After the Outfield

December 11 2010

Field camp. It was such an experience. Never would I have imagined such an activity. Physically straining, mentally taxing and takes a toll on your appetite.
Hygiene was definitely out of the question. I have never experienced not brushing thy teeth, 4 days in a row. Anyone who has gone through this will really
start to appreciate the many little things in life. From things as simple as having your slippers on, sitting down on a chair even standing. There are many things I can list down but all I can say is, field camp really made me appreciate everything and everyone around me a whole lot more.

Day 1, everyone was doing their last checks for their equipment and drawing arms. After everyone has formed up and ready to move out, then begins the 8km route march. We were marching towards our field camp site which was located somewhere behind Rocky Hill Camp. It was a long and tiring march but everyone kept their spirits up by singing. It was always very fun when everyone transitioned from the usual military cadence to pop songs and whatnots. One thing that I was happy about was that the commanders didn’t seem to mind. When we finally arrived at our camp site, which was at some small path way that leads up to a communication relay point, everyone got to sit down and removed all the equipment. From a clear morning, it turned into a misty roadway. Everyone was steaming their perspiration. It was quite a sight, 1 company of men would mean a lot of steam. That itself, explains how cool the morning was and how high the temperature of everyone’s body was. After a brief break, we then shifted into a “clearing” to start setting up our basha. As usual we were only given 10 – 15 minutes to get everything up. It was always rushing here and rushing there to get all the activities done as scheduled.

For the next 2 days, we were briefed about our mission during this field camp. We were taught fire command orders (FCO), movement drills, various hand signals and other survival techniques. Day after day, bodies got sore, injuries accumulated and fatigue undoubtedly set in. The company had to drill it into their heads, your not doing this alone, you have your platoon mates to depend on as well. This is so because, if one were to carry out this thinking that one has only oneself to depend on then he’d probably not make it.  Their were many interesting encounters, including wild boars and many interesting wildlife around the area. Nighttime was really the bomb. In the camp site, one can’t see shit at all. My experience was a really interesting one. I can never ever forget my experience of taking a dump in the jungle.

As for food, it wasn’t all that bad, but of course I could feel my stomach rumble as well as hear it. Field rations are actually better than what people say it to be. Of course there are certain packs that taste like crap but most are definitely edible.

Overall, the field camp experience has been a very fulfilling one. High kneeling will never be my best friend, digging shell scrapes is something that I really have to improve on, injuries, sores and aches are part and parcel of field camp and most importantly teaches you to appreciate everything you have and not to be complacent.

And now, time to rest up for SIT TEST the following week.

Cheers, till next book out.

Second Book Out

It’s December!! It’s just 3 weeks more to Christmas!! It’s like tomorrow to field camp!! FML?

Whatever the case, the next 2 and a half weeks is going to jammed packed with all the remaining high key events.
High key events being, the field camp, the situational test and the hand grenade course.
The past week was pretty chill but quite mentally taxing. I was appointed Platoon In-Charge for the week. I sure do hope someone takes over soon. It’s quite a responsibility to be PIC. Also the past week was spent doing range training and the live range.
IMT is always fun for me, i mean heck, who doesn’t love to fire a weapon? Coming to live range, it was nothing short of breath taking. Nothing beats fresh propellant exhaust in the morning. It was definitely an unforgettable experience for me at the live range, strongly based on the fact that firing live weapons is always a thrill for me. The only other live weapon that I have ever fired was the M16 during my NCC days.
I have to say there was a really major difference between the 2 rifles in terms of the performance. Only real difference for me is how the compactness of the SAR21 really makes the aiming of the weapon really comfortable and easy to use as compared to the M16 with its longer barrel one would have to find a really comfortable holding position in whatever stance to fire the weapon accurately.

So up this point, what i feel about the army is that sometimes the commanders can really be fucked up for no apparent reason. It almost seems like they take people’s suffering as a form of entertainment and truly enjoying it, by that i mean really literally enjoying it and not fucking people up for show when the OC is around. But yeah, at the end of the day, I always keep reminding myself, whatever can’t kill you will only make you stronger.

