Helloo to all my buddies and watchers!

I'd like to say that...
I'VE FINALLY PASSED OUT OF MY BASIC TRAINING COURSE!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

*cough*

So...let's have a little overview of what has happened with me in the past 5 months of my basic training (it was suppose to be 4 months but due to other circumstances it was extended to 5...).

I came back to Singapore in the middle of July...the 17th to be exact, to carry out my national duty >___>

Although I am a Canadian now, I am still holding on to my Singapore citizenship. Reason being I'm not allowed to give it up until I turn 21. Tricky eh? If I had been allowed to give it up sooner I wouldn't have had to serve National Service, but obviously that wasn't God's intention for me

I waited 5 months before I was enlisted on the 11th of December of 2007 into the Singapore Police Force. I entered the 130th Intake – Prep Course. This basically meant that instead of the standard 3 months, my basic training would be 4 months. The Prep Course was meant to get us trainees who failed the fitness test into shape. Usually the Prep Course would be a lot fitter than the Fit Squads that would come in a month later.

However – that was not the case for me. I, having already been suspected of having a Slipped Disk before enlistment, took part in the vigorous training that ensued soon after I entered the Police Academy.

I took part for 4 days.

I was later put on Light Duty...and later on to Permanent Light Duty (or as my friends dubbed it the President of Light Duty xD).

After that 4 days, I could no longer stand straight (and am still unable to), and my newly acquainted friends (thank God for them) worried about my condition, constantly reminding me not to do anything that would strain my back.

On the 5th of January, I underwent an MRI scan.

2 weeks after that my doctor disclosed the results to me and said that I was suffering from not one...but TWO slipped disks. At this point he was recommending an open back surgery for me. I hesitated, and asked for some time to decide.

For 1 month I prayed to God to bless me with his wisdom on whether I should decide for or against the surgery. My parents constantly called (they are in Canada) to counsel and check up on me as well. But thank God that during this 1 month, I was also going through physiotherapy. When that 1 month was over I had decided not to go with the surgery. My doctor also told me it was no longer necessary due to my improvements from the therapy.

While all this was going on, in the Academy I was instructed not to take part in any of the physical training, I could only participate in class. This is pretty much what Light Duty was like. At most, my only exercise everyday was walking behind my squad as they went for physical training, drills, or class. Which mind you is a lot of walking...the buildings at the academy are quite a distance from each other. Of course it was nothing compared to what my squad mates went through

However as time progressed, so did the regression of my spine. Even though I did my physiotherapy everyday, I found that I could no longer stand for a long period of time. At most only 5 min when standing at attention. My physiotherapist told me that I was also suffering from...I forget the term but it meant that my spine was curved

As April drew closer, my squad mates and I were more focused on studying for the upcoming Law exam. If failed we would have had to stay back for another month to recourse...

There were about a total of 7 or 8 exams that had to be taken, Law being one of them and the most important one.

I only took 3 as the rest would have compromised my back condition even more.

In the end everyone in my squad, including myself, passed the exam.

I think about a week after the exam, I had another appointment with my doctor. This time he recommended another form of surgery, one that was less... A LOT LESS...invasive than the open back surgery he had suggested before. It was called a keyhole surgery, basically they inserted a cutting device (a laser) through a 5mm – 10mm cut in my back to shave away the parts of the disks that was protruding out.

This would cure me of the symptoms of the slipped disks (sharp pains, sore back, etc.), but will not cure the wear and tear that has already transpired.

I have decided to go for this surgery, as lately I haven't been able to sleep well at night due to the sharp pain that would frequently manifest in the middle of the night. This is only one of the many reasons that I want to go through with this surgery. My next appointment with the doctor will be this month, I will tell him my decision then.

Well, aside from myself there has been another person in my family who has been brought to a troubled time. Namely my mother. She has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia...I bawled me eyes out that night when my aunt told me...however, the doctor told her that this form of Leukemia is treatable and thank God it's not chronic. My dad sent some pictures of my mom in hospital and how she's been doing over the past week, she looks quite energetic, so thank God for that.

Last week, the 130th intake finally passed out of the basic training course.
A Passing Out Parade was held, someone fainted during the parade...I won't mention names...but he did spoil the parade for us >___>

No it wasn't me, I was sitting in the grandstand from the beginning since I can't even stand for 5 min at attention.

Also, the reason why our training was 5 months was because of the Officer Cadet Trainees. Their passing out parade was to be held in May, while ours in April, but to make things easier the 130th Intake's passing out parade was put together with the OCTs.

Regardless, now my squad mates and I have been posted out to different divisions. Some were posted to the same place while others were sent elsewhere.

I have been posted to the KINS Unit. My position is Staff Assistant to Commander KINS. Basically I just do paper work for the commander xD nothing special, hehe. Everyone I met at the KINS Unit were very friendly though, I'm looking forward to working with them.

Furthermore, now that I've passed out from basic training, I get to come home everyday. Meaning...MORE TIME TO DRAW AND PAINT!!! So hopefully you'll be seeing some finished pieces from me instead of rough sketches and the such.

Thanks for the support everyone!


REQUESTS
Requests are closed. I am now doing my national service, so I have no time whatsoever to do anymore requests.

Current Requests
I hope you guys have a lot of patience, I will complete your requests but it will take time due to my national service.


Completed Requests



FAMILY & FRIENDS
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