"To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art." La Rochefoucauld

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Ranting!! Arghh...

Ok.. this post is all abt me ranting.. so read on.. hope I dun use any foul language or any tone which doesnt sound very apt.. eeks..

Today went to bunk, only to koe that when I started to change into my PT (Physical Training) attire and rested on my bed for a while, I easily got 4 mosquito bites.. and you all koe lah.. Mosquito bites can be super irritating! Ever since they start to fog my bunk building and recently, the fogging sessions have slowed down (unlike last time, its 2-3 times a wk!).. and dun koe izzit becos of the hot and humid weather or something, mosquitos are breeding and biting like no one's business! In the nite, its worst! I need to cover with blanket (from top to toe) in order to prevent bites; even during hot days, I have to do this too, or else, you wld see me filled with mosquitoe bites all over my forearm! As my friend said, I'm fighting a battle with the mosquitos in my sleep, and if I got biten, means I lost! Ha.. silly friend of mine! =)

Then afternoon, my GOH shift did fatigue work! We went to this super ulu place in my base to collect the con-wires, which initially is for construction. And tat place is super super hot! We went there at abt 1330 to collect the con-wires.. so can u imagine how hot the place wld be? Moreover, tat place is barren (ie, NO vegetation!).. We are more like Bangla workers rather than NSF FDS personnel! And becos of today's fatigue work, we, the NSF FDS GOH personnels salute the Bangla workers, becos its like everyday in such weather they do their job! You see.. its like we did this shitty thing for only an hour, and we complained! but the Banglas, they have did this for dun koe how many yrs liaox! Banglas, we salute you! =)

Then, at nite after I came home, my friend SMS me to tell me to fall in at 0730 in PT attire tml.. my officer's orders! I was like WTH! Why in the first place muz fall in at 0730? Isn't our offical timing to fall in is 0745/0800? And I was super angry at first, becos no reason is given!
I re-confirm again and again with the SMS source person, and he kept saying yes.. still at 0730..
I then asked him to call back my officer to remind him tat tml afternoon we have drills at Tengnah Air Base.. he said my officer answered tat he knew.. but he still want us to fall in at 0730! At this time when I heard this, I blew my top!
After much clarification and moments later, another SMS came later, telling me tat the reason for the falling in early is becos of the Flight Run tml.. Of course, I was more inquisitive, and got to clarify this with my bro in camp, Sidney.. and he told me a lot abt this Flight Run (which is initiated by my OC).. Thanx bro! =)..
So I no choice.. I have to "suck thumb" and fall in at 0730 tml.. Looks like I have to take cab again tml! I have like taken cab since yesterday for bookouts and have spend $9 on cab fare over the past 2 days! And tats ex lah!

Then once at home, rested a while, and watched my recorded videos for a while, before I on the computer and then started blogging.. and at the same time, MSN chat with a few of my friends..

From one of the dismounting shift members (whom I koe becos he is my ex-shift 1 mate), told me tat the sgt who planned yesterday's duty was super unfeeling! As you all koe, my base now have new sgts who are under OJT (On-The-Job) training and this wk, they have to mount duty juz like us, men (which acutally lessens our duties for the time being when they are being in OJT).. so anyway, this sgt is totally unfeeling lah! He actually planned some of the OJT ppl having 10-12 hrs CONTINUOUS duty (NO rest! Except for lunch and/or dinner).. one person even got only 4 hrs rest out of the 24 hrs! So its like he mounted 20hrs of duty, and this is super shiong lah! This sgt is inhuman loh! Even if its OJT, its not necessary to whack tat hard loh! Maybe for a start, 6 hrs straight still ok.. but 10-12 hrs, tis is simply too much liaox! Even we men dun have such duty before! Anything above 4 hrs, we would start to "make noise", and the sgt wld change it most of the time.

As mentioned above, I called my bro in camp, Sidney, to ask him abt the run and stuff.. and surprisingly, we started chatting on the phone for abt 10 mins! Well.. its certainly an apt time tat I called and talked to him on the phone lah.. becos it helped me to forget the anger of all the events tats happening to me this past week.. and as if its not enuf to chat on the phone, we even chat on MSN! So wat can I say bro? Thank you for chatting with me! =) Our conversation is simply enjoyable =).. hope we cld have more of these kind of conversations ya =)

ok lah.. gtg and sleep liaox.. waking up early tml morning.. muz also have enuf sleep for tml's run.. but anyway, I'm tired liaox, so need to sleep lah..

A grumpy old fellow,
<<< abriel >>>

Monday, February 27, 2006

Drills & more drills..

Today went to Tengnah Air Base (TAB) for drills loh..

In the morning, we slept and rest in bunk, before proceeding to lunch aT Cookhouse.. then, its time to leave for TAB..

When we went there, the weather is so darn hot, till the point tat when u see the ground, heatwaves can be seen! Its tat hot! But we still have to do the drills!

And as usual, becos my RSM is in front and he kept on looking in my direction (becos I was the front row and the 2nd frm the right, and therefore I'm prominent!).. so naturally, I get nervous lah.. but thank God, nothing went wrong!

Then dun koe how come my drill end so early.. at abt 4pm loh.. then the worse thing came.. we waited for 1.5 hrs then the bus came.. stupid bus!.. argh..

Then, went back to bunk.. changed and booked out! Came home in cab (becos my friend was rushing for time, so I do him this favour and share cab with him loh!)..

Came home and ate dinner.. watched a bit of TV and now on the computer blogging loh!

So its me going back to camp tml.. haix..

Guard of HONOUR,
<<< abriel >>>

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Eating & Splurging..

Yesterday's mounting duty thought its a weekend mounting, however, duty was NOT slack at all! In fact, I did 10 hrs of duty at Main Guardroom (my usual is only 4-6hrs!)! And actually, I have a main gate duty frm 0300-0700 this morning, however, my shift mate wanted to change with me (I dun koe the reason).. and moreover, if I change, I can sleep frm 0300 till dismount, which is about 0800.. so ya..

Then this morning, woke up at about 0800, becos cant sleep further.. Saw breakfast and it sux big time, so I didnt eat loh! Then go to pass office to find someone to talk to, becos was a bit bored.. Anyway, to cut the long story short, I actually helped the person to answer phone calls becos he was busy.. and I actually frm slacking in pass office, become an escort for the grasscutters who are coming to our base and cut grass. Along the way, they stopped at a certain location and took their grass-cutting equipment. And suddenly, the duty officer appeared out of nowhere and questioned me.. Fortunately, I did koe how to answer or else..

Then dismount, came home, rest a while, eat my breakfast and bathe and got out of the house!

First stop, went to M1 Shop @ Bugis Junction to help my dad get a new phone, Nokia 6020. Then, went for tea break at Starbucks, and I had my usual, the Rhumba Frappacino.

Then its shopping round 3 branches of Adidas shops (Bugis Junction, Citylink & Suntec City).. was looking for other colours of the $59 Adidas T-shirt or at least see whether got other shirts tat is worth the $59.

Last stop was at Adidas, Suntec City Branch.. after looking thru and my mum also said tat the money paid for 1 t-shirt is not worth it, I decided to like look for other things to buy.. and guess wat.. After considering for a long time, I decide to buy a wallet from Braun Buffel!

The moment I saw the wallet, I fell in love with it! The color was so perfect and I wanted a Braun Buffel wallet badly! So since its not worth it to buy a T-shirt, I wld rather spend this money on a wallet instead!
Well.. there is more good news! Currently, they are having a storewide 10% discount (except for New Arrivals).. so the usual price of this wallet is $106, but after discount, I only bought it at $94.50! A great deal huh =)

Another view of the wallet. Believe it or not.. this is the PACKAGING for the wallet when u buy it frm the boutique stall! Super class and nice right?

