2007 is here
Monday, January 01, 2007
♥ 5:35 PM
Just had my first public holiday duty on the 31st of December where everyone is busy with counting down and ushering the New Year and partying away. So there I was at Seletar camp sitting at the main gate doing my duty with my partner Yusaku. But we had our own celebration too with food from Jalan Kayu such as roti prata, snacks and drinks bought from 7 eleven since we got a refrigerator we can have cold drinks. Sam See was nice enough to call me during the count down so that I can join in together with the church. Oh ya, I had to miss the watch night service too and what a pity imagine counting down with all your pals and church mates and having a time of evaluation but then again there is plenty of chances to come. While we are having food, the DOS came and told us some stories about Seletar camp and boy I was so freaked out that I barely slept during my rest time. From what I heard from Yusaku, every Rp there so far has seen some things around and he is waiting for that to happen to me. I was double freaked out and boy it lasted all the way till morning. But well I think I shall bring my bible with me everywhere I go when I got duty next time.
Well 2006 is gone in a flash and 2007 is coming soon and I am looking forward to 041107 when I ORD. 2006 has certainly been a year full of experiences for me. For one thing it is a great step in my life when I got enlisted in 050106. In the army, I get to meet a lot of different people, people whom I have never imagine, like for example young fathers, people who sign on due to family problems but do not enjoy their job so on and so forth and I feel so sheltered during the past 18 years of my life during my jc days as all the people I interact with are people who are similar to me. But well, I actually learn a lot from interacting with many different people and many life skills too. In the army, I also get to learn many new skills such as driving a armored vehicle, motorbike and first aid skills. I would never have got on a bike if not for army, but then again it was also this skill that gave me a new experience. I had an accident and I got my first fracture and hospital stay and during that time, I really learn to thank GOD for everything since I am REAL lucky to escape with minor injuries. People all have commented that I am super lucky but to me it is GOD protecting me and saving me. I do not blame the fact that I have accident but really thank GOD for the minor injuries that I sustained.
When I just got enlisted, the change in the lifestyle and regimentation of the military was indeed stressful for me. As a discipline person, I thought that it was going to be ok, but it was not that ok for me and I have seen the change in me when put through the mill and I am really disgusted with myself. During real stressful times, when I am all tired and exhausted, I get irritated easily and at times vulgarities flew from my mouth and I thought it could get things done. But instead, I offended many people and I am disappointed with myself. In my posting to 42 SAR, I though I could improve but then again at times old habit die hard and I offended people again. But luckily, at 42, I have great friends like Ze Dong and Eng Teck who offered me advice and urge me to improve myself. After my injury, I left for Seletar Camp where I became an RP where it is a vocation where I really need to interact with a lot of people. Although I have only been there for like a month, I have really learn a lot and I believe that it will really be useful in the future. Well I also see it as God’s plan for me to learn things that I am really not good at and hopefully acquire skills that will help in my job later which ideally I hope to be a private banker and I really need lots and lots of EQ.
In 2006, my walk with GOD has really improve and I really learn to Thank God for everything from solving my problems to providing me a refuge whenever I need and seeing me through my tough and stressful times. I have also learned to serve him in church by the first Christmas concert that I was in charge this year. It was a great experience for me as I get various things done and getting to work with so many different people in church and getting to know them better through this project. In the end, the project was a success due to first of all GOD for being with us and helping us even though we are really short of time and it was quite a feat to rush it out in less than a month with the theme, idea, skit and band performances. Also I would like to thank Jacob, my mentor and advisor for guiding me and helping me throughout this whole Christmas event. Last but not least, thank you to all the performers and people who have helped make the concert a success one way or another.
Another first time for me is leading worship during retreat this year. It was super last minute and I had like only one day to prepare for it. But it turns out well although I sang off tune for the first I minute or so. But then again I had people like Sebastian and Gervais to thank for helping me with the songs and singing.
In general, 2006 has been a year full of experience for me and I have also made many friends in church and got to be really involved. I am happy to have accepted Christ and ever since I accepted Christ, life has much more meaning and I feel much more fulfilled and problems seem to be much easier to solve. I am also happy to see that the BS group is getting closer and we are going out now. Last time it used to be only meeting each other on Sunday and now we are going out together more often. Well it is good to have a group of close friends where we can just share our problems and pray for each other and grow together and I thank GOD for a good mentor who is Jacob and my BS mates, Dan, Gab, Jon, Justin and Sam Kwan.
Well 2007 is coming and another phase of my life is going to start soon when I ORD and slack for some time before I enter university. Hope that I can have a fruitful year in the army and learn something new when I leave. Now it is the time for resolutions and I have a few. Here it goes.
* Quit swearing and using vulgarities
* Forge closer bonds with my BS mates and certain classmates
* Try to serve more in Church
* Do more quiet time
* Improve my EQ
Last of all, happy New Year to all my friends or whoever happens to read this and may 2007 be a great year for you and hope you can keep your New Year resolutions. I also wish for a better economy, more jobs and opportunities, cheaper transport, no more GST increase, more NS allowance, no more wars and bombings and more friends. (Laugh out loud)
