// a blog! bits and pieces of life

The long but (almost) meaningless period.

It has been about 2½ months into my army life. I was enlisted on the 28th of January, going through BMT in Tekong. Boy that brings back memories - some good, some bad, some just worth remembering. And it was on that day, 28th January, that I got to know 12 new friends - my bunk mates. Not long after, I've made more friends across the other sections, and it soon became a fairly friendly environment to be in.

After the relatively short BMT period, I was posted to my unit. Because it's a classified unit (kind of), I cannot comment too much. We had to undergo a security clearance test prior to our official courses and operations. Interestingly, I failed to pass the security clearance, and so I will have to be posted out to another unit. Along with me are 12 other persons, and only 21 persons remain. Almost half of us had failed the clearance, and we cannot comprehend why.

Nonetheless, that news came last week, last Friday in fact. Since we are unable to undergo those courses due to our security status, we were just asked to remain in this room with absolutely nothing to do. So we decided to take actions into our own hands, and entertain ourselves. It first started with a chess variant, titled 'Military Chess (军旗)'. It was pretty interesting, but you know me, I don't like to play such kind of games; dont ask me why, I don't know why either.

After awhile, one of us brought the board game 'Risk', and boy did it keep us entertained like there ain't no tomorrow. We probably played one of the longest Risk games ever - 6 hours for one round. And no it didn't end gloriously like it ought to have - we got sick of trying to defend our pieces and decided to focus our attack on one person to end the game with haste. It was tiring to keep our interest focused, because it was getting too draggy and was getting nowhere. In fact, I find Risk having more luck than strategy involved. And that's about Army.

Something out of the norm, I went cycling at East Coast Park last Saturday with my clique. Trust me when I say this: I had a lot, a lot of fun. I wish we could have more time to spend to enjoy ourselves, because I think we've been pretty deprived ever since we became busy with our individual lives, riding on our individual paths. Getting together once awhile is nothing but fantastic! I simply can't wait for more outings with you people! And for the record, I've never been that elated since I enlisted into the army.

University Admissions, another concern on my mind. It has been roughly a week since the closing date for NUS & NTU. Some of my friends have already received Letters of Offer for various courses, namely FASS, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Systems Engineering. Some have also gone for Medicine interviews at NUS, and NBS interviews at NTU. There are also those who have gone for SMU interviews. But I haven't had any news thus far. I applied for a Double Degree Programme (Law & Business Administration) at NUS. But it seems that those who applied to Law as well, have not received any news regarding the interview & admission test. The interview & test dates are fixed to be on next Friday to Sunday. Yet, a week away from those dates, we still have not been informed whether we are shortlisted or not. I cannot fathom what might just happen ..

Update: I just received the invitation! :D :D:D:D:D:D!

Oh for those who had applied for NUS Medicine, just a little research information I have: The lowest ranking points cut-off so far to be asked for Medicine Interview is 87.5, an allowance of a H2 B /2 H1 B's.

And what more with NTU not responding to my application either. I applied for a Double Degree Programme (Accountancy & Business Management) in their school, but despite there already being interviews conducted for applicants, I have yet to receive anything from NTU as well. I'm not sure if I rightfully have to go through an interview, for there are no news at all regarding compulsory interviews. Nonetheless, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I've been offered Accountancy & Business at NTU; just received the letter last night.

I'll end off this entry with a relatively unpleasant news, which might not even be of concern to most of you people. I've been rejected by PSC Scholarships.

Dear Applicants

2009 PSC SCHOLARSHIPS

Thank you for your interest and application for a Civil Service Scholarship.

2        We have carefully evaluated your abilities and accomplishments in school, and have considered all aspects of your application.  We regret to inform you that after reviewing your application thoroughly, we are not able to offer you a PSC Scholarship.  Nevertheless, we have referred your application to the relevant Ministries according to your career preferences/choices, for the Ministries’ consideration.  The Ministries will retain your application and will contact you in future if there are suitable opportunities that may arise.

3        We appreciate the effort you have put into your application and your interest in a PSC Scholarship. We wish you every success as you continue with your education.

Yours sincerely

PSC SECRETARIAT

While I had already mentally prepared for such an outcome, I still cannot put away my disappointment. But still, I can't believe I ever had the slightest hope for obtaining such a prestigious scholarship. Aren't I just weird.

Take care everyone! :)