January 14, 2022 - Frontline

A season to be jolly

HomeTeamNS members had a ho-ho-holly jolly time at the clubhouses during the December holidays, as they immersed themselves in festive activities like lucky draws, crafts, and contributing care packages to the needy.

TEXT: ADLINA ADAM
PHOTOS: HOMETEAMNS

FIFA 22 TOURNAMENT AT PLAYPEN BUKIT BATOK

PlayPen hosted its first and largest FIFA 22 Christmas Tournament on 18 December 2021 from 10am to 4pm. Some 24 participants pitted their skills against each other for bragging rights to be the best e-footballer. The tournament consisted of three stages – Group Stage, Knockout Round, and Grand Final, and was open to all age groups.

With entry fees starting at S$35, the tournament included guaranteed FIFA 22 match play sessions and a S$10 meal voucher to Éla, a Halal Greek Restaurant at HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok. Participants also stood a chance to win a Nintendo Switch OLED console in a virtual lucky draw.

HomeTeamNS would like to congratulate George, Sabri, and Ignatius – the FIFA 22 Christmas Tournament’s top-three finishers. The top three won an Xbox Series S (worth S$459), a S$100 Premier Football Voucher and a S$50 Premier Football Voucher respectively.

“This is a great initiative by HomeTeamNS! Kudos to the PlayPen team for organising this tournament. I hope there will be more similar tournaments in the future!”, shared HomeTeamNS member Sabri Daud, who finished second.

PlayPen plans to accommodate more members in future tournaments. Stay tuned for information on upcoming events on Laser Quest’s Facebook Page or our website.

CHRISTMAS WINTERLAND AT HOMETEAMNS BUKIT BATOK

From a Winterland Snowy Experience to Winter Craft sessions, 325 HomeTeamNS members and their loved ones had an enjoyable time at HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok during the December holidays.

Winterland Snowy Experience

Who said you can’t experience snow in sunny Singapore? HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok found a workaround to our tropical climate by setting up a cosy air-conditioned tent by the swimming pool that offered a magical experience. Families had a blast playing in the “winter” wonderland, courtesy of the cool air and artificial snow foam.

“We love how interactive the Christmas activities are, especially the Snowy Experience!” shared HomeTeamNS member, Jerome Ng.

Winter Craft

Back by popular demand, Winter Craft sessions made a return this Christmas season at HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok on 26 December 2021. With well-loved options such as Sand Art and Slime Making, the craft sessions were open to all.

Missed out on these exciting activities? Catch up with HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok for a Feng Shui Talk during the upcoming Chinese New Year period. Look out for the event details on the HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok Facebook Page or on the HomeTeamNS website.

CAUSE IT’S CHRISTMAS AT HOMETEAMNS KHATIB

It’s the season of sharing! HomeTeamNS Khatib rallied members and guests to contribute Care Packs and Play Passes to two beneficiaries – Tak Takut Kids Club by 3 Pumpkins, a community space for children, and the Sunshine Welfare Action Mission (SWAMI) Home, a voluntary welfare organisation that provides integrated nursing home care services to the elderly.

The care packages consisted of daily essentials such as toiletries and groceries, while the Play Passes admitted the children for play time at Adventure HQ and T-Play. A total of 123 contributions were made by HomeTeamNS members and guests, which brought smiles to the beneficiaries.

Members and guests who contributed gifts were treated to a Christmas carnival organised by HomeTeamNS Khatib on 11 and 12 December 2021. Some 180 members and guests played Minute-To-Win-It games, jumped around at the Bouncy Castle and received a Merry Bag inclusive of a gelato voucher from Jewel Cafe.

A CRAFTY CHRISTMAS AT HOMETEAMNS-JOM BALESTIER

Craft and Lunch with Santa

In collaboration with SmartArtz Studio and Indulge Teppanyaki and Grill House, 20 members and 10 guests of HomeTeamNS-JOM Balestier created their own Gingerbread House Craft as a pair and had a hearty Western meal with Santa Claus on 19 December 2021.

Help Santa Lose Weight

After all that Christmas feasting, Santa is sure to have gained a pound or two. HomeTeamNS members were tasked to help Santa lose weight, either by eating a healthy meal at HomeTeamNS-JOM Balestier eateries – Jom Makan Seafood or Indulge Teppanyaki & Grill House, or by completing simple workouts – 20 Jumping Jacks or 30 Squats!

