As promised, I'm now back at home.

Tommorrow is our 4th 2NTM in 7 weeks. It's become so frequent nowadays that we're no longer affected by the pre-confinement blues of 2NTM personnel.

Just completed my IPPT this morning. Surprisingly, after an intensive static training session on Saturday, I was able to complete my stations with a performance that even took me by surprise. Bar the 2.4 km run, which we were not informed of the timing, I'm just one chin-up short of a gold.

Work has been piling up again for the past few weeks, as we are being forced to clear our 'excess' off, which we have mainly accumulated for the last few 2NTMs. So the scenario is such that we are clearing off on work days while staying behind to be on standby during the weekends. Tsk.

Runescape (www.runescape.com) has seen a complete makeover since my last visit more than half a year ago. The graphics are now rather acceptable and pleasing. Minor tweaks to the game has made stats training not so tedious now. What's more, it's free to play!

I wonder how's Helbreath, another MMORPG from Korea, is faring after going P2P.

Some malicious spyware was downloaded into my system recently, and it's been affecting the performance of my already pathetic four year old heap. I guess it's a wake-up call by computer manufacturers to remind us to get a new system every 3 years or so.

Pay rise scheduled for August 10th, just after National Day but before the transfer of leadership post to Lee Jr. 5-day work week is in the talks. Looks like the new batch of NSFs have it all: Shorter service (Up to six months), More pay (Up to 100 bucks), no BMT recourse and a great condominium-chalet on an island across the sea. With this and more, who needs to sign on?

We have a new Disruptee spec in my platoon: Alvin, and he ORDs in January next year. Oh well... we could do with some additional help, I guess.

Cheers, and Happy National Day!

NSS

Update: Will get this done some time in the week.

Been a month since I last posted... Because it's been a month since I last enjoyed a weekend off...

Highlights of the past month included 02 x 2NTMs and 01 x BPT, which translates into weekend after weekend of platoon bonding...

Just went out with 3 ORD personnel yesterday - Gabriel, Melvin and Seetoh. Apparently the rest of the fellas had something on at the last minute... ahem.

We dined in at Kuishin-Bo(Suntec City) for an ala-carte buffet lunch. At SGD 30.20 (inc. GST), it was certainly not the cheapest of buffets. And on top of that, we made the mistake of ordering a set meal to begin with. Not that I'm complaining, but it's rather apparent that they were trying to stuff us with the sticky rice, as there was more rice in the tempura bowl than you would normally find in a fully-paid-for one.

As a side note, we need to have more activities for the next outing. Pool seems rather popular...

Well, I'm going back to camp already, but should be back again this weekend.

Cheers.

Went for a nice meal at IMM last weekend; Long Beach Seafood Restaurant, to be precise. They were having a non-alcoholic beer on promotion, so I decided to break the norm and try it out. At S$3.50, the Lowenbrau Beer tasted no different from its competitors. Perhaps it's just me, but I still felt dryness in my throat after consuming the gassy beverage. I'd give it a four stars though, simply for the fact that I did not feel tipsy or overly warm after a mug of Lowenbrau.

Thursday: IMT. After departing for Nee Soon Camp, I realized I'd not be able to participate in the actual Range, since I'd be on 2 NTM then. TIme to stock up on my snacks though.

Paladin POPed on Saturday, thankfully with no serious cases during the parade.

2 more weekends in camp...

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Vesak Day.

There was a turnout on Tuesday at 0715 hrs. This was in response to spotchecks in other units recently which have yielded several pieces of ammunition. In all, more than a thousand man-hours was lost. Do this often enough, and we'd be losing more productivity than the number of man-hours the SAF spends on meetings.

Will be attached to kaffir for 2NTM next week, which means I'll not get to book out then.

What a week it has been!

