Last Day in camp

Today was my last official day of work, before ORD.. naturally, i am on half day leave (in the morning) today. went back around 12 plus for my last lunch at cookhouse. expected it to be western food but it was some normal lunch.. what the heck.. anyway the highlight of the day was the ORD function. this is something camp has every 3 months for thos personnel going ORD.. and.. finally it's my turn. the 29th ORD function. it's just something that every ORD personnel will go up and shake commander's hand and, 3 representatives from the officer, specialist and men will go up to give a speech on their feelings.

This time round, all the 3 speakers were all men (in fact all CPLs). And yours truly was one of them. Commander actually commented me on talking about fun and excitement and also about what i mentioned as 'words of encouragement' to those who have some time left, no doubt we are not here by choice, but we all have a choice as to whether we want to put in our best or not. And i quoted the oft-said quote: do not despair, for your time will come.

after which was the plaque giving ceremony. now i have a new plaque on my display case, to join my St John first aid competition trophy and my RV science quiz trophy... "for my invaluable services and contributions 6 Jan 03 to 5 May 05".. followed by the usual makan at mess.. i felt so good, normally when walking out of the hall those ORD personnel would ask me , just like wedding dinner "so when's your turn:?" and now it is my turn, to ORD...

i saw that signals AS1 has been replaced by a lady 2LT.. ooh.. didn't really talk to her but got to know she would be studying in NUS. think its arts. maybe might bump into her in future (but would she remember? i don't think so)

after that went around saying goodbye to most of the ppl.. wil have to continue doing so tomorrow..

after leaving camp, i went down to Istana to pay my respects to the late President Wee Kim Wee. I had seen him once in person when he was the Reviewing Officer for St John AGI 1998. (1997 was President Ong, and 1999 was President Nathan.) But to me he was a larger than life figure through most of my childhood. truly a People's President. As I was in uniform, for me, I saluted when standing before the casket instead of bowing like the rest did.. though I was to find out later through a chat with a friend that by right, I should have put on my beret and the black arm band to do it, but who cares, it's over! (I don't know if black arm band is applicable for No. 4 though, I know it is applicable for No. 1, 3 and 5 but not for 2.. probably not for 4 either. which means the only thing missing would have been my beret.) If there's a next time though (not any time soon I hope), it would be SJAB full uniform. Better as it's an officer rank. Hopefully i will have my car by then so i can park at PS and not bring in unnecessary stuff.

Met Chung Ming, an old friend of mine from RVHS while waiting for the bus.. joined him and his friends for dinner later. Turned out they were together from Scouts.. anyway had a fun time catching up with him, turned out he's from 2 PDF as well... later on hitched a ride back.. well have the opportunity to catch up some other time heh..

Then now i'm back.. Waiting to go back to camp for the last time.. and to once again, behold in my hands, the precious Pink IC..

Talking about that, when I gave away my Pink IC, it was in a plastic casing.

I wonder if the plastic casing is still there.
Well, in 10 hours' time, i will know.....

in the meantime.. ORD LOR!