NDP 2005 Preview

Fireworks
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Hi.. anyway, the NDP 05 Preview today was spectacular.. at least for me! Again, was sianz thru'out the whole day, but when it come to the actual parade, I was suddenly so on sia!

And thank you for all your prayers! We finally was ON THE SPOT when the GOH commander commands us to halt.. when we practice in the afternoon for 3 times, none of which was successful!! Man.. I felt so happy sia!

Then when we did the Feu-Di-Joir (Fires of Joy), the crowd clapped and cheered us after the whole sequence of Feu-De-Joir ended!! Man.. tat time u feel really high sia!!.. so happy sia!

Man.. can't wait for the real thing to happen on 9 Aug 2005! Wohoho..

Happy like a bird,
<<< abriel >>>

Relac One Corner (Part 2)

Well.. today on leave at home.. lazy to go out lah.. dun koe y leh.. but then, in the morning went to do some errands.. my sgt called me and ask whether I going to beach road to buy gloves for them.. i told him no, becos' not on the way.. so ya.. but I put it nicely said lah.. saying tat if he wants me to, i have no choice loh.. but thank goodness he said dun need..

anyway, went to cut my hair today.. quite cheap.. $8.. wanted to go to the malay barber but fri they close.. so tats y i decide to visit a chinese one and I muz say tat he do quite a good job!.. maybe will frequent there more often!

then went to buy some stain remover for my No. 1 jacket to be used in tml's NDP.. I ask my friend to ask the sgt to check for me, so tonite I dun need to worry abt whether my jacket can or not.. and he msg me and said tat mine was OK! Yippie!!

hmm.. dun koe wat else to do at home.. shld I go out or not?? I'm in a dilemma.. argghh.. I hate making such decisions!

ok lah.. gtg and watch TV liaoz since there is nothing for me to do on computer.. bking in tonite at 2359 and tml is the NDP 05 Preview.. so tat means I get to wear contacts again!! Wish me all the best in tml's show!!

Contacts all the way! Yeah!!,
<<< abriel >>>

HaiZ *sigh*..

Haiz.. is the only word I can describe my feelings today, because even though I on leave tml (and the original plan was to go out with Marcus tml), last minute, my pal, Marcus told me tat his leave has been cancelled, due to a squadron run tml.. haiz.. tat means I got to stay at home tml for the whole day.. no kakki to go out.. haiz.. *sigh*.. haiz... haiz... ='(

Anyway, today at camp was all right lah.. just another ordinary day loh..

I did P1 yesterday so didn't bk out.. but I so called "earn" loh.. becos I get to watch "Project Superstar" Male Semi-Finals yesterday.. it was ok actually.. but I've one contestant whom I support.. and tat is "Hong Junyang".. he's good sia.. anyway, u watch then u koe lah..
Believe it or not.. I bought this wk's "i-weekly" magazine for the purpose of finding out more info for the "Project Superstar" semi-finalists!
Oh.. Also bought this wk's 8-days at the 7-11 store opposite my house.. I got a FREE bottle of a 1000mg Vit C Lemon Drnk (by Pokka Company) when I buy 1 copy of 8-days.. not too sure whether is this a 7-11 promotion or an 8 days promotion?? If you very "gian" to try the drink, go and try ur luck at the 7-11 stores and see whether they give u or not loh! =)

Today's lunch at camp was "powerful"! Its Nasi Lemak! Well.. you may think its nothing special, but then, its true! Only on Thursdays, then we get nice food to eat for lunch.. if its not western food, then its some other nice foods.. however, there are of course exceptions on thurs lah whereby the food sux.. but seldom lah! Anyway, for the nasi lemak, the side dishes are:

(a) 2 pcs of fried artificial scallops
(b) 1 pc fried chicken wing
(c) 1 serving of lemak (which is actually lontong ingredients without the rice.. I like the lemak the best! POWER man)
(d) 1 serving of sambal fried ikan bilis and peanuts
(e) and of course, 1 serving of fragrant coconut rice (aka nasi lemak rice)

Lunch power rite?? see.. I told ya!

Today was our NDP rehearsal at Nee Soon Camp.. we did quite a lot of marching today and finally got it rite.. its like our air force contingent always march correctly but the halting by the Guard Of Honour (GOH) commander, we are always 2 steps forward.. and worse still.. we are the only contingent! so its like abt like 10 times of marching in and out (close to 2 hrs), then we got it rite.. hope it remains right even when we are on Padang! *prays hard*

Well.. have received some emails frm my last yr's mission trip mates.. 1 of them got her mother recently been saved! Praise the Lord!
Another after joining one yr STINT with ForeRunner, she is now a full time staff with ForeRunner..
Another one is now actually joining as a STINTer (ie, give the Lord a year of your life to work full time) in ForeRunner (a music ministry of Singapore Campus Crusade for Christ).. Tat idea really cross my mind (rite after my mission trip last yr) once I finish my NS.. However, I'm now like admiring the person who actually does this.. she actually went on ahead with this, no doubt she is a Life Science NUS graduate student.. she and her elder sis is in this.. her elder sis is currently a full-time staff..
Anyway, I have not thought abt this issue (of being a STINTer and eventually be a full-time staff in ForeRunner) for abt a yr.. and now, it all comes back to me again.. I have mixed feelings as to whether to join STINT with ForeRunner.. the following are the qns tat I asked myself:

(a) Is this a one-time thing where I get excited for a while and will give up after a certain period of time?

(b) The all important qn: Do I really have the passion for the lost??

(c) Is my family able to cope with the finances I bring in?

(d) Do I have the faith tat God will really provide for me (as in the finances)?

(e) Did God gave me a vision or something which tells me to go STINT?

Well.. I koe tat this is a bit too early for me to think.. but I've got to plan for my future.. becos when on 19 Aug 2005, I've got exactly 14 mths to ORD! and tat is like in a twinkle of your eye, 14 mths wld guess be gone in a snap of your fingers!

