A GUARDS Platoon Commander

A New Beginning!

2005-12-26T03:26:00.000+08:00

I
have started a new blog... It'll be nothing related to work, just random thoughts, opinions and feelings about stuff that happens around me. It won't be angsty or peusdo-intellectual, just plain boring Vanilla, but Madagascar Vanilla none the less =)

The Last Post

2005-12-12T19:44:00.000+08:00

A
lright, so i guess this is it, This will be the last post on this blog. No more 3 Guards PC anymore, As of TODAY 12 Dec 2005, COLIN CHU has posted out of 3 Guards.

...Tml Morning, i'll do PT with the Man 1 last time, It'll be very early say 5.15am...

Last weekend was a perfect finish to my PC tour. The 3 PCs from Charlie Company, who took command on 17th Dec to a bunch of Fresh Faced BMT Recruits, Training them over the last 1 year into elite Guardsmen. All 3 of us going for a short getaway in Bintan, laughing and joking over the stupid things that happened in our tour, looking forward into the future. Over lots of Good food, abit of Sun-tanning, some fun in the surf, Massage and Spa, friendly girls and just Chilling under the moon with the monsoon coming in.

Basically, the PCs came up with a very 'evil' Plan, Tml Morning, i'll do PT with the Man 1 last time, It'll be very early say 5.15am, I'll give them one good surprise, I mean it'll probably be the last time i'll ever pump them right? hahahaha. , Basically, whenever a PC leaves, he will bring the Company for one very 'Intense' workout. So.... Heh heh heh, I think my boys will remember me tml for 1 very famous exercise that i'll teach them, called the amazing jumping jacks. Mua hahahaha, Sadistic right? :P

Strangely, I'm not feeling too sad about leaving now. I don't know why, i guess i've been looking forward to moving on, but i still kinda dazed that it's happening already. I'm thinking of what to tell the guys tml, what kind of words of encouragement to say, or use? I don't know, deep down, i just want to say a prayer for all of them. Bless them and ask for the Lord's protection to be upon them for the last 1 year. I want all of them to go back to their Parents in the same complete and hopefully healthy state when they first came to me. Yeah... I pray that tml, God will keep the morning clear and pleasent. I want to share with them the simple beauty of watching the sun rise over your own land. I want to tell them that their NSF time is worthwhile if they CHOOSE to make it worthwhile. I want to tell them to plan for their future, I want to tell them to watch over each other.

Hmm... Actually, i think i did it someway or another when i did the Turn Ops speech which will be read this Thursday. I really poured my thoughts into the speech, Hopefully Brigade Commander can read it convincingly hahaha.

Anyways, I think i still owe my whole platoon a treat to Marina South, yupz, guess pay came already so i'll treat everyone lah. Although...it's my Farewell right? so how come i'm the one treating others huh??? :P

Enough crapping, I guess this is it. To all of you who read my blog regularly, I'm sorry i can't carry on where i'm going next. I'm still thinking if i'll have a blog that's non-military in nature, but that's still in the Thinking process.

For now, I'll probably just upload pics from my PC days whenever i get them to this blog.

Well, So Long! and Thank you!

(Comes to Attention, Salutes, and Exits to the Right)

Captain Chu?

2005-12-09T01:30:00.000+08:00

I
am now officially a Captain. Just like that over an email. Basically, when i went over to my new work place, my Boss was like, "Hey, how come you haven't gotten your Captain rank? and i explaine to her the whole story about having to wait 2.5 years. And she said, "Cannot be, how come your upperstudy, same situation as you got his within 1 year, but you don't?" So anyways, she made some calls, and viola, this afternoon just before i left my work, she called me into her office and congratulated me. I will be promoted to Captain wef from 1st Nov!! so basically, i'm already a Captain and they will be back dating my pay ;) mua hahahaha :) hopefully i'll get some extra Moolah!

Ok, i didn't even pursue it that much, cos i really felt that if it's meant to be, it's meant to be, just let God take care and Hahahaha, I guess I'm just ThankFul that God actually let the system work its way. So, just leave it in God's hand, if he thinks you're due from Promotion, he'll just give it to you.

...Rule #1 for me is....don't get dragged into the politics...

I got a lil tour of the various departments, very nice to see all the people that i will be working with. Alot have wished me well, and look like pleasent people. Although i've already started feeling a sense of Office Politics. Rule #1 for me is....don't get dragged into the politics, as much as possible. I realize that politics exists in every organization. The main thing is to ensure that Politics do not take away our professionalism. Mindef is one huge maze with offices all over the place, it'll take a while for me to get to know everywhere. But Hey~ i'm meeting people i know all the time!.

Like i met Eugene! yes! Yee Whye, your friend Eugene, he was waiting for his Fiance.
I met the Ex Bravo OC, he still calls me Chu Chu.... piangz
I met my Old friend from Cadet days, he is here on Attachment during his vacation break.

