Holi-MiZ 7: Asking my friends out for a movie the very first time

30 May 2005
Ok, in the morning, I asked some people using SMS to asked them out for a movie of Madagascar. Well, by asking some people, my handphone almost exploded with SMS (well, you should roughly guess what those messages were about). Well, I decided to have a movie "Madagascar" at 12.40pm at Plaza Singapura, asking them to wait there at 12.20pm to give some time allowances. Well, WQ, CC, WH and WB agreed with this initially.

Before going to Plaza Singapura to buy tickets, I went to ABRSM office at Victoria concert hall near Raffles Place MRT station to query about my music theory results. Wel, they said that the results will only arrived 3 months after I took my exams, which means it will be released someday in June (well, I took my exams at 12 Mar 2005, if you have read my blog or journal carefully). Well, since I was already there, I decided to get a copy of "These Music Exams", about how to prepare yourself during your music practical/theory exams (well, it's free anyway).

After that, I went to GV Plaza Singapura to buy movie tickets, again using my debit card. If you don't know, I don't bring too much cash out for certain reasons (at most $50 if you want to know).After buying the tickets, I recieved messages from CC, WQ and WB, saying that there will be late (well, it's understandable, since the movie was quite early for most people). WH said that he could not make it. Well, I think that's a bit too late for him to tell me, but never mind about that. It only cost $7 per ticket anyway.

Ironically, when CC said that he was going to be very late, he was the first person to arrive, still able to meet the 12.20pm timing. I thought that was really impressive, since he had to come all the way from Choa Chu Kang to Dhoby Ghaut to catch the movie with us. Good job for trying your very best to be on time. Well, WQ only came in 1 minute later, still able to reach before time as well when he had to travel from Yew Tee to Dhyoby Ghaut. I think that's also great as well. Weibin came the latest, as he missed a stop. Well, he said that he fell asleep while inside the train. Never mind, next time try to be alert.

Well, the movie was quite interesting and humourous. Hmm... I think Dreamworks made a good job in making this movies and some others like Shrek 2 as well, and watching this movie can be quite refreshing after watching some violent shows with PSQ and company.

After watching the movie, WB and I had our lunch at the food court in Plaza Singapura, while CC and WQ waited for us when we had our lunch.

After leaving Plaza Singapura, WB and I decided to have a haircut at EC House at Junction 8 as there might be a haircut inspection the next day. Well, I didn't get my hair to be cut very shortly as last time, since it was a different hairdresser. WB, unfortunately had his hair cut to the extend that it was really short (and he complained to me about that). Well, actually I still think that he still looked good in that hairstyle.

After having my haircut, I went back home to wash up, pack my things before booking in and also sleep while leaving my MSN on.

The Sunny MiZ 14: NDP CCR 2

29 May 2005
Have to wake up very early in the morning to have our breakfast in the cookhouse. Well, the breakfast was nothing really special, just bread and hard-boiled egg (which I don't really eat anyway). After having our breakfast, we went to load the stores into the tonner.

After reaching Tuas, we unload some of the stores to the command post, set up the public address system and also put the manpack sets there. Well, as they did not want too many people in the command post (and also I lost my job because someone didn't trust me at all), I was asked to wait at the resting area when the rehearsal started.

Well, I waited in the resting area, looking at all those vehicles driving past the road. Almost fell asleep while observing the rehearsal. Didn't do anything much there as I afraid that I might get caught by those higer ranks coming to the resting area to drink water.

Hmm... anyway, lunch was great (it was Western lunch by the way), considering the fact that the cookhouse don't always cook such nice food. As we had our lunch, it started to rain, so we went to the canteen to have our lunch there to be sheltered from the rain. We waited until 2.45pm, just before the next rehearsal start.

After going back there, I decided to go to where HH was standing, where he cued the people on the vehicles to cut the saluting, as I felt quite bored in the resting area. Did make some conversation with him to kill a bit of boredom.

Dinner was somewhat ok. Well comparing to the dinner we usually had in the cookhouse while in camp, it was definitely much better. Hmm... I wonder why they can't cook better food while we were in camp... Ok, after dinner, there was one more rehearsal before we could end the day.

After the last rehearsal ended, we quickly packed our stores into the tonner and waited inside there before going back to camp. When we reached camp, we quickly pack the stores into the room and left the vehicular sets in the rover to let other people to dismount them on Monday. We then booked out of camp after that.

MiZ Speaks
Hmm... kind of sad that I have to miss 3 violin lessons because of NDP CCR. Well, never mind about that, I had missed 1 month of piano lessons last time because of O levels (I had paid for that month school fees by the way). Well, I think, when I start to go back for my violin lessons, I will have a lot of things to catch up with...

MiZiSat 14: Monster-in-law

28 May 2005
As usual, I would wake up quite early to log on to my MSN and watch TV as well. After that, I had a napped again later in the morning. Just didn't know why I was still feeling quite sleepy even though I slept for about 7 hours.

After I woke up at noon, my sister asked me whether I'm free later in the afternoon as she wanted to watch monster-in-law. Well, since I had nothing on in the afternoon, I decided to watch the movie with her.

Well, we went to Golden village at Junction 8 to catch the movie, since we were feeling quite lazy to go to other places to watch. While she was buying the tickets, I went to draw some money out. After that, we had our lunch at Delifrance. Hmm... haven't been eating for quite a long time already. Before going in to the movie theatre, I bought a Madagascar popcorn combo (the combo that gives free towel) to share with my sister. Hmm... about the movie, it was somewhat humourous to me. Enjoyed the movie quite a lot.

After the movie, I went straight home, while my sister went to shop at Junction 8 for a while. Thought of going somewhere to walk around, but as I need to prepare to book in later, and I was feeling a little tired, I decided not to do so.

MiZ Speaks
Ok, I added some music files over here to let you all listen to what kind of music I'm listening to. The following are a movement of flute sonata, oboe sonata and recorder sonata composed by George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759), played by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble, from Philips Classics Productions. This is also for those who are interested to know how the flute, the oboe and the recorder sounded like.

Ok, I decided to remove those music from this entry because it is taking up too much bandwidth. Well, I decided to put up about one music per week, when i'm free to do so, to let you listen to the kind of classical music I'm listening to (well, I don't listen to ALL sorts of classical music by the way, just only the selected some that I'm interested in).

