Dandelion & Thistle

Red Eye Flights

2011-11-24T10:08:00.002+08:00

Some people have a lot of trouble sleeping and may have to resort to white noise maker to help them float away into Dreamland. Luckily I don't have too much trouble sleeping and am able to even fall asleep on planes. However, as I grow older, I find it really tiring to take red-eye flights even when I can sleep. The last one I did last week knocked me out for a few days! Never again!!

Novelty Cakes

2011-11-09T11:33:00.002+08:00

Novelty birthday cakes are the trend these days. I've been for several parties where amazing 3-D cakes are used and it feels like such a waste to cut into that fantastic creation! Best part is they not only look good but taste so yummy as well with delicious flavours such as black forest, red velvet and chocolate! If you're a busy mother looking for excellent birthday cakes or if you're a busy executive with no time to buy cakes, then opt for Berries Cakes. You can check them out and you'll be impressed with their range of cakes and service!

Keeping in Touch Seamlessly

2011-10-18T09:30:00.002+08:00

Nowadays with the seamless connectivity of the iStuff, it is so easy to keep in touch with loved ones. I really enjoy being able to connect with the hubs wherever he is in the world with Whatsapp. The iStuff comes with a lot more other interfaces one can use for chatting and even video calls which the hubs currently does not have. Perhaps, for Christmas, I should consider getting him an iPod or maybe Buy ipod nano 4Gb so he can keep in touch better with the Apple interfaces. Yes, I think I shall!

Shopping Spree

2011-10-18T09:27:00.002+08:00

We had a department trip to Melaka last week and I was really surprised at how much my colleagues bought! They were so thrilled with the local mall although it did not carry that many trendy clothes boutiques. They bought up heaps of baked goodies such as tarts, local cakes and even preserved fruit to bring back into Singapore! I guess, to their powerful Singapore dollar, everything they saw was tremendously cheap! Its good for the Malaysian economy then!

Car Assistance

2011-10-18T09:17:00.001+08:00

I used to drive a rather old car before I changed to my new car. Being a lower quality car, I often had to put up with faulty windows, leaking radiators and worse, engine failure! Hence, one of the most important things I ensured I renewed every year was my roadside assistance programme. For a minimal sum payable annually, I was fully covered with good roadside assistance anywhere in the city. It really helped especially since I was a single lady who had no clue of how to change a simple car tyre! You should definitely consider getting the same if you drive a lemon :P

Lasik For Eyes

2011-08-08T10:19:00.001+08:00

Quite a number of my colleagues wear ed hardy glasses or contacts. I have been encouraging them to consider lasik on their eyes to improve their vision but they are too scared to consider it as they say the effects can be really bad as it involves vision and sight. I have done my lasik for over 5 years now and am perfectly happy with the results. I've enjoyed clear-free vision and enjoyed wearing sunglasses for several years already. I wouldn't change a thing!

Cigarettes Made Healthy

2011-08-01T08:11:00.002+08:00

I was quite surprised to see advertisements recently for e cig which promoted healthier cigarettes for a greener and healthier world. To be honest, I'm not sure how cigarettes can be considered healthy however if the manufacturer can support their claims with research, I'm sure many smokers will consider those instead in their attempt to be a little healthier. However, overall, cigarettes are still harmful to your health and I will not recommend smoking at all.

Looking at Laptops

2011-07-13T09:45:00.002+08:00

DH is on the lookout for a laptop as his current work laptop does not support a lot of functions. It is just like mine which bans all kinds of non-work related sites and downloading of programmes. We recently saw some on offer during an electronics fair and they were promoting the hp pavilion laptops which looked very sleek and nice. Has anyone used them before and do you find their storage size and performance good?

Fixed Mortgage Loans

2011-07-13T09:40:00.002+08:00

I never knew insurance companies offered competitive mortgage rates until I was looking for a suitable loan for my property. I found some fixed rates with a reputable insurance company and they even offered the option of mortgage life insurance backed against the loan to ensure full coverage in any unforeseen events. It was a good move, in the end, to get a fixed mortgage rate as the base lending rates have started to go up. At least with a fixed rate, I will not have to worry of fluctuating interest payments.

Hair Maintenance

2011-06-22T14:08:00.001+08:00

I am always on the lookout for a good hairdresser so I was very pleased when a friend recommended a good and cheap one she had tried recently. I'm quite lazy when it comes to things like maintaining my hair and have only ever tried buying products from the herstyler site which specialises in hair products. Unfortunately, it didn't quite help my hair fall problem and I'm still on the lookout for a product or hairdresser who can help me address this problem and make me look good! Anyone got any to recommend?

Converting Measurements

2011-06-22T14:04:00.002+08:00

Are you good with conversions? I'm really bad at conversions and estimations and never fail to be impressed with quantity surveyors or architects who can convert feet to square metres and back again without even blinking! If I was in such a line, I would almost certainly need my very own digital converter to help me do all those painful conversions without appearing like an idiot! :P

Following Your Passion

2011-06-22T14:02:00.000+08:00

Facebook is a great way to get updated about your friends or acquintances. I just saw from Facebook that a guy I used to know has actually left his good paying job in Singapore to open up his own diving site in Malaysia. I remember that he was so passionate about diving that he splashed out several thousands for his very own diving suunto watch to help him track each of his dives. I always admire people who have the courage to follow their passion and only wish them the very best and every success.

Rehab Centres

2011-05-19T09:27:00.000+08:00

It never fails to amaze me how open the West is about drugs. Here, in Asia, where drug trafficking carries the ultimate death penalty, most rehab centres are supported by the Government or NGOs. However, in the US, rehab centres such as california rehabs offers excellent facilities for addicts undergoing rehabs. It is just like a luxurious hotel in the countryside with great accomodation, food and all round the clock care. It may be expensive but if it cures the problem, no money is too much to save your loved one.

