The ‘Anti-Galatico’ Feel

Real Madrid snapped up their new transfer targets and hailed in the new ‘Galatico’ era. It did not impress me, not a wee bit. I grew up learning that Galaticos are not the solution. Granted, I loved the Raul, Zidane combination. The love soon to realize was nothing more than a love for their play, not their attitudes and lifestyle.

You simply don’t buy victory, nor do you behave like a diva regardless of your success. After all, we’re all scums and sinners you see. Regardless of what you have achieved or what you are capable of doing, you just do not swap your life for money or what society points to you to be deemed as ‘bright prospect.’ Loyalty, integrity and grit goes beyond all that.

I grew up in one of the best Worship Teams of the land, shepherded by my amazingly mindblowing Pst Lia, raised by a not so old man Daniel and a cheeky smiling Roy and jovial Garrett. We never carry the ‘Galatico’ feel. All born and bred in house, all with one heart, and there is never conflicts that turn things sore. All from the youth academy, we easily have been together playing on our lifelines for almost half our lives. Rings a bell? Nou Camp? 🙂

So, whilst Real Madrid snaps up the cockiest fellow in planet football and a seemingly ‘godly’ person to rebuild the galactic fantasy, whilst the world play politics, I root for FC Barca, the ‘anti-galaticos’ which seemingly set foot at the peak of the world just recently, and I root for my core-values, where Faith, Hope and Love surpasses everything else.

That’s why I said, every sound HoGC member will never love Man Utd or Real Madrid.

Passion brews when things are high or low.

-KS, the Anti Galatico.

ANGRY KS CALLS FOR ANGRY THOUGHTS…

I recalled the green days again. Cannot help but think of what I did when I earned my stripes in Tekong. It was memorable, darn memorable. I will recall the endless waits to see brothers come into ‘my island’, and I recall the days where I know I was in there for more than just this small purpose of training bald boys and making life tough for them.

For those who really knew me, I was an idealist. The rare few who were proud to be a Specialist. Those who took more extra duties, did more work, paid lesser, given less respect and woke up earlier. Yes, that’s me. But I was proud and no one, and I say again NO ONE can argue with me that I was a badass Sergeant. Heck, my first batch of boys? All of them except 1 went to command school. Talk about standard with me boy.

Then again, like I said, I remember why I was in Tekong. To take care of the people God has arranged. I remember the greatest satisfaction came when I stretched out to do my best to make things just abit easier for those homesick, for those I love.

I recall sending food to Charleston. His sweet teeth(TEETH NOT TOOTH, I’M SERIOUS.) was severe. I would love to send in bags of prawn crackers, chewy sweets and whatsoever I could get to make him feel better. Roy missed God, I would pick a half broken classical guitar, get to him during his free time and we’d worship together. I tell you, it was el classico. I will NEVER forget that cockroach infested stairs and that night. All I did was honour the man of God, and God honoured us by coming. It was more than worthwhile. I love my family, camp or not, they are family, they are not recruits, they are NOT any other fellow out there. THEY ARE FAMILY.

Which brings me to my point. I heard a story just the other day. NO IT IS NOT A SONG DARN IT. I REALLY HEARD A STORY.

An Occifer trying to act tough with me? Heck, how many of them talk nicely to us Sergeants because they need a favour?! It just stinks whilst sometimes someone swaggers his pathetic 1 bar rank in my face, just because he went in earlier than I did and forgets all the good things people have done for him, how the church has helped and walked with him, and built his spiritual life into what he is today. Behaving like Manchester United fan really.

Think with me. Say your dad is a Warrant Officer the army. Raised you up, loved you and all. You come out being an Occifer. DO YOU EXPECT A SALUTE FROM YOUR DAD?? Not say your dad, how about your older brother?? Absurd.

If I could turn back time, I would do the same. Buying food for my brothers, loving them, standing by them at a low point, doing as much as I can to make things easier, charge their phones, pray with them. After all, we have learnt 1 thing from the SAF. Rank you wear, respect you earn. As for those who rule above me in the everlasting, they have my respect whilst I wear my miserly rank. I am proud to be a sergeant as I mentioned, I am a good one too. But above all, I am prouder to be a son of this House, and I want to be better in this than I am being a sergeant.

RIP 96.

