Man, been feeling a little under the weather since I woke up. Been coughing a lot, prob due to accumulation of stress, the weather and the inadequate ingestion of fluids. This means that I cant go for some exercise which I'm badly in need of cuz I rarely have the free time to go sports complex.
Finally, 02/05 BMT POPed. Think they are all damn happy and relieved to get out of BMT and be rid of me. The last 2 days were hectic, yet I feel that we didn't manage to achieve much despite the clock ticking by. It didnt help that 24 guys FAILED their seamanship test which resulted in me having a paltry 19 people left behind to rehearse. Yeah right, these people were probably more eager to go back to their welcoming bed on a blue Monday morning. Ok, I digress. I must admit I had fun playing mind games with some of them about whether they passed anot though it was because I didnt have the chance to tell them as a whole cuz something always cropped up (Eg going back to see XO regarding the guy who smoked in uniform). 9 still failed their retest and they just have to work a lot harder now. But I was kind of disappointed that 5 or 6 of my award winners failed. I just don't think it's acceptable. Must admit that I have high standards, but hey it's for your own good k?
The guys got whacked on the last night. Serves them right if you ask me. Later that night, there was a blanket party waiting to happen as they waited for me to leave. Didnt help that one of my instructor was there too and waiting for me to leave too. Well frankly speaking, I find their actions really childish. Anyway, I went up to stop the second one as I was disturbed by the noise as I was sleeping. As for the other guy, let's just say he was badly mauled. Haha
The POP went on quite ok i suppose. The only weird thing was that the guests came pretty late. I have to admit that this is the first time I saw this trend. I had called the guest of honour over to start the event and in the end we waited at the car porch for the parents who came a little late to get to their seats before we proceeded. If you think that's the worst they can get, think again. People were still streaming in up to half an hour into the performance. I dunno how highly they regard their sons' POP since they can actually come so late. I know my family would have made the effort to at least be on time to watch what I have spent so much time and effort rehearsing to show them.
This time round, I watched the whole proceedings from the front row. It was a refreshing change as I spent the last 2 batches running around like an idiot to make sure everything flowed smoothly. Still, it was painful for me to watch them so up close. Not that they were that bad or anything like that, it's just that I could see the nervousness in them and some of the minor slip-ups here and there which I would know. I cringed the most during the marching in. Oh man, I felt ashamed to show this standard of marching to the parents. Nonetheless, I know that their parents still felt proud of their children.
During the refreshment, I went around with my boss to mingle with the parents. Was about to get a cup of drink when the "full-fledged privates" blocked my access to the drinks and I had no choice but to carry on without a sip of water throughout. And they were supposed to have undergone a transformation. Hmm...
Did some PR with my boss as we walked from parent to parent. Started off with the coy best, Jian Hong. After a round of introduction, he introduced me to his girlfriend by saying," He is the Ah Zhong" *pengz* I was now officially known by the title of my blog. God, that's how degrading. Moreover to a stranger. It would certainly have felt better f he had introduced me as, "lieutenant clarence, the officer whose blog we have read". Luckily, I was self assured enough to keep my dignity intact.
We went on to a few other parents and there was this mother who told me her son idolises me. My immediate reaction was: oh ok. Thought people would probably hate me to the core. Well, all I can say is something which applies to all: Learn the good things and discard the bad ones.
The rest of the day was spent clearing up after they have all left. The handing and taking over between me and kenneth didnt manage to take place, not that it mattered that much. I went home to bathe and change which I did quite late cuz of the stupid exercise which restricted my movement within camp, though I think the CDS people had it worse. Pity them, though I will probably be joining them during reservist. Timed myself to reach there exactly at 7 whereby only 9 people were there, most delayed due to the rain.
Had a rather good time there and took lots of pictures. People even took pictures of instructors as we were eating. (???) I really didnt understand. These people were surprised to see a side of me they only saw in the photos in my blog. Did they think I live my life based on sorrow, wrath and vengeance? But it was the first time they actually saw me laughing and smiling so much. So can't blame them.
Anyway, I took many pictures and they kept getting me to do stupid poses. One guy came to me and wanted to take a pic of me with him looking like he wanted to punch me. He was one who told me blatantly that he didnt like being scolded by someone younger than him(aka me), thus he felt damn shiok to take this picture. Cheap thrill. These people were so busy taking pictures and the weird thing is that they were taking pictures of anyone who was posing for one. So at any one time, 3 or 4 cameras can be flashing for 2 people.
One guy, Teng Ji, even asked me whether I see a psychologist cuz of my apparent quick mood swings.(From being fierce in front of them to joking in front of instructors) What a dumb question. If I had some mental problem, I would not have been able to stand in front of him.
I had a great time nonetheless though the food was only ok. I went back to camp with Chang Hong and Brandon thereafter. Nothing eventful happened and the whole block felt kind of empty. I always need to get used to not having any trainees under me and having to co-ordinate their training when they passed out. Once the new batch comes in, I will feel like I have not rested enough.
Anyway, despite my feeling not too good, I still managed to churn out 2 small reports after repairing my card for my com. Office was rather quiet, leaving me to hold the fort, as usual. One of ex-recruit is now a perm staff here and he brought down leftover refreshment from an event to my office. Then, I kena a function tomorrow night. It is to represent my unit at Income Day, where NTUC Income will host a function to celebrate its annivesary. I expect it to be a rather grand event, especially with its formal dressing. I will most probably be sitting with a group of older guys who will prob be wondering what is this young punk sitting there with them. I dun really care, just going for the free food which I expect to be really good since a minister is there. Moreover, it's gonna be at the ballroom in Swissotel, so the food should be of a certain standard.
Just found out that I will taking part in a retreat for my unit end of the year. Basically, the top and middle management come together to do some discussion and at the end of it, have a party. Wonder how it will turn out.
OK, it's pretty late. Feeling a little like having flu and have been gulping tons of water since dinner and covering myself in my newly bought jacket. Spending the night in camp. Again. Prob have to see how to manage my driving lessons. Test next month ...
And guys, I know a lot of you are reading, so can you kindly send me the pictures to my email or on msn if you have mine? Only those with my face please. Dun waste my disk space otherwise. If you do not know my email, it's zhong172@hotmail.com. And if you're thinking of not sending me, this is an order. =p Enjoy your break while it lasts.
