The perils of living close to work

M
y wonderful Sat weekend. Finally went for Service! It's always so nice to be back in God's Santuary, to enjoy the worship. But...Phone started ringing.... From Ben, my good friend who is in Charge of organizing the Duty Schedule. Hmmm....

......Phone started ringing....

"Colin, are you at home?"
"No. why?"
"Can you come back to take over the BDO duty?"
"Huh?? what? I'm at Bukit Merah. Why need me?"
"CO doesn't want ShiJian to be DO because he just came back from field camp, Last min, need someone to cover...and you live quite near, help lah, help lah, I can't find anyone else"
"ehm....hai~ ok loh, ok loh..."
"What time can you be back?"
"2130?"
"Ok...try to be earlier can?"
"I'll try..bye bye"

Well, there you go, i became the DO for Sat just like that. But i won't have done much if i was home anyways. maybe spend time with my family and watch tv and chat. and of cos clear my email and blog. hai~ But it was a productive Sat man. I got new printer Cartridge, I got a thumbdrive, I got a USB hub and I also booked a Chalet! wee!!! hahaha =)

Basically its a Platoon farewell to our Section Commanders who will be leaving us soon. So, come July 1st! We'll be having lots of fun at wild wild wet! yupz yupz! hahaha...hopefully it'll be something that's fun. Got to let the guy's organize it. I'm jsut going to take care of the money part.

On Pen Gun, RAIs and Closing of Bank Accounts

...I'm so sleepy now, i don't even know why i'm still trying to blog...

S
o its been a few days since i last blog. I'm so sleepy now, i don't even know why i'm still trying to blog. But i just came back from my Platoon Field Camp where i had some really memorable moments. I'm the sort who will forget everything once my head touches the bed. So....


I lost a very very impt piece of equipment, a Pen Gun. It's really just a device used to shoot a signal flare. like a distress call sign. Anyways, in the SAF, its considered a weapon (Gun right?) so...i'm pretty worried. The lastest updates so far is i'm going to have to write a statement and an Investigating Officer will be assigned to me. I'll have to fill in details later cos brain is breaking down.

my Coy is short of RAIs (what is RAI?? well its basically retrivable parts of the ammunition you fired. So basically its all the empty cartidges after we fired the bullets....Yupz, we got to keep all of it after training and so currently my Coy is short of like 6000... Guess what my OC did, he decided to come down himself with 2 officers (i'm one) and one Sargent to find 6000 shells. Madness....worst thing, he got Chased back cos my CO didn't want him to pick up shells piangz, so its 3 guys trying to find 6000 rounds...!!!! We didn't make it and we got 3 more days...I say send all the Man in on Monday to find the rounds, they are the ones who lost it anyways hahaha.

Lastly, i closed my bank acct in Canada....i don't know why, but it just feels like hmm i've severed my last ties with Canada. I remembered telling myself before i left to keep the account since i might be going back some day. but hahahaha, see how life brings you along, i'm not stuck in Sg for another 2 years :P.... something like Robert Frost Poem "The Road less travelled"

"....Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back"

Its a Long weekend.

...after 3am, My OC's form of Moral support came by Setting up a Safari Bed in the office and sleeping there while the rest of us continued working ...

F
friday night. We are preparing to Move out for our First Mission. It's going to be My Platoon's First Mission Based exercise. Basically, Platoon Field camp is next week. So... Basically, we went through Battle Procedure on Friday, Which is basically preparing all the stores and Planning and stuff needed before we move out to conduct our mission.

So yeah~ while all the man left, My Runner and I stayed back to get the Map's, Sand Model and Orders ready for my Briefing on Monday night when everyone get's back (Monday is Vesak Day!!! public holiday hahaha).
After that. My Runner left, I carried on with more work.

Remembered the Rumour about PCs having to do lesson plans. Basically that came to pass on Friday. All the PCs were just typing away thru the night. I finished mine at 5.30am. slept abit, woke up at 7.30am went home, showered, and than headed to Alexandra Hospital for my Life-savers course.

