Lazy
Lots of activity lately! And right now I just feel like lying in bed.
Thank god for this break. I’m enjoying it so much that I feel guilty about it.
family
I just realised how much i’ve missed Kyle. And Jillie cos we’re same age buddies.
I’m really enjoying LA. It feels comfy especially tonight hanging with Hannah and Kyle.
And i’m.. so glad my mom wanted me to come to the states. Its *the* trip of my year off.
back in the saddle
I’ve been in the states for 12 days. Enjoying the new environment, sights, sounds people and weather. Especially the weather! Nevada was awesome though it’s super dry because it’s a desert but California’s temperature and humidity is just right!
So great as it is, all this change gets a little overwhelming after a while. One thing however feels the same no matter what. That feeling you get the moment your bum hits the saddle and reins as you pick them up in your hands. Feeling, sensing and learning about the living being bearing you on his back. Yup. Whether you’re having an awful day or whether you’re far from home in a new and unfamiliar land with a horse you’re meeting for the first time, riding is that therapy that helps (me at least) feel at ease again.
I had a lesson at Talisman equestrian in Las Vegas on a 17 year old thoroughbred ex race horse called O’lorin. Yeah he’s old and a bit wobbly but I learned a bit more about collection. Not that i didn’t understand the theory but i really FELT it on him and we did a few smooth small jumps from there. He’s also the type that tries to avoid the contact so it was good practice for me to try and get him to carry himself properly. And that’s it. Nice and simple. It was a really good one time experience and i think Esther the chief instructor does a great job maintaining her school horses even though most of them are old. O’lorin himself was a rescue case and joined the school last august.
One of the first things my aunt here in LA was eager for me to do was ride. And my mom was super supportive of the idea so we headed down to the Los Angeles Equestrian Centre. And oh my gosh. It’s a huge park! with one public riding school and several private barns including an american saddlebred barn. But i guess the main focus is on english riding and lucky for me there’s a big show this weekend! so will be watching some show jumping on memorial day. The tack store is huge and has a 20% discount on everything because of the show! My mom and aunt bough ARIATS for $25 haha! I might buy a pair of breeches his weekend but today i just got a pair of $2 rubber guards for my spurs. heheh.
Anyway yeah, the public riding school is called The Equitation School (TES) and it’s a BHS approved facility with western and english style horses. So yeah i’m gonna have a western lesson tomorrow just to give it a shot for the first time! Was also really lucky to get my evaluation ride today on an oldenburg mare called Kentucky (yeah the practice here is to name them after states). But she’s quite pretty AND she had a foal last year. She’s a tricky one. Really distrusting and afraid of the contact to begin with probably because of an ugly past with draw reins and strong bits. So yeah her trot felt extremely short and hollow to begin with but by the end of the half hour it felt loads better and she was coming round. She also had the smoothest canter ever and I took the chance to do her justice and keep my position good and straight. And I think we ended it off very nicely with her soft and round in a canter! The biggest thanks to Isadora for the wonderful and accurate instruction.
Alright. So western tomorrow afternoon and two more jumping classes over the week.
Delayed from bintan
1pm in Bintan! And im having an awesome time with Lennard cheng theo Conrad Celine and char. Lunch time shower and break in the room after a hot morning swimming and playing frisbee :)
commitment
(Delayed post from last sunday morning)
I’m feelin pretty shaken up this morning. This whole gap year plus competitions and riding and work and travels thing is really stirring things up and forcing me to disappoint people in my life.I
I guess, as someone put very aptly, something has to give. I’ve made my choices and I just hope they weren’t the wrong choices. Faith in god I guess. Whatever the case, I know he’ll lead me home :)
But for now, with Him in my heart, I’m on a train bound for the ferry terminal for the long awaited mini trip with the ex classmates. Im sure it’ll be great fun and I’ve missed them so much.
And I’m sorry, Sanctus spiritus, for abandoning you again today. Most especially to john and Jess. You guys are so amazing. Have an awesome bonding time over ice cream.
And to those who I will disappoint, especially the loved ones who I disappoint on a regular basis(you know who you are). I’m sorry. I hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me and forget about it soon.
forgive me
For jumping right into my day.
There’s so little time, i couldn’t fine any to pray.
But that’s precisely the problem, Lord.
I have so many things to do today,
That i’ve just gotta, gotta make time to pray.
No, we didn’t clear the round and we didn’t place. But i’m so so so happy with you. The whole course and warmup felt amazing and i think that has been one of our most harmonious rides.
Thank you for bringing me from nowhere to competitive 1.05m over the last year. I’m gonna miss you so bad when i have to leave in september.
A cry of anguish and a song of praise
You know how stupid I can be sometimes.
Building such a firm foundation with so much hard work over many weeks with your unfailing help and then just distancing myself from you in a matter of moments.
Forgive me. I want to come back to You.
You have been such an amazing dog these two days. Keeping me company through the night and having dinner with me in the living room. I know i wasn’t there much today and i fell asleep the moment i came home because it was just so hot. But you behaved so well on our long walk this evening!
Good boy. And i’m just really glad you’re so happy today.
rain!
Someway, somehow. I knew from the moment i stepped out of the house at 620am that it’d rain this afternoon.
And a nice afternoon indoors it has been! Fighting the urge to hit the bed rather than hit the books.
I’ve come so far already and the fun is just beginning. So so so far. And so much further to go. This is going to be one pretty rocky ride!
Success!
It’s been two long days at work (time wise). And hey, it’s been pretty good!
Had two successful IVs after months of not giving it a shot. Human AND (my first) feline!
And btw, animals are WAY harder.
Just as well. I don’t expect life as a vet to be easy.
This is the night of new beginnings
Happy Easter! Christ has risen from the dead!
Haven’t posted in a while but all in all, I’d say this holy week has been a much more spiritual experience than the previous years.
And i’ve managed to watch myself grow and see some real change happening in my life. So now it’s just a matter of living each day without losing control of the wheel.
What hit me hard this year was the easter proclamation during last night’s vigil. And it just feels like the light at the end of that lenten tunnel which we’ve been expecting. The light of Christ which burns within us to guide us through the challenges of life.
all over again
looks like i’m right back where i started four years ago.
