“Je ne suis qu’un soulman
Écoute ça, baby
Je suis pas un superman
Loin de là
Juste moi, mes délires
Je n’ai rien d’autre à offrir
Mais je sais qu’en vrai c’est déjà ça”
La raison j’aime françaises. Très sensuel.
Today, I went to the Army Open House at the F1 Pit. I was not there to check out the army exhibits, but to find Audrey. However, I didn’t expect myself to actually end up looking at the various army vehicles and reading up about the different formations. I nearly forgot how much the army meant to me. As I visited the various booths, memories came flooding back. 4 years ago, I enlisted into the army. I didn’t think I was going to survive my first “down 20″ or make it out alive. However, I did it. And I made many friends along the way. Many people who have entered my life and changed it completely.
As I walked down the F1 pit, I saw people from my BMT days, some of my OCS cadet batch mates, and even a fellow CTC classmate. I saw men shaking hands and talking to each other about what happened back in 1992. It was extremely heartwarming to see how the army has united people. Many of us may have left the SAF, completed our national service, but we can never forget those crazy moments in our lives, be it bad or good. Put a group of army batch mates together and there will always be a conversation about the army somewhere.
That happened to me last night. I met up with Henry and Terence for dinner. And naturally, our conversations went back to the good old army days. We particularly talked about our section back in Sierra Wing. I do wonder what happened to everyone else (Liang Fa, Alan, Jun Hao, Jason etc.) and how they’re doing. I do see a few of them occasionally, but we never have the time to stop and catch up. Four years have passed and everyone has disappeared back into their own world. And I do miss the camaraderie and brotherhood that we shared back in 2008.
I decided to also do a little trip down memory lane. I searched through my hard disks and photo albums. I noticed that Henry and Terence have been around a lot in my life. They have been appearing in plenty of my pictures. From the OCS days to my Standard Chartered Liverpool events, those two buggers have been there. And that’s a good thing. I’m glad that they are a part of my life and it’s funny how fate brought all of us together (I kinda knew Terence back in Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Henry, well, if he hadn’t gone for his 3 months Air Force thingy, he wouldn’t have enrolled into our batch). I’m sure many guys out there will also have a similar experience. Army buddies who continue to be a part of your life even after NS is over.
You know, I think it may be just about time to do another gathering.
It has been a colourful week. Really busy and colourful.
There was a lot of red last week at a dinner with the Hong Kong, Brunei and UK bosses. Red in terms of the food I was eating. I met some interesting people from the Bank and had a great seafood treat. It was nice learning more about my company and watching the bosses interact. That night, I also thought about the possibility of working overseas. I did not realise that it could happen and that I should seize the opportunity when it comes….if it comes.
I was also busy with the Silver Lining Launch at Teck Ghee CC. It was very heartwarming to see our staff volunteers working together to make the event a success. More than 1,000 elderly beneficiaries turned up and it was just touching to see the love and care that was going around. I enjoyed talking to the old people and was a little sad to find out that some of them are living alone. It was even more shocking when I discovered that some of these old people were living alone because their children have decided to abandon them. Despite all that, they were cheerful and made the best out of their golden years. I was at a loss for words. Watching them smile and chat with their friends as they walked through the carnival was just enough to convince me that I should make the best out of my own life. “Don’t worry, be happy,” they said. Spending a day with the old people also reminded me that I should be filial to my parents and grandparents. They were the ones who brought me up and when I start working, I have to take care of them.
I’m looking forward to the next opportunity to help the elderly.
And I managed to find time to also meet Terence and the gang of mass commers. It has been a while since I last met Joseph Davies and it was good catching up with him. It’s great that everyone is doing very well. We’re on the path of greatness and it is just going to get better.
And the week ended beautifully with a beach party at Sentosa. It was my first time at Tanjong Beach Club but I had such a crazy evening. There were so many gorgeous people walking around, I felt like I was back in Europe for a minute. I met some French guys too and Julia was hooked onto them. That girl just loves her boys French. Once again, I had quite a bit to drink and ended up swimming somehow. Went back home really happy and woke up to realise that I had to submit my E-Journal for my attachment. Thankfully, I made the deadline.
This is my third week at work and I’m having so much fun away from school. I’m actually learning a lot more and feeling a great sense of fulfillment.
