My new unit!

I'll be having a tee-shirt saying CBRD at the back. I think it looks kinda cool. I suppose I'd be getting it after the entire course.

What the hell does CBRD stand for? It stands for - Chemical Biological Radiological Defence.

I must admit that when I first stepped into the camp, I had no idea what to exepect and I thought I was going to be doing bridging! But when I heard that this was what we would be involved in, I almost jumped for joy. It is something that I am interested in. Also, there's this exchange programme with Australia and Brunei at the end of the year and I really want to go! It's an incentive for me to perform well I suppose and give my best. There'd be plenty of lectures ( if we fall asleep, the punishment will be so terrible that...), and plenty of training. The good news is that we probably won't be going outfield, and even if we do, it'd be minimal. Also, my training is a 5 day week (unlike others! Yippee!) and there'd be no guard duty and such until the end of my 14 week course!

We used to be called some funny name with 4 alphabets and 4 numbers behind. But since the Sept 11 attacks, we became unclassified (damn, it'd be so cool to say my unit's classified), and officially known as 39 SCE in 2003.

This week I've already done a 7 km run (although i suspect it's about 5-6km) and I did my IPPT. The IPPT cat test determines what kind of physical training is done. My pull ups is at 10 (a record for this year, my 2nd time doing it only!) and my 2.4 almost managed to equal my personal best. PB stands at 10.40.For my latest IPPT I got 10.47! It could've been better (who am I bluffing, I almost stopped at the end, dying already), so maybe I'll reach 1030 on my next one!

My section still needs sometime to work on our teamspirit. Which reminds me of my W4P1S1! I'm sure a lot of my ex-sectionmates miss the mushy things we say at night. Every night before we slept at BMTC one of us would say: I love section 1. And the mushiest thing about that was that we were all trying to be the first one to say it every night. Usually it's limited to one person per night. Oh yeah, I miss that. Towards the end of the course it was insane because we'd take every opporunity to say that.

We're required to sing songs when we march and run and when Terence and I ran side by side, the memories just flood back. There're some things that were unique to our platoon, like in one of the songs there was ANY SWEAT?

Standard reply is: No sweat, chicken feet, haha, all the way.
And we would add on: Similan (my sect com's favourite phrase), F*cksh*t (my PS's fav phrase), don't believe, come and check.

We've done it together a couple of times already, and we're still not tired of it.

My PC is a pai kia, regular. He's a very very nice guy, but at the same time, he expects a lot from us. I'm afraid that we cannot live up to his expectation, and that we will disappoint him. I know that if it comes to a point where our performance is really bad, he'll not hesitate to give us the worst punishment. I hope that we can really perform our best, not let them down, and be worthy of the welfare and respect they've given us.

I'm looking forward to the course next week! And of course to booking out AGAIN!

P/S - check out the current and last NYHO comittee pic just below!

This is me and my Juniors from the Harmonica Orchestra. They're the committee members I had a hand in choosing. It feels kinda strange. I've enjoyed teaching them so much, and they've been very enthusiastic as well. They made it all the more worthwile. I've been invited for this Saturday's practice and I'm bloody excited! Really can't wait to go back again!

It was a lazy afternoon and all of us were worn out from waiting for something to happen. We were in this place with wooden flooring, hiding from the hot sun. Almost everyone was sprawled on the floor, asleep. While we were eating some Myanmar food, there was a boy who sat down close to us, looking at us eat. I wanted to say hello to him, but I was shy myself. I gave him a nod and a small smile.

He nodded back.

A connection.

I continued eating with my teammates. The food tasted somewhat unfamiliar. I decided to take a step further and offered the boy some food from our plate. He hesitated for a moment, before taking a piece from it. He smiled slightly. He wasn't desperately thankful or anything like that. Just a smile to acknowledge the food I offered him.

There were three cakes and we celebrated Jane's birthday. The cake was piled full with cream, just the way I liked it. I finished my share.

The boy sat there, still, not moving. I wondered if he was looking at us. I was unsure. Then it struck me that I should just share our food with him because we couldn't finish it anyway. Clumsily, I took the plate of food and walked two steps over to sit facing him. I motioned for him to take the food. I could tell he was as shy and uncertain as I was. We were nothing more than strangers, yet at that time we had something in common; something to share.

