short story
Probably for the first time, officers and NCOs were thrown into the same batch and trained to become SAF Boys’ instructors. No rank buffer. We were trained by the commandos on top of a small hill in Changi, living in an two-storey colonial bungalow. Before every meal, we did pull-ups.
short story
Drills never made sense to me back then. Under the blazing sun, I learned Malay words I still remember today. Kanan pusing. Kiri pusing. Left turn, right turn, repeat until your brain melts before your body does. At night, we polished our boots until we could see our teeth in
micro memoir
These shoes were my faithful companions. They walked with me through life’s snow and storms. Now worn out, left behind while I continue on alone.
short story
Life Lessons from the Armed Forces – Punctuality In the army, punctuality is not a suggestion. It is a survival skill. Be late by one minute and you don’t get a warning. You get punished. Your weekend disappears. While your buddies are shopping, eating good food, or dating their girlfriends,
micro memoir
I asked the lawyer for a photocopy. His clerk pressed a button. One minute passed. The bill was $50. That minute was worth more than some people’s entire day. PS True story
micro memoir
I can’t give you a pendant. But I can give you my heart. And, honestly, my empty wallet too.
short story
Life lessons from the Armed Forces. In the armed forces, we work with a simple assumption. Anything can go wrong. And failure is not an option. That is why every mission comes with a contingency plan. Before we move, we already ask the uncomfortable question: If this fails, then what?
short story
Life Lessons from the Army Discipline Comes Before Everything Else In the army, work does not begin with work. Before anything else, the order of the day is fixed. Exercise. Cleaning. Breakfast. You exercise even when you are tired. You clean your rifle, make your bed, clean the toilet and
short story
Life Lessons from the Army (That You Didn’t Know You’d Keep Using) I spent most of my working life in the armed forces as a regular. I lived through the era before computers and the internet. When work was done on heavy, noisy typewriters. When information was kept
micro memoir
knock knock. survey. no, thank you. door closed.
micro memoir
Minister said a lot. Motherhood statements. About nothing. Full of air. Press conference successfully completed.
business tips
For most of us, the definition arrived early and uninvited. Do well in school. Get a respectable job. Earn more. Keep earning. It sounds reasonable. Almost kind. But I am not convinced it leads to lasting happiness. Because the moment you reach one milestone, another one appears. A new benchmark.
