Returning back to Unity Secondary School

It has been almost 5 years since i last stepped foot in Unity Secondary School. I was there as a student for a final time to collect my O level results back in 2014.

Me and my friends in 2012

Me and my mathematics teacher in 2012

I was called back by my teachers to share my experience in National Service with the current Secondary 3 batch of Unitians. Initially, i was delighted and surprised when i heard about it, given the fact that i just ended my service in January of 2018. Nevertheless, i was extremely happy to share my experience with them.

Upon arrival to the school, i bumped into many of my teachers. It was pleasant to meet them after many years. Me and a few other alumni were then brought to the hall where we received a small token of appreciation from the new Vice Principal.

After which, me and another alumni were led into the AVA room where we shared our experience along with slides. Initially, i was nervous as i had not done any public presentation in front of large groups before. Progressively, i overcame my nervousness.

Once the presentation ended, i had a talk with my former teachers and even the vice principal. From which, i decided to walk around the school, reminiscing the old days.

The staff room area where my friend and i used to study after class

With the other speakers along with my former geography, physics and home economics teachers

Obtaining Class 4 Driving License at SSDC

Hello guys. It's been a month since i obtained my class 4 license. I would like to share with my journey.

With the exception of this blog , i could not find much information about obtaining a class 4 license. When i googled to find more information, there were some forums talking about it, which dates back to around 2003 ! One of the main driving centre for class 4, Pan Country Driving Centre ( previously known as Jurong Driving Centre ), have even shifted location.

The old PCDC near Jurong Stadium

Anyway back to the main topic. The only way to obtain your class 4 license is through SSDC. After heading over to SSDC, located at Woodlands Industrial Park, i went over to the 2nd floor for registration. SSDC is quite big compared to BBDC. It is a big 4 story building. Even the canteen is bigger than BBDC, but more expensive !

At the registration counter, the staff will guide you through the process. You have a choice of taking your license either through SSDC, or PCDC, as they now conduct lessons at SSDC. I was advised to book through PCDC as SSDC slots were fully taken up. Upon registration, i had to pay the full class fees of almost $900 ! Which included the practical lessons and TP.

The booklet

After which, i was given a booklet. This booklet contains information about the circuit and the various points and mistakes you can get during TP. Also, this has to be brought for all your lessons as it a way for your instructors to keep track of your lessons.

Unlike BBDC, the staff at SSDC will actually book for you the 5 lessons and TP date depending on availability. You can choose another TP date and also the time of your lessons. Moreover, you will not be able to book extra "revision" lessons before your TP.

To be honest, most of the instructors from PCDC are very old, in the late 50s to 60s. Most of the chinese instructors instructions were not that clear as they could not speak english very well. I guess if you are chinese or malay, it would be easier.

During my first lesson, i had to learn to tie the rope at the side of the lorry. This is a requirement for TP. It took me almost 10 tries to get it right. Another requirement i had to learn was the height measurement. The instructor would place a marked pole from the base of the lorry. I had to measure the total height of the "load". After which, i started to drive around the circuit. The only thing i had to get used to was the turning point. The turning point for lorries is very different compared to car and motorcycle. It took me about 3 lessons to get used to it.

For my circuit, the parallel, vertical parking, directional change and 3 point turns were easy. You just have to take note of the various turning points for the individual course.

Driving on the road around the Woodlands and Admilarty area was quite easy. None of the roads were "tricky". The only issue i had was changing the gear. At times, i found that the gear shifted got stuck !

Finally after 5 lessons, i went for my TP on 27th February 2018. I had to report at SSDC by 4 PM. After which, i was guided into a waiting room, where those were taking their class 3 and class 4 TP were held. After about 10 minutes, the tester came and called my name. After verifying my IC, i was led to the vehicle.

