Hello, my name is Kelvin, not Rachel. I conveniently named my blog "Rachel" because it's a sexy name. Enjoy your stay here!

Monday, November 12, 2012

Scholarship "About Me" - Part 1

I am a computer enthusiast who fell in love with the computer since I first used one at the age of 4. I started out playing games on the PC. When the Internet was made available to my apartment I started playing online ones too. My had my first experience with the technical aspects of the computer when I was 7 when I had to decorate my Neopets shop with HTML coding. The codings intrigued me and I went further to find out what does exactly what. Since then I began experimenting with images found on the net (I was a Pokemon fan) and created multiple offline Pokemon fansites. I was fascinated by the concept of the URI and hyperlinks and how they work to bring pages together. When I found out about Geocities I started bringing everything online. Implementation of navigation at first was a chore, where I had to painfully edit every other page whenever a new page was introduced. Then I learnt of the frame, which helped me sew pages together to appear as one. As Geocities had annoying advertisements, I used carefully crafted hidden frames to hide them. When I got older, I began playing MMORPGs in Primary 3, and from a game called Dark Ages, someone introduced me a tool known as a "speed hack". From the tool I selected a process from a list and I could choose to "speed" it up. From there I was introduced into the world of security where I had special interest in. I started to surf the web to download little tools which does cool things to my computer. Probably the greatest tool I've tried was Cain and Abel (back then just known as Cain, as it didn't have the Abel network component), which allowed me to recover the dial-up passwords my dad used. When I was a little older in Primary 5, I obtained a CD fully infested with viruses, but also came with neat tools. I followed some tutorials and I was able to remotely compromise my sister's Windows 98 system without physically accessing it. I started using the tools provided to create little viruses, trojans and keyloggers to experiment with. From there I learnt how they resided in the system, what kind of things they could do and could not, and how I could remove them manually after turning off the anti-virus. Eventually I decided that my computer needed a reformat. My dad was a computer technician but he not in at that time. Recalling how he did it with a boot diskette, I tried to mimic the commands and after some trial and error I finally reformatted the computer to a clean Windows installation. Things did not work so I learnt to install the drivers with the provided CDs in the computer drawer. I learnt to get the network and Internet working. I eventually started on a little security journey which allowed me to get a feel of the different tools of the trade, but I was nothing more than a script kiddie. In Secondary 3, I was introduced to the MapleGlobal game. As usual, I was fascinated when I saw characters doing things that the original game client would not allow, but this time after fooling around with some game trainers online, I decided that I should try to make some myself. I read a few tutorials and learnt the concept of memory editing, and how things are loaded into the RAM and interpreted as instructions (in ASM language) or data. I used a memory editor known as Cheat Engine to replicate what the trainers did, changing the values of "Gravity" or the "Jumping Power" of a character to bypass "Jump Quests". I followed a tutorial on GamerzPlanet forum to program my first C++ trainer which came in a console window and accepted hotkeys. I did not fully understand the code back then, I was just interested in what it accomplishes in the end, which is to write a value to a memory location. I learnt new tools and added new techniques into my arsenal throughout the years, wrote a few tutorials and subsequently got accepted into GamerzPlanet underground. All the while there were few friends in real-life who actually appreciated the computer and the things you could do with it. Everything changed when I went into Polytechnic. I was in the Computer Engineering course. There were computer enthusiasts everywhere who were interested in the things I say. I took my first real modules in programming, networking, security and computer architecture, and these modules pieced up everything I know into something I could start to comprehend as a whole. I excelled in my field as I had great interest in what I do and subsequently I was selected after a 2-year long trial to compete in the WorldSkills Singapore competition in the IT Administration trade, during which I was the main tutor for my peers in the competition. I brought back a Medallion for Excellence for my school ([link]). Throughout the course of the competition I journalled my progress in a blog (Basic Draft) which was used by the subsequent competition batches as reference. I was also sponsored by the school for the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification. I was extremely active in my course club (CENT Club) and I was made the President in year 2. The committee and I frequently collaborated with other clubs to organize events such as cohesion activities, orientation camps, leadership camps, study groups, peer tutoring lectures and workshops for the Computer Engineering Course and the School of Engineering. My projects (such as the ones done for the Computer Architecture and Operating Systems (CAOS), Network Security (NETSEC), Enterprise Web Applications (EWEBAPP) and Object Oriented programming (OOP)) were used as models for multiple batches ahead. I graduated with a Diploma in Computer Engineering with Merits and was awarded the CAE Singapore (S.E.A.) Prize ([link])

Sunday, April 01, 2012

EX LIGER, again.

