First 3 weeks of army was adapting period. I took my PS advice and last week, before booking in, I reminded myself of the goal I set. Things started to work better. Taking lessons and trainings as part of process of test myself physically and mentally.

Now, I am about to experience a continuous period of mentally and physically straining activities. Things to improve have been noted. They say- its the period of your most down moment in BMT. No matter how much they tell us to be physically and mentally prepared, unless you experience it yourself, there is no way to prepare for it. All left now is slight nervousness. Being out for a long period of time with continuous period of streneous activities is gonna be a real test. But I guess the results would be fruitful.

Honestly speaking, I think army has allowed me to train myself physically and mentally beyond what I have done and could endure. Last time, there used to be a mental block, ie, this is the limit stop. Now, we just go on to do and do and do and do.....

Army Daze

I cant post details on what happened in my army life but I shall share my personal thoughts.

I am not a physical training type of person and therefore, entering army is like putting me through hell, ok, its a lil exaggerated. Having to rush every lil thing within a tight time constraint, little time for anything and everything makes me feel damn sian, coupled with all the physical exercises. All these have kinda taken a toll on me, physically and mentally.

I shallnt be dishonest and lie about how well im coping. Face it, im still coping with certain things but of course, compared to the first 2 weeks, things of course are slightly better, not forgetting that I suffered a swell on my middle left finger during training. There are other friends of my mine who suffered worst, ie, spinal injury, OOT, back pain etc.

There's this saying:- Before u enlist, everyone opt for OCS. When u enlist, everyone think about SISPEC. After fieldcamp, everyone wants to be man, hahha. I think its just an evil cycle repeating itself if u become man. Basically, it will be just like another BMT, taking orders etc. Honestly speaking, waking up early in the morning, makes the day seemed longer. The things which i look forward to are breakfast, lunch, dinner and admin time. Maybe not breakfast, since
the start of the day typically involves PT. The mood will be like :SsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSs
Im kind of the type of person who likes to do things with certain time flexibility but not anywhere allows that. Oh yah, after entering army, I gain ard 6kg. Surprisingly, perhaps due to the physical training, i feel damn hungry after the meals. I can easily finish all my rice and dishes with no difficulty. Interestingly, I can finish 2 meals at a time, if given the time. Only 20mins, sigh.

Perhaps, the encouraging part is that when doing PT, u may find ur coursemates/friends next to you doing PT as well. That kind of brightens up my day since there's someone familiar out there. During training, because of the sian-ness, I will reminisce about the past, like my working days and Hong Kong trip. Sometimes, while doing lying down PT, we will see commercial jets flying across. Yest, past by NTUC Centre and again, recalled my days back in NTUC. The good old days.

Went to Timbre@Substation with my Cambodia trip friends and we shared quite some stuffs. Told my friends honestly that army has kind of made me cherished my family more and closer with them. The first night when I called my parents, it was the time that I realised how warm their voices were. I guess army kind of changed me in this aspect as well. Not taking things for granted. And, not forgetting, allow us to cherish our weekends, seriously.

As the weeks passes by...

hohoho, I finally managed to met up with my sparc juniors yest, over steamboat at KT's house, together with 2 of her dogs, hamsters and rabbits. Caught up with the rest.

Aft that dbl o. Was about 11+ when we went in. I always thought that was quite a good timing, for the music was already out and the crowd alr there, no need to waste time. The theme was retro night, which i only discovered when we were almost going in.

And so i thought jialat liao. My opinion- the retro music wasnt bad, as if im not wrong, some retro music was remixed to the rnb genre. Then, they start to move from to the current music, somewhat like a timeline, before reaching to all time favs like poker face, lips like sugar, low, just dance, sexyback etc. Maybe what was only missing was insomnia. But seriously, good music came after one another, I've got nothing to complain, and plus the fact that many of us were pretty high, as in really high.

So I guess maybe i wont be going anytime soon, and finally found the right opp to enjoy.

Yesterday's walk to lunch was quite "fulfilling", since i managed to talk to my colleague on how I felt and how she was doing.

Last Monday, I encountered an issue and ponder over it for some time. It had something to do with one of the suppliers. It got me thinking, bastard, am I really too kind at times? It seemed that on several occasions, I got taken advantage (small ones) of but yet, don't really mind. So, when I sent out an email to the supplier, initially, I was a little "sad" to send it out but after some thoughts, I was thinking, was it a win-win situation in the first place? That incident, got me low on my productivity and mood. The way I handled my internal and external customers, there was something which was not my usual style. I kept thinking, should I continue to be nice? The one thing which I have, perhaps not quite yet mastered, is being firm on occasions when I need to. Nevertheless, it just took me few minutes today when I woke up, to think how I should handle the situation.

And so, the constant longer working hours and monotonous life during the weekends has taken a toll on me, such that I needed to take a off-day today. Spent yesterday night with Jh, Desmond and Jacq at Zouk and Phuture. Mambo night and ladies night. It was nice of Jacq to send each and every of us home and even had quite a long chat with her on the way home. Surprisingly, on a Wed night at 3+ am, there was a roadblock at Upper Serangoon area. I wouldn't elaborate but the "conversation" with the duty officer was a little hilarious.

