Whoopie doo... Will be flying off tonight for Cairns. Back on the 4th of November.

The investigation team from our brigade came down to conduct some investigations and trial tests at our parade square on Tuesday. For an hour, nearly thirty fellas crowded around two 5-tonners, as it inflated and subsequently deflated its tyres. Tsk... and the SAF is thinking of how to IMPROVE efficiency...

Nights off on Wednesday was cancelled to... gasp... clean arms. Having cleaned the GPMG, which we were not trained in, on Monday and an assortment of SAR21s and Carbines on Tuesday, we were held back to clean arms yet again on Wednesday. Someone in Brigade would be throwing his arms in dismay when he hears about this. Apparently, someone even tried to call the counselling hotline...

Milo 'endorses' smoking, as is evident in the ATC Canteen. Half a dozen Milo tins are lying around the smoking corner, and have been conveniently used as mega-ash trays by the smokers.

Food at the ATC Cookhouse is self-service, which can only mean three things:

1) The SFI cookhouse personnel will be axed shortly
2) Less food will be wasted. Take what you want to eat only.
3) There is a recommended serving portion which you cannot exceed, but can take less of

There was a 90-minute OC talk on Friday, which nearly ate into my Annual Clan Dinner. Should have taken the day off had I been aware of it... The agenda of the talk? We need to be more disciplined in order to ensure no more such accidents occur in the unit until the unit steps down and turns operationally-ready.


Till next Blog,
Bon Voyage!

Wednesday was a potentially boring day, until we recieved a call from our Ops Room summoning Alvin. Apparently, a 5-tonner had 'slightly overturned' after hitting a tree. Two servicemen, including the Vehicle Commander, were heli-casevaced to SGH while 8 others recieved outpatient treatment at CGH. The remaining 3 were discharged at Tekong Medical Cantre.

Went down to Jurong Point for dinner on Wednesday together with Terence and Weizhang. I underestimated the western food at 'Kopitiam' and almost exploded after filling myself with the Fish and Chips there.

Chief was expected to come down on Thursday, but postponed his FFI to Friday, resulting in several of us missing the opportunity to welcome him. (He hardly toured the grounds anyway, according to sources)

Went home on Thursday night for a buffet dinner near Tanglin Mall to celebrate mum's birthday. The spread was rather limited, I'd say,but there was enough to go around. Laksa, Salmon Sashimi, pudding and cold prawns were the highlights of the meal. At 21 bucks after heavy discount, it was actually not a bad deal on second thoughts...

Visited Vincent on Firday. He met up with a minor accident on his way to camp the previous night. His condition was worse than expected, with stitches required for his upper lip and chin.

Plans for the KL trip has been finalized, with base cost at SGD 158 per person for 3D/2N.

Trip to Cairns is almost confirmed. Leave applied, Tours booked... all that remains is for me to apply for my exit permit.

Was a rather quick week...

Booked in on Wednesday night, did a Friday Duty and scooted by Saturday morning.

Note to self: Have yet to return Loren's jeans...

My upper study has been posted to a reservist Logistic unit. That means a rather slack ICT (if any) for him. Good for him!

Just got Tiberian Sun off Yahoo! Auctions.

Getting a used Palm this coming Sunday. Whoopie doo... My first handheld!

Was on off today.

Heard that IQA 1 is going to recommence. Medical Centre's manpower is woefully adequate, considering the fact that many units are out on Exercise in Australia, no Medical Officers will be around during our scheduled date, and the fact that our Medical Centre's still in quite a mess, it being halfway through renovations. With some persuation, hopefully it can be postponed till December.

Went to Meritus Mandarin this morning to hammer out some details of my upcoming overseas vacation. Departing 24 October, should be back in camp 05 November.

Took over half of the known world in Martial Kingdoms as the Beggar Sect's chief, but am still light years away from mastering the almighty Dragon subduing palms and Dog beating skill...

Got to book in tonight.

Was a rather quiet Monday morning doing duty as most of the fellas were on off-in-lieu.

We went for nights off on Tuesday. Got another copy of Martial Kingdoms just for the strategy guide at Jurong Point. The 1845 bus to Jurong was not crowded, which was a pleasant surprise. Got another two books at the library; An Aussie travel guide and one on Linux. Saw William from SR. Could not recall his name there and then. My apologies.

Shifted to our new premises on Tuesday as well. New Docu Room is more like a conference room. Hectic!

Had a mini medical pre-meeting meeting to hammer out the details of how the newly refurbished Medical Centre should be run. Came up with many pointers.

Joined Xuelun, Ivan, May May, Jin Yu and Rui Yi for steamboat buffet at Happy Pay (Tian Tian) Steamboat Buffet Restaurant to celebrate Xuelun's birthday. It wasn't cheap, considering the slow service and low-cost food: S$20.85 after Service charge of 10%, which was really not worth while. Note: It costs just S$14 (incl. Svc charge) if you arrive after 10.30 pm. We ended our meal at 11pm and went to the Padang for a night photoshoot. Weirdly enough, there was a man sleeping beside a lamp post opposite the Supreme Court. Where's the law and order? Took a cab back at 1.30am.

Went over to Yew Tuck's Mum's shop: D' Cafe just a stone throw from my place for breakfast. Had Century Egg Porridge with Latte while my dad had Wanton Noodles and Cappacchino. We also shared a blueberry waffle. The porridge was good and had a generous serving of Century eggs and meat, but the Char Siew in the Wanton Noodles was a tad too hard and chewy. Some minor observances: Waffle machine should be placed in the kitchen and drinks fridge should be shifted aside so as not to block the diners' way. In order to increase seating capacity, 2 rows of tables and benches should be used. Current seating capacity is only <15 with 4 round tables. With long benches and tables, after taking into consideration the repositioning of the fridges, it should be able to seat 24 or so pax.

Still playing Martial Kingdoms.

Awaiting old computers (CPUs and/or peripherals) which are about to be discarded. From Pentium 133Mhz onwards.

Returning to camp tonight.

Cheers.