A Lesson In Life

A group of working adults got together to visit their University lecturer. The Lecturer was happy to see them. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

The Lecturer just smiled and went to the kitchen to get an assortment Of cups - some porcelain, some in plastic, some in glass, some plain lookingand some looked rather expensive and exquisite.

The Lecturer offered his former students the cups to get drinks for themselves.
When all the students had a cup in hand with water, the Lecturer spoke: "If you noticed, all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken up,leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal that you only want the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. What all you wanted was water, not the cup, but we unconsciously went for the better cups." "Just like in life, if Life is Water, then the jobs, money and position in society are the cups.

They are just tools to hold/maintain Life, but the quality of Life doesn't change." "If we only concentrate on the cup, we won't have time to enjoy/taste the water in it."

Here are some photos from P.O.P *cheers*

the only odd one in no. 4


platoon 1 section 4 2005


care for second round anyone?

Ayway back to where i last stop last Sunday...

I'm still curious why or how they can get so "into" it. The way they react to the songs and the speeches made by the pastor. Can they really feel that God or Jesus is there? During ministering, the pastor blessed the cell group leaders. After a touch from the pastor, they fell back one by one. To me its like they got hit on the head and faint instantly. Some faint rather dramatically. Can they not faint?

Being a free thinker, i'm just really curious. No offense to anyone though.



Monday

At night i was complaining to myself whats the handphone for if myself don't call out instead of waiting for others to call me. The problem lies with myself. When you call someone, usually there is a reason right? Can't be just saying Hi, how are you and put down the phone. You need topics to carry on with the conversion. Out of the blue, i don't know what topics to start on or just lame talking. Thats why i prefer smsing. Having able to thinking and what you're going to talk about before sending. At least it does make sense to me. Instead of talking aimlessly and crapping right or am i wrong?



Tuesday

I LOST MY MOBILE EARLY IN THE MORNING!!!

Is this what you get if you complain about something...? GEEEZ I drop somewhere and its gone within 15min when i went back to look for it. Don't worry i did not panic or cry :p Just report to my officer thats all. It was my fault that i dropped it so no big deal but my campmates were like more nervous then me. Telling me that if it was them, they'll go crazy bleh bleh bleh... Since its already lost, no use turning heaven into hell. Hows life without a phone? Hmm even its there is a public phone... i don't think i'll call anyone because all the contact are stored inside the mobile. I can only rememeber my house's number and aunts. THATS ALL! not even my parents mobile... likes look i need to memorise numbers.



Sunday

Today was the last day for 2nd Annual Skydive Festival Singapore. I wanted to join in and try it but my aunt say was too expensive and dangerous since it was the 2nd time it held the event here. Need to pay $499!!! I suppose it was worth it? Where in Singapore can you do that!!! Usually you need to travel overseas to do those. What a waste... arghhh

Anway i got a new mobile now and its the same number but all the contacts are gone. Can you guys sms me your name to the same old number. Thx a million!

Before i forgot, I'll be back on 10 september 2005. As the new batch of trainee will start BMT on 25th and i'll join them. There will be a automatic of 2 weeks confinement so see you guys then...

A countdown for Arul.

4 MORE DAYS


Think of the have-nots and stop complaining

TODAY before you think of saying an unkind word, think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your spouse, think of someone who's crying out for a companion

Before you complain about life, think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children, think of someone who can't have any.

Before you argue about your dirty house, think of the people who are living on the street.

Before whining about the distance you drive, think of someone who has to walk.

And when you are tired and complain about your job, think of the unemployed and those who wish they had your job.

When depressing thoughts pull you down, put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive.

Life is a gift, live it, enjoy it, celebrate it.

Sorry due to time constrain, i was unable to post on Singapore National Day that was on Tuesday.

Anyway i'm back to bring the latest happening news! Been rather a busy week.

Sunday

Last Sunday morning i was invited by Wan Xiu to attend City Harvest Church 16th anniversary at National Indoor Stadium. The place was fully packed with worshippers. It was better then Jay Chou's concert. *rofl* Althought it was free but people came early in the morning to queue for sits. There were overseas singers. The place was ROCKING when they were singing and praising Jesus. The songs were nice and meaningful. I bought the Cross CD. Met Wan Xiu's terror cell group members. Hehe interesting people and had lunch with them before heading home to get ready for book in...

