Lalalala..

Man.. aren't I'm getting excited?? Tml is SAF Day Parade 2005 and lots of ppl are coming.. I really mean lots (includes my base ppl, and some other base personnal frm all SAF camps, as well as foreigners!) Even my good friend, Marcus, will also be there tml.. Stress man!

Its weird though.. becos' I've been mtg ppl whom I didn't met like for years (some were last seen at BMT, while some were last seen at primary or secondary school!).. Some I manage to talk to, while some doesn't seem friendly enuf for me to go up and talk to them! but one particular example of a friendly person, wld be yesterday (wed-29/6) where I met one of my secondary school friends, called Elvin, who happens to koe 2 of my base friends.. 3 of us happen to go toilet when we all saw Elvin.. Man.. its like 1 man see 3 friends all at the same time.. how small the world is huh.. =)

Anyway, today at camp is another day loh.. we had a first thing in the morning, a kao-pei session by a kao-pei sgt.. this time its abt our boots.. He check our boots but apparently, it was not shiny enuf.. so he called us to kiwi our boots.. so he check and mine (eben though I kiwied my shoes 15 mins before falling in) of course didn't pass.. and he gave us 5 minutes to kiwi.. stupid rite??

Then after which, we are forced to clean our rifles.. all these at the expense of us being grow into hunger.. we had NOT had our breakfast until like 9.30am.. stupid rite??

In the afternoon, the sgts want to check our uniform.. it was agreed at 3pm.. but they drag the time till 4pm.. I ask the sgt since most of us are asleep or playing game on PlayStation, tat means we have finished.. but the sgt still say wait a while more.. wat for?? arghh... anyway, they drag loh, until like 4.09pm, then they come and check.. and thank goodness mine passed! The kao-pei sgt say mine is good, and tat comforted me a bit lah!

Yupz.. tat's wat happens today loh..

Sorry for no updates abt yesterday's SAF Day Parade rehearsals... no time to type it now, becos' need to leave soon.. need to bk in 2230 tonite! Yesterday also cannot type, becos' I was on P1..

Speaking of P1, it was the same grp of P1 who was abandoned at SAFTI MI (due to some miscomunication, I think!) becos of the bus which came only like 8.30pm (2 hrs AFTER the rest of the non-P1 ppl has gone!).. The officer there was quite nice.. in a sense tat my sgt called him to go off and leave us here wait for the bus.. but he said: "no lah.. wat if the bus doesn't come??" he even offered us to sit in the tunnel and it will bring us back to base, if the bus doesn't come.. so nice rite? =)

ok.. i really gtg.. will not be able to blog until Mon (4/7).. so ya.. so until then, u all enjoy ur wkend ya, while I will spend my wkend in camp this week.. =(

Rush to wait & wait to rush.. but still rushing,
<<< abriel >>>

Jolly Good Time!

Seasonal Fruits
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Hey ppl! I;m back at camp today.. and I must say tat I almost didnt want to go back.. too comfortable at home liaoz!
But anyway, I still did lah in the end!

Before I cont, I wld like to make an amendment, tat is to say tat the movie yesterday I watched is "Batman Begins" and NOT "Batman Returns".. thanx Min for the error u've spotted!

Yesterday, was quite enjoyable in the sense of company lah.. 7 of us watching Batman.. the movie was not bad.. but the beginning was a bit boring! And becos Batman has everything black and the cinema is pitch black when u watched it, therefore, not everything can be seen clearly.. and maybe becos I'm tired, therefore, I almost slept at certain parts! But quite a good show I muz say!
Had my usual, Yong Tau Foo for dinner and a bit of Galare waffles with ice-cream for supper.. and by 11.30pm, I knocked off for the nite! =)

ok.. so what u see in the photo in this blogpost, is exactly wat my base has! my base machiam is like a fruit orchard! Serious!! Today is the day where I saw like abt 10kg of rambutans, 1-2kg of mangosteens, 5-6kg of bua lansat and close to 50 durians in camp! The officers and the men in the HQ unit of my squadron was like frantically ta-pow home some of the fruits!

This morning when I went into my bunk, I was greeted with a strong smell of durian.. and later when I probed where the durians came from, then I realised tat yesterday the P1 ppl went to go and pick durians frm my base Phase 2/3 gate and eat in bunk.. heard they eat close to 30 seeds of durians EACH yesterday! A lot right?? And I heard they said its quite good.. in a sense, tat the seed is small, but the flesh of the durian is thick!

Then there was this person who actually quarreled with my sgt, and this cause my sgt to tell us tat we cannot sleep.. and he really mean it loh!
In the morning, I went to go and change the V200 vehicle (the weather was hot and sunny.. and we stayed and change the thing for abt 1.5hrs).. then followed by going to Emart to settle some of my uniform issues and also to take my peak cap!
Then went for lunch.. before I cld close my eyes and sleep for a while, we were called down for a lesson to check vehicles! A total waste of time.. spend 3 hrs on the stupid lesson.. Again, I kenna scolded by the kao-pei sgt over a small matter.. but I think he was not 'aiming' me.. he is 'aiming' the person beside me, for not looking into my OC's eyes when he is talking to us.. I was looking loh, but I was playing my pass at the same time.. and he also kao-pei me on this.. So sway.. only he scold me and the person beside me.. haiz!

The person beside me is known as the 'stunter' in my shift.. he comes late yesterday but gave the excuse tat he has diarrhoea.. today he came late.. but no excuse.. so I think he kenna he kenna mark late.. u tell me whether his lateness is justifiable.. we are suppose to fall in 7.45am with our vest and slack.. but 7.35am then he board the mini bus and of course, the standard procedures needs him to pass thru the x-ray machine.. so by the time he does all tat and goes back to his bunk to change, its 8am.. so tat kao-pei sgt got fed up.. and he caused the ppl who are not P1 today and not involved in SAF Day rehearsal tml, to come back 2359 (with the SAF Day involved ppl too!).. so in other words, he so call cause the whole shift to come back 2359.. isn't he a stunter?

Anyway.. the smell this morning tempted me to eat durians liaoz! Contemplated whether to buy or not.. and today, I decide to buy $10 worth of durians (of course, its those $1 each) to share with my family.. and guess wat.. becos of the overwhelming no. of durians tat the person have today, therefore, he gave me abt 16-17 durians for a cost of $10.. he originally wanted to give me 12 (2 free lah!), but then, becos the durians are small, therefore, he gave me more.. so wat more can I ask?? I'm gonna eat till I shiok! ha..

ok lah.. I think tats all liaoz.. becos I want to watch TV and eat durians! Yeh! =)

ok.. ciaoz!

Enjoying the King of all fruits (aka durian),
<<< abriel >>>

At home!

Yeh! As mentioned in yesterday's blogpost, I'm at home, becos on off.. I on off is becos' to replace my birthday off (which I mounted duty), this day is given by my officer to take.. becos I told him tat I wld be celebrating my dad's birthday!

This morning slept late.. like 9am then woke up.. on my hp to check msg.. and to my surprise, my sgt called and his no. was displayed on my CallAlert SMS service.. guess as much!.. they muz have forgotten tat I'm on off today, despite countless reminders tat I've reminded them! Trust tat on Sat, I even spend time to remind them!.. haiz..

Then the whole morning, I re-iron some of my uniforms and folded my sleeves (becos when sewing the ranks, the aunty rolled down my sleeve.. so muz re-fold and re-iron a bit).. then pack my bag for going back to camp tml..

Then I'm on the computer.. till now.. then I do my blogpost.. before blogposting, I upload my photos into Yahoo! Photos website!

Now my eyes hurt.. oh.. there are a few new links @ the favourite links column which I've inserted.. here it is:

1. Mandarin mp3s Download Website
2. Golden Village Website
3. StarBucks Singapore Website
4. Channel NewsAsia Website
5. SAF Day Parade 2005 Website
6. MIW Website
7. SAFRA Club Website

Oh speaking of which, I've got a FREE membership frm SAFRA until I ORD.. becos of my NS to Singapore.. not bad huh?? =)

Also, added some new links to my Friends' Links column, becos got new ppl mah.. FYI: here it is:

1. Hambril
2. Reuben
3. Jeff
4. Jerric
5. Azura
6. Carsar
7. Matthew Tjow
8. Maween

Ya.. ok lah.. I think I've used the computer too long.. think muz stop using before the computer explode?? ha.. *crosses fingers*

Oh.. watching movie ("Batman Returns") later with Wendy and the rest at PS.. may not blog at nite.. may do it tml!.. so ya.. need to sleep early becos tml waking up early for going back to camp =(

Ok.. so cya n have a GREAT week ahead ya?

Eyes aching,
<<< abriel >>>

Celebration Of My Dad's Birthday!

Family Photo @ Esplanade
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Fwah! Tired sia.. but hope tat this is a short one??

Ok.. had a hectic day today.. slept less than 7 hrs, and I'm back in action.. Morning, after eating breakfast and stuff, and bathe, went to see my grandma who is in Nursing Home..

After which, we took a relatively long bus ride to Beach Road to go and sew my LCP rank! Was quite surprised to see tat the shop which I always frequent, closed.. but then, before I could go on ahead and find another shop, one of another one of my best pals, Marcus, actually saw me and said hi! He asked me why I was here.. I told him tat I came to sew rank loh.. coincidentally, he said he too! So we went to search for a shop to sew our ranks.. in 1 minute, we found it.. and to see tat its trustworthy! My friend actually bargained with the lady, but she said cannot.. (Oh.. FYI: Each shirt to sew the rank on is $3 per shirt.. and I sewed 5 shirts, so its $15!! Expensive right??) But then, my family was waiting for me downstairs at the hawker centre and didnt want them to wait longer (also partly, I'm super hungry!).. so I make a move first, while Marcus is franctically telling the aunty wat he wants, while I'm trying to tell him tat I make a move first!

Anyway, I had some char kway teow (which was shared by the way!) and a bowl of Minced Pork with Century Egg Congee.. man.. I'm beginning to like century egg (probably its after the Yum Cha dish.. see food blogpost 5!).. even though the yolk of century egg still taste yucks to me, but then I must learn to overcome it!

Then after eating, I went up to go and collect my uniform.. I thought it wld take a long time.. but its done! I paid the aunty and went back down to the hawker centre to eat dessert.. Then we were off to Far East Square to collect the NDP tickets for 9 Aug.. my sister successfully balloted the tix.. so we took a cab down to Far East Square..