So fun, yah, i think it'll be quite fun. Only problem is... It's REALLY an OFFICE, like, OFFICE i mean...i guess this is the first time i'll really be like working in an OFFICE OFFICE enviroment. with Flouresent tube lights and cubicles and stuff. yucks, i hate that decor, so stale.... but Thank God, i sit next to the Window so i get to have a view ;)

Oh~ i'm going to Bintan now... this Sat, Sun, i know it's like out of the blue, but that's after Bangkok was a no go, than Malaysia was kinda boring, than...the PCs really really badly needed to get out of Singapore for a break, so there you go! Bintan, for a quick getaway, i just hope there are things to do there.

Just before i leave 3 Guards, i get a nice surprise... one of the Men has went on AWOL, what a buggeration, i mean.... Arghhhh i still don't understand why we let him out in the first place. So now we are doing the Awol charges again for him. I mean, doesn't he ever ever learn? SO close to being incorrigble (sic)

Farewell

2005-12-07T07:59:00.000+08:00

Y
esterday, i met up with my CO, had a pretty good chat with him and said good bye. He wished me well and Thank me. It's closure to me, so now my CO has officially noted that i'm gone.

...Yesterday i also went to my new work place. Yes, it's a Mindef...

Yesterday i also went to my new work place. Yes, it's a Mindef, it's alot furthur than Bedok Camp :(. It's like a totally different enviroment and culture, i'll talk about that another time, cos THAT will be a long long post by itself.

I'm not going to be reflective now, it'll mean a Post that's probably going to take like a few hours and hmm, it's 8am and i've to rush to work soon. Yes, i'm really not quite used to working till 6 plus pm and knocking off. There's so much things to do literally when i take over. I think there's going to be alot of starting from ground Zero since my upper study really is a Project officer that has been tasked to do the 2ic role. He has held the fort, carried the bag of $%$# and now he is realdy to pass it on. (To ME! haha) ok, no, he is really good, he is handling it over to me properly and i appreciate it. but with it comes a host of problems that are outstanding and when asked why no one has done anything. Shrugs shoulders.

In any case, i doubt my life will be as interesting as my tour in 3 Guards, thus, probably, the blog won't be that interesting either. Anywaya, I've decided to stop posting as of this Friday.... so i guess it's best that i'll just shut my mouth and hands. As i said a while, it's about time to close this blog. I mean... it's abt a GUards Platoon Commander right? No point talking abt the times i'm up at HQ around.

2 more days to Friday!

Going over to my New place

2005-12-06T00:29:00.000+08:00

Y
es, I guess the time is drawing near, I'm posting out officially this Friday. I'm supposed to be on Leave this Friday, but they posted me, so now i'm suppose to report to my new work place on Friday. A bit Sianz, cos now my Bangkok trip like won't happen leh :( Worst, Jensen got an interview on Friday morning....... how to fly liek that?

...Tml i'm going to meet my CO for a final, good bye interview...

Guess its back to Square one again, worst case scenerio is to head up to Malaysia for a short visit. Just book a hotel and stay for a night or so, although frankly, there's really nothing much to do in KL right? hai.... sianz.

Anyways, Tml i'm going to meet my CO for a final, good bye interview. He'll like to see the speech and stuff and I also like to have a talk with him. Basically, I guess i like to Thank him for believing in me and giving me the chance to learn. I'll also let him know how i felt during my tour and The problems i faced. I guess i'll also let him know how i feel abt my next appointment.

After meeting my CO in the morning, i'll head over to Gombak to understudy from my upperstudy. I'm surprised that there is no terms of references and stuff at all, So i've no idea what exactly my stuff are supposed to do in black and white. Like !!!!??? like that how? Everyone will be playing Tai Chi and no work will get done right? Gosh, i really pray that God will put in on the right footing as i go in and take over the dept. Really need the Wisdom in dealing with all the people in my department.

The results for the 21km are out. hahaha, so my exact time is 2h 07 mins, hmm... quite happy, According to the stats, i'm in the top 18% of runners! It's quite a cool stats page, cos it tells you your pace, and your position relative to other people and stuff. Yah, so i guess i'll sign up for a Stand Chart Account now so that i can register for next year's Marathon for free hahaha ;) cheepskate right?

The Stand Chart 21km!

2005-12-04T19:35:00.000+08:00

I
just completed the Stand Chart 21km today. The feel good feeling is still buzzing, there's really nothing like a natural high. It's like non-Artificial, all natural, honest to goodness kinda high. LOL, ok, in the process you kinda like have to go through a battle of wills to keep yourself going.

generally, i think the run was pretty well organized, just a couple of sore points with the baggage handing. it was just messy. People were like waiting for almost 1hour to get their bags which is pure madness. But still I see no reason to shout at the Volunteers. Some people are just Darn Impatient and IMHO downright insensitive. They were showing their temper and raising their voices at the Volunteers getting the bags. The poor Vlounteers are like Secondary School kids, all so young. I mean, give them a break lah? It's not their fault that the whole bag place is so chaotic, and they are there TRYING to serve you, like, it's already not easy trying to rummage through thousand of bags to find one, more so with people yelling from the front. I guess that was why alot of volunteers were just seaching at the back and not wanting to come to the counters (We must have looked like a pretty angry mob) and the only defence they have against us were some tables. I really wanted to shout to them, "Hey kids, Steady! take your time and stay focus, Don't stress! We appreciate what you're doing!" Like give them some form of encouragemen lah...

