Work Life Pictures

Been notified OT on weekend.


Before noon on weekend


Boss calling...


Boss is not here.


Finance people don't give money.


Frustrating things happen.


Got today's target from Boss.

Impossible to meet target.

Little Achievements.

Made mistakes in work


Meeting with "Sorry I don't know" client.


No bonus this year

OT for 2 hours

OT for a whole night.

Ready to get to work.

Tomorrow is holiday!

Tough Target set by boss.

Training

Its over...finally

Its all over. I have completed the official handing over of my Detachment appointment especially the SWENCH issue that have been bugging me for a long time. Good thing a solution came yesterday that allow me to clear up the "3 quote" issue. Really have to thank my boss for giving the go ahead despite the cock up of the paper work during the purchase process.

Spend a good 6 hours yesterday handing over my appointment to Hock Wee and Jun Yao. Have to sweat it out to account for all the stuff in the storeroom. I wish them all the best in their tour of duty.

Today I submitted my clearance form and got my air tickets for Japan and Singapore, my passport and my docket ( a collection of the Empire paperwork I have no idea of its importance. Today I also went back to my former apartment at St Marin (I am staying in Hotel right now) to make sure the US$60 we paid for the cleaning was well spend. Glad to say, I was really satisfied with the cleaning my neighbor did for me.

Coming Sunday, I will be in Japan. Here is a rough itinerary of where our group will be going.

Sunday - Arrive Tokyo Narita Airport Terminal one. Look for baggage storage to store our main lugguage. Take express train to Tokyo or Nippori and than switch to the Yamanote Line to Akihabara. Proceed to Capsule Inn, check in, shower and change. Explore Akihabara at night and have a simple dinner.

Monday- Head off to Shibuya for our exploration. Have not research the place yet but just walk walk see see. Next stop will be Harajuku. Although its a weekday, I hope to catch the sight of Cos-players on the street. Meji Shrine is really close to Harajuku station too and thats is a must go again. Explore Yoyogi Park. Visit Snoppy Town. For dinner, it will be on budget and I'm thinking of checking out food stall located at Subway station to fill the stomach. Inform by guys that this is where the cheapest food will be. End the day with a little tour of the "Nightlife" at Shibuya little corners.

Tuesday- Wake up early morning at 5am and head down to Tsukiji Fish Market to watch the auction. Next have breakfast at one of the many sushi stall around the area. Must be the freshest Sushi or Sashimi I will ever eat. Head down to Asakusa to visit the Senoji Buddhist temple, pray for blessing to friends and family. Before sunset, take a subway to Onarimon Station and visit Tokyo Tower! Will remind me of one Japanese drama I watch in the past. Dinner on budget again. Subway food again??? We see... Or maybe have some nice food on the bill at Roppongi Hill.

Wednesday- Breakfast in Akihabara area. Head down on an hour train ride west to Mitaka Station where Studio Ghibli Museum is located. Its a must go for my itinerary no matter what. Everytime I think of Tokyo, I think of the Museum. Will buy the afternoon tickets from Lawson store opposite Capsule Inn and be there before noon to explore the surrounding area before spending a good whole day at the Museum. Dinner at Maid Cafe at Akihabara.

She will call me "Master".

Thursday- Last day is Shopping Day at Akihabara. Make sure I get all the Revoltech toys. 3 EVA, 1 Patlabor, 1 Macross or more! Explore the video game arcade.

Head down to the airport 4 hours in advance. Have dinner at Narita Aiport and fly 6 hours back to Singapore.

Revoltech Action Figures

Friday 1am- Reach Singapore. Sis coming to pick me up from Changi Airport. Go eat supper. Kwee Chap!!!!

献给四川与缅甸灾民的歌

Garfield's Brother song dedicated to the refugee and victims of the Earthquake in SiChuan and Typhoon of Myanmar... I hope the military government in Myanmar will stop all the restriction place on foreign aid and start helping the people.

My thoughts on the Detachment of the Empire...

In 1 week time, exactly at this time right now, I will be over the Pacific Ocean on a Singapore Airlines flight enroute to Tokyo Narita. Less than 7 Days to go and my tour of duty in the RSAF Peace Prairie Detachment will come to an official closure. Its been a good 2 years of professional career development, character building, friendship forging and a great chapter of my life. Despite all my bitching and complaining sometimes in this blog, I still like to thank the RSAF for this wonderful opportunity and my right hand for signing on. This could easily be the best 2 year period of my career but I'm sure there are more good things ahead as long I maintain a good personal perspective in life.

