[Photo: Andy, Gary, Me and Marcus]
Army Mates
I remember how worried my mother was when I was first drafted into the Singaporean Army. It was a compulsory two and a half years national service and I recall how my mother lamented about my inactivity during secondary school, especially in the department of enrolling in a uniform group (like Army Land, Air, Sea or even Police), that would give me some heads up on surviving the army.
She didn't realise that her slightly pudgy son in secondary school was not an unwilling partner, but a casualty in the selection process for these groups, due to my low physical fitness. I will never forget my Basic Military Training, especially my first two weeks where I realised how much I had taken everything for granted, in particular my parents' love. At 19, I never imagined that one could miss their parents, but the army changed that opinion for me.
Thanks to my relatively good genes, I didn't have one of those "欠打" faces (those that provoke an inertia in someone to hit them), and since I was rather obedient too, surprised everyone in my family and mostly myself, by being awarded "Best in Platoon". I eventually went onto win "Best in Company" when I moved onto the next stage of Army training, and was later transferred to take on the Sergeant course, where I would begin my friendship with Andy, Marcus and Gary.
My dad who was one of the best fathers, would never fail to drive me to the Army camp, and as a result, used to ferry Gary and another friend along. Marcus and Andy are one and two years our junior respectively, and I don't remember any particular incident that helped to cement our friendship, but I believe we just became closer as time went by. The one significant event was us getting together to be Andy's best men when he first married, and the love and support that we provided each other.
The other reason I could attribute my friendship with Marcus and Andy because they were more "洋派" (interested or more influenced by Western cultures), and we got on well together. It was definitely after our army stint that we became closer friends, as I sent all of them on their voyages to Australia and Scotland, where they would study their degrees and come home. I was the last one to leave and the odd one out, opting to stay in Australia eventually.
This year marks the first time in three years that we have managed to gather together because Marcus was away for the past three years, in Sweden and Shanghai. I thought we had lost contact with him forever until I chanced upon his number on my mobile. I tried calling but it rung out, so I decided to send an sms to be safe. He called back within a minute and the meeting was like coming home to a band of brothers. That's what we are, brothers in arms. We have been through the good and the bad times, and we will always care for each other, like brothers do. I certainly hope they feel the same way too. Ha! Ha!
Andy has picked up photography and won an award last year for one of his black and white shots. He invited me out one afternoon for some lifestyle shots or shots that he believes speaks the person's character. Unfortunately, I was feeling the strains of my hectic schedule and hence I didn't think I made a very good model because I was really tired, and I think you could see it in my eyes. On the other hand, I think he would make a better photographic object himself, don't you think. Nonetheless, I am sharing two shots that I liked from this photo shoot.
For the third consecutive year, John and I chose to celebrate our anniversary in lovely Melbourne. Unlike Sydney where the city "just happened", Melbourne was planned with the streets designed in a grid-like structure. The efficiencies of trams and Victorian beauty still stands today as many ancient buildings and structures were preserved, unlike Sydney who underwent a "restructuring" phase where new architectural fads took over, in a blaze of no return. Unfortunately, these fads which seemed like good ideas at that time have faded, making Sydney look like a mishmash of eclectic errors, while Melbourne can be mistaken for a city in Europe on any day.
I love the streets of Melbourne, especially the laneways, which always manage to surprise even on a return trip. It is a well designed feature that makes full use of every possible avenue and space. In place of dirty and smelly backstreets, one might find designer boutiques or little treasures tucked away where the locals mainly visit, making Melbourne an adventure, as their always elegant ads suggests.
John and I had a fabulous time as usual, casting our daily worries to the wind, and just enjoy the sense of being. We went to our favourite haunt, Centre Place, a lane tucked away opposite the library, where an interesting mix of worldly cafes and restaurants grace our presence. Good food and a faux European ambience is always a good mix for pleasure and we always enjoy our time experimenting with new food on the different menus. I also managed to sneak past the routine of having sandwiches during our holiday lunches, and enjoyed some of my "home-town" fanfare in three separate restaurant/eating houses - Singaporean, Indonesian and Hong Kong. I had my missed fried fish noodle soup, fried Indonesian ginger chicken and definitely one of the best claypot rices I ever had at Claypot King, a true surprise.