Oh well, whatever it is, I’m sure that there will be more colourful days coming up!
Saying goodbye was the theme of the week. I had to say goodbye to a lot of people the past two weeks, and it wasn’t fun at all. I am going to miss all my exchange friends who have made life in Singapore a little more interesting. I never thought I was going to be close to any of them, or get emotional when they left. I was wrong. I have so much <3 for them.
Anyway, I had to also deal with Singpost for the entire week. At work, I had to tolerate with their horrible service and absurd excuses for an incomplete same-day delivery service. For two days, I waited patiently for my parcel to arrive at my office. It never did. After numerous calls and with Nur’s help at telling them off, the parcel is supposedly arriving on Monday (After 5 days. I hope…). The most ridiculous part of it all was that the delivery man and customer service officers wanted us to collect the item at the headquarters (which they said is in Eunos). I live in Singapore for the past 23 years and I thought Singpost is in Paya Lebar and not in Eunos. But Joanne says that they are kinda located in Eunos, so maybe I’m wrong. Oh wells, it was still very unprofessional of them to expect me to go down to get a parcel that I requested to be delivered to the office.
My second encounter with Singpost was when I had to do a surface parcel order for Bianca’s luggage today. I was a little hesitant about employing their services because for all you know, her luggage may never see broad daylight again. Thankfully, I had a lovely auntie who helped me with the process and assured me that the luggage was going to be delivered. It better be delivered because we’re paying $180.00.
I also managed to find some time to sort out my pictures and labels for the ultimate social media experiment ever. I know it sounds crazy, but I am determined to make this work out. I’ll be sending my OMG It’s Kenneth Teng badges all around the world and each recipient must take a photo with the badge (in the most interesting way possible). I don’t really know how I came up with the idea, but let’s just say, I’m almost done with the packaging. I just need to find the time to head down to the post office. Yes, I have to deal with Singpost again.
Work’s getting both fun and serious at the same time. Valene’s called me her Little Brucie and I take it as a compliment. That’s because Brucie is fabulous and she adores him. I made some new friends from the Finance department too, and one of them even bought me tau huay. I’m enjoying each day in the office and I dread the day I have to leave and go back to NTU. It’s very funny how everyone in the bank thinks I’m from SMU and are very surprised that I am from NTU. I am not surprised anyway.
Next week’s going to be hell, but with my handy dandy organizer and the support of the team, I’m sure I’ll make it through alive. I have to also write a ridiculous E-Journal for my professional attachment. There is a grading rubic. I hate grading rubics because they stifle my creativity and make it absolutely difficult for me to write a report interestingly.
I cannot believe that I have to adhere to this format, but I’ll do it because Professor Lewis is the professor in charge of the marketing students. If it had been some other professor (who I refuse to name because of my lack of respect for this individual), I would totally write the report in my own style just to get on his nerves. I guess if I want my grade, I’ll have to follow the books. Le sigh, grades, grades, grades.
Our society is so fixated on getting good grades that we’re not seeing the bigger picture. As much as a part of me is trying not to care about grades, the majority of employers still look at grades. In fact, getting good grades seems to be the most important thing in Singapore right now. I’m glad that I’m going to be out of the gruelling education system soon. I feel sorry for the kids today because they’re never going to have a childhood with all the tuition and additional classes. The funniest shit is that the ministry says that things have not gotten any tougher. Erm…I don’t remember using a scientific calculator until I was in Secondary 3 and now, my Primary 6 kid is using it. I feel so sorry for him that I give him 5 minutes to play with my Samsung phone every time I see him. That’s my only way to contribute to his disappearing childhood.
And the ministry says nothing has changed. Yeah, just like the sizes of the HDB flats.
So it’s May and I’m back in Stanchart for my internship. I’m really happy about being back at work and away from NTU. I love learning on the job and actually putting what I study in school (mostly what I learnt in poly though) into practice. Being back at work also means that I do not have to worry about studying over the weekends and I can spend them wisely with the exchange friends and besties. I feel a little sad that the exchange friends are leaving. Life is going to be a little boring in Singapore again.
Anyway, this weekend, I decided to take the French boys for a buffet at Park Royal Hotel. I love that place so much cause it is never too crowded, and the food is really good. As it was Vesak Day, there were no promotions, but the hotel was offering a 10% discount at Spice Brasserie. So we decided to make full use of it and my oh my, can the boys eat. I finally got to meet Marco (who really eats like he has no stomach) and he is really cool to talk to.
