Horse Riding near Cobham

I tagged along F and T for a horse riding trip, near Cobham. It was an interesting event especially for me as I observe how beautiful a horse could be and the details of different type of horses, brushes for cleaning the horses and different skills in moulding a horse character.In short-it's kinda like caring for someone which really requires lots of passion, patience, effort, time and energy-like baby.

Misha (a Polish name for Michael), was the name of the horse.Elegant, young, with a very strong character. Apparently, the horse is bred for competition and F is trying hard to train it to be a good, tough one. I must say that Misha is really unique,cranky a bit at the first impression but nonetheless beautiful with its elegant color. It was also interesting to learn that the skills needed from horse to compete-not racing, mind you but two of the areas which I could remember are 'posing'(like a model) and jumping. This horse was already trained in Poland for competition and it is only 4-5 years old (the life span of a horse is 25 years old). It must be really worth all the effort having to bring it to UK from Poland, thanks to T. Apparently it took them about 8 months for negotiation and paper work finalization before Misha arrived to Weybridge which was 2 weeks before me:)

After a slight warm up in the training area, we took the horse for a walk through the forest. I've got the chance to stroll through the forest, yet another green and posh area of Surrey and found some really nice houses around. Apparently according to T, some of the houses belong to the famous celebrities. So, rich people stay here as well. No wonder horse riding is a common sport here, despite that it is an expensive sport.Also, shooting and golf are another two common favourites.

We wanted to go to the church in the evening but it was too late. Hence, we took the horse back for shower and drove home. We chatted for a while and look through the pictures as F scrutinize the postures and the progress of the training. Honestly, I do admire F's passion for horses and her determination to go for what she really loves doing. As for T, I do admire his determination to pursue his love. Overall this horse riding trip was not only enjoyable but it was an eye-opener experience for me.

A weekend away with friends

On Saturday, LM came over to Weybridge and pay me a visit. I picked her up from the train station which is about 5-10mins walk from where I currently live. We then went around shopping at the High Street of Weybridge. Well, it was really nothing as compared to the shopping streets in Central London, which I'd certainly warned her. Nonetheless, we did enjoy the calm and peaceful atmosphere that Weybridge offers,where one might not find in the buzz of the metropolitan city. We then went to Tesco express which was quite a distance away (and go lost:P), but nonetheless we bought lots of food to cook, and probably could last me for a week or two. She spend a night at my place and we watched a DVD to close the day.

The next day, we took a lift from my housemate to the Central London and she drove us to the Lancaster Gate where she took some medicine courses. I then met B and we went to the British musuem and shopping. It was really great to mix both learning and leisure together. One could really seek lots of knowledge by learning the history and understanding why things happened, though frankly, I never could fully understand the history of thousand or zillion years ago. I just appreciate them, rather than truly understand them,really. As there was also summer sales in London I've got myself a pretty good deal on a pair of working leather shoes and a shirt.

Later in the evening,I took the tube from Oxford Circus to Upton Park, where I've met one of my 'long time no see' friend. Hehe, you might be surprised to hear this but it's true-I met L,a BBC during my Trans Siberian trip in Aug/Sept 2006 on a train. That was two years ago and we did keep in touch along the way. Last year our paths cross again in London. I came from Edinburgh on my virgin trip to this buzzy city. L, was so kind to bring B&I around London for a short sightseeing, though back then frankly, I am more interested in catching up with her rather than the city itself.

Then on the 20th July, we met again. This time, it was her farewell party. We had a BBQ with some of her friends at her place. I met some of her cool friends, British, Italian, BBC and some of her family members. I have always like her cheerful smile and easy going personality. This time she is gonna leave for HK, perhaps for good. Haha...no wonder she has planned to ship all of her stuff and even the bedside table, all in 'a single bed size' amount of luggage all the way from London to HK. My train trip from the West to East London, is certainly nothing compares to her version of West(UK) to East (HK) trip:) Also, S, A and I stayed back and chatted with her.We had inherited some good books. One of them is the "Walks in Britain". I came to know that S joined a hiking club in London and A is keen to "do things" and L was suggesting that we should hike sometime before she leaves for her backpacking trip to Vietnam and straight to HK. So, L is gonna hook us up thru facebook, and perhaps I might foster hiking as my hobby though frankly, I doubt my stamina;)Nonetheless, I am always attracted to the majestic scenery of the God made hills, lakes and nature. It brought back some nostalgias on my last China trip with KY and WY 3-4 years ago. To re-live such an inexplicable adventure and experience would be really cool.