...The feel good feeling is still buzzing, there's really nothing like a natural high...

Anyways, Thank God My Bag didn't get lost in the mess though hahahhaa, My server was pretty efficient =)

The run wise, I'm surprised i actually had managed to get the timing i got, it's the first time i'm running 21km and the longest i've ever ran was prob 14-15km. So yeah~ very very happy with myself! :) Like when i crossed the finish line i was like dancing my way through! I love the ideas of having food alone the way, like when i was almost dying at the 19km point, they started distributing Banana's at the 20km point, The best Banana in the world man as i ate one. It was like Have Fresh Energizer batteries in your body! Started to run again all the way to the finish point. Best part was crossing Anderson Bridge, like you knew you were there already. Actually, i kinda new i was there when i hit the 15km point and was still going quite strong, could still talk to my Ex-OCS mates about live and the future. I guess the pace was good lah.

Ok, On to a more serious topic, The Gals were cool, I saw the Conrad girls again in their lilac tops. Standard is still there, they were actually running the 21km! and they were pretty strong runners! looking pretty good too. But really, this race, i didn't notice much at all, compared to AHM. It was mostly thinking if i could finish the 21km without dying haha. But yah, Conrad Girls, hard to miss lah, especially when they were running in a team. And i saw a Conrad BOy too! hahaha, quite fuunny seeing him in purple though :P Hiak hiak hiak. Ah well.

Anywyas, i guess this is a good end to the year, this is one of my 2005's goals and i'm proud that i accomplished it. So next year, my goal is to run the full Marathon or at least die trying :) Long Distance Running is really the most basic form of Mind over Body. Sometimes, when you are really struggling, Look towards the goal and perserve.

I remembered someone telling me before that the Christian Life is a Marathon and not a 100m Dash. Yeah! I physically understand what paul said about running the race. Lord, As i keep running towards home, I want to go the distance and not fall out. Teach me to perserve nd Give thanks in all circumstances! :)

Race Day - 1

2005-12-03T22:38:00.000+08:00

t
ml's the 21km run. Woot, i can't believe i've been eating that much. Just read some thing somewhere that you should not eat too much on the EVE of a big run so you can empty your gut and travel light. Kaos, now than say. I've already eaten like 2 plates of pasta for dinner!!! how? i better take a good dump tml morning before i head out.

Ok, shorty post, cos i've got to sleep soon

Tunes that gets stuck in your head

2005-12-01T23:35:00.000+08:00

You know that tunes, that just get's stuck in your head and keeps replaying over and over again. That Chicken little Sounds track... It's in my head now. I know it's so Beng, but hack, its catchy and it's playing non-stop in my head. the last time this happened was that chipmunky song. Don't know what's its name.. But yes, Thanks Chicken Little Na nanana. nananananana. Nana nananana, nananananana. hahaha :P

Doggie updates! Oreo has started obedience training, so he is learning to heal and stop now. So far, i think he has at least learn to heal and stop and no longer afriad of walking around the neighbourhood. The best thing is, he knows how to keep to the left of me and not cut across my path. As for Oreo...hai~ he still resist steping out of the street. Mum still has to cradle him like a baby everyime we go out. hahaha.

...Tml! Course Briefing! woot...

Tml! Course Briefing! woot! i hope it's going to be interesting. basically, i'm scheduled to go on Course for the whole month of January. worst thing is it's all the way at Pasir Laba Camp. So yeah, from Jan 3 to Feb, i'll be travelling like up and down, and the worst thing is, course starts at 8am!!!

The weekends coming, i guess i'm kinda looking fwd to it. Oh yes, Sun 21km somemore hahaha. I'm just going to tell myself, If 6000 over people are RUnning TWICE the distance i'm running, there's no good reason not being able to complete it right? Anyways, i'm giving myself 2hrs, 20 mins to complete it. it's a slow pace i know, but everyone at his own pace right? anyways, my objective is to complete, and not fall out ;) yeah~!