Then after tat, met up with my dad and then my family proceed over to Marina Square for dinner.. Was supposed to eat Seoul Garden instead, but then, change of plans in the end, due to the strong objection by my sis.. haix.. women..

In the end, after much persuation, I decided the stall and convinced them to go to this restaurant in Marina Square, called "Changing Appetites (CA)".

If you see correctly, CA is one which did a fusion of Japanese & Western ingredients, and I find tat this is something unique.

Below are a few pics I've taken of the food.. so ya.. Explainations for the dishes are either taken frm their menu, or I wld add in phrases here and there.. so ya..

This is the Special Set Dinner for the day. Its actually included in the set, a bowl of soup of the day, a drink and the main course. All this for a mere cost of $15.80.. considering that I get to eat lobsters (tats wat they say.. but I wld think its crayfish!)..
Anyway, the crayfish they cook very power.. Its grilled and on top of it, melted cheese is being placed on top! So when u eat the crayfish, its the meat and all the other stuff loh..
Besides grilled lobster, it also had pasta.. and wat can I say? This $15.80 is worth every cent!

This dessert is called Dried Food Anmitsu. It's like chocolate fondue but Japanese style. This dessert contain the following: CA homemade red bean paste and green tea gelato ice cream served with jelly cubes (which is ching chow) and syrup syrup tossed with assorted dried fruits.

This dessert is called Heaven In Your Mouth. This dessert contain the following: Tiramisu and Vanilla Gelato ice cream topped with chocolate fudge and whipped cream on a cookie crust.. A-1 dessert!

ok lah.. have enjoyed much today and going back camp tml.. haix.. so gtg and sleep liaoz..

** I'm still counting down the days LEFT to serve.. its 234 DAYS to ORD!!

Super happy,
<<< abriel >>>

Friday, February 24, 2006

Updates..

Well.. a brief update..

Thursday (23/02/06)

Went to Tengnah Air Base for GOH drills.. Saw some familiar faces (ie, those joined last yr in GOH 2005 too!).. Drills was ok.. I muz say slacker than last yr.. so ya.. though its tired, but quite fun lah.. =)

Went to guardroom to put arms for P1.. then go back bunk, slack and slept at 2100! Was super tired!

Friday (24/02/06)

Today at bunk practically did nothing.. but my bunk ppl siao on! Think their mental duse spoil liaox.. they actually wash the whole of my bunk.. so have to help loh.. no choice..

Then haix.. the bk in tonite timing was a bit of a furious issue.. Too angry to type it out.. moreover, I'm lazy to.. so ya..

After booked out, went to Creative to get my mp3 fixed. Its fixed at last (with an assurance tat its a new set.. but I'm suspecting its either other ppl old set or my set they repair and they say its new!).. so ya.. I dun koe lah.. but no matetr wat, its done! So ya.. after which, took a 1.5hrs back frm Jurong MRT to my hse.. wanted to take MRT initially but lazy to change bus after the train ride.. so decide to make do with the straight bus.. but I regretted it after 30mins into it.. becos my back was aching after tat! Oh well.. I'm old liaox.. in fact, I'm turning 1 yr old nxt mth.. haix.. I feel I'm super old!!

Then attended cell and then on my computer.. half blogging and half dealing my mp3 stuff.. becos I sent for repair, my songs are all gone, and I have to re-download it.. haix..

ok then.. gtg and do other stuff.. bking in later in 5 hrs time! Cya ppl on Sunday then! I'm shopping for my Adidas T on Sunday! Yeh!! =)

Adios,
<<< abriel >>>

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Reminscence!

Today juz reminded me of wat happened a yr ago! So here goes the brief update of wat happen today..

Well.. the day started off with wat else but drills.. but last minute, its been cancelled, becos the tailor came and measure for us our GOH No. 1 uniform!

And speaking of which, the timing was decided undecisively!

And as usual, no one want to help the uncle write the measurements for the GOH No. 1 uniform, so I volunteered myself to do it lah.. Wat to do? I'm an admin person! =)

Then went up to bunk and then slack for a while, before went for lunch at Cookhouse! Lunch was ok only.. not fantastic though!

Then its loading up the tunnel vehicle and go to Paya Lebar Singapore Technologies Logistics Hub to draw my GOH stuff (boots, No.1 jacket and pants, gloves, etc)..

Was suppose to leave my camp at 1300, but after delay, it became 1330! By the time we reach there, its abt 1430 liaox! Then we try and try our stuff.. as usual, my officer got a bit of tense up, and everyone was too, so naturally, there wld be quarrels or dismayment in the orders my officer give!

And oh.. today whilst drawing my No. 1 jacket, my friend coincidently took my last yr No.1 tailor made jacket.. so naturally, I persuaded him to give me back and exchange it for mine.. but then, he hesitated at first.. but I think after much consideration (and also he dun want to lose a friend like me), he gave way and I got my No. 1 (my last yr's tailor made clothing!).. thanx buddy if he is reading this (which I doubt lah!)

Then bk out and by the time I reach home, its like 1925 liaox.. this is one of those times I reached home so late! Ate dinner.. watched a bit of TV.. now on computer and blogged..

Gonna sleep liaox.. becos super tired now..

Tml is another hectic day.. ASLC PoP Parade (which I have to attend), P1 tml, got my first GOH drill at Tengnah Air Base tml frm 1300-1730. haix.. so tml wont be online lah.. so take care ppl..

** I'm still counting down the days LEFT to serve.. its 238 DAYS to ORD!!

Sleepy head,
<<< abriel >>>

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Another day at camp in GOH shift

Well.. today is juz another day in camp..

Morning had drills.. then had some briefing.. then was supposed to go to Paya Lebar to collect some of my GOH stuff.. but then, due to last minute changes, its been postponed to tml.. so ya..

Then before we bk out, we did area cleaning of our bunk, but in the end, my sgt didnt check.. chey! waste my time.. but at least my bunk looks cleaner now!

Then came home and ate dinner immediately (didnt had lunch at camp.. too tired and moreover, didnt want to eat so much.. becos morning I ate breakfast at camp loh! so ya.. my usual practice is have breakfast at camp, means no lunch for me!)

Then its watch TV for a while and then, on the computer and blogging loh! =)..

Oh.. after watching Campus Superstar yesterday nite, I juz realise tat I'm a Chinese pop freak again! Suddenly so into Mandarin pop!! Man.. now, in my Ngage phone, its having a lot of Chinese songs loh =)

Ok lah.. guess this is the shortest post so far! =).. so ya..

** I'm still counting down the days LEFT to serve.. its 239 DAYS to ORD!!

GOH training continues,
<<< abriel >>>

Monday, February 20, 2006

Baris Sediya!

Well.. to start off, I wld like to explain my title of my blogpost today.. For those of you who are not able to converse well in Malay or have not attended NS at all for your whole life (darn!) or you are only going into NS after 2-3 yrs time, the phrase simply means "the people on the Parade Square to stand at attention!"

Well.. you may ask me why the sudden NS command posted on my blog! Oh well.. read on to find out more..

For those of you who did not know, TODAY is the FIRST day tat GOH is together as a shift lah!

This morning went to camp half awake.. slept late last nite and was super tired lah.. so ya..

After some dragging of time in camp and other unforeseen circumstances, we had our first GOH briefing at like 1000. During the briefing, we were told the days we are mounting duty (yes! The GOH shift has to mount duty as well! All thanx to the low manpower in camp!) And yes.. I'm doing duty for 3 consecutive Saturdays.. so this means tat I wld not be able to go to church.. haix.. =(.. not only wld I be doing duty on Saturdays, I wld also be doing duties on wkdays (which sadly to say I also have 1 day mount, 1 day dismount duties.. so beside juggling with drills, we wld also have to do duty!).. This yr GOH much shiong than last yr loh!!

