National Runway Cycling & Skating

2008 National Runway Cycling and Skating organised by SAFRA and PLAB was held at PLAB runway this morning. And i was one of the fortunate few RSAF medics involved in the cover for this event. We were basically deployed out in the runway in seperate First Aid post, each far apart. Me and Jeremy were paired for post 8, which was situated somewhere in the mids of the runway.

The day before when we gathered at the medical centre for briefing and recee of the ground, which happened to be my first time entering a runway, i realised how large a runway was. Basically when our minibus took off for the runway, driving from one end to the other to show us our various first aid post, i was shocked to know its size. I could hardly see the end of the runway and i felt as though the bus was going to take off into the air as it sped down the runway. We were briefed of all sorts of possibilities in terms of types of casualities, major or minor and hence it was our responsibility to keep on a constant lookout.

This morning, we all assembled at the medical centre at 6am sharp. I woke up at 5am, which was very very early. Upon arrival, we had our arrival, a quick last brief and off we went to the various allocations. Just before we were deployed, there was a quick rain which sort of cooled down the area but soon enough, the sky was cleared and the sun rose as usual. Standing in the mids of the vast runway, i could roughly spot the carnival tentages and estimate the crowd. All our first aid points were unshelthered which means we stood in the middle of the runway with our stores only, braving any sort of weather that torments. I believe that there could be a higher chance for us to get heat injury than any of the cyclist or skaters.

At 8.30am, the sun was up and everyone gathered at the starting point. The ground was just starting to warm up. As the GOH flagged off the participants, i see a big flock of them raced off from the starting point. The race had 3 categories - family route (shortest), leisure route (15km) and endurance route (>50km). Me and jeremy witnessed them cycled past us. Cyclists and skaters of all sorts, competitive and non. We even spotted familiar faces. The event was grand.

Soon enough, it was around 11am. The sun was almost directly and vertically above us. We were all sweating like pigs. All the participants ended their tour around 11.30am and we were all asked to stand down. A minibus came to pick us up from various deployment grounds and we were back to the medical centre where lunch and a small debrief beckoned.

In summary, i think it was really a great experience for me. Not only is it my first time entering an airbase runway but also my first time covering a big public event where i had the chance to attend to and interact with the civilian casualties of all ages (fortunately for me, they were all of minor bruising and abrasions) which i do not have the opportunity to in camp. I even attended to a 7 year old girl for cuts and abrasions. Seeing smiles of gratitute from the people we attended to gives us a genuine sense of satisfaction.

蚊子咬咬

刚从传闻中的双溪阁栋军营与外野cover回来，被当地的蚊子与sandflies咬到不堪。尤其是我脖子前那没被军服遮住的部分，更是被咬到起肿，有如蜂症病似。相信这几天一定很多人会“关心”地问我那儿发生什么事。好痒呀! 4天3夜的外野受训，真叫我这个城市男子吃不消，回来那霎那，直接往厕所冲去清洗一番。

明天早上得到PLAB报道，attend这星期天runway cycling的briefing。之后可能会和同事吃午饭，可能与朋友去游泳。这周的忙碌，就有来临星期一与二请的假来补回吧。好了，就让我这个四天没睡觉的人去好好仆从睡眠。晚安!

Finally Promoted !!!

Yay !!! I'm finally promoted, after the tough fighting by my MO (and me). Well, at least one thing off my mind and i wont be bothered by peers and friends asking me why am i still a PTE or a LCP. I went Golden Mile to sew rank on 3 of my number 4 and 1 number 3. Basically took this hassle because i do not trust those neighbourhood PRC tailors who do not know the SAF standard. I still have 2 more number 4 in camp which i will sew next week if i have the time.

I gave a miss to 2 social gatherings this weekend because i do not have the time and mood to attend. One being my colleagues clubbing outing to Dbl-o and another my class outing at ECP.

The weather for these few days quite good so i still managed to find time for a swim ytd. Done my haircut and then attended driving lessons as usual. Had no time to play Cabal which i installed last week. Tml will be in camp doing Vesak Day duty which i shall spend doing my May'08 Dispensary Stockcheck. Will be going on a 3 days 3 nights outfield cover at the legendary ulu ulu Gedong this coming week which i fear and dread. Oh well.

Just went to AMK Hub to stock up my tibits supply for this coming week and the outfield. Initially went to the lib, trying to borrow some books for the outfield to spend time but didn manage to find any because i simply dont read books. Anyway, after the week long outfield will be runway cycling cover this coming weekend. Busy busy week ahead.

Driving

Heh, just received the news that SSDCL will be moving to its new premises in Woodlands in April 2009, which is less than a year from now. Hopefully i am able to get my license before it ever moved there. Currently halfway through my driving course, lets hope its smooth sailing. If by then haven get license i dont know how liao le...because it is said that trainees will have to resume training in the unknown ground of woodlands if they have yet to attained their license by the time of moving. Jasmine told me she failed her driving test again. It is her 3rd or 4th one, i am not sure. Just as i joked to her i am catching up with her and might get my license earlier than her, i fear for the worst that i suffer the same fate as her since i have brain-hand-leg coordination difficulties. Hahaha. Oh well...lesson resumes this afternoon, lets hope i can learn fast, pass fast...

Swim ~ Sun ~ Tan =)

The weather these few days were HOT. I guess its going to be hotter these coming few days. So hot that i have to seek shelther in aircon room. Just booked out from med ctr this morning and went for a swim with long-time-no-see JL at yishun. Oh man, the amount of sun casted upon us was encouraging. Had some suntan lotion applied on us and we remained in e pool for an hour or so. Thankgoodness i applied the suntan lotion if not i would be burnt. I am enjoying every bit of the sun, the swim, and of coz the babes!!! Ok, waiting for driving lesson now. This month 5 weekends burnt wor, including yesterday's duty. Haiz....and can anyone quench my aggrevating kbox thirst???