POP loh! (part 2)

ok,我气消了, i will now briefly talk about my 3 months in BMTC in Tekong since i can't really talk much about my training here for security reasons. I was enlisted on 15th sept 2008 and POP on 10th dec 2008, so i have spent 3 months in Tekong. during the 1st 4 weeks in tekong, it was my PTP (physical traing phase) period,since i have failed my NAPFA tests in SP last yr so have to come in earlier to train mi for the upcoming IPPT (individual physical proficiency test). Wah, let mi tell u, the 1st 2 weeks in tekong was really siong as i'm not used to the environment here and secondly my muscles was very painful during these period as all the CPT1 and CPT2 exercises made us so shag as i'm not really trained previously. We have quite a lot of physical exercises everyday during the 1st 2 weeks adjustment period (or rather say confinement period,since we can't book out on 1st weekend)..haha...

then later on, we moved on to BMT phase where all the real combat training will commence. we realise that our physical training program have reduced quite a lot and we focused mainly on combat skills such as Technical handling of SAR21 weapon , 6 days field camp, hand grenade (HG) throwing, live firing range, BCCT, SOC and lastly the 3 days Sitest where all the recruits will be tested on their potential to be future commanders in SAF. Our BMT is ended with a finale 24km route march in P. Tekong.

Well, during the 3 months in Tekong, life is definitely not as easy as before we are enlisted when we are living in comfort of sheltered homes. there's certainly regimentation and discipline when u serve NS,be it in SAF, police, or SCDF. Certain things like shaving our head to "botak" (skinhead), wake up (reveille) early in the morning, 'kiwi' army boots, fold smart-4 uniforms, water parade, 5BX in the morning, marching from place to place,sing army songs,watever..etc. has became part of our army life. i must say say that i really cant get used to the life there during the 1st 2 weeks there as to mi, it is really a big transition from a civilian to a soldier ( pink NRIC ----> green 11B)...haiz....=(

So on my first day in Tekong, i realised that i get into Zulu Company, located in 3km from BMTC HQ...sian,must take tonner to go there...then i get to know our Company sergeant major (CSM), SSG Bruce Lee SM. Our OC (officer commanding) is CPT Lim Zhifeng ( a very nice officer i have ever seen). Then my platoon sergeant (PS) is 2SG Clifford Au Yong (who ORD on 11th nov 2008),cnow replaced by 3SG Sahlan. My section commander is 3SG Fauzi. The other section commanders are 3SG Qai and 3SG Yin Chi,my fav commanders among 4 of them. lastly i got to know my platoon commander (PC), 2LT Hatta who later on promoted to Coy 2IC, so the Platoon 4 PC is replaced by 2LT Greg Tan,the most garung pc i have ever seen....

Of all the commanders i have mentioned, my OC, CPT Lim, has gave mi the deepest impression. Not because of his rank, but because of his pleasant personality. In my impression of the officers, they are supposed to be very fierce and domineering and love to exercise their authority. but CPT Lim was different. the first time i talked to him was when we were having 3km route march. I was holding on to the coy flag for some time then it was that time CPT Lim bagan to know and recognise mi. i also remembered how he encouraged mi to overcome my fear of clearing the Jacob's ladder,one of the SOC obstacles. Anyway, Sir Lim was really a nice person as he really cared for our personal well-being and he has tried his best to make sure our days in bmtc will be memorable. Thank u, sir!

still, i thanked all commanders who have put in their 100% effort in training me to be a soldier. they are :

3SG Fauzi (my sec com) - thank u for 'fucking' mi until i learnt how to handle SAR21. and thank u for sharing so many things abt mi with ur good friend,3SG Fazly,haha..

3SG Qai- thank u for training mi to be more fit by "knocking me down" on the last day of field camp

3SG Sahlan - thank u for being understanding,being my counsellor and waking mi up to my sense when i did something wrong or am still very "blur". i have really learnt a lot from u, platoon sergeant!

3SG Yin Chi- thank u for walking the 16km re-route march with mi and George, and also singing with us the oldies songs during the re-route march. u are the best sergeant i have ever seen b4!

2LT Hatta- thank u for being so concerned about my leg injuries during Sitest. u are such a good safety officer. thank u so much for ur words of encouragement when u are still my pc!

2LT Greg Tan- thank u for scolding mi so harshly during field camp and charging mi with one weekend confinement that i really woke up to my sense and began to learnt my lessons with sincerity.

Thank u, all commanders in Zulu Platoon 4! i will not forget u guys for teaching mi a lot of valuable things that i cannot learn outside army. I am lucky and proud to be in Zulu Coy! Zulu Rox!