Not to mention tat we have to do P1 duties too! We are scheduled loh.. but thank goodness tat my sgt let us choose which ppl we want to do with.. so ya.. so my P1 group is group 4 and the ppl are me, weiliang, yeow siang & randy!

And the first GOH rehearsal (for the upcoming Chief of Air Force change of command parade on 24/03 - yes! one day after my 22nd birthday; and u koe wat this means? I have to be back in camp 2230 on my birthday! Haix.. this is the 2nd time I spend my bday in NS again! haix..) would be on thurs (24/02) at Tengah Air Base.. haix.. sianz! Moroeover, its 1pm-5.30pm somemore.. haix.. but the good thing is tat my P1 wld be on thurs.. so dun really get "jia" so much, becos of the reharsal.. unless it ends early lah!

Then had lunch.. lunch at cookhouse was ok, except the food is tasteless.. its like they have inconsistent cooks! Sometimes the food is so darn salty, and sometimes (juz like today) is tasteless! Did they forget to add salt or sumthing? NS ppl (or at least my friends in camp) said SAF Cookhouse has free salt and oil! Their stuff is always salty and oily! Horrible! But what do you expect NS food? To be first class? No way.. but as the chinese ppl say, if edible, juz eat.. dun be fussy!

Then, its drill loh! And yes.. the trainers were one of my last yr GOH sgt, and another sgt frm Dog Section. The sgt frm Dog Section is a MP (Military Police) and his training is real slack! Not tt slack if you think it! Its juz tat he understands how we feel.. he told us in the beginning tat if we have morale high, then our drills wld naturally be up to standard.. and this is true.. and *ahem*.. this is the words of a GOH "old bird"..

Drills then started.. and it like have no kick! It doesnt seem as tiring as last yr.. probably we have been drilled too much last yr tat we dun feel so much.. we are numbed already in other words.. Fortunately my drills were ok.. not to the standard of perfect, but to the standard of acceptable lah..

Then after abt an hour of drill, my sgt told us to go up to bunk to "practice our drills".. but then there was one person, Randy (the 18 yr old guy whom I call him "ah boy"), who has some problems in the drills.. he's afraid of dropping the rifle when executing the drills.. so ya.. and he is quite slack lah.. so tats why his drills not sharp enuf.. well.. I wld think tat he coming into GOH is good.. at least he can be disciplined! Juz hope he improves loh..

Then as I was coaching Randy, juz realise tat Weiming had a problem with his drills also! So frm coaching Randy (which another person help me coach him and also at the same time, he was busy lah!), I shifted my attention to Weiming.. After close to 15 mins of sheer going thru over and over again, he finally got it.. then when we are almost done, I gave 3 of the ppl (Randy, Weiming & one other guy) command to execute the drills tat I commanded! And then my staff sgt came over and like interrupted lah.. but this is good.. at least he take over for a while.. I was quite shack lah.. judging frm juz now the drill revision lesson as well as not enuf sleep yesterday nite loh..

Then in the end, my staff see Randy cannot make it.. so he pulled Randy to one side and coach him.. Weiming on the other hand, my staff call me to continue to perfect Weiming's drill loh! Felt so honoured and for once, I felt like a true trainer! Ha.. I juz love teaching ppl lah.. I dun koe why.. When I teach ppl, somehow my drill wld be suddenly so "zai" and also with other ppl's praise, I wld even excel better!

Then send arms and bk out.. Watched 2 hrs of TV (for the first time this yr on a wkday!) and then bathe, on computer and now blogged!

So how's tat for the first day of GOH? Quite fun I suppose.. What's in store for me in GOH during my future days? I dun koe.. but wat I koe is tat the tailor wld come tml to measure our GOH No. 1 uniforms and therefore, he make loh.. soon or maybe tml, we'll go to Paya Lebar to draw our substandard No. 1.. its juz like last yr loh! no diff.. but after drawing the stuff, I dun koe wats in store liaoz.. so ya.. keeping my fingers cross loh!!

Well.. gtg and do other stuff liaox.. gonna sleep early tonite.. am super tired.. dun think I can stay awake for the Campus Superstar results.. but then, I recorded liaox.. so not much of a problem.. the only problem is tat when do I have the time to watch? ha..

** I'm still counting down the days LEFT to serve.. its 240 DAYS to ORD!!

Guard-Of-Honour forever,
<<< abriel >>>

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Super happy!

Well.. am super happy today.. u all koe why? Becos' I went shopping!! Yeh!! Shopping makes me so so happy!!

Anyway, read on.. this is a fantastic blog! ha.. anyway, below are the details lah..

Send arms at abt 0745 before leaving bunk and came home from camp. By the time I reach home, its close to 0900. Ate my bought breakfast, and then rest a while by watching TV loh..

Then, bathe and wore my usual "go out" clothing and then went to visit my grandma at the old folk's home first! then its shopping, and more shopping!

First stop, Tampines Mall..

This photo shows the LATEST album (as of 17/02/06) by JJ Lin Junjie! I was looking for this album in music stores since Fri (17/02/06) but to no avail, becos they say the stock was not here.. So my priority today was to buy this CD.. so there I went to hunt for this CD.. at first went to this unknown shop, and they sold it at $19.90. Seeing tat it was expensive, I went on to CD-Rama to check out the price.. and it was indeed cheaper. Paid $18.95 for this CD. and moreover, it comes with a FREE Giant poster of JJ Lin Junjie! Dun koe wat to do with it though! Its really big!! Anyway, think will chuck it aside and leave it to grow dust! ha.. =P..
Well.. Like a few tracks in this album, which I listen it over and over again.. Love Track 1,6,7 & 11! So wat can I say? This album rox lah! And oh.. he is actually a Christian, worshipping in Westside Anglican Church! Oh man.. didn't koe this brother-in-Christ is so talented! ha.. =)

Then my family proceeded to Orchard.. for more shopping (for me of course!)..

First stop, Giordano.. Bought the below 2 items at member's price.. total it costs me $52.70.. and mind u, this is after a 15% member's discount price! Imagine without discount.. how much wld I have to pay?

Oh.. btw, Giordano changed its season today.. the new season is called "its black".. and yes.. therefore, the collection is black, white and grey loh..

This shirt is grey in colour, and Large in size! Usual price: $26. Member's price: $22.10.
Material is super comfortable, becos its Lycra and cotton! Actually my Giordano size is medium, but becos of my broad shoulders, think tat large suits me better! so decide to get large instead.
There was 2 other colours, black and white.. but my mum say this color easier to match and its nicer.. so therefore I bought this colour loh! Nice right? =)

This is my fave clothing! White linen 3/4 pants! This is always like my dream clothing lah! I like anything tats its linen material and white! Super comfortable and easy on the eye!
If you go to the Giordano store and see this piece of clothing carefully, you wld realise tat it is very interesting.. go down to any Giordano store and see for yourself! Seeing is believing!
Usual price: $36. Member's price: $30.60.
Again, there are 2 colors; black and kakki. My dad asked me how much I bought this pants and he decide to get one too.. but its kakki colour.. becos he see it very nice loh.. =).. see how much am I an influencer! ha.. =P

Oh.. then where do I start for the next shopped item? Man.. Anyway, my parents gave me $80 as a birthday present.. so actually, in my mind, I was thinking how much to spend and wat to buy.. I got 3 choices in mind..
(a) A Braun Buffel wallet (which costs me abt $90-100).
(b) A Crumpler bag (which range frm $97-$150)
(c) A Pony sneaker (which is abt $50-$60).

First stop, went to look for price of the Pony sneaker.. and it was quite cheap I muz say.. Initially, I tot its super ex like $80-90+.. but then its abt $50+.. but after thinking for a while, not so worth it.. so idea (3) not valid!

Then, went to Braun Buffel merchandise store in Metro Paragon. They are offering me a 10% discount, but my mum said nothing special becos the design is abt the same! I'm juz like paying for the buffolo loh.. ha.. so now, idea (1) is not valid too!