Throughout the Night, my OC provided moral support by buying coffee and Prata for all of us. In addition i topped up with 2 cans of Red Bull. But after 3am, My OC's form of Moral support came by Setting up a Safari Bed in the office and sleeping there while the rest of us continued working :P hahahahahaha....At lest he didn't snore :P

Basically, after the Course... I was totally Shagged out. My3 hour nap before churched turned out to be a 8 hour sleep. hahahaha. Woke up only at 9pm like that that. Realized I'm hungry....and tired... so drank some water and went back to sleep again... That's my Sat Life, sad right?

ANyways, i'm blessed to have a good runner. I'm very Keen to groom him into the best Runner of the Battalion. He must be so good that even if i'm not around. He'll know what needs to be done in order for the Platoon to function normally. If i dare say, He has officer Calibre in Him! Don't play play, he is being Pursued by SGH (Singapore General Hospital) and MOH (Ministry of Health) to be sign a scholarship and be a Doctor! wah hahaha.. ok! next time can go and find him :)

New Stuff

...I've gotten the New Cool looking Load Bearing Vest...

H
aha, Finally!!! I've gotten the New Cool Looking Load Bearing Vest. You always see it in Adverts, But it's really not use widely yet. But Haha, I've gotten it! Well, It's actually pretty stuffy wearing it. So Guess you'll just have to get used to it.

More Platoon Training today, Bascially we are gearing up for next week which is our Platoon Field camp. It's basically the first mission we'll be doing as Platoon. Hahaha, my First Mission! Woo hoo! hopefully it'll all work well.

Anyways, I'll be going over to Alexendra Hospital for some Life Savings Course this Sat. Sigh~ There's suppose to be a BB parade this week and we haven't had one for ages. I'm still considering if i should go and just miss the Life Savings Course...

June june june, Holidays... Why can't working people get Holiday's too?? ahhhh.....

OH~ I paid up the $50 fine... hai~ The perils of driving :P Ok lah, my own fault for parking in a Season ticket holder's parking lot. But yah~ take the risk? get burnt, feel the pain. hahaha

And Episode 3, Not bad. lots of action! and Kendo like Action for the light sabres. I'm really tempted to just get 4,5,6 and watch it now. But as usual, no time man.

It's been a while

S
ometimes, you just don't feel like doing anything to do with the computer. It's good, the last 2 days, absolutely no access to the internet and i didn't feel anything. I'm impressed, i'm not nearly as addicited as i though i was ;)

Anyways, I was on Course over the last 2 days. It was a really fun workshop on Counselling! hahaha, So now i've a Cert that make's me a Quasi-Counsellor :P It's really isn't much, but its cool. I learnt so much about myself and how i typically respond when i help my men.

So... I learnt that i tend to jump quickly into coming up with Solutions to problems and sometimes, i have to slow down and "Understand" the cilent a little more, or just get him/her to vent it out and to just Listen.... Wahhhhahaha.
It was just absolutely hilarious during the Role plays when we acted like counsellors and tried to counsel each other.

Back to Reality, I got Lesson plans to do, Interviews to finish, Platoon Field camp stuff to prepare. I'm going to be busy again...

But in All of this, I'm claim on God's Providence in Phil 4:13! "I CAN do all things through him who strengthen's me!" Yupz, even with 3 extras on my head, my Head is held up high, I'll smiling =)

Point to note

S
o it seems that whatever i write on this blog is considered information in the "public Domain", EVEN though it's MINE own private thoughts and feelings....and letsee Web Address too.

Wow....

So the implication means that I can get Charged, Sued for stuff i mention on this blog and Personal Materials written on this Blog can be used Against ME in a Court of Law! Sweeeeet!

Anyways, My CO has found out abt this blog, and he is spreading the news around the whole battalion like a Kid who just discovered that you get Christmas Presents for Christmas. So, anyways, if you're from 3 Guards and you're reading this Blog to see if I've anything bad to say about you..... What can i say??? I've Deleted all possible malicious entries Hahahahahaha. Nah~ i'm just kidding. I'm keeping them ALL so you can read it and know that I think you just CMI.

Any those who are reading this blog to try and sieve for Secret classified leaks of information, Don't waste your time. Just go to some Forums and try your luck there. Some of those guys there know much more than I'll ever know, will know or get to know. And i think they are more willing to share anyways :P

Maybe i should put a disclaimer somewhere on this blog just to save guard myself.... Any idea where to get a Solid one without loopshopes? hmmm... should try Microsoft, Hahaha, are Disclaimer's considered Copyright anyways????