It's Sunday, 010312. We're in the last phase of EX LIGER. It's been tough, really tough. I do not really feel the days pass. Rather it feels as though I've been through one heck of a really long day.

Guess what I'm doing now? Yes, another two-hour shift. This is the only time we've got to sleep in the exercise (illegally) but I'm using it to write my journal.

This stand-two, however, is a special one because I'm actually awaiting actual contact. I'm actually guarding a 4COIL which has a vehicle lane open. After contacting the enemy we are supposed to close the vehicle lane and perform immediate retrogression.

Again, I'm going to just relax my mind and talk about my sensory feedback.

I'm seated down facing the extreme left of the last column of the 4COIL pickets. I have my rifle at my right and an orange notebook on my lap (which is what I'm writing on). I hear snoring from behind (probably Nelson). The sound of bird chirping fills the air as birds comb the trees around me. It's 0653 so it is bright enough for me to see the horizon of vegetation fade into the distant mist. The soil is damp from the rain but dry enough to sit on. The 0.6m picket half a meter away from me is hammered dead-center into cow dung (LOL! It was too dark for them to notice?). There is a tapioca plantation across the road. A blue pilot pen lies between the second and third picket in my column (which is, again, on the extreme left).

Teck Seng just came in a rover to pass me a signal set. Hong Wei and some other instructors were also in the rover. The rover made a 3-point turn and drove back to the expected enemy approach. My callsign is 23 Charlie. The signal set has SQUELCH turned to OFF, causing it to emit white noise ("shhh"). However, the FAULT light is also blinking, adding a beeping to the mix. Two civilian trucks just drove past with a bunch of villagers/farmers dressed up like terrorists in movies. They seem really interested in what we're doing. I'm still the only one awake.

I'll end here because they're here. It's ACTION TIME.

Friday, March 30, 2012

EX LIGER

Friday, 300312, somewhere in Thailand. The time is 0002. I'm in the midst of EX LIGER and I'm doing my stand-two shift that will end at 0200. I was just digging my shell-scrape but I'm not sure if I'm going to finish it. The ground is as hard as asphalt and my Pickaxe nearly broke.

It's a good time to relax and start describing my immediate sensory experience.

I'm deployed in the middle of the road under a scary thorny tree. I'm proning on the floor facing the main axis. My favorite orange notebook is in front of me (I'm writing on it) and my rifle is to my right. I'm dressed in SBO. A tactical light hangs on the thorny tree above to light up my notebook. The comms line hangs slightly overhead, occasionally casting a shadow on my book as it crosses the torch. To my right is Nelson and to my left through the thorny shrub is Kenneth. Nelson is fast asleep, while Kenneth is currently vomiting from the nausea caused by Doxycycline. Random sounds of ET blade hitting the ground can be heard from every direction.

The ground I'm proning on is actually made up of mostly thorny twigs, dead leaves, rocks and very fine sand. Melvin has fallen asleep so I'll be sent to HQ for stand-two soon if he doesn't wake up. I'm actually starting to fall asleep myself.

The time now is 1206. I just finished digging my shell-scrape. I can't believe it took me nearly 12 hours to complete it. The ground was too hard. I fell asleep in my shell-scrape for barely five minutes and now there's a bee sting on my left hand. Just removed the sting. Maybe I'm too tired because it didn't hurt that much. I'm going back to sleep now.

I woke up for orders and briefing. I had no serious reactions thankfully. It's probably because I've been stung before in the past. I forgot lunch but it's time to break camp.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Prepared...

PREPARED TO HAVE SOME SERIOUS FUN!



Should I buy ALOT OF BOTTLES on the way back in Duty Free?

Prescriptions

Today I saw a prescription of Lexotan (Bromazepam) on the table and I knew something was not right. People do not prescribe anxiolytics for nothing.

The last time I had an anxiolytic, Xanax (Alprazolam), prescribed to me was when I complained about having depressing feelings induced from consumption of Amoxicillin.

The relative dosage of Xanax is to Lexotan is 1:12.

I cannot imagine what kind of anxiety disorder requires such a heavy dosage. My mum just told me that she told the doctor she was stressed out recently. I don't know if I believe that man.

My mum is depressed.

