when i accompany him home. though senseless when it comes to girls (oops!) but he's a really great buddy. knows not to PS people, and enjoy socialising. extremely hardworkin and intelligent also. really look forward to the day that u have a steady girlfriend. or already have liao?

Terence- Mr Kwan saw the both of us on the corridor one day and he commented "oh your class people mix with each other according to your height?" lols. mixing with you was fun. haha. our results werent very outstanding (compared to our classmates) for quite some time so we were always getting suaned by tutors together. haha. but he can study well for sure. why u PS me? we're supposed to get lousy marks all the way! haha. dont grow any taller hor.

Benjamin- helpful all the way. but at the same time damn busy also. who can be more hardworking than him? (except ming jie) super intelligent, i feel freaked out when i look at his report card. nice dude but you got to relax abit more. life aint a rushing train all the time. great knowing you. couldnt have survive jc as well if its not for you

Alwin- (when taking photo) alwin:" 1, 2, 3, SEX!" somehow or another, i was surprised when i heard this when we took the first class photo when i entered 15/06. and somehow or another, i felt that it was alwin who introduced it. one of the crazy guys, high all the time. really know how to motivate people. you are a great CG rep no doubt, hands down. also really hardworking (everyone in my class is hardworking except me it seems)

Bang Hui - funny guy number 1. lame dude but never fails to make me laugh. "eee, gay shit" is his tagline. he sometimes call himself gay but calls other people gay shit more often. very intelligent also. proclaimed by many to be the cutest guy in 15/06 and he willingly took the title. lols. stop acting so gay lah. later girls all siam you.

15/06 is usually 3rd or 4th class in the level. The pressure my classmates give me is unimaginable. But they also provide me with sufficient fun and laughter, as well as motivation to do well so as not to pull the class down. Everyone were great. Jin Chaw, Gerald, Alwin and Jye Yng as PW group mates. I always sit beside Sue Chee for Chemistry Practical. Yan Qi, Terence, Gerald, Li Teng, Wan Ting are the usual remedial gang with people like Rong Jun, Ming Jie and Jia Xian liking to chap in though they very clever liao. Glendon, Gerald, Ren Liang, Bang Hui with the mass mobile phone games craze. Alwin as fellow Wushu mates. Leonard and Li Teng for all the bus rides home. Leonard for all the study club time. There's too much to remember. Just hope that my friends wont die out on me...

(geez im abit sad while typing this and looking at all the photos, knowing full well that enlistment is tomorrow...)

Event: Sec1 Orientation 2008

I'll keep this short cause its about my own life. I went back to Xinmin's Sec1 Orientation to take a look. I shant comment on the SLB cause that would demoralise them too much. Anyways i went back and i realised that i'm still somewhat in love with DB! Actually its more like i'm in love with my successors, that is, the Heads of DB.

I am the second Head of DB (disciplinary board). Desmond is the third, Khee Ern is the fourth, and Wei Yeat is the fifth. Im glad that my successors are still as enthusiastic as ever. It heartens me to hear them say "yeah sure ok" when i said "later must take pic hor". Lols. Desmond and i are the most enthusiastic ones, at least about the photo taking. But when i got sabotaged to go on stage to dance hokey pokey, my successors all left me hanging! Still i managed to drag all of them up. So during the hokey pokey dance, the 4 of us were right in front on the stage. So freaking malu. Man, that dance still takes a lot out of me even now. I get really exhausted dancing it. Anyways alright, admit it, who sabotaged me? The juniors DONT KNOW MY NAME ok? Some seniors must have sabotaged me. Even if the juniors know me, they dont know that im famous for my chicken dance and hokey pokey. I may spare your life if you admit to me soon.