We didn't talk because I didn't know how. Neither did he. I don't know why I feel so strongly that we shared a plate of food. I just know the magic was there. It was a wonder how a such a simple, every-day act touched me deep inside. It was friendship. I could sense it. Still, he was apprehensive, only taking a piece of it after I had taken one.

There were two pieces left. I turned around and suddenly one of it was gone. He'd taken one without me noticing. I looked at him and laughed. He pointed at the last one, and there was that mutual understanding. It was for me.

Past Week

Monday:
Met Mak at 3PM. We went for a game of pool because the tickets left for Hitch weren't good. Oh yeah, we were at Causeway Point, which is 5 minutes from my house, 10 minutes from his! That's already an incentive to go out with him! Haha...

The last time I played pool with him I lost 3-2. This time, I lost 4-2. Terrible! There was once I hit the black ball in. Sad. After that we went to watch Hitch, which was everything I expected out of the movie. It's not bad, but nothing ground-breaking. After that we walked around, looking at VCDs, CDs and everything.

We had dinner at Pastamania! It was my treat because it was his birthday the next day. The food was good. We sat there and chat for quite some time about University courses and army life. Then we went to take neocards. I've known him for 2years already and I haven't even got one photo with him! So we took one, and it didn't turn out good. To my surprise, he wanted to take another one! So we went ahead with it. Both of us look funny in both pics I think... We need a real camera.

Tuesday:
There was activity at night only. Met my cousins with my brothers at Woodlands MRT station. We bought the tickets for the 910PM show, and because we were getting tickets for 7 people, the cash caused a bit of problem and we shortchanged! It was only when we bought dinner that we started counting the money countless times and realised that we were short of money! We went back after that and the cashier gave it to us... with not much questions asked!

There was still sometime left so I went to shop around myself. My cousins and brothers went to the arcade. My sis and other female cousin went to walk around too. The place wasn't crowded and it was good to walk around.

After all the random window shopping, we went to watch Constantine. I think it's a pretty good movie. 4/5. Good stuff. I was quite impressed with the one and only Keanu Reeves. He was bloody good and that's a fact! The storyline was also very impressive. It was scary at some parts but overall, very watchable and it isn't that difficult to understand. My sister was a little bit freaked out though. I don't know if it's the kind of movie that I'd like to watch again, but I'm looking forward to any movie by Keanu Reeves now!

Wednesday:
Went to Van's house to make cookies! It was bloody cool doing everything for the first time. We went to buy Hershey's chocolate chip to put into the cookies.

The process isn't that complicated and it was really fun to let my creativity flow. We made a girl and guy cookie (and mine was a HUNK). we made a scene on a beach ( we didn't manage to finish eating that one ), and I did a heart shape for her, and a LUV one as well. I did a fish one for JY and a guitar for TWJ.

Met both of them for dinner and after that they went to club at Zouk. I went around Orchard shopping. Well, not exactly. I was just looking around and letting everything overwhelm me. The lights... the feeling of solitude...

Thursday:
Went to Sentosa with Vanessa! There's some pics to prove it and I shall write more about it with the photos. Things started out slowly. It was really very relaxing and I fell asleep for an hour or so under the afternoon sun. Now my arms are relatively tan, my face is very tan, and my body is still pale. The disgusting photo up next.

We had dinner at the hawker and the food was bloody good. I loved every bite I took really.

Friday;
Today I received my posting and it isn't a pretty sight. There aren't many people going to where I'm going. In fact, I don't know anybody who's going where I'm going. At the beginning I was a tad depressed about everything but this is what I wanted I suppose. Deep down inside?

Somehow, I feel a tad lost. But still, everyone has to go through NS and everyone survived it, tough or not. I'll go through it like any other Singaporean male did.

Doesn't mean I ain't gonna bitch about it though. Stay tuned!

Do Somethin'

I'm sorry my obsession with this song has become an even deeper obsession. Well, since my first book out till now, I've been listening to this song non-stop. And I'm sorry to say... I haven't stopped listening!

A big thank you to Zhi Wei because the song you're listening to is courtesy of him. Well, I stole it without asking for permission but I'm sure he won't mind!

A bit more on the single and its success worldwide. BTW I stepped into HMV a few days ago and THIS was the #1 single. Beat that.

