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About

"I started this blog for 2 purposes. 1, to chronicle my days and experiences in Malaysia's National Service for my own future references, and at the same time, 2, to provide a personal insight into the life of a National Service trainee for whoever who would care to read."

Recent

"Back from NS, and updating this blog bit by bit. I wrote almost every single day in there!"

Archives

Day 13.2: Punk'd! Thursday, June 26, 2008 |

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NS is fun i tell you. It's a blast, provided you don't err big when it comes to following instructions. Knowing what buttons not to push, and what rules can be bent is crucial to be able to thrive within the strict reign of the authorities.

Just before our CB class ends at 12.30pm today, Cikgu Yus called out the names of 3 girls and around 8 or 9 guys' name, summoned them to the front of the class, and announced to the class that word just came from JLKN that these are the ones who are going to be sent to East Malaysia as part of a racial integration program. They stood in a long horizontal line in front of everyone, completely stunned by the news.

Of the 3 girls, 2 are from our own dorm, SH and SJ. We stared at our friends. We were as shocked as they are.

Then SH broke down and started sobbing, followed quickly by SJ and this other girl T. Then some of the guys couldn't hold back their tears any longer and cried too.

In the midst of the pool of tears, Cikgu Yus, referring to the official letter in her hand, went on to tell us that they will be shipped out this evening at 5.30pm. What's more, T, a fragile looking little girl was chosen to join Singapore's 2-year military service training. Cikgu Yus gave her a chance to say her last words before she leaves.

By this time, T was shedding tears by the bucket and a number girls from our dorm were also crying their eyes out because we're so going to miss SH.

Alas, it was all just an act on the teacher's part. LOL. The teachers played a practical joke on them, or rather, on all of us. It was a prank! Nobody's leaving and there's no military training! Truth is, those who were supposedly picked to go to East Malaysia are all born in June, and today is T's birthday. The prank was the teacher's way of celebrating their birthdays! This definitely counts as one of those "my most unforgettable birthday" for those June babies, with all the drama and emotions in the room.

Me i was totally fooled initially. The news caught me by surprise but i didn't cry or anything like that. I actually envied them cuz i really longed to go to the NS camps in East Malaysia, as far away from civilisation as possible. Got somewhat suspicious when the 2 year military training in Singapore was mentioned. I was like, no way she's gonna survive that. She doesn't even participate in half of our physical exercises because her frail body couldn't cope with it, anemia or something.

Anyway it was quite entertaining and left us all with a lovely memory of one of the more interesting times in NS. I kinda hope that the July, August and September babies will get such a wonderful birthday celebration too, but its unlikely. The same trick will not work twice, unless the teachers get creative and come up with something totally unexpected.

Post-NS note:
Indeed, we were pranked again later into the NS program. But that's a story for another post ;)

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Day 11.3: Of Womanizer Teacher and Maggi! Tuesday, June 24, 2008 |

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During CB class earlier this morning, i had a chat with Cikgu Chip. From our brief conversation, i found out that he got his degree from Unisel, and is a self-proclaimed womanizer. Gave me his Friendster email addy even. Also his name "Chip" actually came from the word "Chief", a nickname he got from his days in the army/navy? Couldn't remember the details exactly. Communication between us would be much smoother and easier if it was in English. I'm still rather slow at catching the Malay accented Malay spoken language.

While i'm writing this, our group leader is describing how this extremely competitive girl from another company threw a half-eaten apple at her feet when she passed by their dorm. The same girl who gave us wrong instructions to walk instead of jog during this morning's exercise session, when really we're not supposed to walk at all. Kinda like, xiasue-ed us in a way.

Devoured a cup of instant Maggi noodle and some biscuits for lunch today cuz i'm fed up with the food from the canteen, which seriously lacks variety of any kind.

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Day 7.1: Indians Fighting Amongst Themselves Friday, June 20, 2008 |

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Yay! The Muslims are going for their Friday prayers. Which means the rest of us can rest until 3 pm! Usually activity starts at 2.30 pm, we get an extra half-an-hour today, woot!

There's some conflict between some Indians girls. The tension is so great all of us from the girls' dorm are aware of them fighting. Not physically, more like shouting across the dorms at each other in very very loud Tamil. I have no idea what the issue is, but it sure is a big deal for them. I hope they're not quarelling over trivial matters like toilet paper, or wearing other people's slippers etc. You never know, some 18-year-olds are still pretty immature. "Some" might be an understatement, try "most".

And there i thought it's more common to have conflict between different races. But no. They're fighting amongst themselves now lol.

CB Classes are boring as usual. But at least now started some bertegur sapa between the guys and the girls. 

I find it ridiculous the way they separate the guys and girls. I understand if it's against their religion for intimacy between unmarried man & women, but hell, i'm not a Muslim, why should i abide by their rules? I mean, it's not even like we're going to get intimate or anything, just chat, have a proper conversation on the same table. But no, they have to have this rule where the guys sit on one side of the dewan makan and the girls are only allowed to sit on the other side, to make sure there's no contact between the 2 separate species?

