The Post which has Taken Away the Love of His Life

It's time for the last post of the year already!





As per my blog's tradition I'll usually post up one last post before midnight on the 31st December, but seeing that I have duty tomorrow I'll make it earlier this time.

It's been another fast year! It was a brand new experience for me in the Army, trying out and learning new things, meeting different people each week. It was fun, frightening, meaningful, sad and torturous in one way or another.





The best anecdote that summed up my NS life so far is my SAF driving test; blur, scared, but lucky enough to pass through everything.

The driving test is, by a million miles, the most nerve-wrecking experience I had. Gosh, I felt less nervous for my A levels and MOE interviews. But I was a really inexperienced and lousy driver, it's no wonder I was scared.

Facing the longest 50 minutes in my life, with an army examiner only too happy to chew my head off, I was so nervous my hands were shaking really badly. But after I eased my 3 tonner into the parking lot and was declared passed, I got off the tonner feeling as though I won the World Cup. =)




There were bad moments as well. My life came down with a crash, literally, during my accident just a few months back.

It was dark, depressing and worrying period of time for me. Felt as though I couldn't think, couldn't smile or be positive. But thanks to my family and friends, they pulled me and assured me out of it.





It's a "people" sort of year for me. I met different people from all walks of life, and they made a big difference in making me a better person in a way I guess. Haha.

For each of the courses I've been to in Army, I always have 2 close buddies which made the course more fun and enriching. To Mattias and Ryan from Cougar, Benjamin and Sebastian from driving course, Azahar and Tong from MSET, Alson and Eddy from Dragon, you guys played a great part in teaching me lots of things.

To my driving instructor and mentor Mr Rizal, I'll always be a hacker in the game of driving!





In LTO, Paul my storeman buddy (he's now in SISPEC) deserves a special mention.

We're freshies trying to duke it out in the real world, and survive the horrors and politics of LTO. I'm really glad to managed to get out of this place. I promise that I'll continue to try become the decent man in an indecent world like we promised. LOL





Not everyone was so nice to me though. Back in my unit, it's a lot like Infernal Affairs. You have to try to see through the web of lies and deception when people try to "chao geng" and skip work. Thanks to you lot, I've become more streetsmart, wise and better at covering my own ass.

But you all also made me a colder, distrusting and cynical person. I hope you all have a taste of your own medicine one day.





Away from NS, there is still my family and friends, all of whom have been tremendous in their support and company for me.

My mom and dad were there for me all the time during my highs and lows. Couldn't have imagined what it would be like without them. My sisters are always there to give me advice and support too.






CoDG and GAYS have kinda merged in this year. Haha, which suits me great actually. Chengliang Alvin Renjie Yongliang and Jiaqing are probably the funniest and wildest bunch of friends I can ask for. Well 2009 is gonna be a new year, so we gotta up our Game!

And of course to 0706, which remains united till today. It's cool that Hanwei Reuben Sinkiat and Jiahui still manage to take time off during our off days and chill out together. Not to mention to the girls, especially Cheryl, who are doing a great job of organising outings and stuff while we are busy. Kudos! Haha.





So here ends my last post of the year!

I wish that I could somehow spend it with all of you but I'll be stuck in camp T.T. So here's wishing all of you an early Happy New Year!






Lots of love,
Xiujie

The Post which has to Face the Books

Alright the pictures are up!





Many thanks to Elga, who kindly sent me the photos after I enlightened her on the use of WinRar. Yeah, it's a really good programme which is user-friendly and useful so everyone get it!

Conclusion is: we DON'T need Facebook! =D wahaha.

And for all my troubles, Winne called me a lazy pok. Sigh. Why do I feel so under-appreciated sometimes. T.T

Without further ado, allow me to present the badminton and chalet photos!























Think it was last Friday? Cheryl Roxanne Jiahui(f) Elga Sinkiat and I went down to Siglap for the badminton session. But Jiahui left earlier though.
























Obviously not playing badminton. Haha. There are many photos of them together so I'll just put this one up.


























Thrashed into bits by Sinkiat. Damn shagged. Haha I had no idea this was taken actually.



















Why you shouldn't order 5 meals. Because no one can finish the fries! Haha. Here's our enormous amount of fries we tried to finish at Macs after our session.





Then this week from Monday to Wednesday was our 0706 chalet. It was a great time, and it's nice to see so many people who can make it down. All our army lads were fortunate to have leaves/off at the same time!
























