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Sunday, February 28, 2010

My Friend's Toyota Prius

What's all the hullabaloo about Toyota Prius? My friend has one and we had fun fooling around with it when she came to my house to deliver her son's wedding invitation (see post: Zetuan's wedding).

I was very impressed with the dashboard!

She parked it and ran after the dog which wanted to do what comes naturally...pee on the tyres!!
While she was shooing the dog, I took close-up shots. At that time, the only person I know who drives a Prius is Cameron Diaz.
"HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE"  wah....I am not sure what that means, but it sounds awesome!!!

Getting a feel of the steering wheel


very funny command: KEY NOT DETECTED..what next? foot not on pedal? driver not in seat? ha ha ha!! this is what I call "idiot commands"


"Among the Prius's options are Toyota's implementation of a Smart Key System (the feature can be user-deactivated), DVD navigation on the MFD, Vehicle Stability Control and Bluetooth for hands-free calling. A new Intelligent Parking Assist system was available in Japan and Europe since its launch."


Cantik, kan?


Like aeroplane controls....so many controls, she gave me a crash course, but I forget. Lack of practice!

Overall view of the Prius
Rear view.....I hope hers did not get recalled. I wanna test drive it!


About Toyota Prius:
The Toyota Prius (pronounced /ˈpriːəs/) is a full hybrid electric mid-size car developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation. The Prius is the most fuel efficient gasoline car currently sold in the U.S. according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) also rate the Prius as among the cleanest vehicles sold in the United States based on smog forming and toxic emissions.

It first went on sale in Japan in 1997, making it the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle

It is classified as a SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) and is certified by California Air Resources Board as an "Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle".


2010: Recall of Toyota Prius:
Toyota woes mount as gov't examines Prius brakes
WASHINGTON – Toyota faced mounting pressure Thursday as the government opened a probe of brake problems with the Prius, a crown jewel of its lineup. The beleaguered automaker said it was "too soon" to decide whether to add the hybrid to the millions of cars it has recalled

Some owners of the 2010 Prius have reported their brakes do not always engage immediately when they press the brake pedal, or that the brakes have an inconsistent feel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it would assess the scope of the problem and the safety risk to about 37,000 cars that could be affected.





Toyota mulls Prius recall



TOKYO, JAPAN Feb 05 2010 07:03 Toyota is preparing to recall its iconic Prius hybrid car to address more than 100 complaints about delayed braking, spreading the top carmaker's quality woes to one of its most important models.

Customers have reported a split-second loss in braking power on both brands' hybrid cars when driving over bumpy or slippery roads, when a delay occurs in the switch from the hybrid's regenerative braking system to the traditional brakes.
 
 Source: http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-02-05-toyota-mulls-prius-recall
 

Old Man, Friend of Pigeons

One day I fetched Small Daughter to tuition at Pandan Perdana.  While at the carpark going to my car, I saw this from afar.......

an old man...a lone figure
he takes something out of his plastic bag
no, he is not alone
he is surrounded by pigeons, his feathered friends!

they actually feed off his hand
He allows them to alight on both outstretched hands!!

after he has finished feeding them, he gently lets them down
and walks back to his condo unit!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Jan Shaw's Mum's New Place

On the 6th Day of CNY, we went to Guat Hong's Mum  house-warming. Renovation was undertaken by Guat Hong herself, her pet project is buying houses and doing it up.



spacious and avant-garde design
we went upstairs to check things out



antique furniture from their own factory

upstairs lounge
Gunter says...I have a new toy!!!
It has so many apps!!
email speed is lightning fast!
Our usual group...Sherine, Sharon and Austrian friend
Lim, Wee Hong, Andrew, wife and twin daughters

Auntie Betty,Uncle Gan and Cousin/Daughters' Visit

The Gan Family dropped by for a CNY visit.
My mum's sister Aunt Betty looks ready for a photo at last!
Cousin with her 3 adorable princesses


They cannot miss their Mr.Bean show!
Always ready for a pose!

Cousin has been trained since her high-flying days to keep slim!

Below:
Uncle Gan relaxing..he says my house is so small he "yat ngan tai sai!!" (one look with his eye he has taken in everything!). (His brother the furniture boss's is huge!)  



HAPPY CNY! Pls come to my humble house every year!

Friday, February 26, 2010

CNY Visit to Auntie Betty/Uncle's Veg Plot

Auntie has had a bad bout of diabetes so we visited her on CNY, on our way back from Singapore.  Aunt is camera-shy as she is not ready...but Uncle looks in the pink of health!





Let me take you to see my vegetable plot
His plot is so well tended, he has been featured in a Chinese daily before:
顏泰發(68歲,樂齡人士):種菜當休閒活動 “菜園不是作為私人用途,純粹是作為退休人士的休閒活動、聯絡彼此之間感情。” 樂齡人空地闢菜園 空地種菜純屬休閒活動

(Sin Chew Jit Poh, Sunday 9 August 2009)


er, don't ask me to translate, I did not recieve Chinese education!


Wow! he really worked the land!



er....I do not know the names of the vegetable plants!!
yam, I think

He gets a pair of scissors/shears to cut veg for us

this vegetable is delectable cooked in soup with ikan bilis and salted egg

Uncle just simply put it inside his maggi mee


succulent and juicy
he has even dug a well to source for water




this species of miniature hibiscus does not open fully
and looks like the chili padi plant!
that day was a scorcher!



pegaga which he says is a weed



pineapples

the plot is situated next to the community centre
who knows? one day they will choose him to be their representative!