As I am typing this blog post, I'm concurrently listening to Adele's "Someone like You". Listening to this song evokes a lot of memories 2011 and now so far. All the friendships forged over the past year in my army life seems to be like flooding my memory blank and keeps on refreshing how life used to be like, as a trainee, as a trainer running my very 1st batch of trainees, followed by the 2nd and now the 3rd and the other permanent staff who I known and have left the service.

How time flies and how rapid changes take place in life really keeps me in awe. Back then when I was a trainee in my current unit, Adele's "Someone Like You" was a popular song in my bunk, when everyone would polish boots together, play a game of monopoly deal, random conversations happening all over the bunk followed by ridiculous actions I had with my bunk mates (which I would explain to you guys if I have time in the future). As I listen to the song back again after graduation, it reminds me of those memorable times back then, be it my commanders, course mates, bunk mates, lectures, events that happened throughout the course. Life was so carefree as it was, waking up in the morning to eat, followed by area cleaning and then proceeding on to the events for the day, lunch, dinner followed by my own time after roll call. Life was not as complicated as it was, though I guess it's inevitable and natural that there would be little glimpse of unhappiness within the course, be it between people to people, or from the course to the commanders. I guess as a trainee, from the start of enlistment till my graduation as a commander,  other than the skills taught as per required, I have pretty much learnt about how to manage relations with friends, especially when I live with these group of people 24/7 during the days of training. Other than that, it was also about team spirit, learning to accomodate, give and take as part of the course. Another good takeaway would be to learn about the type of commander I would aspire to be through seeing the different leaders with differing leadership style in the course.

Currently, I'm taking charge of training in my unit and I guess through this period of time, I've learnt pretty much of life skills besides the hard stuff. From working with superiors to colleagues to working with my trainees have indeed taught me a lot about relationship management.

Interacting with these various groups of people taught me about observing and gaining insights about human character (such as their ideas and opinions) and human behaviour (words and actions). There's always something to learn from interacting with each and every individual, be it whether it's a good or bad encounter. A teacher whom I worked with during my teaching internship told me once that politics happens at places where there is people. From my school days till where I am currently at, politics has never miss its spot, only a matter of difference would be how strong it is. As the days go by, I've learnt to see office politics as a natural part of life. However, no matter how strong it is, I believe it would be a good avenue for everyone including me to grow and learn as a person in life. While life may not be as that peaceful as it would be, it kinda of makes life interesting. Not that I advocate office politics or I am sadistic about it, I just feel that it would serve as a good life lesson for everyone in the future as they look back to this day. I guess we just have to go with the flow and life goes on. With all these lessons and people I have met till this day, it would probably serve as a good training for me now before I start to step out to the working society in the future.