Limitless Opportunities

2011-05-19T09:24:00.000+08:00

Jobs are becoming more specialised these days in the competitive world we live in. 10 years ago, jobs such as professional blogger, wedding photographer and motorhome repair expert would have been non-existent as everyone pursued professional and safe careers such as medicine, law and accountancy. However, the world is a really flat world these days with the advancement of technology and the internet which has opened up limitless possibilities. It's great being young these days and being allowed to pursue your passion!

Barter For What You Want

2011-05-06T08:46:00.000+08:00

Bartering is almost unheard of in our commercial society these days. But who knows, bartering may actually be a fast and convenient way for people to get what they want without spending money and getting rid of some of their items. In the interests of a sustainable planet some clever people have actually set up bartering sites such as www.cometobarter.com to encourage people to barter for the things they want rather than buy them and add to the growing pile of junk everyone has. Don't you think its a great idea? I think it is and wouldn't mind checking it out myself!

Backing Up Data

2011-04-29T09:07:00.001+08:00

I never used to be very concerned with data backup as I always thought I didn't have much urgent things to back up anyway. However, I recently experienced a problem when my laptop died and I was unable to retrieve all my information inside! Worst, I thought I had lost all my photograph copies and had a major panic session! Now, I make sure I back up my data regularly, both through a online data backup programme and on an external hard disk. You can never be too sure!

Great Online Shopping

2011-04-29T09:01:00.004+08:00

Shopping nowadays is becoming easier with the creation of online shopping sites. I know of people who hardly ever shop outside in physical stores anymore as they find much better deals online and love the convenience of their purchases delivered to their doorstep. Personally, what I like about online shopping is the plethora of reviews out there on sites such as click here which give non-biased reviews on products to help you make your decision. Here's to more great online shopping!

Forgetting Wedding Anniversary

2011-04-20T09:35:00.002+08:00

I had a good laugh the other day when my friend told me how her dad got into trouble for forgetting his own wedding anniversary. Instead of having a nice dinner with her mom, he went out drinking with his friends instead! His efforts to send flowers next day were not compensation enough and he has to put up with outside food for the time being as his wife will not cook for him! Worse, he uses his wedding anniversary date as his password for everything! Somehow men and wedding anniversaries just don't gel! I don't understand why they can never remember the date!

Video Conferencing

2011-04-20T09:31:00.002+08:00

One impressive thing my office has is a Halo video conferencing system that allows you to hold live video conferencing with people from other parts of the world. There is only one facility in this region and I was surprised to learn that some people actually come in all the way from KL just to use the facility. Perhaps they hold really important megameeting.com web conferencing type meetings that need to be done face-to-face, virtually. I've never tried it before but hope to have the chance to one day!

DH and his iMac

2011-04-20T09:24:00.001+08:00

I never knew DH to be an Apple fan but when he saw a promotion for the iMac, it didn't take him long to click online to purchase it! The sweetener of the deal for him was the free epson printers that came with the iMac which did make it a very good deal overall. Needless to say, he's thrilled with his Mac and we now have a huge 27 inch screen sitting on our coffee table! It takes quite some time to learn how to use it as the Mac has no right click function. Perhaps we should look into purchasing Windows for Mac to make things easier.

Electronic Health Machines

2011-03-28T09:25:00.002+08:00

A new centre dealing in electrostimulation machines has set up near my place. It operates machines that promote circulation in your body. All one needs to do is to place their feet on it for half hour and some have claimed significantly increased health benefits as a result. I've been giving it a try as they are running free trials for the first 15 sessions. I'll post more if it works on my bad circulation!

Really Strange Colleague

2011-03-09T09:38:00.001+08:00

One of my colleagues is really odd. His shoe sole came off yesterday and when my other colleague asked when he'll be buying a new pair of shoes, he said he was on an austerity drive. That really surprised us as he actually comes from a wealthy family. Even odder was his reply when we asked why he was on an austerity drive - just for the sake of it! Gosh, even if you are on an austerity drive, there comes a time when shoes need to be changed because nothing lasts forever! And worse, we weren't even asking him to buy an expensive shoe like mbt shoes! He's really quite strange and funny at times.

Resume Update

2011-03-09T09:34:00.001+08:00

I've just updated my resume and believe there are still lots of improvements I can make to it. It does seem a little too long and I believe I should cut it down further as ideal resumes are only two to three pages long especially if one is planning to go for management jobs where recruiters may not have much time to read a detailed resume. I think I need much further work on it tonight before I finalise and send it out to the head hunters.

Another Short Break

2010-12-09T09:52:00.000+08:00

I'm off again for a little holiday this Friday to join DH in Bangkok and then take a short break in Phuket. I'm there for a particular reason but am also looking forward to checking out the fashion warehouses in Pratunam. They have great looking dresses and women's apparel for a song and will even slash the prices further if you buy more than 3 pieces of apparel! In preparation for that trip, I've been good and have hardly looked at any apparel shops here as I know they will be much cheaper in Bangkok! Can't wait! Hopefully we have quite a bit of time to do some shopping!

Camping in Winter

2010-12-09T09:41:00.002+08:00

We were in Europe two weeks ago for a holiday and while I thoroughly enjoyed it, I found the weather really cold and miserable, especially in Edinburgh! I can't imagine how people there can consider outdoor activities such as camping in that sort of weather! Then again, the Western countries have great high quality camping gear such as GoLite Sleeping Bags which have specially made bags for negative degree weather. Would you consider camping in those conditions? Certainly not me! Give me a warm room and proper bathroom anyday!

Lovely Jewelry

2010-12-01T21:38:00.002+08:00

I was having lunch today with my colleagues when I realised one of them was wearing a really lovely pair of diamond stud earrings. They were huge, at least 0.5 carats each and looked absolutely beautiful, sparkling away with each ray of light that caught on them. They looked very simple but I believe must have cost a fortune because no diamond of that size and beauty can be so cheap! Some women have really beautiful jewelry pieces.

