I’d say my perception of life and of many, many different issues has changed subtly somewhat since the start of the year. It could be because of the experience I had, am having, and will continue to have till 6th Nov 2010.
It’s probably because of that. Although I prefer to view NS as one whole long episode in life whereby there’s no escape for guys unless you a) go AWOL and migrate forever or b) chao geng and get PES F, NS is actually 1 year 10 months (or 2 years) of little intertwined events that seem of little or no significance when viewed singularly, but suddenly mean a lot when viewed together with the rest, in their wholesome entirety.
What do I mean? Memories of SDD, Christmas celebrations, that fateful enlistment day, the 1st time I held/stripped/shot/cleaned a rifle, POP, field camps, route marches. Peppered with snippets like ‘A’ Level Results, Intra-Council Day, night cycling, various movie and dinner dates (lol!), BBQs, driving lessons and whatnot. Teaching little Randall how to sit and curl his fingers on his first ever piano lesson (and mine too, as the teacher =)). As the months flew past, meetups with friends ever so slightly started to slow.
It’s perfectly normal, given that time, though it can heal everything, can also bring about new beginnings for everyone. I was probably stuck somewhere in camo fatigues when the girls started heading back to study in uni. And I remembered being rather envious too.
But I believed, and still do believe, that every experience you encounter has something for you to take away, no matter how ludicrous that may seem. It smartens you, it keeps you thinking, and most all, it makes you ever more ready for the future. And that has no doubt changed how I perceive people, their actions, their reactions and the events occurring all around me in many little ways.
Viva la vida. This catchphrase just sort of latched onto me since last year when Coldplay released their bestseller. I wonder whether the way I’m leading my life lives up to it.
But I’m certainly trying.
elbg
hey hey.. happened to chance ur blog once again since i m at home(enjoying the last of my 8days mc frm ns).. haha, suddenly i have the same feeling as u. its this feeling of being lost, aimless n goal less after enlistment. many a times i will look back into the past as i m serving, thinking hw would it b great if time would just rewind itself to a few months back…. a time where i knew wat i was striving for, wat i really enjoyed etc…. nevertheless, i m also striving to live the best i can during this period of time…
all the best to us!
p.s after nov6th, i have 2 mths more den u.. my ord is nt even in the next calendar yr.. boo