Did my first fastmarch in a long time today. My feet still ache. 2 rounds around OCS, 55 minutes. Seemed like a long time. It passed by very quickly. Very very quickly. I couldn't believe we took so long. They're pushing up to receive the infantry proficiency badge. Hopefully we all get it...
Friday, December 31, 2004
Back Out!!! Woohoo!!!
Yeah! Managed to weasel my way out of camp for New Year's Eve. Just to find out that my friends all abandoned me and got tix to some party at the Brazilian Embassy. BITCH!!! Now i'm thinking of stuff to do while backing up my Nomad Zen Xtra. going to bring it in to exchange, as there's something faulty. OF course they don't provide free data backup service, so i have to do it myself.
Anyway, going to go screw around tonight. Booking in tomolo to do duty, so better find some time to enjoy myself.
Anyway, going to go screw around tonight. Booking in tomolo to do duty, so better find some time to enjoy myself.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Back in Camp
Many things have changed, since i last stepped in here. Apparently there's a new WSM. A commando ranger as well. Things are not looking up. Charlie Charlie is not happy that many of us has not sewn on the JCC badge yet. I wonder why. Anyway the rest of the day does not look too promising. Wish i was home. Bah.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Reflections on Ex. Lancer
21 days in the jungles of Temburong- this will remain as one of the most vivid experiences I have experienced in my life so far. Nothing I have ever done had prepared me for this. I walked out of there a changed person.
Infantry training is an integral part of our overseas training, and Lancer was no different. I was Ex PC for Ex Betayan, and it honed my skill as an infantry PC. I daresay that the practice did me good, although there was no small share of mistakes. For Ex Chindit, I was the CSM’s runner, and observed how a company works in battle. It was enlightening, since I had the signal set, and overheard all the problems the OC had during the exercise. Infantry training went off quite well, with little problems occurring.
We then transited over to the main portion of the Lancer package- the JCC. The JCC instructors were strict, almost to a fault. Well, it was their course, so it was not my place to complain. There were several administrative matters that could have made our life there smoother and not so rushed, but they were overlooked. All these and more have already been highlighted in the debrief. We spent a lot of time rushing around unnecessarily.
For my group’s Ex Nomad, we finally found our individual niches and tasks in the group. Our group dynamics finally worked itself out, and we managed to emerge as one of the better groups. Imagine our consternation when we found out that we were all disbanded and regrouped for Chillbone. I really missed working with my group.
For Delta, we transited first to Ex. Chillbone. New group, new dynamics and interactions. What did I do? I grabbed the signal set. If they thought that my navigation was not too good (or at least it was ravine attracting) I would let them navigate first. Eventually, I cleared my name of the ravine stigma, as everyone took their turns to navigate our way around some of the most varied terrain I had ever come across. Walking in streams up to waist deep, climbing up nearly vertical rocks, skirting the Temburong river, climbing up Biang at night… These are some of the vivid memories that I had brought back with me. We had to walk two nights to get to the endpoint on time. Thank God we did, for if we didn’t, we would surely not get the badge.
Chillhermit- The most revealing and meaningful part of the JCC. It was not the tasks that were important. I felt that it was the will to survive and live was the single most important takeaway that I got from Chillhermit. It was depressing to see people just give up and step out because they could not take their foot rot. It was worse to see people use their injuries as a reason to expect unreciprocated help. I felt that Chillhermit was supposed to be an individual exercise- to do it as buddies was already a bonus. If you are not willing to put in your two cents worth, why bother?
I learnt a lot from the JCC. I feel that the future batches who miss the JCC will miss out a lot.
(A reflection i have to do for my PC when i book in tonight. Shown for your reading pleasure.)
Infantry training is an integral part of our overseas training, and Lancer was no different. I was Ex PC for Ex Betayan, and it honed my skill as an infantry PC. I daresay that the practice did me good, although there was no small share of mistakes. For Ex Chindit, I was the CSM’s runner, and observed how a company works in battle. It was enlightening, since I had the signal set, and overheard all the problems the OC had during the exercise. Infantry training went off quite well, with little problems occurring.
We then transited over to the main portion of the Lancer package- the JCC. The JCC instructors were strict, almost to a fault. Well, it was their course, so it was not my place to complain. There were several administrative matters that could have made our life there smoother and not so rushed, but they were overlooked. All these and more have already been highlighted in the debrief. We spent a lot of time rushing around unnecessarily.