Anyways right after the campfire was closed, desmond and me immediately went "take where take where? what pose we doing? decide now leh!". So childish, tsk tsk. We ended up taking a few stupid photos. After that Khee Ern decided to organise a supper as "DB Outing" but Ben Huang's car had limited places. So it ended up with a few of us. There were screw ups cause there wasnt any space for us at the first place we went for supper. Khee Ern nearly got raped cause of that. Laughs.

Below are some retarded photos. More to come after i get them from my juniors.

We are superman! Plus 2 goons in front.

The Big 4 Heads of DB

The wall in front of the general office has this gorgegous photo of Desmond and me. Look closely, the 2 cute chaps printed on the wall pointed by me on the left and Desmond on the right are actually the both of us back when i was sec3 and he was sec2. Plus 2 goons in the centre.

The Big 4 Heads of DB

Other DB members

Year 2008

Belated merry christmas and happy new year to all! This is a little late but im supposed to be courteous i think. I always have the issue of writing 2006 on my foolscape, homework, forms, books etc when its 2007. Im sure you too right? So it will take time to get used to writing 2008 now too. But i wont have this problem anymore. Cause im a graduate! Yup thats right, as of 1st Jan i have fully graduated from Temasek Junior College, and i am a student no longer. It may not be significant to some, but i guess it is to me. The title of being a TJCian is one thing. but another issue which everyone broods about is none other than... THE CONCESSION PASS! From now on, all my peers and myself will have to pay adult fare. Young and vibrant at only 18 years old, poor me is being thrusted into the cruel sides of the society, being forced to pay adult fare for taking transportation. There is no more hope and life in this world anymore. Sad.

I would love to do a summary of my JC life as well as the woes and joys of 2007. But my boring life will scare readers away. My Christmas and New Year were not well celebrated either (esp. New Year). Anyways, the topic that everyone will be talking about is a forbidden one during other times of the year. That should be pretty obvious, being New Year Resolutions. Guess what, i checked my blog and i realised i didnt have a resolution for 2007. I wanted to make one but i forgot in the end. Anyways this word is forbidden at other times of the year cause most likely it wasnt fulfilled and people get embarrassed talking about it.

I just did the New Year Resolution thingy in Facebook. 10 options given and i was to rank what i want to make my resolution the most. My choices were (in order of most prioritised first), eat right, find a new relationship, learn something new, save money, help others, pay off debts, spend more time with family, drink less, stop smoking and lose weight. The reason of my choices is as follow. I have a bad eating habit, but i guess NS will correct that. I really think its about time i get a partner. Where the queue? Then i have a lot of things i want to learn, like wushu, advance guitar, piano, harmonica, and roller blading. But i guess i wont get to learn them while im imprisoned in NS. I need to start saving money for my university fees so that i wont need to pay back any debts(im giving tuition now, anyone else wants?). I dont really like to spend time with my family and im already drinking very little. As for the last 2, i think i'd rather pick up smoking than to lose weight.

I dont think i want to make a clear resolution. Lest i think back and laugh at my ignorance and naivity (is there such a word?). Maybe you shouldnt too. Its for your own good.

Jokes aside, my new year resolution is to survive through my first NS year without much troubles and make friends successfully.

cool huh? i bought this lighter at Bugis Street for 6 bucks. Dont you know i smoke? haha

(its for NS lah...)

Movie: I Am Legend

SPOILERS AHEAD


About a month ago, my brother showed me the trailer of I Am Legend. It sure seemed exciting. Nonetheless its not my usual type of movie, i think i'll get freaked out if i watch it. But all my friends were interested in it, and so i went to watch it just now at AMKhub.


I wont write too many spoilers here. But there's one thing that really touched my heart when i was watching it. The trailer has told as much about the movie, that a virus has wiped out the entire human population, mutating humans into Dark Seekers, fleshing eating monsters who are afraid of ultra violet light. The main character is a scientist with a strong will to cure the infected ones but time is running out as the Dark Seekers wait for him to make one wrong move. The scientist is only accompanied by man's best friend, his dog Samantha.