Vanessa and me and the volleyball I borrowed from Mr Fung. We didn't play at all because the weather was screwed. Which reminds me, I haven't returned the ball to him o.o.



















Cheryl and Winne at our check in hall. Yes, the woman on the right called me a lazy pok!



















Elga and Shuyi, who is very proud of her nails.




















First evening! Girls group picture.



















But we guys make sure we leave no man behind! Can't really see from here but the napkin reads "S.K! =P"



















The girls and Reuben playing this game called Munchkins that Jiahui(m) brought. But I think Winne, Cheryl and I were playing PSPs and DS. Haha.



















End of day 1 was Elga's birthday celebration. The girls led her out to a walk, then the guys set up the candles and stuff. Funny stuff.

When we started hearing voices outside our room, the guys just finished placing the candles. Shit, we're screwed. I started lighting the candles. Ten of 'em. One, two, three...

More noises, louder and nearer.

"Faster!" says Jiahui.

"Quick quick!" says Hanwei.

.. Eight, DAMMIT I BURNT MY FINGER! Nine.. I missed one. Nine again.. I hear the door being pushed out.

Ten!

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Hahaha damn funny.



















Elga shares a moment with us guys too!



















The birthday cake, proudly set up by the guys. =D



















The cake, proudly cannabalised by Elga and her magnificent cutting skills. The cake was awesome though. Tasted like Kinder Bueno in cake form.



















Roxanne presents the birthday card! With well wishes from everyone.





Day 2 is shopping for BBQ day. I can't seem to find any photos of the BBQ itself though.



















Frankly, no.

























The girls take another picture while the guys take the food back.




















After the BBQ was Christmas gift exchange!

























Random pictures of us milling around.

























The girls watching Little Nonya, which was just an hour on Tuesday. You should have seen the faces of us guys on Monday for the 2-hour episode. Haha. It shouts out "how long is this show gonna last?!"
















































I had to post this one. I love this photo. Strike a cool pose fellas! But why on earth is Reubs looking so smug? Hahaha.

























Presents! I got one from Roxanne and mine landed up with Shuyi.






















Sinkiat, who received very little screen time in this post, except for his napkin representative. Haha. He finally arrived at day 3 wee morning 1am or so.





Alright finally everything is up. Picture posts are nice to see but take really long to prepare. o.o

Today was volleyball day for me. Elysia asked me online to find people to go for the juniors training so I asked around my batch's members. In the end I mustered around 5 in total.

Went down in the morning for the girls training. Elysia wasn't there. -.-





Haha. But Wengseng was classic. He came down late, took his watch off, straight into a match. No warmup, no nothing. His first ball, pretty good. First set, pretty good. Then came a high set for a spike.

"Wengseng yours!"

He jumped. Stretched. Whacked.

BING BIANG! Straight into a girl's.. er.. you know where.

"OR-HO WENGSENG YOU DIE! DELIBERATE ONE!"

Haha classic!





Girls training was quite fun. We went for lunch and came back.

Woah! So many other seniors came back. I counted 12 seniors. It was like a friendly match. There was a total of 19 players attending training. Which is quite a lot considering a usual training has less than 6.

Competition all around. The first team so serious. Hardly a smile on their faces. Then the seniors were playing and laughing at the same time. That's why I prefer to relax.

Guys' matches were a step up. Or maybe my fitness was a step down. Run up, run down. Squat and dive. Get up and go again. BANG there goes a thunder smash.

So fast and furious. Haha. Quite a few of the spikes were too close to my face for comfort. BING BANG another smash goes. It was like a salvo of bomb attacks.

But it was seriously fun to play back volleyball without stress. Maybe someday we should head down to Sentosa to play again!




That's the end of an amazing week. Thanks everyone who made the chalet and volleyball possible. It's a great way to enjoy and spend my leaves. Haha.

The Post which is Neither a Hunter nor Bear

Merry Christmas folks!





Just a short update.

The last few week or so was really pretty good. Played a variety of sports which was reminiscent of the JC2 days. It's great to have some exercise to break my rather sedentary lifestyle!

Then from Monday to Wednesday it was 0706 chalet. The BBQ turned out to be surprisingly successful (no more bloody chicken wings!)and it was fun to spend time together with the old mates even a year after we graduated.

