2012 marks my 7th year in Yuhua NCDCC Unit. Pioneered and grown with this unit for 6 years and being able to see where the unit is today is indeed an accomplishment, to know that all the Pioneers’ effort had not gone to waste. It is also the reason why I am who I am today, if not for the opportunities given, I would not have experienced such a journey in that unit. 

To have seen how much the unit had changed and grown over the years and all the efforts that was being put in to bring the unit up to this level, it became so close to me. Though I became busier ever since I started poly, it never fails to made my day each time I go back.

I am proud to say that I am the only pioneer standing in this unit as an official member in the organisation today, those that left for good had left and those who graduated had graduated. Remembering the days where we started off a 24-men Rota 1 with CPT Chung, S/CLT Neilson and 4 fellow seniors from St. John CCA.

Sadly, it would be a farewell and I will be moving on for good to another unit for this working year. I had this strong feeling that it would be happening this year, and it did. It’s good to move on but it’s a mix feeling though.

A crucial year where the unit will again form the Guard-of-Honour Contingent for the 2nd time in Speech Day history after the 1st in 2009. As much as I want to stay and be part of this occasion, I know it’s time for me to move on. 

My only farewell wish would be for the unit to be able to move onto greater heights as the years to come. 

Though things are not concreted yet, but I know it will be, sooner or later.

Farewell Yuhua..

In 2010, I finally took my GCE ‘O’ level. Being a Normal Academic student, I don’t expect much of myself to score fantastically, well, at least I am able to move on to tertiary studies, I am more than happy.

Back then, I was only hoping to enter a business course. And hearing from Naiim that he wanted to choose Diploma in Outdoor & Adventure Learning (that’s when I get to know about DOAL..), my thoughts was, “There’s such a thing? and of all places, Republic Polytechnic..” I never ever had the thoughts of entering RP, perhaps due to the rumors spreaded during my time that brain washed me.

Early last year, it’s the time again to get our results. Had an experience from ‘N’ level, so pretty much know how it’s gonna feel. Surprisingly, my ‘O’s isn’t that bad, BUT, my maths was quite disappointing. Nevertheless, my list of courses appeared to be pretty much pleasing, knowing that I am still able to move up to tertiary. 

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Fast forward… I applied for both JPSAE and JAE, hoping to get into a business course, JPSAE was the only hope while I applied for JAE according to my next interest (not considering my COP at that moment..) which is media. Unfortunately, both was unsuccessful.

Next up, JAE Appeal, this time round I considered my COP and selected really carefully, which the 3 choices includes DOAL and New Media. And again, was unsuccessful. 

Knowing that Naiim was in the same shoes as me, we decided to do this together since both of us wanted DOAL. I remember the panic days where we would go down to RP, attempted to submit our portfolio, email the school’s director, office of registrar and DOAL programme chair. Apparently, non work. But nice enough, the DOAL programme chair suggested us to try DPA-Local, which is the last admission exercise for us.

And ofcourse, we did applied for DPA-Local, having DOAL as our first choice and anxiously waited for the results. 

One of the days after all these unpleasant experiences, I was out with my friends for a movie. While in the theatre halfway through the movie, I received a email from RP (The power of my blackberry)… saying that my application was successful and secured a place in DOAL! I was extremely elated and so glad that I can finally move on!

Hence, if you were to ask me, “If you have the chance to retake your O level maths and pass it, would you transfer to another school/course?” My answer would definitely be a no. Through this experience, it makes me even more cherish my placing in RP DOAL. It was not easy and the opportunity comes a really tough road.

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen.

This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.” 

One of my highlights in 2011 is to start kayaking. It is when I got my 1-star, 2-star and followed by attending the L1 Coaching Course just within a year, perhaps less than a year..

Back in my NCDCC cadet days, I didn’t have the privilege to be selected for kayaking courses and only ended up going for one kayaking expedition. 

And here’s my very first impression of kayaking… “WHY SO TIRING AND LONG!”

That’s my very first touch with the kayak, and it’s a simple expedition, to-and-fro from Changi Coast Adventure Centre (CCAC) to East Coast Park at the age of 14 in 2007.

Following on in the same year, attended NCDCC ATC, had another simple session with the kayak at NPCC Camp Resilience. And I bet that was the one of the worst ever experiences, because I just can’t kayak straight with my partner and we go round in circles. 

At the age of 15 in 2008, I was selected for OBS, and that’s when I touch the kayak again. BUT, it was again another expedition. This time, it was a round Ubin expedition. It wasn’t that bad.. probably because I’m partnered with my platoon mate who have 2-star. Hah!

From then on, I did not touch the kayak anymore till 2011..

I’ve grown older and perhaps higher tolerance in physical demands. And as a CLT, I get opportunities to attend such courses which I missed and didn’t get to go in my cadet days. Well, it’s never too late for all these!

“Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off.”

- Colin Powell

When you are being entrusted with responsibilities, it also weighs on prioritizing the priorities. No matter how many people you are going to be disappointing, there isn’t much choice left.

It is like being a fire station OC (Officer Commanding), when a fire call breaks off, you have to attend and respond to it. No matter if you are sleeping, eating, enjoying with your family and friends or doing your favourite hobby, all should cease and you got to do what is right.

Likewise in life, when duty calls, you have to respond to it no matter what you are doing or going to do, knowing what is supposed to be prioritized.

It is not about fame or recognition, but it is doing what is right when you are being entrusted with that special responsibility that perhaps not all has it.

Not many would understand the feeling of this..

“Good times passes real fast.”

From one who dread going to falling in love with the gigantic play area. The past 4 days had been fantastic, minus-ing away the mozzies. Being one who may look fearless on the outside, I still have fears at some point of time. Height is definitely one of them. But nevertheless, through this I’ve managed it well and completed all the elements you can find in Camp Resilience HRC except the TCP.

So gonna miss wearing harness and helmets every morning, heading out to setup the elements and experience the adrenaline rush. All those commands and checks running in our mind.

Posting this just makes me feel like going into Ubin and cycle to Camp Resilience now..

Happy 22nd Birthday to City Harvest Church! It’s been a tough 14 months, but greater things has yet to come! Like what Dr. Cho had said, “small storm, small glory. But big storm, big glory!” Keep on keeping on & You’ll Never Walk Alone!

Road is long and unpredictable, but it’s alright, keep walking…