Well.. if you can, juz pray for me for this issue ya?? Thanx!!

ok lah.. I've gtg and do other stuff.. think will stay up late tonite.. 11.30pm, I want to watch the "Project Superstar" results on Channel U!.. Tml on leave, so can sleep in! Yeh!!

Tml dun koe wat to do.. maybe go out alone or go for a swim?? see how lahz!! but tml nite need to bk in for sat's NDP Preview.. =(

Still planning for tml's agenda,
<<< abriel >>>

Relac one corner!

Well.. this is a typical phrase said by some malays during my time (oops! I think I made it sound so old!!).. but really , today I really relac one corner becos' today I on leave mah!

Wanted to go swimming.. but its raining outside.. so no pt going.. either the water is cold or u have to get out of the pool sooner than you think (becos' they are afraid you get strike by lightning!)..

I think I will juz take a walk around the neighbourhood later.. have not done so for a long time.. want to visit the new shops ard my neighbourhood.. esp. the new 7-11 store which juz opened opposite my house! I'm so excited! Yes.. u may think I may have nothing better to do.. but then, its juz a thing I muz do lah.. weird hobby rite?? Anyway, see how first lah.. see whether I lazy or not and stuff!

Been on the computer since this morning after doing such washing my clothes.. some stain on my uniform.. so have to scrub off!

So this morning, I went surfing the net, and checking emails and stuff.. then finally found tat there is sumthing wrong with my blog music.. therefore I ask my kor (ie, derek) abt it and he helped me retify it.. so tat explains why a console appears out of nowhere.. its practically to control the music on my blog! So once again, I wanna thank Kor for the job well-done!! =)

then surf summore and now on my blogpost loh.. think not gonna on my com tonite, becos' been using it too long liaoz.. mum gonna complain if I use too long.. so yupz..

ok lah.. gtg and do more surfing.. =) oh.. tml morning bking in and tml I P1.. so no updates tml! =)

Gonna to be blog-mad,
<<< abriel >>>

Boring..

Well.. today went to camp with a heavy feeling.. feel so sianz becos' cannot take leave.. wat is the world coming into?

Anyway, today in camp do nothing much.. except I want to complain.. today the P1 grp dun really do the individual sai kang (fatigue work).. its all the grp tat has a half-day off and also my grp who is on stand-by.. its simply not fair loh.. arghh..
speaking of complain, today on Class 95, the Morning Express with Gleen & the Flying Dutchman, they actually said tat someone wrote in the Forum pages of the Today's newspaper, to complain abt the circular disc shape of the season parking ticket.. the person suggested square shape but with round edges.. my goodness.. Singaporeans really koe how to complain!

Then slept a while, b4 I had to go and wash toilet! YES! Wash toilet! *gulp*.. so dirty.. my sgt check and he said ok.. so not so bad lah.. dun koe whether my RSM checking the toilet tml..

Anyway, my officer approved my leave on tml and Fri (29/7).. going out with my best pal, Marcus, on Fri (29/7).. yeh!! so happy.. get to meet him again!! he's such a great accompany to be with, becos u koe y?? Both of us share the same interest.. so very easy to click.. can't wait for Friday!

ok lah.. gtg liaoz.. may sleep late tonite becos tml I on leave (tml no rehearsal summore!!).. see whether tml have time.. if have, may find some time and go swimming! see how lah..

Happy becos' on leave tml,
<<< abriel >>>

Yummy!

Xiao Long Bao @ Din Tai Fung Restaurant
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Before I start to blog, I'm sure tat you wld have found out tat I have change my blogskin.. to a more vibrant and Christian-themed.. I'm sure you like it as well as its a refreshing change rite?? You can navigate my site to see where my stuffs are placed ya.. so you can save the trouble of checking it next time?? =)

Well.. today went out with family and I actually wore a Topman top (bought last week) and my contact lens (which I put on like 2-3 mins in the afternoon with NO stress.. juz pop in and its in!! I take longer time in camp.. dun koe y..)..

Ate dinner @ Paragon's "Din Tai Fung" restaurant, where they are famous for their Xiao Long Bao.. its not bad, becos' got black vinegar and sliced ginger.. think I ate like 2 plates of the ginger.. I eat it like appetiser sia! The xiao long bao was not too bad.. juicy and succulent with moisture at the inner part of the xiao long pao, so when u eat it, the moisture/gravy frm the minced meat inside the xiao long bao, wld juz like spirt out of your mouth.. yummy!!.. but the disadvantage is tat too many wld make u feel very jalat (which means sick of eating lah!).. but overall, it is good! So you shld try it ya?? =)

Today went to shop almost the whole Orchard but didn't buy anything.. but during the process itself (esp. in Paragon), I've met 2 of my camp mates; they are Benjamin Poon & John Lum.. both are at different places.. John called me when I entered the shop tat he was in too.. but he was dining with his church friends I suppose, so didnt want to disturb him.. so yupz.. Later we proceed to Paragon Metro where my mum saw and chatted with her old colleagues.. stayed there for abt an hour b4 we went to Din Tai Fung for dinner loh!

so yupz.. tats practically my day.. need to go and sleep liaoz becos tml got to go back to camp.. haiz.. but tues and fri I on leave.. Friday may go out with Marcus! yeh!! =)

Sleepy mode on,
<<< abriel >>>

Arghhh..

well.. my officer for the first time uses e *ahem* 4-letter word on me all becos' of my SMS requesting for leave (think the way I phrase it was not right.. but how u can blame me?? I've got a D7 for my English 'O' Levels!!)

well.. dun wish to brood on it further.. but I was really pissed off by his reply.. so the verdict now is tat Mon I can't take leave (becos' too many ppl on off on mon liaoz).. so only Tues..

Decide to take on Friday too, becos going out with Marcus.. think taking on Friday is no problem lahz..

Arghhh.. better stop mentioning tat issue.. Thinking of it further will juz make my blood boil..