After taking, we walked to Chinatown n shop a while.. before proceeding down to Suntec area.. We took an MRT down to City Hall.. and my dad treated teabreak at Starbucks.. you koe me lah.. I like to try new drinks.. so I tried the new drink @ Starbucks, "Tazo Chai Creme Frappuccino Blended Tea".. erm.. wat I can say abt this drinks is tat it has a unique taste to it, becos of the spices and the thickness of the drink.. I asked the counter wat spices it has inside.. and she told me tat it has nutmeg, cinnamon and a certain indian spice.. if you wld like thickened milk tea added with a unique taste of spices, then this drink is for you.. out of 5 stars, i wld rate this as 2.5 stars! =)

Then went round window shop.. was so tempted to buy Giordano Stuff yesterday becos its 30% storewide sale.. the Dry-Tech Polo Tees were juz going for $15.40 a piece (UP: $22 per peice) and the cotton tees were juz going for $5.60 a piece (UP: $8 per piece).. but then didnt buy lah.. want to save money.. spend too much liaoz!

Then, went to City Link to window shop, then Suntec for dinner @ the Thai Restaurant, "RENThai".. this is after much consideration then we made this decision.. Had quite a full meal, and I muz say the taste of the dishes is not bad.. for the dishes we ordered (and other photos of how we spend the day and stuff), see under photo gallery, the heading "Dad's Birthday Celebration 2005 Photos!"

We met a weird lady in the restaurant though.. when we almost finish our meals.. the lady was frm Africa and she stayed in America.. when we almost finish, she asked us whether the Fried Garoupa Fish with Thai Chilli Sauce was nice.. and my mum answered, "not too bad".. juz so happen tat there is a piece left on the plate.. my mum offered her to try.. I was expecting tat she wld say its alright and NOT take and eat.. but then, to my surprise, she took it and cut some with the fork and spoon, before using her hands and eat it.. it looks a bit disgusting and uncivilised, but I admire her courage.. becos' Singaporeans definitely DUN do this at all! Well.. some ppl are weird I guess! =)

Then, we walked over to Esplanade for dessert (which was my treat!).. but before tat, we took some pictures! See under photo gallery, the heading "Dad's Birthday Celebration 2005 Photos!".. Had a fun time though taking pictures.. but too bad, the pics were without flash, becos my sis says dun want to take with flash, or else, it wld blind us and stuff.. diao2! *3 drops of sweat streaming down my forehead*.. but nevertheless, better than nothing lah.. =)

So I treated my parents and sis to dessert at Max Brenner Chocolate Bar @ Esplanade.. it was quite nice though.. especially if you love chocolate, then this is the place to go.. the price are quite reasonable.. but the warm chocolate fondue is quite expensive.. (its $20 for 2-3 pax and $30 for 4 pax).. didnt order tat! See under photo gallery, the heading "Dad's Birthday Celebration 2005 Photos!", for wat I've ordered.. Spend abt $26 on desserts, which is quite relatively reasonable considering the place where u are eating!

Then came back and do this blog.. its close to 1am in the morning, and I juz finish this blogpost..

*Yawn*.. want to sleep liaoz!!

Oh.. did I forgot to mention tat I will be on off tml! Yeh!! Can sleep late!!

Being a sleepyhead,
<<< abriel >>>

Preparation For NDP 2005 Parade (Part XIV)

Notice of Road Closures @ Esplanade
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Today went to Padang for rehearsals.. Apparently, according to the news updates on the media (ie, TV, newspapers, radio, etc), they reported that there wld be a closure of roads! See the pic above this blogpost, and u koe wat I mean!

Anyway, it was a proud moment for me, to represent the RSAF in this yr's NDP!! Just seeing the crowd (becos' as u koe lah, Singaporeans are quite kaypoh!.. even though the roads are closed, but they wld line up on the streets, juz to see the parade.. but in fact, they cant see anything.. all they see was the sky items, eg: the parachuters and the flypast, etc.. and probably some mobile heavy SAF vehicles such as tanks, on the roads.. the rest of the parade like we all marching and the mass items on the Padang itself, they can't see.. the most is they only can hear wat the MC is saying and stuff!) is enuf to make me have a sense of pride to be in the RSAF contingent!

So we were there in Beach Road Camp (ie, the building opposite Raffles Hotel) since like 9+am (becos' we left our bunks at 8am and the bus came abt 8.45am..) and waited.. and waited.. and waited.. and waited.. (ermz.. ok.. I got too carried away!).. and waited.. till 10.30am.. before we almost want to go to Padang for some warm-up drills but then, it rained with lightning.. so again.. we waited.. and waited.. and waited.. and waited.. and waited.. till all of us almost in the holding room were lying flat on the floor (despite its dustiness) and take a short nap.. it was comfortable though becos got air-con (ahem! FYI: we are the only contingent who has an air-con holding area.. so we are privileged!).. and then, we waited while sleeping and finally, lunch came! We had a 10 min lunch b4 we are whizzed downstairs, thinking tat we can go.. but then, we line up according to our drill positions and get ready to go to Padang for some familiarisation of the ground.. but then.. guess wat.. we waited.. and waited.. and waited.. for about 15 mins before we are again whizzed quickly to the Padang.. Traffic at tat time was not closed yet.. therefore a bit chaotic, becos we have to run and stuff, so as to minimise the blockage of traffic and stuff.. and as we cross the roads, ppl on the pathways and in their cars/vehicles were like staring and looking at us.. Man.. tat feeling is so shiok!

Once we reach there, again we have to wait.. finally its our turn! Sp we went in.. did 2 rounds of sequence run (which is truncated ones of course) and then, we went to the back of the spectator's stand and wait for 45 mins.. before, we are called to do a final sequence run before eating our dinner..

30 mins past, and we are done.. Now, we are marching back to our holding area, which is Beach Road Camp, which is 800 metres away frm Padang.. Along the way, ppl were taking photos with their digital cameras and camera phones.. It was a good feeling though.. but too bad I wasn't in the outer side of the road, or else, ppl wld hv captured my handsome face (ok.. I hope.. I shall stop praising myself, b4 you start puking!)

Once we are in the holding room, dinner came in 5 mins later.. and again, we've got only 10 mins to eat our dinner and 10 minutes to change into our No. 1 uniforms (this time, for a FULL run.. as in really FULL.. this is exactly the sequence of events which will be happening during 9 Aug itself! In case u dun koe wat is full, the events which were rehearsing are the pre-parade segments, the parade & ceremony segment and the post-parade segment.. so yupz..)

Again, after we are done, we are whizzed quickly downstairs frm the holding area and into Padang.. but NOT without minutes of waiting.. The amt of time we spending waiting to get into Padang in our No.1 uniform was abt 30 minutes or even more!! So again, ppl are lining up the streets to 'watch' and some were taking their video cameras even to take the whole process of we marching and stuff.. not to mention tat some ppl were taking their digital cameras too! Ha.. oh.. some tourists @ Swissotel even came out of their rooms to see the whole parade.. Man.. these tourists really had an advantage and at the right timing too! Oh.. I even remember one very fat guy came out to see wat was happening with only his boxers on! but then, he went in shortly after, maybe becos he is embarassed!

Some parents even came to support their son who is in the parade.. during our waiting time, 1 mother, whose son was in Navy GOH, actually took photos with his son.. At first, I thought it was a total stranger.. but after much observation and thinking, I cld only figure out tat she was his mother! Chey!
Speaking of which, I muz find time to take photo of myself with my No. 1 uniform!

So finally, its time for our show! We went in and performed our drills and stuff, of course with the commands of the Parade Commander.. Then, its the time where we use our rifles and salute the President.. and after which, the National Anthem wld be played and all are required to sing it.. and I tell u.. the moment where I sang the National Anthem and the flag flypast the Padang in the Chinooks, was the moment where I felt tat doing National Service was all worth it.. felt so patriotic for a moment.. and at tat moment, I almost cried tears of joy! Yes!! It was tat dramatic for me!!

And after all the stuff in the Parade square, it was time for us to go, but b4 tat, we did a march past.. then after which, we marched back 1.5km (gulp!) back to Beach Road Camp.. we marched past the Parliament House, then Funan Centre, then Capitol Centre, then Raffles City Shopping Centre, then, Raffles Hotel, before we go back to Beach Road Camp... but along the way, ppl were lining up the streets.. some were looking and some were taking photos and videos.. Again, I was not in the outer row, so not much exposure though.. but never mind! =) *ya rite.. as if* =P

Immediately after the march, we went to one area where they need to case the flags, and this mean tat we have to salute the flags with our rifles again.. and this salute takes abt 7 minutes.. hands not so tired, becos' I'm trained in SAF Day mah.. SAF Day salute even longer.. but for others, I dun koe how lah!

Then its back to the holding area and wait for our transport back to camp! so we waited.. and waited.. and waited.. till we again, almost all in the room fell asleep.. abt 9+pm, the bus came and then we were whizzed quickly downstairs for the bus.. by the time we reach camp, its close to 10pm.. after sending arms, its abt 10.30pm liaoz.. and then, we were gathered for some sgt (this time, its 2 sgts.. n they so happen to be the 2 tat is in our shift and they are both promoted to 2SG! haiz.. looks like they gonna pull rank soon?) talk who were practically kao-pei-ing lah.. think its not enuf sleep for them.. so they kao-pei.. and by the time we reach bunk and get ready to bk out, its abt 10.45pm..

Decided to call cab and therefore gave my friends a lift to the main gate.. then I went home and reach home abt 11+pm.. then ask my mum to sew sumthing and then, at abt 1+am, I slept for the day.. so tired sia..

To be continued...

Still blogging,
<<< abriel >>>

Preparation for SAF Day Parade 2005 (Part VIII)

Sianz.. I kenna aim during the session of rehearsal yesterday.. haiz.. I koe I'm a bit slack on my drills, however, I'm sure I did give my 90% best.. but dun koe why still kenna scolded.. in fron of the whole contingent summore.. haiz.. so embarassing.. but I think its becos' I'm hungry and at the same time, I'm tired.. no energy to do anything..

Its then time to wear our No. 1 for our rehearsal for the Chief Engineer to vet and frm a hear-say, I also heard tat there is a Malaysia Colonel sitting in the audience.. anyway, i juz did my best lah.. fortunately never kenna scolded..

But thank God tat the rehearsal ended early.. but the bad news tat I was on P1 yesterday (24/6 - Fri).. So my officer bus came earlier, like 5.30pm.. so the non-P1 followed my officer bus, so tat they can book out earlier.. but then apparently, there was some miscommunication.. and therefore, the P1 force (including me) came out of the bus, to take the intended bus which is indented for the GOH contingent (my officer is in colour party.. so therefore, they take different buses.. but my officer was kind enuf to offer the rest of us (who was NOT P1 for yesterday) to take his transport and therefore could bk out earlier..

