From Boys To Men

My little brother has grown up. Finally it is his turn to protect our country.
Went to send him off to be enlisted in the Special Operation Tactic Center yesterday. They prepared a programme to ensure the parents that their sons are in good hands so not to worry too much about them. I must say that the orientation programme does lessen my worries about sending my brother to become a commando. At first they showed us a video about NS life with a male singer crooning to some corny song about protecting the country in the background. Then we tour around the army facilities and I must say that the army really do look after the soldiers welfare. Their gym is really impressive and their food, though ordinary, doesn't look like what one of my older friend told me. Once, my chicken was half cooked and there was still blood in it. I once drank water that taste like detergent. Blah blah blah... And my dad also took the chance to complain, or show off, about his torturing NS days. To hear him go on, it seems that he slept on bed of nails, had faeces for meals, sadistic officers, used his head to clean toiletbowls... *Laugh* I can't help exaggerating lar.
When it's time to say goodbye, I realised that chinese family is not well-known for public affections even when they yearn to. I only gave my bro a squeeze on the shoulders. My mum, ha!, shook his hand! Made me laugh out loud. My brother, seeing this unusual form of saying goodbye, made it funnier by wishing her happy new year! Weird family...
I can see that my brother is excited about his national service. After all, this spells a new chapter in his life. He will go through something that was not taught and experienced during his school days. I guess us, girls, will never have the chance to gain those experiences. Pity..