Science Jobs

2010-12-01T21:32:00.002+08:00

There was a time when science jobs were hugely popular and parents all over were encouraging their children to do science. Now, science seems to have lost its popularity somewhat in this digital age with IT related jobs and entrepreneurial jobs taking centre stage. Someday when this whole internet boom has died down, people might find that basics are still best and start going back to traditional but stable jobs like science and law!

Best Eye Cream

2010-12-01T21:29:00.002+08:00

Have you ever heard of a brand called Stryvectin? It is said to be one of the best eye wrinkle cream to hit the market. Apparently it started off as a stretch mark cream that very quickly became a hit amongst wrinkle conscious ladies when they realised how effective it was in lightening their wrinkles around the eyes. I'm currently trying it out for my crow's feet and am hoping to see some good results soon too!

Indulging in French Fries

2010-12-01T21:26:00.002+08:00

I always have a soft spot for French Fries and enjoy indulging in them every now and then. However, the last trip to Europe saw us eating fries almost every other time we had a Western meal! So much so that I have absolutely no more cravings for it anymore! In fact, I ate so much of it that I believe it has added inches to my ever growing waist! :P Perhaps it's time to start looking for the most effective diet pill for a quick fix solution! Especially with the festive season just around the corner!

Battling Crows Feet

2010-12-01T21:20:00.002+08:00

I never thought I will worry about wrinkles but I really did freak out when I found some crows feet at the side of my eyes. Luckily my beauty expert sis had some new wrinkle creams in her cosmetic stash and she passed me a tube of eye cream to try. I haven't been very diligent in using it since we were travelling for the past two weeks but I hope it does improve and lighten my wrinkles with constant usage! If we can't avoid age, we can hopefully delay it!

Treatment for Acne

2010-12-01T21:16:00.002+08:00

We had a fantastic holiday in Europe, visiting lots of countries and sights. The only downside was how terribly cold it was! Almost every country was freezing and winter certainly came early this year with news of snow just before we left! Luckily we had enough winter stuff this trip and managed to keep quite warm. Unfortunately, wrapping myself up in my scarf resulted in some acne spots on my chin which is taking forever to go away! Does anyone know of any good and effective adult acne treatment? One would think I should not be getting anymore acne at this age!

Mustafa's in Little India

2010-10-20T17:54:00.001+08:00

When sis was in town last weekend, we took her out to Mustafa's, one of the tourist icons of Singapore. Its a huge 6 storey store in Little India open for 24 hours and sells just about anything you can think of! The selections they have are really mind-boggling and they sell brands that I have never seen or heard of before! Even their best weight loss supplement products are mind-boggling with racks and racks of supplements and vitamins. Its definitely worth a visit if you're in Singapore. Quite an eye opener!

Make Up Choices

2010-10-20T17:47:00.002+08:00

There's been a slew of creams hitting the market recently. First there was BB cream from Korea that was said to be excellent in hiding blemishes, scars and dark circles. Now, I've heard there's a new cream called msm cream! Women today are lucky to have so many choices of creams and make up to choose from. With all these choices today, is it no wonder then that Japanese women spend a minimum of an hour making up and will never be caught dead without their make up on?!

Anti-Aging Too Quickly

2010-10-20T17:40:00.003+08:00

A teenager recently left a comment on my sis' website asking about wrinkle cream and anti-aging products. While its good that youngsters today are taking care of their skin with proper facial regimes, applying anti-aging at that tender age is definitely taking things too far! No thanks to our beauty industries that constantly promote youth, fairness and radiance out of bottles and lotions. Anti-aging creams are usually heavier in texture which can sometimes cause breakouts in young faces whose hormones are still stabilising. So while its good to be conscious, using anti-aging too early is definitely a no-no!

Losing Pregnancy Weight

2010-10-20T17:37:00.001+08:00

My colleague at work is recently pregnant after trying for quite a while already. However, she had some complications in her early pregnancy months and was prescribed bed rest. Hence, she put on weight quite early into her pregnancy which people have been commenting on. She was quite affected by it and even asked my other colleagues who have had children before how to lose stomach fat fast. They told her instead to worry about delivering a healthy baby first which I agree! Although society places lots of emphasis on beauty and thinness, we should never compromise our baby's health for beauty.

Money Isn't Everything

2010-09-24T16:40:00.003+08:00

Most of DH's friends all have children now and some of his friends who have been married for a while but are still childless are starting to feel the pressure. One of them actually told DH that he couldn't wait to pass around the cigars if his wife gets pregnant! I guess for some who are older, having a child is top of their priorities now. Its true when they say money is something but not everything, at the end of the day.

Discounts at Red Envelope

2010-09-24T16:35:00.002+08:00

One thing you have to love about the US is their wonderful shopping centres and superb retail discounts. They have sales for just about anything and anytime of the year! Best of all, these sales are extended to their online stores too so people like us who are outside the US get the enjoy them. Recently, I was browsing online and came across some great deals at Red Envelope for their Black Friday specials - Save 20% at RedEnvelope this holiday. So if you're looking for some great deals, try Red Envelope before their sale ends!

Gift Buying

2010-09-24T16:29:00.002+08:00

DH's father is a real garden enthusiast. He's transformed their garden back home into a little pond complete with lighting, a bench and fat fish which his grandchildren love to torment whenever they're back. So, when he was wondering what gift he should get his dad for Christmas, I suggested going to a gardening shop to look at some pond supplies. I'm sure his dad will love it and put it to good use rather than something else such as a massage chair which he may find less useful. It's never easy trying to think of gifts for others.

