� Commissioning Day
Took half day leave today & went for Lionel's Commissioning Parade at SAFTI MI. Initially didn't wnt 2 go cauz he wldn't be able 2 accompany us after his parade since he had dinner wth his parents. In � end got persuaded by Zongfu 2 go for it. He told me tht Lionel wld definitely wnt his frens 2 be there 2 witness such a big event of his life, which i thought was very much true. Being there today further prove tht as his frens, we shld go there 2 give him our support & tht i shldn't hve � thought of not going initially. It made me kinda feel remorseful abt having tht thought at all, which proves a fact tht i'm a failure at being somebody's good fren i guess.

Witnessing � parade made feel very proud 2 hve him as a fren, felt really happy for him indeed. They've gone thru much tougher trainings than i hve & i guess it's really a big day for them, a day tht they shld feel proud of, a day tht they've been waiting for. Witnessing � parade made me think abt how i wld feel if my frens weren't there. As i'm closer 2 my frens than my family, i think i wld feel really upset if my frens don't turn up. Imagine having 2 stand alone in � contingent, witnessing every othr of your camp mates having their parents 2 put on their insignias & their frens taking photos wth them, while you are all alone. I can nvr imagine being in tht situation, though i knw i wld nvr get a chance 2 be in tht type of situation. Regretted tht i wld hve � thought of not turning up for it at all, shld hve looked at � situation frm his pt of view.

Being there at � parade made me think abt � times where i wld be in some parades during Sec Sch days in SJAB. � most memorable one wld be participating in NDP then, felt so proud & honoured 2 be able 2 march for it. � feeling is really overwhelming, imagine marching into a stadium wth everybody cheering, clapping, making lotsa noise etc. � feeling is really indescribable, you must there 2 experience it yourself. Same applies for tis commissioning parade, jus tht i wld feel more emotional cauz your parents are helping you put on your insignia which is really an honourable thing, in my opinion. Too bad i won't get � chance 2, otherwise it wld be a memorable event in my life.

Well, to Lionel, jus wanna say tht i'm really glad tht i went & sorry for even thinking abt not going at all. Really am very proud 2 hve a fren like you, feel so happy & glad for you. Don't really knw why there's so many emotions involved though it's a simple parade, guess i really thought too much.