adapting a non-civilian life.

hmmm, what to say?

theres so many things to share with you on the past one and half weeks in tekong 'paradise'.

anyway, i shall organise the contents by talking about:
-the day i went in
-ordinary army life.
-book-out day.
-my off-days.
-personal felts on current events happening in my life.


the day i went in: in the end my mummy, granny and cousin sent me off. my friends sent me text of concerns and the night before i called almost every friend i could and it was nice to know they all cared. i was mentally prepared, knowing that army is something you must follow and not be a hero or rebel orelse you stand to lose in the end. do not be. i would like to thank my friends for all the advice and my ex-workplace singapore discovery centre for educating me on this. had lunch and last meal with them before i fell in with the other parents' sons to go collect our stuffs and confinement of one and half weeks in a paradise known as 'tekong'. i couldn't bear, but i have to and i did it bravely. thanks for being there family!


ordinary army life: whatever information im going to say here is detailed 50%, the other half goes into classified(which means information that are not suppose to be leaked to the public via internet and other public means for it will jeopardise the nation defence in every way possible).

first day, got my field pack and duffel bag, that included all the stuffs i need for army, not forgetting a gillette fusion power shaver with extra trimmer blades. getting into my bunk, twelve people staying in one. im lucky to be staying on the 2nd floor(imagine if i had to climb up five floors), and being issued bed number two. had to wake up five am everyday, doing lots of PT(physical training), marching, foot drills under the hot bright sun, a water parade was what it needed to hydrate ourselves beyond point of thirst and to assist us in drenching the shirts we wear, and most interestingly the army songs.. everyday was like this, except for times we had to train our chin-ups, ran alot and go for road marches with our full vest+helmet on. the food was surprisingly good, we had generous amount of rice, veggies, meat(mostly nothing but chickens), soup, desserts and a fruit of choice. i personally felt they treated us really well, and i couldnt accept that. army is suppose to be a no-choice thing with everything else no choice too, but we could still choose our fruits. im being evil here coz i think that will not make us as strong as if we were treated like shit. anyway, they took gd care of us, for any unwell symptons you may have, just gotta report and you are excused from the exercise(of course it must be a genuine report orelse we might end up getting charged).
particulary on the last day before we book out, we had a road march of 3 km with our stuffs on, after which we had PT exercise and just imagine the fatigue we had to endure. we did it in the rain, luckily coz i wouldnt want to be sweating under the sun. the rain was good, just that we got soaked really wet, my underwear too! we had first aid tests, and a stand-by bed(where we had to arrange our cardboards in a neatly fashion, uniforms folded properly, the area spick-and-span and clear of debris, lastly the bed to be tuck-in properly and shoes to be polished. i guess it was really tough work coz however well we did, we still got f--ked.
oh yes, i would say we mastered the art of vuglarities in the army.
we all had a girlfriend, or rather a wife, our very own rifle. we are suppose to keep it securely and bring it everywhere we go including the toilet. thus, we have to remember that we are no longer a civilian for now, but a soldier that will up hold and protect our country with our lives.


book-out day: 4.30pm we left tekong on a jetty, and i smiled when i saw my platoon mates and every other NSF(national-service freshmen, a name we are recognized by) running to the jetty with a delightful and kiddy behavior, knowing that that could all book-out and go home. in the jetty it self, we mimicked every sergeant and PT instructor on the words they say and it was all funny and fun. i know im happy inside, and i kept humble, knowing its a two long years to go through and its just the beginning. was surprised that sam and serena called, asking me to go out for dinner at suntec food fair, and i did once i got home. comments from my family and friends when they saw me was, 'wah, you so tanned and black, i couldnt recognize you', 'now you look stronger, your flabby arms no more', 'i think after a few more weeks you will look really good, alot of girls will come after you'. thats cool, and my family couldn't stop asking me how it went in the army. being a diploma holder, i was in the leadership batch where i stand a chance to become a sergeant or even an officer provided i fit the criteria. what worries me most is my physics for now, i couldnt do a chin-up for nuts. anyway, went to eat at the food fair, and walked around suntec and took a straight bus home. felt the fatigue and really needed to sleep.


my off-days: went out to the istana on sunday with peirong and family, had a great time and i thought her family was really sweet and nice, they were always in conversation with each other and it was nice to listen to them. they treated me lunch and i am grateful. went home and slept the whole day, waking every few hours to pee and slept again.. till this morning and here i am writing this post. come to think of it, time proves to be short coz tonight im booking in again. whatever time im given, i try to make the best out of it and my health is priority for now. friends, don't worry coz i will go out with you one day, at least once i promise. i miss all of you.


-personal felts on current events happening in my life:
1)ive this feeling that im going to miss sleeping with eleven other men in a single bunk, eh you know what i meant okay. yeah, its gonna be a memorable moment where i enjoyed with tears, sweat and fun. so as always, im going to make the best out of it and push myself as far as i can go.
2)two years, how long is it going to be? it would be year 2011 by the time i ORD and wonder what to do after that, IR? circus clown? childcare teacher? sign-on NSmen? mcdonald's?
3)life's better in a way now, forgotten quite a few saddening things and more to look for in the future. full of surprises and i will take them when they come. for now, clearly i want to enjoy life. im so sure i couldn't cope with additional responsibilties besides taking care of me, my family and friends. i shall see how it goes.
4)i hope to attend OCS(Officer Cadet School), at least this two years will prove to be meaningful, as it reflects my attitude(doing the best i can). its never easy but im training for it, my heart and soul. someday, i will step up to be the timer(the one who shouts, 'left, left, left right left') as i believe its the first step to enable me to lead a group of soldiers. some of my friends are calling me stupid on why would i rather suffer when i could slack and not be shagged. i want to achieve something meaningful within this two years and make myself, and not forgetting my parents proud.
5)family, you need not have to worry about me, i know how to take care of myself, and in any case if i don't i will find a way out. i always have this dream, of going to a foreign and isolated country, to be lost there... and eventually i will find a way out. crazy? yeah very, but it makes me stronger. lets not go to the 'what ifs' regarding this issue. yeah, whenever i go, whatever i do, i never fail to think of you. thats one important factor that keeps me going.
6)friends, as always i cherish each and everyone of you and your concerns. cant wait to go out to have fun. its going to be a two long years, a win-win situation is that when i could achieve what i want in the SAF, i could still go out and chill with all of you. time is clicking and very soon it will happen.



there are actually more to say, but for now i think this is good. i slept well, and soon im checking into my bunk without my bolster beside me, but my wife will stand by me everyday so lets look on the bright side. awaiting for more PT to do, and the feeling of sweat flowing like water from head to toe is missed. looking forward to my next book-out day, which is also a trip to my ex workplace singapore discovery centre. hope to see my colleagues soon, miss them so much.


i love you guys, REC C L SEAH is going to report for NS, so take care all of you! wait patiently for my next post.


P.S. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.