Pesky Pushers

2010-09-24T16:23:00.001+08:00

The insurance and credit card business here is highly competitive and aggressive. The other day, I was stopped by someone on my way to the office offering me up to $1,000 in vouchers if I signed up for a credit card! DH, on the other hand, was badgered by someone all the way home who was trying to get him to listen to their insurance quote and sign up an insurance package. It is quite unnerving at times and I wonder how the banks make money when they push such aggressive campaigns. Perhaps they have a really big advertising budget!

US Law

2010-09-24T16:12:00.002+08:00

One of my favourite sitcoms here has been Drop Dead Diva. Its a really entertaining series about a supermodel who dies and gets transferred into the body of a plus-sized but intelligent lawyer. What I find most enjoyable is watching how she manouveres her way in and out of the courtroom to win the most difficult and controversial cases. It does make the dry legal profession seem almost a desirable profession! Then again, law in the US has always been a lot more interesting than UK, especially when there are lawyers for all kinds of situations right down to personal injury lawyers Tucson! Working or trying to run a business in the US isn't all that easy if you have the risks of getting sued anytime for anything!

HDB Upgrade

2010-09-24T15:56:00.002+08:00

We've been enduring over a week of dust and inconvenience as our landlady has opted for a HDB upgrade programme which involved the hacking and renewal of both toilets. They are now towards the end of the programme and tiling works have started. I have to admit, I was rather impressed by the quality of their tiling work when I took a peep. The tiles were set and done really well and were in fact much better than the workmanship we had in our condos back home! Granted, it was not fancy fittings such as Kohler kitchen faucets nevertheless, the quality given for a Government flat was pretty good finishings. Its no wonder then that Singaporeans love their Government!

Taking on Second Jobs

2010-09-24T15:53:00.002+08:00

I just read in the papers today that inflation has gone up yet again. With the rising cost of living, is it not surprising that many are having to take on second jobs to have the lifestyle they desire? Many young people have started taking on real estate jobs, insurance, distributor water filter and others just to earn some extras. Some of these second jobs can actually pay quite well if you have a wide client base. However, like everything else, it requires a lot of time and hard work to build the right foundations before one can reap the benefits.

Globe Trotting Children

2010-09-24T15:05:00.002+08:00

DH's brother's family is heading to Japan this year end holidays for some skiing fun. The kids are, needless to say, terribly excited about it and looking forward to playing in the snow. They have also gotten their necessary winter stuff such as coats, snow boots and hats to keep them warm there. Those kids are really lucky children to be so widely travelled at such a young age. They just had a wonderful beach holiday in Maldives in May and are now off to Japan for a winter holiday! They are probably more widely travelled than me!

Slimming Treatments

2010-09-20T09:40:00.002+08:00

We usually get copies of free newspapers on the way to work in the mornings. The papers are free and usually heavily paid for by slimming companies and cosmetic surgery companies offering great deals on their packages. I've noticed that the Singapore papers seem to advertise slimming pills a lot less now since the incident several years ago where an actress nearly died from taking slimming pills. Now, they tend to advertise slimming treatments instead. Perhaps it is a better move compared to slimming pills which may cause long term damage to your body. Nevertheless, any form of assisted slimming treatment never comes cheap so do make sure you have deep pockets before starting one!

Brain Development Techniques

2010-09-20T09:32:00.002+08:00

I recently attended a really interesting workshop over lunch where they talked about brain development and frontal lobe development. The person conducting the workshop was a really experienced person with lots of degrees in psychology and brain development. One of the activities he recommended for developing your brain further was the meditation and deep breathing technique. According to him, meditation is a good way to calm your mind, a natural migraine treatment and to easily improve your brain activity without having to use challenging methods. I think its a good time to try meditating and deep breathing to calm myself from the renovation stress!

Home Renovation

2010-09-20T09:22:00.002+08:00

There has been lots of renovation happening in our block recently under the Home Improvement Programme by the government. It is clearly an election campaign move as I have heard that housing estates under the opposition do not get these sort of benefits. While it benefits the owners, it has been a nightmare with dust and mess everywhere. We've had to cramp ourselves and our things into one small room and I'm trying to work from home during the week while the work is going on. Pretty stressful not to mention the amount of cleaning we'll be looking at once all this is over. Oh well, perhaps it is one way of how to lose belly fat fast and get the exercise we need!

Health Phase

2010-09-20T08:53:00.000+08:00

DH has recently gone on a health phase. It all started after my uncle advised us of some powerful combination of flaxseed oil and cottage cheese that was said to be really useful for cancer sufferers. Since then, DH has been doing research on the benefits of flaxseed oil and powerful properties the little seed brings. We now try to take it for breakfast and he wakes up extra early to blend the mixture. It takes some getting used to as the texture is quite creamy and a little salty. But once I throw in my handful of raisins or prunes, its actually quite palatable. Anything in the name of health!

Life Insurance Policies

2010-09-01T09:41:00.003+08:00

I've been wondering if we should consider getting some term life insurance while we're here. I don't believe our Malaysian policies are applicable anymore as policies are usually limited to the country they are operated out of. However, we're trying to save for a few things here and a term life insurance will definitely delay our savings plan. Perhaps I can just ask around first to get some term life insurance quotes before we make any decisions.

Doing Business

2010-09-01T09:29:00.002+08:00

We caught up with DH's friend last weekend when we were in Muar. He's a highly successful business owner and was sharing how he has recently expanded into the Australian market with the help of another friend who is now his sole distributor. It's probably a lot easier to work with a friend than to contact wholesale distributors at random whom you might not be able to trust as well. Despite the risks that come with it, I still think doing your own business would prove to be more successful in the long term than employment.

Improvement Works

2010-09-01T09:27:00.002+08:00

We just got a notice yesterday on some improvement works that will be carried out in our landlady's flat. It spans over a week and a half and is going to be really inconvenient as one of us will need to be in the house during that time. They will also be doing hacking so it's going to be really dusty and dirty and I'm guessing that we will not be able to cook or maybe even do our laundry during that period! Sigh, I wish this could have been done before we moved in!

