Friday, May 30, 2008
South Ridges Trail

Woke up real early one Sunday morning (2 wks ago :P) to walk the latest Southern Ridges trail with Mum and Dad plus my 2nd Aunt and Uncle.

The Southern Ridges Trail is the latest addition by National Parks Board, that let people walk through the southern part of Singapore, through the forests, admiring the wonderful scenery and discover the quaint side of our little sunny island.

One suggestion: If you want to walk the whole route from Harborfront all the way to Kent Ridge Park, I will advise to start real early in the morning like 7am, so that by the time you're half way there, the sun is not too bright and hot, and ideal for a really slow stroll.

Alternatively, the trail is great in the evenings to the Henderson Waves, as lights will lit up from 7pm to 2am, which I think will be a romantic place for couples :P

For the benefit of my readers, I've taken pictures along the way of our trail, so that you guys can roughly picture how it was like walking the entire stretch :)

After alighting at Harborfront MRT, exit at the side of Seah Im Hawker Centre. Next to the public carpark beside, there's a little road called Marang Road. This is the start of the trail, where it will lead you up towards Mt Faber.


Not for the faint-hearted though, coz Dad was having some difficulties climbing the steep stairs. Reminder: Pls wear comfortable pair of sport shoes that has ample cushioning. My aunt and uncle actually worse slippers! *faints* But they didn't complain much, so I guess they're used to it? :P

It was really nice walking up to Mt Faber, as it was usually at night that we drove up some times for drinks at Altivo. Quite a different view in the day too :)

Continue to walk past Jewel Box (where Altivo is) and you will see signs that will lead you down slope (not the stairs, else it will lead you to Telok Blangah instead) towards the entrance of Henderson Waves.

It is possible to drive, but I'm sure it wouldn't be that interesting. It's all the perspiring and work out that makes it more fun! :P:P


After about 1hour, we reached the Henderson Waves bridge! It was unusually crowded in the morning, perhaps after much news publicity about the newly opened trail in the papers.

There are maps with description for each section of the Trail, estimated distance to cover and time required. Too bad it's only in English, perhaps they should have an automated voicebox for introduction or something in future?

After the Waves bridge, you will reach Telok Blangah Hill Park. Supposedly, if you climb up the park you can see a great bird's eye view of Singapore, but we missed it (coz the elderlies were tired) and continued on to the Forest Walk, which is an elevated walkway cutting through thick forests and at it's highest point was 18m above ground.


The Forest Walk was the longest stretch in the Trail, and you will just ease your way through the tree canopy and I'm really thankful that I was able to discover another side of my home island. Away from the busy and buzzing streets, sometimes, it is good to stop for awhile to admire on the nature that we're often too busy to notice. :)

If by then you haven't given up, WELL DONE! :P After the Forest Walk, you will see the Alexandra Arches that links to the new flora hub, Hort Park.

Hort Park is quite near to River Valley High School at Alexandra Road. Saw quite a number of people actually went off to take a bus back to Harborfront MRT, but the 4 elderlies plus me are brave to carry on to Kent Ridge Park! :P

Hort Park was pretty interesting, there are educational exhibits showcasing Singapore's extensive range of flora collection, and a big nursery with loads of interesting bonsai and ideas to decorate your house with loads of greenery! Pretty cool if I have a house like that in future :P

On we go towards Kent Ridge Park, got a bit lost after we walked through the Canopy Walk that links Hort Park to KRP. Road signs wasn't that clear and all we saw was signs to Science Park I. So we took another route and ended up at NACLI camp, where there's FINALLY a bus stop to bring us out!

The whole journey took us 3 hours and by the time we reached 'civilisation', it was already 1230pm! You can totally imagine the sun that we had to bear throughout the trail, and I'm so tanned now!

It was a really great outing and family bonding time. Next stop, HSBC Treetop Walk! :P

Labels: family, hot sun, keeping fit

Sunday, May 25, 2008
ain't no mountain higher

We survived 42km of cycling under the hot blazing sun!! *applause*

Theresa and I joined the annual National Runway Cycling and Skating at Paya Lebar Air Base today.

Woke up at 6.30am to reach the place ard 7-ish, and there were so many people with their bikes, from ah pek kinds, to pro ones and the 'zhng' Harley wannabe bikes, plus the skaters and families.

It was quite a cool morning with the slight drizzle before I left the house, but the sun was really eating into our skins at around 1030am when we were on our Final lap.