MiZ in Weekdays 14: Only 2 days in camp...

26 May 2005
Supposedly there was a CO talk in the morning. When we were about to bring the PA system to the multi-purpose hall, the people from the S branches then told us that the CO talk was cancelled and will be postphoned. Well, we had our roll-call by CSM instead. He said that there will be an area inspection next Tuesday. Oh my god, our bunk haven't really been maintained for such a long time... I wonder how are we going to clean up all the mess, stains and dusts everywhere in our bunk... The toilets were dirty, but at least they were still cleaned much more recently than our bunk.

After our roll-call, we then waited in the bunk for further instructions. We only came down later in the morning to clean a few 800 series groundplate and 900 series power amplifier and return them to the stores, including some of the 900 series accesories. After that, we had our lunch.

In the afternoon., there was also nothing much for us to do, so we just stayed in our bunk until dinner time.

27 May 2005
We were told to go to the office in the morning. Well, when we reached there, we just did nothing much except to read newspaper and to talk. Hmm... didn't know why we come to the office for... Maybe that was not to let anyone be seen in the bunk.
Anyway, after that, they need some people to go to 3 SIR to help Sgt David to return something. I decided to go along as well with WH and CC, since I didn't really want to stay in camp to see the "bus". Ok, we had to carry ther FIBUA model from the batallion lecture room to the tonner down there, and that was what they were going to return. Hmm... the model was really nice though, just could not let my eyes off the model while inside the tonner on my way to 3 SIR.

After we reached there, we then return the model, and then we had our lunch there since there might not be much time when we return back to camp (3 SIR is somewhere at the opposite side of Singapore). Before going off, I thought of buying a canned drink first, which is the apple flavoured aerated mineral water, but then I realised that the machine don't use cashcard. So I have to digged out my coins from my wallet. As I was about to take out the coins, WH called me, saying that they were at the tonner. I had no choice but to return back there to the tonner.

After lunch time, we then had to help to draw some 900 series manpack and assemble them in the library. After all our jobs were done, we watched a bit of TV there, and then return back to bunk. While on our way back to bunk, we saw a bird trying to eat a dead moth. We then stopped there and look at it. Well, after the moth was being eaten away, the wings of the moth were left on the floor. If there was a videocamera, I will definitely record it. Hmm... how fragile a life can be...

We then booked out at 4.30pm for some reason. Well, I wanted to go to Plaza Singapura to walk around first, but after having my dinner at Burger King over there, I had a bit of stomach pain, so I decided to go home and rest first.

Holi-MiZ 6: Revenge of the Sith

25 May 2005
Use my computer to surf net in the morning. After that continued playing with my GameCube.

At about 11.45am, I went out to Junction 8 Cinema to catch a movie of "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" myself (didn't really know who I could watch with). Bought a ticket for the 12.10pm show, using my debit card as usual. Had a Madagascar popcorn combo as my lunch.

Hmm... the show still not bad. Well, as like someone else, I didn't watch Star Wars I and II, so could not make much comments on whether the movie was better or not.

After the movie, I bought a quick meal at Junction 8, since I did not really have my proper lunch.

Once I reached back home, I switched on my MSN and leave it on while I went back to bed to have a nap. Didn't really sleep much last night as I stayed back late to play my Pokémon Colosseum.

MiZ Speaks
Well, an unfortunate incident happened to me today when I went out. Got caught by a traffic police for grossing the road when the traffic light is still red. Well, he asked me for my IC, but as I did not bring it along with me, I have to give him verbally. Well, I have to pay a fine of $20 two weeks later when I got a summon letter from them for doing that... Ok, never mind about that, I still have some money left to pay the fine. Wonder if this would be reflected back in camp (at most I get confined...). Look like I have to be more "careful" next time I cross the road.

Holi-MiZ 5: First Time with Squash and Tennis

24 May 2005
First thing in the morning other than having my breakfast was to play with my GameCube. After that, when I got back to my computer at around 11am, PSQ message me through MSN, asking me if I want to go to his house to play squash, tennis and swimming. I agreed with that, but told him that I will be skipping swimming as I didn't really feel like swimming, and I also did not have my swimwear at home.

Went out at about 12pm. Had my lunch at Long John Silver at Junction 8. I had a very fast lunch because I had to meet PSQ at 1pm at Bedok station, which would take me more than 30 minutes to reach there.

When I reached Bedok station at about 1pm, I only met PSQ there. I then realised that I was the first person to come. Hmm... should have took my time eating instead. Later, JR and WH came. JR told PSQ that we need to have more tennis balls so PSQ asked me to come along with him to look for tennis balls at Bedok. After buying the tennis balls, we then met JH near the Bedok food centre and WQ at the bus interchange. WB came just before we boarded the bus to PSQ house.

After we alighted from the bus, some of the people went to buy lunch from the food centre nearby as they had not have their lunch yet. Tehn we proceed on to PSQ and they had their lunch there before starting our game.

I tried playing squash first. Hmm... didn't know that squash can be quite fun to play. I was quite tiring though, when I had to chase with the ball and hit it back with the squash racket. After that, I tried playing tennis. Well, whenever I try to hit the ball back, I would always miss. I also accidentely hit the ball outside the court 2 times, in which only one of the ball could be retrived easily, the other ball fell outside the property. Well, since PSQ paid for the balls, I supposed it should be ok...

After playing squash and tennis for about 1 hour, they decided to have a swim. As I did not have my swimwear with me, and I did not feel like swimming, I just sit by the side and watch them swimming.

After that, we decided to have steamboat for dinner at Bedok North. I took the taxi there as we did not know how to get there by bus. Well, when PSQ was ordering something, he had to call his mom about the food he wanted to order, but don't know the name. Hmm... the person serving us thought that there was another person coming as well because of that. Well, I didn't really eat that much even though each of us had to pay about $12, but the food was generally ok...

After that, we took a bus to Pasir Ris. It wasn't really intentional though, as we boarded the bus at the wrong bus stop. Well, never mind about that, I could go to White Sands and had a walk around there. After reading some books from the library, I then went back home with the rest of the people.

