Off to thailand

So Crescendo is here! Off to the airport later at 5pm. Flight is at 8.45pm. Will be back in 3 weeks' time.. On 18 Dec. Only looking forward to that now. Hahaha...

My worry is that there's some concern regarding security of our equipment and weapons! Especially part of the training area is quite near to Myanmar (think junta). They should have cancelled Crescendo what. Let us go Taiwan la!!! =p

Alright, keeping it short. So to all who visit my blog, all the best and take care.

Heartache..

Maybe most of you have not noticed. There was this piece of news announced last Thursday. Well, it concerns me more than you guys, quite obviously. Cos it concerns the Hougang area. The piece of news is that HDB is gonna tear down a cluster of HDB blocks just a stone's throw away from mine..

It is where I usually go for my haircuts; it is where there's yummy breakfast to look forward to on weekends; there's where I can find a hawker centre that's still intact, devoid of all the new colourful chairs and tables, nice but easily dirtied tiled floors, and most importantly, it's where the food prices have very much remained lower than other hawkers..

But of course, my personal sentimental attachment counts for nothing cos the small plot of land is so important. It is so important that the HDB has its eyes zoomed in on it. The bulldozers should move in sooner rather than later. Well, it IS important. Because, it is where the 'real Hougang' is; it is where the biggest opposition party, Worker's Party, is the most active; it is where the bulk of the votes for Worker's Party come from; it is where the MP for Hougang and leader of WP is the most respected and adored. In short, it is the heartbeat of Worker's Party. So, it is important.

I'm still a bit shocked to think that, by next August, I can no longer have my haircut at my favourite barber shop.. The many workshops there. The hawker. And a very lucky 4D shop that never fail to make the list of "Lucky Stores" whenever there's a Toto Million Dollar draw. Many things will be gone..

Mr Eric Low, the PAP man in Hougang SMC said something like, the kampong spirit will be gone, but it's for the residents will be able to live a better life. Let me just ask this question, who are you to say it's better for them? Well, a lot of this people living in that part of Hougang are aged people, who have nothing much, but neighbours who are also their closest friends. If they lose those friends, can it definitely be better lives for them? Not everything should be measured in a very materialistic manner. Having a better-conditioned living area, DOES NOT mean one will have a better LIFE. get it? Now, I think I understand why Eric Low lost in the GE last year.. And by a bigger margin than in GE 2001.

It is really sad. When people around you do not treasure heritage. The 34 year old blocks are certainly some sort of a heritage to me! I just love those buildings.

I went for live firing that day in our Live Firing Area in the west. And I managed to go onto a hill and had a great view of the Live Firing Area. One of my men was standing beside me. And I said, "Damn nice right?!" He replied, "Ya, but damn wasted." My jaws dropped.

Me: What is damn wasted?!
Him: (sensing my annoyance) Er..
Me: You mean this piece of forest left intact is a waste to you?
Him: ya, they could have build something and put it to better use.
(I smacked my forehead, I was speechless)
Me: 2 points. First, if we don't save this piece of land, the SAF will not have anymore training areas! Second, if this piece of land is gonna be gone, you and my children will not know what a "forest" look like...
Him: Ya, true.

But somehow, I think he just accepts my point of view, but isn't totally convinced. I won't go to the extent of saying I'm an environmentalist or what. Maybe I'm just an antagonist. But if that's what a lot of our people's mindset are, then the advertisement now constantly playing on TV about saving the Earth, fronted by 4 teenagers, is just plain bull.

Lazy week..

After the unfortunate outfield at Tekong that caused me to miss an entertaining weekend, I've been basically given the week off.. Haha... But now, feel a bit sian already ah.. Boring. But I'm still glad to be given this breather of sort, before the Thai trip, which is now only 2 weeks away..

Anyway, saw the othorpaedic specialist last week and he's thrown up the option of having a scope op on my ankle. Though he says it's not compulsory, and his recommendations "are not that strong as of now", it's still my choice, he said. Well, still gotta consider la. Basically, if things aren't particularly improving, then it might be a good choice? And it's probably the only way I can really rest this battered ankle of mine and not care about whatever happens in camp.. Decision, akan datang.

Went to Sentosa on Friday with camp-mates. An official working day made cohesion day. Wohoo! Brilliant!! So basically played a day of beach vball, go beach nuah, sun-tanned, sun-burnt... Haha. Dinner with my platoon then caught "Game Plan".. It was nice and funny. "Bee Movie" was also great. Very nice. I like how they spoof a few celebs like Larry King, Sting. Haha.. And the best part was those celebs spoofed V/O the characters themselves!!

So if u want to have a good laugh, go catch either movie. If you only want to catch one, then, I'd personally recommend Bee Movie. =)

Some more pictures..

Some more pictures I got from Budd for the Gold Coast trip. Eh budd, I thought u'd give me most that u take!! How come so few only?!?! -.-"

Da Gang (L-R: Budd, Cheryl, Daryl, Whoelse, Jenn & Dil) at Brisbane.. CooL!
U can see the sleepiness in the eyes of those who flew there.
Er, why Cheryl looks the most tired though??
Bugstop. =P
Before gorging ourselves silly @ Hog's Breath Cafe.

I will soon try to back-post what happened in Brisbane and Gold Coast. But somebody must really pray hard for me that my weekends will no longer get burnt.. Thankew for ur prayers! Amen, Amithaba and whatever other blessing will do. =p

A soldier's rant..

Feeling really down at the moment. Why? Hmm. Simply because I've got a fully burnt weekend to endure? Well, that's the one that's bothering me a lot at the moment. But really, I see a real problem surfacing with my platoon. More and more people are gonna get out of my platoon. Injuries have already claimed 2 victims. And I hate to see them go.. The whole freaking situation is just weighing down on me.. I'm worried..

Anyway, for what happened this week. In a space of 2 days. I got arrowed twice! BIG ARROWS.. First was being scheduled to be Guard Commander on Thursday. Now, I know sooner or later I'd be scheduled to be one. But really, 1 day notice was not what I was expecting.. And in the current climate, after Mr. Dave Teo decided to elope with a SAR21 and a few live rounds of ammo, "extras" are dished out by superiors like nobody's business. Really not good. So on Thursday, as I was gearing up for Guard duty, I told myself, it's only one night. Get it through, and Friday will be book out day. Moreover, I've got Saturday to look forward to! Last 5 episodes of the HK drama that I've been catching on Sat mornings. And the clash between Man U vs Arse on Sat night!!

But, my platoon had to be arrowed to be "enemy" for Scout's Exercise.. And it's going to be from Saturday till Wednesday. 5 days! I haven't been outfield for so long since BMT field camp!! And they were still saying we'd not have anymore outfield till the overseas exercise. Herh herh..

Just feel really down at the moment. And it doesn't help when you've got one other commander who consistently siam all the 'siong' stuff and you still give the most. For whom? Right now, a big motivation is the men under my care and command. But, like I said, the platoon is gonna fall apart.. How long can we last?