For my group’s Ex Nomad, we finally found our individual niches and tasks in the group. Our group dynamics finally worked itself out, and we managed to emerge as one of the better groups. Imagine our consternation when we found out that we were all disbanded and regrouped for Chillbone. I really missed working with my group.
For Delta, we transited first to Ex. Chillbone. New group, new dynamics and interactions. What did I do? I grabbed the signal set. If they thought that my navigation was not too good (or at least it was ravine attracting) I would let them navigate first. Eventually, I cleared my name of the ravine stigma, as everyone took their turns to navigate our way around some of the most varied terrain I had ever come across. Walking in streams up to waist deep, climbing up nearly vertical rocks, skirting the Temburong river, climbing up Biang at night… These are some of the vivid memories that I had brought back with me. We had to walk two nights to get to the endpoint on time. Thank God we did, for if we didn’t, we would surely not get the badge.
Chillhermit- The most revealing and meaningful part of the JCC. It was not the tasks that were important. I felt that it was the will to survive and live was the single most important takeaway that I got from Chillhermit. It was depressing to see people just give up and step out because they could not take their foot rot. It was worse to see people use their injuries as a reason to expect unreciprocated help. I felt that Chillhermit was supposed to be an individual exercise- to do it as buddies was already a bonus. If you are not willing to put in your two cents worth, why bother?
I learnt a lot from the JCC. I feel that the future batches who miss the JCC will miss out a lot.
(A reflection i have to do for my PC when i book in tonight. Shown for your reading pleasure.)
There and Back Again- The process formerly known as booking in
BITCH! I always hated booking in, especially after a long time out of camp. The process of re-adjustment back to the military life is so stifling. My free time just went right out of the window. Packing, making sure all my stuff is still in one piece after the previous bookout... And meeting the other cadets and instructors again. Hopefully the one they call the walking signboard (OMG ITS LTA JEFF!!! DUN DRAG UR BOOTS DUN DRAG UR BOOTS) is gone by then. Can't stand to see his ugly face.
Ah well, all good things have to come to an end. There goes the week of debauchery, sex drugs and lies (well, is caffeine a drug?). And time to get back into shape. I swear the most exercise i had the last few days was running for a train. I think i'm gonna face problems when we go for the 10km ET run. Not too worried about the fastmarches, its in SBO anyway. Just hope that i complete the run in time. Then maybe there's a chance for another kuti-kuti to pin on my No.1 and No.2 uniform. Haha then can really hao lian liao.
Ah well, all good things have to come to an end. There goes the week of debauchery, sex drugs and lies (well, is caffeine a drug?). And time to get back into shape. I swear the most exercise i had the last few days was running for a train. I think i'm gonna face problems when we go for the 10km ET run. Not too worried about the fastmarches, its in SBO anyway. Just hope that i complete the run in time. Then maybe there's a chance for another kuti-kuti to pin on my No.1 and No.2 uniform. Haha then can really hao lian liao.
Computer Hermits
For the last 3 days my bum has been in almost constant contact with the computer chair. I have forgotton what it feels like to breathe fresh air and use muscles besides those of my head and fingers. Before i evolve into some torrid creature of the internet (like my brother) i think i had better get out.I'm going to the library! Ah-ha! hows that for a social life? =)
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Of might, magic, and MMORPGS
Everyone loves to play with others. Whats the fun in playing alone? Hence the enjoyment of MMORPGs. except for the abundance of PK(player killers). These sadistic bastards pump up super-high-powered insane level characters and go around looking for newbies to impress their superiority on. Usually a good guage of the friendliness of the people in the game can be determined by how far you go along before some evil spawn of Satan decides to give you a friendly stab in the back.
But hey, take my recommendation- the game i'm currently on, Lineage 2, doesnt seem to have this problem. Perhaps the in-game enemies are already tough enough for the hard core gamers not to take any notice of the noobs running around. Oh but they expect you to pay to play. Bah, one of the greatest sins against all MMORPGs.
But hey, take my recommendation- the game i'm currently on, Lineage 2, doesnt seem to have this problem. Perhaps the in-game enemies are already tough enough for the hard core gamers not to take any notice of the noobs running around. Oh but they expect you to pay to play. Bah, one of the greatest sins against all MMORPGs.