Anyway, today was the Final Show we had in Padang before the Preview Show next wk (30/7).. It was quite fun and wld I say encouragaing to see tat there are more adults than students (who probably get bored with the Parade segment, and therefore they kept going to toilet during our Parade segment..).. anyway, for our segment, I dun see ppl going to the toilets during the Parade segment.. they juz sat there and watch.. The whole day, I was feeling a bit sianz (even during the rehearsals.. I was sianz too! there is NO excitement).. but sumhow when the actual show starts and we get ready to march in, I felt suddenly so high and proud.. but once in Padang itself, my mood drops again! Then there came the Feu De Joir.. once the first round of Feu De Joir has been fired, you can hear ppl are clapping and cheering.. but once the 2nd and 3rd we fire, the cheering and clapping stopped.. but tat was ok! At least got sum encourgament frm the crowd.. another high pt for me was the march past.. but then, there were some cock-ups.. haiz.. =(.. but overall, it was ok lah..

got back home and then do all these blogging stuff and all..

*yawnz* tired liaoz.. need to sleep.. tml going out with Family.. yeh! =)

Going to dreamland,
<<< abriel >>>

Eyes could hardly open!

Yesterday was really a very tiring day.. the event started like 8pm at nite, but then to setup all the things and stuff, we set off frm camp like 7.30am in the morning! and when we reach there, sometimes we do stuff and sometimes we are not! so when we are not, we are juz resting.. but then, its like the whole day, we've been waiting and waiting and waiting.. i think dun koe got abt 5-6 hrs!! So when u really got nothing to do, the next best thing is SLEEP.. but then the more u sleep, the more u feel even more tired! but wat to do?? Army's lingo is "rush to wait, and wait to rush!"

Then the real event came and we were like in a slight mad rush.. the main officer is getting angry becos he's stressed tat we wld NOT do our job well and stuff.. but then, its normal lah!! if he doesn't show his anger when he is stressed, then I wld say he is not human.. but sumtimes when he scolds, he really juz scold.. dun care who u are and where is ur location.. so tat cld be scary at times..*eeks*..

Then it was my duty.. I was originally posted to look out for the VIP cars and tell the rest of my teammates via the pyset (which even though seems a small role, but its very impt! one wrong info and tats it.. my buttocks wld be "bitten" by a lot of ppl.. ya koe wat I mean??)

But last minute, my duty change becos lack of manpower and miscommunication of requirement of manpower frm the CISCO officers there.. so yupz.. in the end, I was assigned a role to look out for all the cars tat are coming for the dinner and then to stop the pedestrian traffic for the cars to drive into Istana for the vehicular check.. so its like me wearing the RP3 attire (for those of you who dun koe wat is the RP3 attire, I call tell you tat it looks very 'cock'.. as if the RP3 clothing is not cock enuf, they give us a 'construction-worker like' helmet to wear.. see how cock I am?? For those of you who are in the army, u can probably visualize wat I look like.. its simply the MP uniform but mine is the air force version.. ie, the shirt and pants and white and blue respectively.. complete with the big and thick white belt and the white helmet!.. yucks rite?)
But probably the only consolation I have is tat I wore contacts yesterday for 2 reasons:
(a) I'm standing at the Main Gate where there are a lot of tourists and gals and stuff passing by.. moreover, I've been pushed to be at the front where I interact with pedestrians.. so ya.. I want to look good mah.. so thank God I wore contacts yesterday!
(b) Becos' of the RP helmet (tat I muz wear), its very troublesome to have to wear specs and stuff.. so ya.. wearing contacts is much easier!

Anyway, lets juz say I've make a fool out of myself in Orchard Road wearing tat uniform.. haiz.. well.. life's juz like tat.. isn't it? However, I've got consolation.. and tat is the officer (2LT Ivan) who is in charge of us at the Main Gate is super good.. he gave us welfares lah.. and he talks to us nicely.. the best thing is tat he remains calm during panic situations lah! A capable guy indeed! Frankly speaking, I dun mind to be in his shift when I goes back to shift system.. hmm.. =)

But the worse thing tat can happen to the Main Gate team is tat we are the sai kang party.. the rest gets to sit air con bus, while we sat the 5-ton tunnel (both thru and fro somemore..) not fair!!

So reached home at camp like close to 12 midnight! was super tired and once I pack everything and stuff, it was 12.34am.. my eyes cld hardly open (becos' I tired lah! and also my eyes are aching frm the dryness of the contacts in my eyes)..

Then woke up like 7am this morning.. still a bit giddy.. but definately tired! so ya.. but thank God tat my OC give us half day off to compensate yesterday for the late nites we've spent in Istana.. so by 12 noon, I bk out frm camp!! and bking in tonite at 2359.. os not so bad..

Wanted to spend time in com to change my blog background but then, it loaded quite long.. so there4 decide to juz remain the same lah.. dun koe how come the loading is so long.. but the skins were really nice! haiz..

ok.. gtg liaoz n watch TV.. tonite got cell, b4 I proceed to AMK to meet my friend to bk in later by cab.. so yupz..

Wearing contacts is now like part of my life,
<<< abriel >>>

Have you been to "The Istana"?

The Istana - Official Residence Of The President Of Singapore
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Well.. yupz.. juz for today & tml, I'll be in the Istana doing traffic marshalling and some other stuff for the SAF Senior Officers Dinner 2005, which is happening tml..

So in the afternoon, I went to Istana for some rehearsal and orientation of the ground at Istana..

I muz say the Istana is somewat like Botanic Gardens.. its super beautiful and clean.. you can't find a single rubbish on the floor/ground in Istana.. the most is you find is fallen leaves.. man.. those cleaners in Istana really do a good job sia!

ok lah.. tml can't come home, becos by the time I come back frm Istana tml nite, think it wld be close to midnight! so yupz..

now, I have an occasional splitting headache! been hving it since yesterday nite.. see whether I can tahan it.. ouch!

recovering frm a splitting headache (I hope),
<<< abriel >>>

Sleep.. zzzz

Well.. today is gonna be a short post.. I promise..

Anyway, slept at abt 1am this morning, after I've done errands using my computer and internet and stuff.. Then woke up at 5.30am to go to camp.. I tell u.. I was super tired in the bus whilst going to camp.. Try to keep myself awake, by reading this morning's edition of the Straits Times..

