A New Year Speech

Oh, its my turn to speak already? Ok ok... *Stands up, go onto the stage, grabs mic, clears throat* Ahem. Hello everybody, happy new year to all of you!

Bill Vaughan said, "An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves." Its been another year, its been another 365 days. And I must say, its been quite an exciting year for me. Fulfilling. New work environment, new friends, new responsibilities, new problems, new insights and many other new things.

2007 has been a great year. I felt that I learned alot of things in this year. I felt that I actually grew up this year. Many things happened in 2007. I graduated from junior college, was enlisted into national service, opened my eyes to many things that I have not seen before.

Lets just say the highlight of 2007 is my enlistment into the army. Thats at the beginning of the year. I must say, I was pretty apprehensive when I had to pack my bags and go live on this island in the northeast for the first time. But thank God He helped me through all the training on Tekong, then was with me when I was in SISPEC, gave me strength when I was training as an engineer, and finally, blessed me with a wonderful unit that I am currently in. I can say that I am in a great unit. I have never dreamt that I would be in a unit like this, a pretty relaxed place and at the same time, pay is pretty satisfying :D And best of all, my jobscope gives me the opportunity to go different places that I never thought of going before! It is truly a satisfying and fulfilling job. Furthermore, I also have alot of freedom, being able to go out every night, being able to go to church and cell group as well! It is truly God's blessing for me.

And of coz, thank God for my A'lvl results and for giving me the grace of being eligible for studying in a university. I tell you, it is truly God's grace that I can be enrolled in a university with a result like mine! Even more, who would have thought that I could get A1 for GP! Haha, and its all because of this A1 that NTU actually considered my application! This is truly God's blessing, grace, and miracle.

Wisdom was added into me in small amounts this year. I became more capable of making wiser and firm decisions and was also able to discern people better. All these will have to come from God. Many say that one would drift away from God when he is in the army, but only the opposite happened for me. In fact, I became closer to God than when I used to be. In the tough training and lonely moments while in camp, I began to realise that God is with me wherever I am. He's always there to support me and help me when I need Him. He's there even in the toughest, desperate and most desolate situations. I could really feel His presence and assurance.

New friendships were also found in 2007. In particular, 2 very wonderful brothers of mine. Linton and Jeff brought about a new channel of things that mature people could do together. Just 3 men. Enjoying good food, going for late night movies, just having simple dinner together, and most importantly, talking about almost everything under the sun. We don't really need to do anything extraordinary. We just need good food (in particular, roasted duck drumstick) and we can just sit around and talk. Pretty interesting.

My time in 2007 has also somehow put me into a certain focus on what I really want to achieve in my life. On what kind of people I want to be with, on who I really should hang out with, on what I should do with the time and money in my hand. I feel that I now have a target I can keep pushing on to, something I can trust God for, something God promised.

I also learned and experienced what is called financial independence. Having an income of my own, it has become my own responsibility to spend within my means. And its not just about save save save. Its actually alot more about knowing what exactly I want to spend on. Knowing when is the time to treat myself to something nice, and when it is not wise to spend on something I don't need at the moment. All these takes experience and frankly, I am still trying very hard to master it.

I don't know what 2008 holds for me. Somethings I do know are, 2008 will be the year I will ORD from army. In exact date, that will be 11th November 2008. Yes. Thats when I will leave the service of the Singapore Armed Forces. And I do know that its going to be another trying year. Its not going to be any easier than what this year has thrown in my face. But its ok. Without doubts and difficulties, how can faith exist? Faith is born out of doubt. Sounds like a paradox, but its actually very true. I trust God that He will pull me through another year, like how He had done for the past 19 years. If in any case He decides not to pull me throught, then maybe He will pull me UP to be with Him. :D

I pray that 2008 will be another great and exciting year, with many new things for me to learn. I pray that new friendships will be birthed and old friendships grow, and expired friendships be renewed. I pray that at the end of 2008 and at the start of 2009, I will be even wiser, be even more matured, more sensitive, and be a better man than I am today.

Thank you. Happy New Year, Happy 2008. Happy two thousand and eight.

Reliving The Picture: The Last Lunch @ PJC

Ok, a description of the picture. Thats me on the left and thats LiuZhen on the right. We are not a couple, she is my classmate and we just happened to have lunch together on the day this picture was taken. She's holding a metal spoon to show she had lunch too and I am holding my plastic utensils which I just took my lunch with.

The last day of my days as a PJC student was the last day of my A'level exams Thats, English Literature Paper 5 (refer to my previous post). Well, look at us being so happy, isn't it obvious that the A'levels are over. Haha, seriously, it was like throwing off 2 900kg dumb bells off your shoulder.

I remember what I had for lunch. The plastic utensils only come from the muslim rice store. Yep, I ate muslim food. In fact, muslim rice is prob the only good food in PJC with lots of people queuing for it during lunch breaks. Second to it would be the Chicken Rice store.

I would usually like to have either fried fish or chicken, with a sausage, and some veggie, then have curry on my rice (explains why theres still curry on the plate). They would cost me about around $2. Yep. $2. IF my memory still serves me well that is. And its pretty filling.

The last day of A'levels was fantastic. Everybody was very excited about finishing the exams. And that was why this picture and many other pictures was taken. I had so much plans in me and the thought about not having to stress over exams was simply superb.

And then I was enlisted into army and found out that stress still existed in this world, and also discovered that I would be facing English Literature again in university in 2009. Life is just like a roller coaster, it brings you through a journey of excitement and scares and when you thought it is all over, you are back to where you were before. Some philosophy for you. :P

Oh yeah, to Anonymous, the song in the background is called "Majesty, Here I Am" by Delirious. And thanks for letting me know who you are.

Waiting Patience

Patience is a virtue. Very common phrase which almost everybody seem to be familiar with. And so is waiting. Well, in fact, to have patience means to be able to wait. Wait for anything. It can be minutes for a friend, hours for that event to start, days for that holiday to come, months for that birthday gift, or even years for that promised gift.

But seriously, who likes waiting? If I can get a cab now, why would I bother to wait for another cab to come? If I can get to ORD now, why should I wait untill next year before I get my civilianhood back? Nobody likes waiting, for many of us, we wait only because we have to, not because we want to. We get onto the MRT station platform and see the time of arrival: 9 mins. We wait because we have to wait for the train to come. If the train could come in 1 min time, it would have been all the more better, isn't it.

However, somethings are better when patience is put into it. Like, a promise, or something we look forward to. Somehow, by waiting, it makes the reward appear to be sweeter, or rather, the reward is actually sweeter. Take for example, instant noodles vs a well cooked meal. Instant noodles takes only 3 mins to be prepared, while a meal will take possibly hours of hard work, shopping, preparing, cooking. Yet, most would rather have a good proper meal than to opt for that cup of instant noodles.

Or a promise. Promises are made to be tested through time. When we apply patience to promises and wait for them to be fulfilled, it is then that we will realise the full value of the promise and learn to appreciate them when they are actually fulfilled. A promise that is fulfilled prematurely many a times loses its value in our eyes. We tend to take things for granted even.