96 souls were taken this week in 1989.
People will see the defeat in Champions League as a biggest loss.
15th April 09 we put up an 8 goal game against Chelsea, knocked out valiantly, a gorgeous tribute to the 96 who went at Hillsborough.
We all mourn, all over the world.
And like the video says, this day seared ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ into our hearts.
Fans and players formed a relationship no one can explain.
YNWA 96.
You will always be in our hearts.
The heart of Anfield beats on with you.

‘A Liverbird upon my Chest.’

Big.

BIG.
Too many times, people have asked. What exactly is a big club?
There was a time when the never ending dispute went spilling on about Tottenham, Newcastle or Everton being a ‘Big’ Club in the English League. Today, it dawned upon me the revelation and idea of a big club.
Big lies in the soul of a person. A leader is big when his decisions can shape and bring positive influence. A leader is big when he is humble during success, and steadfast during misery. Think Jesus, the God of all heaven and earth. BIG.
Then again, we begin to consider what makes the soul of a club, since we take the soul to be measurement of the club.
2 simple definitions. Players and Fans. People make up everything. The church, the society, the movements, the financial brilliant movements. Everything.
Big players are those who drive on to see success, whose heart engulfs money, whose heart overwrites glory, who bleed passion more than anything else.

Now let’s do a proper case study on this.
Cashley. I mean Ashley. Ashley Cole I’d say. Well, his decision to move to ‘richer’ and ‘more dominant’ club reflects a lot. Traded his soul and his academy which raised him from nothing for everything the world offers. He left a big hole in the heart of the Gunners. Definitely, he left for club I’d never say is big. A club that builds her reputation on dough? Heck? How can that be big? Then we see Shevchenko. Left for more monetary success, total disregard for a beautiful place such as Milan. Yet, they shamefully dared to take him in, again, in total disregard. Big? Fail.

The second factor of fanhood. Well, nuff’ said. How many ‘new’ Chel$ki fans do you see on the streets? Ain’t that a twat for glory hunting? No bleeding of passion, with money covering the eyes. The soul of this unit has never been big. It is ugly, like a rat driving on for food.

Chelsea ain’t a big club. Regardless how many trophies you collect.

Then again, Manchester United aren’t that great either.
The capture of Rooney says it all. For glory and for money, he left again, his boyhood town club Everton. A look at the ethos of the players. The one trick proudest pony on earth C Ronaldo lives as a legend. Even his play style says it all. Diving, showmanship, sore loser and of course foul play. Who’d dare to vouch for his character like his skill? The fellow only cries when he misses the trophy, not because the club misses the trophy.

How many times have we seen Sir Alex blurt the F word, yell at officials. Wait. Only when he is losing. Too many a time.

The fans? Wow. All the mockery floods in when their rivals lose, but they go hiding and no comments on MSN, Facebook or whatsoever. Who sings for them when they lose? Who leaves the stadium to get a good way out from the car park? Who leaves when they’re losing? And who speaks the loudest when they’re winning, only winning mind you.

Now, the ethos of Manchester United. Arrogant, Boastful, Unreal and glory hunting players. Big? You decide.

Arsenal. The big 4 of England said to be struggling to earn a Champions League place. They believe in the youth system.  Said to have braved the storm suavely this season to sit comfortably 4th place now. Are they big? Well, never have I seen them underestimate their opponents. Neither have I seen them mock or take a jab at the rivals. Even the bitter rivalry of Arsenal and Spurs lead to boiling passion, but no glory hunters at either end.

They boast of an unselfish play, a beautiful football game, and giving many a chance to rise to the occasion.

The fans are always the same, never as boastful, but proud.

The ethos again. You decide. For me, way bigger than the 2 earlier.

Kudos to Newcastle, Everton and Spurs. Seasons of false dawns keep breaking, but fans never move. The Geordies always kept the faith. The Toffees believed they can break the Red dominance at Merseyside. Fights with relegation or fights for Europe spot, they stay faithful. For me, the 3 of them has already superceded Manchester United and Chelsea.

I’ve decided to strafe off talking about Liverpool or I will give a biased report. Nonetheless, I love it when the Scousers bleed passion. I love it when we sing when we lose. True test of faith. I love it when we NEVER boast in front of others when we beat them. I love it all. I love the fans, the players who give their best and their heart and soul.