So the P1 force (who is me, and one other mate, and one sgt: which YES! U see correctly!! only 3 of us, becos the other 3 were in camp and they are NOT P1..) waited for a 40 seater bus..

Then my RSM dun koe how come call my sgt.. and he offered to tell my sgt the bus no. plate no.. so in abt 10 mins after my RSM called, the bus came.. and by the time we reached camp, its abt 7.30pm, with all the other ppl gone home liaoz.. so ya.. anyway, I slept at abt 9.30pm becos' was so tired.. and slept till next morning...

To be continued...

Blogging,
<<< abriel >>>

Boring..

Well.. life at camp in GOH shift is getting a bit monotonous, hence, its a bit boring.. Not tat I'm complaining abt nothing to do in camp, except to sleep all day, occasionally juz do some fatigue work and unlike last time b4 the NS Men and the "new birds" came.. so the main thing is tat the GOH shift wld be mainly concentrating on drills.. and if no drills, then we wld be sleeping in bunk till bk-out.. well.. how much more relaxing can it be in the GOH shift??

However, when u got some bad sgts, it doesn't help..

Today at camp, all my shift sgts went for P226 range.. so we all bo-cheng-hu (ie, no one care abt us)..

remember I told u all tat at camp, i hate this sgt a lot?? ya.. today he went for range too... so I was like quite happy lah.. no need to hear his voice.. then at abt 4.45pm, I heard sumone calling for GOH shift.. and then I thought I heard it wrongly.. but apparently, I'm right.. the sgt is back and he is shouting for the GOH shift.. then he saw us wearing our civilian clothes and get ready to bk out.. Then he asked a stupid question.. "why u all wear civilian?? Downstairs not time for you to bk out only.. now only 4.40pm".. then i was like complaining to myself.. like tat he also want to care.. izzit a crime or a law to wear civilian before 5pm?? We cannot wear civilian and go down and wait for the RO (ie, the routine order) to be read?? He really a no-brainer! Speaking of which, my blood is also boiling!

Worse still.. with his attitude like tat, he is now promoted to 2SG.. now, he wld play and "pull rank" already.. I'm sure his head will start swelling like nobody's business..

Not to mention tat almost everytime during SAF Day Parade rehearsal, he wld always find an excuse to not to go.. in other words, he wld chao-keng (ie, bluff his way thru) and until the main RSM in charge also suspect him chao-keng.. Seriously speaking, I think out of like 20 practices, he only attended probably 9-10.. his attendance is tat bad lah!!

ok lah.. dun koe wat else to update, except to say tat I want to complain loh.. and I have done my part in this blogpost! Yeh!! Objective completed for today!

Tml I doing P1, so no updates for tml.. but I got an advantage of tml P1, becos' Sat (25/6) got to bk in by 8am.. so I dun need to wake up so early and stuff! ha..

ok.. gtg and do other stuff liaoz before bking in later at 2230.. haiz..

pondering and sighing,
<<< abriel >>>

Give Thanks!

Well.. there are a couple of things which I must give thanks.. so here goes:

1. Promotion

I got promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal (LCP) w.e.f. 16 April 2005 (Sat), but today then they tell us tat we are promoted.. so we are gonna get a backpay.. so means my next pay day will probably exceed $500.. yeh! =).. so when sept onwards, my pay wld be $490 instead of the miserable $450.. an extra $40 can go a long way, as it can cover my 1 mth's transport allowance.. believe it or not! Sometimes I wld need more.. but $40 is the basis of it!

2. No mention abt. my past incidents

There is NO mention abt my past incidents during the CO parade this morning and moreover I got promoted to LCP.. so there is a chance tat I'll skip punishments.. keep continue to pray for God to intervene in this issue and this issue wld be forgotten juz like tat! Thanx 4 ur prayers.. keep praying yah?? =)


3. Change in P1 schedule

Well.. u may find it funny.. but yes! I thank God for it.. becos' Friday (24/06) was NOT suppose to be my P1.. however, becos of the mistake which one of them counted and the sgt realise the mistake, therefore, my group is slated for P1 on Friday.. but I sumhow benefit frm this.. becos' on Friday there is SAF Day rehearsal till 7pm (by the time i bk out, it wld be abt 8.30pm) and the next day (Sat - 25/06), I wld have a full rehearsal @ Padang for NDP 2005.. hence, muz bk in very early, like 8am.. so no pt going home right?? =)

**Psst: Some of the roads will be closed to public on Sat (25/06) frm 1pm to 11pm, due to the rehersals.. so if you are driving or plan to go out on Sat near City Hall and Suntec City area, pls. think twice (becos of the detour u have to make).. read the daily newspapers for details of road closed!

ok lah.. I gtg liaoz n sleep becos waking up at 0530 for bking in the morning at 0745.. haiz..

drifting off into dreamland,
<<< abriel >>>

Getting sick.. **sniff **

NDP 2005
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Ha.. gotcha! I'm not sick.. but its juz tat the NDP fever is getting into my vains and it is flowing out of body right now!! It is so evident!!

Well.. juz been to NDP website.. quite a lot of things to read-up.. here is the website if u dun koe (http://www.ndp.org.sg)

Well.. here are some interesting bits abt the parade:
**Copy and paste the links onto ur browser and read all it!

1. Parade Sequence:

(http://www.ndp.org.sg/index.jsp?page=/Parade@Padang/paradeandceremony/Sequence.htm)

2. Write-up abt. Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Guard-Of-Honour (GOH) contingent:

"Airforce - Combined Field Squadron

The Air Force GOH contingent is form by men from the Field Defence Squadrons (FDS) of Changi Air Base (CAB), Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB), Sembawang Air Base (SBAB) and Tengah Air Base (TAB).
Field Defence Squadron is entrusted with ensuring the security of all RSAF Air Bases. In peacetime, they conduct regular perimeter patrols and take charge of the control of personnel movement within the base. During operations, the Field Defence Squadrons provide ground defence of the air bases against enemy infiltration."

Source: http://www.ndp.org.sg/index.jsp?page=/Parade@Padang/paradeandceremony/goh.htm

So are u infected with the NDP germ now?? ha..

Well.. its only 48 days to NDP 2005! How time flies!

Are YOU up to the challenge of being a patrotic Singaporean in 48 days time??

Sizzling hot with the NDP Fever,
<<< abriel >>>

Preparation for SAF Day Parade (Part VII)

SAF Day (March Past)
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Well.. yesterday was the Chief Of Defence Force (CDF) vetting.. so we wore our tailor made No.1 and everything was new! I was expecially worried with the No. 1 becos' its new and I scared staining it.. but the more I'm worried, the more stained it becomes.. haiz..

Anyway, was not able to execute the drills in a sharp manner, becos I was quite restless and lethargic! But nevertheless, manage to do the drills correctly and stuff.. except tat I almost slept during the parade, becos' the weather was so perfect (cloudy with slight drizzle) while we are doing the vetting..

The rehearsal in the morning was quite slack, as by 12 noon, we were done for the rehearsal for the day and we rested till abt 3.30pm before we got an inspection of our uniform..

Speaking of which, my peak cap is a bit in a bad shape but there was no replacement for my peak cap, becos the ppl at ST Log (Singapore Technologies Logistics) said tat one cap size was not available, therefore, they can't give.. such a stupid reason! haiz.. but thank goodness, I manage to find a replacement of the peak cap frm a Changi Air Base guy who was a reserve (a reserve was NOT involved in the actual vetting, so they juz go back to holding area and rest..).. I told this issue to the RSM in charge, and apparently, he was not very happy abt it and created quite a mayhem abt it, to a pt tat he aimed at my base's participants by juz assuming tat everyone who has sub-standard No. 1 was frm my base.. man.. this is not a good feeling! so now, I wld think tat frm now on, my RSM wld check our uniforms, instead of my sgts who is more "sui-bian".. haiz..

Well.. check out the photo gallery column which I've posted some new photos.. here are the new ones.. click the various link on the "Photo Gallery" column to view:

1. Ana's Art Work - These are the art pieces that my sis did for her 'O' Level exams which she got an A1 grade for it!

2. Info Pics: NDP 2005 Parade

3. Info Pics: SAF Day 2005 Parade

Well.. here are some interesting write-ups on SAF Day Parade..
** Copy and paste the links into ur browser and read them!

1. Introduction (http://www.mindef.gov.sg/safday/2005/index.asp)

2. Form Of Parade (http://www.mindef.gov.sg/safday/2005/parade_form.asp)

3. Parade Layout (http://www.mindef.gov.sg/safday/2005/parade_layout.asp)

4. Parade Programme (http://www.mindef.gov.sg/safday/2005/parade_info.asp)

Enjoy ur time reading those read-ups and the pics ppl..

Cya around,
<<< abriel >>>

Time passes so fast...

Haiz.. yet its another day at camp this morning.. thank goodness my pants are starched nicely and stuff, and I've got never kenna scolded by the sgt who wants to check us today..

Then, he told us sumthing which we wld get a shock.. he said wed (22/6) got CO parade.. so this means tat I had to spend time to re-iron and starch my uniform.. haiz.. but this is not wat I'm worried of.. its actually my CO's speech on wed (22/6).. he is bound to mention abt the 2 incidents tat I got into trouble with.. and dun koe how he will put it in speech?? If he mentions it like in a very angry manner, then my punishment is gonna come!! Even if he says it in a nice tone, juz becos he mentions it, therefore my punishment is sure to come lah.. haiz.. now I'm worried!! Pls. pray tat my CO wld NOT mention abt the 2 incidents and even if he mentions abt it, I wld NOT get any punishment.. pls?? Thanx!

Then after which I did not went to canteen to eat breakfast (for the FIRST time!).. I was quite full.. becos of the quite filling breakfast I had at home this morning.. Ate a slice of Chicken Shepherd Pie frm Don.. visit http://www.donpieclub.com.sg/ to view some info abt the shop.. The chicken shepherd pie is delicious!! and its quite reasonably priced too!! It cost $15.80 for a whole chicken shepherd pie (its the size of the personal pan pizza in Pizza Hut)..

So of course, went up to bunk and start ironing and settle my things.. Then slept for a while, b4 one of my sgt call us to go down and help to do some armscote thing.. thinking tat the sgts will help, apparently no!! They juz stay in the bunk and dun koe do wat.. probably playing their PS2?? haiz.. but no choice.. so we do.. and I was in armskote until like almost everyone gone to eat their lunch, then I went to eat, becos' I have to wait till the sgt give us the green light to go and eat.. so ya.. I was getting fustrated already, becos' apparently, I'm hungry!! A hungry man is an angry man!! Thank goodness lunch was good.. it was nasi lemak! =).. Yummy!

