An Early Christmas Celebration

Came to Pasir Ris Medical Centre

Last night, we had roasted beef, stuffed turkey, honey glazed ham, pizzas and many more

Whole lot skipped dinner just for this feast that started at 7pm

The usual fun makings, name callings and loud laughter over lame jokes

The medical centre has become more lively after Ivan joined our strength

The moodswing-er naipat must be glad he has found a much better personal assistant than someone like me

A relationship is harder to maintain than to initiate

And I am learning it, progressively

One day by one day we see more short-comings of each other

But that does not necessary means it is a bad thing

The more we know, the better we become, the quicker we can adapt and improve

Being with you

I live a much more fulfilling life than before

你快乐吗?

现在我可以很有信心与自信的说

我快乐!

这快乐的原理有太多的故事与复杂的结构

不管怎样

很感激您所做的一切

无论晴天还是刮风落雨

我都会守护着你

陪伴着你

把我所有的温暖转入您的手心里

If You Are My Tour Guide

I will be your porter

So many events have taken place in the past two weeks

The new I-net platform, as well as a new medic joining our strength in the medical centre

Watched 2012, sang karaoke two days in a row

A journey is not about how fast you get to the end

Let's go to Johore Bahru together

Duties on Public Holidays

Yes, I so lurve the feeling to be stucked in camp when the rest are out enjoying

I lurve it so much I am doing for both Hari Raya Haji and Christmas Day

Very nice

Still not enough, I will do New Year's Eve too

Luckily there is a new I-net platform in the Dispensary to company me through

But how long will it stay is a question to ponder now

Hong Kong Ngoh Hoi Sum

Happy Hong Kong trip peppered with many little unhappiness and disappointments

It was my first time visiting this small cluster of islands

And expectantly, I have my expectations for the trip

One example of such disappointment

Was the hotel check-in service

There could have been so much time saved if only what we requested was amply prepared

But we understood that the hotel was having difficulties due to high accomodation rate

Baby's noise was another torment to bear

His incongruous demands for comforting and notorious wants for jie to carry him

Thankfully all of us have a high threshold level for such nonsense

Coming back to the positive side

I really enjoyed the chilling windy weather, with temperature as low as 11 degree Celsius

To stop my hands from turning 'cold-cut-trio' ready to be served

I got a pair of gloves from H&M to insulate them

H&M outlet is similar to the local variation of Topshop/Topman but I think they offer a more acceptable price range

Shopping makes me happy

My eyes glowed literally when we came to Uniqlo outlet at Lee's Theatre Plaza in Causeway Bay

Where I got a pair of jeans, a flannel shirt and a belt, and still felt that it was not enough

As we shopped and walked, the chill has already drilled itself up into my joints, giving me bites to remind me

However, all I could care was to tour as much places, see as many things and possibly spend as much as possible for the 6 days

In general, many of the attractions were very normal, but lively with the local and foreign visitors crowd

What we want to see was in fact the real Hong Kong streets, the run-down, flavourful and dirty side

However it shocks me when the surreal impression that we wanted to see became awful in reality

One night we had claypot rice for dinner at Temple Street

The utensils were unclean and our appetites were made worst by the ashes on them

The first perception that striked me was that the utensils were blessed with joss-paper ashes

Sheesh

I believe we Singaporeans are extremely well pampered

Almost everywhere we go we have air-con to chase away the heat

Restaurants we enter serve us promptly with piping hot food and clean utensils

Most of us can't help but expect things to be good yet cheap, clean yet tasty and must have guarantee

Hahaha

Ngoh hou hoi sum ah

Living in Singapore is still the best

Orchard Full of Fruits

Apec 2009 here in Singapore is coming to an end

Am surprised that some of my friends were not aware of such presence

Realised that not many people keep themselves updated on the things that are taking place around them

There are countless medium towards the latest information and news

Sadly, many can dedicate so much effort into performing one, or a few tasks they have on hand

Let's say - studying

And gladly neglect the environment they are cohabitating with the rest of the population

Back in ION Orchard again

The crowd never seem to cease, the train forever packed

And as many have thought the economy was running deficiently

The shoppers that turned up every weekends never failed to put the perception at doubt

