The Technological Advantage

This is the M16. The version we use in Singapore is slightly different. I have been trained to use it since I was 13. It started when I first joined the NCC and continued when I was enlisted into National Service. Despite all the training and getting all the basics right, I was never a good shot.


This all changed with the SAR21. This is a rifle designed and manufactured in Singapore, if memory serves me right. For old-school trained people like me, the initial handling and familiarisation was not easy. In terms of ease of use and handling, the general consensus I got was that the M16 was a tad better.

This perception did not change although I did find something that the SAR21 is better at. I used the SAR21 during the Novelty Shoot at the NCC Annual Shooting Competition. Amazingly, I got all my targets. Using the scope built into the SAR21, aiming and shooting became so easy. I got the silver award only because I was slightly slower than the winner. All these from me, who used to barely pass my shooting tests.

Start

The 54th NCC Officer Course has begun! Here's to three weeks of leadership and military training.

I saw Eunice there and it was a pleasant surprise as we all know, I am not good with new friends. One of the coursemates commented that I had been putting up a stern face for a large part of the day till I saw Anglican cadets. I had to defend myself with the "smiling with no good reason makes me look crazy" argument.

Daniel is also going to re-join the course. So that makes 2 friends to tide over these 3 weeks, how nice. However, due to his disdain and fear for motorbikes, I'm going to join him on the public transport for the whole of the the course! I don't take public transports. Sharing with strangers is not one of my forte. Still, I'm too nice to decline.

So rejoice commoners! You have the honour of my company for the next three weeks.

MOS no more

So the rumors were true.

According to the news today, Ministry of Sound Singapore, a.k.a MOS, closed down as of yesterday.

The news had been circulating for a while and when it finally happened, it didn't seem such a surprise. I had fun at MOS. I still remember the days when it first opened, when the pioneer batch of staff started furnishing and setting up the place. Every chair, table, glassware, bar mat were put in by us.

So many nights I spent pouring, mixing, throwing, scrubbing, cleaning while the guests were dancing, drinking, socialising away. I made many friends there and learnt many new things, some things that I might never use again in my life, some I might.

Even though the pay was meagre and the hours long, at least MOS helped me pay for part of my living expenses during my uni days. But as whole however, I still feel that my Mdm Wong's days were more fun. We had a stronger camaraderie and understanding.

Even so, I did have my share of laughter and fun at MOS. Like all the places I worked in, I will miss it. All is not lost, since the parent company retained tenure of the space and will be setting up a new club. I hope my friends are not adversely affected.

NCC Officer-to-be

It's confirmed. I'm going to be an officer with the NCC. Looks like the uniform's here to stay. Is it really "once a NCC cadet, always a NCC cadet"?

As Junfeng said it, I should really let Mr Seah know about this. I'm following his footsteps.

Such irony in life, I was training to be an officer with the RSAF during my NS days till I was downgraded against my wish. Now I am still going to be an officer but with the NCC.

I don't know how long I will stay with this school, but I hope I can do something with it while I am here.

The beginning of a new era

2 weeks have passed since I started on my job. Everything is fine but this truly is no easy feat.

Students are a handful. They never listen. I'm posted to NCC. How it reminds me of the days when I was a cadet.

There is much to learn about educating our young. At the same time that I teach, I continue to acquire new skills for myself. I am proud to say that I can now design a simple webpage using the Dreamweaver software. This makes me ever more tempted to create a new design for my blog.