Worst Army Experience

I was recalled for a silent mob sometime in Feb this year. It proved to be the worst army experience ever!

Called at 1.45pm, told to report by 3pm. Thank you for the last minute information. Recalled for me should be 2hrs in advance. Rushed down and then ferried to the manning area to set up. Set up was so bad. SAF got so much $$ but not enuff to get decent PC. Our tablet kept hanging and we had to apologise for the cock up! Talk about SAF not owning up to their errors. M hour being 5pm, means we can leave only at 1am. Then head to the equiping centre where we just waited. The reason? Cos it was too late and no public transport. So they wont release us until the next day. Crazy. I heard from internally there was a timing cock up! Supposed to be having M hour at latest 4pm, most prob ard 12-2pm. For their cock up, we have to suffer! No bunks, no shower, just sat and lay on the concrete flooring... in a multi-story carpark!!! Most of us couldnt even sleep! I rather leave camp and take a cab. Ops, i think they are afraid of people wanting to claim for cab fares!

We waited for the sun to raise before we were allowed to book out at around 9am. So tired I had to take the next Monday off to sleep at home. Most of my fellow camp mates do not have such luxury and slogged back to work with only 30% operating capacity.

Then I found out that I was paid for my service from 2.55pm to 11pm on that activation Saturday!!.. so furious I wrote in to complain... Finally they changed.. Read below's email and u will understand why I became more furious after reading that! And to think the gals tot we guys were fortunate for receiving that miserable $100 of Relief Package (fyi, this year I no receive cos I got it last year!). Please bear in mind that we guys have to burn our weekend for errors on SAF part sometimes. Come to think of it, for all the errors and time wastage and burnt weekends, that should work out to roughly $10 or less per day for my sacrifice. Not a bad pay really, considering SAF's standard.

Dear Dian-Hao

National Service is a duty to the Nation. NSmen are given service pay for each day of NS Training, including Saturdays & Sundays. While this cannot fully compensate our NSmen for their commitment and contribution towards NS, service pay serves to recognise each day of contribution made by NSmen.

For oyur recent NS Training, your NS Unit had since amended your attendance to 21 Feb 09 (1455hrs) - 22 Feb 09 (0800hrs). As the total duration is less than 18 hours, your Service Pay for this NS training is still calculated based on one day ($ xx.xx).

Since you did not suffer civilian income loss due to this NS Training, you will not be able to claim make-up pay from MINDEF. Make-up Pay is the difference between your civilian income loss and your service pay for the NS training.MINDEF understands that it is not possible to fully compensate our NSmen for the sacrifice they have made to NS, we appreciate and recognise their contribution through various ways such as granting of NSmen Tax Relief and in the form of additional allocations in asset enhancement schemes such as the GST Credits and Growth Dividends.

We thank you for your feedback and look forward to your continued support of NS.

Lai Hung Yin(Ms)
Customer Service Officer
MINDEF Shared Services -
NPCFOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

-----Original Message-----

To:SAF
Subject:Make-Up Pay Claims

To whom it may concern,

I would like to refer to my recent silent mob call up on 21 Feb 2009. On the http://www.ns.sg/ website, it was indicated that my call up lasted from 1455hrs to 2255hrs. The following queries I have that I would like to understand:

Since the activation was on a weekend, my employer will not be making any claims to SAF?The $xx.xx was the Vocation Pay i was entitled for my being called up?

I belonged to the advance party team where we received the 1st call at 1345hrs. I reached and reported to Jurong camp at 1455hrs. However we stayed at the recall centre until 1am as the M hour was 5pm. We were then transferred to Maju Camp for equiping and only allowed to leave the camp at around 0830hrs the following day. However, these timings were not captured in the system.

Based on the MUP, I was entitled $xx.xx for my service from 1455hrs to 2255hrs on 21 Feb 2009. This was an 8 hours time frame, which is inaccurate. The more accurate timeframe should be from 1455hrs on 21 Feb 2009 to 0830hrs on 22 Feb 2009. This will reflect a 17hrs 35min time frame, which (based on the $xx.xx for 8 hrs) will mean a MUP of around $xx.xx.I believe this is a system error. However, if this is not, then it would be unfortunate that SAF would incur the extra time of their working NSmen without being fair and justified with the MUP. Because of this unexpected overnight call up, most of us ended distracted and tired for work the next day.

I hope to receive your response soon.

Thank you.

my 15 days of cny 2009

Christmas has its 12 days. CNY has more at 15 days.. and this year's 15 days of CNY has been different and especially nice.

The 1st 2 days were in my previous entry, so i shall start wtih my 3rd day. I stayed up really late till 1.30am just to reply my work emails. According to my animal horoscope, it is auspicious for me to start work on the 3rd day. Since me on leave dat day, so no choice reply at home. Day 3 was a peaceful day where i drove my parents for a nice and simple breakfast in Jurong West.

Day 4 was office day for me. the office was almost empty as most were still on holiday. time jus zoomed by.. same as with Day 5, which is a friday. The weekend was peaceful.