Feeling better

A
lright, I'm feeling better. What's 3 weekends anyways, There's lots of good things to look forward too. Amen!

Today, I'm going to watch soccer with some of my Pl guys, Managed to get free tickets for all of us. Basically, it's like a little social thing. Should keep the team spirit and morale up. They get to book in on Monday Morning instead of Sun night so it does sound like a pretty good deal.

Just hope that more guys would go, currently alot of them are just bringing along the GF's and siblings. My PS is bringing his wife and daughter! hahaha =). I think after this we're all go grab some food. It seems that alot of the guys in the Coy enjoy my Platoon. I've already gotten request from some men from other Platoons asking if they can join my platoon guys to watch the match. =) What can i Say, I lead a bunch of Merry man hahaha.

With Subordinates like this, It just makes every nasty thing that can happen to you more or less just die away. I remembered my OC once said. "You alway's Fight for the man under you first! Cos In War, Your men are going to die for you, not your Boss..." Hmmm, makes sense huh? hahaha

.....sigh~

T
oday probably is one those LOW LOW days I'm having. I'm on leave, but i went back for Commanders Training. And guess what, I got 3 extras... For some really stupid and stilly mistake.

I didn't countersign someone for returning the Keys. But you know, it was on the night that my Men fell 4 stories, i Was soooo freaking busy doing the Reports and stuff that i didn't even realize that the key had been return. Ah shucks, it was my bloody mistake. but there were mitigating factors. But i didn't mention it. I'll just suck it in lah.

Worst, I've cancelled the Dive trip, so i ain't going no where this sat.

And lets see.... I've TOn's of additional work to do. Basically the rumours came true. A whole new chunk of work have falled on our laps. I'm not complaining abt the work. I'm just sore over the extras.

Joy Ride, blk 85 and $50

T
he title basically summarizes what i did today ;). For Work, we learnt how to operate from the Chinook which is a kind of Helicopter. So we had little Joy rides around. I managed to sneak a little photo during the whole exercise so here goes! Looks pretty cool IMHO. I'm shameless... hahaha

I took out the pics cos.... i can't show them to you! it's needs clearence and stuff, so yeah, pics r gone.

Yes, That's me in the dark Shades. Looks like an Alien right? We use Mask to protect us from the Sand clouds that comes with each Chopper Landing. If you think it's cool, trust me its not. Your're sweaty and the Mask causes lots of pimples hahaha because its sticks to the Camouflage paint we use on our faces....

After the Exercise, Went to have some Late night supper with my fellow PCs, Discussing if one of them should accept a scholarship with the Army, it comes with a 4 year Bond...so pros and Cons. The scholarship looks good. but the Bond...4 years. You need to be sure you really like the Army i guess. As you guess, we had it at my Favorite Hangout Blk 85. Yupz, Good ol Blk 85

Than....lastly, while Having SUpper, I got a $50 fine for Parking my Car in the Wrong parking lot :(.... It was meant for Season Parking holders :( hai~ talk abt a good lesson.

Graduation and Extras

I
t started pretty well in the morning. Jade had her Graduation Ceremony as an SQ girl. I thought it was goign to be a pretty staight forward ceremony but Wow wow wow. Just got to say that it was more than a graduation ceremony, there was choral Singing, Drama sketches, Cheer Leading and even Lunch served by the Grads themselves wah haha. So cool and Funny. Did you know that SQ girls have their own Song and Dance skit? Its hilarious, but all in Good Fun! Well Done Jade! I'm sure you're a Great way to Fly! LOL

Pics you say? well... okies, there's a link out there with all the pics of the Ceremony. But you ain't gonna find that link on this page =P hahahaha

After the Ceremony, I basically rushed back to take over my Duty. Well, it wasn't that eventful except for 1 bloody discrepency. Anyways to Cut long long story Short. a String of Duty Officers were awarded 3 extras by our "beloved" CO for failure to do a proper Handing over and taking over process. Geez! it wasn't even half of their fault, cos the only reason they got highlighted was because they actually took the effort to point out that some documents were missing. Anyways, I was one of those given Extras which i felt was grossly unfair.

