C'est La Vie

Tons of Decision-Making To Do

2012-02-09T20:36:00.003+08:00

Many daily decisions to make.

Love reading the forum at MummySG.

When to start weaning?

http://mommysboymusings.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/weaning-how-when-what/

A simple and happy family takes lots of effort, money, time, commitment and all possible resources to build but it's all worth it and "because I'm worth it" (like the mantra that Claudia Schiffer chants in the Loreal TV ad - "because you're worth it"). Haha..

Hubby is playing with http://www.wordle.net/create right now. Heh.

人日2012

2012-01-29T11:18:00.003+08:00

今天是正月初七 - 人日, 我想要捞鱼生!

Free / Cheap Mags

2012-01-28T17:01:00.002+08:00

Haven't been buying mags for awhile but I did so yesterday. Went jalan-jalan aka kai-kai with Dear at West Mall yesterday and chanced upon Guardian Pharmacy's "feeling" mag. Got it cos it costs only a dollar and there are some product samples thrown in. There's lots of advertorial reads in the mag as expected but they also have a few nice, entertaining articles hence it is still worth its dollar.

Some products I would like to try after reading the mag are:

1. Kinohimitsu J'pan D'tox Juice. It is supposed to flush out toxins like mucoid plaque (old, dry, hardened faeces) from your bowel within 2 to 4 hours.

2. Cupcakes from Twelve Cupcakes, opened by ex-deejay Daniel Ong and his Miss Singapore Universe 2001 wide Jamie Teo.

An article in the mag featured Balestier Heritage Trail. They introduced Maha Sasanaramsi Burnese Buddhist Temple, a confectionery shop, a bird shop, a chicken rice stall among others, all of which I do not know but I find it strange that they didn't feature what I know - what comes to my mind when I see Balestier - Tau Sar Piah!!! So many Tau Sar Piah shops here claiming to be the best. The other two things that comes to mind are the Kuan Yin temple I go to and shops selling crystal lightings, there are so many of them.

Some interview questions posted to model Makiyo who represents the brand Sophie Monk Skincare and at another interview to local actor Hossan Leong which I would like to answer for myself :P :

1. Fresh fruit or Godiva Chocolate?

--> Tough one............. but I choose fresh fruit

2. Sleeping early or partying late?

--> Sleeping early

3. Disco dancing or hip hop?

--> Disco dancing

4. Beach girl or shopping queen?

--> Shopping queen

5. Japanese ryokan or 7-star hotel?

--> 7-star hotel

6. Sexy suntan or fair skin?

--> Fair skin

7. French champagne or fresh juice?

--> French champagne

8. Lipstick or lip gloss?

--> Lip gloss

9. Tokyo holiday or Sydney holiday?

--> Tokyo holiday

10. Pineapple tarts or love letters?

--> Whoa.... can I choose both? Maybe pineapple tarts...

11. Silk or organic cotton?

--> Another super super tough choice... maybe organic cotton...

12. Red wine or champagne?

--> Champagne

13. French Cordon Bleu or really great hawker fare?

--> Really great hawker fare!

14. Sydney Opera House or Star Casino?

--> Sydney Opera House

15. Strawberries or papaya?

--> If you are talking about fresh fruit, papaya then.

And there's another mag I'm recently reading. It's called Nth, I chanced upon it a few months back, in October last year. It's a nice fashion mag for girls and best of all, it's free! So glad there are nice free mags around. I don't know if Juice or Catalogue is still in circulation, I used to pick them up whenever I chanced upon them during shopping trips.

Today's Reads

2012-01-26T17:18:00.004+08:00

Ten Questions You’d Better Ask Your Boss

By Susan Adams | Forbes – Wed, Jan 18, 2012 4:45 AM SGT

I once worked on a team that helped produce a nightly television news show. The format didn't vary much, the deadlines were the same every night and my colleagues and I were experienced pros. But our senior producer had a tough time letting us just do our thing. Even though we sat in offices mere feet from the boss, she wanted us to send frequent e-mail updates on our progress. We could've been the most crackerjack TV producers. If we didn't keep the boss in the loop, she thought we were falling down on the job.

That's because this boss had what management professor Joe Magee calls a strong sense of ownership over the work her staff performed. An authority on power and politics within organizations, Magee teaches at New York University's Stern School of Business. In order to be successful at work, Magee recommends employees get curious about their bosses' backgrounds, their goals, their values and their day-to-day management styles. To that end, he's come up with 10 questions he recommends all workers ask their bosses.

Of course in these days of Facebook and LinkedIn profiles, some of this info can be gleaned quietly and quickly online. Magee also recommends the proverbial water cooler as a productive place to gather gossip and scuttlebutt.

First off and most basic: What did your boss do before she was your boss? What was her previous position? That information will help you suss out how capable she is of handling all the responsibilities on her plate. "How dependent is she going to be on you to get the job done?" asks Magee. "We think of the boss as all-knowing, but we've all had bosses who didn't know what they were doing." "Help them shine and you will look good in the process," Magee suggests.

Following on that question, how did your boss come to her current job? Did someone get fired, and she stepped into the breach? Did she get promoted by default, simply because she was next in line? "That information can tell you what other people think about your boss," points out Magee.

What are your boss' career aspirations? What does she see as her next step? "Is this someone who values power and status?" asks Magee. "If so, you'd better help that person climb the corporate ladder." Or it could be that your boss has hit a plateau and doesn't see much more growth in her future.

What does your boss value in the job? Is she intellectually stimulated by the work? Is she just collecting a paycheck? Does she care more about internal politics or external exposure?

How does your boss fit within the larger power structure at work? Is her political capital on the rise or on the wane? Magee suggests diplomatically asking your boss this question while gathering string from colleagues.

What kind of a relationship does your boss have with her supervisor? This is also a question that requires extra research.

Does your boss advocate for her team? Does she push to get her people promoted? Will she stick her neck out for you if someone gives you a hard time?

What kind of management style works for your boss? What sort of ownership does she feel over the work her team performs? Does she want to make sure you're on track with frequent check-ins (like my boss at the TV news show)? Or, conversely, does she give you so much rope that you can easily hang yourself? "This is one of the big things people struggle with at work," notes Magee. "There is such individual variation." If you work for a micro manager and suddenly get assigned to a supervisor with a hands-off style, that can require a huge shift.

What does your boss value most in the people who report to her? Face time? Creativity? Or does she care more about autonomy, expediency or attention to detail?

Finally, get to know something about your boss' life outside work. Does she care passionately about kickboxing or her collection of vintage humidors? Is she obsessed with her new Shar-Pei puppy? Does her religious or political affiliation affect her schedule, and thus yours? Where did she go to college?

The more you know about your boss' values, management style, background and interests, the greater chance you'll find success at work.

____________________________________________________________

The quotes which I came across today that struck a chord in me seem to deal only with the niceness of a person.

"A person who is nice to you but is not nice to the waiter is not a nice person." - Anonymous

"When you get to my age, you'll measure your success in life by how many of the people you want to have love you actually do love you. That's the ultimate test of how you've lived your life." - Warren Buffet

10 Things You Can Do to Raise a Reader

2012-01-25T16:27:00.000+08:00

10 Things You Can Do to Raise a Reader

By: Reading Rockets

Parents are a child's first teacher, and there are many simple things you can do every day to share the joy of reading while strengthening your child's literacy skills.

Read from day one. Start a reading routine in those very first days with a newborn. Even very young babies respond to the warmth of a lap and the soothing sound of a book being read aloud.
Share books every day. Read with your child every day, even after he becomes an independent reader.
Reread favorites. Most children love to hear their favorite stories over and over again. Rereading books provides an opportunity to hear or see something that may have been missed the first time, and provides another chance to hear a favorite part.
Send positive messages about the joys of literacy. Your own interest and excitement about books will be contagious!
Visit the library early and often. Public libraries are great resources for books, helpful advice about authors and illustrators, story times, and more. Make visiting the library part of your family's routine.
Find the reading and writing in everyday things. Take the time to show your child ways that adults use reading and writing every day. Grocery lists, notes to the teacher, maps, and cooking all involve important reading and writing skills.
Give your reader something to think and talk about. There are many different types of books available to readers. Vary the types of books you check out from the library, and seek out new subjects that give you and your reader something to think and talk about.
Talk, talk, talk. A child's vocabulary grows through rich conversations with others. No matter your child's age, narrate what you're doing, talk in full sentences, and sprinkle your conversations with interesting words.
Know your stuff. Parents don't need to be reading specialists, but it is important to understand the basics about learning to read.
Speak up if something doesn't feel right. Parents are often the first ones to recognize a problem. If you have concerns about your child's development, speak with your child's teacher and your pediatrician. It's never too early to check in with an expert.

Look for new books and authors that your child may enjoy.
Organize an area dedicated to reading and writing tools.
Visit the library for story time and book recommendations.
Encourage your child to talk about what he's read.

Talk to your child, and sprinkle interesting words into your conversation.
Offer a variety of books to read.

Read with your child every day.
Expand your home library to include magazines and nonfiction.
Ask questions if you're concerned about your child's development.
Decide to raise a reader!

Little Trips Out of Home

2012-01-20T14:09:00.005+08:00

Enjoyed watching Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol with Dear :)

I've been searching for a nice Chanel 2.55 inspired bag in red or black for quite awhile. Refused to buy the real one that would cost thousands of dollars and took so long partly because I didn't have the opportunity to go out for some time. Anyway, I finally found it a few days ago at this shop called Angel @ Far East Plaza. It is a red one, has a unique clasp design I like very much, and in the right size.

I am having difficulty shedding all those kilos I've gained during my pregnancy... Arrrggghhh! Will I remain this fat for life?

Baby Physical Play Gym & Music Experience

2012-01-13T09:38:00.003+08:00

For me, I wanted to check out the OPI boutique, for baby Han Sheng, I can't wait to check out Tumble Tots, Kindermusik and Gymboree when he's able to sit up unsupported. By the June school holidays, he will be about 7 months old and I would have the time to bring him there :)

I have time for Han Sheng but I have no time for myself.

Hello 2012

2012-01-01T17:19:00.002+08:00

Happy New Year! Soon it will be Lunar New Year celebration :)

I wanna check out OPI boutique at The Shoppes Marina Bay Sands #B2-93/94 IF I have the time!

2011 Going On To 2012

2011-12-31T17:50:00.006+08:00

The happiest event in 2011 was being pregnant with Han Sheng and then giving birth to him :D

I look forward to 2012 with a lot of excitement and anticipation of watching Han Sheng complete many milestones that a 1st year baby would.

I wish all my loved ones and myself a happy and healthy life in 2012 and all the years to come.

I think 2012 will be a great year!

Came across this quote by this inspiring lady twice this week, from the facebook pages of two MOE friends, ‎"Success is not just about achievement, power and wealth; it is also about who we are and how we make a difference in the lives of others." ~ Mrs Chua Yen Ching (founding principal of Northlight and current DCPD)

So Nyuh Shi Dae (Girls Generation)

2011-12-30T14:46:00.000+08:00

2011-12-28T10:40:00.001+08:00

Lin Zhengying - One of my all time favourite actor/director who produced many awesome movies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lam_Ching-ying

7 things to do for improved health in 2012

2011-12-27T21:25:00.001+08:00

7 things to do for improved health in 2012

Yahoo News, 27 December 2011

It's resolution time and here are some good resolution ideas, and tips on how to make these resolutions, well, resolute. These tend to be "process goals" which eventually lead to success.

1. I will manage stress better

Keep a journal of thankful thoughts, written each evening
Manage your stress hormones better by eating nutrients that improve your body's stress handling capability. Two great ones are magnesium taken after dinner and before bed, and glycine at least 3 grams taken before bed. Glycine also has the wonderful benefit of helping your body detoxify petro-chemicals (which we all have alot of, living in a city environment)

2. Every time I eat, half my plate will be veggies

There are high carb, low carb, high protein, low protein and high fat, low fat debates that will never end (because each of us is different and needs different ratios of nutrients). However there is one thing that ALL health experts will agree on.

We need to eat more veggies.

Making half your plate veggies is sure to get the job done. Besides the usual boiled or steamed veggies, one convenient way to get this done is to get that big bag of pre-cut veggies from the supermarket.

By the way, potatoes -- are not veggies, and neither is pizza! Regardless of what the US department of agriculture might say.

When I say veggies I mean non-starchy ones.

3. I will do things to sleep better

I wrote a whole article about sleep on Yahoo! Singapore so go read it!

4. I will watch less TV, and surf less internet

I just gave a talk at a book launch this last week, and one of my points was that successful people have big libraries while unsuccessful people have big TVs.

Problems with TV

Junk food ads (any food that has an ad is likely to be bad for you)
Too much stimulation to the point where we lose some of our own ability to create and imagine because there is no need to (this is especially true for young kids - and bad for their futures)
We sit on our butt, wasting time for hours because TV is very entertaining in the short run, but with hardly any benefits in the long run.

5. I will train 30 mins at least 3x per week

The guidelines for exercise vary and range from somewhere around 30 mins/day to 60 mins/day. But that is for light activity. Simply walking one extra bus stop to work or climbing an extra flight of stairs to your flat is not going do to much. Stop kidding yourself.

I mean 30 mins of training, not light activity. This means a proper strength training program, or interval training. While the topic of exercise is too big to cover here, you can use these two interval methods to get a good workout.

1. Anaerobic intervals.

1 min hard work (8 out of 10 exertion)
3 min light work (3 out of 10 exertion)

2. Aerobic intervals.

2 min hard work (8 out of 10 exertion)
4 mins light work (3 out of 10 exertion)

You can do these running, swimming, cycling, on a stair-master, rowing machine or elliptical. It doesn't matter, but do try to change the machine or activity each week to reduce the risk of overuse injuries.

6. I will take care of my soft tissue

Most of the chronic pain people experience is from their soft tissues. It's usually not a joint out of place, but rather mismanaged tension in the interconnected web of muscles, fascia and connective tissue that make up most of our body.

A good massage once a week will help with these problems. And if its done by skilled hands, it can actually allign your body better.

If that is not practical, at least get yourself a gift of a foam roller to do some self massage.

