Title-less

This evening I went out with my army buddies. I am glad that after ORDing for more than 4yrs, we are still closely in touch. We have switched our roles & relationships from fellow camp/bunk mates to fellow school mates in NUS (some in NTU) and now to fellow working class ppl.

In fact, I did not walk together with them the entire hardship days in the army. We may have suffered the initial stage of trainings and tekanings during our trainee days together, but subsequently, i 'left' them to and was posted out from the unit after a major operation. However, I am glad they have always included me in their 'list' of buddies, and have nv failed to count me in for any gatherings/outings. We had dinner at the suntec Vietnam restaurant. I must say the food there tastes much better than Thai Express. Its quite cheap also.

I spent the later part of the evening with nusbs jnrs, who were at Marina watching the fireworks. Its good that the jnrs are spending time together to enjoy the last bits of their sch holidays. Its definitely better than spending at home to stone or rot.

Was talking to Bean on our way home. We were talking abt doing what we want in life. From my army friends jus now, I learnt that many ppl have found v good job lobangs which include overseas opportunities. Furthermore, their pay are not too bad either. I couldnt help but feel jealous and also disatisfied with my current job. However upon reflection, I felt that the contentment and satisfication come from within. All these problems come when we start to compare ourselves with more and more ppl. Whats more impt is to find out what we want in life & what meaning we seek in life.

One of the army frens i went out with was a high flyer. He is a 7 dean lister and won the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal Award in his cohort, plus 2 other achievement medals. He had perfect grades for both his A and O levels, but did not take up any scholarships. Most astonishingly, he nv feels proud of his acheivements, and in fact, he is a pretty melancholic person who finds life very disatifactory.

As a buddhist, I am glad I have a pretty much guided life. Or at least, we are constantly reminded or taught whats impt and whats not impt, and what are the things worth pursuing and things not worth pursuing, in life.