How about friendships, relationships? They take time to be nurtured. Do you still remember that puppy love relationship you got into when you were young? Becoming each other's boyfriend/girlfriend after knowing each other for only a few weeks? Most of these relationships didn't last I suppose. If they did, then good for you. But for many of us, we know full well how these puppy love thing works. They hardly last. Thats because we didn't even wait for the roots of friendship to grow deep enough for any flowers of relationship to grow properly. In fact, if we had waited patiently and allowed the friendship to develop, knowing each other better, at the end of the day, we will have a well developed relationship, stronger, and best of all, we will learn to appreciate one another even more because of the time we have waited for the relationship to be fulfilled.

So lets all just apply a little more patience in our lives. Perhaps when a certain promise is made to you. Wait for it to be fulfilled. If God say He's going to grant something in your life. Wait for it. Don't start to try pushing God around and demand for something not ready to be given. God knows the perfect time for which He should give you His promises. Like how seasons work, God knows the best time for which season. Imagine if summer was earlier, or winter, or autumn, or spring, it would have been quite bad right. Just have faith in the promises that God has given us, and that is also how He tests our faith. For all we know, God's promise for us could be just around that corner.

Reliving The Picture: Pulau Ubin

Hm... when was that, 2004? Yes.. that was the end of 2004. When we had just finished our O'levels. 3 years ago. Well, time sure flies. 5 people embarked on the journey to Pulau Ubin. Thats.. from the left, Zhiwei (RenShing's then girlfriend, now ex), Renshing, Me, Benjamin, Kent. Forgot to bring out a camera and bought one of those disposable one in Lot1. This picture was taken by a caucasian whom we asked to help.

We took a boat from Changi Village. Benjamin and I are already very familiar with Pulau Ubin and how to get there and the terrain as we've been there more than enough times from our scouting experiences. So it was easy and there was really no hassle on finding out how to get to places or get the boat and all that. It was fun to be on a boat. It always is.

Upon arriving, we chose our bikes. I, having a fancy for good bikes, had an eye on these nice mountain bikes, but upon the receiving the information of their prices, we went for a cheaper version instead. Raleigh was the brand. Took it down into the forested areas. Kind shop owner gave us a map in case we got lost. Benjamin and I already have the map in our head. We took it anyway...

So we were just cycling around, exploring the little island. Zhiwei was complaining she was little tired. So we just stopped by at one of those small little huts to take a break, while getting drinks from one of the residents at the same time. Pulau Ubin residents sell cold can drinks, thats some knowledge for who haven't been there. And they sell for about $1 per can.

After taking a short break, we carried on our expedition again. It was then when we tackled a steep slope, and poor Zhiwei had a fall, scraping her knees. It looked pretty painful. We decided then she should probably relax abit and rest with Renshing taking care of her. They probably can have a romantic time anyway. So Ben, Kent and I took off on our own, exploring the island, going on tracks and on speed that we wouldn't have tried if we carried a girl with us. We planned with the couple on when and where to meet later on after our adventure. It was a pretty good idea. :D

Ben and I brought Kent to places that we have discovered while trekking on Pulau Ubin last time, like the Quarry, our camp site, the temple, the chinese cemetry. It was really fun and thrilling. Well, as Zhiwei was not around, we also took the liberty of taking our shirts off and cycling topless. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

It was coming to the time when we are supposed to meet Renshing and Zhiwei at the village and it was turning dark as well. So we took one final photo then quickly rode our way back to the village and found them there. Returned our bikes, and then took the boat back. Its one of the last few boats operating already. Another knowledge for those who don't know, the last boats at Pulau Ubin operates at 6.30pm, latest 7pm. Miss that and you'll just have to spend the night on the island.

In the end, we managed to explore the entire island, cycling one whole round around the island. Mission accomplished indeed.

Reliving The Picture

Been flipping through some of the photo albums I kept and I realised that these memories have been kept to one side of my mind. If not for these photos, I might have forgotten them all together. And sooner or later, I might even forget when we took those photos, like some of the really old ones which picture me being a 3 or 4 year old kid. Not that I have forgotten I was a 3 or 4 year old kid, just that I have forgotten posing for that particular picture. Or did I pose?

So I decided start a series, do you call it a series? Its called, "Reliving The Picture", whereby I will just put up a picture that I found and then link it with the memories that I still have with me. Maybe when I grow old, I would still be able to remember all these things. So here goes the first one.

Hosanna

'HOSANNA' is the name of a worship song which has captured me in the past months. Well, it is actually more than a name. In a direct translation, it is actually a Hebrew word for "please save", or "save now". It is also used often as a word of praise in recognition of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Somehow, these 2 words caught my eye: Save and Praise.

In Mark 11:9-10, we can see the people crying "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest" Are they crying hosanna for salvation, or are they crying out to praise? What I think is, both. Salvation is what leads to praise.

Sometimes I wonder, what exactly am I praising God for? Because He helped me with my studies? Yep. Because He gives me peace and health? Correct also. But it just seems as though those things are rather secondary. Because if I don't do well with my studies, if I don't have peace and health, does that mean I don't praise God? No! Thats because we are praising God for something more fundamentally important; Salvation.

Salvation is one of the biggest gift bestowed upon us when we believe in Christ. And yet, its the gift which many people overlook. You can ask Christians why do you believe in God, and you might get answers like peace, a goal in life, purpose, etc. You might even hear some people saying, friends. Well, I'm not saying its wrong to want peace or a purpose, its good to have peace and purpose. But we cannot overlook the most basic part of our belief, salvation.

Jesus died on the cross not so we can have a purpose or have peace, He died so that we may be saved. Thats the most important thing in Christianity. If we are not praising God for salvation that has been given to us, then we are really missing the point. We are praising God for He has saved us from what we were: sinners. Thats salvation. And its for this salvation that we keep serving God with our hearts.

So, even when we seem totally lost, without purpose, without joy, without hope, without peace, without anything, we can still praise God for the salvation given to us. Because salvation is the one thing that the devil cannot rob from us. It is why we cry, "Hosanna".

Finding Treasures

Just yesterday, I shifted to another bunk. That meant moving alot of my stuff. And clearing out the old stuff of the previous occupant. Well, basically I am just taking over the bed of some guy who just ORDed recently. I dreaded the shifting, I had already settled so comfortably into my old bunk and now they want me to shift. But no choice, it was instruction. So I just dragged myself to do it.

Shifted here and there. The cupboard I was supposed to take was totally FULL! Theres like helmets, SBOs, duffel bags, field packs... and other junk. I took awhile to clear them and asked if anyone wanted to claim those. Some claimed but not everything was cleared. I carried on clearing, complaining to myself why can't the ORD guy jus bring all his stuff back. Then, I found some pretty interesting things.

Treasures. Things like a portable DVD player and a book. I thought to myself, hm? Surely the DVD player is spoiled, thats why its left behind. But well, being the me that I am, I decided to try it out and see if it works. I plugged in the power, turned it on. It turn on. I was like "?!". It actually turned on! So well, ok. It might not be able to play anything. So I borrowed a VCD from my bunk mate and put it in. Played. The DVD player was working fine. Wow. Impressive. So, I got a DVD player and a book to entertain me now.