Still got some loose ends to sort out right now. This week, my last week in the US will likely be the most critical period. I'm sure gonna have to come back on Wednesday and Thursday during my Out-Processing Off. First I have to do a handing over of appointments to two new guys and I really don't wanna screw it up but my back are press against the wall with the time constraint. I hope they forgive me if there is anything that caught them by surprise after I am gone. Next will be the Interview session with Boss and Big Boss which I like it to be short and sweet for I have nothing much to talk about except giving me the time to tied up the loose ends. Finally to get all the outstanding signature on my clearance form. Thats about all, period. Than just gonna enjoy my holiday in Japan.

Hmm... always thought it will be a good idea to talk about my experience in the detachment. In short, this place is a big melting pot for Technician (like me) from all different trade, Flight Engineers, Pilots and Engineering Officer. Its right here where relationship are build but also sometime stretched due to work. Sometimes its so inevitable that conflicts do happen and could have been avoided if the rigidity of policies are relaxed. For most of the days, things goes on smoothly even with the numerous adventures of getting aircraft out of phase servicing on shorten scheduled and also dealing with rectification of aircraft that I can only term it as common cold for a fleet that is ten years old.

I think everyday is an adventure, even though I am still pretty shallow in the global view of our detachment or RSAF, I sometime can't help but think that we are always walking and balancing on a circus tight rope. On one side, we never want to fail in meeting our Operation requirement of going for Exercise with the Ang Moh, flying training sortie within the base or aiding the local community during disaster relieve to ensure of viability in USA. On the other side, we want to generate flyable aircraft to meet the other end of the tight rope with challenges of meeting servicing time lines, making sure preventive check are carried out on critical system, handling the work with the small group of manpower we have to do with in each trade, the secondary appointments that support our primary job, VIP visits and stuff. Keeping all in the balance are nothing but the people we have here, holding the balance that always been threaten to fall and fail on either side.

My thoughts is, its time to either made that rope thicker or just give us people a wooden plank to walk on that offer better balance. We have to cut the BS in our system to a minimal. There a lots of BS so far and nothing seems convincing to stay on. Its always a challenge to change for human a creatures of stagnation and comfort even though its nothing comfortable at all and stagnation breed mosquitoes. If there is one thing that I strongly support will be giving the man the flexibility in equipment procurement and modification without too much approving channels to go through. Why the hell do we have to submit documentation all the way back to someone else out of the realm of our bases just to get approval for a self fabricated tools? I believe we are all smart enough and have adequate thought process from various members of the base to make independent decision and approval. Why consult someone else out and up there when we are the one that know better? This is the issue that stop the creative flow of energy due to a very difficult paper work climb just to get simple but creatively in base design tools to be approved. In the midst of the paperwork process, the paperwork got lost.

People are what hold all the facet of operation together. I have my fair shares of working with the good and the bad. The good guys are the ones who make themselves asset and at less meet the minimal requirement of been a Senior Tech, thats to service aircraft, do proper documentation...period. Ultimately the good guys are one who got the right altitude. I choose to believe that everyone is an asset. Even the low profile guys in the base should not be overlooked for a quiet front hides a oasis of knowledge. Although the real deal in this organization is been low profile means the management will have a hard time spotting and pushing you for PP2 or good Performance Bonus but little do all realize that this silence worker keep the clock ticking as good or even better that most high profiler. Sadly, society thrive of "Kuan Si" (relationship) and "Communication" and "Sale Pitch", only those who make sound can be heard.

But of course there are those with substance and those who are just total noise pollution. Just can't stand those who make too much noise like a Radio, nothing but noise and no action. And there are other disgusting people who don't look at themselves in the mirror and only talk about the problems of others. Not gonna mention names but this kinda people exist. Nothing but rot talker. I think its unfair to make snap judgement of people without knowing them better.

Recently the cruel ranking system of the Empire make a few unhappy people. I think its really unfair to give a poor ranking the someone who have no more career mileage in the empire (ORD soon) when he/she is obviously putting in more effort and contribution than those who got into into PP2 or those who have more mileage to groom. Ranking another one who is "On Job Training" low in the cahoot can be demoralizing too just because he is not an asset yet. Someone just lost the faith in the empire when been told his ranking is bottom of the pool. Yes...ranking is necessary but can the upstairs adopt a silent rule to the ranking process? Telling someone that he/she rank top 10% might make the person too comfortable while telling another "you are not good enough" is pure demoralizing.