Review- You Got Served
Fantastic dance moves. F***ed up attitudes. Black boyz with nothing to lose take on the battle of da crewz. They got served. They served back. Its ON.
You know, translating the language itself is already a chore. Black movies are like that. What are black movies? things like Shark Tale and this one, You Got Served. Funky dance moves though. The black culture has practically evolved a new language out of english. ya jus git it dahwnboy, ya know what i'm sayin'?
You know, translating the language itself is already a chore. Black movies are like that. What are black movies? things like Shark Tale and this one, You Got Served. Funky dance moves though. The black culture has practically evolved a new language out of english. ya jus git it dahwnboy, ya know what i'm sayin'?
Chillhermit in brief
On the 12th day of JCC my SOI gave to me...
12 hour long rainstorms
11 hour nights
10 foot long spears
9 sturdy poles for an A-frame
8 poles for bedding
7 breaks a day
6 kinds of edible jungle plants
5 days in the Temburong jungle
4 daily radio checks
3 layers of roofing
2 cadets at each site
1 lone, desperate survivor.
I had planned to write a lot more on chillhermit. Unfortunately, technical problems got into the way. BITCH!
12 hour long rainstorms
11 hour nights
10 foot long spears
9 sturdy poles for an A-frame
8 poles for bedding
7 breaks a day
6 kinds of edible jungle plants
5 days in the Temburong jungle
4 daily radio checks
3 layers of roofing
2 cadets at each site
1 lone, desperate survivor.
I had planned to write a lot more on chillhermit. Unfortunately, technical problems got into the way. BITCH!
Monday, December 27, 2004
The River of Dreams... My Ass!
Pfaw. If anything could be the river of dreams, it would not be Batu Apoi. That infamous brown ribbon that winds its way through the Temburong district in Brunei will forever be indelibly indented in my memory as that bloody river that we crossed so many f***ing times. Crossed for technical practice, cross for Chindit, cross for small group practice, cross for Chillbone, cross for Chillhermit... oh wait thats it? Bah.
More on Brunei and JCC later... Watch this spot!
More on Brunei and JCC later... Watch this spot!
Death and other assorted weaknesses of the human body
Illness is not a pretty thing. It brings the best of us down and condemns us to such a weakened existence that some would rather be dead.
Recently, i had the chance to visit my old tuition teacher. When i was in Brunei i received a call from my bro, who said she suffered from a stroke. I didnt know what to expect, but when i saw her.... My God. She looked so different. The illness had sucked the vitality out of her body. She was so... slow. It seemed a labour for her to talk. The process of thinking seemed to take an excruciating eternity. I was shocked. her house used to flow with the music of a virtuoso pianist. Now she barely had the strength to lift a thermos mug, much less to pound the ivory keys. I sat in a sad, soft silence, while my brother and his friend chatted with her about life.
Mortality is a frightening thing to behold. Dying is fine. Waking up one day, sleeping and never waking up is fine. What is painful is the slow, debilitating slide to disability and helplessness. What will you do when you are too weak and helpless to do anything?
...
...
Euthanasia!! =)
(tasteless but true)
Recently, i had the chance to visit my old tuition teacher. When i was in Brunei i received a call from my bro, who said she suffered from a stroke. I didnt know what to expect, but when i saw her.... My God. She looked so different. The illness had sucked the vitality out of her body. She was so... slow. It seemed a labour for her to talk. The process of thinking seemed to take an excruciating eternity. I was shocked. her house used to flow with the music of a virtuoso pianist. Now she barely had the strength to lift a thermos mug, much less to pound the ivory keys. I sat in a sad, soft silence, while my brother and his friend chatted with her about life.
Mortality is a frightening thing to behold. Dying is fine. Waking up one day, sleeping and never waking up is fine. What is painful is the slow, debilitating slide to disability and helplessness. What will you do when you are too weak and helpless to do anything?
...
...
Euthanasia!! =)
(tasteless but true)
Wheeeee.... First Blog!
There are a lot of things that one can decide over a pint of Haagen Dazs' Macadamia Nut Brittle. One would be to start a blog. In the twilight years of my teenage life, it seemed prudent to keep a record of my thoughts and feelings, as a memory of years that have often sped by too fast, and as an exposition to my soul.
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aah, f*** it. just write lah.
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aah, f*** it. just write lah.
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