7. I will eat more home-cooked food

While home cooked food can still be unhealthy if you deep fry it or make it with lots of refined carbohydrates, at least you know excatly what ingredients are in it.

I have a friend who is in the food distribution business and he sometimes watches his buyers prepare the veggies that he distributes. Often they are not washed before cooking.

I have another friend who is a hobbyist chef. He interned in a high class restaurant and even in this classy establishment, the cooking oil was not changed for two weeks.

All this means is that we need to take responsibility for what goes into our bodies. And that means cooking from home.

There we have it! Stay healthy and strong in 2012

What you should know about back pain

2011-12-26T22:25:00.001+08:00

What you should know about back pain

Yahoo News, 26 Dec 2011

Our back muscles are some of the most frequently used in our bodies. They hold us upright against gravity, carry our body weight and move us around.

And just like us, they can get tired and overworked. When that happens, our spine compensates and does extra work, causing pain.

Back pain is a very common problem in Singapore, according to Dr Tan Kian Hian, consultant at the Department of Anaesthesiology, and director of the Pain Management Centre at Singapore General Hospital.

"About 90 per cent of the population will have had pain in the back at some point in their lives," says Tan. "Fortunately, most cases can be resolved without treatment within six to 12 weeks."

When to see a doctor

Typically caused by muscle strains, acute back pain usually lasts less than three months. If the pain interferes with daily activities, a medical consultation can be in good order. The doctor will physically examine your back and compile a history of your back problems.

Chronic back pain, on the other hand, is any pain that persists for more than three months. It can be very common, especially among those aged 55 years and above, it can be caused by ailments such as a slipped disc, spinal arthritis or disc disruption — a wear and tear of the "spring" in between the bones of our spine.

Related video: Advice and tips for neck pain relief

You should see a specialist in the following situations:

If the pain in your back is not getting better after some time, or if it's getting worse
If you the pain shoots down one side of your leg to the foot
If you feel numbness or a tingling sensation
If your pain is worsened by bending over, or by coughing and straining

HOT TIP: We often don't remember the exact names of the medicine we're on. That's why Tan advises patients to bring along any medication that they are currently taking. This is especially crucial if you are unsure or have any questions about them.

"I've had patients tell me that the medication they've got doesn't work," he explains. "But when I ask them which, they can only tell me that it's the white tablet, or the yellow tablet, or the green tablet. When you bring along your medication, we can advise you better."

What you can do to prevent or manage back pain

Observe the right posture

Most of us tend to slouch in front of the telly or computer or when reading. But bad postures like these can ultimately result in back pain. So make sure you observe the right postures when doing the following:

- When carrying heavy goods: Make sure the item you are carrying is close to you, so its centre of gravity is closer to your spine.

- When lifting heavy goods: Always bend your knees, and not your back.

- When carrying a backpack: Be sure to sling on both straps instead of leaving one strap dangling.

Related article: Is your mattress hurting your back?

Adopt a healthy diet

Keeping to a healthy diet — and healthy weight — helps, too.

Tan points out that extra body weight may strain your joints during movement or rest, and aggravate your back. Which is why it's important to eat right, and maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) through regular exercise.

This reduces the load and stress on your back, preventing future injuries.

Looking for healthy recipes? Health Xchange has a treasure trove of delicious low-fat dishes.

Stay active

To keep your back flexible, Tan also suggests doing exercises. Some patients derive benefits from practising yoga and Pilates, within reasonable limits. You can also try stationary exercises like a cycling station. If that's a challenge, even a stroll is good enough.

DID YOU KNOW? Contrary to popular belief, lying around in bed is the last thing you should do if you are actually suffering from back pain. Dr Tan explains: "Prolonged bed rest is harmful to your back because your muscles will become lazy. And when they do, you are opening the door to long-term problems."

This article was written by Jaclyn Lim for Health Xchange, with expert input from the Pain Management Centre at Singapore General Hospital.

Find more healthy living tips and articles on HealthXchange.com.sg, Singapore's trusted health and lifestyle portal.

Health Xchange's articles are meant for informational purposes only and cannot replace professional surgical, medical or health advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment.

Update on My Recent Online Clothes Shopping Experience

2011-12-23T22:10:00.008+08:00

Received all my recent online purchases yesterday! I made purchases from Jshoppers and Love Bonito on the same day and received my stuff from both companies yesterday. Gosh, Jshoppers (from Japan) & DHL (the delivery coy which delivered the parcel to me) is so efficient.

Pretty satisfied with most of my purchases from Jshoppers, I would give a satisfaction rating of 7/10.

Didn't really like the dress from Love Bonito.

Nothing beats shopping in brick and mortar shops, satisfaction can be as high as 9-10/10.

No time to write more.

Life's Short

2011-12-18T13:57:00.004+08:00

Life's really short. I can still recall life as a 6 year old, all the way till now. It all happened so quickly and now, in no time, Han Sheng will be a toddler, then a small child, he will then go through primary and secondary schools, junior college and the university, and he will work and get married. This will all happen in a twinkling of an eye and by then I'm already old.

Thinking about this makes me live meaningfully and be happy being with the important people and things in life, and disregard unimportant things.

Moving on to more light hearted things, I just wanna share that since I can't go out to shop for clothes, I'm resorting to shop online again. So glad I'm able to do that today cos there were times I'm too busy to even go to the toilet. Hee, it's an irony here, I know, cos there's no point in me buying clothes right, since I don't have the opportunity to wear them out. I don't really like to buy clothes online cos most of my purchases from some bo mia (lousy, nameless, unpopular) local blogshops a few years back were disappointing. But I am buying only from Jshoppers this time cos the company looks credible and their stuff are nice. And Love Bonito cos this local blogshop is quite popular and successful so their stuff seems promising. My only concern is that the clothes might not fit nicely cos I am not able to try them on. I have bought a maternity dress from Jshoppers a few months ago and I was pretty please with the design and material but it wasn't exactly the most perfect fit. Will give an update on today's purchase when I receive my items!

Life's Good

2011-12-17T13:24:00.003+08:00

Life's very busy at home, but I'm very happy being with my son & all my loved ones.

Just went to West Mall for a short 1 1/2 hours to buy some essential items and quickly shopped for some personal stuff before I need to get home again. Feels glad I get to shop for awhile even if it's just for a short while at West Mall.

Carry On

2011-12-16T13:20:00.002+08:00

"Sometimes, you just have to pick yourself up and carry on."

Just saw this quote on a student's facebook page and found it very true, thinking back on a couple of unhappy events.

You have to, don't you?

Mama

2011-12-08T22:35:00.002+08:00

Today is the 3rd day mum came to help me look after Han Sheng. Apart from being glad I have a pair of helping hands, I could spend time with her. I enjoy spending whole days with her, just the two of us :)

Fazed

2011-12-06T21:25:00.003+08:00

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-most-powerful-photos-of-2011

http://fazed.net/

Last Day of Confinement

2011-12-02T23:34:00.004+08:00

Today is supposedly the last day of my confinement, and also Han Sheng's official full month according to the lunar calendar :)

Used the word supposedly cos I've flouted quite a few confinement practices.

Zipped down town for a short while today and saw quite a few changes to the hangouts I used to frequent. That shows how long I've not been in town. Bought a couple of items at Taka and the cashier smiled at me before calling me Ms Wu, I looked at her closely and recognised she was my ex-student. I remember her class, some of her friends but I just couldn't recognise her name until she told me she's Dawn. She doing her temp job while waiting for her 'O' level results.

Some Music For Everyone

2011-11-29T21:17:00.005+08:00

..............................................................

Baby enjoys people singing to him. Besides singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", we are trying to recall the lyrics of all the nursery rhymes we used to sing so that we can sing to him now.

1. 10 Little Indian Boys

One little, two little, three little Indians

Four little, five little, six little Indians

Seven little, eight little, nine little Indians

Ten little Indian boys.

Ten little, nine little, eight little Indians

Seven little, six little, five little Indians

Four little, three little, two little Indians

One little Indian boy.

2. Baa Baa Black Sheep

Baa, baa, black sheep,

Have you any wool?

Yes sir, yes sir,

Three bags full.

One for the master,

One for the dame,

And one for the little boy

Who lives down the lane.

3. One, two, three, four, five. Once I caught a fish alive.

One, two, three, four, five.
Once I caught a fish alive,
Six, seven, eight, nine ,ten,
Then I let it go again.
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on the right.

Everyone took turns to carry and sing to him just now while watching the 2011 Mnet Asia Music Awards. I know none of the Korean pop groups but seeing their cool dance moves makes me understand why my students are gaga over them. The choreographed moves are really cool.

Meaningful song. Man in the Mirror - From the Greatest Pop Singer 0f All Time, MJ.

-

2011-11-26T21:25:00.000+08:00

Nuisance

3 Nov 2011 Is a Life-Turning Day

2011-11-25T17:22:00.004+08:00

Life changed drastically since the day I gave birth to Han Sheng.
The responsibility, lifestyle change, doing confinement, lots of planning for the future...

On top of these, I realised... how fortunate I am. And I'm really appreciative of quite a few people...

I love my parents very much. I always do but apart from even greater amount of love, I have a lot more respect and understanding towards them as I can now understand them a lot more and am able to think in their shoes about what they have gone through raising me and my siblings. Life wasn't easy on them but they did their best to bring us up the best way they know. They must have thought everything is worth it just like what I think now looking at Han Sheng.

And I'm thankful to my mother in law.

Win the fight against frizzy hair.

2011-11-25T17:20:00.000+08:00

Will the article be useful? Just post it up anyway.

Win the fight against frizzy hair.

By Andrea Claire for Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Frizzy? Flat? Frizzy and flat? With humidity in the air it’s easy to feel like giving up and tying your hair into a ponytail so it’s one less thing to think about. Hair companies have developed anti-humidity products to help combat Mother Nature’s elements to get us out of these hairy situations.

NOTE: Anti-humidity does not mean straight hair. You have options: bouncing and behaving curls or straight and sassy lustrous locks!

Frizz-Fighting Shampoo and Conditioners
Specially formulated to keep hair smooth and silky all day long. With a wide-tooth comb, comb conditioner through prior to rinsing. This will distribute the product more evenly therefore getting better anti-frizz results. Try Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner.

Anti-Frizz Straightening Creams
Straightening creams are best for wavy/curly hair. On towel-dried hair, apply product from mid-length to ends. Then with whatever left on your hands, smooth over your roots. Blow-dry with a paddle brush. Try Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel or KMS Flat Out Straightening Cream.

TIP: Use your blow-dryer with the nozzle on. Aim it down your hair shaft, which helps to smooth flyaway hairs. It is best to blow-dry using a ceramic brush. Finish off with a no-heat blast as the cool air will help ‘set’ your style to last all day.

Anti-Humidity Pomades
Use a pomade – instead of hair gel – once you are done with your blow-dry. The pomade will not dry out hair like gel and will keep hair hydrated. Smooth pomade with the palm of your hands going downwards the hair shaft. Try Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade.

Anti-Humidity Sprays
Spraying anti-humidity sprays over your completed hairstyle is just added protection from the humidity in the air. These sprays are great to use over freshly tonged hair prior to fixing into your style, giving hair added hold. Try KMS Flat Out Anti-humidity Spray.

TIP: If you are curling your hair do not brush through the curls until the hair has cooled. Manipulating warm hair will change the shape, resulting in dropping the curl.

Dry Shampoos
Dry shampoos are amazing for humidity and hair. If your hair tends to flatten out throughout the day carry a dry shampoo in your bag and spray your roots and brush – instant root-lift! Dry shampoo is also a great volumiser for fine hair. Try Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo.

INFJ

2011-11-19T16:03:00.000+08:00

No time to finish reading so just copy and paste here first for future reading purposes.

Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging

by Joe Butt Profile: INFJ
Revision: 3.1
Date of Revision: 8 Aug 2010

Beneath the quiet exterior, INFJs hold deep convictions about the weightier matters of life. Those who are activists -- INFJs gravitate toward such a role -- are there for the cause, not for personal glory or political power.

INFJs are champions of the oppressed and downtrodden. They often are found in the wake of an emergency, rescuing those who are in acute distress. INFJs may fantasize about getting revenge on those who victimize the defenseless. The concept of 'poetic justice' is appealing to the INFJ.

"There's something rotten in Denmark." Accurately suspicious about others' motives, INFJs are not easily led. These are the people that you can rarely fool any of the time. Though affable and sympathetic to most, INFJs are selective about their friends. Such a friendship is a symbiotic bond that transcends mere words.

INFJs have a knack for fluency in language and facility in communication. In addition, nonverbal sensitivity enables the INFJ to know and be known by others intimately.

Writing, counseling, public service and even politics are areas where INFJs frequently find their niche.

Functional Analysis:

Introverted iNtuition

Introverted intuitives, INFJs enjoy a greater clarity of perception of inner, unconscious processes than all but their INTJ cousins. Just as SP types commune with the object and "live in the here and now" of the physical world, INFJs readily grasp the hidden psychological stimuli behind the more observable dynamics of behavior and affect. Their amazing ability to deduce the inner workings of the mind, will and emotions of others gives INFJs their reputation as prophets and seers. Unlike the confining, routinizing nature of introverted sensing, introverted intuition frees this type to act insightfully and spontaneously as unique solutions arise on an event by event basis.

Extraverted Feeling

Extraverted feeling, the auxiliary deciding function, expresses a range of emotion and opinions of, for and about people. INFJs, like many other FJ types, find themselves caught between the desire to express their wealth of feelings and moral conclusions about the actions and attitudes of others, and the awareness of the consequences of unbridled candor. Some vent the attending emotions in private, to trusted allies. Such confidants are chosen with care, for INFJs are well aware of the treachery that can reside in the hearts of mortals. This particular combination of introverted intuition and extraverted feeling provides INFJs with the raw material from which perceptive counselors are shaped.

Introverted Thinking

The INFJ's thinking is introverted, turned toward the subject. Perhaps it is when the INFJ's thinking function is operative that he is most aloof. A comrade might surmise that such detachment signals a disillusionment, that she has also been found lacking by the sardonic eye of this one who plumbs the depths of the human spirit. Experience suggests that such distancing is merely an indication that the seer is hard at work and focusing energy into this less efficient tertiary function.

