Light and Darkness

While hitching a ride down the hill in a van last Friday, I finally understood the meaning of the word "darkness". The moment Wong and I entered the vehicle, we could not see our 5 fingers even if they were placed right in front of our eyes. For a moment, we had the feeling that we were being kidnapped...

On Tuesday, while I was about to leave camp in the evening, I happened to look up into the sky and saw a scene that awed me. The evening sun was blocked by clouds, but its rays could still be seen protuding from the edges. Mere words simply cannot describe the scene that I saw.

It is kind of coincidental that I first experienced darkness, then followed by light.

Duty, Duty and more Duty

While others are having a long weekend, from Friday (Hari Raya Haji) all the way to Monday (clear off), I have to perform duty on Friday and Sunday. Hopefully, I won't have to perform any more duties next month. Kinda glad Palace beat Spurs 3-0. Boost their chances of survival in the premiership.

Fool?

Whenever a guy goes out on a date with a girl, who should be paying for the expenses? If both parties were to pay for their own individual expenses, it would seem a little stingy on the part of the male. However, if the guy were to pay everytime, then he might be seen as a fool and also treating as a "money shaking tree". Why do I always have the time to ponder over such questions in which there are no definite answers?

Don't break the law

Performed my duty last night without fail. Managed to take half-day off today (thus I am now typing my new post). My friends wanted to leave camp earlier than as stated in their off passes and encouraged me to join them as well. In the past, I would have done so without hesitation, but with my ORD date drawing closer and my unfortunate incident of "getting caught", I rejected their offer. I guess I can say that my "balls have shrunk". Better to play safe than to be sorry.

Great Saturday

Played soccer early in the morning. Sustained bruises and abrasions again, but still, I guess it is necessary if I want to become a better keeper.

Met up with Hui Shi to visit the Philatelic Museum. As usual, I was late. I guess I have to change this bad habit of mine as well, otherwise, people will keep nagging. The museum is not very big, but if anyone ever wants to look for stamps, this is definitely the place to go. Sat down for some time to search for stamps; some of them are quite old, whether or not they are valuable, I can't tell. At the end of it, I paid for all her stamps she chose, just to redeem myself for being late.

Always felt that Bugis Junction is small and crowded. Maybe it is the shape of the building. Bought takeaway sushi, but eating is public seems a little weird.

Surprisingly, I did not exceed my budget for the day. My legs are tired from the exercise and walking. Worse of all, I have to perform duty later in the morning...

Disappointment

As expected, I failed my IPPT due to the pull-up station. Somehow, I feel that I did not put much effort into the entire test. Perharps it was due to my mentality.

Morale in the platoon has fallen as our plans for cohesion have ran into some obstacles. Hopefully, the next one that we plan would be more successful (if I am still around; 43 more working days).

At the very least, my leave has been approved. Very thankful to 2LT Clara.

Taking my IPPT later in the morning, but I don't have much confidence in passing. Maybe a miracle will happen?

Coward?

Before I left camp yesterday, CPT Lim wanted the personnel, who volunteered to help out in Aceh, to reconsider their decisions.

He spoke of the harsh conditions in Aceh, no proper food and water, the presence of rebels, and the possibility that we may come home traumatised for life, if we even do come home alive. If an officer like him does not even have the confidence to help out in Aceh, then how can I, a mere soldier, expect to be of greater help to those victims?

I had really wanted to go and help out in this operation and to gain new experiences. However, the risk of losing everything that I currently possess greatly outweights my sense of adventure. Not drinking clean water and sleeping in the mud is not of much concern to me. Rather, I am afraid that I may come home short of a leg or arm. Does the decision to withdraw show that I am a coward?

CPT Lim felt that I am not suitable to go for this operation as he believes that I am more of a perfectionist, unable to take failures. Perharps his words are true. This incident gives me another resolution for the year: To be a stronger person both mentally and physically.

Finally got my own blog account. I must have been influenced by my friends around me to start an account.

Assigned myself to the movement team today and realized that it has been some time since I last performed such a task. Glad that the people in my platoon are so united; can't say the same for our neighbours. Our officers were asking for volunteers to help out the victims of the tidal wave and I signed up for it. Wonder if it was a good idea?

Organized a farewell dinner for Jason Tay who is going to USA for his studies. Went to Sakae Sushi (Suntec Branch). Jason and Luke complained about the poor service, but I think their expectations are too high. Anyway, I was too tired from work at camp to argue with them.

Always disliked the pain I feel whenever I apply medicine onto an open wound, and I still do. Cut myself while shifting the boxes up the flatbed. At least the wound is nothing serious compared to the sliding tackle I received last year.