I learned something from the preaching.

A man without a vision will always go back to his past.

Understand?

Wednesday

Wednesday was the day all my campmates was looking forward to!!!

PASS-OUT-PARADE DAY

Oh yes i was told to recourse because i missed out important lessons while i was having chickenpox. Since i was out of course (ooc) with 3 more others. We were the helpers for that day and the day before. We had to put the decorations, lay out the food, guard the weapons and their belonging bleh bleh bleh. Pretty busy. I was told to guard the weapon and their belonging means i'll be away from the parada square. I MISSED out all the actions that was happening at the parada square. Only at the last march in, i was out. Guys in no. 3 look damm smart.

At night, the whole company went for dinner at Ritz Carlton hotel. Fabulous food especially the desserts.

Will show the photos next week. Need some editing.

The next few days i had to spent my days as usual in camp till the next batch of BMT guys join in. ARUL IS IN THE NEXT BATCH!!!

Welcome to HELL

ARUL

Saturday

Have you guys tried swmming at 6am everyday? Geez just tried today. COLD The following week i'll be doing that... ZHAI LEH haha

Met Wan Xiu and her cell group members at Boon Lay. City Harvest Church HQ was there. Nice environment and place. The place was something like a mini concert. To me, it seems that they were in a trance or something when they sing. I was observing people infront of me. How they move, the way and their expression when they sing. Hmmm

I got more to type. Maybe i'll forget it by then. Got to go now!!! Booking in at 11pm.

Amazing !!! Almost a month i did not blog. *tsk tsk*

Blogging used to be almost a daily affair for me but now its more based on my mood not laziness. Given only Saturday and Sunday after booking out roughly 30 hours of free time, its rather hard to get into the right frame of mind.

There are certain requirements before i start blogging;

• Blogging usually begins at night because its too bright in the afternoon and quieter at night.


• Listening to slow instrument song to get into the right mood and concentrate.


• Doesn't wished to be peep at when typing blog.

Rubbish? Nah its just me.

Was going through all my fellow blogger's blog. Some had stop, some had continued and some just started from where they last stop few months ago. I see that everyone is doing not bad. Saw a couple of mushy mushy tag missing their boyfriend whom are serving their NS. Of course i'm jealous. Hahaha.

Arul and Weihao waiting to be sent into NS. 25 August and 9 September respectively. Junhan just got back from a 5 day outfield. Wonderful food ration huh Junhan? Arul will be joining the Navy. Yay got someone to disturb !!!

Right now i'm on the road to recovering from chickenpox. Of all the years, why must it land when i'm serving NS? Basic Military Training (BMT) is a 10 weeks course which i'm in now. I got it on the 8th week. Couple weeks more to Pass Out Parade (POP) where love ones will watch you march into the parade square. After that they will help you don the baret as a sign of completing BMT. During this 2 weeks, i missed out important lessons so chances of me having to recourse is HIGH, means to go throught the 10 weeks of BMT again... the feeling of recourse is damm sad. Watching your campmates moving to the next stage of NS but i getting "retain". Not that i really mind but its the going through the same old shit again. (there's a Navy song with that sentences same old shit again)

Left Toe Right Toe

left toe right toe keep up the tempo
left toe right toe ayoayo ah
here we go again
same old shit again
up and down this avenue
few more days to book out day
book out, book out, book out day
any sweat?
no sweat
chicken feet
haha all the way

I remember only 2 song because for this is the song we need to sing when we book out althought i miss out a couple of lines. Another song is usually sang when we march on the spot. Eh forgotten whats the malay command to march on the spot... any idea?

We Shall Not Be Move

we shall not be move,
we shall not be move,
we from navy,
we shall not be move
just like the tree standing by the waterfront,
bmt, bmt, all the way
we like it here, we like it here
we found ourselves a home, a home, a home sweet home.

All the command given starts on the left foot so is the song. After finishing this song, we are suppose to bang the right boot together as one. A very soild bang, one sound only. After weeks of training, if the platoon can bang together as one, you can feel that the platoon achieved something. Thats how i feel. The fruit of labour.



Let me recall what i did...

Firing Range

How long does it take from one end of Singapore to the other end by bus? Changi to Tuas? Geez thats the best time to GET YOUR SLEEP in the AIR-CON BUS BACK AND FRO for three days and one for dry practise. *cheers* What more can you ask for? Good welfare. Haha. The range was somewhere around Tuas or is it not Tuas? Arghh given time to sleep who cares where are we going... You don't get many chances of sleeping while in camp.