So in the end, after a bit of a debate with CO, He agreed to allow me to write a 5000 word paper instead. Sooooo.... i was comtemplating, i mean, 5000 words.... roughly 16 pages, and i can churn out a paper at the rate of 1 page/hour, so that's like 2 days of work...still seem easier than wasting 3 perfectly good weekends. hahaha.... That's what an analytical mind is for right?

Well, in the End, my CO was nice and asked for 5 pictures instead.

His reasoning goes.... they say a picture is worth a 1000 words right? so... 5 pics lah?
Wahh..... Okies, at least he got some sense of humour, although its wierd and comes out at the wierdest of times. Got to give it to him.

Anyways, I owe him 5 Meaningful pictures now that remind others not to commit the same mistakes again.... got to get the creative juices running again hahaha :P

Dinner for mum

I
so proud of myself today. For all those Foodies out there, Come come share my joy. So basically, yah. I've just got to say that the dinner was a Success! BUT BUt! the process of making that Dinner, was just pure Jamie Oliver.

Okies, So i actually started out by going to my lil Garden. Apparently we had some herbs growing out there! Actually quite alot ;) So took the garden shears and started harvesting some Basil and Rosemarry.

So here is the newly harvested Basil from me own Garden's hahaha.

Next, we start the blending..



than we mix it with fettuchini



than, top it up with some Mushrooms!



okies, this blog kinda feels like a recipe rite? okies, enuff....

I've got to give lots of kudos to my sis too who did the dessert! She made Tiramisu, but what totally gave it class was the custom made Chocolate Plates, just to hold the Tiramisu. I mean...how cool can you get???? she literally melted down chocolate and shaped them and chilled them!

So, for those fortunate buggers in Singapore, I still have the Pesto Sauce. Anytime you want just drop by my place and we can have some Pesto pasta! haha ;)

Anyways... i thought i'll post the Song that Jonathan Wrote for Brenda and sang to her on their wedding.

I've waited for this day,
I've waited for so long,
Now the night has gone -
Now the day has come...

It feels like it's a dream
from which I soon must wake...
But then I wake and find
The dream that's in my mind -

You're still here
All dressed in white
Walking by my side -

Out of a dream,
Into my life
Into my life...

Pretty neat huh?

Happy Mother's Day!

B
rought me mum and aunty Zeny out for dinner today. Although it's kinda one day in advance, but well, I guess today was a bit more convinent since I won't be around Tml evening from 5-9pm.
But yeah~ we are still going to make a lil something to much for mummy.

...So who really plays the "Mother" Role in spiritual naturing...

I'm going to make Pasta Al Pesto with Portabello Mushrooms. Sis goign to go for Tiramisu. SO fingers crossed the food will turn out ok, and the Kitchen won't be too messy haha.

Shh... we are presenting my mum with a Cellphone Tml!! she doesn't know it yet, as we've hidden it in my Wardrobe hahaha. But so dumb, we almost let it out cos my sis blab that she was now on a NEW PHONE PLAN.....Bish!

I'm really really pissed cos all the Army Pics i taken of my men got erased. While i was trying to upload the pics to my comp today, the Storage Card kinda Corrupted and I've lost all the data :( So... there goes all the precious Pics n Memories.

I was just thinking that the Christian Doctrine don't seem to carry much Material on the Maternal Love of a Mother. (Just random thoughts since its Mother's day). I mean, there's quite a fair bit God the "Father". He loves us as a "Father" does. Fatherly Love. So who really plays the "Mother" Role in spiritual naturing? I'm not looking for answers or anything... Just something to wonder and keep the Brain working hahaha.

I'm stil trying to put a Dive Trip next weekend. I've sent out a couple of emails, but till now no response! hai~ i'm addicted... okies at least i'm not in denial. the Colours that are available to you underwater is simply simply just amazing. OH~~~!!! This month's National Geographic Magazine has an Article on the Colours of the Sea. Lots of beautiful pictures of the underwater world in this issue. And lots of them were taken in our Tropical Region. Check it out if yah want.

GAC and Beret Presentation

G
AC= Guard's Assault Course. It's something like a finale for the Man before they get the right to dorn the Guard's beret and wear the Guard's Tab. basically it's a half day course to test the Mental, Physical and Teamwork of the Men.