Sometimes, our life are like that. You know, full of chores and work and struggles, things that none of us like to do. And we complain and grumble, and wonder why the heck are we even doing this for. Maybe, just maybe, we can look out for small little treasures that our work might bring out? It probably won't be DVD players or books, it might just be experience, friendship, skills, street smartness, or even just a chance to do something different. I don't know what it will be, its all up to the individual to decide.

If you decide that your work brings no rewards or treasures whatsoever, then so it will be. If you so decide that your work is full of rewards and treasures, then so it will be as well.

A Movie About Cats Flying

Its Deepavali, a public holiday. So lets just watch a movie that really has got to do with its title. A Movie About Cats Flying. Its horribly pointless, but thats all the fun, isn't it?

Art VS Science, or Science VS Art... works both ways

Was in my bunk not too recently when my bunk mates got into a small debate on which one is better. Being the only student of the arts in the bunk, of course I stood up for what I have studied for the past 2 years. The debate didn't come to a proper conclusion, as majority decided that science is what actually runs the world, or even keep the world running. The minority didn't have much say, it was only me.

Come to think of it, theres really no point in comparing the 2 subjects. You see, its actually a matter of perspection. By comparing arts and science, its almost as if you are making a comparison to see if the duck rice was better, or the chicken rice. If many people in your area loves chicken rice, then duck rice would not seem so good, or it could be just because the duck rice in your area isn't the better ones that the rest of Singapore offer.

Science is important. I am not speaking as if I did not touch or learn science my entire life. I did, and I actually did pretty well in secondary school. Having A1 for combined science and B3 for Biology speaks for itself. Science is important. Thats without doubt. Thats where we learn and research and find out how life works, how the body works, how the earth runs, how the environment supports itself, how best it is to conserve the work... the list can run a million pages. Thats important. And thats important to a world like ours thats so dependant on technology that we have magnified the importance of science by probably a hundred times. This would sometimes cause us to see the arts as so much smaller.

The arts, be it literature, design, or just music, seem to be of less importance. When we speak of these in comparison to science, its significance seem to be minute. But, of coz theres a but, that doesn't mean the arts is small. Its in fact pretty big, just not in our society yet, or it might just be because we have't had the chance to discover its significance yet. Take literature for example, its the study of why certain things are written, how certain phrases are written and what kind of impact or effect do they have. Seems like nothing? Think again. Literature is in fact how we get to read whatever we are reading, poems, prose, news, we can go on and on. Now how about design and music? Aren't these things the ones that draw millions to places like Italy, Spain, France or other parts of Europe? And what exactly draws them? You will know when you've experienced it. Now who says arts don't run the world?

So when it comes to art vs science or science vs art, theres nothing much to compare. Both are important in a very different way. And both contributes to the society being the way it is. And when we put a certain weightage on one side, its more of a matter of perspective. Just because science is much more supported by the government than arts is in Singapore, or rather because science is contributing more to the economy of Singapore, doesn't mean that Arts is out of the picture. Take a walk down to Victoria Concert Hall, or the Art Museum, or the Singapore Repertory Theatre, and you'll see small bubbles of art life. Just because arts seem smaller in Singapore, doesn't mean its smaller. Just because the duck rice in blk 123 coffeeshop is less popular than the chicken rice stall beside it, doesn't mean that everywhere else is the same.

Ultimately, be it science or art, they both come from one source- God. Just like ducks and chickens.

Translations

I recently messed around with a online translation website and found something pretty interesting. I inputted a message in english, turn it into another language and then back to english again, and look what its done. The message in english is: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." (John 3:16-18 )

When translated into spanish, it reads:

• “Para el dios amó tan el mundo, de que que él dio a su solamente hijo, a que quienquiera cree en él no debe fallecer sino tener vida eterna. Para el dios no envió a su hijo en el mundo para condenar el mundo, pero para que el mundo se pudiera ahorrar a través de él. Quienquiera cree en él no se condena, pero quienquiera no cree se condena ya, porque él no ha creído en nombre del único hijo del dios. “ (Juan 3:16 - 18)

When back into english, it reads:

• “For the God it so loved the world, that that it gave his only son, to that quienquiera he believes in him must not pass away but have eternal life. For the God it did not send to its son in the world to condemn the world, but so that the world could be saved through him. Quienquiera believes in him does not condemn, but quienquiera it does not create condemns already, because he has not believed in name of the only son of the God. “ (Juan 3:16 - 18)

Well, thats pretty close... but, quienquiera? What on earth is that...

Ok, and then into Italian, hmm....:

• “Per il dio così amava il mondo, quello che ha dato il suo soltanto figlio, che chiunque crede in lui non dovrebbe perire ma avere vita eterna. Per il dio non ha trasmesso il suo figlio nel mondo per condannare il mondo, ma affinché il mondo ha potuto essere conservato attraverso lui. Chiunque crede in lui non è condannato, ma chiunque non crede è condannato già, perché non ha creduto in nome di unico figlio del dio. “(John 3:16 - 18)

Ok, lets see it back in English....:

• “For the God therefore it loved the world, what it has given to its only son, than anyone believes in he would not have to perish but to have eternal life. For the God it has not transmitted its son in the world in order to condemn the world, but so that the world could have been conserved through he. Anyone believes in he is not the condemned, but anyone does not believe is condemned already, because it has not believed in name of only son of the God. “(John 3:16 - 18)

What on earth... but still have the idea there...

Now lets have in in French! Bonjour!:

• « Pour Dieu a ainsi aimé le monde, celui qu'il a donné son seulement fils, que celui qui croit en lui ne devrait pas périr mais avoir la vie éternelle. Pour Dieu n'a pas envoyé son fils au monde pour condamner le monde, mais pour que le monde pourrait être sauvé par lui. Celui qui croit en lui n'est pas condamné, mais celui qui ne croit pas est condamné déjà, parce qu'il n'a pas cru au nom du seul fils de Dieu. « (John 3:16 - 18)

And then back in English:

• “For God thus liked the world, that which it gave his only sons, that that which believes in him should not perish but to have the eternal life. For God did not send his son to the world to condemn the world, but so that the world could be saved by him. That which believes in him is not condemned, but that which does not believe is condemned already, because it did not believe in the name of the only son of God. “(John 3:16 - 18)

Wow, French people...