Extraverted Sensing

INFJs are twice blessed with clarity of vision, both internal and external. Just as they possess inner vision which is drawn to the forms of the unconscious, they also have external sensing perception which readily takes hold of worldly objects. Sensing, however, is the weakest of the INFJ's arsenal and the most vulnerable. INFJs, like their fellow intuitives, may be so absorbed in intuitive perceiving that they become oblivious to physical reality. The INFJ under stress may fall prey to various forms of immediate gratification. Awareness of extraverted sensing is probably the source of the "SP wannabe" side of INFJs. Many yearn to live spontaneously; it's not uncommon for INFJ actors to take on an SP (often ESTP) role.

Famous INFJs:

Nathan, prophet of Israel
Aristophanes
Chaucer
Goethe
Robert Burns, Scottish poet

U.S. Presidents:: Martin Van Buren; James Earl "Jimmy" Carter

Nathaniel Hawthorne
Fanny Crosby, (blind) hymnist
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Fred McMurray (My Three Sons)
Shirley Temple Black, child actor, ambassador
Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader, martyr
James Reston, newspaper reporter
Shirley MacLaine (Sweet Charity, ...)
Piers Anthony, author ("Xanth" series)
Michael Landon (Little House on the Prairie)
Tom Selleck
John Katz, critic, author
Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul and Mary)
U. S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL)
Billy Crystal
Garry Trudeau (Doonesbury)
Nelson Mandela
Mel Gibson
Carrie Fisher
Nicole Kidman
Jerry Seinfeld
Jamie Foxx
Sela Ward
Mark Harmon
Gary Dourdan
Marg Helgaberger
Evangeline Lilly
Tori May

Introverted iNtuiting Feeling Judging

by Marina Margaret Heiss

INFJs are distinguished by both their complexity of character and the unusual range and depth of their talents. Strongly humanitarian in outlook, INFJs tend to be idealists, and because of their J preference for closure and completion, they are generally "doers" as well as dreamers. This rare combination of vision and practicality often results in INFJs taking a disproportionate amount of responsibility in the various causes to which so many of them seem to be drawn.

INFJs are deeply concerned about their relations with individuals as well as the state of humanity at large. They are, in fact, sometimes mistaken for extroverts because they appear so outgoing and are so genuinely interested in people -- a product of the Feeling function they most readily show to the world. On the contrary, INFJs are true introverts, who can only be emotionally intimate and fulfilled with a chosen few from among their long-term friends, family, or obvious "soul mates." While instinctively courting the personal and organizational demands continually made upon them by others, at intervals INFJs will suddenly withdraw into themselves, sometimes shutting out even their intimates. This apparent paradox is a necessary escape valve for them, providing both time to rebuild their depleted resources and a filter to prevent the emotional overload to which they are so susceptible as inherent "givers." As a pattern of behavior, it is perhaps the most confusing aspect of the enigmatic INFJ character to outsiders, and hence the most often misunderstood -- particularly by those who have little experience with this rare type.

Due in part to the unique perspective produced by this alternation between detachment and involvement in the lives of the people around them, INFJs may well have the clearest insights of all the types into the motivations of others, for good and for evil. The most important contributing factor to this uncanny gift, however, are the empathic abilities often found in Fs, which seem to be especially heightened in the INFJ type (possibly by the dominance of the introverted N function).

This empathy can serve as a classic example of the two-edged nature of certain INFJ talents, as it can be strong enough to cause discomfort or pain in negative or stressful situations. More explicit inner conflicts are also not uncommon in INFJs; it is possible to speculate that the causes for some of these may lie in the specific combinations of preferences which define this complex type. For instance, there can sometimes be a "tug-of-war" between NF vision and idealism and the J practicality that urges compromise for the sake of achieving the highest priority goals. And the I and J combination, while perhaps enhancing self-awareness, may make it difficult for INFJs to articulate their deepest and most convoluted feelings.

Usually self-expression comes more easily to INFJs on paper, as they tend to have strong writing skills. Since in addition they often possess a strong personal charisma, INFJs are generally well-suited to the "inspirational" professions such as teaching (especially in higher education) and religious leadership. Psychology and counseling are other obvious choices, but overall, INFJs can be exceptionally difficult to pigeonhole by their career paths. Perhaps the best example of this occurs in the technical fields. Many INFJs perceive themselves at a disadvantage when dealing with the mystique and formality of "hard logic", and in academic terms this may cause a tendency to gravitate towards the liberal arts rather than the sciences. However, the significant minority of INFJs who do pursue studies and careers in the latter areas tend to be as successful as their T counterparts, as it is *iNtuition* -- the dominant function for the INFJ type -- which governs the ability to understand abstract theory and implement it creatively.

In their own way, INFJs are just as much "systems builders" as are INTJs; the difference lies in that most INFJ "systems" are founded on human beings and human values, rather than information and technology. Their systems may for these reasons be conceptually "blurrier" than analogous NT ones, harder to measure in strict numerical terms, and easier to take for granted -- yet it is these same underlying reasons which make the resulting contributions to society so vital and profound.

Baby 瀚胜

2011-11-18T16:00:00.000+08:00

My precious and dearest son, 瀚胜 is 2 weeks and 1 day old today. Dear & I love him so very much.

Have been sooooooo busy and the days are filled with so much details that I have no time to update much.

We are all doing very well :)

Nice Story to Share with Dear

2011-11-06T09:24:00.006+08:00

Our baby Han Sheng is sleeping peacefully after being breastfed :)

Very nice touching story to share with Dear to show him I'm reminded of how good he is to our baby and me.

My Husband is An Engineer - A Touching Story For Married People ~ UnknowN Author

My husband is an Engineer by profession, I love him for his steady nature, and I love the warm feeling when I lean against his broad shoulders. Three years of courtship and now, two years into marriage, I would have to admit, that I am getting tired of it. The reasons of me loving him before, has now transformed into the cause of all my restlessness. I am a sentimental woman and extremely sensitive when it comes to a relationship and my feelings, I yearn for the romantic moments, like a little girl yearning for candy. My husband, is my complete opposite, his lack of sensitivity, and the inability of bringing romantic moments into our marriage has disheartened me about love. One day, I finally decided to tell him my decision, that I wanted a divorce.

“Why?” he asked, shocked. “I am tired, there are no reasons for everything in the world!” I answered. He kept silent the whole night, seems to be in deep thought with a lighted cigarette at all times.

My feeling of disappointment only increased, here was a man who can’t even express his predicament, what else can I hope from him? And finally he asked me:” What can I do to change your mind?” Somebody said it right, it’s hard to change a person’s personality, and I guess, I have started losing faith in him.

Looking deep into his eyes I slowly answered : “Here is the question, if you can answer and convince my heart, I will change my mind, Let’s say, I want a flower located on the face of a mountain cliff, and we both are sure that picking the flower will cause your death, will you do it for me?” He said :” I will give you your answer tomorrow….” My hopes just sank by listening to his response.

I woke up the next morning to find him gone, and saw a piece of paper with his scratchy handwriting, underneath a milk glass, on the dining table near the front door, that goes….

My dear, “I would not pick that flower for you, but please allow me to explain the reasons further..” This first line was already breaking my heart. I continued reading. “When you use the computer you always mess up the Software programs, and you cry in front of the screen, I have to save my fingers so that I can help to restore the programs.

You always leave the house keys behind, thus I have to save my legs to rush home to open the door for you. You love traveling but always lose your way in a new city, I have to save my eyes to show you the way.

You always have the cramps whenever your “good friend” approaches every month, I have to save my palms so that I can calm the cramps in your tummy. You like to stay indoors, and I worry that you will be infected by infantile autism. I have to save my mouth to tell you jokes and stories to cure your boredom.

You always stare at the computer, and that will do nothing good for your eyes, I have to save my eyes so that when we grow old, I can help to clip your nails,and help to remove those annoying white hairs. So I can also hold your hand while strolling down the beach, as you enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful sand… and tell you the color of flowers, just like the color of the glow on your young face…

Thus, my dear, unless I am sure that there is someone who loves you more than I do… I could not pick that flower yet, and die.. ” My tears fell on the letter, and blurred the ink of his handwriting… and as I continue on reading…

“Now, that you have finished reading my answer, if you are satisfied, please open the front door for I am standing outside bringing your favorite bread and fresh milk…

I rush to pull open the door, and saw his anxious face, clutching tightly with his hands, the milk bottle and loaf of bread…. Now I am very sure that no one will ever love me as much as he does, and I have decided to leave the flower alone…

That’s life, and love. When one is surrounded by love, the feeling of excitement fades away, and one tends to ignore the true love that lies in between the peace and dullness.

Love shows up in all forms, even very small and cheeky forms, it has never been a model, it could be the most dull and boring form.. . flowers, and romantic moments are only used and appear on the surface of the relationship. Under all this, the pillar of true love stands… and that’s our life… Love, not words win arguments…

True Colours

2011-10-31T22:11:00.007+08:00

So nice!
Hongjun just came back from Holland & Belgium and got 3 of us so many goodies:
* A whole box of Belgium chocolates from the brand The Chocolate Line which is supposedly better and more expensive than Godiva!
* Smoked cheese!
* 1 Ralph Lauren white skinny Polo for me, 2 RL tops for Han Sheng!
* Cute souvenirs from Holland! - Mini signature wooden clogs and porcelain cow

So true!
"Stretch a person to his limit and you see him for who he truly is." - ?

No Title

2011-10-28T22:17:00.005+08:00

Came across this. Should be useful. http://singaporemaidagencyreviews.blogspot.com/

Bipolarity brings confusion / afraidness / a 'lil annoyance.

Hot, cold
Good, bad
Nice, unpleasant
Thoughtful, self-centered

Throwing in the towel. There's no need to think so much. Being emotionless is the best thing to do. Maybe it's just like that for some. Don't think about it anymore.

Nowadays

2011-10-26T17:31:00.003+08:00

I get tired so easily and backaches frequently...

Enjoys reading at home...

Discovered Nth' for everyday girls free mag!

Jokes

2011-10-20T12:49:00.002+08:00

Jokes from the MOE ELIS opening:

"A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption."

"The midget fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large."

Apple II

2011-10-19T21:38:00.000+08:00

There is Forever a New Quote To Post

2011-10-17T20:42:00.003+08:00

What a nice quote. Somewhere lost in the hundreds of blog entries I've made since mid of 2004, I.. like any other typically emo nut must have had written something about building a wall around myself...

And I've never thought about who would bother to climb over until I came across this quote.

It now makes me think, "who would?"

Marking Papers & Entertaining Friends

2011-10-16T18:10:00.004+08:00

Couldn't sleep last night. Was awake from around 12+ till 4.30am before I manage to get some sleep and woke up at 8+am in the morning. A little tired.

Had a pleasant afternoon entertaining guests at home. Verina, Emil and Huishan came to visit me.. Nice hosting friends at home occasionally.

I'm not done yet but I have to finish marking the SS exam papers by today.

This quote is pretty true isn't it?
"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire." -Aristotle

Dramatic Footage of Cornwall Cliff Collapse

2011-10-12T08:55:00.004+08:00

Colleague shared this dramatic video clip of a collapsing cliff in Britain. Thousands of tonnes of rocks fell into the Atlantic. Good resource for teaching Sec 3s on Cliff and Wave-cut platform.

From Yahoo News again.

How to Select Your Greens
Bak Choy – For mature Bak Choy, select those with dark green leaves and bright white stalks. Avoid those with yellow leaves. Baby Bak Choy should have light green leaves.

Tomatoes – Pick tomatoes that have a firm skin with the stem intact and that are heavy for their size.

Potatoes – Potatoes need to be firm and smooth, avoid those with sprouts or bruises.

Broccoli and Cauliflower – Florets need to be packed tightly together without yellowing or flowering.

A vegetable seller’s advise was to buy locally farmed vegetables, where possible, instead of imports because local produce use less chemicals as they are monitored regularly by the local authorities. He said that the testing for the imports are on a sample basis due the sheer volume which means that some baddies may slip through the cracks.

To prove his point, sniff some of the vegetables at the stall to identify the strong odour of chemical treatments on some of the imports in contrast to local produce, that have been grown with smaller doses. Apparently, the rule of thumb is that the more perfect a vegetable looks and the more vibrant the colours, the more likely it has been treated with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. So the next time you buy your vegetables, please wash them well to avoid ingesting chemicals.

From Yahoo News on 10 Oct

2011-10-10T17:16:00.006+08:00

Cool Japan Month
Yay, read news about the cool Japan month! Although I hardly go out now, I shall make this an exception, I definitely must check this event out! Although I can't buy clothes now, I can still buy accessories :) I will check out just the shopping at Harajuku Street Style at Tangs, I probably have to give Anime festival a miss cos it will be too crowded and I foresee too much standing.. I will see to whether I will go check out the Jap food fare at Taka.

A&F Controversies
I was looking forward to A&F's opening in Singapore. I have been neutral towards the case about the advertisement at Orchard Road until today I'm concern when I read about the below controversies A&F has been embroiled in and have decided to boycott the brand now:

From 2002 to 2009, it recalled racially and sexually offensive T-shirts insulting Asians and women.

In 2004, it made $40-million compensation to Latino, African, Asian-American and female staff who were refused jobs, sacked or slotted storeroom shifts to maintain the "all-white A&F look".

I don't know what I will decide if I see something really nice and of good quality from the company that fit my style next time but chances are, I will still not buy. I just said I will boycott them didn't I.

How much sunlight do you need?
By coach_jon Yahoo News

"Singapura oh Singapura. Sunny island, set in the sea."

Those are the words of a old-time song about Singapore. Being on the equator, there are some great benefits like -- lots of sunshine! There are also some problems like -- lots of sunshine!

To some, sunshine is tan giving, energy boosting and refreshing.

To others, sunlight is wrinkle-causing, cancer-risking, and sunburn-inducing.

So what is it? Here are some tips to help you maximise your benefits from sunlight without the "side effects".

Tip 1: You NEED sunlight. The sun helps us produce vitamin D in its best possible form. I recommend vitamin D to many of my personal training and fitness bootcamp clients because it is a wonderful nutrient that has great benefits for you.

