The end of a beginning

Some days are good. Some days are bad. Most days I just want the whole world to evaporate. That was exactly how I felt during my 3 months stint "overseas".

I still remember vividly the poster that greeted me when I first stepped onto the shores of Tekong.

"It's not what you have left behind but what you will gain in the days ahead."

- PUKE

Expletives, mild and shocking alike, surfaced in my mind urging me to let them out in one long breath. I sighed instead. Looking back, the 3 months there was really a blur. Everything has to be done fast and correctly. And to top it all off, our instructors have a habit of contradicting themselves and one another.

This has to my favourite instruction.

"I never ask you all to run. I just want you all to move FAST."

There and then I decided command school is not for me.

But I have learned and experienced things that many will never get the chance to even try. I know the feeling of exhiliration when you see a tracer round being fired. I felt the sense of relief from my PC when I passed him the safety ring instead of the grenade during live grenade throw. All of us sang our hearts out during our 24 km march, lifting flagging spirits and galvanizing everyone for that one final push.

I was there for all that and for that I'm glad. I realised the true meaning of mental endurance, of "mind over body".

It was POP day and all of us were gathered at the basketball court when my section mate made this comment, "Walau, when bookout day all of us happy like fuck. Now POP all of our faces so black."

It was true. Most of us were having mixed feelings about passing out. While I am glad to be leaving the island, I know I will miss my sections mates. We truly had a helluva good time.

As they say, when one door closes, another opens. The end of one chapter is just a start of another. So here's to a great tomorrow.