Gosh...am I blogging all about the problems? Well, talk about the good things here. Been through 4 detachment farewell party and finally the 5th one is for me and the guys going back end of May. For the farewell, we got a beer mug and a plaque, traditional farewell gift for those at the end of their tour of duty. Its something priceless and unique for only those who been through this tour of duty get this gift. Its like a war medal or something except we are not fighting a war right now. Something one can be proud of displaying in their home gladly telling friends who see it my experience in USA (follow by showing lots of photo that I can only dream off shooting back in Home base at Singapore). Yet another priceless gift is been able to build the skills of working well with people of varied character and background. I guess job can be much more difficult if you can't click with people around you. I have to say where I am standing now is not just myself but the influence and partnership of all the fellows (The good and the few bad) I came into contact during my 2 years tour of duty in Peace Prairie, they are the one that shape who I am now for the better. A big thank you for been in this chapter of my life and God Bless...

PP Det RT Man group pictures

Usually the only group photo of my close colleague from RT section are those taken from Hooters, like the one below taken recently during the farewell gathering for Encik Sin, Gary, Dave and myself...



Today was a rare opportunity for our guys as we all came in as one shift to install the 6 rotor blades of our Chinook Helicopters. We decided to take a group photo in Uniform with a Chinook at the Dispersal. Unfortunately, Encik Ravi and Ah Bao could not join us as they are currently on deployment.

From left: Sen Loong, Puvean, Gary, Dave, Mark, Encik Sin, Encik Foo, Riccardo and Garfield. Missing from picture are Encik Ravi and Ah Bao.

My Tarot Card

You are The Sun

Happiness, Content, Joy.

The meanings for the Sun are fairly simple and consistent.

Young, healthy, new, fresh. The brain is working, things that were muddled come clear, everything falls into place, and everything seems to go your way.

The Sun is ruled by the Sun, of course. This is the light that comes after the long dark night, Apollo to the Moon's Diana. A positive card, it promises you your day in the sun. Glory, gain, triumph, pleasure, truth, success. As the moon symbolized inspiration from the unconscious, from dreams, this card symbolizes discoveries made fully consciousness and wide awake. You have an understanding and enjoyment of science and math, beautifully constructed music, carefully reasoned philosophy. It is a card of intellect, clarity of mind, and feelings of youthful energy.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Got my Japan Air Ticket!!!!

Oh Yeah!!! Time to put the sorrow aside and start planning for a happy holiday in Japan! From the 1st of June, I will be arriving in Japan at 6pm in the evening and will be leaving on 5th of June at 5pm back to Singapore! Throughout the stay, me and my 2 travel companion Hwee Yong and Ricky will be staying at the Capsule Inn located at Akihabara, the center of Otaku Culture in Japan! Oh boy oh boy, finally I can see rows and rows of my favorite robot, Gundam and get to eat Sushi, Japanese Hour Style. Of course can also take picture of Japaneses Mei Mei.

So I got slightly more than a week to plan the itinerary. Since I will be staying at Akihabara, I guess I plan the 5 Days itinerary using Akihabara Train Station as the travel center. Heard from many of my friends who went there that there is so much to see even 5 days is not enough. Obviously at this time, the Sakura bloom will be all over but not to worry, still much to see around!

One of the places I really really wanna go will be Studio Ghibli Museum located at Mitaka, Tokyo. That animations produce by Studio Ghibli and the work of Hayao Miyazaki is my favorite and the only reason I like Gundam over it are only the Robots but not the storyline. Recently just finish watching KiKi's Delivery Service, an excellent Anime with great storyline and role model character further motivating me to visit the Museum. This is a must go for Anime fans and here is a excellent English website showing you how to buy the ticket (fairly complicated process) and how to get there.

GHIBLI MUSEUM GUIDE

I'm really delighted to hear that the air ticket was approved today and I only got to pay US$125 for it. You see, my home flight ticket are free (sponsored by SAF) but any transiting, we got to top up. US$125 for a Japan tour, thats a steal. Ok lots of home work to do right now. Hmm...work on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Next week work on Monday and Tuesday only and than HOLIDAY!!!

Gambling Winnings Lost as usual

It could not have been a better coincidence. I still recall my biggest winning at WinStar Casino last year was US$400, starting out with only US$100 in my wallet. The very next day my wallet, the US$100 and the US$400 winning is lost and is still a mystery till now.

