woooow, it's been a long loooooooong time and lots of things have happened and lots of things have changed.
firstly, i've been up and about on my patched up ankles since 25th march, that glorious date when i received the all clear for those bulky aircasts to be removed. the first few days after that were pretty darn hard on my poor legs, with the muscles needing to be reconditioned and all. yeah..
so i've been back in action (admittedly much less action than post-surgery though!) since 11th april, and a great deal has happened since then too. so to keep things short and just to refresh my memory of a bygone era....
the first couple of months were spent primarily filling in here and there, both for darren away at the haven which is sembawang camp, as well as john who had to fill in for a certain protege of mine in the art of long mcs :) lol just kidding mann... yeah so it was during this period that i really felt first hand certain tight manpower issues and challenges faced by the saf, what with all the "stand in" appointments here and there. quite farcical actually imo..
then in june, people started to return from their mcs, and darren fell back to reality, so the manpower situation eased a little. i guess that, along with my "new and improved" pes, eventually led to my exit. and some exit it was!
you see, basically, i think it's generally true that the grass is greener on the other side. maybe not always, but GENERALLY SPEAKING. so in the days just before my scheduled exit, i was pretty delirious to be honest, filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation of "better life" awaiting me. well, with the benefit of hindsight, i must say that this perceived "better life" in "greener pastures" is but a shimmering mirage in the desert, enticing when viewed longingly from afar, but flattering to deceive when encountered at close quarters. while it is true that certain aspects of my "new lease of life" are "better" or "more desirable", the overall package, i have to say, is severely overrated.
but perhaps more details at a later date, if at all. for now, this brief recap will suffice. it's been somewhat invigorating and refreshing to think about the events of the past few months, allowing me to pause and take stock of my life thus far. till i return, ciao :)
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Mad Jens to return??!
"He [Lehmann] belongs in the Muppet Show, on the couch or in a mental institution." Tim Wiese
Wow, so apparently The Professor (although an increasingly dumb one) is mulling over re-signing Mad Jens. This is absolutely absurd! Who would have thought he would ever bring his eccentric and entertaining ways back to north London.
However, in spite of the nostalgia surrounding Lehmann's likely move, this appears to be a potential banana skin for the Arsenal, as along with his considerable ability, he always appears to bring with him some element of controversy and comedy. Who knows what he might come up with this time! There always seems to be a significant degree of unpredictability with regards to his behaviour. Certainly, with the Gunners gunning for the only remaining trophy they can hope to win (painful fact), any negative publicity or attention on Lehmann would be a most unwelcome distraction.
Perhaps even more significant is the resulting reunion between Lehmann and his great "pal" Manuel Almunia. With the both of them once again in the same team, the old scars of their less-than-amicable relationship could be reopened. If the two of them do indeed start another round of public bickering, it would be terrible for Arsenal's charge to the title.
That being said, Mad Jens certainly brings with him a wealth of experience and quality, and if no significant off-the-pitch matters arise, he would be a useful addition.
All the best to the Gunners!!
Wow, so apparently The Professor (although an increasingly dumb one) is mulling over re-signing Mad Jens. This is absolutely absurd! Who would have thought he would ever bring his eccentric and entertaining ways back to north London.
However, in spite of the nostalgia surrounding Lehmann's likely move, this appears to be a potential banana skin for the Arsenal, as along with his considerable ability, he always appears to bring with him some element of controversy and comedy. Who knows what he might come up with this time! There always seems to be a significant degree of unpredictability with regards to his behaviour. Certainly, with the Gunners gunning for the only remaining trophy they can hope to win (painful fact), any negative publicity or attention on Lehmann would be a most unwelcome distraction.
Perhaps even more significant is the resulting reunion between Lehmann and his great "pal" Manuel Almunia. With the both of them once again in the same team, the old scars of their less-than-amicable relationship could be reopened. If the two of them do indeed start another round of public bickering, it would be terrible for Arsenal's charge to the title.
That being said, Mad Jens certainly brings with him a wealth of experience and quality, and if no significant off-the-pitch matters arise, he would be a useful addition.
