HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY ALEX~!!!
HOPE YOU HAVE MANY GOOD YEARS AHEAD~!!!

This is our photo at the party! Us and the birthday boy and the birthday boy's girl...

Today is Charmaine's Best Friend, ALEX's 21st birthday! But the party was held one day before the actual date, & we almost missed it, thinking it was the following day! =P Thank goodness, ALEX needed to borrow Charmaine's tumbler, and in the process, reminded her that the party was later that evening! Hehe...

This is Alex's Bday Cake... This is Alex cutting the cake... and this is Alex after having his face smashed into the cake... (Culprit => Charmaine)

So, the Party was held at one of the condominiums at Bishan. I thought the place looked really cool, especially the ground floor apartments because of their extra garden/backyard space they have. But I never really went inside any of the apartments for a view because it was a BBQ party next to the swimming pool... The only tour we had around the area was when we excused ourselves to the public toilet in the midst of the whole BBQ. We walked around the area, fantasizing that we were staying there & were taking an after-dinner stroll, like a married couple. HAHAHA

This is the Couple's more unglamorous shot... Qui Ling & Alex

Anyway, ALEX's girlfriend, Qiu Ling (dunno why I keep remembering her name as Qiu MEI? Too many Chinese drama series, perhaps?), was really nice, being a great host, taking charge of the barbecuing & always delivering the freshly cooked food to Charmaine & I, seated comfortably at our table. Just to clarify, I wasn't being lazy! I just didn't want to move around too much as I was down with the flu bug. Moving around too much will just burn me out fast... So in a way, we were being "served" like the King & Queen". =P

And, may I add... The catering by "EATZ CATERING" was good! Especially the mee siam! Definitely the best mee siam I had by the catering standard. Yum yum! =)

Anyway, looking at ALEX's Canoe Polo Teammates & juniors in the party crowd, I started to miss my ex-Dragonboat Teammates especially those from the same batch as me (the 18 Arhats!)... Some of them are still having their exams for the last semester before they graduate! ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR PAPERS!!!

Let's have another gathering soon! Xiao Long Bao or anything... =)

Happy 21st Bday, ALEX~!!!

Random Tots... I hate these Black Sheep! You're from OCS? Then, please act like one!

I went to Bishan Gym after work, today for my workout. It's a nice feeling to sweat it all out, build up that manly, toned, muscular body I so sought after (hehe =p) and de-stress, all at the same time! And all these for an inexpensive price of S$2.50/-

"Be a Real Man, Get a Six-Pack~!!!"
Leslie! Where is my six-pack!?

Anyway, I was doing my weights workout half-way when I noticed this new guy that was standing beside me. This guy was dressed head-to-toe in OCS clothings, which was why he caught my eye (to all those people out there wondering why I'm noticing other guys...). OCS white shorts and a maroon OCS long sleeve pullover sweater. I've never seen this maroon OCS pullover sweater, which must mean he belongs to my junior batch.

My first thought was "Wah, this guy's scared that people don't know he's an Officer ah?" Personally I have issues with young people who like to wear this kind of outfit out of their army camps. My perception is that these guys are show-offs... who like to show off that they are from OCS, PTI, Guards or Commando etc. I mean I'm also proud that I'm from OCS, that I suffered through months of hardship & training to get commissioned as an Officer of the Singapore Armed Forces, but I don't put on airs or purposely show that I am from OCS in front of people... I prefer to keep this pride within me.

So when I saw this guy all dressed up in OCS, I felt abit put off but I reminded myself that I shouldn't judge people too much on their first impression. =) Having said (thought) that, I went about continuing with the rest of my workout.