Discouraging Car Drivers

2010-09-01T09:22:00.002+08:00

We don't have a car here and I have to say I do miss the conveniences of a car terribly especially when we have to go back to Muar or want to visit somewhere less accessible. However, the cost of owing a car now is just too high and the Government has recently imposed further charges to discourage drivers. Overnight and season parking in the public housing areas have gone up significantly as well, not to mention car insurance, road tax and roadside assistance club membership. I'm not sure if its working as I still see lots of flashy cars zooming by on the road!

Holiday Plans Finalized!

2010-09-01T09:19:00.001+08:00

We've finally decided on our holiday destination and booked the tickets yesterday. Finally! :) Our original plans was to go to New Zealand but after we had a lot of trouble booking airline tickets, we decided to change the destination instead and are now heading off to Europe! How luxurious and decadent. I can't wait to head back to one of my favourite cities in the world - London!

Watches Instead of Diamonds

2010-09-01T09:13:00.002+08:00

A colleague at work is a huge watch fan. She told me that she even asked her husband to buy her a watch when she got engaged instead of a diamond ring. Then again, her watch probably costed her husband more than a diamond ring did! It's not a simple watch but a highly expensive collectors watch similar to brands like IWC and Cartier. Isn't it an interesting concept? Its something that you can wear everyday on your wrist without fearing for your safety.

Keeping Moist

2010-08-11T17:31:00.002+08:00

Although we live in a tropical country, I still slather on lots of moisturiser before I sleep to ensure my skin remains moist as we sleep and work in air-conditioned areas. Over time, it is common knowledge that air-cond exposure will cause the skin to dry out and age before its time. Apparently installing a dehumidifier in your room or office area may help to moisten the air. However, the best solution health experts recommend is to switch off the air-cond partway throughout the night and rely on natural air circulation instead.

Electronics Sales

2010-07-23T08:50:00.002+08:00

We've been on the lookout for an electric blender or hand held blender for the past few weeks. I've been holding off buying any as I recall leaving one behind in KL. I'm not sure if my parents are using it but thought we could bring it down if they aren't. However, when I opened the newspapers this morning, I found that this weekend seems to be chock-a-block full of electronics sales! Some even offering unbeatable deals of only $1 for an electronic item! Hm...perhaps we should have stayed on this weekend and gone electronics shopping instead! :)

Short Trip Back

2010-07-23T08:43:00.002+08:00

We're heading back to KL tonight and its going to be a pretty short trip with just the whole of Saturday to accomplish what we want to finish. There's so many things we need to do, including grocery shopping, that we were unable to fit in any facials or haircuts. Needless to say, I shouldn't even bother trying to get an appointment at my usual dermatologist! Guess all these will have to wait till our next trip back which will be longer!

Rain, rain and more rain

2010-07-23T08:40:00.002+08:00

The weather here has been pretty bad of late. There have been lots of rains almost everyday and I think the recent 3 floods that happened have left Singaporeans reeling! Yesterday was another cold and dreary day where we hardly saw the sun and I couldn't wait to tuck into a steaming hot bowl of noodles for dinner to warm myself up. The Swedish brother in law, however, found the weather just nice for him! Then again, he lives in Australia and in countries where an indoor or outdoor fireplace is a norm, a little bit of rain and drop in tropical temperature can hardly compare to their winters!

Weight Loss Ads

2010-07-09T13:35:00.002+08:00

I've heard that Gmail has this wonderful ability of picking up keywords in your emails and tailoring the advertisements you see to match those words. Well, I'm not sure what exactly its picking up from my mails because recently I've been bombarded by all kinds of weight loss product advertisements! I wonder if they are trying to send me a message that I should be thinking of losing some pounds or stop cooking and eating so much!

Sick

2010-07-04T17:39:00.002+08:00

DH has been quite sick even before he went off for his business trip. And he came back on Friday coughing terribly. He was so sick on his trip that he even lost the appetite to eat which says a lot considering how much he loves food! He has lost a few kg without any help from weight loss supplements and still hasn't regained much of his appetite. Hopefully he gets better soon with the doctor's medication.

Holiday Planning

2010-07-04T17:37:00.002+08:00

I just realised that we have only 5 months to go before our planned family vacation and we still have no idea where we are headed! Its quite funny but it seems like the weakened Euro has changed our plans from Down South in New Zealand to Europe! We'd better sit to discuss where we should go after the brother's exams are over! Whatever it is, I'm pleased to be looking forward to a break after the busy time here.

Going Natural

2010-07-04T17:33:00.001+08:00

Everyday it seems like new medical products are being found from plants and animals. I recently read in the papers about a new natural analgesic drug called cissus quadrangularis that was native to Asia especially in India. I tend to personally favour natural products these days as I do have concerns about putting too much chemicals into my body. While I'm not at the organic stage yet, I do try to reduce chemicals in our food and try to cook and eat whole foods as much as possible.

Effective Advertising?

2010-06-21T08:35:00.002+08:00

Our mailbox is constantly filled with all kinds of print advertisements. Thankfully it isn't all bills! Printing on brochures here must be really cheap because all kinds of people are fond of catalog printing for advertising. Everyone does it, even the real estate agents who freely distribute it all around. Do you think it is really effective or do you think it might just be a waste of money when people such as myself throw it out as junk mail?

Distasteful Furniture

2010-06-10T09:10:00.002+08:00

When we first moved into our place, I have to admit that I was a little surprised about the choice of furniture our landlady had used to furnish her unit. It was already a small unit to begin with and instead of furnishing it with a simple sofa or some small contemporary furniture pieces, she chose instead to put in a huge 3, 2 and 1 seater set that came with steel bars covered with a thin layer of leather. Guests can't even sleep on it because of the steel bar in the middle! Sometimes I do wonder where people's tastes are!

