1st day of Spring!

Today is the 1st day of Spring, 1st September, and yes it is also Teacher's Day back in Singapore. Have not blogged for some time due to tons of assignments and mid semestral exams. Fast huh? been here for a month plus and i'm already having mid semestral exams!

So far so good, manage to keep up with the momentum here. Perhaps the initial start was totally lost to most guys as most guys would have left their brain rotting one corner in the Army. In the Army, it's undenial that we seldom exercise our brains as they emphasis on chain-of-command and following instructions. As NSFs, even the highest rank a NSF can get which is LTA/2LT, they are still been pressurised and work based on instructions passed down by the higher authority. There is no room to exercise our brain. The decision makers are the senior commanders.

Yup, Spring has come, weather is getting warmer (good sign). Have been suffering under the bitter cold weather the past few weeks. Winter here can be horrible, temperature can drop till sub-zero. The next morning you see frost. Canberra does have light snow, perhaps is the combination of rain. Temperature is still bearable notwithstanding the strong winds. The strong winds make the feeling worst. Sight of spring is beautiful, flowers blooming everywhere. How i wish to be in Japan during Spring. Well, it's not too bad here too when you see flower blooming from all trees. Leaves start to grow. And yes, people start to wear lesser too! No longer the trouble to wear thick windbreaker or jumper or sweater.

I bought a vehicle here, a Mitsubishi Magna Stationwagon. It costs me AUD 1500. Well, shared with my friend, Jason. Spliited half for the cost. Well, getting a vehicle here is not expensive and if you calculate for the cost and purpose, it may be worthwhile. On top of the cost of the vehicle, the registraion of the vehicle costs AUD 660 for a year. This vehicle is a good buy, previous owner had maintained it well. Yes, i'm definitely going to maintain it and perhaps even better than him? hahaha..

I've driven the vehicle to Sydney once. A good and comfortable drive. Have been to Sydney twice. Sydney is so much different from Canberra. It obvious that it has night life. Many businesses do close after 5pm but many F&B outlets would open till late night. Given its night life, you don't feel being in a deserted place like in Canberra. Imagine on a weekend or after 5pm on a weekday in Canberra where you hardly see any soul on the street. Scary isn't it?

To Daryl: Yes, i'll bring you around Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. Shall be your tour guide huh.. Your most budget holiday man. Hahaha.. We shall do more shopping and sight-seeing. Obtain shopping list from our supper gang man..

I'll be going to Sydney again in 2 weeks time, with a group of friends from my hall...

Time to mug again, or rather finish as many assignments as possible. Sigh, i find it difficult to strike off my assignment list.

See ya.

On-Campus Accomodation offered!

Yes! after 1 week of stay at the Canberra REX Hotel, i'm been offered Bruce Hall finally. Its catered, i don't have to worry for my food. Well, staying at the hotel is not too bad. Room is bigger. I do have a toilet to my own, have a queen size bed, a television, a mini-bar fridge and an ironing board. =P However, its a mixed feeling for staying in this comfortable zone.. Each day, my mind will be wondering: When will i move out? Whether i should stay out of campus? Will i be offered a catered hall? and so on.. Staying in the hotel ain't good as i wouldn't know how much food do i have to stock up as i wouldn't know when will i be offered an accommodation.

I'll be moving into Bruce Hall after 6th Aug. My next worry: how do i move? rent a car? i'm not going to cab, its way too expensive..

sigh, shall see how when time comes.

Today, i regret for not bringing up my maths books from singapore. damn it. lectures are touching on topics like relations and functions.

Haven't blogged for ages..

Hey there.. so many things have passed and i haven't been blogging for real long. guess not many see my blog too..

well, it has been 2 weeks since i completed my national service stint and i'm in Canberra now. yes! for good, i left the army on the 18 jul 2008!

reminiscing my army days, there're good and bad.. i suppose i'm quite fortunate to have travelled to two countries during my national service days. have been to australia and south africa. for all overseas exercises i have been through, i'm rather fortunate to have a good team of unit friends going with me. we worked and played together. those were the good old days. through each overseas exercise, i made friends from other units. mentality was different compared to having exercise in singapore. people are out there to help one another in overseas. back in singapore, people are selfish, individualistic.

also, not to mention, i have good bosses. LTC Ong and LTC Thong. through EX LW 08, understand LTC Ong better, in terms of personality. he has indeed changed alot in his character compared to the early days when i just entered the unit. LTC Thong is an understanding superior. he is a good listener. appreciate them.

however, culture of the singapore army has never changed for long. people does things to satisfy their own bosses. when thing goes wrong, finger-pointing starts. i think SAF has to change this part. everyone makes mistakes. when thing goes wrong, for a minor mistake for instance, forgives the person and resolves it together. punishment should be secondary.

wells, those were the days in army.. now, i'm in Australia, canberra. starting on my next new phrase of life - tertiary education. i'm studying at Australian National University, for those who may not know. Am pursuing B. IT here.

Appreciate that i have some good s'porean friends here. S'poreans here are united and close, given the small community in this foreign country. It reminds me of overseas exercise in army, everyone takes care of each other. just like what i'm experiencing right now. i suppose when s'poreans are overseas, we take care of our own fellow men.

nevertheless, i still miss my friends in singapore. especially the supper gang - adam, john, daniel and daryl. miss going out with you guys. will join you guys for supper once i'm back to singapore! also miss friends like jolene seow, hwee, caiyun, hansong, xavier, wei siang and conrad, nicolas, kian wah, binghan. will catch up with you guys when back.. when you guys have the chance to drop by australia, do let me know! to jolene seow, caiyun, hansong, weisiang and conrad, thanks for the heat pack. its very useful. haha.

so far so good in terms of academic, just that the maths horrifies me a little. going at fast pace and is deep.. computing modules are alright, as some are based on foundation back in poly. luckily i have my poly notes in my laptop...