Holi-MiZ 4: Looking further on GameCube Games

23 May 2005
Firstly, we went to a temple to pray. After that, we went to had our breakfast at Ang Mo Kio food centre.

In the afternoon, I went out again to look out for more GameCube games. Firstly, I went to Funan to see if there was any games that I might be interested in. Well, there were not much games over there, so I decided to go to another place to look for them.

At first, I thought of going to Cineleisure to look out for the games, but I then remembered that there is a game shop near Tekka Mall that I have not look at it yet, so I decided to go there and take a look. Well, they had quite a number of GameCube games over there. While looking through the GameCube shelf, I then come across "The Urbz: Sims in the City". Ahh... finally, I found that game. Well, it was quite pricey, costing $95. Hmm... quite expensive, but I decided to get a copy since I could not find them anywhere. Well, the salesperson also said that there is a 5% discount, so it cost $90.25 instead. I also bought a 251 blocks memory card, which cost $40.50 after discount. Very expensive though, compared to the 1019 blocks which cost only about $65, but I decided to get one because some games cannot work on the 1019 blocks memory card.

After that, I went home and continue playing Pokémon Colosseum. After that, I started my game of "The Urbz: sims in the City". Hmm... it takes some time for the game to load, and the controls are a bit difficult to use... Maybe I'm not too used to it.

At night, I continue my Pokémon Colosseum. Ok, now I'm at the stage where I'm able to completely purify my Shadow Pokémons.

MiZ Speaks
Ok, look like I have spent a lot of money this month, so I need to stop buying more things so that I will not overspent and also save some money. Ok, I need to resist... Anyway, after I get my allowance in June, I will get a Gameboy Player, another controller for GameCube, a link cable as well and also some games. I estimated that I might spent another $200 to $300 next month...

The Sunny MiZ 13: Hunting for GameCube Games

22 May 2005
Woke up at 7am at the morning. Thought of going to have my breakfast early, but CC asked me to wait and continue sleeping until about 8am, so I just lied on the bed and rest.

After waking up, CC and I then went to Lot1 to had our breakfast at McDonald. After that, I went back home with my father's car.

Later in the morning, I went out with my Father to Funan to look for the Norton Internet Security Updates/Upgrades. We also walked around the place to look at other things as well. I then went to look for my own things, while my father go back first.

Well, in the hunt to look out for the GameCube games that is reasonably priced, I went to a lot of places to look out for them. Well, if you want to know, these are some of the places that I've been: Funan, Suntec City, Raffles City, Plaza Singapura, Meridian Hotel Shopping Centre, Cathay Cineleisure, Ngee Ann City, Wisma Atria, United Square, Novena Square and some places at Ang Mo Kio Central. Will go and find more on the coming Monday.

After I came back from GameCube game hunting, I continued playing Pokémon colosseum until dinner time.

Well in the evening, our family went to a nearby food centre to had out dinner. Well, we ordered something quite simple for our dinner since there was only the 5 of us (my sister had went out with her bf).

MiZiSat 13: NDP CCR 1

MiZ Speaks
Too lazy to modify the journal from Bebo, so I decided to copy wholesale as well. This will also be done to my Sunday journal, since all the 3 journals for that week are written on the same day.

21 May 2005
Had to wake up very early in the morning to change into our Smart 4 and to load the stores into the tonner before moving out to Tuas for the NDP CCR. We had no time for breakfast in the cookhouse though.

After we reached Tuas, we unload all the stores and set up a tentage for the signal CP. Didn't really know how to set up the tentage at all, so I could only watched them helplessly...

After doing all those, we were told that there was no breakfast brought for us, so we had to go to the food centre nearby for breakfast. As I didn't really know what I should eat, and I had not much appetite, I decided to just drink a can of water.

When we came back from breakfast, we rested in the signal CP as we had nothing much to do.

Right after I finish my lunch, some group of people came and draw the signal sets from us. We were asked to take out the signal sets, check for the equipments inside the set and to prepare the sets for them as well.

Later that day, it rained heavily. The wind was so strong that it blew the tentage until the whole tentage turned over. We had to turn and move the tentage under the rain, and try to protect the radio sets. Later, they decided to move all the radio sets into the tonner. After that, we went inside the tonner and rest again.

The rehearsals only ended at night. We had to keep the remaining stores and helped to dismantle the PA system as well. After that, we went to Jurong camp and collected back the remaining radio sets. After reaching back camp, we unload the stores and keep them in the library, and dismantle the landrover sets and put them in the signal store.

As we only get to leave the camp at about 1+am, and there was no way for me to get home (didn't want to sit on someone's vehicle as there were "train" and "bus" inside), so I decided to go to CC house to stay for a night. Well, while at his house, I watched Pokémon recorded in the morning (which was good for me as I forgot to asked my mother to record for me...). After that, I watched CC playing DotA with our friends. Later, when the game ended, CC then taught me a bit on DotA. Hmm... may consider training playing the next time (only when I have the program) only when I'm free.

MiZ in Weekdays 13: ATEC Stage 2

MiZ Speaks
Ok, I'm feeling quite tired to write blogs today or to modify the journal from Bebo, so I decided to copy the journal entries over here to give a short detail about what happened that week.

16 May 2005
The 1st day of ATEC Stage 2. As like the past outfield, we had to wake up early to draw arms. After that, we had to prepare what we need to prepare.

Well, we had turn-out at about 8.30am, but we only moved out at about 1pm, even though we were the advance party (which also moved out at about that time). The weather was somewhat cooling that day, so line laying were not as exhausting as other outfield. The heavy TES set strain my back and neck though.

After finishing laying all the lines, we started to mann exchange. While HJ on duty, I accompanied him and chat with him. After that, we switched over. After my duty was over, I decided to have a sleep first before my next duty.

Woke up at about 11.30pm, even though it was not really my turn for duty. Could not sleep that time as I had blocked nose. I noticed that CC had being manning exchange for more than the usual 1h, so I thought of taking his duty over and let him sleep, but he said that he wanted to continue. In the end, we end up chit-chatting until someone called on the line to tear down the line.

17 May 2005
Nothing much happening though. As the 3 commanders and Victor were away to do rebro, HJ and SJ volunteered to be the vehicle commander at that time. Mid-way during our journey, we had to dismount from the tonner as the tonner was needed to get to a platform with two boats on the side to cross the water body. Well, we sat on the side of the platform while crossing it. We reached the destination quite late though. After that, we did our usual outfield routine in BnSA. The 3 commanders and Victor only came back in the afternoon.