Speaking about hiking, did I mention that in Weybridge, one of the common sports over here is horse riding? Yeah, no joke, F,my current apartment mate owns a horse! She's only 27, owns a clinic and very entrepreneur. She has a smiling face all the time. An attribute which I really admire. So is S, who was my potential landlady in Weybridge and L,my colleague at S and her daughter; all are horse riders. Another activity worth considering;)

However, the horse riding experience with KC, A and I during our Trans Siberian adventure which had caused body ache and the pain in the ass, somehow deterred me;). I've talked to F, who seems to be an expert in horses, she seems to be very knowledgable and honestly, she has somewhat charmed my interest in horses.On the other hand, I felt pity for the horses, having to be ridden by humans.Hmm...we'll see...

Sometimes I Wonder

Sometimes I wonder,
What would I do if I was there two thousand years ago?
Would I commit my life to Thee for that thorny pilgrim road?
Or would I despise Your compassion and walk away with sorrow?

Sometimes I wonder,
What would I do if I witnessed Your miraculous healing?
Would I sing my praises with all my heart and soul?
Or would I ask for a sign from heaven or to Beelzebul I go?

Sometimes I wonder,
What would I do if I watched You standing on trial?
Would I boldly proclaim Your name and to death I follow?
Or would I deny you three times before the rooster crowed?

Sometimes I wonder,
What would I do if I stood at the feet of that cross?
Would I cry out for mercy and tremble with fear?
Or would I join the crowd in mockery and sarcastic jeers?

Sometimes I wonder,
What would I do if I saw that empty tomb?
Would I be amazed and rejoice and trust in the truth?
Or would I question and doubt and speak like a fool?

Sometimes I wonder,
What would I do if they told me You are alive?
Would I shout with joy and gladly declare Your greatness?
Or would I insist of feeling your pierced side like the doubting Thomas?

Sometimes I wonder,
What if I have wandered astray and stumbled on the way,
Will You still welcome me home with Your wide open arms?
And will You still search for the lost sheep and love the prodigal son?

‘Seventy times seven’, I heard You said;
And I know, I have been forgiven.

‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’

Weybrigde: A bridge to a New Life?

I have moved to Weybridge on the 10th July, a day earlier than planned. This is because there was the Elton John concert on the 11th July and to avoid the traffic jam, my friends have decided to help me to move on Thursday. W&C were so kind to drive my luggage and myself to Weybridge at the late night on the 10th. I'd arrived at almost 12 midnight and by the time I'd unpacked it was pretty late. Nonetheless, as I woke up the next morning, boy did I really appreciate the short distance to the train station where I used to catch the free shuttle bus to the company at The Heights.The first impression that I had for Weybridge when I attended the first interview with S was that it is calm, peaceful and green. I also saw employees who had cycled to work up the hill to their respective companies.At that time, I was even thinking of cycling to work if I get this job.The second time I went back to S for the second interview, accessment and presentation, I knew back then that I have grown accustomed to Weybridge.There was somehow a weird pulling sense of belonging here.Hard to explain but I guess it's because I have always like nature-the calmness and the friendliness of the country men have always impressed me. I felt rather peaceful, quiet and calm. Never have I ever thought that Weybridge is actually a posh area , where many rich people lives here. Hence, properties' prices here soar high. I've just got to know today from a colleague who lives here that apparently there are many wealthy rich men , particularly from the Scandinavian and the Chelsea football players who live here or nearby. No wonder I remember seeing a group of kids learning horse riding while I was "riding" the bus.Even my housemate, who is half French and half British with an origin from India, owns a horse! Apparently, London city itself doesn't have much appeal to these countryside lovers. This area may be posh, to me it's kinda like a small town. Nonetheless, I like it sofar though I am yet to walk around and discover more of the area. There is also a canal which could be really romantic strolling and taking picture.Hmm, I guess probably I would venture myself into the country activities, in addition to the weekend city trips since Central London is only 35mins away by train. Hey, come to think of it-it is indeed a great opportunity to be able to explore both side of UK-the city and the countryside. Visiting is one thing, living is another. I am looking forward to explore Weybridge, perhaps a bridge to a new chapter of my life-both professionally and personally.