Movie Night- Harry Porter

2005-11-30T03:17:00.000+08:00

J
ust got back from watching a midnight show- Harry Porter. the Coy just got back from 2 days of OUtfield training, so everyone was in need of a some relaxation, Guess, some of us choose to pay $7 just to sleep in a cinema ;)

But anyways, review for the show is not bad, Like i think it was worth my $7 bucks. I still have a host of other movies that are in my watch list... hmm

Chicken Little
Narnia
Some Artsy flick whose name i forgot. (i'm as clueless as the normal guy on the street on arts)

The Traffice Police in Singapore are fast and brutal. I parked my car on the side of a road while i went to deliver the photos to the printers. Bling, i come back, $70 fine on my windscreen for parking across solid line. $%#%# liao, Anyways, i'm sick of getting fines. I've a really good resolution for next year and that is not to get a SINGLE fine. I know, not easy, but that's going to be my resolution. I mean every month, i donate almost a $100 to the Singapore Govt.

...Just feeling kinda not here not there, lost in the midst of something...

Workwise, i've packed my rooms, I've gotten my Clearence forms. I'm getting ready to move i guess. I know my next Unit wants me in urgently, apparently there is lots to Handover and the sooner i go, the happier everyone will be. What's most worrisome for me is that they are thinking of taking me out of my Course in Jan if i am not able to take over in time. sigh~ pls... .don't do this to me, let me go for my course... pls pls pls.

On the other hand, i also want to leave my Battalion on a happy note. I don't know how my S1 came up with a Dec 12 date. I mean... no one was in the loop, my OC didn't know, I didn't know... I mean, its all like "Oh yah, you'll post out on the 12th...
Sigh~...

Just feeling kinda not here not there, lost in the midst of something, like the new has came, but the old is still around. I know that's how all the old PCs in my Coy are feeling. What's the next path? IMHO, it's not healthy. No good for the new officers too because we are still around and they can't have a clean and proper handover, like the men and commanders don't know how to really approach. The new officers also don't really feel like they actually taken over, or assumed command. It's like being told your duty is a PC but yet someone else is doing you job, you're just by standing.

I'm a slow dancer huh

2005-11-28T20:53:00.000+08:00

OK, I'm sure you're bound to have taken one those survey stuff that your friends send to you, so anyways, i just did one about the kind of date you are... So apparently i'm a Slow dancer... Whatever that means.

and I should stay away from a girl with personality like a Battle Axe!!!! HAHAH :P I don't have to be a slow Dancer to know that..

The Slow Dancer
Deliberate Gentle Love Dreamer (DGLDm)

Steady, reliable, and cradling her tenderly. Take a deep breath, and let it out real easy...you are The Slow Dancer.

Your focus is love, not sex, and for your age, you have average experience. But you're a great, thoughtful guy, and your love life improves every year. There's also a powerful elimination process working in your favor: most Playboy types get stuck raising unwanted kids before you even begin settling down. The women left over will be hot and yours. Your ideal woman is someone intimate, intelligent, and very supportive.

Your exact opposite:
The Hornivore

Random Brutal Sex Master

While you're not exactly the life of the party, you do thrive in small groups of smart people. Your circle of friends is extra tight and it's HIGHLY likely they're just like you. You appreciate symmetry in relationships.

ALWAYS AVOID: The Battleaxe

CONSIDER: The Maid of Honor or The Sonnet

Just pure mindless surveys. Me going to run abit tml! :) Think it'll be the last run before the 21km on Sun.

I've got my Braces off

2005-11-27T20:15:00.000+08:00

I
got my braces out! :)

Birthday Meals are full

2005-11-25T23:46:00.000+08:00

T
oday, i ran =) I think it's almost 11km. My Timing was pretty bad actually. but hack, at least i clocked some millage. Was pretty free today since the Servers were down, so i basically just sat in office, helping Chee Yong with the Photos.

Yah, My Battalion is doing a small project, every solider will get a little picture of them in action during important phases of their NS life. Pretty Interesting, you'll have pictures of their BMT phase, Their Guardsmen conversion phase, and now their Turn Ops Phase. I think it'll be quite nice, looking at the Templates, yupz, Chee yong is a rather amazing piece of talent. Apparently he designs t-shirts and sells them to shops at Far East Plaza.

...nothing like a good Buffet meal for an ARmy guy...

Last Monday was OC's Birthday, and we all kinda 'forgot' but we can't let him know right...so we actually celebrated for him today by treating him to a meal at Merchant Court Hotel. hahaha, yupz, nothing like a good Buffet meal for an ARmy guy. So anyways, In anticipation for a heavy meal, Mind said to the body... i think you better run today. So yeah, i think my body is back in equilibrium :)

Tml, i've got a host of stuff on my hands, First, BB, than Dental, than Dog Training at 3pm than Church! My Gosh... I really hope i can make it to all of them! I've been tasked to do the Turning Ops Speech, Hopefully, it'll be good enough. It's kinda important an event where all parents are invited, the only thing is how many of my men will want to get their parents to come.