So here's the part i want to write about. Many a times, he nearly broke down. Being alone is hard. But he totally lost it when he lost his dog to the Dark Seekers due to an error he made. All of a sudden, he was alone. The one and only person in the world. At least, that seems to be so on the surface. It really make me understood how scary it was to be alone.


Sometimes we feel lonely, ya? Sometimes thats scary. Sometimes its really sad. For guys, they may just shrug it off, push the feeling away, or just do something on his own. For girls, they may indulge in shopping, cry it out, thrash it out by talking to someone else. But you know, i just saw one of my friend's MSN nickname. He went to watch it with me. He wrote "if there's someone out there, you're not alone". Maybe we should give ourselves a break sometimes, because we really arent that alone. Not as much as the main character. Or maybe its just me who needs to give myself a break. Lol.

Event: Singapore Police Force Scholarship Tea Session

The 15th of December was the Singapore Police Force Scholarship Tea Session at the Police Cantonment Complex. When we reached there, it was just as my friends said, they wouldnt start until there were enough people. But being on time pays off, as some food were prepared for us. Soon other people came, such as some of my JC mates and secondary school mates. And surprise surprise, to me that is, that i'm not the only one in golden hair. I guess wild people are everywhere.

The first part of the session was of course briefing about the details of the talk. Nothing special, i've learnt them all from the websites already. Then a Overseas Singapore Police Force Scholar (SPFOS) told us some of his experience. Well actually while he was saying his story, i kind of doze off a little. I was a little tired. And during the times when i was awake, "Zzz" appeared on my handphone, as i keyed them in... Then another officer showed us a video of his division. Cool, i felt. It was something like a typical life of a policeman. Let me recall, its something like "7.30am, checking in, receiving weapons from the armory. 8.30 briefing. 9.30 doing some checks... then 1pm sports and fun. 5pm patrols are some areas." and seriously, i thought it was going to end at 5pm, then it continued to 9pm. And then seriously again, i thought it was going to stop there, then it continued to 1am! 12am onwards were all the raids at entertainment outlets, drug busting and the likes. Totally exciting, and exhausting. It went on all the way till 7.30am again, then they "checked out". Guess they're gonna check in the next minute again.


Then we went for some sight seeing. My group went downstairs first to take a look at some equipment the SPF uses. The best part was the vehicle itself and the bullet proof vests. We were allowed to sit in it to take a photo, and i was the first person to chiong there. Lols. But unfortunately another guy beat me to it cause he was nearer. At first my friends didnt want to take a photo, but after seeing the thrill of me doing it, they wanted too. Unfortunately i cant say that i handed the camera to the right person... Just compare the photos below later. There were all taken by me, except when i appeared in it.


Then we went to the armory to take a look at the weapons. The Taser, Taurus Revolver, the baton, and the shotgun. Learnt a little about the procedures of handling weapons and when to use them. Then we went into a room to learn more about the Taser and saw a demostration on using it. Its really cool how professional the officer sounded. "Sir! Please comply with us and stay down!" Then if he doesnt comply, "Sir! If you still do not comply with us then we will be forced to use the Taser on you!" If he still doesnt comply, BANG! ZAP! Totally cool. Too bad we didnt get to touch it.


After that we got to eat again. Haha. They said there will be a Q and A session, we didnt know that the session is on going as we eat. The police lanyard they gave is cool as well. Hmm, i sure am interested in the weapons, but you wont get to use them often in Singapore. Not everyday, not once a week, and i'm pretty sure not even once a month or even once half a year especially for the Taser.

Compare how i look with Edwin, the vest is way oversized for me

Clear and nice photo

Cool and accurate photo

This is what happens when the cameraman is inexperienced, and it has nothing to do with me being ugly

Student Leader Intensive 2007

I'm 18 this year, and when i was 14, i was part of the batch of students who rebuilt the Student Leader Board in 2003. The SLB has come a long way. That said, it means that i am the pioneer batch of the SLB, batch zero if you'd like to call it. And the youngest of the pioneers too. So far i've seen through 5 Intensives. Looking at the young ones make me want to blog a little about it. But first, i guess i can do with some complaining first...



