Question

I've got a question for you...

Inspired

I was watching the Youth Olympic Games on TV earlier in the day, and the day before... and the day before for that for all the wrong reasons... and I can safely conclude that... I am now inspired and ready to give it my all from now till the end of my swim and biathlon season :)

Islamic and Indian Political Thought

I am seriously enjoying this module. I like how my prof speaks and gestures like a super zen master.... AWESOME :)

Moving on

At some point in time, we need to let go. We need to let go of whatever emotional baggage we might be holding on to so we can get on with life. I think that's some seriously awesome advice that I am going to listen to :) As highlighted by a close friend on a recent twitter update, Carrie Bradshaw once said,‎ "You can't get to your future if your past is present." :)

And I kinda like the picture below... Credits go to Mr Chang Zhi Quan... Thanks dude :)

NUS Rag 2009/2010

After Wednesday's swim training, the whole lot of us (the old group that is...) chugged down to West Coast Mac's for dinner. There, we reminisced about the summer holiday that had just gone by and "introduced" a new team-mate to the intricacies of NUS... the real NUS. One thing let to another and it wasn't long before we broached on the topic of Rag and Flag. I couldn't help myself. I have never been a fan... of anything... well NUS-branded. SO there I was, sitting in front of my team-mates going on and on about why Rag was not only a waste of personal time but a waste of school resources too. The rest of the guys weren't as vehemently against the entire concept of rag as I was and to their credit (Yes Bryan...) they did put up a good defense for Rag. There was little doubt that the cons outweighed the pros a great deal but that little debate we had at Mac's did got me thinking... who was I to bitch and moan about rag when I myself have never bothered to even involve myself in one. So I decided to check out this year's rag myself.

Now 5 hours after returning from NUS... I can safely conclude that Rag is a hot, crowded, sweaty... but altogether fulfilling experience. I for one will most probably never sacrifice any of my holidays to do this but... to those who did... I must say that it was a job well done :)

That aside... the other question that remains... is should I... or more specifically... HOW should I follow my heart :)

Emotional Baggage

The grass is always greener on the other side. Some patches anyway. I still question the path I took; the decisions I've made. To be what I am or to be what I should be... Answers which only lead to more questions are all I have to rely on :(

Home Sweet Home

And just like that... after 20 years... I now belong to another GRC :)

I know things you don't...

I know something about you that you probably don't think I already do. I would like to ask you a question about that something about you but I don't think you'd like me to. Questions with answers that will only lead, inevitably, to more questions :)

My ICT

When I received the letter of notification with regards to my annual ICT late last year, I must admit that I was a teeny bit thrilled to be fortunate enough to be called back as a PTI again. It wasn't going to my first time back and I kinda knew what to expect. I must admit however that now sitting at my comp, two weeks after I first reported for camp, this year's ICT turned out to be one helluva ride :)

I enjoyed single bit of this ICT... the random sing-a-long sessions with the most random people I've ever met, the gym sessions, the chess matches, the late night suppers and even the clubbing sessions :) It was freaking awesome that I got recalled this time with my coursemate and I can safely say that we're both going to miss reporting to Bedok :(

It was great seeing the 91st batch one more time before they ORD-ed; the gym-obsessed 92nd and the ridiculously diverse 93rd batch. I hope all of you will have as marvelous an experience I had as a PTI in the armed forces and stay funky always

Moving on to more pressing concerns

Now that we've got the damn World Cup out of the way, I believe that some some semblance of normalcy can be returned to our daily routine and attention be paid to more pertinent issues at hand. I am now one week into my annual ICT and am thoroughly enjoying it. I had the fortune of returning the Bedok camp with a course mate and meeting some really cool people in camp. As I laze about in the morning waiting for the day to start (Life in the FCCs is somewhat different...), I had the chance to sit back and ponder over a couple of issues that have been bugging me over the past week. In no particular order, the list is as follows:

• The standard of the Straits Times
• The plight of Mr Ang Jun Heng Jarius
• The accuracy of Paul the mollusk
• The severe insecurity/superiority complexes of certain individuals in my life
• The lack of good shopping venues in our little island
• NUS (almost everything about this damn institution irks me...)
• And this just in 2 minutes ago... people who don't know when to shut up...

As much as I am really peeved about a number of the issues I brought up earlier, I really don't think I can be bothered to "stand up and make that change" or at least rectify them. Blame it on the apathetic, "I-am-just-going-to-mind-my-own-business" or the hectic schedule of everyday life in Singapore, I am simply don't think I want to be bothered with these little inconveniences in my life. Lest 1.

It was reported in today's papers that the only local victim in the slash-and-rob spree 6 weeks ago has just been discharged from the hospital. The victim, 19 year old Jarius Ang, was set upon by a bunch of thoughtless, merciless thugs on his way home from the MRT station. Hacking wildly at the poor lad, the bunch of robbers were relentless in their assault. I will not elaborate too much on the incident here as most of you would probably have read it (go read it if you haven't... its probably the only story worth following in today's newspaper anyway...). Jarius was left with severe slash wounds to his neck arms and hands whilst the 7 murderous bastards got away (then...) with a hundred over dollars and his freaking mobile phone.

The deed is already done and there's nothing anyone can do to give Mr Ang back the full use of his hand or remove the emotional scarring that his family and him have gone through. It is at times like these when I wished we lived in a world where the saying "what you do unto others will be in turn be done unto you" holds true. Unfortunately, you and I both know that just is just wishful thinking. I sincerely hope that these 7 individuals be persecuted to the fullest extent of the law... OUR laws. Hang 2 of them on charges of 1st degree murder and lock up the rest for manslaughter. No appeals should be considered, no deals made and most definitely no sympathy be shown... they showed none too as they hacked their 5 innocent victims that fateful night.

To Jarius, what you went through that fateful night, I can only imagine just how damn scary it must have been. I hope you come out of this stronger then ever before and seek comfort in the fact that there are many around who feel for you and fume at the senseless attack on you and the other victims. Stay strong and hold the course... there's a light at the end of every tunnel and I am almost certain that that light for you will come sooner than you think :)

PS: To NParks, MOE or whoever owns that stretch of pathway between the station and the residential area... I think its high time you start erecting some MORE lampposts.