I bet next week, most of them will be really tired out because of the training for ATEC. They will start going for battle courses, after Battle Courses starting from next week, time to start getting jiggy with things again boys ;)

My upper study has already started throwing me with stuff to prepare me for taking over. basically, i've a whole ton of GOM (General Orders of Mindef) Circulars and Directives to read. Frankly, i'm really thinking of printing all of it out, cos i hate to read stuff from the screen. things get blurry after like 4 lines.

BDO duty the last time?

2005-11-23T23:32:00.000+08:00

You know it's nearing the full cycle. The feeling just came as i was mentoring the whole bunch of new Officers who are taking over the whole batch. All so new, but bursting with energy. Haha, remembered having the same feeling not too long ago. You know that excitement and wanting to know everything, and how so many things feels big and beyond you. It just didn't feel like that long ago where i was like them learning about doing BDO duties.

It's good to know how much you have learnt over the 1 year, being able to return the favour and sound all experienced and stuff in front of your juniors. one of them asked about Running to East Coast Park and i remembered I also asked the same questions when i just joined too!

Anyways, It seems i'm really going to be posting to a new place. The date i've got is Dec 12, hopefully, somehow it seems I might have upsetted some people at AOMC, they say i kao bei too much about my posting. My gosh... If some people could just do their work properly and give clear direct answers...

I'll be going over to the do some HR work, it's like a holding place before another post becomes available. but the good thing is i'm going for course in Jan! :) hahaha, alright, i'm feeling all excited about the move, although i might live to regret ever saying this cos i do quite like my current job quite a lot. especially the people here. but i guess we all need to move on at some time too right?

hmmm... Hmmm... Lalalala

Here's to days gone by

2005-11-23T00:31:00.000+08:00

C
had went back to Japan this morning. Managed to meet up one more time before he left, we Went to Raffles Hotel! and had Singapore Sling at the Long Bar... Hahaha, i never went there before but all i can say is this....it's EXPENSIVE. like one Singapore Sling cost like $19!!! it's madness. but i like the concept of throwing peanut shells on the floor its gives the whole place a very casual feel. still... I'm quite broke this week i think hahaha. But it's alright.

I got to go Japan now especially since Chad's there. Just wondering when would be a good time.

Anyways, It's back to Routine life in the Batallion, the new officers have Come! (woo hoo!!!) So now, it's training the new officers, once they've taken over comfortably.... i think it's time for us to take a step back and let the new officers run the show ;) Wow...almost feels like 1 year back when we came and were all new and fresh hahaha.

Tml, I'm going to be the BDO, understudying me would be all the New officers. I was telling them, the best way to learn is to kena extras, you'll learn the fastest this way. It's painful, but very powerful i think.

Some stuff on my Mind... guess i'll need to start running again to clarify my mind. hopefully tml morning will have some time before i takeover as DO.

Chad's in town

2005-11-20T06:09:00.000+08:00

M
y long time friend from Toronto just popped into town today. Chad, the Flipino Chinese, Raised in Jamaica, Citizenship in Canada, and now working in Japan. Always great to meet up with Chad, He's so much to share (esp abt all the girls he meets....very interesting)

Ok, now i so want to go to Japan to Teach English, apparently they provide you free lodging and meals and all you need to do is teach English as an Auxillary Instructor. So he got tons of free tim on his hands and he is just busy trying to fill up those times by meeting with lots of different girls. OK, that's Chad for you.

...Ok, now i so want to go to Japan to Teach English...

Anyways, Picked him and his 2 friends, dropped them off at the Marina Mandarin (They're rich Japanese eh) and than went for supper than Chad and I head down to some club to check the scene in Singapore, some club called Momo that my friend jio me too go. Ok, pretty nice beats i guess, lots of RnB music, which... i don't know guess i'm getting too old for the scene already :P

But yeah, after going to a club after so long, i realized that everyone is just checking each other out. The girls ARE looking at the guys. I mean, Ok, they try to do it without you knowing, but definately noticed glances. Like... i never really noticed it, but this time, the sense is there. But No, i don't even thinking of picking up girls in such places. Although it has to be quite easy. There was this girl who i guess was a bit high and she fell on me, but i managed to support her and she didn't let go off my hand, just keep holding onto it. Worst... Her Male Companion was just beside her. I just let go of it cos i didn't want her Male companion to feel anything cos he looked quite drunk himself.

The joke was he tried to support her but slumped onto the tabletop himself...

Pretty happening place i guess. left at 4am. Eardrums still rining of Hip hop.

Anyways, after the club, we went over to Geylang to have breakfast at the Soya Bean place. I think Chad is pretty impressed that even at 5am in the morning ppl are stil around eating and going on with life. Yes, Singaporean's are a nocturnal bunch i guess, at least a number of us are. ;)

I didn't go to svc again. This time because of the LDC camp. Ended up setting up a campfire for the boys together with the rest of the officers. Thinking about it, i'm thinking if i should go for Sunday's Service. Only problem now is it's almost 7am and i've yet to sleep...Madness right? still up blogging, but for some reason, i'm feeling just that tad fresh after taking my shower (was stinking of smoke after Momo's)

It's my Off day!