2 Nights ago was my maiden Journey on a Casino Poker Table playing Texas Hold Em. I was on a winning streak some call it the "Beginner Luck" and brought myself US$400 of winning again starting with the same US$100 in my wallet. This time the money did not disappear mysteriously as before. Today I lost US$500 on a scam... I mysteriously parted with my money :(

Maybe I am not born to enjoy the winnings of the Gambling table... Life for me have to be a zero sum game on and off the Poker table.

Time to move on and put the issue behind me now. Forward I go, leaving my folly behind but carrying forward the lessons learn.

"If its too good to be true, it isn't"

Scam alert

I know some of your guys in US, especially my fellow colleague in the base is reading my blog. Never have I ever find it serious or urgent to bring your attention to my article until today. I was scam US$500 to purchase a set of poor quality made in China Home Theater Speaker system call 'Genesis Media Lab IM4'. It was a moment of greed on my part and clever ploy by this Ang Mo guy driving a black SUV Van. The deal appear to be really good on the surface with all the MSRP, MADE IN USA stickers and awards winning magazine he shown me to make it appear that I am only paying 500 bucks for a High quality US$4599 system. I should have known better. I nearly instigate my fellow colleague into the scam who happen to be around the area but good thing they did not buy any stuff from that con man. This is a well documented scam on the Internet and for the well being of your money, please please please read this link.

Genesis Media Lab Scam

The only saving grace here is I am not the only one that was victimized. As you read the blog link above, several people got con and couldn't believe how stupid they are. I just have to admit I was gullible today. So guys and gals, watch out alright? This is one expensive lesson but there have been even more expensive one in my life... Here is a forum where victims recount what happen during the process. As you can see, its a long list of people and their bad experience, some really heartbreaking ones too like the father who got this speaker set home thinking its a good deal but the son realize it was a scam but dare not tell his dad cause its Christmas Day.

The Victim Forum

Just have a chat with a friend over the phone a while ago. Apparently this scam do happen in Singapore too! So please watch out!

Seasonal Allergy

Now I wanna blame my flu and sore throat to seasonal allergy. The chocolate Ben and Jerry ice cream is just a catalyst to break the final body defense for a full blown allergic reaction. Its always the case for last year spring I got a bad case of flu and sore throat, so is this year. Body recovering well right now after taking my house mate medication which he brought for US$100 last year for his persistent sore throat and flu. Its call Allegra-D 24 and its works like magic! One pill and all the symptoms are gone. Still got that little bit of throat sensation though but I'm glad I was able to have dinner with my RT section guys and our two new comer, Encik Foo and Mark Ghin.

Almost 2 weeks to go before my tour of duty ends. At less I sold my car and whats left now are the bits and pieces of clearance to do before I can step out of here. Call it forced responsibility if you want to but I don't need all this clearance form to be responsible for making sure things are in shape and nothing is own to "Ah Kong" before I leave PP Det. As I always like to mention to the guys taking over my appointment, I am just a phone call away if they need help. 1 week is just too short of a time to do a proper handing over in my opinion. RUSH RUSH RUSH, I felt.

I only have 2 days to handover my Tools and TMDEs to Hock Wee and JunYao, both of them arriving in Dallas coming Saturday. Man... should have at less a two weeks overlap to ensure a proper handing over. Now I can't help it but force all the handing over paper down their throat and let them digest it later on. Poor me and Poor them....

"Sometimes there are things you need to pick up the courage to do. If you tell yourself you got to do it now or regret not doing it later on, you will have all the courage to do it. Sometimes you have to think it this way, rather to do it now, screw up and regret than regret not doing it at all. At less you tried and learn it don't work out, rather than not even trying at all."

Picture of the day.

The Ben and Jerry Pyramid. This is just the tip of the ice berg for the number of empty pint I created over the 2 years of binge ice cream eating.

New owner of my Mazda Miata MX-5, Robert and Christi. Sold at US$5450, they sure got a good deal! If I was not leaving USA by the end of May, I would have kept this excellent car. Looking forward to an 2008 Mazda Miata on my next tour of duty in USA.

One very happy women!!!