Not long after, as I was doing my weights, I noticed the OCS guy again. He was trying to move one of the benches from the back to the front, facing the full-length mirror. Right in the bench's way were some weights lying on the floor. The way he does it was to use his feet to kick the weights away, making some grunting noise while doing so... Next he gave the bench a good push from behind before holding up the other side so that you can now push the bench on its wheels. After he pushed it in front of the mirrors, he fixed the bench into its sitting position, making sure that the locking mechanism hit against the metal of the bench "Cling, clang, cling, clang" before it locked in the correct position. After that was all the cursing & swearing that came out from his mouth, when he noticed that the seat was shaky. He dropped the weights onto the ground, fiddling with the bench, making a lot of noise, trying to fix the seat... Finally he decided to complain to the person-in-charge in his commanding tone, sort of demanding that he reflects this to the higher management.

Ultimately, the whole process where he kicks the weight out of the way, drags the bench, fixing it into the sitting position, making a lot of unneeded noise... That really turned me off.

It also got me thinking to myself. Is this what that is happening to the young Officer Cadets these days? So inconsiderate, so stuck-up, so oblivious to the other users in the gym... dropping weights, blabbering vulgarities in public. The standard & public image they set for themselves when they tell (show) people that they are from OCS...

It's these black sheep that give all of us, Officers a bad name. No wonder most of our Men don't look up to us, thinking of us as "NATO's" (No Action, Talk Only), putting up that rank for show only. Time for some self-reflection, man...

RELEASE THE "CRACKER"...

Movie: Clash of the Titans (I give it 4 out of 5 popcorns)
Weather: Drizzling in the night (just the way I like it)
Company: Charmaine (just the way I like it)

Just went to catch "Clash of the Titans" in 2D, with my favourite lady, Charmaine~!

Personally, I'm not such a big fan of the recent 3D craze... and definitely not a fan of paying that extra $3 bucks for those 3D spectacles... To me, the film itself in 2D was just as great, if not better as many people warned me about catching it in 3D, coz it sucks!

Well, I've always liked the Greek mythology since I was a small kid. Stories about the Titans the first beings on Earth... how they were overthrown by the Olympians, Zeus, Poseidon and Hades... Stories about Hercules and his twelve famous labors for King Eurystheus as well as the Stories of Jason and the Argonauts. These were stories I used to read from borrowed story books from the National Library... Therefore, as you can see, the movie was a flash-back of my childhood fantasy =p

Plus the company was wonderful~! Having tonnes of fun & laughter with my girlfriend. Buying a magazine of her Korean boy band superstar idol together with her other eye candy, Wu Zun. Smuggling outside food into the cinema like we always do... Joking around, talking rubbish along the way after the movie on the way home.

All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better way to end this day. =)

Life's joys are in the small things.
All the best for tomorrow!

Visiting those who have passed on...

Sometimes it's good to take a moment to remember those who have passed on...

It was the long weekend just back around the corner... with it being Good Friday & the Chinese "清明节". My family & I took this opportunity to visit two important persons in my life - my grand-mum & my dad.

First, my grand-mum on Thursday with my Mom & most of her family. Since the year she passed away in 2006, I've never been to where her ashes were kept. I mean I was at her funeral wake & went through with her cremation too. But it was the following day when my aunties & uncles went to collect her ashes after the cremation & sent her to her final resting place at some temple, that I was not with her. I guess I must have gone back to school because in my memory, I remembered that my grand-mum passed away during my one of my one-week school term breaks, thus I had the whole week to attend her wake, but had to go back to classes the following Monday.

That being said, this was the first time I went down to visit her. Before that, I always had something on & couldn't make it with the rest of my relatives.

And having see her tablet with her picture, it truly brought back memories as I whispered to her picture, "Ah Ma, 阿汉来看你了." Of course, I'm not going to be that dramatic as those people you see on TV, breaking out into tears & yelling what-not nonsense. I'm just not like that. We spent some time there, gathering as a family & chit chatting, when I found out that my grand-mum's mother was the head of a then cigarette-selling syndicate! Makes me idolize her even more! When it was time to take our leave, I took a final look at her picture before saying good bye. We went off to a nearby coffee shop to have our breakfast & that was the end of it... =P

Next was visiting my dad @ the Garden of Remembrance on Saturday. It was sort of an impromptu visit. Suddenly while I was at home, a call from my brother & sister-in-law came, telling me, "Wanna go visit your dad? Prepare yourself, we coming to pick you up in around 15 minutes time." So just like that, I was picked up, followed by my Mom @ Takashimaya. And we were on our way to Lim Chu Kang, The Garden of Remembrance.

