Urban Attack @ Velocity 2011

Been wanting to write about the Urban Attack@Velocity that I did 2 weeks back.
Since watching the shows on TV : Japanese Ninja Challenge ; Korean Dream Team; I wanted to try out something similar! And the opportunity came when I saw it at my friend's wedding. His friends had made him go through the obstacles on his last night as a bachelor.
And Of course, I immediately signed up- Women's open!

There were 4 open categories:
- Men's Open
- Women's Open
- Team Challenge (Mixed Open)
- Team Challenge (Men's Open)




Went for the trials on the 12th June to qualify for the finals but failed at the first rolling pin - but for my efforts, the organizers gave me an opportunity for the finals on the 25th June which sadly i failed again at the rolling pin.

Choice of dates for preliminaries:
21, 22, 28, 29 May and 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 June 2011.
Final:
25 June 2011

BUT IT WAS SO FUN!
I will definitely do it again next year. 2012 with more practice :)





Before you start, there will be a safety briefing and they will ask you to put on the helmet and equipment
And off you go!

First station - Rock and roll barrels

There were people who ran across it ( I tried it the first time but I fell through - it was scary doing that as it was rolling while you were running!) While some used their bodies pushing and rolling ( I tried that the 2nd time but I fell through the big gap and hurt my back)

An example of a girl that fell through by rolling


2nd station - Topsy turvy
You had to run on it and jump out asap o.w you will get giddy. For those with a fear of heights, this might also pose as an obstacle. And the gap between where you are standing, and the turning thing made it even scarier. Even viewing it from the side.

3rd station - Bear hug
Run, grab tight and swing yourself across! you must use the kinetic energy and grab it tight.If you don't and it gets stuck in the center, it requires a lot of strength to shift yourself across.

4th Station - The matrix Net ropes - you can either climb over - grabbing with your hands and moving with your feet ; or for those stronger guys, they use their arms to maneuver themselves to the destination

5th station - The giant balls
Jumping across the balls


6th station - and the last station where many falter is the Helipad . You have to get your momentum right - once you lose your momentum , or once you turn the wrong side ; you're close to gone. But there are some who manage to salvage the situation. Wonderful!


Here are a few of the best dress participants

3 Caucasians who came with hot pants and yet manage to do it such fast speed and accuracy.
The piggies





The diapers

The japs



The pinkies


And some teams who really gave it their all. Thumbs all. SMU Team.

Last year winner with his friends




And the final winner! Adriel

Here's the facebook link for more info

A video for a successful attempt

SPH Red Apple Day - Blood Donation Drive

Hello! A call out for blood donors!
You never know how your blood can help save someone - you could have prevent a family from losing their breadwinner, you could have gave someone a new chance of life, you could have .....

I personally have witness the death of 2 leukemia friends and 1 accident.
Just a bag of your blood every 3 monthly can save lives and bring joy!

And now instead of having to go to Outram/ Woodlands blood donation center , there is one near Bishan/Toa Payoh!

SPH blood donation drive back on July 7

What are you waiting for? Come down this Thursday to donate!

SPH Red Apple Day
Dates: Jul 7, 2011
Time: 12pm - 5pm
Venue: SPH News Centre, Auditorium (1000 Toa Payoh North, Level 1, Singapore 318994).
Directions: MAP
Bus number: 13,56,57,59,88,93,157,163

SPH Red Apple Day

Jointly organised by SPH and the Singapore Red Cross Society, the event will be held at the auditorium of the News Centre at Toa Payoh North from 11am to 5pm. As with previous donation drives, the first hour (11am-noon) will be reserved for SPH staff, and the public can head there from noon onwards.

The demand for blood in the Bloodbank is increasing. As it stands, 350 units of blood are needed per day.

And on this special event , Come over to the AsiaOne booth anytime between 12pm - 5pm during the blood donation drive and you will be rewarded with choice of an AsiaOne umbrella or notebook (while stocks last and subject to availability) for you to keep.

Facts on blood donation

• Donating blood should not hurt. A local painkiller is injected before the insertion of the donation needle to minimize any pain during blood donation.
• How much blood will be collected? If you weigh between 45 and 50 kg, 350ml of blood will be taken. If you weigh above 50kg, 450 ml of blood will be taken.
• 8 to 12 per cent of your circulating blood volume is taken during each blood donation. The volume of blood donated will be replenished in 72 hours if you have sufficient fluid intake.
• All blood collection instruments are disposed permanently after each use.
• All blood collections are conducted by qualified & trained staff.
• Blood donations do not cause weight gain.
• It takes only 45 minutes to donate one unit (450ml) of blood. This can save the lives of 3 people.
• Currently, only 30% of donors are women. So ladies, stand up and be counted

There is nothing to fear!
Its like an ant bite!

Is blood donation safe?

Ms Cecilia Tan, director of Singapore Red Cross's Blood Donor Recruitment Programme, addresses some common concerns about blood donation:

How safe is blood donation?

Don't worry, giving blood is safe! The health of every potential donor is carefully assessed by the attending medical staff before a donation. It is not possible to catch any disease by donating blood, as new and sterile disposable needles and blood packs are used for each donor.

Will blood donation weaken our immune system?

Giving blood will not harm your body or weaken your immune system. The average adult has four to five litres of blood. During a donation, only 450 ml of blood is drawn. The donated blood volume will be replaced in just 3 days. With adequate hydration and a balanced diet, red blood cells will be replaced by the body by 10 to 12 weeks.

Donors can give whole blood donations four times a year, at an interval of 12 weeks between each whole blood donation. This recommended time interval is meant to protect the well being of donors.

