The Transition Year - 2013
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Uncle O' dropped by @11:16 PM
2013 has definitely been a year of many great changes to all of us. Be it school, work, NS, family, friends and ourselves, we have experienced much in this year. Personally, 2013 can be divided into 3 parts: NS, Holidays I had after NS and before school started and finally school.
My remaining 2 months and 4 days of NS were in 2013. Being in MPTS for a 1 year in 2012, things had almost settled down. However, there are always new changes, new faces, new problems and obstacle. I think it was great that I ORD this year rather than last year. It's just a feeling and I can't really explain why. The last run-up to ORD was not a 100% slack-off or throwing magic offs or whatever. No such thing. Rather, it was more about giving the last burst of every effort I could for MPTS before my time is up. Call me mad or what, but I really cherished every day of this year I had in camp before I ORDed, because I know that all this time will never be coming back again.
In terms of work, I may have been a little harsh towards my colleagues and put them into stress, especially during those rampup periods towards the finale exercises for the trainees. One of them told me when we met up after he ORDed. I couldn't give a proper explanation back then but after reflecting about that, I have found a possible explanation for that. I had to because I did not want to jeopardise the trainees. I did not want any of our mistakes to hinder the outfield exercise of the trainees. I wanted to give the trainees the best form of training they should be given. I didn't want to let them down because of silly mistakes on our part.
It was really a great experience to have served as an instructor in MPTS. Theintangible experiences I have learnt and took away from trainees, fellow trainers and permstaffs of MPTS were really somethingi know would serve me in great stead in the future. Many things have changed after I ORDed and I know it's inevitable. I just hope that all those changes would be for the better and my greatest hope for MPTS is that the very one day, BITW would be a united group where all instructors serve MPTS with a similar goal and that is for the trainees. It's something which I have never got back during my time. Hopefully, things are now better between all instructors.
After ORD, it was basically a really good break from March to August. It really felt great to be just having time on my own and doing things that I wanted to accomplish. While I took sometime to adjust back to this carefree environment, I think my schedule was so empty that I pondered much about life during that period. Nonetheless, things are always better when you have something to do.
So now it's back to studying and all in school. It definitely feels great to be a student, but the stress and all came back quite quickly, especially when everything I am learning now aren't that simple as it seems. I do find great interest in what I'm learning and I'm grateful so far that I have made the right decision. Passion is really important in studies and I am glad I like what I'm studying now.
I think what I have learnt greatly from NS was about time management, prioritising and committment. I have learnt to make sacrifices and put what's important to me at the front now. Studies, family, friends and myself - those are the important things right now. I don't think I can commit myself to another CCA or something right now because I know I can't juggle too many things well at the same time. I know that, so I am going to focus one by one, ensuring that I do it well each time.
Once again, as I conclude 2013, I would say it's really a year of transition. A year where I move on from one phase of life to another. From a role as a Singaporean Son to a student, I have learnt much from all the people around me. While there are times where I yearn for the past and become reminiscent about those wonderful times I had, I know we cannot go back in time. All I know is, all these moments now live in my heart and I will not forget those moments, the senses and emotions I have.
This transition stage went off smoothly and I am glad that everything falls into place nicely for now. I know 2014' going to be a great year ahead. My laptop states 11:11pm right now and I am embracing every last moment of 2013, on my own. I'm loving this with the television on my left and my kinder bueno on my right. I guess it's time to bid farewell to 2013 and welcome a new year of 2014. Let's make 2014 another memorable year which the future you will reflect and say, "2014 has been a great year!"
Happy New Year everyone!