We spent some time tidying up my dad's tablet & changing the flowers for new ones... before we went off to Jurong Point for dinner @ some Japanese restaurant, where I gave everyone a treat...

"Left, your left, your left right!~"

MY VERY 1st RESERVICE IN-CAMP TRAINING~!
(22th MARCH 2010 - 01st APRIL 2010)

No pictures... cuz no camera phones allowed in camp. =p

It's been a long, long time since I last updated my blog... =p (Forgive me, my dearest readers, especially the most loyal of them all - my girlfriend, Charmaine!). *It's been so long that I almost forgot my user name & password~ hehe

Anyway, the very fact that all of you are reading this post means I'm back from my very 1st ICT in one piece (which means In-Camp Training for those ladies whom don't know the army terms).

The fun fact behind my ICT, was that I sorta "volunteered" for it. The same goes for Amos as well, whom was in the same ICT as me... We basically didn't received our SAF100 because our records state that we were still studying. And by some twist of fate, we had our CO called us up to "encourage" us to attend the ICT... and we only received our letter of notification one week before the In-Camp started on 22nd March.

But first of all, I must say although many of the people whom I met in the camp are not always so "happy & enthusiastic" about stepping into that green uniform which they last donned some 5 years ago, it was certainly a most pleasant experience for me. To be able to take a break from that air-conditioned office & step into the sun, the natural out-field. To be able to give it a good sweating-out & catch up with a few familiar faces I've not seen since the good old BMTC days in Pulau Tekong.

On the first day of the In-processing, I was late... very late. Adding on top of that, my hair was basically not acceptable due to the residual effects for dyeing my hair some months back. Somehow, in the course of heading to the barbers to have my hair dyed back to black, I ended up having a hair cut as well. It turned out to be a disaster! I looked like a @*!%. The first thing I did when I got out for my 1st nights out, it was a straight trip to the hairstylist for a PROPER haircut!

The rest of the training days, basically had me perspiring & cursing at the hot weather. The first few days brought back those sweet (smelly) memories from my Officer Cadet days, when we would wear the same uniform days in a row when we know the exercises in the next few days are gonna be "xiong!" - basically meaning that your uniform is just gonna get dirty (if not dirtier) or that you're just gonna perspire profusely in it... Well, we had technical handling for the first day, live range for next entire day, & some combat obstacle course followed by shell scape digging the next day! You can only imagine how smelly our uniform is gonna get! HAhaha...

Beside those enduring training moments, I really enjoyed those heart-lightening chats with my Men & fellow Commanders, where we just joke around, get to know more about each other & what they do outside in their civilian lives.

These are the days that I will remember till our next ICT which will take place in January 2011~!!! That's gonna be like real fast...

DRAGONBOAT '06 BATCH CHRISTMAS PARTY! WHAT A "P.I.M.P" EVENT~!!!

It's the year of 2009. The beginning of many more years of the 06' NTU Dragonboat Batch Xmas Gatherings to come! A splendid initiative from Ah Boon's part to suggest this idea, which I totally, fully support with my heart! It's a good idea to gather all of us brothers in arms (paddles) back each year for a festive gathering, especially now when most of us who have become alumnus don't go for weekend trainings like we used to, all the time (including myself). I remember those days when we all train in preparation for June races when we see each other's face almost everyday, spend more time together than we do with our girlfriends. This initiative I believe is a wonderful idea that I'm willing to support each year (even if I become Food I.C. each year =S ).

Our "全家福"

The guys...

...transform into the 18 Arhats!

The ladies of our lives... =) (hopes to see a rise in numbers... hehe)

(Many) thanks to Melvin, this year's BBQ party was held at his place, hence the name "P.I.M.P" which meant "Party in Melvin's Place" for those who still have no idea, in particularly Andy Tan. Haha =P. Of course, we can't forget Ah Boon the organizer of this 1st yearly event, and the rest of the batch who took time off their busy schedule of rushing to more than one party, and came down for the party.