But once the bus starts to reach camp, my head starts to hurt a bit.. then when at camp, after went to canteen for breakfast, I went back to bunk and sleep.. Tat time was abt 9am.. I slept till abt 12 noon.. I thought I cld not sleep.. however, after tossing and turning for abt 15 mins, I slept again.. and I slept till abt 2pm..

At abt 2+pm, I woke up and got down frm the top deck of the double decker bed (which I was sleeping on becos' tats my bed!).. and at once, I felt my whole body like jelly! It was so soft!! Then as I started to walk a bit, I felt better..

At nite, came home and had quite a nice dinner.. but then, I cld not really enjoy it and thus, lost my appetite.. becos an ulcer has grown in my mouth and its grown on the gum and its underside my 2 front teeth.. I've used tat part a lot whilst eating.. so naturally, I wld feel painful when eating.. so I took 45 mins to eat my dinner, rather than my usually 15 mins dinner.. haiz.. even morning breakfast is also a torture..

Well.. got to bk in before 2230 tonite at camp, becos' tml have NDP rehearsal at Nee Soon.. I asked one of the main sgt who is in charge of Air Force GOH, and he also said tat thurs (21/7) also got rehearsal.. but then, my base ppl cld not attend.. becos we have to do marshalling at Istana for some SAF dinner.. so the next time we go again, wld be at Padang this sat (23/7).. haiz.. still muz wear actual no. 1 despite its juz a practice.. =(

ok lah.. gtg liaoz..

Mouth still aching,
<<< abriel >>>

Shopping.. weee...

Today is probably one of the happiest day that I had after such a long time.. and u koe why?? Becos' I went shopping!! Man.. I'm really a shopaholic.. never shop for such a great time liaoz..

Well.. bought 3 items today.. here it is:

(a) A Giordano casual belt

(b) An Adidas Red Polo T-shirt (looks good on me sia! I koe I'm thick-skin, but wat can I do??.. I took a medium size instead of a small size.. I'm able to wear a small size, but then it juz fitted.. so juz to play safe and to ensure tat I still can wear in future IF I put on weight [which I dun wish to!]..)

(c) Topman T-shirts (1 crew-neck & 1 V-neck).. bought 2 @ 20% discount.. quite a good buy!

Wanted to buy Lin Junjie's latest album.. but then, I think not necessary, becos' I have most of the songs in my com liaoz.. so didn't buy!

Now at home posting this blogpost and do other errands stuff!!

Oh regarding abt yesterday's NDP NE Show 2, it was ok.. except tat I felt very lethargic the whole day.. even till the show itself! *gulpz*.. but I somehow recovered and felt a sense of pride when I do the march past and my face got caught on camera appears on the screens of Padang.. After I've passed the cameras, I'm back to my lethargic self again.. whilst doing the 1.5km march! Yesterday's lunch and dinner was KFC.. you may think its good stuff.. but then, eating almost the same thing twice doesn't really whipped up your appetite! In fact, it make things worse! But juz eat lah! nothing else to eat wat!!

ok lah.. gtg liaoz n hurry to go other stuff! Its getting quite late liaoz..

Still 'high' on the shopping spree,
<<< abriel >>>

Countdown To NDP NE Show 2..

Its 2 days to the next NE Show @ Padang on Saturday (16/7).. Yippie!! Its contacts on me again! Yeh!! It gives me real excitement everytime I wear contacts! ha..

Anyway, today went for the rehersal at Nee Soon Camp.. it all started us watching ourselves on video (which was taken by MediaCorp as wat they said lah.. dun koe how true).. but not full lah.. its juz taken bits and parts of it, as we were rushing for time!

Today's rehearsal ended early.. by 11pm, we were done.. so went back to base.. but then kena called down to do duty, without even letting us rest.. juz eat lunch and go.. sway sia! haiz.. but anyway, we bk out like 5+pm..

dun complain lah hor.. becos the P1 in camp have to do duty the whole nite.. they sure are even more sway than me!

but wats best is tml 0745 bk in.. but then, tml I P1.. haiz.. =(.. so no coming back for me tml at nite!

So my next update maybe the wkends.. so u all enjoy ur wkends too ya?? its precious!!

Excited once again abt contacts (& NDP 2005 NE Show 2),
<<< abriel >>>

Fustrated!!

"Arghh" is the word to describe the feeling tat I have now, as I'm writing this post.. Anyway, read below to read more..

Today at camp practically quite slack!

Practically slept the whole day in bunk.. excpect tat during the middle of the day, the kao-pei sgt called us all to fall in.. At first, it was only those tat did not draw their peak caps.. but then, this sgt called everyone to go down.. They told us tat my rank for my No. 1 is also here.. so I went..

But then you koe wat? When we went there, the person told us tat the ranks are not here.. so practically, I went down for NOTHING! but instead, I've got 4 kiwi shoe polish for my use at home.. u may think why buy so many?? siao rite?? u are wrong! its actually cheaper.. Its juz $0.56/tin compared to the supermarkets where they sell $2.74/tin.. so ya.. being kiasu.. I juz buy lohz!!

Then went to sleep.. but then my staff sgt wanted to conduct a stand-by area.. so we made neat our bunks and stuff for his inspection.. suddenly, another kao-pei sgt came over and told us tat we muz wear smart 4 for inspection..
I got curious, so I went over and ask him to explain the rationale of wearing smart 4 for inspection..
And the answer he gave me (in a very stuck-up tone, as if he is pulling his 2SG rank), made me feel like punching him.. i was boiling when I heard the reply.. he told me, "why you ask? Who said stand-by area in vest and slack?? I like you all to wear smart 4, you all wear lah.."
Imagine how I felt at tat time.. I then answered him (in a very pissed off tone!), " ok.. u win liaoz loh.. nothing to say.."

5 minutes later, he came over and told us to wear vest and slack while get ready ur Smart 4 uniform.. juz in case.. At least I felt better..

