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Friday, January 29, 2010 @ Friday, January 29, 2010
Duxton
That's right, the time my family has been waiting for...
It took us 5 years.... Today was the day we.... Move house! Haha, yep, I can't really explain how I'm feeling right this very moment. But i can tell u, the view up here is simply ... SENSATIONAL! I'll post some of the pics on facebook and hope the next few days will be free from too much hassle (in moving endless crates of things, that is) Yesterday was the last day i stayed at my old house. It was coincidentally, my birthday as well. To me, reaching the "20" milestone has brought both cheer and gloom for me. I'm happy that I am one year closer to adulthood, but at the same time, yesterday was a reminder that my youth... is slowly but surely, leaving my grasp. Well, just a random idea popped out just now. I'm going to create a new link purely on my past journal reflections, quotes and poems. This idea came to light while i was packing my stuff yesterday, and while rummaging, I glimpsed upon my old books and collections. Well, seeing all those momentos gave me the inspiration to start this new "blog", but hey, THIS blog will still be my main blog, just that I can have the other "blog"aka journal as something to reflect upon. Well, I got to eat my dinner now. Will update more soon. Cheers, W.Q. Labels: Pinnacle Duxton |
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010 @ Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Moments in Taiwan 2009
This may be such a late, late post, but hey, I might as well type them out since i got some free time now. This was during the 3 week stay in Taiwan, between the 31/10/09 to 21/11/09. Boy, such are these memories which are going to be unravelled and for me, recapped once again. Some of the posts are journal reflections which i had wrote inside the camp, while others are the ones i will be writing now as a recap of what i had done. Well, here goes nothing...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/11/09 It's the 1st day of November, 2nd day in Taiwan. I'm starting to get used to the environment here, thanks to the acclimatization programme for today. Just the day before, I was still in Singapore, saying my goodbyes to my family and friends, and can't help but wonder how Taiwan will be like. For the past 24 hours, my life has been a blur. From the moment I stepped onto the plane from EVA AIR, watched movies within the plane, took a 3 hour bus ride to camp (with a cool free 8-course dinner at a local restaurant) till now, it really has been unimaginable and surreal. So far, I've managed to unpack all my things in my duffel bag, and despite the short time of serenity, both anxiety and excitement can be felt as I look forward towards the next 2 weeks of outfield. I'm writing this very journal because I feel that this is a once in a life time opportunity and one of the few times that I will have enough free time to lie back and think about my life here in Taiwan. Recapping more vividly what happened yesterday, my group had proceeded to board the EVA AIR airplane for a 4 hour air flight to Taiwan. While heading towards my destination at Taoyuan International Airport, our time was spent in the coolness of the air conditioner, using the interactive TV in front of our seats to watch "The Ugly Truth" and "Julie and Julia". Upon reaching T.I.A., we proceeded to a local restaurant for dinner, before a 3 hour bus ride to Meilin Camp (MLC), with "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" as entertainment awaited us. We reached camp at around 10:40pm before calling it a day. A few things I've observed so far. Perhaps it's during the winter season, but first sunlight appears apporximately 6 a.m. while last sunlight occurs around 5 p.m. Night temperature is approximately 20-22 Degree Celsius while daylight temperature can be real HOT! (Think Singapore weather) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7/11/09 It's almost one week since we reached Taiwan, yet it seems like months since we left sunny Singapore. It really has been both fulfiling and enriching to be able to enjoy (and suffer as well) the conditions and activities that we were involved in. During this short yet busy 1st week, we were involved in activities such as Terrain Reading March, Section Battle Course, Platoon Battle Course and Exercise Longstride. The activities mentioned were memorable in many ways but the most memorable was probable Ex. Longstride. We spent 2 days and nights to find 12 checkpoints and travelled more than 100km with our load bearing vest (LBV) and fieldpacks, topped up with 2.5L water and 1.5 day ration. The weight would probably have stumped any normal being, but for us, 7-month trained soldiers, it was the perfect exercise to test our physical strength and mental endurance. Armed with maps, protractors and wits, we tackled the steep noors, the treacherous roads and the unrelenting sun (as well as the