Dental FFI

Don't ask me what the FFI mean, honestly I don't know and I don't care. Regardless, all NSFs must look forward to your FFI dates. This means that your day of redemption is approaching. Anyway, cut the crap. My friend and I were at Yew Tee MRT, discussing the fastest possible route to Kranji involving the least energy.

"Teh peng, the street directory says turn left leh. See!" He jabbed his finger to the map, triumphantly pointing the word "Kranji Camp " to me. "

"But my friend said go straight leh" I protested.

In the end, I reluctantly followed Ngai Meng around. As you know, Ngai Meng is also known as the Legendary Ah Meng of the Scorpion Company! Enough said. Ended up in front of a forsaken road (more like sand trail) typical of third world SAF camp standards. He sheepishly admitted his folly, albeit very softly, as we jogged back to our destination.

As usual, SAF regulars have the priority, since they breathe, live and eat more SAF sand than us NSF. No thanks, I would rather remain a NSF than a regular, by the way become NS man soon.

The waiting time was atrociously long, even longer than A&E at Changi Hospital. Well, that's due to the fact that a pissed off dentist serving his NS liability come in strolling at 1130a.m. Cannot blame him; who likes serving NS.?Either they are ultra dedicated or insane, which I am neither.

"2-11 , crown. 2-10 crown. 2 something something erupting (wisdom teeth I suppose?), as the female dentist examining my SAF teeth said a string of numbers which I do not understand. Wonder what is she doing there anyway. Please. Work anywhere but camps. You do not want to waste your youth looking at pissed off NSF (after a long wait). Furthermore, there are always guys as cannon fodders. Male dentists I mean.

After a long wait past my lunchtime, I walked to Eddie's bunk, which is opposite the medical centre. How convenient for him. He was, at that time, also conveniently coincidentally booking out for his dental FFI (appointment) at Orchard road.

Now I finally see the light. That is why they say dentists always have 100% employment rate, coz you will always have a healthy supply of wisdom teeth provided by happy NSFs and regulars. Since SAF takes care of their personnel so excellently, why not use it? Bu na bai bu na. Just an exaggeration to prove a point. But I do wonder sometimes how many wisdom teeth have SAF personnel plucked just to get a 2 weeks MC? :D. God knows. I prefer to have my teeth.

By the way. The dental centre is plastered with lame posters such as:

Once tooth decay sets in, training becomes an uphill struggle....Always maintain oral health , showing a camou on soldier happily brushing his pearlies, which is kinda impossible if you tell me. Coz firstly,
1) You will be ultra pissed off during a field camp.
2)The last thing you want to do is to brush after being smeared with soil and mud.
3)Brushing your teeth does not help, especially after much cursing and swearing.
And other quirky posters like Your Dentist does not go on board with you (navy). Have you gotten your dental clearance yet?

Amusing. Perhaps staring at the display set of Oral Bs, fake teeth, mouth wash and other peripherals have made me temporary insane. :D (wide grin).

"Serve them well, and they will serve you for life" Guess where that came from?

Special Guest

大家好。本人是王某。今天呢，我是蔡德铭伯克的特别来宾。今天我们的话题应该是什么呢。哈哈。我也不知道。现在已经是差不多两点了。你可能好奇王某为什么还没睡。因为我刚听了周公讲鬼的故事。就在九三三醉心频道。好啦。今天就谈到这里。咱们下次再见。

Deja Vu

Back to the same place today, again. 3 p.m. At the back of the 5 tonner, the sweltering heat forces men (signallers) like me to do anything to alleviate the situation. One was fanning his bulging white tummy in its full glorious view, the other was discussing DoTA tactics with his counterparts. Meanwhile, one fish had already died of overheating at the back of the 5 tonner. So much for cooked fish. Another fish was defecating all over the water.

At the same time: Climbing up the slope which has a 45 degree gradient. The effect of gravity is acting on my tummy as well, though not as bad as the white luohan. My boots turned from black to orange in a couple of minutes, as I tried to scale the knoll like a dog on four legs, with a lease of a BNC cable.

Our original objective: Lay lines and fish to pass the time. The objective changed to full rehearsal. Damn those upper management for being more fickle than housewives. In the end, using the excuse of having leave tomorrow, I escaped from the jaws of late night rehearsal. Sneaking off at the back of the garbage tonner, I endured the stench of fresh rations, but I do not mind, since I was returning back to camp. At least from a No-Man's Land to a Third World Country. If I had stayed any longer, I would be like the fish. So. No thanks.

Sometimes, it is not good to be helpful all the times. People eat you like dog biscuits. So, too bad....it's time to clear my leave.

Area Delta

Sweat rolled down my tired face, as the afternoon sun slowly baked the ground and the air around me. On my third last bookout day, instead of enjoying life as it was, I was holed up in a truck filled with sweaty, disgruntled NSFs like yours truly...

It all happened in the early morning, when no one else wanted to take the job from hell. Bumpy rides, sandfly bites, dirty and humid climate, you name it, Area D has it. Most of the time, I was reduced to "wait to rush, rush to wait". That's life of a backstage personnel. When the VIPs arrive, all the high-ranking personnel (most) viewed us with disdain, shooing us to hide in some hole of a tentage, so that the distinguished guests do not see the sweaty, muddy soldiers.

The road there itself was hell. If Singapore had such roads, everybody would die of backaches. While they were rehearsing, we were forced to wait at Sarimbun Reservoir, a godforsaken place where only tired soldiers tread. Spider webs were abundant among the grasses. So were snails and fishes, which my friend happily (sadistically, if I may add) gutted them open with his jackknife. My Company Sergeant Major decided to fish to while his time, improvising wooden branches into fishing rods. He even brought hooks along!

And so, the time passes as slowly as the afternoon sun, which baked us with great intensity. Never had I have such a great desire for water, to quench my thirsty throat. Meanwhile, Eddie, I guess, should be welcoming the VIPs in camp, while Eddie's friend was not so fortunate as he had to stand sentry at the gates.

That day was also the day when I breathed sand, literally, thanks to the armoured vehicles creating a sand trail. I was still breathing out (sneezing, expelling) sand out of my nostrils long after I book out. No more Area D pls.

Blood Test

Paid a visit to my camp medical centre, together with my bunk mate. At an early hour of 8am, I was pleasantly surprised to see a sizable bunch of recruits have already gathered to register themselves.

After wasting 15min waiting for my turn (while looking at "Life first" posters), I was told that I need not queue up but instead proceed straight to the Treatment Room. There, another group of "ORD" personnel are having their blood drawn already.

My bunkmate was apprehensive, I on the other hand felt nonchalant, at least appear to be. After all, getting jabbed so many previous times, including failed attempt has almost erased my fear of needles.

There were two medics on duty. I got the more professional one. The other, well, I must say, was honing his skills on my hapless friend, with comments like "Hmm, why today I cannot seem to draw blood ah...?"

And so, my friend left with two puncture wounds. Joined by two other campmates, who also wanted to draw blood to skip work.

Had never experienced shock until that day. While waiting, I suddenly felt dizzy. The sounds around me seem muffled, and I can't seem to see clearly! (All this happened after the needle left my arm) Wtf, what is happening?! I dragged myself out of the treatment room and lay on the next room on the chair like a helpless recruit. Thankfully, nothing happened after a while. My bodily senses were restored. Quite unnerving to experience near unconsciousness all of a sudden. -.-'''