Rush rush rush!

I wish I had enough time to make a proper post but unfortunately I haven't. First of all, a huge 'thank you!' to Eunice for taking the time to comment on my blog (that makes you the 2nd commenter! Heh.) The moniker "Jamal" gos back a long way, somewhere during my secondary school days.

Outfield exercise was fun, since we were operating the radios for the first time outside the equipment labs. Despite the fact that my detachment was off the comms net most of the time... (or so they say)

VJC College Day: Congratulations to all prize winners! Bet all of you didn't know I actually took some time to go down to VJ...

NDP 2007 Preview: My mom managed to get tickets somehow. New, interesting concept. Simulated entries of MPs (Memebers of Parliament), Cabinet Ministers, our Senior Minister and Minister Mentor was especially cute, and I'm always a sucker for parades and ceremonies. Mmm.

Reminder of the day: Do not blog about sensitive stuff.

Lashing out!

This hasn't been a normal week. Many things have happened in the past few days. Firstly, the rescinding of some of our privileges at SI, namely the ordering of food from outside camp (I never used that privilege :P), the bringing in and consumption of food, the suspension of our Nights Off indefinitely (for my platoon) and the banning of PSPs. I'm not complaining, it's punishment fair and square because some people had overstepped the boundaries and gone beyond what was allowed. I won't say I'm totally innocent myself, with regards to the suspension of Nights Off, but the details shall not be made known. We'll just have to live without these... luxuries (read: luxuries, meaning they were granted to us on compassionate grounds)

Moving on to my lashing out at some backstabbers. If I act all weird and have emo outbursts, the four of you should tell me straight to my face. I might be insulted, but I will change, at least I try to. What makes it worse is that you insult my friend in the process, and try to get my buddy to isolate me. Now I don't know your side of the story, but to me that's simply unacceptable. Hmmm...

I thank the powers that be for letting me have good buddies by my side (Jon, Rey, Ed, KC... among others)

Just started some driving lessons too (though I'd most likely get to learn it in the army, but my mom is adamant that I learn). Hella difficult, what with clutch control and the million and one simple things I forget to do everytime. How am I going to pass my army driver course if I find the civilian one tough? Heh.

And a strange man I saw in the vicinity of Parkway, wearing some sort of bathrobe, lots of ornaments, and short, scrounging dustbins for drinks and cigarettes. He found half a cigarette, started lighting it up and puffed away happily, looking like he was on a high. I wonder why he does this. Hmm.

So many things to think about, all in my head, and lazy/not willing to put it down here. hectic week next week, our exercise is coming up. Got people to deal with, which means I'll most likely stay low and watch how things develop. I feel paranoid once again, but I shall have to sign off.

Old habits die hard.

Again passes another week. Tests coming up, with me screwing up on the Voice Procedures practical. Hopefully I still managed to pass it. In an unrelated event, the officer cadets have also arived at Stagmont for their Signal Officer course. More people = longer queues at the cookhouse for food = bad. Whatever. We, the operators, are warriors of the future (or so the higher-ups say) and they, the officers and commanders, shall lead us.

Speaking of leading and leadership, the SAF's (Singapore Armed Forces) image has been tarnished once again by the actions of two officers, news of which has been widely circulated in local media by now. Kudos to the media who somehow found out about this incident. Our commanders tell us no one is above the law, something which I'd like to believe in. Justification, perhaps? But we are human, and we tend to err once in a while. No organisation is perfect, and screw-ups happen. It's just whether it blows up, and shit matching coordinates with the fan, or not. Let me not talk too much about it lest I get into any trouble.

Saw an article in the newspaper on yesterday about the negative impacts of Live Earth. This was what I was looking for, reasons to cast scorn upon such an event. Noise pollution, litter left behind by people... old habits die hard ain't it? No doubt people are made more aware (does your awareness of problems plaguing our planet increase after hearing about Live Earth?), but the environmental footprint left behind by mankind during this event is simply frightening.

*sighs* Sometimes I feel that I'm getting increasingly bitter with what's been going on in my life. Bitterbitterbitterbittterbitter. Sad to say, the reason why I'm in this state is predominantly my fault, and I do not know how to carry on from where I am. I've reached a junction, split into many many little small trails. Which one should I follow? Or should I just open the door right beside me and run away and away and away?

I just hope Blizzard would hurry up and release Starcraft II already.

EXTRA: Thank you Kian Chong, Sandy and Samuel and the kind old man at the bus stop near Lido for lending me money so that I could catch a bus home. Without you people, I'd have to walk home... And also thank you Eunice (if you would allow me to address you as such) for replying to my comment on your blog. It'd be an honour if you can grace my tagboard with your presence (sounds a little too formal now, ain't it? :P). Go check her out at euniqueflair.com!

Life settles down.

Second week at SI. First Night's Off for us, which was spent at Lot 1, eating and playing some Xbox games with my bunkmates. It wasn't much, seriously, maybe for the few eyeful of girls you can catch here and there, reminding you of what you are fighting for :P (quoting once again, from Starship Troopers).

More things to study now, as the syllabus ramps up. Practical sessions are really effective because you get to play with the radio sets and actually SEE them in action. Starting to feel a little stressed? I shan't go into anymore details of SI life because there isn't much to talk about anyway.

So bookout = play games, and I (think) I spotted Jamie Yeo (wearing a pretty little blue dress :)) today at the East Coast Road area with her dog. I *think* it's her, anyway...

Live Earth? 4 years of learning Geography have made me more aware about the problems plaguing our planet, but I don't see myself being very environmentally friendly. Let us all die. Hehe. Will update if anything, otherwise, signing off.