Hey, i'm 21 already?

This has been one tiring week. I've been working for long drawn out days until Thursday, when i did a practical paper on an attack assignment. Days end late, and the work load was tremendous, but somehow my tutorial group's morale was still high. We were bonding rather fast with each passing day, largely because no one tried playing rank, and we all enjoy good laughs and long runs in the nights after work. I was so busy that i almost forgot that my birthday was on Saturday, that is until i was pleasantly surprised by a message from my dearest Marie, asking me out to celebrate my birthday with me. That was so touching, considering the thought that half of my folks back home wouldn't even remember when i was born! Yes - that's my dull and boring Ah Pa.

I did tried to cue him in on what's going on on Sunday - my sis is planning a family lunch to celebrate the occasion at Marche - but he simply shot me back: "Whose birthday? What birthday lunch? You are always wasting money. You're gonna buy gifts again right? Don't waste money on these things. They are not worthed it!"

Just listen to him! It's horrible! He remains so mightily ignorant year after year! i can't remember if he had successfully recalled anyone's birthday saved for his own. Enough about him. He and me just aren't compatible as father and son, which is really upsetting.

So it was on a friday evening, after a rewarding debrief session and wonderful dinner in the mess, that Marie and me went out for supper at Chomp Chomp. And guess what? The whole damn time i was wearing my shirt in-side out! HAHA =P It was even more hilarious that no-one noticed it; largely because it was black i guess. I came to know only after i saw the linings on my shoulder, and felt the size tag behind my neck. It was damn embarrassing!

She was so sweet for she brought me so many presents: There was a blackcurrant/strawberry pie, completed with a small candle; two roches [because she ate one =P]; a red New World Order T-shirt and a small card! Supper chat revolved around the news of Anqi's marriage, which, as expected, came as a surprise for her. And no wonder, for Anqi's only 20, which is unusual in the S'porean context i guess. Vanessa's right in pointing out the fact that 20 is an acceptable wedding age in many countries, and i've got to agree to that. The shackles of tradition have to be broken somewhat, now that we are progressing down the line of a first world country. But still, this issue opened much space for speculation and moral debate between the two of us. The whole shotgun marriage concept is a rare issue for all our mutual friends, naturally demanding considerable attention.

Then today came along and my family went out for lunch, after my dad finally realised whose birthday it was yesterday . It was suppose to be at Marche but Ah Pa didn't like the idea of Western food and expensive lunches and long travelling time, so he changed the location to an AMK seafood stall, only to realise that it wasn't open. Regardless, we just ordered in a la carte style. In between the arrival of dishes, while mom and Junqi [my sis' BF] were happily paying for the orders, Ah Pa blurted out: "Eh, i thought you [ME] are gonna pay? I thought you said you are gonna treat us?"

I was like what??!?!?!

That's too much man. My devil blasted out the truth that b'day dudes are usually given treats. Then guess what Ah Pa said.

"I paid for my own birthday dinner last year!"

I looked at my sis, who had, together with me, financed that particular meal and shook my head. "We paid for that meal Papa."

"Your money is my money."

What can we say? He is ALWAYS such a mood spoiler. I then made up my mind - i'm never gonna be like my dad when i grow up. Hey, i'm 21 already? Damn, it looks like i'm already grown up! Ok, i'm just not like my dad, and that's something i'm glad for - totally disrespectful, but you don't know Ah Pa like i do, so know your role Jabroni, and shut your damn mouth.

Muggzz! Muggzz?

I never quite expect military studies to be so tough. Just one week into CTC and i'm already feeling the strain. The course is so very challenging, kinda reminds me of my JC econs classes; alot of notes taking, tonnes of self reading and paradigm shifts, yet simply a matter of common sense. One difference will be the talc cutting and drawing. We can easily drain half a giant roll of talc in a few hours! Which is why many would rather call the Company Tactics Course - CTC - the ' cut talc ' course.

The days in our tutorial rooms, or syndicate rooms as they are called, are also superbly long; 2300 hrs is almost always the optimist's hour of ending each day of class. That's why it's good to have a comfortable bunk to chill in after a hard day's work. Personally, i think staying in for courses are extremely beneficial; i can maintain my fitness, study at my own pace and stay undistracted for long periods of time as there are not many temptations [internet and TV etc] around.

What else did i do this week? Umm, played some soccer, injured someone in the process too. =P i think i'm very prone to injuries, giving others injuries i mean. People out there must be careful of me when i get a soccerball at my feet, or when you get one at yours. Hehe.

Keeping fit on course is such a challenge. With that kind of packed schedule, my butt's so sore from the constant sitting and discussions. It's so hard to even get out there for some running. I think i'm really not suitable for a desk job, and all that sitting makes me really irritated. I had to regularly stand up and walk around, eat sweets, talk cock etc. The toilet's my next hangout place after the syndicate room i figured. That's where i do all my stretching and freshening up. Since the start of this course, late nights are no longer a feature of my life. It's knock off at 0000hrs sharp everynight.