Then went back to bunk and sleep.. and once I close my eyes, I really knocked off.. too tired.. had only like 3 hrs of sleep last nite!.. then kept waking up a bit halfway.. becos' partly I'm warm.. and other thing, I kept seeing the time, worried tat I will get more fatigue work.. but soon, time pass and when I woke up, it was 4.30pm.. everyone cld not believe their eyes, becos time (ie, 3 hrs) juz pass so fast!!

So we bk out and then I made my way home and during the journey, I listen to my mp3 player.. but think I dun bring to camp liaoz.. becos I'm afraid it wld be stolen! Has this uncomfortable feeling whenever I bring to camp.. so ya.. this is expensive stuff.. so dun bring better! u agree with me?

ok lah.. need to rest a bit more b4 taking bus back to camp.. my cab kaki on MC today.. so dun want to spend the unnecessary money, becos sat I confirm taking cab!

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

At Last!

Allo! Hope you are enjoying the food blog photos u see.. ha.. had quite a lot of food today though..

Oh.. b4 I continue.. you may wonder why this blog has a chinese song?? this is becos' my Class 95 thingy doesn't work.. so therefore, decide to go back to the play thingy.. anyway, the title of the song is "Jia".. a National Day Song.. As NDP is drawing nearer, my NDP Fever is slowing climaxing to the max.. so yupz.. enjoy the song ya.. nice and soothing.. if you want to koe the english meaning of the words in the song, look at 11 June 2005's blogpost.. quite meaningful actually!


Today went to quite a no of places..

Firstly, went to Sim Lim Square to change my mp3 player.. surprisingly, it only left with 3! The other day I went, there is like 7-8.. man.. these things sell fast! So originally, I wanted black since white was the last piece and its spoiled.. but the shop doesn't had it.. so therefore, I took the silver one (which was sumthing like a display piece).. ai yah.. better than nothing lah!

Went for lunch @ the hawker center behind Fu Lu Shou Complex.. wanted to try the satay as its highly recommended by the CISCO guard which I was mounting duty with.. always wanted to go and try but no chance.. today I went to try! wat's my verdict?? Its simply D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S !! The MUTTON satay is the BEST.. with all the usual stuff like ketupat and the peanut sauce, which is one of the best peanut sauces I ever tasted! The prices are reasonable too.. $2 for a bowl of the usual malay savoury foods such as mee rubus, mee siam, etc and $0.40 per stick of either the mutton or chicken satay! They only have mutton and chicken satay.. so dun expect a variety.. but I tell you.. their satays are one of those few who can really make me say nice.. you shld go and try it! however, do it preferbly during lunchtime or sumthing.. becos' by evening, it shld be sold out already.. becos' the satays are self-skewed and self-marinated.. so therefore there is a limit.. so yupz.. after talking so much, forgot to tell you the stall name.. its called, "Indonesia Satay Stall".. its situated at the extreme end of the hawker center, where there are a few malay stalls beside it.. there is only like 5-6 muslim stalls in the whole hawker centre and it is in a corner.. you go and find lah.. sure can find one!

Anyway, after lunch, we went to Far East Square to collect the NDP tickets (I balloted the NDP tickets for my sister for NDP 2005 on 9 Aug 2005, so they can watch me perform mah.. however, she is the only one in the family who got the tickets.. the rest of us didn't get it.. so ya..).. but we walked quite a distance though.. becos' there is no straight bus frm Sim Lim.. but anyway to cut the long story short, we went there quite stunt, becos' I think my sis heard wrongly abt the collection date.. its actually starts next week!! *3 drops of sweat dripping down*.. so in other words, we went there for nothing.. so we had no choice but to go elsewhere lah since its still quite early to go home.. then as we walk, my mum thinking of eating ice kachang and then, I saw this food court got Annie Peanut Ice Kachang.. its a franchise frm the Tanjong Pagar Market.. but I prefer the Market one, becos' its not so sweet and cheaper by $0.30.. *3 drops of sweat dripping down again!*.. ha..

Then, we proceeded to Yum Cha @ Chinatown to celebrate Father's Day.. so yupz.. had quite a lot of food.. but all even though we ordered the smallest sizes for most of all foods (except the only noodle we had, which was a source of carbohydrates, which we order medium, becos' 4 person sharing), we were quite full I must say.. so the food pics below are some of the food which we ate! nice huh! (btw, the photos are taken with my Nokia 6230!)


Then came home, and immediately I'm on the computer doing my mp3 thing.. and thank God, it worked.. going to listen it tml while I'm on my way to camp!

ok.. its getting late.. waking up at 5.30am and falling in at 7.45am for roll call.. and guess wat.. I have to see tat sickening sgt all over again.. argghh..

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

Food Picture Blogpost 5

Vegetable With Egg Sauce
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Ah.. this is one of their Speciality dishes @ Yum Cha Restaurant..

however again, its faily easy to prepare..

first, you stir fry the baby kailans with oyster sauce.. leave it aside..

then for the sauce, break a few eggs and beat it and then pour the beaten eggs into some water.. then add salt, pepper and MSG to taste.. to finish off the gravy, add bits of century egg and salted egg (both cut into small dices) and after which, thickened the gravy with corn starch.. and serve hot..

And there you go.. isn't it easy to prepare?? =)

Food Picture Blogpost 4

Prawn Dumpling
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Oh.. this prawn dumpling is the NICEST I've eaten in Singapore! The prawns can't get any fresher than in Yum Cha Restaurant!

Once bit into it, the juices of the dumpling begin to ooze out and when you chew it, you can bite into the succulent and juicy prawn, which when chewed, it gives a chewy and crispy texture.. its a sign of the prawn is fresh!

however, this costs $4.50 for 3 pcs.. so yupz.. a bit expensive but definately worth it!

Food Picture Blogpost 3

Misty Champagne Pork Ribs
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

This is another dish which was eaten during dinner at Yum Cha Restaurant at Chinatown! This is also a small size.. believe it??

Anyway, this dish is also fairly easy to prepare.. juz deep fry the pork ribs, and drizzle sesame seeds on the pork ribs and some honey, before serving them on pineapple shells.. and juz b4 serving, add water to the dry ice to create the misty effect!

Easy huh??

Food Picture Blogpost 2

Jade Beancurd
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

This is one of the dishes which was eaten during dinner at Yum Cha Restaurant at Chinatown! This is a small size.. believe it??

Anyway, this dish is fairly easy to prepare.. juz deep fry the tofu, and stir fry some spinach with oyster sauce.. place it on the bottom and put the fried tofu on top, before pouring in the gravy (which is thickened with corn starch) and placed some thickened spinach puree on the fried tofu to make it look like jade!

Easy huh??

Food Picture Blogpost 1

Indonesian Satay
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Indonesia Satay at Indonesian Satay Stall

Located at hawker center, behind Fu Lu Shou Complex (near OG Albert Park)

Price List:

Mutton (Kumbing) Satay - $0.40 each
Chicken (Ayam) Satay - $0.40 each
Ketupat - $0.50 each

FYI: They only have mutton and chicken satays, becos the satays are self-skewed and self-marinated.. so since its self-skewed and self-marinated, therefore, the satays are on a first-come-first-served basis.. once the satays are sold out, you have to wait for the next day to have the satays replenished! So yupz.. if you want to eat this, go early is my advise!

Enjoy the satays! Sedap (this means delicious in malay) satays!

Preparation for NDP 2005 GOH (Part XIII)

Well.. slept quite late yesterday as I was figuring out my mp3 player.. but guess wat.. it has some defects.. it somehow can't work, becos it got hanged.. haiz.. so this means tat I go back and change, there is no more white (becos' I bought the white is the LAST piece).. so had to take other colours..

so I was frantically finding Creative Support for their telephone nos. and stuff.. and was very anxious abt how to go abt dealing with my spoiled mp3 player..

Just a few minutes later, my mum and sis suggested why dun do it a 1-1 exchange with the shop @ Sim Lim Square which I had bought it.. and thank goodness, after I called, they said ok.. becos its like only a day old! so ya..

I manage to call thru both companies (both the companies at Sim Lim and Creative Support) and talk to them abt the respective things.. Thank God Sim Lim allowed me to change.. while I spoke to the Creative Support Technican for 12 mins to clarify things dealing with my mp3 player!

Today as usual went back camp.. quite tired due to the lack of rest I had yesterday nite! anyway, rehearsal was not too bad, except tat I've got some skin abrasions (*ouch!*) near my armpit region, becos of the marching.. so yupz.. its slowly healing lah!

However, the bus rides to the camp did not go well.. again, its tat kao-pei (ie to say, making sumthing small look big) sergeant again (ie, the one whom I mentioned in the earlier blogs who scold ppl for nothing.. remember??)
Anyway, I've got enuf of him yesterday sia.. He was like very particular abt our uniform, so therefore, we iron our uniform b4 falling in.. as if its not enuf, he wants us to starch our uniform, juz like the uniforms which we used to mount duty! allo.. this is rehearsal and no one is going to notice so nicely.. even if they are noticing, they dun really care.. its the rehearsal tat counts!
So going on with the story.. he checks us and our shirts got no problems, except tat the pants has no starch line.. so he initially wants us to starch it and iron it b4 we can bk out! You say is this ridiculous? Ppl going to wear the uniform home and then wash already.. wats the pt of ironing and show it to you, then we bring home to wash? Isn't it back to square one?
Anyway, ppl started complaining but he doesn't listen.. so since he doesn't listen, we do back the same to him.. tat is to say, when we come back frm Nee Soon and on the way back to camp, he told us tat one of the RSM (who is very particular abt uniform, but he dun care much in NDP.. he only does it in SAF Day Parade rehearsals) praised him for his uniform.. so in my heart, I answered back, "So?? very great izzit?? Go and show off lah! So proud!!".. so his action is tat we iron our pants properly and fall in in Smart 4 (which I also think its pointless since I'm not P1 on Mon) with pants starch, so on and so forth! Then the best part came.. NO one answered him.. he was very angry loh.. then after a while, he kao-pei again.. then a few of us juz reluctantly answered him.. then when back at camp, we walked quite slowly becos' we had to go up and take our magazines and scabbard (which is to cover the bayonet) down to send arms.. so since its going home time, we thought we can walk slowly and not run or anything like tat.. but he, again kao-pei, saying he gives us 5 mins to bring down watever we need or else, we kenna punishment.. so we had to run.. no choice.. but he of course can say like tat.. becos' one of his fellow sgt (who is on 'excuse' status, therefore can't attend parade) keeps for him the magazine and scabbard and bring it down for them when he is doing armscote.. so you see.. in my camp, got such a sgt.. arghh... how am I going to live on??