So tat leaves me with idea (2); a Crumpler bag! Went into the shop and the shop assistant told me the bag which I want initally (a $96 bag), was the last pc.. and then it was no shoulder pad provided.. whereas this bag u see in the photo, everything was provided.. and it costs a whopping $149! but I wld think this is betetr.. becos there is a zip compartment in front of the bag and shoulder pad provided.. so its like paying an extra $20+.. becos if I buy the $96 bag with shoulder pad, it wld cost me $120+.. so ya.. I pay the extra $20+ for extra features lah.. So overall, this bag is like my costliest bag so far! Never did I pay so much for a bag before! But a relief tat finally I can have a Crumpler bag which I always wanted! And oh.. its available in 3 colors; blue, brownish-green & red.. so I took red loh.. red is striking lah =)
Oh.. did I tell u tat this bag has a lifetime warranty.. the first 6 mths (if any defect due to wear and tear), if tear or sumthing, I can go back with receipt to change it F.O.C! After 6 mths, if I want to send for repair, I have to pay $15. So ya.. at least the $149 I pay for is worth it lah.. considering its the brand and the warranty I'm paying.. probably the material too! Heard frm my sis tat they material makes ur stuff waterproof, which means even though the outside is wet, inside the stuff wont be wet! wonder how true is tat!

Then its Carl's Jr at Suntec for dinner.. My parents were the first-timers there, whilst I was second.. so ya.. Last time I tried the Single Western Bacon Cheeseburger.
So this time, I tried something different.. I tried the Super Star with cheese.. not bad I muz say.. the veges (lettuce and tomato) were generous! I requested NO onion! Even my mum said not bad too! So ya.. of course bought the combo lah.. got free refill of drinks leh.. ha..

This is the inside of Super Star burger.. Power right? This photo is taken frm my humble Nokia 6230.
Ingredients tat make up the Super Star burger (courtesy of www.carlsjr.com/menu):
(a) 2 charboiled all-beef patties
(b) 2 slices of American cheese
(c) Crisp lettuce
(d) 2 slices of tomato
(e) Sliced onions
(f) Dill pickles
(g) Special sauce
(h) Mayonnaise on a sesame seed bun

Another view of my Super Star burger. This time, its frm the top. Anyway, this photo is once again taken frm my humble Nokia 6230.

How cld you say you eat Carl's Jr without eating their Chilli Cheese Fries? Well.. even my parents (who were first timers) even gave their thumbs up for this dish! So yupz.. its tat good lah.. so for those who have not tried it yet, what are u waiting for? If I'm not wrong, this costs $3.60.
But I change it frm my combo meal, so dun koe whether they still charge $3.60 for it still!

So my dinner (which is Super star combo) costs abt $13! So ya.. Was reak full after tat (becos I drank 3 cups of drinks!).. oh.. a must-try drink in Carl's Jr was the Ice Tea (which they brew themselves).. so for those who are on a diet or dun like soft drinks (or even Season's Ice Tea), this is the drink for you.. its unsweetened tea.. for those who prefers a little sweetness, sugar syrup is provided.. and for those who likes tea with a little twist, small slices of lemon are available too! =)

Then came home, and then took all these photos u see above.. and then started blogging and at the same time, upload these photos into blogger loh! so ya..

I counted on the bus how much I've spent today.. and its abt $200! No joke! $200 all in juz a mere 8 hrs! fwah! see how much money I can spent at one go!! There is actually another Adidas shirt ($59), which I want to buy, but have to hold on first, becos scared not enuf money.. maybe nxt mth buy or sumthing =)

ok lah.. gtg and sleep liaox.. waking up tml to go back to camp for GOH briefing (i think!).. sianx ah.. maybe nxt wk I no long wkend (kenna jia now loh!) becos heard tat we doing duty nxt wkend.. sianx.. then all those who got super long wkend (fri evening-mon morning) earn loh.. My P1 and the other shift P1 lost out loh! haix.. hope we can fight back loh!

Ok.. really gtg this time liaox..

** I'm still counting down the days LEFT to serve.. its 241 DAYS to ORD!!

Shopaholic,
<<< abriel >>>

Friday, February 17, 2006

Guard Of Honour 2006 (GOH 2006)!

Well ppl.. Surprised to see me here? Well.. shall elaborate why this is so.. read on avid readers of my blog! =)

GOH 2006 is starting in a few days time! Have mixed feelings though.. dun koe whether its good or bad, becos generally, the list of ppl in GOH is not very ideal to be shift mates.. some are fine, but some are juz a bit of a challenge to work with.. but oh well.. juz have to adapt lah.. juz wonder whether cliques wld be distinct in the GOH shift or wld it be like last yr where all of us gelled together?

Anyway, tml my flight is gonna start the 2 shift system.. so tat means some ppl frm other shift (including the sgt) are doing duty as well.. and becos I'm in GOH, the GOH ppl have to tah P1.. its an standard procedure lehx.. so even if I dun do it this wk, I have to do it nxt wk.. so ya.. like tt I rather do it this wk loh! Hope nxt wk I can have my long wkend (ie, sat & sun) loh.. haiz.. so its me going back tml for P1 lah.. think will sleep the whole day in bunk tml loh..

And the reason why I appear online and start blogging, becos tml then bk in for P1 mahz.. so no point staying in camp.. so tats why I came home loh.. and u koe me lah.. once I on the computer, this is my life.. ha..

Then I realised tat nite time have cell group, and I have not start the topic to be discuss tonite at cell.. so its on the computer, and type the answers out loh.. lazy to write.. =P

Oh.. on Sunday, it wld be a shopping day for me.. I wanna go shopping. I want to contribute to the economy! Ha... dun koe wat I'll be buying, but juz feel like spending money.. ha.. and oh.. on Sunday, I'm going to buy JJ Lin Junjie's new Mandarin album, Cao Chao.. went to look for it in AMK today.. dun have.. so I wld think by Sunday, places like HMV shld have it loh.. Anyway, I have a preview of the album frm a webbie.. it sounds good.. so I'm gonna support original and buy a copy! Anyway, FYI, JJ Lin Junjie is one of my fave. Mandarin pop singer.. =).. so ya.. gonna buy the CD on Sunday loh.. hope I'll be able to find it then! =)

Then at cell tonite, an unexpected guest, Huimin, came to cell.. it was such a happy thing to see my jie, huimin in cell.. its been a while since I've seen her in cell/church! =).. well.. she came at the right time lah.. we were discussing some stuff, and she uses her psychology knowledge (btw, she's majoring part time in psychology) to explain to us certain facts abt the ancient times.. so ya.. of course with her around, the cell grp became lively loh! ha.. I was sleepy at first, but after some jokes frm her, I was chatty and sometimes "crazy" during cell.. haha.. huimin, come again to cell hor.. we'll miss you =)

ok lah.. I gtg liaoz.. need to sleep and wake up like in 5 hrs time for going back to camp tml for P1.. so ya..

** I'm still counting down the days LEFT to serve.. its 243 DAYS to ORD!!

GOH loh,
<<< abriel >>>

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Breakup is hard...

Well.. this is a fairly sad post.. for me tat is.. so ya..

14/02/06 (Tuesday)

On this day, was not suppose to be P1.. but then, due to the shortage of ppl and my sgt's unwillingness to use other ppl to substitute me, therefore, I also see him like very poor thing to go round looking for ppl, therefore, I juz say 'ok' loh..

Then I went to guard a gate frm 1300-1900! The place is super hot and super sianz lah.. haix.. and the more I do, the more tired I became, becos I think its the weather there lah..