Ok, its been Europe all along, so for the last 2, lets have some Asian ones! Korean! :

• "신을 위해 이렇게 세계를, 저것 사랑했다 그가 그의 누구이건이 그를 비명에 죽면 안되는 믿는 그러나 영원한 생명을 보내기 위하여 준 아들만. 신을 위해 세계가 그를 통해서 구원될지도 모르다 하기 위하여 세계로 그의 아들을, 그러나 세계를 비난하기 위하여 보내지 않았다. 누구이건은 그를 비난되지 않는다 믿는다, 그러나 누구이건은 그가 신의 유일한 아들에 맹세하여 믿지 않았기 때문에, 이미 비난된다 믿지 않는다. "(죤 3:16 - 18)

Ok... back to English please...:

• If “the hazard which will put on him which that loves the world, like this in the cry of distress where his troublesome meat roasted with seasonings case will be wrong the gruel it holds but in order to send the life which is eternal but it believes only the son whom it gives. The hazard world which will put on led and will be wrong in order it is rescued the description below which it does not know in order to criticize the world in the world his son, but it did not send. The troublesome meat roasted with seasonings case will be wrong and it is not criticized, because but the troublesome meat roasted with seasonings case him providence about under swearing does not believe in the son who is only, it was already criticized it does not believe all. “([cyon] 3:16 - 18)

Huh?!?!?! Meat roasted with seasoning case?!?! Gosh... Koreans, all they think of is food...

Nvm about that... lets see wad the Japanese have to say:

• 「神のためにそう世界を、それ愛した彼が彼の誰でも彼を死ぬべきではない信じる永遠の生命を過すために与えた息子だけ。 神のために世界が彼を通して救われるかもしれないために世界に彼の息子を世界を非難するために送らなかった。 彼が神の唯一の息子の名で信じなかったので、誰でも彼を非難されない信じるが、誰でも既に非難される信じない。「(ジョン3:16 - 18)

Uh... ok... lets see what it means in English:

• So he who the world, that is loved being that whoever “because of God, just the son who is given in order to pass the eternal life him we should not die, it believes. Because perhaps it is rescued because of God the world through him that son was not sent in order to criticize the world in the world. 彼が神の唯一の息子の名で信じなかったので、誰でも彼を非難されない信じるが、誰でも既に非難される信じない。「(ジョン3:16 - 18)

Uh? Don't understand, and they didn't even translate fully...

Well... as a Chinese, I feel obligated to do the Chinese as well, so here goes:

• “为上帝如此爱世界，他给只有他的儿子，谁相信他不应该消灭，但是有来世的那。 为上帝没有送他的儿子入世界谴责世界，但是，为了世界也许通过他被拯救。 谁相信他没有被谴责，但谁不相信已经被谴责，因为他不以上帝的唯一的儿子的名义相信。“(约翰・ 3:16 - 18)

Er... I've seen the actual one in bible but its not this... if its in english then... :

• “So loves the world for God, he gives only then his son, who believed he should not eliminate, but will have next life that. Has not delivered him for God the son to enter the world condemnation world, but, is saved perhaps for the world through him. Who believed he had not been condemned, but who didn't believe was already condemned, because of him not by God's only son's name trust.“(John 3:16 - 18)

Huh? The Chinese still can't get over the "next life" thing... geez.

Unit Life!

Yeah! It seems that life as a trainee is finally coming to an end. I have finally been posted to my unit and getting ready to be on active duty, serving as a 3SG (3rd Sergeant). Its been a long long journey from recruit life untill now, but at least I made it in one piece, and made it into a better soldier.

From BMT untill now, I have been a recruit, then private in SISPEC, then corporal in ETI and now a 3rd Sergeant. And well, I probably wouldn't be promoted in a long time anymore. And of course, thank God I am a specialist, my officer cadet friends are still suffering as a trainee at this moment when I assume commander privileges, muahaha.

Well, last tuesday marked the end of trainee life. I had my POP at ETI and my parents attended. Proud moment, much better than during POP at BMT. This time, I was a 3SG. Not a REC, or PTE. When I received my certificate, heh, I was thinking like, "its finally over, this crap life"

S1 in my unit says that unit life is very relaxing, ha, hope that it is true ya. For the 1st time in army, I actually walked to cookhouse instead of marching, went and take my own food from the commander's section rather than having food thrown on my plate by the cookhouse uncle and auntie. And of course, people calling me "sergeant". Muahaha.

Some pictures during POP.

The Kingdom Of God

A friend of mine once asked me, "What made you leave behind the joys of the world and choose the path of christianity, which poses so much restrictions on your lifestyle?" Well, it probably wasn't the exact words he asked me but the meaning is around there. It took me awhile to reply him. It was something I had to ask God. And God gave me an answer.

In fact, this questioned birthed from the fact that I was a backsliden christian. Well, I wouldn't say I was completely backslided as by God's grace, I was still having contact with people whom I knew in church even during my secondary school days, a period when I hardly even went to church. I have well, experienced what the world could provide, although, again by God's grace, I managed to keep myself from the addictions of cigarettes and alchohol and premarriage sex due to my own convictions. Other than that, I must sayI have quite an experience with what the world could provide, a world free from christian restrictions.

It was only at the end of 2004 when I was led into a revival with God again through a youth camp with the church which a dear lady I knew brought me to. I never regretted attending that youth camp, and up untill now, I am still serving in the church.

So back to the topic. What actually made me leave behind the joys of the world? Well, there wasn't much to leave behind anyway. Except for a few naughty things here and there, my personal convictions was tying pretty close to what God intended for all of us. The christian path isn't so full of restrictions as one might put it. In fact, God never intended for us to feel all miserable and bored on this christian walk. There are still so many things that we can enjoy, while at the same time walk closely with God. The things that God forbids us from, are always things that are not good to our lives, and will destroy us ultimately.

Have you ever wondered why they always say "The Kingdom Of God"? Well, kingdoms are pretty rare now, maybe left for the United Kingdom. But in the past, Kingdoms are a little like countries, cities, under the rule of a king, or a queen. Whatever that is outside the kingdom, are pretty much the wilderness. Inside the kingdom, there are rules and regulations set by the King, so that there can be order and peace in the kingdom. This allowed for prosperity to flow in the kingdom and people would have a good life in the kingdom. This is in contrast to the wilderness, whereby no one could have a good life despite of the lack of rules. Why is that so? Its because of the King's wise rule.

The King doesn't make rules in his Kingdom for his people to suffer. He doesn't really restrict them to make them miserable. He doesn't want for that to happen. He's not a warlord or dictator. He makes rules so that everyone can be happy in the peace, order and the prosperity in the kingdom. The rules doesn't take away the good things that can be found in the wilderness, it only takes away the bad things. Things that will bring damage and destruction to the prosperity of his Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God works the same way too. God sets rules not to make us feel miserable and trapped in the christian walk, but to protect us from the evil and bad things that can happen to us if we were not in His kingdom. God knows whats best for us thats why He sets those rules.

A good example that can be taken from the bible would the Israelites that was going into Exodus led by Moses. Just for your information, the Israelites were leading a life that was miserable and torturous when they were in Egypt. God heard their cry and made Moses lead them into Exodus, to move to a promised land that would flow with milk and honey. The Israelites did follow Moses. But while on the way there, even though God was providing for their needs, the Israelites still missed the life they had in Egypt, when they would eat meat and wheat from the labour they provided the Egyptians.

What the Israelites did not see was the promise that God had for them in the future. Yes, no doubt there was meat and other food in Egypt that they could have when they were in labour to the Egyptians. But what they did not realise was that God didn't intend for them to in labour to the Egyptians, God intended for the Israelites to be free, and yet at the same time enjoy the good things in life at the promised land.