Better immune system health to prevent annoyances like the flu
Fewer allergies and autoimmune diseases because vitamin D helps to make sure your own immune system does not attack your body with "friendly fire"
Fat burning because it helps your thyroid to boost your metabolism
Reduced risk of diabetes because of better blood sugar management
Reduced risk of most cancers because vitamin D presses the "self destruct" button of cancer cells called "tumour necrosis factor alpha"
Muscle building because vitamin D improves testosterone levels naturally
An interesting point is that EVERY kind of tissue in our body has vitamin D receptors. That means that correct vitamin D levels boost ALL areas of health.

The best way to get vitamin D is by exposing yourself to sunlight. Even the best quality supplemental vitamin D is not as good as the vitamin D produced in our own bodies when we are exposed to sunlight.

In fact, Dr. Michael Hollick, probably the world's No. 1 expert on vitamin D, has researched and found out that vitamin D produced from skin exposure to sunlight lasts longer (2x or more) in our blood as when it is taken as a supplement.

Tip 2: The risk-to-benefit ratio of having sunlight vs. not having it is excellent.

The most common damaging problem of REALLY TERRIBLY EXCESSIVE sun exposure is what is known as basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer. Certainly it is not a good idea to get skin cancer.

However, basal cell carcinoma is relatively non-malignant, and almost never results in death. However, the cancers that have a REDUCED risk with higher sun exposure (we know this because they are more common in less sunny areas of the world) are very deadly. Colon, breast, prostate and others are very dangerous cancers and the factors against them are all positively influenced by sunlight! Yay!

I don't mean to be "morbid" but we all probably know many people who have passed away from cancer. But how many of them had skin cancer?

Hardly any. But many of them had the deadly versions of cancer listed above.

Tip 3: We need to condition ourselves to sunlight, and our bodies will adapt.

Sunlight has two types of ultra violet rays (UV). Type A and Type B. UVB burns us but also stimulates vitamin D production. UVA tans us but is also damaging to the skin.

Most sunscreen blocks only UVB. So we don't get vitamin D production. Yet it allows us to feel "unburnt" so we stay longer in the sun, and absorb alot of UVA which eventually causes skin problems.

In short, if we are not accustomed to sun, we will get burnt, that is the sign that we have had enough, and should go inside. However sunscreen "turns off" the burning and helps us stay outside longer than out current level to tan and tolerance allows.

It is a bit like training an athlete. If he is gradually conditioned (getting a tan over time) he can withstand great physical training and stress. However, taking a suntan lotion is like training while on painkillers, you feel no pain so you don't know when to stop and you get a serious injury because your body cannot actually handle the training loads.

In conclusion... So how much sun should we actually get for maximum vitamin D with minimum risk?

Dr Hollick gives some guidelines that my clients and I have followed with great success.

I will use equator sun as the benchmark, along with a person who has moderately tanned skin.

For a person like that, 20 minutes, in a singlet and shorts 3 times a week in the midday sun would be a good starting point. Don't ever get burnt. If you get any shade of pink, that is probably a bit much already.

If you have very fair skin, you need less time, and if you have dark skin you need more. If you move to a country further from the equator with different seasons, you will also need more.

Some practical tips include eating lunch outdoors with your sleeves rolled up, participating in outdoor leisure activity during your off days and weekends, and if all else fails, take a good vitamin D3 supplement.

There we have it! Go out and enjoy the sun.

For the best personal training and top indoor fitness boot camp program in Singapore visit www.coachjon.com or our Facebook page.

Apple

2011-10-06T09:08:00.004+08:00

RIP Steve Jobs... a brilliant man with extraordinary vision, foresight and creativity, he left behind a great legacy. "

isad.

Read this online:
"Five legacies of Steve Jobs - the iMac (changing the PC industry), the iPod (changing the music industry), the iPhone (changing the phone industry), the iPad (the birth of a new industry) and Pixar (changing the animation industry). He will be remembered."

What Pleasant Reminders

2011-10-05T18:11:00.001+08:00

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for ...hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

MORAL :
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happens.

3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less from people but more from God.

You have two choices... smile and close this page,
or pass this along to someone else to share the lesson .
God bless us all!

By: Robert Mauro

Got My Account Back

2011-10-02T15:09:00.005+08:00

Hotmail account blocked yesterday. Damn! Reason given was that someone has been using my account to send spams out.

...............ArrrrggghhhHhhHHh!! So annoyed.

Immediately went to seek out info on how to retrieve it back. So I'm supposed to provide my mobile no., and they will send me a verification code so that I can log in.

But code still didn't come by night time yesterday so I requested for a new code, this time, it came almost immediately.

Could log in now.

Not all "detox" are good for you

2011-09-30T21:53:00.002+08:00

Surprise! Can copy & paste an article today.

Not all "detox" are good for you
By Maui Drilon for Yahoo! Southeast Asia - Yahoo News

Did you know that, according to a study done by the journal Obesity, one in 20 women would rather lose a limb than be obese? In this body-conscious world where airbrushed models are considered the norm, this is no surprise. But while it may be tempting to engage in one of the many extreme detox diets, you should keep in mind that while it may seem that you’re losing weight, you’re actually doing more harm to your body than good.

Extreme detox or cleansing diets promise significant and dramatic weight loss within a short period of time. You’re asked to eliminate certain food groups in a detox diet, and stick to a strict food regimen that, most often, contain less than your recommended daily calorie intake. Such a diet will, naturally, cause you to lose weight, since weight loss happens when you eat fewer calories than what you have to burn. But most of the weight lost will most likely be gained back after your supposed “cleanse”.

Not only that, but when you drastically eliminate certain food groups from your diet, you’ll be depriving your body of much-needed proteins, fat, calcium, and carbohydrates. Studies have also shown that when you scrimp on calories, you stop producing a hormone called IGF1, which reduces thyroid and other hormones in your body, including insulin.

Implications on hair and skin

It’s a known fact that whatever you feed your body will affect your skin, hair, and even mood (which explains why a certain Dream Girls singer-actress claimed that the Master Cleanse made her successfully drop the pounds but in turn made her “evil”). So imagine if you suddenly switch to a drastic diet that consisted of only drinking liquids or of munching on grapefruit alone. You’ll be depriving your skin and hair of nutrients it needs to be in tip-top shape!

For example, going on a low-protein diet could leave you with dry, dull, and damaged hair. That’s because hair is made up of 97% protein! Depriving yourself of certain fruits and veggies (just because it’s not “in the handbook” of a certain detox ritual) could rob your body of antioxidants, which helps fight free radicals in the skin—the very same baddies that can cause premature aging.

“Detox” the “Right” Way

So should you just suffer lugging around those pesky five pounds that you just can’t seem to lose? Not really. You can still do a “detox diet”, but the key is to do it the right way by eating the right kinds of foods.

Our bodies are already equipped with organs that flush out toxins for us, whether we down “diet juices” or not. (They’re called our kidneys and liver.) The reason why people crave cleanses is because they feel they’ve been ingesting too many toxins and need to have them flushed out. So how about preventing having to do flushes by living and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in the first place?

It’s a fact that people eat too much food anyway—food that’s loaded with unnecessary sugar and saturated fats. Not to mention those who guzzle alcohol and smoke cigarettes on a daily basis. Cutting out such bad habits is a “cleanse” on its own, since you’ll be eliminating the cause of “toxins” in the body.

So what kinds of food should you be chowing down on? A healthy gauge is to follow the food pyramid, with its proper portioning of sugar, meat, veggies, and carbs. To keep your skin glowing and supple, stock-up on foods high in antioxidants, such as pecans, blueberries, and red beans. To avoid getting lifeless hair, ditch the greasy chicken wings for some baked salmon—its high levels of Omega-3 acids are great for strengthening and maintaining lustrous hair.

In short, a healthy diet is one that you stick with, not one that you just undergo for a few days, a week, or a month. That’s because a “diet” shouldn’t only be seen as a one-time “event”, but instead, as a lifestyle. Many people dread the word “diet” because to them, it involves depriving yourself of certain foods. You don’t have to eliminate chocolate or sweets from your life. You just have to learn to eat them in moderation.

Of course, some people might have special dietary needs—so if you’re really serious about “detoxifying” your lifestyle, don’t buy a book about the latest trendy detox diet in the bookstore. Instead, head to a nutritionist’s office for a consult.

Funny Pictures Circulating On Facebook

2011-09-29T15:42:00.005+08:00

There's one more which is very true and funny, I find it a pity I can't put it online cos.....

Nice Song

2011-09-23T09:56:00.007+08:00

Learnt this nice song from Mr Kwek when he blasted it out from his laptop accidentally.

張惠妹‧我最親愛的‧

http://youtu.be/hH5ZecYkrXo

Other songs, all 張學友's :)

爱我别走

吻別

一路上有你

You Twit Face

2011-09-22T14:44:00.004+08:00

Laughed at what one Netizen wrote on Yahoo News comments section, "In year 3000 A.D., YOUTUBE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK will merge into a super timewasting website called YOUTWITFACE." Haha, got me chuckling away.

Btw, I dont really like some of the changes on Facebook. Hope to get used to it soon anyway.

Yo!

2011-09-18T21:36:00.005+08:00

I bought this thumbdrive recently as I thought it was cute, "Protect your data, he will", you know :D

Then I saw another one online today which is even cuter cos it resembles Yoda more!

Super Fruits

2011-09-16T09:56:00.004+08:00

List of super fruits I got from MSN News but am unable to copy and paste the whole article on what exactly they are useful for. Wonder why since I always acknowledge my sources.

1. Cranberries

2. Cherries

3. Blueberries

4. Mangoes

5. Strawberries

6. Apples

7. Lychees

8. Bananas
9. Tomatoes

Cambodian Boy Suckles from Cow for Milk

2011-09-12T21:30:00.002+08:00

Cambodian boy suckles from cow for milk

A 20-month-old Cambodian boy suckles a cow for milk after his parents left their village for work.

Poor little boy, my heart goes to these people living in poverty. It could be just survival instinct but I still think he's smart.

Gratitude

2011-09-11T21:36:00.005+08:00

Thanks to...

Longmei for her willingness to help take over my campfire duty on Saturday evening so that I am able to attend the 2nd lesson of the course,

And Meiling for her member card so that we can complete Round 3 of shopping for bb stuff at a discount,

Alvin & Ashley for their DOM for my consumption maybe after bf. Heh.

Mama & mother-in-law for many things...

Town, Yay!

2011-09-07T20:51:00.006+08:00

Haven't head down town for a long while until today, I went to meet up with Angie for a short while. Glad to visit some of my fave stores but bought nothing cos there's nothing I like that I can wear now. As for usable items like wallets & purses which I plan to buy one if I fancy, well, though nice, there isn't one nice enough for me to be willing enough to part with my money for at Samantha Thavasa. I came across an LV one I fancy while surfing the net yesterday, which is the Zippy Coin Purse in Damier canvas (PRODUCT ID: N63070). Was contemplating whether to buy it briefly but I've decided against buying it. No matter how much I fancy it, I just don't few like splurging a few hundred on any luxury item for a long time...

Something neat I discovered at Warehouse (Ion) store today is their free handphone charging service! Now I know where to go to should I need to recharge my hp desperately.

Meet up with Angie was really nice and warm! :)

Stay Clear of Overly Critical People

2011-09-05T21:32:00.006+08:00

Dr Brian Weiss from 'Many Lives, Many Masters: "A constantly criticized child can lose as much confidence and self-esteem as one who remembers being humiliated on one particular, horrifying day."

Don't know who is he or what book is that, just came across this quote and is reminded to stay clear of overly critical people as they are toxic and to never do that to my child.

Yesterday Evening

2011-09-04T13:51:00.006+08:00

I quite enjoyed the Teochew clan association (Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan) dinner with my family and relatives yesterday :) Food was good - the highlights were really the white promfret cooked in Teochew style and the Mandarin Orchard's signature chicken rice from their Chatterbox restaurant. Too bad the dessert was not orh nee which I expected it to be. Vivian Balakrishnan and his wife were both present as the VIPs. Hongjun said he spoke a few sentences in Teochew on stage when they arrived. I missed that cos we arrived at the hotel at only about 9.15pm as Dear and I had to attend the 1st lesson of Wong Boi Boi's class in the earlier half of the evening. Oh, and that sia suay Jack Neo attended the dinner as well.

Luv goodie bags. Got good stuff in both the goodie bags from the dinner and the course.

Learnt a few things in the lesson. And if I had learnt how to get up from a sitting position on the floor a few days earlier, I could have prevented falling back on my bum and thigh. Thank goodness nothing bad happened.

張學友 - 情书

2011-08-29T00:30:00.001+08:00

張學友 - 情书

His concert was pretty entertaining :)

Link

2011-08-23T10:09:00.000+08:00

http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/multimedia/

2011-08-15T16:00:00.003+08:00

"No human being can tame the tongue - It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

Sick of This

2011-08-13T17:25:00.002+08:00

When next-to-useless people make poor decisions or makes wrong moves, causing subordinates to suffer... is this fair?

No, it's not. But this is toooooooooo common a scenario anywhere, anytime.

2011-08-10T10:57:00.000+08:00

Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to Jen,
Happy birthday to me!! :)

Picnic!

2011-08-07T12:21:00.002+08:00

Prepared ham and egg mayo sandwiches, bananas, minute maid fruit punch, etc and headed off for our little picnic at West Coast Park yesterday evening. Heh, I read M magazine while Dear flew his kite. Nice! :)

A call for from Leticia from Philippines... a maid who worked for us more than a decade ago...

What's next?

Kitchen Cures

2011-08-04T08:07:00.002+08:00

Kitchen Cures

When we’re feeling sick, we look at the medicine cabinet to see what pills we can take. We should check out the pantry instead. Many everyday ingredients can treat different ailments and unlike drugs, they are inexpensive and with less side effects.

Honey
Honey is good for cuts and scrapes. It has three powerful components: sugar for absorbing moisture so bacteria can’t survive, hydrogen peroxide to disinfect and propolis to kill bacteria. Plus, the honey dries to form a natural bandage. Just spread thickly over the infected area.