Hannibal - Zhuge Liang of the Western world

After reading a few chapters of Sun Tzu Art Of War which originated from China, I went online to find out if there is any famous military tactician in the western world. I found Hannibal and read about his famous flanking/pincer movement attack against a numerical superior Roman forces at the Battle Of Cannae. How he turn his troops weakness into strength and weaken the strength of his enemy by reshaping the enemy formation for a Pincer Movement Attack. How he uses the River, the direction of the sun and Wind against the enemy. The placement of his stronger units against the weakest point of the enemy formation. The basic of war planning consist of the Heaven, Earth, Moral Law, Commander, Method and Discipline and mastery of this 6 aspect in battle planning means decisive victory.

The Battle Of Cannae demonstrated most if not all of the essence of this vital 6 aspect of Battle planning as read from the 1st Chapter of Sun Tzu Art Of War. I like to see example of its application in Business, Work and Office Politics...

"If you know your enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory you gain you will suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy or yourself, you will succumb to defeat."

Sickness and work and just a little blog.

My farewell gift from the RSAF Peace Prairie Detachment, a plaque and a mug. Precious Moment soldier not included. Thanks to this opportunity, I learnt how to spell the word 'Prairie'.

No, I'm not complaining that I am sick of work. I just learn something today; never take chocolate ice cream before bedtime. I got a bad case of sore throat and flu when I woke up at noon today and got to drag my weak body to work. Its the first time I felt really sick after many months. How convenient it will be to take an MC for Tuesday and Wednesday but since I am only doing guard duty (just sitting around working on papers) on Tuesday and getting my off on Wednesday, I guess I will just save that US$10 consultation fee and brave my body for work on Tuesday. Drink lots of water and take an Aspirin, watch an episode of South park season 12 and head to bed. I hope I get better when I wake up.

Today my section morning shift guys worked into the night with us to recover aircraft. Not again!!! 6 PCLs adjustment!!! I lost count how many time we have to go through this dreadful task but the frequency is increasing obviously. Kudos to our morning shift guys for sacrificing their of duty hours to assist us in the night shift but I wonder beside us and some other ground guys tonight, does the management see the sacrifice man are willing to take without even needing a commanding decision? I'm sure my immediate maintenance officer do see some of us stretching the hours for the sake of operational readiness but do the "People Riding The Horse" see it as well? Sometime it will be nice to see a couple of them hanging around after dark just to check out on the maintenance guy or get to know our work. I'm not bitching that we got not enough man power or what but its how we could all build better bonding. Please throw the bullshit about they been the customer and we been the service provider, thats clearly drawing the line. Complementing our manpower will be ideal. Obviously its gonna be a problem if either side can't fly properly or generate good aircraft.

It take two hands to clap not just the left hand to take things from the right.

You see, the "Grease Monkey" never have a day without activity or work. During flying, we got to watch out for rectification and when there are no flying we got to do phase servicing. When there are no phase servicing, we got to clean the hangar and roll out red carpet for VIPs visit. When audit comes, its like Chinese New Year, have to clean up paper work, examine process and clear the "garbage" before the DAY comes. Oh boy...I got so use to it liao....its been 5 years liao.

I wonder if I become radical in the way I get things done, will it be a stubborn nail sticking out of a wood waiting to be hammer down or will it be a few bloom of flowers in a desert savanna.

Mum, Dad and Sis are in Taipei now. Not able to dial through my sis phone although she mention she got auto roam. So I can only send her a one way SMS with Skype to check if they are doing fine and wish my Mum a happy mother day on 11th May. How I wish I could join them if not for the stupid Administrative cock up that stuck me in Dallas. Now I rather they extend me for another 6 more months Tour Of Duty...the extra money will come in Handy.

Big Bend National Park photo album

Packing Box Saturday

Friday was box packing day and so is today. Saturday is box packing day again and I think I completed 85% of packing all my stuff in box to be send home. The remaining 15% goes to my Sis ridiculous amount of COACH bags, some more of my clothings and a package brought by my friend YX. The house is in a real mess right now from neglected tidiness and soon it will look like a warehouse with lots of boxes here and there.

Mess...

Messier...

Very damn messy!!!

The fun part about packing everything up is finding things I kept for more than a year in a corner. This things bring back lost memory and reminded me of who I am in the past and what I told myself to be in the future... First it was a A3 size sketch book I had from my Design school in NYP to my Mechatronic school in TP. I like to draw military planes back than. The next was a piece of paper with a list of things I want to achieve in life, written during my retreat at YellowStone National Park. I only achieve one of the goal so far because its easy to do so with money.

Just a few drawing I did long before I even join the Air Force. I was a design student back in the old days. Some drawing took a day and some took an hours. All done using Pencil or Color Pencil. Sometime I wish to get back my naive character back when drawing was everything. Its not too late...its not too late...


