Of The Elysian Fields

"...The Elysian Fields,or Elysium,would be closest to what most people consider "heaven" to be like.The Elysian Fields were described as a wonderful place, where everything was delightful.There were soft green meadows,lovely groves,a delicious life-giving air, sunlight that glowed a soft purple,and everyone was happy and peaceful.The sound of music played on pipes and lyres filled the air.Banquets occurred whenever the inhabitants desired..."

The Elysian Fields is the creation of the Greek Mythology.A place where the great and good lived after their deaths.Also known as the Isle of the Blessed,it is ruled by Rhadamanthys,according to Homer's Odyssey.A place one would consider "Heaven".A place sorted after by all,and hard to let go when the time comes.As mentioned in the myth,these fortunate ones could choose to go back to Earth if they wished,but few elected to give up the pleasure they had found here.It is "Temptation Island" if you are keen on reality TV shows.Sort of like the line from The Eagles' "Hotel California" which goes:

"You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave..."

As for myself,i have my own definitions as to what my own Elysian Fields should look like.I dont need the soft green meadows,lovely groves,delicious life-giving air or whatever.Well,that's nice indeed.But with industrialisation and urbanisation taking place around you,you can bet that you wont find a place that even comes close to that description.Maybe one day on an distant island in the middle of nowhere.Of course,provided that it was not swept away by the Tsunami.I wouldnt mind having those lovely groves and banquets around really.But i guess,physically that is impossible in our age.Most people seek not the physical pleasure nowadays,but rather the spiritual and mental satisfaction they gain.Perhaps a place in their heads that resembles the Elysian Fields.The ideal place that comes close in their dreamlands.And as for me,the enjoyable yet brief meetings with my friend during my book outs can be considered my ideal land of peace.The Elysian Fields i have in mind.

I have a system that i follow everytime.I try to anyway.I book out every week,which means that i have to give time to my family and friends.You got to have a balance between this two huge components of your life.So personally,i focus on them alternatively.Like,this week i would hang out with my friends out in town,then the next would be spent with my family so on and so forth.You get the picture.As time goes by slowly in camp,you start to realise that anything in the outside world suddenly becomes so extraordinarily unfamiliar and new.Like a friend of mine said,when you are in boot camp for a few weeks in a row,any female organisms are good looking on the streets.So to all red blooded men out there,do keep your eyes off those cute female doggies hanging around the blocks.Anyway,everything starts to mean something to me all of a sudden.It's like,i can derive enjoyment out of the most boring activities you can think of on Earth.Like,sitting at home and watch crappy movies back from the 70s.No offence to the movies in that era,but they just dont appeal.Oh well,suddenly everything seems so exciting and new.Even my sister looks a bunch better now that ive seen her from another perspective.Amazing how a departure can do to you(I highly recommend this to troubled couples).

Over the past few book outs,i had a couple of chances to meet up with old friends,and make some new ones along the way.I still remember vividly the mini gathering the guitar club people had at the Breakz Restaurant(I think that is the spelling).Only five person went,but i enjoyed it anyway.Maybe it's because it was the last day of 2004,or perhaps it was because of the fact that i love the guitar club members so much,that meeting was particularly enjoyable as compared to our other meetings.It was memorable,and i found myself lost in time.Spending the night at the restaurant with the ladies,my buddy Ahmad and JingLiang was real fun indeed.Then we strolled through the streets and admired the city lights still clinging upon the trees after Christmas.A year back,i wouldnt even have noticed the lights.They never triggered any form of fascination inside of me.But this time,it was a little different.I didnt know what it was,but i found myself smiling as i looked into the lights.In my friends' company,i felt like i am on Cloud #9,a place where i want to be.Then we took bus 133 together back home,and coincidentally as the bus stopped by a traffic light the clock struck midnight.We had a countdown,a mini-celebration,and just as we were about to end the day fireworks sprung up from the side of the streets and into the air,as if it was celebrating the birth of the new day of the new year.Fireworks never looked so beautiful until then.It was brief and short,and the bus sped off before it finished,but i sure had a lot of fun on the 133 double decker.

Last Saturday was a gathering with some friends at Serene's.Her birthday was coming,and her family organised a barbeque at her house.She invited my SRJC class,Secondary School class(PLMGSS) and her JC class(TPJC) as well.However,everybody from my class(1s24)was working back then.How coincidental isnt it.I know how Serene felt really.I mean,if i were her i wouldve jumped into the 2 metre deep pool and hope that my lungs would fill up with water.Just bloody drown myself as soon as possible.I mean,it's just plain awkward for such situations to occur.Thankfully,i was present and so was Siang Hong.Do not fret Serene.With this two around you can stop worrying about the venue being cold and boring throughout the night.And as promised,we had a blast there with the ladies.It's not like we didnt want to mingle with other fellow male counterparts,but because there were no male there at all.Well,maybe Serene's Dad and her classmate who was busying himself with the pit.Personally i never really liked to mix around with girls that are too...Well,girl-like.Too much girl talk can really kill you.Those "Oh i miss you!" bullshit followed by a long hug can really make you feel queasy.For me,anyway.So i talked to her TPJC friends,who were really nice people.And may i add that they are good looking as well(Just to make Adrian jealous and pissed)?

Im not too sure of the other two girls' names,but one was called Esther,and Serene's cousin is called WanLing.Both extremely nice people to talk to and certainly very easy to click with.Even Esther herself was wondering how come she was able to click so easily with Siang Hong and myself.Well,being a Marist for four years really thought us a lifeskill not easy forgotten and ever so practical.The Sociability within us.We joked and laughed all through the night,and we talked about anything other the Saturday Night sky.Maybe it was that tad bit of desperation within,but i was attracted to them in a way.Oh well,i should really start to read "1001 Ways to Curb Yourself".Perhaps it was the feeling i got when i talked to them.So comfortable and so easy,and everything about it was just right.Like how NingShan made a comment on Varun a few weeks ago in the bunk.Touche,i tell you.It was right on the mark.Perfect.

I guess as my life continues in the army,my standards of a Elysian Field changes.Before this,what existed in the Elysian Fields within my mind tends to be dream-like.A little out of reach,and completely unattainable.But right now,it seems as if the standards are not too far off at all.Just a simple gathering with the people i know can become a part of the Elysian Fields.My own Elysian Fields.A friend of mine once had a MSN nickname that went "Simplicity is the greatest Sophistication".I guess in this case,a simple meet up with friends can bring me a step closer to heaven.The Elysian Fields beyond the shores of River Oceanus.A place which i can call my own.

Like everybody else,parting from this beautiful land is a difficult task.But i have to,or else i would be considered AWOL(Away WithOut Leave)and charged in a military court.Followed by DB(Detention Barracks)later.It sucks to leave,but what can i say?Rules are rules.I know they are meant to be broken,but not this rule.No,no way.It's a brief parting,but i guess we'll soon meet each other soon enough.

I dont meet fantastical scenary,or singing elves and fairies.Fields of flowers or a cool summer breeze.All i need is my friends,and that they join me in my Elysium.That is my Elysian Fields,and as simple as it sounds i love it that way.Brief moments spent with these amazing people is exactly what i need.The realm of the blessed,and with them around,the blessed is me.

Everytime i meet my friends,i picture the scene from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind when Clementine and Joel lies on the frozen lake and stares up into the sky.Then Joel whispers to Clementine...

"I could die right now,Clem.I'm just...happy.I've never felt that before.I'm just exactly where I want to be..."

That single line,and my feelings of the Elysium.

Touche.

Song of the Moment---Tracing by John Mayer