P/S: Gonna be a long post ahead
I survived National Service aka Program Latihan Khidmat Negara! hahaha. So many is suprised and shocked when they knew I entered PLKN. HAHA. I am not that princessy okay. PLKN is something which is compulsory to be attended if you are the lucky one selected by the government. I did not volunteer though you can do so if you are interested to join it. Just Google it up.
When a Malaysian reaches 18 year old, she or he may or may not be selected by the government to enter PLKN and I am the lucky one among my siblings to enter this program. I postponed it 5 years ago. Miraculously they never call me back while I am in uni for 5 years. However, after I am done with my uni life, they called me back while I am waiting for a job placement, a letter came 2 weeks before I am supposed to report. Imagine the shock I got. Whether to postpone it again since I am having my convocation in 2 months plus time or just enter. haha. After much consideration and hesitation, I decided to just enter and try something before I start working.
Fancy a 23 year old entering NS suddenly.
And indeed I am the eldest there. A few of them are 20 and above but yet I am still still the eldest and majority are 18. YUP. 5 years gap. I am like an adult among them. But I am thankful they still accept me as their friends and are really really nice to me.
NO REGRETS entering at all.
It is a once in lifetime experience, something you will not be go for a second time. Some people might find it tough but it is okay for me. What is more important is your mindset, If you enter with an open mind, I am sure you will do just fine. It is a camp site, not a hotel so do not expect people to help you clean up, fancy food, air cond and what not. Sometimes you might not even have clean water supply. Drinking water is okay since they have water filter there. I lived outside before while I am studying so I am able to cope with all those stuff while some people find it unacceptable.
You can see people running away from the camp site. YES, they ran away. I am not joking. haha. So, what's the consequences if you run away from the camp? They will call the cops, and the cops will come and dig you and bring you back to the camp and there will be some punishment. Some camp are really strict while some are okay so it depends on where you are sent to.
Lots of activities in the camp that will keep you occupied and sometimes there will be lack of sleep. Basically from Monday to Friday, you will be like a robot following whatever they told you to do. The timetable in each camp is different besides the meal time. In the first month, there will be morning lessons and classes. Sometimes I find it boring when they bili bala but when its activities time, just get involved so you won't be bored. haha. Noon and evening there will be outdoor activities. Night time there will be video shows and spiritual classes and what not. Weekends are free most of the time depending on what acitivity the camp had prepared.
So the physical activities are tiring, fun, exciting and crazy for some. But like I said, its only a once in a lifetime thing, so just try your best to enjoy every moment. I find it tiring and crazy too at times but it is not something you will go through again, so just try and have fun. I could't join some activities due to medical situation but when I can, I make sure I try and experience everything.
It is not a place where they train you to be an army but more like a place where they help you to form your character and be prepared for the outside world. NOT train you to be army. Sort of like team building camp. Challenge you to be out of your comfort zone. So if you are selected, if you are up for the challenge type, just enter, you will have lots of fun :)
Will update more on pictures next post.
P/S: I am actually in airport now waiting for my flight. I am going back to PLKN tomorrow to join the last night. I don't want to live with regrets if I missed out the last day. So I will rush back tomorrow and make more memories hehehhee. andddddd I just attended my convocation on 27th October 2013. Yes, I AM OFFICIALLY GRADUATED! hahaha.