Olive Oil
Olive oil is actually the basis of many skin moisturizers. For eczema, rub olive oil on the skin to keep it from drying out.
Spicy dish
Good for a stuffy nose or congestion, spicy dishes loosen the mucus by making the eyes and nose run.

Garlic
Garlic is antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and an antioxidant so it has many uses. Take garlic when you have a cold to fight the infection and boost the immune system. Mix together minced garlic, warm water and honey for taste. Leave the garlic in the mixture for a few minutes then swallow without chewing. Another way of taking it is by chewing raw garlic cloves with honey. Repeat every two to three hours. Garlic can also be used for athlete’s foot due to its antifungal nature. Simply rub a clove of raw garlic to the affected area.
Baking Soda Baking soda is used to remove odor so it makes weird sense that you use it for body odor as well. Sprinkling baking soda on your armpits and feet will reduce the moisture you produce.

Chamomile Tea
Wrapping cold, wet tea bags in paper towels can help sooth itchy eyes from colds or hay fever. The tannic acid in tea reduces the itch. Chamomile tea can also be used for calluses. Soak your feet in a diluted chamomile tea bath to soften the hard skin.

Ginger
Ginger has anti-sickness properties so it can help in nausea. Pregnant women can also relieve morning sickness by taking ginger biscuits.

Turmeric
Turmeric is good for treating many skin ailments. It can be used to sooth acne, scrapes and sunburn. Mix several drops of water with ½ teaspoon of powdered turmeric to make a thin paste. Apply the mixture on the blemishes or sunburn and leave for an hour. Be sure to rinse after because turmeric stains.

Rice Water
Bangladeshis have been using rice water as a treatment for diarrhea forever. The proteins in the rice help stabilize the bowel and it’s tastier than any medicine.

Banana
Who knew that aside from being a yummy snack, bananas can be used for bug bites? All you have to do is eat the fruit and apply the banana peel fruit side down on the bite. Hold it there until the itching subsides.

Dinner and Present

2011-08-03T10:09:00.005+08:00

Dear catered to my cravings for an Ichiban Bento Set by taking me to the IMM outlet for dinner after he knocked off.

Will catch up with evening's episode of 愛 on XinMSN Catch-up. Heh.

Shopped for my ear studs birthday present after that. Went to Poh Heng, Citigems and SK. Dear prefers to buy yellow gold compared to white gold and diamonds cos he likes things with value, to him, it's more worth the money so we settled for a small, heart shape yellow gold pair from Poh Heng! :)

So Much Trouble Just To...

2011-07-28T16:51:00.004+08:00

Still in school and taking a break from the monotony of setting prelim questions now. Just received a call from a colleague-friend who is both frustrated and amused over how much trouble it is taking just to collect a pair of shoes from the repair shop.

She has to make a detour from her usual route to collect her shoes. I was with her the first time round, that was a couple of days ago. The time was about 3+pm and the shop was closed with a notice pasted at the door which read, "Be back at 4pm". At 4.10pm, the shop was still not opened.

Today, she went there again at 4.37pm and guess what the notice read... in between frustrated giggles, she told me it read,

"Be back at 5pm".

Dots dot dot(s)...

I burst out laughing over the phone.

Shopping at Isetan Scotts and Paragon

2011-07-23T17:00:00.003+08:00

Dear and I had such a happy and fun time shopping for bb stuff this afternoon. Is that because it is only Round 1 of Round 1? Haha, we shall find out.

Also managed to get Hongjun's birthday present just now. Eating lunch at my parents' place tmr to celebrate her birthday. So looking forward to another family meal.

Saw this on Angeline's FB:

“Cultivate your talents.

Talent does not mean you have to be an artist who paints masterpieces, or a gymnast who does flips.

Talent resides within you, right now, in many different ways.

Caring for others is a talent, teaching is a talent, making people feel welcome is a talent, solving problems is a talent and parenting is a talent.

Never underestimate your talents and try not to compare or wish for the talents of others. Focus on and accept the talents you have, and you will find great fulfillment in life.

Such wise words! I am Talented! (So are You!)"

Another quote I came across a couple of days ago, "The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials." - Chinese saying

Quotes Again

2011-07-18T13:38:00.001+08:00

"Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil." -C. S. Lewis

This is no quote, probably some smart alecky kid came up with it.
"Would you rather go left where nothing is right? Or would you rather go right where nothing is left?"

DFZKSFBZSXZBF

2011-07-14T22:34:00.002+08:00

I didn't explain...........

"How do you expect kids to listen to their parents when Tarzan lives half naked, Cinderella comes home at midnight, Pinocchio lies all the time, Aladdin is the king of thieves, Batman drives at 200 mph, Sleeping Beauty is lazy, and Snow White lives with 7 guys. We shouldn't be surprised when kids misbehave, they get it from their story book."

Yay!

2011-07-10T16:36:00.003+08:00

Detailed scan showed everything is fine. Hope my health is fine too, wanna do a test for blood glucose level soon.

Glad to read the news that the MND have plans to convert the old train tracks into a green spine. I think we need to preserve some history and heritage, as well as add more green areas into our dense concrete jungle. I think it would be better than opening yet another chain of shops and restaurants around, as I've previously blogged about.

Got to See Optimus Prime On Big Screen Again!

2011-07-02T17:02:00.003+08:00

Watched the long awaited Transformer 3 with Dear yesterday. Well, it was.. just so-so, not fantastic. Even X-Men 2, which I didn't know what it was about previously till I watched this recent movie, is better than T3. There was lots of action in the show but some of it was redundant. The storyline wasn't as smooth or as exciting as the 1st show so it was somewhat disappointing. As for the new girlfriend of Sam, she's nothing in the show, plays no role except for a vase. Megan Fox was at least some help in some fighting scenes in T1 and T2. It's a pity she was replaced because she offended the director cos doing that kind of spoils the show.

Dread

2011-06-26T22:50:00.003+08:00

This June school hols has been too short cos about 2 1/2 weeks were spent working. I'm so dreading the start of Semester 2 tomorrow....... I wished Nov-Dec is here already......!

Saw the photos of our dinner at Sky On 57 which Xin uploaded late this afternoon brought back pleasant memories of our lucky slip to the infinity pool area, and we caught the sunset there :D We went to Sky On 57 for dinner, which is the same level as the pool. There was a gate separating the pool area but the guard didn't stop us from entering cos he thought we belonged to the big group of hotel guests who were at the gate asking him how to slot their room passes in. When we wanted to go back there after dinner, he didn't allow us to anymore! Hah.. I'm lucky cos I don't know when I would be able to visit the infinity pool man, at least Xin has been there, swam there, and is going back during the National Day hol!

Health: Nine ways to feel good in 30 minutes

2011-06-19T17:23:00.002+08:00

I like these reminders.

To add on,

10. Watch a comedy

11. Retail therapy

12. Of course health critics will say no but eating chocolates, ice creams and cakes do help, nvm if it's only in the short term :)

13. I don't have a pet dog but I'm sure those with one derive lots of joy from them.

14. Count your blessings?

15. Appreciate nature

Health: Nine ways to feel good in 30 minutes
Yahoo News
By Anandhi Gopinath, On Thursday 16 June 2011, 23:45 SGT

Being in a good mood or feeling happy doesn’t have to be solely a long-term goal — small things you do for yourself every day can make a huge difference in the way you feel.

Some people worry that wanting to be happier is a selfish goal, but in fact, research shows that happier people are more sociable, likable, healthy, productive and more inclined to help other people. By working to boost your own happiness, you’re making other people happier too.

We’ve come up with nine things you can do to boost your morale and feel good about yourself. Not only will these tasks themselves increase your happiness, but the mere fact that you’ve achieved some concrete goals will boost your mood.

1.Raise your activity level

Pump up your energy and give yourself an endorphin rush. If you’re on the phone, stand up and pace. Take the stairs instead of the lift, put more energy into your voice or even take a brisk 10-minute walk around the office — every little thing helps.

2. Let’s go outside

Research has suggested that light stimulates brain chemicals that improve moods. For an extra boost, get your dose of sunlight first thing in the morning. If you leave for work before sunrise, take a quick break at about 10am and soak in some sunshine — at this hour, sunlight has the maximum amount of vitamin D absorbable by the human body.

3. Reach out

Send an email or call to a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or reach out to someone new. Developing close bonds with other people is one of the most important keys to happiness. When you act in a friendly way, not only will others feel friendlier towards you, but you’ll also strengthen your feelings of friendliness for other people.

4. Rid yourself of a nagging task

Deal with that insurance problem, purchase something you need, or make that long-postponed appointment with the dentist. Crossing an irksome chore off your to-do list will give you a rush of elation.

5. Create a more serene environment

Outer order contributes to inner peace, so spend some time organising your desk and tackling those piles of paperwork. A large stack of little tasks can feel overwhelming, but often just a few minutes of work can make a sizable dent. Set the timer on your phone for 10 minutes and see what you can do.

6. Do a good deed

Introduce two people by email, take a minute to pass along useful information, or deliver some gratifying praise. Simple things that make a huge difference all around.

7. Save someone’s life

Donate some blood or sign up to be an organ donor, and remember to tell your family about your decision. It will make you feel good that you are making a difference to someone else’s life.

8. Act happy

Fake it ‘til you feel it. Research shows that even an artificially induced smile boosts your mood. And if you’re smiling, other people will perceive you as being friendlier and more approachable.

9. Learn something new

Think of a subject that you wish you knew more about and spend 15 minutes on the Internet reading about it, or go to a bookstore and buy a book about it. But be honest and pick a topic that really interests you, not something you think you should or need to learn about.

This article appeared on the Live it! page, The Edge Financial Daily, June 3, 2011.

Just Wanted to Write An Entry

2011-06-17T23:45:00.003+08:00

M Dress arrived by registered post turned out relatively okay, compared to my previous few attempts at buying normal clothings from online shops. They made me give up online clothes purchase. This time, however, I'm without much choices cos the most of the m clothes in the few limited stores I ventured into such as the one at IMM and even Topshop suck. This dress is by FCUK, I ordered it from ASOS, hence quality is kind of assured. The colour I see from the picture online differs slightly from the actual piece, I also find the material a little hard but it's ok, would still have bought it had I known these slight differences beforehand.

Green Lantern was disappointing. And at the ticket queue, I saw my bunch of students in front of me and I was dressed so shabbily in my home clothes. Argh. Anyhow, I'm so looking forward to catching Transformers 3. It will be good!!! Marvel is better than DC Comics.

Sian, it's work week again next week and school will reopen after that.

The World According to Some People

2011-06-08T14:25:00.004+08:00

Some Celeb Photos

2011-06-05T15:37:00.005+08:00

Beautiful car and yes, a beautiful barbie doll face and figure. Wonder why Paris Hilton choose to screw her life up like that when she has almost everything she wants on Earth.

Uploaded this photo late, thought her wedding gown is simple, modest and nice, just like Princess Kate's. Conservative wedding gowns from our parents' times seems to be back in fashion.

Panda

2011-06-02T22:14:00.001+08:00

Really enjoyed watching Kungfu Panda 2!

Although 1 was good, I think this sequel is even better.

From Xia Xue again

2011-05-29T09:17:00.001+08:00

How To Get Dramatic Bottom Lashes

Food For Thought for Educators

2011-05-27T12:33:00.001+08:00

The surprising truth about what motivates us

Changing Education Paradigms

Nth Quotes

2011-05-22T07:49:00.003+08:00

"Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who do not." - Christy Chung

"Don't believe in regrets. Nobody makes decisions in life with intent of self-sabotage. You have done your best without the benefit of hindsight."

Modern Etiquette: Tips on How to Reform a Rude World

2011-05-19T18:18:00.000+08:00

Modern Etiquette: Tips on How to Reform a Rude World
Yahoo News

SEATTLE (Reuters Life!) - Rudeness is epidemic all over today. And I'm not even talking about cyber-rudeness.

People steal each other's cabs. Telephone receptionists are nasty. Sales clerks act like they're doing you a favor when you buy something. Waiters exhibit an attitude. Vicious gossip sells newspapers. Decency is considered boring.

Look outside and you'll see litter everywhere except in trash cans. Sit down in a restaurant and you'll find gum is underneath every table. Go into an office and you'll see bosses who don't treat their teams like human beings - foregoing simple little things like acknowledging their presence with introductions to visitors and clients.

The list could go on forever. I know because I pay a lot of attention to these things. I also know because any number of people call or write to tell me their latest manners travesties.

And all of it begs a question.

Hasn't anyone noticed that if we want to change anybody else, we first must change ourselves?

Books can be written. Speeches can be made. But I ask you: Who ever learned to ride a bicycle by reading a book?

The point is that any significant, lasting change must come from within, not from without. I can rattle off information about etiquette skills, but they ring hollow if we don't honor some very basic principles for success. 1. Every living thing deserves respect. 2. A person's wealth really is determined by the quality and integrity of his relationships.

Our relationships are the most important and significant components of our lives. If, in fact, our relationships with our Higher Power, our self, our spouse, our family and friends, and finally, our career - in that order - are healthy, then the material trappings believed by most of us to be "wealth" will more likely become ours. Think about it. What are the qualities and actions that really help in attaining success and sustaining it throughout a business career? 3. Our relationships are smoother and more satisfying when we understand and use the basic etiquette skills that make sense for our individual lifestyles. 4. Manners and etiquette are not the same thing.

Manners have to do with our basic attitude and approach to life and the people in it. Kindness is the essence of good manners. Etiquette, on the other hand, is a set of rules that govern our relationships in various situations.

Etiquette is different from country to country, city to city, company to company. For example, in the United States the handshake is an essential part of greeting. In Japan, however, a bow takes the place of a handshake. Is one better than the other? Certainly not. 5. Honesty and a sense of humor about oneself are essential to a successful, prosperous life.

To illustrate: One of the most genuinely well-mannered people I've ever met is a fellow named David in Barbados.

He is a diver and a fisherman, and certainly makes no effort to present himself as a suave sophisticate.

Inevitably, David is likely to appear at the door of tourists, uninvited and unannounced, bearing a just-caught fish so fresh that it fairly quivers. He will then proceed to take over the kitchen and prepare a memorable meal.

