I'm learning to protect myself and will be only allowing trusted friends to read and access my blog starting from 1 Oct onwards... just to be safe. at least for the time being
If you wish to read my blog, pls drop me an email at pphor@yahoo.com.sg before 1 Oct for me to invite you to read my blog. Thanks and sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Learning to Walk on Water
Sea of Galilee, Israel
Friday, September 25, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Moving Experience
Been 4 days since i moved into my 'new' house - well, not exactly new per se, cos this is the 3rd time i'm moving back here since 1999.
Initially didn't really feel like moving cos was quite comfortable in our rented HDB flat at bedok, although it is much smaller than my current place. Got used to the convenience and all after staying there for 2 years since i returned from UK.
Well, like most normal human beings, i dont really like change. I used to fancy condos, but after staying in a HDB flat, i realised it's not so bad. I don't really mind not having the facilities, small space and all - contented so long as basic needs are met, friendly neighbours and convenience is more important to me.
Had some apprehensions about moving, but after coming back, i'm starting to grow to like this place again - brings back many fond memories... of walks along the beach and bedok jetty whenever i felt down or needed a breather to slow down and reflect on life. I'm just 5 mins away from the sea and skies - 2 elements which i really love. Can go for my runs there :)
Have collected 4 boxes of stuff which i plan to give away. I already threw away tons of stuff mostly things which i keep for memory sake, but i realised that memories etched in my mind are more precious than those which i only remember when i see them (whenever i move house). Will be having a garage sale soon. Stay tuned!
Recently, i watched a movie called Fireproof - it's about a firefighter who could do anything (even risk his life) to save someone he hasn't even met before, but when it came to saving his marriage, it wasn't the same case... Do watch it if you can, really meaningful and touching. Sometimes if feel that way - trying to save/ help others, when i myself need help/ a saviour. I need to draw love and strength from Him more in order to give more of myself. if not, i'm gonna wither and die....
Initially didn't really feel like moving cos was quite comfortable in our rented HDB flat at bedok, although it is much smaller than my current place. Got used to the convenience and all after staying there for 2 years since i returned from UK.
Well, like most normal human beings, i dont really like change. I used to fancy condos, but after staying in a HDB flat, i realised it's not so bad. I don't really mind not having the facilities, small space and all - contented so long as basic needs are met, friendly neighbours and convenience is more important to me.
Had some apprehensions about moving, but after coming back, i'm starting to grow to like this place again - brings back many fond memories... of walks along the beach and bedok jetty whenever i felt down or needed a breather to slow down and reflect on life. I'm just 5 mins away from the sea and skies - 2 elements which i really love. Can go for my runs there :)
Have collected 4 boxes of stuff which i plan to give away. I already threw away tons of stuff mostly things which i keep for memory sake, but i realised that memories etched in my mind are more precious than those which i only remember when i see them (whenever i move house). Will be having a garage sale soon. Stay tuned!
Recently, i watched a movie called Fireproof - it's about a firefighter who could do anything (even risk his life) to save someone he hasn't even met before, but when it came to saving his marriage, it wasn't the same case... Do watch it if you can, really meaningful and touching. Sometimes if feel that way - trying to save/ help others, when i myself need help/ a saviour. I need to draw love and strength from Him more in order to give more of myself. if not, i'm gonna wither and die....
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Mount Kinabalu
Just got back from Kota Kinabalu.
Climbed a total of 2230metres (that’s like 13.5times Bukit Timah Hill) – but it wasn’t the height that made it difficult. Was the terrain that almost killed us – which literally did for 2 other tourists who climbed during the same time as us.