The whole route or lap is 15km, which includes the runway (3 lanes) and the perimeter of the airbase. It was pretty interesting on the first, coz you don't have much chance to actually riding a bicycle on military grounds. But when we started on the 2nd, I was really tired (blame myself for the initial 'hype' and excitedness of pedalling so hard :/) and disillusioned. Got so tired from the same angle which I'm cycling and the unsheltered terrain really sapped my energy.

Fortunately, I have a great bike mate who encouraged me and setting each water point as our 'short-term' goals and saw us pushing ourselves to our limit. :)

Unfortunately, we were 'too slow'. When we're at the 40km mark, the officers had to redirect us back to the main area as the event is coming to a close (They gave up the 1st prize in the lucky draw when we only started our 3rd lap :S).

Nonetheless, it was a great workout! Felt my tummy flattened by 0.00000000001cm :D:D:D

I love having activities outdoors, it's the cheapest way to get sun-kissed skin and lose weight! :)

Labels: girlfriends, hot sun, keeping fit

Saturday, May 17, 2008
soak up the sun!

The owner of this sunny blog has finally gone for a much-awaited sun tan session with her favourite girls! *beams happily* :D:D:D:D

It was a great outing with my great pals and the sky was bright and blue! Was still abit worried coz when I left the house, it was overcast and slightly cloudy. But all was GOOD when we reached the sandy beaches!!

It was XP's maiden ride on the Sentosa Beach Tram! hahaha :P We begin snapping away on the train w our sunny shades!

And our dear Nunny, who din bring her shades, was forced to wear not 1, not 2, but 4 on herself!!!! hahahah :D


I went crazy when I saw how sunny it was! Yeps, I'm LOVIN' it!!! :D:D

More photo taking session, even when we're WALKING to Cafe del Mar:

It really makes me feel like I'm back to JC days, when I'm out with my bunch of pals during school holidays :P


Cafe del Mar was rather empty when we reached, so we head for their beach couches and lazed the afternoon away... *bliss* :D

Labels: friends, girlfriends, hot sun

Thursday, May 15, 2008
so proud of her!

She always know what her calling will be, even when most of us are only concerned with O levels.

She dabbled into computer technology at the age when many of us only use computers to check email, surf and chat.

She always know which direction she will be heading to, and firmly believes in it, and striving towards it.

I'm so proud of here when I read about her achievements thus far and I'm sure there are many more big things coming up :)

Jiayou Winne! We're all here for you!! :)

Labels: girlfriends

Wednesday, May 14, 2008
lost

MB lost his engagement ring :(

That stoopid boy tied it to his shorts while at gym and forgotten abt it until this morning.

And it can't be found anywhere in the house nor at the gym.

Sianz... It's the 2nd time, and the ring is not cheap also.

Labels: relationships

=_=

I'm super (x1000000000000) sian at work.

Other times, I'm alrite with doing admin job, or following up jobs, as long as there's the 'end product' at the end of the day.

but not this one, i've really pored through pages by pages of the financial statemetns but there are really figures which cannot be found!!!!!! *=_=*

Doubly sian........ I hate doing follow ups. urgh.

Let me be put on job or something, at least I'll feel useful :/:/:/

Labels: ramblings

Monday, May 12, 2008
the king and queen went out on Sunday :)

Haven woke up so early to meet MB for sooo long!!

I missed him!! We haven meet up at all for 1 whole week! Loads of stuff happend over the week so I din manage to see my dearest :/

But it was so nice to meet him on a bright Sunday morning for brunch at Robertson Quay!

We were being adventurous and took a bus from Dhoby Gaut to River Valley and started walking our way (with no clue where we're heading to) to The Quayside for Simply Bread!

There were alot of ang mohs around and thankfully it was quite breezy albeit the warm weather.


Breakfast was a-okay, I'd much prefer those that Andrea made for us on Sat :)

It was a little pricey though, with the bill coming up to $30+ with 2 breakfast sets and 2 coffee. :/ No more such atas breakfast for me! Unless it's really worth it :P

Then we made our way back to PS for movie!

Both MB and I were wearing the King and Queen t-shirts! hehehe so cute :P

Love the first pic! Jus so happened that it was a busstop ad for the new BMW and the caption "Principal of Joy' was so apt with the pic of both of us! :P:P

Love such Sundays with my dearest! <3<3<3

Labels: love, relationships

Sunday, May 11, 2008
movie weekend

Caught 2 different genre of movies over the weekend :)

I'm a sucker for romcoms (romantice comedies), so I thought this was not too bad a flick although I dun even have to watch the show to know how's the ending going to be like.