Alright, I’ll be ending this entry here. Wish me luck for the field camp.

Cheerios.

First Official Book Out

26-11-2010

My first official book out after confinement period. I guess from here on out, it will all be pure hell in Tekong.
I have getting along very well with my section mates as well as a few people from other sections in the same platoon.

The past 9 days has been a collection of ups and downs. Of course, there are still idiotic individuals who just can’t seem to drill the idea of do it once, do it good concept into their minds.

A summary of events that happened in the past 9 days, tiring, very tiring, leg killer. For me, AGR or ability group runs are really a love or hate activity. There was also our second route march. Those are the highlights for the past 9 days. Nothing much other than a lot of physical activity. Oh, IOC is really fun. The new obstacle course that is veering in the direction of urban operations is very enjoyable yet exhausting. Even though all the obstacles are just improvised, it is still quite a challenge to undertake.

This book out, I have a long weekend to enjoy and also to recover and settle some admin work. So, at this point of time, I would only have 6 more weeks to endure and put in my best effort. 2 more weeks to field camp.

For some reason, after the confinement period, time really seems to fly by quite fast. Many people who have gone through BMT have said that time just slows down to a snail’s pace there but I think it’s pretty normal. In fact it feels like it’s getting faster these few days. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me. I want more time to do my GUNPLA!!!

Thinking through and through, I really have nothing must to write in this entry. Well, till next time.

Cheers.

Prologue Book Out

8th of November marked the next phase of my life, which is compulsory for all sons of Singapore. National Service. That’s right, every Singaporean son has to serve his duty to his country for the next 2 years.

Packing my bag in my room, I took a slow look around my room trying to soak up as much “homey” imagery in me so as to spur me on through the tough trainings ahead. I then walked around the house and did the same. They were many questions and worries that ran through my mind. “Will I be able to perform well?”, “Will I be able to cope and bond well with my peers?”  so on and so forth. As time drew nearer to leave for Tekong, time in the house really is very precious. This may all sound very dramatic, I know, but it really is what I felt at that moment.

And so the time came to set off for the bus interchange. At Pasir Ris, the interchange was filled to the brim with the many enlistees going into Tekong for for the 1245 book in timing. Many unfamiliar faces and a few familiar faces was all I could describe. 1245pm, everybody boarded the buses and set off for SAF Ferry Terminal, and that was followed by a very quick entry into the fast craft and reached the destination in a matter of minutes, Pulau Tekong. The first thing was the split, where the parents, relatives and friends went on for the camp tour and the enlistees took the other turn up the stairs to surrender their pink IC and collect their ID package which consisted the infamous 11B and ID tags. With that, it’s goodbye to civilian life. So after the various administrative things have been settled, everyone went into the theatre for the introduction speech and the oath taking. After that it was lunch with my folks. For me at that point of time, I really couldn’t bear to leave my parents. The time there was already about 1500hours. Time’s up for lunch/dinner, all the enlistees formed up at the parade square leaving their parents and girlfriends. We then continued to collect our issued equipment.

After even more administrative matters were settled, we settled in to what we would be calling home for the next 7 weeks. Viper Company, Platoon 2, Section 1. My bunk mates are an awesome bunch of individuals, very colorful in terms of their character as well. Looking at all the issued equipment, I was pretty amazed at the amount to go through. The iLBV was really cool.

The first few days were more of light activities and gradually became heavier as time goes by. Within the first 1 and a half weeks, some of the activities that we have gone through was our first IPPT categorization test, swimming categorization test, our vaccinations which was very amusing because some people were bleeding like nobodies business, our weapons presentation, which I almost cried at, firepower demonstration, various physical training regimes, weapon technical handling and various theory lessons. For one thing, the activities are just going to get more and more tiring.

For the food, it really isn’t all that bad, in fact, i daresay its actually pretty tasty. The only complaint i have is the amount of time we are given to eat. This is because, we still to have queue, eat and clear the plates all within 20mins.

I guess that is all I have got to say for this 1st week of BMT. I have more or less set my mind in the right direction and hopefully will be able to pull me through the remaining grueling 7 weeks.

