Treetop Trail

It was sort of a last minute arrangement when Patricia messaged on Friday afternoon about going on a hike to the MacRitchie Nature Reserve. We will take the HSBC Tree Top trail covering about 10 km. Thought that's not a bad idea. The last time I really went on a long hike was so long ago that I couldn't even remember when.

Not much of a preparation, but I did managed to grab a bite and took with me two slices of peanut butter sandwich and a bottle of water. Wanted to travel light. Getting there was easy and we arrived at the start of the trail by 9.45 am. Along the way, we passed the paddle lodge and there was already a crowd of young people out in the water kayaking.

Really, it's good to be young.

The trail was un-eventful. The only interruption we had along the way was to stop and "be looked at" by a small group of monkeys that ventured very near to the trail.

We reached the ranger's station and had a short restroom break before continuing and reached the tree-top walk. I should think that the last 400m walk was more like a climb. Got across the treetop walk in double quick time. Arrghhh..... always the phobia when it comes to heights. Didn't dare to stop and look..... lolz. sure was a wasted opportunity.

The return trip was really tiring. We took the trail towards the Riffle Range exit. By the time we reached Riffle Range, we were all tired out.

The group of monkeys that lingered along the roadside was a good attraction, specially was those adorable baby monkeys who looks at you with large dark eyes.

The hike down Riffle Range is a good 5 km but about 1/3 way down, we managed to hitch a ride from a small lorry.... phew~ made it to lunch at a coffeeshop along Dunearn Road by 12.30pm.

The weather's gone crazy

Vaguely remembers that the months of June and July are supposedly to be some of the hottest months in the year. Not that I am an environmentalist, or a tree-hugger, or an advocate of saving "mother earth". No, in fact, it's Father God that I more inclined to associate with. Nevertheless, I can't help but noticed that the weather these days seems to have gone crazy.

The fallen leaves and the uncomfortable wetness for this last few days brought remembrances to that cold autumn morning when I walked down the street in Ottawa. It felt like that fall, years ago in Canada, only that now, it's much wetter.... and perhaps much more depressed,.... Autumn had seem so romantic when you were young. The maple trees were painted colourful, red amidst the green and orange, but the fallen leaves along the pathway here were a distressed brown and the rustling as I strolled by were dulled.....

I guess the melancholy is due to the added years that went by too swiftly?

Update.....

How time flies. It's been more than a month since my last post. And also, alot had happened during this past month.

The last episode of health scare had somewhat passed...... looking back, it's kinda weird to be gripped by that unknown and unexplained bout of discomfort for almost 3 mths. First it was the period of elevated blood pressure and heart palpitations, then followed by a whole 2 mths of gastric bletching although there was little gastric pain. The bletching was bad, especially 2 hrs after food. In fact, it was so bad that it lead to aches across the chest area. But good to report, that the bletching has now subsided. It feels so good now, although the gas does build up occasionally, but it post no great worry now.

Some time back, a friend had asked for prayer support for someone she knew, who was diagnosed with liver cancer. In a certain way, I could empathise with what her friend would be going through, but to read the blog posted by her husband (http://jokwan.blogspot.com) on their struggle, their hope, their daily events..... I really don't know what words of encouragement or consolation I could write for them. I could only utter my prayers for them. Well, in a way, her friend's relief came. It was a Saturday morning, 26 Jun when I saw the obituary published in the papers....

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31

She have a new strength now, with the Lord.

The calligraphy class last night was kinda a farewell gathering. We did not get down to do any practices.... there's only the remaining 3 of us as most of the other students had dropped out during the last few months.

Old uncle Mr Loo had to take a break now as he had just under-went an eye ops. The other lady from China, Mdm Li had dropped by with her daughter. She had intended to rejoin our class as she felt the atmosphere is better here. Too bad that we would be putting the class on hold for now. Anyway, we will leave our names to pre-register and hopefully when there are sufficient students, the class can start again. Well, we exchanged contacts and most likely will arrange to gather for an afternoon tea some time.

After some 6 mths of learning, here is how I have progressed.... and, I guess I would still have to keep on practicing.

Just some thoughts....

