30/4/08

With the training phase of my NS service nearing it's halfway mark (currently in the 8th week of 17 weeks), I think it is a good time as any to reflect on how I've been performing so far. On normal weekends this would prove quite an ordeal, with so many things I want to do in the 48 hours available. The luxury to do this is no doubt granted by the fever that I gotten on Monday. Even that, has thought me something; that if I choose to give something that I'm not able to give now, I may have to repay alot more. But of course, in those circumstances I didn't know, and hindsight is always 20/20.

Indeed, at the start of this training programme I was obsessed with giving my all at physical training, afraid to fall into the sweet lull that is characteristic with most of the rest of my life. Later I found out, that doing my best isn't about doing everything, but balancing out what I can give, and taking care of myself, because sometimes it's simply not possible to do everything that's demanded. A major milestone for me was passing my 2.4 and in result, my IPPT, which is something that I feared wouldn't happen even at the end of this training phase.

On the front of interaction with my squadmates, I thought it would be a problem from the start, since we all came from really different backgrounds. Communication started as laboured as I soon found that with my usual mode of conversation it was sometimes hard to be understood, or perhaps worse; easily misunderstood. I strove to get to know everyone's name, and by the end of 10 days I only left out 2 people. Gradually I eased out of my comfortable circle and got to know almost everyone better.

There's still many challenges and barriers before me, many tests to be passed, many more friends to be made, fats to be lost. But one thing's for sure; I can't seem to give up on oreo cookies. But take heart! Like all things else, I'm trying.

28/4/08

Spent less than 24 hours in camp, but it was easily the worst 24 hours. Went in with sore throat and flu, came out with 40 degree fever. I think it was really amazing how God saw me through today.

27/4/08

Met with Charmaine today to go for the accountancy briefing at NTU. On the way there, she asked me if I knew who Paul from SAJC was. Turns out they're cousins! Later on the way into the auditorium someone tapped me on the back who was none other than Paul. They haven't seemed to seen other in a while though, so it was quite a weird reunion for them. Anyhow, kinda nice to have the 2 of them around, saw a few other SAJC people there, but didn't know who they were. Talked to Elizabeth on the super long journey back yesterday as she gave me a lift about life in NTU. Cleared alot of my doubts and it's time to hunt for someone from SMU!

The briefing today really got me thinking for the first time as to which school and programme I am going to choose. It's a toss up between many many factors, with either schools having their pros and cons, and what I want out of this university education. Previously a school to me was just somewhere to get the certificate at the end, with little regard to everything else. This time, though the eventual degree is important, I know I'll want much more than just that, but I don't really know what is it I want either. *confused*

choices, choices

Feeling quite scatterbrained today, probably because of the late night talentime at my bunk last night with our newly discovered guitar legend in our midst. The closest competitor bowed out early in the game and left our new King of Guitar to entertain us wayyy past lights out. I'm really impressed by how people are able to have such a good ear for music and be able to play things simply by listening to it. It's something that despite my violin training I still lack and hope to someday have.

Back to today, left quite alot of stuff in camp that I usually bring home, including my file with my NUS law interview letter which is for tomorrow. Enclosed is the application so was thinking about it on the way home and decided not to go for it. When I got home I found some letters for me over the week. Got accepted for SMU Acc + Biz and NTU Acc programme. Kinda tough to make a decision as both has its merits.

Hoping God could lead me to the path he wants me to take like he did for my JC, no matter how much I resented it at the start, I came to appreciate that the school He placed me in was best for me and I feel as if I really grew and learnt alot there. In time to come I'm sure He'll show me where is it he has for me and I'll look back and thank Him for it. :)

17/4/08

After days of wrangling I finally got my gate pass to go out for my SMU interview. Somehow I felt the peace even though I did not know if the OC would give me enough time today. I knew that if Got has seen me thus far this would be only a minor issue quickly settled.

True enough, the gate pass was pretty generous and I had enough time to say hi to my computer that I hardly touched last weekend. Met Charmaine online who only just went for the same interview in the morning so I got a better idea what to expect.