As for platelet and plasma apheresis donations, donors can give up to 12 times a year (once every 4 weeks). After a platelet apheresis donation, the body replaces its platelets in three to seven days. After a plasma apheresis donation, the body replaces its plasma volume in 72 hours with adequate hydration.

Can women, who lose blood during menstruation, still be regular donors?

Women can donate blood just as regularly as men. However, we advise our female donors to have iron-rich diets and to take the iron supplement that is given to them after every blood donation.

Will one feel faint after donating blood?

Whilst donors normally have a pleasant experience throughout the blood donation process, some may occasionally experience a mild reaction such as dizziness, skin irritation, bruising or fainting. We advise our donors to rest at least five to ten minutes after the removal of needle and take time to enjoy a snack and drink at the refreshment area.

Are there health benefits for regular blood donors?

Being well enough to donate regularly is a sign that the donor is in good health, since his/her blood would have to be free from viruses or other infectious agents.

Should a regular blood donor take more iron, or other supplements, to replace the lost blood?

I would advise potential donors to increase your intake of iron-rich food such as red meat, beans, dark green vegetables, iron-fortified cereals, raisins and prunes two weeks before your donation, and to drink extra fluids the day before and on the day of donation.

Other tips:

• Have a good night's rest before your blood donation and have something light to eat and drink two hours prior to donating blood.
• Avoid fatty food as lipids (fatty materials) that appear in your blood several hours after eating can affect the tests carried out on the blood you have donated.
• Try to wear short sleeved or loose fitting sleeves so as not to cause constriction to the arm when the sleeve is rolled up.
• Relax during the donation, and if you are feeling anxious, let the nurse know and she will help you feel at ease.
• Lastly, do take the iron tablets provided by the blood bank to help your body replenish the blood loss.

For more information on the blood drive
Pop by their facebook link : SPH Apple day 2011

Eastern Restaurant 东方food review

Hello dearies!

I guess many of you must know how much I love eating when you view my other blog : Bagpacking travelogue. And I absolutely love Zhajiangmian and dumplings. I have eaten amazing ones in Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen. In Singapore I have tried Nanxiang, Crystal Jade but it was a little costly.

So I was delighted when I got the invitation from Dennis from Flaunt PR to do a food review for
Eastern Restaurant 东方 - That day on my mind was all about Xiao Long Bao and the various Shanghai and Si Chuan Cuisine. And the food there was nice and most importantly its affordable!
And Guess what! Get 5% disount now when you click "Like" at Eastern Restaurant's Facebook Fanpage! Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EasternRestaurant Blog: http://www.easternrestaurant.tumblr.com/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/easternrSG
So gather your friends and make your way down to........... Centrepoint, #01-57
Call 67362638 to book a seat today!!!

Go to centerpoint down to B1 - Look for cold storage
Then beside cold storage look for this sign
Yes! Its Eastern Restaurant - Walk ahead and you will have to go up an elevator to Floor 1
And you will see it
TADA!



The boss is a Malaysian who has worked overseas for quite a bit. He is very nice and will give a helping hand to mix your noodles if he see you having a problem. (And naturally with a nice boss, the service was good! The waitress and waiter will come and replenish your tea when they see its empty ; and they will come and help you in changing your plates when they see its with the sauce of the noodles etc)

And there is free flow of Tea!


So here we go :)

My Favorite dish of the day!
Zha Jiang Mian 炸浆面
I love the sauce! I love the meat. I love the noodles! I will come back for this again soon!
And the boss helped me do the proper mixing. Yum Yum!








This dumpling dish was also very nice! But a little too spicy - 麻辣饺子 - for me at least , initially. But with the meat inside, it made it juicier. Go for it, if you like the spice and you love dumpling. No regrets.


And the Dan Dan noodles 单单面. But because it is a Si Chuan dish, it is a little spicy. Can ask the outlet to put less of the Ma La Oil. I like the noodles. Very chewy. Scroll down later for the demo of how the noodles were made!


We also tried the 梅菜扣肉=Mei Cai Kou Rou ( Stewed Pork Belly with Preserved vegetables)
I love the Mui Choy ( Preserved vegetable) with the sauce - its good with rice if you like salted food - I like! My must have dish in Shanghai.

And another 3 of the must-eats in a Shanghai-nese restaurant

Xiao Long Bao 小龙包
It was good! Above my expectation. The skin was thin and so when you eat a number of it, you don't feel stuff. But felt that the meat should have more soup. It was good though. I think if we ate it once it got to our table, the soup might be just nice.



Fried Bao - Jian Bao 煎包
Not really a fan of oily food. But this was not oily and the meat inside was much so it was enjoyable.

Fried dumpling - Guo Tie 锅贴
And Long beans sauteed with meat.
In China I always like this dish together with their 四季豆

And next was the egg and crab meat. Personally like this dish quite a bit because I like egg and I like crab meat. A good mix to the food.





And the prawns- which was succulent and juicy.



And the meat -

And Oh my lovely dessert - there is a tinge of saltiness with the sweetness. I like the sugary feel and how it oozes out. Eat it hot! Delicious!



Look at fellow blogger , William (who is a tech, lifestyle etc blogger) savoring it and HP (Jap-Kor related blogger) beside him too into the food to look at me (haha)






And their kitchen is open concept. You can see live demo of the making of noodles from scratch. Its amazing how fine the noodles are.











So come along for the Shanghai-nese 上海 / si-chuan 四川 food!

Ending off with a picture of us bloggers
Met 2 familiar faces - Ruiting (Live life) and Shuqing - who are lifestyle bloggers like me!
And 4 new faces -
2 bloggers - Kiyomi (who writes about jap-related things and make up ) and Maureen (who is a food blogger)
2 from Singapore Chinese Online - they write about articles


Yeah! Social Media