And I found out that Maxime is leaving on Tuesday. He kept mixing up the days and I thought I would have four extra days with the him. Unfortunately, I only have two days now. This sucks. Everyone is leaving. Mads, Lesley, Milene, Morgane, Philipp…and now Maxime too. This just pushes me to work harder so I can go back to Europe to meet up with all of them again. I have even made plans to do my Masters in Europe. Yeah but only when I’m 30. I have to gain some valuable work experience in Singapore first.
We also had drinks at The Pigeon Hole right after dinner. Lovely place. I have been there three times and I think I will make it my official chill out place. They have very good ciders and beers. Now that I’m working and have my weekends free, I can head over to Ann Siang Hill or Duxton Road to read a book and drink a bottle of cider or a cup of coffee.
Anyway, here’s possibly the most fabulous French and Singaporean ever. The best combination I must say.
This is actually a really good rendition of the song.
While on the way to dinner at a friend’s place last Friday night, I had a really interesting conversation with a cab driver. It was about Singapore and foreign talents. We shall call the taxi driver Uncle Lim just to make things more reader-friendly.
Uncle Lim felt that Singapore was fast becoming a new country and that things have changed. I, for one, am not very good with change. I take time to adapt, and I have definitely noticed the changes (5 months in Paris and back…SO MANY changes). For one, I’m seeing a gazillion condos constructed at every corner of Singapore. Whatever for? With the rising costs of HDB flats and soaring COE prices, can we really afford these condos? Apparently, the demand is present. Every apartment is sold out! So is it true that Singaporeans can actually afford these condos? Then what’s with the fuss about HDB flats being so costly if one can afford a condo. That’s like shooting yourself in the feet.
However, what I was more worried about is that there may not be any green left in this country by the end of next year. Uncle Lim just sighed as we zoomed past a few more upcoming condos. I looked out the window and kept thinking: What happened to all those pretty old HDB flats at Tanglin Halt, Old Airport Road, and Tiong Bahru? What happened to the playgrounds with sand and old kopitiams that sell $1.50 mee pok? Soon enough, these features of Singapore will only be in photographs and that’s actually quite sad. We’re making room for more shopping malls and condos and we’re forgetting to preserve what’s truly Singaporean. Our mee poks are going to cost like $10 per bowl next year.
He also spoke in Mandarin about how things were never this fast paced and how back then, he could tell his wife to take care of the family while he brings home the bacon. Unfortunately, Uncle Lim felt sorry for me because he said that I will never be able to have a family at this rate and that if I do, both my partner and I will have to work to pay off our life debts. “Let’s not even get started on having children,” he said. Of course, our local media will showcase articles that you can have a family even with the risings costs, just like how they tried to convince us that we can purchase a HDB flat with an income of $1,000. I’m 24 this year and I’m already worried about housing. I should NOT be worrying about such stuff at this age. And I’m still not convinced that I’ll be able to buy a HDB flat with a $1,000 income. “No time nowadays too,” Uncle Lim continued. Yes – no time to go back home to watch 7pm Channel 8 drama serials with our loved ones, no time to sit down and have a proper dinner without phones beeping, no time to lead a carefree life.
Le sigh. It gets worse. DPM Tharman recently said in a speech that the average Singaporean won’t feel the sharp effects of inflation. Really? When he said average, I hope he isn’t referring to himself. It made me question whether our ministers today are trying their best to make things better for the people like us, or do they assume that the every “average Singapore” is holding a white collared job and living comfortably. Have our ministers gone down to the ground to see what is happening? Tin Pei Ling may not have been a favourite during the elections, but she is definitely doing her job. In fact, I think she is doing more than…everyone else. A friend also commented on that article that as Singaporeans, we’d simply move on with our lives and continue accepting the inflation, giving more proof to the government that we “can handle it”. He also said that there is “nothing we can do about it”. However, what if we can do something about it? Will we stand up and make a change? That’s something for all of us to ponder.
