merv*style

T01/S02/B05
S8506437A
OCT LEE WAI LAM MERVYN
9th APRIL 2004

This is an autobiography of NRIC No. S8506437A, OCT LEE WAI LAM MERVYN, written on the 9th of April, 2004.

I come from a Christian family, though not a my relatives share the same faith. My father is a retiree who used to work under SBS as a senior Depot Officer, while my mother holds a post of Accountancy Officer in SIA. Of my three sibings, one is my elder brother who ORDed last year while serving as a clerk in Tengah Airbase. My younger sister is studying her first year in Tanglin Secondary while my little brother is still picking up his ABCs in a neighbourhood kindergarten. I do have distant relatives staying abroad, mostly studying in Malaysia, which was also my father's birthplace. Others live in Canada and New Zealand. Most of the time, if we do have to travel out of Singapore to pay them a visit, we would head down to either Kuala Lumpur or Penang, Malaysia. However, we did drop by my aunt's pace in New Zealand during our vacation there 5 years ago. Since we seldom meet each other or only on annual festive occasions such as the Lunar New Year, I know little about them.

I attended secondary school in The Chinese High School and moved on to Anglo-Chinese Junior College to pursue my higher level of studies. I took up Physics, Computing, C-Mathematics and Economics as my core A-level subjects in the Science stream. As for co-curriculum activities, I engaged heavily into my hobby and interest in computing and information. I had engaged a few projects with commercial companies as well as school-related projects in the use of IT.

Upon completion of the A Levels, I took time off to train up my physique, as well as look into my spiritual development - my walk with God. I pursued an intensive schedule which included jogging and going to gym on alternate days. Of course, I spent a lot of time with friends and pursuing leisure activities. Back then, I was an IPPT failure, and was required to undergo an extra 6 weeks of PTP training phase, thus my enlistment into army was early and left me with a shorter period of break.

I enjoy learning and picking up new skills. Just last year, I took up self-taught and mentored guitar sessions and have been strumming away since. Perhaps that will also explain my passion in the IT field learning because there's always something new to acquire. Currently, I'm looking into XML and Java servlets. Most of these self-propelled learning are taken from library or Internet resources, which I feel are adequate tools in teaching. Furthermore, a hands-on approach is the prime factor that an individual gains knowledge and experience. Learning at my own pace helps me to gain a better grasp in the subject. I plan to further my studies in this field but also practice more relations building and interpersonal communications through networking. That's the vital factor for choosing the Information Systems course for my tertiary studies. I hope to incorporate new and existing technologies with the use of innovation to drive and make headways in modern business.

After becoming healthier and instilling more awareness in my fitness level, I realize that there are many more interest-arousing activities that I may pursue in. I have been targeting more outdoor activities and hope to take on new challenges such as rock or wall climbing, absailing and water sports. I'm also more motivated to keep a higher standard of fitness for myself. Thus I make it a point to go jogging every morning during the one week block leave. Hopefully, it'll help me in attaining the gold standard of IPPT.

Leading a true Christian life is also that which I believe should be the most important part in my life. Having been brought up in a Christian environment, I used to take it for granted and follow blindly the example set by my parents. Last year though, God worked wonders in my life and opened my eyes and ears to gain more understanding. Since then, I have changed tremendously, such as to the extent that many people fail to recognize me. I would have said I have undergone a complete transformation. My physical appearance, the thoughts that go through my mind, the honesty of my heart; these are but just the few aspects which I am grateful that Jesus has changed for me. Gradually, I've begun to involve Him in my thought process and decision making, and have still much to improve upon. One of my goals in life is to be Christ's ambassador, to be a light for the world and to spread the message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:20). At the current stage, I ask myself if He would ask me, "Would you lay it all down for me?". I'm still struggling to surrender all without qualms, because I am selfish and lacking in faith. I hope to be able to sacrifice more time and energy to return the blessings to Him who is so deserving and worthy.

Another rather interesting point to learn from is Christ's model of leadership. Though he was a king, he played the role of a servant more than exude his royalty. I want to stick to this teaching if I'm going to become a leader, even if it means to be rejected by the world. And I believe that God will grant me more chances to practise and reflect upon as such in OCS.

There are far too many records that can qualify for the most memorable event in my life. But if you would ask me what I would choose as the most memorable event in my life, I would have to say it was the day when the Lord renewed my faith in Him, which would also make today the first anniversary. I recollect the moments when the pastor giving the sermon, Reverend John Tan spoke the message of reconciliation, then he called forth those who were willing to recommit their faith in Christ. The moment I stood forward, that has been what made the difference ever since. Since then, I've deemed everything I've done for God as most satisfying, because blessed are those who come in the name of the Lord (Psalms 118:26), with every moment bringing a inexplicable joy. You can already guess who I admire most by now.

The friends I cherish most are in fact those who are granted by God too, for they have also been a blessing in my life. As for the country I would like to visit most, I don't find any importance to answer, as well as I do not have any preference.

Currently, I am quite satisfied with the pay I'm earning from SAF as an OCT. My family do seem to have some financial difficulties though since my father has retired and my mother is the sole breeder now. However, we are able to make it through provided we do not splurge on luxuries, so there doesn't seem to be much problems yet. With the pay I earn from SAF, I am able to be self-sufficient, to pay for my neccessities and even fulfill recreation purpose without being a financial burden on my family.

I feel that SAF has a dynamic structure as it is made of both NSF and NSmen, and no two entity is the same. Each has his own style of teaching and training that breaks out from the routine. Though I'm not very keen on National Service, that is if given the option I will probably opt out, I've not regretted my decision in putting in my best effort (or better), since it is I who stand to gain most. And my instructors have so far been amiable people that I have good rapport with and am not afraid to approach to. Overall, I feel that it provides a good training ground to nurture myself before I enter the harsher and relentless outside world, thus giving me more time to adjust. I don't think I have that patriotic spirit such as "Die for the country!". However, I will not accept anyone oppressing the people, especially those I hold dear to me. I won't want my loved ones to be hurt in any way, so I would say such a fight is inevitable should times come.

And so begins a fresh start in my life in OCS. I look upon the training to be tough and strenuous, but there's much more to gain from.