Endless spending, endless walking

Astro Whiz

So we are bidding farewell to the fellow medics

Whom I have worked with past these few months

I want to wish them a smooth journey ahead

And have someone who is (very much) not like our er-hem-you-know-who as their future superior

Astro boy the movie was quite a fail I felt

It was probably just another kid's show to me

It only makes me remind of how the relationship between CDOTI and Hendon are

Whereby TI has more or less become a 'dumping ground' for Hendon

Which bears resemblance to the Metrocity and the surface, as it is called in the movie

Broken robots, unsightly robots, stupid robots, unfixed robots

Are simply jumbled up and packed away for disposal

And even as now, we all ended up in the heap of wastes

People are still trying to extract what's useful from what has been treated as junk

And exploit it till they run out entirely

If it was my responsibility, I have no means to run away from it

Even if we were cast-aways, we never forget our roots and we always wear our uniform with pride

Because we know the belonging, and we want the belonging

Anyways, the street decos and lightings along Orchard road was good job done

But just like every other years, I feel no mood of festive celebration despite the amount of money

That was spent to put up those decos, or the expended firecrackers and fireworks

Hong Kong here I come

I speak no Cantonese but I have fallen in love with the songs sung in this dialect

And I definitely speak more Thai than Cantonese or Hakka in all that matters

Sadako

Is uber bored

Is super bored

Want to go to karaoke again

K-session with the medics and nai-pat went well on Monday night

Though some could barely sing, and one simply gives up his chance to others

It was the first time we had a cohesion at KBox

I bet my rapping skills must have swept them off their feets

And knocked them cold with songs-they-would-never-expect-me-to-sing

Really miss the sessions I had with Elaine, kb, chichi and Jason

The ability to sing duet runs absent when there are no girls present

双Dの愛恋

Yesterday, the forth of October

Marks a very important day within our family

And that is the marriage of our beloved cousin Mr David Pooi and his wife, Ms Diana Wong

I recalled the Saturday before when we were 'enslaved' to move house for them

That was the first time I visited Diana's place at Potong Pasir

It was a cosy little old house by the corner of the corridor

After slogging for an hour, we packed everything little things she wanted to bring over into a tiny van

And set off to the new place at Yishun

The new place was done up magnificently I would say

We stayed over that night, fixing up the karaoke system and wireless Internet network

This Saturday, we were busy preparing for the costumes, the wedding lunch and other miscellaneous

H-hour striked 0400 on 040909

Weather was cool, the morning water bath was even colder, shuddering me

While the brothers changed into their white Espada cosplay

David changed into his handsome suit, did a quick prayer and we were ready to set off

We arrived at the bribes place in a convoy of 6 cars, hazard lights beaming, honking horns honking

(In hope) to turn out the few flats of residents

It was a big day anyway

After the cow-kid (aka gu-kia) opened the bridegroom's car door and took some photos

The whole lot including the photographer made our way up to the bribes den

Only to be welcomed by a pack of lurking and hungry long-haired and beautifully dressed wolves

Lust of seeing some red and starved of cold cash

After picking up the bribe, we headed back to the new place for tea offering ceremony

Then, the suckling pig was delivered and it has to accompany the newly weds when they are to 回门

Understanding that the rushes here and there were tiring out the energetic brothers

Whom had almost or no sleep the previous night

But that was no excuse for anyone of us to slack off

I knew that David need us for any and every moment

Lastly, after fast forwarding all the tiresome details

We headed to Park Royal Hotel where the afternoon banquet would be held at

Where we changed down the cosplay into casual-formal wears

The lunch itself was marvellous with wedding singers and no long boring speeches

Everything was settled in by 1600, by then the newly weds were already back in their hotel room

They are going to need a good long rest after a nice hot shower and a cuppa warm milk

