Yday, 2 diff friends approached me separately and asked if i am interested to go for the tree top walk at MacRitchie. My answer is but Of Course! The walk entire walk is likely to take about a few hours.
Besides the enjoyable afternoon nap incident I had by the banks of MacRitchie reservoir, I suddenly recalled 2 other indelible incidents I had in the army during my torpo exercises at the forested Mandai area. However, these 2 incidents were more like nightmares to me.
The first one was during my first torpo exercise. Each of us was supposed to carry a map with us so that we can venture our way in the forested areas. For protective purpose, we were supposed to wrap our map using talc and then secure it with a string tied to our pants. As i was totally shag out venturing our way in the forests, I got lazy and did not stuff my map into my side pocket. Instead, I left it hanging out from my pants with only the string attaching it to my side pockets. As the undergrowths were simply too thick, we have to climb up and down the big trunks and after a long struggle.... i found my map missing. What was left clinging onto my pocket was only the string but the map was no where to be found. I got panic and got my buddy to help me find my map. Unfortunately, our search was in vain, especially everywhere looked the same in the big, dense and humid forest. I got so demoralised that I lost my cool and composure. Fortunately, my buddy, who is now a full fledged doctor, was kind enough and told me to give up the mission of finding our check points, which was supposed to be a requirement to pass our exercise. Instead, he helped me search around for my map. An instructor happened to learn abt my ordeal, and he was also kind enough to console me.
Pretty soon, the sky was getting dark and night fell. The possibility of finding the map has reduced to 0. To make the matter worse, some platoon mates found out about my plight but instead of consoling me, they told me not to 'sabo' everybody in the company. Thats becos the map is a restricted item and every piece has a serial number, meaning we cant afford to lose anyone of them. As a result, its likely that the whole company of soliders would have to venture the entire forest to help me search for the lost map. And I couldnt imagine what type of punishments i wud receive from my commander, not to mention on how the other 100 over course mates would be swearing and cursing at my carelessness, for taking away their resting time.
While i was experiencing hell, I overheard a guy telling his friend that he has found a map. I quickly jumped up, rushed to him, and verified if the map was mine. And yes, it really turned out to be mine, and I was so happy that I couldnt explain my feelings in words.
The 2nd nightmare occured on the same piece of land, but it was during my 3rd torpo exercise. As the weather was getting super humid, we felt as if our heads were pressure cooked under the strong heavy helmets. As such, I removed my helmet and hanged it over my bottle pouch. And once again, I found out that my helmet was missing after venturing for some time in the forest. This time, my buddy has really given up on me, and refused to help me search for it. I couldnt imagine what wud happen to me if i were to report back to the assemble point with a head gear. Damm, and this took place exactly at the moment when the sun was about to set. I was racing against time to hunt for my lost helmet before we were abt to engulf in complete darkness. Thanks goodness, i managed to find my helmet myself after a long panick. I sweared that i would nv do it again.
On both occasions, I did something in my heart to get back the things I want. Its definitely more than just a simple prayer, and its not appropriate for me to share it here. But i did share this secret with a friend before when he lost somethign extremely important in camp. He did the same thing, and he was saved from the ordeal! But there is always a price to pay....
I can only consider myself as super x 1000 lucky on both occassions.
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