My weekend with good book : SEAL Team Six

Sometimes the most unexpected can turn out to be most rewarding.

I often hear, and believe in the phrase. But in my forgetfulness, in times when it happens the life turns out its most pleasant surprises in little things.

Like my weekend. After spending enjoyable drink with my colleagues, the three of us chatted on a table near fantastic view at L33 on MBFC. The weather was hot and humid, and the Singapore skyline turned out its lustrous heart-meltingly beautiful lights at dusk. Always my favorite time of the day.

I woke up with a slightly swollen right eye. Unsure why and only half prepared for a ruined weekend, I while away the Saturday, reading stuff like how to use egg cartons to dampen the noise and soundproof your room . In fact when I walked away to Yakun to pack takeaway breakfast, I eyed quietly at their egg and finally emit enough courage to ask. Also arrange a contractor to come down next Saturday for an exact quote of a double-glazed soundproof window. I then travelled to Bras Basah for a trip on library and shopping trip of my arts equipment finally getting a nice-setup for my painting project.

Almost accidentally, I walked past the wall that displayed library's newest books on my way out. I spotted the book by Howard Wasdin. I have been knowing the book since I got first my kindle. I read the trial but thought the story was so far removed from my live that it would be waste to purchase it. So fate brought the book to my hands this weekend.

The book, editing and content was very good. The action, details, and the drama - as well as the valor, courage and the sheer mental toughness of the soldiers so admirable. I woke up on Sunday, today with a heavily swollen eye. surely my night cap reading half of the 308-pages book.

Now a bit worried, I travelled to check which clinic opens on Sunday. If you ever need one (non A&E), Raffles Hospital has GP practicing from 8am-10pm. I took my time to travel there, inhaling the sweet fresh air of Sunday morning. Life is beautiful. Except for a swelling tearing right eye.

I had my check-up, a bout of antibiotics (Moxiclav), Sofranex eye-drop and anti-histamin. Then travelling to the art school, in vain, then the cinema. Headed home with JCO half-dozen donuts and some groceries. Cook a pigrib soup with cordyceps and ling zhi, settledown with some painting done on my tiny canvas, and proceeded to finish off the book.

Seal Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy Seal Sniper by Howard E. Wasdin and Stephen Templin. Amazon rank #4,947 today.

I found that the good thing about the book is its insight about life as an American soldier, mostly being in the most elite forces top of class in the world. It has amazing details that are enough to awe even someone like me, a girl, with sophisticated gadgetry and adrenaline pumping action.

What I think make this book great is how sincere and real the story is told and unfolded. Sure, there's certain points where the author describes the context that justifies certain actions or his point of view then. But it came off as completely sincere and honest rather than trying to self-justify. The things that touches me are items that are very human. Such has his regret that certain relationship in his life didn't work out, his disappointments with politics, his views about human weakness and punishing circumstances be it in Somalia  or in Florida. The book details are brutal and completely straightforward in tone and delivery. That is very cool.

The part that resonates to me the most also is in sections where the author describes his thoughts and mental process. As well as the part about coming down to terms after risking his life, sacrificing his youth and marriage and his commitments, certain thing doesn't work out or that he is completely depressed by how things turned out about the ultimate result of the mission and his dedication to the team. That is very telling. That makes me consider, prod me to acknowledge the real truths of things that I already know but scared to delve deeper.

A man like the Navy seal guy pulled forward to his life, found his soulmate, after all those harrowing experiences. And he did that after he completed his service at the age of 35. It is not too late.

And if there's certain things to remember, it is another human being, another soul that also matters. Perhaps even more than any other things in the world, even the cold hard brutal truth.