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I ended year 2008 with a first: drinking till I actually feel high, for the first time in my life. So now I know how being high feels like. It’s just this feeling of extreme giddiness when you are still somehow conscious of yourself and yet, doing the weird things that you normally don’t do seems to be natural. In year 2007, I was at Kian Yong’s house counting down and playing DS games while emo’ing that I will be enlisting in nine days time. Fast-forward a year later, I am doing relatively well in NS and I am once again, celebrating the arrival of a new year in a different setting.

I enlisted on 9 Jan 2008 at Pulau Tekong. I still remember how I felt when I was aboard the ship to Pulau Tekong. The feeling of not knowing what lies ahead. Time passed very fast. I still remember how stupid I was to brave through the two field camps even though I was high on fever and coughs. I remembered how hard it was for me to sleep at night with my constant coughing. I remembered how disappointed I was at the sight of my BMTC posting results (read: No OCS). In the end, I enjoyed BSLC and made some great friends. At the same time, I failed, albeit with experiences gained, in securing any scholarships, much to my disappointment. I am determined not to give up – 2009 will be another chance and this time round, I hope I am better prepared for what’s to come.

I was posted to 1 SIR, my home for 3/4 of my NSF life. I have made great friends there and despite our conflicts, I am glad to have known them. Tonight, I spent with some of the best friends I have made at the Loof Bar at Odeon Towers, drinking to our hearts’ content as we watch year 2008 waste away in favour of year 2009. For the first time, I actually stayed out so late to drink. For the first time, I actually drank until I felt high. For the first time, I actually spent so much money ($50) on drinks alone. For the first time, I actually felt so happy to have friends in my company.

While I was watching the fireworks at the Loof Bar at 1 Jan 2009 0000 hrs, despite of my giddiness, I was thinking of what was ahead for me in 2009: another go at scholarships, ORD (8 Nov 2009), more personal growth and the list goes on. Welcoming year 2009 into the midst.

P.S.: Apologies for the inconsistent English. I typed this while recovering from the alcohol and the lack of sleep.

Yeah?

(OK Picture’s bad. Camera wasn’t focusing on the object and I snapped the picture anyway)

Let’s take a look at the “milestones” of my NSF life so far:

Jan 9 2008 – RECRUIT
Dedicated my life to SAF for the next one year and ten months.

March 11 2008 – PRIVATE
End of BMT and posted to SISPEC to undergo BSLC.

May 17 2008 – CORPORAL
There begins my longer than others life as a CPL after BSLC ended on 17 May. Posted to 1 SIR as an Infantry Recce. Tough luck. Sent for Class 3 driving course form 12 June to 14 July. Recce (or RSTA) Commander Course began on 18 August. Since this is my penultimate high-key course (the last would be CCC ) before I ORD, unless some lightning struck, I will probably write something about it more below.

First week consisted mainly of lectures and two fast marches – 6 and 9 km. Almost died.
Second week had more lectures and 12 km fast march. Near Death.
Third week was 60 km long walk. Died. And swimming across dirty swamp water in S/FBO sucked.
Fourth week was four-day field camp. Sucked.
Fifth week was starving in forest. Hungry.
Sixth week was Summary Exercise. 5-day field camp.

AND from approximately 1700 hours on 24 Sep 2008 to 0500 hours on 25 Sep 2008, I went through hell – Resistance To Interrogation. It was amusing in some ways and annoying in others. A worthwhile experience.

Seventh week was good. A public holiday right smack in the middle of the week.
Eighth week did nothing.

October 7 2008 – THIRD SERGEANT
Went back to 1 SIR after a ceremony that lasted half an hour maximum. And received lots of shit.
Clearing leave from 16th till tomorrow.
Prowler duty on Tuesday.
Cool. NOT.

Cooler.

The world is smaller than you think. Look at the friend wheel below, courtesy of Friend Wheel, an application of Facebook.

So many people I know are linked to each other, and sometimes the connections surprise me as well.

And in case you were wondering why I am able to post this, I am clearing my leave from today till Monday.

Had my final fast march and boy I ended up with a horrible blister on the soles of my right feet which I hope would heal quickly because I have to walk 60 km on Monday within 48 hours lest I fail the course.

And it just so happens that I had to be down with fever on Friday.

On a side note, the official timing for the run I did last Sunday was apparently 02:07:11.11 taking into the account the time I took to reach the start point. Not bad at all. If I am going for the same run again next year, let’s hope I’ll clock something slightly less than two hours this time.

But anyway, because I’m such a huge fan of lost, I’m going to put this:

Details aside, I managed to meet quite a lot of familiar faces at the camp including those who were posted there as tankees and engineers.

Life back in camp isn’t that pleasant. Well, what am I expecting…

Timo is right – NS life is so boring that there is practically nothing much to blog about.

But this means going back to 1 SIR. Not something I look forward to.

I went shopping yesterday, something I have not done for a long time. I managed to spend close to $150 on a pair of jeans and a shirt. (The money comes from the IPPT gold award in BSLC. I thought they were kidding when they said there was a monetary reward.) And thanks to my friends who gave me a watch and a shirt for my birthday. I really appreciate them.

The most annoying thing that happened to me was when I wanted to buy a pair of shoes and it turns out they no longer have my size. This happened to all the pairs I wanted.

I didn’t buy any in the end.