Drawing done during my time as an Engineering student in Temasek Polytechnic. Time are hard, I need the money and so my right hand signed the contract with RSAF. But I still like to draw... this time its concept drawing for projects.

Some asshole put this in my sketch book, its funny though. Click the picture and read it. Its a story of a Penis.

1. 1-Working on it... have a vague idea.
2. 2-Done it! Now selling my Mazda Miata. Fun car...Highly recommended
3. 3-Its over...its all over...I left it in the recycle bin of my mind, not emptied.
4. 4-She is very successful and I got lots of respect for her. I think she is more capable of supporting me than the other way round.
5. 5-I got my poker chip, Nintendo Wii, Guitar Hero and mediocre cooking skills to make this happen.
6. 6-Money Money Money...
7. 7-Money Money Money...
8. 8-Money Money Money...
9. 9-Already doing so? Can't you guys see it?
   
10. 10-I think I can teach them academic subject while travelling around the world but I'm sure they have more to teach me too.

Caught her in my sight.

She is zesty, energetic and most of all my type of women. She might no be pretty in most common man standard, could even compare her to Ugly Betty with her thick black frame glasses but she is really "meaty" with nice body curve revealing through her body hugging shirt. She is neither white or black but brown like Minah. I like her smile when she ask if everything is alright and I look her in the eye. She kinda like to whisper in respond when I ask for ketchup, refills or paper napkin. I wonder how she looks like beyond that black frame glasses that surely mask a certain alluring beauty. I'm sure if she dress up well out of work, she is gorgeous. For a moment I thought of asking her out on a date, something I never had tried in United States despite this country been way more liberal than our conservative Asian society back in Singapore. I could have started with something like "Did I ever see you before at Arlington University"? or maybe "You look really Asian with those eyes" or maybe "I think you have a pretty face"? Hmm... lame.

I ask her for a To-Go box for the dinner I couldn't finish up, 6 oz of Chicken Fried Steak and 3 buttermilk fluffy pan cakes. With her usual enthusiasm, she dart off to the kitchen and came back with what I needed. I can't help looking over my book to catch a glimpse of her back walking to the kitchen. For once, I almost thought she was doing a cat walk, a fast one though. The bill came along too and my dinner was US$12.00 plus $1 tips for her. On the bill itself, her name was Ruby Z and she is just one of the few servers at the Market Blvd IHOP restaurant. I got to see her again....

Operation PHC is over

Operation PHC "Precious Human Cargo" comes to a successful end today when we send the PHC off at Dallas Fort Worth Airport. I almost wanna jump up and cheer! It was a tiring two days of driving and escorting the 2 PHC. It all started out 6am early yesterday morning on a 4 hours drive to Houston by two drivers generation apart, one old and one young man. After picking up the two PHC, we proceeded 3 hours to San Marcos Factory Outlet to equip them with COACH and NIKE. Next another 1 hour drive to Salt Lick BBQ for "refueling" and finally 3 hours escort mission back to Dallas. By the time we kept the two PHC in the storage of Comfort Inn, its was almost 1.00am the next day.

Today the escort mission starts at 10 but the young driver have to wake up at 9am with just a borderline 6 hours of sleep. Proceeded on escort mission to send the 2 PHC back to base for the viewing and listening pleasure of our fellow comrades before bringing the PHC for lunch with senior ranking members, equipping at Grapevine shopping mall and finally transfer them to the safety of DFW airport.

Well, I'm glad its all over with this escort mission and finally life is back to normal. Its a dangerous escort mission in my opinion because of the long distance and period of driving and even with 2 drivers, the load is HUGE. Lets not forget to mention the drivers not only have to concentrate on the driving but also ensure the 2 PHC are not utterly board when their "broadcast" system is online. It was a peaceful but sleepy moment when the "broadcast" system is offline. Of course the driver must not be asleep but at times he almost forgot if he was driving or dreaming.

Such long driving hours. Didn't the world come equipped with Aviation? I believe we could actually plan for Operation PHC mission using the Chinook helicopters. Instead of 4 hours it will be 1 hour. Killing two bird with one stone....the pilot can practice a medium route navigation and also Precious Human Cargo escort mission!