Then when I was in the bus alone while coming home, I was thinking whether wat I did was right.. I've got mixed feelings, becos I may get aimed next time.. but then on the other hand, I also may have show my sgts tat I'm not one to be bullied/pushed ard.. I ask rationales to do so.. so I think I'm still right.. dun u think so?? maybe u can put a view on my Shoutbox? Thanx!

now, surfing thru the net.. and going back 0745 tml.. yeh!!

Getting more daring and more out-spoken,
<<< abriel >>>

Busy.. busy.. busy..

Participants of A SWATCH Outing
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Hey ppl.. Its been like 3 days since I've blogged! Its busy, busy, busy... Let me give u a brief update of wat happen the past 3 days.. so sit tight.. and here goes..

Saturday (09 July 2005):

Its the day of NDP NE SHOW 1.. I dun koe I'm excited or wat.. but I actually woke up like 3am in the morning.. but see the time, still so early.. so I went back to sleep, before waking up at 6am.. seeing the time is still so early, I slept till 6.45am and this time, I really cld not sleep liaoz.. I think I slept too much on Friday (8/7/05) liaoz.. So I went to the toilet and brush my teeth and stuff.. And then, its putting on contact lens time! The first time is always very kelang kaboh (which means very scattered minded in doing things).. I actually spend.. *gulp* 45 minutes juz to put a contact lens on! Darn long sia!! I put until I perspire!

Then its time at the Padang.. Its quite torturing in a sense tat I can't sleep.. becos' if I sleep, there is a possibility tat my contact lens wld dry up and thereby cannot take it out of my eyes.. so yupz..

Of course, it takes time to get used to it.. becos' the things which u do with ur specs (eg: fogging of specs after getting down frm an air-con bus) will no longer exist once u put on contacts! but I get used to it lah.. Cleaning sweat off my face was a breeze, compared to wearing specs! So yupz!! Another advantage of wearing specs!

Of course in the morning, one of the sgts again kao-pei.. dun koe why he so hot-tempered.. early in the morning, he juz show his temper for something which is so minute.. haiz.. then the time came where it was time for him to march for the rehearsals.. but then, unfortunately, he was not in the main team becos' of his height.. so he whole day remained sian! I can understand.. so probably tats why he showed his temper in the morning!
He told us to shine our boots but then, the warrant officers say brush shine can liaoz.. dun need to shine.. even other bases' sgts juz brush shine.. but then, why our base so special must shine?? these sgts are getting a bit dumb I muz say.. my blood is starting to boil.. so I better stop harping on this issue..

Then the time came where it was time for us to perform for the NE Show.. When first went in, the impression I get was NOISY! They sound like thousands of birds chirping in the evening on the trees.. no one even bother to clap for our execution of our drills and stuff correctly.. man.. wat a disappointment..

Thank goodness the bus arrived early.. so by 9pm, able to bk out.. Had a cab issue with my friends.. but in the end, I shared cab with another person.. they dun see my pt while I dun see theirs.. so ya.. muz why take with another person to avoid all arguments! =).. so by the time I reach home, its 10pm, and juz nice, my parents came back frm church.. so I've got hot, piping fried rice for supper.. =)

Sunday (10 July 2005):

Woke up like 8+am in the morning, and immediately, I woke up and polish my boots.. Once I started polishing, it lasts for abt 2 hrs! So tiring sia! My boots kept happening "mishaps" which made me polish my boots all over again! I got so fed up at one time, until I almost gave up..

Wanted to run other errands, but then no time, becos had to go to Sentosa for A SWATCH outing, and we meet at Mac like 12 noon... but then, its like 11.30pm and my sis and I still not ready.. its almost 12.45pm then we are ready! called wendy (who was the organiser) and told her tat both of us will be late.. shortly after, sarah msg over and said tat my sis and I take a cab and she wld pay for us the cabfare.. i agreed but later think tat so paiseh.. so my sis and I splitted the fare..

We waited for Min & Derek till like 2+pm, then we left for Sentosa..
Whilst waiting, I chatted with Joshua.. one of my best pals frm church (who also attended the outing yesterday).. and knew frm him tat he and another good friend of mine frm church, Xinyi, was involved in NDP as well.. its how small this world can be.. and how NDP can link 3 ppl together frm OCC.. hmm.. wonder whether there is more!
Anyway, thank goodness, Huimin & Samuel's mum is a member.. so the bus and entrance fees is FREE! Saved $3!! Cheapskate?? neh!! I dun think so!

We do quite a lot of stuff in Sentosa.. frm playing cards, to ultimate captain's ball, to swimming to the platform in the open sea to play ball and losers will jump to the sea and pick the ball..
I actually had no intention to swim.. but then, since I got wet by Joshua, therefore juz swim lah.. surprisingly, the water is warm and we first swam.. then soon, other ppl joined us.. so we swam till like 6+pm, then proceeded for dinner @ Marina South, Chin Huat BBQ Seafood.. the prawns are live when u cook it, therefore, its super fresh! When we went there, it was almost 9pm.. therefore, the waitress told us tat we go and see the food left, becos' they are not going to replenish anymore.. but we saw the spread and it was still ok.. so yupz.. when we asked whether got discount, they told us tat its not their fault, becos' we were late.. I was quite pissed off with the management when they told us this, but then, I dun care, and I told myself tat I'm going to make them bankrupt by eating a lot!! wahhaha.. 2 other fellows (derek & joshua) also shared the same sentiments as me. so I think we ate the most.. ha.. 3 growing boys.. with derek being the leader!! ha.. =P

so it was time to go home.. and since it was so late, we decided to take a cab.. 3 of us, sarah, my sis and myself took a cab home with the cab fare being splitted with 3 of us.. so we paid abt $3 per person! We actually wanted to call a cab, but then, I think the place too ulu already.. so no cab.. but thank God, we flagged down a cab soon.. and 15 mins later, we reach home.. quite fast lah.. thank God.. so by 11.30pm, my sis and I reached home loh!