Always remember, you are not alone and so do your platoon mates, help each other out, help each other pull through the difficult times, celebrate the happy occasions and it will all be over before you know it. -Anon

Valor, Virtue, Victor. Viper.

Cheers.

Re-ignited a long lost passion..

I shall keep this post short and sweet.
My passion for Gunpla has re-ignited!! Well many will ask how did this come about?
My answer: It was on any other night, just finished a session of battlefield and I was looking at my dust coated, nub mark covered models of my only 2 Master Grade kits, Freedom and Destiny. Then it hit me, those kits cost a fortune back when I was still in Secondary School and it all began again from there. Taking gunpla into a serious hobby. That little scenario reminded me of my love for mecha and only Gundams specifically just that they are so fun to build. This post took so long because I was spending most of my time on kendo, work, games, friends and gunpla!
So until next time.. which probably in a week’s time at best?? Haha, I’m currently working on Zeta Gundam right now so yeah. Maybe, I should open a new page in my blog to showcase pictures of my completed kits!! Alright, I’ll do just that when I’m done with Zeta.
Cheers!

Visit my Deviant Art Page!

Hey everyone!
My new deviantart profile is up and running! Please do check it out!
Link: http://theeviroboy.deviantart.com/
The page contains my latest photos and whatnots xD

Just bought 2 new model kits!!
Gundam  RX-78-2 Ver.Ka Master Grade (Produced by Katoki Hajime)
RX-93 Nu Gundam Master Grade
Will be working the the RX-78 first.
I’m giving it an estimate of 2 and half weeks depending on how much time I have.
I’ll be updating the status of it when I get the chance to so keep an eye out for it! First time doing painting for a model kit.
Pretty Darn Excited!

Congratulations!

Today was a day of mixed emotions and feelings, nervousness and uncertainty.
Today, the 27th of June, 2010, was the Mid-Year Kendo Grading Examinations. I was going for 初段 (Shodan), currently 1st Kyu.
In a frantic rush the night before, I had almost forgotten to finish up the answers for the questions to be handed up upon a successful Jitsugi and Kata evaluations. Added to that i was also doing some maintenance on the shinais that I was going to use for the grading. After everything was done, it was already 4am. What a bummer..I was hoping to sleep early the day before grading, get revitalized and rejuvenated. Guess not. With only 3 hours of sleep, I tried my best to energize myself and made my way to SKC. I had only a muesli bar as my energy source for that morning.
So skipping all the details as well as the long wait before the 1st Kyu people were up for the grading, I felt that I performed well today. Focused and composed, I breezed through the Kihon component of the Jitsugi. After which came the Gi Keiko. I took my time and doubled my focus to catch opportunities. Overall the Jitsugi was well done. The Kata component also went smoothly, only with a surprise that the Senseis only wanted to test the Kendokas going for Shodan Katas’ 1 to 3. In the group of 1st Kyu, only 2 didn’t make it. Unfortunately, they will have to train harder.
Grading was done and over. There was joy and there was sadness. On the whole the NYP cohort did very well. Many of them jumped to grades that we never predicted and of course for myself I have achieved my Shodan!
To all the NYP Kendokas who took the grading today, Well Done!! Keep up the training, keep up the spirit. Congratulations you have earned it!
Packing up and ready to leave the dojo, the suggestion to crash Clara’s pad was taken up. We arrived at her place in about 30mins give and take a little. Her apartment was pretty nice, spacious, not the most decorated but comfortable, as for her room, well..its quite a sight to behold. If you are korean pop culture fanatic, you’d probably love it in there. So after the little house visit, we headed off for lunch for a good hour of so got myself cuts and bruises on the left knee and headed back to Clara’s crib to chill out for a little while. We left her place at about 6pm and it was fun. Whoever knew Angela could be tickled so easily.
It was a relatively great day. Starting work tomorrow! Ippudo kitchen here I come. I hope the environment is as friendly as Stella describes it to be.
So yeah, this wraps up today’s blog post.
Cheers and have a good one.

I’m going to save up to buy me some Gurren Lagann figures!

Finally. I’m back?