And finally yesterday the CCHMS clique went down to Chengliang's place. It was supposed to be a small meal, but everyone brought a bit of food and atmosphere over, so it became a mini party of sorts. A few drinks and rowdy jokes capped the night and it was all good.





As you would expect, there were loads of pictures taken which would tell a better story than I could, so I'm gonna pull a few strings and get the photos from the owners of the cameras. Haha.

I've been nagged at by several groups of people to get a Facebook account already, so if you're intending to join that list, save your efforts!





So today, it's a quiet day at home with the family for me. Gonna cook up a meal for them to show appreciation somehow I guess. Haha I hope I don't screw up.

Once again, a very merry Christmas and happy New Year to all of you! =)

The Post which Uttered a Few Hokkien Expletives

Wow a week of leave already gone!




I spent the first two days slacking and watching movies at home. A real couch potato and a slob I tell you. I just gamed and sat in front of the laptop for hours at a go.

For the next two days I went out to play volleyball back in TJ. It's still a nice place to visit but there's no one around in the empty school.

I tried to play volleyball, which I haven't touched since March. Man it was really bad. I couldn't jump, couldn't run and couldn't hit the ball properly for nuts (sounds weird). Haha. That shows how out of form I was.

The next day, amazingly, I decided to go for round two. Thighs and shoulders and every other muscle imaginable aching. No joke. Shengyu and Nicholas were complaining about the same stuff. Haha but it was real fun.




On Wednesday evening I headed out for a shopping trip with Shiyun and Vanessa. They're really good company and seriously knew which shop had what sale and at how many percent discount. o.o very impressive eh?

But the only problem was that I didn't get the shoes I wanted!

It's really strange. When I intend to just walk around and look at new things, I see stuff that I really wanna buy impulsively and just splash cash on it.

When I intend to shop and spend, I don't find the things I want. Sigh.




Then on Thursday, it was my niece Hailey's (nice name actually) one month birthday.

I think she doesn't like me. She sleeps for the whole day and when she sees me for two seconds, she cries. I go away, she falls asleep. I come back when she's awake, she cries again. -.-

Haha. Hey it's not that I'm terrible with kids. I got enough experience mopping up and cleaning up them because I have 9 other nephews and nieces. They are a handful I assure you.

Took a great number of pictures, which I will try to dig them out from my cousin and post them up!




And finally today!

Slept like a baby till 10 plus before heading out to play ball again. This time it was with the 0706 folks to play basketball. It's quite some time since I last played sports with them.

We played badminton mostly. Sinkiat's a tough match man! But it was mostly relaxed and fun and once again Elga took quite a few pictures of us in action and clowning around. Not all of them are very glamourous to be honest. Haha.

We ate out at Mac's and nearly everyone had a Mega McSpicy, which now look like two enormous spicy McNuggets. My tummy is still feeling uncomfortable from eating it now actually.

The best part was this not-so-sane man which sat near us during our meal. He was shouting and talking to himself, scaring people away. A while later the police came and all of us stayed back to watch show. LOL. Singaporeans.





It's been a fun week so I hope more is to come next time!

The Post which Cooked Snakes

Alright I finally uploaded this shitload of photos up. Give me a hand please haha.
















Okay so it starts of with this big bad boy Hanwei being late for his own birthday. Surprise!




















Before that, minions like us were camping like nothing at Dhoby Ghaut MRT. We're supposed to be fixing up the birthday board (you'll get what I mean later) but here Sinkiat and I duke it out on PSPs whereas Cheryl still tries to fix the cube.

























Our birthday board, made up of Post-its and well wishes and of course, a board. Neat idea by Jiahui, who was the official organiser of this celebration. Good job pal.




















Last time we all met together was at Jumbo, which was about 2 months ago. Brilliant to see them again!



















Supposed to eat at Xin Wang but we shifted to Manhatten Fish Market instead for classier and nicer food.



















I was checking out Roxanne's headphones. Really good stuff. Made me feel like Eminem for a few minutes! (I was listening to Lose Yourself not so coincidentally LOL)




















Shuyi Cheryl and Jiahui in a monokuromo mode.
























The other girls who were later arrived and guys had to move their asses. Still in monochrome.



















I had to put this in because of the blur/cute/funny/nervous waiter. Haha.

"Hi sir what would you like to have?"

"Oh. I'd like a grilled salmon."

"With chips or rice sir?"

"Eh... I can have chips please."