2005-11-13T20:39:00.000+08:00

I
'm super pleased today. ok, 1 its my off day. Managed to get back home by 12, haad a bit of lunch and than went to sleep. Can you believe it? my Off day and i went to sleep. what a waste. But anyways, woke up at 6pm, and than..... Hmmm, it's not raining, won't it be nice for a run? anyways, i'm pleased... i still managed to clock 10km... not bad, not bad, i though after slacking in the office for so long after Bali, my Belly is starting to show liao, Thank God I've got a chance to do some positive action abt it :P

...Can you believe it? my Off day and i went to sleep...

Ok, i've postponed by Bangkok trip to after Dec's Stand Chart run.. so i can eat guilt free when i'm there. hahaha. But now here comes the bummer, Bangkok kena the Stupid Bird Flu thing also!! argh.... How how? should go or not? Worst, $$$ is getting abit low liao :P

Oh~ i've yet to post any Bali pics yet. Unfortunately, My camera is in Office, so i haven't uploaded any pics yet. will do so when i get back the next time round which will be... Next Wed! ;)

I'm really sorry i can't talk much about what i'm doing currently. But it'll be ending Next week, than it'll be back to normal, i'll get to have my regular schedule back in place. and get to blog somewhat more regularly i think.

Good Will Hunting

2005-11-10T20:59:00.000+08:00

...I've been working shifts for the last 2 days...

I
ts always kinda sucky when you just come back from vacation and face work again. I've been working shifts for the last 2 days, pretty tiring. So, today's my off day! but really, it didn't feel like off at all. Basically went back to camp to handle an AWOL case. Wah liao.... sucks manz. I even had to go down the guys house all the way in Bukit Batok Panjang and ferry him back to camp.

The worst thing is , I haven't been running, after coming back from Bali, i haven't had the chance to run even once! and on my sole Off day, it rains..... Die lah, like that how am i going to keep in shape for the Stand Chart Run?.... Argh!!! The more i think about it, the more i can't stand it, i think i'll wake up super early tommorrow morning and run a few rounds around my estate before heading back to work. If people can wake up at 5.30am to run, so can I!

Today's a lil' reunion for my PhotoSociety. group. haha Basically Fiona is giving us a treat!!! since she's now working, like... ermm...so am i, but i haven't treated yet too hahaha :P

I'm back from Bali

2005-11-08T00:27:00.000+08:00

Yes, I'm Back, I arrived at 6pm, I was in camp at 10pm.
Let me think.... yes, I haven't even slept on my own bed since coming back home. Sigh~ We're getting ready for another round of busy period. Therefore, there's alot of stuff to prepare, basically having lots of late nights in the last 2 days.

So how was Bali....?

It was ok, yeah, i'll say it was ok. I think the place is nice, but it's really too touristy. Maybe if i went there with a lot more money and willing to spend it left right centre i'll have a better experience. I'm not sure, i guess my expectation of Bali is some kind of Spa like resort. Well....quite far from the truth actually. I stayed in a decent place but nothing luxurious. So...no pampering hahah

But, the beach is really nice. I tried surfing! I can now stand hahahaha. pretty sut right ;) too bad, i was too cheap to buy the photos hahaha.

I went Water Rafting, Alright, i think i can afford a much faster ride. there were like only 2 high moments along the whole 12km course.

I also went on some Sight Seeing at this volcano and this temple which was a total tourist rip off. Let me explain...before you even reach the temple, 800m before, you have too pay for a pass to go up the mountain. As you reach the site of the temple, you have to buy a Sarong before you can enter from the vendors outside the temple. Before you can even STEP into the temple, you have to pay for a Guide (Bargainable). Than even after you get into the temple you have to pay for some kind of temple donation (You are forced too by your guide, Than after you finish, you have to tip your guide (Your guide will remind you) "Sir, a tip for me?"....Than as you step out, the Sarong sellers will ask you to return their Sarongs!!!! Piangz right?

Basically, Bali is a place where you must bargain, everyone wants to take you for a ride and charge you an exorbitant price. That's the lifestyle in that place. It really gets quite tiring when you have to bargain for every single thing. I've learnt my lesson. I just ask them how much, and than keep shaking my head till they hit a price which i think is low enuff, than i'll hammer it even lower. Than i'll walk off. If they call me, than i'll consider. Your starting pirce must be 1/4 of whatever they first quote.

Ok, foodwise, pretty excellent variety, Quality is pretty good too considering the price. $4 sing, gets you a complete steak meal with fruit juice too. Very nice! :), Oh~ and i went for Message and Spa too. Spa was super Ex lah (USD $50) but ah well, you get to enjoy for a while so not too bad. i'll try and post some pics of the Spa in the next Post.