Day 8 was the 1st Monday of the new year, where most ppl reported back to work. and I got my 1st angbao from work that day courtesy from Jessica. Thanks!! The next 2 days were spent in anticipation for Day 11's CNY LoHei by the firm. Anticipation was natural as our boss has the practice of giving very big angbao. Last year's was $288!!!

This year's LoHei was at Nobel house. It was a nice event, not as great as last year's dishes though.. but it doesnt really matter... the most important part of the lunch was when the bosses became the Fortune Gods!! I will not say how much this year's ang bao was.. but it was a sweet surprising moment for everyone. :)

The next day was another great day. My 1st ICT of 2009 was short and sweet. Dinner at PF's place with my 1st KFC meal of the Cow year. Then came the gambling. Not an avid fan of gambling, we played blackjack for around 1.5hrs where i lost $16... after resting for a while (the length of a Hancock movie), i joined my fren with majong... combining power with CF, we both won an astonishing $150!! My 1st win in so many years!! hahaha.. but the drawback, i slept at 6am.. so straining....

Last day of CNY, day 15... My dept had a LoHei at Beng Hiang.. Nice place with great food...

wat a nice 15 days of CNY

photos will be uploaded onto www.deroldee.shutterfly.com

My 100th Entry: Happy Bull Year!!!

My 100th blog entry!!! and i've becoming lazier and lazier in updating my blog these days. haiz...

Since x'mas 2008, i've been on holiday mood, taking (and clearing) my leave. The super long weekend for CNY helped to uppe the holiday mood as well. Took 2 days off to make it a 6 days break!

Rented a Ford Lazer 1.6L car for 5 days... and practically drove all over SG!! Upon collection, I drove my parents to the Salvation Army, BT Timah, Seng Siong and Woodlands to buy cheap and good seafood. The day ended at Holland V with XO Bee Hoon. Damage done by my parents' wallet? over $300. They couldn't stop buying especially at the seafood warehouse!! There alone burnt up $200!!

Day 2 saw me driving to Bedok for lunch. That was followed by a durian treat and dessert at Red Hill hawker. With not much time to spare resting at home, we headed for ABC market for dinner and then to Alexandra Food Centre for a cuppa nice and rich avocado drink.

Day 3 was another packed day. Driving to Bugis to pick my sis up from gym class, then followed immediately by lunch at Seng Siong Jln Bahar. Nex up, a nice and scenic drive to my granny's place in JB via the 2nd link. The drive was better and smoother than I've expected, and we reached there in just under 35 mins. 2 hours of shopping at nearby Giant before we went to my granny's place for the reunion dinner. The day ended with sparks of fireworks at the stroke of mid-night. nice..

Day 4 was a lazy day, with relatives visitng my granny... we left for SG in the mid afternoon and arrived home just in time for a quick shower. ANd then we were off to our 1st ever reunion dinner outside!! We dined at a steamboat rest at Bugis... the food was not really fantastic, but it was an experience nonetheless. After a very full dinner, we had to walk off the calories. A visit to Mt Faber the Henderson Waves did the trick. The more than 1km walk was sufficient to make all of us sleep a soundful sleep.

Day 5 was a late day. Breakfast was at Jurong Point as it was the 2nd day of CNY.. and most shops were closed. This was followed by some more grocery shopping.. Lunch was a Casurina Drive for the nice pratas. Filled to the brim, we went for a walk at Lower Pierce Reservoir. This was followed by a scenic walk at the Marina Barrage where we witness tonnes of water being released into the sea. DInner was at Subway at Downtown east before we embarked on our tree walk from Alexandrea Arc.

Day 6 was the most relaxing day. Drove out for breakfast at Jurong West old market before the car was finally returned.

Total car rental cost? $450. I think the total petrol cost came up to $ 120. So it was around $114 per day for the car, and it sure did save lots of trouble and brought everyone closer together during this period.

A new Year, hopefully a better year ahead for everyone!! Gong Xi Fa Cai!!

my 2008 blockbuster holiday... ...

my annual blockbuster holiday saw me flying off to the neighbouring country of Thailand. The land of a thousand smiles was warm in inviting me, and i've not felt such great for a long time. Days seem to whizz past and there was no boring moments. I reckon I've spent around $1200 with all the shopping and makan and massages.  With so many activities going on, this trip, however, will truly be known as the Great Thailand Makan Trip!!

First on my plan when i reach bangkok was to tailor some shirts and a pair of trousers. Then it's makan and makan and makan!!! Time jus flew and then it's time for my domestic flight to Chiang Mai!

Chiang Mai, the 2nd largest city in Thailand, is a pleasant place. The December cool weather made the stay even more accomodating. My room with Holiday Inn was upgraded (I supposed due to the recent riots, the holiday must be quite empty) and I've got a pleasant view of the city outskirt.

