Mission completed- Class 3 licence wef 23.08.08

Finally, I have passed my practical driving test at my first attempt. I was in the state of felicity when I heard this piece of news from my tester as I could prove those annoying instructors wrong with regards to my possibility of passing the driving test at my first attempt. This could be evident from my last driving lesson where the instructor wrote the initials – CMI inside my driving booklet . Although his initials has dubious meaning – CMI (Cannot make it or can make it), I still believe that he is referring to the former as he used to tell me that he will treat me lunch if I could pass my driving test in my first attempt. Seriously, I am not bothered by their sacrasm if they have good intention of doing it. However, I hate those instructors who simply despise you. They even segregate you if they feel that you are not capable of getting the driving licence at your first attempt. In any case, I am grateful that I could put an end to fork out large sum of money ($3,600) to attain this licence. Although this is my hard earned money, I feel that I have utilised this sum of money for a good cause (This is the role of money.) That is why I will continue to earn more money in order to satisfy my personal goals in life. YEAH!!!

A busy month

In this entry, I shall blog about the happening events (in  or outside camp) that I will or have gone through for this month.

Firstly, I am grateful that I have managed to clear my ATP yesterday as range seems to be taboo word to me. Ever since I am enlisted into army, I have ‘misfired’ at IMT which has deeply impacted on me on the dangers of mishandling the weapon. Although it was found out that I was not at fault for the misfiring (if not my sacrosanct weekends will have to be burnt), I am still fearful whenever I am handling the weapon. This notorious action (even though they knew that I was not at fault) has scared away a lot of my BMT platoon mates away except for Tat Kian (who is fortunately my assistance for my BMT range). Fortunately, I have managed to clear my BMT range. However, I struggled with my previous ATP range as I was not confident in handling the weapon which I have not fired before. Hence, it is not surprising for me to go for yesterday ATP range with trepidation. I even constantly remind myself not to panic (even Han Ting words flashes out from my mind) even my heart was throbbing and my hand was shaking when I was taking the ATP test. Han Ting’s words have impacted me as he was the conducting for my previous range which was coincidentally my first encounter of him. Although I did not perform in my previous range, he kept giving sound advice which have ingrained in me now. Thanks, Han Ting.  In short, I am really elated that I have completed my range and feel relieved that I have crossed one of the hurdles in my life.

Secondly, I have managed to clear my second year IPPT on 6 Aug which I was fearful that I could not meet my desired expectation of attaining silver.

Thirdly, I am going to sit for my driving practical test on 23 Aug which I really hope that I could prove those driving instructors wrong that I could get my Class 3 license at the first attempt. I really do not wish to go for reattempts of practical test as I have really spend quite a hefty sum on learning driving (which I have no complaints about it). It is a matter of proving my worth. I really hope that I will not have stage fright on that critical day and strive to give my best and the most confident shot on it.  In short, all the best to my practical driving test.

Lastly, I realise that I am entrusted more tasks in camp. Thus, I shall strive to complete them all by next week and take a short break after my driving test and await for Army Half Marathon on 24 Aug.

The scary experience…

I seriously cannot understand myself. I have been constantly reminding myself to calm down when I face tricky problems. Yet, I revert back to my own self when I encountered a trouble today. For instance, I was extremely panicstriken when I realised that I lost an important key. Although I tried to calm myself down and reflect on where I placed the key, my mind was in a whirl. My mind was overtaken by the thoughts of possible punishment that could be meted on me like weekend duty, etc. As a result, I begin to fret out and pin down all the possible blindspot that I have neglected during my search for the key. To be candour, it has been a long time since I have experienced this fear. Fortunately, I managed to find the key after the 1 hour search. If not, I could not envisaged the fate of me. SIGH!!! In short, I really hope that this unlucky incident is over for today. I do not want it to be spread to my next day’s event. That is, I am going to range tomorrow. I would like to clear it successfully without any glitches as I do not want to disappoint anyone further. Do wish me all the best for my range.

SONGS

In this entry, I shall blog about how songs could bring back fond memories.  Till date, I could vividly remember that the first English song that touches my heart is ‘Right Here Waiting’ by Richard Marx. Whenever I hear the tune of ‘Right Here Waiting’ being played along the street, memories of my Sec 3 school days will sweep across my mind. In addition, the English song entitled ‘Would you be there?’ will bring me back to days in Signal Institute where I have been through the up (i.e. NDP stint) and downs (i.e. ‘tekan session’) of my life. Thus, I will begin to recall my bunk mates namely Tat Kian, Stephen, Alifi, Jian An (CCB).  I will definitely remember the words I said to Jian An during my  panic moments of awaiting for my posting order in Signal Institute.

In the case of Chinese songs, I will recall days in Australia during one of my military exercise that I have been when I hear the song ‘其实还爱你’  being played now as I listened to this song when I begun to miss my beloved friend who was in Singapore then. In addition, another Chinese song entitled ‘想太多’ will rejuvenate those precious moments that I had in Taiwan during my military exercise.  During this period of time, I knew my coy mates more and return back to Singapore with a gift – That is I have made more friends and found a person who shares the same thinking as me (It is hard to find a person who shares the same perspective lo). YEAH!!! 

In short, I am grateful that songs could track down every moments of our life since we are living in a hectic world where we often neglect sweet moments.

Long Weekend

Finally, I could have a longer weekend which I have been praying for a long time. Well, this is made possible as National Day falls on Saturday. Thus, I was entitled 1 day off to compensate for public holidays that fall on Saturday. YEAH!!!

In view of this, my unit held an ceremony to celebrate the nation’s 43th birthday on 08 08 2008. Since the event was held on the military ground and I was on uniform, it is not surprising to see me saluating when I was singing the Nation Anthem. As a result, memories of my relief teaching days keep flashing on my mind. This is so as I have never sung National Anthem for a long time. Based on my memory, the last time that I sung the National Anthem was during my relief teaching days. At that moment, I really hope that I could ORD promptly in order for me to return back to my teaching days. In my opinion, teaching days has been my most carefree days in my life. In fact, I feel that teaching could bring more social benefit to the society as compared to my current state of life. For instance, I would strive my best to nurture the future generations in my utmost effort. In my perspective, teachers should not be imparting content knowledge perse. Their role is extended in imparting moral values and life skills to the future generations. That is why I do not mind teaching notorious students. When I see these current ‘brats’ grooming into mature thinking individuals in future, I feel that I have fulfiled my task.

Hmm, I shall cast the thought of being a relief teacher aside since I will be able to return to my desired track in 6 months time. Anyway, I hope that the nation will continue to prosper even though the forecast for her growth is slim.