Some Bad points. You can't trust their Money Changers, they all try to cheat you of your money, Like seriously, all try to cheat you. The only ones that i can trust are the Goverment ones at Central Kuta. It's next to the recent Bomb site actually. Talking abt that, yes... the Bomb was in the middle of the most happening Street. But you know, Bali is pretty resilent, alot of people still around, Life goes on as per usual. It's quite amazing, Bali is still far from being a Ghost town.

OKies, i need to stop, take a shower and go to sleep. I'll only be able to blog next on Thurs Morning where i can get some time off i think ;)

At the Airport

2005-11-02T18:20:00.000+08:00

Y
ippie! I'm at the airport now, blogging from one of those free terminals. Changi Airport is really one of the best airports in the world man. Actually my flight got delayed by an hour, so... extra time, just go and explore the transit area in more detail since I normally don't spend time here. It's superb man, other than free internet, I've got free Phone calls, There's also a Pharmacy, lots of cafes, (I've already had 2 cups of Bailey's Irish Cream from the Duty Free counter hiak hiak hiak)... Sounds like i'm promoting the airport like that right?

...Actually my flight got delayed by an hour...

We still haven't booked accommodations yet. It's a free for all. Our plane is expected to arrive Bali at 9pm.

maybe, now is a good time to start writting some numbers down so we can call when we arrive at Bali. I haven't even changed any currency yet. Even my Tour agent thinks we are a bit mad hahaha.

Okies, i think i'll sign off liao!

flying!!!

2005-11-02T15:52:00.000+08:00

O
K! I'm flying. Will only be back Sun Evening ;)

I'm flying off tonight!

2005-11-02T01:57:00.000+08:00

I
still haven't packed my stuff , wait, I haven't even picked up the air tickets! This is going to be one wacky trip, i'm sure.

Anyways, There seems to be lots of good accommodation still available on the island, just a matter of finding them and talking to them directly.

ok...>Some things of stuff i like to do in Bali, hmmm going to cost abit

-Try Surfing $
-River Rafting $$$
-chilling out at the beach at night $
-Seafood $ (heard its cheap)
-Shopping $ (ok, have to save some for Bangkok rite?)
-SEe the Volcano $
-Dive! $$$

Total.... hmm $$$$$$$$$$$ (11x$)=a bit Ex huh
Only be back on Sun Afternoon, Hopefully there's enuff time for us to do all the stuff.

Today, Oreo and Ritz's Previous owners drop by to see them. Hahaha, they have grown so much from the last time. Both went mad with joy, impressed, they actually still remember them ;)

Was suppose to go swimming in the afternoon today, but Me took a nap, Me didn't go swimming in the end. hahaha, but yes, that's why i'm still so freaking awake at 2.15pm.

Lalalalalala. Lalalalalala. Oh~ too all those who are still mugging for your exams. God Bless! Pls, try to study smart and not just hard. Stay focus, don't go to A place to study with your BF, but end up cuddle cuddle, talk talk, listen to MP3 together, books still open in front of you for 1hr ;P

(Yes, my Observation at the East Coast park Macdonald during my night Cycling trip)

I'm once again the DO, 2 more days to Bali

2005-10-31T23:43:00.000+08:00

Ok, i Shouldn't complain so much. But yesh, on a halloween night, i'm stuck here in the Ops room doing DO duty. I'm wasn't suppose to be on Duty today but this Sun, However Since i'll be in Bali that day, I did a little switch-e-roo with someone who really wanted to enjoy and revel at Zouk in full Halloween regalia. Seems like something big is going on at Zouk tonight.

So basically, I Went for a course this Afternoon than, drop by the travel agency to pay for the air tickets. Yes! I'm finally going. But the best thing is, i'm going there with no proper accomodation yet. Hahahaha...some misunderstanding between me and the agent, so she didn't go ahead to book my accomodation. and now its too late for her to book since we are flying in like 2 days time and they are not working tml somemore.... so I'm now trying to find for good accomodation in Bali that can take us in at least when we arrive at 9pm on Wednesday hahaha. Worse come to worst, i'm prepared to tie a hammock and sleep on the beach or something. LOL

Ok, we want to be cheap, but also not SOOOO cheap that we are suffering, so i'm surfing the net now to find the best possible deals. argh! So stressful, but its good stress hahaha, at least i'm stressing over something that is part of the fun of travelling, Frankly, it'll be quite cool to just go sleep on the beach for the first night or something. Just pray it doesn't start raining half way.

Tml night, Night cycling.
Wed, Work
Wed Evening, Fly
So... i guess the only time possible to pack is Tml Morning. =)

Anyways, Yesterday, Pastor brought us to this park near the Expo (Where our Church is moving too) and we have a new running route! It just goes in circles around the lil' pond. I mean, i jog there from home once in a while, make 1 round around the pound and head back. But this running route just goes round and round and round the pond! So...we're suppose to collectively try and hit 7000 rounds. Excellent, Do i look like a Lab mice to you? Hahaha. But it was good fun to see everbody work out, Like what Pastor said...At the end of the day, It's not the 7000 rounds that matter, its the fellowship of the family. So true, God really has been blessing our church many folds over. Even the Pond which we circle around.. contain Koi's that are almost 1m in length! and they still look beautiful, even in the brackish water.