POP loh!!! (Part 1)

yes, i finally POP le...POP = Passing out parade,but nowadays for dunno-wat-reason,it becomes Graduation Parade (GP). I POP on last wednesday,10th dec 2008. this day is really significant to me as it offically marks the end of my BMT (basic military training) in P. Tekong. i must say that the 13 weeks in Pulau tekong seems long yet rather short. I felt a sense of achievement when i have completed 24km route march in P. Tekong earlier on the same day. I must say,its not easy but the thought of going to POP in the afternoon spurs me on. Yep!

During the 13 weeks in Tekong. i have gone through a lot of ups and downs. I have learnt a lot of valuable lessons there. At the same time, i have met some of the sergeants and officers who are very nice in person (though they can really fuck u at times,ha!). I am very lucky to met some nice friends there in my attached company (Zulu Company) such San Yang ( my very 1st friend i met in Tekong), Fauzi, Marcus and Alex from Platoon 3, Frankie Wong and Wai Yiu from Platoon 2, William from Platoon 1 and Syamil,Adnan,Kevin, Andrew, Zhiwei and George from my platoon,Platoon 4.

Having mentioned about Platoon 4, i have a lot to comment about cuz i really hate this platoon a lot! Dun worry, i'm not hating everyone in my platoon, or i wouldn't mention those few friends from platoon 4 as nice people. Why i hate platoon 4? Its a long story to begin with. In fact they have so much to discuss about my personality and hygiene problems, so eventually i blur blur become their sabo targets when the need arises. Ever since Platoon Sergeant Sahlan spoke to mi about my BO (body odor) problems, i have been trying hard to change my way of living like washing laundry everyday when time allows and bath at least twice a day to minimise my BO. if possible, i will apply deodorant to cover the smell. In the end, they still keep mi at bay. As a result, i have to 自动跑到后面去fall-in, since 每个人都不喜欢站在我旁边。It's like, whichever row i stand, anyone who see mi standing in that row will move to the front row. Even that ABC Benedict said i'm so "influential" in this platoon. Well,i'm fully aware of my problems. But so what? As if i'm gonna care what they said about me. i'm still Elvin,ok? (only in camp everyone there address mi as Ernest). 我也管不了这么多。。。

后来，通过platoon 4 一位好友George， 我才对platoon 4 对我的误解和批评有更深的了解。为舌么跟George 这样熟？应为有一次Sitest 我整只腿发肿，脚趾发很大的水泡(blister),刚好George 那时也是脚受伤，the following week we missed the 16km route march together and on status the whole week, 所以我们就应为这样变得很熟落。George 告诉我很多东西。他说，我的人是很好，不过我的态度很奇怪。有时候，当有人跟我讲话，我没有回应他们，所以他们以为我很"zhuai".... the truth is, i can‘t hear anything at all sometimes, so i never catch what they said. George also said that i'm too quiet liao,thats why 我被冤枉也没有protest or justify myself, and i always kena scolded by commanders until 很严重，我的buddy Yanjie 也渐渐的没有跟我说话，简直都不像buddy咯，就连其它的bunkmate 都比我跟了解他。。。

总之，我就是没有办法跟platoon 4 的人相处。他们就是对我很多偏见，处处都要disturb 我。I'm getting irritated with this platoon 4. I have spoke to PS Sahlan before, he advised me to bear with this platoon for a few more weeks before we POP,since we were half way thru already. well,忍就忍咯。。。Some people in this stupid platoon are really bastard. ok let mi u tell who are they: Desmond Ho, Jon Wong Si Tze, Julian, Ong Zhi yu, Edward,Shan, Jonathan Lee & Chua, Tan Yu Tai, Goh Weiyang, Ong sin Han,Kenny,Nijo-Runcee Neo,Robin,Ng De Rong aka Garung (Guni), Jay Wong, and Lee Wenxiang! 你们最好跟我记住！！！

Seriously, these are the people whom i really hated. they have insulted,humilated and teased mi in a sarcastic manner. Imagine u having to tolerate all these shit throughout the whole BMT. this is why i'm so ashamed to be in Platoon 4. Yes, i'm at fault also,but that doesnt mean what they do is right! they have NO right to insult mi in anyway,to think they all kept quoting PS sahlan's words during field camp "pls dun insult one another!" in a sarcastic manner. all these words are meant for them! i really 受够了！

Enough comment about this platoon 4. From now onwards, i will no longer be known as Ernest,but Elvin Lim Chye Hin. I believe my life will be much better in my new unit,so i'm so happy now that i dun't have to see Zulu Platoon 4 anymore!!! =D

today is last day of freedom!!!

tomorrow (15th september 2008) is my enlistment le...so i will wish myself good luck for the first 3 months in Pulau Tekong. As i will be attached in P. Tekong for 3 months,i wun be blogging for the time being but i will be back soon,so do look forward to my new post. well i gotta sleep now to prepare myself for tmr's judgment day,so good nite! =D

My cycling trip

Last sunday(31st August), Zhan Hong,randy and i went to east coast park to rent a bike and cycle towards the city area. Below are the pictures taken during the cycling trip:







As we cycled towards the city area, we have cycled around the singapore Flyer. below is the picture taken from the F1 Grand Stand side along the Repuclic Avenue. i must say this is the most perfect picture of the singapore flyer i have taken so far.

