Signed up for the Swissotel Vertical Marathon with Superman months ago under the Lovebirds challenge. We collected the race kit one week before the race at one of the functions rooms in Swissotel.
On the day of 20.11.2011, Sunday, both of us gathered at the area outside Macdonalds at Raffles City. There was people handing out small cups of Vitamin Water to participants as they waited in the sunny weather for their turn. Different categories were staggered at different time slots to report, however no registration is required, just turn up in your race tag pinned in front of your t-shirt, and the marshalls will let you in.
One suprising thing is that the actual start point is about 50m away from the stairway. The stairway is located at the right side on the MRT entrance to Raffles City and the starting point is near Macdonalds. Thus one will need to sprint once you are flagged off by the marshall to the stairway and climb from then onwards. Did I mention that the timing starts at the flagoff point? 6 participants were flagged off at about 30 seconds intervals thus there is no crowding and pushing at any point in time.
After Superman and I were flagged off, we jogged to the stairs following the path directed by the marshalls as the stairs was not obvious to us. Once we reached the stairs, we started climbing at a brisk pace. Superman had to match my slower speed as he is fitter than me and I am nursing a heel injury (though suprisingly, the heel didnt hurt at all in the morning).
Climbing the stairs here was unlike the training I did using HDB stairs. There is a gap between two flights of stairs, thus one will need to walk for a short while before climbing the next flight of stairs whereas for HDB, you just need to do a short turn. The stairways was well-ventilated as the doors to corridors were opened. We rested at every 18th floor as per our usual HDB stairs training but towards the second section, I started slowing down and use the railing to haul myself up.
Around the middle section of the 73 storeys, the turning between 2 stairways shortened with a 2 steps break, thus one will need to climb, walk, climb 2 steps, walk and then climb again. After the third break which is the final section, I was really out of breath and feeling slightly nauseous. And the railings start to feel wet and slippery...(eeewww)...
Fortunately, Superman kept giving me words of encouragement and with his motivation, I focused on just breathing and putting one foot in front of the other. After 73 storeys at a height of 226m, we made it to the top of Swissotel!
The view from the top was breathtaking and as the weather was sunny, we can see very far away. Other than the usual iconic buildings like MBS, Esplanade, Singapore Flyer, UOB Building and PSA Port, we also spotted the colourful Rochor flats that was slated by demolition. Participants were busy taking photos standing at the edge but you do not have to worry about falling off the side as the level below was built jutting out and it houses some aircon/building structures and equipment.
After drinking the bottle of mineral water provided by Swissotel, I felt much better. With finisher medals around our necks, we took some photos around the top though Superman keep saying that his hair is ruined by the strong winds (but he still look good lah).
Participants were advised to leave the top after some time to avoid over-crowding. Going down was just as interesting as well, we need to climb about 3 storeys down to a corridor and we entered the lift landing for the famous restaurant of Swissotel, the Equinox! Live music provided by 2 singers and the smell and sight of the buffet greeted us. An enquiry with the restaurant host revealed that it cost abt $128 per pax to dine here. The view from the restaurant was breaktaking as well!
After reaching level 4 of Swissotel Convention centre, we were greeted by marshall clapping and cheering us for completing the task! And thereafter 2 ladies passed us a can of Red Bull to drink. We walked to the holding area and vitamin bottled water was made available to participants at the reporting area, while photos taken by the organisers were put up at a board for participants to collect.
It was quite messy as participants were jostling to spot their own photos and the photos of different categories were randomly pasted at the same board. After some time, we gave up trying to wait for our photos as the organisers assured us that all photos will be made available from their website at a later date.
I feel that the event was well organised though the photo collection could have been improved. We enjoyed the event and to me, it was quite an achievement to reach the top at a respectable time of about 20 mins.
What a memorable 20.11.2011!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Garbage enzyme works!
After waiting for 4 months, I finally tried the garbage enzyme that I "cultured".
The liquid smells of oranges with a hint of alcohol in it. First, I tried in on the grime between the floor tiles of my bathroom and the grime came off quite easily with some scrubbing. Next I tried it on my cooking stove. Now, the stove is covered with grease and some parts are even blackened due to stuborn cooking stains. The grease came off quite easily with a few swipes, however the stubborn stains did not bulge much no matter how hard I scrubbed. In the end, I gave in and use cream stain cleaner and the stains came off after much vigorous rubbing.
Garbage enzyme is an pretty effective cleaner that is environment friendly and does not harm your hands For the really die hard stubborn stains, you may still need a commercial cleaner to do the work.
I love the fact that it smells good (oranges in my case) and is free!
