Its been quite awhile since i last blogged. Busy busy days in NS, doing physical trainings and listening to lectures all day long. There are some things i had learnt during the past 9 weeks of my NS life, some that i think is really important for me.
One of the things i had learnt is that time is very crucial and very very important. Adjustments of my own attire, wiping off sweat from my face, applying camo-cream to my face, all of these doesn't take more then a minute to complete. This lesson that i've learnt is really useful to me basically because i won't waste away my time doing things at a really slow pace, which would end me up with loads of undone stuff. Booking out on the weekends also is a test of time management, whether we can complete area cleaning on time to book out, how to spent the book out days wisely, and of cause, making sure i book in on time.
Just yesterday, i came back from my "overseas" traning at Pulau Tekong. It was an 8 days, 7 nights outfield training where we are put through a series of mental and physical torture, well, training to make it sound nicer. Quite an unforgettable experience i would say.
I remembered waking up early to board the bus to SAF ferry terminal on day 1. Reached Tekong by ship and we walked 8km into the wretched place with, i think, 8~10kg load? It was a horrible experince trying to survive our way into the forest. The first 4km was alright because we were still walking on cement road. The last 4 was on the rocky road where it is not stable and trust me, it was damn hectic. Reached the area and we ate our first combat ration as our lunch. Almost vomited. Built up our basha tents (i think its spelt that way...) and was lectured by our officer due to our slow movements. The day went by with a few lectures and training and not long later, we were on our way to sleep.
Just before sunset, if im not wrong, we came face to face with a wild boar looking for food to eat. It was the first time i come face to face with an oversized swine. Its was greyish and was huge. Doesn't have those tooth sticking out of its mouth like some cartoons would show. For some reason, i did sentry that night... Encountered the wild boars in the dark again and for the next few days, they had never stop trying to come back. The trap feet (wires with sharp blades sticking out) was not at all useful to prevent the wild boars to enter. The swine just walk through it as if it was feather.
And so the days went by. Shooting of blank bullets, throwing real grenade, leopard crawl through the obstacles, walking into the night forest, and for once and only once, bathed in the Tekong bathing area. Before i knew it, it was time to dig our own shell scrape. (Thats what i heard i don't know if i spelt it right) It basically means that the last day has arrived. We must dig a coffin hole and hide inside and attack the incoming "enermies". People cried, people gave up, people fell, and of course, people emerged victorious. I managed to complete my own shell scrape, with some blisters left on my hands as a reward for my hard work.
Ended the whole field camp with some heart to heart talk with my Sergeants and the last night in Tekong was beautiful. We slept out in the open area where the grass dance and the moon shines and the insects bite. The only word i could describe that night was "Shiok".
And now im back here at home blogging. 1 week of memories is what i brought back from Tekong, and that 1 week, has brought me closer to home...
Left right left...
Chao Private and Daddy!
