1st week in Stagmont Camp

I am finally back at home after living in a new environment for the past 4 days. In case you don't know, I am currently undergoing training at Signal Institute in Stagmont Camp, located somewhere in Choa Chu Kang.

They, the warrant officers and sergeants there, have been emphasizing not to disclose any classified information about our time there. So, as a preventive measure, I decided not to post anything about the trainings and programmes I had participated in on this blog.

Since I am unable to talk about the classroom, I shall talk about another crucial place in the camp then, that is none other than the legendary cookhouse! Unlike the one in Pulau Tekong, the cookhouse in Stagmont Camp is managed by Singapore Food Industries.

Although SFI and NTUC Foodfare are the two commercial operators engaged by SAF to run its cookhouses, both caterers differ a lot in terms of taste and service. So far, Stagmont Camp cookhouse has been satisfactory for me during my first week.

I can see that the SFI staff there take pride in their work. Every meal is planned with creativity, cooked with sincerity and served with patience. There is always something new and unpredictable whenever I head to the cookhouse. The staff there are also generally courteous unlike the China people in Tekong.

We had a Chinese New Year celebration this morning which included running three rounds in the camp for trainees like myself followed by a speech and mandarin oranges presentation by the Chief Signal Commander, a full colonel. There was also a Cai Shen Ye (God of Fortune) at the scene played by an obese soldier.

I can't think of anything else to share that doesn't reveal any confidential and sensitive information so I shall end here.

Oh yeah, I had a hard time going home during noon because there were tons of school students flooding the bus stop and buses. Had to walk over to another road perpendicular to the one I was at to take another bus service in the end.

2012 Taiwan Presidential Election

From left to right: Small winner, small loser, big loser

It seems a little too late but I would still like to congratulate Ma Ying-jeou on winning the 2012 Taiwan presidential election. Although I prefer opposition candidate Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP more, I have to admit that Ma still has an edge over her.

Observers say relations between Taiwan and China are set to progress since KMT won the polls. I hope that Mr Ma can continue working well with China on trade matters but at the same time, enhance the independence of his country.

BMT posting: Signals

1. You are posted to SIG INSTITUTE
2. Your vocation is SIG OPR
3. Your are to report to: Stagmont Camp, Blk 207, #02-16

This is what I got, staring blankly at my face, after refreshing the NS portal website for more than ten times this morning.

In case you don't know, I am posted to the Signal training school to learn all about erm, signals for eight weeks before moving on to another unit where I will stay there until ORD arrives.

After spending the whole day researching and reading up on Signals, I still don't understand what does it really do and how is it useful during a war.

The only thing which I do know is that my formation badge will be two flags bisecting each other. Oh yeah, and if you are wondering. Stagmont Camp is in Choa Chu Kang, a 20-minute walk from the MRT station.

Enough about my posting, I would like share my opinion about this e-posting system instead. At 10am sharp, I accessed the website and it didn't came to a surprise for me that the page took forever to load.

I manage to view my posting after more than 10 reloads and 25 minutes. However, when I clicked on the "continue" button, history repeated itself.

Clearly, this is not the best way for recruits to check their postings. A manual and more direct way would be either by post or phone call or even both unless Mindef buys more servers.

Last but not least, why must the posting be in short form? Can't they state "SIGNAL OPERATOR" instead of just "SIG OPR"? Fortunately I was able to decipher it.

Went to Jurong Point with Teck Cheong and Nicholas today. Ate lunch there before watching the Sherlock Holmes movie. I will get to that in a moment. Anyway, it's the first time that we met up after passing out of BMT. As expected, the topics which filled our conversations are mostly related to military life.

Our post-BMT postings would be released tomorrow morning and I told Teck Cheong that I think he will end up as a medic as he possess a certain medic persona in him. As in not kind and gentle but someone who has the look to be a medic. You get what I mean right? Ok, maybe you don't.

Back to the movie. When I was younger, I used to like Sherlock Holmes as I have always been very interested in detective stories. However, this movie made me felt like I was wasting my time in the cinema. This is the first time in my life that I actually felt like dozing off while watching a film but since I had already paid $7, I had to endure.


The plot was was rather unclear and lack a sense of direction. I don't even know what is the objective of the bad guy and why is he the bad guy? Worse of all, the ending was abrupt but yet not insightful enough for people to think about it. We all concluded that watching the movie was like listening to a lecture in camp.

1.5 out of 5 stars. Catch it only if you can comprehend English that is spoken fluently in a British accent.

Commander?

I have been thinking about where will I be posted to after BMT for the past three days or so. The thoughts grew more and more to an extent that I wondered if I will end up in the police force (it's possible) for the rest of my NS life.

I realized that worrying over such a thing will not make any difference to my life at all, acting and keng-ing will still be done, nonsense cookhouse food will still be served, hair will still remain the same colour etc.

What I would like to talk about is expressing interest in being a commander. This is one and only chance where you can have a bit of say about your post-BMT life during NS. I am sure there are more people who opted yes than those who chose no.