Sometimes we are like the Israelites. And the worldly lifestyle is like Egypt. Sometimes we just want to go back to the lifestyle we used to lead when we met a little problems while on the way to God's promises. Yes, the worldly lifestyle is no doubt attractive, but we must know the master behind that. If we should return to the worldly lifestyle, its the same as us going back into the bondage of sin again. God sent His son Jesus Christ to free us from the bondages of sin and theres no reason why we should go back there again. Let us look towards the promise that God has given to us and move towards it despite of the problems that could be on the way. When such problems come, just look to God and He will provide, just like how He provided Mina and water to the Israelites when they cried for Him.

To all my friends and my special friend who have asked me the question and could be reading this, I sincerely hope it helped.

Stage 2: Basic Section Leaders Course - Completed

Its finally over. Stage 2 of my National Service life and thats like around 5 months already. I have finally completed my Basic Section Leaders Course (BSLC) and now, I am a corporal! Wahahaha. It wasn't too easy though. Training is pretty tough and they really love to push people to the limit and test our mental endurance. Horrible.. but well, I managed to get Gold for IPPT at last :D and I also passed my SOC!! Fantastic feeling.

Well, before I officially became a corporal, that means before I passed out from the course, I went through the 28km route march. To be exact, thats on Tuesday night 9.30pm, 30th May 2007. 28km route march is really so tough, it makes passing out from the course so significant.

Well, I started my march on about 9.30pm. 1st 4km was alright. Then another 4km. And another 4km. Every 4km we get a short break. By the 12th km break, I was already "enjoying" the blisters on my legs. No choice, I had to continue. So I kept on going. At the 16th km break, I had to go see the medic to suppress my pain so that I could continue. He wrapped a little bandage around my foot so I wouldn't feel so much pain. Yup, ok, its still painful, but I could at least go on. Then 20km. Then 24km. The last 4km was a super super big test for the mental endurance. My physical strength has reached its limit, my physical endurance is at its limit also, the pain on my legs is enough for me already. All I had left was my mental strength. Well, the last 4km was around 5am already. So that means I was really sleepy, tired, and in pain.

When we finally reached the end point, woh, the feeling was tremendous. It was about 6am on 31st May 2007. We took a short break. I took a short nap. 6.30am, we had our passing out parade. So with every thing on, field pack and everything, we marched onto the parade square, with blisters and cramps and tiredness. When we stepped onto the parade square, I nearly cried. Haha, the feeling was superb. Its almost as if I fought a war and came back in victory or something. And some NCC people was there cheering as well. I seriously did not know why NCC people was there but I didn't care about it anyway, what mattered was that I was there.

With everything still on us, we waited for the reviewing officer to finish his speech, gave out the awards, and then my platoon commander presented me my corporal rank and finally, we were officially passed out from the course. Woohoo! I took my bags back to the company line and then bathe, and bang, I knocked on my bed. Haha. At about 8am then went for breakfast. After that we cleaned our bunks and prepared for our posting order.

Got my posting order at about 6pm. Engineers school. Geez, I don't even know anything about that. Doesn't sound too interesting but I have no choice anyway. After that, I went home and began my sweet break! Ha, I reached home and saw my sister going for G12. So I just put down my bags, changed and quickly followed her. Lol. Thank God.

And I also accepted the offer for English Literature at NTU. :D

"Knock It Down"

Found this video on the net. When I 1st saw it, my reaction was "Hey! Thats exactly what I went through in BMT!" Well, theres the push ups, the running, the shouting at us, the range, the battle inoculation course, the route march, the chin-ups etc etc. Haha, just here to share it with you guys, and maybe you can see how army really is like. Its not that tough, really. :D And er, you might want to wait for the background song to play finish before playing the video, haha.

SISPEC - School Of Infantry Specialists

Yes, thats where I am training in now. SISPEC, for those who don't know what abbreviation means, you can just read the title. Specialists! What does that mean? At first, I thought I would be specialized in something. Well, in a way yes, its just a place to train section commanders, and pushing people to become sergeants through BSLC (Basic Section Leader Course) which I am currently in, and then ASLC (Advanced Section Leader Course). Ha, basic intro for those who are lost.

Hows life in SISPEC? Hm, many people asked me that. One word, tiring. Much much more tiring than BMT. Its the tempo of training. Its almost as if they don't give us any break at all. In the morning you can have ability group run, then after that SOC, then strength training, then another run. When I finally get to lie on my bed and rest, I can only say "woah, what a day." I read my bible, pray, sleep and wake up to the same thing again. 6 days of that in one week.

Its so bad that I actually got a little depressed around the 3rd week of my training. It was really tough. I had injuries on me and I still had to push on through the training. My muscles were aching like crazy and I missed home badly. I dreaded every single day I was in camp. But somehow I managed to pull through. Every night I would read the bible and pray, seeking God for encouragement, and then something great happened to me.

God helped me to realise something. He helped me to find joy in every single little things around me. Like there was this time when dinner was pretty good, and I got cheered up by that. Haha, I know its a little lame but I was really quite happy after that dinner. I also learnt to take each day at a go and not try to take down the whole week with one breath. Every night when I lie down on my bed, I would thank God for the day and thank Him for helping me through it. I also became more cheerful and crapped alot more with my friends, this lifted their spirits up too! Ha, I am glad I can spread my joy to friends around me! Its finally working, I remembered I promised someone I would spread my joy to the people around me when I was in BMT, I finally fulfilled it.

Well, life's alot better now. I am going into the 5th week of the course and its going to be half way through the 10 week course. Once its finished, I don't know where I will go. Its either ASLC, OCS, or CBREDG. Well, CBREDG basically stands for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives Defense Group. The name speaks for itself. This unit made me go through a 3 hr psychological test, when everybody could rest in their bunk! Argh~~!!

Ah, just completed my appointment as a leader section commander. This basically means I had to be in charge of the section for 3 days. Was fun. And busy. Especially since my appointment just happen to fall on the day of Exercise Gypsy 1! Its always busy when theres an exercise. You have to constantly check on your men, check equipment and make sure you complete the mission. The section depends on you, so you need to be extra vigilant.

Well, exercise Gypsy 2 is this week. Pray that I can be successful in this exercise! Next week is long weekend because of Labour Day! Yeah yeah! Finally can get some rest! Woooot~~! :D

Victory Through Defeat

2 days ago was Good Friday, and today is Easter Sunday. Both are special days, but how special? To the world, Good Friday is a public holiday that everyone can enjoy and well, Easter Sunday has got something to do with eggs and I don't even know why. But surely there is something more special and important that makes these 2 days SPECIAL.

Surely everyone knows what a cross is. The "+". It is a symbol of christianity. On the maps, "+" would mean a church. Christians wear it on their necks, put it on their walls, on their doors or anywhere. But the cross is surely more than just a symbol. It is something that represents victory through defeat.