Oh.. I've uploaded abt 120 photos of the A SWATCH Outing yersterday at Palawan Beach, Sentosa.. so click the link, "A SWATCH Outing @ Sentosa Photos!" to view ya?? =)

Oh.. Sarah and me was the photographers for the outing yesterday.. so Sarah actually videoed certain occasions.. and I've uploaded it to my blog, under "Video Gallery".. which is a new feature in my blog.. however, be prepared for the downloading time (if you want to view it!), as it is quite long.. it downloads like 1.86kb/sec and the file is like 3MB.. so it needs abt an hour.. one file is 9mb long.. so it needs longer! But this uploading thing is NOT done by me.. its done by another pal of mine frm church, Andrew! Thanx Andrew.. you're the BEST! =)
Will find an alternative website soon to dl the videos! Its in the works now, but dun koe whether successful.. so how loh!
Meantime, if you want to see the videos desperately, juz drop me a msg on MSN, then I'll sent you?? its faster tat way! =)

Monday (11 July 2005):

Argghhh.. something which I today very buay song!

This morning received an SMS frm my sgt, saying tat tml's NDP rehearsal at Nee Soon is cancelled.. so by right, I shld be going back tml morning.. but then, at camp, there is a possibility tat my shift has to help in the 100% incoming car checks this wk due to the lack of ppl.. dun koe whether its my sgt's idea or the officer's idea.. I wld most think its the sgt's idea.. but anyway, becos' of this, I have to bk in 2359 tonite!!

Was supposed to ask Marcus out today.. becos' I was so lonely today at home.. but tat was b4 I knew tat the rehearsal tml was cancelled.. then this morning, he msg me on MSN saying tat he is on leave.. so he asked me whether want to go out.. I immediately no mood liaoz.. becos another news came to me saying tat my shift have to bk in 2359..

Marcus then started to console me by saying stuff tat are encouraging.. tat helps a little, but I'm still feeling sad and disappointed.. haiz.. but anyway, thanx Marcus! =)

Haiz.. ok lah.. I think I muz start to bk-up impt files! I think some spyware is in my com, and I dun koe how to remove it.. *keeping my fingers cross!*

Sianz,
<<< abriel >>>

Countdown To NDP NE Show 1..

Well.. its juz abt 22 hrs before the start of NDP 2005 NE Show 1.. getting excited becos its like after so many hrs of hard work, before we shall show the students wat we are made off! In fact, I'm more excited abt wearing my contacts! ha.. been waiting for this day to come since the beginning of the week.. and finally, I'm able to wear it like in abt 11 hrs time! Yippie!

I koe you may call me siao or sumthing.. but yupz!

Oh.. this is to a few ppl (decide to post here rather than Shoutbox! becos' I may nag!! ha..):

(a) ravery: thanx 4 calling me VAIN.. but I dun mind.. think I'm more concerned with my looks now, as I'm getting into a mature stage.. and naturally, you wld feel like making urself look good.. its a AGE thing.. haha.. so yupz! =)..

(b) juzme: wow! Thanx 4 ur active participation in my Shoutbox!.. so pls. continue to do so ya?? Regarding ur question in my Shoutbox!, wat I can say its tat its COMFORTABLE, and there is no stress on whether ur specs wld drop halfway or a weight at ur eye level.. its definately recommanded if you are doing a job/event that allows you to sweat like crazy after u've done it.. and I'm no exception.. becos' after the Parade at Padang, we have to march 1 big round of 1.5km frm Padang to the holding area @ Beach Road Camp!.. so definately, I will sweat like crazy and without specs, I dun need to worry abt my specs dropping off..
In the Padang itself, not to mention, tat I may sweat like crazy too.. becos' of the No. 1 uniform we are wearing and as well as the spotlights!
Also, the beauty factor also comes into place.. As mentioned earlier, I think I'm getting vain.. so to look good, wearing contacts really helps!
Hope my long explanation helps and convinces you to buy contacts if you see a need to??

ok.. I've done my part in replying to ppl in Shoutbox!

so regarding today wat I did in camp, its juz another day loh..

Morning when I fall in, my officer suddenly told me tat I'm selected to go for a health talk @ the Officer's Mess at 10am.. its like so sudden.. but anyway, I juz went becos' like got nothing much to do!!
Then, went for breakfast after my attendance is taken.. then went back bunk, touch up on my No.1 uniform and polish my boots.. then at abt 9.45pm, I (with 3 other friends and a sgt) left for Officer's Mess.. When I reached there, I was delighted to see 2 of my good friends (who was posted temporarily to 127 Squadron for being the NDP 2005 Flag Party; these are the ppl who are responsible for the flag flypast by the Chinooks when the National Anthem is sang) who attended the talk too! Had quite a good catch-up session with them lah! =)

Then its end of talk.. and as usual, there is some sandwiches and fruits.. I ate quite a lot of fruits and then its time to go back to bunk.. tat time was abt 11.30am.. so I nothing to do.. so I slept frm 11.30am to 3pm (which I skipped lunch!) and then woke up.. and touch up on my uniform and boots for inspection at 4pm.. but then, as usual.. the sgts a bit keh-zwah (which means got nothing better to do).. call us to do it until its near perfect.. becos everytime we go and let them check, they wld tell us, this and tat part cannot.. so we hv no choice but to continue doing it.. my No.1 uniform after 2 inspections was ok.. but my boots take 3 inspections then the sgt reluctantly say ok becos' it was over 5pm and they also want to go back.. so they reluctantly say ok loh!

Then as I was abt to bk out, I saw a missed call on my handphone.. I thought who called.. but then I saw Paris Maki (PARCO branch) called.. so I returned call.. expecting tat my trial contact lens (which they owed me of 2 pieces) has arrived.. and they told me tat I can go and collect it anytime.. so the first person I asked for when they called me, I immediately called the optimetrist, becos she koes me and she's the one who taught me how to put the contacts on and stuff! so I think I'm making a trip down on Monday again to PARCO to collect the lens!