Food was great, especially Charmaine's potato salad which everyone liked very much, and the rather unexpected huge amount of leftover BBQ food! Company was splendid, with all the crappy, noisy & fun-loving bunch of guys! Wii was very fun, even left my girlfriend addicted to it! Gifts for the gift exchange session too, were interesting!

Never had so much fun before at Wii...


The $10 Budget Gift Exchange begins...







The Gifters and the Giftees...
Hope everyone enjoys their gifts. It's the Thought that counts...

Till next year... may we gather on Christmas Day again! Good luck, & Take Care ya all... =]

11th December, 2009:
My first ICT briefing...

Just yesterday, I went back for my first ICT briefing in Mandai Hill Camp, with Amos...
Since we are in the same battalion, as we found out long time ago, he has become my reservice buddy. Haha...
Thank God for a familiar face!

We went there, without a single clue on what to expect. The only thing we knew was that we were going to attend a half-a-day battalion briefing, that was all. But we arrived at the entrance of the camp, I was shocked. There was a long queue forming from the Guardroom... I thought that was the queue for the StarHub or M1 iPhones that they launched recently. Hahaha...

In the end, it took us quite a while to finally get through the Guardroom & enter the Camp. We just followed the signage along the way to find our way to the Multi-Purpose Hall, where we were shocked again. Another long queue forming up! Funny thing was, we just queued up without knowing what was ahead. Eventually, as we got closer to the end of the queue, only did we found out that there was the In-processing going on... all the administrative & sizing of uniform & equipment.

But I must say that the administrative set up was quite poorly done. No one knew where to queue up, cuz there were queues forming up all over the place, circling within the MPH itself. So confusing! Even the staff down there weren't as helpful as they should be, they didn't bother to offer assistance or gave instructions on where to proceed onto next. Amos & I had to rack our brains to figure out where to go to next...

Eventually, all the sizing & administrative procedures were completed after more than one & a half hours! And judging from the schedule they put up on notice, we were behind time. But not to worry, as I told Amos, the one true characteristic of the SAF Army is that, even if we start behind time, somehow we will always end ON TIME! Haha...

We proceeded on to the Auditorium for our briefing. The contents of the briefing I shall not say, but I did see some more familiar faces. I hope we end up in the same platoon or company. As far as I know now, Amos & I are in the same platoon! That is something worth rejoicing about... hahaha.

Anyway, INTERESTINGLY, at the end of the briefing, as a reward for our outstanding IPPT Silver & Gold Award achievements, our CO had a prize presentation for all those who achieved Silver & Gold awards!

A total of 65 silver awards and 8 gold awards. And needless to say, yours truly here (me!) got the Gold Award! Haha... My prize is a complimentary VIP Guest Pass for True Fitness Gym, attached with a name card of the supervisor. I wonder if it's a free membership gym pass? Wouldn't that be great! However, I think that will be highly unlikely... haha

Oh no! My ICT is gonna start soon! A feeling of both anticipation and unreadiness... =S

My New Idol : DONNIE YEN

<<導火线>>
<<FLASHPOINT>>

I caught "FlashPoint" again last night on DVD. And I absolutely fell in love with Donnie Yen! He is officially my new Chinese Idol~! With killer looks (he's 43 years old, can you believe it?), a cool personality, and a hard & muscular body, not to mention his amazing fighting style~! You should see how he fights in the movie - moving at super fast speed, every punch, every blow so deadly (able to land his victims in the movie in vegetable states). And how he slams people & use locks on his opponents. This style of fighting just seems more superior & more realistic to me, compared to his kung-fu fighting peers like Jackie Chan & Jet Li. No offence, I mean those guys are good too, but Donnie Yen is the BEST. HAHA...

Omg, I sound as though either I'm a gay who has the hots for Donnie or I'm some girl who is smitten from head to toe with him... But I am neither!