So, the question is, what makes being a commander so appealing and why are there still some like myself who declined the offer. First of all, what does being a commander mean?

To me, being a commander means being someone who is responsible for the well being of those who are under his charge. A commander doesn't have to possess leadership skills like what SAF always emphasizes on. Everyone has leadership skills and will display them whenever there is a need to.

Some purposely display it frequently but unnaturally during their BMT in an attempt to make sure that they gain a ticket to command school. In fact, it is just the frequency in which they display their leadership skills which make them outstanding.

I think that a potential commander should be assessed on his character, followed by his intelligence. Oh, and do note that those who like to oppose and feign are the unpolished diamonds. They make use of their brains only on the wrong things but at least they have the ability to use it for a purpose.

Anyway, after saying so much and feeling a bit bored, I shall end here abruptly. TO those who aim to be specialists (or sergeants) because you want a "higher" rank but don't want be an officer as life there is too tough, I urge you think twice, nah it's too late anyway.

Yes, you may look powerful in front of your men during your NS after completing your SCS but what about the days ahead. Do you think people will still bother to respect you during reservist? Think. Well, that's what I think.

LionsXII vs Kelantan

I have been a faithful supporter of the national football team since I was young but do pardon me when it comes to this LionsXII team. I admit I do not know much about them except that it is a 100% pure Singaporean squad made up of mostly Malays.

Ok, so I'm here to give some analysis about LionsXII's first game in the Malaysia Super League which would see them welcome defending champions Kelantan at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Wah? It's only the first match and they have to pit against last year's winner? Things do not look favourable for LionsXII after I found out that they only won once by a slender 1:0 in their pre-season matches. What's more, Singapore Pools placed them at over $3 in its odds for winning.

I cannot comment on Kelantan as I know nothing about them except that the food there is heavily influenced by Thai cuisine due to geographical reasons. However, I am sure that they will be strong opponents.

LionsXII will probably go for a 5-man midfield with captain Sharil Ishak as the attacking fulcrum. The lone forward will no doubt be Agu Casmir since the rest of the strikers are either injured or inexperienced.

No choice but to be biased here as I am a loyal Singaporean, a 2:1 win for the Singapore LionsXII will be my bold prediction for tomorrow's game.

Sundramoorthy would be so happy to see this.

As you can see, I am the odd one out over here. But that doesn't really matter. What matters is the brotherhood we have forged after 4 months of sun, rain, mud and any other nonsense you can think of.

P.S. It was a torture to my nose while standing with them

Passing Out Parade

Attended the (and supposedly my) BMT graduation parade today. Because of an accident, I ended up sitting in the stands in civilian attire instead of marching on the parade ground donning my military uniform. Well, sitting up there as a spectator was not an easy feat at all. Most of the audience would agree with me.

Although it was barely nine o'clock in the morning, the sun was scorching enough to make people lift up their invitation letters as a white flag to surrender and block the sunlight at the same time. I did exactly the same thing too but only after enduring for twenty minutes.

Honestly, the parade looked a bit playful and not serious. The speed used for the field packs to be placed down was too slow. There were still a couple of movements here and there even after six seconds. I have attended quite a number of rehearsals and my experience tells me that four seconds is adequate.

Anyway, we are only just recruits so it doesn't really matter at all. Oh wait, we are now promoted to the rank of PTE! But still the same pathetic salary.

I can't POP at The Float!

I am supposed to be participating in a 24km route march right now instead of typing this. You might have guessed it. I am unfit to take part. Why? Well, I injured myself two days ago and it's for real this time.

I was rushing for time to fall in and just lost my balance while running. My body weight landed right on my left foot as I used both my hands to prevent my head from hitting the floor.

The entire process happened so quickly that by the time I looked up, I was hugging my left foot. When I first took out the boot I was wearing, there was a huge swell around the quadratus plantae muscle area, the one which you use to curl your toes.

I could not walk or even stand straight on both legs. In the end, I was wheelchaired by one of my sergeants to the medical centre to consult the MO and underwent ice therapy to heal the damaged tissues in my foot.

I have recovered quite a lot after more than 48 hours as I am able to walk normally although my foot still looks swollen. I wanted to visit the medical centre today to revoke my status and participate in the march and parade but the email reply we got from the MO was a no.

I will still be at the Marina Bay floating platform tomorrow though. However, I will be there as a civilian sitting in the grandstands instead of sweating non-stop on the field. Seems really ironic for somebody like me who has gone through so many rehearsals but can't join in the fun during the real show.

No wonder they say BMT will be a memorable experience. Too many memories for me to remember them all.

5 more days of BMT

Less than five days to my BMT graduation parade, the next one hundred and ten hours or so will basically be counting down and parade rehearsals for me. We have completed everything that is listed in the course excluding the final route march which amounts to a considerable distance of 24km.

Lately, I have been hearing my people saying that they are going to miss their bunk, friends and the life they led in Tekong. They conclude that they are having mixed feelings because another side of them constantly tells them that army is hell since day one.

Most people who have went through BMT will tell you that living in camp is not hell. Instead, they will tell you that living in the jungle during field camps is hell, the barracks are the mortal world while your home is heaven.