Anyway reach home at abt 10pm and had my supper.. my dad bought for me korean food.. not bad lah.. then tried to troubleshoot my mp3 player.. thinking it may save it.. but then, it doesn't work.. so ya.. haiz.. =(

k.. quite late in the nite liaoz.. need to sleep.. waking up tml to do errands and go out to do my mp3 player thing..

Ciaoz n have a GREAT weekend ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

Preparation for SAF Day Parade 2005 (Part VI)

Well.. today is a half day rehearsal for SAF Day Parade.. its a last minute indented session.. haiz..

Anyway, today I almost fainted during the rehearsal.. I mean really faint and NOT the expression of "pengz".. so anyway, here's how it happens:

As usual, becos need to fall in at 6.15am, I woke up at 5am to prepare myself and eat breakfast and stuff this morning.. Of course, my sleep was a bit disturbed by some ppl who becos' they need to iron their clothing, actually went into my bunk and iron, and therefore, they on the lights.. my other P1 mates were like so mad, tat they start to scold vulgarites.. anyway, this morning ate 4 slices of bread with a slice of luncheon meat provided by the cookhouse..

Then we were soon zoom off to SAFTI MI.. its weird though.. once in the bus, my eyes starts to feel heavy and I slept for a while.. usually, in the bus, I wld be wide awake and not been able to sleep.. but this morning was an exception.. hmm..

Then soon, we started with warm ups (which is quite shiong).. and we were like only given 10mins rest b4 the rehearsal commences.. becos our first march in was not so good, therefore, we did it all over again once we halted at our postions..
I was a bit angry becos' its quite pointless.. argghh..

Anyway, somewhere during the end of the first rehearsal (which lasted abt 30mins under the sun of 9.30am), I started to feel nauseous.. but I ignored it, as I thought I was hungry.. but then, it became worse.. my vision start to blur and soon, my vision has turn in front of me, frm grey to black.. but the weird thing is tat I'm able to hear wat's happen ard me!

I dare not fall out, as it was somewhere half the parade.. but then, I hinted to the RSMs tat I'm not feeling well by doing my drills a bit slack.. then one RSM start to approach me and I of course, since cannot take it, I called him.. he answered me not to call him, but instead, move my toes and feet and breathe in and out deeply..
My breathing was as if like I was having asthma.. in abt 5 mins, I started t o recover and then one more RSM came to me and talk to me by asking me which base I'm frm and stuff.. I told him, and he told me tat I muz endure becos I'm one of those rare few in my base who did not fall out, therefore muz maintain! Then another RSM told me tat he like the way how I do my drills, as well as my posture of executing the drills.. I dun koe how true does these RSMs speak lah.. maybe they are encouraging me to stay on and not fall out.. then a few mins later, another RSM ask me whether I'm ok becos' he heard I was going to faint..

Man.. this fainting thing is no joke man.. not nice to play! so after we got a 30 min rest, I drank close to 700ml of water to hydrate myself.. and therefore, after the next round of rehersal start, I did not feel like I want to faint or anything.. so thank God for tat..

Then after tat, came back and bathe and slack in the bunk for a while, before we are called to go down to do some unnecessary and unimportant stuff.. then, bk out.. then went down to Sim Lim and got my mp3 player..

Later in the nite, I went to the airport with carlise to visit 3notes, who juz came back frm sydney today frm her australia overseas attachment for 6 mths! Well.. we reach there juz in time which her plane landed (which was 9.45pm) but she did not come out till 10.25pm.. we waited for 40 mins juz for her to come out! tat is long.. but once she come out, she was greeted not only us both, but also her parents and friends.. can see her mother huff out a sigh of relief and has a sense of happiness tat her daughter is back! well.. guess all mothers miss their children all the time.. tat is the love of a mother! =)

then now, at computer.. getting ready to put some action into my mp3 player, but before tat, muz write this blogpost mah! =)

ok lah.. gtg liaoz n transfer songs into my mp3 player liaoz before tml cant wake up.. ha..

Ciaoz n have a GREAT weekend ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

Just bought it!

My mp3 player (Creative Zen Micro)
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Man! I did comtemplate as to whether shld I buy it.. but after much thought, I decide I shld give it a go.. and therefore, I went to Sim Lim Square to find out for the lowest price.. and this is the lowest I found so far; I got this for $342.. outside at places like Harvey Norman, they sell it at $399.. so ya.. so I'm smart huh?? Take white summore.. machiam like Apple iPod..

Anyway, this is a 5GB mp3 player.. with also a FM Radio and voice recorder attached.. so ya.. nice huh =)

Lost for words..

Man.. I'm lost for words to put as my title! arghh..

Anyway, this morning like woke up at 5.15am by myself (of course with the help of my hp alarm) and prepare breakfast, wash up and etc.. and by 6.15am, I was out of the hse and took bus to go back camp!

So once in camp, we fall in and as usual, I had my dose of extra breakfast at camp (so tat probably explains y i'm gaining weight?!?)

Then a while later, I've received a good news tat I need NOT shift bunk, but instead, have to help other ppl shift bunks.. so I dun mind loh.. I helped to shift and stuff.. and now my bunk is quite spacious and my position of watching TV is quite good lah I muz say.. of course, with such a stupid nose I have, all the dust tat I inhaled during the moving of bunks, is making me sneezed non stop!! terrible feeling!

Then slack for a while, b4 bking out at 5pm.. Was suppose to go home liaoz.. but my PC called those who pass IPPT (which I was one of them) to do at least 6 chin-ups before we can go home.. haiz.. waste time sia.. I was wearing my civillian attire with my bag.. that was really challenging.. but of course, I still manage to do it.. but I think only 5! =(

Then came home and on the way, I was thinking whether shld I buy an mp3 player.. after much thought, I decide to buy it this wkend.. decide to buy Creative Zen Micro 5GB for $399.. well.. have to go shopping this wkend! will tell u more when I buy the gadget! =)

There is one more thing which worries me.. I was told by my friend tat no one is allowed to wear spectacles during NDP 2005.. if u need to wear specs, muz wear contact lens.. well.. contact lens is sumthing which I have difficulty wearing it and I dun really like it even though I had never tried b4.. even though it may look good on me without spectacles, contact lens will always be a hurdle for me to cross.. haiz.. dun koe how true is this contact lens issue.. hope its not true loh!

Then came home with my famliy back home and watch TV.. Life seems to be normal again.. u koe sumthing?? All those ppl who are home alone (becos their parents and siblings has gone for the same church camp tat my parents went) actually felt the absence in them.. juz like how I felt!

Anyway, came home, watch TV for a while, before sitting down here on the computer, busy checking emails, and after tat, spend time thinking abt my leave issue.. the top management wants me to clear 15 out of 17 days before 31 Dec 2005 (3 days need to be cleared before 18 Aug 2005) becos they dun want to repeat history again, whereby there is not enuf ppl to mount duty in future! So I spend like an hour thinking and typing it out.. too lazy to write.. However, the leave tat I chose is anyhow hantam, becos I dun even koe which shift I'm mounting after GOH and when is my off day,etc... so I do this leave thing is only for 'show' loh.. since the top management ppl want to see it, then no choice la.. do the 'wayang' way!

ok lah.. have not really had a good bathe since I came back.. going to bathe now before I'm off to dreamland and wake up at 5.30am tml morning for bking in loh.. wat else?? =(

Oh.. tml I P1.. therefore, I wont be coming back and blog..

May blog on fri (17/6) and yes.. 3notes is coming back frm Sydney on 17/6.. yeh!!

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

Preparation for SAF Day Parade 2005 (Part V)

Well.. the horror started yesterday nite when I went to AMK in bus 133 to meet my friend.. I was suppose to meet him at 9.45pm to share cab and take to camp becos' need to reach camp before 10.30pm.. so there we were.. and almost reaching the camp, both of us saw 2 of our friends who muz also bk in before 10.30pm becos they also going for drill rehearsal today!.. so in the end, the fare was $5.80.. ok.. am I going out of pt??

Anyway, in the cab yesterday, my friend then told me tat he got a msg frm one of the sgt tat we were suppose to bring the old No. 1 uniform (which he brought when he met me), becos' the CDF vetting today of the reherasal has been cancelled!.. I was like saying to him, 'ok', but at the same time, I was like a bit worried, becos' my old No. 1 top was still hanging at the top of the bamboo stick to dry and have NOT iron yet.. Then everyone actually brought their old and new No.1 to camp.. I was like the only one who did not bring the old No.1..
The original plan was to bring the new No. 1 becos of CDF vetting.. so there being me, everyone heard the news becos they bk out in a grp but I was with another friend who didnt want to drag further our time, so therefore both of us walk first, while the rest are walking in grps.. its only then, then one of the sgt (who stayed for P1) actually told one person to tell us to bring our old No.1 (but then not all heard it!..)
So I was worried when I reach back camp, becos' I'm worried tat I may stain or make dirty the new No.1 and very hard to wash.. becos this new No.1 is used for occasions like the actual SAF Day Parade (on 1/7) & NDP 2005 (on 9/8).. so this is really impt!
I was like pissed off with some of my friends, becos' they assume I was there and therefore, did NOT tell me abt it.. arghh.. I was like moaning and groaning and feeling very uneasy abt this whole NEW No.1 top issue!

This morning woke up like 5am to fall in at 6.15am.. so early fall in also dun koe for wat.. anyway, did NOT sleep on the bus, as I was busy thinking how to salvage my NEW No. 1 top if it got stained and stuff.. so I was busy cleaning my rifle eye and stuff, to ensure minimal staining as possible! Tat was how stressed I felt!

Then its drill time!! Spend like the whole morning & afternoon practicing marching on the spot (in NS commands, we call it "henta kaki henta" with the timing and drum beat.. but sumhow, no matter how the RSMs gave us suggestions of how to improve n make us march on the spot as one contingent, it was highly IMPOSSIBLE.. its either we do it on the wrong leg (and therefore, go haywire becos ppl are marching on the spot with different legs and this is NOT acceptable as it looks very bad on our drill standard ) or the timing of marching on the spot was too fast (becos the ppl in front tend to and are rushing the timing).. in the end, we cld not do it, and kenna scolded and embarassed in front of the 13 contingents (the number of contingents tat took part in this yr's SAF Day Parade).. can sense tat ppl are getting fed up of us and ppl are at the verge of scolding us vulgarities or in their heart, kept calling us poor in drills or stupid.. becos' sometimes becos of us, the whole parade had to re-march in.. ya.. tat's how bad..