Drawing talc is one aspect that helps in placating the side-effects of intense learning i guess. Seeing a plan projecting right out of what i've drawn is rather exciting! But of course, walking on the ground itself is another matter all together. Poor men of the infantry always have to do the long walks and dirty works. That is why we must always consider our subordinates when planning. The simplest plan will usually yield the most dividends.

Sometimes we all get too defensive of our own ideas and plans. People fall in love with their own creations too credulously, then frantically try to fight others off. I must agree, i'm describing myself to a certain extent, less the fight bit. =P Many on the course have the same mentality. Some with the fight bit and others not so much. But I realized that being the Best in the world means that someone has got to lose for me to win. Why so when i can be the Best for the world? Give people a chance to say their piece, i'm no paragorn man - i don't have all the answers. Someone will have the better answers to my questions, so i need to listen. But where i do have a strength, i should share. Then we can all be winners in our small sense. Easy saying huh, but the class discussions do help me in conducting some frequent self-reflections. And i can safely say that i can now shift my mental models with more flexibility than before. But sometimes it takes two hands to clap. When someone's an inert with a bad temper - like my dad - i find it a real challenge to not to display my displeasure. Sigh, there are still many differences to resolve between the two of us. One day i'll attain personal mastery, and that will be the day when my dad and i gain our common understanding.

I'll tell you, this is one good course that you should attend too. It'll cost you a bomb outside to simply learn what has been taught in a day. With all those hands on training and different levels of insights that i'm getting, I feel as if i'm getting ready for the world after army with each learning day. It's a fantastic feeling!

The Soccer Revolution

I'm late on this article, but for good reasons. I was at the Singapore National Stadium, cheering my head off, and my heart out, to watch the Lions lift the Tiger Cup trophy for the first time on home soil. It was an electrifying moment. It was even more magical that we managed to pull this victory off without a single defeat, and a MVP in keeper Lionel Lewis. It has been a long long time since i've witnessed such euphoria first hand. Goal 2010 may be distant, but it's inching closer and closer. Indeed, i think an Asian Cup Finals place may not be that all distant in the next couple of years! Those fellas were solid today, and the F***ing referee is down right Kayu! He sent off our Captain for a half challenge and not the Indonesian defender with a block on Indra while through on goal. I was downright upset with the way the game was refereed, but heck, it doesn't matter at all! We won, and that's enough.

Somehow i felt that 65000 people could have cheered alot better. The last match with Myanmar was truly hardcore cheering man, where passions were running hot! And that was only with 30000 die-hard fans. There, that says it all - Die-hard Fans. I would say that this victory is the culmination of a series of fiercely fought international friendlies and progressive training. Welfare is indeed first class training.

Talking about training, i've received my fair share in SAFTI MI this week; a real hectic but satisfying week on the Company Tactics Course. We attended an Organisational Learning Workshop where we discovered the tools of effective communication, team building, goal setting and motivation. I've developed my own vision in the process: To Lead My Life in Excellence, guided by Democracy, Integrity and Inner Harmony, thus Positively Impacting the Lives of others. It is a vision i've actively strive to achieve, yet had never put down in concrete words. This workshop, facilitated by COL Ishak - Commander of Army Officer Advance School, really helped in clarifying the many aspects of life that i have questions about.

Learning takes an open mind, a passionate heart and a listening ear. Something that many of the guys on course lacks i think. They are seriously there just to pass time, which is a shame because there tonnes of things out there for them to learn. Knowledge, to me, is the part of me that is time-proof, that grants a certain level of immortality. We have got to take it while we have the chance.

I've got a few meaningful quotes to share from the last week but i'll spread them over the next few weeks for you to ponder upon. Vision without action is merely a dream, Action without Vision passes the time. Vision with Action would be the change in the world that you want to see.

We know what we are; we are Lions. There is immortality beyond those shores of ignorance and procrastination, take it!

Singapore Soccer Revival!

i'll be absolutely busy tomorrow, so i've got no choice but to publish my article today.

Singapore Soccer Team ROCKS man! They just beat Indonesia, out of my wildest possible dream! And it wasn't even a victory scrapped out of opposition's bad luck. It was a solid all round performance. It was the most stunningly fantastic game i've ever witnessed in Singapore soccer history. It was a flawless away match. Perfect.

This victory was back to back with two messily, hilariously entertaining semi finals with Myanmar; with me rooting for our boys for the first time, LIVE, in the Kallang Stadium for the home leg. The atmosphere was not entirely menancing, but the company was good, and it was contagious cheering for the winning team, and watching them come from behind to whip some insolent soccer hooligans! Never before had i witness four send offs in a single match, not to add that they are all from the same team! An absolute hilarity. I'm definitely going back there this coming sunday to witness our small Singapore lifting their second TIGER CUP!

