Special Ops

During my 2nd instalment, I was part of an op -- yes, op (not an exercise) -- that was quite interesting. I can't divulge too much, but a little is appropriate to give confidence that the SAF is really ready and good.

I had been selected to be part of the standby force. I had an Exit Permit with a validity of 1 year and to all countries -- we were ready for anything, anywhere. One fine evening, they activated us through our pagers. I was attached to our BRC at SMI then and the staff there and I thought something great had happened. On checking with them, the guy deadpanned "... Blah blah Exercise blah blah..." So it was just an exercise! Anyway, I was at Place A in no time, and we were orientated to vehicle B -- the main transport and base of some teams, but not mine. No, there would be no orientation to vehicle C, which was what I would be in if I went for an op. Some other members of the standby force were actually to report to Place D with vehicle E as their main transport.

Nothing happened after that day. There was once I went for an exercise with our BRC in Pulau Tekong and when my S2 heard that I was on the standby force, he got annoyed and tried to pull me back to mainland. If I was activated, there was no way I could respond like the wind if I was in Pulau Tekong. "Suck thumb" was the word he used to describe the situation should I be activated. He had a point. I should have raised it but being the soldier that I was, I did not mind going to Pulau Tekong and did not want to be seen as wanting to keng. So the S2 went personally to Pulau Tekong to take me out of the training back to my unit on the mainland.

One fine day, they did activate us. Not those who were supposed to report to Place D -- just us who were to report to Place A. Apparently, Country F had some developments and we were activated as a precaution. I had heard the news over the radio and the next thing you know, I received a call with some guy deadpanning " ... blah blah Operation blah blah ..." I went to my bunk to pack with mixed feelings. This was it -- an op, no joke, probably to country F. The Scout PC heard about it and came over to see me reminding me not to be a hero there.

I was with Place A for 2 days before we were stood down and I returned to my unit on the 3rd day. Incidentally, my unit BRO confused me with another serviceman (a VM) and it said that he went for an op, causing some confusion. Maybe that was to cover up the fact that I went? And when I reached Place A, the CISCO guards told us that we were going to Iraq as there was some problem there at that time. Yeah, right -- we knew they were clueless. At the briefing, the LTC confirmed that it was Country F.

Well, I can't describe the op for obvious reasons. But those guys for vehicles B only packed stores (and we helped them). They did not go. There were four teams that work on vehicles C -- and one team went out. Not mine though. Let's just say that the type of team that we were on (vehicle C people), we were ready for anything as we had XX number of people (led by a Major) from various vocations -- combat or CSS. But the team that went out did not participate in any direct action as it was not needed.

Today, I had NCC in the morning. I went for lunch and then to play badminton with two of my cadets. We played at Tampines Sports Hall. Since there were only three of us, we roped in a hunch-back, limping man to play with us.

He really gave us a run for our money. His skill was good, although his mobility wasn't. Looks can be deceiving. I'm glad we all had a good time.

Today, I took part in the Iron Science Teacher competition organized by the Singapore Science Centre. I emerged runners-up. So I'm the Wrought Iron Science Teacher of 2005.

The competition is based on the very popular Iron Science Teacher programme run by the Exploratorium in San Francisco, USA. It is similar to the popular Japanese cooking game show "The Iron Chef", and has science teachers competing to give “the most entertaining and informative science lecture” after being given a short period of time to come up with a lesson based on a "secret ingredient". The lesson must be less than 5 minutes long.

There were three secret ingredients to choose from this year.

1. 2 A3 sheets of paper
2. 5 ping pong balls
3. chopsticks, knife, fork and spoon

I chose the set of eating utensils and gave a lesson on the Physics of eating utensils -- mainly about pressure.

I just had a chalet and BBQ for my 3E1 students. I paid the lion's share of the cost -- $350. A little bit expensive, but the way I was trained as a teacher -- "That's why the government pays us so much." Anyway, my teacher paid for a bungalow last time, so I do it now as well. OK, she paid peanuts as government bungalows had not been privatised then, but I'm paying a lot more... I hope my students learn from the experience.

Why do we have student chalets and BBQs? Well, aside from recreational reasons, it obviously improves bonding and class spirit. But is that all? I always believe that students should prepare for the chalet and BBQ so that they put their brains to work. A chalet needs an interesting programme. A BBQ needs careful planning -- if you get a food package, you will lose the chance to plan, as well as waste money.