Members were spoiled for choice for healthy meal options, including Seafood White Bee Hoon and Stir-fry Garlic Kang Kong from Jom Makan Seafood, and any dishes containing Chicken Breast or Salmon Fillet from Indulge Teppanyaki & Grill House.

Christmas Craft-A-Land and Gift DIY

At the Christmas Craft-A-Land event on 18 and 19 December 2021, 177 HomeTeamNS members and 156 guests participated in various fun station games and activities including Candy Cane Hook, a Christmas Quiz and Walk, Find & Snap.

Candy Cane Hook participants were tasked to transfer Candy Canes from one bucket to another; while for Walk, Find & Snap, contestants combed the clubhouse to find Christmas-related items and take photos for a chance to win prizes.

Eight lucky winners walked away with prizes worth S$550 across the two-day event, with one grand prize and three consolation prizes given out each day.

Missed out on the fun? Don’t fret! Keep fit with HomeTeamNS-JOM Balestier and receive S$20 food and beverage vouchers when you sign up for Judo and Karate classes, from 1 to 31 January 2022.

SPIN & WIN AT FITNESS WORKZ

In the spirit of giving, members who signed up for the six-month or 12-month memberships at any of Fitness Workz gyms between 20 to 31 December 2021 got to spin the wheel and walk away with prizes. A total of 69 members signed up for the gym memberships and received free gifts such as an Under Armour backpack, smoothie blender, ab wheel roller and suspension trainer.

“I thank the trainers for presenting me with this gift. It is not all the time you get to win something. The suspension trainer allows me to add something different to my current workout!” shared Muhamad Sallehan Bin Zainuddin.

Wish to work out as a group? Look out for the promotions for group classes on the HomeTeamNS Fitness Workz Facebook Page.

SANTA’S LUCKY DIP AT T-PLAY BUKIT BATOK

Between 11 and 25 December 2021, T-Play members who booked a slot at T-Play Bukit Batok were entered in Santa’s Lucky Dip. Three lucky winners won a 2D1N Villa Staycation at HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok, a Junior Bicycle Set (inclusive of a bicycle, helmet, and elbow and knee pads) or a two-hour Console Game Time at PlayPen and three Laser Quest Missions (for two people each) at HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok.

The winners were announced through an interactive Facebook Live session on 26 December 2021 on T-Play’s Facebook page. T-Play Bukit Batok also encouraged online viewers to be among the first five to like, share and comment on the post to stand a chance to win T-Play Art Packs.

Missed out on all the fun? Stay tuned for more clubhouse activities and events coming up next month! Check out the HomeTeamNS Official Facebook Page or website for the latest updates.

New year, new state of mind

To be your best self in 2022, make it a point to refresh, recharge and embark on new challenges

TEXT: MELODY TAN
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Multi-tasking is a skill that many of us have honed to a fine art – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when working from home became a norm. Singaporeans are used to wearing several hats, often all at the same time: Hardworking employee, caring spouse, loving parent, filial son or daughter. On weekends or after working hours, we often turn into houseproud cleaners, private-hire drivers, accomplished chefs or food da pao maestros for our families. There’s no denying that despite our best intentions, we sometimes take on too much and are exhausted instead of being rejuvenated by our personal commitments.

As such, it is important to set aside quality time for yourself to prevent burnout – after all, work is a known source of stress in Singapore. The pandemic has also changed our perceptions of work-life balance. In a 2021 survey by Oracle, more than half of the respondents reported feeling a loss of control over their futures and personal lives. Over 90 per cent of respondents also said that the meaning of success had changed for them.

Taking time off to focus on your own needs can not only reduce stress, but restore your inner equilibrium and even improve creativity – making you not just a better professional, but also a better partner, parent and person. Here are some tips on how to incorporate ‘me-time’ into your daily routine this new year.

INHALE, EXHALE

Yoga sessions don’t have to involve signing up for classes or heading out to a studio. You can buy a mat and do short yoga exercises from YouTube in the comfort of your own bedroom or living room, during your lunch break or before you head out to the office.