The first two things i had to do were the rope tie and measurement. From which, i was led into the vehicle. I was told to do my parallel parking first after driving off. I accidentally missed the course turning and started to panicked. I managed to reverse and head into the course. Another time i started to panic was during the crank course. At a turning point, i was too close to the kerb. I reversed in the course and manged to complete it. I started to feel down as i then realised that you are not allowed to reverse in the crank course for your class 3 and class 4 !

Another screw up moment was during the road drive. I stopped too close to the vehicle in front and the tester immediately told me that i stopped too close.

After completing the test, i was brought into the testers room to be debriefed. To my horror, i failed my test, scoring 38 points !

Feeling frustrated, i headed back to the 3rd floor to re book my test.  After spending another $300, i booked my TP on March. I managed to book one lesson right before my TP.

That TP test went smoothly and i managed to pass with 8 points. An advice i can to those who are taking your TP, is to always check your mirrors and blindspots whenever you do a turn or reverse. The testers pay very very very close to those !

Another point i forgot to mention above was the oral test after your main TP test. After you are brought back into the testers office, you have to identify a couple of road signs and explain them. During your theory lesson, you would be given a paper with the various signs. It is a must to just memories the signs and their meaning.

Overall, my experience at SSDC was a good one. I enjoyed the training area as well. SSDC was convenient for me to access as i had a motorcycle. It took me about 15 minutes to reach the place. Next license for me to obtain is the class 5 license. I will be heading back to SSDC in the future ! Do read about my class 5 journey below.


Do check out my other experiences :

Class 3/3A lessons

Class 2 tp

Class 2a tp

Class 2a lessons

Class 2b lessons

Class 2b tp

Class 5

I shared my TP experience for both class 3A and 3 in the post below.

class 3

Class 2A TP test at BBDC

If you have read my earlier posts, you should have known that i signed up for my class 2A lessons at BBDC sometime in November. After failing a few lessons and going for repeated Circuit Revisions, i took my TP test today ( 28/12/2016 ) and passed !

I went for a total of 5 RVs. Initially, i was worried about the bumpy course. I had fallen down a few times during that course in my previous lessons. However, with more practices, i eventually got used to it.

Now, moving on to the TP test. From what i have read in other blogs about people who took their 2A test, the instructors don't seem to tell you in detail what time to report and what to bring for your test. I had to specifically ask an instructor on my final practice about the details. One reason i guess is that they expect you to know what to bring. Anyway, i was told to report by 7:50 AM and to bring my Driving License and IC.

On the test day itself, i reported to the motorcycle office at 7:30 and was told to sit down first. About 15 minutes later, when all the testees have arrived, we were called up to the front desk and told to check our names on a list. We were then given a small plastic holder, which had a number, to place our driving license and IC in it. Our tag number was the same number written on the holder. I was number 23, the last testee was 25.

After a short briefing, we were given about 30 minutes to go for 3 rounds of warm up. After a 10 minutes break, the was about to begin. As soon as the TP testers arrived, we gathered outside and lined up in rows. The testers then asked us one by one to recite our IC numbers, same like class 2B and 2 tests. After we were done, the class 2 testees remained at the small circuit outside for their test, while the rest of us waited inside.

About 9.30, we were told to gather outside for our 2A test. One by one, according to number, each testee went up to the bike which was parked at the mini circuit and rode to the starting point. There are 4 waiting points for 2A and 2 test.

-) Starting Point
-) S Course
-) Narrow Plank
-) E-Brake

It is important to remember these points. If you proceed at these courses without the testers signal, you might get an immediate failure.

Soon, my turn arrived. I went to my bike and rode to the starting point. My arms and legs felt quite numb as i was nervous. Much to my surprise, i went through the whole test route in about 5 mins.

After riding back to the starting point and parking my bike, i was told to go to classroom 3 at level 4 by 11.15 for our results. Everyone was anxiously waiting for their results. As soon as the instructor entered the room, it became dead silent. Only 4 numbers were called out. And the moment the instructor closed the door, the told us that we passed ! I have a huge sigh of relief and congratulated the guy beside me. We then had to watch the stupid TP video about road safety and then proceeded to level 2 to place the sticker at the back of our licenses.

