With all my life!

A sense of deja vu decend upon me on Friday as i witnessed one of my close friend, Qiu Qiang take the Oath as he was enlisted into NS. When i sat in the auditorium, flashbacks of the time where i was there, taking the oath play out in front of me. I can connect with QQ on this. As you recite the Oath, suddenly you feel that the responsibility of protecting your country, your loved ones rest on your shoulder and that you must discharge your duty with full allegiance and if possible, defend the soil with your life. Yet on the other side, you feel you are going to leave them as you embark on an unfamiliar journey all on your own and you will have this fear on the unexpected.

I feel proud of my friend as i look at him take the oath. As you began to recite it, slowly and surely, you are flush with the sense of responsibility you must have and as you end it, you realise you are already, not a boy but a man. I can see the kind of determined look on his face as i pondered over the meaning of the oath once again.

Of course, the first meal there always taste good as that is also the "last" you have with your family or friends. Hopefully for him, other subsequent do taste as well.