National Service – Derrick Kwa

No, I’m Not Back Just Yet

Jul 2, 2009

But I just thought I’d explain why, and what’s going on with me. I’ve been away from this blog for 6 months, and those of you who have kindly left me in your RSS readers deserve my sincere thanks, and an update of sorts. Those of you who are checking back manually, you deserve it even more.

Those of you in Singapore might have seen an article about me in Today newspaper a couple of days ago. And as is stated in the article, I do feel like I’m in a “transitional” phase.

The reason for this is two-fold. Firstly, National Service has definitely affected me, as anyone who knows me personally will know. I’m not one who does well when forced into something. I quit school because I didn’t see a point, for example. And NS is something I can’t quit. I’m slowly coming to terms with it (or trying to), but it’s tough. Being stuck in a forced job, in an extremely regimental environment, is a far cry from anything I’d want, and the adjustment is hard. And NS has left me rather jaded, to say the least. (And to those who think I’m grumbling too much, please spare me the “you can choose to be happy despite your circumstance” spiel, I’ve heard that enough).

But I’m far from giving up, and that’s actually the second reason why I haven’t been too involved in the social media scene lately. Yes, I’ve said that “the web has really opened so many doors for me”, and it’s true. But now that the doors have been open, it’s time for me to take some action and go through them, instead of just opening more doors. I love the scene, I love having the chance to be a part of the community, I love having the opportunity to meet and interact with brilliant minds such as yours. But it’s time for me to get out and do something.

I don’t want to be just another blogger, another voice in the crowd. I need to know that I have some insight or unique value I can provide. I need to prove, if not to anyone else, then to myself at least, that I am made of more than just intelligent talk. I need to prove that I am capable of producing quality action.

And I am working on that, or trying to. Trying to get a virtual internship for a marketing/branding project, trying to start up a Facebook app, etc. I’ve got a number of things I’m trying to line up, so hopefully something will work out.

In the meantime, I’ll still be on Twitter, so if you want to chat, you can look me up there. If I have your contact details, I’ll try my best to keep in touch with you. If I don’t, I’d still love to hear from you – you can add me on Facebook, or drop me an email.

This is (hopefully) not the last you’ve heard from me on here. When I’ve decided I’m capable (and proven to myself that I’m capable) of providing value, I’ll be back.

As Shakespeare put it, “If we do meet again, why, we shall smile; If not, why then this parting was well made”.

Keep creating,
Derrick

Update from Army

Nov 3, 2008

I’ve been in the army for the last 3-4 weeks, which is why I haven’t been around much. I’ve been put out-of-course, though, and have been posted out to a temporary unit, in a stay-out vocation.

What does that mean? Most importantly, it means that I’ll be able to come home every night, and so, I’ll have more time to continue with my blogging journey, and pursuing some of the ideas I have. If you want to find out more about what’s happened, though, feel free to contact me or leave a comment.

So, yeah. Normal posts should resume soon, I just thought I’d announce it first.

Don’t Make Promises You Can’t Keep

May 2, 2008

So, I was supposed to be enlisting for National Service (2 years of compulsory army for all Singaporean guys). When I applied, one of the papers mentioned that my enlistment should be within 6 months of my application. When I went for my medical, the person there told me that I would be enlisted by either March/April or the at least by June/July. And that I’d only get my letter a month or so before.

Because of that, I haven’t been able to do much all year. I didn’t know how long I had before enlistment, so I couldn’t really commit myself to anything. And yesterday, my mum went down to the Central Manpower Base to check, and was told that my enlistment would be in September.

I’m seriously really pissed off about this. Firstly, and most importantly, they lied. I was told I’d be enlisted by June/July, and that didn’t happen. I know that circumstances change and all, but if that was the case, they shouldn’t have told me as if it was a fact that I’d be in by July. They might be the government, and there’s probably nothing much I can do about it, but it’s still really annoying to be lied to. Maybe I’m over-reacting. But even though they’re the government, they still shouldn’t make promises they can’t keep. Rather, especially since they’re the government, they shouldn’t. I’ve seriously lost trust in them because of this.

The second reason, albeit less important, I’m pissed about this is because it’s wasting my time. It’s wasted half a year of my life waiting. I’m now rushing and struggling to find a summer program/internship to do. So if anyone has any suggestions or offers, let me know, yeah? (I have no qualms about travelling, if required.)

If I had known from the start that chances are I’d be enlisted in September, I wouldn’t be pissed. I’d have planned accordingly. And I’d still have been able to do a lot. I would probably have applied for Seth Godin’s internship (I’m not saying I would have definitely got in, but I’d have loved to at least had the chance to try). I would have gone to California with my mum earlier this year. I would have applied for a summer institute. But because I was told that I would be enlisted by July, I didn’t. And I’ve missed lots of opportunities.

I guess it all comes down to this. It’s not really about the date itself. It’s about what I was told – what I was led to believe and expect. Don’t tell me something and not deliver on it. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.