Short after we cycled around the city area, we cycled back to east coast park as we only rented for two hours. Wah there's a free drink after we return the bikes. Haha,good for us to quench our thirst after cycling for two hours. it was damn fun cycling with them.

After the cycling trip, we went to novena square have lunch. then i rmb Maui Wowi has a second outlet in Square 2,so might as well drop by there see if we can have a cuppa there. =)

Too bad when we reached there, the shop was closed. the auntie in the neighboring shop says the staff all went to suntec Outlet to help out. i think it could be due to sunday is the last day of Comex show,so the outlet must be very busy. haha =D

Life Lessons

LESSON 1
A junior manager, a senior manager and their boss are on their way to a meeting. On their way through a park, they come across a wonder lamp.They rub the lamp and a ghost appears. The ghost says, "Normally, one is granted three wishes but as you are three, I will allow one wish each." So the eager senior manager shouted, "I want the first wish. I want to be in the Bahamas, on a fast boat and have no worries." Pfufffff, and he was gone. Now the junior manager could not keep quiet and shouted "I want to be in Florida with beautiful girls, plenty of food and cocktails." Pfufffff, and he was also gone. The boss calmly said, "I want these two idiots back in the office after lunch at 12.35pm."

*MORAL OF THE STORY: ALWAYS ALLOW THE BOSSES TO SPEAK FIRST*

LESSON 2

Standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in his hand. "Listen," said the CEO, "This is a very sensitive and important document, and my secretary has left. Can you make this thing work?" "Certainly," said the young executive. He turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the start button. "Excellent, excellent!" said the CEO as his paper disappeared inside the shredder machine. "I just need one copy."

*MORAL OF THE STORY:NEVER, NEVER ASSUME THAT YOUR BOSS KNOWS EVERYTHING*

LESSON 3

An American and a Japanese were sitting on the plane on the way to LA. The American turned to the Japanese and asked, "What kind of -ese are you?" The Japanese confused, replied, "Sorry but I don't understand what you mean." The American repeated, "What kind of -ese are you?" Again, the Japanese was confused over the question. The American, now irritated, then yelled, "What kind of -ese are you !?!" Are you a Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese!, etc......???" The Japanese then replied, "Oh, I am a Japanese." A while later the Japanese turned to the American and asked what kind Of 'key' was he. The American, frustrated, yelled, "What do you mean what kind of -kee' am I ?!" The Japanese said, "Are you a Yankee, donkee, or monkee?"

*MORAL OF THE STORY: NEVER INSULT ANYONE*

LESSON 4

There were these 4 guys, a Russian, a German, an American and a French, who found this small genie bottle. When they rubbed the bottle, a genie appeared. Thankful that the 4 guys had released him out of the bottle, he said, "Next to you all are 4 swimming pools, I will give each of you a wish. When you run towards the pool and jump, you shout what you want the pool of Water to become, then your wish will come true."

The French wanted to start. He ran towards the pool, jumped and shouted"WINE". The pool immediately changed into a pool of wine. The Frenchman was so happy swimming and drinking from the pool.

Next is the Russian's turn, he did the same and shouted, "VODKA" and immersed himself into a pool of vodka.

The German was next and he jumped and shouted, "BEER". He was so contented with his beer pool.

The last is the American. He was running towards the pool when suddenly he slipped on a banana peel. He slipped towards the pool and shouted, "SHIT!!!!!!!........."

*MORAL OF THE STORY: THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU SAY SOMETHING, BECAUSE SOMETIMES ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN*

LESSON 5

The organs of the body were having a meeting, trying to decide who was in charge. Each organ took a turn to speak up:

Brain: I should be in charge because I run all body functions.
Blood: I should be in charge because I circulate oxygen for the brain.
Stomach: I should be in charge because I process food to the brain.
Legs: I should be in charge because I take the brain where it wants to go.
Eyes: I should be in charge because I let the brain see where it's going.
Asshole: I should be in charge because I get rid of your waste.

All the other parts laughed so hard and this made the asshole very mad. To prove his point, the asshole immediately slammed tightly closed and stayed that way for 6 days, refusing to rid the body of any waste whatsoever.