Monday, March 19, 2012

How did it happen?

See, my friends just signed extras for some sentry duty problems during the deployment exercise when I was the CPS.

At this point I don't know how to react. I cannot fully rationalize the reasons for their punishment.

Should I start finding reasons to explain how it happened?

If I start trying to explain things, then I'll only end up pushing the blame around and getting more people involved.

Should I go down to the office to try and plead for their innocence and try to "tank" the extras for them?

If I offer to "tank" the extras, what kind of message am I trying to send across? Am I just trying to act like a hero?

The strange thing is that being the CPS, why am I not being punished as well? Is there a message my instructors are trying to send across?

See, people get extras in exercises due to my negligence. In operations, people might just die by my own doings.

This makes me question myself. Am I even ready to lead?

Sunday, March 18, 2012

My mother

Recently my mother's been rather gloomy. She missed her period for the third week and she's suspecting herself to be undergoing menopause.

Today, she told me that she's falling into depression. Her life nowadays seem full of negativity.

I thought back and I realised that I haven't really been talking to her for the past month. Every time I booked out, I left immediately upon reaching home. Most of the time she's either already sleeping or out at work by the time I come back.

She's not the kind to worry, but recently I think I've been making her really worried. Even though she hasn't really said anything different from the past nags and advices (don't drink too much ah, come back early ah), her tone of voice last night revealed much worry and concern. It's as though she knew.

The Indians down at the workplace has been giving her much problems and I've not been making things easy for her. I'm about to leave home for more than half a month, and I don't know what I can do for her now.

This is probably the last time I'll go out shopping with her this month. She bought some random clothes (of which all are purple, which is her favorite color). I really look forward to coming back from Crescendo so that I can really be there for her. I just activated my roaming, so at least I can drop some messages on the nights I'm not out in the field to make sure she's fine.

Regulation of hormones

Slept for 3 hours again. Had a damn tiring night. In fact, had a damn tiring week! Been hanging out with new idiots influencing me in a bad way. But then again, in some other aspects I think I'm their bad influence, HAHA!

I learned a new trick. I name it... Corner and Grind.

Here's how you do it:
1) Drink a hell lot with your buddies.
2) Find a group of girls with no guys (or beat the guy up and store him somewhere safe).
3) Form a circle around them and close in.
4) GRIND!!!



See, the thing is, I find it normal to grind strangers but I find it really wrong to grind Jan. It should be the other way round, right? LOL.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Route March 16Km

This is the first time we actually put on our neck guard. It's pretty cool looking but we didn't actually put the soft plate in there yet.

Went for a route march and it was the easiest 16Km I've ever done due to the nice weather (it was CAT1 the entire day) and pleasant route.

Exercise BLACKHOLE (deliberate misspelling, don't correct me!)

I was appointed the ex CPS for the exercise. Being THE oblivious one, I screwed up the exercise horrendously but managed to do it in such a way that it turned out to be a job well done.

During initial deployment I followed the linkup party to do the close range authentication. That was when I met Captain Joel who screwed me because I was supposed to be with the main party.

I later on guided the platoon train into the vehicle park. It was my first VCOM experience and it was quite fun.

While proning to check my shellscrape height requirements, I found myself swarmed with ants. It was then I found out that I probably killed more ants in one hour digging my shellscrape over an ant's nest than the combined amount I killed in the last 5 years.

During the exercise I made an impromptu verbal duty roster where sentries are deployed according to administrative bed order. It was fine for the first three pairs, but not so afterwards. When I found out that the third pair actually did sentry duty for six hour straight because no one took over their spots, I laughed so hard but also felt a little guilty.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Mad enough

I think I'm the only one mad enough to book in on a Sunday when the book-in timing is Monday. I really can't afford taking taxis anymore (don't laugh, I'm actually a thrifty guy when it comes to personal expenditure).

I haven't slept a wink since Saturday morning and I only slept 4 hours the day before. The lack of sleep is causing a crazy mood swing in my head. I couldn't print last week's entries because apparently Dhoby Ghaut doesn't have printing shops for documents (and I thought film shops did documents as well, like back at Jurong Point).

I must wake up at 3 tomorrow to catch up on my work. No more woozy headbanging buttgrinding. It is serious mode after this. Good night world ;)

I removed a post

before she can read it.

I've seen too much in the laptop.

I'm going to meet her soon to return the laptop. I hope I can keep a straight face. I will smile my best. I don't want to give myself away.