18 May 2005
Nothing much happening in the afternoon as well. Did a modified "routine" in the morning while with BnSA, while the 3 commanders and Victor was away for rebro.

In the afternoon, Victor came back and told us that we need to lay the line again later as we were going back to the laager site. TIRED!!! Well, we also had shortage of lines as well, as we did not bring that many RL11, Drum 1 and Drum 2 for the exercise. In the end, when we were at laager site, we only laid 1 line for CP and another line for Scorpion OC. AS the other lines were not really important. We were supposed to lay to BCS as well, but as they were somewhere else, we decided not to lay them.

At night, while manning exhange, we chit-chat with one another. Well, I talk to CC the most during that night. Hmm... got to know even a lot more about him while talking.

While I had my time talking with CC, RQ suddenly came up and asked us to packed the remaining stores outside the tonner immediately and said that we were moving out very soon. He seemed quite fierce at that time... Kind of sudden though...

19 May 2005
We moved to the BnSA very early in the morning. After reaching BnSA, the 3 commanders and Victor went out for rebro again, leaving the 4 of us behind.

CC and I decided to become the vehicle commander, since there were no commanders around then. Thought that we were going back to camp and about 10+am, but we had to stop at one place and set up as BnSA for some unknown reasons for me. In the end, the exercise only cut at about 1+pm and we only got back to camp at about 3pm.

After we reached back camp, we had to unload all the stores from the tonner into our signal storeroom. Quite tiring while packing up stores. After that, we went back to bunk to do our personal post ATEC admin stuff.

In the evening, JR wanted to order pizzas into the camp, so I decided to asked him to count me in as well. Well, I volunteered to collect pizzas with CC later, and JR went to ATC cookhouse to collect ice for the drinks given with our orders.

20 May 2005
In the morning, we had to consolidate all our TES sets, real rifle magazine, dummy magazines, dummy grenades and the air-bags as we had to send those equipments back to those people in-charge. After that, we were asked to help to carry the tentage set to the storeroom. Did nothing much in the afternoon though.

After our dinner, we had breifing by our BSO. After that, we had to prepare stores for the NDP rehearsals the next day. Hmm... I wonder why the "train" did not want to do all those in the afternoon when we had nothing much to do. While preparing those stores, I was already quite sleepy and tired...

The Sunny MiZ 12: My very first console

Had my breakfast with my family again as usual. We had carrot cakes for breakfast at one of the food centre at Ang Mo Kio (the one that is near the old Broadway Theatre).

After breakfast, I had my haircut again. Well, that is to prepare for the ATEC outfiled that is coming up soon. Again, my hair still looks odd, but it doesn't matter since I don't really care much about my hair, since I'm in National Service. Anyway, after ATEC, I might be cutting my hair every 3 weeks instead of the usual 2 weeks. After I completed my National Service, I think I will cut my hair every 4 weeks (No long hair for me, that's one thing for sure).

After that, I went back home and prepare for my violin lesson. Only went out at about 12.30pm. Well, my father was willing to fetch me to Plaza Singapura when I asked him, so that saved a bit of time. Only reached there at about 12.45pm. There was too little time for me to have my lunch then, since I need 30 minutes to consume my normal meals, so I decided to have my lunch after my violin lesson.

Ok, for the violin lesson, we did that usual exercises again as usual. Then, the teacher asked us to play the Suzuki Violin book individually. Well, some people still fumble with the bowing, others had certain difficulties in "stopped" strings. My problem still lies on the way I hold the bow when playing the violin. The teacher said that when I played the violin, my fingers on the bow would somewhat change positions. Hmm... well I'm still trying not to move my fingers on the bow... maybe I still need more time with the bow.

After the violin lesson, I went to Cathay Orchard to look out for the games for certain consoles, and also on the prices as well. After that, I had my lunch at Burger King. Tried the "Star Wars" meal. Well, the Burger seemed smaller than the one showed on the advertisement. The potato stars were also flatter... Well I supposed the one on the advertisement were the very perfect burgers, unlike the one sold to us, which looked uglier, flatter and smaller. The taste wasn't that bad though. I like the BBQ sauce on the burger.

After lunch, I went to Funan to look out for consoles. Well, after some time, I decided to get one console. Well, what is that console? You have to make the guess first. I will tell you later. Of course, I also bought a game as well. Hmm... only one game for my console currently. I will try to expand my collections in the future. Well, I also bought some accessories as well. Hmm... now spent quite a lot of money for the console already. The good thing is that my father is willing to "sponsor" me some for the console, but the bad thing is that the money will go into my life-savings account, instead of the account meant for me to spend (which is also the account for my NETS and MasterCard Debit payments).

After getting back home, I quickly set up my consoles and started playing the first game. Hmm... quite fun to play. I think I may get addicted very soon. Maybe after the next book out, I will get another game or 2.

MiZiSat 12: Goodbye Microsoft Xbox

Had my breakfast and logged on to my MSN as usual in the morning. Even though there were almost nobody online early in the morning, I would still logged in as usual, just in case someone wants to message me something. After that, I had my Piano and Violin practise to exercise my fingers. At about 10.30am, I switched on my TV and watched Pokémon. After that, I went to sleep again, leaving my MSN on. Hmm... luckily no one message me while I was sleeping. Didn't really know why I was feeling very tried... maybe because of the cold that I had caught during FTX 2.

At about 12.30pm, I woke up and changed my clothes and went out to look out for consoles. Before looking for consoles, I went to Harbourfront Centre to take a look at the place. Well, they had completed the place and had more shops now, as compared to the time I first went to Harbourfront, but still not as many as I expected. Had my lunch at Subway there, before going off to another place.

After that, before going to Sim Lim Square, I decided to go to Army market first at beach road to get some things before ATEC 2 outfield. Well, since Sim Lim square is located near Bugis Station, and Army market is located near Lavender Station, it's only a one-stop difference, so since I need to get something from Army market, I decided to go there first. Bought another wire cutter and a green tape. Could not find the Allan key though.

