Low Wu Yang's online personal space

My penchant for travel was cultivated at an early age. In the years between my second birthday and the turn of the century, I went on no less than ten jaunts beyond our shores. Following that initial period of furious adventuring, my love was further reinforced in my youth with three trips to the mesmerising European continent.

Why the sudden recollection you might ask? Well, facebook has bombarded me in recent weeks with photographs of friends and acquaintances on the maiden jaunts overseas, exploring their new campuses and hostels: their homes for the foreseeable future. It made me realise what folly accepting my offer to read Law at the National University of Singapore would be.

Sure it’s a very respectable degree from an institution of standard (arguably). However am I really willing to sacrifice the opportunity to see the world that an overseas education would provide? After receiving the offer from NUS, I was actually under that very impression. Oh how wrong I was.

I have no idea why, but today just reeks of mehhhhh. For once I didn’t feel like springing to my feet when my alarm rang. Maybe it has something to do with the copious amounts of green phlegm stuck in my throat, but I doubt that’s the only reason.

We’ve got our regular area cleaning session before the daily first parade at the moment. My bunkmates all seem to be in a similarly foul mood. Everyone is just lazing around in the bunk (obviously we’ve already completed our area cleaning responsibilities). If they’re not resting their heads on the table, they’re just slumped back in a chair, looking very sorry for themselves.

Hopefully the rest of the day gets progressively better. We’ve got speed training later, which means that it isn’t likely to get much better very soon. Time to psych myself up for the hardcore interval training and Tabata PT we’re in store for later.

Ciao, for now.

My first week of BMT was quite an eclectic mix of highs and lows. Our introduction to the discipline, responsibility and most of all the regimentation in the army was a real eye opener for me. Although I had some initial reservations that I would not be able to cope with what was essentially a completely new experience for me, my fears proved to be quite unfounded.

The most memorable point of the entire past week must have been the OCPT which Cpt Teo introduced to us on Sunday, only our 3rd full day on the island. To say it was tough is a massive understatement. It was however a good wake up call and highlighted that army would not be just a walk in the park. Following that initial session, I am sure that I will be more prepared for more doses of “doing some” (what our Officer Commanding says when he actually means “doing a hell lot”).

As of this writing, I have only two days till I book out for the first time. Till then, I guess the outside world still remains a distant privelage that serves as short term motivation, week in and week out.

The worst is yet to come, but I believe I am ready. Time to steel myself for the long journey ahead.

P.S. Penghui (sitting next to me) sez hai.

Doubt the mind but not the heart
for therein lies passion to play a part,
But yet the noggin still does say,
“Run! Flee! Pray, do not stay.”
“Maturity, a rite of passage,”
chimes the pump with it’s clear message.
Resignation, belief;
Emerge

A man.