It’s been too long since I actually last blogged.
I could hardly believe that it has been almost a year since i last posted something on this blog. I do plan to keep it going, guess its just the motivation or possibly the lack of content.
So the last entry was sometime in August, 2009. That was pretty long ago.
Having graduated from NYP (Nanyang Polytechnic) early this year, I have been thrown into an abyss of free time for me to either make a little spare cash before going into NS or just slack around. Speaking of which I will be enlisting into national service come November the 8th. So that leaves me about a little over 4 months before going into that wonderland known as Palau Tekong.
Now, the question that I or probably everyone gets is, “so….what are you doing now?”
My answer to that, I have been training a lot for the upcoming Asean Kendo Tournament 2010 which will take place in the month of October not too sure of the date. Trainings are held once every week and so far I have been through about 5 trainings. It is tough i will admit that.
I have also been looking for part time jobs. So far, I have only worked at Robinsons for about 2-3 weeks. It was quite the experience. Temporary staff aren’t actually allowed to handle the cashiers job, but somehow, I find myself handling the cashier. The time I was working there was short but it was an eye opener for me. I have to be very honest, it was my first part time job. Made new friends and possibly enemies, especially that pig faced lady that sells mattresses. She had a pretty stuck up attitude, didn’t make a good first impression to me at all. I mean who has the cheek to call a new guy dumb or stupid on his first few days on the job. I ended up telling her off when she started to call me that a second time. From then on she wouldn’t dare come near my area except when she has to prepare an invoice for customers buying mattresses. At that moment which I told her off, was one of those few events in my life I will never forget. There was also another staff that was pretty annoying. A gay dude. Yes, you read right, a gay dude. Gosh, it was THE most creepy situation I have ever been in. Its worse than watching a horror flick. Its really like being in one. Freaky.
I don’t think I would want to go into this in detail, but all i can say that the gestures he makes and does are more than enough to freak even the most controlled guy out. That aside, the other temporary staff were really friendly and sociable, which was good news. At least I had people to talk to when there was nothing to do on the sales floor. Well, the experience at Robinsons was a mix of good and bad, definitely learnt some lessons during my time there. Looking forward to my next part time job which will probably last until I go into NS. I will be working at a ramen factory! No, its not for some packet ramen but preparing all the ingredients and whatnots to be delivered to Ippudo, a ramen restaurant located the Mandarin Gallery. Yeah, I hope the working environment there is good.
So onto the next thing that I have been doing. I have been doing a lot of photography and photoshopping lately. Experimenting with all sorts of post processing methods such as cross processing, HDR, etc. What I hope to achieve out of all this is to prepare my portfolio to be used to appeal to getting into the design courses in the local universities. I guess it’s a revelation for me. I have found my calling in life which is design. I figured numbers and heavy theories are not really my cup of tea. I am more of a visual person, I like to see visual results rather than cracking my head over which formulae is going to solve a scientific problem. So, I indulge myself in taking loads of photos and what you call, “beautifying” them over in photoshop. I enjoy doing it and it’s an important aspect to what you do in life. Have the interest, pursue with a blazing passion and success will follow through. Moreover, I keep learning new things and ways to post process I never thought possible. I’m currently dwelling in the field of graphic design, integrating radical designs onto subjects/photos to make attractive advertisements or just visual eye candy. Its going to be hard work and I expect that. What is ever easy in this world to begin with right? So, I’m going at this one step at a time, from basic re-touching to more advanced topics as I move on. Another thing that I have been into is web development. Creating web portals for various uses would prove to be quite profitable in this day and age where more and more e-portals for galleries, businesses, fashion shops, etc are on the rise.
Alright, so i guess that’s more or less what has been going on over the last few months since August 2009. OH YES, I have updated my pedalboard! Will be posting images of it soon enough. Haha I remember I did mention in a post that my pedalboard would stay the way it was for a long time to come? Guess what, I lied and its a fact that a pedalboard can never remain the same for a long period of time unless one has got what they have been looking for. Do watch out for my band! We are busting tracks out onto myspace really soon, so keep an eye on my blog as I will be posting the links up for the tracks when they are done.
Wrapping things up, will be updating my blog at the least once a week maybe slightly longer or when there’s some really interesting content that i happen to chance upon. So, till then.. Cheers and have a good one!!