Day 1 - Brain got a terrible headache and cried out for relief
Day 2 - Stomach got bloated and began to ache terribly
Day 3 - Legs got cramps and becameunstable
Day 4 - Eyes became watery and vision became blurred
Day 5 - Blood became toxic and poisoned the body
Day 6 -The other organs agreed to let the asshole be in charge.

*MORAL OF THE STORY: NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, OR HOW IMPORTANT YOU THINK YOU ARE, YOU WILL FIND THAT IT IS ALWAYS THE ASSHOLE THAT IS IN CHARGE.*

15th september is my enlistment date!

i know now its 1240am but i just wanna blog abit as i did not blog for quite a while. I still have 3 more days to work in Shin Kushiya before i can really quit and prepare myself for NS. I will be enlisted on 15th september,so after i resigned from SK this week i wld have left 17 more days to train myself. i know its definitely not enough but at least i can prepare myself mentally for the coming challenge.

I will always rememeber that i have a new adopted nickname,Mr BrokenWood,suggested by Lito,one of my co-workers in SK. Why? because ever since i joined SK from june, there's many things i have broken already,for example,the mocktail glasses,saucer for shoyu,ashtray,signboard,yuzu paste bottle, ocha tea cups, and even Rafunzel's finger (cuz i crushed her fragile finger by clamping her finger between the two mops,haha!),Zenny's face(by accident) and Lito's trust(cuz i used his ym acc to talk to his best friend w/o his permission)....u see,how many things have i broken already? hahaha! but just to tell u that there are certain things i wun break for sure,which are promises,rules and regulation as well as a woman's virginity....

all rite got to go back sleep now...Good nite!

hey i just came back from work...Feeling tired now....but before i will go to bed and sleep,i will just blog for a short moment,just to update myself...


So far, i have worked in Shin kushiya (SK) Suntec for almost two months, just felt that time passed so fast and i have learnt a lot from there. Also, i have gotten to know the fun-loving service staff who were very nice to me ever since i started work in SK. they are: Zenny,Rafunzel,Lito,Pennie(my manager),Liliana aka Lily(my supervisor),as well as some of those from Far East Square and Vivocity outlets like Bernard and Leanne. U know what? all of those i mentioned are foreigners,mostly from Phillipines,just like how i get to know Ernest and Anna back in O'Learys Sportsbar and Grill.


Generally they are very helpful to me when i first started out at SK as i'm not familiar with the menu there. If not for their help, i wouldn't be able to do my job well as a runner as well as bartender.


The most stressful part of working in SK is the opening duties. We have to perform certain opening duties assigned to us by 11:15am and have to be ready for briefing by then,so it's kinda rush for us as we are starting work at 10:30am,so we got to pick up our speed of working.

Anyway enuf said....Today there is a new arrival of 6 fresh fishes. One of them is Ebodai,a so-called housefly. I have no idea why it is called a housefly as it doesnt look one at all. Anyway this is the picture of grilled Ebodai i have took today:





Yup, this is Ebodai,the housefly fish. I'm the one who successfully pushed this item to 2 customers who are office executives. This fish cost $20 per portion. so it's very expensive,yet the customers din even touch the fish,so we get to taste this fish among us for free. Hurray! haha....

just to blog for a while before i go to sleep..i just found a new job last sunday. the job was a part time waiter position at Shin Kushiya (a jap restaurant) in New Suntec Galleria,near the new Esplanade MRT exit. For ur info, i have resigned from O'Learys Sportsbar and Grill last week tuesday,so was quite happy to leave there as i have many dissatifaction there in which i never tell nash about it....

So i have started work in Shin Kushiya last sunday. In fact this is my first time working in japanese restaurant though i dun really like jap culture. So i aniticipated that i wun have easy life there as i have to start everything from scratch instead of continuing from i learnt from O'Learys..Speaking of my duty manager,Miss Pennie and my duty supervisor,Liliana(Lily) in shin kushiya, i can tell that they have high expectation of me,since i'm working in such working environment,not like O'Learys where the ambience is very friendly and casual.

so what happen is that the restaurant menu have 100 over items in it and i have to study and remember every single one of them by heart,especially the kushiyaki (charcoal grilled skwers) the main specialty in Shin Kushiya. Another problem is that i have never learned japanese before,so i have problems trying to pronounce and spell out certain words. i have to derive the word in english myself lo...speaking of the shift alowance,they only give $3 nia,so little lo....wher got enough? this is Singapore leh not Phillipines...at least at O'Learys the SSP will at least give $5 lo....and they dun provide free lunch lo,i have to tak bao food lo...haizz..

But.....one good thing is that as i have to work split shift everyday so i can eat and sleep in the restaurant seat sofa for 3 hrs!!! Yay!!!