ages since i blogged.. times had been hectic, with numerous things to be done.. 1st thing 1st, 1st cdo battalion won the best combat unit of the year title in atec.. its been the 22nd time we win since the start of the cdo bn many many yrs ago.. though winning the title is something to be proud of, we should not be complacent abt it.. commando is always thought to the elites among the saf n expectation is high.. guess winning another yr is juz like a rountine need to be done daily.. ppl aint gonna be make a big fuss over such a win, but losing on the other hand portrays us badly instead..
yep, tis too means tat we are involved in marching for saf day n ndp.. trainings were tough since the 1 and half yr of ns before werent much on marching.. we were very into physical n combat fitness training for atec.. however, these events required another type of fitness - parade fitness.. well, i heard tis from one of the officers during the rehearsal for saf day n i wasnt very convinced at 1st.. however as the trainings n practices passed, it became obvious tat such a fitness is impt to endure through large scale parade.. usual parades normally dun exceed half an hour.. but both saf day n ndp require at least nearly an hour of ur soul in the parade.. it wasnt easy as we were normally in the hot sun, but the trainings in thailand proved to be useful.. haha im glad to say tat out of the 4 goh (guards of honour : commando, naval diving unit, air force and military police), we have zero fall out rate for all the practices of saf day.. the other units began their training a month before us, yet for us to be able to catch up with their standards n probably outshine them, guessed its something to be proud of.. 1st of july was the saf day itself.. all the high ranking officers were there for the parade as spectators.. tat includes the chief of army n defense force, minister of defense n the president.. on the same day, we were also awarded to best combat unit award n the state flag, only to be held by the bcu.. focus turned toward ndp after saf day.. endless drills n marching.. but it was rewarding too.. not many ppl get to marching on such a large scale event as the goh.. i heard tat tis will be the 1st time ndp will be broadcast live on cna (channel news asia), meaning the whole asia will be watching us.. so far, we did 3 national education shows for students n public.. tis coming sat will be the preview, n the next sat is the actual day itself.. i always enjoyed every single moment of the march, from suntec to the marina bay floating platform n back to suntec.. the public will always be cheering n calling out for us.. we too get to view the black knights 1st hand with all their fancy air stunts..
cleared my soc n finally ippt today.. it feels good to be able to hit my personal best for both.. used to remb i struggled badly for these two physical tests during bmt periods.. guess running is my best improvement of all.. used to run abt 11:30 during jc, 10:14 during bmt.. those times i used to think tat i was fast.. but well, army makes everyone go crazy.. i dun noe why n what motivated me to train for cdo ippt gold.. i used to hav the mindset tat its impossible, esp for the 9:14 runing time.. but somehow i managed to acheive it toady n im proud of it (: but it came with numerous attempts, 10:05 to 9:34 (1st time i ever gotten below 10) to 9:22 (i was very demoralised abt tis as i was so close to getting gold) to 9:07 (yeah!!) i didt expect myself to perform today as i had a fever yesterday.. yep, n thank god, i managed somehow.. had my ippt gold n marksmenship last month, cleared soc, basic n indon wings, and a promotion too!! going to be promoted by tml to 1st class corporal.. meaning $50 more in monthly allowance.. well, im glad tat i could achieve almost everything i could for my ns tour (though i lack of a thai wing).. now its juz waiting for ORD!!
i truly enjoyed every single moment of my life in ns, even though i might whine at time.. it taught me many things and allowed me to know great friends.. sadly, ord is coming soon (nov) n im believe im gonna miss all these times, juz like how i missed jc life during ns.. still, im looking forward to uni.. oh ya, i picking up jap at a learning centre now (:
my grandfather passed away in may.. im glad tat he left very peaceful in his sleep.. he was released from all the mortal sufferings in tis world. be it physical or emotional pain.. somehow, i still could not let got the fact tat my grandfather gotten into such a state because of my relatives.. he gotten into depression because of his sons or my uncles.. i cant forgive the fact tat they left him in tat state where a rational man like him turned into one who cried out he is going to die everyday.. i hate tat nearly none of his children bother to show care n concern to him till something happend.. i depised the fact that they wept n mourned the loudest when he passed away.. sometime, i think tat trying to read a person mind is like solving a pandora box, full of surprises, though mainly unpleasant... nevertheless, im glad tat my grandfather stayed with us during the past yrs till the end where our family gave our very best to him while others shoved away the responsibilities to look after him..
life is full of uncertainties n surprises.. treasure them while u can..
