Did most of this blog post on the Notepad app on my NS computer. Haha really making use of the extra time I have.

Sentence structure and the paragraphing also seems to be a problem as a result, haha but it's ok i guess.

Confinement week passed quite fast strangely.

Not that it was fun, but I guess the schedules were so packed and we're too busy to notice the time.

It was physically tiring definitely, when they kept spamming physical training and punishments. Mentally I really had a hard time staying strong as well because im seriously out of my comfort zone. (AND MY BATTERY DIED just 6 days into confinement)

People wise, I think my commanders (Sergeants and Officers) are generally reasonable people, and they know how to lighten up the mood at times.

As for my section mates...

They're not bad I guess.

But I still need some getting used to for some of the personalities I seldom encounter.

Other than that I also found some genuinely nice people in the platoon. Selfless people who help you no matter who you are.

I think being selfless is quite a rare trait in BMT. Everyone's putting their own safety and concern first on their list.

And I really dont stand out in BMT. Starting few days I was very quiet and grumpy I guess.

Not a very good impression I laid on others.

But I guess im here to learn these soft skills.

Day 1

08/11/11 The date I will never forget.

Last Macdonalds at White Sands.

Queueing up with other likely pre-enlistees at the interchange..

The mood was just so.....solemn

How long till I can see Singapore again?

Did I enjoy myself enough before NS?

Mind was full of regrets as I sat the bus to the Ferry Terminal

At Pulau Tekong we were separated from the people who came with us
to go settle some administration matters.

That was when I learnt which company I was assigned to.

They gave us a green sheet of paper for us to pass to our parents.

On the green sheet of paper under 'Company' I saw the alphabet I was
warned about

....N

Which actually stands for Ninja.

There were alot of rumours and hype about this particular company.

On how tough the training is, how strict the discipline is, and so on.

I was half praying that I wouldn't get into Ninja.

Not that I was afraid of the training but that alot of things wouldn't be allowed because of how strict it is.

But well...No matter how much 'touch wood' I did I still got it.

The last meal with our loved ones at the BMTC canteen was really quite sad. It's the 2nd time my grandma's sending one of her grandsons off for army. She was more familiar with the place than us.

Soon enough, it was time for our goodbyes, as we formed up on the Parade Square and walked off with our loved ones waving at us

....will it be long before I see them again?

17 days seems quite long..

Just a few hours into 'checking in' and we started collecting our
standard issue items.

Free equipment!

Was quite surprised with the quality of the items they issued

Well of course..they're from our tax :P

We then went back and were instructed to change in and out of our
uniform and attires.

To check if they fitted.

I really look stupid in the PT attire. Really dont suit singlets -.-

Thankfully for me, generally I had no problem with my stuff.

My buddy came in with Wave 2.

Nice guy..well..i think all of my bunk mates generally are (Thankfully)

The first night was difficult

Had difficulty sleeping in such a foreign place.

After fading in and out of short naps, it was time to wake up again..

Day 4

The past days were getting more and more intensive physical training wise

It was still Adjustment Week so the corporal punishments such as push ups and sit ups for being slow and not responsive were still not allowed.

I started to really get homesick by evening time..

Especially when we were learning all the army songs.

The was one particular song called "Cold Wind Blow"

One line was "I know I know, you have to go, so hurry back home, cos I miss you so"

When we were practicing this we were facing the sea.

Super emo moment of the week.

I was practically wishing I could just go home.

Anything to go home...

..other than swimming back of course.

Day 6

First IPPT Categorisation test.

It's probably been a few months since i've done the whole NAPFA thing
since I got Silver in Ngee Ann.

My main areas of concern were 2.4km and Standing Broad Jump because
during poly days I had to retake these 2 stations until I JUST passed

However after training abit before NS and the physical training after
enlistment..

..I got both a surprise and a shock.

I finally passed the silver requirement for my 2.4km comfortably within the 11 min range.

And my SBJ finally passed the silver range within the first try!

However, I couldn't do as many pull-ups as before.

I was super shocked when I couldn't pull more.

Not to mention demoralised. It became my new IPPT phobia.

I had alot to catch up on in the next few weeks.

Day 10

First time we tried the SOC.

It's like an urban warfare Obstacle Course equivalent but I heard its newer
and much easier than the first one.

Low rope was the first obstacle I tried and DAMN was it hard.

I tried it before in Anglican High where the venture scouts taught us
how to do it.

But I totally forgot when I came to the low rope!

I cant imagine wearing full body armour carrying a rifle completing
the course under 6 mins.

The Apex ladder was the freakiest station. Walking up and down the ladder with nothing below you was no joke. But I managed to clear it without stopping.

Day 17

We had our Live Range test and practices today.

Its where we got to shoot live rounds and snap targets and calculate our marksmanship scores.

Never thought it'd be so difficult.

Not that i thought it was easy but I didnt expect i'd miss those few targets.

The entire day was damn tiring and we went to bed at around midnight.

Tomorrow is book out day!!

Day 18

BOOK OUT DAY!

Thought the day would be slower and more relaxed since we just finished one of our high key events (Live firing) the day before.

In the end training and stuff were squeezed into our schedule!

I was literally just pulling myself through the motion...hoping time would speed out.

I miss my home

I miss my family

I miss my loved ones.

I miss my phone (Lol)

Seeing my family when I came out of the bus to Pasir Ris, I was really happy.

...IM ACTUALLY BACK IN SINGAPORE.

Whitesands never looked so beautiful.

Even my house! It feels like ages since i've returned

I really dont feel like leaving this place again

Sigh

But I know I have to...

I will try my best NOT to get confined.

And try my best to earn early bookouts. I really want to.