The Mob

I got called back for mobilisation today, an absolutely stupid and useless day just to inspect our field packs. Had to drag myself out of bed at 10 in the morning, pack everything, stuff it all into a duffel bag and then drag the whole thing downstairs to take a cab to camp. It funny by the way, I never forgot how to tie my boots.

I reached the camp half an hour before the inspection and oh man was I sweating like a pig. I swear I hadn't sweat till beads form along my chin since the day I ORD-ed, and that was nearly 3 years ago. Memories of my service days started to flood my mind, I started to recall those horrible service days and I'm glad I don't have to do it everyday now.

The first person I saw during the mob was Mike. Mike, better known as Yuyang was this very atlethic gung-ho fella I had known since my primary school days. That was then, of course. Now he's a laid back white collar worker who's gotten plump. Oh my gawd. He never smoked as far as I remember and I was shocked to see him with the stick. Funny, I was telling Keith how Mike was energetic and healthy back in secondary school but through the years it like he starts to decline from a laid back soldier to a uh . . . . . . well Mike is now working in a small private advertising company. Come to think of it, I had a very atlethic body many years ago and now that I'm just busy with work, I've started to grow fat.

I was surprised to bump into KengWhye later, a very old friend of mine from way back during primary school. I wasn't expecting to see him in my unit, and I figured he probably got attached to us somewhere along the way. I sure was glad to see him again.

A little later the hall started to fill and the event became more like a reunion of sorts; old friends seeing old friends again and former platoon mates coming together again for another training. I saw Hengka again, all fresh and chirpy, then he surprised us with his shiny brand new "10 Packs". Gawd, I thought, this guy must be mad. I was impressed nevertheless, because he had once again shown himself to be an able leader. It kinda funny, how an old friend is my superior in green.

I met others along the way and there are those with a happy, upbeat life and then there are those with sad tales. Take Gerald for example; a smart, intelligent fella who was a medic in our company. You'd think he probably has a good job by now, or maybe a proper life but I talked to him and learnt later on that he had joined the construction industry, long hours, low pay, no social life and no girlfriend. If I had more time to chat with him, I would've wanted to say," C'mon Gerald, you're an able man so why aren't you doing anything with your life? I mean, I think you can have a better career path seriously." Bryan on the other hand, told us he's now a father and husband. He looked happy and all, so we're really glad for him.

It interesting that I got to see how people change with times, and you bump into old friend you had known since your childhood days and you just witness the changes in them.. then you come to a point where you realise that we're all growing old and how life goes by.

I'm looking forward now to my first ICT. I hate the SAF and the government to the core, but I'm beginning to see reservist as an opportunity to network and see old friends, maybe even gain myself potential customers, create contacts and create an entirely new social circle.

The Adventures of Cheeky Chick

Left: my attempt at creating the Cheeky Chick... a complete flop. Below: The eggs (body of a "Cheeky Chick") that Jasmine churned out with tender loving care.

Above: The adorable finished Cheeky Chick, made lovingly by Jasmine

Moral of the story, it been proven I have clumsy hands. Delicate stuff just crumbles under my fingers. I guess women are designed for the intricate and cute stuff unlike men?

Happy Single?

A penny for a thought... I can't say I love being single but I've just discovered the magic of being a bachelor, and what's not to like about it right?

I'm single, uncommitted. Sure I might not be getting any dates at all, but that also means I get to hang out with myself. I don't need to wait for anyone or compromise with anyone. I enjoy my own company, no arguements, no disagreements, no worries. If I get to date some hot chick, or dump the idea of dating at all, or even go serial dating, who's to blame me? I get to be a jerk because I have options laid out before me. Nothing bad about that, I get to look at a massive list of candidates.

Being a bachelor means I get to spend and splurge on myself. I don't need to be spending money on another girl, who may not even reciprocrate my feelings. I get to choose who I want to spend on and who I should spend on. I'm single, sure. That means I get to practice my craft until I perfect it, so I'm naturally not afraid of rejections. I move on from one target to the next until I score.

