Goodbye 2006 !

Ah.. its the time of the year. The celebration for a grand sending off for 2006 and we get ready to kickstart the year ahead (hopefully to keep sober and not puke all over sio's residence) with zest. Its also a time where I for one, sit back and reflect upon the major events that took place, especially on the events that changed my life.

Its funny, how things turn out. Cos on this day exactly a year ago, I didn't really expect much to happen in 2006 - simply so because I'm in the Army and any stereotype would agree that its this period where your life, your social circle becomes dull and stagnant.. so on so forth.

Who would've guessed I'd managed to shed all the the extra pounds (not inclusive of skin, sadly), ran a half marathon and achieved a physical award. To a greater extend, I was even referred to as a "Bimbo" and "Vainpot" for shedding that previous underdressed image of mine, and (subconsciously) spending more time in front of the mirror. Hell, I even did my first Facial yesterday at The Cathay (..with Quek !)

Neither did I expect to conclude that my time in Army ain't to shabby after all. I didn't have to suffer the fate like most servicemen of compulsory staying in. I had lotsa space and flexibility and I flew to 2 countries in a span of 3 months.

Not forgetting the events.. Its the year where TH and Quek re-ignites their mugging fuel. The year where's Sio departs to the Land of the Free. The year of major events and milestones - World Cup 06, The General Elections, the damned haze, my P4-computer's death and Saddam's execution. I've also quit smoking since, at least for the longest stretch of period I could remember .

Last but not least, the People around that made an influence on me, for I couldn';t have done it on my own. Thanks to my CSM, I've got a new lease of life in camp. Even more gratitude to you, Geraldine.. for your presence and inspirations..

As for the new challenges in 2007 ?
Just Bring It

Finally, I did something worthwhile..
Cleared my entire wardrobe off half its capacity, in particular those >36" waistline pants/berms and X - XXL Shirts and Tees. I guess half of those will go to the salvation army, leaving the better conditioned ones for friends/relatives
..Thing is, who's gonna fit in them ?

Merry X'mas to all ~!~!

***

Back in my childhood days, I used to hang red socks on the windows' ledge beside my bedroom.. and Santa never failed to disappoint me. I will wake up earlier than usual on the day of Christmas and find my favorite toy gift-wrapped, lying by the window along with the socks filled with sweets..

Of course I later grew up and discovered it was all my mum's doings and Santa, sadly doesn't really exist. But what I did remember was to be a good boy all year round (or least "tried" to) so as to gain Santa's rewards. ..No sweets and candies for naughty people

Was in town last night, to "feel" the occasion
to inject some spirits of christmas by submergin my ears into those street side christmas carols- which I thought sounded pretty catchy and heart warming.

Lotsa bright fancy lights, lotsa xmas trees, lotsa xmas performances..
The performance at bideford junction was disappointing. The traffic from all directions were blocked and the sub minute "performance" where masked performers on stilts clowned around and pedestrians crowded around them for photoshooting.. There's supposed to be fancy lights but I couldn't notice any..

..so much for the Christmas Spirit.
Or has it evolved into some commercial opportunity for the the press to hype up our "atmosphere" to attract more tourists.. for retailers to clear their stalls by offerin discounts and lucky draws ..?

Beneath all these trees and bright lights and retailer' discounts, I couldn't feel the joy, nor get into the celebratory mood.. so it seems, the sense of emptiness still lurks within ..

..well, at least Iv got the guys to keep me company through the night. We boozed and joked and drove around sightseeing.. just like the old days.

***

"Tears of the Sun"

Shot at Pulau Ubin ferry terminal
Monday, May 17, 2004, 7:25:02 AM

Hello Orange Sunshine ~!

A welcome(back) song for Sio

boOoze

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blog blog blog !

Its not a chore or anything, doesn't mean u start means ur obligated to keep it running. Its up to the author actually- if he has the time and is willing to put in the efforts to share with his readers .. be it his personal thoughts, an event or encounter ..or just simple music videos off youtube. There's no conventional standards to that u must adhere to.

