$100 million for what.

Early bookout because of my fantastic marksmanship! Come to think of it, I really have to thank God for this breakthrough; previously during the practice shoots I didn't even come close to passing. So now I sit here, able to write in this space, and spend the next four nights out! Only a few more weeks left!

***

Recently (okay not so recently but the issue came up again a few conversations ago), it came up that FIFA considered (or maybe it was already put forth contractually, I'm not sure) charging an amount of up to a hundred million for the World Cup broadcasting rights in Singapore territory. Now, I'm no expert, but even if it was in the range of eighty million, and even if it was for both the 2010 and 2014 WC matches, isn't it a bit much? For that level of entertainment, a lot else could be achieved with that kind of money. But it was reported somewhere that nearly four hundred million went to acquiring EPL broadcasting rights. Whoa what? I think the competition between the broadcasters here may be too efficient for our prudent tastes. There should be some sort of agreement between providers here, especially when it concerns bids for broadcasting rights pertaining to international coverage. Otherwise it'll just be meaningless outflow of money.

Sidenote: Buah keluak is probably the only dish that can successfully make me eat more rice so earnestly. Honestly the FAMILY can open a restaurant already lah.

bring in the new

So yay it's the Lunar New Year, the reddest, hottest celebration of chasing away bad luck anyone can find around town (it pairs really well with the sweltering heat, in fact). A few days back in the land of green, we just completed a major summary exercise, as well as quite some (actually no, it was a lot of) kilometres of marching with various stations in between, so you can imagine how much I was looking forward to this break. Looking at it in the mid-term, I haven't got far to go; a few more weeks and it will all be over. Then it'll be a new environment, with new people, and new things to look forward to. (But then I'll start missing the old, no matter how gruelling it has been.) Hopefully I can finally make time for my family and friends as well. So hurrah for the new year!

Another one down

Returning back home just made me realise how hot and humid Singapore weather truly is. Standing still for only a few minutes, and dripping like a wet pig was something I envisioned but not hoped for. But it is good to be back, save for the nauseating weather back here. The cooler weather over there was great for training, and though it got quite cold at times, I thankfully didn't suffer from chapped lips, dry skin, or the sort. Quite strangely so, as I usually do with other temperate climates previously. Training was quite alright actually; yes, tough at times, but not consistently so, which is an important factor. And the scary thing is, I actually found some parts of it fun. THIS IS NOT ME. IT IS ANOTHER PERSON SPEAKING.

Split personalities aside, it looks like the schedule after the trip will be an atrociously tight one. Suffice to say, it has always been so, but it shouldn't be, not when we're nearing the end of the course (just when I was getting used to the place and the people). What to do, organisational mess-ups.