I've enjoyed several such feasts. Never have I been presented with a fish knife, fish fork, a trio of glasses, or any of the implements that I instruct my clients how to use when dining for business and pleasure. Yet I've never missed them, not once.

Why?

Because David -- although he often breaks all the etiquette rules -- exudes so much enthusiasm for life and the people in it. He knows with every fiber of his being that life is all about sharing our experience, our very selves, in the kindest, most joyful, most pleasant way we can. What David knows (and needs no etiquette guide to tell him) is that people are much more important than the rules.

I have no interest in putting myself out of business with this writing. On the contrary. All of those unspoken prejudices about behavior and etiquette are as pronounced in today's business arena as they ever were. But people who do business successfully realize that the essence of productive business relationships is the people in them.

Try this out for yourself with this simple test the next time you have the pleasure of that harassed, apparently surly waiter or waitress:

Instead of sounding irritated, try saying in a polite and sympathetic tone: "You really have your hands full, but the next time you come by, may I please have some more coffee?"

You will get your coffee with a smile -- I promise.

(Editing by Paul Casciato)

(Mary Mitchell has written several books on the subject of etiquette, including "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Etiquette" and "Class Acts." She is also the founder of executive training consultancy The Mitchell Organization with the website http://www.themitchell.org. The opinions expressed are her own.)

Cravings

2011-05-15T15:26:00.003+08:00

Feel so guilty for eating all those potato chips.......... :(

Miss lychee martini, salmon sashimi, laughing cow cheese cubes, what else.

Crave prawn mee, mee soto right now.

Election Day

2011-05-07T22:20:00.000+08:00

On Election Day 2011:

Mark Sec 3 Geog papers.

Nonya Buffet lunch with Dear, his parents and Aunt Jessie at Chilli Padi at NUS was really nice cos the food is cheap and good!

Voted at Blk 190, that was my assigned polling station.

Wanted to stay up to watched the live coverage of the elections result eagerly... cos it would be really interesting to watch who won at Aljunied GRC. Both Workers' Party's Low Thia Khiang and Minister George Yeo are such strong contenders but the newscasters are just dragging time with interviews and flashbacks now. I can't stay awake till 3.30am so I will go to bed now and check with Dear tomorrow morning.

Views, Mine.

2011-05-06T17:12:00.003+08:00

I was previously neutral to Nicole Seah, until she over-reacted with her dramatic sobs of empathy towards the less fortunate yesterday. I think most of us empathise with the less fortunate but I don't believe even people with a better heart will sob the way she sobbed upon hearing sad and heart-wrenching events.... Still kudos to her for coming up with such good political tactics or is someone more senior orchestra-ing her speech and actions I wonder? Yes she speaks well, gave good spontaneous answers during interviews so I'm still impressed with all that, it's good for a 24-year-old but I don't know if she pulled all that off on her own.

Just read an article written by Mon Hon Meng in defence of PAP. My logic resonate with the writer's views......

Something else:

Didn't see this Straits Times article till today.

I've quite enough of some Western propaganda.

Not that I advocate massive killing of sharks and eating of shark's fins soup at sinful amounts, but I will still eat shark's fins soup. Sparingly is the word. Not that I'm so wealthy in the first place. It's one of my favourite and I think it would be a nice delicacy to have at some special occasions, it's a Chinese tradition. However, though my birthdays are special to me, I probably wouldn't order shark's fins soup to celebrate my birthday...

“Shark’s fins: One man’s delicacy, another’s poison pill”
Written by Leech, The Straits Times 3 Feb 11
..
IN THIS age of a new Opec – the Organisation of Politically Engaged Celebrities – George Clooney hires satellites to monitor Sudanese troop movements during a referendum on partition; Daniel Craig, Kate Winslet and Paul McCartney lead successful campaigns to remove foie gras from high-end department stores; Angelina Jolie is a United Nations goodwill ambassador.

Now, into this ‘celebocracy’ steps British uber chef Gordon Ramsay campaigning to save the world’s shark population from ending up as soup. His recent TV special ‘Shark Bait’ investigated finning, the method used to source the key ingredient for the dish. During finning, a shark’s fins are removed after it is caught but often while the fish is still alive. The carcass, which is worth a fraction of the value of the fins, is then discarded at sea.

In his infamous foul-mouthed style but acting as a moral caped crusader, Ramsay and his film crew barge unannounced into shops in London’s Chinatown trying to find the perfectly legal fins as though on the trail of contraband.

He quizzes Costa Rican dock workers unloading fish, demanding to know the location of the source of harvested fins. He interrogates restaurant diners as to their ethics over eating such ‘beautiful creatures’. One wonders how long a journalist would last in one of Ramsay’s restaurants if they asked his customers to justify what they had on their plates.

Ramsay also visits Imperial, a high-end restaurant in Taiwan, tasting shark’s fin soup for the first time. Clearly believing that his Western pallet is the universal arbiter of good taste, he declares: ‘It’s really bizarre…it actually tastes of nothing.’

Food is a matter of personal taste, and Ramsay can have his opinion. I tasted shark’s fin soup once, and that will be the only time. However, members of this new Opec use their status to do more than opine. They reduce complex issues to black and white morality tales and demand immediate action to support their causes.

Shark’s fin soup is supposedly a delicacy that was traditionally reserved for the wealthy on special occasions and it has been part of Chinese culture for centuries. For years, only rich Chinese – mostly in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore – consumed it. However, China has seen a dramatic rises in standards of living in recent decades, especially among the middle classes. This has put shark’s fin soup within touch of many more people. To satisfy this demand, fishermen traverse the oceans in search of sharks.

Space is limited on fishing vessels. Fins can sell for US$700 (S$890) per kg, 70 times the value of a kilo of tuna. The bodies of sharks are bulky and worth almost nothing as there is little or no demand for the meat. Finning is also carried out when sharks are caught as ‘by catch’ when fishing for tuna and swordfish.

Conservationists believe finning is exacerbating a crisis in the global shark populations. Ramsay claims ‘sharks will be extinct by the end of the century’.

There are over 400 species of shark. To claim they are on the verge of extinction is headline grabbing, but an inaccurate generalisation, equivalent to claiming that all fish are endangered. As with the treatment of geese in the production of foie gras, exaggeration is common place for those who cannot tolerate the cultural habits of others.

The UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora (Cites) lists only three shark species whose consumption is subject to regulation – the great white, basking and whale shark. Dr Giam Choo Hoo, the longest-serving member of Cites, has said: ‘The perception that it is common practice to kill sharks for only their fins – and to cut them off whilst the sharks are still alive – is wrong… The vast majority of fins in the market are taken from sharks after their death.’

Predictably, Ramsay’s show led to an explosion of chatter on the Internet. Culinary culture warriors condemned Chinese food traditions and bemoaned the rapid economic growth that means more members of the middle class can afford this luxury dish. Online petitions against finning have been launched. There are plans to organise protests in London’s Chinatown during Chinese New Year.

Ramsay has drawn vehement criticism from animal rights activists for hypocrisy: ‘persuading’ restaurants not to sell shark’s fin soup, while his restaurants continue to serve an endangered eel and foie gras – whose production requires geese to be force-fed to enlarge their livers. A case of the pot calling the kettle black?

Finning may be uncomfortable to watch, but is the production of foie gras any different? Even if one doesn’t like the taste or idea of shark’s fin soup, what’s at stake is the individual’s right to choose what to eat within the confines of the law, regardless of what some celebrities may believe or espouse.

The writer is a former senior project manager at Understanding Animal Research, a London-based non-profit organisation.

Comment:

re: “what’s at stake is the individual’s right to choose what to eat within the confines of the law, regardless of what some celebrities may believe or espouse.”

>>> This conclusion leaves me uncomfortable. In this context, do we indeed have a such a right? We may ignore the part about celebrities. But the moral acceptability of eating sharks’ fin is not fundamentally about the confines of legal rules: we do not acquire a moral right to do some thing just because that thing is legal.

For instance, if I’m living in South Africa in the 1970s during its apartheid era, and someone argues it is wrong for me to sell Zulus as slaves, it wouldn’t be a good reply to say “what’s at stake is the individual’s right to choose what to sell within the confines of the law”. It may be true that the South African law permits the sale of Zulus as slaves, but the dispute would be about the moral acceptability of that very law.

Back to Leech’s point, I would have the right to eat sharks’ fin only if that is morally acceptable. That’s where the important issue lies – and we cannot presume we’ve such a right.

Make-Up Tutorial

2011-05-02T16:08:00.001+08:00

This make up video from XiaXue is so useful http://youtu.be/D_NFRSDTVNI :)

THOR!

2011-04-30T15:00:00.002+08:00

In the end I gave Space Battleship Yamato and Limitless a miss but I will NOT miss THOR and I did not. I watched it before lunch with Dear just now! :) I enjoyed watching Thor wield his powerful hammer :D

The Royal Wedding

2011-04-29T21:41:00.005+08:00

Spent a couple of hours watching the grand royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on TV. They are a really beautiful couple, minus William's balding condition. Kate's wedding gown is really beautiful, yet modest :) The British, they really love their kings and queens, princes and princesses, they are all out in full support for the occasion.

Nice Eh?

2011-04-28T17:10:00.000+08:00

Just came across this, sounds like a good programme. http://www.shichidamethod.com/index.html

Got this from Mel who read it somewhere. Found it meaningful.

"There’s always someone better than you, even at the thing you do best in the world. I find that hard to live with. But the thing about love is that you can find someone for whom you’re the best person in the world."

On second thoughts, perhaps the above is idealistic and simplistic, it may occur in the initial rush of romance. Decades in the marriage, I also feel that you can recognise someone as imperfect but you love him/her with all your heart anyway?

2011-04-26T16:59:00.003+08:00

Nose was like a running tap the past few days... :(

Today it became a leaky one.

And I had constipation too but I was determined to get something out yesterday so I stayed in the toilet for eons. That's when I learnt the lesson that perseverance pays off.

The Days and Nights are Crawling By So Slowly...

2011-04-19T20:27:00.005+08:00

The days just pass by sooooo s.l.o.w.l.y.

I can't hardly wait for the next 3-4 weeks to pass quickly.

I can't remember if I've posted this song up here before. I don't think I did but it's hard to imagine I haven't cos this is one of my favourites (which is quite a lot actually)!!!

我吃得起苦 - 动力火车

I Certainly Must Check This Place Out

2011-04-17T09:40:00.001+08:00

Family and I, including mother-in-law went to Spring Court Restaurant yesterday evening to celebrate father's birthday. That's another really good restaurant.

Now here's another place I wanna check out:

Recommended by: KF Seetoh, Author of Makansutra

As a foodie, I visit Bangkok a few times a year and always realise the inevitable - I sure love our traffic situation in Singapore, where a little snarl along, say, Upper Bukit Timah may make it to the news page. So, often, I go on foot around town or zip about in Bangkok's BTS commuter train service. I have a simple theory, which is also similar to my theory for Singapore -- the farther the food is from town, the better it is, for most of the time at least.

So late last year, Bon, a Bangkok buddy who does some makan research for me in his spare time, suggested, "Let's hit this popular café with very traditional Thai food that even older people here love in Paragon or Ekamai." Both of those locations are in the heart of town and very touristy. I nearly terminated his freelance contract with us until he said something about how it would be lucky for us if they still have a slice of their signature soft young coconut cake left on their counter. It was only 2pm then. So we snaked through the Sukhumvit traffic and curled our way up a little bendy stairwell inside a small building at Ekamai into a packed cosy Coffee Beans by Dao restaurant cum café. Bon was right, half the clientele were half bent over as they walked to their seats held up by two domestic helpers. The other half were well-heeled young Thai yuppies and little tikes tugged along by their parents.

For a place that puts emphasis on coffee in their brand, a lot of serious-looking Thai food was being served up as well. Then an introduction to owner Toi, short for Nattaya Pangputhipong, and, before I could digest the F1 speed of information she was "vroooming" to me, six dishes were laid out on the table. Indeed, two slices of the seductive coconut cake were left on the counter, but were now on my table, daring me. I clearly also remember the khanom chin (glutinous beehoon sitting on a crab laksa-style curry), a lobster pasta with spicy Thai sauce and a stunning chicken shrimp coconut rillete waiting to be dunked with crispy rice crackers.

Their giant prawn pasta has a tangy and spicy sauce that’s not tamed for Orchard Road palates.

Their coffee is not in your typical Thai style which is usually an excuse to serve up half a cup of condensed milk (it sits below the coffee) only to be tamed by another glass of chinese tea. Toi's version has that western charm and style, which came with her training in England's famed Le Cordon Bleu culinary institute years ago, and she said, "I like my place to have that tai-tai Victorian touch and comfort where you can also get a decent Thai meal." Besides your caramel macchiato, they also offer English toffee over your regular brew.

Then, in between her lightning-speed speech, I heard her say: "I'll be setting up an outlet in Singapore." I vaguely remember telling her about consistency and getting manpower that can hold up her reputation here. They launched Coffee Star by Dao (they could not use the already taken "Coffee Beans" name here) in February 2011 and laid out over 100 items in their menu -- including a vegetarian section, that has a mushroom version of Larb Moo (spicy minced pork salad with roasted ground rice), and pastas, excluding coffee and tea. That same young coconut cake was the same (with slices of soft translucent flesh peeping through the sponge cake) and their other signature, durian cake, was also a winner. Toi insisted on using their familiar Thai Monthong durians and the results show.

Their khanom chin (or crab laksa) was rich, smooth, very fragrant and the layer of greens, beans, salted vegetables, egg and crab meat takes it to another dimension. The rice cracker, when drowned in their spicy chicken and shrimp sauce dip, went in without any resistance. Their spicy pasta with giant shrimp is not tamed for Orchard Road palates, although it is a tad gentler than her Bangkok version. It has all the classic sweet, spicy, sour and hot accents rolled over the spaghetti.

I enjoyed all that I ate, but only because Toi was in town. She lords and hawks over the kitchen, where her head chef from Bangkok is currently attached to. They tweak the habits of her new Singapore-based Thai chefs. I don't think there will be a great gap in quality when the local team receives and practices her full kitchen mantra eventually.