Recycling Prepaid Numbers

2010-06-01T17:44:00.002+08:00

I've been here 3 months already but am still surviving on a prepaid number as I have not decided which phone to buy and what plan to subscribe to. One problem I have found with using a prepaid number is the way they recycle numbers after a while. Recently, I got a few calls from someone asking for a wrong person and some calls from another person who was desperately trying to order Phentermine! I don't even know what Phentermine is but think it might be a weight loss drug. Perhaps that was why the person was so stressed in trying to get some!

Global Webcasting

2010-06-01T17:16:00.002+08:00

Working in a global company never fails to amaze me. I've always had only a local perspective in my previous companies and never knew that business could be done so seamlessly in a large multinational. We just came from a global webcast and I thought it was rather amazing and amusing to see employees from over 100 countries worldwide dialing in to listen. There were even people dialing in from as far as Lagos in Nigeria! Certainly a good experience.

Eating Weekend

2010-06-01T15:44:00.002+08:00

We headed back home for the long weekend last week and what a hectic but enjoyable trip it was! I had several facial and dermatologist appointments lined up so we were rushing from one end of town to the other. But the compensating factor was the yummy food we indulged in during the whole weekend. Food that I used to take for granted when I was living in KL but now miss dearly! Needless to say, all that indulgence does not come without a price and I'm going to be paying for it with the inevitable weight gain! Any recommendations for best weight loss drink or supplements?

Busy Week

2010-06-01T15:42:00.004+08:00

I'm having a busy week both at work and outside work! The husband's Swedish brother in law is in town en route back to Sweden and the day after he leaves, my sis will be down for a spot of shopping. I'm looking forward to a weekend out and shopping. Its been ages since I've gone out to buy clothes and shoes. I'm even taking half a day off on Friday so I can hopefully hit the shops before the weekend crowds start filling it up. I can tell its going to be a good weekend already :) Woohoo!

Looking For Tenants

2010-06-01T15:35:00.002+08:00

It's been about 3 months since I've left KL and my house is still unfortunately not tenanted. I've put it up on the market, dealt with some rather difficult real estate agents but keep getting told that the market isn't good. I don't get how the market can be not favourable when reports all over talk about a growing economy. Anyway, I've finally decided, with some advice from the parents, to buy mattresses and beds so I can market the place as a fully furnished apartment. Hopefully that will finally bring in some decent tenants at a good price. Lets keep the fingers crossed!

Herbal Cures

2010-05-26T15:35:00.002+08:00

I recently read an article that Western doctors are turning towards traditional herbs now to cure diseases. I personally believe in the power of herbs such as irvingia and do believe that Chinese herbs can be beneficial in helping your body fight illnesses or build immunity. In fact, traditional chinese medicine here has become so popular that some insurance policies even cover treatments under these chinese medicine practitioners! I think thousands of years of research done by our ancestors can't all be wrong.

American Idol Finals

2010-05-26T15:32:00.000+08:00

Its the American Idol finals tonight and I wonder who might win. Is it going to be Crystal or Lee? I personally think Crystal has been a more consistent singer compared to Lee who has been in the bottom few before. However, it is hard to say whether the winner will be determined by consistency or the final performance! What do you think? Sadly I don't think I'll be able to catch the results tomorrow as we'll be on our way home.

Anorexia

2010-05-26T15:29:00.002+08:00

I used to know a Singaporean girl in Uni who was really skinny. She was so thin that she'll wear boy's jeans because ladies' jeans cut had some allowance for hips for which she had none. Thinking back now, I'm not sure if she was on any weight loss products as she never gave any curvatrim review or other weight loss product reviews. However, she used to have really strange diets where she will not eat dinner but eat only chocolate or white bread later and exercise lots in the gym. I wonder if she's still as thin. I think hers was a case that was probably bordering on anorexia or anorexia itself.

Cooking At Home

2010-05-26T15:27:00.003+08:00

We've been cooking quite a bit since we came here. Ironically DH actually gets home earlier than me so he cooks dinner sometimes. His cooking style varies from mine drastically though so we sometimes get into arguments over whether garlic should be fried first or later! Nevertheless, it is still fun and cheaper to come back to healthy, home cooked meals instead of the MSG-laden food outside.

Skin Breaking Out

2010-05-26T15:23:00.002+08:00

One thing that is highest on my priority list when I head back this weekend is to see my dermatologist! He has a horrific waiting queue in the mornings but I really don't have much choice as my skin has been breaking out since my supply of antibiotics finished two months ago. He often gives me some cleanser, toner and acne cream together with the antibiotics but I find that the most effective of all is his cleanser and antibiotics. When I'm on his treatment, my skin is hardly ever oily and I seem to be able to use all types of products. However, when I go off it, my skin tends to breakout. On a long term basis, I really hope it clears up so I can stop taking those antibiotics.

World Cup 2010

2010-05-26T15:21:00.002+08:00

The World Cup in South Africa is just mere weeks away and sadly to get telecast for this, we will need to subscribe to a paying channel. Worse, there isn't any mamak here either for us to head to to watch the matches live. These are times when I really miss some elements of our lives back home. It just seems a little less complicated and sanitized! How will you be catching your football matches?

Law Practice

2010-05-26T15:07:00.002+08:00

I really admire my dear old dad. He decided to take up a law degree after he retired and just 5 years down the road, he's almost finishing his chambering to be a full fledged lawyer already! I can't wait to attend his calling to the Bar! He has chosen to concentrate on the quieter conveyancing section instead of the busier litigation side which involves going to court. Luckily Malaysia's law is quite straightforward compared to the US law which has lawyers and Acts for just about anything including Gulf Coast Jones Act!

