BELATED HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!

Took several days off to enjoy a nice, peaceful New Year. I guess this is the first time I do not have to work from home, though I did recieve 2 calls, one of which was from the COS, asking me to get 'my fellas to attend a briefing'.

Anyway, went to Europa for a buffet dinner on Thursday night. I'd say the spread on a weekday is a far cry from the sumpteous one on a weekend. The chefs were rushing the dishes, and the patrons themselves were consuming food at a far greater rate than can be replenished. Lesson learnt: Go for ala-carte on weekdays; Save the buffets for the weekends.

Saw Alan at Ang Mo Kio on Thursday morning. He was with his mum at the market.

The Countdown to the New Year went ahead according to schedule, at cousin Ah Seng's place. The spread included finger food, Roast Beef, Stuffed Turkey, Pizza, Assam (Fish) Curry and... wine. Using the new cork screw from Hong Kong, it now takes 4 seconds to remove a cork from a wine bottle.

Started on Maple Story, a 2-D fantasy game that has surprisingly gotten me hooked. Am now a level 18 Magician, after 2 days of slogging.

Meet Benjamin at the lift landing just as I was about to go down to SMU.

Took 105 instead of 156 to the Botanical Gardens and was rewarded with a one-hour walk around the Gardens. Although it is undergoing extensive renovation, much of the Gardens is surprisingly serene and beautiful. At the Rainforest trail, a tree branch snapped and fell on a spot I had just crossed several seconds before. Phew!

Will be booking in tonight.

Not made any resolutions. Have not been making them anyway. Besides, New Year's resolutions only come once a year. What we need are goals and aims, be it long-term or short-term.

The next two months will be rather tiring... lots of Exercises going on.

Happy Lunar New Year in advance!

2005 will be the year of Rememberance/Awareness of Natural Disasters. In the recent Tsunami/Earthquake that destroyed Bandar Aceh, more than 150,000 people are expected to be fatalities. Earthquakes in China of smaller magnitudes occasionally kill more than ten times this figure, but we are not as 'aware' of such catastrophies.

01 Dec

Yippee! I've finally cleared my SoC, which means I'm almost through with my Year 2 requirements. Just another 2 more major hurdles to go... ATP and ATEC

05 Dec

After scoring 14 out of 16 in my day shoot for the new Combat/ Support Shoot (rundown), I was delighted with a perfect night shoot. 26 points means I don't have to come back the next day for a reshoot. The new CSS is muich easier to score, and when compared to the previous Range, in which we had to hit targets from as far as 300 metres, the new shoot only requires us to be accurate at least at the 100 metre mark. Poor zeroing (or a lack of rounds to zero) and fatigue were the main reasons why I had fared poorly in my previous range, scoring almost as much as in this current range, but with twice the number of rounds then.

08 - 09 Dec

We spent two whole days refreshing the men on their Medical core skills - Buddy Aid, which is a requirement for ATEC Stage 1. Comprising a measly 2% of the total score, we are expected to score more than 95% of that 2& to pull our score up and attain a redcon 1. Not easy, if you'd askl, since almost anything can be faulted by the external invigilators.

10 Dec

Cohesion day at Teahouse, China Square Food Centre. Gabriel joined us for a dim sum buffet, which though lacked variety and served less-than-perfect Siew Mais, was a rather affordable S$15 nett. We piled the table with bamboo baskets twice over before Dr Lim and Sgt Melvin joined us for another 2 more rounds. Dessert was rather alright, with red bean paste, Honey Dew Sago, Mango pudding, chin chow and peanut paste. My only other complaint is the noodles, which came with no more than three pieces of bite-size meat.

After the food fest, we headed on down to Peace Centre, where we had several games of Pool, picking up Chong Han at UOB Building. Poor response, though, broke the momentum of the event. We took a brisk walk down to Plaza Singapura and spent some time accompanying Chong Han for dinner at Long John's Silvers and treating ourselves to top-of-the-range entertainment systems.

13 - 17 Dec

Medical Profficiency Test

As part of the requirements for ATEC Stage 1, we undergo a gruelling 3-day refresher lecture on everything under the sun pertaining to Medical efficiency, including Directives and the Military PAM sequence, which we have never attempted before. The training and revision cumulated in a Theory Test on Day 4, which I managed a weaker-than-expected 34 out of 40. But then again. the highest was only 38, so I guess my profficiency was alright-y. :) In the afternoon, I took my Practical Test, and being taken by Staff Tan for one section really kept me on my toes. He has and will fail Medics outright if they do not meet his level of profficiency...

Day 5 was spent coordinating with S1 Branch on their PATS inspection. Apparently, both our systems have been linked, without our knowledge, and differing standards between both Administrative systems caused quite a lot of headache, as we ploughed through the records to ensure that glitches were resolved if possible. Wanted to cut my hair in the afternoon, but the barber's on leave. How unfortunate!

19 Dec

Merry Christmas in advance! With 5-odd days more to shop for a present for your loved ones, "Have you done your Christmas Shopping yet?"

Personally, I'd rather wait till the post-holiday season before shopping, since that's the time you'll really get a good deal out of retailers with surplus inventories.

With the New Year a fortnight away, "Have you made your New Year's Resolution(s) yet?"

6 more months to ORD! Less Full troop in January, ATEC Stage 2 in February, that makes for just 4 more months. Less leave / Off, it's 2-odd months to go!

OZ update!

27 Oct

Hot Air Ballooning.