Big club or not? Check the ethos you decide.

Now, Hull you were saying? Oh yes, I bet you’re bigger than Manches……

Manure lack Maturity.

Well, my heroes lost 3-1 tonight. Ain’t that pissed until I saw a ‘TYPICAL’ Manure fan dissing us on MSN.

This is what I’m talking about. THIS IS WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT. HAVEN’T SAID A WORD TO LAUGH AT 4-1, NOR HAVE I SAID ANYTHING FOR A DREW WITH A MERE SUBSTANDARD PORTUGUESE TEAM. SAID NOTHING.

I HATE MANURE. PERIOD.

YNWA.

0-4 TROPHIES? WELL. I STILL LOVE YOU, LFC.

Warm Fuzzy Feeling~~

Dear LFC,

Today you made me tear again. Really. I mean I’d feel really hurt if you’d have lost, but I’d still love you just as much. You know that. I have been singing the same old song since forever. But today, man. This is what I sing for.

Today you beat them. The proud, the arrogant, the fans that only sing when they’re winning. The noisiest. Well, I shan’t go on. We shall not behave like them. I love you guys, because you make me feel a proud boy watching his father achieve something phenomenal. Years of pain at Old Truffles was bad, bad enough to make me keep quiet and just hope.

Today, the song manifested itself…

“Though your dreams be tossed and blown, walk on….

With hopes in your heart.”

HOPE.

Today I never walked alone. Endless SMSes, phonecalls, hugs from buddies. You guys put 4 against them. 4. WOW.

Some private notes:

Rafa: Please smile bloke. You did awesome. I am in awe of you. Happy days ahead. And of course, In Rafa We Trust.

Carragher: How’d it feel buddy? 🙂

Stevie G: Are you even human???

El Nino: OK, You and him(Points at Stevie) ain’t human.

Lucas: Good job laddie, keep up the tightness. Give Alonso and Masch a run for the money.

Reina: I saw the replays when CR put in the penalty. You did great, more than awesome. Would rather have you than anyone else. Maybe except Grobbelaar though.

Riera: STOP TOUCHING EL NINO. DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT PINCH HIS CHEEKS.

Mascherano: OK, you’re not human too. You got like? 6 lungs?

Kuyt: My hero. 🙂 🙂

PS: Stevie Lad, Could you smile at Rooney for me? That kinda boyish magnanimous and benevolent look.

To the all my LFC buddies:

MAN, THE VISITING FANS, YOU GUYS WERE BOOMING SO LOUD…

I have been keeping quiet. When they(You-know-who) taunt us. I believe we cannot be proud. I believe God shames the proud. So here it is. I will still keep quiet. Guys, when someone say something, keep your cool, smile walk off. If the beating gets unbearable, sing.

Sing this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zy3CeI0FCY

Remember, we’re not like them. And remember, this glorious day, we celebrate. Don’t forget to sing with me when we falter on some days.

For today, we bask in glory and happiness, let’s keep our feet on the ground. Remember, sing for LFC. Not the trophies.

We have waited, and Rafa has produced. Until then, I sit here, a 22 year old with a darn warm fuzzy feeling in the heart. My song rings to you. Yes. You. YNWA.

Thank you for ending this pain with a rout. I love you. For who you are. That’s all.

Love,

KS

THINKING BACK OF THE GREEN DAYS…

Dear Sgt Rocky,

How has it been? It’s been awhile since we spoke, the last time I saw you when I put on my Chevrons in the Leaders’ Square, with tears in my eyes. Memories that will last for a lifetime etched not in my mind, but in my heart.

I remember when I first saw you, I had such fervor and excitement, with such anticipation my heart. I remembered the pride I carried within, whilst the majority droned in going to the neighbouring command school, I stood there proud to be where I was. We all know things started to change. There were nasty people and I hated it there, I hated that place, and as if you were out to make my life more miserable, you flung me to ASLC. There, I learnt to be a man, there I grew up, there I saw an ideal Section Commander, there I earned my rank.

I remember the days I tasted soil, the time when I got fresh rations in the typhoon in Taiwan. The soil was stirring up, the winds were hitting hard and the rain drops were blistering our skin. I stood there, with a torch in my hand.