Went outfield from Monday to Wednesday. Initially attached as an ambulance medic, I doubled up as the stand-in company medic midway through the CPT. During the night walk en route to the objective, though, I was essentially, unceremoniously, 'abandoned'. What happened was that I was instructed to stay put at the entrance of a narrow footpath. After five to ten minutes, when I realized that the one who instructed me to stay there was not going to return, I began to make my way down the dark, unlit path, guided along only by the faint glow of two measly cyalume straws. At the end of the trail was a road, I searched the area within a fifty metre radius, but all my efforts came to nought, as I was simply unable to locate the track. I returned to my original placeand decided to wait for day break before carrying out my next course of action. At six thirty, I saw an ATTC speed past me, and in the distance, gunshots were heard.I took what was naturally the most sensible thing, and trekked in the general direction of the noise. After ten minutes of walking towards the fading roar of the ATTCs, I orientated myself, as this was the very place I had transversed when I was covering for Lion's mounted training a couple of months back. I walked a full circle around the place, but was unable to contact any friendly forces, only a section of reservists and recces. Eventually, six hours later, my ordeal was over. I was promptly picked up and brought back to the safety of my ambulance. And kaffir got its flag after all. In fact, I think they did pretty well during the rest of the Exercise. Oh well, at least it was a unique experience spending a birthday alone, out in the wilderness.

On Thursday, I chance upon the most number of my BMT platoon mates since we passed out last year- Jeff, Herbert, Ming Hui and Alvin. Well, I'll have some planning to do; We're going to organize a gathering during Vesak Day. In fact, I'm going to call them up later in the morning. A turnout crowd of more than eight fellas would be surprising.

Another incident also took place in the afternoon, as I was sending a patient to NUH. Due to the noisy traffic and a downward gradient along the AYE, the meter jumped a point, despite our attempts to halt the vehicle safely.

There's going to be some PC/ ELectronics fair down at the Singapore Expo Hall in the coming weekend. I just can't wait!

The past week was a rather busy time, so considering the fact that I’m now at home, online, I consider this moment to be sacred.

Well, let’s see… On Monday, we had a once-in-a-blue-moon coy run, which can only mean one thing – It’s rather tiring.

After freshening up, I heaved a sigh of relief as I collapsed onto my throne, only to be alerted that I’d be attached for outfield training with a certain company. In double-quick time (Ahem… Superman, as someone would say…), I got my field pack done up from scratch. It took a whole hour, by the time I was done, the company was already preparing to move off.

It ended up being a rehearsal for the coy prof test, and took two precious days off my already hectic schedule. On my return to camp on Tuesday night, I found out that the rest of my platoon had already set off for cover, which left me at a loss as to what I should be doing. I cleared the backlog at the medical center, and prepared to move out and reinforce the BCS team later in the day.

As dusk approached, I prepared my equipment and headed off to the jungle once again. By sheer luck, the toughest bit of the training had already gone by the previous day hence my appearance was cosmetic.

Upon our return to base camp on Thursday afternoon, the sky started to show signs of an impending doom. It began to pour an hour later. Phew!

On Friday, we went to SAFTI MI to attend a safety seminar and exhibition, which was a good time to meet up with some of my old classmates: Beng Leong, Ivan and Chee Keong.

Yesterday, I tried to contact Jin Yu regarding the barbecue, but there was no response from her. Will have to check up on the group soon.

Attended the Big Walk today. We went there at six and began the walk earlier than the rest of the snoozing crowd. Thanks to the Nicoll Highway Incident, our route was modified and shortened. Kudos to the organizing committee for its efficiency and adaptation in response to the incident. In the first place, however, they should have selected another stadium to organize the Walk out of, such as Choa Chu Kang, since they were aware of the inconvenience the construction of the Circle Line can cause to both walkers and motorists alike.

Another week of outfield will be up ahead, so I’d better prepare to book in tonight, post-haste.

Let's recount what has left an impression on me the past week:

Monday to Wednesday: Busy preparing for the monthly admin matters.

Wednesday: Four new specs rejoin us after a couple of months at Nee Soon Apartments. Unfortunatley, only one managed to make the tedious journey back.

