I am in the process of counting the number of hours left before I meet my fate in my beloved Wan Fen’s class.
There is nothing general about General Optics module. I wonder how it will be when it becomes less ‘generalised’
and gets a little more challenging and confusing — though I heard the practicals will be more fun (which I
highly doubt so based on the previous practicals involving lens we just did) and less ‘physics-y’.

Heh.

Anyway, I have not revised much; I am doomed; and how can I be indulging in my cheese fries right now
spending quality time with the GF? Ohmygod.

Today time was spent at SAF MMI with this medical Captain who was furiously trying to encourage me
to accept another checkup at CGH which could present me with a monetary compensation if the doctor
there thinks that my torn ligament caused my left ankle to be unstable — which I think is not the case
anymore — and allow me to downgrade my PES status. Thing is, I am someone who honours my current
appointment now and I have no desire to be given a slacker vocation since I love being in the battle zone
as an infantry soldier. That was why I even enquired the MO if it was possible for me to reject the
compensation since I did not want to be downgraded to PES C at least.

But the MO advised me that I should, since he thought that for my case it is highly likely that I will receive
the compensation and the sum is not going to be small at afterall.

All the while, he was pushing me for it.

I guess I will not lose anything if I go ahead with the checkup. If they deemed me fit and require no
downgrade, then oh yes it will be the best. But if they decide that it is better for me to be downgraded
to not stress my ankle, then I will be given some cash to shut me up. Heh.

In the end, I signed the form agreeing to another checkup at CGH.

I hope I made the wisest choice.

PS. This was what the GF thought after reading this entry:

“Good thing ur medical doctor thing was persistent..cos knowing this stubborn donkey here..he wouldnt
have opted for a second checkup if not the doc kan?”

Oh, she knows me well. Hehe.

I was supposed to be away from school just now but I had to drop by anyway since I had the SP Photog interview
for the sub-committee appointment. And if you guys could recall, I originally intended to submit my Poly 50 photos
but guess what, I freaking forgot to transfer them to CD, ohmygod. I am so noob ohmygod ohmygod. But I guess it
is alright since I will be in school tomorrow to collect our shirts for the National Day Observance Ceremony.

And I got word from Crystal that Jiayang is considering not attending the event.

You are so gonna come down with me JY, or else..

(Truth be told, I had to kind of like nudge the passengers behind me to squeeze Lehui and Beatrice in. Heh.)

No school tomorrow for 02 peeps unlike my class because of Shirlena’s Anatomy and Physiology practical,
which I am not required to be present since I am heading down to SAF Military Medical Institute for a routine
checkup. I wonder when will I get called up for reservist eh?

Wise Hero, or Final Surprise.

So tomorrow… I will need to:

1) Submit Poly 50 photos;
2) Submit LOA; and
3) Collect National Day Observance tees.

Hopefully, my memory will not fail me as if it is 65 years of age. Heh.

I miss all those times in green uniform, brothers.

There are times when work requires our utmost attention
and the greatest dedication ever.
But no matter how much work needs us,
our loved ones will always need us more.

Never neglect the ones who care.

For behind every great man,
lies an even greater woman.

Dear Yashica Electro 35 GSN,

Oh yes.
I would love to have you in my hands right now.
I would die for you.

Are my eyes playing tricks on me or what?
I wonder how long have I been cooping myself at home eyh?
The end of the Green Line is no longer at Boon Lay,
but at Joo Koon instead.
Heh. I thought I was boarding a different line when I saw
that sign. Joo Koon eh? Nice name!

Well, after doing some research, I came across this picture
posted somewhere, and it is a map of how our SMRT lines
may look like in the year 2030. Mind you, this was last
updated like four years ago! With a map so extensive like this,
I will not be surprised if the lines extend right to the front of our
doors!

Oh wait. I see a Kaki Bukit station on the map! Woo..
Joy to the world!

More stations, more convenient right? WRONG!
More stations, more stops, more time wasted
just to get from one end of our Singapura to the other! So
to those living near the coasts and work/study at the other
extreme end, good luck to all of you. Nyeh!

Handsome guys and pretty ladies,
I have finally sold off my Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM zoom lens
and Holga 120 CFN for a total of $230!
Good money, since I profited $120 just on the lens itself but
made a negligible loss for the Holga.
With the returns, I had already purchased the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II prime lens
last night at MS Colour in Ang Mo Kio and had placed an order
for the Holga 135BC! Oooh I am so thrilled with these investments!

I forgot one thing though: I did not realise that the prime lens has
a smaller diameter than the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens
I have. This means that I will have to get another $10 Hoya UV filter
for this new baby. Darn. That plus a dry cabinet for my gadgets
to reside in. The Singapura weather is pretty harsh so they will
need some proper home to prevent fungus from spreading
in their lenses; my Holga will not be risked either.

My babies..

Oh. Actually, the sale of the zoom lens was initially agreed
with this Malay guy as he had placed a much higher bid
at the very last minute. But sadly, it took him so long
to process the transaction altogether; he never replied
to my text messages plus it took him two days
just to call me back, and that was after I had sold my lens
off to another guy. He just did not seem interested or serious,
and I find that to be kind of rude. He took things for granted.

So I had to repost my lens on the forum, and just within
ten minutes after that, some Chinese guy agreed on the same
price.

We met on the same day itself.

And the Holga deal with the Chinese lady was quick and efficient,
she did not cause any inconvenience at all!

Haihh. Malays. Sometimes, we anak Melayu just need to put in
a bit more effort and hard work to change the already degrading
perspective others have towards the Malay community. This
is not fair to the exceptional Malays who have done their part
and excelled in their respective professions.