1) I dont understand why people have to classify seniors as "seniors" and "super seniors". I'm only 18 and i'm not even the oldest senior around. There's still ben huang ok? Just call us seniors in general.
2) I'm not old so stop calling me old.
3) I havnt been nagging for a long time. There's more to my life than constantly nagging at you people. So for goodness sake to those who havnt seen me for a long time, i'm a changed man. I have better things to do than making my voice reflect off your ears.





Truthfully, its difficult to put down the board. The batch before mine has moved on already, including some from my batch. Somehow i just cant. It keeps running in my mind (recently), how i used to be an SL, how proud and arrogant i was as the Head of Disciplinary Board. And each time i think about it, tears seem to fill my eyes, even after 2 years, even after telling myself that i (should) have moved on, even now. People tell me im extremely bad at human relations (its a life skill), that im not good at managing my people, lousy at communicating. But to me, my fellow SLs are like my family, the board is like my wife. Like how Mr Chee has put it, if you dont treat it as a family, you wont like it, it'll be like a chore. To me, SLB isnt even a commitment, its purely something that i had to do, wanted to do.





2 years since i have graduated. Its quite a long time. This batch of sec3s would be the last batch of SLs that i handpicked personally in the SL Selection, they would be the last batch of people i know. But looking at the new faces, it reminds me of the old times. My blur face evident in my old photos, my memories filled with the awkward times i tried so hard to fit in (first SL farewell i attended when i was sec1? doing duty at the spiral staircase? receiving orders to clear the SL room from 2 seniors whose names i dont even know throughout the whole session?).





Everyone starts from scratch. There are different types of people, the loud ones who always seem to fit in quickly, the shy ones who open up gradually and the serious ones who seems to shun everything and everyone away. There are several opportunities, projects, committee stuff, duties, CCA roles. There are different people to guide you, mentor, camp group leader, ExCos, comm heads.




And then, there's you. How your road goes and winds up at, depends on what you want. Life is unfair, it never was and never will be. But dont you think your life would be more worthwhile if you think back in the future and you CAN tell yourself, that i've found friends, i've grown, i did what i can, i left the board a better place than when i first join it. I joined the board with no regrets.





And so i thought back. My life as an SL was an eventful one. I really doubt anyone had more projects than me... (or duties for that matter). There were many roads i had to travel through, there were many friends i had to venture these roads with. There i was, standing in the circle surrounding the very very first batch of ExCos, watching the final ceremony going on ( during the first Intensive). The ExCos cried. I dont think i understood. Felt sad, sure. But why i know not of. Then i cried too. I dont know why either. But now, i think i know why. I sure have grown. And to my juniors, you will too, that i assure you. Everytime i come back to my beloved Board to help out, it awes me to no end. My juniors, the most important people in the board, my family members, i watched them grow, and they did. Now i can barely recognise them. Then i recall, i too, have grown up.





This post is getting no where huh?



To be clear, the Intensive is supposed to be realisation. To realise what you lack. To realise you need to grow. SLB is a big family, each of you is required. The board will do for no less.




Venture through this journey with the mindset you picked with your own will, and soon you will find yourself looking back and saying that, "hey, i sure grew up". And to find yourself tearing at the memories of your SL life, is one to be called a worthwhile life.







Dont break my wife ok? I still love her. And each and everyone of you. Dont let me (and you) lose hope of the board. Dont make me (and you) think that the board is no longer deserving of my attention.


Dont make me stop crying.
Dont make us stop crying.







Soar, because the best is yet to be.

The 2nd, 3rd and 4th Head of Disciplinary Board

The SLB Investiture 2005 (with 2nd batch of ExCo, including myself)