The liquid smells of oranges with a hint of alcohol in it. First, I tried in on the grime between the floor tiles of my bathroom and the grime came off quite easily with some scrubbing. Next I tried it on my cooking stove. Now, the stove is covered with grease and some parts are even blackened due to stuborn cooking stains. The grease came off quite easily with a few swipes, however the stubborn stains did not bulge much no matter how hard I scrubbed. In the end, I gave in and use cream stain cleaner and the stains came off after much vigorous rubbing.
Garbage enzyme is an pretty effective cleaner that is environment friendly and does not harm your hands For the really die hard stubborn stains, you may still need a commercial cleaner to do the work.
I love the fact that it smells good (oranges in my case) and is free!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Cook a pot of Curry!
In support of the Facebook movement to promote tolerance and love of Singapore food, we cooked curry and roti prata for our breakfast on 21 August 2011.
Superman had fun playing out the role of prataman complete with a thick accent and lots of prata flipping and fluffing. Yummy Sunday!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
DIY Garbage Enzyme
Started on a new project this month, making "Garbage Enzyme".
Using kitchen waste (fruits skins and vegetables peels that you would throw away), you can convert them to be used for cleaning the house, freshen the air and even as ant repellent!
I was especially intrigued by the ant repellent part as my home has lots of ants that just does not seem to go away. Insecticides does not work as the ants will simply appear again the next day after spraying, not to mention that insectides are toxic and harmful to both humans and the environment.
What is Garbage Enzyme?
Dr Rosukon's Garbage Enzyme is a complex organic substance made by fermentation of fresh kitchen waste, water and sugar.
What are the benefits of Garbage Enzyme?
1. Natural household cleaner to clean clothes, mop floors and wash dishes.
2. Natural pecticides and insecticides, the waste after fermentation can also be used as fertilizers for our plants.
3. Liquid for garbage enzyme can be used as shampoo.
4. Air purifier for the house, use more citrus fruits such as orange or lemons for the wonderful citrus smell.
5. It is a earth friendly process that release O3 ozone gas to recover the ozone layer and lower global temperature.
How to make Garbage Enzyme?
It's quite simple. Just remember the ratio of 1:3:10, 1 portion of brown sugar, 3 portion of fruit/veg waste and 10 portion of water.
1. Get ready the fruit/veg waste. I simply store my fruit waste (skin/mouldy/rotten parts) in the freezer until I have 300 gm. Try to incorporate some orange/lemons for the citrus scent.
2. Dissolve the brown sugar in the water. I use 100 gm of sugar in 1 litre of water in a 2 litre plastic container.
3. Cut the fruits into smaller pieces and put them into the sugar solution.
4. Leave some space for fermentation. Label the date on the bottle, close the bottle tightly and ensure that all fruits are submerged in the solution.
5. Place away from direct sunlight and in a cool and well ventilated place.
6. Open the cap and close immediately daily for the first month to release the gases. Push the fruits into the solution once in a while.
6. Your DIY garbage enzyme will be ready in 3 months. Filter the waste away and store the liquid. The waste can be reused for another round of garbage enzyme or as fertilizer.
How to use?
1. As fertilizer and pesticides: 1 portion to 100 portion water. Insecticides: 1 portion to 1000 portion water.
2. Shampoo/dishwasher/detergent: 1 tsp to 500 ml water and 1 tbsp to 1 litre water.
There are many more ways to use your own garbage enzyme. The above are the just two of the more common ways you can use.
Stay tuned for more updates on my DIY garbage enzyme!
Using kitchen waste (fruits skins and vegetables peels that you would throw away), you can convert them to be used for cleaning the house, freshen the air and even as ant repellent!
I was especially intrigued by the ant repellent part as my home has lots of ants that just does not seem to go away. Insecticides does not work as the ants will simply appear again the next day after spraying, not to mention that insectides are toxic and harmful to both humans and the environment.
What is Garbage Enzyme?
Dr Rosukon's Garbage Enzyme is a complex organic substance made by fermentation of fresh kitchen waste, water and sugar.
What are the benefits of Garbage Enzyme?
1. Natural household cleaner to clean clothes, mop floors and wash dishes.
2. Natural pecticides and insecticides, the waste after fermentation can also be used as fertilizers for our plants.
3. Liquid for garbage enzyme can be used as shampoo.
4. Air purifier for the house, use more citrus fruits such as orange or lemons for the wonderful citrus smell.
5. It is a earth friendly process that release O3 ozone gas to recover the ozone layer and lower global temperature.
How to make Garbage Enzyme?
It's quite simple. Just remember the ratio of 1:3:10, 1 portion of brown sugar, 3 portion of fruit/veg waste and 10 portion of water.
1. Get ready the fruit/veg waste. I simply store my fruit waste (skin/mouldy/rotten parts) in the freezer until I have 300 gm. Try to incorporate some orange/lemons for the citrus scent.
