Thanksgiving lunch at Yuan's family house, Pasadena. Superb cooking by his mum, Indonesian style.
Potluck dinner at Sylvia's & Dongmin's house in Downtown LA.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Church V-ball hangout [23nov]
Recently, I have been going out to play volleyball with the Alhambra Christian Fellowship youths after church on Sunday. We played soccer the first few times before switching to volleyball. It is indeed a nice, relaxing and fun way to spend the Sunday afternoon. Here're some pics.
Los Angeles Soccer League Friendlies
After my recent trip back from Singapore, my housemate, Calvin, suggested organizing soccer matches between architecture offices. I thought it was brilliant. Not only can it get us to exercise, get us off the computer, it can also build up bonds among the co-workers and know more about the design community. And for once, we can talk and do things other than architecture. haha...
We have an upcoming match with St. Annes Soccer Academy this Wednesday. This is a special match as the opposing team is not an architecture office. Rather, the coach approached us during a game and wanted us to play his team. We found out that the St. Annes soccer academy is part of the Santa Monica City program to help teens off the streets and to channel their energy to more positive avenues, and soccer is one of them. We are really glad we can help in this wonderful social cause.
Hence, I volunteered to be the team manager for the firm I am working in, 5+Design. And right away, we started off with a few practices and had 3 friendly matches (versus Graft, Gensler & Gehry) since beginning of October till now. My office's players are also practicing together almost every Wednesday. And we are hoping to kick off an official league consisting of a 5-7 offices by Feb 2009.
Soccer Friendly> 5+design 1-2 Graft 16th Sept -match report by me
Soccer Friendly> 5+design 1-1 Gensler 9th Oct
Soccer Friendly> 5+design 3-1 Gehry 15th Nov
We have an upcoming match with St. Annes Soccer Academy this Wednesday. This is a special match as the opposing team is not an architecture office. Rather, the coach approached us during a game and wanted us to play his team. We found out that the St. Annes soccer academy is part of the Santa Monica City program to help teens off the streets and to channel their energy to more positive avenues, and soccer is one of them. We are really glad we can help in this wonderful social cause.
And our last friendly match for this year is a re-match friendly with Graft, possibly in mid-dec before the Christmas holidays.
Some of my friends in Netherlands have told me there is a architecture soccer league there as well. So maybe at some point, we can organize a trans-national league!!!
More photos and updates on the Los Angeles Architecture Soccer League can be found here:
Car Repair [22nd Nov 2008]
For about one month since end Oct, I have been driving around with a faulty window. The back left door window of my car somehow could not be wind up. Since my car uses automatic controls for almost everything, including all the windows, trunk and even the adjustments of the car seats, I was worried that the repairs for just that one window will be costly. Hence, I persevered and used folded pieces of paper to jam the window, whilst taking the risk that passer-bys will not notice it and break into my car when I park my car on the streets every night. Fortunately, my car alarm system is pretty sensitive and sounds everytime the window slides down on it own. Every few days, I have to re-jam the window with a fresh set of folded papers.
And to my rescue, is a colleague, Robert Chang, who's also an avid car racer. Sacrificing his Saturday afternoon, we met up at the office parking lot where he brought his tools to attempt fixing the window.
We found out in the end that a plastic part, that is linked to the motor belt and hooks onto the window, has been chipped off. I would have to get a new part and replace it. Which means $$$$. Argh! Anyways, we decided for the meantime, we taped layers of corrugated boards and jammed it into the bottom of the window to hold it up, till I find time to replace the broken part.
In any case, it was an experience to see how easy parts of the car can be taken apart.
And to my rescue, is a colleague, Robert Chang, who's also an avid car racer. Sacrificing his Saturday afternoon, we met up at the office parking lot where he brought his tools to attempt fixing the window.
We found out in the end that a plastic part, that is linked to the motor belt and hooks onto the window, has been chipped off. I would have to get a new part and replace it. Which means $$$$. Argh! Anyways, we decided for the meantime, we taped layers of corrugated boards and jammed it into the bottom of the window to hold it up, till I find time to replace the broken part.
In any case, it was an experience to see how easy parts of the car can be taken apart.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Singapore Trip 2008 [July-August 2008]
It's been a while since I have uploaded any entries in this blog. Well, to make up for it, I'll do a few at one go. This entry shows photos of my recent trip back to Singapore. Most of the time was spent helping out coordinate the Singapore Pavilion curatorial logistics and setup where I shuffled between several places (DesignSingapore, FARM office, NUS, Chinatown). It was intense but fun and very rewarding as I got to meet so many more young creatives firms that are willing to share and interact. Indeed, the design scene of Singapore looks very promising and exciting. Please enjoy the photos!
A dinner celebration gathering of the Venice Biennale Singapore Pavilion Supergarden team. A job well done! I really enjoyed working with and learning from everyone.
Me actively gesturing while chatting. Actually I was trying to talk more so I can eat less. Diet lah... haha.
All shopping malls have security police inspecting all cars with bomb detectors.
Cool shopping mall interiors.
Tight security measures taken after the recent terrorist escape. However, the army personnel were very efficient and manage to maintain a smooth flow for all.
The public audience getting warmed up as the celebrity hosts emcees play some games and coordinating moves with the props everyone is given in their goodie bags.
Not only the army personnel were called in to help with the ushering and crowd control. Secondary schools also provided volunteer students to be cheerleaders!
The floating platform. The Singapore Flyer can be seen in the background on the far left.
