Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.


O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.



Amen

The grass is always greener on the other side, I guess. When others are not truthful towards you, you demand their truthfulness. Yet when they are, there can be this sad/angry/jealous/uncomfortable feeling that you get from the truth that smacks you in the face. You may even go - hey I wanted you to be truthful, but maaaaybe not this truthful eh. Sounds familiar?

I guess this is just the ironic nature that faces man. Moderation is maybe indeed, then, the better option. Since year 5 economics, I have realized how the bottom-line answer to any question is that there isn't a one-sized fits all policy, there are always pros and cons, there is a need to strike a balance between the two policies etc etc.

Anyhow, the above is just to fill up some space in this post -

before you listen to this beautiful song (I especially love the contrast played in the last 2 lines of the verses)






Your love goes further still.

Chances by Five For Fighting - this beautiful song I chanced upon while in wallaby watching The Blind Side! This was the first song played during the credits and it immediately drew me in. I think the lyrics are quite beautiful and meaningful too.

Hopefully the last line will be true for me!





Chances are when said and done
Who'll be the lucky ones
Who make it all the way?
Though you say I could be your answer
Nothing lasts forever
No matter how it feels today

Chances are we´ll find a new equation
Chances roll away from me
Chances are all they hope to be

Don't get me wrong I'd never say never
Cause though love can change the weather
No act of God can pull me away from you

I´m just a realistic man
A bottle filled with shells and sand
Afraid to love beyond what I can lose when it comes to you
And though I see us through yeah

Chances are we´ll find two destinations
Chances roll away from me
Still chances are more than expectations
The possibilities
Over me
Eight to five, two to one
Lay your money on the sun
until you crash what have you done?
Is there a better bet than love?
What you are is what you breathe
You gotta cry before you sing

Chances chances

Chances lost are hopes torn up pages
Maybe this time
Chances are we´ll be the combination
Chances come and carry me
Chances are waiting to be taken
And I can see
Chances are the fascination
Chances won't escape from me
Chances are only what we make them
And all I need 

      I was reminded of this verse yesterday. The past week hasn't been the best of weeks, with me facing difficulties on 3 fronts of my life - for example, this was the first ICT that I was completely handling and in charge of, what with Robert ORD-ing, and away overseas on a timely vacation. Nevertheless, I was comforted through my qt that I did  over the week and felt comforted by Him. On hindsight, no problem was too tough and I only hope that this knowledge will be able to strike me whenever I face the same problems - and I will face the same problems.

      And what better way to sum up the week with a song! I went to Nadine's church last evening - along with Ian and Vanessa - and the guest pastor introduced a song that really spoke to me. A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. With so many portions in the lyrics (thankfully not the ICU portion) relating to my past week, I couldn't have missed what God was telling me -  even if I may be blur like sotong. 
   
     So to those who may be feeling down, discouraged or feeling ill-equipped, may this song be an encouragement to you, knowing that you are not alone. And may I add, knowing that God is always with you is not something new but I guess this is a lesson to be learned for me - to not be overcome with the stressful environment or circumstance but understand who is standing with me.






David

This nineteenth felt different and special :>

thank God for friends!


On a sidenote, it's been 6 months into army! time really flies eh - can't wait to start uni!!


Davidd

I'll put in my best effort into playing my part, watch me.

Wanted to post this on Tuesday but didn't had the time, cause I went out with my section mates for lunch and playnation!

So field camp and sittest are over, ended on Monday! With that marks my first ever outfield in the SAF and the experience was pretty good. I have to definitely thank God once again for being so gracious and merciful. Right on the minds of everyone was rain - the hope that it will not rain over the 6 days 5 nights. Why gracious? It did rain - but the rain that came was only a light rain that persisted throughout the night, the rain that came didn't come on the night when we were all under no cover and sleeping in our shellscrape, and lastly, the rain that came and flooded our bashas only came on the last night when there was only 1 more half-day of activities to go. To say we were lucky would be an understatement. Just as Izu was telling me how thankful He was to God over the 6 days 5 nights, so was I.

I felt that the 2 days of sittest didn't go too good for me and I don't think I performed rather well. Maybe I was drained from the previous 4 days, but I'm glad it's all over. Over the weeks, I've been slowly changing my attitude and aspirations towards OCS. Initially, I was rather indifferent towards OCS, instead aiming for the bare minimum of command school - SCS. But now, I've decided to just put in my best and just aim for the best. Then, whatever my posting may be, I know that at least I've done my best and it's what I deserved. Anyhow, a gold for ippt is very much required for greater consideration into OCS and I have just this weekend to train my 2.4 to get my gold. Ran 10.03 yesterday, so I need to cut down at least 19 seconds for the next and final ippt next friday! Hopefully I'll be able to pass out of BMT with a gold for ippt!!

With outfield over, I'm now more than halfway there to the floating platform! Just left with 2 high-key events of live firing and handgrenade throw next week! 2 months BMT is sure flying by real fast! I hate to say it, but I may actually miss Tekong!



Davidd

Losing your voice is no joke. I always thought that losing your voice can be quite cool, since I never lost it before, hahaha. I admit the deep voice that you have is cool but the cough and sore throat that comes with it is just shittttt! What makes it worse is that I am also down with a flu and field camp is this coming Wednesday. I really hope I do recover before Wednesday!

So I wanted to run this weekend, seeing that I have fieldcamp next week (cause my bro says fieldcamp will increase your combat fitness, but erode away your physical fitness). Sian, since I'm so close to my IPPT gold for my 2.4km. Now with no running since a long long time, as last week there was no running sessions, and none next week, and with my IPPT in 2-3 weeks time, I need to run right after my fieldcamp! Hopefully I don't fall sick during and after fieldcamp /:

I had much to say/type before I started but suddenly my mind's blocked (just like how my nose is hahaha) so here's signing off another week of bmt, bring on week 5 fieldcamp!


Davidd

..I must say the first book out feels like we've all POP-ed, hahaha.

So I'm slightly less than a quarter done with my BMT! First-off, I must thank God for definitely being there with me through the past 2 weeks. To be posted to Jaguar, I am so thankful. If I went in a day earlier, it'd most likely have been Kestrel, and I'd be indeed dripping blood, sweat and tears, as their motto is. As my OC has said, in Jaguar, the aim is to do it once, do it good, and to do nothing more than necessary. To me, Jaguar is strict and firm, yet also reasonable and caring. Even as for my commanders, despite they swearing and cursing like there's no tomorrow, I believe they are still pretty much more caring than most coys. And I'm very thankful for that.

I'm also thankful for my platoon, as I feel that my platoon commanders are nicer and more caring towards us, than the other platoons. So I guess this is the trade-off I get, for having to climb 4 flights of steps everytime I wanna go to my bunk.

As for my section, I couldn't have asked for a better section. With majority of us being Christians, we have started a pseudo-prayer group, where each person takes turns to think up of at least 3 prayer points the previous night for the next day's activities, then he texts the group, so we can all pray about it the next morning. Besides that, I feel that my section is one of the more bonded sections, and also one of the more on sections, if I can put it that way. I see our team spirit, where we willingly fill up each other's bottles or cups during meals, while other sections play a mini-game to determine who goes to fill, hahaha. Small things perhaps, but these are small things that go a long way - at least for me hehe. ;)

So I have started well, but that's not the end. Finishing well is equally, if not more, important and I hope everything goes well, even as trainings will get tougher.



Davidd

Cycled from Xunwei's house to Marina Barrage, and back again, through bukit timah.

Though shorter compared to the route we did 2 years ago, I must say the fun we had was comparable - albeit with a smaller group.

Now I just need rest. Loads of it.


David