Being able to bookout today is a testament of God's goodness to me. Booking in last sunday and finding out that IPPT is on wed, and the flu just waiting to erupt, wasn't exactly good news. I wanted very much to pass the IPPT because next sunday is reflective service and being able to come out on the friday before it would give me more time to practice for it. Hence, I was pretty determined to try my best for the IPPT even if my body didn't agree with me on wed. But my plans didn't include provisions for the fever which meant instant failure for IPPT since I didn't attend it. Hence, it was narrowed down to stay-in for either this week or next. When today it was confirmed that stay-in was this saturday, I was darn happy, possibly the only person who had to stay in who was happy about it. I went down fully dressed for remedial physical training at 5.30pm and assembled when my instructor noticed I was there and asked me what happened to me on wednesday. Reminded him I was on MC and he asked if I passed the previous IPPT or not. Since I did, apparantly I didn't have to stay in for this round.
It took me a while to decide to play for the upcoming meditative service, and right now I can see God's hand in putting everything together. Thanks :)
Friday, May 2, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, April 28, 2008
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.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
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*
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*
Friday, April 25, 2008
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. :)
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. :)
Thursday, April 17, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
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.
Glad I fulfilled the promise I made myself last night for the run.
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