In the Roman times, that is when Jesus was still walking around on Earth, the cross is known to be one of the most cruel methods to punish a criminal who commited worst crime you can ever think of. Its method of punishment is to hang the criminal on the cross for hours, sometimes lasting more than a day, letting the criminal wreathe in pain and moan as his blood continues to flow out of his body due to all the wounds inflicted upon him. It is a very slow and painful death.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was hanged there, supposedly on Good Friday. Some people ask, why is it called Good Friday? Our Lord was punished and put to the death on this day and you still have the cheek to call it "good"? No no no, I can call it good coz the reason He died was for everyone, so that He can die for our sins, so He can take all of our sins and put it on the cross with Him. Thats why I call it good, but thats not over yet.

When Jesus died on the cross, it appeared to be a total defeat. The Son of God who was supposed to come to Earth and save the world has just been put to death. All the years Jesus spent on Earth seemed to be a joke because the Son Of God just died. The devil must have been thinking to himself, "I finally got rid of this guy, now the world is mine!" The disciples were also greatly discouraged, many of them turn back and went back to fishing, thinking that this was going to be end of the story. Christianity looked to have been killed then and there.

And what happened later on didn't really help either. If Jesus would have suddenly awoken on the cross and flew off with wings, it would definitely have caused a super big uproar and everyone would be in awe and all that. No, it didn't happen. Jesus's body lie motionless on the cross, and subsequently transported into a tomb donated by a kind man. Jesus remained dead. Many of us wonder why is there this one day gap between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Why? It was the day Jesus remained dead.

Sometimes, we face trouble and when we cry out to God, theres no answer. God seems to be in silence. We remain in this state of problems and we just cannot seem to get out of the situation. It seemed like a total defeat had just fallen upon our life, as if we are going to remain defeated, like how Jesus lay dead. But no, God didn't plan our life to be in defeat forever, He wants us to be victorious! So 1 day later, Jesus arose, well and alive.

Thats Easter Sunday. Jesus resurrected from the dead and rose into the sky. His body could not be found and He has defeated death in the face. A total victory was won on that very day as Jesus picked Himself up and walked again. On that day, the devil could only eat defeat, complete defeat. All the souls had been set free from the chains of the devil, from the curse of sin because Jesus has taken all the sins, died on the cross, and rose up again. That is brilliance of Easter.

So like how Jesus arose and won victory despite seeming to have been defeated, we can do the same as well. Even when our problems seem to drag and even when God seems to be keeping His hands behind Him, we must still look towards Him for help. Why? Faith. Only through this can our faith be tested and our patience be tried. Jesus wasn't resurrected in a day. When we manage to last through this one day of death, we will surely experience victory.

One of my friend once told me, "In those times, against a glaring face of a negative reality, true faith arises, appropriates courage and locks into the integrity of God's promise. For this reason, God will allow us to go through times where we need to trust Him in spite of how things appear." Quite alot to digest there but I feel its really good.

John 19:28-30 "Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."

John 20:19-20 "On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

10 days of "leave"

Well, I passed out from BMT on the 13th March 2007, and now its 25th March 2007! Hehe. What had I been doing for the past 12 days? Lol, I had my block leave which can be easily translated into a holiday for me, except that army calls it block leave. Haha.

One thing which I did alot was to contribute to my region event. During my leave, I did alot alot of filming for the event. Haha, I took on many roles as well! Professor, passer-by, Ah Long, SARS victim, friend of main lead and I don't know what else. So how do they differentiate the different me's' in the video? Well, some roles I wore a cap, some I wore shirt, some no cap, some polo-tshirt, some jeans, some shorts. Thats how alot of Meng Hui's' were created. Haha.

Well, I did alot of catching up with some my friends whom I have not met for a really long time. Particularly my secondary school friends. So I used some days to go for buffet with them, then watch movie. And I also played soccer with my friends from junior college and made new jerseys as well. Well, just some things I don't get to do when I am trapped in a protected area every weekday.

I also managed to go G12 after a really really long time! Ha, nothing's changed yet, except for the fact that Derrick can be back with us for good. I am also no longer the songleading coordinator anymore. Ha. Food's still good and the fellowship is still better. :D

Well, of course I spent alot of time playing game! I have not had so much time with my computer for the past 9 weeks and of course I must spend time with the little old CPU of mine. Haha. Played almost every single game I could get my hands on: FIFA, football manager, Red Alert 2, Everquest, Audition, Ultima Online, Warcraft3, Need For Speed:Underground... just some to mention. Woh, satisfied.

And of course, I spent alot of time praying and sorting out my thoughts. My heart has been deeply troubled for the past few months. I always thought she was just playing with my feelings and messing around. And that was where all the troubles and bitterness came from. But after thoughts and prayers, I finally managed to solve everything. Its like putting a rock off my shoulder and being able to jump again. The bitterness was all gone.

It was not her fault at all. She wasn't playing with me. It was just me getting slapped by God. It isn't the 1st time I went through this. God has specifically told me His plans but I just chose to ignore it. Well, this was just what I got. God sometimes have to slap me a couple of times to wake me up to His will. And it ain't easy. It wasn't any of our fault. Everyone of us is born imperfect, just that this time, I couldn't accept her flaws and she couldn't accept mine. Nobody was playing with nobody. It just didn't work out coz it was not the plan. So its just this way, and I just have to pick myself up and continue on my way like how I used to before.

And thats how my block leave ended. It ends with me being posted to SISPEC. To be trained as a sergeant, an infantry leader. Nothing really great. I wanted to go to OCS but theres really no choice when it comes to posting. So tomorrow I'll be gone, back to dressing up like a piece of grass again.

A'Levels are OUT!

Haha, I got my A'Level results last Friday but didn't have the time to post it. So here goes!

English Literature: C

Geography: E

Economics: A

General Paper: A1

Not really fantastic but I hope it can allow me to enter university. Applied for Communication Studies in NTU, praying that my GP A1 can make them consider me!!! Looking through other uni courses right now. Heh, gonna be applying for all 3 universities :P

My Reflections In BMT

I am about to pass out from Basic Military Training(BMT), and I was told by my commander to write a reflection on my experience in BMT. Well, I wrote one, so I thought I might as well post it on my blog as well so I can remember it. Heh. So here goes:

When I was first enlisted on 12th January 2007, I told myself “I had better not waste my 9 weeks here.” And I am more than proud to say that I had not waste my 9 weeks on Pulau Tekong. My experience in BMT was truly meaningful and memorable.

As I look back at the Meng Hui 9 weeks ago, I can see a marked difference with the me now. Not only have I grown fitter physically, I have also matured to be a more patient and confident person.

Physically, I have become much fitter. I remember when I took the IPPT CAT test on the 2nd week of enlistment, I failed the test due to my SBJ. I also could do only 7 chin-ups and my 2.4km timing was 11.39. As I went through training, I could feel myself getting fitter and being able to do better for my IPPT. During my IPPT diagnostic in the middle of BMT, I could achieve a “PASS”. Finally, when the real IPPT came, I managed to achieve a “SILVER”, and only due to my 2.4km timing which had been improved to 10.45. I could also do 12 chin-ups and my SBJ jump was 234cm which earned me 4 points, allowing me for a chance to get gold. This improvement in my physical fitness is something which I am really happy about.