The Course kinda goes like this. They Will Fast March for 2km, Rappell down a cliff, Clear SOC in Full Battle Order. Than fast march to the Range where they will Engage Targets from 100m. Next they will have 1 Casualty/ for every 8 man which they will have to put on a strecther and Evacuate him for 4km where by they will clear SOC backward's together with the Casualty and than Complete the last 400m. Its done competition style

So... yupz, Basically i think my boys did pretty well.They were in the running for the top place... But, unfortunately it started raining half way and So not everyone managed to complete GAC. THus the results were not counted as some teams did not complete the course.

Anyways, I'll try and upload some pics that i took of them doing it. Lots of faces of Agony and fighting spirit.

Today! is their Beret Presentation. It's the formal ceremony to regconize them for going through their Guard's Conversion. Kinda like a Graduation Parade. Their parents are all invited and they will be asked to go down and put on the Beret for their Sons. Me... I'm just going to stand back and Let them bask in the Glory ;) Today.... my Men become GUARDSMEN!

It seems today is a very happy day for lots of people cos all the Educational Institutes like NUS, NTU, Poly all have finished their EXAMS! So yeah~ Go Paint the town red! Me, i'm prob just going to find some place to Chill but I'm thinking town is gonna be rather Crowded... so still thinking of where to go hahaha.

Zouk???

T
he highlight of the day. My Bunkmate Jensen and his Crazy Idea, Suddenly out of the blue when we woke up in the morning...

"Colin, Want to go Zouk tonight? Its Mambo night!"
"Eh...Tommorrow, still got to go Tekong at 7am you know"
"I know! That's why we should go!!!"
"Ahhhhh....???"

That's was like at 8am this morning. For those who don't know, ZOuk is kinda like Singapore's Premier Club. It's world wide famous for excellent house music. But Wed, The music is all dedicated to the 80s era.

..."Colin, Want to go Zouk tonight? Its Mambo night!"...

Than Me goes to another Camp for my interview, basically this interview is to determine if i'll be suitable for a particular position for my coming posting in Oct. Apparently it's quite a Cool Position, managing a team of developers and Engineers. So anyways, I went down and had a little tour, See all the programs that the SAF have to help us be more efficient and stuff. Quite Cool actually. I just wondering how are they going to move an Air-Con unit with them to keep the servers cool. hahaha

But yah, the only problem is that the location is super far away from my home. It's like on the other side of the island....and i don't get to stay in. Arghh! Shucks man. So i'll prob be either taking expensive cabs (cost $40 both ways) or taking Public Transport (1.5Hrs).

Anyways, back to the Crazy Zouk Idea.. When i finally got back to my camp. Apparently the idea had spreaded to the rest of the officers. So now, it wasn't just a crazy idea. It's a crazy idea that's almost becoming reality.

"So Colin How? We all going....."
"Ehmm... aiya, Go lah Go lah"

Talk abt Herd mentality, I'm sure some of you out there who studies Sociology must have some explanation for this right? We just need to get Enuff Cool and Fun People to lead the way, and the rest will follow.

So Singapore Govt! Take note... Want More Women to start giving birth right? ah~ must start the Herd Mentality Sydrome. Until people find it Odd NOT to have baby. hahaha.

Anyways, Zouk was alright, As usual, the crowd in Zouk never seem to age. Only Me :P
The Drags were there, Creating Quite the attention and Mood. Really "lively" Action from them on the Podium.
A lil' pic of me on the cab there...

I guess School's out for most ppl, so the place was Crowded...more than usual ;)

Okies, better catch some rest. I'm moving out in 3 hours...sigh~

Bn Cohesion Day at P.Ubin

T
oday is my Off day. I'm suppose to be on off, relaxing and enjoying myself doing absolutely nothing if i so desired. But! No... I'm sweating it out in P.Ubin as part of a cohension activity by the staff in 3GDS. Its bitter sweet, On one hand, it's really my OFF and I don't like to be forced on my off to do something. But on the other hand. the day was rather Fun. We cycled up and down this Island called P.Ubin (very nature like) for the whole day in an Amazing race style of Competition. I had to dig mentos out from flour... Do some Math Eqn's like fill in the signs. 7 8 9 10 = 125 You only can use one Operator once.