"No problem, one chips please for you, uh I mean, one chips for you."

Alright it's just a small blunder but through out the whole lunch he was in a tittery state. Haha.



















Seafood platter for two I think. Much better than Fish and Co's. Last time Chengliang Sinkiat and I downed 2 platters. =D




















Happy day and happy ending. Happy birthday of course to our happy boy Hanwei. ><





Anyway Saturday. Really fun day.

Got pissed off early in the morning because I'm supposed to be on leave but some idiots back in camp refused to work so I went back.

There were a few heated arguments here and there and it nearly resulted in me doing work on Sunday and another duty. Phew. Dodged a huge arrow right there.





After that I went down to Parkway to meet up the folks.

This sounds weird but we actually bought raw ingredients to cook at Chengliang's place. ROFLWTFBBQ.

We stole this recipe for XXX bookshop (unknown) and bought ingredients at XXX supermarket. As awkward as it may seem, it's actually very funny and very fun. We're not gays, we're just the new age man doing some new stuff right?

So there was this bit when we buying lemons, this secondary school pal saw us and came to say hi. Our immediate thought: well, that's our reputation screwed!

We went back home and started cooking. Chengliang's mom popped in.

"Oh my. I shouldn't be seeing this right?" (DON'T SOUND LIKE THIS WE AIN'T DOING ANYTHING ILLEGAL)

So it came down to Cooking 101 and the first try wasn't half bad. Second was really pretty good. I think we can sell it next time. I'm not kidding. Good work folks! Hahaha.





Last filler of the day. My 1 year old nephew was crawling around so he caught sight of my other 6 year old nephew lying on the sofa, stretching with legs wide open.

I saw this happen. I kid you not.

Younger nephew crawls up.
Stands up.
Raises his hands.
And gives the older dude a good ol' right hook between the legs. OOF. Take that! Don't get up!
LOL

Right that's a bit sick but I laughed the crap outta myself.

The Post which Cried with the Grown Ups

Past few days were pretty interesting!





Alright on Wednesday and today, instead of my usual driving, I had a Chemical Defense course with a few of my unit mates. So it's basically a crash course, teaching us some stuff about chemical warfare and such.

It's quite fun actually. All I can say it's a good experience, the kinda things that you just wanna try out once and not do it on a regular basis.

My respect for Civil Defence and Taiwan protestors went up after the gas chamber experience. No joke. I don't understand why a sane person want to tolerate that much. Let's just say I came out looking like a drunk toddler. Shaky, coughing, crying and mucus flying everywhere. Neat.

My reward was that I got to go home earlier today for an off. My unit's practically empty now since everybody (except for me) is going for holiday.





I was using my supervisor's computer today when I chanced upon this folder on the desktop. It says:

XIUJIE ACCIDENT.

Interesting. I opened it. So there were reports and some photos of the crash that happened some two and a half months back.

I looked back at the photos and there was this full frontal view of the crash. The dent on the vehicle was just above the right headlight. It means that as I tried to steer away, I nearly succeeded in missing the lamppost completely.

Keyword: nearly. Guess I wasn't cut out to be a stunt driver. If they asked to drift in the Initial D movie, I'd probably roll off the cliff and kill myself. Haha.





Now everyday, when I drive around in camp, people might think that I'll avoid the bend intentionally. They haven't put the post back. The hole is still there and long grass has already grown on the spot (I'm not kidding).

Instead I'll always go to that bend. It reminds me that I've already committed a grave error. So everytime I think, alright no mistakes this time, drive safely and slowly lad.

I told this to my friend and he says it's a bit like Batman. He's scared of bats as a kid and now he confronts and fights with that fear.

But there is no chance in hell I'm gonna call myself Lamppost 65 Man!

The Post who Met the Monk in the Temple

Turns out my wish wasn't granted.





I went back to my unit on Friday, feeling rather gloomy but wishing for my punishment to start (and end earlier of course).

My idea was to start it and end it within this year. No dragging, no cutting into any holidays or pushing it to next month.

In the end, my officer said he had too much to work to do and says he will do it next year. Sigh. That's one more thing to handle another time I guess.





Anyway so I'm back home for the past few days. It's a public holiday today so I'm given the privilege to stay at home and rest.

I went down to the temple on Saturday with my mom. Just to do my usual prayers and walk around.

