For the rest of the world and some Singaporeans, ORD is the acronym for Operationally Ready Date. It marks the end of 2 years (shortened from 2.5 years) of compulsory, full-time military service to the nation. It’s the holy date for all those in service, marked out millions of times on countless calendars, planners and, unfortunately, on camp walls, military cupboards and vehicles too by our soldiers.
Mine falls on 21 March 2005.
It was a surprisingly uneventful day, even though I’ve been lusting for the day ever since I was enlisted two years ago.
There aren’t many people who I can bade goodbye too. Most have already left. Those still around are leaving. And there aren’t many people who shared the same memories as myself of the place, except a privileged few.
I’ve seen changes in my workplace in 2 years that many wouldn’t have in twice the time. It was an enriching experience, considering the amount of mistakes made. I’ve had my direct superiors changed twice and attached to another unit which restructured thrice in the same year and had new instructions every now and then. In some ways I’m lucky, as they say - while it’s good to learn from your mistakes, it’s better to learn from others’. Mostly, it wasn’t a very pleasant experience. Change can be disorientating and aggravating.
Equally unnerving were the changes this period had on me, I was undergoing the most intensive and introspective phase of my life. I’ve made so many decisions, reversed on them, flipped it around again, dropped it, went on to do the same to something else and came back upon the former again. I apologise to all my friends who had to be dragged into my little mind of pendulum.
It’s hard to put 2 years into words but here’s how it would be if I had to, without going through the details.
The essence of which is, I hate National Service. Yet as much as I do, I’m thankful it taught me so many nasty lessons I wouldn’t learn elsewhere, or would have to at a much later time.
On a lighter note, thank you to all those who, unfortunately, had to know me and taught me something. You know who you are. Thanks. Stay in touch, you have my number. :)
March 24th, 2005 at 12:08 am
Now that’s what I would call a good blog entry… away with all those technical stuff… and definitly not those mushy everyday ramblings… It’s just terrific… =)
March 26th, 2005 at 12:18 am
fuck you for seeing pink. Oh well, you don’t get to hear me spewing vulgarities that often. So bear with it.
March 27th, 2005 at 10:37 am
very interesting cocktail of feelings you have for ORD, actually thought that you’d feel more optimistic about it…
March 27th, 2005 at 5:31 pm
Ah, thank you guys for even reading my stuff.
That little entry took a long time to write. I had it fermenting in my mind for weeks.
Surprisingly, I don’t know why but I find it very hard to write these days. I’ll be judging and damning myself each time I try to write. A lot of my posts remained as drafts instead.
Which is a pity for the exhibitionist in me.