Featured Rowers of the Month - The Nanas!

This month, we feature our most committed rowers: Robin and Cynthiaa! They are valuable assets to the team, bringing with them life experiences, sagely advice, timely encouragement, laughter, optimism and chilled 100+! Their day jobs are a façade. In reality, Cynthiaa documents Sunday Dragons life with her trusty camera while Robin comments on the local dragonboat scene.

How long have the both of you been on the team and what made you join us?
Robin: After I knew MADragons (MA stands for Mediacorp Team A- anyway we only had team A as there were always not enough rowers during the 3 years / I’m still very proud that I was the one who came up with the team name) was going defunct 2 years back, I wanted to join Seahawk as my friend Ah Hock is there and there are enough old seahum in the team so I could join them for veteran races when I reach 40. However I always wanted to be coached by Hak Loon (but not anymore when my name was called repeatedly by him like a recorder that won't stop in every training) and also I wanted to introduce Cynthiaa to db (cos she always complained I spent too much time on db) so I went around sourcing for a leisure team as her fitness wasn't there yet for db. Bingo when on a Sunday after my training I spotted Cindy going for training and Hak Loon was the coach! Much later after I joined the team for the 1st training did I realise that I was totally misled by Cindy!

Cynthiaa: Since 4 Jan 09 (18 months). Robin's passion for DB has definitely made an impact on me (even when he worked the night-shift in his previous job, he still went for training... and DB to him was more important than ermm, "ME"). Fact is I wanted to spend more time with my busy hubby & keep Fit.

(Yep, our most committed rowers were attracted by our fantastic coach. A loss for Seahawk and a coup for Sunday Dragons!)

Both of you have definitely made a huge and positive impact on the team. Especially for Cynthia, from the demure wife and newbie rower to the super fit 21km finisher and number one female warrior of Sunday Dragons! How did you do that?
Robin: The only 'impact' I made was sharing the welfare drinks with others but recently, only a few want to drink the ice-cold 100+ as they are scared of getting a scolding by Hak Loon.

Cynthiaa: I always remember how the team moltivated me (especially CK, Summer, Georgin, FJ, Kennix & Janus… Also Robin lah) and I didn't want to let them down. Also, after joining DB, I hardly visited the clinic (touchwood)… I didn't train specially for the 21km run but did manage to run home from office occasionally, which saved me time, $$… and I still intend to do that until I quit the job. Anyone can do 21km... You can walk and run... hahaha.

(If we did a poll, we’re sure the drinks will be voted the most popular welfare initiative. Maybe Hak Loon is the only one on the boat who has never taken a sip… Thanks for the impressive sales pitch for DB and keeping fit, Cynthiaa!)

How do the both of you maintain your motivation and passion for dragonboat?
Robin: We don't! We are constantly worried that our names will be called in the boat and that already enveloped us with fear to row better.

Cynthiaa: I believe both of us wanted to avoid our names being called during training :P, so we always exchange tips & look out for each others’ flaws during & after trainings… we love talking about DB stuff together...and have made many good DB friends along the way.

(Once again, we see the influence of our coach, haha! Seriously though, we see the pay-offs of your diligent attitude in your rowing!)

What are some changes you noticed in yourself and your other half since joining Sunday Dragons?
Robin: Cynthiaa had to buy new clothes since picking up DB but heng she didn’t ask me to pay. Since I joined SD, I became haolian as I realised many younger peers look older than me.

Cynthiaa: Nothing much ... only realised that Robin is more lame than I thought he was. At times, I really hope he hits the right note at the right time… (And he is harmless, really.)

(Yes, guys in the boat, Robin is referring to YOU. Cynthiaa, we know Robin is humless, since he joined SD and not Seahawk, where the seahums are.)

This question is for Robin: where do you get your brand of humour from?
Robin: It is inherent and can't be replicated. Requires an IQ level of 120 to constantly churn out thought-provoking and highly intelligent jokes. Ok lah, I admit that many a times my jokes were so lame that kids also won't laugh. The fact is, I joke according to the other party's level of understanding.

Cynthiaa: 吴宗宪 (who else?)

(!! You pitch your jokes according the other party’s level of understanding, and we get lame jokes…what are you trying to say about us?? Now that you’ve said it, Cynthiaa…)

And for Cynthiaa: how do you tolerate Robin's humour? How would you describe his sense of humour?
Robin: We brainstorm jokes for the following week at home.

Cynthiaa: I'm a good wife, I just laugh along (sometimes I do roll my eye balls). I've been hearing his jokes for the past 15 years... and surprisingly I still get tickled.

(And Robin tries to implicate, oops, credit, his wife. Cynthiaa stands by her man’s humour. Altogether now: AWWW…)

What does "nana" really mean and where is it from (like banana? or pineapple?)?
Robin: Nana is 7 in Japanese and knowledge in Sanskrit but these are not the answers. Nana is short for nenehpok!

Cynthiaa: Mmm... continue guessing lor..

(The truth is out!)

How much time does each of you really spend on Facebook each day?
Robin: I only spend 5 minutes each day and Cynthiaa is already complaining!

Cynthiaa: Every morning to check for messages and have a game of Bejewelled before I sleep if I’m not too tired… I can go without Facebook.

(Aye, we suppose this does not include times when you upload photos. And we’re sure labelling and commenting take more time!)

Is it really so fun to flirt with each other on Facebook when you are married to each other and live under the same roof?!
Robin: No we don't do that. The fact is Cynthiaa is always hogging our only laptop playing Bejewelled and I sometimes need to add comments to those pictures posted on Facebook to entertain others.

Cynthiaa: Did we??

(Perhaps flirting with their spouse comes so naturally that they do so unconsciously. Will other married team mates try it out and give us the verdict?)

How much do you love Sunday Dragons?
Robin: I was born on a Sunday 40 years ago in the year of the Dog. If Sunday Dragons were named Sunday Dogs, I would love the team even more!

Cynthiaa: As much as I love dragonboating!

(We know you love the team. *wink*)

Describe yourself in less than 10 words.
Robin: Providing entertainment, bridging people, self-critical, love a sport called Dragonboat! (Heng used hyphen, considered only 1 word!)

Cynthiaa: Contented, peace-loving, easy-going and loves Hokkien songs.