After that, I went to Sim Lim square to look out for consoles. Hmm... can't really find consoles in that place. They mostly sell computers and electronics over there. Well, only managed to find a few shops that have Playstation 2 and/or Xbox, but could not find any shops that sells GameCube... The place were also full of people at that time, and also there were many people giving out leaflet, so many that on I could see as many as 10 people standing near the escalator on one of the floors in 2 rows giving out leaflets, and another 5 more people on top at the other end of the escalator giving out as well... Ok, so I decided to have a very short trip in Sim Lim square and went to Funan.

Well, at Funan, I found 2 places that sell all the 3 consoles, Playstation 2, Xbox and Gamecube. Made some comparisons with the prices between consoles and between the 2 shops as well. After that, I broswe through the games for each individual consoles. Ok, decided to eliminate Xbox because there are very few games that I am interested to play. Also, Microsoft is coming up with a new console, called Xbox 360, releasing at the end of this year (they are going to stop produring the original Xbox on August). So, it's either Playstation 2 or Gamecube (PS3 will only be released earliest by late 2006, and the next Nintendo console will not come out so soon). Hopefully I can make the decision after my Violin lesson the next day.

After that, I went back to Junction 8 to have a light dinner.

MiZ Speaks
Ok, so now it's either Playstation 2 or Gamecube for me. PS2 offer a great variety of games as compared to GC, and DVDs video can be played on PS2 as well, unlike GC. But I can link my GBA onto my GC, and the number of playable games for me between the two consoles are about the same. Well, most of the GC games interest me, even though there are not many GC games in the market due to the small size of the disc used which can only hold a certain amount of information. So, it's a "battle" between PS2 and GC. Which one should I get? Feel free to post comments here.

MiZ in Weekdays 12: Preparation for ATEC Stage 2

09 May 2005
We had our company run in the morning. Well, it's just only 3km as we need to conserve our energy for ATEC. Later that day, we continued reeling back the rest of the lines and did some of the stores.

10 May 2005
Nothing much early in the morning. Later that day, we were asked to go to Keat Hong Camp to return some stores. Initially, HJ and I agreed with that, and SJ wanted to stay in camp. But as they lack manpower, SJ had no choice but to go with us instead.
Well, there were 8 of us going to Keat Hong Camp, which were HJ, SJ, WH, PSQ, Benjamin, Daniel, Stanley and me. After we reached there, we had our packed lunch there from our cookhouse. Hmm... the food was just so-so. Actually I felt that there was no need to pack lunch for us, since the cookhouse food was not really that good afterall. In fact most of the people don't really like the food there, so what's the point for indenting meals for us? After our lunch, we waited for the storeman to come at 403 SAR store. While waiting, I listened to my CD walkman I had brought there.

After the storeman came, we were asked to go to 417 SAR store to return the stores and helped them to put the checked stores on the floor near the shelves.

After finishing the stores, we loaded the tonner JUST to go to 403 store (which is of walking distance) to be told to draw radio stores from there. There needed 5 people there, so HJ, SJ, Daniel, Benjamin and me got down the tonner and check the radio stores before drawing those out. The rest went to check CVC helmets and also had their canteen break as well, which we didn't get to have. While checking stores, HJ received a call from WQ, saying that there would be nights off. As some people were eager to go for nights off, they quickly check the stores and decided to skip some of the stores. Well, we could afford to skip some stores as those stores were just being serviced and also some of the were very new. We only managed to finish them around 5.30pm.

After reaching camp at around 6+, we unloaded the stores to the QM signal storeroom. Quite surprised to see our platoon waiting for us and helped to unload the stores for us. Thought that they would go for nights off first. The QM department also helped us to pack dinner as well, which I didn't see the point of doing so since the dinner was terrible. In fact, the dinner they cooked are always terrible, so it would be better for us to let us go to "The Link" to had our meals there. Anyway, I still ate a bit before going for my most likely last nights off. Might not be going nights off in the future as I wanted to do some personal admin stuff in my bunk, like listening to music and playing GBA games, unless there is really a need for me to go.

Well, I went to Jurong Point with HJ and SJ and had a light dinner at McDonald's. After that, we went to NTUC Fairprice and bought some canned drinks there. After that, we went back to camp by a private bus which was happened to be there (near the taxi stand). Well, actually someone had already called the bus beforehand, but since there were some more spaces for us, we decided to hop on.

11 May 2005
No company run in the morning. Nothing much early in the morning.

Later in the morning, we were told to help the MT line to set up the tonner. Hmm... wondered who called us to do that. Ok, actually it was quite fun to set up the tonner, but the weather made us feel quite tired. Putting the poles and the seat supports were somewhat ok, but putting the benches were the worst. The screw would get stuck easily, and we had to helped to support the heavy bench while the screw were being put inside, and it was very difficult to do that.

In the afternoon, we had briefing by our BSO about the PRC 640, the revised SOI and also something a bit about the coming ATEC as well. After that, I went back to bunk to wait for the CO evening.

After our dinner, we went to I-net before going to the hall. Later while in the hall, we waited there for the show to start, and at the same time, we were given some drinks and snacks there. Well, the show performed by the SAF Music and Dram company was somewhat ok. Didn't really the music performed by the band though. There was some dance, singing and skit. During the games section, PSQ and JR was being called up to the stage. Well, they were supposed to follow the so-called "Kungfu master" on what he had done. PSQ was the 6th person to perform and heis action made most of the audience laughing out loud. Well, I laughed out so much during PSQ performance that my tears started to flow out from my eyes and I almost got a stomach cramps. Well, if you don't know, I may cry (not a sad cry) if I laugh too much and too hard. After that, JR perform the slow "Kungfu" on stage, which almost looked like "qigong" to me.

After the CO evening, we went back to bunk and rest.

12 May 2005
After breakfast, we had to draw arms to zero our rifle TES set. We started soing so from about 9am onwards. Well, some people seemed unsuccessful with the zeroing. I made my zeroing quite successful there.

Later in the afternoon, we had to set up a simulated PA system on a row of tonner at the parade square simulating NDP as S2 wanted to see how it would be done. Well, as they were not really ready, HJ, SJ and I decided to wait in the I-net (with PSQ and BSO doing some multimedia stuff inside) until they were ready.

After setting up the PA system, we were told to load the line tonner. As usual, the "bus" again "horned" at me for not arranging the stores properly in the tonner, in which I really did not know how it was to be arranged. Well, used to that already... It's ok about that since I don't really like taking that "bus service". After putting the line stores in the tonner, we went for canteen break. After that, we went to tear down the PA system and then helped the others to load the additional radio stores into the line tonner. Had dinner quite late then.

