Monday, September 24, 2007
Vertigo
VertigoThis word has for some reason been swimming around in my head ever since last week and, not having considered the U2 song before typing this, I guess I can attribute it to my helicopter rapelling session last friday for the army.
(And oh ya, before I go on, being currently in the Guards formation in the Army, I'll attempt to clarify the apparently popular misconception that what the Guards do involve merely all of standing guard at the Istana gates. Its not the case. Citing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_Guards, "In the SAF, the Guards is an elite infantry unit specializing in rapid deployment. In addition, they also receive special forces-level training," which explains why we get to ride on helicopters =P, and also why we get to have driving lessons.)
Anyway, the human mind is an amazing creation by God and as I was walking home earlier, the axons in my brain pulsed in such a precise combination to relate most of my experiences, my life, these past few days to the word 'vertigo', which is, arguably, just a word, a combination of letters. Here's an exposition of some of them:
1) Helicopter Rappelling
Arguably the alpha of the lot, I thank God for the opportunity to experience it and its exhiliration, and also for His coverage of safety over its conduct.
In a nutshell, this involved one dropping down a rope from a height to a lower level under the force of gravity. For those of you who've been to Equinox, imagine leaping from the window and landing safely at ground level (alright, I exagerated the height, but you get the idea..)
Where does vertigo come in? First would be the helicopter ride itself, which unfortunately I can't reproduce in words, and secondly would be standing on the runway of an airfield where all around you is flat grass and tarmac as far as the eyes can see (almost). Imagine Changi airport's runways, replicated at another location in land scarce Singapore. I was so amazed at the places in Singapore that I had never knew even existed.
2) Driving Course
Today's the first day of my jeep driving course for Guards and in driving a real, motorised, vehicle for the first time in my life, a dizzying sense of satisfaction ensures from having reached a milestone in life. (Did you guys play the board game Game of Life when you were younger? =P)
And of course, I'm not complaining that its a stay-out course, which means I can go home at night!
3) Gems of Singapore
Epiphanies abound as I enjoyed my first true free weeknight in NS. Needing a hair trimming, I left for Novana Square seeking a haircut at a QB or EC house. Seek and ye shall find. I found my haircut, and more. Traipsing around the Novena area, I saw a temporary 2-lane bowling alley complete with scoreboards, full length lanes, and ball feeders set up indoors in Novena Square, the very unique mall Square2 which has lots of dining destinations as well as many speciality stores selling Korean, Japanese and Continental food and condiments, and the only place I've ever encountered travellators (those escallators on level ground) outside airports, in Tan Tock Seng hospital. Its a pity I didn't have a camera with me, for the travellators, walking along them, you'd never guesss you're in a hospital.
The cultural mandate in action. Maybe I'll play a more direct role in similar developments in future?
4) Some-sort-of-food-poisoning?
I came down with a bout of puking and dirrhoea last Thursday but thankfully I've recovered since and my stomach churning at dizzying speeds has since slowed comfortably.
5) Vert-I-Go
Maybe this is just come wordplay, but lets keep on going on for the vertical portion of the cross. I know I'm guilty of neglecting this here and there, but ultimately, our spiritual lives are still fundamental, and all things happen for the good of those who love Him.
Yep, so that's it for this entry. Before signing off, here are 2 interesting people on Youtube, over Christian debate and discussion topics. Might interest those of you who can find the time to watch:
http://www.youtube.com/user/LaneCh
http://www.youtube.com/user/reelverse
Cheers!
Charles
PS. Come guys! Do try to spend at least 15 minutes a week posting here so that, even if nothing else, we'll know better the going ons in one another's lives and/or minds, which can only result in good. =P I honestly have no idea currently about what's the biggest issue in each of our lives. If its also true vice versa, shall we not change it?
PPS. www.willyoujoinus.com For those of you who have lots of time to spare; its a simulator, a game, with discussions, that's created by the Economist Group about world energy and environmental issues. I guess it could help in GP. =D
i posted this at 10:31 PM
and i have received 3 comments.
Hey Charles,
Thanks for being the initiator! What you do and say definitely has influence, just look at all the entries! ;)
Keep staying committed to the cause. You are going to emerge MUCH stronger than you can imagine.
Zoe
By 
zoe, at
September 26, 2007 at 2:36 AM
Haha. Never post for so long, once u post, post such a long & chim entry! K lah, I know, it's yr style. ;P
I went to Square 2 and Velocity on Tues for the 1st time. The place was so dead and boring!I think the shops there are probably suffering losses by the day because not a lot of pple frequent there.
Amen to yr last paragraph! :)U go man! :P
By ♥ Lady Wen ♥, at
September 26, 2007 at 5:10 AM
heyya CHARLES!!
=) wow... a wonderful week you had! =) hehex...thank god for all that He'd done, sending you to have a ride in jeep and jumping off helicopter*kinda exaggerated yea?* and having fun out!
please be reminded. Hydrogen Chloride pills do not relieve diarrhoea or vomitting ;)
have fun!
Zhinian
By 
, at
September 27, 2007 at 9:30 PM