Overall, i spent about $400 on my Class 2A and took about 1 month to go through all of the lessons and take my TP. So long for 2A. Looking forward to selling my current bike to get a CB 400 :)

Do check out my other experiences :

Class 2a lessons

Class 2b lessons

Class 2b tp

Class 4 

Class 3/3A lessons

Class 5

I shared my TP experience for both class 3A and 3 in the post below.

class 3

1 Year of National Service

The year of 2016 is going to come to an end soon ! Time flew really fast ! I just enlisted earlier this year in January. If you have read my earlier posts, i shared about my enlistment and the months following my POP. I would like to share what i have learned so far !

I am currently stationed at Civil Defence Academy located at 101 Jalan Bahar.

The entrance of Civil Defence Academy

After finishing my Basic Rescue Training of 1 month at National Service Training Institute, which is located within CDA, i got posted to CDA. Compared to my other friends, some of them became drivers, EMTs and other vocations at the various divisions and fire stations. 

The parade square of NSTI

After being posted to the Administrative Office, i got the position of handling all of the disciplinary cases within the academy. I had 2 partners with me and spent about 2 weeks learning from them, before i was assigned work. I had to make reports on various cases, depending on what the officer wants to charge his guys for. Once the report was done, i had to get it submitted and approved by a specific officer, reviewing the case. Once the case got approved, i had to escort the subject for his trial infront of a Junior Disciplinary Officer.

I did this for about 6 months before moving on to other works. Routinely , my academy was subjected to urine test, to detect abuse of drugs from the service men. It is my job to make a list and compile the names of everyone in every single unit. Based on this, i had to keep records of when each NSF or regular went for their test. Really tiring, but fun to do. 

In addition to this, NSFs or trainees would get tested positive for certain drugs. Most of them due to consumption of medication. Once in a blue moon, we would get cases where NSFs or trainees actually took drugs. It is my job to investigate each case and get the subject to produce his medication and make sure it is prescribed to him. If he cannot produce it, i will have to escort him along with an officer, to the nearby J Police Division to make a police report to refer the subject to Central Narcotics Bureau for followup. 

At Home Team Tactical Training Centre ( HTTC ) to conduct a urine test for the personnel stationed there

Doing this work, in my opinion, is something which i appreciate and find unique. Even though i did not get to be a firefighter or an EMT, i got to see the other side of working in a force like this. I get to work with many high ranking officers, ranging to captains to lieutenants to majors etc. Many of them are outgoing and easy to work with, In contrast to what you hear on the net or from others, most of them do not abuse their powers or ranks. There might be a few though.

Many of the officers who i work with were former firefighters. After years of service of being on the frontline, some of them get posted to the academy to deal with administrative matters, or become instructors. Being able to work with them and hear stories of their time as a firefighter is something which i really value.

One of my officers in charge, gave me an opportunity to participate in the yearly SCDF parade, which is held in conjunction with the Singapore Global Firefighters and Paramedics Challenge. After months of rehearsal, i had to march at the Singapore Expo somewhere around November. It was a unique experience for me which i really treasure.

Before marching off

As of now, i am appreciating my time in NS, I still have 1 more year to go before i end my service. I am looking forward to what lies ahead.

Riding my own Motorcycle !

I am not sure if i have posted about my motorcycle. But nevertheless, this post is about it. Sometime around April of 2016, i got my own motorcycle with the help of my father. I was surveying through carousell in search of a motorcycle. I initial plan was to get a street, naked bike. Something like KTM, Yamaha FZ-16. However, due to my budget, i could not obtain those bikes. I then shifted my interest towards sports bikes.