But before we went there, we went to 'play injects' to the ASLC trainees for a while, becos apparently the gate key was taken by someone, and we need to call the person to open the gate, and this needs time.. Without this gate open, I cannot go and guard the appointed gate.. so ya.. so whilst waiting, my friend (who was driving the rover) was saying why dun we go play injects to the ASLC ppl for a while? Initially, I didnt want to.. becos I'm not those type cut out to be a terrorist or those can really act very bad and unreasonable loh! Pls loh! I have such a kind-hearted face! Even the trainees talk to me nicely.. as in their procedures for ppl who want to enter camp! ha.. to cut the long story short, had lots of funny ideas as to like maybe hold one guy hostage or have a hidden weapon (as in our audit) and see whether they smart enuf to check.. but I didnt want to dirty my uniform and stuff loh.. so I juz gave in lah.. too good rite? ha.. on the other end, my other 2 friends went in by the back, then in the end, kenna caught and prone down.. ha.. Its so fun to play with the ASLC trainees and becoming injects.. later tat afternoon, I heard my shift went down to play injects as well.. ha.. so fun =P

So after 1900, got back into the rover and went back to bunk.. by then was super shacked out.. dun koe y.. Maybe its the weather bah..

Slept at 2100..

15/02/06 (Wednesday)

Woke up at 0545 to go down for P1 peak hr duty at 0630. Did duty half awake (was super tired frm the gate guarding thingy!).. Thank goodness tat my sgt pulled us back early frm duty or else I wld be totally shacked out!

Then duty was really shiong! Did a 6 hr straight duty after tat! with my duty ending only at 3pm (had my lunch at 1pm due to a request to my friend for me to have lunch first, or else, my lunch wld be at 3pm!!).. then 5pm-7pm another duty.. then staff parade.. then its lights out for me 9pm.. but cant sleep as well as some other ppl.. so we had a mini chat..

We talk abt lots of stuff.. and actually during the chat, I almost cried lah.. becos my shift is breaking up soon.. its either some (like me) going over to GOH, and some go over to another shift.. so ya.. its been a while (6 mths!) since we have formed this new shift, and now a breakup again! I remembered at tat time I had a breakup frm my GOH shift, and I was sad.. and now, after so long, its again breaking up.. This feeling is really lousy for me lah.. haix.. but wat to do? Can't help it loh! And judging frm which, 6 mths is actually quite a short time.. man! Haix.. This sat (18/02) is our LAST mounting as Shift 1 together.. so ya.. hope can treasure the time spent with each other lohz.. =)

Then another one of my good friend frm church (aka my piano playing disciple), Xinyi, left for Melbourne yesterday.. and stupid me lah! I forgot to send her my regards until yesterday nite.. but by the time I send the SMS, she has already checked into the gates and thus, I dun think she has seen my msg.. haix.. Anyway, Xinyi if you are reading this blogpost, check ur email! I'll send u my regards in an email, since SMS not possible =)..

16/02/06 (Thursday)

Dismounted duty today.. came home and slept for a good 3 hrs! Now on net blogging.. am actually sad becos of lots of issues, but I'm juz putting a brave front only.. so ya.. haix..

** I'm still counting down the days LEFT to serve.. its 244 DAYS to ORD!!

Sad guy,
<<< abriel >>>

Monday, February 13, 2006

Updates...

Saturday (11/02/06)

This day, I spent literally the whole morning (from 0800-1400; a whopping 6 hrs) watching my past recorded programs. There are abt 15 programs (recorded on 5 videotapes) waiting for me to view, so tat the tapes can be used to tape other programs.

After watching the videotapes (I have 2 more left to view!), bathe and went to church for Youth music practice.

After the practice, went to juz walk walk and buy drinks and accompany my bro, Andrew, to eat lunch. Of course my other 2 bros, Nat & Ash, also went. 4 of us went to BK.. did not want to eat anything at first, becos of my bad cough.. but eventually, I succumb to "temptation" and gave in, and I ate a few onion rings. Quite nice I muz say.. hahaz.. Of course, with Nat around, lame jokes are inevitable and lame jokes = laughters.. Tats wat I like abt my bros! They bring me so much laughter each week loh!

Then its time for Youth Service. My bro, Andrew, was the worship leader. Andrew wanted something different; he want to play drums and lead at the same time. I thought tat it was a cool idea. However, when the worship starts, eben though its a fast song, the tempo is slowed down tremendously.. and therefore, the whole worship session sound so "dead"..

The message was delivered by my cell leader, Carlise. Message was good! Great job Carlise if you are reading this! Message was abt worship.. Well, if you want to koe abt the details, pls. visit Alvin's blog.. I'm sure he has the details there!
*Click the word, "Alvin's", above to access his blog! =)..

Then, it came to my speciality song, "Through It All".. I played it with lots of feelings sia, machiam like some Mozart playing.. chey.. hahaz.. =P

After service, my bro, Andrew, suddenly become like so sad! At first moment, I immediately think tat he was disappointed with the worship tat he led.. and after much observation by his speech or sumthing, I finally concluded tat my prediction was right! Haiz.. My bro, Andrew, is like me.. very perfectionist-orientated.! If sumthing goes wrong in what we do, we wld either blame ourselves or be super sad abt it.. haix..

Then, after service, my parents, Josh Gouw & Alvin, jio me to follow them for dinner @ Zion Road.. Josh Gouw's mum even best! She offered to give me a lift back to camp after the dinner (becos they stay juz opp. Estern Gate which I guard at times!), but I rejected lah.. becos mainly, I want to speak to my bro, Andrew, abt some matters (not convenient to mention..) and also spend time with my other bros, Nat & Ash, and also some of my other church Youth mates.. so ya..

Since I got cough, therefore cant eat spicy stuff.. so Korean food was out of the question.. so in the end, I ate the Thai dish, Pork Omelette with Rice.. This time, I ordered it with less salt/fish sauce.. but the deco of the dish is quite impressive, until the pt tat when I walk past some of my church mates (like Esther, Mok, Hannah, Raina, Rachel Goh, my bros) were like wat is this.. and therefore I stop and then at every time, tell them wat is this and let them sample.. so ya..

Then after finish dinner, talk a while, and then go back camp.. This time, I try to take a cheaper alternative, and tat is MRT & cab frm Yishun, rather than cab frm Orchard to camp.. Difference in total amt spend is $7! So ya.. but the downside is tat it takes me an hour to reach, whilst cab frm Orchard takes only 30 mins.. so ya..

Came back home and bathe, and by the time I settle down and send some SMSes, it was already 12+am.. so ya..

Sunday (12/02/06)

Woke up at 0630, change and get ready for breakfast at Cookhouse and mounted duty.

Was suppose to go Eastern Gate for duty, but one of my friends wanted to go Eastern Gate, so I change with him loh!! Then when at Guardroom, my sgt asked me whether I want to go Eastern, and I initially didnt want to, becos I changed already and on the bed ready to sleep liaoz (becos I no first duty mahz..).. but then he asked around and no one want to go, so therefore I see him so poor thing and Eastern has to set off soon, so I volunteered lohz!

Eastern Gate personnels was ok lah.. Quite happy to mount with them lah.. A fun bunch to be with!! Personnels are Samuel, Ivan, Kian Boon, Yeow Siang & me! Was on 10 hrs duty. Quite slack already.. becos its normally 14 hrs.. but my officer sent 1 guy to help out in the mounting for a while.. so our hrs has been reduced lah..

Then, one of my friends, Randy (whom I gave the nickname, "Ah Boy", becos he is only 18 yrs old..) .. actually he asked me whether to go to his birthday dinner next Sunday (19/2), but then, I'm comtemplating whether shld I go or not, becos I want to spend time with my family, since Ithink its abt a mth since we went shopping and eating together! Its either the festivities (CNY) or my duty tats hindering our family outing! So ya.. so I reluctantly rejected "Ah Boy" loh.. feel so bad.. but guess tat he understands lah..

Monday (13/02/06)

Dismounted duty, and then went back home.. went to AMK to go and cut my hair.. I like my hair lah.. becos its short and spiky.. juz the way I like it and I've always wanted!