I, for one doesn't pen down all my daily activities - where I'v been, what I'v done, what Iv bought - simply so because I don't see a need to. Just because everybody's doing it in their blogs doesn't mean I have to follow suit. In fact, anyone with a good command on writing can bring even the most mundane of activities to life, don't you agree? To the easily jealous, this may even create enviousness, resentment or, who knows I'd even be labeled an icon of narcissism.

Then again, I do occasionally get requests to blog about particular events cos my faithful friends know me well enough would like to kaypo more .. On the other hand, I would also like to know what my friends been doing whats going on in their lives etc.. Its about striking a right balance; and that refers to you Quek, don't be shy to blog while ur away at NYC alright ~?

What I do, if you havn't noticed by now- is a mixture of arguments on local / current affairs which I deem controversial, and some of my personal outcries to soothen my mood. Add that to a sprinkle of Music , Images and my Artistic works of Photography rounds it up.

Sure, some introverts might argue that they'd rather keep personal issues to themselves instead of revealing them for all to see. There may be times when certain sensitive / touchy issues were deemed inappropriate to be voiced, very well.. just keep it to yourself then. For all the rest, I see the outcry as a solution to ease your emotional buildup.

wallaby pics

More pics in his gallery :
http://jspecialmoments.multiply.com/photos/album/25
http://jspecialmoments.multiply.com/photos/album/24

Gym Etiquette #1

Don't groan / moan / grunt / roar whilst lifting weights.

To a certain extend, tt does help complete ur last wrap provided you keep the volume minimal. But then again, its not the number of reps u do.. its how effective ur method is. Giving out grunts just attracts attention for all the wrong reason, it doesn't prove how buffed or manly u are.

To me.. its noise.

***

To my bruddar

***

Movie theme song in Alfie

outta camp

Gawd! Just realized I'm only short of 1 day leave/off (from the exercise) to last me all the way till 2nd Jan 2007 before I return to camp.

..Not that I'm really serious about returning to camp for just a day, else things will really go haywire. Who's gonna friggin call the aircon man when it leaks..? who's gonna water the plants.. who's gonna pester the contractors to fix ur bunk fans so u won't suffocate at night..? Who's gonna do ur waterpoints and allocate the marshallers during outcamp runs ? ..and the list goes on.

Wallaby AAR

By now most friends been asking me how the exercise went - TH's asking me to "blog blog blog". Now thinkin back, there's isn't really much thats worth a mention, cus you won't know fully unless u experience it for urself. What did drew us to exhaustion was the climate factor, the irregular sleep times, a whole load of rubbish work and the the duration of the exercise especially..

10 days of friggin outfield with limited variations in the fresh ration. The temp can go as high as 34 degs in the day and drop to sub 15 in the wee hours of the morning. Socks alone ain't enough to warm my feet.. I had to wear boots to sleep. Very dusty such that ur hair will turn completely grey after an hrs ride in a tonner, thanks to the drought. The sunset looked mesmerizing and soon the sky's glazed with stars and the moon appeared closer than ever.

Tonnes of stalls to carry around - corn wires, tents, tables/benches, safari beds and 155 weapons under the armskote's care.. I'm the 2IC, plus loads more saikang. Tempers were flared, a few occurrence of injuries - includin my sprained ankle, and an incident of lost weapon which was luckily found. Else god knows we'll still be there searching at this point of time.

R & R was short but fun. There was this mini zoo where I got a first hand encounter feedin a kangaroo and some koalas. In fact I've spotted lotsa more of these stoned faced oversized rodents in the outfield bushes. There it was followed by lotsa shopping, lotsa chips and sodas and meat in our meals.

The locals r friendly except for the late night city dwellers who thinks we're Japanese. Half the girls there are bigger sized than I, but unlike asians, they smile and greet strangers like its a routine. You look at a girl there they'll return you a big wide smile. The attractive ones have great assets and they ain't afriad to flaunt them. .. And the locals r obsessed with the word "Mate".

All in all, I'v gained new experience, new friends , suffered lots and I'm just glad its over. I'v done lotsa reflection and realised how much time Iv wasted, but well, better late than never.

Ex. Wallaby ? Been there, done that.