Kate: Hi, my name's Kate, and i was wondering if you could spare us a moment of your time for an interview, Amoz.

Me: Er.... how do you know my name?

Kate: Don't worry about that. Now, i heard that you are flying off to thailand tonight as part of your officer training. Is that right?

Me: Well, i guess that's true, i- Hey! How did you get into my room?

Next week on saturday midnight, i'll be flying off to thailand for my last artillery exercise (Exercise BattleKing). This is where we put all that we've learnt in artillery to the test as we fire live rounds over there! (since singapore is so small....) So yeah, i'll be gone on the 28th of january to the 13th of february, 17 days overseas!

 

So yeah, this monday to wednesday, we'll all be preparing for battleking and brushing up on our roles. My first appointment is a FDC GA (Fire Direction Centre Gunnery Assistant), which means i'll be the one pressing the buttons on the laptop and sending information to everybody. It's good in a way that i get to sit in the command post all day instead of having to run around in the rain like monkeys (no offense to those of you who got recce instead of FD).

 

Other than this, i guess after battleking, i'll be focusing on preparing for my commissioning parade. More details about that when the time draws nearer.

It's funny how i want to ORD, yet not want to face the challenges of adult life at the same time. Mom told me that it's possible that i might be living in melbourne by myself since Geelong and Swinburne Uni is very far apart. I must admit that the prospect of it all is a bit scary from where i'm looking at it at the moment. I mean, i'll have to get a job, pay the bills, cook and clean for myself, manage my time with family and friends, all while studying for uni. lol, and i thought army was a big milestone in my life! I reckon it'll be weird after i come back... having spent 2 years in singapore, i've forgotten in detail how my life in melbourne was before i'd became a soldier. (but you've been forgetful all the time, Amoz...)

 

The questiong that has been plaguing my mind for a long while is: "Am i ready for life after ORD?"

Sure, it wouldn't be too bad if i'd just agree to stay at my parents' place in geelong, that would certainly ease my worries about who will pay the bills, cook and clean for me- i mean, love me, yeah! But i guess i'd have to face the music one of these days. Might as well do it sooner rather than later. (that way, i can blame my mistakes on how spoilt i was here in singapore). hehehe...

 

Boaz brought to my attention that i should be in 2nd year uni right now. To which i thought for a while and said: "Oh yeah..." But i will only be starting uni when i'm 20. *sigh* Hey, at least my classmates in uni will be 18 year old girls!

Note to self: never drink rootbeer before you go to sleep, especially when you are playing the guitar in church the next day.

 

*yawns*

 

well, this is the first time i've play the guitar for church here in singapore. Not a bad timing seeing how today is the first sunday of 2007. Man, it's been a long time since i've touch an instrument for church... strange how the days seem to fly by so fast yet so innocently. Already, i've spent one year in singapore and approximately 10 months in the army. 14 months left until i ORD! Come on! >.<

 

anyways, things that've happened this past few days... hmm... well, last week, i watched Death Note 2 with a couple of my friends (so good!) and met up with Jo-an (she flew in from melbourne)[she's changed quite a bit] and Boaz. We watched Curse of the Golden Flower (actually, it's a chrysanthemum, but i guess "Golden Flower" makes it sound cooler... oh, and don't watch it.) and hung out. Now that i think about it, there isn't really much to do here in singapore besides shopping and playing lan games. (Thank goodness i'm hooked on dota.)

 

Nothing worth blogging about happened this week at camp. maybe something exciting will happen this week. my blog entries seem to be getting more and more dry and boring... maybe i should go skydiving over the weekends or something...

I forced myself to calm down as i wrapped my finger in the trigger in anticipation of the last target.

Calm down, Amoz. I told myself as i purposely slowed my breathing down like i was taught many months ago in BMT. It's just a practice.

Suddenly the last target came up, i squinted as i tried to aim dead-centre onto it.

BANG! BANG! BANG! I hardly flinched as my rifle jerked into me from the recoil; familiarity does that to you.

"Two off, Amoz." My assistant told me after he'd checked that my rifle had no more rounds left.

"Crap..." I swore quietly as i unloaded my rifle. "I can't shoot at night."

 

16 shots in the day, 12 at night. With a total of 28 rounds, i have to down at least 22 targets in order to get my marksman badge and $200.

I had managed to hit 14 targets during the day, but with the results i'm getting from my night shoot, marksman seems but a dream.

 

Well, at least it hasn't rained all day. I thought as i looked up at the night sky. God must've answered our prayers.

 

It was true. Lately, these past few days have been nothing but showers and heavy rain. However, today was an exception.

 

"So how did you go?" My buddy, Dennis, asked when we got back to our resting point. "Marksman?"

I sighed and shook my head, even though i knew that it was too dark for him to see me do so. "No," I answered. "I couldn't see my rear sight."

"Well, good thing it was just practice today." Dennis stated. "Maybe tommorrow would be different."

"Maybe..." I said.

 

The next day, after a night of fervent praying: "Please let me get marksman! Marksman! Marksman! Marksman! Marksman! Marksman!" (not literally, but it was along those lines), I loaded my rifle and "killed" 14 targets in the day. Same as yesterday. I thought to myself and couldn't help but cringe at the possiblity of getting the same scores at night.

However, when the sun began to set, the most miraculous thing took place.

"First detail move out." Major Joyce ordered.

My eyes widened in surprise the second she said that. I couldn't believe it, i was the second detail, shooting right after first detail finished. Looking at the sky, there was still enough daylight to "see" everything, including my rear sight. I couldn't help but smile as i loaded my rifle again and took out 9 out of 12 targets that "night".

 

Praise the Lord! 23 out of 28 shots.