This recent episode of uncertainty over my health has its good. At least, it sets me thinking. In which areas?

First - how much I appreciated my family. I had stayed over at my mum's place for some 2 weeks during the times when I felt real bad. It's during those days that I really really felt the closeness and importance of family. Who else would be there for you beside them?

Second - how much I regretted those past years when I was so caught up with work and my own personal life that I neglected my family, my mum. Where was I when my mum felt sick at home? Where was I when my mum herself faced the uncertainty in her health? Its a regret that I will never be able to make up.

Third - while personal time and space is treasured, but I guess I will have to forego some of these. I decided to let out one of my room now so that at least there is someone else around the house. Of course there's the monetary benefit to it, but that's not the main issue. The new tenant would be moving in by 1 Jun. A young man, from Shanghai and working in one of the logistic company. Hope this would be good company.

Fourth - having been so caught up with worklife in the past years, many of my old friends had sort of drifted apart. I guess it's time to link up and bond again these precious people who had once shared my life.

Fifth - perhaps it's time to reassess my life goals and directions. The evening study is getting more and more interesting, and my volunteering hours for the 2 afternoons are satisfying. But I guess I am still having too much of free time now?

Sixth - looking back, I know I did not have the strong enough faith to say that I trusted God totally. It was easy to praise God and have faith when things goes well. But, despite the years of sitting under the good teaching of pastor, who had helped me to build up much faith in God, I would say that it's not easy when you see and felt the symptoms in your body. I am glad, that at the end of it all, the Lord is still my God.

Well, there are some things I had purposed to do right now:

• whenever possible, to go to my mum's place for dinner and occasionally stay over. It's also quite some time since I last had time with the few nieces and nephews. Wonder when they would next visit at my mum's place.
• start contacting and corresponding with those precious friends that I would want to cherish.
• be more active in joining some activity groups and make more friends. The group of weekend cyclists at the park connector had been bugging me to get a cycle and join them. Well, maybe I might do that.

These are simple enough things to start with..... :)

Gladness of heart!

It was such a beautiful morning today. And feeling well enough, I thought I had better go get some exercise. It's almost 2 mths since I last done that. This last 2 mths was a roller coaster ride for me, health wise as well as my faith in God. But all praises to His wonderful name! I know I am definitely on the mend now. The blood pressure is a stable average of 120/80 now, though it did fluctuate a little, now and then. I will have to monitor it for another week or so. I believe, as God had always restored, that my restoration would be more than a 100-fold. I look forward to the day when I can declare that I am healthier and better than before.


Didn't want to over-exert myself, I took a slow walk down the familiar park connector. Meet some of the regular folks there. One of them, Patricia did agree that that can of 'whatever-had-happened-to-it' fruit cocktail is definitely the main culprit. The toxin is likely be acting up against my body. She mentioned that one of her friend was sick for a whole 9 mths after he swam in the polluted waters off HK in order to make some repairs to his boat. I am glad that this episode is definitely teaching me many valuable lessons.


On the way back, I passed by the old place where I used to live. The flats are all demolished now. The plot of land looked so empty. No, I am not being sentimental. After all, I stayed only about 6 years in the area and there is really not much attachment to it. Went up to one of the neighbouring flat to get a view..... wonder what are they going to do with the plot of land. It's such a large area!


Okay, time of church service now. How glad am I, to be going to the house of the Lord!

The amazing grace of God

I see Grace

Jesus my help,
I call on Your name!
I cast my cares on You.

Jesus my hope,
My tower of strength!
My faith is found in You.

I see You pierced, wounded for me,
When I look to the cross, I see.....

I see grace,
Sealed by Your sacrifice.
I see love reaching for me.
Precious blood,
Washes and sanctifies.
Healing flows,
Setting me free.
I see grace.....

Bearer of sin,
Afflicted and tried!
You paid redemption's price.

Bearing my curse,
You've set me on high!
Your death has brought me life.

I see You pierced, wounded for me,
When I look to the cross I see.....

I see grace,
Sealed by Your sacrifice!
I see love reaching for me.

Precious blood,
Washes and sanctifies.
Healing flows,
Setting me free.
I see grace.....