So we reached and we prayed outside at the gates. After that we walked into the hall where people knelt down to offer their prayers. I picked a corner and knelt down, but at the corner of my eye I saw someone staring at me.

I thought I was in his space or something, so I moved a little. But no, he was still standing a feet away, looking at me.

I looked up.

WTF it was my old tutor Ah Leow!

A bit of history here, he was my tutor from primary school to J1, a really smart old man who's a monk (strange mix I know). But because of a court case back in J2, which is absolute bollocks, he was arrested and I haven't seen him since.

I went blur, starting to spout nonsense in fact.

"Hey," he asked, "what are you doing now?"

"Er huh? Ah er.. I'm praying now la!"

"No la, you idiot. As in you studying now or what?"

LOL. Yes I was a sputtering idiot for the next few moments.

But he looks like he was in old shape, albeit older. It's really nice to see him, because he's a fatherly figure and mentor to me since I was a kid.





Yesterday it was Hanwei's birthday celebration. I would have missed it because of my would-be SOL, then later I nearly missed it again because of a last-minute duty which nearly hit me. See how they treat me? LOL

But it was great seeing the fellas. The last time we met was around 9 weeks ago, back when all the guys were leaving for their overseas stuff and girls were getting ready for their exams. Woots and before you know it it's over already.






In the morning I met up with Sinkiat to have Mega Mac breakfast at Plaza Singapura. After 4 weeks of procrastination, I finally fulfilled my wish to have Mega Mac, and McGriddles didn't disappoint me! Haha.

Walked and shopped around for a while. I'm renewing my wardrobe so I've been spending a bit nowadays.

When the rest came, we went down to Manhattan's Fish Market to eat. Seriously much better than Fish & Co I assure you. But with only two outlets it's hard to go.

Was really quite fun to talk and chat with the rest and as usual the pictures are with the girls. Haha shall find some way to nab them away. The pictures I mean, not the girls.




It's back to work tomorrow, and my usual work schedule seems to be piling up real soon. Hopefully I get to clear my leave this month!

The Post which is a Cold Reader

Another post at a weird timing cause I haven't been online for the past few days.





My new lifestyle is working out well. I've been cutting down on gaming and doing other stuff. The last time I played DoTA was 4 days ago. Looks like I'm still surviving!

Instead I went to the library and found some really interesting psychology books. Man, if I manage to learn everything inside you guys gotta watch out for me. LOL





The past few days back camp has been rather fun. Most regulars are away on leave or course so it's relaxed in camp. Furthermore I'm not allowed to drive (guess why) so I'm parked in the unit doing nothing.

Hopefully my officer comes back today and charge me for my accident. Then it's my SOL for quite sometime, after which I shall clear my leave.

My December has been nicely planned and panned out, so I'm just wishing everything goes to my prediction. Just pray that my confinement will not cut into the week of Christmas!





It's already the last month of the year and it feels that time just zoomed by. I guess a lot of things happened this year! I just want a nice closure to this 2008, put everything behind and have a brand new start of 2009.

The Post which Sat Behind the Black Cardigan Girl

Well I probably broke my own record of posting at weird timings (it's 6:30am now) but here I go anyway!





As I'm enjoying my daily morning quiet coffee, it's time to reflect upon my first day back in camp. As usual, even after a lengthy period away from my unit, going back once again tomorrow gave me the feeling that I haven't left at all.

Most things are left unchanged. And yes, the lamp post which I knocked down exactly 8 weeks ago is still down. A small area separated by orange tape and cones remind me of the vestiges of the little adventure I had then.





The places remain the same although the personnel changed. I go back to my unit to see many new faces. Similarly I must also be a new face to them!

But this means new alliances and friendships. Hopefully it also means less trouble and more cooperative people.

There is also a serious shortage of manpower, with many people going away on leave and another batch of 6 drivers going to ORD soon. Lucky bastards.

BUT MY TIME WILL COME! MUAHAHA.





My punishment for the accident is still pending and please please don't let it crash onto Christmas. Sigh.

I also foresee difficulties trying to clear my leave. 9 frigging days! I'm going to need to discuss with my officer or things are gonna get ugly.... Nah I'm kidding. But I deserve a break man.





Sometimes I feel that I'm under-travelled. Been staying in Singapore for so long and doing the same things. Perhaps it's due to my personality or due to financial troubles I used to have that I can't travel much but nowadays I'm getting the feeling I should break out of this cage.

I need a blue sky holiday!