Spent 6 hours trekking from Kinabalu Park HQ to the midpoint (covered a total distance of 6km with a few thousand uneven steps) where we spent the night – dropped to as low as nearing freezing point! The coldest I’ve experienced in a South East Asian country… my winter gear did not spare me from the bitter cold winds up there…
Woke up at 130am the next day to prepare for our final trek up the summit. The next 3.5 hours was spent in darkness walking up the steep and rocky slopes. Our headlights lit the path for our feet. There were parts where the rock was inclined at more than 70 degrees and we had to use ropes to pull ourselves up. The air at the top was very thin, and I had to stop every 10-15 steps to catch my breath and rest my tired muscles. Looking down is not recommended for those who are afraid of heights, cos one wrong step and the drop down would surely mean death.
We could see the first traces of light at 6am, after 3 hours of walking – the light penetrating through the darkness was amazing. I pushed myself the last 300metres with all the strength I could garner so that I could beat the sunrise to the highest point, ironically known as Low’s Peak (4095metres), named after the guy who first reached it. At that point in time, we stood above the clouds and seemed to be on the highest point in the world… Was a breathtaking and mountaintop experience indeed! The cold and tiredness didn’t bother me anymore – We enjoyed what we could of the scenery before we had to descend the mountain before the mist started to shroud the summit, and that would be fatal as we would not be able to see on our way down. Some of us came down via ferrata (via stands for very interesting activity and ferrata is derived from an italian word which means 'iron road') It was an exhilarating experience, climbing down from the steep rocks and looking down almost vertical drops. We used harnesses and safety ropes which would prevent us from falling too great a height in case we lost our footing.
If you thought going up the mountain was tough, coming down was even tougher – especially after we had spent the last 7 hours hiking up and down the summit. It also rained so the slopes were dangerously slippery and I fell a few times, thankfully sustained minor bruises and cuts only. My knees were giving way by the end of the 6km down from the midway point to where we had started.
This climb taught me some life lessons – Life is like a journey up and down a mountain. Sometimes there’s just enough light for the step that you are on. You can’t see very far beyond, but you just gotta take things one step at a time. Though the end point is important, it’s the journey that matters, and I learnt that enjoying the journey is more important than reaching the end result. The journey is difficult and even painful at times, but with companionship along the way and the end goal in mind – it would keep us going and not giving up. And when you’ve finally reached, it’ll all be worth it =) Mountain-top experiences don’t last forever, and as the saying goes : ‘What goes up, must come down’. One has to come back to the ground of reality… And that’s where I am right now.
Packing to move house once again – i’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve moved in my life, I think it’s a 2-digit no. Looking throw my old stuff to throw away brings back bittersweet memories. Painful to throw away some things, but it has to be done. Like what an old friend once said, things are no longer the same, and it can never be. No point holding on to false hope and memories. Quite therapeutic getting rid of old stuff.
Anyway, can view some on my kk trip pics here:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/574688028GMhzNH?vhost=travel
Climbed a total of 2230metres (that’s like 13.5times Bukit Timah Hill) – but it wasn’t the height that made it difficult. Was the terrain that almost killed us – which literally did for 2 other tourists who climbed during the same time as us.
Spent 6 hours trekking from Kinabalu Park HQ to the midpoint (covered a total distance of 6km with a few thousand uneven steps) where we spent the night – dropped to as low as nearing freezing point! The coldest I’ve experienced in a South East Asian country… my winter gear did not spare me from the bitter cold winds up there…
Woke up at 130am the next day to prepare for our final trek up the summit. The next 3.5 hours was spent in darkness walking up the steep and rocky slopes. Our headlights lit the path for our feet. There were parts where the rock was inclined at more than 70 degrees and we had to use ropes to pull ourselves up. The air at the top was very thin, and I had to stop every 10-15 steps to catch my breath and rest my tired muscles. Looking down is not recommended for those who are afraid of heights, cos one wrong step and the drop down would surely mean death.
