____T.H.E. .P.A.S.S.

____Teddy Bear Campmate

Wilson Chen - teddy bear - chief clerk of my unit - I have a lot of things to say about this rolly-polly guy.

On first impression, he strikes to me as another snobbish new clerk. Big talk, lousy football, irritating, irritatable... if you do not like a guy, the list can go on forever. Of course, my fellow coursemates and their seniors must have had a part into turning him into such a person during his short stint in Maju. We did not have much in common to talk about, and even when I left for AHM training soon after knowing him, not a decent conversation has been struck.

"Clerks..." I thought to myself.

One night, after all the AHM stuff, I was back in my unit, doing my regimental Duty Instructor duties. It so happened that the Duty Clerk on that day had to stay late too to check on the contractor, while I situated myself in the gym. Soon the contractor finish whatever he was working on and Wilson came to the gym to join me since he did not see a point going home alone as my duty was ending soon too.

"You know this guy..." He was referring to the common enemy and so the ice was broken, the barriers were crushed.

I realised he is not that snobbish, not that "new clerk". In fact, he is a person who possess come depth, a profound thought process, and no lack of humour at its highest level. Constantly looking for fun, he is one of those I look for when I am bored in camp.

I realised I began to challenge myself to quash all impression that he is a lousy footballer. Soon, after Parry football, I began to see his style and played around it. Our team, later termed "The Catalans", then founded and set the benchmark for football in our camp and how it is to be played.

Today, I saw another side of him. He may not notice it, which is the reason why I am writing this here. While playing football at Parry again, this tanned, fit-looking guy trotted onto the pitch to the calls of welcome from the rest of the players. And then, I saw Wilson, almost running up to him, exchanging words which I could not hear. But he was obviously beaming from end to end, like a little boy, he may deny this, but he WAS beaming. Come to think of it, it was hilarious to look at. To think someone with great aspirations would have a real life "idol".
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Maybe it was me initially, being the high and mighty one. It is difficult to accept new people in your lives. After some thought, I realised that to go places, meeting new people is an everyday thing. One cannot avoid it. It is a matter of accepting them as they are, and taking the initiative to break the ice. It has been fun hanging out together, I am thankful to get to know the people that I know. I am more thankful for those who took the initiative to break the ice between me and them.

Currently Feeling Like: Tired Roy Keane (Man Utd) after playing a fast-paced, highly-competitive match.

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