The Tale of a Dog

Year of the dog had finally arrived. Wishing all of you out there a Happy Lunar New Year!

Woof!

If you're enjoying 2006, then you're going to love 4703. That's right: It's time to ring in the Chinese New Year ... January 29 kicks off the Year of the Dog!

The sign of the dog is known, not surprisingly, for loyalty and generosity. Need to spill a secret? Seek out one of these honest souls and bend that expert listening ear. While Dogs themselves may be reluctant to place their trust in just anyone, once they do, members of this sign can make the best business partners and leaders. And while Dogs might enjoy life more by relaxing their exacting standards from time to time, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better or more faithful friend.

So what can we expect from the upcoming year? The Dog is an ethical and idealistic sign, and the year that bears its name will also bring increased social awareness and interest in society's less powerful members. Any tendencies to take, take, take will be replaced by a widespread sentiment of generosity and selflessness. In general, we will all be imbued with the Dog's keen sense of right and wrong. You can also get a feel for the year to come by checking the compatibility between your Chinese sign and the sign of the dog -- the better your compatibility, the better your year.

Happy New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai (May you have wealth and prosper)!

tata…

»»  read more

The Hatred

NS really sucks. It is a waste of time especially when doing things which are unnecessary.

Yesterday afternoon, I was scolded by a troublesome, trouble maker, nothing better to do, L*C Y**, or I named him, Yoyo. Because of his FO Challenge thing, we got into so many problems with our schedule. Missing a lesson or what ever will make him angry, and worst when my unit’s FO did not turn up for the Life-run every Tuesday and Thursday. I was called to his office to answer for why I did not turn up. Such a co-incident, that morning I do not have DOO duties, so I gave an excuse that I was doing some other important administration. But that was not a very good reason for him.

Well, maybe that was a lame excuse, but I was really not interested in his activities. I was so angry that day that I almost replied him, “YES! I AM NOT INTERESTED IN THE ACTIVITES!” when he told me tell him if I am not interested in a unfriendly manner.

That spoiled my day’s mood a lot. I just hope he can retired soon enough so I can enjoy my days in army before I ORD.

tata…

»»  read more

Searching for a Long Lost Friend

Almost 7 years, I moved into this home. I was clearing unwanted items in my drawer when I came upon a yellowish newspaper dated 23 June 1999. It was a Computer Times issue. One of the articles is, Pentium III hits 550MHz. Some Advertisements are, a 1200ANSI lumens, XGA projector selling at $10399 , a HP Pavilion 8428 PIII500MHz 128 SDRAM 9.6GB 4xDVD 56k modem and 15" monitor cost $3999, and Creative's BlasterPCs are still on sale.

BlasterPC was quite a hit in the market then. It was a state-of-the-art entertainment desktop computer with all the then powerful sound system. With a remote control for a desktop PC, it was a WOW factor. I still remembered the days when I was in secondary school, seated beside one of my best friends, Norman Lee, talking all day about the latest technology and gossips around the class. We were fantasized by Creative’s BlasterPC. Creative always had full page Ads of their PC on one of the pages, just like Dell’s full page Ads.

One day, Norman told me that he bought the PC, and I was like, really? I was very eager to take a look and try out his new computer. He invited me to his home and showed me the system he bought. He played his Final Fantasy with it, I cannot remember which version was that but it was the latest at that time. The CPU of BlasterPC looks high-tech with plugs for audio systems, which is part of the selling point, Creative’s sound card. Until now, I do not doubt Creative’s ability to create performance and quality systems and gadgets.

Norman, I lost contact with him for 5 years. 2 years trying to get back to him but gave up for 3 years till today. I want to wield the broken link between us and continue our friendship. Searching for him in the internet is very difficult. I only had his full name, address and date of birth. I am not even sure if he still stays at the address. If I had his NRIC, it would be easier for me, which I threw away a class nominal roll years ago.

Anyone happens to know my friend, Lee Mao Cheng Norman whose birthday falls on the 22 October 1983, lives in Telok Blangah Drive circa 2001/2002. I would greatly appreciate anyone who knows him to contact me. My greatest regret is not being able to see or speak to him before I left for my studies in Australia next year February.

tata…

»»  read more

Coming to an End-January

Last week before Chinese New Year has finally arrived. I got used having few people in the battalion to take care and I wonder how to adjust back to the days when it is a noisy office with many things going on at the same time. Life in army is so much better with all the boss not being around.

Speaking of end of February, FO Challenge is around the corner, 9/10 February, the day I wish it will never come. What if we anyone of us fail in the challenge? It would mean that you are trained as an FO but failed in that challenge and not qualified as an FO? I think I will bury my face in the ground if I failed. Sometimes, it all depends on individual’s luck on that day, just like my marksmanship test, I just had no luck that day.

New Year is around the corner and I had yet to clean up my room. I think I better do it later.

tata…

»»  read more

In Office, again...

I am in office again. Doing my usual DOO duty. Today, in the whole battalion, I am the biggest officer in office because, I am the only officer in the unit. The rest of the officers “self-declared” off. By default, they will not come to camp unless they have things to do. No one to check on them so why are they coming back to camp? I am the only idiot who always walks into the office in time and leaves at 6pm. I think I am really the very stupid person.

No officers available to help me and I was so busy today. Other than my usual DOO duties, I have to supervise my men and give them instructions on the repainting of the DOO room. I had be there occasionally to see their progress. This project by right was tasked to Alex to do but in the end, it seems like I am the one who is doing it. I even did touching up on the corners while the men are comfortably lying in their beds in bunk. These men, they always complain that we give them work to do. Is there anything wrong with that instead of letting them sleep whole day like a pig since the battalion is on a overseas training?

