GSK F1 Pitstop Challenge : Sep-12

It always feels great to be able to officially take some time-off during working hours to do something fun.  Another commemorating event for Jurong GSK 30th anniversary celebration is the F1 pit stop challenge.  GSK is the official sponsor for Mclaren, thus the company is able to bring in this Pit Stop training car for us to experience changing the F1 tyre during this F1 season.  Our entire department has signed up for this event with each team consisting of 3 members to change one tyre.  Although I am not a F1 fan and sometimes even condemns the F1 races being so environmentally unfriendly, I must say I am impressed with technology used in the F1 cars.  Each tyre weights about 14 kg and is secured with a big bolt… with one team member responsible for the bolt gun, one removing and one replacing the tyre, we are able to change one tyre in 4.5 seconds (only after 5 mins of briefing)! Apart from the pit stop challenge, the event organiser also brings in the F1 simulator for us to try driving in the Singapore F1 track, very nice experience without the deafening F1 noise.

 

Mad about Ukulele : Sep-12

I started playing a little bit of guitar since my college days, where I had always enjoyed strumming and singing together as  a group.  However, I did not go very far in mastering my guitar skills apart from some basic chords like G, C, F, Em, Am and D.  I would just give up in any chords which required me to press the entire 6 strings of the guitar as it would be too difficult for me to play any sound out of the chord.  Nevertheless, it was still fun to play music out of this instrument with my limited skills.

In our recent trip to Bangkok this September, I had bought a relatively cheap ukulele for the kids.  This guitar-like instrument comes with 4 strings instead of 6 and the size is at least 2 times smaller than a normal guitar.  In comparison to a guitar, it is easier to play and also much portable.  I had no experience about ukulele nor heard any ukulele music before.  But with the help of modern technology, Youtube and Iphone apps, we were able to watch tutorial classes and use applications for tuning and song chords.  This flame of learning this new toy “spread wildly” in the family, and everyone started to learn one or two of their favourite songs on the ukulele.  Just within two weeks, we added another 2 new ukuleles to meet the demand in the family!

Among us, Xuan seems to excel in playing this instrument, mainly due to her beautiful voice and ability to sing well while playing the ukulele.  During our recent farewell gathering for Kumari, she even presented the song “Safe and Sound” in front of a group of audience… very captivating, watch for yourself. :P

A drawing in return : Sep-12

Chinese culture possess a strong sense of returning favor and gifts among friends and relatives, but I guess this gesture is probably universal. When Xuan knew that Louis always had to travel for work in Bangkok, she drew a picture for Kumari on how she would miss him while he was away for work. Then, Louis in return, drew back a picture on how we would miss them when he and Kumari had gone back to the States. Very interesting…

Xuan's Drawing for Louis & Kumari

Louis Drawing in Return

Cycling at Punggol Park : Sep-12

Since Jiun and Keng taught Xuan to cycle, we had never gone cycling with her.  On a sunny Sunday, we decided to try out the newly opened bicycle rental shop at Punggol Park and went cycling.  We rented three bicycles, two mountain bikes and one lady bike with a seat behind for En'en.  With her newly acquired skill, Xuan was nervous on her bike.  She would tumble with people or other bikes closed to her.  It took a while before she finally seemed to be able to have better control, however, the sky suddenly turned dark and started pouring cats and dogs.  We were trapped under the highway about half an hour, before we gave up waiting and raced under the heavy rain back to the rental shop, everyone soaking wet... but fun.