I think I need more life during weekends, for my weekdays have been too monotonous. My work is ending in approx one and a half week's time, after which, comes Macau and HK. Things generally settled, except for the F&E itinerary AND, wilbur tan, your travel insurance.

P.s: Hope i can go for the session tml!

Last Fri, approx half an hr into work, I received an email from IPSG desk to all.


IPSG made comments with regards to The New Paper's article (Friday's edition)- Singaporeans doing charity work overseas and locally.


In recent times, many Singaporeans have been doing charity work oversesas. They go with a hero mentality but asked for the resources they need from the locals to help the locals. However, what they are doing is what they THINK the locals need, not what they have understood from the locals what they really needed. In other words, they do not ask the locals what they really need.


This "scene" is also prevailing in our local scene. It was mentioned that children (from a home) were brought to the Underwater World. However, the volunteer noticed that the children weren't enthusiastic and when asked why, the children replied that it was their 3rd time visiting the Underwater World.

This email, immediately brought back memories of the Cambodia CIP. My first question was- Did we commit the same mistake?


We taught English, level the ground (I dont think it was completely) for a soccer/volleyball court, tatched the roofs, painted the studying tables and chairs, shampoo-ed the children's hair.


If my memory didn't fail me, I recalled the Principal mentioning that it was good if we could do up a chicken coup or smth, as they could sell the chickens for profits or utilise the chickens as part of their meals. Unfortunately, due to health concerns, we didnt construct any.


Though we didnt really planned what we will do to contribute to locals (as it was already planned for us), I was wondering, did it really helped the locals, as in, our efforts.


Yes, we taught English, but was the content what the children wanted to know. As far as I am concerned, it wasn't true for all children. When I was conducting my part of the English lesson (Colors), I noticed a group of 4-5 girls looking rather unenthusiastic and restless. I asked the translator cum volunteer to help me ask them why they were acting that way. The answer I got was- We learnt this before. Dang, this immediately bring me to Did-we-ask-the-locals-what-help-they-required question.
We planned and executed our educational program, based on what we thought they would need to know. -Reflections-

I wouldnt go into each and every "deed" we did and explore whether it really benefited the locals. Perhaps we should really ask before doing anything.

This post solely represents my personal view(s), if any.

I should cut this entry short and go into the focal point:-

Yesterday, I went for NTUC's NDOC. My perception of NDOC was an event filled with programs and shows, followed by buffet lunch, period.

However, yesterday's NDOC painted a different pic (but with the buffet lunch still there).

If you have read today's local papers, you would have realised that 2 IROs were featured as U-Fighters. I was deeply touched by the IROs', stories, one of which was Samantha's.

She received an email from one of the company which she was attached to, that the company will conduct layoffs, with only one day notice. Management say no money to give out to workers as compensation, she fought, but to no avail. Workers at the company received minimal education. Pressure to fight for workers piled as the deadline looms, and the management decision to not give out compensation, no matter how hard she fought.

Representing the workers, she was considered quite a senior in the industry she was attached to. There was a limit to how much she could fought for the workers from the co. Her colleagues understood and sms-ed her: "Please dont give up". If she did, the rest of the junior IROs would have probably felt lost.

I was deeply touched by 2 matters:-
1. The fact that the IRO team works closely as one
2. The extra mile the IROs go for the workers they represent

She teared, when her story was mentioned, as broadcasted on the major local news channels. I too, would have teared.

Other IROs and ECs stories were also mentioned. Having assisted in the recruitments of these 2 positions, I didnt know how far these positions touched the lives of each and every workers. Now, I finally understand. The call is always there but who will answer it?

2D1N Bintan

Just back from a 2D1N Bintan Trip.

Departed Singapore at 8+ am and arrived Singapore at 10+ pm. Paid $15 extra (if im not wrong) and got priority treatment, both seats and passport clearance. Perhaps the first "priority" treatment I have received, hahah.

Anyway, most of our times were spent doing activities, either complimentary or chargeable. Eg, snorkeling, banana boat riding, beach volleyball, card games, pool etc. Snorkeling part was great for the fish feeding part, other than that, it looks like all the fishes looked the same. Banana boat riding was adrenaline rushing and exciting but neck and shoulder hurting.

I dont think i would go deep into details but will like to share the following points:-

1. The breakfast at the resort restaurant, like what i told jh, somehow instantly reminded me of the J.W Marriott and R.Carlton bombings. The restaurant was filled with large nos of ang mohs and Japanese tourists, of course, with Singaporeans as well.

2. The $38 body massage was probably worth the $ if you are looking for a thorough body massage with strength and not comfort. My masseur probably had a full dinner. Not sure if i was lucky or not but i can say the muscle strain i had prior to the trip and during the banana boat ride definitely gave me almost-near-swearing-moments when the masseur "massaged" my shoulder and neck.

3. Before embarking on any free and easy trips, it would be better if places of eating and modes of transport can be arranged for so that prices can be clearer.

4. There is always at least a one day transition period when you arrived in singapore from your destination, ie, the realities of the world vs the safe territories and comforts of Singapore.

5. I always like when we drink and sleep in the comfort and luxury of a hotel/resort. You can instantaneously fall onto your bed.

6. Its always fun to travel with your friends.