Coffee Stars by Dao

Address
01-37/41, Wisma Atria 435, Orchard Road
Operating hours
11am-10pm daily
Contacts
6733 3881

2011-04-14T17:10:00.007+08:00

Just happened to flip through the latest issue of Contact when I came across this article about Office turn-offs. As I read, this person just comes to mind. Jee... this person matches 4 out of the 7 descriptions of the different types of turned offs. But not like as if she bothers she is the Office Rat, the Vuvuzela, the backstabber and the Boot-licker. Lol.

So Many of Them

2011-04-09T09:53:00.003+08:00

So many VGs around. *shudders*

So glad the A level and university Geog notes, essay practices and readings that I didn't throw away come in useful at a time when I need the important information and I don't feel like going out over weekends even to the library. Though old, some stuff are still relevant. Having these resources around also mean I don't have to prowl the internet for hours and re-read fresh articles to get the exact relevant and concise info I want. Need to prepare a team of students for competition... odds are high cos the IP schools have unfair advantages but... nevermind.

The Beautiful Place That Drew a Big Cheshire Cat's Grin on my Face ;)

2011-04-03T22:39:00.005+08:00

Now that I can spare some time to write about one of my fave eateries... I must really put it down on "paper", or rather e-paper, that is...

I heart the Riders Cafe at Bukit Timah Saddle Club. BT has so many quiet, secluded areas tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore city life. I discovered Greenwood Ave in 2007 when Dear brought me there on one of our dates, recently Xin introduced this place at Fairways Drive to me. I can recall having been to a local horse riding range as a child cos my primary school brought me and my schoolmates there but I don't know where on earth in Singapore is it. If the Saddle Club hasn't changed location, it must have been right here at Fairways Drive.

The ambience is soooo pleasant, there are lush foliage all around and horses strolling on the fenced ranch, with or without people riding on them. The two different times I was here felt as though I was having my meals in a world faraway, like maybe the English countryside. I love the rustic decoration in this non-airconditioned, yet cooling cafe as the ceiling fans spin lazily on both occasions, the rainy Sunday afternoon I was here with Xin and the relaxed Saturday morning I was here with Dear for breakfast.

The staff were very pleasant and attentive. Food wise, let's look at...:

The lunch I had with Xin:
I had delicious roasted black cod with spinach cream but there's also this grainy thing I don't know what it is on the plate which tasted weird. Heh. The spinach was really good though.

Desserts was this monster-sized warm chocolate with vanilla ice-cream. Xin and I shared this cake and another dessert but even two of us couldn't finish this cake so you can imagine how big it is!

The breakfast I had with Dear:
Dear liked his "The Usual" breakfast. My smoked salmon with avocado was alright but it wasn't exactly the best in the world cos Dear and I felt that the fishy smell was too strong. I have had salmon cooked in all ways, including smoked, but the fishy smell were never this strong. But the smoothie I had was very good! The one I had was a good mix of orange juice, banana, mixed berries and yogurt.

Xin and I will be coming back to this beautiful place to try out the French restaurant called Mimolette.

Happy

2011-04-02T23:11:00.000+08:00

Hubby has been so wonderful :)

Dolphins in Our Waters

2011-03-29T22:36:00.002+08:00

Just caught a piece of pleasant news that 5-6 dolphins were seen last Sunday (27 March) at 8am off Pulau Semakau. That's so nice.

Double Happiness

2011-03-25T22:49:00.001+08:00

双喜!! :D

Cool Space-saving Furniture

2011-03-24T22:18:00.001+08:00

Chomp Chomp Chomp

2011-03-21T18:06:00.003+08:00

Eating curry paste chicken wings fried by father! :D

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow." - Helen Keller

This global branding consultancy's list of Top 100 Global Brand is here http://www.interbrand.com/en/best-global-brands/best-global-brands-2008/best-global-brands-2010.aspx I wonder how come Gucci is high up in the list but I didn't spot LV. At one point in time decades ago, Gucci's brand and company was in such dire straits.

I'm Looking Forward To...

2011-03-19T20:45:00.003+08:00

I'm so not looking forward to reopening of school for Term 2 in 2 days' time. But it's inevitable that hols pass and work continues. Amidst tedious work, I look forward to:

Receive my bonuses on 24th March!

And watch these 3 movies in the coming months:
1. Thor (I've mentioned this before)
2. Space Battleship Yamato
3. Limitless

Dear and I did housework and then we went out to Ikea with his mother and aunt for dinner. I also bought a lingonberry juice from the Ikea supermarket to try cos I have not heard of this fruit. Will drink it soon. On our way home, I just got to know from my mother-in-law that an earthquake actually struck Yunnan, also causing great damage, just a day before the one that hit Japan but this former one is totally overshadowed by the latter - well, cos the former is bigger in magnitude and damage (think: nuclear plants and tsunamis).

Survived the Camp

2011-03-18T17:29:00.003+08:00

Survived the 3rd camp I had during the March hols this 3rd year of teaching!

The day before the camp, I had a full dinner, good for prepping myself up for the camp, it was buffet at Sakura @ Science Centre. Ate with Angeline and her aunt, and Dear came after work. Great dinner!

Maybe I was over-sensitive... but all's well, I'm so glad :)

Thailand's Got Talent Man or Woman

2011-03-15T10:19:00.000+08:00

(S)he's probably a transvestite but a pretty one to boot!

Strong Spirited Japanese People

2011-03-14T22:47:00.000+08:00

I think Japanese people are really commendable for their strong spirit.

They don't over whine and groan when faced with such devastating adversity but deal with it bravely. Through it, they showed a lot of selflessness and generosity to their own people.

Japan Quake as Seen from Twitter (Translated by me so quality questionable)