Yoga’s benefits are not just physical. Learning to breathe, which is one of yoga’s most important aspects, can help you to relax mentally and even sleep better. Some practitioners have reported feeling more energetic and alert, as well as having improved moods. Just holding a pose for five to 15 minutes can help to clear your mind and give you a much-needed time-out during a busy day.

For something that can be done anywhere and doesn’t require a mat, turn to meditation. When you’re waiting for the train, standing in line to buy dinner or getting ready for work, you can try taking deep, slow, intentional breaths to clear your mind.

In addition to reducing stress, meditation can help to control anxiety, enhance self-awareness and increase one’s attention span. You can use apps like Headspace to learn how to meditate or get tips on exercises aimed at improving sleep, creativity or focus.

WRITE IT OUT

With so much going on in our lives, just getting through the day can be a challenge. Journalling can help sort out your thoughts, feelings and priorities, helping you to understand yourself and others better while at the same time, organising the never-ending flow of ideas, people and events in your head.

Whether you choose to write in a fancy leather-bound notebook, on scrap paper or on the Notes app of your phone, studies have found that journalling can lead to a host of benefits, including improved sleep, better self-esteem, greater intelligence, a stronger immune system — and even faster wound healing! While you are unlikely to turn into Wolverine from the X-Men, taking a few minutes at bedtime to write about your day is a great way to unwind, relax and over time, create a record of your own self-development.

LET IT GO – LITERALLY

Living in an untidy environment is known to be stressful for people. It’s hard to find the things you need, and you don’t have enough space for all the things you have. In comparison, decluttering your home can resolve tension, reduce anxiety and even boost your confidence.

With Chinese New Year coming up, many households in Singapore are going through an annual spring cleaning. But you don’t need a special occasion to declutter.

If the task seems intimidating, home organisation guru Marie Kondo recommends going by category, not location, to make it easier. Instead of tackling one room at a time, choose a category of item – for example, clothes – and spending a few hours during the weekend discarding items that no longer spark joy.

If you can’t bear the thought of throwing them into the garbage, you can consider selling good-quality items on online marketplaces like Carousell, or donate them to good causes such as Books Beyond Borders, Junk To Clear and the other organisations listed here. You might make your item’s recipient very happy while also creating a more comfortable, spacious home for yourself.

CONNECT WITH YOUR CIRCLE

The benefits of friendship are manifold. Besides preventing loneliness and reducing stress, friends give us a sense of belonging, make us feel more confident and resilient, and even improve our physical health – studies have shown that older adults with fulfilling social lives are likely to live longer.

Still, keeping up with friends or extended family members can be tough when everyone is so busy. Some may also live overseas or have work schedules that make meeting up difficult.

Even if it’s just a breezy text message or a quick phone call, reaching out to them can help to reaffirm your closeness and strengthen your bond. If you want to meet in real life but have conflicting schedules, try suggesting an early morning run or a weekend late-night supper. You could also combine family time with friends, by meeting at a HomeTeamNS clubhouse for a quick coffee catch-up while the kids get to know one another over board and console games at PlayPen or play time at T-Play, the Transportation and Peranakan-themed indoor playgrounds.

After all, catching up with an old friend gives you the opportunity to connect with someone who accepts your flaws and quirks without question, knows how to make you laugh, is comfortable enough to be completely honest with you, and has seen you grow into the person that you are today.

TRY SOMETHING NEW

From rock-climbing to cross-stitching to public speaking, there are plenty of things you haven’t tried yet. Why not make 2022 the year you take up a new challenge?

Doing something new and different can open exciting doors, such as discovering a lifelong hobby or embarking on a career transformation. It’s also been known to sharpen your thinking skills, keep you from getting stale and boring (or being bored) and help you grow as a person.

To conquer your fear of the unknown, start small. For example, if you want to learn how to cook, choose a simple recipe to follow that doesn’t require a lot of kitchen equipment or complicated techniques. If you prefer to be guided, check out the huge variety of courses and activities on offer at your nearest HomeTeamNS clubhouse – there’s something for everyone, and you can sign up with friends or family as well.

From time to time, it’s good to hang up your multiple hats and concentrate on your own fulfilment and growth – for the benefit of your loved ones, as well as yourself. As we enter 2022, make this the year that you choose to focus on you.

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