Uncle Lim also said something that made me felt really sad. “Second-class citizens, that’s what we are,” he said, as he drove silently into the ECP. If many Singaporeans today feel that they are “second-class citizens” and everyone is sharing Facebook posts highlighting the bad things that the foreigners are saying, we will never achieve harmony as a country. The same goes for the foreign talents making snide comments about Singaporeans. Is this all necessary? I find it very disturbing to see Singaporeans and foreign talents fight it out. Why are we hating each other so much? We’re never going to be a harmonious society at this rate. Do we really want a Bersih 4.0 in Singapore? There is obviously something wrong if Singaporeans feel that they are being treated differently. However, I personally think that our government is more focused on GDP growth and shouting out to the rest of the world that we’re a success. Diminishing these “second-class citizens” thoughts is the least of their concern. Things are not going to get any better even with all the front page articles reassuring Singaporeans that they are the priority.
As we entered into Fort Road, Uncle Lim told me that as much as he is okay with foreign talents, there are just too many of them right now. “Doesn’t feel like home anymore,” Uncle Lim continued. For someone who has seen through Singapore in its prime and glorious days, it was disheartening to hear that he felt Singapore was not exactly home anymore.
I recently fell in love with Instagram and realize why everyone wants to get the application. Thank God, they finally created one for Android users (I still refuse to get an iPhone). The past few days have been quite draining, with all the examinations taking place. The exams were okay and I made a few silly mistakes. I do hope I get a good grade overall.
Nevertheless, I’m amazed that I managed to find time to join Cherylene on a food review, have drinks with Julia and Maxime, explore Singapore, and even attend Zouk’s 21st. The funny thing is, I ended up at Filter that very night and I do not remember how I got there.
Thanks to STOMP and Filter for the pictures. I seriously don’t remember any of those shots.
And yes, the one shot I was VERY shocked to see. Le Classique.
Okay. One last paper and I’m out of here.
“Lazarus
Come out of your cave
Lazarus I don’t care if everyone
Thinks you’re dead
Or that you’ve lost your edge
I know you’re still alive
So put on your shoes
Fight for the truth
Lazarus”
Corrinne May is truly an inspiration. I am listening to this song on replay a million times and studying for my AB213 examinations. Her songs fill me up with hope and remind me that this world is a beautiful place.
And I’m going to do a little expedition after my examinations. I am going to rediscover what it means to be a Singaporean.
Random much. But I know it’s going to be an exciting post.
Staying Alive and Injury-Free While Serving The SAF – A Response
Published April 18, 2012 Uncategorized 9 CommentsI stumbled upon Jeremy’s post on “Staying Alive and Injury-Free While Serving the SAF” and found it a little insulting. You should read it, and I’m going to write in a similar style, but with my inputs.
With the recent death of 21 years old Private (PTE) Lee Rui Feng Dominique Sarron in the news (my condolences), many people are worried about the safety in the SAF. However, let’s take a look at the big picture and the history of the SAF. How many men have served their national service and came out alive? The SAF has been doing its best in keeping safety measures in check. I lost a friend, LTA(NS) Chan Wei Kit Nicholas, during my NS days and I did not decide to “keng” to stay injury-free. Neither did my fellow army mates. We did not bear a grudge or hated the SAF for causing us to lose a friend. Instead, everyone stood strong and messaged each other to “always be safe and take care”.
In my time serving the compulsory two years, I have been
- awarded top 5% in platoon during BMT
- awarded a SOM during my OCS days under the Signals vocation
- posted to a stay-in active signal battalion in the west of Singapore
- posted for active operations and exercises around Singapore and overseas
In light of the recent (not higher number of) deaths, like Jeremy, I do hope I can help more people stay alive and injury-free. However, I am going to adopt a different mindset from him. My advice is also meant to help you stay alive and injury-free. And FYI, performing well in the SAF does not increase the risk of you getting injured or cause a possible death. You could do really well for your exams tomorrow and while sharing your joy on Facebook, you fall down a flight of stairs and injure yourself.
Anything is possible. If you’re so afraid, you might as well stay at home and never step out of your house. Then again, you could die from…I don’t know…the attack of the household appliances.
I will not deny that training in OCS does put you at a higher risk as compared to other training institutions. However, the SAF has implemented safety measures to prevent any mishaps, and it is our own personal duty to take care of ourselves. If you do not look out for yourself, then don’t expect to make it through the army alive.
Advice 1: Do not over-perform in BMT, just be who you are.