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Day 6.2: $@%#ing Hate It In Here!!! Thursday, June 19, 2008 |

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I would very much like to write that i'm having a wonderful time in camp, feeling happy and all, but then i would be lying.

Well, i'm getting along quite well with my new friends here, it's fun hanging out with them despite the communication gap. And unlike quite a number of my friends who couldn't stand the kawad sessions, i kinda developed a liking towards it, though of course, i would've preferred kawad-ing in a mosquitoes-free environment. Seriously, they attack you like tiny swarm of bees, especially during the early morning 6.30 am line-up. What's worse, we're not supposed to move a muscle when we're dalam barisan, so it's breakfast buffet for them mosquitoes while we suffer through the unbearable itchiness.

I know i know, it's not good to complain. But i'm gonna do it anyway, in writing. It's just not healthy to keep everything pent up inside.

Complain No. 1, i am so not used to the hectic timetable (Which, by the way, we're not even given. I mean, we wouldn't know what's been planned for us or what we're supposed to be doing next until say, when we actually start doing it. I don't like not knowing whatever's going to come next. Is this fear of not being in control? I dunno *sigh*). So, the hectic timetable. Right. 

Truth is, i've been constipated for 3 days. Cuz everytime i feel like going, the timing wouldn't be right. Heck, i wouldn't wanna be halfway through doing my business when announcement goes off summoning us to gather in padang kawad in 10, or worse, 5 minutes. So i'll have to pick times where i'm sure i'll have at least like, 15 minutes of free time. Thing is, when i do have the time, i'd rather be writing, or reading, than squatting over the toilet staring at profanity written with marker pen all over the plastic door. Hence, the constipation problem.

Complain No. 2 (Oh, we're only at 2? I feel like i've been rambling for so long already), i feel so goddamn filthy. I've been taking showers under mental pressure, pressure to shower quickly so as to not let my friends wait for me (Yes, we shower together in separate cubicles), or getting left behind. Reducing the number of times going in the shower is not an option, cuz i sweat like hell ALL DAY LONG, even at night. It's a freaking sauna 24/7 here. Perhaps because we're situated right beside the sea? So basically i rush through each shower sessions, mandi kerbau, as the Malay simpulan bahasa goes. Damn.

One last thing. 20% of the time i couldn't get the joke they make in Malay. I feel for some of the Chinese guys who cannot understand slightly-intermediate-level-Malay. During CB classes, they haven't the slightest idea what the teachers want them to do. I noticed the boring expression on their faces, which i totally understand. I myself am doing my best to stay awake during CB classes. Feel damn sleepy even though i went to bed on time and slept like a log the instant i hit the pillow.

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Day 5.2: First Time in Full Celoreng and Kelas CB Wednesday, June 18, 2008 |

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This is what i call real training.

This afternoon, without any warning beforehand, we were suddenly asked to line up in full celoreng (full uniform, the striped one ala army uniforms) in 15 minutes. It was a total chaos.

Some were debating amongst each other whether to wear the inner celoreng, some were having trouble putting on their spike boots, some didn't know how to buckle their huge-ass belt, some were clueless on how to wear the beret...

TOTAL CHAOS.

~Kinda reminds me of scenes from movies depicting life in military camp, where the soldiers are in their bunks each doing their own stuff when the whistle goes off and everyone scrambles to put on their gears and stuff in like, 30 seconds.~
 
We were summoned to padang kawad for more kawad lessons in full celoreng. Wasn't too bad. I enjoyed it, actually.

Later in the morning, we sat through our first character building class in Dewan Rahah. Kelas CB, as they call it. I keep thinking it's Kelas Chi Bai lol.

It was quite boring imho. I don't quite get the point of having these classes. It felt much like attending kindergarden classes. Even the book each of us was given looks like some primary school kid's workbook. 

First we were split up and put into smaller groups. Then begins the childish activities. Lining up according to names in alphabetical order, according to surnames in alphabetical order, writing down rules for football in a given time, then badminton... Then there's this game called Bongo-bongo where you go around asking for other people's name and have them write down their name on a piece of paper. Hell, isn't there any ice-breaking activities that cater for 18 and above?

Heavy rain poured while we were in class (There goes all my clothes i left hanging at the clothesline to dry) and we were sent to lunch at 12.30pm.

The girls have been visiting the medic like it's their second home. I see them walking to and fro to the medic all the time. Am i that healthy compared to the others?

Shit. I think i'm getting sick. Sore throat and runny nose. Shit. Shit. Shit. I don't wanna miss out on all the fun. 

Ziana is telling the girls a story. Adiós!

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Disclaimer

*All names have been changed to protect the identity of the people involved. Usually i'd just avoid putting names and refer to them as 'friends' instead ;)

"While every care has been taken to provide my readers (if any) with most accurate information and candid accounts, please note that the author would not be bothered to update this blog following the end of her NS days, and that all accounts only reflect her views alone over the course of her NS days. If the author has presented comments that may be deemed harmful, rest assured that they are not meant to offend anyone, and she may not be held liable for sharing her opinions on this blog."

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