Back to my regular work...lots of stuff the settle and closure to be made before I head back to Singapore. So much so that I wish I get another 3 months extension just to do a good handing over of my primary, secondary and tertiary appointment to the new guys. Otherwise I only got less than a week to do so when they arrive in base. Its gonna be a rush rush handing over. Its not fair to me and not fair to the new guys taking over my appointments. Some kind of manpower planning this is... They should have let the guys come at less 2 to 3 weeks earlier for a proper handing over, not in the last minute like now.

Back to my dog shed in Coppell , I am only half way through packing my shipment boxes destine for Singapore. Got my day off this Friday for the torture and slavery I went through for the past 2 days so gonna make use of this opportunity to pack as much stuff as possible. Boxes shipping out on the 23rd of May and I will be moving to the Hotel on the 28th.

Recently been really confuse whether I wanna stay on in the Empire or defect after my contract ends. It seems that I am at a crossroad now and decision have to be made as soon as possible. The light at the end of the tunnel still seems diffused to me...

Sacrifice For Others

The most difficult things to do in life is selfless sacrifice, help or assistance to others in need. Maybe most of us are compel to do so out of circumstances or rewards. Sometime I really wonder whats in the mind of certain people I know that willing to sacrifice the blood, sweat and sleepless night to achieve something I thought got nothing to do with them selves. Whats the benefit?

Some times the sacrifice is 我不入地狱，谁入地狱? Its kinda circumstantial in this case and seems like we got no control over it. Maybe the right term to use is arrowing and not been able to arrow to someone else.

As for doing things for rewards? I guess thats the worst ways to carry your life with. Rewards come naturally to those who never even yield for it in the first place in everything they do or contribute. I think GOD have eyes to see who are the real deal and who are the actor/actress although I am admit I'm an Atheist

I wish I could move the mountain!!!

The gang of 3 Singaporean Explorers of Big Bend National Park. Riccardo, Tony and Darren.

Back from Big Bend National Park. The drive back was especially long maybe due to the fact that we are all heading back to reality, back to work. I wish I could have my bed and my apartment, have all the shopping center and electronic store in Dallas and finally I wish I could move all the Chisos Mountain in Big Bend National Park right into Dallas...it will make a really nice back drop and a place to retreat during the weekend for hiking or just sitting on top of the cliff for some meditation with nature's peace and quietness.

Finish sorting out the trip expenses. The total cost of the trip is US$236 for each of the 3 of us. This includes the car rental, gas, 2 night stay at the motel and food. Still sorting out the tons of pictures we took though and will be posting on the blog when I come back from work tomorrow evening. For the moment I like to share just this picture with you.

We are stepping on US soil and right across the river is Mexico. And on the right is an illegal immigrant who just crossed the river to take a snap shot with us.

After coming back to Dallas, just got a message from the Empire that I will be escorting "Precious Human Cargo (PHC)" this Wednesday.. Have to drive all the way to Houston this Wednesday to pick up the "PHC". Don't know why the "PHC" landed in Houston instead of Dallas. Looks like another road trip for me again but this time its official duty. Kinda tired after this two days of driving but this is a good chance for me to revisit Houston and buy the tasty "Ba Zhan" Dumpling from China Town.

Ready to go and leave everything behind.

All my bags are pack, I'm ready to go, I'm throwing everything (my work), outside the door. Its time to leave everything related to my work behind. Cause I'm leaving for some fresh air and nature all the way at the southern tip of Texas, right close to the border of USA/Mexico. Need to get away from the BS of my work cause sometime it smell so bad I am suffocating. Have to top up some fresh air from Big Bend National Park.

Never been there before but I always like nature, the desert, the mountain and the trees. It felt like I am getting back to Civilization which sound kinda ironic but if consider the real "Civilized" world of work is actually giving most people the headache ...I may not be wrong. Of course we got to earn our dues from this "Civilized" world or else how can we escape from it? Alas, most are trapped in this rat race. I wanna get out!!!

Well, its a temporary get out for me with this short road trip with Darren and Tony. I can stop thinking about the stupid SAF finance directive of "3 quotes" to came back to haunt me right now thanks to my rushed initiative last year. I can forget about bills, cleaning the apartment, about life back in Singapore in a few weeks time, about the girl I like....about everything that is bothering me right now.

We just got our rental vehicle today. A free "under the table" upgrade from a In-line 4 Chevrolet Cobalt compact car to a V6 Pontiac G6 intermediate car. Adding on is the military discount we got although we never have to go to war for the United States.


Our trip will take us all the way south...to Big Bend National Park located near Mexico. Its gonna be a long 9 hours drive but I'm sure like every other road trip I been to, we bound to catch some adventure along the way.