2 more days to Bali!

Oh~ I ate some excellent curry noodles in Chinatown today. It's at Hong lim Complex. VERY VERY NICE! especially the Curry. Hahaha, i finished the whole Bowl! all the Curry gravy included hahaha. Must pay back the price tml, but sianz, Calf still feeling abit heavy....ok, these are just excuses from my lazy Body, I must Discipline it to listen to ME!!!

Calf Muscle Cramp :P

2005-10-30T10:54:00.000+08:00

A
lright, I ran this morning ;) only 10km, but almost dying hahaha. I guess it was cos my pace was quite fast. cos now... both my calf muscles are feeling abit sore. That little Tendon at the back of the heel. Achilles thingy...also a bit pain. Sigh~ but otherwise, it's good. I'm glad i can still clock 10km. It's only 1 month away before i do the same distance twice! :P

Oh~, I'm going to Bali next week! :) FINALLY! some kind of break, my flight is suppose to leave on Wed Evening, and return on Sun afternoon. So...it's like a 4 days of Vacation. The best thing is...i get to use this Credit thingy from the SAF called Flex Dollars. Every year, we are given $500 credits to spend on vacation, insurance and some other stuff....so...yupz! a free vacation! :). But have to issue my tickets on Monday. So far, only 3 people going, hopefully can jio jio more. Than after the week of holiday it will be madness again for the next 2 weeks. Just nice, my Sis will also be starting her A levels. I guess everyone will be a bit Busy.

...I ran this morning ;) only 10km, but almost dying hahaha...

Later, there's suppose to be a prayer walk/run in the afternoon at the EXPO...i wonder if i can still run hahahha.

Update on Oreo and Ritz, they are starting to make PEE MARKINGS!!! I know it's a normal thing for dogs. But it sucks cos now we have to go all over the place to clean up their Pee, Have to start training them not to do such things. I mean, they still go to their Pee tray and stuff, but sometimes they make squirts at the gates too....naughty naughty.

TGIF

2005-10-29T03:36:00.000+08:00

I
ts finally Friday, but yes,....it's already like Sat 3am, i've just got back from the airport from picking up some of my guys who just got back from their overseas training. Before that we all had dinner at Swesen's cos it was Mr Veron's Birthday ;)Super tired liao + Tml still have BB at 7am. better sleep soon.

...I still don't know When i'm leaving? or to Where...

I'm quite bummed, Everyone recieved their promotion today. I was suppose to receive mine too, but due to some admin reason, I didn't get the promotion. it'll be delayed for a while. So they're helping me check it out now. Ah well... sigh~

I still don't know When i'm leaving? or to Where exactly..It's strange, i guess that's the downside of being in a system that has alot of turnovers and rotations. You're not sure if someone is actually remembering you or watching out for you admist the whole slush that needs to get posted around. And you can voice out, but in the end, you just have to hope and pray that someone at HR is doing their job and actually ensuring that you get posted to the right place promptly....

I want to go to McRitchie to Run. But my right feet is giving me some problems recently. There's a pain in my heel and I've been advice to take a break...Shucks, i still wish to train up for Stand Chart man. Abt 1 month away only...Hmm, looks like i'll be part of the 21 thousand people running. Can't believe so many people are running this year hahahaha. Hopefully it won't get too crowded, i only hope MRT will start earlier that day. There's approximate 6000 people running the full and prob abt 8000 running the half, so.... yeah, can you imagine, 14,000 people at the start line?? It'll be quite a sight! ;)

Pls pls pls don't Rain hahahaha, but hack, even if it does rain, just run lah.

It's a Long Day

2005-10-27T01:12:00.000+08:00

OK,

Basically, My boss called me up yesterday afternoon.

"Eh, Colin, you at home? Can you come down and help me, there's alot of work to do"
"Sir, I can't believe you're doing this!! I'm suppose to be on leave..."

But anyways, I went back in the end to help my OC cos i know he won't call unless it was really urgent. So yeah, I've been busy with work ever since. It's hmm...almost 1am now? and yeah, i've just finished a huge portion of stuff. Going to take a small breather. Tml, there's still alot more to work on. But ah~ at least I've some breathing space now.

I'm wonder how Oreo is doing. He was a bit sick when I left. Was having a Fever and was Drooling quite abit... Hmm, Hopefully my Sis is doing ok feeding Him with the Medicine, YOu're suppose to stick the tablet into the back of their Throat and make sure they swallow it that kind. Quite Gross at first haha.

Ah well, I guess i'll only be able to go back home on Friday night now.