But after hours of resolving and discussions among the RSMs themselves, the RSMs finally resolved the issue, and they told us the solution and made us practice 2-3 times!.. and guess wat.. we got it! My RSM still the best! He is the one who once teach us the method and made us practice, we are able to do it! So after he taught us the method and after 15 mins of practice, we got it! Just like tat!! My RSM good huh?? No wonder he was NDP 2004 Parade RSM.. =)

So the final test (ie to see whether we still can maintain the correct timing and march on the spot as one contingent) came when it was the final run! N guess wat!! We did it!! I was so happy I tell you!! I felt a sense of acheievement!! The audience was cheering for us.. and wats best is tat, during our march past, we had a command which requires us to tilt our heads to 45 degrees right and chin up (in NS, the command is called, "pandan kekenan") .. and once we pass the grandstand, our RSMs were like cheering loudly for us.. I tell u.. tat kind of feeling was indescribable!! U feel as if you have achieve 100 marks for your effort! U feel so sky high!! I think I feel so happy tat I cld cry! *sorry for being so emotional!*

But the next best thing is tat before the final run, an announcement was made tat we need NOT change into our No. 1 for the final run (which we usually have to!) becos there is no vetting and stuff! I tell u!! tat made me the happiest man in the world.. why was I worrying in the first place?? I doubted God becos I somehow prayed a short prayer tat I can remove the stains, etc effectively n fast! man.. God is indeed GREAT!

Then after the rehersals, I discuss with my officer abt my leave thing, becos I have 3 days of leave to clear before 18/08/05 (the rule is tat I can only carry forward a maximum of 14 days of leave into my new year, which starts on 19/08/05).. becos one of my church mate is getting married on 04/09/05, so he is inviting me to be the pianist for his wedding.. I told him tat I can't confirm my attendance but I'm happy and honoured to be his wedding pianist! Anyway, my officer told me to discuss this when the date draws nearer becos he may not be my officer anymore when GOH ends! =(
Then I reminded him tat I was entitled a day off for my bday on 23/03/05, but then, tat day, my shift mounted.. so I like lugi lah.. but later I knew tat I cld claim!!
So I discuss with my officer and he let me take the day off on mon (27/6) becos I told him tat its my dad bday, which is true anyway! He agreed but he said tat this is only tentative, becos if sumthing crop up at the last min, I wld not be able to go on off.. so ya.. so praying tat he will let me go on off loh!

And yeh!! My parents are coming back frm church camp tml afternoon.. so I wont be lonely anymore in this house!

Also, the previous day, I've received news tat I need to shift bunks becos orders given frm the top management.. they want to put the GOH shift together in 2 bunks! however, today the lastest news is tat I do NOT need to shift bunk becos other ppl will move in.. so happy!.. juz hope tat there is NO last minute changes!

Last but not least, I'll be bking in tml morning b4 0745 in camp.. yeh!! This means tat I can sleep on my own bed and sleep and hug my pillows! Its nothing better than home!

Man.. today I feel so happy.. oh.. did I mention tat I ate chocolates juz now?? FYI: U koe tat chocolates can make u feel happy?? Oh.. didn't u koe tat??

**Psst! I'm craving for durians.. I gonna get some on other days or maybe tml?? hmm.. anyone care to sponser some durians?? =)

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

Home Alone..

Allo!! Though I may sound happy, but actually, I'm feeling extremely empty and sad.. I never had such a terrible feeling before.. Even though I've been to camps and have left home for abt the same period of time I've been home alone, I've never felt so lonely before! Hmm.. why does this happen to me??

Anyway, to show tat I've still got a life, here is the blogpost for today! so sit tight and here goes..

Argh... the Class 95 thingy still doesn't work.. man.. its getting on my nerves.. nevertheless, I will still leave it there and see how.. so you all pls. be patient too??

Yesterday after my parents left for church camp, abt an hour later, I also left my home, but to camp for doing P1.. yesterday at camp was extremely boring.. I practically slept my day thru.. I think in total (plus yesterday nite's sleep) I had abt 12-14hrs of sleep and tats a lot!! I normally juz need abt 8hrs of sleep a day and tats all!
Anyway, at camp yesterday, besides sleeping and eating my meals, I also brought yesterday's newspaper and 8 Days Magazine to read.. of course, I also brought my discman to camp to have a change in music.. always listen to FM radio, quite boring.. so yesterday, the first CD I played on my discman was Michael W. Smith, "Worship Again".. suddenly felt so spiritual.. haha.. it has a scottish influence (becos of the no. of songs which has violin and irish flute background).. nice cd.. you shld buy if you have the cash to spare.. may upload it and put it in my blog.. see how the Class 95 thingy goes ya.. =)

Then this morning, wore my uniform to collect my rifle frm the main guardroom's restroom.. usually, we can go down in vest and slack but then today, dun koe why my sgt call us to wear our uniform!.. haiz.. so had to follow instructions loh!

Then we slack again in bunk for the whole day.. was actually suppose to have stand-by area but then the sgt never came.. so we juz slack in bunk.. my bunk mates were playing PS2 (Playstation 2) while I'm juz like humbly sitting on my bed and listen to my FM radio.. when I'm not listening, I wld be sleeping.. life in camp can be so boring at times.. moreover, I've got so much time in my hands today tat I kept thinking abt my parents being at church camp, whilst me being home alone.. so this is a disadvantage of being home alone.. I juz cant stand the quietness of the house.. =(.. like this, means I cannot go overseas or stay at a local uni hostel and study liaoz.. I wld die of boredom and quietness!
But its so weird, becos' when ppl are at home, u wish u are home alone, but when no one is at home, u wish otherwise.. its weird isn't it??

Had a chat with one of my shift mates who is diagonsed with a kidney disease.. he also got a shock of his life why this happens.. and according to the doctor, he had this disease for abt 4 yrs, but he didnt koe it until last wk where he went to the A&E dept of a hospital for a check-up after a follow up session with my camp Medical Officer (MO), which the MO advice him to go for a more professional medical help, and then the MO refer him to the A&E dept.
He was telling me how low morale he felt becos of this.. well.. I sympatise with him but cld not do much.. but after a while, while I was alone, suddenly the Holy Spirit muz have prompted me to send an encouragement SMS to this friend of mine.. So I sat there and chose the SMSes which I had saved in my hp.. In the end, I chose a verse which says,

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

Of course, I didn't send the SMS immediately.. I waited till I've bk out then I msg him.. u may think why I've done this! But I somehow felt tat its not very apt to send him the SMS whilst I'm still in camp, becos he wld come and question me and stuff.. Moreover, I also dun want ppl to get the wrong msg tat I'm like doing a good deed or sumthing.. u get wat I mean rite??
Well.. this works like a perfect solution for me to comfort him! It's the least I can do =) I was juz thinking tat God may have placed this situation in him, so tat He wld turn back to Christ, becos' for all I koe, he was frm ACS (Barker Road), which makes him having a methodist background.. and he asked me before whether I was a Christian.. and I answered him.. so as a follower of Christ, I muz lead by example =).. Anyway, I will cont to pray for him lah.. but if u can, pls. also uphold him in ur prayers?? Thanx! (**Oh, forgot to mention tat his name is Mark)

Then reach home close to 7pm after buying dinner at Ang Mo Kio.. it took me quite a long time to decide wat to eat, before I decided on chicken rice.. which originally I made up my mind at camp, NOT to eat chicken rice for dinner.. but u see.. in the end, I still ate it..

ok.. I've really got to run.. its getting late.. need to bk in before 2230 tonight, becos' tml got SAF Day Parade rehearsal.. yes, AGAIN!! tml got CDF (Chief of Defence Force) vetting.. very stressed! pls. pray for me?? Thanx =)

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

Preparation for NDP 2005 GOH (Part XII)

Well.. this morning book in at camp.. almost late.. the bus take exceptionally long to come.. probably its a wkend, tats why!

So its like I went up to bunk, rest for a while, before coming out of the bunk and went downstairs for roll call.. but then to my horror, no one was downstairs and my sgt juz bk in.. so he called me to tell the rest tat the roll call wld be upstairs instead of where I am this morning.. So I got quite pissed off lah.. make me run down for nothing.. so there I was back in bunk again.. few mins later, my sgt requested a roll call outside his bunk.. quite stupid lah.. he see who not here and stuff and in a few mins, its done.. quite useless!

Then 30 mins later, went downstairs to draw our arms and then proceed to eat lunch.. there is this particular sgt whom I dun quite like.. he scolds ppl like nobody's business over a slightest matter.. I wld think he likes to act 'garang' to the warrant officer who is on duty there to check the armoury stuff and our arms.. I always got the feeling tat he likes to use his rank to despise ppl and he uses his rank (a 3rd Sgt) to command ppl, as if he is an officer or sumthing.. He also likes to boast his rank and his IPPT gold badge.. he gets worst when he is in a bad mood.. so whenever I hear his voice in the bus, I wld be quite pissed off.. he's always like scold us for a slightest matter (eg: he scold us when we never answer one of our other sgt question or reminders).. he wld start to scold all kinds of vulgarities and blow his top.. tat is simply too ridiculous! Of course, I never said all these straight to his face.. I juz like act hypocrite.. juz play along.. juz act bo-chap loh.. but the above are all wat I think abt him!

After eating lunch, we change to our attire for rehearsal (today's rehearsal is a full dress.. so tat means I have to wear my No. 1 uniform again! YES, AGAIN!) but then of course, we only wear our No. 1 uniform at the final run.. the rest, we are wearing our GOH RSAF polo t-shirt and our No.1 pants..

So we were at Nee Soon Camp and with all those ppl (like PAP and the sec sch uniform grps), we did 2 truncated full run rehearsals..

Then we proceeded to have dinner.. today's dinner best!! Its Pizza Hut.. the dinner pkt consist of the following:

(1) 1 slice Hawaiian stuff crust pizza
(2) 2 slices of Garlic bread
(3) 3 sweet and spicy drumlets..

Of the 3 items, I like the drumlets best.. the soft bone part is simply delicious.. my friend doesn't want to eat so many drumlets becos he wants to lose weight.. so I took 1 piece of drumlet frm him.. so now, got 4 drumlets.. Yummy!

Then its time to change to our No. 1 uniforms and get ready for the final full run (this time its complete.. NO truncated stuff.. even the choir sings over the tape.. so we are acting as if its the real thing..).. minutes after starting the parade and we had juz marched into the parade square, an announcement was made to say tat the rehearsal was cancel due to the "showers with thunder weather" (commonly known as "Cat 1" weather in NS terms).. we thought Cat 1 will never come, becos we carried on the march despite tat it was raining..