Lights out for myself too

Knocked out upon reaching home

While the little baby nurtures in her mother's womb

While the little couple whisper sweet nothings into each other's ears

While I knew that she had eyes on me but her boyfriend was looking

While we wait for the future to lay ahead of us

Many things should not be left waited to happen

Many a times we ought to make things happen instead

Iconic Ion

So many things are happening

Sometimes, I just feel like freezing time to put things in order

Never will a single second wait for anybody

And a pity that is a fact

IQA auditing came as a surprise

And with no doubt with nearly flunk it

It is unbelievable that even in a disciplinary organisation

People would still want to screw things up

Or seek ways and means to do things the easy way

But that is nature I suppose

A form of laziness that lies within each individual

I want to improve, and I want to show them I can do just as well

However my good old two legs have been sloshed into this deep pile of leftover wastes

And that happened the first day I stepped into this Dispensary

Even without regrets, trying to square it into an asset instead of a tripping stone

But the deeper I dug the more crap surfaced

I feel like escaping from this

But it is fruitless and pointless to do so

I believe

To every problem there must be a way or two to tackle it

Anyway

ION Orchard could just be the next (hoo-hah) Vivocity

Will be going back again very soon

Very glad that all turned up today

If only I could tell them how much I cherish the time I spent with them

Maybe they will stop questioning my state-of-single issue

Of Dusty Tracks And Muddy Boots

Ho ho finally I am back

Been to Thailand for a month

And all I got were some rotten tee-shirts

Haha, nah

It was more than that

More than just a trip to do medical coverage for Ranger course

It was a little of sight seeing, a little of touring, round the country side of Thailand

And enjoying the scenic views, hot sunny weather and needless to say the local delights

Spicy foods have always been my fave

Guess I will miss those spicy Pad-khao-mu and Pah-khao-gai we had at outfields

Other than just food, the locals were friendly and very sharing

Though, they are kind of fascinated by cylume sticks (otherwise known as light sticks)

Always trying to get one or two from us

Allow me to guess, is the next thing white gloves and revolving light sticks on the dance floor

Anyway I could not care less now

Afterall many things are dispensable, sometimes even feelings

Now

Is one week of offs enough

Should I be thankful, or should I fret

Or why I should even bother in the first place

For the past one month life has been easy

Its painful to be slapped with reality

Work, work

Nike Human Race 10km, short-term goal as of now

It used to be simple, how has it turned out to be like that now

I fear the future

E.X.E.R.C.I.S.E.W.H.A.C.K.M.E

Today I saw some and many people

Some whom I knew, many I do not

Feeling strangely awkward

Even to those that have crossed paths many a times in earlier days

Feeling a complete stranger now

But unable to shy away

Is it the similar kind of feeling I used to hold on with

Have wanted to shred those unwanted feelings away

But many of it still live in many parts of myself

Sadness and weird feelings aside

I want to thank kb, yl and ws for celebrating a wet-and-sandy birthday presents hunt with me

Never knew digging for presents in wet sand were so uncomfortable yet fun

I love the gifts, but I am not too sure if they suit me

Want to thank chi for inviting me to her 21st bash

Though I only made it for the cake-cutting

And hope that she likes the perfume from us too

Anyway the cake was good stuff

Almost regretted not helping myself to another piece

Hungry lah

Can I run Stan-Chart this year end

Happy Twenty-Second

Not for me though, it was hers - Laine's

I have yet to turn 21st

And still without plans for it

Last night's karaoke was awesome

Has been quite a while since we all came together for a singing session

Really savoured every moment I was holding the mike

And rapping off the familiar hits

Crooning the all time favourites with my best buddies

There were weisiang and linyun

Kb and qj, and of course Laine with zw

And I am like a third party to every relationship present

Because I am the sole one out who is single

Haha

And thanks so much to ws whom have always without fail send each of us back to our doorstep

No matter how late through the hours of darkness

Ly must have been lucky

While I am waiting for her to upload the pictures

One For The Big PJI In The Sky

Accidents happen, and especially during parachute jumps

Those are the risks a para-jumper have to take

As he stands in the door and prepares to airborne

On the 20th of this month, 1WO Tan Poh Eng has departed from our world

Doing what most men could not and what he probably does best

A military freefall

May you, our para-jump instructor, rest in peace

You have served long, served well

Your deeds and efforts are appreciated and well heed of

You will be always remembered, Warrant Yoko

Hit It!

