[[*Endless Road_______Endless Journey]]*

Monday, August 21, 2006

[['Lan Lan" have to serve...]]

Another Stage 2 evaluation to begin in less than 24 hours. It's another dreadful cycle of a 4 day 3 night outfield package plus a full day busy with internal debrief preparations.

Not to mention that for this week, and this week only, there's a "free gift" of the Army Half Marathon (which would more likely be a walkathon for me) on Sunday. Worse is while most other units will get an off day the following day, mine wouldn't be so lucky.

Damn. I really think my unit is so inhumane sometimes. It just gets into my head sometimes that some regulars just don't understand why NSFs are, well, NSFs. You do it because it's your job, because it's for money. And we do it because simply, we have no bloody choice, in addition to being given allowance that buys you peanuts.

Can't wait to see the end of September. Good thing it's only 2 years.

On a better note, just witnessed Man Utd gave a thumping to Fulham. 5-1 was the score, with 4 of Man Utd's goals coming in the first 20 minutes. Simply amazing stuff. You should see it to believe it.

Hopefully that's a good sign of things to come this season. Watch out Chelsea, cause we're gotta smack your arse this season!

Time for some sleep. Only 5 hours left. Just can't help but feel despondent at this terrible, horrible week.

[[Walking Alone On This Endless Road]]*|12:18 am|

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

[[Peace on the Roads]]

Singaporean road users can be really hard to fathom.

Was driving in the wee hours this morning, waiting to make an U-turn. The traffic light which was like 100 metres in front had turned red, there was no vehicles. So, I started making my turn. Then comes a bike travelling at what must be at least 100km/h, beating the red light, heading straight towards me and causing me to slam on my brakes.

Not only that, I earned a stare from him as well, trying to imply that I wasn't giving way.

Hello, what the f**k is wrong with you, man? I wasn't the one who beat a bloody red light and exceeding like twice the road speed limit. Besides, you should freaking thank whichever god you are praying to because I was just about to make the turn, not in the midst of it.

It gets sad when near-accidents like these create a very negative image for bike riders. I ride and drive, so perhaps I personally feel I can understand both the perspectives of a rider and a driver. Many times on the roads, it's only a matter of courtesy and give-and-take, not about the skills and technique of the person behind the steering wheel or handlebar. Not to mention obeying traffic rules as far as possible.

It's not that I never speed. I do so very occasional, but never at the compromise of my own safety. I don't do 100km/h on a 50km/h road with traffic lights. I don't try to challenge a corner. And I never tailgate a vehicle, making damn sure I give myself enough braking distance. It's really about being defensive. And being safe.

You might be rushing home to catch that 9pm drama on tv, not wanting to miss the opening theme song. You might be going to be a few minutes late of an important meeting. You could be dying to take a piss in the toilet. But what are all these compared to compromising your own life and endangering others? If you know you have a tendency to be late, then leave early. If you are afraid you might wanna shit while on your way home, then do it before starting the engine. Things like these, no one will stop you from doing.

Really hope to see people driving and riding more safely on the roads. When the feeling of regret sets in, there's never enough, or any, time to ractify the situation.

And happy National Day to the country and everyone!

[[Walking Alone On This Endless Road]]*|1:01 pm|

Friday, August 04, 2006

[[A Rather Valuable Experience]]

Just came back from my first official ATEC Stage 2 Evaluation. The unit evaluated was a reservist unit, 649 SIR. And I have to say that I came back with many lessons learnt.

Lim Chu Kang is surely a hell of a horrible place to stay for 4 days and 3 nights. By the time I came back from outfield yesterday, I had bites from mosquitoes and various weird insects all around the body. It's really strange and amazing how insects can bite through the stupid uniform with such frequency even though it is already so thick.

Stage 2 evaluation isn't a fun thing to do at all. So much preparation, so much on-the-ground work. Everything seems to be endless. Missions seem to be neverending. And the evaluated unit didn't really do a great job, but in fairness, you are talking about soldiers who are already nearing 30 years of age and who had finished their NS for like 7 or 8 years. Definitely, factors such as familiarity of ground, skills and fatigue play a very big part.

Post evaluation work is even worse. Just when you thought you ought to have some deserved rest after such a long time spent in outfield, you are back to the office to prepare for the internal and external debriefs. And this work feels even more tedious than going outfield. Expectations of the presentation are high because ATEC does not wish its umpires to be questioned over their judgement and decisions by the evaluated unit during the external debrief. Hence, the internal debrief takes place first for the Commander and Chief Umpire to vet every single presentation (there must be like close to 50 of them), slide by slide, in what is more like a correction cum dressing down session.

Not to mention myself being criticised by my own superior for being slighlty unprofessional of my duties. I mean, this is the first time I'm doing an umpiring job, and besides I'm not even trained in my vocation yet. Obviously it would be pretty natural to make a mistake or two. Ultimately, I believe it's more important for me to learn from the mistakes I made. But to be chided for being unprofessional, especially when I'm untrained and on my maiden umpire duty, feels a little unfair. I'm not a NSF for no reason. And it's not like I chose to be in this current vocation. Of course, you can say what you are doing is good but that is due to the fact that you have been doing the same thing for over 4 years. I believe any comparisons made should be relative.

Such a sad fact that I still have to bear with all these for another year. It's not going to be a long time, but this single year could be a living hell. Hopefully my luck would be better the next time round. Haven't got much time to reflect though, cause the next Stage 2 is in 2 weeks time.

Sighx...and it's back to office tomorrow for external debrief. Life really sucks sometimes.

[[Walking Alone On This Endless Road]]*|10:12 pm|