Whatever happened to Christmas?

This year's Christmas doesn't seem like the Christmas I used to long for. As I listen to Aimee Mann's Christmas album - One More Drifter in the Snow, I can't help but wonder, whatever happened to Christmas?

Celebrated my 21st birthday together with my family. Nothing extravagant, I always prefer a low-key celebration anyway. A shout out to my friends for the birthday greetings, appreciate it. :)

Together with Ling and Ron, we had an oriental Christmas celebration, counting down to Christmas while having our supper at a Chinese dim sum restaurant. ha, memorable indeed. If I remember clearly, I celebrated Christmas with Ivan at Swenson's in Orchard last year. What's next?

Now for me to whine about the Army. We were made to sign a declaration stating that we are not blog about our army life in SISPEC. To prevent bad publicity, perhaps? They have taken 2 years of my life and now my freedom of speech. sigh.

Signing off from here, booking-in later at 2230 hrs.

I'll take a quiet life, a handshake of carbon monoxide.

Posting is out and contrary to what most people think, I am not exactly elated about my posting to School of Infantry Specialists (SISPEC) as a specialist trainee. I only have myself to blame for succumbing to pressure during the Express of Interest briefing.

Express of Interest briefing is a sharing session by the company officer-in-charge on the benefits of being a commander (read: propaganda) and saying no would put you at risk of a rifleman posting. No one wants to be a rifleman.

Next week I will be booking in to Pasir Laba Camp at Boon Lay to commence on my 10-week Basic Section Leader Course (BSLC). Thereafter completion, I'll earn my Corporal rank and another round of posting leading to my 3 chevrons as 3rd Sergeant.

10-week of saturdays book-out. oh well.

Took some time from my block leave to meet up with my ex-lecturer for lunch and catch up with ex-colleagues. Everyone thought 3 months passed pretty fast.
Before signing off, photo from recent outing.

I want my hair back!

Basic Military Training: Graduated!

After a seemingly long 13 weeks of basic military training, I finally graduated from Basic Military Training Centre last week. I looked forward to this day but not the days that lie ahead after graduation. 3 months of close bonding and training side by side no matter how tough it is, and alas, we will be going separate ways to our new units.

Left to right: Louis, me, Wei Hong


My best buddy - Louis

I find myself to be quite a social eccentric but in the army, I got along pretty well my peers. Thinking back, the things we did are rather scandalous. :rolleyes:

I find myself spending more than usual in the army. I succumbed under peers' pressure and splurged on a Sony PSP. The amount of comfort food I brought in every book-in would have lasted me for a month before army.

From a NAPFA failure to a pass in IPPT, amazing what army training can do to you.

9th week of Basic Military Training

It seems like yesterday when I was enlisted for national service at Pulau Tekong's Basic Military Training Centre. I apologise for the lack of updates as having enlisted, I realised how weekend is so short and hardly had the opportunity to settle down peacefully to pen down my thoughts.

The first two weeks had been a trying period, adopting to people who spout vulgarities like their mother tongue, the regimental lifestyle, and the thoughts of loved ones and home comfort.

I am glad field camp is finally over. 7 days of outfield training without shower and proper food makes me appreciate every little comfort I am enjoying in Pulau Tekong.

4 more weeks to my graduation parade. Till then.

It's goodbye again, Prime Minister's Office.

I still recall vividly my last day at the Commission last year during my extended internship. It's goodbye again this week.

Had an early farewell lunch last week at Jack's Place as my supervisor is involved in the International Monetary Fund meeting the following week. I am touched by the gifts given by colleagues, Swiss Balmain watch, polo tee and red packet.

I had wonderful experience at the Commission, friendly colleagues, interesting work and great exposure. I felt a bit sentimental on the last day. It's such a great organisation.

Taken at my cubicle

My humble cubicle =)

Had lunch with Ms Ng and Amanda in school a day after I left the Commission. It's a belated Teachers' Day lunch or so, but ended up given a treat by Ms Ng. The school hasn't change a bit with the exception of a Cheers convenience store at the former Saffron restaurant. Thereafter, chatted with Business Information Technology lecturers.

The end of one journey, the beginning of another. I will be enlisted for national service this Saturday at Basic Military Training (BMT) School 1. My family will be accompanying me, I hope no emotional scene there. Will be finding Ivan on the first night to chit chat if time permits.

I would probably give an update on recruit's life in BMT after my first book out two weeks later (23 September 2006). Till then. :)

Comex 2006

Comex 2006 was held from 31 August - 3 September 2006 at Singapore Expo. Though it was described as 'IT and Consumer Technology Exhibition", it's plainly an air-conditioned IT pasar malam . Not that I care, just a random thought.

Post-mortem of my 3 days visit to Comex 2006,

• Palm TX Handheld (Free 2GB SD Card, Leather case)
• 1GB SanDisk Memory Stick Pro Duo
• 1GB Creative Zen Nano Plus
• 1 Year subscription to HardwareZone Magazine with freebies

The Creative Zen Nano Plus does look out of place in the list of IT gadgets of an Apple's user like me. Just say I am enlightened from the marketing efforts of Apple and my recent belief on functionality over style.

Last week was supposed to be my last week, yet I decided to extend at my supervisor's prompting. Will share more at my next post.

