Tuesday, March 14, 2006
ORD loh!!!
Went back to camp today to collect my pink IC. Nothing has changed. I got my forms from OCPA relatively early, then went to S2 branch to get S2's signature so I could complete my clearance and collect my IC. Went up to the branch.... and the door was locked. Ok, nvm, so I went back to bunk and read through the Classified Ads which I had brought for just such an eventuality. At 9am, I went up again, a sgt said S2 will be in at around 10 am. So I went to the emart and spent the rest of my credit before going back to bunk again.
This time I finished reading and old copy of the "Today" paper and took a little nap before going down the 4 storeys of my block and up to S2 branch again. This time I was told to come back after lunch. So I went back to bunk and read the 2 latest issues of Time magazine I had brought along. By the time I had finished, it was around 1120. For our HQ company, lunch is a 1.5 hr affair starting from 12pm to 1.30 pm. During this time, the whole block will more or less shut down. It is nearly impossible to do any admin stuff during lunch time as no one will be around. Although I had expected a wait, I didn't expect such a long one, so I was already out of reading material. Instead of just sleeping for 2 hrs, I decided to the library, but popped into the branch again to see if S2 was back.
Now I was told that he was away and may not be back today. However, after a phone call, the clerk told me he would be back after lunch. Phew... or I would have made a wasted trip today. I went to the libraray anyway, and used up the final space on my card. Got back to camp around 1.15 pm and thought I'll try my luck. Naturally, the branch was locked. So I went back to bunk to find my mates again. Read a few pages of my newly borrowed book, then went back one more time to the branch. This time I caught S2 as he was walking up the stairs to his office. At long last, I managed to clear the last bit and get his signature.
Next it was down to S1 branch to collect my IC. Didn't know I had to get a few of those signatures near the bottom of the list too. Saw my BMT mate there, and whatever he asked a clerk to sign I gave to the clerk to sign too, hahaha. I totally don't know who those people are. After waiting for some time, it was my turn to get my IC. Signed a few forms, got the testimonial, IC and some info booklet. After 2 yrs and 2 mths, I've finally got my pink IC back.
As with most things in life, there's a good side and a bad side. While collecting my IC means I've finished my full time NS service, this also marks my transition to the 3% unemployed in Singapore's workforce. No more monthly pay, gotta find a job soon, if anyone knows of any openings, please inform me, haha.
This time I finished reading and old copy of the "Today" paper and took a little nap before going down the 4 storeys of my block and up to S2 branch again. This time I was told to come back after lunch. So I went back to bunk and read the 2 latest issues of Time magazine I had brought along. By the time I had finished, it was around 1120. For our HQ company, lunch is a 1.5 hr affair starting from 12pm to 1.30 pm. During this time, the whole block will more or less shut down. It is nearly impossible to do any admin stuff during lunch time as no one will be around. Although I had expected a wait, I didn't expect such a long one, so I was already out of reading material. Instead of just sleeping for 2 hrs, I decided to the library, but popped into the branch again to see if S2 was back.
Now I was told that he was away and may not be back today. However, after a phone call, the clerk told me he would be back after lunch. Phew... or I would have made a wasted trip today. I went to the libraray anyway, and used up the final space on my card. Got back to camp around 1.15 pm and thought I'll try my luck. Naturally, the branch was locked. So I went back to bunk to find my mates again. Read a few pages of my newly borrowed book, then went back one more time to the branch. This time I caught S2 as he was walking up the stairs to his office. At long last, I managed to clear the last bit and get his signature.
Next it was down to S1 branch to collect my IC. Didn't know I had to get a few of those signatures near the bottom of the list too. Saw my BMT mate there, and whatever he asked a clerk to sign I gave to the clerk to sign too, hahaha. I totally don't know who those people are. After waiting for some time, it was my turn to get my IC. Signed a few forms, got the testimonial, IC and some info booklet. After 2 yrs and 2 mths, I've finally got my pink IC back.
As with most things in life, there's a good side and a bad side. While collecting my IC means I've finished my full time NS service, this also marks my transition to the 3% unemployed in Singapore's workforce. No more monthly pay, gotta find a job soon, if anyone knows of any openings, please inform me, haha.
posted by cosine @ 9:14 PM 
