Some things I learnt in the 3 days of Survival..

(This log remains unchanged to its original version and is pre-dated to the actual time it was written)

1. To live in nature.. you must be in one with nature..
2. Nature was not built in knots but loops and winds..
3. It is ironic that we find a campfire so intriguing when we complain that the television is boring..
4. Twigs keep the fire.. Logs maintain the amber..

Ex. SUNDOWN – Escape & Evasion - Survivor Brunei (Day 4)

(This log remains unchanged to its original version and is pre-dated to the actual time it was written)

Date: 22.06.04
Time: 2248HRS

I have achieved for myself 3 food items for my reward: Rice, Tapioca, Sweet potatoes.. didn’t manage to cook the rice though.. it started to rain at 1400hrs.. to around 1600hrs.. did manage to get a fire going soon after that.. It took a while to cook the food items.. but the sweet potatoe was a delight.. The fire tonight was great.. huge.. started to tear down the shelter to use it as fuel for the flame.. but it rained.. to our horror.. at 0100hrs the next morning.. man it was miserable.. cold.. wet.. lonely.. it was an experience.. managed to catch some sleep despite the rain.. hid beneath my shelter and got into this "cold-resistant" position that I created on the spot.. was quite effective.. woke up at around 0300hrs because of a backache from that position.. It was difficult enduring the cold at such wee hours in the morning.. the rain continued and I woke the rest up at 0500hrs.. It was the end of the 1st phase of our exercise.. survival.. up next was the escape & evasion.. our hike across Brunei’s terrain was arduous.. notice I said hike.. we had to topo our way initially but it soon turned into one where we had to follow a trail left behind.. nevertheless.. the journey of almost 5km took 5hrs 17min 58sec.. we were the second group to return.. it was fun.. I must say.. not easy.. exceedingly strenuous.. but nevertheless.. satisfying.. almost a combination of "Survivor" and "The Amazing Race".. something that I wanted to do.. and I am glad I got to do it.. Matthew was commenting on my enthusiasm the night before the mission.. and I told him that this was the closest thing to BLT.. something that I did not participate because of 50k relay.. plus I thought it was a good.. dramatic.. ending to this 2 ½ years of our lives.. It’s been a blast.. despite all the nonsense that we went through.. but there were the good times also.. I’m glad.. I must say.. I enjoyed my NS life.. the people I’ve met and made close to my life.. I can still remember the first day of enlistment.. I wasn’t familiar with anyone.. haha.. it’s all good I guess.. as we approach the final few days of our service.. I can’t help but look back on our lives and feel a tinge of sadness and loss.. So much has happened in this little community of ours.. Separated from the outside world.. Something that we can truly call our own.. the memories and experiences that we went through are merely instances of events to some.. but they will be embedded deep inside me.. down in my heart.. as a part of my life that I’ve shared with this special group of Guyz.

Ex. SUNDOWN - Survivor Brunei (Day 3)

(This log remains unchanged to its original version and is pre-dated to the actual time it was written)

Time:1229

Reconstructed the shelter for my fireplace.. and lengthened the wall.. nothing much to do today.. I’ve done all my task except catching a fish.. I don’t think I’ll bother myself too much with that.. just waiting for the instructors to come along and inspect.. wonder what time would that be.. getting very tired.. can feel the lack of energy in me.. I hope I get sufficient food from the rewards.. gonna need the energy for tomorrow.. Gotta find our way back to camp.. it’s about 4km in displacement.. that is 7km in distance.. It’s been quite an experience.. another thing to tell people about.. not a big deal.. but it’s still something.. it takes a lot of work to build something out of nothing.. I hope Alvin would turn out fine with his plans.. I think he can do it.. but he needs to learn to take people’s advice also.. he’s a smart person.. I know.. but too prideful.. how I wish things would work out.. I guess we can only tell in time.. as for me.. what am I gonna do with my life..? I’ll take whatever that comes I guess.. I was never resolved to working towards one goal.. thus the situation I’m in now.. I’ll try my best from here on.. I just need the right motivation.. I know that.. but who can have that patience to keep a person like me motivated..? I don’t know.. we’ll keep that thought on hold.. I need to take a break..

Ex. SUNDOWN - Survivor Brunei (Day 2)

(This log remains unchanged to its original version and is pre-dated to the actual time it was written)

Time: 1827

It’s almost nightfall.. thought I’ll write my log before it gets too dark.. my torch failed last night but I managed to get a fire going today.. It was scary last night.. without light.. made sure it won’t happen today.. managed to survive for so long.. I guess it’ll be okay.. my fire burnt down the shelter for the fireplace.. gotta build a new one tomorrow.. managed to complete the fireplace, trap, utensils, and take a bath today.. or should I say a shower.. I hope all goes well.. damm.. setting up a fireplace takes a lot of wood.. I need to be prepared for tomorrow.. it’s assessment day.. I hope I’ll achieve all food rewards.. haven’t ate anything.. tried my first river water today.. It was alright.. much like the swimming pool’s water after using the purification tablets.. wait.. I think someone or something is approaching..

Ex. SUNDOWN - Survivor Brunei (Day 1)

(This log remains unchanged to its original version and is pre-dated to the actual time it was written)

Day 1 of survivor Brunei Ex. Sundown.. just finished my A-Frame not too long ago.. pretty well done I must say.. my other 2 companions, Paul and Wei Yao haven’t completed theirs.. I must say this is quite an experience.. I feel nothing uncomfortable about it.. other than the bit about cleanliness.. I feel all right to be out here.. I don’t know what to do about food though.. starting to feel a tinge of weird in my head... I’m guessing low sugar level from the lack of food.. as I write this, the night begins to dawn upon me.. I still have a million task to do.. guess there won’t be much time to reflect and plan for the future.. much to what I hope to do.. Wei Yao just cut his finger.. I hope it turns out alright.. we’ll see how it goes tomorrow.. As for dinner.. hmm.. what to eat.. haha..

Ex. SUNDOWN - Survivor Brunei (Day T - 1)

(This log remains unchanged to its original version and is pre-dated to the actual time it was written)

Date: 18-06-04
Time: 0015

The day was hectic.. we started off not meeting a lot of datelines today.. but I was alright.. did my first topo.. it was fun.. we got lost.. but nevertheless managed to find a checkpoint.. wasn't ours though.. wonder if I'll survive this course.. it should be alright I think.. It's going to be quite an ordeal.. Surviving in the wild that is.. God knows how that will turn out.. there's also the E and E after that.. which will be hard.. it's day 2.. moving along to the third.. more survival techniques tomorrow.. or later for the matter.. if I ever wonder why I am writing this.. I want to remember this.. the last few moments with the people who are so dear to me.. the final mission as they say.. before we make our way to our separate ways.. it will be missed.. these days.. regardless of how hard.. how strenuous.. I will miss this bunch of people.. as we move on with our lives.. I hope this log will remind me of the episode of my very own F.R.I.E.N.D.S..

Ex. SUNDOWN - Survivor Brunei (Day T - 2)

(This log remains unchanged to its original version and is pre-dated to the actual time it was written)

The time is 2:11am, 18th June 2004. We only secured now.. had plenty of admin to attend to.. equipment.. briefing.. lots of briefing.. so far so good.. nothing extraordinary.. nothing we can't handle right now.. I am keeping a log to a final entry of my NSF life.. this marks the end.. or a beginning...?