From unitedworldchart.de:"Biggest mover this week is Britney Spears' 'Do Somethin', which storms 40-18 (up 69% to 109.000 points)" This top 40 counts CD single sales, airplay and legal downloads. You can see the top 40 here:http://www.mediatraffic.de/singles.htm

But, in the top 25 CD single sales ONLY, Do somethin' debuts at #7!! You can se the top 25 CD single sales here:http://www.mediatraffic.de/singles-sales.htm

On other debuts around the world:
Alemanha: #18Irlanda: #4 (debut)Austrália: #8 (debut)Suécia: #10Noruega: #16Holanda: #31Áustria: #21França: #70 (guess this is an import, right?)Bélgica (Flanders): #15 UK: #6 (debut) Airplay World Chart: #40 (debut)

Music Week Review:
BRITNEY SPEARS
Do Something (Jive 82876682132)Britney reunites with Toxic producers Bloodshy and Avant for this impressively bold slab of electro-pop in which the singer's assertive vocal is fused with a series of industrial-sounding squelches and a distinctive rhythm element that serves to remind the world that Britney is still very much top of her game.

BBC Review:
BBC: Britney's follow-up to November's cover of Bobby Brown's 80s classic "My Prerogative" heads in a completely new musical direction for Britney. "Do Somethin'" breaks new ground in Britney's career, with a new "electric pop" style, similar to that of Gwen Stefani and Girls Aloud. Taken from her multi-platinum "Greatest Hits: My Prerogative" collection and with a funky, colourful video, Britney may have her 6th UK number 1 in sight.

Opening with a high-pitched, electric rift and Britney cutting in with her usual prelude vocals, you may be fooled into thinking that this is just going to be another mediocre track. However, you'd be mistaken. With it's addictive chorus, hot baselines and catchy instrumental, this is definately one of Britney's finest moments. Forget Britney's attempts at covering past hits, this is Britney as we want her, producing catchy, fun pop records. Even if this track isn't your style prepare to hear it everywhere you go, because just like her #1 hit "Toxic" did this time last year, "Do Somethin'" is going to be on every radio station when you tune in, guaranteed.

Just to add to the hype, Britney is coming to the UK later this month to promote "Do Somethin'" along with her new perfume, "Curious". Let the media frenzy begin."


#3 on week ending 4 March for US TRL

Her impressive track record in Australia:
#01 - ...Baby One More Time (9 weeks)
#02 - Sometimes
#12 - Crazy
#37 - From The Bottom Of My Broken Heart
#01 - Oops! I Did It Again (2 weeks)
#03 - Lucky
#13 - Stronger
#07 - I'm A Slave 4 U
#16 - Overprotected
#07 - Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman
#13 - I Love Rock And Roll
#16 - Boys
#01 - Me Against The Music (2 weeks)
#01 - Toxic (2 weeks)
#01 - Everytime (1 week)
#07 - My Preogative
#08 - Do Somethin'

16th top 20 hit. I'm sure every other blonde 'bimbo' could do that. Oh yeah.

Grrr...

Frustrated and Angry.

NTU II :I want to know what YOU think!!!

Nanyang Technological University
School of Communication and Information vs School of Biological Sciences

For SCI, I'm interested in all that they have to offer. The only problem is that there's limited intake each year (180), and also I'm not sure if I can secure a good job outside after this course. I don't doubt the prospects of this career but people around me like my parents and relatives who are all out there, working, feel that it's not easy to find a job because the media industry of Singapore has been monopolised, therefore there are also fewer opportunities for employment. However, I see a vast number of career choices. Producers, directors, broadcast reporters, interactive media coordinators in media, business, industry and government, public affiars managers, media planners, account exec, creative directors, consultants, marketing spec and publicists in corporate communication settings, gov roles, advertising and public relations agencies, news analysts, reviewers and columnists at newspapers, mags, news agencies, oublishing houses and online information services... That's just to name a few!

Anyway, before specialisation in second year, we'd be exposed to Electronic and Broadcast Media, Public and Promotional Com, Journalism and Publishing and Com Research. That's a whole lot of stuff! Plus, it isn't a dead subject. Well, it's considerably more alive...

And the people! From my visit to NTU, I could tell that the undergrads in SCI are cool, articulate and confident. Also, the lecturer giving the talk was a charming lady from Australia, and she was interesting.

