Random musings

2004-07-18 9:28 p.m.

Wow, you think that after all that Training that life in that unknown base will resume to normal? Heck no, there’s two crucial things coming up this week, both on the same day and of almost equal importance, so praying hard and keeping fingers cross that every things run smoothly. Suddenly, even a lowly private like me has to juggle so many events and large responsibilities. I’m not complaining though, just pressing on and knowing that there’s always guidance from above in times of despair.

So what else popped up this week? Visited couple of new places. Paid my respects at my superior’s grandmother’s wake and learnt about another religion, its formalities and customs. I was actually a messenger at the wake, keeping my superior updated of ongoing events and such. Speaking of messengers, I was a delivery boy to the SAF Court Martial Centre on Friday, though my delivery was rejected due to some complicated reasons. Nothing much actually, just got to see another base and look at the exterior of the court. Read the sign outside in preparation for the coming GCM (military term) but after going through two law attachments, the decorum expected is pretty much the same except that being military personnel, we salute to the court instead of bowing. For legal proceedings in the SAF, unless its Court Martials relating to sensitive or important issues, defending officers are used although private lawyers can be hired. These officers have no legal background but draw knowledge from templates passed down or from the SAF legal services. AS such, there isn’t a JAG equivalent in Singapore—I’m referring to the TV show that used to be shown every Sunday at 1700 hrs—and the demand for lawyers isn’t as great as the for medical officers. So Wee Jian, that’s why you can’t disrupt like the medicine students.

Ok, Saturday was Lincoln’s Party. Traveling there and back took some time so I figured that 1930 hours would be a perfect time to appear. Alas, I was an early bird and it took quite a while for me to receive my worm. Lesson learnt regarding parties of any kind except formal weddings or functions: You don’t have to appear on time and coordinating with people you know is quite a good idea. Anyway, at least a portion of the small group turned up however I still was the youngest over there. Got to meet a new friend there—well not exactly new since she’s been with my group for the past few Sundays. Her name’s Calista and she reading Media Studies in Melborne U. Another girl with cheerful voice and face and the table conversation flowed naturally with much laugher with her and the others around. After a couple of years without stereotypical and sweet looking girls around me, it is such a joy to find those that are lady like in their actions. Our table was actually the “outsider’s table” as it was filled with those who weren’t part of the two main groups. Yup, everyone else was twenty and above but I sort of blended in perfectly. A vodka bottle made its presence on our table but not a drop reached my cup. Heh, maybe next time. Photo taking was a sensation made possible by Lincoln’s mates who did their traditional act—carrying him to the back, um removing his clothes, shoving a broom stick between his legs and snapping quite a few shots. Well, naturally the guys crowed around him while the girls kept their distance. Since that was an annual ritual he wasn’t so shaken by it but his parents showed their disapproval when the team returned with a broken broom stick. Such are the normal everyday events that occurred back in ACS and even ACJC. Ah well, those were the days. There’s just something magical about turning 21. After three such parties, I’m sort of planning out my 21st birthday in my mind. Oops, I’ve forgotten that I may be overseas in November 2006. Sigh, maybe I’ll hold it earlier or I’ll throw a big bash in some far away place with new friends. Or may I won’t wait that long and used my 20th Birthday as the big celebration. Maybe Fengyi and I could hold a big bash, use his house and invite the NJ and AC crowd over? After all our birthdays are only ten days apart. Yeah, big wishful thinking.

So that’s all folks. On this note, I’d like to wish all those heading for Uni, both girls and guys (who have some how returned to civilian life) all the best as you step back into the lecture tutorial mode and relive the days of super fast copying and mugging. For those studying locally, have fun at the up coming camps and hope that you don’t kill yourself too much over the first semester. For those heading overseas, send back souvenirs will ya? (Just joking). No, take care, keep in touch and inform us about the lovely seasonal changes that are no existent over here. Fly safetly, tell us if you miss the local food and we’ll send some free dried over (heheh) and introduce Singapore to the world. Yeah, Godspeed people. I’ll be copying you in two years time.

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