updates updates.

It's been a short but dynamic 2 weeks since my last post.


Update #1
4th May marked my return to my police tactical squad after 3 months. It had been the day I was looking forward to for quite some time. Yet, there was a sense of reluctancy to embrace unseen challenges that could come my way with effect from that day.

Perhaps, my reluctancy stemmed from the knowledge that I would be thrown with huge responsibilities, not only as a squad leader (being the only sergeant in the squad), but also as a new driver for our trademark ang-chia (red vehicle) called the petra vehicle.

I knew I needed to adapt quickly so that I would not be caught unexpected when these responsibilities eventually present themselves to me. I sense a difference in the way my squadmates now treat me, vis-a-vis 3 months back. Though unsaid, it was obvious that they look up to me for certain directions. They are very supportive of me being their squad leader, even though when I first got posted to this squad last July, there was a huge misunderstanding between me and the rest of the squad. Such improvement in their attitudes towards me did not come effortlessly. As much as they tried to accomodate me, I went an extra mile to compromise my attitudes and values, in a way as to make myself welcomed. This has took me 10 months to accomplish.

Being a driver certainly isn't an easy task. I am hurled with immense responsibilities of making sure that our vehicle is in tip-top condition, of ensuring safe driving for the 7 to 8 men in my column, as well as the ability to drive safely under stress during contingencies or emergencies. My admiration goes to the previous driver whom I took over from, for he has been a driver for almost a complete year.

That is about all, as far as my NS life is concerned.


Update #2
Recently, Salman influenced me to pursue a hobby. Indirectly, of course. And it is rather interesting, but occasionally risky. We explored and visited lost deserted places in the East 2 Sundays ago. Here are some pictures.

Shortly after this photo was taken, we spotted a golden monkey!

Guess where we are! Hint: We could be washed away when the high tide comes. (that's why it's occasionally risky! =P)

I guess we're into our own individual world of photography. Background: Shipping Jetty off Pasir Ris Beach.

Update #3

I had my first physiotherapy session at CGH last Saturday. People may wonder why, since I'm an active person in sports and exercises. Perhaps, I have been too involved in sports, particularly soccer, that resulted in me requiring physio treatment.

Last October, 5th October to be exact, I was playing soccer at SOC soccer field during our emergency duty. At one point of time, I was standing on my right leg, with my left leg attempting to block the ball swinging by. Before I knew it, I heard and felt a thud on my right ankle and collapsed onto the ground. Incredibly, I had the nerve to get up and continue playing. But not for long, because less than 30 seconds later, I felt a second 'thud' again. This time, I felt a sharp pain. That left me limping off the field.

Weeks passed and my right ankle improved, to a state which I believed to be complete recovery. But it wasn't until repetitive recurrences of my right ankle during sports especially soccer that I finally decided to consult a polyclinic doctor. This decision didn't seem fruitful at first, because all he did was to chide me for engaging in sports even though I knew my ankle was weak, and to refer me to a specialist at CGH. And if it wasn't frustrating enough, I had to wait 3 months before I get to consult the orthopaedics doctor at CGH.

I guessed that my right ankle would have completely recovered by the time of my CGH appointment. But I can only be wrong. During that wait, there had been numerous occasions when I felt my ankle snap. When this happens, the pain is usually acute, and goes away after a few seconds.

After consultation with this specialist, he recommended me to take an x-ray, then undergo an ultrasound scan. Both tests revealed nothing incriminating. That brought me to my first physiotherapy session at the Changi Sports Medicine Center.

After asking some questions, my physiotherapist went on to do some physical tests on my ankles. She stretched my ankle to the left, asking me if I feel any pain. She did the same for all directions, for both ankles. And there was one position which my right ankle could take it, and there was a 'clicking sound', as quoted from her. Later on, she used a model of the ankle's anatomy to explain what causes the clicking sound. As she calls it, it is due to the snapping of the tendons holding my ankle bones together. When an ankle sprains, the ligaments tear, and they tear permanently.

When I asked her what should be done in order to completely recover from this, she listed 2 options, one being rehabilitative exercises and two, surgical repair. As soon as I heard that last two words, my heart sank. I never knew it was that serious, until that moment. But she mentioned that her diagnosis might be inaccurate because it is merely based on visual observation. She recommended that going through MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) will help determine the real fault.

Oh well, I can only pray for the best. For any of you reading this, two pieces of advice: 1. Never regard any health problems (however minor) lightly, because if you do not taken preventive measures in time, it might escalate to something more serious, something which might not be reversible; 2. They say regular exercise is good for your health and body. I say exercising intelligently.

end of updates. stay tuned for more...