All the best to the Gunners!!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
sometimes it really perturbs me how people fail to see the point of view of others. how they are unable to see things from others' perspective and accept differing viewpoints.
at times i find it frustrating that people don't seem to see things the way i do, that i appear to be strange, different, even plain WEIRD. but please understand, not everyone has the same mindset as you, treats things the way you do and reacts to stimuli the way you do.
sometimes, and for some things, we have to agree to disagree.
at times i find it frustrating that people don't seem to see things the way i do, that i appear to be strange, different, even plain WEIRD. but please understand, not everyone has the same mindset as you, treats things the way you do and reacts to stimuli the way you do.
sometimes, and for some things, we have to agree to disagree.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
2010
looking back at the year 2010, there really doesn't seem to have been much of note for me. inevitably, much of the year revolved around, the SAF. yes, OUR ARMY. lol.
well, i must put on record that despite all the miseries and irritance and annoyance and plain angst and frustration this NS experience has hurled at me so far, it certainly hasn't been a thorough dread throughout. naturally, some of the activities and exercises i've had the chance to participate in have been real eye-openers for me, with certain aspects interesting to a certain extent. perhaps exercise wallaby would be a good representative of these "better" moments i've had in the saf. "better" and "more enjoyable" in the context of NS, but not things i would make a career of. not stuff i would sell my soul to.
certainly amongst the multitude of new faces i've come into contact with this year, a fair number of relationships have developed into what i would consider friendships. however, i guess only time will reveal the true quality of these new relationships forged. i fondly recall the days of my course at STC, when i would at times (somewhat) look forward to booking in, eagerly anticipating the camaraderie and fellowship with some of the people there. however, i now barely keep in contact with any of them. with the course over, there leaves barely any reason or motivation to contact them. it sure would be good if some of these NS relationships blossom and develop into something deeper and long-lasting.
NS aside, i'm thankful for the people who have stuck around by my side and continued to provide support and company, at times when i need it. it's comforting to know that there are these people i can count on to understand me and my concerns, and that they provide familiar comforts and reliefs from the various things that stress me and get me down. cheers to many more such years!
people aside, 2010 also took me on an emotional roller coaster. (although this is becoming an annoyingly cheesy way of describing things!) to keep things short, the whole process of receiving my IB results, getting stunned by them, stressing over uni apps, applying to the unis, getting rejected by them, busy crafting my heartfelt appeals when everyone else is busy celebrating their overseas scholarships...all the way to finally snaring a place has been nothing short of draining, both physically and emotionally. but at the end of the day, when i put things into perspective, i'm very thankful for being able to successfully complete a pre-university education in a brand-name institution, and go on to pursue a university education, in a desired course no less.
when people size up the year ahead, they tend to say things like, "oh, 2011 promises to be challenging, it will be interesting and i will pursue my goals with enthusiasm and vigour..." and so on and so forth, all expressing a renewed sense of purpose in life. however, personally, i honestly do not forsee anything interesting or exciting in store for me in the year ahead, and there's nothing in particular i look forward to or eagerly anticipate. to put it ultra-depressingly and bleakly, no goals, no purpose in life. but that sounds suicidal. and i'm not really feeling depressed or suicidal, just y'know, feeling the bore of mundane life. hopefully, things will change. i think i need some sort of change, something to shake things up a little. we'll see.
anyways, gtg soon. hope anyone seeing this is feeling more purposeful and driven than i am, and have a great 2011!
well, i must put on record that despite all the miseries and irritance and annoyance and plain angst and frustration this NS experience has hurled at me so far, it certainly hasn't been a thorough dread throughout. naturally, some of the activities and exercises i've had the chance to participate in have been real eye-openers for me, with certain aspects interesting to a certain extent. perhaps exercise wallaby would be a good representative of these "better" moments i've had in the saf. "better" and "more enjoyable" in the context of NS, but not things i would make a career of. not stuff i would sell my soul to.
certainly amongst the multitude of new faces i've come into contact with this year, a fair number of relationships have developed into what i would consider friendships. however, i guess only time will reveal the true quality of these new relationships forged. i fondly recall the days of my course at STC, when i would at times (somewhat) look forward to booking in, eagerly anticipating the camaraderie and fellowship with some of the people there. however, i now barely keep in contact with any of them. with the course over, there leaves barely any reason or motivation to contact them. it sure would be good if some of these NS relationships blossom and develop into something deeper and long-lasting.
NS aside, i'm thankful for the people who have stuck around by my side and continued to provide support and company, at times when i need it. it's comforting to know that there are these people i can count on to understand me and my concerns, and that they provide familiar comforts and reliefs from the various things that stress me and get me down. cheers to many more such years!
people aside, 2010 also took me on an emotional roller coaster. (although this is becoming an annoyingly cheesy way of describing things!) to keep things short, the whole process of receiving my IB results, getting stunned by them, stressing over uni apps, applying to the unis, getting rejected by them, busy crafting my heartfelt appeals when everyone else is busy celebrating their overseas scholarships...all the way to finally snaring a place has been nothing short of draining, both physically and emotionally. but at the end of the day, when i put things into perspective, i'm very thankful for being able to successfully complete a pre-university education in a brand-name institution, and go on to pursue a university education, in a desired course no less.
when people size up the year ahead, they tend to say things like, "oh, 2011 promises to be challenging, it will be interesting and i will pursue my goals with enthusiasm and vigour..." and so on and so forth, all expressing a renewed sense of purpose in life. however, personally, i honestly do not forsee anything interesting or exciting in store for me in the year ahead, and there's nothing in particular i look forward to or eagerly anticipate. to put it ultra-depressingly and bleakly, no goals, no purpose in life. but that sounds suicidal. and i'm not really feeling depressed or suicidal, just y'know, feeling the bore of mundane life. hopefully, things will change. i think i need some sort of change, something to shake things up a little. we'll see.
anyways, gtg soon. hope anyone seeing this is feeling more purposeful and driven than i am, and have a great 2011!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Rewind, Recap, Refresh
It's been close to a week since i returned from the odyssey to Australia that is exercise wallaby.