You’re not obligated to perform in BMT. You just have to be who you are and take this as an adventure of a lifetime. You’re never going to go through basic military training ever again.
Do not over-perform. Just be who you are and take care. The first three weeks are going to be harsh because of the transition from civilization to military. Learn how to adapt to the new environment. Make new friends and be there for each other. That’s going to help you a lot on the psychological aspect. And when you fall, they’re going to be there to help you up… or possibly break that fall. Been there, done that.
Advice 2: All past illnesses are considered serious, do not overlook them. Report them and protect yourself from risky activities.
This is true. Just that some morons have an ego problem and prefer to keep their past illnesses or injuries to themselves. During safety briefings, soldiers who are unwell or incapable of performing in the exercises should fall out. What’s the problem of falling out? Many guys are just too embarrassed to do it, and when something happens, the SAF gets blamed.
I have fallen ill during my BMT days and I told myself I had to take care of myself. Screw the route marches, screw the exercises. One will live to fight the battle another day. All I had to do was get better, and that was what I concentrated on doing.
If you are unwell, or have past injuries, highlight them out. You may aspire to be an officer, but if your conditions do not permit you to be one, it doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the world for you. You can still achieve more in the army and I have seen many friends who have done just that.
And always protect yourself from risky activities. A risk assessment chart is always done for every activity. Safety checks too. It is every soldier’s duty to ensure his/her own safety. When you are doing the SOC, please make sure you watch your step. When you’re doing your route march, take a sip of water whenever you feel dehydrated. If you are not feeling well, fall out. Many of my army mates have done that, and hey, they’re alive.
Advice 3: Avoid heavy objects. If you have/want to lift them, do it properly or with help. Don’t be a fucking moron.
If you are incapable of lifting heavy things, or are going to be lifting them with the incorrect positions, then don’t. I have seen numerous army mates lifting heavy things without getting into proper positions. There are some who ‘act garang’ and lift these heavy objects by themselves. Bitch please.
Is this the fault of the SAF? Or can we blame this on the stupidity of the individual?
If you choose to lift heavy objects bending straight down, then you are obviously not smart. If someone shouts at you to do it properly, and you ignore the order, then it is your fault. Because you choose to be a smart ass.
Most of the injuries sustained in the army are usually caused by people who do not adhere to the safety regulations. The officers and sergeants are already doing their best, giving out instructions and trying their best to create the safest environment for these exercises or training. However, if one idiot chooses to break the rules and not use his/her common sense, there is only so much we can do.
So don’t be a fucking moron.
Advice 4: Superiors are scarier than they look. They are bounded by the same rules as you.
And they are just like you, exposed to the same risk. Your superiors are there to ensure that you come out of the exercise safe and sound. There have been cases when officers have risked their lives to save their fellow army mates or men. Read the news.
I am serious. Dead serious.
The army is there to train you and separate the men from the boys. You grow from it. You learn to be stronger. You learn to be independent and treasure the SAF core values. And when you’re not feeling well, your superiors will not be complete idiots to ask you to push on. We’re humans too. We understand when the limit’s been pushed, and we know what it means to Care For Soldiers. If you do not take care of yourself, like what Jeremy said in his post, “30 years from now when you are nursing a slipped L4 L5 disc or a torn knee ligament, the only person suffering is yourself.” As a Signals Officer, I had to go through the gruelling 72KM Spitfire that required us to carry a shitload of stuff. A few of my fellow OCS mates were unable to deal with the load, and they were given permission to remove a few items or not carry the heavy signal set. My commanders were reasonable and there was zero casualty in that extremely tedious exercise. I am pretty sure no one suffered a slipped disc there, and everyone is still kicking.
Ending this post with the same quote by Charles Darwin,
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”
I believe Jeremy took this quote out of context. When you’re expected to serve your nation, you adapt to the environment. You man up, put your uniform on, and do your nation proud. You train yourself to be strong and fight off the challenges, not whimper and “adapt” through the various “chao keng” methods. You survive by learning to deal with the situation.
I’m not saying the SAF is perfect, or that there are no risks. However, it is important to take care of yourself. The recent loss is indeed a tragedy, and my heart goes out to all those who are close to him. To all the current NSFs, please do take care of yourself, stay strong, and be positive.
I’m sure all of you can be one of the best in the army, and still come out alive and injury free.
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