After close to 2 years, I was finally called up for my first military re-service ICT. Having been part of an elite fitness unit and not doing any proper maintainence for all that time, I was actually pretty nervous... maybe a little intimidated. Not only because I only had a week to prepare but the fact that the glory days might actually be over. Reality was going to give me a tight slap in the face and squash my floating sandcastles by flashing my inadequacy in my chubby face. Nevertheless, some of the old guard will still be there, along with the familiar faces in the cookhouse and canteen, which was something to look forward to.
So on April 16th 2009, I went in for my ICT, excited as a fat-kid with a credit-card at MacDonalds.
At certain instances, on paper, it sounds like the worst military re-service programs one has to go through while serving as a re-service Physical Training Instructor. Living in the Yio Chu Kang area, I had to report to SAFTI in Boon Lay by 6.45a.m for 2 straight days in a row. That is not too bad, you may say. I agree, but it is if you book-out only at 11.30p.m the night before.
On the second night, we had to prepare paintball rifles for an event the following day. This resulted in the whole lot of us booking in to SAFTI at 1a.m, falling asleep at about 2a.m and waking up at 3a.m to start work. As it stood, everything was to end only at 2p.m. I didn't even have to go through it, the thought of it already exhausted me. But by the blessings and grace of the powers above, I managed to pull through. No, I actually had the time of my life. And it was really thanks to these guys :
Ain't gonna lie, I always thought that I grew up a little too fast. I feel that I missed out on a lot of my youth. Sure, I am only 21 but as anyone will tell you, apart from the times when I am drunk or Jaegerbombed out of my mind, I come across as a lot more mature. This has been a common statement ever since I was 17. These 2 weeks really helped to remind me that I am still a youthful ball of fire. Days spent doing things that I loved with a passion years ago, swimming, running, football, training till my 21 year old body felt like it was 81, getting cooked in the sun with scars (okay, tan-lines but scars sounds cooler, humour me) to prove. Most influential of all, being in the company of guys who are in the prime of their youth just rubs off onto me. I am grateful to each and every one of the guys who were part of my ICT. I will always remember the shit we did together haha.
Come to think of it, I wasn't very different then and now. It was just the world around me. I think it's like eating Ben & Jerry's ice-cream. Having it on the go is different than having it seated-down at the B&J house at Dempsey. ICT felt like having my Chocolate Chip and Cookie Dough seated on one of those swinging seats at Dempsey Hill. These 2 weeks, I learned a lot about myself and what I enjoy.
So now I'm back to the hustle and bustle of my life. I am still getting into the groove of things. Love, Life, business. Those 2 weeks were like a solid vacation for me, just like Manila last year, and my 2 weeks in Manila coming up in May. With a clearer picture of personal enjoyment... World, I am now, more than ever, ready to take you on again.
Anyway, Twitter rocks, please sign-up for it if you haven't already.
Live and Love,
Xavier
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