This Easter weekend is also Formula One weekend. Again, I will be a F1 race widow... All the menfolk in my family (Eugene, dad-in-law, bro-in-law, dad and younger bro) will be at the Sepang race circuit for their annual ritual of making themselves deaf.
This year marks the tenth year of F1 in Malaysia. I went to the inaugural race back in 1998. The decibels, despite ear plugs, plus the heat (that time we sat on the grass) were enough to tell me once is enough. The past few years, Eugene got covered hill stand and grandstand seats but I'd pass too because of the noise. Plus, my cool, handsome Finnish driver Mika Hakinnen has stopped racing for some years already. Yup, when it comes to some sports, I'm the typical female who watches for the hunks in addition to the actual sporting excitement. Blame it on the hormones I guess!
Showing posts with label Racing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Racing. Show all posts
Friday, March 21, 2008
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
"Racing driver" is not "work"?
Last Friday at school, Caitlin's art lesson required the children to draw a picture of what they dream of becoming when they grow up. I was a little surprised when she told me she drew an astronaut. Although she had mentioned "astronaut" before in her ambitions list, I had not expected her to have drawn it since it was not one of her favourites compared with "veterinarian", "racing driver" or "chef". I let the thought pass.
Today, in the course of a conversation, she mentioned that her teacher told her "racing driver is not work". After some probing, it was clear that my dear daughter had mentioned "racing driver" as her ambition to her teacher and subsequently drew "astronaut" after she was told the former was not "work"....
I am of the opinion that the teacher has erred. As one responsible to develop young minds, she should have not killed the idea. While becoming a racing driver could be out of the question to most people, it is a fact and proven that it is a career one could consider or strive for, unlike becoming a drug dealer, prostitute or criminal!
So some damage control had to be done with telling Caitlin that her teacher was wrong. Among other things, I reminded her that Michael Schumacher works (or rather "worked" since he has retired) as a racing driver and even earns a lot of money. And to that, she said, "Yes! And his brother too!"
Today, in the course of a conversation, she mentioned that her teacher told her "racing driver is not work". After some probing, it was clear that my dear daughter had mentioned "racing driver" as her ambition to her teacher and subsequently drew "astronaut" after she was told the former was not "work"....
I am of the opinion that the teacher has erred. As one responsible to develop young minds, she should have not killed the idea. While becoming a racing driver could be out of the question to most people, it is a fact and proven that it is a career one could consider or strive for, unlike becoming a drug dealer, prostitute or criminal!
So some damage control had to be done with telling Caitlin that her teacher was wrong. Among other things, I reminded her that Michael Schumacher works (or rather "worked" since he has retired) as a racing driver and even earns a lot of money. And to that, she said, "Yes! And his brother too!"
Friday, April 6, 2007
Formula 1 weekend
Today officially marks the start of the Malaysian F1 race at the Sepang circuit. And the dear husband is going to damage his eardrums further on race day Sunday together with his dad, both being racing fans.
His love for cars and racing began at age seven. And after more than three decades, he has turned into a walking dictionary of anything related to F1, Rally and passenger cars, drivers, teams, trivia, manufacturers, car parts, websites and whatever else related to cars.
After experiencing and even enjoying it with him in 1998, I don't think I'm crazy enough about it to subject myself to the heat and loud engines a second time. Well, there's always the air-conditioned boxes and grandstand seats to escape the scorching sun or rain but where's the thrill if you're not out there located at a strategic turn to really be close to see and hear the cars when they zoom past? (And back in 1998, the cool and good-looking Mika Hakinnen was racing...as you know, we girls generally tend to enjoy sports sometimes more for the players than the game/sport itself!)
So, dear hubby can enjoy it by himself again this year. I'm sure he would love to bring Caitlin along but she is definitely too young to be exposed to the long hours and loud engine noise (despite the availability of ear plugs). He has, however, already instilled the interest in cars and racing in her. She enjoys riding in cars and has developed a 'relationship' with our family car. She's always asking us to drive faster and screams with thrill when we take a sharp bend, she's looking forward to riding on a roller coaster (because of the nature of the ride)and has a sizeable toy car collection. She has named her red remote control car Schumacher and has also stated "racing driver" consistently as one of her ambitions besides veterinarian, doctor and chef.
Come Sunday, it will be just Caitlin and me at home together and I doubt we will watch the race on TV. She is still unaware that Schumacher is not racing this year and I simply do not want to get badgered with questions like "I see the red car but not Schumacher's red helmet. Where's Schumacher? What's happening? (especially when there's a crash)" .... Maybe we could play "doctor" or "cooking" and at most, line her toy cars up to see who can rival Lightning McQueen....
His love for cars and racing began at age seven. And after more than three decades, he has turned into a walking dictionary of anything related to F1, Rally and passenger cars, drivers, teams, trivia, manufacturers, car parts, websites and whatever else related to cars.
After experiencing and even enjoying it with him in 1998, I don't think I'm crazy enough about it to subject myself to the heat and loud engines a second time. Well, there's always the air-conditioned boxes and grandstand seats to escape the scorching sun or rain but where's the thrill if you're not out there located at a strategic turn to really be close to see and hear the cars when they zoom past? (And back in 1998, the cool and good-looking Mika Hakinnen was racing...as you know, we girls generally tend to enjoy sports sometimes more for the players than the game/sport itself!)
So, dear hubby can enjoy it by himself again this year. I'm sure he would love to bring Caitlin along but she is definitely too young to be exposed to the long hours and loud engine noise (despite the availability of ear plugs). He has, however, already instilled the interest in cars and racing in her. She enjoys riding in cars and has developed a 'relationship' with our family car. She's always asking us to drive faster and screams with thrill when we take a sharp bend, she's looking forward to riding on a roller coaster (because of the nature of the ride)and has a sizeable toy car collection. She has named her red remote control car Schumacher and has also stated "racing driver" consistently as one of her ambitions besides veterinarian, doctor and chef.
Come Sunday, it will be just Caitlin and me at home together and I doubt we will watch the race on TV. She is still unaware that Schumacher is not racing this year and I simply do not want to get badgered with questions like "I see the red car but not Schumacher's red helmet. Where's Schumacher? What's happening? (especially when there's a crash)" .... Maybe we could play "doctor" or "cooking" and at most, line her toy cars up to see who can rival Lightning McQueen....
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