Minibus picked us up at 0440 hours and we were given a piece of 'bad news'. Nope, the weather's fine, but we were going to get a free upgrade to a one-hour balloon flight, because only one couple (which we had yet to pick up) was doing the one-hour flight (All of ours were half-hour flights) and 'it 's not nice to throw you(us) all overboard'. Good on ya, Mate! :)
The flight was rather spectacular. We managed to spot kangeroos, catch a glimpse of mariajuana country (Yes, it's in the Northern Territories, those small-scale drug lords...)
Hovering precariously over a crocodile-infested stream, we finally made a smooth landing (only 3 bumps qualifies the landing as a smooth one), helped with the packing up before heading to the Museum for a champagne breakfast.

Back at the motel for a nap.

Went to Cairns Central (The Mall) for some retail therapy, passing a Crazy Clark's along the way. It's a discounter/liquidators shop, and prices are rather reasonable in Sing Dollar terms.

Lunch at the International Food Court at the Mall. Settled on Thai Cruisine... At A$8.50 for Rice+2 side dishes, it wasn't exactly cheap...

28 Oct

Continental Breakfast.

Kuranda and Rainforestation Tour. A more relaxing last-minute tour after two rather hectic days.

Gondola to Kuranda. Simply, a cable car ride that stretches nearly ten kilometres over three stations. At the Barron Falls Station, we took a walk to the viewing platform nearby and boy, were we utterly disappointed! It was merely a trickleor water, and the 'lake' which serviced the falls was a mere 'puddle of water'!

Got a boomerang at the Kuranda Original Markets, a Tropical Crush drink and a 'LEWD' cap and T-shirt at the cultural (new) markets.

Running a little late, so we hurriedly boarded the bus to take us to the rainforestation village.

BBQ lunch at the restaurant in the reforestation village. Consisted of a fine buffet spread: Pork sausages, chicken chop, beef steaks and a palate of cheese.

Did a duck tour and saw an aboriginal cultural dance, where the 'aboriginals' did their routine, bellowing like wild monkeys and hopping around like Chickens on steriods.

Did some boomerang throwing, observed how the Dooderidoo was played and saw the use of the javelin.

Dinner at the Food Court within the Night Markets. Fish & Chips. At A$7.90, it's on the 'reasonalbe' scale.
More shopping... :P

Will carry on next week, so stay tuned to find out where we're going after Cairns!

Swee Shoon

Okay... nearly a month since I last blogged.

Plenty has happened since then, so here's a brief update (in stages)

24 Oct

Departed for Cairns via Brisbane.

25 Oct

Took a A$3 sky train to the domestic Terminal at Brisbane. And that is per person, for a five minute ride. Ours is free, and yet we are still complaining of insufficient capacity, too slow, etc.

Lunch at Brisbane: Fish and Chips at the Food Court.

Haha... we pollute the minds of Aussies... :P We are first in queue at the Jetstar ticketing counter. Being a budget airline, it doesn't have any seating allocation, so...

Arrival at Cairns.

Dinner at Rattle N Hum: Fisherman's basket for me. Gosh, I think I'll putting on pounds!

Visited the Night Market to purchase some souveniers.

26 Oct

Continental Breakfast.

Picked up at Queen's Court Motel for an Outer Barrier Reef Cruise.
Our Guide for the day hails from Malaysia - Eddy.
Free coffee and tea on the house. The tea tastes horrendous though, akin to sewage water. Mummy claims it's the taste of seaweed.
We head out for Moore Reef via Fitzroy Island, anchoring off the reef alongside a pontoon.
Had a buffet lunch, which was really nothing much... 'Seafood' being only prawns.
We take a submersible and glass-bottom boat trip around the pontoon, before getting some snorkelling done. First time snorkelling and I took in lots of salt water. Tip: Look 45 degrees downwards to keep the mask tightly sealed around your face and prevent water from entering your breathing tube.
Mum claimed that the reef was not as beautiful as the one in the Maldives.

Dinner at Lychee Bistro: Stir-fried Lemon chicken, Cheesecake and Lychee Ice Cream. By Golly, the decoration on the Cheesecake (Crushes Pistachio nuts and Dabbles of strawberry and Mango sauce) made it look like a dessert from an Italian Fine Dining Restaurant.

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.

Back from my 21km historical Army Half Marathon. Did rather well and managed to complete it within 2 hours.

My only complaint (Other than that of aching bones and muscles) is that of the goodie bag collection. I'd enquired with some of the Army participants the procedure for collecting the goodie bags, and was told all I had to do was to present my number tag to collect my goodie bag. However, after queueing for more than twenty minutes, a senior official started calling out that those without goodie bag coupons could not redeem the goodie bags, and I was eighth in the queue by then! Perhaps he should honour their word and give goodie bags to those who were in the queue at that point of time, but disallow newcomers from getting the goodie bags without presenting the coupons. This was not to be, and he sharply turned away three NSFs in front of me, rather rudely, I'd say.

Firstly, there were no signs at the booth or officials informing those in the queue of the proper procedures.

Secondly, They were setting double standards by allowing some in the queue to obtain goodie bags without using the coupons while depriving those who had queued for more than twenty minutes from getting at least a fair treatment. Heck, even Tiger Balm massages were going for free! Point to note for organisers next year: Get the goodie bag issue sorted out!

The AHM provided an opportunity to meet up with long lost mates, such as Heng Wei, Wei Liang, Yong Huat, Sattiish and Wei Xiang.

Went to Yishun SAFRA in the afternoon with Zi Rong, Loren and Darryl for some bowling. The taxi driver who took us there was also from 42 SAR, but that was many years ago.

Dinner was at Europa, a simple affair of Chef's salad, Nasi Goering and Durian Cake. Yummy...

Booked in yesterday at 1900 hours to sleep at 2000 hrs. Breakfast was crossoint, bread, bananas and snow pears. With soya bean milk. At 0330 hrs. Not so much of a 'liquid, high carbo breakfast' that was promised to us. Bus left at 0415. An air conditioned coach at that. Not too bad...

Will be booking in tommorrow for Duty.