And what an odyssey it was.......
That's not implying that i enjoyed myself, or had a great time down under, but it certainly was an interesting experience, in too many ways and with too great a spectrum of emotions for me to adequately express in the grossly limited medium of words.
Perhaps suffice to say that personally, my biggest and most fulfilling takeaway would be the strengthened relatioships and bonds forged with certain people. Across the span of those three weeks, i inevitably spent much time and interacted a lot with some of the lads, and i must say that, even if nothing else, the exercise has allowed me to grow closer to some of them and understand them better. Not all of these interactions can be classified as positive ones of course, but they were memorable nonetheless. I certainly look forward to building upon these relationships (even if not in this setting).
Another plus would probably be the sights i was exposed to, out in the field. I'm sure those rolling plains and magnificent peaks will be etched in my mind for years (or at least months) to come. And as someone with a rather adventurous spirit (i would like to think!), i would rather be thankful for the entire exercise i've had the chance to experience, rather than complain about the less-than-savoury conditions we had to put up with. Undoubtedly, there's a whole myriad of unique memories to be kept. The wallabys and kangaroos leaping by, peering curiously at passers-by. The pesky little black and white birds (i still don't know what they're called!) that keep swooping down on passers-by, catching them unawares. The searing afternoon heat and plummeting less-than-snug temperatures at night. The torrents of water that hurtle down the side of the tents and swirl around the safari beds when the skies let loose. The tents that morph into GREENhouses (both literally and figuratively!) under the blazing sun, engulfing us in the trapped heat. The long, winding queues at the cookhouse tentage that form at the cue of a curt blast from danial's tonner truck. The many deprived souls craving for the exorbitantly overpriced delicacies at the canteen. The long treks from tentage to store container to vehicle park to cookhouse to tentage (and back again) that had me zig-zagging continuously across the entire camp.
The R&R period (i refuse to call it ETP as it was hardly an EDUCATIONAL Tour Programme), though short, allowed me a glimpse into the city of Rockhampton. And i find it such a pleasant place, devoid of the large swathes of busy crowds in a constant state of rush, with the traffic relatively free-flowing, even in the city centre. There are plenty of laidback charms in the city, such as the serenity of the Botanical Gardens and zoo, the many parks and gardens dotting the city, or even just the quiet avenues with beautiful houses and architecture. All this set against the spectacular backdrop of the Berserker Range and Mount Archer.
Then again, inevitably, it wasn't all joy and laughter. Longstanding problems persist, and most are linked to who else but ___________. But it's not worth writing about these and going on and on about the See Ass Am. After all, what's new.
Generally speaking, i'm glad i went through this exercise, as i got to experience many things i would otherwise never have experienced. I'm thankful for the strengthened relationships, and also thankful that i pulled through relatively unscathed. A memorable experience, but stilll...
Ah, y'guys know what i mean.
And what an odyssey it was.......
That's not implying that i enjoyed myself, or had a great time down under, but it certainly was an interesting experience, in too many ways and with too great a spectrum of emotions for me to adequately express in the grossly limited medium of words.
Perhaps suffice to say that personally, my biggest and most fulfilling takeaway would be the strengthened relatioships and bonds forged with certain people. Across the span of those three weeks, i inevitably spent much time and interacted a lot with some of the lads, and i must say that, even if nothing else, the exercise has allowed me to grow closer to some of them and understand them better. Not all of these interactions can be classified as positive ones of course, but they were memorable nonetheless. I certainly look forward to building upon these relationships (even if not in this setting).
Another plus would probably be the sights i was exposed to, out in the field. I'm sure those rolling plains and magnificent peaks will be etched in my mind for years (or at least months) to come. And as someone with a rather adventurous spirit (i would like to think!), i would rather be thankful for the entire exercise i've had the chance to experience, rather than complain about the less-than-savoury conditions we had to put up with. Undoubtedly, there's a whole myriad of unique memories to be kept. The wallabys and kangaroos leaping by, peering curiously at passers-by. The pesky little black and white birds (i still don't know what they're called!) that keep swooping down on passers-by, catching them unawares. The searing afternoon heat and plummeting less-than-snug temperatures at night. The torrents of water that hurtle down the side of the tents and swirl around the safari beds when the skies let loose. The tents that morph into GREENhouses (both literally and figuratively!) under the blazing sun, engulfing us in the trapped heat. The long, winding queues at the cookhouse tentage that form at the cue of a curt blast from danial's tonner truck. The many deprived souls craving for the exorbitantly overpriced delicacies at the canteen. The long treks from tentage to store container to vehicle park to cookhouse to tentage (and back again) that had me zig-zagging continuously across the entire camp.