Looking at the range of sports bikes available within the 200cc range, there were quite a few options. Like the Yamaha R125, Yamaha R15, Honda SP, Kawasaki Ninja etc. Bikes like the Honda SP and KRR were out of my options as i felt like they were too "small" for me. No doubt they are fast as hell ! I was focused on the Yamaha R125. However while surveying through, i came across 2 brands that i had not heard of. Daelim and Reiju. One is from South Korea and the other from Spain. It just happened that a Daelim bike was on sale. I got in touch with a seller and we met up near my house.

Yamaha R125

Yamaha R12

I was quite surprised when i first saw the bike. It looked big and was heavy. Did not look like a 125cc 2B bike. He let me test ride the bike, and man, it felt awesome ! Moreover, he showed me the maintenance record of the bike. I was assured that the bike was well taken care off.

I spoke to my father about the bike and he positive was me owning it. After settling my insurance with NTUC, i set a date with the owner and he rode me to LTA office located at Sing Min Avenue. After about 2 hours of waiting, we did the transfer of ownership within 10 mins. I paid him a sum of $5000 in full cash after dropping me off near my house. He lived just a few blocks away.

Just reached home after the transfer of ownership at LTA office

I enjoyed and still enjoy riding my motorcycle. One thing that makes my bike unique is the loud slip on pipe installed by the previous owner. He has installed an IXIL Shorty exhaust delivered from Spain. This is a pipe which turns heads on the road. Not many bikes in Singapore have this pipe. Besides, Daelim bikes are not often sighted on the road as compared to Yamaha or Honda. As a result, when i ride, many people wonder what bike is that. I had many who came up to me and said " nice bike ".

Riding in the streets of Geylang

The big size of the bike and tires makes it very stable even at high speeds. Cornering is not an issue with this bike. The only thing that is lacking, is the pickup. For the size and weight of the bike, Daelim should have increased the cylinder capacity to 150 or even 200. In addition to this, after riding a Honda CB400F for my 2A lessons, i find the bike lacking in power. That is the only issue i have with the bike. 

Maintenance wise, i do not have a problem with it. Basic things like oil change can be done at any bike shop. However, when it comes to getting the parts for the bike, most shops might not have it. Reason being, Daelim is not a very well known brand. As a result, the share of Daelim bikes in the market is not high. You have a option of getting the parts like an oil filter shipped in from Korea, and changing it on your own. Nevertheless, Daelim has one main dealer in Singapore, Choong Kok Agency ( CKA ). They have branches in the West and East. Their main building being at Shun Li Industrial Park. It just happens to be located at the same place where i went to rent my bike last year. 

Servicing my bike at CKA Kaki Bukit

CKA Kaki Bukit has an awesome mechanic, Roy. Compared the rest at other branches being Malaysian, their communication in english is not that good. Roy being the only one who can converse well in english, can really explain to you about your bike, even if you have zero knowledge. I have told him this many times. " I don't from the west all the way here because of your service ". I suggest going to CKA Kaki Bukit for your first and subsequent maintenance. Not putting down the other outlets. I have been to their outlet at Bukit Batok a few times because of emergency cases. I had to get my clutch lever replaced and on another occasion, i had to do an overhaul of my bike. 

As of now 06/11/2016, my bike is in good condition and i am enjoying riding on it.

Will do a follow up soon. 

Class 2A at BBDC

It has been almost a year since i passed my class 2B TP test. I headed over to BBDC on the 23th of October. and signed up for my class 2A. The whole process took less than 15 minutes. For class 2A, there are only 3 practical lessons and 1 theory lesson. I managed to clear the theory lesson that week. The following week, i went for my first practical lesson (1.01).

In 1.01, the instructor covered the usual plank, pylon slalom, slope and a small part of the test route. I could not meet the timing for the pylon and as a result, had to retake the lesson. A few days later, i retook the lesson and passed. Riding the Honda CB400F was amazing ! The big difference for me was the power of the bike. At the slightest twist of the wrist, the bike literally flies ! The weight and size of the bike was not a big issue for me as my current bike ( Daelim Roadwin R125) is almost, or slightly heavier than the Honda CB400F.