School of Biological Sciences... To be honest, I still love Biology. How do I know that? Well, when I saw the sign "School of Biological Sciences" at the booth of the exhibition, I think my heartrate increased. Okay, that's somewhat of an exaggeration but Biology is still something I'm interested in. However, after mugging for A Lvls, I'm not sure I'm ready to take it on and come out being very satisfied with what I've achieved in this area.

Molecular and Cell Biology. Struc and Computational Biology. Chem Bio and Biotech. Genetics and Genomics. Whatever job I get after taking these courses would be in education, research or application of the science itself. I'm not sure if I'm ready for life as a researcher or a teacher or scientist.

What's most troubling is that the adults around me feel that taking Biology would be a better gamble than SCI. I'm quite confused as to which one I should take and whether I'm going to embrace the courses for the right reasons. Maybe my excitement in taking on the unknown course is only temporary, but then again, I've always been interested in Media. Then there's also science. Argh.

Give me your opinions to consider. I appreciate the help.

This is one of the most beautiful photos I've ever taken. It won some competition in NYJC (courtesy of my gf), and it made the picture all the more meaningful to me. I get a lot of feelings looking at this photo. The smiles... the youthfulness... I think we've all aged. This was taken late 2003 I think, or early 2004. So much has changed in a year. I think this photo deserves 8R status and a frame!

The Confusion

An old poem I wrote some time ago... which I dug out today. I haven't written in a long while and I doubt I can do something like this again.

The Confusion

Split personality.
Do you know me?
I'm quiet
I can be loud

Diggin' diggin'
Trying to know
WhatLies beneath

Screamin' screamin'
Free
The real me

Confusion

Rottin' rottin'
In the class full of people

Strugglin' strugglin'
To stand out

-jkyh 16th April 2003

My inspiration! Looking kind of dorky with a sweet smile on her face. Go Britney!

NTU I

Headache.

Be realistic or idealistic?

"But when you're young, I think that you're still figuring yourself out and you're still kinda searching for something.

Go with your heart; follow your instincts. Don't control it...

Let it kinda control you. "

- Britney Spears

NUS Open House

Met Vanessa and 1/5 in the morning and made our way to BV to take the bus. Ended up taking the cab to NUS though! Listened to FASS talk and a bit of the Science talk. The exhibition was more helpful though. Met a hell lot of people around the place. Too many to name in fact.

After that Van and I went for this SPH talk on allergies. That really got me interested in Biology and all that kind of stuff again. It made me think whether I should pursue biology in NUS. It was a very interesting talk by 2 doctors.

At night, I watched quite a lot of TV and spent a lot of time online. Nothing much to do. I'm going to check out School of Info and Comm today at NTU. It's the only thing that I'm very interested in doing, so I think I'm going to find out more about it. Worst case scenario would be me continuing my academic life focusing on Biology... :P

Me and Mr Cheng on the Myanmar trip last year. Looking at the photograph brings back a lot of memories because I feel that I connect with him on a deeper level as far as students and teachers go. Also, he's taught me so much more than I ever expected to learn and given me the opportunity to explore and push new boundaries. Even after our first OCIP trip to Thailand, he continued to help me in my studies and he's concerned not only about my grades but the kind of person I become. I'm grateful to him... for everything.  

POPOPOP!!! Too many cameras flashing and no one knew where to look really. Me and my platoonmates before the throwing of the jockey cap. After that it was just chaos because we ran off to book out. Whiskey had the honour of booking out first. Yay!
 

2-Step

Today I've managed to get the banner up, which took quite some time! Come on, tell me it looks good! It took forever to get it to fit the space above! Also, I've got the tagboard up.

This blog still looks very fresh. I've got to work on it a little bit more especially the side bar. But I haven't got any idea how to go about doing it. Hmmm...

Nothing much happened today. Stoned at home just like yesterday. Will be going to NUS open house, but I've already more or less decided what I want to do, and the course isn't in NUS. Maybe I'll find out more tomorrow. I'm tired like hell even though I didn't do much today.

Then again, it already is 1 AM.

Me and Saw Thai. On my Myanmar trip Dec 2004 to Seik Phu Taung orphanage.  

First one

Just testing out this thing and see what it can do! I've decided to get this because... I need to build a place for self-expression. Oh yeah.