Staying in Chiang Mai for 4 nights, I've been to a flea market every evening!  It was just plain walking down the streets of crowded people (just doesnt feel recession at all).  The cummulative effects of these 4 walks?  Countless bottles of deliciously refreshing mandrain orange juices, 1 t-shirt, 2 bags, and lotsa road side local delicacies!!  And oh yea, I managed to chomp down a couple of bugs in one of the nite markets. hehe.. and they dont taste as disgusting as they look!

This is truely a relaxing and free and easy trip in Chiang Mai.  Joining 2 day trips to Doi Ithanon and Chiang Dao Mountains were basically the main highlights of my Chiang Mai stop.  Di Ithanon is Thailand's highest peak, over 2500m high.  We were lucky enuff to have clear blue skies when we arrive there, but nonetheless, it was still brrr brrr cold!!!  Due to the cool temperature, the flora there were jus amazing.  the lush greens and waterfalls made the entire nature reserve look like a post card picture!

Chiang Dao caves are limestone caves where we get to see the various formations.  nothing much except the surprisingly hot temperature!!  It was just sweaty, slippery and humid in the cave.   Not exactly pleasing walk..   A visit to the 5 minority tribes followed where the locals would rushed forward to sell their crafts. 

Returning to Bangkok, the weather seemed to cool down somewhat.  The count down party preparations can be seen everywhere in the city.  Being lazy, i was back in the room by 11pm... However, i did not miss out any sparks of the new year... at the stroke of midnight, fireworks began spilling the dark skies with dazzling colors from the view and comfort of my room!! what a way to enjoy the spectacular view!!

Time truly whizzed by extremely fast for this trip.. so relaxed and so in control....  the 9 days of fun will definitely etch a wonderful memory for me.  Chiang Mai is definitely worth revisiting... anyone interested? :P

Photos can be viewed at www.deroldee.shutterfly.com 

Merry Christmas

Wow, time really flies... it's time for my year end last blog entry again!! So far have not been really consistent with my entries... just too many things happening, and so many events happening.

Last week, I co-organised my company's x'mas party. It was quite fun as i introduced the C&W Awards thing where everyone has to cast their votes on 8 categories like Best Hair and Gregarious Laugh Award. And my boss reward me (as well as my co-organisers) gift vouchers!! Now that vouchers came as a surprise as we have been really hard at work trying to reduce the cost. Our final tally came to 70% of the inital budget. Well, even with the vouchers, we are still within budget. :P

The next day was another activities packed day, with a hi-tea session at Novotel where I ate to my heart's content for only $18 (cos a fren got a 50% discount voucher). This followed by the annual Yuppies X'mas gathering, this time at JH and VVN's new abode.

I got a few presents... A nice long sleve T, quick dri towel, a CD rack shaped like a beer barrel only it's made of obvious plastic, a chic glass wine cannister, an Evian special edition specially flown in from France and a $40 Taka voucher. Not bad I should say, generally satisfied with the gifts. Then we played with our presents.. starting with Bingo where i eventually won $6. We followed up with this silly board game REHAB, with silly cards like Dry Humping the nearest chair... and yes, i was the one who got that card. :P

So far so fun for X'mas 2008. . . and hopefully it will get better.. x'mas day itself will be in bangkok, my 2nd overseas christmas! (1st was in 1993 in Brisbane with my family on a family trip)

Just read about my horoscope for 2009, seems really good. Hopefully it turns out as well as it has been predicted!!..

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone whom I do not have the chance to wish you in person!

gongxi gongxi

2008, a year of many weddings... well, at least for me. so far, i've attended at least 5 weddings, missed around 3, and with 3 more to go before 2009 arrives. Out of these, i've been and will become brothers for 4 of them and MC for 2. A great 2008 filled with happy couples!

My wedding circuit is gonna start real soon, this sunday will be Emily & Gerard's Wedding where i will be MC cum Brother. Then nex saturday will be JH & VVN's big day where i will be brother, and then Dec's 1st sat will be PF and Derric's wedding. Can be quite tiring, but fun as well... it's a great way to meet and catch up with old frens, since you cant really say no to such a joyous invitation.

To all my friends tying the knot, Congratulations to You!! And many many great years ahead!!

pounding all the way... ...

It's almost always that someone near me will say i'm skinny and odd to put on some weight.  I was at 65kg last year for a brief 3 months period b4 it plummeted down to 60kg... and then everyone was again back to informing me that i became thin and skinny....

truth is, i also no wanna lost weight, but gaining weight is not easy for me.  since last year till last month, i managed to hover ard 61kg only... tat's up to only mid Oct 2008.... for no reason, i began piling up my weight, 0.1kg per day... shocking to me.. and then the real bomb came... last tuesday i was at 61.7kg.. and on Wednesday i was weighed at 63.3kg!

Could it be that my met rate is starting to fall now?  heard from a fren that met rate will fall quite suddenly....  Or have my weight gaining tactics finally seeing the light of day?  anyway, i'm still targeting 65kg....  hmmm... :P