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Checking In

My last entry was Oct 17!!! A month ago! Well, not difficult to figure out why coz strangely, I am found to be busier during the hollies than any other time. Beats me too.

Looking back, November was filled with ODAC (my CCA) activities. 1 week for our Round-Island-Trek-Expeditions (RITES) and the following week to Kota Kinabalu for our Mt K. trek expedition. Before I could fully rest from one activity, the next comes along. Did I mention that in between these 2, I had to attend a 3days EL course? This pretty summed up my November.

Some thoughts ran through my head as the Mt K expedition came to an end. My last (painful) trek was some 10 years ago with my OAC mates in TJ. To date, that would have to be the most memorable expedition as it kick-started my interest for the great outdoors and ever since, it made me the adrenaline junkie I am now. Then, I was a student being led by my seniors. This time round, I brought my students and the huge sense of responsibility that fell on me was more stretching than having to make the summit. Nevertheless, it will be yet another trek to add to my outdoor adventures!

During our final debrief, I shared with the group on my highlight of the trip. It was a simple yet overwhelming moment personally. I was standing on the steep granite rock-face (after the almost 6hrs ascent) and what surrounded me was just pure beauty. Mountain ranges, fluffly white clouds contrasted against the blue skyline, glorious sunlight shining down and the absence of people just accentuated the serenity and magnificence of nature and the outdoors. I will never forget that moment as I stood still to take in as much of what I saw. I did not want to rush the descend as there was just too much to simply ignore.

The break of dawn. Not nearing the summit yet but still got to see the splendor of it all.

Finally at the summit and was preparing to make the descent.

A pity we could not stay up there for too long.




There and then, I felt privileged to be witnessing how wonderful creation is and that I am able to be exploring so much of its greatness in my lifetime. It was a eureka moment and that realisation reminded me once again that there is just so much more to life than just seeking temporal enjoyment from frivolous thrills and spills. In a nutshell, it was a life-lesson that can never be covered in books and examinations.

My legs are still aching from the many hours of up-and-down the highest mountain in Southeast Asia but will I say yes to yet another trek? The answer is pretty obvious :)

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