today was a potentially emotional day.

no wait...it was an emotional day but we all managed to keep our emotions in check, save for my aunt, of course.

as somber as an investiture was supposed to be, it seemed to be full of laughter and encouragement from all directions.

i realize there are times when people lament about being in uniform and how uncomfortable it may be...but fact remains that when everyone is wearing the same thing as you, you feel a sense of unity and comfort. i guess that's peer pressure exerted in a good way. it feels especially good when the people you love believe in the same values as you, enough to take the plunge to put on that green uniform with a tie.

frankly, when i was in secondary school, i thought the scout uniform looked absolutely disgusting. i always preferred the smartness of the NPCC uniform, or even the ruggedness of the NCC attire. but i guess when you believe in something, even the ugliest of uniforms can become the most attractive to you.

it felt kinda odd to be on the bench with the others, being the only one without a tie.

as the cadets who got invested parted, the tie lay alone on the table.

now, it wasn't the tie that got to me. it was how everyone started grinning in my direction...insinuating that i'm up next...and perpetuating the fact that i'm the only one in my unit to be invested.

i tried so hard not to laugh out loud as i walked onstage. i couldn't even wipe that silly grin off my face as aunt tried to put the tie on for me. it was a hilarious sight.

and as i turned around to face everyone for my cuppa and bread, EVERYONE was grinning at me...but, for the first time, they were not being cheeky. for the first time since i've stepped in, everyone actually looked encouraging.

so yes...i guess elmo's right. it did make the experience a whole lot easier. i chomped down the bread like nobody's business simply because i was famished. obviously, the pepper didn't make a good filler, but what the hell...

it was a bonding exercise in itself...the ceremony. it was an oddly emotional experience, though not to the extent of tears and shit.

then came the "interaction session". i was overwhelmed to see almost everyone gathered in the room for the session. even robin, who was standing outside the classroom, was listening intently the whole time.

to cut the crap short, i believe bonding starts today. we all took a big step in the right direction at 1220 this afternoon.

i'm elated to have been invested. but i'm ecstatic at the prospect of having this buncha guys with me for half an hour every sunday.

i hope they feel the same.