Initially, there is this barber who cut for me, whom I've never seen b4.. so I was like quite scared at first lah.. then I told him the instructions, and he asked me whether want spiky.. I initially said no.. but then after thinking for a while, I changed my mind and therefore asked the person to cut spiky hair! The person then cut and cut and I was worried tat he dun koe how to cut.. but surprisingly, after I wore my specs and see, it was super good and cool! Man.. I wld cut this hairstyle frm now on loh! Super cool!

After cutting my hair, came home and now on computer blogging and doing other stuff.. one of which is a bible study which I wld facilitate at the beginning of nxt mth.. super shiong! muz use mind again.. haiz..

And yes.. my body is still aching frm the IPPT done last wk! Ouch!!

Ok lah.. gtg and take a light nap liaoz..

** I'm still counting down the days LEFT to serve.. its 247 DAYS to ORD!!

Muscle aches everywhere,
<<< abriel >>>

Friday, February 10, 2006

A Pass finally!

Oh... before I go on, the photos for Jeremy's Birthday Celebration are uploaded.. Go to Photo Gallery> Church(OCC/HCC/GJ) Events > Jeremy's Birthday @ Starbucks.

Well.. this is a joy which I can't contain! Well.. tell u all further details later in this blogpost.. so read on..

Wednesday (08/02/2006)

2 days before my IPPT test! Was definately of some stress.. so decided to train further by running..

Did 2 trips of running.. which means tat I ran to Place A and then I ran back (becos didnt really get permission to run further).. then the rest went to play soccer or basketball, and then becos I wanted to train for IPPT, therefore, I jio my friend along for run.. he hesistated at first, but at last, I manage to jio him lah.. so I ran to my usual place, Place B. =0).. according to him, I completed 5.2km, and fwah! tats an achievement lah!

Then afternoon do fatigue work somemore, so dun have time to nap.. and naturally, becos I'm such a sleeping king (at least tats wat my camp mates call me!), I slept at 9pm tat nite!

Thursday (09/02/2006)

Mounted duty on this day.. Had 6 hrs of duty.. and this is the SLACKEST so far for me during a wkday duty! This is becos I had to take IPPT the next day.. so ya.. so my sgt and officer is giving me (or actually those taking IPPT) more time to rest, so we can perform our best during our IPPT!

But didnt really had a full 7hr sleep (as stated in the training regulations), becos of duty schedules! Slept only for abt 5-6hrs only!

On the same afternoon, I suppose to have an unarmed checker duty for 2 hrs (frm 1100-1300). However, becos of certain circumstances, my shift mate 'jia' me, so I volunteered to do till 1500, and tat guy will take over my 1500 arm checker duty! I actually pye back to my sgt to let sumone replace me for lunch, but then, to my surprise, after he told me the plans, he told me to 'tong' somemore.. and there I was starving! So actually tat afternoon, my lunch was at 1500! Imagine me with a hungry stomach and doing duty.. as the saying goes, "a hungry man is a angry man". So I was like telling the ppl who do duty with me, tat if my sgt calls me to do other duties, I'm going to flare up! So thank God tat there is no such thing lah =)

As you all koe, this day, it was raining non-stop.. and as RPs, we have to do our duty no matter whether rain or shine.. so I guess I got too much into the rain, tat the whole day, my nose was "running like a tap", and me having a bad cough! So sleeping was entirely a chore even!

And my afternoon sleep was even more of a chore.. becos besides mosquito bites, ppl talk loud and stuff, so my sleep was naturally disrupted! And after I woke up, I can't sleep.. and my mind starts to wonder.. and guess wonder till wat topic? Its actually "my IPPT!".. and the more I think of it, the more stressed up I am! So I was tat stress tat I sent out SMSes to my buddies in church to pray for me (my IPPT test tat is!)

Friday (10/02/2006)

Things didnt get better until this morning! Was doing duty yesterday nite frm 2300-0100, and guess wat.. I started to develop a fever! I felt so lousy lah.. and my sore throat was getting frm bad to worse.. And I kept gulping down water and by the end of 2 hrs, my entire 1 litre water is gone, and not to mention, a full bladder! ok.. lets not go there.. so ya..

So after 0100, I slept loh.. until 0600 for flag raising.. and then, I get back to a light nap for abt 15 mins, before breakfast came and I ate loh.. becos need to eat so got energy for IPPT mah..

Then at 0700, went back to bunk and get ready to send my arms.. then, its me going up to bunk and change into my PT (Physical Training) attire.. and my officer was like "Abriel.. can or not? You muz pass ah!".. it looks like my officer has very high hopes on me! And thank goodness, I did not disappoint him lah.. He also told me tat if I get Silver Award for IPPT, I wld get 1 day off.. so ya..

So there I was.. with half confidence of me passing my IPPT! Actually, frankly speaking, I dun have any confidence to pass my IPPT loh this morning!

Then the time came where we took our IPPT! It was cool I tell you.. my first station was the SBJ (Standing Broad Jump) which I am weak and stuff.. but surprisingly, after a few tries, I manage to get 3 pts for it!

However, the marvellous thing was my pull ups! I did a whopping 12! My usual was only 6 loh.. Becos its like I aim 8 (becos 3 pts mah).. but then, I until 8, I not tired.. so I continued, and it was 12! I was so so happy lah!

Anyway, by the end of my static stations, I got a total of 16 pts.. it is a total of 18 pts (with ALL stations at least 3 pts and above), then you can get a Silver award.. and guess wat! I was 5 sec short of a Silver Award, becos of my 2.4km run! haix.. but anyway, I prayed to pass and NOT have a Silver Award.. so ya.. at least I'm thankful tat I passed.. at least never fail =P

Anyway, here are the breakdown of my grades:

Sit-Ups: 42 (5 pts)
Standing Broad Jumps: 225cm (3 pts)
Pull Ups: 12 (5 pts)
Shuttle Run: 10.49 sec (3 pts)
2.4km run: 11.44 min (2 pts)

Haix.. wasted rite?

But anyway, thanx 4 those who prayed for me! I've made it! Your prayers are not in naught!

Oh.. good news.. I'll be in Guard-Of-Honour 2006.. so this means tat I'll be in NDP 2006 once more =)... looking forward for GOH! =).. becos time really pass tat fast in GOH loh! I'm not kidding.. so ya..

Ok.. gtg and sleep liaoz.. waking up early tml morning to on TV and watch my videos tat I've taped =)

A fit guy at last,
<<< abriel >>>

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

A Chinese Dinner!

Before I want to get into the topic proper, I wish to juz update you all wat happened during the last 2 days..

Sunday (05/02/2006)

Nothing much, except tat I went for a jog.. and I'm happy with it lah.. one thing to do morning exercise, and another is nothing to lose weight loh..

And dun koe why we are so tired.. my whole bunk (of course only contained the P1 lah..) sleeps at 9pm sharp loh! dun koe why the sudden shagness.. so ya =)

Monday (06/02/2006)

Mounted duty on this day.. quite ok lah.. except tat very tiring! do a lot of consecutive duties! Actually, you can say my duty morning was not as shiong as yesterday's nite, becos at nite, my duty were consecutive frm 0100-dismounting (which is about 0830, becos I was fortunate enuf to be able to pull back early.. so ya)..

Then today kenna jia loh.. becos' nite time need to go back camp for dinner..

Yesterday, Ben New & I had a plan to watch a 1200 show (ie, "Fearless") @ Yishuan GV if we dismounted early enuf.. so true enuf, we went there juz in time (ie, 1130), therefore we eat lunch.. then Ben New was so good.. he treated me to the cpopcorn combo set (which consist of popcorn, a large coke & a small tub of ben & jerry ice-cream= $8.80).. but I only fork out $2, becos tats all I've left!!