So since it was called off, we went back to our holding area and get ready to go home.. thank goodness they didnt say we do the full dress rehearsal tml (sun-12/6) or else, my clothing I dun koe how to cope!

So waited for the SBS bus to bring us back camp and by the time I bk out, its close to 9pm..
Decided to call for a cab (becos' I was carrying 2 set of No.1.. one set is the tailor made No.1 for our use on tues SAF Day vetting session by Chief of Defence Force).. and the other set is the one tat I wore today (which is a sub-standard No.1; which was last year's GOH tailor-made uniform)..
Another reason is tat a cab is very hard to hail when u are in the main road of my camp, becos' its a wkend.. tats why! during wkend, the cabs are like none in sight.. even if have, very few.. mostly, its hired! so ya.. but the cab fare when I reach home was originally $11.10 (becos of the $3.20 bking fee), but the cab driver charge me $11.. so nice of him.. quite ex hor!! $11.. its breaking my heart.. its burning a hole in my pocket!

Then came home and immediately, I started with my washing of my No. 1.. man.. who says washing is easy?? Its slightly easier than ironing, but its still tough! I wash my No. 1 shirt for close to 30 mins, then manage to wash it reasonably clean.. then its thrown into washing machine and let it wash again.. this time, for it to be totally clean and dry-wash!

Then its me on this computer, writing this blogpost and listening to mp3s.. my Class 95FM live radio doesn't work.. maybe its still due to the maintanence thing.. lets wait till 14/6 and see wat happens! But I decide to listen to this NDP'98 theme song, Jia (in English, this means home!) sang by Kit Chan.. whilst listening to this song, I'm reminded of the time when I was in the Combined School Choir of NDP'98 and I sang this song.. this song bring so much memories.. Here is the lyrics for the song:

Home (English version)

Music & Lyrics: Dick Lee
Music Arrangement: Iskandar Ismail

Whenever I am feeling low
I look around me and I know
There's a place that will stay within me
Wherever I may choose to go
I will always recall the city
Know every street and shore
Sail down the river which brings us life
Winding through my Singapore

Chorus:
This is home truly, where I know I must be
Where my dreams wait for me, where that river always flows
This is home surely, as my senses tell me
This is where I won't be alone, for this is where I know it's home

When there are troubles to go through
We'll find a way to start anew
There is comfort in the knowledge
That home's about its people too
So we'll build our dreams together
Just like we've done before
Just like the river which brings us life
There'll always be Singapore

(Chorus X 2)

For this is where I know it's home
For this is where I know I'm home

Moreover, nxt wk my parents wld be away for church camp.. so I'll be home alone.. the thought of no one at home (even though I'm used to it, but NEVER did I have such a time tat really NO ONE is at home.. usually, my mum wld always stay at home..) except me, and no one to care abt me and stuff, really makes me miss them and feel so lonely.. so this song is really apt.. haiz.. *tears*

ok lah.. need to go and sleep liaoz! Tml bking in at 1030.. and will stay in camp till mon evening then I come home, before bking in at 2230 the same day.. haiz.. this is life in camp.. =(

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

Funny & Amazing Advertisements!

Well.. juz received 2 adverts in my email.. Thought they are both interesting.. so I decide to share it with u! Anyway, here it is!

(1) This is a Honda Car Advertisement.. this is really amazing! Copy the link and paste it in your browser web address box to access the commercial advert:

http://www.steelcitysfinest.com/HondaAccordAd.htm

Well.. the following is the description of the above Honda Car advertisement.. This is rather interesting.. so pls. take time to read?? here goes..

"We are told that there are no computer graphics or digital tricks in the film. Everything you see really happened in real time exactly as you see it. The film took 606 takes. On the first 605 takes, something, usually very minor, didn't work.
They would then have to set the whole thing up again. The crew spent weeks shooting night and day. By the time it was over, they were ready to change professions. The film cost six million dollars and took three months to complete including full engineering of the sequence.
In addition, it's two minutes long so every time Honda airs the film on British television, they're shelling out enough dough to keep any one of us in clover for a lifetime. However, it is fast becoming the most downloaded advertisement in Internet history. Honda executives figure the ad will soon pay for itself simply in "free" viewings (Honda isn't paying a dime to have you watch this commercial!). When the ad was pitched to senior executives, they signed off on it immediately without any hesitation - including the costs.
There are six and only six hand-made Accords in the world. To the horror of Honda engineers, the filmmakers disassembled two of them to make the film.
Everything you see in the film (aside from the walls, floor, ramp, and complete Honda Accord) are parts from those two cars. The voiceover is Garrison Keillor. When the ad was shown to Honda executives, they liked it and commented on how amazing computer graphics have gotten. They fell off their chairs when they found out it was for real. Oh, and about those funky windshield wipers on the new Accords, the windshield wipers have water sensors and are designed to start doing their thing automatically as soon as they become wet. It looks a bit weird in the commercial."

(2) The next one is an advertisement abt Organic food products.. but b4 u say, "ai yah.. boring lah!".. here is the twist!! It gives the movie, "Star Wars" a run for its money! You access the link and then u koe y.. the advert is entitled " Grocery Store Wars"..
This is a MUST watch for Star Wars fan and those who are into healthy eating (eg: organic foods).. OCC & HCC ppl, u muz be koeing who is I'm toking abt rite?? I'm giving such an obvious hint!..
Anyway, the link is as follows (Copy the link and paste it in your browser web address box to access the commercial advert):

http://www.storewars.org/flash/index.html

"Join the rebellion we must! May the force be with you!"

Well.. enjoy the 2 adverts and have a good laugh!

Ciaoz n have a GREAT weekend ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

Tickling Happy!!

Well.. u all may think wats with my post title?? I dun koe!! I'm juz happy! =).. here's why!

(1) I get to bk in 10am tml instead of staying in for P1 tonite.. becos' I exchange my P1 duties with my friend yesterday.. so I somehow "got a bonus!"

(2) My friend, 3notes, is coming back next wk frm Sydney.. its been a while since I've seen her.. think got a lot of catching up to do! but dun koe whether its possible to meet her at the airport, becos' I got a cell nxt wk (particularly, Fri).. maybe can pontang??

(3) Today NO cell.. so this means tat I can get to watch the LAST episode of my fav Channel 8 serial, "Zero To Hero" at 9pm.. yeh!!

However, I've got to do P1 on Sun (12/6) and tats NOT fair.. becos' got the newbies here already and they shld have enuf manpower to do P1 duties.. but then, its still us as a GOH platoon doing P1.. its like so tired for us already.. becos sumtimes once we do P1, its sometimes like we dun go back and sleep for the nite for at at least a week! tat's how bad it is.. now, all my sgt and my friends are like so angry loh! haiz.. dun koe how..

ok lah.. I think I've got to go.. talk too much!

Ciaoz n have a GREAT weekend ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

Preparation for SAF Day Parade 2005 (Part IV)

Allo!! I'm back! Well.. dun koe how come my phlogger doesn't work.. argh.. but never mind.. I'll blog it here instead! Before I cont, u may experience tat there is no music.. this is becos' Class 95 is doing some maintanence work on its network frm 9/6-10/6 and 13/6.. therefore, the LIVE radio over the net can't be heard!.. sorry for the inconvenience! =)

Well.. dun koe how come I'm so tired today! Did a semi-full rehearsal.. but I'm so half-dead!!..
I'm so tired till the pt tat I can't execute the precise move of the drill.. dun koe how come I'm feeling so lethargic!.. Probably its the lack of food.. but after lunch, it was ok..

Then after lunch, we went to the air-con hall (aka SAFTI Warrior Hall) for a vetting filming of the ceremony to the Chief Of Defence Force (CDF)! This ceremony plan is a contingency thing.. becos' in case there is rain and thunder, then this ceremony wld take place.. or else, its out there for 105 mins, where I wld be standing and execute the various drills for the parade.. Its so jia-lat till the pt where becos' u stand for so long and do nothing, ur brain wld start to slack and u wld feel tired! Moreover, esp for me, whenever I stand too long in a certain position, the heel of my foot wld become numb, and this has happened a no. of occasions!! haiz..

But then, things change for the better when its getting later in the day..

(1) I executed the drills almost all right during the full-dress rehearsal (which being the ex-chairman of the previous SAF Day Parade being the vetting personnel).. except of course for 1-2 moves.. stared in space too long liaoz n got nothing to do, therefore, feeling more tired and mind wld start to wonder and not focus!

(2) After the full sequence run (with our No. 1 uniforms), my sgt got a call frm one of the sgt who is staying at camp becos' he's on a 10B status (which means he is only fit for light duties, and this excuse him frm parades, becos YES! Parades are shiong!!.. moreover, he got a slight case of "foot rot".. so tat explains his 10B status!), tat one of my friends want to swap P1 duties for yesterday! I was slated for tml (10/6) but then, he got a dinner to attend which he had pre-planned long ago but never did he know tat he has to do P1 today (9/6).. so my sgt asked me whether I want to change.. and of course, I said yes! becos' its worth it.. here's why!
By the time I reach camp yesterday frm SAFTI, its close to 9pm.. so no pt. bking out becos' the next morning (ie, 10/6), we have to go for a squadron LIFE run which is abt. 4km-5km run within 30mins (tats really shiong, judging frm my poor stamina!..) and this means, we have to bk in before 7.45am.. so yupz.. whereas tml (10/6), I can bk in 10am the following day (which is sat- 11/6).. so yupz.. more than worth it loh!

(3) Juz as we are to board the bus, I saw one of my BMT platoon amte! Had a short chatting session with him.. He looks quite fit to me.. I thought he is in OCS (Officer Cadet School) or sumthing.. but in the end and to my surprise, he is a driver in a Signal unit.. slack sia! Tats wat he told me.. had a good chatting session loh!

(4) Oh.. becos' my parents wld not be home for nxt wk becos' they go church camp, therefore, no one wld help me wash and iron my No.1 uniform, which I need it on Tues (14/6) for another vetting session.. This time, its a bigger person in authority! Its the Chief of Defence Force (CDF).. But its all settled after a 7 min call frm my mum! and I'm so glad tat my dad agreed to help me with the laundry and ironing of my No. 1 uniform before they leave for church camp! =)

Well.. doesn't the above 4 events call for a celebration?? Yeh!!

But then, even though there is so many good things happening, but then still, there is a certain thing which somehow bothers me!! of coz, this is abt the SAF Day Parade drills.. here it is..

