the six-day week is finally over and has given way to the four-day weekend! yay to off in lieus! who doesn't like long weekends?
the national day rehearsals are finally drawing to a close. two months of inane traffic duty on precious saturdays will finally culminate in the grand finale: the actual day, 9 August. i wish i had some strong opinions about the duty, maybe say that i've learnt something along the way, but truth be told, i have nothing much to say about being involved in my first-ever national day, i dislike doing it, but i do it nonetheless. that's army life, isn't it?
met the chinese drama people at tampines this afternoon for a final gathering before the girls get shipped off to uni. it's going to be a whole different world for them and the excitement among them is palpable, as they talk enthusiastically about how fun their faculty camps were, about bidding for courses, about timetables, etc. it makes me overwhelmingly jealous that they're getting on with their lives, entering into those hallowed halls of academia, building towards a better career, a brighter future, and i'm languishing in the very retarded, brainless organisation charged with the defence of our nation. ok, i don't think the SAF is completely retarded, just the activities...
was talking to Javan about the army just now, and one thing i realised when conversing with him was that the only thing that makes army life worthwhile is the friends that you make and the people you come across. all the outfield survival skills, physical fitness, etc., they last for awhile, they're not applicable in all situations, but the friendships built, the networks formed are invaluable. and i think one must make the best of his situation and the way to do that in the army is really to make as many good friends as possible. in that respect perhaps i'm faring rather well. i'm blessed to be in a section of really nice people, 7 guys who have bonded really well, enjoying a sense of camaraderie that is quite unique. there are no major slackers, which makes life easier for the rest and a healthy dose of intelligent conversation mixed with inane banter. going out with my buddy, Terry tomorrow to Ephraim's house for Guitar Hero. exciting. following that with an 85 dinner with the rest of the platoon mates.
i hate that my posts in recent months have been almost exclusively about the army, so i shall now turn the spotlight to what happens after that. i have researched, and to my dismay, discovered that UCL AND King's College do NOT offer pure political science or even international relations, and that pretty much leaves LSE, which is really hard to enter. at least if UCL and King's had the courses i wanted, than i would have more options and i would be more assured of a place in a London Uni, alas, it's not meant to be and it's LSE or broke. the other option would be to go to the States, which isn't a bad alternative, since i've always wanted to go there. but i feel that London is the right place to be. nevertheless, an American education would no doubt be very appealing and it's something that's always up for consideration.
i am rather excited and apprehensive about leaving Singapore, to go somewhere so far away for so long. i guess i shouldn't think too much about it because i still have a good two years left before i pack my bags, and there're alot of things that can be done and achieved in these two years. for one, there's the involvement in the youth ministry. seeing Livewire grow from a motley crew of less than 20 members to hearing the latest numbers pushing 50, i realised that there's been so much growth over the past 1 and a half years. imagine more than doubling in size in 18 months! feel so proud to be a Livewire leader. nevertheless, it's unfortunate that at a time when the ministry is going places and expanding, i'm being extricated from it because of the army. it's a rather terrible feeling to see things happening and not to be a part of it. nevertheless, i'm so happy to see Livewire, our original baby, starting to stand on its own two feet.
realised that when i come back from the UK, or the US, or wherever God sends me, life will never again be the same. tracy's getting married on saturday. i think in 5 years' time i'll be seeing somemore friends tie the knot (or take the plunge, whatever is more appropriate). many of us would have moved on to university, or work. who knows who might even have kids? i'm not ready to grow up, not yet. then again, maybe i have to grow up, once and for all?
I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Josh 1:3, 5, 7-9