Well.. my verdict of the show, "Fearless"? I rate it 2.5 out of 5 stars!.. It was not as good as I expected it to be! The whole show is juz telling you the main reason behind wushu.. and tats it..

Came home by MRT frm Yishun.. then bathe and its me going out again; this time its for my squadron CNY dinner! So ya.. my friend saw me and gave me a lift frm Toranto.. and there to cut the long story short, the dinner was MC-ed by my buddy in camp, Mr John Lum, and I muz say he has some really good hosting skills there! Food was ok as well; it was steamboat and to start the ball rolling, yu sheng was eaten! so ya.. so ate quite a fair bit of yu sheng today! happy lah.. then in total, I drank 2 cans of Tiger Beer! 1 can is I promise someone tat if he finishes, I will also.. the other can is miscellaneous.. kept toasting to other ppl (eg: my officers, ORD personnel, and of course, how cld I forget my bro in camp, Sidney?).. at one time, I almost puke lah..

I was also sporting enuf to go up and played games.. I went with Ben New and I muz say we had some chemistry.. ha..

So of course, during the games, much laughter was generated, and at times, I laugh till I stomachache lohz.. hahaz.. =)

ok lah.. I really very sleepy liaoz.. need to wake up in abt 5 hrs time to go back to camp.. haiz.. sianx..

** I'm still counting down the days LEFT to serve.. its 253 DAYS to ORD!!

A happy guy,
<<< abriel >>>

Sunday, February 05, 2006

My Saturday juz flew past!

Well.. this is a late nite/early morning post, becos was busy online and came home late lah.. here is the reason why..

Went to church in afternoon.. Service was the usual, and then wats after service is interesting..

We walked frm church to Heeren to accompany Hannah (at her request) to buy some stuff, followed by dinner at the usual Meridian!

Ate the usual Korean, and then, there came our dear friend, Joshua Gouw, who was actually dressed in shocking pink t-shirt becos he was the motivator for the Chingay 2006 held on Orchard Road yesterday!

Frankly speaking, the shirt he's wearing, I dun mind wearing, becos its quite cool! I always wanted to wear shocking pink (not tat I'm gay or sumthing.. its juz tat I like bright colors!).. so ya.. but some items tat he has is really gay.. like the pink bandana and the pink shaker !! I tell you.. few ppl (Tjow, Ash, Nat, Andrew & me) juz laughed our hearts out when the moment Josh said he has a pink shaker.. ya.. we are being thinking alternatives.. so if you dun understand wat we're laughing, its ok.. =P

Then its more laughter as we ate our dinner.. there was this scene where teletubbies were being mentioned, and then Nat juz started laughing.. poor thing.. he almost choked! Then he stopped initially, but then I actually tried to make him laugh more by juz making the lame "haha" sound, and then, he laughed till the pt tat he juz lie flat on the bench and laugh.. and I wld think ppl muz have think he's crazy or sumthing..

So ya.. the dinner was laughter and more laughs lah! With Nat ard, you can't stop laughing! haha..

Then its off to Starbucks @ PS to celebrate Jeremy's birthday! There we play mind games and one of the game got me really headache! But finally I've solved it.. thanx to Raina who gave me clues along the way! =).. Seriously, when I can't solve the mind game, I wld get stress and my head was really hurting lah.. which reminds me tat Nat actually was being lame again.. initially, when Hannah said she has a migrane, Nat with his lameness said, "aiyah.. nvm.. my grane, your grane, our grane..".. then we juz LOL lah.. ha..

So most of the nite we played mind games.. whilst Claudia & Xinyi went to Carrefour to buy a cake for Jeremy.. I wld think Jeremy has expected it lah.. so ya.. then again @ Starbucks, more laughs were generated..

After tat, went up to Arcade and see them play (I dun like Arcade.. ya remember? Juz go for the accompany!).. then after which, went home loh.. Took NEL with Raina & Jeremy.. chat with Raina along the way lah.. I can say I knew a little bit more abt her liaoz =)..

Then came home, franctically packing my stuff for returning back to camp later part of the camp to do P1.. haix.. super sianx.. then on computer now to blog loh.. so ya.. won't be home till tues.. so ya..

Tats all ppl..

Photos wld be posted up once I get the time to do it.. so ya. dun worry ppl.. its all rite! =)

** I'm still counting down the days LEFT to serve.. its 255 DAYS to ORD!!

Sianx totally,
<<< abriel >>>

Saturday, February 04, 2006

Perfect Chemistry

Yesterday's mounting was somewhat great, becos went with a great bunch of people (Samuel, Randy, Xinfa, Yeow Siang & Alex) to Eastern Gate for duty. Our chemistry with each other was great lah!! There were simply jokes and pure enjoyment of mounting with the group over at Eastern yesterday.. probably becos of Samuel lah! The happy nut of the group! Moreover, there is me and my ah boy (which is Randy lah.. I give him the nickname, ah boy, becos he is the youngest in my shift, and only 18 yrs old!).. ha.. Chey! =P

Becos its an Eastern duty, therefore each of us has 14 hrs duty in total each!! So it was shiong lah! But the comforting thing is the ppl doing duty with me! All very "gam" together (ie, have chemistry). We all very united one. =)

After much waiting, the audit finally came today, and my shift P1 went to do duty early (its a tradition now), and guess wat! They are the ones who found what we are supposed to find for the audit, and the shift (who was mounting yesterday) was just responsible for running the drills! So actually frankly speaking, due credit shld be given to my shift (actually my shift P1!!) .. So proud of then =)

So my 1st duty for the day started with a 6 hr straight table duty. Not shiong, but tiring. Its like after the 6 hrs duty, once I lie on my bed, I K.O.ed for close to 2 hrs, and then wake up to do duty again, and the cycle goes on...

Then at nite at ablut 2230, my officer came to Eastern to give drills, and he did it 2 times somemore! Then he said he want to come in the morning to give drills, but then my friend helped us to speak up (in a very pissed off manner) and finally, my officer gave the leeway and said "ok.. no drills!".. Thank God. Becos if really drills are this morning, I will die liaoz.. becos not enuf sleep! Out of the 24 hrs dury, I only manage to sleep 7 hrs (and its NOT straight 7 hrs! Its broken up to 2-4-1 loh!!) So ya.. its torturing! Then imagine tat after you mounted duty, you wld still have to run drills. Super sianz and shagged loh!! haiz..

Oh.. one more good news.. I maybe going to GOH 2006 again! So happy.. My RSM last min decision.. but whether I'll be chosen is another matter.

However, there is another news whether its good or bad, I dun koe! Next fri is my IPPT and its my dismount day.. So naturally, I wld feel tired! But I'm not confident of passing my IPPT! Just hope tat God wld help me on the day lah!! I really want to take one time then pass! Dun want to drag further this matter!

Haix.. is going to church later & wld be all alone (probably with my sister as well) at home, becos parents attending dinner. Moreover, have to be home early as well, becos tml morning, I going bck camp for P1!! Sianz ah..

Ok lah.. need to bathe and get out of the hse for church liaoz! Wonder how much hongbaos will I get in church today.. hahaz.. kidding lah.. =P

Tired & sianz,
<<< abriel >>>

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Demoralised!

Well.. guess this is the word (my title of this blogpost tat is..) tat decribes exectly how I feel rite now.. haiz.. Here's the laydown of things..

(1) Scolding by my OC over trival matters.

Yesterday duty was at Main Guardroom (as I have requested).. Duty was not shiong, its juz tat its tiring! Its juz tat I had ALL armed duties yesterday and for a record, my duties were ALL Main Gate and no foot prowls!

Actually, this morning I was allocated another armed duty, however, if really the audit comes and I must carry out the drill, I koe the drill, but not confident to carry it out.. scared of cock-ups; and if this is so, my superiors are going to scold me like mad.. so to avoid all these, I rather volunteer myself for Main Gate duty to be the safest!