There is this one particular warrant officer who is in charge of us (there are 4 in total, but I shall keep this warrant's name confidental).. at every drill, he NEVER fails to diss us, scold us for juz minute things and discourage us even though we had done a fairly good job.. other warrant officers even though koe we had not done so well to their expectation, but then, they said some nice and encouraging words.. but not for this warrant tat I mentioned above! He will take an encouragement word by other warrants, and he re-phrase it to make it sound discouraging.. so its like whenever he's talking, ppl DUN listen! Its one ear in and out the other! I'm also not an exception!!
He talks as if it sound so easy.. but hello! he is NOT the one who is standing 105 mins in the parade square.. its US!! In tat 105 mins, he juz sits down and observe the parade but most of the time, he goes to talk to his sgt..
You say this kind of warrant officer good?? haiz.. but wat to do?? we have to "lan lan suck thumb" (this means we juz have to adapt to it!)

Well.. tat certainly ends my blogpost on the preparation for SAF Day Parade 2005..

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

At the 11th hour..

Man.. I'm experimenting totally shagness!! When I went back camp yesterday morning, I was told tat the everyone in my shift (those involved in SAF Day) have to mount 24 hr duty.. originally, its only for the non-SAF Day personnel, becos they dun have drills/rehearsals, etc, excepts on Sat where there is in NDP rehearsals!

But somehow, I "tan tio" (ie, got an advantage over this situation) frm this, becos' I was suppose to be P1 yesterday (which I cannot come home!).. so by doing full 24 hrs duty yesterday, I can get the enxt day (which is today) off becos' this is the policy.. so yupz.. got my 2 other friends who was on P1 yesterday but NOT involved in SAF Day Parade.. so did not mount yesterday, but they stay in (something like for nothing lah!)

However, I slept very little yesterday (probably its the first time I've slept so little!!.. For the whole 24 hr duty, I slept only for 3 hrs out of 24hrs! My last duty for the day, I started it since 3am this morning and did not sleep a wink till I'm in the bus when coming back (time is abt 11.30am)! I cld not take it anymore! Was knocked off in the bus.. then came back and ate lunch and then took a 3hr nap.. was shiok but not enuf.. I think I can sleep the whole day sia.. but cannot.. tonite need to sleep!

So I'm bking in tml at 8am.. Oh.. yippie!! Tonite can watch my favourite drama serials on Channel 8!! The 9pm show on Channel 8 (ie, "Zero To Hero") is getting more and more interesting each day! yeh! =)

I think tat shld be all I want to update!! Its always like tat.. once I start blogging, I dun koe wat to write.. but when I'm not blogging, I thought of wat to write.. haiz.. getting old.. think my STM (Short Term Memory) is getting worst! =(

gtg liaoz and eat my dinner.. my mum cook curry chicken.. Yummy! Am I making you hungry already?? ha..

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

Shalala..

Well.. judging frm the title, u can tell tat I'm happy, and u koe y?? Make a guess?? Give up?? Well.. this is becos' I went shopping and I finally bought a black t-shirt frm Giordano which I always wanted! Well.. I got sum t-shirts frm Giordano too!! 3 pcs for $20.. but becos' I Giordano member, therefore, I only pay $19.. good deal huh?? =)

You may wonder what size I'm wearing.. and I actually wear M! Believe it or not!! Last time used to wear L or XL.. now, its M.. my goodness! However, I wld think I have gained weight.. judging frm the current lifestyle I'm having now! haiz.. =(

Yupz.. wore my new Levi's (ie, 505) today and felt quite comfortable actually, but the material of the denim was a quite hard.. maybe after a few washes with Softlan, it wld soften.. I hope!

Went to beach road in the afternoon to get stuff for my NDP and SAF Day Parade.. came home frm Suntec at abt 9pm and I started polishing my boots till like 10pm.. tats how long to make the shoe shiny.. actually I dun think its shiny enuf.. but I dun care lah.. I think it shld be all right!

Well.. nothing much to say today.. except tat I'm tired and need to sleep soon, becos' bking in tml.. oh.. forgot to mention tat tml will be P1.. so wont be blogging becos' I will be in camp! haiz..

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

Preparation for NDP 2005 GOH (Part XI)

This is also as shiong.. but of course, less siong than SAF Day Parade.. and today was a sizing exercise.. and guess where I stand.. I'm at the back row (last men) BUT my postion was dangerous, becos' if the camera faces the flag party (which they sure take one), then the camera men wld move to me and take.. Then tat time, I even more stressed! sure one!
Moreover, when doing the March past, I'm the outermost position of the contingent.. Its stressful loh! becos' the whole contingent have to follow my matching speed and when march past the President, i become the right marker and the whole contingent's dressing wld depend on me!
U say whether I stress or not?

Did 1 full sequence run (complete with music sang by choir and all).. and the most its only 30mins.. whereas SAF Day Parade needs abt an hour then we fall out of the parade square.

Well.. today, we were issued with 2 GOH T-shirts for rehearsal purposes! man.. not bad actually.. I like the back part of the shirt though! When I'm free, I will take photo and show u all!

*Yawn!* Gonna sleep liaoz!

Ciaoz n have a GREAT weekend ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

Preparation for SAF Day Parade 2005 (Part III)

Did 2 full sequence rehearsals and 1 shorter version of the sequence.. but both was eaually siong.. esp. when u are standing like for abt an hour under the hot sun and executing the various commands given by the Parade Commander..

It was very tiring (its NOT becos' of the shackness of the stationery drills but its executing it under such hot weather).. but of course, the drills include the full music played by the SAF Band!

And speaking of which, I saw one of my BMT Company mate in the SAF Band.. he was playing the flute.. do not koe him personally as I was not in his platoon, but then, I how I get to koe him was becos' a grp of us got together and perform for the whole of BMTC School 2's CO's Nite! The audience is close to a thousand.. but we were very amazed at his achievements.. he played the music interlude part of the song, "I Will Survive" originally sang by Cake.. And u may wonder why he can play so well.. this is becos he got a Diploma in Flute! dun koe where he learnt it frm.. but I last heard tat tat the Dip. in Flute was his only qualification.. so yupz.. guess he wants to be a flute player for life..

Anyway, my position was the front 3rd man.. and as usual, standing in the front row has its pros and cons..
The PROS are tat you can sumwhat be the center of attraction and you can get to see the President of Singapore, Mr S.R. Nathan, face to face as he goes ard and do the GOH inspection.
However, the CONS are tat since u are the center of attraction, your movement of the drills is suppose to be sharp and precise and NOT do any mistakes! Moreover, becos if you have stage fright or sumthing (becos u will see many ppl coming for the parade), you wld get stressed up and u wld end up doing/executing the wrong drill!

So its not easy right??

With being Thurs (9/6) being a full dress rehearsal, which means more things need to be done, (eg: uniform to be iron properly and according the instructions given by the person-in-charge, boots to be tat shiny tat u can see ur teeth!)
Haiz.. so this means I have to go down to Beach Road tml and buy stuff, as well as also get some of my things (like polishing my shoe tml) done, so tat on the actual day, I dun need to "kelang kabok" (which means recklessly and forgetfulness as a result of being too anxious abt a certain thing)..
Haiz... looks like half of my only day of weekend off this wk is burned liaoz.. but tml I'm still going out and shop a bit! whahaha.. Yippie!
The GREAT SINGAPORE SALE (GSS) is finally here! Shoppers, be prepared to part with ur money! wahaha..

*cont in next post*

Tired....

Hi.. before I continue, I must first say tat this blogpost is gonna be quite short, becos' I'm getting sleepy.. so if you see sumthing which you dun understand, then you koe its me really falling asleep! so yupz.. this is to caution you, juz in case!

After 2 consecutive days of rehearsals (both SAF Day & NDP), its really taking the toll of me! I'm getting more and more tired after each day, but thank God for sustaining me as I did not get sick or fainted halfway in the parades..

So the following 2 posts are some of the things tat happened during the various drills/rehearsals.. so yupz..

Argghhh...

Well.. this blogpost is not exactly to vent my anger.. its juz tat I'm feeling a bit unfair.. becos' 2 of my friends got to go on leave for a day with the permission of my officer of course, all becos' they went for a parade! haiz..

Then one of my cab kakis got a MC.. at this time after he went home.. I wonder whether he bought the MC frm a doctor.. hmm.. *scratches head*

so tat leaves me myself to bk in tonite before 2230 becos' tml got SAF Day Parade rehearsal @ SAFTI MI.

Oh.. I've bought a bag today @ camp.. for me to put my rehearsal stuff into it.. so happy.. I'll be hands-free!! ha..

gtg and do other stuff b4 I start bathing..

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< abriel >>>

Preparation for NDP 2005 GOH (Part X)

Well.. this is a short one.. becos' its late at nite and I must sleep.. or else afterwards can't wake up.. I bking in before 0800 later.. so muz sleep soon!

Before I do anything, I wld like to thank Andrew, my best pal frm my church, OCC, who actually help me with the basic layout of this blog! I did sum fine tuning.. he juz volunteered to help me to do the layout.. I koe how to do lah.. but he do faster.. dun koe y.. so anyway, I let him do loh! So ya.. Thanx Andrew once again!

Believe it or not, I spend close to 2hrs juz to fine-tune this blog.. the htmls are sumtimes getting on my nerves.. so I decide to put away a few functions.. but I guess this is good enuf??
Dun koe wat make me want to change skin!

Anyway, this skin not bad rite?? Give u a tropical feel!! Unlike my old one which is the "or-lu-lu" (means pitch black) one.. ha.. Give me ur commends in my Shoutbox? Appreciate it lots!

So I shall get on with the blog! Today's rehearsal surprisingly the uniform grps frm the sec sch came.. but then, thank God for the heavy downpour in the afternoon, to cool off the hot weather in the day, as well as to give us time to rest, becos' we spend like an hour before the main rehearsal with the sec sch uniform grps, doing and refining our drills.. tiring sia! but nevertheless, we still manage to finish it without over-straining myself.. need to conserve some energy for SAF GOH & Combined NDP rehearsals on fri and sat respectively.. xiong sia!

Today also went to collect my tailor-made Number 1 uniform.. need to wear it soon liaoz.. I tell u.. its really hot! man.. how am I going to survive in the suit for the various occasions?? arghh..

Oh.. did I tell u tat I'm going to be promoted to LCP (Lance Corporal) soon, probably before NDP?? Yippie!! All becos' I pass my IPPT! Thank You Lord! =)
My Corporal rank wld probably come before the end of this yr.. so ya.. Corporal rank is based on performance one.. =)

k lah.. think I'm talking too much crap! Cya tonite on cyberspace..

Bking in tonite @ 2230.. so need to leave early tonite.. but of course, will blog a bit!

In the meantime, dun forget to comment! Thanx! =)

Ciaoz n have a GREAT week ahead,
<<< abriel >>>