The opening performance! The Singapore Lions para-troopers!
The famous Kallang Wave! It is fun seeing old and young, all races, just jumping up and waving around wildly when it's their turn to stand and be part of the Singapore wave.
The fly-past of the Singapore National Flag. This part of the event never fails to raise goosebumps for me. With everyone around me standing, with their right fist on their left chest, we sang the National anthem and proclaim the pledge, with the majestic fly-past view of the flag by the squadron consisting of a chinook and apaches. Simply amazing. Definitely something that can only be experienced live at the event.
REALLY AR? Design Sharing
An architecture design public sharing event organized by ReallyArchitecture [re:act]. I was one of the speakers in the event. Met a lot of interesting and inspiring people.
Supergarden Team Celebration Dinner
An architecture design public sharing event organized by ReallyArchitecture [re:act]. I was one of the speakers in the event. Met a lot of interesting and inspiring people.
Supergarden Team Celebration Dinner
A dinner celebration gathering of the Venice Biennale Singapore Pavilion Supergarden team. A job well done! I really enjoyed working with and learning from everyone.
Me actively gesturing while chatting. Actually I was trying to talk more so I can eat less. Diet lah... haha.
HDB HQ TRIP
My dad brought me to visit his office, HDB, to see an exhibition that showcase the recent works of HDB and its architectural branch, Surbana. Pretty impressive I must say. I remember it was these visits to my dad's office when I was young that inspired me to take up architecture.
My dad brought me to visit his office, HDB, to see an exhibition that showcase the recent works of HDB and its architectural branch, Surbana. Pretty impressive I must say. I remember it was these visits to my dad's office when I was young that inspired me to take up architecture.
A public housing design scheme by WOHA.
A public housing design scheme by SCDA.
JAKARTA TRIP
In the middle of my stay in Singapore, I took a short 2 day trip to Jakarta, Indonesia. A good friend, Mingxiao, whose entire family is in the business of architecture, kindly took me in and took care of me. Very interesting trip. I also met up with a secondary school classmate Philip Hamdani, now a director of a big business enterprise. Shucks, and I have only just started working my way into the industry. Nevertheless, he treated me to pempek! Below are some photos I took in the trip.
All shopping malls have security police inspecting all cars with bomb detectors.
Cool shopping mall interiors.
SINGAPORE NATIONAL DAY PARADE
One of the highlights in my trip back to Singapore is the much anticipated National Day Parade. My family has been to at least 5-7 of these parades since my sisters and I were young. I remember we used to queue overnight outside the stadium ir order to get tickets for us, as well as for our cousins. Very interesting experience, as we get to mix around with people from different backgrounds and races. There were even midnight soccer matches in the parking lots among the kids. This year, a friend of mine, Joshua, who helped out in the preparation of the event, managed to get me some rehearsal tickets. So, I went with my mum, my aunt, cousins and their relatives from Wenzhou. It was an unique experience. Instead of the stadium, this year's parade is held at the Marina Bay, on a floating platform. Enjoyable time we had.
Tight security measures taken after the recent terrorist escape. However, the army personnel were very efficient and manage to maintain a smooth flow for all.
The public audience getting warmed up as the celebrity hosts emcees play some games and coordinating moves with the props everyone is given in their goodie bags.
Not only the army personnel were called in to help with the ushering and crowd control. Secondary schools also provided volunteer students to be cheerleaders!
The floating platform. The Singapore Flyer can be seen in the background on the far left.
The opening performance! The Singapore Lions para-troopers!
The famous Kallang Wave! It is fun seeing old and young, all races, just jumping up and waving around wildly when it's their turn to stand and be part of the Singapore wave.
The fly-past of the Singapore National Flag. This part of the event never fails to raise goosebumps for me. With everyone around me standing, with their right fist on their left chest, we sang the National anthem and proclaim the pledge, with the majestic fly-past view of the flag by the squadron consisting of a chinook and apaches. Simply amazing. Definitely something that can only be experienced live at the event.
Okay, that's all for my Singapore trip updates.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Santa Barbara Winery Escapade
Just went on a rare trip to Santa Barbara this past weekend. It was a long-awaited one planned in early April this year. Everyone was skeptical to its manifestation but eventually it did happen! And it was fun! Enjoy the pics! Photos are courtesy of our lovely Sylvia!
Our entering poses to the first winery I am visiting in my life.
One-legged hopping in the vineyard.
Scenic vineyard.
Yan dao or not? hahaha...
Cool barrels. This winery belongs to the Firestone family. Their youngest son was one of the guys featured in the Bachelor reality show.
Taking a shady break after some wine tasting.
Santa Barbara downtown here we come! very nice place! I definitely will wanna come to visit again!
Sylvia and Rachel couldn't resist such a charming guy sitting along State Street on the streetside bench.
Super nice pier! Shall go fishing next time. Great relaxing outing!
Our entering poses to the first winery I am visiting in my life.
One-legged hopping in the vineyard.
Scenic vineyard.
Yan dao or not? hahaha...
Cool barrels. This winery belongs to the Firestone family. Their youngest son was one of the guys featured in the Bachelor reality show.
Taking a shady break after some wine tasting.
Santa Barbara downtown here we come! very nice place! I definitely will wanna come to visit again!
Sylvia and Rachel couldn't resist such a charming guy sitting along State Street on the streetside bench.
Super nice pier! Shall go fishing next time. Great relaxing outing!
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