Yupz.. tat practically summarises my day.. and later before 2359, I need to bk in.. haiz.. dun koe wat my officer was thinking.. tml 9am fall in but tonite 2359 need to bk in.. haiz.. wat to do?? As my sgt always say, "lan lan suck thumb!"

Excited being contact-less in abt 11 hrs time,
<<< abriel >>>

Guys need makeover too!

Focus Dailies Contact Lens
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Well.. I certainly admit tat guys are vain and I'm NO exception too! Somehow, I realise tat looks does matter..

Therefore, after thinking thru for so long, I decide to get contact lenses.. Called up and make enquires and decided tat Paris Maki @ PARCO Bugis Junction (the shop which I've mentioned in my earlier blogposts, which is the shop where I got my 5 trial contact lens) is still the best price.. so I went there.. talk to the optimetrist (the one who taught me how to put the contact lens and stuff when I went for trial testing a few days back) there, and she charged me $50 for 30 pairs of daily disposables of Focus Dailies Brand. This adds up to less than $1 a pair a day!! 1 shop even dared to sell me $70 for the same product! Think I'll boycott tat stall frm now.. Shall not say the stall since its quite sensitive!!

Anyway, I get these contact lenses for a reason; and tat is ONLY for special occasions.. so if you see me with contact lens, its more of a special occasion.. so if u are the organiser who organised the occasion, u shld be very honoured ya?? =)

Anyway, I today after my 2 hr retention at camp, rushed down to PARCO Bugis Junction and got the lenses loh.. The service there at Paris Maki @ PARCO Bugis Junction is super good loh! =).. they even help me put aside loh when I told them tat I wld go their stall later in the evening when I called them in the morning!! See how good their service is!! I'm completely satisfied! Got my dream of hving contact lens fulfilled at last! Yeh!! Call me vain or anything.. I dun care!! ha! =P

Happy like a bird,
<<< abriel >>>

"3,2,1..and.. ACTION !!"

The Air Force
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Well.. judging frm the title, u can more or less guess tat the words of the title, came frm the mouth of a director!!

You are partially right! In fact, I was involved the WHOLE day at camp yesterday for filming an upcoming Air Force commercial, which our part is gonna last abt 10 seconds!! Yes! U've seen correctly! A whole day's work juz for 10 seconds!

There was 2 parts/sessions to it.. I was supposed to be involved in the afternoon session, but then they had enuf ppl to do the commercial, so I was not needed.. so wat did I do?? Juz sit ard and slack loh..
Actually, the filming supposed to start at 12 noon, but then, we've got some rehearsals and by 11.30am, we were waiting for the commercial to film.. so we waited and waited.. and at abt 2+pm, then its our turn to film.. it didn't finish until abt 3pm, for a scene tat juz requires u to juz go run into a helcopter and run out frm the other side.. juz 1 hour job for such a small scene!

Then in the evening, we went to the runway for the 2nd part of the filming.. but of course with waiting again! We were suppose to start at 3.30pm-4pm.. but it didn't start till abt 5+pm.. This time was more challenging.. in a sense tat 4 helicopters (2 Super Pumas and 2 Chinooks) are lined up in a straight line, with the engine on and the rotary blade swinging full in action.. so as we run, I was quite afraid I wld get killed (*choy! touch wood!*) by the blade becos its moving so fast, and I'm so tall.. but then, thank goodness I'm still in one piece, and blogging! =)..
The evening process was even more tiring.. We went up and down the helicopter for close to 20 times and u koe how tiring the process is?? And its like consecutive loh! Moreover, I think my poor ears suffered so much, becos of the rotary blade sounds.. it is so loud (and we do NOT have ear plugs) and becos of the engine is on, therefore when we get up the helicopter, naturally we wld feel the heat.. think the heat ard the entrance of the helicopter was abt 40-50 degrees celcius!! Its so hot loh.. think its the engine or sumthing..

But then u koe wat's worst?? Our faces won't be shown.. only our shadowary figure! haiz..

Then by the time we finish filming, it is abt 7.30pm.. but then, tat nite, 10.30pm muz reach camp, becos this morning (thurs - 7/7) got NDP rehearsal @ Nee Soon Camp! So since its muz come back by 10.30pm, then wats the pt of bking out rite?? So I stayed in loh! haiz..

To be continued..

Still blogging,
<<< abriel >>>

E.X.C.I.T.I.N.G

Hey peepz! I'm back blogging again!! I was busy at camp over the last few days, and of course, I didn't blog, becos' I stay at camp and NEVER come home loh!! Really miss my computer and my bed..

Well.. lots of things happen during the last few days..

(a) Air Force Commercial film shooting
(b) Getting a makeover (ie, wearing contact lens)
(c) P1 activation!

Well.. the next 2 blogposts are talking abt items (a) and (b)..

As for item (c), I'm supposed to bk out today.. Juz as I was abt to wear my civilian clothes and get ready to sit down and watch TV before bking out, suddenly one of my sgts told me tat P1 has been activated becos its something very serious (can't say wat it is, becos' it may be quite confidential)!.. so my whole shift CANNOT bk out until given the green light.. so in the end, we stayed until 7pm before we bk out.. Alamak! Wasted 2 hrs at camp loh! haiz..

read the above 2 blogposts for updates on (a) & (b)..

To be continued...

Blogging,
<<< abriel >>>

Makeover Done!

Contact-less!
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Well.. this shld be a quick one.. see the photo above! Wat do u see?? No specs?? Yupz! U are right! I'm wearing contact lens!

In the afternoon, me and my friend went to my friend's mother optician shop (NOT she open one.. its where she work).. and in the end, I went with a mindset tat if the consultation is free, then I make.. if not, then I dun..

But then, it turn out tat the consultation only costs $20 and I find it reasonably ok.. so I decide to make it loh.. after much discussion, I managed to have 5 daily disposable contact lens since I only use it for once a week! (and when I counted, its juz nice.. becos only those shows, then I wear contacts.. or else, its a no-no for me!.. dun waste!)