Honda CB400F

On the same day which i retook my 1.01, i went over to the computer after the lesson and booked a slot for 2.01, which was about 10 minutes away ! My lesson ended at 21:00, and the next lesson was at 21.10. In this lesson, the instructor covered the e-brake and bumpy course. E-Brake was my most feared course. I had fallen down many times when i took my 2B. But however overtime, i got used to it. For 2A, you have to maintain a speed of 40km/hr instead of 30. Moving on the bumpy course, the main thing is to focus on the posture of your body. If the posture is wrong, the chances of falling off the bike is high.

After we covered the 2 courses, the rest of the lesson was focused on the test route. I manage to pass the lesson. A week later, i booked my final lesson ( 3.01 ), which was the evaluation, mock TP. We will have to go for 2 rounds of warm up before starting the evaluation. I failed my first lesson as i got 1 immediate failure from falling off the bumpy course. I retook 3.01 on the 6th of November and passed the lesson with 16 points. I still have alot to work on, mainly the courses. The one thing i have to work on mainly, is the ability to handle a more powerful bike. That is one big difference moving from class 2B to 2A.

As of now, i have book my TP test on the 23 of November. In between, i have booked a few Circuit Revisions. Will keep you guys updated.

Update. Do read about my class 2a tp here

Do check out my other experiences :

Class 2b lessons

Class 2b tp

Class 4 

Class 3/3A lessons

Class 5

I shared my TP experience for both class 3A and 3 in the post below.

class 3

NS Part 4

Welcome to part 4 of " Life in NS ". In my last post, i talked about my POP and mentioned that i was attending a clerk course. Well, almost 4 months have passed since my last post. I am now posted to and working in Civil Defence Academy.

Looking back at my clerk course. During my 10 day course, we learnt the basics of using Microsoft office. I know it sounds like a joke. But there will be many simple things that you might not know how to do. At the end of the course, there will be a small test, making you use what you have learnt overtime. We were told that if we failed the course, we would be posted to become a General Technician ( Gen Tech ). This is one of the worst, or lowest ranking vocation. In this vocation, you would be given various tasks by your officer in charge that differs from the rest.

One example would be the guard house at the entrance. Working alongside with the provost are the Gen Techs. They do not get to go home at 5 everyday like the rest. They work a ROTA shift. Coming back to the clerk course. I assume the instructors were joking when they said that as i actually failed my test. However, my instructor told me that he would somehow pass me, which he did. At the end of the course, we were told where to report to. Since majority of my friends were staying in the east, they were posted out to 1st Div. Only me and a few others remained. A few of my friends were posted to 4th Div, while another friend a I, were posted back to CDA.

The following day, i reported to the Admin Office, which was where i was posted to. And within a few hours, i got to meet my seniors and learnt what my task was. It took me a while to know and familiarize myself with the office.

I am currently working as a charge clerk, dealing with all of the charges that occur within CDA. As you know, in NS, you can get charged for various reasons. One of the most common reasons is AWOL. Another one is not attending roll call. Civil Defence has its own act and various sections of rules, different from the SPF and SAF, that we have to abide by. I cannot share them due to obvious reasons.

In a month, i receive many cases of NSFs going AWOL, not attending roll call, reporting to the clinic late, caught sleeping etc. When an officer comes to me with a case of his guy doing something wrong, i write down the details in a specific form, similar to a police report. Once i am done with that, i create a case against him in the online system. Once the case gets approved, i get the report printed, along with the provost and the subject himself, meet a specified Junior Disciplinary Officer ( depending on his unit ) . for his trial.

There are also cases of NSFs going AWOL for a long period. After a certain number of days, he is considered a deserter and is also wanted by the police. If he were to surrender himself or gets caught by the police, he will be escorted back to CDA and held in the DB. I would then have to create a case against him, get the report done, along with the JDO, head to the DB to conduct his trial.

I get to see and handle stuff that the public and others would not be able to. For now, this is what i will share. Overtime, i will write in more stuff as i will be handling more duties.