Cycling and Being Alone

okay, before i say anything else, let me announce to everyone (just as i have already done on facebook) that I BROUGHT MY SISTER JOGGING YESTERDAY! for those who don't know my sister, the last time she ran (or did any similarly strenous activity) was in her JC years (that's more than 5 years ago hahahahaha whoops sorry 姐 age exposé!). but of course she's not been totally inactive, it's just that she isn't the sort who would go running or jogging on her own accord. so YEA it's rather AMAZING that she decided to run with me when i was in my go-jogging-after-work mood, 姐 i'm so proud of you! (and of myself, of course). i think the healthy lifestyle bug finally rubbed off on her, cuz my bro had just gone jogging and i was about to go too.Seems like the people around me are all starting this get-fit routine, going running or swimming or gym-ming or even brisk walking occasionally! and so when i was done cleaning the house, or what my domesticated housewife part of me was inclined to do on my day off, i decided to go cycling on the old mountain bike which i'd cleaned earlier. (yes kor i actually cleaned the muddy bike, the mud you see on the tyres now is from MY cycling trip the next day) And i couldn't be bothered to actually call anyone out just to cycle around for an hour or 2 (see that's the trouble of living in such an ulu part of pasir ris) so i actually went alone. Armed with my phone and music and my over-stretched headband to keep my specs on my face, i embarked on the most courageous expedition since shopping in bugis during peak hour on a friday night.

Alright honestly it wasn't particularly adventurous cuz all i did was cycle through pasir ris park and on the park connector towards sun plaza park. (AWW yea so loser!) i actually intended to cycle all the way to bedok reservoir but it was getting dark and i was getting hungry (HAHA seriously! and i didn't bring any cash out to buy food so yea).

the fact is i haven't had the chance to be alone much for the past few... months actually. i've been surrounding myself with people and activity and friends and events - no time to really have some time out to pause and reflect. i suppose being a sanguine or someone who thrives on having company, it's so natural to want to spend every moment with someone or doing something - i guess it's the usual perspective of making use of one's time. but i merely neglected the fact that solitude and reflection is so necessary for a productive life as well. if not i'll tend to lose focus on why i'm doing stuff.

anyways i found this amazing little bike trail area off the pasir ris/tampines expressway (i always find it hard to describe this - it's at the T-junction just before you turn into the avenue that LEADS into the road that turns into tampines central). it was so amazing! all natural tracks, not concrete, the only gravel was the patch before the sign that read "beware - challenging trail ahead please wear helmet and proper safety gear". oh and i only found that sign after i came out of the trail. i attempted to ascend this low hill (yes, a hill! how cool is that, and in some urbanised regional hub) on my bike, which got stuck on the muddy tracks until i gave up and pushed half the way up. i didn't go to the very top cuz scare-dy me saw the approximate distance i could fall down the steep side and got so discouraged by the thought of pushing another few rounds around that mound in the muddy soil, so i turned back (which meant it was down hill so i could bike down woohoo!). but the best part is that the place smelled like CAMERON HIGHANDS!you know the fresh hilly smell of wild grass after a shower, with the fresh air which somehow has a hint of cinammon... i love that place, i miss my childhood holiday getaway!!

So i've decided that i'll go back there to explore, and maybe bring a friend or 2 so in case i fall down and break my leg, there'll be someone to drag me out of the thicket.(really, when i was speeding down the slopes every bump made me imagine this amazing flying-off-bike scene cuz of the rocky track) and there're other safer ways to spend time alone:)

But other than that exciting bit thru the dangerous bike trail, the "boring" parts through pasir ris park was really good too. got a chance to experience the beautiful scenery and God-created nature, it's really true that "since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse" (Romans 1:20) it's really undeniable that God exists and that He's superbly creative and really powerful too, after experiencing the beauty of CREATION omg!! it's so AWESOME - look at the sky and sea and greenery - or better yet, catch a sunrise or sunset...breath-taking:)