I have also become a more patient person. In the past, I can’t stand waiting for things to happen. I didn’t like to just sit around and wait. But when I came to Tekong, there was a lot of waiting to be done. Almost every now and then I will have to wait. Just sit down and wait for instructions, for the instructors to come, to go back to bunk, to send arms etc etc. Eventually, I became more patient. Patience played a big role in my time in BMT as it helped me to not lose my temper against my fellow recruits who seemed to be weaker and was slowing down the group during training such as route marches. Because of this patience, I was also able to play a role in helping to encourage my friends to press on to the end. I am glad I have been moulded this way in BMT.

I have also grown to be more confident. Some things which I thought I couldn’t do had been accomplished by me. I remember at the start of BMT, I thought a 24km route march was crazy as I could hardly do half of that. Eventually, I made it, and I find it a great accomplishment. I am more confident of myself that I can achieve things that I thought I couldn’t. And that theres really no end to pushing the limit.

Friends have played a very important role for me in BMT. I am very very happy to have known the buddies in my section, platoon and company. From not knowing each other at the start to pushing each other on at the end, we have gone through a lot. No one can survive in the army on his own, and I have learned that very well. Helping each other out during difficult times is a very important factor for surviving in BMT.

And lastly, I feel proud that I learned military skills in BMT. It is truly something that can be learned only in the army. I feel happy that I can at least call myself a soldier, and no longer a blur boy marching around in a military camp.

Surely, it is not what we leave behind that matters, it is what we gain in the time ahead. I am glad I have not wasted my 9 weeks on Pulau Tekong.

Ang Meng Hui
10th March 2007

6 Days In The Jungle

I spent the past week in the jungle. Yup. A place with lots of trees, and trees. No infrastructure, no toilets, no lights, no fans, no beds. Just you and nature. Its called "Field Camp" in the army. Which really means to stay in the jungle and see how it is like.

My field camp started on Sunday. 11/02/07. Packed my fieldpack the night before so we started gathering at about 7am. Had a very very tiring 8km route march to our designated camp site in the forest. Apparently we took like 2 rounds so the instructors could make us walk for 8km, horrible. After walking for 8km in under 2 hours, we finally reach the site. By then, we were super super tired. But no break for us. Immediately we are instructed to set up our "bashas", or also known as tentage. That was crazy. I could hardly concentrate on what I was doing. After building our tents, our instructors told us that we were too slow! So we had to tear down the tents and build again! So we did, and again we were too slow! So we teared down and build again. Wah, by then I was already totally tired out. Then we were told to build drainage around our tents, which requires us to build little drains around the place. Wah, at that point of time, I nearly fainted. Thank God I managed to pull through, and after that, finally had a lunch break. Had our field lessons after that then slept in the tent when the sky turned dark. Tiring start to the camp.

12/02/07. Monday. Woke up to find myself very very cold. Its still dark at 6am. I wore my boots and took my rifle and went to the bushes to do my business, brush my teeth and stuff. I need to get use to nature. Then went for 2km run and after that was field lessons again. Learning quite alot from these lessons about tactics and how to engage enemy. Lessons all the way untill night. Then had night walk. Night walk was cool. My instructor brought us around the jungle in the dark. No torches to be used. We spent the time to get our confidence in the dark built up. Then we sat down at a bridge and looked at stars. Wah, the stars were really beautiful. Can see many of them, alot more than when I saw in Singapore. Then we walked back to camp and we rested for the night.

13/02/07. Tuesday. Once again I woke up in a very cold state. Somehow the forest becomes very very cold at night. Did my usual morning business, went for another 2km run and was told to tear down our tents and pack up our bags. Apparently, my commander told us that "enemies" has been spotted trying to enter through the reclaimed land and we are to move over to set up defence. Ya right, great story. Well, we had field lessons again and after that, walked to the other site where our defence was supposed to be. Reclaimed land. Another 8km walk. Instructors made us walk 2 rounds again so we will walk 8km. So horrible! Ok, reached the reclaimed land and many of my friends were going to faint already. But it was alright. Because we reached near evening. So we were allowed to rest for the rest of the night. Great. I threw a groundsheet on the floor and just slept on it. Lots of mosquitoes. They were just buzzing around me. But I just slept, really really tired.

14/02/07. Wednesday. Valentine's Day. What am I doing in the forest with 200 men on Valentine's Day?!?! Crap. I woke up and felt really stupid. I miss her. Seriously. Woke up at 6.30am and was supposed to be on high alert untill 7am. To defend the site. Ok, so we just prone on the floor and be on alert with our rifle untill 7am. After that had breakfast. Then learnt how to build shellscrape. Shellscrape is a hole in the ground which is quite deep and as long as our body. Basically its like a grave. Meant to protect us from enemy fire. Then I started building my shellscrape. Dig and dig and dig. Wah, super tiring. Just kept on digging and digging. Dug for a good 3 hours then finally managed to complete it. By then I was really tired already. We had the rest of the day free. Had our lunch and all. Then I had an idea. Heh. I took a piece of wood and did a little woodcraft. Shave the wood, carve the wood. After that night came and I can't see anymore, so I paused my work and slept for the night. Slept in the hole I dug.

15/02/07. Thursday. Woke up to find myself even colder than ever before! Wah, I wonder whats going on. Nvm, we woke up and went on alert again, but this time untill 7.15am. After that had breakfast and went for a briefing by my commander. This time, he says that enemy has been spotted in the vicinity and we are supposed to patrol the are and engage the enemy when we find them. Ok, he's a great story teller. We were just supposed to go for "Group Battle Course". So for the whole day, groups after groups went out on patrol. My group was second to go so we went off really early. We engaged 3 enemies and fought them using the tactics we learnt. After that, my group just slack for the rest of the day while other groups go patrolling. I continued with my woodcraft. Ha, then I cut my finger. Sian, blood was flowing from my finger like crazy. Drip drip drip all over the place. I tried to first aid myself but still bleeding. So no choice had to go to the medic to get bandaged. After bandage, went back to my shellscrape and continue my wood carving, heh, but more careful la. After a whole day, my commander had another briefing and told us the enemy has been wiped out. Haha, yeah. Then he tells us some of the last few remaining enemies has been found concentrated at a site not far from us. Great, which means we needed to walk there again. Tomorrow. So we rested for the night and waited for tomorrow, our last day in camp.

16/02/07. Friday. Final day of field camp. Woke up and went on alert again. Then we covered up the hole we dug, picked up our bags and walked to the final site where last remaining "enemies" were supposed to be. Ok, its actually just the "Battle Inoculation Course". But my commander like to make things sound interesting. So we reached the site and was sent groups by groups into the site. My group was 2nd. So we entered the site and was supposed to crawl from one end to another. Why? Because theres a machine gun firing over our head. And there are thunderflashes which sounds like grenades booming around us. Made me feel so kanchiong. Haha. Then I crawl crawl and realised that the woodcraft which I made had dropped from my pocket! Crap. I don't care and just crawled back to look for it. Haha, I actually found it! Woo, thank God. Or else my efforts all wasted. After crawling finish, I was super tired already, and my body is full of sand. But I was happy. Because the camp is finally over! Went back to my bag, sat around then went back to my bunk in a tonner, which is a truck of sorts.