For me, I just did and tried out what I wanted to do as a recruit to ensure that I have a memorable time there. These include cheating (harmlessly), eating and living in not so hygienic conditions, getting punished for unconventional reasons and being a free-of-charge labourer.

The only thing which I regret not doing so far is visiting the medical centre or rather I should say consulting a medical officer there. I have been on status (medically unfit) thrice, all of them was issued by a private practitioner.

That is because I am quite weak at acting sick or injured. Also, I think the MOs there are quite skilled in seeing through their patients' true colours

I hope the last four days will be tranquil and enjoyable. Oh and touch wood, I do not want to visit the medical centre even if it means having a lifetime regret.

Top 10 People of 2011

I am back! Yes, I am back and so is this blog.

I have stopped blogging for almost four months due to my army enlistment but since basic training is coming to an end in six days and I have more spare time now, I decided to revive this place and have one last post for 2011.

Speaking of which, 2011 has been yet another interesting year for all of us. It's the year which Steve Jobs, Amy Winehouse, Muammar Gaddafi, Osama bin Laden, Kim Jong Il  and those mosquitoes which I killed died in.

Since it's the last post of the year, I shall end this orbital period of Earth with my annual top 10 people of the year post. Who will make it to the list? Don't waste your time trying to guess, just scroll the page down.






























Number 10


Ralph Steinman

A cell biologist from Rockfeller University, Dr. Steinman was one the the two who discovered the immune system's sentinel dendritic cells more than three decades ago.

The scientist was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of and research on dendritic cells and their functions. Unfortunately, Dr. Steinman had passed away three days ago when the Nobel Committee announced its winners.

Although rules state that Nobel prizes are not awarded posthumously, the committee still went ahead in having his name in the roll of honours.



Number 9


Amy Chua

Yale University law professor Amy Chua shot to fame when her latest book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, was launched in January.

Chua talks about her efforts in parenting her two daughters. The book was supposed to be a memoir but ended up as a publication which argues why Chinese parents are better than their Western counterparts.

I did read some parts of it earlier in the year and I would say the content of the book is tantalizing enough for me to place her name in this list



Number 8


Girls' Generation

Last year, I ranked them at number two. The reason why this nine-member Korean group has stayed in the list but slipped six places is due to the continuity of the Hallyu wave and their successful breakthrough into the American market.

The Korean and English versions of the music video "The Boys" accumulated 10 million views in Youtube within three days. Needless to say, they have swept the major awards at major music awards events.



Number 7


Yam Ah Mee

Forget about Nicole Seah, Chen Show Mao or Lee Kuan Yew (where is he?) The biggest star of this year's general elections is none other than Returning Officer Yam Ah Mee.

Man, I didn't know that having neatly gelled hair and speaking in a monotonous voice can make one become an overnight celebrity.

Pursuant to section 49, sub-section 7E, paragraph A, I declare Yam Ah Mee as a miracle.





Number 6


Rebecca Black

Justin Bieber tasted what stardom was like at the age of 16, Miss Black also experienced it. The only difference is that she underwent this phase at a much tender age of 14 for negative reasons.

The music video "Friday", fully sponsored by her mum, was her first and feeble attempt at breaking into the entertainment industry. "Friday" is certainly one if not the most hated song for me as well as you.

I know what's in your head now, the chorus of the song replaying like a broken recorder.



Number 5


Tony Tan

Winning by an embarrassing margin of only 0.35% in the Singapore presidential elections, this former deputy prime minister has ended up as the most hated president in the republic's history.

Blame it on those brainwashed senior citizen voters if you want to.





Number 4


Kate Middleton

The Duchess of Cambridge married Prince William in April and all eyes were on how fashionable the girl can be whenever she attends a public event.

TV reporters and newspaper writers vie for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interrogate her and she never fails to live up to her title as Princess.

If Hollywood actresses seem too mundane for the average you, there is always a gem in Britain as an alternative.



Number 3


39.9% of Singaporeans who didn't vote for PAP

I didn't know what picture to post so I decided on a food which most Singaporeans love eating

This group of people chose not to support the ruling party because there have seen the true colours of it and i am not referring to white.

While analysts are quick to describe the general elections as watershed, I suggest that it is just the beginning of the end for the men in white.

Slowly but surely, a change in tide will soon occur in the local political landscape.





Number 2


Japanese People

The 9.0 magnitude Tōhoku earthquake on 11 March caused a myriad of accidents, deaths, damage and inconvenience to the land of the rising sun. However, the disaster failed to dampen the spirits of those who managed to survive.

Orderly and organized, they queued up to collect food rations and receive necessary help from aid organizations. The same cannot be said of Singapore where people of all shapes and sizes elbow each other for anything which is free of charge.

The calmness and positive mindset of the Japanese in such a situation definitely makes them the runner-up in my list.



Number 1

Ok lah, you know that I know that you know who is it
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You!

Congratulations to you for coming in first. You readers are the reason why this blog keeps going so keep it up and continue giving your support!