13 May 2005 (Friday the Thirteen...)
Nothing much happening. HJ and I helped to select the combat rations and some rations from the accessories pack for the line tonner. After that, we had canteen break. Well, the CO have the battalion an early release today, so we got to book out in early afternoon. Well, we were told that lunch was indented, so we had to eat our lunch there. Didn't really eat much though, since the lunch didn't look too appetising.

Only booked out after 12.30pm as the armskote was cleared quite late. After booking out, we went to take a private bus to Choa Chu Kang MRT station. After some went to Lot1 to eat, some went to Jurong East to look for things. HJ, WB, PSQ, Desmond and I went to Plaza Singapura to had our more proper lunch and walk around there as well. After lunch, PSQ wanted to watched "House of Wax" showing at 3.50pm, so WB, Desmond and I decided to join him for the movie. Each ticket cost about $8 on Friday before 5pm. After buying the tickets, SJ came. WB, HJ, SJ and I went to Carrefour to look for foods and drinks, while Desmond and PSQ went to look for something else somewhere.

Met the other 4 people watching the movie at about 3.50pm. Well, the movie was somewhat quite scary and frightening, though I still hear someone laughing during some parts of the movie, which I did not know what is so funny about someone being killed or what. Overall, the movie was quite interesting.

After the movie, we went back home.

MiZ Speaks
Well, while on MSN, my friend Kavan chatted with me. Well, he said that he didn't really make it for IPPT. Actually he could have made it, but because the 3 stripes in charge of one of the static station didn't really record his 1st results, which was actually better than the 2nd one (in fact the 1st one was a pass, while the 2nd one was a fail) when he decided to have a 2nd try. In the end, he had to book in on Saturday for RT. He also told me that when most of the people from other platoon in his company had got promoted to CPL (or LCP), only a handful of people from his platoon got promoted. Heard from him that promotion is based on attitute, fitness and so on... He also said that there was a slacker who got promoted faster than him, because he had a good fitness. Well, I think promotion should not be based on fitness itself (even though fitness is quite important). Well, Kavan is a hardworking and diligent person as what I know. Even though his fitness is not up to their standard yet, I feel that they should recognise his effort he had put in.

Well, I'm still deciding on which console to get. Should I get Sony Playstation 2, Microsoft Xbox or Nintendo Gamecube? Well, heard that PS2 is the better choice as it offer a lot of games from a wide variety. Xbox offers great graphic and sound system, but there are quite few playable games for me. For GC, although there are few games on the market, and the special disc used make the console unable to play DVDs, there are a lot of playable games for me compared to other consoles. Moreover, I can use the gameboy player to play my GBA games on TV. So, feel free to post your comments either directly on this blog entry, or on my tagboard about which console I should get.

The Sunny MiZ 11: A Rainy Day...

Had my breakfast with my family in the morning. Even though it was raining very heavily then, we still went out as usual. We went to Foodmore at Tekka Mall as the place is air-conditioned and is sheltered from the rain.

After breakfast, we went back home and I switched on my computer to surf the internet and play some of the internet games.

It was still raining in early afternoon. As I had to go for my violin class at Plaza Singapura, my father then asked me to take a ride on his car to Plaza Singapura. Well, if I had to use public transport, my violin case might get wet and if the rain managed to seep through the casing, it my spoil my violin and my bow, as I would be walking under the rain with my small umbrella. Just for your information, there are no sheltered linkway between my home and Bishan MRT station (there's an underpass for me to walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station to Plaza Singapura though).

Reached Plaza Singapura quite late, even with my father's car (I think it would be later if I used a public transport). As I did not have enough time for lunch, I just went straight to Yamaha Music School and had my violin lesson then. Well, we had our bow and strings method as usual as what we did the previous weeks during the start of the class. After that, the teacher then proceed on to Suzuki Violin method book and did some exercises for E-string posture, changing strings and quick placement of fingers. Well, the teacher commented that I always how the bow improperly, with the thumb placed at the wrong position. Hmm... I think I need to practise more for proper bow holding.

After my violin lesson, I had my lunch at Long John Silver and went straight home as I felt a bit tired. While on my way home at Junction 8, a person from Häagen-Dazs gave me a voucher. Well, it said that there will be a free single scoop ice-cream for the first 200 customers who presented that voucher between 3pm to 4pm from 06 May 2005 to 12 May 2005 at Häagen-Dazs. Just for your information, the price of a single-scoop Häagen-Dazs cost $4.50. Well, when I went there, there were still quite few people queueing, even though it was going to be 3pm, so I decided to queue up as well. I had my mango sorbet for free.

After that, I went home and rest.

MiZ Speaks
Well, I still haven't recover from the cold yet. Now my throat don't feel as painful as yesterday. Hoped that I can get well quite soon.

Ok, I haven't been drawing pictures for the blog as I did not really have much time, and I also need to rest more because of the cold I have caught. Well, I'll try to draw some pictures for the blog very soon.

MiZiSat 11: Movie with friends and also with my sister unknowingly

Woke up in the morning and use the computer as usual. While on MSN, I discussed with PSQ about the movie. Well, we were supposed to meet at Lido Cineplex at 3.25pm, but as PSQ said that he did not have enough money to pay for all the people (there were 6 people watching), so he asked me to come earlier at about 1.30pm at Lido to pay for the tickets first.

Met PSQ at 1.30pm at Orchard MRT station. We then went to Lido Cineplex and bought 6 movie tickets on "Kingdom of Heaven" showing at 3.50pm. Paid by using Visa Mini to accumulate more $UNI. After that, PSQ went to look for his Allen key, while I had my lunch near Lido Cineplex. Had KFC Zinger meal for lunch. After lunch, I went to Borders to browse some books there.

Met WH, WQ, Alex and Andrew later at 3.30pm at Lido Cineplex. I then bought a medium popcorn combo for the movie. Hmm... the movie was somewhat violent. Quite a lot of killing involved there. Overall, the movie was still ok.

After the movie, while leaving Lido Cineplex, I met my sister and her bf there. Well, quite a coincidence. As they came out from Lido Cineplex, I supposed they also caught a movie there as well. As our family would be having dinner to celebrate early mother's day at a restaurant at OCBC Building, and she and her bf would be joining the dinner as well, I decided to go with them in her bf's car to the restaurant. But before that, I had a light snack with HJ and Andrew at Tang's market.

