Yesterday was a great day, excluding all the cock-ups and stuff.

Yesterday was okay I guess, apart from the same old lessons and such, was my O level MT exams. And I tell you, it was fantastic (when compared to my prelim cock-up). My reading....leaves much to be desired I guess, but the conversation was fantastic (I hope). When one considers my lack of proficiency in Chinese Oral skills, this is good enough.

After that, was my last NPCC parade in my Sec school life. I rather not make some stupid essay about this. Anyway, I will remember it well (especially after I brought my camera along to record those few precious moments). I will miss every minute of it.

From the ice-breaker games, with loads of Joy and Laughter.

To the POP which we failed to perfect, but was still symbolically important.

To the dinner where we stuffed ourselves. Above are some of the guys who made the dinner possible.

To the farewell party, with the laughter, fun, photographs, videos, tears, emotions (I was most emotional during my speech).

And finally, the people who made all this (parades, parties, all the major things that happened in my NPCC life) happen, the TOs (with special regards to Mr Jit, Ms Ho and Ms Goh), the CIs (esp Eric Sir and Nash sir, who were passing out as well), cadets, and finally, those wonderful buggers in Sec 4 squad 2010. I will miss them all.

I wrote a speech the day before the party, it was not really well planned, it was actually just a spark of 'brilliance' I guess. Some parts were changed during the actual speech, but I was more or less faithful to the text.

"I know this is really extra, I am not the type who will come to the front to tell some lame story about how great you guys are and blah blah blah. Anyway, I will get straight to the point.

When I first joined NPCC in Sec 1 (when I originally wanted to go to NCC), I hardly knew any of you, except for some people like Shan Leong and Firdaus. After a while, I guess by some miracle, we were able to recognise each other. (Although I could not differentiate between Nooraini and Hazirah, don’t ask why)

Soon, we got used to seeing each other on Fridays, practicing drills, campcraft, playing games and trying to survive PT, after which we would hang out behind the school (or fool around by shooting pearls at each other and stuff).

The longer we were in NP, the more we came to know each other. And I guess each of us got ourselves a close buddy or two. I’ve finally managed to differentiate between Hazirah and Nooraini in sec 2. And we became more of a family than a squad. No matter how tired we were, or how many times we fell out or were scolded (or “pumped”), we remained as one. Sure, we had our differences, arguments, and maybe even fights (I said MAYBE). In the end, we still remained in one piece. And that’s why we are all here today.

During camps, we had to mix around with people from other schools. We made new friends, yet in the end, who are we closer to, our squad mates. When we became NCOs, we had to work together even more. Tensions did flare up at times, but we still managed to survive or ignore them. No matter what happens, I would always look forward to every NPCC training, and meet up with you guys. My ‘love’ for you people never lessened, from BV, to Ubin and Japan, I will always stay close to the only squad I knew best, the one with you in it.

Now our 4 year journey has finally come to an end, we will most probably never see each other in our PT kits or No. 3 uniforms again. I know it sucks, but we can’t turn back the clock. Sooner or later, I might lose contact with some, or maybe all of you, but the memories we shared together, good and bad, funny or strange, will follow me to my grave. Tonight is our last time in NPCC, but hopefully, this is not our last time together. Tonight, we are one, and I am grateful for those four wonderful years, of blood, sweat, tears, laughter and joy."

By the time I've nearly ended the last paragraph, I was already in tears, only with the encouragement of some wonderful people present during the party did I manage to complete the speech. After which, I went back to my seat and cried.

When we finally got out of school after the party (when we hugged a lot of people, including Eric Sir (didn't expect that)), Firdaus actually wanted us to go to Mac at Bedok inter to watch the world cup, but when we saw people pressing themselves on the glass wall at the back door area, we backed out. He insisted on going to Simpang Bedok or some faraway place, the whole squad knew by then that he WAS desperate. Anyway, the whole squad decided on a party after our N/O levels, at my place, so....I guess I will wait for us to be back together as a squad then. I cannot wait for all those memories to come back when we are all together again.