Other than that, there are plenty of beautiful parks, streets of shopping and markets where rows of shops display a delicious display of cold meats, antipasto or cakes to entice any passerby. John bought his first suit ever and I have to say he never looked more resplendent, and I had one of my most exciting shopping adventures ever, which I will share now with you.
On our first day in Melbourne, a Friday, we made a decision to explore the new DFO (I believe it represents "Design Fashion Outlet" mall at the Southern Cross Terminal, where an array of fashion warehouses are housed in this complex. Not a big fan of brands, I passed by the Timberland store and a shelf of "discounted mens shoes" at $99 caught my eye. Being a bit of a sucker for good bargains, I couldn't resist walking into the store and picked up a understated pair of elegant black dress shoes. Strangely, they displayed both shoes and as I was trying on the left, a guy next to me picked up the right and started inspecting it too. The shoes fit and felt so comfortable, which is an important decision factor for me after some bad decisions last year to compromise fashion for comfort. However, it was difficult for me to decide on a confrontation because I hate them. As I was debating and observing his intention pattern, he turned to me and remarked "Pretty good deal eh, mate". At this, my heart sank and my will to fight this shopping battle gave way, signifying my "virgin" status at shopping wars, and I slowly placed the left shoe back onto the shelf. Still keeping an eye and praying in my mind for a miracle, he took the shoe I returned, and after some deliberation, walked to the counter and asked for the price. The price was $120, higher than the advertised, but maybe it was "From $99", and since John had already walked away, I willed myself out to join in, with my heart dragged along.
We proceeded onto the "Essential Men" fashion outlet where John tried on a couple of long sleeved T-shirts, and I grabbed the opportunity to run back and see if my luck had shifted. He was still at the counter as I circled the same shelf, with one eye on a high cut boot version of the same shoe, and the other on the conversation he was still having with the store salespeople. He eventually walked out of the shop but he asked the salespeople to place the shoes on the back counter before he left. Thinking that he probably walked out to get money, I left slightly dejected but resigned to fate and joined John back at the store. After 15 minutes and a couple of purchases, we walked past Timberland again, and I proceeded to try on the boots for John who concluded that they were not as nice. At this moment, I noticed that the shoes were still sitting on the back counter, and on John's prompting, asked them if it was reserved or for sale.
To my surprise, they replied "It's yours if you want it". Overcome with mixed emotions of surprise and relief, I felt like Cinderella trying on both pairs this time, and did a mini catwalk (minus the mince). Just as I was "parading", the same guy walked in, and I was again caught in the web of disbelief. I turned to John for his opinion for the umpteenth time, and he said "You are probably not that interested in it", to which I rebutted "Why?". He said "You would have gotten it by now", and without disclosing my decision, I took off the new shoes, and with them in my hands walked straight to the counter in my originals. "I'll take them", I said sheepishly in slight fear of hurting the other guy's feelings and felt the heat rush into my head, because I was aware that he had probably made a final decision to buy them.
To my surprise, he let out his right hand, and said "Congratulations, mate. You won". He was really good natured about it all and the sequence of events turned dreamlike, as I shook his hand and said Thank you. He made his final exit out as I paid, to both salespeople behind the counter having a slight snicker at the turn of the events and said "He took too long to decide".
I have related this "incident" to my colleagues, mostly female, and all of them concluded that:
(1) I am too nice
(2) I should have the "right to purchase" in the first place since I tried the shoes first
(3) They were never going to let go of the left shoe, like I did, and will put up a fight if needed
Which prompted me to think of how I might react if I am caught in the same position again? Am I too nice or are men generally less feisty and prone to conflict when it comes to shopping purchases?
Nevertheless, it was an interesting experience and a fun afterthought. I will endear to share more photos of our trips though they will be mostly architectural rather than of people, the flavour of Melbourne and a trip always to remember.