A typical kind of movie, where a pair of squabble couple met and through the process of getting to know each other, they realised they've fallen in love with each other. Add that to a twist of getting hitched in Vegas when they're dead drunk, hitting the jackpot of 3mil prize money, and a 6-months "trying all efforts to sustain the marriage" plots, you will get some good humour and witty lines.

Watched it with a bunch of my favourite girls, and it's really light hearted on a Fri night. BUT definitely watch it with girlfriends only, coz I doubt the guys will really enjoy it :P (Another girlfriends movie to recommend, is Made of Honor, with McDreamy aka Patrick Dempsey ;)

Caught another movie with MB, after our overpriced brunch at Simply Bread at Robertson Quay (Dun go there to eat, it's really quite ex for toast, eggs and ham steaks. I can cook better!).

Labels: movie

Thursday, May 08, 2008
fragility

A very dear fren's father passed away a few days ago, and I was very shocked and shaken at the news when I first heard of it.

It was the 3rd wake which I've attended where my frens' family members passed away since I started working 1+ years ago.

Some say it's the age where you see more life and death.

I shudder at the thought of death, although I firmly believe that God's kingdom is my only way home. I think I'm scared becaused there are still so many things I've yet to experience, yet life can be so fragile and unpredictable at times, that the only way we can seek solace is through faith and religion.

I prayed every night that God will look after my fren and her family, to help them to overcome their grief and hopefully, time will heal all their wounds.

There's nothing I can do to help except through my prayers:

Labels: God, life

Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Santorini

Came across this place in the papers a few days ago, and I absolutely fell in love with the bright blue seas and pure white town facade!!!!! *love*

I wanna go there for honeymoon!!! :P




There are nicer pics on Flickr but too bad I can't copy the link and load here.

Really love this place!!! Dream location :)

Labels: travel

Sunday, May 04, 2008
God's authority

I had a tough and rough week at work and honestly, it has deflated my self esteem right to the bottomless pit. So what can be worst after this? Nothing :)

I managed to clear my coaching notes on Sat morning, switched off my laptop and chucking it one side and not going to touch it till Monday.

It was so liberating and free when we skated down the roads of East Coast Park. The sun, the wind, the people, the smell beats all the unhappiness I had for the past few days. Bless Him!

MB has his magical ways of easing off the bad stuff I've been experiencing and God, I felt soooo much better at the end of the day!

And today during church, I know God wanted me to attend the Sunday service and listen to the words Pastor is preaching and so I was there, unusually alert at such an early hour of the day and blessed to be in the room filled with His graciousness, listening to Pastor Ashley Evans from Adelaide's Paradise Community Church speaking to us.

His preaching was powerful but the Aussie accent was strong. Nonetheless, that didn't stop me from hearing what I wanted to hear:


Those words were like a giant bell ringing inside my head and what a huge revelation it was!! YES! I should not let myself slid off in comfort and shelter. Those people who intimidate me want to take away that authority God has bestowed upon me, to make me feel weak and vulnerable, lose my ability to judge and defend.

He has granted me the authority to say NO, to face challenges and not be beaten by it but moving stronger FORWARD. The more the enemy stretches my body and soul, the more I will endure the enlarged capacity and with growing strength to fight it.

I have the authority to control what I want to do, and how I want to lead my life, according to His plans. Praying that He will guide us and show us His plans for us, does not justify that we will just sit back and relax and not do anything. On the contrary, He is teaching us to fight for what He is giving us, to earn His recognition to deserve what we truly hope for.

I feel so refreshed and enlightened that I cried while Pastor Ashley prayed for those who want God to command that authority to us. It was really uplifting and really set me thinking.

That aside, God has been good to MB: He has been confirmed a place in University in Queensland!!! *double happiness* If all goes well, he should be leaving in mid July, and starting school 1 Aug :) Plans are underway for my transfer to Brisbane and there are other things which I need to plan and consider too.

All is well in God's grace. AMEN!!! :):)

Labels: God

Saturday, May 03, 2008
Iron Man

THIS is the best Marvel-comic movie I've watched so far!!!

The CG effect was so cool and real and characters all have depth. Story was true to the comic (according to MB) and it was really entertaining and exciting right from the start.

Go catch it! I wouldn't mind watching it again! :P

Labels: movie