Who would have thought that I would be back on blogger after a one year hiatus?

So much have happened over the past one year.

NS have changed me so much, make me realize so many things; brought me so much good memories, but pisses me off so much at times. Whatever the case, it has undoubtedly made me a stronger person. Thank you Scorpion 02/12 & Echo 88/12 :)

Went down for ZFAC last Saturday. It was my what, 8th time there? I was telling Mervin and YuFan that I'm really neutral this year; just going there as a photographer with my $28 (rented) 18-200mm lens. The reason probably being I hardly know anyone competing this year, and I didn't even go back due to my NS commitments.

Well, I guess was wrong. Photos weren't my main concern; I could take almost any photos from any angle with that lens of mine (of cos not forgetting my 'official photographer' pass which allows me to walk in and out of the first aid cases as if I was invisible). As the day went on, I was increasingly bored by the routing Footdrill Procedures and First Aid cases; not forgetting the Home Nursing cases, which after so many years, I still don't understand what is it about.

I kept on talking to my juniors- from Sec1s to J1s. I miss SJAB, I miss my corps.

Talking to them was so amusing. Let's start from this Sec 1 who complained to me that he was hungry.

'Did you eat your lunch?'

'Yeah, I did. But all disgested already' *staring at me with that cute innocent eyes*

Kids these days. Talking to my sec1s is like talking to my brother! (Yes he's 12 already)

And there were the J1s, talking about JC life; reminiscing the times I had in 10S68.

Who would have forgetten my dear, dear Kok Kaijie (so much so that I have to spell his name out fully). One of my closest junior I've known and trusted me even after whatever that have happened a few years back.

Sentimental stuff aside. It was the long awaited results again. And by then, many of the alumnus have already started texting me anxiously asking about the results. But what's new, it's SJAB efficiency we are talking about (alright, slightly better than SAF I Guess).

It was a year filled with surprise; with the traditionally stronger corps making way for the dark horses to emerge as champions. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it was HSS and NB first time winning? (Grats!) The same could also be said for my ambulance category.

Ambulance Adult was only a fight between two schools, and I'm glad my juniors emerged victorious over our rivals, winning every component of the category for a convincing victory.

I was expecting the worst for the Ambulance Cadet; judging from the response I saw from YuFan and Shili. But as the emcee announced results, we have already won 3 out of the 4 components (Best TOC, Footdrill, Leader). Maybe Yufan was doing his usual poker face antics.

Not.

We were second. We lost.

I was sad, obviously. But didn't feel that bad as I did a few years ago when we lost. But when I saw my juniors' faces. It changed. I recalled how my team failed at this stage 5 years ago; and the team we trained the following year. Tears streamed down their faces; I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of regret and remorse. I felt really bad.

This sounds really elitist. But Hwa Chong is not used to losing. 'Second' probably isn't in our dictionary. I guess this is especially true for my juniors. hci*St.J// was indeed on a high for the past few years. Winning back-to-back Zone Double Champs; went a notch higher, achieving an unprecedented Double National Champions last year.

I guess this is life. What comes around, goes around. We've been through a rough patch too. A low that no one would ever recall. I was part of that era. That forgotten past. It was not too long ago, but my juniors never tasted it.

'Everyone's a winner' that phrase is pretty bullshit especially when you are at the losing end. But it's really true looking back at my SJAB experience. All the experience I had made me a stronger person I am today. To my juniors: don't give up. it's not the end of the world. Look, you guys did achieve something! The results may not be what you want, but it should definitely be something that you are proud of. These are the fruits of your labour. All the blood, swear, tears. Man up and keep your heads high for what you've achieved. You are from Hwa Chong; 自强不息 is our motto, never give up :) 

All the stuffs about singma and training the next batch bla bla i'm sure have been mentioned many times by your trainers, so I shan't repeat.

As I sang the school song that day, so many thoughts raced down my mind.

No matter how long we have been away, there's still that something inside us that keep us together and that we'll always return to our roots no matter what. I guess it's hci*St.J//.

I will be back. We'll be back.