Because you're just my normal, normal, very normal friend.

Sunday, March 04, 2012

Live Firing?

My general thoughts about live firing? I don't know. I think it didn't go as well as I want it to. I didn't talk much. I didn't really take charge like how I would like to. I only helped in the preparations, maybe some briefings, and that's it. I would fail myself if I were the assessor.

On the morning of the live firing itself, there were no appointment holders around. I didn't know. I happily went off with the advance party while the guys fell in downstairs not knowing what to do. Great that some of them actually took charge and sent the guys for breakfast. Someone also helped facilitate the out-rationing and I have yet to find out who.

The appointment allowed me to see who I can depend on and who can I not. There are a bunch of people that get on my nerves so much that I'd rather not ask them to help. Not only do they have a cohesively bad attitude when it comes to work, sometimes they make me doubt their intelligence when I see the fruits of their work.

It's like they sow a thousand seeds but yet water only one of them with an ocean of toxic water just to grow one tree that produces blue-coloured poo-shaped apples that taste like diesel, have no nutritional value and is detrimental to the environment.



Another set of people taught me that I should really take charge and ensure. I cannot trust people too much to do force-prep for important things seeing that a single short-circuited joint can evade three different checks. That's six people on three different occasions.

Thursday, March 01, 2012

Full speed ahead!

Today was a great day. Handling of the stores were great and we managed to get everything accounted for.

We (I mean: I) screwed up at some parts but at least we got the chance to blow stuff up (reason #1 to go EOD). I even got to clear a misfired initiating chain connected to a door breaching charge. How cool is that?

Tomorrow we'll be having zombie apocalypse survival crash course. I mean, what else can we do with chainsaws, waterpumps and generators, right? I really can't wait!

And guess what day is tomorrow? It's FRIDAY!!! I'm coming back to visit my dearest buddy on Saturday because #1 he is a Jamaican in disguise, and #2 he's doing guard duty.

I have to get commissioning ball settled ASAP! I can't afford to have another flimsy event. We are going to ask for sponsors on the basis that we're being filmed for TV.

I want to be a wizard. I want that night to be MAGICAL!!!

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Starting to feel it

The live firing is tomorrow. It's past lights out and my bunk mates can't sleep because I'm laying on my bed writhing, wiggling and squirming (with anticipation). Weee! I think I can be a good worm.

Today we've got everything done quite smoothly and I must say that it is a great wing effort. All the appointment holders knew exactly what they needed to do and every single helper sacrificed their share of administrative time towards the cause.

I think I'll be getting lung cancer soon. I picked up smoking since I entered. I don't like smoking but I think I need to do it sometimes. I passed today's test but I don't know how many more tests can I smoke through.

I'll be waking up at 0330. Time to stop wiggling!

I hope you're having as much fun as I am! ;)

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Reasoning

Certain decisions in life are difficult to make when the balance of work efficiency and welfare come into the equation.

When things need to be done, diplomacy may not be the best solution. When decisions need to be made, someone needs to take the brunt of the recoil.

There will be a point where you would have to choose between a group of friends and a group of acquaintances. When feelings come into play and logics seem like a mile away, I do things that make me question my own ethics and moral integrity.

I made a decision today that made me a good person, but also an equally bad one. Today was just a matter of pouring a 3/4 cup of water to extinguish a fire, versus pouring two 1/2 cups of water to achieve the same effect.

What would you choose?

Monday, February 27, 2012

Lucky me!

I'll admit it, I've been bringing my phone around in my commander's bag everyday. When we were told to own up just now, I didn't; not because of personal integrity issues, but because I DIDN'T BRING IT OUT TODAY! Tell me about Murphy's law man, haha!

Today I'm in an exceptionally good mood. I didn't fail the dreaded MCM test! Honestly there were so many questions I wasn't able to answer outright that I thought I was not going to make the passing cut!

When I ponder about my recent performance, I came across a startling thought: Since when did I start thinking about how to PASS, instead of how to EXCEL? If I was just going to PASS then what makes me worthy to lead the others who also just PASSED?

"I am an officer of the Singapore Armed Forces. My duty is to LEAD, to EXCEL, and to OVERCOME".

We can recite the Officer's Creed a dozen times daily, but it's times like these that the words start to make sense. Each day I live, I shall take a step towards becoming one worthy of leading.

