Before I enlisted, I set a goal for myself to be financially independent before I ORD. My ideal source of income would be from a web application that generates money through advertising or subscriptions (Passive income =D). Back than, I had a pretty popular local web app – nextshow.sg. I launched it a week before I enlisted. The website grew extremely fast, I had close to 1.5k visitors a day within the first week. My plan was to allow the visitor count to grow to 10k /day and than start throwing in ads to generate some advertising dollars.
But the app failed, I found lots of bugs and I didnt have enough time to fix it. Number of visitors dropped to less than 1k. I was in OCS at that time and found it extremely hard to squeeze time out to work on the site. Finding the motivation to fix the site during my weekends was hard. My bookout hours were short and all I wanted to do was to get lots of rest and spend my remaining hours having fun. A few months later, I shut-down the site completely. =(
Right now, having spent 1 year and 6 months serving NS, I have 6 more months before I ORD. After I ORD, I would not have any allowance at all unless I get a job or continue freelancing. Signing on is not an option. Those who know me well will know that I do not like working for others (not an ego thing), let alone work in such a regimental environment.
A few ideas popped up in my head a few months ago. Pretty good project ideas I would say. One of the ideas turned into a project and I’ve been working on it for past 2 months. I’m launching it in a few days time. Haven’t thought of a name for it yet. I’m expecting this site to do alot better than nextshow. I’m pinning all hopes on this project to generate enough income to feed me after I ORD. I’m aiming for $7k a month for this project (nothing wrong to aim high right).
If this fails, Plan B would be to go back to freelancing =) wish me luck.
hi blog, been a long time. again. I’m on leave till next year. Been a very long time since I’ve slept at home for more than 5 days consecutively. The last time was probably during my BMT block leave . Feels great to be at home =)
The past few months had been hectic, conducting one activity after another. Barely had the time to do other stuff. They say that as an officer, I’m in charge of my men’s training, morale and discipline. The past 6 months was pure training, I wanted to spend more time on other areas, but my workload doesn’t allow me to do that very often. But I believe I should be able to focus on the other areas now that their training phase is over.
The new batch of officers got commissioned recently. I heard that a few of them will be posted to our company. They are probably going through their orientation programme right now. Havent heard any news of whether my appointment would change or not. It would be a pity if I have to hand over my platoon to the new officer because my real job as a PC starts now. Section and platoon level trainings are going to start and that will be the time when I get to draw my rifle and fight side by side with my platoon.
On the other hand, I wouldn’t mind handing over the platoon to the new officer because no matter what, I will not be the one going through their summex with them (The next officer will be). It would benefit the platoon as a whole to start training with their new PC at this early stage.
Ok la, I think I should stop speculating. I will know the results when I return to camp next year (yes! next year). No matter what the results are, I will still be happy – PC, Staff Officer, Coy 2IC, all sounds good to me =).
Its been a long time since I updated. Life’s been good, no longer a trainee. Went through Crescendo, got comissioned, posted to 38 as a PC. Made lots of mistakes during my first few weeks, practised a few more times and got better. My platoon is great, lots of motivated people, very cool bunch of people to hang out with.
I somehow feel that I learn more stuff as an officer than as a cadet. Being a PC isn’t as easy as I thought it was. A PC is like a commander, instructor, co-ordinator and clerk combined into one. I feel like a clerk most of the time ( PC -> Platoon Clerk) because of the endless admin work and planning that has to be done. When I need a break from my work in the office, I’ll just walk around and see what everyone else is doing, thats probably the time when most people think that I have nth better to do. I need a runner (and a good break )!
I bought an IPod Touch with my first 2LT pay. Its the best purchase I’ve made in 2009. My life’s in it. I’ve never been so organized before. I can even plan a battalion level activity with it. A good tool to jot down notes quickly during meetings. My plans, ideas, thoughts, lists, expenses and schedule, its all in it. Its also my personal entertainment gadget – movies, songs, articles, facebook, games – enough to keep me entertained while I’m in camp. I got it for only $280 (8GB), comes with screen protector, socket charger, silicon protective casing. DAM WORTH IT!
Plans for the next few months?
Get my guys through their training phase (without any more OOC)
start planning for my biz
get a laptop for uni
pass my driving test (which happens to be on the day im conducting live-firing. )
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