My buddy took the torch, ‘It’s OK, I’ll shine the light on your food. You guys tuck in first. Quick.’ I opened the food, the fragrance of that rice can make you high, who needs pot? ☺ As if there was not enough demonstration of comradeship, I pushed a nugget into my buddy’s mouth(We all know how precious nuggets are in a meal in the army haha.) We knew this was a platoon worth fighting and dying for.

I remember the rain chewing up our souls, and we were on a scouting mission to find the enemy. Ended up with the enemy biting our tails, with us covering each other, while scaling a knoll to get back to base.

I remember the endless rides to training grounds which had this weird smell, blended with the smell of the Camo cream, invading our nervous systems to make us feel sickly and unmotivated.

I remember the endless drill sessions at the Parade Square where you Sgt Rocky stood, with the Sgt Major reminding us we are the Kings of the Parade Square.

I remember the nights off given to us, where we would burst out of the gates, with excruciating joy, just to spend an hour or two in real humanity. The movies we crammed into, and the arcades we flooded.

I remember the route marches, especially the 32KM one, with that sadistic river which sucked our lives away. I remember CPL(back then) Mustapha offering me Rokok to help me stay alive, and I remember saying no to keep close to my God. I remember the sores on my feet, the abrasions on my groin and the aching on my back.

I remember putting on my smartest four and marching in. We were not commissioned, but heck, I was darn proud, I was a true blue SISPEC warrior, I am proficient in my shooting, my section weapons, my section assaults, my platoon attacks. I was a Sergeant in the infantry. I was proud.

I was a ‘CHIONG SUA WARRIOR.’
Looking back, thank you Sgt Rocky, you gave me experiences no one can give me, you taught me lessons to love my family, my church, my God. You gave me a chance to protect my loved ones, to express myself on the warfront, to barrage through doors in urban warfare, to flank unsuspecting enemies and fire weapons no one else got a chance to.

I’m sure you have your story to tell Sgt Rocky, with your hand leading the way for all of us, with the entire SISPEC looking to you to strive to become like you. With the Warrant Officers proudly keeping up the Specialist Core. I am proud to be one of them.

Until then, this goes out to all the people who ate soil, bled, sweat whilst running an everlasting SOC, shooting blanks at enemies you never knew, throwing grenades and firing a GPMG, we are protecting a place where our loved ones sleep in peace, our church grow in prosperity and our family kiss each other good night. Touch your heart and feel proud, you are a warrior.

‘In the early morning march, with a fieldpack on my back, and an aching in my heart, and my body’s full of sweat…

I’m a long long way from home. And I miss my momma so, in the early morning march…

When the cold wind blows….’

When the cold wind blows, our families are tucked in bed, because we march and keep vigilant.

WITH PRIDE WE LEAD.
3SG(NS) NICK.

I heard a story just the other day…

It’s simply unbelievable. Tag me, I’ll tell you more about it.

A love story, of betrayal, of trust, of reconciliation.

It changed my life.

It will change yours.

– Forza Yeshua.

uncanny me

SOME WEIRD STUFF I FOUND OUT ABOUT MYSELF Disclaimer: Juana(One of the great people from G3) thinks I’m weird. OK she’s right.

– I speak to God in Hokkien during altar call to listen for build ups.

– I use the word ‘cup’ in Hokkien when I want to outdo someone/something.

– I treat Mark Yen like a soft toy.

– I sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ at least once or twice a day.

– I never miss praying for Liverpool during QT EVERYTIME.

– I hate Man Utd, from the bottom of my heart, really.

– I wrinkle my face when I play the drums.(Well, many said that. The myth is more fact than fiction.)

-When I get nervous, I get chronic cough. Like when watching Pool matches.

– I think the mac is a supreme being, owns ALL other softwares or OS.

– I like Carebears. Ok, I’m serious.

– I love Nabil El Zhar.

– I fantasize about my future drumkit ALL THE TIME.

– I call Samuel ‘Chicken’ for a very good reason. Ask him.

– I love TK with all my heart.

– I love socialism.

– I’d probably signed on if I was not saved. LOL.

Sometimes I wished I could bring out some Soul Power~

Man, God’s presence really came man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YHnF9J-6Nc&feature=related

They’re so soulful, so natural. Check out the drummer.

Eloquent slick fill ins in the pocket. I wanna be like that man.

I call You Holy…

Holy you are and Holy you’ll be!!