National service is so unsafe. You'll never know when you might just give your life for your country, literally.

It happened to the commandos. Yesterday, it was the air force's turn. I wonder if the Navy will be next.

Someone whom I haven't seen or spoken to for 2 years suddenly sent me an IM on msn.

"Hey do you have any spare cash? Can lend me $500?"

I thought she was kidding initially, thinking it was her idea of striking up a conversation, so I replied with:

?!?!?!?!?

And she started to explain her cause. I didn't think she was telling me the whole truth, yet I decided to lend her. Maybe she looks harmless and wouldn't hurt a fly. Maybe I am superficial and judge a book by its cover. Hopefully, she'd return the money some day, after which i can tell myself it is alright to relate a person's character with his looks. Otherwise, even if you looked like angelina jolie, I'd say I have none to lend, and then in turn ask you to spare me some cash instead.

Yesterday was the commissioning of RSS Formidable.

My ship was present at the ceremony because she was awarded the 'E' ship, which means the 'best' ship in the squadron. I was nonchalant to the achievement, basically because it didn't matter one bit to me. Getting the award didn't mean I'd be getting more off days, a higher rank (or a higher pay, to be precise) or an early ORD. So why the hell am I slogging my heart out for the ship? I could simply cast all my work aside and go downgrade or something, but my chief treats me well - better than the other departments - and if I leave, he'd be the only comms left on the ship. Many a time I have told myself to be less soft-hearted, maybe to the extent of being harsh, but talk is cheap. It's so bloody hard to say 'no' to some people at some point in time. Consequently, the one being hurt would be me, but I tend to remain silent for a very simple reason: to not attract unnecessary attention.

Just yesterday, someone on my ship complained about still having to sail after participating in the parade, then someone else of a higher authority got pretty pissed off with him. From how I see it, the former isn't going to have an easy time for the rest of the year.

I need a time capsule. Bring me to November 2007.