Anyway, can't wait for this coming December 18th~! "Bodyguards and Assassins" shows in cinemas! And yes, you probably guessed it, Donnie Yen is in it as well.

Can't wait... Hope the storyline & fighting sequels are fantastic! I have high hopes for this film... hehe

<<十月围城>>
<<BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS>>

VISITING "HER" GRANDDAD...

Today is supposed to be the late post of "7th of November, 2009". One year exactly after Charmaine's grand-dad passed away...

It will be always be a regret that I didn't get to meet Uncle in person. He who doted on Charmaine so much. But this is not Charmaine's real grandfather as per se. The thing is like this - Uncle's wife whom is Charmaine's "granny", is ACTUALLY her nanny who took care of her when she was young. No need to say, Granny also doted on her. Even Granny's daughter doted & helped took care of Charmaine as well. You can say practically their whole family loved Charmaine (well, who can resist her? hehe...) & doted on her pretty much. Even up till this day, they are still pretty much in contact & in good relations.

I remembered just a few months back, I was invited to dinner at "Granny's" place after my (then) work @ NUS. That was the second time I met Charmaine's "Granny" & "Granny's daughter" (the one who changed Charmaine's diaper before).

The first time was a brief introduction during Charmaine's sister, Pamela's wedding. That night was more of a "Ohhhh... so that is Leslie... Your boyfriend. Not bad ah, quite handsome!", "Remember to bring him to our place for dinner some time ah" and "Ah Ma wanna see him more". Hahaha.

Anyway, that night at "Granny's" place, I was treated with very much welcomed arms from "Granny & her daughter". They treated me like part of the family, & I'm grateful for that. Hehe. I hear from Charmaine that they told her, "Ah Gong would have approved of Leslie, if he saw him." =P

So today (7th November 09), I really wanted to make the trip to Mandai Crematorium to pay my respects to "Ah Gong". We took a taxi from Charmaine's place, and we were the first to arrive with some time to spare, before the "Granny" and her family came. Using the "alone" time we had with "Ah Gong", I secretly prayed to God & "Ah Gong" in heaven, hoping that he can "hear" me. I introduced myself as Leslie, Charmaine's boyfriend and told him not to worry for Charmaine, cause I am around and I will take care of her. Continue to watch over us, and I hope you will give us your blessings in heaven above. I also prayed to God to look after "Ah Gong" up there, and bless the rest of their family with good health & peace.

After my secret prayer, we just sat around talking to each other before his niche, until the rest of the family finally arrived. "Granny" & daughter & her two daughters, along with some of the uncles, aunties, nieces also came. You can see how much they loved "Ah Gong" as well, especially "Granny" who couldn't control her tears when she saw her photograph on the niche. The scene touched a part of my heart, and I had to hold my tears. =P Next, they laid out a bowl of fishball noodles, a glass of hot 'teh' & a can of grass jelly drink in front of him. All of it, once "Ah Gong's" favourite food & drinks. After that, as a norm (I guess), the family & us went around, checking out other people's niches.

After the visit, we went for a family lunch at a nearby restaurant. We separated into two tables, one for the uncles, aunties, the other for the kids & youngsters (includes Charmaine & me, of course!). Each table ordered a plate of Hainanese chicken, roasted duck, roasted meat, Wu Xiang and veggie. It was plenty of food for our table. Too much, in fact!

After the lunch, it was time for everyone to go back to their homes. We said our good byes to "Granny" & her daughter, as well as all the relatives and hitched a ride in one of the cars to the nearby MRT where we went back on our own.

"It is always hard to have someone close to you leave you suddenly. But we must move on & slowly adjust back to our lives. And the truth is, they never really leave us as long as their memories live within us. Lives will end, but memories will never cease. That is the beauty of Life."

No more SENTOSA for abit of beach & SUN-TANNING,
but that's all right!
Can't wait to go on a field trip to MacRITCHIE RESERVOIR this FRIDAY~!!!
~.~.~
Baby, remember to wear proper SHOES this time. It's gonna be a LONG WALK~
=P