I've always thought that the Singapore Soccer Goal 2010 is nothing but a dream. But i've got to admit that this soccer competition and our team's performance in it has altered my deep rooted cynicism somewhat. It could be a not so distant dream afterall - Singapore Soccer's Revival! ROAR~

The Tears of a New Year

It started as a little piece of breaking news - another earthquake had struck the seabeds off Aceh, Sumatra. While this little piece of news was broadcasted over the air, a tsunami was traversing across the surface of Indian Ocean at breakneck speed. Lying directly in these giant ripples' paths were the lives of hundred of thousands of people. So begun a week of tears - tears from heavens, that is to last a week long. The sun was veiled as tiny worlds were shattered overnight and the skies lie in gloom and shadow as the greater world grieves. Lives were swept off shores, towns and cities, while still basking in the joys of the holiday season; and what a sombre New Year's Eve it turned out to be.

Throughout the week, i didn't want to turn on the television, nor witness any accounts of reporters sent to cover the disaster in a myriad of South Asian cities. I could feel the devastated emotions, hear the convulsive cries of sorrow and see the grief-strickened faces with my waking eyes, and i need no more vivid pictures nor sorry expressions to reinforce those that i've had since the start of this week.

The heavens too, felt the sorrow that the human world shared with the bereaved, for they too played a long sad tune with the pitter-pattering of raindrops on the shelters of those still with roofs over their heads.

The mid-week recall did divert my attention somewhat. But when it continued to pour while the troops were learning how to clear rooms and buildings in a Built-Up Area, a peculiar sense of bereavement swept over the FIBUA area of Neo Tiew HDB Estate. For bereaved we are, not so far off from the sites of devastation, of little children with big dreams, teenagers of aspiring talents, and of lovers torn apart.

Friday's countdown was toned down somewhat, largely because of the rain and the cold. The few of us had been through many countdown barbeques, but this year was the worst. Not that the food wasn't up to standard. As a matter of fact, the marinated chicken wings were excellent and the fire, covered by two shelters that i've constructed, was hot and good. But our spirits, already dampened by the ubiquitous sorrow heralded by TV mobile's broadcasts of Channel News Asia's programmes, took a further dip as showers after showers swept along the coast of East Coast Park, breaking up our momentum of fun. But lucky for the little mercies in life, the actual crossing over to a brand new year was left undisturbed. We then settled for cards instead of singing tunes that inadvertently turned melancholic. Playing Bluff was much fun, for the last to finish his pack was made to perform outrageous stunts, accompanied by contagious roars of laughter. But as the crowd thinned deeper into the night, and the rain clouds gathered once more, we toned down our hilarity and turned to the loser telling truths.

Just as we finished our first set of Taidi, a belligerent yell was heard faintly off where we were sitting. We took no heed and carried on. The yell grew in volume and we turned to find a burly man looking in our direction. We still couldn't figure out what happened until i saw that a beam of light from our torch [unknowingly knocked over by Syarif] was in his eyes. i proceeded to apologize and turned off the torch. Just then Syarif returned from getting a cup of water and glanced at the stout dude. Syarif too has a ferocity that we all knew too well. Some kind of vulcanism must have occured in his eyes that the stout dude took to picking on. He duly stomped over and demanded an explanation for the beam. I was amused by his imbecilic insolence, which was idiosycratically accompanied by some incoherent english - a typical Beng. We took no offence to his insults and i explained the situation to him gentlemanly. But he was unappreciative of my patience and wanted to pick a fight.

He came over to where i sat but i guess i was comparable to him in stature, so he picked on the smaller Syarif instead. He was obviously tipsy, and his friends were trying to keep him calm but he maintained his seething anger and took ill of the glare that Syarif issued him moments before. He grabbed my friend by his neck and mounted insults after insults, slapping the cap that my friend was wearing, and eventually flipping it off arrogantly. Syarif was indignant but he was beyond his usual self then. He took it really well and managed to suppress his own ferocious temper commendably. Just then, Syarif's friends arrived on bikes and grew gradually in size. The brat knew that he will be overwhelmed should he choose to move a fist, and thus let my friend go. But Malcolm, a young soccermate of Syarif's team, decided to take it to the Beng with a screwdriver in hand. He threatened to call his police officer friend over the phone, and which he did as well. The Beng was very much shakened but still managed to keep his cool. He talked to Malcolm's friend and was even foolish enough to fiend as a police officer too, not knowing what to say when he was asked about his division.

And this thoroughly silly episode ended when the drunk in the Beng was replaced by some logic by talking on that phone. He and his friends then left us alone.

What incredulity! A near fight triggered by a silly torch! But i was then very proud of Syarif. He had held himself well; and that he displayed great self-restraint throughout the whole incident was amazing. I was thinking: 'This is it!' when the brat fliped his cap off his head. I was on my feet, ready to give the Beng a good twist on his wrist and send him sprawling on the floor should belligerence got the better of my friend. But what will happen next should the Beng's friends join in i do not know. In retrospect, my career and future could well be destroyed should i fling anything else in self-defence. Well-done Syarif!

What a way to end and begin the new year. The Beng and the silly torch, the Tsunamis and the rain. I recalled then that i have not seen the sun for this entire week! I returned home and lit a little candle on the first day of this gloomy new year, to thank the Heavens for their tiny grace in Syarif's patience, and to pray for peace for those who departed. All this while, the cold lingered and the tears of a New Year continue their descend onto Earth.