As a kid, I used to beam with excitement when I tried reaching for the skies while swinging above ground; I still feel the same way when I peer through the clouds from above every plane I board.

Just yesterday, I chanced upon a swing in the still of the night, and I lifted off closing my eyes trying to relieve the same moment I felt as a kid. I felt accomplished even when the feeling’s gone; its as if I finally manage to put a full stop and bury this treasured memory.

I guess that’s why they call me a dreamer.

Whatever’s with the nostalgia then, life goes on for the soldier..

Even on rainy days, when you’re sleeping outside the canopy of the forest shivering and hugging your rifle and pecking the hand guard every time you snooze. Then having breakfast in the early morning drizzle with the rifle wrapped around your torso.

Romantic.

Dope

Back from the Tekong jungle and missing everything civilization has to offer.

Ain’t much of a holiday but there are definitely unforgettable sights (like ant nests as high as my knees, spiders large enough to mask faces and battalions of mosquitoes) and sounds (like grunting wild boars, deafening gunfire and more mosquitoes.)

The only thing I’ll probably miss about my field camp would be gazing the night sky on the hills of Pulau Tekong with the soft winds whispering minus all the male bunk mates who’s just beside you.

Its been more than 2 months training as a soldier and sadly I’ve caught the National Service (NS) syndrome, where conversations with friends revolve mostly about my NS life. Dull.

Pretty much trying hard to broaden my horizons a little by reading whatever magazines and newspaper I can get my hands on in the bunk and looking forward to passing out as a Private and getting a short break overseas.

Just slightly less than a month from now.