While on the car, I realised that my sister and her bf also watched the same movie at the same theatre and at the same time as us. The odd thing was that I didn't get to see them inside the movie theatre. Well, I supposed we were on different sittings. We were sitting at the middle right of the theatre, while they were sitting at the back left of the theatre. Even though I was sitting near the walkway, and we were one of the earliest to go into the theatre, I didn't get to see her since she was walking to the other side instead. Our seats were R9, R10, R11, S9, S10 and S11, while their seats were K30 and K31. Well, when we leave the theatre, I didn't get to see them as well. How strangely odd... Maybe the theatre was too big that I din't noticed them.

Well, we had dinner with my relatives as well, which totalled up to be 11 people there for the dinner. Well, the dinner was quite nice, but I didn't really tried all the food served on the table as some of the food didn't suit me.

After dinner, we went home, reaching home at about 11.00pm.

MiZ Speaks
Well, the cold seemed to be gotten worse on me. I started to develop slight cough as well, and my throat feels a bit painful as well. I think I need to take some cold relief medicine and drink a lot of water. Well, I will still take cold drinks as well, even though I have a cough or sore throat, since I don't really like hot drinks.

Ok, about Pokémon Emerald, I just formed my Pokémon team, and they are Mudkip, Taillow, Zigzagoon, Poochyena, Beautifly and Shroomish. The team members are suject to changes as I proceed further in the game. Currently, all my team members are at Level 12, and I just reached Rustboro City. Before battling with the gym leader there, I need to train my Pokémon more.

Ok, I just learn how to make the scroll bar thing. Well, you just need to limit the size (as in width and height) for the contents, and if the contents overflow, a scroll bar will appear. I just made one for you to see.

About MiZ

Interests
Collecting Items, Watching Movie, Listening to Music, Playing "The Sims 2" Playing Internet Games, Surfing Internet, Resting and Sleeping

Favorite Movies
Any Animated or Comical Movies

Favorite Music
Most Classical Music and Any Music that is Soothing to my Ears

Favorite Books
Guidebooks, Any Books about Life Sciences, Natural World, Facts and Figures and Some Non-fiction Books

MiZ in Weekdays 11: Full Troops Exercise 2

03 May 2005
Had to wake up very early in the morning to have our breakfast and draw arms for full-troop exercise 2 (FTX 2). After drawing arms, I went back to bunk and rest for a moment before putting the rest of the stores into the line tonner (well, we did put some stores the day before, right after we booked in to camp).

At about 9am, the siren sounded, and we had to fall in at the parade square with camo on to be briefed by our CO. As we (the linemen) were part of the advance party, we had to move out at about 10.30am.

After we reached the conc area, we started setting up the exchange area and also laid the lines. While laying lines, I felt very hot and tired. I also felt that the line layed for that exercise seemed more tiring than that of FTX 1, realising later that I was also carrying the TES set with me, which add on a lot to the load I was carrying as well. After laying the lines, I helped HJ, SJ and HH to do metalled road crossing for the BCS line. After we finished with the lines, we then got back to the tonner and had a rest before manning the exchange.

At night, as the chopper (helicopter) was going to land at the place where some of the lines being laid, we had to cut off the afftected lines. After the chopper left, we went to that area and join back the line. It was difficult to do so as we had to search for the lines under the dark and join back the lines at that situation as well. There were also quite a lot of mosquitoes there, which also hindered what I was doing. While out there joining back lines, I realised that the scenery out there at night was beautiful, especially with lighted buildings across the water body. If I had a camera with me, I would definitely take some pictures of the scenery.

04 May 2005
We had to wake up early in the morning to tear down the line as the combat teams moved out of the area. The task was somewhat difficult as well as we had to collect the lines under the dark, and there were also certain entanglement between the lines as well. After that, we went back to the tonner and continue to sleep.

After that, there was nothing much for the liemen to do when the combat teams were out there fighting. For that day, we only need to stand-to and set up camo netting for vehicle when we stay put with the battalion support area and also did our sentry duty around our tonner. Well, we also slept quite a lot as the weather was too hot, which makes our mind really tired.

05 May 2005
There was also nothing much as well, except to stand-to, set up camo netting on vehicle and do sentry duty as what we had did the previous day.
The exercise was supposed to be cut at around 4pm tentatively, but due to the rain, it was being dragged until late in the evening.

Once we reached back camp, we had to unload all the stores from the line tonner and put them in our signal store, and throw all the rubbish away as well. Had to hand-carry my field pack back to my bunk as one of the buckles from the carrying straps had broken off while it was being hanged inside the line tonner. I then clean my arms and send them immediately.

After that, I went to bathe, and then wash my uniforms with the washing machine on the first floor for the first time. Well, the uniforms wash washed cleanly without any sweat smell on them. The uniforms were also dried as I used the dryer, which was just next to the washing machine. Maybe I should wash my clothes more often with the washing machine. Although it may cost me $2 ($1 for washing and $1 for drying), it save me a lot of time from hand-washing and make things a lot easier for me as well.

06 May 2005
Almost could not woke up for breakfast as I slept quite late the night before, when I had to do quite a lot of my personal admin stuff. After breakfast, I went back to bunk to rest. We were told to do stores at around 8.45am in our admin. Heard that it was the CO that allowed us to wear admin for that day. I reeled back the lines collected back after line laying for the FTX 2 into RL11 with Stanley.

In the afternoon, we did nothing much and rest in bunk, since it was raininh quite heavily and we could not really do much stores at that time. After having our canteen break with HJ, SJ, WB, Stanley and Roger, we then did the CVC helmets that came back from India a few days back. After all those work, we then prepare to book out. We only booked out quite late as the armskote was cleared quite late.

After booking out, as I wanted to eat something special, I decided to go to Junction 8 and bought MOS burger set from MOS Burger restaurant back home. Hmm... haven't been eating MOS burger for quite a long time already... Taste really quite fantastic when I had a bite on the burger.

MiZ Speaks
Ok, I just accepted the offer of Computer Engineering (School of Computing) course in NUS. Well, I have to accept it since my place for Computing in NUS had been withdrawn. Hmm... don't know whether I should try applying for Computer Engineering course under Faculty of Engineering next year. Maybe I need to see first.