But I tell u.. the consultation process is quite long.. as the consultation session teaches u how to put on and take out the contact lens, how to see which is the correct side of contact lens and also check eyesight and other stuff.. Altogether, I think I spend abt 30 mins in the consultation area!

I always hv this problem of putting in and taking out the contact lens in my left eye.. so by the time I'm done, my left eye is super red! but it goes off after a while lah..

As u can see, I'm a super satisfied customer once I step out of the shop.. Oh.. say so much.. forgot to tell u where is the shop! Its at Paris Maki @ Parco Bugis Junction..

I met my friend at Junction 8 before another friend (the one whose mother works in an optician shop!) came to pick us up in his dad's car.. He drove lah.. I muz say he is a safe driver! But then, while we on PIE, the car starts to give a sound.. we first thought tat something stuck at the tyre.. but then we ignored it.. my friend almost wanted to pull at road shoulder and check it out.. but then, fortunately he didn't.. becos' the car broke down once we reached our destination and park the car and off the engine.. once the engine is off, the car can't start, and the petrol is leaking.. so dun koe wat happens.. thank goodness he got his dad.. his dad settles it for him.. so today when he go out, no car loh.. but ya.. really thank God tat we didn't stop!

ok lah.. gtg and bathe and sleep liaoz.. but b4 tat, I've got to throw the contact lens I'm wearing.. so comfortable and convenient without my specs! Yeh!! Long live contact lens! ha..

Admiring my handsome face in the mirror =P,
<<< abriel >>>

Shiok!

Me in my No. 1 uniform!
Originally uploaded by jazzkool.

Hey ppl! I'm back after like 3 days of not blogging.. man! I feel so out of place when I'm not updating u all on my life!

First of all, the above pic is one of the nicest pic I've taken with my digital camera.. *chey!*.. I wearing my No. 1 mah! =).. I look handsome in it right?? ha =).. Anyway, I've uploaded the pics for the SAF Day Parade 2005 into Yahoo! Photos.. go to the column, "Photo Gallery" and look for the link, "SAF Day Parade 2005 Photos!".. u can view more pics there! =)

Next, wat I want to mention tat I'm now down with a fever.. an NDP fever tat is! I'm tat crazy tat I went to NDP webbie first thing I on my com, and see whether is there things to download.. true enuf.. there are.. I alwayz wanted to see the this yr's NDP 2005 Theme Song MTV.. so I downloaded it.. 80mb in less than 10 minutes.. the power of 1500kbps Broadband! ha.. so if you want, u can lent frm me or u go download urself.. very nice!
FYI: This yr's theme song is performed by Taufik & Rui En.. the music u hear in this blog is the theme song which I've downloaded.. along with it, there are lyrics.. so u can sing along with it.. its quite a catchy song.. n when u see the MTV, u feel like dancing to it too.. so if u want to koe the video webbie to download, here it is, "http://www.ndp.org.sg/index.jsp?page=videos.htm"

Now on the SAF Day.. I tell u.. the amt of audience tat were in SAF Day, were tremendous.. think its close to 2000-3000 ppl.. even the President of Singapore, Mr. S.R. Nathan came to grace the occasion.. Of course, I felt so honoured! But becos its so many ppl, therefore I get nervous.. In fact, juz when we are abt to march in and see the crowd, I suddenly felt nervous.. My heart was pumping fast and my hands were shivering! During the parade itself, actually I made 2 mistakes.. 1 of which is quite obvious.. hope the audience didnt notice it! =\
Oh.. Praise God tat I got spare No. 1 uniform.. becos' my uniform actually got a bit of black stains.. which I dun koe the stain came frm.. maybe its mistakenly I hit the shirt at the rack.. so thereby explaining the black stain on the shirt.. quite obvious.. thank goodness my friend saw it, and call me to wear his instead, becos' he reserve and he is not participating in the parade.. Thank goodness the officer say can, or else I dun koe wat to do liaoz! It scared me out of my wits man!
Anyway, as time goes by during the parade itself, it was ok becos' I got used to the crowd..
So by the time we went back camp, it was like 9pm.. no point bking out, becos' 2359 tat nite need to bk in.. so again, I stayed in!

The next day came (Sat-2/7), and it was a combined rehearsal at the Padang once more.. I think the MCs for this yr's parade (the MCs are Adrain Pang, Gurmit Singh, Sharon Au, Kym Ng, Vernetta Lopez & Khairuddin Saharom) came and rehearse, but didn't see them though.. =(.. Anyway, the rehearsals go on juz fine, except tat the weather was scorching hot but as the nite comes, it gets better.. Of course, besides the NDP rehearsals, the 117th International Olympic Committee (IOC) session venue (ie, Raffles City Shopping Centre/Swissotel) is also heavily guarded.. so got quite a lot of sights to see?!? (the Police lah!)
The bus came super early.. first time sia.. hope frm next wk onwards, it comes tat early too! So becos I was P1 for the wkend, therefore I cannot bk out =(

Then on sun (3/7), stayed in bunk the whole day.. wanted to run, but then, my squaron came a 1 wk ban running rule becos' of the numerous casual running fatal incidents tat happened in Tekong last 2 wks!.. so cant run.. so in bunk, slack.. listen to my mp3 and reading my magazines.. watch a bit of TV and at nite, watch the NKF Cancer Charity Show till abt 11pm.. then my friend msg me to go and follow him and make contact lens for national day..
Actually, I've been contemplating whether to wear contact lens.. but then becos no $$, therefore, I didnt go ahead and buy it..

But thank God.. after bk out this morning (becos yesterday P1 mah), I talk to one of my friend, and he said his mother works in an optician shop, therefore, we may be able to get free consultation and free trial contact lens.. Thank God.. so going with him later loh.. =).. So keeping my fingers cross tat the consultation will be free and I will be wearing contacts instead of specs! =)

ok lah.. I think this blogpost is long enuf.. Gonna bathe soon b4 I go out..

Tml then go back to camp for CO's parade.. thought can skip but haiz.. =(..

Signing off to get a new look/makeover soon,
<<< abriel >>>