"I shall not fall again, such is the measure of my resolve."

Firstly i must apologize for my long absence; i bought a new computer, and my internet was down; plagued by a series of unfortunate events, missing modem drivers, and finally it all ended with the finally stroke of my modem going kaput. I had to borrow one from a friend to re-establish my link to the internet world. All these took me at least a month.

Much had happened in the last one month. In MRF, the word that would aptly be used to describe the overall atmosphere is - tough.

It was never ever easy in the Medical Response Force. We spent most of the time learning deployment techniques (which technically is confidential and i can't reveal much about). The killer part of the deployment was the moving and keeping of stores. Moving bulky hareware and huge tentages down to the deployment area seriously took a toll on our stamina, not to forget the deployment process, which must be completed in a given time of 18 mins. And if these two didn't take the cake, we had to pack up and bring everything back once again to the storeroom, which was 2 storey up. In such situation, a focused mind, stamina, and endurance is much prized. Of course we had the typical people who are trained in the art of "eye-power" (ie standing and looking at us move stores and not even bothering to lift a finger to help) And now even as things are already tough, they get worse - I've been made Decon Team leader, with about 11 troopers under my command. I wouldn't say i hate my position, but as usual, with great position comes great responsibilities...

Then we had extrication; basically it mean fighting in built up areas to rescue casualties. It ain't that bad, running around with a rifle... But the problem was this - we had to do it in MOPP 4!!! My goodness! Running around in a heavy suit, breathing thru a gas mask ain't so fun anymore all the sudden. =/ But it was cool nevertheless, fighting against fellow platoon mates asigned as "agressors". heehee. And of coz not to forget scaring the crap out of lowly medics-to-be from the basic training wing and Civil Defence by jumping out of nowhere in our MOPP attire and rifle in hand! =P

Not to forget the highlights of the month - Beret Day, no more the jockey cap; now we wore the blue beret. (which made me look like a soldier from the French Foreign Legion) Now we were no longer recruits, we were troopers-to-be. Black T-shirt day, we had a mad time of mopping up and down (mopping means to wear the MOPP suit), and not to forget the infamous Area Cleaning in MOPP 4!!! =O

With all these said, blister, sweat and blood are now part of my training. My hands have been harded by the constant moving of stores, and the training forced upon us. My mind has been sharpened by the sheer stress and endurance; to will to survive a day at a time. My legs toughen from all the firemen lifts of casualties. My emotions exiled; you don't really think much about anything when most of the time your brain is on auto-pilot obeying orders from the sergeants...

And ha, toilet essentials like shampoo and soap are no more an issue nowadays. I've been finding such stuff in the toilet, left alone and unwanted by their previous owners. And me, being the usual opportunitist, took advantage of their carelessness and have commandeered these toilet essentials for my own service. =) I've got an whole array of body foams sitting in my cupboard now, not to mention countless rolls of toilet paper too. =P

And so here's the events of the last month... I've got alot to talk about, but i'm getting tired... How better things would happen thru this new coming week... With Exercise Patella and hopefully, MRF T-Shirt Day....