National 5-Crew Dragon Boat Challenge 2011

It was early in this Sunday morning, where my father is going to compete in the competition finals with his team mates, uncles that were each of age at least 50 and above, like my father is. He took me along to take a look, for unknown to me, some of his members have in fact joined in the competition under 6 names!!

It was at the Jurong Lake right next to the West Entrance of the Chinese Garden, of which I have not visited since my primary school days, might have been close to 10 years now, and I'm no longer sure exactly when. However, the location of the tentage is not that close, just much closer to the Jurong Park AND the great Adventure Park!! Ahh, the view from the high ropes wasn't much, but I still enjoy the winds under the raging sun, which gave me the sunburns on my arm. The competition was on it's last legs and the high notes, for it is the best teams that have stayed on, so it is only right that each event is as vigorous as the last!!

However, while waiting for the events that really matters, I went to explore Jurong Park, and climbed around the Adventure Park. There was not much to do, and I got back to see how the competition is going while grabbing some snacks and drinks before leaving again. There was this event, where the uncles were commenting that all the teams competing were their own people!! No wonder not much people were left on shore, as all the 20 crews were out in the waters!! It all ended rather well, as out of the 6 categories, we won 3 of them, and almost won a fourth, and took 3 shiny, golden Champion trophies back to the community club!! Well, to be taken to the community club anyway, but for now, they are proudly displayed right at Home!!!

Life's short, paddle hard!! All thanks to the crews that my father was a part of all these years, we have got quite a collection of cups and medals at Home, and it is the fabulous teamwork that made it so!! Never underestimate the power of teamwork, for they might bring wonders and make miracles where one person alone can never achieve!!

Praying for the Seventh Month of the Lunar Calendar!!

Sorry guys and gals, for it has been a long time ever since I last updated my blog. For the past few weeks I have been dealing with the last of my exams for last semester, and when it finally ended, I was told by my mum to go for dragon-boating with my father yet again!! Well, each time I did that, there seems to always be a change to the plans!! And as expected, there was!!

It was the Seventh Month of the Lunar Calendar, the period whereby spirits from the depths of Hell of the Chinese religion are released for a month to our earthly realms to enjoy the offerings and to slack off awhile from the time in Hell. This day however, is the 15^th day of the Seventh Month, and as a dragon-boater, one must dedicate the spirits some offerings in order to safely traverse the waters.

On the morning itself, I did not suspect a thing, for I was not really paying much attention to such things when all these rituals and such was always handled by my parents. All I know was that together with both my brothers, we are supposed to be going for a run and some exercises first. When all things needed had been prepared, my dad’s friend came to pick us up in his lorry. And then, off we go!!

The open-back lorry was always an interesting ride for me, as you will get to see many different things all around you and feel the winds rushing through your hair!! Travelling down the road, to my surprise and confusion, we stopped under some void deck where a white van was waiting. My dad got down and headed straight to take some items from the back of the white van. Apparently, it was another of my dad’s friend that had been preparing the offerings to be taken to the sports club later for the ritual!!

Mouth- watering smell of food, fruits, especially durians wafted through the air around us, and instantly both my brothers were gathered around the van. Woah!! The delicious smell got to my brothers and mobilized them into action within seconds!! We were then told to transfer the items inside the van into the back of the lorry as the rest of the offerings are still to be collected. Heave!! Ho!! Heave!! Ho!! There!! And the items were quickly transferred over to the lorry and we headed out for the sports club with no time wasted. Looking at my brothers, I instantly knew that they can hardly wait for the ritual to end as they were all salivating for a taste of the food already!!

When we finally reached the sports club, the items were moved to the foldable tables that I have been helping to set up after I got off the lorry. And so, with no time wasted, we were off for running, passing across Saint Arthur’s Bridge and other exercises while waiting for my dad to get here for the ritual. It seemed quite long before I finally spotted the white van- my stomach had been protesting ever since I went for a run, and the remaining items were swiftly readied for the ritual. Finally!!

After offering some incense paper and joss sticks, coupled with a few minutes of prayers, THE RITUAL IS OVER!! HERE IT COMES, THE FOOD!!! Everyone swarmed around to get the good pieces fried chicken and since then, it was non-stop eating time!! Well, that was nothing much actually, just that it was just another ‘screwed-up’ Saturday again, as once more, I have avoided dragon-boating by a turn of event. The food was really nice though, and we got to bring home some portions of the food too!! Yum!!