Tonight, 224 Cadets received their Swords

Perhaps one other guy will be updating his blog tonight, that's Reza on my friends list. The Appointment Certificate Presentation Ceremony lasted an hour, where each one of us were presented our swords with our new rank printed with our names on the blade. Brigadier General Neo, commander of Tradoc shook each of our hands and gave us the swords and appointment certificate.

I held the cool sword in my hand, feeling a mix of emotions. Just this same week Monday, i passed my SEOC, at 27:27min, veto factor to commission. A week ago, i was the only pending out of course case, suffering from a 38.7 degree fever, teetering on the edge of the fate. How much blood, sweat and tears have i shed to come this far: climbing the thousand foot mountains of Taiwan, going without food for 6 days in Brunei, countless missions, down to lesser but no less discomforting things like wearing camo for a week, scooping out water after a storm while waist deep in mud of your chest deep trench you've been digging for the last 9 hours, forest fires, bank robbers, sleepless nights of churning out ops orders or turnouts, sandfly bites, leeches... There has been so much pain, so so much pain. Being told off, getting your dignity shredded away, your pride destroyed, your hope crumbled, personal time confiscated, money extorted (by the SAF), joys taken away, freedom imprisoned, love kept away, dreams dashed.

And it ran through me too the wonderful things i've found: discovering fighting spirit, being at the mentally and physically fittest time of my life, six pack abs, brothers who picked me up when i was down, understanding honour, integrity and belief of my abilities, close friends to confide in and suffer with and spur you on, a cool ass rock band, cheap army beer, sabo sessions, shooting heavy weaponry and feeling its power, commanding a platoon to achieve your objectives, and i've said before but i'll say again, brothers in arms. I've met some of the coolest people and friends.

And this mix of emotions left me unable to identify and state my feelings when i held my sword. I looked at the inscription "2LT KOH SHUN XIANG SIDNEY" and let the conclusion set in, that all of the above came to this and a journey as a commander. Ahhh... it's indescribable.


My ex-wing commander, father to all of us, LTC Jasvant said, we should mantain our OCS journals till we kick the bucket, because only by internalizing our thoughts may be have life long learning. I had to blog once i came home to do just that. The journey is still on, but one phase is almost over. Next week, my commissioning parade.

Nil Sine Labore - Victoria School's motto, Nothing Without Labour.

politics

It's ugly. Nobody can escape it. I guess all you can do is ignore it. Just as long as you know you have always done the right thing, you are guiltless and free. There will always be the 'little people', the childish, immature, vindictive, petty. Never take their opinions as a reflection of who you are, except from people you respect. Never let it bring you down: you are right, they are wrong, believe it.

Don't even cultivate a hate for them, for this is just what they do to others. For perceived wrongdoings, questionable facts, they dig in and begin to indulge their ignorance. They are pitiful, but they'll never understand why they'll be pitied.

I'm glad i've done half of this, and the lack of complete immunity merely spurs me on. I am determined that my strength will never ebb, that it will only grow. May I multiply my fortitude and stand strong forever.

I'll regret this, i swear

Crush:
Informal.
A usually temporary infatuation.
One who is the object of such an infatuation.


in·fat·u·a·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (-fch-shn)n.
A foolish, unreasoning, or extravagant passion or attraction. See Synonyms at love.
An object of extravagant, short-lived passion.

Been reading too many girl's blogs, my sissy chromosomes are taking over. Here's a list of some of the crushes i've had:

1. Stefanie Sng
NYPS, preprimary 8 partner. we held hands gingerly, peeked at each other during the mandatory sleep sessions after recess, hands folded heads on table, one eye sneaking furtive glances.

2. Goh Yiting
NYPS, pri 5. She's so sweet. hormonal caused it must be.

3. Tham Wanrong "Alicia Stacey"
NYPS, pri 6. Smart, cool, gorgeous. Need any better reasons?

4. Diane
NYGH, sec. Classy, smart, graceful, beautiful. Outta my circle, high class and well to do.

5. En Anning Celeste Noelle
TP, poly. Really cute, endearing, creative

6. Jade Swee
TP, poly. Pure hotness! She is so so so so hot! We got together for awhile, too bad i couldn't connect with her.

7. Stephenie Lee(?)
TP, PID, poly. her proximity gave me tingles. she's hot and she's sweet. omg it's coming! ooooh....

8. Michelle Ng
NP, poly. Punk rock chick, indie girl, strong willed, opinionated - so hot!!!




Well, these were crushes. I'm not in love with them, but at one point i was smitten for no substantial reason. DISCLAIMER: for the ladies i've dated, if you don't see your name here don't get pissed off! You're not just an infatuation, i've very likely have had great friendship, attraction and even love for you ok!


haha, i swaer i'll regret putting up this post.

38.6 drgrees earlier today... watched the terminal, funny healthy stuff.

37.9 degrees - not high, not low
Went to the doctors today for fever. I guess it's stress related, from the comms ball work and failing my SEOC yet again.

Sitting in the waiting room, bracing against the air-con, i looked out the glass door of the clinic. An indian boy, perhaps 3 years of age, was sitting on a joyride vending machine. He was in a reverie as the 20 cent thrill played a nursary rhyme while bobbing up and down.

When the song ceased abruptly, his eyes widened in surprise. He looked down on the ride, he inspected it in panic. In desperation, he knocked the head of the plastic horse. Dismayed, the boy dismounted, cast a final woeful glance, and ran off to his mother. He was innocent and pure.

My temperature didn't drop, but i felt better.