Chalets are for Sec 4s and above only! BBQs are for Sec 2 and above only! Also, no smoking or drinking! Certainly no gangsters! And no one from other classes unless invited by the teacher/parent. For teachers, whether or not you booked the chalet or a parent did, it is imperative that you take personal responsibility to ensure these conditions are enforced -- even if you do not turn up.

That said, here are some items to think about for chalets and BBQs...

Recce the BBQ pit. Make sure it is accessible. Make sure that it is close to a provision shop, supermarket or Cheers!/7-Eleven. Then book it. Use the AXS stations.

There are 2 types of chalets in Singapore: Aloha and Costa Sands. Aloha is cheap for Civil Servants -- including teachers. Aloha Pasir Ris is very popular -- you must book months in advance. It is well-equipped and has good facilities. Aloha Changi is not so popular. Costa Sands Pasir Ris and Downtown East are next to each other. But the BBQ pits are not in front of your chalet for the Downtown East one. Costa Sands East Cost Park (going to redevelop soon) also has BBQ in front of your chalet.

Pasir Ris chalet sessions usually involve cycling in the park, horse riding, recreation at Downtown East, eating at Downtown East, swimming in Costa Sands Pasir Ris or Wild Wild Wet, eating at Fisherman's Village, Escape Theme Park.

Changi chalet sessions usually include walking along the Changi Boardwalk and the Changi Beach, eating at Changi Village hawker centre (famous!), visit to the OCH and Old Commando Camp (creepy!), visit to Pulau Ubin.

East Coast chalet sessions usually involve cycling or canoeing at the East Coast Park, swimming, eating at Marine Cove, eating at lagoon hawker centre, watching people wakeboarding at Ski360 (soon).

Most chalet sessions involve card games and board games. And sunrise viewing. And a BBQ.

Students should have the discipline to maintain the cleanliness of the chalet. For example, when the shower drain hole is full of hair, someone must clear it before it floods. They must not litter in the bathroom -- wrappers of all sorts always end up on the floor. Someone must mop the floor once a day. Keep the beds clean and deploy the sleeping arrangement only before bedtime to keep bedding clean.

For Costa Sands chalets, the single storey chalet has a bigger aircon area compared to the double storey one. The double storey one is good if you have a big turnout for the BBQ. Both chalet types can only comfortably sleep 8 people in aircon comfort. You can squeese 16 in a single storey and 10 in a double storey. Aloha chalets can usually take 16 comfortably.

It is fine if girls and boys sleep in the same room if the teacher/parent is around -- this is unavoidable in Costa Sands chalets. A girl should not sleep next to a boy, however. And under no circumstance should a couple be alone in the room -- girls have been known to get pregnant under these circumstances. In Aloha chalets, girls and boys can usually be separated.

For the BBQ, skewer the chicken wings straight, with drumlets at the tip of the skewer and wingtips nearer the handle. This ensures that it will cook evenly. Remember to skewer things at the tip of the skewer.

The fire should be started using traditional fire starter and charcoal only. NOT solid fuel! Ensure that you have sufficient glowing embers before you cook. There should not be any fire. Then distribute the charcoal so that the entire pit is hot, not just the centre. The embers should last 2 hours at least, so there is no such thing as a pit that is too hot.

Make sure you see what you are throwing into the fire! Any plastic and your cooking will be contaminated!

Minimize wastage. Ask someone to bring half a tub of margarine. Ask someone to bring a small bottle of honey. Keep unused utensils clean and unopened so that someone can take them home. Ask them to bring plates, cups and utensils (a real cost saver!). Have ice and drinks ready -- this usually needs someone to tend.

We have had another teacher on long term leave because she is unable to cope mentally... The previous teacher who did has also left the service...

I went for the Overseas Expedition Planning and Management Course from 3rd June to 13th June. This was conducted in Western Australia -- in winter. I did an aboriginal package, kayaked in cold water, ran a little rapids too, trekked 44 km in 2 1/2 days in the outback bushland, and visited a national park. I also went for the NCC Mt Ophir expedition from 16th June to 20th June.

I had lessons on the 1st week of the June holidays. I had a course on 22 June, and a staff workshop on 23rd and 24th June.

As you can see, I haven't had much of a holiday...

I went out with my VJC ex-colleague in the afternoon to East Coast Park. There were two police cars and a police coast guard boat looking out for something. We heard some talk of someone missing and not picking up handphone calls. The person was in risk of suicide, and so they were looking for him -- or his body.

I think the person probably just received his posting after O Levels... Maybe he could not get into Poly or ITE.

We also went to eat at Bedok Corner. It was very crowded.