back from field camp

5 days living in the forest. (now at this point the boys in tekong would probably start complaining about their 7.) the funny thing is field camp wasn't quite as tough as the normal training we get in camp, at least not in the physical aspect. of course, that is not to say doing push ups in full battle order - can barely walk properly in it. but much of it is lessons and practicing those silly drills. down point is how bloody dirty it is. didnt shower or brush for the entire 5 days.

if you ask me, i probably think that mandai forest is worse than tekong. because there are no taps in there at all. for 5 days, i saw no toilet or tap or granite road. it is just a bloody forest with trails and roads with cement poured on here and there. the only building there are a few lousy training sheds with no fans. if u want any power at all, bring along your own generator.

slept in a basha, and on the first day it rained so heavily that the groundsheet was soaked through. somebody remind the manufacturers groundsheets are best made waterproofed. so slept in a puddle already on the first day. cant remember much about the second and third day, just that it was dry days so the sleep wasnt so bad. but on the second day saw one of those huge centipedes army boys will always encounter. brought it out of the basha and chang-koled it to pieces. hahahaa. it was satisfying to be king over that beastly creature. subsequently, hated sleeping in that basha so much that on 4th night, volunteered to do "sentry", where we slept on the road. surprisingly it was the best night i had the entire camp. sleeping under the stars with my sleeves rolled up and buttons half done. hazardous no less, in the forest where creepy crawlies are abound. but i just decided to risk pain for pleasure.

best thing in field camp was probably getting to know my mates better. it is in situations like this you'll see who really have what it takes to step out to be a leader, who'll be a friend to you even if it means sacrifuce, and who are the self-serving conniving ppl. i guess in uncivilised living, u get to see a new facet of one's character. a more real view perhaps, when they can no longer put on character camouflage. glad to know i have buddies whom i can trust to fight a war alongside with, and left utterly disappointed by some.

and the stars of the nightsky. they were such a beautiful sight.

been thinking about my life a lot since i enlisted. i guess living a controlled life right now is a good time for some reflection. a good time to really stare down at the man in the mirror. i hope that all these thinking will make me a better man. don't want to end up depressed and all like back in the days i used to think a lot. it is a revert to an old self now i guess. maybe a better old self.

how i love the you move, and the sparkle in your eyes,
There's a color deep inside them, like blue suburban skys.



it hurts a bit to think that we are travelling in straight lines and our point of contact has been made and broken. oh what i'll give to renavigate. or to be allowed to.