chill at night). We sweated, had heat rash and experienced leg cramps, yet felt a sense of accomplishment each time another checkpoint was discovered. The exhilaration from completing this navigation exercise is simply unimaginable, upon completion of the final test and checkpoint. During the exercise, we had the luxury of experiencing 2 aftershocks of earthquakes, visited a number of amazingly beautiful temples and slept under the clear and sometimes starry night. It was definitely an experience worth remembering. The aftershocks was probably the defining moment of the week. We were walking in the suburbs and being in front of the group, I began noticing aloud humming sound, like that of a really loud air conditioner. As I looked around, I thought I felt dizziness as the ground felt shaky. then when I turned back and saw the confused expressions of my teammates, the shock began to sink in. "Earthquake! Get down", I shouted as i got to my knees, covered my neck and got into a fetal position. My friends did the same and what after seemed like eternity, the aftershocks finally subsided. If I wasn't wrong, the aftershocks only lasted for about 20 seconds and the earthquake which happened in the not so near distance measured only 4.6 on the Ricter Scale. Particulalry after the aftershocks, I was in a slight shock because right at that moment, I really expected the whole ground to open up and swallow me whole. I had never experieneced an aftershock so strong, and that was followed by another aftershock which occurred after another earthquake of 6.1 on the Ricter Scale (which thankfully we were sitting down outside the premises of a temple by then). At that moment, I was really fearful of my life and was literally thanking the heavens for sparing us from any possible tradegies. Thus, I really started treasuring my life more dearly ever since that escapade, and really wished I was back home in the safety of my home. But the thoughts of completing the checkpoints quickly to get more rest spurred me on, and somehow, I managed to finish the whole activity in one piece. Right now, my hopes are to be able to withstand and thrive under the conditions of Exercise Warrior, which will be my final one-week test before R&R awaits! :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16/11/09 It's finally over! The 7-day challenge has come to a fitting end! All the gruelling tasks, the long walks, the unpredictable weather ... it had probably been the toughest outfield challenge that I have ever faced. Since I'm unable to elaborate too much on army issues, I will relate my experience based on the feelings of both euphoria and lowpoints. Personally, I feel a sense of achievement in being able to complete all my missions (well...most) that i was tasked to do so. Each time i completed a mission, my mind will keep telling me, "Just one day less to R&R". The urge to enjoy my time in ROC gave me strength to continue on, and the lessons learnt are like fuel used to keep ther fire in me burning. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18/11/09 - 21/11/09 Things that I have done or associated myself to during my 3 day stay as a "tourist" in Taiwan:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall, Taiwan had been a new experience that will certainly be in my mind for a very long time. Along with Genting Highlands and Pahang in Malaysia and Sydney in Australia, this is the 3rd country I've been to overseas. I certainly hope that I'm able to visit a new country in the year 2010. The past few years had certainly been tough and difficult, but things are starting to look brighter at the moment and I hope that I'm able to enjoy more activities that I'm exposed to in the amazing year of 2010. At the same time, I will not forget my resolutions, and certainly hope that with each passing day, I'm able to take one step closer towards achieving my goals. Well, this has certainly been a very LONG post. Haha, guess it's gonna take some time before my blogging mind gets back on full gear. Nevertheless, this post has been fruitful and I hope that I'm able to share with my fellow followers any updates that I come across soon. Best wishes, WeiQuan Labels: Taiwan |
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Friday, January 1, 2010 @ Friday, January 01, 2010
Resolutions 2010!
1. IPPT gold - Stay healthy by keeping fit!
2. Staying positive! 3. Learn driving! 4. Participate in a marathon! 5. Learn how to play the guitar! Personally, these are visions that i really wish to accomplish by the end of this year. Also, there is one more wish that I hope can be fulfiled. I really hope to be able to go travelling this year, after my family has settled down from shifting to the new house. 2010 is really going to be an exciting year ahead, and i hope that I can really enjoy and learn from the experiences that await me. To all readers out there: HAPPY NEW 2010! Cheers, W.Q. Labels: Resolution 2010 |
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