Not only the repainting works are to be done, problems with men kept flowing to my office. There are a few men who never book in and we can't even contact one of them. CHARGE HIM AWOL! (Absence Without Official Leave). Can't do it now. We have to contact his family and even do a house visit. I really don't understand men, why do they AWOL. It is the most stupid idea as they will be charged and sent to DB, Detention Barrack, a military jail.

It is soon midnight and I going to the cookhouse to start the breakfast on the stupid POS. It is such a waste of time. This job should be done by a duty specialist, not duty officers!

I am so tired. When I come back to office, I am going to take a good sleep.

tata…

»»  read more

In Office

I am feeling so bored. Now, sitting in my office, writing my blog. I think I am going to go mad one day. Army life is so mundane. And when you are in front of the computer checking your email,. you will wonder what takes them so long to reply your mail. Or worst, the email they replied doesn't answer what you asked or requested!

I felt so tired doing all the shitty job when all the work are pushed to me, not properly handed over and they left for overseas training. Alex had the most shitty job than mine. We struggled to get the job done. By the end of the month, our phone bill will explode from the overseas SMS we sent.

Oh yes, why am I in the office at this time of the day? Sadly this month 4 officers left in the unit has to cover DOO duties. My second time for this month. Still got 2 more to go. That reminds me of my Chinese New Year day 2 duty. Absolutely low morale.

tata…

»»  read more

The Curse of the Black Cat

Friday the 13; I did not realize this date until my friend, Alex Gwee, who is taking over my duty told me about it. The permanent resident of my unit’s cat seems to have disappeared. The Black Cat. The cat always follows people around and likes to enter into opened offices. Once, he came into my duty room. I wanted to chase it out but it stubbornly stays there. Nothing scares it.

I was rearranging the duty room with Alex and no matter how we do it, the room is still so unsightly. We felt that it must be the kind of furniture in it. The room will be repainted and hope the fresh coat of paint will bring some interest to everyone.

I wonder where the cat went.

tata…

»»  read more

Shitty Job

I was so busy today. I have so many things to do. A phone call was received and one of the GA hand over the phone looking lost. I answered the phone and I got a shit job.

The project leader and his member are not in Singapore already and they wanted a hard copy to be printed out to be submitted. The leader did not do that, and the caller wants it to be submitted before end of the month which is the deadline. The team will only be back in early February. So, I innocently took over the shit job to print them out. The color printer in my RSM office was so old that it took me more than an hour to print 30 plus slides.

It rained for the whole of today again. When will the rain stop?

tata…

»»  read more

Raining Forever

Thursday, it rained. My legs are still aching after the 16km march. My shin hurts. It was a good march. The load is so much lighter than when I carried during my days in OCS. OCS full-battle-order load was hell; with dummy magazines, grenades and an additional 1.5 liters water bottle.

Friday, it rained. Friday seems to be a day when everyone was busy packing their kit bags and submitting them for the overseas trip. Those who are not going are “arrowed” to do stuffs in the unit such as coordinating events with other units what-so-ever. As for me, I am the point of contact for my BC, Battery Commander. No other officers will be around and I am in-charge of the well being of my men.

It had being raining for many days now. The rain seems no sign of stopping and it is getting heavier. I opened my bedroom window, rolled down my bamboo curtains and to my horror, moulds have grown on one of the panel. It must be due to the moist condition caused by the wet weather. Lucky, no damage was done to my curtain after the clean up.

Life in my bedroom seems empty after I moved my television and mini hi-fi sets to my bunk in camp. I will have to go to the living room to watch any TV programmes. No more late nights in bed watching shows. Bringing them to camp makes life in bunk more meaningful than just a sleeping place.

tata…

»»  read more

Give me a break...

Today is a unsuccessful day for me.

In the morning, I was so tired. After I checked my mailbox, I had nothing much to do as I had done all my required things yesterday. Office is empty too as most Officers are out doing their Test Paper. A lot of things are not supposed to be disclosed openly as there are so many military security issues, so I won’t go into depth. I was so tired and went to my office’s small resting corner sofa and fell asleep. By the time I woke up, it was already lunch time. Occasionally I was wakened up by friends who ask me questions. I can’t even remember what they asked me and I was so reluctant to stay awake longer.

3pm, it started to rain. Drizzle was ok, but as time goes by, it is still raining and is getting heavier. My conduct of SOC Test had to be cancelled and postponed to the next day morning. It was great for me but also a time I had to make many updates to the personnel involved. Tomorrow will not be me who is conducting. I had passed the role to someone. I need some rest overnight and I am having a 16km route march next day evening. For so many months I had not go for any marches and now at one go, 16km. I wonder I can make it back or not.

This FO challenge thing is getting me so irritated. Because of thing, so much time is taken away from me. I still hate my Liaison posting during my cadet in Artillery. From then, I knew it will not be what I am going to enjoy.

tata…

»»  read more

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all! Time and tide waits no man. Wow, a year gone and here comes a new calendar with many surprises awaits.

My New Year’s Resolution, hmm… I am not to sure wor… But one thing I am looking forward to is my ORD date in another 9 months and 16 days. Looking back last year, so many things had happened. I was in SISPEC, then OCS, then Artillery, and passed out from SAFTIMI Parade Square as a 2LT and posted to 23SA as an FO. 1 year 1 month and 13 days, I was a trainee. Life was bitter but with sweetness then.

It is time to look ahead and make this new year a spicy one. So many challengers await me to conquer. Hmm… I am still single. Why? Next year I am going to Australia for my studies and it is so unpredictable if I am still single by then. But I think I will be still a solo.

I wish everyone out there a wonderful New Year.

tata…

»»  read more