P.S. I told CPT Dacialyn from Signals during an interview that my goal in SAF is not to fail any of the examinations. She said it is a great and challenging goal. I think she's right.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Late

This is going to be the first and last time I'm gonna be late. I'm never ever going to go through this again. What just happened was worse than SOC.

Note to anyone reading: Gate closes at 2145 to 2155.

I just found the epitome of humility. A captain walked out all the way where I came from and helped me retrieve a couple of my undergarments and uniform that fell out of my bag as I was rushing. He is exactly the kind of leader I want to be: like a sword that can pierce through steel in battle, yet can cut a tomato when someone needs soup.

I don't know if I can ever be like that. I find it difficult to have the right balance between being nice and being in charge. I'll start looking out for strategies that can help me make my men like me while not letting them step over my head. EOCC is full of people I can look up to and learn from.

Pick yourself up

I did not do very well for the physical selection. In fact, I did really badly. It's times like these when I have high expectations I feel pain the most.

I misplaced the second last piece of the puzzle and when I was remedying it, I accidentally scrambled the whole thing. My nerves got the better of me. Of course, if I'm going to be like this then I probably shouldn't be in EOD or I would be a hazard to the rest.

It's not the end of everything. It's not the first time my expectations got crushed. Kelvin, pick yourself up, there are many more things to achieve out there... ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!!!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Made it through!

I finally made it through the seemingly never-ending week! I'm glad that practicals wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be and much leniency was granted by the invigilating instructors. I should learn to reciprocate by putting in more effort the next time round.

The last hurdle of the week would be the CBRE selection test tomorrow. I heard that it is linked to the EOD selections so I better make sure I do well. The film crew would be there as usual. I'm camera-shy, so I hope it doesn't affect my performance too much.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Tiring

It has been a really tiring week. It started off with a terribly tiring guard duty and I haven't been able to catch up with the sleep ever since. I don't know how I would manage with the practicals tomorrow seeing that I have already forgotten half of the details covered. I hope I do well.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

I've been shown mercy

I've not studied for my test so I don't know how I passed today. I'm really surprised I did. I DEFINITELY got a borderline for both tests. I'm glad but I must remind myself that there's nothing to be proud about because I really need to buck up for my practicals.

At the same time, I need to find some way to motivate myself to study demolitions. I know that I won't be able to do anything about the learning system at this point but I'll try my best to do what is required. Maybe the desire to enter EOD can help fuel the nerd in me.

Next week I'll be the Cadet Wing Sergeant Major for the demolitions live firing. It seems like a daunting task thinking about all the stores required but I'll give it all to make the exercise a success.

With the two tests this week off my mind, I can finally concentrate on revamping my field pack and the IPPT tomorrow.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Horrible day!

Guard duties are generally pretty fun for me but I can't say the same about the days after. I had just 2 hours of sleep yesterday because I decided to play Lava Boy Water Girl (or whatever that game is called) with Aaron.

I remembered saying "I'll regret this" halfway through the game but little did I expect myself to really regret it this badly today.

I've been really zonked out through the day. I haven't studied the scope for the test so basically I'm in trouble now.

I'll sleep now so that I can have maximum rest for tomorrow. I'll really need it. Good night.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Mistakes

I'm now stuck in camp idling my Sunday away doing guard duty. It allows me to ponder about my priorities, decisions and sense of responsibility.

I feel that responsibility is not something that can be taught to a person. Genuine responsibility comes when a person learns to take pride in the things he do.

I need to learn to be proud of myself; to look more at the positive side of things. Like LTC Psalm Lew once said, a person who is fully self-aware is one who is able to identify his flaws and overcome them with his strengths.

I need to learn to be less critical of myself. Instead of feeling sorry for myself every time I encounter a flaw, I will now make a conscious attempt to fix them.

If I die today, the news headline would begin with "Man dies"; no longer "Teen dies". I'm all grown up now. I should act like one.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

What is your impression of Engineer stores? Why do you think it is important to Engineers?

Engineer stores consist of foreign-looking objects alien to the Infantry world. The amount of stores required for an operation would require an operation of its own to consolidate and account for. It would seem like a logistical nightmare to service and maintain the stores.

My thing that came to my mind when introduced to the stores was: "DAMN HEAVY!".

Back in Infantry, the only stores I could really recall were the ones used for basic entrenching and obstacles. Of course, it would only be logical for the Infantries to have minimal stores as their trade revolves around their superior firepower.

