Asia-Pacific Program For Senior Military Officers

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This week, starting on Thursday, was the Asia-Pacific Program For Senior Military Officers (APPSMO). Classes were canceled so that the students could attend the program. It was held on Sentosa, which is a small island resort. Sentosa is a very touristy place and that was definitely the feeling I got from being there. I don't think I need to see anymore of the island than the hotel where the Program was held.

Like most programs some of the speeches were really good and some of them were not as good. I think that part of the issue with APPSMO was that it was for a very different group than us students. It was for the military officers who were there. As a result I think I ended up like and finding the talks they didn't like very intriguing. I think the best part was the food there were lots of good little pastries which I had been missing as they are not easy to get here.

Ships of the coast of Sentosa

Representation a country where the Olympic torch stopped

I was really glade that we had APPSMO going on as it gave me a chance to try and catch up on my studies and really settle into the apartment. On last Thursday they installed the A/C and I thought it was working and then it really didn't seem to be working. It was really hot as well so even with a fan it was uncomfortable. On Friday they A/C guys came back and they had just forgotten to turn on the compressor for the two A/C in the bedrooms. The Master bedroom compressor hey remembered to turn on. Really not fun. Luckily it was fixed and is still working.

On Friday, Jan and I joined up with the other Ambassadorial scholars, Rachel, Sharron, and Ermanno and his girlfriend. When went to the Olympic Torch Lighting ceremony on the National University of Singapore campus. It was a really big event and the school must have spent a large amount of money on it. It was the opening ceremony so one would expect nothing less for the first every Youth Olympic Games. My understanding is that while there is still an emphasis on competition there is also an emphasis on comradeship and making new international friends. I think it is an interesting idea and we will see how that works out.

Ermanno's girlfriend, Ermanno, Sharron, me, Jan, and Rachel

It was good to get together with the Rotary scholars. It is nice to have a group of people who have something in common. It is interesting as we are a group of westerners. After the ceremony we went to dinner in Chinatown. It was a nice evening out. We are thinking of having a monthly dinner so that we can keep in touch since we aren't all in the same school and we are going to be busy with classes and everything we have to do as a Rotary scholars.

Me at the Olympic torch ceremony with glow sticks in my hair

Monday was the last day I attended APPSMO. It was half a day. I was pretty happy about that as it gave me a chance to read and study some. Monday was also National Day. I thought I was going to go and see the parade and fireworks but we didn't realize what time it started so we missed it. As a result I spent national day not doing anything special.

Today there was one more program at APPSMO but I decided to stay and get stuff done.