Back to the range. Kinda exciting. We were shooting from a distance of 100m. There were day and night shooting means we were there for two whole day having to go back camp late at night and coming back in the morning!!! We had to wear no. 4 long sleeve with Standard Battle Order (SBO) *where you put your ammo cargitch, 2 water bottle, rope, rifle cleaning kit and poncho* and our "wife" AR 15 rifle. This are the postion we are suppose to shoot in. Sitting, standing, prone with support and prone without support. The recoil from the rifle is not hard. Its the firing sound from your neighbour makes you lose concentration. ITS LOUD even with ear plugs on.

During the night shoot, we were given red headed bullets. What it does is when you fire there's a red beam shooting towards where you're shooting. Just like Starwar fighter jets. At night, you can see the different lane shooting red beam out. A nice sight.



Standard Obstacle Course (SOC)

There's one week consist of SOC only from morning to noon. Whats SOC? We had to pass 11 obstacle course at a given time. Within 10min 29 sec and passing all the stations. We had to run 600m then do the 11 stations and then run another 700m ot complete it. The 11 station was no easy task. The first 5-6 station depends on the upper body and the rest on the lower body. I suppose this is where you can get injury easily even if you know the safety rules. Any mislanding from the station might sprain your ankle or worse still hurt your spine. So take care my fellow friends when you're doing this.



Route March

I completed my 4 and 8 km route march. I tell you DAMM SHIOK!!! Carrying Full Battle Order. (FBO) It includes the SBO, a field pack (something like a backpack) and rifle.

Ok Let's see what does it contain inside !?

Field pack consists of 5 1.5 litre of water bottle filled with water. NO water bubble MUST be seen in it.

SBO consists of 2 full 1 litre water bottle for drinking, rope, poncho, cleaning kit, 4 sand can fill to the brim. When shake it must NOT have sound. (there a trick to prevent sound from coming out)

No. 4 long sleeves, helmet and rifle sling onto neck.

Actually we din't really march but walk in 2 single rows. When we walk, we follow the Platoon Commander's(PC) pace and it during the afternoon under the hot sun. The front men following the PC or the men behind you HAS to keep up if not there's a big gap between. When the PC blow the whistle, everyone has to touch the person's field pack infront of him. If there's gaps, that means you have to run to touch the field pack. Walking and running will cause you to be more tire. Thats the reason why we need to sing during route march. Instead of thinking you're tire and the heavy load, it helps you to think of the singing only. We had to sing all the way till the route march ends so imagine everyones voice by then. All have the soreness on the throat, sometime when you speak no sound coming out. Happened on me!

So guys KEEP up the pace or you'll have to come back again for the route march if you fall out. *thats for the Navy, the rest i'm not sure* Oh yes, if you can handle more weights then you're carrying, go help a soldier thatis in need of help by carrying some of his stuff. I did that so can you.

After the 8km, that was the last time we were going to wear No. 4 again expect for lunch time. When we came back, we had to sing the song "we shall not be move". Marching on the spot singing LOUD *remember the sore on the throat and now this -.-* and banging the boot together. Will, it was not up to perfect but near perfect. Everyone was drenched including the stuff we were carrying soaking with sweat.

The emtional level was high !!! A pround moment to everyone who had completed the route march. From here, what i can see was the fighting spirit, discipline, care for soldiers, and having to endurance all this. Good job guys, we did it!!!



Enjoy reading... i wish i could add photos to it but we are not allowed to bring in camera in. The view at changi naval headquarter is really wonderful. Maybe when i pass out parada that time i'll invite those who wanna come. Nice sea view and sea breeze. Simply love it !!! *cheers*

Actually there ain't much to write about in camp. Everyday is just another physical training day.

They (officers) like to do "stuns". Out of the blue, adding extra training and other "interesting stuff". Most of the time at night you can't sleep in peace. Some sergeants like to spread rumor about having fire drill at the wee hours. Trust me, you don't wish to have any of it.

