First road trip.....

It was a nice break this morning from in the wet weather we had over the past few days. I was out of action since wednesday. Gastric flu I suppose. Had been in and out of the toilet umpteen times until my legs went wobbly. At least today, the urge had eased. I had wanted to go down to the track earlier but was held up when the 'garang guni' man came by. Sold the 5' high stack of 'old' newspaper for a miserable $3.30....

By the time I got to the track, it's close to 9.45am. Two of the cyclist came by just as I was adjusting my mp3 player. We rode to the end of the track and met up with another two other cyclist. They wanted to make a short trip over to the chinese garden this morning. I initially declined to join them, since the trip's going to get onto the road and also given the state of my bowels, I thought it safer to cycle in the vicinity of the track. However, I finally relented and took the challenge to join them. I thought might as well since I am already confident enough and can keep a steady ride. It's going to be my first road trip.... :)

Surprising, the ride was a breeze. The traffic was light and we took to the road only when it's relatively safe to do so. Most of the time, we were on the pavement. Really grateful for the four of them who ride very carefully and took good care to look out for me.

It was such a interesting ride, and we met this group of bird watchers / photographers who was gathered around a tree outside the Chinese Garden. They were excitedly snapping photos of several migratory birds seen feeding in the tree. The short chat with them was also very interesting. One of them, in his early 70s shared about his passion and outlook in life. It amazed me to see how passionate he is in his hobby.

Took lunch at the hawker centre at Jurong East before riding back. All in good time. I think I am getting hooked to cycling now.

old man by the bench

Was cycling along the park connector when I saw the group of people gathered around the stone bench near the 500m marker. Aha.... there's this old man practising his chinese calligraphy there. Pretty good pieces and what strikes me most is that he is using tissue papers for his writing. Using tissue papers to write sure is not easy. The ink must be controlled very well and is very different from the way rice paper absorbs ink. He explained that it's cheaper that way since his purpose is for practicing his writing skills. Many of those gathered around asked for his completed pieces which he gladly gave away. He would throw them away anyway since it's just practice pieces. Had a long talk with him and he gave me two of his pieces...

The feeling of Christmas

As usual, it was kinda rushing for me to get to class after work. But, as I stepped into the mall, I paused. The tall christmas tree at the entrance caught my attention. Didn't realise that the Christmas season is here already. Perhaps was caught up with the Hari Raya and Deepavali holidays this past month as there were more Malay and Indian collegues for me at the new working place and the 2 festivals was celebrated more consciously here. Seeing the christmas tree all lighted up brings on a different festive mood. Should be hearing those good old christmas carols in the shopping malls soon.

All so soon, it's Christmas again......... :)

so small.....

So Small

Yeah, Yeah

What you got if you ain't got love

The kind that you just want to give away

It's ok to open up

Go ahead and let the light shine through

I know it's hard on a rainy day

You wanna shut the world out and just be left alone

But don't run out on your faith

Cause sometimes that mountain you've been climbing

Is just a grain of sand

And what you've been out there searching for forever

Is in your hands

And when you figure out love is all that matters after all

It sure makes everything else seem

So small

It's so easy to get lost inside

A problem that seems so big at the time

It's like a river that's so wide it swallows you whole

While you're sitting around thinking about what you can't change

And worrying about all the wrong things

Time's flying by, moving so fast

You better make it count cause you can't get it back

Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing

Is just a grain of sand

And what you've been out there searching for forever

Is in your hands

Oh, and when you figure out love is all that matters after all

It sure makes everything else seem

So small, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing

Is just a grain of sand

And what you've out there searching for forever

Is in your hands

And then you figure out love is all that matters after all

It sure makes everything else

Oh, it sure makes everything else seem

So small

Yeah, yeah

rainforest trail @ Botanic Gardens

It was a long time since I last visited the Botanic Gardens. The group of walking enthusiasts made plans for a 2 hrs visit to the Botanic Gardens with promises of a good introduction to the oldest rainforests in the world, beating even those found in the Amazon River Basin. The afternoon was soaked in a light drizzle which dried out by the time we are ready to set off.

First stop, Ginger Garden.... wow, didn't realised that the Garden is done up so well now. It's sure beats the old days when there were hardly any facilities and attractions.

But the rainforest trail was kinda disappointment. It's only a short 15 mins walk and part of the trail were boarded up. Supposedly for renovation of a board-walk trail.

Then there's the evolution garden. Thanks to the commentary given by the group leader, the walk through the garden was both informative as well as enjoyable. Imaging what's to be like for a morning walk in those early history is not difficult after the trail.

If not for my wounded knee, I guess I would have enjoyed the trip even more. :)

first fall....

Got this bike from one of the guys I used to meet on weekends during my morning jogs. They had been pestering me to go riding with them for quite some time now. Given my health setback the past few months, I had to cut down on the jogging and was doing leisurely walk most of the weekends. Well, since this guy had wanted to cut down on the number of cycles he is owning now, I relented and paid him for the old bike.

Really needed some time to get familiar with the cycle. Adjustments to the height of the seat, were made with some help while other adjustments have to wait. Took the cycle for a couple of spins down the familiar park connector. I was getting to love the thrill of being able to speed down the track.


But I guess, everyone must go thru that fall off the cycle some time in their learning trip. That came suddenly for me. It was one of my off days when I decided to workout on the cycle along the park connector - up, down the connector for about 4 rounds. That makes a good 16 km. and decided that it was enough. But round the corner, just turning onto the carpark access road below my flat, I flew off the cycle! It happened so fast, that I was not even able to say what really happened. I only knew that I landed hard on my palms, sprained the left wrist and scraped the skin off around the area below my left knee. phew! that was painful.... a painful first fall....... lolz.... I guess this is all part of the thrill.


OUCH!

i see grace

Got the latest music album which contained worship songs recorded live during the last few months. Really liked the album. One of my favourite amongst them ...


Rejoice O Israel

I behold a city on a hill
A nation torn by war
But in that place, Adonai says
His grace has been poured forth

I behold a people who
Are waiting for their LORD
For He will come with trumpet sounds
As nations watch in awe

Shalom Jerusalem
Messiah will come
He'll wipe away your tears and pain
Rejoice, daughter of Zion

Shalom Jerusalem
Peace be within your walls
Yeshua will return to reign
In majesty and pow'r

When we see the Son of God
Descending from the clouds
He'll be arrayed in light
Shining glorious and bright
On you, Jerusalem

He'll wipe away your tears and pain
Rejoice O Israel

- karen Lim @ 2003