2008 is coming to an end, and as we celebrate this festive season, we should also take a quick look back at the past year and reflect on what we had been doing. Whether they are right or wrong, we should take it upon ourselves to learn from our successes and mistakes and bring these lessons with us over to the new year. Now, let’s time-travel back to the start of the year and review the 12 months of 2008.
January was a particularly busy month as we were practically tied down with evaluations every week due to the high-key period. It really took a toll on us for we had just return from the December block leave and hadn’t quite warm up yet. February was more manageable because of the Chinese New Year disruptions which provided a much needed break. However, we still couldn’t avoid the necessary preparations for the back-to-back Thailand-Taiwan trip in the following months.
March and April flew by while we were overseas. Who could forget the far-flung canteen in Thailand which offered cheap sumptuous food? Or Ah Fu’s ninja van in Taiwan that followed us almost everywhere we went? But it also starkly reminded us that staying with HQ isn’t the best accommodation arrangement and that photography in camp is prohibited, even when it’s not your camp. But otherwise, the trip was an eye-opening experience that broaden our outlooks.
It was already May by the time we returned to our camp. As we underwent the last evaluation with our seniors, we were faced with the bleak reality that we needed to learn how to be self-dependent and in addition to that, become mentors to our incoming juniors. Fortunately, we didn’t let ourselves down for we rose up to the challenge. In June, when the senior batch left, our juniors bunked in with us and frankly speaking, we were initially quite apprehensive that we’ll not get along well with them.
Nonetheless, we were relieved to be only spending half of June in camp as the other half was reserved for block leave. The tension between our juniors and us was already significantly evident in the first book-out since the move-in. While they were kept back for drill sessions, we were allowed to leave. This definitely didn’t do any good to improve the soured relationship. The situation remained status quo till September.
For many, July didn’t have much worth remembering. We were relatively free as we weren’t burden by evaluations. But for me, it was certainly unforgettable as I took a tumble over my first stumbling block. That July, I failed my ATP shoot and it seriously disheartened me. I didn’t live in peace for the next 5 months as I faced the prospects of a re-shoot with my juniors in December. It also signalled a detrimental change in my attitude and working principles.
Similarly, in August, we participated in the annual AHM and I disappointed myself once again with a dismal timing. I failed to meet my goal which I set for myself in the leading months up to race day. Just barely, but enough to inflict some serious damage on my self-esteem. Things started to pick up in September as we had to work overtime to get our stuff clean and the containers loaded for the upcoming Australia trip. Adding to our woes, we had to do all this in the midst of 2 evaluations a week apart.
But somehow, we managed. We passed the AQIS inspection and shipped off the containers. October had more in store for us. Before flying off to Australia, there was a rappelling course and company cohesion day. Having been time and again delayed or postponed, we finally got to try our hands at rappelling. Not the most pleasant of experiences, but we had fun. Then, to complete an adventure-packed week, it was dragon-boating at Kallang where we rowed ourselves dead. Arms were weary but the smiles on every face said otherwise.
A week later, we took a flight out to the land of kangaroos. However, it didn’t quite live up to its name as we didn’t see many of them around except at the zoo. Unlike previous countries we visited, Australia was a terribly cold place at night as we were situated close to the coast. But the phenomenal starry night sky that greeted us more than made up for the low temperatures. The end-of-frame dinner became a disaster when alcohol was served, and many were left drunk and wasted (I admit I was one of them). Undoubtedly, it was subsequently banned for the rest of the trip. And that ban still stands today.
It was November when we touched back down in Singapore. Days were relatively boring, only interspersed by the occasional evaluation. We spent most of our time playing sports in the afternoons till it’s dinner time. However, everything changed one fateful Tuesday morning, as an imminent regime change was on the block. Lines were redrawn and privileges were reconsidered to ensure a smooth handing-over. Nonetheless, our feedback was valued and taken into consideration.
Then came December. We hadn’t been impacted much since the change in leadership. In fact, it almost seems like it was for the better as we were given nights-out whenever possible. We could only sit and wait to see if any more good would come out of it. In the blink of an eye, I find myself back at the range, doing my ATP re-shoot with my juniors. As luck would have it, I managed to scrape a pass this time. Though the joy was short-lived, the relief came from taking the heavy burden off my back.
As for the rest of the month, it was block leave again, a well-deserved break considering what we had been through over the last 6 months. Indeed, we only have a little less than 2 months left before we ORD, and looking back at our shared memories, 2008 was really an eventful year. Not only had we been to 3 countries this year, we also felt the repercussions of 2 major leadership changes after each trip. Well, this sums up 2008 for me. How about you?