If there was such a thing as giving wrong answers for an interview I think I just did it but naw I won't worry about it.

16/4/08

My foot is blistered, my knees hurt, my thighs ache, my wrists are strained, my back is sunburnt, and I think I'm going to get a sore throat from eating 15 oreos, a roll of ritz biscuits and half a tub of peanut butter, but it's a great day because I PASSED MY 2.4KM RUN!

Glad I fulfilled the promise I made myself last night for the run.

13/4/08

This weekend has been a crazy one. Spent all of 6 hours at home in the 32 hours out of HTA. Went to cell group for the first time since I enlisted. The message was on covetousness and the idolizing of our possessions. Recently I've been reflecting and found that indeed there's many objects that I've been desiring and realising later that I did not really need it. God has called us to be good stewards of our money and one of the ways shared at cell group to precent this aforementioned idolatry is to bless others which is something I'll try to do more.

After cel went out with Brian and Vincent, who is enlisting pretty soon. Had dinner at Bugis and later went to Brian's place to chill. Brian flew this morning to Australia and his uncle gave us a lift to church. After church met Fuyong at Bugis for lunch and walked around and caught up abit.

Seem to be dragging my feet more when it comes to preparing to return for camp. Somehow, I think that the energy I had at the beginning has been slowly sapping out.

11/4/08

I'm supposed to be really sad right now because those who passed the IPPT could go home today, leaving us who are going home tomorrow at noon. However, even as the day draws to a close, there's still many good things that happened. Managed to get most of my laundry done, did PT that I wouldn't have done if I went home, had a nice dinner and got to know my bunk I/C better. I thought that he was just a cool guy who had abit of a short fuse but tonight found out that he actually has many layers and hopefully as life here progresses I will get to know the rest of my squadmates better too :)

9/4/08

Today was Thaipusam festival here. To show our intense devotion we went on all fours instead of just two onto the burning coals. It was the most dreaded lesson for the whole week but fortunately I've survived it.

The rest of the day could be described as great as some semblance of free time has seemed to appear again, albeit off-schedule.

I don't know how I'd last to the weekend though, because I finished all my biscuits already :(

6/4/08

I'm determined not to let my spirits go down as I carelessly did last week. This week is going to be a great week and I'll make sure it is. Of course I'll be aided with all the biscuits I brought in for the week :)

Today was pretty cool. Brought in my Psalmist chordbook as my memory isn't so good with chords and songs. I borrowed my bunkmate's guitar and played a while and he came over to see the book. Later he played a christian song that I sang along to so he'd know how it goes. Didn't think about evangelism so mcuh when I came in as I was pretty focused on just myself. Hope that as time passes I'll be able to reach out to the people here.

Following today's sermon, hopefully in my life and how I handle things here I can be a light for Christ :)

R.I.P. My Beloved

Today along with you a little piece of my heart died also

I didn't even know when you breathed your last, but with your passing, you've taken along with you many things that have been and will continue to be dear to me.

Rest in peace my Seagate 500GB harddisk.

And damn you Seagate for making such a lousy harddisk. I'm officially pissed off at you guys now.

4/4/08

I'm at home right now because they decided there wouldn't be confinement for the first IPPT!! WOOOOT!

Kinda hit a low yesterday, just feeling miserable and the same went for almost everyone. Today was great though, with the news broken that there wouldn't be confinement and we could all go home today.

Going home though, was bittersweet, as one of the closer friends I have in the squad was confined because he surrendered his phone charger which he brought. Also, the guy in charge of our squad would be changed. He was a real great guy and we were all sad when the news broke out though he promised he would still be there for us and all. So far the instructors we got were rather great and hope the new in charge would be even better!!

1/4/08

Today we had our first IPPT which began at 6 and ended by breakfast. By breakfast too, my hopes of booking out on friday were dashed. Once again I failed to push myself sufficiently for the 2.4km run.

Oh yah, these are some of the PT they put us through and we do on a regular basis. This is a clip of our swimming lesson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-0nZuyEqrE