But then, I juz realised tat I'm dun koe like the jinx or sumthing.. everytime when I'm on duty and my OC is around, he would like find ways and things to reprimand me about! Even my officer said I'm juz sway, though all the things are simply not my fault.. today is the ultimate lah.. here is the scenerio!

I was allocated a Main Gate duty this morning.. so according to my RSM, he doesn't really care abt the extra things tat were at the sentry box.. as long as the place is free of litter/rubbish and everything is put nicely, can liaoz.. So just as I expected, my RSM looked and turn back twice to look how the sentry box looks (in terms of cleanliness and stuff), and he did NOT say anything.. And everytime once he receives a call and he need to answer, he would stay in the sentry box and answer the phone call! And he did tat this morning! And all along, my RSM did NOT say anything, so I take it as ok.. Was quite satisfied with myself actually!

Then juz as the peak hr is gone, my OC walked around the sentry box and he decided to take a break in the sentry box for a while.. then, I think his mouth "itchy" or sumthing or he juz cant stand the extra things lying ard in the sentry box, and then he called for me..

Apparently, inside has a few items which when he asked me, I dun koe how to answer! Apparently, there is this window panel, 4 extra baskets (which is actually for the checker bay, but every nite when they off duty, they wld bring back the baskets to the sentry box.. and this morning when they do duty, they never even take the baskets! Even the X-ray station didnt do tat loh- becos they need those plastic baskets too! So my OC is expecting me to explain why the baskets are at the sentry box and not at those 2 locations) and an unexpired car label (but NOT returned to the pass office) which he complained abt! And its definately not my fault! Becos when I take over, its already like tat!! What can I do abt it? And usually, we RPs dun really care abt why there are extra baskets and the fallen window pane and the car label.. becos we juz do our duty and after tat, we thought juz leave tat place neat can liaoz.. these kind of things dun need to care (unless its very important).. u all get wat I mean rite??

Then my OC called me to explain.. and I actually explained lah.. but then, apparently, my explanation was not good enuf, becos I seriously dun koe why is it there! When I took over yesterday, it was like tat liaoz! How the hell I koe? Do he expect me to koe everything? Come on lah.. we are not a genius or sumthing! We can't koe everything.. and moreover, its juz a sentry box.. as long as its neat, you think the ppl will care wat is this and all?

Anyway, my officer was also called to explain why the items were there! My officer also cld not answer!! And after my OC left, I told my officer and he said I was juz sway lah.. even my sgt (who juz came and ask my officer wat happened, but my officer was juz too "tired" to answer.. so he called me to explain instead, and I explained lah..) also said I'm swayed! I tell you.. I feel juz like I'm this complete idiot who is being manipulated and thrown around like nobody's business, and gets bullied or scold at for no reason..

I actually almost cried this morning after the whole episode! I'm not a crybaby or stuff, but its juz tat my OC talks as if he's shifting the whole blame on me for sumthing which I did not do.. and the worse thing is tat I'm very poor with words and cant really talk back! On the other hand, its also very rude to talk back to an officer, becos you can be charged for this! Yes.. Charging is everything in NS! And the only way to keep my OC frm further questioning you or childing you is to juz agree everything he says, and he wld like keep quiet!

This morning my OC called me to explain, and I juz kept quiet and he kept probing me for an answer.. I juz told him tat it was an overlook on my part.. and he said, "no.. its not an overlook on your part, but its juz tat you all are not bothered!".. and then I kept quiet! Then he was like nothing much to say, and I actually heaped a sigh of relief tat he did not give me extras or sumthing..

Yes, I agree tat area shld be neat and stuff and I shld koe wat is all those weird things lying ard tat place, but then, my OC machiam like putting the blame all on me.. and hello! Its not me who did this whole stupid mess! I dun even koe wat's happening loh! haiz..

Sometimes I really wonder whether is there justice for us NSFs in army? Or everything we muz follow orders (and NOT allowed to raise our opinions) and juz serve 2 yrs and get out of NS? Can we as NSFs take anymore "shit" tat comes our way? A thought for NSFs who is reading this.. =)

Then, my friend also said I was sway lah.. becos everytime I do duty and my OC is ard, he wld always pinpoint at me.. haiz.. am I a jinx?

(2) Failing of my Advance Driving Theory again for the 2nd time!

Today went to take my Adavce Driving Theory! Believe most ppl out there koe tat I failed my advance again for the 2nd time in a row!

I agree tat I did not study much at this time, becos I was super sianz liaoz (imagine studying EVERYTHING frm the start ALL over again!).. but nevertheless, I still manage to find time to study, though after dismounting frm duty, I am usually quite sleepy.. but I sometimes make a pt to study in the bus due to the long travelling time! Sometimes I even bring my stuff to study during my mounting, becos its my restime mah!!

Then today is the day.. my friend all make fun of me saying tat they 1st time can pass liaoz and me no pt studying becos I wld still fail.. haiz.. I always tot tat it was a joke.. but then it came true today..

The qns in today's test is much easier than the last time round, and I was confident of passing this time round.. During the test, I was thinking to myself.. after I passed today's test, I can officially learn driving liaoz! So there was I mugging thru each qn and checking each qn's answer after tat to make sure its all correct, and thank goodness I checked, becos apparently, there was 2 qns which I overlooked and I gave the wrong answer! So ya.. but even after tat, it didn't help.. and I was shocked to see when the result come out.. I failed!

When I see the word "failed", I felt really a complete loser! People can within 5 mins finish everything and pass, whilst I fail! Wat is this? Is there sumthing really wrong with me? Am I a retard or sumthing? Moreover, ppl take 1 time can pass liaoz, why can't I? I take 2nd time liaoz and I still fail? WTH???

And I therefore called home to tell my mum abt my result, and she was so nice.. she said its ok.. try again and she encourage me to go book for my 3rd try! I actually was contemplating at first whether to go on or juz give up this whole thing! But then, I booked for my next attempt.. and its on 150306, 1515 - 1605. Well.. this test date booked is juz 8 days before my 22nd birthday (which is on 230306), so if I pass this test, then it wld be the BEST 22nd Birthday present tat anyone can give me!

Also on this day, my shift friend (who stays near my place) wld be taking his advance theory for the first time, and he said he booked the same time, same place and same date somemore! So guess we'll be mtg, and juz hope I dun malu myself in front of him lohz.. haiz..

Thanx for all your SMSes (a lot actually!) and calls (actually only one, and its frm my bro, Andrew.. thanx bro! I'm fine! hmm.. wat makes u think I was crying my hearts out? ha.. its not like I failed my major exam or sumthing.. so ya..)

(3) Temporary sergeant horrible!

And becos of the shortage of sgt in my shift (1 kenna MC for 2 weeks and another leg kenna hurt and therefore excuse duties for quite a while), 2 sgts wld be transfered over to my shift, until the ASLC course finishes this mth in mid-Feb!

And one of the sgt is the one which I told you all a few days back (abt the sgt who didnt understand the meaning of I can't wear my RP helmet, and he didn't care, and he juz asked me to bring my RP3!).. die.. this sgt so fussy.. my shift ha.. sure die.. the only thing good abt him is tat he plays soccer with my shift mates (who ultimately dun matter to me at all, becos I hated soccer!.. so ya..).. man.. I wonder wat stunt this time he wld "come out" when in my shift temporarily! haix..

Ok lah.. I guess I have spend the last 1.5 hrs typing this blog and ranting away in this blog! Thank you viewers for reading ya.. =)

I shall excuse myself now to recuperate my rest/sleep, to recover frm the aftermath of my consecutive failure of my Advance Theory, as well as also to recover frm my sadness of this morning's episode with my OC!

** I'm still counting down the days LEFT to serve.. its 259 DAYS to ORD!!

Am I fated to feel ostracised and always so unfortunate?,
<<< abriel >>>