I can't really say that the training is tough. It depends on yourself. For me, i find it ok. Weeks after weeks, you'll get used to it. Now its already the 5-6 weeks already. About 4-5 weeks more to finish BMT. Mind you, if you don't meet the requirement for BMT, you'll have to re-course the 10 weeks BMT again. I hvae this feeling that i might re-course -_- BLEH

Gosh it's a MONDAY. Why am i at home? Well... i got a two day MC. Later at night have to report back to camp at 8.30pm

Hiya peeps!

After being in camp for 18 days, how are you guys getting on? Fine? As in sometimes good and bad? There are ups and downs in life but hey learn to cope it and i'm sure you guys will find a way out. There is always a way out. If life is simple and easy, it will be boring. Thats why there are problems for you to think and solve! Like i said in the other previous post. Live and never regret the choices you made *cheers*

Ok i'll stop nagging here but i'll serious what i had said. Read twice triple and so on to understand what i meant. If you still don't understand CALL ME! Haha. I'll explain step by step.

Yes Sir,
No Sir,
Yes Platoon Sergeant,
No Platoon Sergeant,
Yes Sergeant,
No Sergeant,

This are sentences that are used EVERYDAY and EVERYTIME without fail. Because you can't possible go and smack the Sir's shoulder and say "hey what activites we have for today?" DUH!

So.. what i had been doing in camp. Training and training thats all i can say. Sore all over the body but as time goes by i slowly began to get used to it. I can't say the training is tough. Maybe its just the beginning? I can't go into detail on whats' happening inside as we are bond to keep our mouth shut incase we blah out wrong information.

At times i wanted to give up because of the intensive training. Imagine after many rounds of push up, chin up aka pulll up, sit up and alot more. You can see the hand shivering, blister forming on the hand, cramps and sweating non-stop. You never see me sweat like this outside before. You can hide but you can't run away from this for 10 weeks. Thats what i told myself.
Inside you have to be punctual, have endurance, discipline and others but this 3 are my core value. This will help you get punish lesser.

I tried to write everyday in my diary but due to the time constrain its IMPOSSIBLE!!! Hardly anytime left. Everyone rushing to the toliet to bath after a long tired day. Its not a open toliet where you can see each other naked and pick up soap!!! So get this straight into your head first. Most of the time are use for queuing for bath and washing clothes... so tell me how to find that EXTRA TIME to write!

Everyday wakes up at 5.30am and light outs at 10.30pm. Another 8 weeks more till BMT is over BUT if you fail BMT you have to RE-COURSE means another 10 weeks of BMT. People finish NS for 2 years but you'll add another 10 weeks. Another thing is the pay. All NS guys will get the fixed amount whether you're in army or navy or air force unless you sign on thats another thing.

Everyone was pretty excitied today in camp because it was BOOK OUT DAY! Everyone was fast when told to do anything. Haha. Deep down me i wasn't that much excited about booking out. Just the normal feeling. I was thinking what i should blog instead. We were transported to Tanah Merah MRT our drop off point. When i saw the first TRAFFIC LIGHT, MRT TRAIN, BUS STOP and blah blah blah... LAME.

Tomorrow i will have to report back to Tanah Merah Mrt at 9pm to book in. Time sure pass faster then i expected.

Woooo 6 more hours to NS !!!

By the time you guys read this blog, I might be inside camp kena tekan or something. I need to thanks the guys and gals who had accompany me the past few days. Those in msn whose i pested with those gay stuff and from Utopia ToH. Hey its only 2 week i'll be inside.. then Sat and Sun i'll be OUT!!! not as i'm going to die inside even if so let it be !!! I'll sms EVERYONE when i'm out nono i should say if i come out alive. LOL

Damm i'm feeling pretty excited going in. Zann said i was like pervert so enthusiastic to go into NS. Haha. Seriously, maybe i got a strong liking to serve the nation. Wan Xiu said that MORE SHIPS WILL SINK... Baohui said there will be WORLD PEACE while i'm inside. LOL funny jokes. *shivers in cold*

So what's my plan for now...

I'll see how it goes inside. Then decide whether to sign on and continue studying or just study till i get a degree or something and then join in. Because i don't believe in staying at the same rank or position. Give your best shot in everything you do. Being the best of the best. At least i know i did tried. I know its all talk for now but mark my words. muhahaha what big dreams i have... I wanna see how NS will turn Lionel into... see how much i change during my "holiday" in NS. So if you notice any changes do tell me!!! *rofl*

Love every single one of you!!!
(Love not as in BGR aka boy girl relationship another type of Love) LOL!