Taking Diet Pills

2010-05-10T09:26:00.002+08:00

I used to run a review blog and sometimes got queries from companies offering me top diet pills to review and comment. I didn't use to be very keen on reviewing those as I don't really like to take diet pills and don't want to mislead my readers into thinking they are good or that they really work. I do have some concerns about the danger of diet pills and the ingredients they actually contain especially since they promise quick weight loss. Would you dare take them yourself?

Lunching With Strangers

2010-05-10T09:14:00.002+08:00

My colleagues here are quite amusing. They actually arrange lunch appointments way ahead in advance and block your calendar way in advance to make sure you have it there. I used to only have one lunch partner back in KL and I have to say I really miss our lunches together. Its nice knowing for sure who you will have lunch with and being comfortable enough with each other to chat about anything instead of having to make small conversation each time with strangers. Its just my introverted nature, I think!

Quick Weight Loss

2010-05-10T09:07:00.002+08:00

Would you be willing to do diet pill reviews if you were offered a chance to? I'm personally not sure if I would as most of the time, these pills are untested and who knows what ingredients they have that might be dangerous to one's health. It is never easy to lose weight but I think it should not be at the danger of one's health. Unfortunately, this competitive and instant world does not allow slow improvement of anything. Everything needs to be quick and fast!

Should We Go To NZ?

2010-05-10T09:05:00.002+08:00

We have been planning a trip to NZ at the end of the year. However, just as I was going to start looking for trips, mom said that it might be a better idea to go somewhere else! Its funny but none of us seems very keen on NZ. Maybe because we haven't heard much about it, whether there are any good fruits or food to sample or fun things to do. All people seem to talk about when it comes to NZ is its scenery! And I guess after a while, a lake or a mountain is just yet another lake or mountain!

Good Reviews On Olivenol

2010-04-21T16:14:00.002+08:00

My mom recently read some good supplement reviews on this new supplement called Olivenol. It is said to be very good for people with skin allergies or eczema and joint pains. We dropped by the local pharmacy last week to check the price and were actually surprised to be told that they were fully sold out as most customers found it very good. I went back last weekend to get some and found that it was not only easier to find back home but much cheaper too. We'll be doing our supplement shopping from home for now!

Home Cooking

2010-04-21T16:07:00.002+08:00

We tried our hand at cooking last weekend. We went out, got some little fish to fry and some vege. To my horror the fish were actually not cleaned and I had to clean them! Luckily hubs came to the rescue after a while. He also ended up frying the fish after he saw and laughed at how I was frying them from behind the wok cover! It turned out pretty alright although a little salty. Can't wait to try our hand at cooking again! Its a lot nicer than eating out.

Wardrobe Upgrade Needed

2010-04-21T16:03:00.002+08:00

I've noticed that people in my office are very stylish. On casual Friday, we're allowed to wear jeans but no one here pairs their jeans with big T-shirts with company logos like my old office. Instead, ladies here wears pretty frilly blouses and men don smart men's polo shirts which make them look really smart and chic, even on a Friday. Just 1 month here and already I'm feeling the pressure to upgrade my wardrobe because dresses I usually wear out to wedding dinners or functions are worn to work here!

High Food Bills

2010-04-21T14:18:00.002+08:00

I think I've had to resign myself to the fact that lunch here will always be expensive. I just came back from lunch with my colleagues and spent $10 on a bento lunch. I had dinner with an ex-colleague last night and she told me it seems like I had the fortune or misfortune to have a bunch of colleagues with expensive tastebuds! It certainly seems to be the case because my food bills are sky rocketing! Perhaps its time to consider packing lunch instead.

Online Scammers

2010-04-21T14:10:00.002+08:00

Recently there has been a lot of news in the papers about people who get scammed when they cilck on an internet link that leads to the scammers' websites. Often, these sites look just like the original banking or payment sites they are trying to copy. The expert scammers often have a programme inside to copy the users password and login which they then use to wipe out the person's account. Its scary and a real intrusion of privacy which is why I'm very careful whenever I see emails encouraging me to click here!

Inspiring Event

2010-04-21T14:02:00.002+08:00

We had an offsite event yesterday. This was the first time I attended one since I joined and found it surprisingly refreshing and nothing like what I expected it to be. One part of the day I particularly liked was their panel speakers of the leadership team which I personally found insightful and inspiring. What made it extra inspiring was that one of them was a woman who had reached the hallowed ranks of the leadership circle. I wonder how these people juggle both their work and home life to reach where they are today.

Used Cars An Asset

2010-04-16T09:12:00.002+08:00

The prices of cars here have shot up tremendously since the Government announced the increase in COE prices. Owners of second hand cars have been putting up their used cars and used rvs for sale since that announcement as I heard they can actually get a profit on their older cars or minimise losses! Its a funny economy where a car can actually turn out to be an asset simply from an announcement made by the Government. At least our car prices back home are consistently high!

Free Trials

2010-04-16T09:05:00.002+08:00

I recently saw in the papers an ad requesting for Caucasian men to come forward to a research company to participate in a diet supplements review programme. In exchange, they will receive a free supply of diet supplements during the trial period and blood tests. While it might sound attractive for someone who's trying to lose weight, I do have some reservations about trying something new that is untested and which I don't know the health impact of. Losing weight is good but maintaining good health is a lot more important!