The R&R period (i refuse to call it ETP as it was hardly an EDUCATIONAL Tour Programme), though short, allowed me a glimpse into the city of Rockhampton. And i find it such a pleasant place, devoid of the large swathes of busy crowds in a constant state of rush, with the traffic relatively free-flowing, even in the city centre. There are plenty of laidback charms in the city, such as the serenity of the Botanical Gardens and zoo, the many parks and gardens dotting the city, or even just the quiet avenues with beautiful houses and architecture. All this set against the spectacular backdrop of the Berserker Range and Mount Archer.
Then again, inevitably, it wasn't all joy and laughter. Longstanding problems persist, and most are linked to who else but ___________. But it's not worth writing about these and going on and on about the See Ass Am. After all, what's new.
Generally speaking, i'm glad i went through this exercise, as i got to experience many things i would otherwise never have experienced. I'm thankful for the strengthened relationships, and also thankful that i pulled through relatively unscathed. A memorable experience, but stilll...
Ah, y'guys know what i mean.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
so many things to do with my life, but so many factors hindering my progress.
if only there existed a world of bottomless resources and limitless time.
looking back, i must say it's a wonder merely 9 measly months have passed since that something happened. it's like a whole load of stuff has occurred since then and i don't see how all of it could possibly fit into 9 months.
maybe it's just my current state of mind, brought about by my current environment.
this certainly is something new to me. being forced into such a crass environment filled with some of the most boorish people i've ever stumbled upon. heh, don't get me started on the people mann. it's so farcical, it's being such a joke. haha. people who think they own the world, or perhaps, are the world. people who are blind to so many things both in and out of this world due to their inability to see beyond. it's so _________.
haiz, so tired. cya around sometime.
if only there existed a world of bottomless resources and limitless time.
looking back, i must say it's a wonder merely 9 measly months have passed since that something happened. it's like a whole load of stuff has occurred since then and i don't see how all of it could possibly fit into 9 months.
maybe it's just my current state of mind, brought about by my current environment.
this certainly is something new to me. being forced into such a crass environment filled with some of the most boorish people i've ever stumbled upon. heh, don't get me started on the people mann. it's so farcical, it's being such a joke. haha. people who think they own the world, or perhaps, are the world. people who are blind to so many things both in and out of this world due to their inability to see beyond. it's so _________.
haiz, so tired. cya around sometime.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
life truly has been terribly draining. physically, emotionally, mentally. any other way you can think of. however, as much as i complain and feel depressed about my posting and the life there, i can't help but keep wondering if the problem lies with just me, or for that matter, just this few of us stuck here, or if pastures elsewhere truly are greener.
but certainly, the place has to take at least some of the blame, if not most. this is where i'm truly experiencing the military lifestyle clothed in and slathered with all its full glory, brusque, vulgar people and all. add the work demands, difficult people, lack of freedom and friends etc etc, and there you have it. receipe for ______.
but enough of this, really. anyway, the full extent of these problems is way beyond what i am able to put into words and include in a blog post. to the few people going through this with me and understanding what it is like, thanks for your support and presence. just as how you most certainly appreciate mine, haha.
i'm rather disappointed at how my Singapore 2010 YOG experience was pretty much stunted and ruined simply by being a NSF. y'know what i mean. not being able to go out and appreciate the events, soak in the atmosphere etc. what more is there to say.
having some pretty major field exercise this coming week, sigh. i really hope to be able to find some time and energy to get in a few runs, some gym visits.
but certainly, the place has to take at least some of the blame, if not most. this is where i'm truly experiencing the military lifestyle clothed in and slathered with all its full glory, brusque, vulgar people and all. add the work demands, difficult people, lack of freedom and friends etc etc, and there you have it. receipe for ______.
but enough of this, really. anyway, the full extent of these problems is way beyond what i am able to put into words and include in a blog post. to the few people going through this with me and understanding what it is like, thanks for your support and presence. just as how you most certainly appreciate mine, haha.
i'm rather disappointed at how my Singapore 2010 YOG experience was pretty much stunted and ruined simply by being a NSF. y'know what i mean. not being able to go out and appreciate the events, soak in the atmosphere etc. what more is there to say.
having some pretty major field exercise this coming week, sigh. i really hope to be able to find some time and energy to get in a few runs, some gym visits.
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