Bangkok Trip 2006

To visit Bangkok has always been in my to-do list before national service. Well, it did materialise afterall.

Stayed in Novotel Siam Square, a modern hotel situated right in the heart of the shopping district of Bangkok in Siam Square. It was convenient to travel with someone who speaks basic Thai. It came in handly when ordering from menu, transport and most importantly, bargaining!

One of the trip's highlights was pubbing at The Dome, located at the 67th floor of The State Tower. The pub extends to the edge of the floor, with sofa around the rotunda and surrounded by unbroken band of glass windows, giving unobstructed views of Bangkok's skyline. It's a fascinating sight to behold! It's pure bliss warming up to a glass of bitter chocolate martini in the strong wind.

The rest of the trip are visits to the usual places of interest, Platinum Shopping Mall, Mah Boon Krong (MBK), The Central, World Trade Centre, Siam Square and Suan-Lum Night Bazzar. From the places I visited, you can know it's a shopping trip. :)

Visit to Bangkok is never complete without a massage. Had a foot massage at Suan-Lum Night Bazaar after all the shopping and finally a Thai massage at Siam Massage on my last day.

Platinum Shopping Centre

Suan Lum Night Bazaar

Tom Yum Fried Rice at The Central

Lunch at The Central

Visit to Four-Faced Buddha

Chill out at The Dome

Cosy environment at The Dome

Catching up and a short update...

Lately, I have been working on a paper on the impacts of new regulations governing Institutions of Public Character. It's been so much fun researching and liaising with various entities, a break from the usual stuff I do.

For the next coming weeks, I intend to have lunches with friends I have not been in contact with. A little catching up before my national service enlistment.

HSBC's recent promotion is just brilliant. Charge $30 to HSBC credit cards and you get to purchase pizza, golden village ticket, etc at just $1.

Leaving Singapore for a short holiday later. A little disappointed that I would miss catching the National Day Parade live on television. Have to settle for the encore, I guess. Till then.

A post-graduation update.

Haven't been feeling well lately, persistent cough and phlegm-filled lungs. Took a x-ray the day before and on my fourth course of antibiotic.

Last week, upgraded my soundcard from Audigy 2 to X-Fi XtremeMusic. I must admit, my pair of Creative Cambridge speakers have never sounded so pleasantly clear before. The review by Tom's Hardware is a fine read, albeit technical jargonize.

I know this is long overdue, but here's the photo collage I did for graduation ceremony. Enjoy.

Post graduation dinner and get together with TB030

Looking at my last entry, I realize I haven't been posting for two months already! Gosh. Here's the much anticipated entry for everyone.

Work has been pretty much the same like my intern days except for the additional portfolio I'm handling. Will continue my work until my national service enlistment in September.

Last week had a class outing and a send-off dinner for Ronald, who enlisted last friday. Like most guys, I fear the day of my enlistment. 2 years is no kidding for someone who prefer home more than outside environment.

Had dinner at Moonfish Restaurant, Marina Square, with a handful of TB030 classmates, namely, Sharon, Willy, James, Yao Sheng, Ivan, Chan Hui, Faith, Noi and Nadia. The ambiance at the restaurant was fantastic, the same goes for its service and food. After dinner, we took a stroll - a long one, to The Coffee Connoisseur (TCC) at Boat Quay to chill'. The bean bag seats are cool, though half the time, Faith and I were fighting over it.

All thanks to Sharon for taking her time to organise the dinner and the treat at TCC. :)

Graduation ceremony this thursday. Graduation to me is always a bittersweet experience to me. The sweetness of moving on from a stage in life yet the bitterness from reminiscing the wonderful moments spent.

Here's some photos we took on the post-graduation dinner. Enjoy.

10th Pacific-Asia Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining

Things happen when you least expect it. My team came up first in the data mining competition for the Polytechnic category for the 10th Pacific-Asia Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (PAKDD 2006).

The twist to this is, there's only 2 teams competing in the Polytechnic category, and both teams belong to the same course in the same polytechnic.

While rushing the competition at the short time frame, winning the competition wasn't on our minds, we are more keen on finishing up our work for submission. It came quite a surprise when the results are announced.

According to the committee, the winning factor was our submitted report. Quoting the lecturer,

"... you have given a better analysis and interpretation of the mining results than some of the participants in the University category."

The prize giving ceremony is going to be held at Hilton Hotel tomorrow during the conference. We are expected to be there early in the morning at 8am.

Back at office, my job scope is expanding vertically. I love the challenge though it gets tiring sometimes.

On a last note, more interns are joining in at my office. I'm sure they are going to liven up the office's environment. :)

Latest development in brief

Drat! I so want to go for Jason Mraz and Damien Rice concerts. But tickets for both concerts are sold out. Oh well.

Work wise, I have settled down pretty well. Met a few familiar faces, Kenny working nearby and Wei Jie taking the same bus as me. Oh, and the occasional lunch with Amanda.

Just last week, a company approached me to design a website for them. I would have gladly took up the offer to kill time if I wasn't working now. In any case, I told the company I would pass their offer to my friends who are keen.

I'll be making a trip down to SMU during lunch the next day. Not there yet, but praying hard.

Back soon, hopefully bearing good news. :)