Damn.. I feel like having more Tua Huay!! =P

Runner’s High

Running outside of my estate is really quite refreshing. One thing that is definitely different is that im not running in circles anymore. I used to run within my estate, each loop being 1.12km excluding the start point which is approx.
320m away from the main loop.
Now, i’ve began running one big loop covering, pierce reservoir to bishan park and back home.
I noticed that it isn’t as tiring running out as compared to running within my estate. I would start to feel like crap whenever i hit lap number 6 within my estate.
Running out though, the air seems so much more articulate, able to breathe better and fatigue doesn’t seem to hit.
Well, i will be running my usual route as my daily training. My main problem is now the dreaded pull-up for NAPFA.
What an interesting day it was today. After, i was done with my run which ended at the estate’s park, i was going to do my usual training regime of sit-ups, pull-ups, push-ups and the plank. As i entered the park, i saw 2 people sitting on the sit-up bench. Couldn’t make out who they were as my eyes were blurred due to my sweat so i couldn’t see as far plus the day getting dark didn’t really help. So i just proceeded to doing my pull-up training first, a bit of karaoke drill, plank. They still didn’t move from where they were. At least, they weren’t china workers. I should really write a letter of complaint to the committee. But anyways, i decided i have to do my sit-ups for the day. So, i just went up to them and asked them. To my surprise, the female was Alison! She was an old friend whom i have not seen in like more than 6 or 7 years i would say.
I didn’t want to say her name at first, afraid that i might mistake her for a different person. Then as i was about to begin my sit-ups, she shouted from a distance, “You are Glen? Right?”. I was thoroughly surprised. After all these years she could still remember who i was. I replied back, “Yeah! I am. How did you know my name? Your Alison right?”. And she said, ” Yeap, from the playground..”. I was walking home after my workout in amazement. I kept telling myself, no way how could she remember. Oh well, glad that the old days weren’t forgotten. It’s really quite something to have childhood friends remembering each other. Well, i have to admit Alison was really the prettiest girl in my estate. I shan’t go into details. Heh..
I’m hoping for more coincidences like this cause this estate is really getting a bit too quiet. It’s nice yes, but it’s definitely better to have friends around the neighborhood coming out more often.
I shall end my post here! Eat your chocolates people! Twice a week in moderation! It can save you from heart related diseases!!
Oh before i end here are the routes i have marked out to chart my progress as well as knowing how far I’m running. Click on the images to get a better view!
Route 1, Distance: 8.77km

Route 2, Distance: 9.31km
Cheers!

Back with a bang

Hello peeps or whoever actually still reads my blog. I’m serious if you really do still visit please please do leave a comment, to let me know of your existence. I am sincerely very very grateful if you do. Gives me more motivation to continue posting and keeping this blog moving!

Speaking of moving. The past months, i have really been moving. Thanks to Laurent, i’ve become a regular jogger again. Was on a little hiatus.  Jogging at least 5 to 6km everyday. I only take a break when i feel really bushed out. Ever since i watched the tips on Adidas’ website, i have become a lot more aware of how i jog, posture, breathing and more. Run tall people, keep your backs straight and pace your breathing. This i find very helpful and one can really feel a difference. Living example, me.
Today, i would say i hit a double digit kilometre today. I should really invest in a speedometer.
Moving on, was on a photography spree the past month. I’ve gotten myself very familiar in the handling of DSLRs.
Aperture, Shutter, ISO speeds, the amount of flash, flash speed, white balance, the works. It’s been very educational. A journey of self exploration into the world of photography. I’ve also gotten myself accustomed to the usage of post processing tools ala Photoshop.
Please do take some time to visit my SHUTTERFLY to have a look of what i have captured so far.

Thinking, thinking, still thinking, I guess that pretty much sums it all up for the months that i have been absent from this blog.
So please do check back in to my blog, will posting at the very least, once a week.

Once again, thanks for visiting!!
Cheers!