2. Dissolve the brown sugar in the water. I use 100 gm of sugar in 1 litre of water in a 2 litre plastic container.
3. Cut the fruits into smaller pieces and put them into the sugar solution.
4. Leave some space for fermentation. Label the date on the bottle, close the bottle tightly and ensure that all fruits are submerged in the solution.
5. Place away from direct sunlight and in a cool and well ventilated place.
6. Open the cap and close immediately daily for the first month to release the gases. Push the fruits into the solution once in a while.
6. Your DIY garbage enzyme will be ready in 3 months. Filter the waste away and store the liquid. The waste can be reused for another round of garbage enzyme or as fertilizer.
How to use?
1. As fertilizer and pesticides: 1 portion to 100 portion water. Insecticides: 1 portion to 1000 portion water.
2. Shampoo/dishwasher/detergent: 1 tsp to 500 ml water and 1 tbsp to 1 litre water.
There are many more ways to use your own garbage enzyme. The above are the just two of the more common ways you can use.
 |
| The beginning of my Garbage Enzyme! |
Stay tuned for more updates on my DIY garbage enzyme!
King of the fruits
Nothing beats selecting your durian and queuing up to ask Durian Uncle help you ta-bao back home to savour the creamy delish...nevermind the sore throat after.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
I survived Battlestar Galactica, USS
The Universal Studios Singapore Battlestar Galactica ride was due to open the next day on 21 Feb 11 after shutting down for about a year due to technical problems(read: one of the seats assembly detached during one of its morning testing). As luck would have it, when Superman and I visited Universal Studios Singapore today, it was open for technical rehearsals(whatever that means).
I took the ride alone. It was kind of intimidating at first, walking up to the ride with no one to share the fears and excitement with.
I started with the seated Human coaster (red one) first. There were initial doubts when I realised that the restraints used were lap restraints, ie the upper body was free, not helped by the lady from China next to me who kept questioning on the safety of lap restraints. It was too late to chicken out. All doubts evaporated when the ride was launched at high speed not soon after. It was exhilarating, the sudden dips, climbs and speed of the Human coaster. According to USS engineers, Human track promises more G-force than the Cylon track, at up to 90km/hr. Well, I can vouch for that. The world was slightly spinning when I got off the Human coaster.
The suspended blue Cylon coaster came next. After kicking off my sandals at the base station, I pull down the shoulder restraints tight and felt my legs being suspended as they lowered the platform before starting the ride. I remembered waving at my fellows red Human coaster riders next to me as we were launched side by side. It was intense, as the ride started to invert, twist and turn several times. The best part was when you felt like you are going to hit the ground as it plummets down into a deep pit filled with a mist, only to turn away at the last minute.
In that one minute, nothing else mattered. Work, family, problems, issues don't exist anymore and you only have to focus on holding tight and screaming your lungs out.
It was fun.
I took the ride alone. It was kind of intimidating at first, walking up to the ride with no one to share the fears and excitement with.
I started with the seated Human coaster (red one) first. There were initial doubts when I realised that the restraints used were lap restraints, ie the upper body was free, not helped by the lady from China next to me who kept questioning on the safety of lap restraints. It was too late to chicken out. All doubts evaporated when the ride was launched at high speed not soon after. It was exhilarating, the sudden dips, climbs and speed of the Human coaster. According to USS engineers, Human track promises more G-force than the Cylon track, at up to 90km/hr. Well, I can vouch for that. The world was slightly spinning when I got off the Human coaster.
The suspended blue Cylon coaster came next. After kicking off my sandals at the base station, I pull down the shoulder restraints tight and felt my legs being suspended as they lowered the platform before starting the ride. I remembered waving at my fellows red Human coaster riders next to me as we were launched side by side. It was intense, as the ride started to invert, twist and turn several times. The best part was when you felt like you are going to hit the ground as it plummets down into a deep pit filled with a mist, only to turn away at the last minute.
In that one minute, nothing else mattered. Work, family, problems, issues don't exist anymore and you only have to focus on holding tight and screaming your lungs out.
It was fun.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Happy Chinese New Year, huat ah!
On Chinese New Years Eve:
Lunch @ Wendy's after half day at office-
Cup of organic latte @ Freshness to unwind before heading home:
The very first reunion dinner @ home prepared by me-
May the Rabbit year bring Happiness and Prosperity to all!
Lunch @ Wendy's after half day at office-
Cup of organic latte @ Freshness to unwind before heading home:
The very first reunion dinner @ home prepared by me-
 |
Baked meatballs(金玉滿堂)  Veg and Fishballs with superior stock |
Last minute rush to deck the home with some Chinese New year cheer-
May the Rabbit year bring Happiness and Prosperity to all!
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