Formula One - Keep Your Eyes Open and Ears Shut

McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain

(AP Photo/Oliver Multhaup)

This weekend had been rather busy -- having to rush home just to catch the inaugural 2008 Formula One Singtel Singapore Grand Prix! Not really a F1 fan, but managed to catch a few races on cable TV only on Sundays, when we head down to mum's place.

All the hype and daily news reports leading to the actual race did make me feel excited. Besides ogling at the snapshots of handsome F1 drivers, like Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, I'm also in awe of the illumintated skyline of Singapore - such a beautiful and spectacular sight.

Somehow, I felt proud of being a Singaporean, being a part of it, hosting the first night race, although exactly contributing to anything at all. I think it's just like how the Chinese nationals felt when they hosted the recent Beijing Olympics 2008.

Check out the Boston.Com website for more spectacular pictures!

The lighted Marina Bay Street Circuit of the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix (REUTERS/Tim Chong)

The city skyline with the illuminated Marina Bay City (AP Photo/Oliver Multhaup)

I wanted to bring the kids down to Cityhall to hear the actual roar of engines and to have a whiff of burnt rubber. However, the thoughts of snuggling up the sofa in the comfort of my own home and after that putting the kids to bed, without having to squeeze with the throngs of people were simply more enticing, especially when you have 2 young kids. Also, they would probably be complaining about the deafening noise. Talking about the deafening noise. Although I wasn't there on site, but I felt abit deaf - YES - even from watching the race at home. I was blasting my TV while watching the final race on Sunday. When I finally managed to chase my kids to hop into bed at 9:30 pm (only after much assurance that Aunty Carol had taped the program on cable TV for them), I then plucked on my Sennheiser earphones and blasted them in my ears again. SHIOK! But I totally agree that nothing beats being on site, soaking in the atmosphere and having the feeling of adrenaline kicking pumping from the heart to the brains. Next year perhaps, I'll try to get my hands on the single day tickets for the practice sessions. Anyone can help me babysit the kids from 25 to 27 September 2009?