Clarification

(Jkia is Jason Poh)

When are we coming out again

I want to grab the mike and sing

I want to wear my Saucony and run

I want to stop procrastinating

I must do something

I will make it happen

Shattered

There was a pact made

To share with someone this little experience I have gained

It may be a real long period ago

But I want to let this person know

That I have not forgotten

The experience is short, and may not even be glorious to be discussed about now

An Airborne experience

Some may know, while many may not

I have survived the first jump, but only to succumb to an earlier existing injury

Hence forbade to take subsequent plunges

And even restricted me to run

"Don't you worry, I am walking still..."

Anyway my journey here in Hendon is coming to an end

The first jump was second on schedule as the actual first was cancelled due to strong winds

Sembawang Airbase the dropzone

Pre-jump preparations and briefing up at the wee hours of the night

It was a Chinook jump

With the heavy parachute strapped on and the uncomfortable harness worn

We sat and waited, stared blankly at the wide blue sky

Everything felt like yesterday's peacefulness until it was our turn to load up

"C'mon this is it. Just get the hell up there, leap off and land safely. Everything would be fine and I will go home tomorrow to see my family."

Trying to put up a face as still as possible

But right under the shattering mask hides a fear that was ready to erupt any moment

The Chinook landed, the signal given

With a few jumpmasters, we ran like crazy folks towards its rear

The two giant propellers sent huge waves of hot wind that slaps us with absolutely no mercy

And the high engine heat blowing right onto our expressionless faces that were turning sheet-white

Anxiety and fear

Up we go, the Chinook levitated and within a couple of minutes, we were looking down at the entire dropzone from 1000 ft

I swore my heart beat that fast my mind should have given up calming myself down

Green light 'ON'

That was the signal for the jumpmaster to start dispatching the jumpers

First man flew off

MOVE FORWARD

Second man flew off

MOVE FORWARD

Hands jerking, lips trembling, legs shivering

GO! Off I flew

I knew I shouted the drill commands, but the resonance of my voice seemed hidden somewhere down my throat

The chute opened 5 seconds upon exit

It was eerily quiet up there, so quiet, how surreal

And the peacefulness that earlier vanished slowly found its way back into me

The bird eye view was superb I must say

But there was not much time to enjoy the scenery

We would touch ground in approximate less than or in a minute

Lastly the touchdown ended the exciting yet quiet jump abruptly

This is Airborne, my airborne, my experience

When will yours be

And will you share it

With me

Duck Wings Instant Noodle

I had had such a great voice

No one can hear

Karaoke never seemed so harsh before

I am 'out-of-voice' for now

Full of Sorrows He Couldn't Share

Guard duty, so routine

To upkeep good conduct adds nothing to my value in the army

If one is physically strong and have a quick thinking

He would be one step ahead of others

During this 3 months of attending status 'B'

I have learnt, I have seen

That other than possessing leadership qualities and good physical attribute

Well behaviour and self-discipline are invisible to the top management

Maybe these characteristics were already expected to be imbued in each soldier

Not true

Are those people I saw, those that once I have trained with

Really compatible to be who we can rely on in times of need

Will they shed blood to save this land

I really doubt it

Young and rowdy, ill-disciplined, alcoholics and gluttons

The society has forced the general population to alter

Only for what I deem is negative

The defence force has somehow adopted the some say 'no fish, meat also can; no chicken, duck will do' mean

(Due to dropping population and urbanization?)

Of allocating men into each vocation to train them to fight

Only sad to see that this motion applies to my vocation as well

Farewell, red beret...

It has never been the place I wanted to be, not say staying

I may not have the pride to don the legendary-so-as-to-say headdress

But I wish the top can see that their troops have nothing to boast too

The Long March

Yes it is long, it seems to be never ending

Where is the end, where is the next destination

Who will and who shall be there to walk with me till the pit stop

Chinese New Year

Every year we celebrate this day

Only this year, I celebrate it with much shorter hair

A new year is a new start

Life in camp slowly turns solitary

While the injured ones get posted out

And the better ones move on with everyday training

I only wonder when is my turn