Field camp was a time whereby we experienced many different emotions. This is going to be difficult to start talking about but I think the content will develop itself along the way.

Let’s begin with the “dirty” aspect. Not being able to bathe for 6 days, naturally I felt dirty and uncomfortable all over. This has indeed been the longest period in which I did not bathe. It really felt quite disgusting to be not able to wash off the dirt and dust and camou cream and oil that accumulates as the days go by.

Next, the “light” aspect. It has been a very long time since I experienced such darkness, in fact I do not remember whether I ever experienced darkness as what we experienced during field camp. It was quite frustrating sometimes when I couldn’t find my stuff in the dark, till the extent that I just had to switch on my torch. By the way, we had to use minimal light or no light at all. The irritating thing was that my torchlight went out of battery on the first night because somehow the button got pressed and the light remained on for goodness knows how long. Already I had to make use of my spare batteries. The next day, I do not know how, but somehow the button for my torch got depressed inside so basically it got into a permanent “on” mode, which also meant that effectively my torch was screwed. Also, while digging the shell scrapes, we were told to use candles to illuminate the area to dig. Halfway through digging, I wanted to adjust the position of the candles to obtain the best amount of light, but when I shifted the candles around, the soil wasn’t exactly flat, despite my efforts to flatten it beforehand. I lit three candles in all, and as I relocated them and put them down, one by one they spilled over and extinguished themselves. At that moment I really felt kind of sad and helpless. I really learnt not to take light for granted.

When it came to shell scrape digging, what I felt was indeed one of the most demoralising feelings. The demoralising thing is when you realise that the effort that you put in to come up with that few powerful strokes is only enough to ruffle the surface. The quality of soil did not make digging any easier. It was indeed rock hard at some places. In the end, most of our shell scrapes did not meet the mark, mine included, so we'll need to re-dig again sometime soon. Kind of wasted, because I thought mine pass already then I go help those who haven't finish. In the end both sides suffer lol. Never mind, the good thing is that when we dig again the soil would probably be much easier to dig.

What I am thankful for is the weather during field camp. Fortunately, it did not pour on days when we were sleeping in our shell scrape or when we were sleeping out in the open, though I must admit it probably would have been an interesting experience. It did pour eventually, on the 6^th day before our Battle Innoculation Course (BIC). My heart went out to the companies

that were only halfway through their field camp.

Speaking of BIC, it was not really fun that I felt. During the BIC, I felt as if that was the longest 100 metres that I had ever seen in my entire life. The crawl really made me feel tired and helpless. It was sad to see myself only moving a short distance despite trying to summon all the strength to push myself forward. Crawling in the type of sand that day was really different from the type of sand that we practiced with back at the Oil Palm Plantation. I honestly thought it was going to be a piece of cake, but apparently I was wrong.

Eating combat rations did not seem as bad as I expected. In fact, I found some of the pasta pretty nice to eat. One of the nicest in my opinion probably has to be the “chicken ham and potato in smoked sauce”. It was really the best I ever tasted throughout the whole field camp. Only bad thing is it isn’t really filling because it does not contain any rice or noodle. When I was eating it, it happened to be at night so I really could not see what I was eating. I know it isn’t a big deal, but I feel better when I am able to see what I am eating.

Yup so that basically sums up field camp. An interesting experience, I would say. Note that I use the word "interesting" and not "enjoyable". haha. it really felt like another confinement. Somehow this twelve days felt much longer than the initial 2-week confinement that we had when we first enlisted. lol.

Had lunch with my army section mates yesterday at N.Y.D.C. Haha first time eating there.. not bad I must say. I had one sundae called Double Trouble Down Under. Wa really rich and sinful, damn nice. Like two scoops of double chocolate chip ice cream piled high with real chocolate chips and chocolate chip cookies and mini chocolate chunks then topped with whipped cream and cherries. Yum yum. :) wouldn't mind having it again anyday anytime lol.

Went to SP to support the juniors at Rockmasters. I kind of disliked the setting though. So hot, stuffy and dark. Don't really understand why they must use the stupid spotlight instead of just switching on all the lights. Save electricity? Some places were really so dark that the climber couldn't see that there was a tile there. Congrats to all who made it.. and for those who didn't, there's still Pumpfest! haha. Darren Shuhui and Rachel also joined. Sorry Shu and Keok I couldn't make it in time to watch you all climb but hope you had fun lol. Had this sudden urge to join Pumpfest for fun. Hopefully I will be able to come out on that day. :)

Dinner was with Bel Darren Limzy Zoe Yuxin and Weiren at some place at Dhoby Ghaut called JustAcia. the food really not bad sia.. set meals still come with free flow of drinks and ice cream. I had fun mixing the vanilla ice cream and root beer to make ice-cream floats. haha. Darren never use brain one go and put chocolate ice-cream instead. Bel's reaction and expression was damn funny when he tried it. He was like, "wa lau the taste like la_ ji_ _ la" then his face like he just swallowed cough medicine like that damn funny haha. These two days really spent a lot a lot on food sia. But never mind la enjoy can already. Dunno why but I always enjoy spending money on food, although kind of wasted. haha.

Live Range next week! hopefully I don't shoot bird. LOL. =D