Ah, February, the proverbial month of love.
In light of this occasion, I would like to take this opportunity to thank some important individuals for the love and support they provided during my National Service days.
To Mum, thank you for waking up extra early every morning so that you could drive me to the twilight zone that is Sungei Gedong Camp. I swear I’ll repay the petrol money when I grow up.
To Dad, thank you for all the NS-related tips you provided, even though none of it was relevant. I never got to use all that starch you gave.
To Auntie Janet, thank you for folding my No.4 and packing all those barang barang into the ziplock bags. If anyone asks, I carried my own backpack.
To my ex-girlfriend, thank you for showing me that I was truly naive to think that you’d wait for me. No, I really don’t know who scratched your car.
While February is commonly associated with showing love to others, don’t forget to exercise some self-love, too. This means accepting yourself for who you are and being kind to yourself. Be sure to take care of your physical, psychological, and spiritual needs.
Feeling burned out? Go on a sabbatical. Recharge and find your purpose in life.
Unhappy with your looks? Don’t be. Remember that looks aren’t everything. Confidence. Happiness. These matter more.
That being said, do make it a point to stay fit and healthy, because MINDEF doesn’t care how happy you are with your body shape.
If you fail your IPPT because of that beer belly, you do Remedial Training.
I must point out there is a difference between self-love and self-entitlement.
Walking into the office late because you could only sign up for 8.30am Spin class is not acceptable self-love behaviour. Please do not use the excuse that exercising before work helps you get fired up for the day.
The only thing getting fired is you.
Also, walking around without a mask because it makes you feel uncomfortable and unhappy is not self love – it’s douchebaggy self-entitlement that will land you in hot water.
Come on, we’re still in the midst of a pandemic. We need to all do out part. Take precautionary measures. Don’t go out so much.
I recently found out that one of my friends who had a mild case of Covid-19 last year is still spending a couple of hours outdoors every day playing Pokemon Go.
“Gotta catch ’em all!” he sang.
I rolled my eyes.
“The only thing you’re going to catch is all the Covid-19 variants!”
Speaking of love, I recently chanced upon this theory of love languages and the importance of understanding the language of our partners.
According to Dr Gary Chapman, the creator of this concept, there are five different love languages – words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, acts of service and receiving gifts.
My wife, for instance, likes receiving gifts. I, on the other hand, appreciate acts of service – not that she believed me.
“Erm, if you truly appreciate acts of service, why do you always refuse to eat the glutinous rice that I make?” she said.
“Honey, It’s not you. It’s me. You won’t understand this but the dish brings back mixed feelings,” I said.
“Huh? Like what?
“Like combat rations.”
LOL Mondays is an ongoing series of slice-of-life stories from freelance writer and NSman Alywin Chew. Look out for the humorous tales which will be posted every first Monday of the month, to help you drive away your Monday blues!
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