I have also started playing Pokémon Emerald a few days ago. Well, I'm still around at Petalburg town, training my Pokémon. Need some more time training before proceeding to Rustboro City to earn my first badge. Haven't finalise my Pokémon team yet.

Well, I caught a cold and had block nose while I was having exercise outfield. Hmm... don't really know how I could have gotten it when the weather was so hot during the exercise, and only rained heavily late in the afternoon on the last day of the exercise, and I didn't get caught under the rain as well. I think I need to rest more so that I can recover soon.

Holi-MiZ 3: Guitar Courses, Anyone?

Woke up in the morning as usual to had my breakfast with my family. This time, my sister joined in for the breakfast with us. Usually, she would be either still sleeping, or outside somewhere. Again, we had American breakfast, but it was at Café Cartel instead. Had pancakes for breakfast. Well, the meals at Café Cartel are usually quite large. Always feel very full after finishing the meal there.

After that, I continued playing with my Gameboy at home to complete my mission in "The Urbz" and start a new game of Pokémon Emerald and played for a short while. Then, I switched on my laptop and open my MSN.

While on MSN, my friend Kavan asked me about the guitar courses in Yamaha Music School. As I always go to Yamaha Music School for my violin lessons, he asked me to check out the fees and the class schedules if I am going there.

Early in the afternoon, I went out with my sister to have lunch at BakerzIn in Paragon (no, i don't go there to eat very often). Not really sure what's good in the menu, so I decided to eat what my sister had ordered for herself as well.

After lunch, I decided to help Kavan to check the guitar courses in Yamaha Music School at Plaza Singapura. They have Yamaha Classical Guitar course for those intending to focus on technical aspects and studies on Classical Guitar at Yamaha Music School, and also the Acoustic Steel Guitar Course for those intending to do pop, blues, jazz, heavy metal music. Didn't really check the class schedules, as he might be starting the class quite late this year.

After that, I went to Cristofori School of Fine Arts at Junction 8 to check out for the Classical Guitar Course. Well, for this case, there are scales and aural skills in addition to technical aspects.

Ok, the fees for the beginners course are as follows:

Acoustic Steel Guitar Course

• Group: $126.00 for 2 months ($63.00 per month)
  
• Individual: $168.00 for 2 months ($84.00 per month)

Yamaha Classical Guitar Course

• Group: $47.25 per month
  
• Individual: $63.00 per month

Cristofori Classical Guitar Course

• Individual: $173.25 for 3 months ($57.75 per month)

The registration fee for all is $21.00. Anyway, the Yamaha Classical Guitar Course leads to the Yamaha Graded Examinations and the Cristofori Classical Guitar Course leads to the ABRSM Graded Examinations. There is no examinations for the Acoustic Steel Guitar Course.

After that, I went home and use the MSN to discuss with Kavan about the Guitar courses. Well, he asked me whether he should take up the acoustic guitar course, or the classical guitar. Considering the fact that he is using the classical guitar, the fact that the techniques taught for classical guitar is harder to pick up by himself without any teacher, and also the fact that SJ always angered me with all the acoustic guitar thing and the jazz/pop/ music and improvisation, I told him to take up the Classical Guitar course.

MiZ Speaks
Ok, I just started playing Pokémon Emerald today. Pick up a Mudkip as my starter (as I like water Pokémons). Haven't progress much today as I'm always on MSN chatting with Kavan today.

Well, there are some people that may needs help in HTML. Well, if I'm free, I will try to post some basic HTML coding on this blog. The coding might seems complicated, but the basics of HTML are actually easy to learn and master.

The Sunny MiZ 10: Labour Day

Woke up early in the morning and switched on my computer to log in to MSN and check mails. After that, I went out with my family to a temple to pray. As usual, I prayed for excellent academic results the next time I'm studying in the university. Well, the temple is somewhat crowded today. I supposed it is a somewhat special occasion today.


Always pray for excellent academic results (even though I'm not studying now). Well, this is to prepare for my future when I'm in university...

After that, we went to Chinatown Point to eat. We decided to had our breakfast at Swensen's there. Well, the breakfast is actually relatively new for Swensen's, so we decided to try their breakfast. Well, it was quite expensive, but the food was still reasonable. The interesting thing was that they offered us two beverages, that was one hot beverage (coffee or tea) and one cold beverage (orange juice or apple juice) per breakfast set. Wonder if it might spoil our stomuch by drinking both at the same time...

After that, I had my haircut at Junction 8 again. Too soon? Well, I always cut my hair every 2 to 3 weeks. Ok, everytime I had my haircut, my hairstyle will always look so odd and wierd...

Well, I skipped lunch again due to my laziness. In the afternoon, I went out to army market at Beach Road to look out for anything I might be short of for the next outfield. Bought a wire cutter to replace the one that someone had lost for me, and a green camo cream as the one that I had is going to be finished soon.

After that, I went to Funan to look out for the game "Pokémon Emerald" that was just realeased a day ago. Well, the stores selling GBA games had them, so I bought the game at $65 (a bit expensive though, but I was too lazy to find a cheaper one) and also the official guidebook as well (which cost $28). Well, the thing is that the game and the official guidebook comes in a bundle, so they charged those two at $88 in that shop I bought those instead of the usual price of $93, so it's $5 lesser for me to pay. Yes, I used my OUB Visa Mini Debit again. Well, I have to say that I will only make my payments through card (either NETS, POSB Mastercard or UOB Visa). I usually don't make payments by cash since I will always carry less than $50 in my wallet.

After that, I went back home and played "The Urbz". Have to finish it soon so that I could start my "Pokémon Emerald".

MiZ Speaks
Well, I'm trying to complete "The Urbz" now before starting Pokémon Emerald. Currently I'm doing the very last mission, which might take a long time to do so. Well, for the last mission, I have to collect some of the things which are quite rare and quite difficult to find. I have been doing so for the past few hours, and I'm just halfway finishing collecting those items.

Ok, about "Pokémon Emerald" they added more features to the game as compared to "Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire". That also include the addition of battle frontier (a large city for battling) and also added more obtainable Pokémon in which it could not be obtained so easily just by playing any of the 4 version released before "Pokémon Emerald".