The best section weapon for the Engineers is probably the Ultimax 100. We do not carry FN MAG's, so we don't have our own GPMG team for defense purposes. What we have to make up for the lack in small arms firepower is superior equipment.

Being a support element in the army, the Engineers are responsible for the Mobility, Counter-Mobility and Survivability of mainly the ground forces (Infantries and Armored arms). A GPMG team to their FN MAG is like an Engineer to this equipment. Without proper stores and equipment, the Engineers would not be able to accomplish these tasks efficiently.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Learning in Engineers

I find it difficult to study anything in EOCC (or in fact anything in OCS). I'm not sure if it's the environment or the topics at hand. I love learning when it is about understanding how systems and processes work. When someone gives me a bunch of numbers, figures and terms and ask me to memorize them for an examination, I call it 'brain-dumping'.

At this point I find that the learning system in the third generation army is still based more on memorizing than anything else. This type of system is more apparent in last generation's education system. As a peer lecturer for the past 3 years, I helped many weaker students climb their way into the left side of the results bell curve. I wish to one day revolutionize the way things are taught in the institute.

Back to reality, right now I'm feeling rather dreadful about the test because I don't think I'm game enough to memorize everything. When I couldn't sleep last night all I needed was to open the precis and it took me just 3 minutes to visit dreamland. I just hope that everything I know comes out and everything I don't doesn't.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Big appointment

I'm about to undertake a scary role in two week's time in an important event. Adeline would be the conducting and I would have to work with her. Shall talk about it more tomorrow.

I discovered something I need to change. I talk too loud. Tomorrow I shall try to keep my volume down.

Won't say much today, got to study for a test.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Disappointments

Today I broke my first goal in ETI. Before I came in to EOCC I told myself that I was going to make sure that I don't get my rifle stunned. I also told myself that I must keep myself from signing extras. I made a serious mess out of everything.

Today I made an attempt to be good in file. I think it was a good attempt but I'm still not quite up to my expectations. I will try harder tomorrow.

There are currently two other things I need to change: Frequent misplacing of my belongings, and talking too loudly. I shall work on those tomorrow.

I think today I somehow marred my instructors' impressions of me. I didn't know when to get serious, talked really loudly, interrupted lessons, started irrelevant discussions, got my rifle stunned and made a mess out of my practicals. I shall pull up my socks tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Daily Improvements

I'm starting a self-revolution. Each day from now on, I will try to make a positive change in myself. Today I made a great effort to fall in really early, and I did not sleep in lesson.

I was told yesterday that I have poor file discipline so I will try my best to stay quiet and still whenever we fall in for anything.

I went through a great mental ordeal today; not because it's Valentine's day (well it partially is) but because of this test (or exercise as they call it). I hope I get into where I want to be!

Monday, February 13, 2012

The best L&V lesson ever!

I don't usually stay awake during L&V lessons but I must say that today is really an exception. I was back where I came from to listen to a respectable man named after a book in the Bible and it is to date the most useful and inspiring lesson I've ever sat through. It really made me think deeper, and to look at myself in a way I never would have otherwise.

By the way, I also won a prize for storytelling :)

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Last week was week zero.

Today, I guess, is day zero. I don't know how prepared am I to face the stuff here. Tomorrow we're going back to SAFTI MI. The briefing said "We are to dress our best because we are going to other camps" and I was like hmm, "other" camps. It wasn't so "other" just a while ago.

Anyway this is my first post from my new Blackberry, which is working well so far.

I finally understand who you are to me.

I think you are a best friend.

My Bold 9780

is making me really sad. The housing or something inside is loose. Every time I touch the right side of the phone: It shuts off! I feel like opening it up to see what's causing it but I don't have a T5 TORX screwdriver, and I'm booking in today!

Now I'm going to have to rush my Basic EOD studies.

How has my perception of EOCC changed since entering?

Back in Service Term, my main focus was to give my best in everything I do, then get out of Infantry. Back during the vocation express interest exercise, the general idea for most of us was: "Anything but Infantry".

I put Signals as my first choice, and Engineers as my second. I ordered my vocation express interest choices according to how physically demanding (or to put it bluntly, "slack") I perceived the vocations to be.

Honestly, I am disappointed that I did not get into Signals. Coming from an IT/Engineering background, and possessing various IT certifications (including CCNA), I thought my skill-set would be well suited for service in Signals.

However, I comforted myself thinking that Engineers would be physically undemanding enough for me.