Being on my own means nobody's gonna start nagging at me(asides from mom) when I'm out partying at night dunking down glasses of wine and beer and whatever. I get to travel, anywhere and everywhere, no strings attached, I get to focus on my job and move up the ladder without anyone complaining that I don't spare time for them.

Ultimately, I'm single and if I'm not enjoying myself then I'm just wasting my life.

The Source

I have no idea who wrote this but I thought it was funny.

Quote of the Day

"For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you." - Matthew 7:2 (New American Standard Bible)

Labour Day Dinner @ Mark's

Spent a day at Mark's house as chef for a day 2 weeks ago on a Labour Day. I planned the menu, he sponsored the cost of the dinner, CheeYong and Mark himself assisted and everyone else had fun!

Photography courtesy of Mark Leong:

Clockwise; Potato Leek Soup, Honey Glazed Chicken w/ Rosemary, Grapefruit and Honey Pears Mesclun Salad w/ Balsamic Vinegrette(courtesy of Mark), Aglio Olio

In the middle of preparation

CheeYong helping out

Misc-En-Place

Left to Right: Andy, Julia, Me and CheeYong

In the heat

Blending the potatoes and leeks into the soup

Chill time. . .

Wolverine Fanatical

My latest collection, a fully poseable 6" Wolverine figure!

Say What?!

Working with "ah teongs" has it hilarious moments, although sometimes at it most annoying. Recently, this colleague of mine from China came into the kitchen to ask about some English word she heard, "just now an old lady touched my cheeks and said nicermee, what does that mean?" she said in Mandarin.

Eric and I were dumbfounded. "What nicermee? There's no such word." Eric explained, half irritated.

"Nicermee!" again she said. "Emma, Eh-ya, See-ya!" Shangyan recited in a desperate attempt to spell the word. We understood absolutely nothing of what she said and I nearly burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry, but we just can't understand your pronunciation." I replied, extremely amused by her attempt.

"Nicermee-ya!" She cried.

"What are you trying to say? There's no such word in English, have you heard it wrongly or maybe you pronounced it wrongly?" Eric asked, annoyed with Shangyan.

I have no idea how we came up with an answer but we later found out she was merely trying to pronounce the word "nice".

"It NICE. Not nicermee. There's no mee!" said Eric, impatiently.

Unleashed

I'm sorry I can no longer restrain myself. I keep having this unrepressable anger and hatred inside me.. the more I try to contain myself the worse it gets so I'm gonna let it all out. I can no longer be f**king bothered. The more I think about you everytime the more I start to hate you. I hate you for taking granted of me, I hate you for hurting me, I hate you I hate you and I hate you to bits. I must be out of my mind to hate you because you don't f**king deserve it, but I do.

I should thank you for numbing my heart because I no longer feel any love nor any desire.. just pure anger and hatred. I tried my very best to be a friend to you, treat you nicely, tried to make you happy and all you ever returned me were what? Your cold shoulders, your non-attention, your constant rejections and your god-f**king excuses! You did not even give me basic respect as a friend. Infact, did you even think of me as a friend? NO! When you were lonely and bored you looked for me. Did I ever turn you down? NO! I offered every god damn thing I could, just for you. Now I just feel anger whenever I hear your name. I never want to hear of you again. I can't love you so I'm going to hate you. Twice you've plunged a dagger into my heart without a blink, without mercy. Twice you've given me sorrow.

Because of you I have lost faith in every women on this god-forsaken planet. I'm sick and tired of every female there is and I'm f**king sick and tired of you. I'm a fool for being mr.nice guy to you, I'm a fool for being your friend and a bigger fool to have fell for you. If I had known you would take me for granted and twist my strings around like a puppet, then I wouldn't have given a rat's a** to you when you were down. Who gives a sh*t now?! F**K YOU, GODDAMNNIT!