Ha, then spent the rest of the day cleaning my rifle. Clean clean clean. And realised that we didn't have much time left. We were going to be late for the ship to book out!! So my platoon quickly went to clean ourselves up, went for dinner, and quickly packed our bags. Rush rush. Thank God we made it in time. But I forgot to bring alot of things. Haha, like my specs, my spare batteries etc etc. Took the ship and went back. Wah, relief. Heh, and I went to church to catch "Vanity". Only got the ending. But nvm, at least I was there.

Went for supper with my friends after that. Many things have changed. And my heart was broken.

After A Long 'Break'

Wonder where i had gone to for such a long time? Haha, for all those who know, yep, I have been on Pulau Tekong. Doing what? National Service! Yes yes, I am botak and am officially known as National Serviceman Full-Time. And I can only spend my life on the mainland during weekends. Yes, it sounds pathetic. It is.

It has been 3 weeks since I was first enlisted on 12th January 2007. 2 weeks confinement and this is second time I booked out of camp. 3 weeks in the army has changed me quite abit. Being a soldier is really quite a life-changing experience. Put it simply, I get to do things I have never done before in my entire life. Just some examples:

• Holding and being responsible for a rifle that can kill someone
• Sitting inside a 5-tonner and rolling down a street
• Living on an island away from home for 2 weeks
• Bathing without doors

Well, getting used to army life already. It seems normal to march here and there, getting shouted at, running around like crazy, doing lots of pumping, lots of exercise, queue up for 10 minutes for lunch etc etc. In fact, it was pretty easy for me physically. Doing all the push ups and stuff. The hard part was the emotional part. Not being able to see my friends, my family. Can't spend enough time with the people you treasure. The only source of communication you have with the outside world is just that pathetic handphone of yours. Or maybe the payphone.

And when you come back from your 1st bookout, some things changed. Some friends have forgotten about you. Some people you treasured have left your side. Only a handful are left to support you, glad to see you well and fine. Glad to see you are back in the gang again.

Relationships have strained. Some of the relationships can't stand the test. Some can. Some friends stood by my side. Some friends strayed off from me. Perhaps this was the real test to help me know who are the people that matter most to me, and those that I should treasure more.

One thing I learnt in NS is PATIENCE. Wait and wait and wait. Just wait for things to happen. To be honest, I was a very impatient man. Always wanting to rush into things. To get things done ASAP. But that can't always be the case. In NS, I learnt patience. That I have to wait for a certain timing for certain things to happen. For lunch, for training, for bookout. Everything. If I want to rush things and make things happen, it would jumble up the schedule. And things won't be efficient. I can wait because I know my commanders will make sure things happen accordingly.

This applies to my life as well. All along I was rushing into things. And when God promise me something, I want it done now and here. I couldn't wait. And then things just get messed up. And I fall and had to stand up and start all over again. I was just doing devotion in camp one night and God spoke to me. Why couldn't I wait? I can wait for my commanders because I trust them to fulfill the schedule. Does that mean I didn't trust God to fulfill His will? It was then I realised my impatience. That I must start to really trust God to fulfill His will in His timing in His own way. Listening and obeying every instructions from God just like what I do with my commanders because I know God only wants the best for me and He knows better. Because at the end of the day, everything is just going to be all right.

Wish Me Well For NS!

Yup, going to serve the nation this friday, 12th January 2007. Thats coming very very fast, only 4 days left. Hehe, going to miss all my friends and all the time spent with them. So... if you are my friend and is reading this, please leave a comment and write whatever you want to tell me ba. Hehe, and please write your name, anonymous commenting is really not encouraged on my blog... sorry, I don't have a tagboard so I have to do this. Haha. :P

A Happy New Year called 2007

Bill Vaughan once said "An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves" Welcome year 2007. Yes, if you have not realised, today is 2 January 2007. I like the quote alot. What happened in 2006 is already over, and now I have another 365 days in my hands to use. I have much anticipation for the new year of 2007. That is because for the 1st time in my life, I am not going to study in the year. Rather, I am going to have a great time serving Singapore in national service.

2007 brings to me many opportunities to do many things. In this year, I have the following resolutions: Become a SAF officer, Learn to ride a motorbike, Own a motorbike, Stay spiritually strong with God. 4 very simple things. I have 365 days to do these 4 things. Sounds easy? Might not be as easy as it may seem.

2006 has been a great year for me. I finally completed my formal education which had lasted for 12 years. Finished my A'levels and sigh a great relief. I met many new friends in school and in church. I learnt many things and I grew much in the Lord through my falls and learnt to depend alot on God. I have shown my friends in school the power of God and helped them in their life by praying for them. I am satisfied with my 2006. Are you? If you are then I am very glad for you. If you are not, then do not worry about it. 2006 is over. Make full use of 2007 and be sure that at the end of the year, you will be satisfied.

Want to know how I sent 2006 off? I sent it off and welcomed 2007 at orchard road. Man, its the 1st time I ever joined in a countdown party and I must say it was super squeezy. I shall not go into the details but it was really very very crowded and very chaotic, looked as though a riot was going to happen or something.

I did my best in protecting everybody that went with us but my lack of experience showed. Poor Stephanie was detached from the group and got lost at around 12am. When I found out about it from Trina, I quickly left the group and went in search for her. Eventually found her outside Paragon after trying to find out where she was through the phone. It wasn't easy. Everybody was shouting and the instructions she gave me was not very clear. Finally found her with Maverick. Thank God she was alright. So we quickly joined up with the group and continued on, making sure the same thing won't happen again.

Just hanged around at Orchard then went to spent the rest of the night at Melvin's place. My first meal of 2007 was Bak Chua Mee (Mince pork noodle) at some coffeeshop near Melvin's house. Haha. Slept at Mel's place untill dunno what time in the afternoon. Woke up to see my handphone's battery was flat. Lol. So I just off my phone lo. Turned out that my parents were trying to contact me and they got very worried. Haha. Thought I might get killed at countdown or something.

Went to eat Pasta Mania with Christine, Melvin and Joshua in the afternoon. After that I went home le. Woo, got online to play game with my cousin untill like 5am in the night. Haha, quickly slept as I was so super tired.

Woke up at 12pm by Lilin's call and she was surprised to find me asleep again! Haha, the Khongs really wake up early de ba... Was supposed to go out for today. Supposed to meet at 2.45pm but then I was too tired, so I ask if can postpone or not... Wa, then she cancel the whole thing!! Piang, made me soo guilty lo. But it turned out that there was some other reason thats why she cancel. Haha.

So I just stayed at home and played game and chatted on MSN. Had a very very important time talking today but details aside. Went to eat dinner with my dad in the night. Woohoo! My dad brought me to Jack's Place to eat! Muahaha. New Year dinner plus farewell for NS. So good. I had a medium well sirloin steak and lobster soup and ice cream! Hehe. Love it so much.

Then quickly went home. Aha, stomachache... eat too much le. Anyway, happy new year to everybody and hope everyone will have a very blessed and victorious new year!!! :) :D :P