View Larger Map

I don't know what I will get to see because Darren is the guy who organize this trip and did all the itinerary. We are going to stay in Chisos Mining Co. Motel, a little Cabin tucked right at the corner of a desert. Pretty exciting I think. At less its something new. Well to me the best thing about travel is the exploration of the unknown. Again, will photo blog my trip when I come back on Monday evening.

Change those spare tires

One of the most neglected parts of the car might be the spare tires. The usual driver only ever use it when the vehicle have an unfortunate flat tire situation, otherwise it will be tuck nicely in the trunk away from the sunshine and the rain. Well most of you will think I only use it in an emergency and as long as my spare tire is not leaking air and got the right tire air pressure in it, I'm safe. But there is something most of us overlooked...

Few days ago a mum went out do the usual grocery shopping, driving an SUV. The SUV got a flat tire while she is driving back home. She went on the change the flat tire with a spare one from the trunk and drove home uneventfully.

The next day her son drove the same SUV with the spare tire out to run some errand and maybe to the tire shop to get flat tire in the trunk fix up. Her son never return from his trip. He got into a serious accident and died on the scene. Investigation reveals that the spare tire of the SUV burst and disintegrated causing the SUV to lost control and crash, killing her son. Cause of the spare tire failure??? Aging...

As with regular tire, spare tire although looking new and unused cannot escape from the fact that after more than 5 years, it starts to harden, degrade or bio-degrade from within. A good looking and deep thread tire may be a hidden danger to motorist if its old.

So when you maintain those tires of your car, don't forget about the spare tire tool. It may safe you lots of trouble but can get you into trouble too if its neglected.

A RECENT NEWS ABOUT FAILED TIRE THAT KILLED A MAN

Imagine...

I really love this song originally sung by John Lennon. Very meaningful lyrics about imagining a World at Peace which of course is so elusive now... I took wish we have no boundary, no conflict and no war. An Utopia. This way, we don't have to spend billions in Military budget every year. So its only in imagination... Can you imagine where this money can be put to better use than some metal fighting machine?

Imagine there's no Heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one

Even the best fall down some time.

Been nominated to be the Best Of Empire is not as good as I thought. Now some people look and treat me differently which is totally weird because now I am suppose to be the Best when actually there is so many areas I still sux in this field of work. I think I rather be the silent best to myself in ways I choose than having everyone know I was nominated for this award. Please please please, don't let me win it cause I'm afraid its gonna be tremendous pressure. As a measurement of sucess is not measured by an individual but from the collective effort of everyone that he have work with or for. I felt all it does is alienate me from everyone else and all of a sudden there is so much expectation.

The Great Expectation. Sound like the movie huh? Suddenly and silently I, an ordinary grease monkey of the Empire is expected to be very "Gen" and "A Model" to the Empire request and requirement. I am but a rebel to the system most of the time even if I appear to follow it. Just today, I was working in my ordinary joe way with paper work and some actually said "Hey man, you are the Best Of Empire and you better don't do this paperwork this way or you screw up big time!" Gosh...this is how I always do it and does been nominated to be the Best Of Empire got to do with how I handle my paper work? My most frank and direct reply to that person was "I never ask to be nominated the first place". I don't want to end up like one guy I knew who was up there but never loveable amount his peers. I rather be the ordinary grease monkey, loveable amount colleagues and competent in aircraft technical work.

I think I have to cool down abit, maybe I am just thinking too much about undue pressure. Life goes on as normal, I still give my usual output of effort and recieve my usual input of salary, Performance bonus, Mid year bonus and year end bonus. I gonna pretend that I was not even nominated at all and work per normal. Life feel much better than way when I give myself the pressure and not others. Do appreciate whoever up there who is pushing for that nomination, I thank you for that and is of course grateful. However one thing for sure, I still work the way I use to be, my way, my style and my area of responisbility...nothing more nothing less and no fancy extra.

Will be glad to give up that prestigious nomination to one of my Encik or one of my Staff Sergent who made more sacrifice than me. I am a timekeeper, always watching the clock for End Of The Day to get back home and type senseless blog, totally no sacrifice from me. Well, giving me more bonus might be a better way to show that appreciation!!! hahaha....at less no one know how much I get in extra.

Everything I do, I do it to just hold the fort like many others in this Empire. Satifsfying Achievement? Well, I think a 8mins 50secs 2.4km IPPT timing today is one of those things I find satisfying in my life than any nomination.