Having said this, I am sure the Chinese buyers were having
the same worries as me as they were dealing with just another
Malay guy; I am glad I did not misplace their trusts in me
though.

Come on, Melayu boleh!

Anyway,

There is this Change-of-Command (COC) ceremony going
at my previous unit, 3SIR, later on in the evening. Now,
this is the chance to catch up with my lost jungle brothers
and grab some more photos of them. Can I squeeze
in the camp with my camera? Hmm..

I miss these brothers of mine.

Photos were taken with Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim on
Kodak Elitechrome 100 and cross-processed.

A Velvia on my Holga 120 CFN next will be nice.

Ever since ORD, I have never felt any better.

It just feels good to finally be able to chuck all my equipment at home
and not be driven by military regimentation at all.
I have barely polished my own pair of boots at home!
Oh but even so, I do miss some activities that can only happen while serving the Army;
These were the moments that truly added values to the life of a soldier:

FIREFIGHTS!
I have always enjoyed commanding my own section in fights be it during conventional or urban warfare.
But ever since I held the Platoon Sergeant appointment,
Army life can get a little too extreme especially during defence missions!
Ahh defence missions were nearly overkill!
Aaaaaaaah!
But these fights of course looks good on video, like how you would have always seen them
in the commercials and how you have imagined it to be.

PAYDAY!
No matter how badly soldiers performed,
No matter how many extra duties were dished out,
No matter how bad the economy was,
No organisation would pay so consistently unlike the SAF.
For two years, money was never an issue for the Commanders of the SAF except for the soldiers of course;
Their pay were much lower compared to the Commanders but these proud soldiers did not complain much
but instead had always strived hard to aid their Commanders.
Oh, how the tenth of each month had always been the day to look forward to!

FOOD!
Every Wednesday, we always had Western meals for lunch.
Fish and chips, chicken chops, fries, rice, mayonnaise, chilli sauce, mushroom cream soups,
soft breads, corns, carrots, broccolis, AND SO MUCH MORE!
MWAHAHAHAHA!
Since I was never picky with food, I never had any problem with the food served in camp
and had always grown to love them —
If only the other soldiers could learn how to appreciate more
and to stop being such a fussy eater.
OH, and I cannot stand soldiers who would rather spend a bulk of their mealtimes
separating all those vegetables from their plates!
WHAT RUBBISH!
*shakes head*

Firefights, payday, food. Erm.. firefights, payday, food.
I guess I have nothing else to add to this list.
But even though ‘physical trainings’ was not included, this does not mean that it was not important.
OF COURSE IT WAS!
If a soldier decides to skip trainings and choose to remain unfit, that is similar to
a soldier who digs a trench during defence but only for his own grave;
The soldier will most likely give up and kill himself if he cannot cope.

Oh well, if not for some reasons quite personal, I would definitely
have chosen Army as a full-time career.
But, it is just not meant to be that way.

Sakina, for you,
Definitely.

Hearts.

When I heard of news that Manchester City are prepared to up their bid to €271m for AC Milan’s Kaka, I was not surprised actually —
Sheik Mansour of Abu Dhabi will never be fazed.
With that much money on the line, I will definitely let Kaka go and rebuild the whole aging Milan squad from just the huge transfer sum itself.
And if I am Kaka, I will definitely agree to the reported wage bill of up to £500,000-a-week offered by Manchester City.
I know I sound greedy but come on, let us be realistic here.

As my third year IPPT window opens on my birthday in March, I have been training real hard to hopefully achieve another gold this year —
This gold award will reward me with $400 instead of the usual $200 given during National Service.
Look, cash incentives just to keep yourself fit.
The SAF being generous here huh?
Good right.
Insya-Allah, I will not be disappointed.
Insya-Allah.

Oh, and I cannot wait to go for my third run this week after I am done with this entry and solat Asar!
XD

This is to certify that:

2SG MOHAMMAD RUSYDI BIN ABDUL RASHID
NRIC S860XXXXX

has completed Full-Time National Service
on 14 December 2008

2SG Rusydi was posted to Alpha Company, 3 SIR, in August 2007. He was appointed the role of NS Platoon Sergeant and Platoon 2 Section 3 Commander. As a NS Platoon Sergeant and Section 3 Commander, 2SG Rusydi was responsible for the training, discipline and administration of his section as well as the overall management of the platoon’s logistics and maintenance of its stores.

2SG Rusydi is an approachable and yet firm commander who is close to the platoon. Being matured and rational, he has no problem handling the soldiers and would always lend his listening ear to soldiers in need.

As the NS Platoon Sergeant, 2SG Rusydi displayed great deal of resourcefulness to ensure that the tasks assigned are fulfilled. Often, he has to work late in the night to ensure that all stores are prepared for next day training. Despite having heavier responsibility then normal section commander, 2SG Rusydi managed to bond and train his section to be an effective fighting section. He is always there to ensure that his section performs their drills properly.

After completing his Platoon Sergeant Course in March 2008, 2SG Rusydi suffered a severe leg injury that forced him to miss training for subsequent months. 2SG Rusydi was disappointed that he had to give up his role as Section 3 commander. However, he did not lose interest in the company. Instead, he tried to contribute in whatever means he could. This means that he had to shoulder additional administrative roles and tasks. Even though this was very taxing, 2SG Rusydi was able to accomplish his tasks up to all expectations, and without any complaints.

2SG Rusydi has served with pride and commitment, achieving very good records. Being dedicated and responsible, it is inevitable that he will excel in whatever he does.

Performance: Very good.
Conduct: Outstanding.

“Second to one thing.”