I was dead wrong.

The moment I started interacting with my new peers and coaches in EOCC, previously unheard stories of nightmarish exercises started pouring in. My impression of Engineers took a fulminant turn as the realization of what I'm in for set in. What seemed like a slack vocation became my biggest nightmare.

It took me a few days to mentally prepare for what I'm about to face, and I think it's still not enough. I'll be honest: I'm afraid of the extended AOP, and the 6000 sandbags.

On the bright side, however, my new peers seemed much friendlier than the ones I had back in SAFTI MI. It was difficult being in the ESS (Every Singaporean Son) section where all the "wayangs" unite (and I hate "wayangs").

The people in my new section seemed more real. I sense genuine sincerity in the people around me, and I'm glad to be among them. The road ahead would be difficult, but I'm confident these guys will be the ones that will bring me through.

I can’t wait to discover Engineering.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Let's just forget it.

Let's just say that I quit. Let's just say that I have no more time for you. Let's just say that I am tired of waiting. Let's just say that I'm sick of trying. Let's just say that I'm moving on. Let's just say thank you for everything, it was good (:

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

999 Soap!

I recently bought a new bar of 999 Soap from the NTUC downstairs. I don't know why but this is the only smell in life that I'm truly addicted to. This smell just tingles my senses like nothing in this world can. Been like this since I was young. No kidding.

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

My clock stopped!

The time reads 06hrs 11min 03sec. The battery is still barely powering it, causing the seconds finger to tick on the spot. I wonder if this number has any significant meaning? (No actually a second thought it's just that my clock's run out of juice.)

Feel like buying...

These are currently the burning wants I have:
1) Pool Table
2) Acoustic Drum Machine
3) PS3
-Final Fantasy XIII
-Final Fantasy XIII-2
-Guitar Hero
-Rock Band
4) Battlefield 3
5) Some nice Ralph Lauren tops
6) Some Taylor Swift posters for my room and ETI

Room overhaul and others...

I'm about to begin on a room overhaul. Well, not really. I just want to get things in order so that I can walk properly in here. Man it's been long since the last time a real overhaul occurred here. If I remember right, it was back when Jan first came to my place and told me that my room was messy. Right, that was the last time I cleaned up.

EOCC is starting on 090212. My freedom is coming to an end soon. Right now I just want to make sure that I settle as much external issues as possible so that I can have a peace of mind in ETI. I have that book-in email and as usual I'm afraid of opening it.

I'm thinking of redoing a blog template right after this. No guarantees though. I'm going for a haircut at 1830 today at Dion's. Hopefully I can clean my room in time for it.

Dress code for ETI is Polo tops and Penguin bottoms. I feel like buying myself some Ralph Lauren because Giordano is just cheapskate (GLJ spotted).

Anyway I think ETI will be really great, because I've heard from just too many sources that my PC (CPT Samuel Chong) is a great guy.

Monday, February 06, 2012

9GAG

This is totally my favorite site now. Like totally.

Fixed the first computer problem...

in a really long time. This time it's Angel's sister. Took about 5 minutes to get the WiFi drivers back in action and then I'm done. A good warm-up after such a long time of being in the stone-age.

(In my definition, not doing anything awesome on the computer is considered stone-age.)

On a side note: I'd love to post pictures but my phone is not with me :( I wonder how do I get it back?

Get ripped!

I really need to get my ass off and really get ripped. I don't know where to get the motivation to start =(

My allowance account...

It scares me to see it drop below a hundred bucks. Can't wait for next month's pay. Got to keep tabs on my expenditure but at the same time I want to buy a legit copy of Battlefield 3, a PlayStation 3, and a new HDD.

Taylor Swift Speak Now - World Tour Live

Before I left for Brunei, some sweet people actually bought me this CD/DVD. That's just one of the many sweet things in a goody bag.

Definitely one of the sweetest random gifts I've ever gotten. My system's been looping the entire album for almost 24 hours now.

"The most intense times in your life are the ones where you are either falling in love or losing it." - Taylor Swift

I love Taylor Swift because she speaks to my heart :'( It's true :'(

A new place to rant?

Hello blog. From hereon now, you shall be named Rachel. Rachel shall be my new rantvenue.

If this site looks familiar, it's probably because I reused the Basic Draft template.

Just came back from SOCJOT in Brunei. In two days time, I'm about to begin my journey in EOCC (Engineering Officer Cadet Course).