We could see the first traces of light at 6am, after 3 hours of walking – the light penetrating through the darkness was amazing. I pushed myself the last 300metres with all the strength I could garner so that I could beat the sunrise to the highest point, ironically known as Low’s Peak (4095metres), named after the guy who first reached it. At that point in time, we stood above the clouds and seemed to be on the highest point in the world… Was a breathtaking and mountaintop experience indeed! The cold and tiredness didn’t bother me anymore – We enjoyed what we could of the scenery before we had to descend the mountain before the mist started to shroud the summit, and that would be fatal as we would not be able to see on our way down. Some of us came down via ferrata (via stands for very interesting activity and ferrata is derived from an italian word which means 'iron road') It was an exhilarating experience, climbing down from the steep rocks and looking down almost vertical drops. We used harnesses and safety ropes which would prevent us from falling too great a height in case we lost our footing.
If you thought going up the mountain was tough, coming down was even tougher – especially after we had spent the last 7 hours hiking up and down the summit. It also rained so the slopes were dangerously slippery and I fell a few times, thankfully sustained minor bruises and cuts only. My knees were giving way by the end of the 6km down from the midway point to where we had started.
This climb taught me some life lessons – Life is like a journey up and down a mountain. Sometimes there’s just enough light for the step that you are on. You can’t see very far beyond, but you just gotta take things one step at a time. Though the end point is important, it’s the journey that matters, and I learnt that enjoying the journey is more important than reaching the end result. The journey is difficult and even painful at times, but with companionship along the way and the end goal in mind – it would keep us going and not giving up. And when you’ve finally reached, it’ll all be worth it =) Mountain-top experiences don’t last forever, and as the saying goes : ‘What goes up, must come down’. One has to come back to the ground of reality… And that’s where I am right now.
Packing to move house once again – i’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve moved in my life, I think it’s a 2-digit no. Looking throw my old stuff to throw away brings back bittersweet memories. Painful to throw away some things, but it has to be done. Like what an old friend once said, things are no longer the same, and it can never be. No point holding on to false hope and memories. Quite therapeutic getting rid of old stuff.
Anyway, can view some on my kk trip pics here:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/574688028GMhzNH?vhost=travel
Sunday, September 06, 2009
It is Finished! =)
Today was the inaugural Yellow Ribbon Prison Run - from Changi Village right into Changi Prison Complex. Was amazing indeed. It was my first time being directly involved in such a large event involving about 10,000 people and a committee of about 400 people.
Been working on it for the last 6 months since March, and was at site for the last 3 days. The weather looked daunting initially when i reached the end site at 430am in the morning, and it started to drizzle when the 10km run was flagged off at 730am. But thank God that the skies held and it was a cool morning which made the run and carnival more pleasant for everyone :)
Was certainly an experience - from learning to work with external and internal parties to co-ordinate such a large scale event - and experiencing the fruits of our hard labour today. All Glory and Thanks to God for Everything.
Pity that I was too busy running ard i didn't take much photos. I thought the place looked lovely =)
If you missed it, you can catch it again next year!
Here are the few pics which i managed to capture:
At 430am in the morning... Sky is still dark, but spirits are bright :)
Main Stage
Rehabilitation Fair (the area I was in charge of)
My reliable and friendly helper :)
The Main Committee - Faces of Relief and Gladness!
Mock-Up Prison Cell
Massage by Sgp Association of the Visually Handicapped (amazing huh?)
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Fly Away
Sometimes i wish
i had the wings of an eagle
to fly away
from these earthy troubles
to somewhere with no cares or woes
Held to the ground
By the burdens and sin of this world
It wears me down
I look up to the heavens
And say a prayer
for Him to take me away
But once again He says
My grace is sufficient for you, my child
I will give you the strength you need
To soar on eagle's wings
To fly free and high
with no cares or woes
i had the wings of an eagle
to fly away
from these earthy troubles
to somewhere with no cares or woes
Held to the ground
By the burdens and sin of this world
It wears me down
I look up to the heavens
And say a prayer
for Him to take me away
But once again He says
My grace is sufficient for you, my child
I will give you the strength you need
To soar on eagle's wings
To fly free and high
with no cares or woes
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