Hahaha. Yeah~ that's how i spent the day. It's funny, they got us Bikes of different sizes, so we had to compete to get the best bikes. Half way during the competition, we can steal other ppl's bikes and stuff. Totally No Sportsmenship. All out to win mentality. So, my Grp's Bikes got stolen by another group and so we had to do quite alot of walking. But after the afternoon we ambushed that group and got our bikes back. Hilarious. Totally gave no chance one. Bryan actually just pushed the guy off the bike while he was cycling and he fell right into the bushes. No chance at all.

Anyways, we wrapped it up with some BBQ.and for the record, my Team got 2nd. The team that stole our bike....Got First :P


Just us on the Jetty waiting to get back to Mainland Singapore. The Cap's not mine, only borrow to act cool only hahaha.

Oh~ today i just received my First Tax Return!!!! Hahaha, I can't believe the amount that i'm taxable. are they sure its that much??? Anyways, I don't know what's the actual rate yet. All i know is they will be sending me another copy telling me how much i have to pay. I hope it's not too much. otherwise, there goes another Scuba diving trip.

Some pictures!

Just some Pictures of the Jon and Brenda's wedding! They look just perfect together siah.

And below! is the Card that me and My Sis got for our Mummy Dearest for Mother's Day! Pretty neat eh? it's huge, pink and gliterry (yupz! all thanks to my Sis). I contributed by buying the cell phone haahaa.. yupz! Mum has been asking for a new cell phone for a while now. her's is like 4 years old already

Today, I slept

...there's rumours that' all the PC's workload are going to increase ...

I
am getting old. Cos i'm starting to behave like my parents. I used to think how come my parents would always sleep in the day during the weekends. So boring, never go out and do things one. No i understand, after 5 days of work. Your weekends becomes the time to catch up on lost sleep. I slept a grand total of 18 hours today out of a possible 24hrs, Quite impressive right?

Anyways, yupz, I'm not going back to work Tml. but some of my guys are going for live firing. Poor chaps, no worries, they will be given back their off. I just hope it'll be soon. I need to keep track of all those who are burning weekends. Its simply not fair if they don't get compensated.

But hmm... yeah~ I've one guy who called in sick. I still think he is just trying to escape from coming back to camp. Cos otherwise he'll be getting a long long break. till Tues Night! It's a superbly long break. But yeah~ last min had to scrable a bit to find someone to replace him. But who in the world is willing to come back. i'm sure they all had plans.

I'm still trying to figure out what to get for Mother's Day. It's next Sun, mum's currently still in Taiwan now. So its prob a good time to get something without her knowing, otherwise there won't be any more time.

Oh~ This Fri, my guys's are going to get their Khaki Beret! so the count down starts. but before that they will have to go through the Guards Assault Course. Not easy, but definately doable. Will definately be a good time... of course, it'll be tiring, but i believe that something is only worth it if there was some sacrifice put into it right?

Meanwhile, there's rumours that' all the PC's workload are going to increase to include preparing Lesson Plans!!! It's just a rumour, but my source

Jonathan's Wedding!

...It's labour day on Sun, so...i kinda get Monday off too!...

I
know this is suppose to be my Army blog and stuff. But today's such a sweet and loving day. Basically my Cell Grp leader from TO just got married today in Singapore. His Love story is simply amazing, such a great testimony to all those who are single and still waiting for that special someone that God's has in store. God does not forget the Faithful!!! AMEN! Anyways, Congratulations Jon and Brenda. both of you look absolutely Charming together! And Yes Jon, Brenda is beautiful ;)

but on my way home from the Wedding, I got a pretty bad scratch on my Car. It's really bad. The whole left side got scraped... I was driving along the highway, and my Car hit some bushes that was on the divider.... ouch ouch ouch. i'm OK, but can't say so abt the Car. Now i'm thinking of just sending it for body touchup. Prob gonna set me back abt 300-400! ah.....

It's labour day on Sun, so...i kinda get Monday off too! yeah! but Tues, I'm going to go to Pulau Ubin for some Batallion Cohesion activity... sigh~ running around again ALA Amazing Race style. I actually had an appointment to discuss my next Posting on that day, but thanks to this. CO has made me postpone the appointment...sigh~ how come don't just let me go lah.