Wednesday to Thursday: A merchant returned from Greece, bringing along with him wares from the distant land. A great marble statue of the Wise Goddess Athena and Greek delicacies alike were hauled from the Land of the Olympics, though the locals scoffed at the sweet candle-wax-like candy.

Thursday: Went for a run in the morning, a short but rather tiring one. In the evening, we went out to Jurong in full force, and I was pleasantly surprised to meet one of my BMT mates there: Jia Feng. We feasted at Billy Bombers, which was greatly understaffed (The chef had to come out of his kitchen to serve the diners on at least one occasion).

Friday to Saturday: Same old, same old.

Saturday: Lunch at Long John's Silvers before retiring home.

Well, will update again next week (After my outfield activity).

Hey, after a week's absence, I'm back!

The past week was horrendously tedious for me. Lots of paperwork to sort out, since the mess that was done in two-odd weeks had to be identified before they could be rectified.

On Monday, there was a Parade, and an astonishing number of troopers fell out. My only observation on the parade is that only the genuine cases should be attended to; ie. only troopers who collapse, period.

On Tuesday, I went for a dental check-up at TAB. The staff there were pretty nice; very much unlike what several others have informed me. The tortue-chair was not exactly comfortable, but it was still a 'can-do'. My only complaint was that I had to keep my mouth open for almost ten minutes.

From next week onwards, until someone intervenes and sets things in order again, we've been booted from our current dining location. I guess they decided to take advantage of the fact that we're in a period of 'lawlessness'.

Yesterday, we went to Sentosa for Armour Family Day. We reached the island at 1445, but were told to pay one dollar for a bus ride, which we were really compelled to take, since a construction worker forbade us to cross the landmark bridge on foot. There were many games at the carnival, which seemed impossible to win, with the exception of the fishing game. A perfect score was required for most of the games, such as getting 3 hole-in-ones out of three for golf. Nevertheless, Zhenhao and I managed to get a free photoshoot at one of the booths.

Later in the day, I played a stage game and managed to win with the support of the P Coy recruits, although I was probably the most pathetic contestant.

Makan was a packaged set meal, hardly different from what we're having in camp. Coconut rice, 2 pieces of ngoh hiam, an entire chicken wing and a rather acceptable cabbage dish.

I stayed on waiting for a friend of mine, who failed to show up in the end.

The Foam party was somewhat of a disappointment. There were two 'models' occupying the centrestage, but apart from them, there were no female participants, so I guess the troopers could only drag, and on one occasion, haul their fellow platoonmates into the foray, squealing and screaming all the way.

I was offered a ride home from a certain someone, which I'm extremely grateful for. He's working in the entertainment industry, and has an interesting hobby, which is enterprising, to say the least. A good communicator, he is able to engage in a lasting and fruitful conversation. In addition, he has a very simple philosophy, which is akin to 'If you want to do something, do not hesitate, for a golden opportunity comes and goes as swiftly as a passing shower.'

Went out for some recreation with Loren and Jian Ming today. We later popped by Hougang Mall and Serangoon Gardens, where we saw Chew Chor Meng there, in his simple everyday clothes, selling snacks on sticks. Well, at least he returned a friendly smile to me...

Okay, I'll be preparing for my monthly report next week, so I'll be pretty busy then.

Till next time...

Well, Labour Day was a busy day for me (What an irony!). Went from Selegie to Cineleisure on foot (Army training must have helped), as I was worried the MRT might be too crowded. En route, I noticed throngs of locals and tourists pouring out from the Istana, which was having an Open House.

In CS, I managed to snap up a few frags, my best performance to date!

We did not visit Karen today, as she was having a temperature. Perhaps a visit can be organised next week?

Met up with friends from my Vietnam Trip at Pastamania (Orchard Cineleisure). The food's alright, though much can be done for the price of the desserts, which, though hardly even bite size, can cost half as much as a main dish. The chef actually mixed up my order of pasta, but thankfully, I was in a forgiving mood.