Missing my Car

2010-04-16T08:00:00.002+08:00

Murphy's Law sometimes really sucks! I wanted to bring the umbrella out with me today but decided against it when I had to juggle a few things in my hand. Well, guess what? It poured like anything the minute I got off the train! I had to run in the rain with a newspaper over my head and I think I must have looked quite ridiculous. Sigh, these are times when I really miss the convenience of my car :(

Save on Your Wedding

2010-04-13T14:54:00.002+08:00

I'm heading off in almost one month to attend a long lost Uni friend's wedding in the beautiful island of Mauritius. She's marrying an American and coming back all the way to do her traditional wedding. She asked me for some advise since I had married less than 2 years ago and one thing I told her was to save on anything she could save on the wedding and spend it on a better honeymoon instead! Seriously, that is what I would advise most couples. Its easy to get carried away with lots of fresh flowers, beautiful personalised bridesmaid gifts and expensive wedding favours. Sure they add some charm to your wedding but at the end of the day, your guests will not remember them and worse might end up throwing away your carefully thought of wedding favors. So do yourself and your bank account a favour and save what you can on your wedding to benefit yourselves instead through a nice honeymoon or a nice home!

Car Prices Going Up

2010-04-13T14:43:00.002+08:00

Buying cars in SG is a very different thing compared to home. They say our cars are expensive back home to protect the local car industry but after reading the papers and asking around, they seem to have the same problem with the COE they have to pay. The COE recently went up sharply to curb the car demand and amazingly I read that people are actually making profits from selling off their second hand cars! Imagine, a car is now actually an asset instead of a depreciating liability! I wonder if that means that cheap car insurance now will too be a myth..just like cheap car prices!

Expat Wives

2010-04-13T14:36:00.001+08:00

I just spoke to my friend who left for HK around the same time as me and she seems to be really happy there. I never thought she would enjoy being just at home with her little boy as she was such a career woman prior to this but it seems like she's fitting into the role well and being a real domestic person now! She'll be visiting SG in June and I'm looking forward to meeting up with her and her boy then to hear more tales! Gosh..what wouldn't I give to be an expat wife too! :P

Broadband Promotions

2010-04-13T14:27:00.002+08:00

We just signed up for our broadband last weekend but sadly seemed to have missed out on most of the promotions. We heard that a year ago, they were actually offering free iBooks with any broadband sign up! When we checked, they were not offering a single thing, not even laptops! Now that the iPad has been launched in the US and will be launching soon in Singapore, I wonder if any companies will try to entice people over with iPad promotions. What do you think?

Movie Tonight?

2010-04-13T14:25:00.001+08:00

I can't decide if we should go catch Clash of The Titans tonight at the cinema. I know DH has been wanting to catch it for a while but I tend to be more inclined to a quiet night of some grocery shopping and another early night! :) But since I promised him a movie some time back, perhaps I should keep my promise and buy a couple of tickets for tonight's show. I only wish I can find a way to stop him buying popcorn sets to eat in the movie because I think they are responsible for my weight gain! I actually lost some weight when I was back in KL and he was down here simply because we did not go for weekly movie and popcorn sessions!

Property Shooting Upwards

2010-04-13T14:16:00.002+08:00

Property here has been seeing a really scary upward trend that doesn't show any signs of coming down. I guess those who are selling properties are laughing all the way to the bank but its certainly bad news for people like us who are considering purchases. I was told once that the competition used to be quite good with developers offering ready built in wardrobes and kitchens to lure purchasers. The only thing you had to install yourself were the lighting fixtures! Well, hopefully the market comes down next year when we can scrap together some finances to put into a downpayment.

Home Cooked Dinner

2010-04-13T14:14:00.001+08:00

The hubs got back from work early yesterday and cooked a dish for dinner out of whatever food we had left in the fridge which were eggs and tomatoes. It wasn't much but I was pretty touched by the effort he took to cook rice, that dish and to fry some keropok he bought me from his trip into JB. We ate dinner last night (with some extra dishes I bought on the way home!) in front of the telly while watching Face Off and I felt really happy! :) Wouldn't mind more of these sort of days!

iPad Launched!

2010-04-13T14:01:00.002+08:00

I just read in the papers today that the iPad has been launched! I was rather taken in by it especially after I heard you can actually download ebooks from Amazon onto the Kibble software it comes installed with! Honestly, I'm a bit of a tech newbie and don't know much about techie stuff like ls2208 or POS systems but I've been really liking the stuff that have been coming out from Apple's design team. Does that mean that the iPhone might be winning over the Blackberry?! ;)

Singaporean Cinemas

2010-04-13T13:58:00.001+08:00

The cinemas here are quite nice compared to the ones back home. They seem newer and are somewhat very empty each time we've caught a movie there! Perhaps its because we never catch movies when they're first out. One thing I find quite different is the lack of subtitles on the screen. True that they're less annoying when you're trying to watch a movie but I do in a way miss the amusing translations that sometimes come out! It always makes for a good laugh!

Tempting Offer

2010-04-13T13:54:00.002+08:00

One thing I really miss in Singapore is the convenience of a car especially when I'm running to catch a bus or train or having to crowd on the peak hour MRT. We met DH's bro last weekend and he mentioned that he had put his second car up for sale at a price that seemed pretty good. I was very tempted but after some discussions with DH about the additional hidden costs a car will come with such as auto insurance, maintenance and parking, we decided not to get a car and focus on a bigger goal instead. Slowly but surely...

Bus Terminal Moved

2010-04-13T13:50:00.002+08:00

I just heard that our bus terminal in Puduraya has been temporarily closed for 4 months for upgrading works. They've now moved it to far away Bukit Jalil! I previously bought a bus ticket back during the Wesak Day long weekend and am now regretting it because I have no idea where I'll end up arriving or how easy it will be to connect home. Had I known this earlier, I would have just bought a plane ticket or a different bus company which ends up somewhere in KL. The inconvenience just isn't worth it!

Driving Holiday

2010-04-13T13:44:00.002+08:00

We're planning a nice long trip to NZ at the end of the year, most of which will involve renting our own car and following our own itinerary. Before we go, we'd better make sure we have enough drivers with eligible licenses and also check on additional coverage such as full insurance coverage and any roadside assistance services we can sign up for. It might cost a bit more but I always think it is better to have more rather than less coverage when driving in a foreign country where you are less familiar with roads and traffic laws.