Japanese people have been very open on Twitter about their experiences following the quake. These snippets of what moved them and touched them during these very trying times are heart-warming. I have attempted a rough translation on some of them so that... you can have a read. Please continue to pray for the people in Japan. I hope these mini-stories will bring strength and encouragement to my friends and family in Japan by letting them know that, not only does the world sympathize with them, it looks up to them in admiration! My thoughts are with you. --------------------------------------------------- * ディズニーランドでの出来事 http://twitter.com/unosuke/status/46376846505426944 ディズニーランドでは、ショップのお菓子なども配給された。ちょっと派手目な女子高生たちが必要以上にたくさんもらってて「何だ？」って一瞬思ったけど、その後その子たちが、避難所の子供たちにお菓子を配っていたところ見て感動。子供連れは動けない状況だったから、本当にありがたい心配りだった At Tokyo Disneyland: Tokyo Disneyland was handing out its shops’ food and drinks for free to the stranded people nearby. I saw a bunch of snobby looking highschool girls walking away with large portions of it and initially though “What the …” But I later I found out they were taking them to the families with little children at emergency evacuation areas. Very perceptive of them, and a very kind thing to do indeed. * 国連からのメッセージ http://twitter.com/akitosk/status/46302222346223616 国連からのコメント「日本は今まで世界中に援助をしてきた援助大国だ。今回は国連が全力で日本を援助する。」に感動した。良い事をしたら戻ってくるのです。これがいい例なのです Message from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon: “Japan is one of (the UN’s) most generous and strongest benefactors, coming to the assistance of those in need the world over. In that spirit, the United Nations stands by the people of Japan and we will do anything and everything we can at this very difficult time.” I was moved at his words. What better example that good things happen to those who do good. * 渋滞した交差点での出来事 http://twitter.com/micakom/status/46264887281848320 一回の青信号で１台しか前に進めないなんてザラだったけど、誰もが譲り合い穏やかに運転している姿に感動した。複雑な交差点で交通が５分以上完全マヒするシーンもあったけど、１０時間の間お礼以外のクラクションの音を耳にしなかった。恐怖と同時に心温まる時間で、日本がますます好きになった。 At a congested downtown intersection … Cars were moving at the rate of maybe one every green light, but everyone was letting each other go first with a warm look and a smile. At a complicated intersection, the traffic was at a complete standstill for 5 minutes, but I listened for 10 minutes and didn’t hear a single beep or honk except for an occasional one thanking someone for giving way. It was a terrifying day, but scenes like this warmed me and made me love my country even more. * 揺れている最中でも・・・ http://twitter.com/gj_neko26/statuses/46394706481004544 聞いた話でびっくりしたのが、とっさに「入口の確保」と揺れてるにも関わらず、あの状況で歩いて入口を開けた人が居たのが凄いと思った。正直、シャンデリアも証明も何時落ちるか分からないのに、凄く勇敢な人が居た事に感動した。 During the earthquake We’ve all been trained to immediately open the doors and establish an escape route when there is an earthquake. In the middle of the quake while the building was shaking crazily and things falling everywhere, a man made his way to the entrance and held it open. Honestly, the chandelier could have crashed down any minute … that was a brave man! * バス停で・・・ http://twitter.com/yunico_jp/status/46168394755612672 バスが全然来ない中、@saiso が、バス停の前にある薬局でカイロを買ってきて、並んで待ってる人みんなに配った！ Bus stop mini episode: It was freezing and bus was taking ages to arrive. “@saiso” left the queue to run to a nearby pharmacy. He bought heating pads and gave one to everyone in the queue! * ディズニーシーにて http://twitter.com/kfstudio/status/46390032776437760 ディズニーシーに一泊した娘、無事帰宅しました！キャストのみなさんが寒い中でも笑顔で接してくれて不安を感じることなく過ごせたそうです。防寒のカイロやビニール袋、夜・朝の軽食と飲み物、おやつまで。ディズニーの素晴らしさに感動です。頑張ってくれたキャストさん、ほんとにありがとう！！ Thank you Tokyo Disney Sea My daughter who was staying at DisneySea just made it back home! Many, many thanks to the staff who worked very hard in the cold with ready smiles that made her to feel safe and secure during the entire night. They brought her food, drinks, snacks, heating pads, and anything necessary to ensure she was comfortable and secure throughout her stay. I was touched by the Disney staff’s warmth and hospitality. Thank you so much! * 日本人の良さを再認識 http://twitter.com/VietL/status/46376383592677376 この地震が、きっかけになって、失いかけていた日本人本来の良さが戒間見れた気がする。犯罪はする様子はなく、助け合い、律儀、紳士的。普段日本人は冷たい人が多い…。って個人的に感じてるんだけど、多くの人が今回で「絆」を取り戻しつつあるように見えて、それがなんか感動して、泣けてくる。 Reminded of the goodness of the Japanese people This earthquake has reminded me of that Japanese goodness that had recently become harder and harder to see. Today I see no crime or looting: I am reminded once again of the good Japanese spirit of helping one another, of propriety, and of gentleness. I had recently begun to regard my modern countrymen as cold people … but this earthquake has revived and given back to all of us the spirit of “kizuna” (bond, trust, sharing, the human connection). I am very touched. I am brought to tears. * 段ボールに感動 http://twitter.com/aquarius_rabbit/status/46213254376210432 ホームで待ちくたびれていたら、ホームレスの人達が寒いから敷けって段ボールをくれた。いつも私達は横目で流してるのに。あたたかいです。 Card board boxes, Thank you! It was cold and I was getting very weary waiting forever for the train to come. Some homeless people saw me, gave me some of their own cardboard boxes and saying “you’ll be warmer if you sit on these!” I have always walked by homeless people pretending I didn’t see them, and yet here they were offering me warmth. Such warm people. * 外国人から見た日本人 http://twitter.com/kiritansu/status/46335057689980928 外国人から見た地震災害の反応。物が散乱しているスーパーで、落ちているものを律儀に拾い、そして列に黙って並んでお金を払って買い物をする。運転再開した電車で混んでるのに妊婦に席を譲るお年寄り。この光景を見て外国人は絶句したようだ。本当だろう、この話。すごいよ日本。 What foreigners are saying about Japanese people At a supermarket where everything was scattered everywhere over the floors, shoppers were helping pick them up and putting them back neatly on the shelves before quietly moving into line to wait to pay for them. On the totally jam-packed first train after the quake, an elderly man gave up his seat for a pregnant woman. Foreigners have told me they are amazed witnessing sights like these. I do believe they actually saw what they said they saw. Japan is truly amazing. * メディアの動きについて http://twitter.com/V10CENTAURO/statuses/46388641001508864 ツイッターやＵＳＴでの状況共有と、それに連動するマスコミの動きは、阪神淡路大震災の時とは比べ物にならない質の高さを感じる。もちろん過去の辛い経験から得た教訓を、みんな活かそうとしている感動。 Information network this time around The information sharing efforts on Twitter or USTREAM, together with the quality of coverage and crucial updates provided by the mass media this time around is incomparable to what we got during the Kobe earthquake. I am deeply impressed by Japan’s successful efforts and ability to put to practice lessons learnt from past tragedies. * 絵師さん http://twitter.com/izumi823/statuses/46387948681297920 絵師さんたちがこの地震でみんなに元気付けようと必死に美しい絵や励ましのイラストを描いていることに感動。みんな自分にできることをしたいと思っているんだね。 Touch of art I saw artists and painters trying to keep things upbeat by painting or drawing beautiful or encouraging drawings for the evacuees around them. I was touched at how everyone was doing their very best to help. * BBCの報道 http://twitter.com/bozzo1985/status/46228470614855681 本当に感動。泣けてくる。⇒BBCめっちゃ誉めてる。地球最悪の地震が世界で一番準備され訓練された国を襲った。その力や政府が試される。犠牲は出たが他の国ではこんなに正しい行動はとれないだろう。日本人は文化的に感情を抑制する力がある。 BBC Reports The words of BBC’s reports are so moving they make me cry. They were praising us with words of admiration! “One of the worst earthquakes in recorded history has hit the world’s most well-prepared, well-trained nations. The strength of its government and its people are put to the test. While there have been casualties, in no other country could the government and the people have worked together in such an accurate and coordinated way in the face of such tragedy. The Japanese people have shown their cultural ability to remain calm in the face of adversity.” * 父親の行動 http://twitter.com/s_hayatsuki/status/46386255767937024 1階に下りて中部電力から関東に送電が始まってる話をしたら、普段はTVも暖房も明かりもつけっぱなしの父親が何も言わずに率先してコンセントを抜きに行った。少し感動した。 A little story about Papa We live in an area that was not directly hit. When my father came downstairs and heard the news saying that our area had begun allocating electricity to the hard-hit areas, he quietly led by example, turning off the power around the house and pulling the plugs out of their sockets. I was touched. He usually NEVER turns off the lights or the AC or the TV or anything! * 整列する日本人 http://twitter.com/HASUNA_Natsuko/status/46331839136276480 日本人すごい！！こんな時にも山手線ホームできれいに整列してる …涙。有楽町駅を上から眺む。 http://twitpic.com/48kn1u Japanese people don’t shove I'm looking at Yurakucho station from above. I see people standing in line, not pushing or shoving to get onto the Yamanote Line (probably the busiest line in central Tokyo), even at a time like this! * パン屋 http://twitter.com/ayakishimoto/statuses/46403599743451136 昨日の夜中、大学から徒歩で帰宅する道すがら、とっくに閉店したパン屋のおばちゃんが無料でパン配給していた。こんな喧噪のなかでも自分にできること見つけて実践している人に感動。心温まった。東京も捨てたもんじゃないな。 The bakery lady There was a small bread shop on the street I take to go to school. It has long been out of business. But last night, I saw the old lady of the shop giving people her handmade bread for free. It was a heart-warming sight. She, like everyone else, was doing what she could to help people in a time of need. Tokyo isn’t that bad afterall! * 日本ってすごい http://twitter.com/tksksks/statuses/46403815397801984 日本って凄い。官僚も民間も、皆で助けようとしてる。トラックの運転手も有志で物資運んでるらしいし、東北の交通整備をヤクザさんがやってるという話も聞いた。最近、日本に対して誇りを持てないことが続いていたけれど、そんなことない。日本は凄い国だ。素直に感動してる。日本国の皆さん頑張ろう！ Japan is a wonderful nation! Both the government and the people, everyone is helping one another today. There are truck drivers helping evacuees move. I even heard that the “yakuza” (gangsters, organized crime groups) are helping to direct traffic in the Tohoku region! There have been many recent developments that have made me lose my sense of pride in my country, but not anymore. Japan is an amazing place! I’m just simply touched. Go Japan! * twitterすごい http://twitter.com/bobiko009/statuses/46403721046933504 Twitterの方々の情報とかが一致団結しててすごくたすかります。みなさま親切です！！こういうとき、なんか、感動します。最近は近所とつきあいなかったり冷たい世の中だとか思ってたけどそんなことなかったね。 Twitter is amazing! The information shared to us all by the twitter community has been amazingly consistent with each other and has been so helpful. Thank you Twitterers! I’m very moved. People recently talk about social networks replacing traditional social life and making people cold and unsociable in real life. But … I guess that’s not true at all. * ドイツ人の友達 http://twitter.com/sikkoku_otsuyu/status/46392832893796352 ドイツ人の友達が地震が起きた時に渋谷に居て、パニックになっていた所を日本人に助けてもらったらしく、その時の毅然とした日本人の態度や足並み乱さずに店の外に出てやるべきことを淡々とこなす姿にひどく感動し、まるでアーミーのようだったと言っていた。 From a German friend A German friend of mine was in Shibuya (downtown Tokyo shopping district) when the earthquake hit. He was panicking when a Japanese passerby saved him, taking him into a building. My friend was blown away at how calm and disciplined this Japanese man was. He went out of the building with firm, unfaltering steps, did everything he was trained to do and came back. My German friend was deeply impressed by the Japanese people’s actions during the earthquake, saying they looked like a trained army. * スーパーでの出来事 http://twitter.com/endless_6/status/46395420523503616 スーパーで無事買物出来ましたヽ(´o｀；でもお客さんのほとんどが他の人の事を考えて必要最低限しか買わない感じだったのが感動しました（涙） At the supermarket I just came back safely from the supermarket! Man, I was so touched at how everyone there was mindful of others, buying only as much as they needed and leaving the rest for the people behind them. * 御殿場で http://twitter.com/Raaaaayuu/statuses/46392890313801728 実際日本すごいよ。昨日信号が一カ所も機能していない御殿場市でもお互いにドライバー同士譲り合ってたし、地元のおじいちゃんおばあちゃんが手信号やってくれてたりで、混乱もなく本当感動した。9時間運転してたけど前車を煽るようなドライバーはもちろんいなかったし、みんな譲り合い精神。 Gotenba traffic Japan is really something! Yesterday, not a single traffic light was functioning in Gotenba City. But drivers knew to take turns at intersections and give way to others when needed. Local people were using flags to direct traffic at intersections. I drove for 9 hours but never saw a single car trying to get in front of another. Every single driver on the road contributed to the traffic situation and as a result there was no confusion at all. * 「みんな」 http://twitter.com/n_yum/statuses/46388003706380288 タクシー運ちゃんと電車駅員さんとおばさんと話したけど、みんな遅くまで帰れなかったりしてすごく疲れているのに、苛立つ事なく、言葉遣いもふるまいも丁寧で、逆に気遣われてしまった。｢みんな大変だから｣という"みんな"って意識があることに感動するし、私も受け継いで大事にしたい文化。 “All of us” I spoke with an old taxi driver and some elderly staff at the train stations. All of them had been working non-stop and had not been able to go home for a long time. They were visibly very tired, but never once did they show any sign of impatience; they were gentle and very caring. They told me “… because all of us are in this together.” I was touched at what the notion of “all of us” meant to these elderly people. It is a value I will treasure and carry on to my generation. * 日本の強さ http://twitter.com/dita_69/status/46309373458382849 サントリーの自販機無料化softbankWi-Fiスポット解放、色んな人達が全力で頑張っててそれに海外が感動・協力してる。海外からの援助受け入れに躊躇したり自衛隊派遣を遅らせたりしてた阪神淡路大震災の頃より日本は確実に強い国になってるんだ。みんな頑張ろう。 A strong Japan Suntory Beverages has set up free vending machines. Softbank Telephone services is offering free Wifi spots. Everyone in Japan is putting everything they can into helping one another. Japan is also now receiving aid from abroad. Compared to the Kobe earthquake, when Japan took too long to contemplate accepting foreign aid or dispatching the self-defense force to join the rescue effort, Japan has definitely grown into a far stronger nation. Be strong, everyone! * 朝礼 http://twitter.com/kyoheimai/status/46374747755388928 今朝の朝礼で「何があっても決して不安な顔は見せずに売り場に立つ以上はおもてなしをする気持ちを忘れずにお客様を安心させてあげてください」ちょっと感動した。がんばるか。開店です! Morning Ceremony At the shopping center I work at, every morning we have a ritual (common in Japan) where we stand and recite, “No matter what the situation, I will never show anxiety before my customer; in all customer-facing situations I will treat my customers with respect and do everything I can to make them feel comfortable and at ease”. Today, these words were all actually kind of touching. Well, so the day begins! Here we go people, open shop! * 井上さん http://twitter.com/frankyonn/status/46401442583552000 井上雄彦さんがものすごい勢いで笑顔のイラストをいっぱいあげてて感動する。励ましとか勇気とかメッセージって、こういうことなんだなーと思う。ＲＴ@inouetake Smile42. Mr. Inoue Mr. Inoue has been churning out drawings of smiling and laughing faces at an amazing pace! Things like this remind me again of what it truly means to give people a message of strength and courage. * 学び http://twitter.com/chaos_chaotic/statuses/46388646038876160 TLの拡散希望を見て思ったことは、阪神淡路大地震から学んだことがとても多くツイートされていること。当たり前のことなんだけど、やはり人間は、学んで考えることができる生き物なんだと改めて思い、感動した。 Lessons Learnt What caught my attention on twitter is that a lot of the tweets were about the Kobe earthquake and how what we have learned from it has been put into practice this time around. I know it goes without saying, but I was once again reminded of how humans are indeed creatures that possess the amazing ability to think and learn from experience. It’s a great thought. * ローマから http://twitter.com/tsubakianna/statuses/46387133396688896 ローマにいる友達からメール。ローマの人々はニュースを見ながらこのような状況でも冷静に対処する日本人に感動し、尊敬の念を覚えながら、非常に心配しているとのことです。 Message from a friend in Rome My friend in Rome emailed me. He said that people in Rome are watching the news and sharing their amazement and their heartfelt respect at how, even at a time like this, the people of Japan are able to remain calm and systematically respond to the situation. People in Rome are thinking of us and are very concerned for us. * 声をかけること http://twitter.com/RUMI88LoL/statuses/46342599149240320 昨日、裏の家の高１になるお兄ちゃんに感動した。家に１人で居たらしく、地震後すぐ自転車で飛び出し近所をひと回り。【大丈夫ですか―――！？】と道路に逃げてきた人達にひたすら声掛けてた。あの時間には老人や母子しか居なかったから、声掛けてくれただけでもホッとしたよ。ありがとう。 A strong voice Yesterday, I was impressed and touched by the actions of my neighbor’s 13-year-old-boy. He was home alone when the earthquake hit. But instead of hiding, as soon as the earthquake quieted down, he jumped on his bicycle and road around the block repeatedly shouting at the top of his voice, “Is everyone alright? Is everyone okay?” At the time, there were only women and children and the elderly in the homes. I cannot describe how comforting it was just to hear a strong voice asking if I was okay. Thank you! * 助け合い http://twitter.com/sorry_no_user/statuses/46332985133375488 警備員の友人何人かが町田〜相模大野で夜間警備のボランティアをしていたので手伝ってきた。年齢問わずいろんな知らない人同士が助け合っていて心強かった。ちょっと感動してトイレの隅で泣いた。 The beauty of helping one another I went out last night to help some friends who were volunteering as security personnel between Machida City and Sagami Ohno City. I saw total strangers, both young and old, helping each other along everywhere I turned and was heartened with an overwhelming feeling of encouragement. I was so touched I hid behind the toilets and cried. * バイクでよければ http://twitter.com/hikaru_star/statuses/46332900928532480 僕は感動しました。バイトの先輩が1人でも救うために寒い中紙に「バイクでよければ送ります」と書き駅前で掲げ鳶職のお兄ちゃんを所沢まで送ったそうです。世の中まだ捨てたもんじゃないなって思いました。本当に尊敬です！！自分もなんか人の役に立ちたいと生まれて初めて思いました。 I just have a bike I’m so touched! My colleague at my part time job, wanting to help even just one extra person, wrote a sign saying “I just have a bike, but if you don’t mind hop on!”, rode out on his motorbike, picked up a stranded construction worker and took him all the way to Tokorozawa! Respect! I have never felt so strongly that I want to do something helpful for others. * 乗り合い http://twitter.com/pao313/statuses/46332792174411776 浦和美園からタクシー使えると思ったのが甘かった…30分歩いてたら知らない人が車に乗せてくれた（つд；*) 人間の優しさに感動。ありがとうございました。 Sharing your ride It was stupid of me to think I could catch a cab at Urawamien Station. I ended up walking 30 minutes and then finally was picked up by a stranger who offered to give me a lift. I’m touched by the warmth of human kindness. Thank you, thank you! * 開放 http://twitter.com/robasuke23/statuses/46326711935172609 昨日、歩いて帰ろうって決めて甲州街道を西へ向かっていて夜の21時くらいなのに、ビルの前で会社をトイレと休憩所として解放してる所があった。社員さんが大声でその旨を歩く人に伝えていた。感動して泣きそうになった。いや、昨日は緊張してて泣けなかったけど、今思い出してないてる。 Rest here! Last night, I decided, rather than stay at the office, I should try walking home. So I slowly made my way west on Koshu freeway on foot. It was around 9PM when I saw an office building that had a sign that said “Please use our office’s bathrooms! Please rest here!” The employees of the office were loudly shouting out the same to all the people trying to walk home. I was so touch I felt like crying. Well, I guess I was too tense yesterday to cry, but now the tension is wearing off and am very much in tears. * コンビニ http://twitter.com/sugarun/statuses/46323030732967936 停電地区のほとんどの店が店を閉めてる中、あるセブンイレブンが店内陳列棚にいくつもろうそくを置いて、営業をしていた。レジが使えないため在庫確認用のハンディで値段確認し読み上げ、もう1人が電卓で計算、もうひとりが懐中電灯で照らす。その状態でレジ２台稼動させていた。感動した。 At the convenience store While most of the convenience stores near the station were closed because of the quake, there was just one Seven Eleven that was open. The employees had lit lots of candles and put them on the stores shelves. The cash register was not working and they could not take inventory, so the employees worked in threes, one reading up the item description and price, another punching the numbers into a calculator, and the last one using a flashlight to help them work. The store managed to operate both “cash registers” efficiently this way. Impressed! * 避難所 http://twitter.com/msakatan/statuses/46302864980705280 長女いわく、横浜の避難所に向かう時に、知らない人達と声を掛け合い、場所を教え合っていたそうです。普段は冷たいと思っていた他人の優しさに触れ、感動したそうです。日本人のいざという時の団結力を再認識しました。まだまだ日本も捨てたものではないです。 On the way to the emergency evacuation area My oldest daughter was making her way to Yokohama’s emergency evacuation area. Total strangers were helping each other out and showing each other the way to the emergency evacuation area. She told me she was moved at how strangers, who can seem so cold at times, showed her kindness and care. I was reminded at the Japanese peoples’ inherent ability to immediately unite in the face of adversity. Today, I have discovered a newfound faith in my nation and my people. * 呼びかけ http://twitter.com/akanensm/status/46214540161064960 何時間も歩き続けてたんだけど、至る所でトイレかしますとか、休憩できますとか言うビルや飲食店が沢山あって感動しました。とある企業ビルの人がボランティアで、○○線運転再開ですー！とか、休憩できますー！！って呼びかけてるの見て感動して泣きそうになったマジでw日本も捨てたもんじゃないな A big, kind voice I’ve been walking for many hours now. I’m touched at how everywhere I turn, there are shops open with people shouting “Please use our bathroom!” or “Please rest here!” There were also office buildings where people with access to information were voluntarily shouting out helpful tips, like “**** line is now operational!” Seeing things like this after walking for hours and hours made me feel like weeping with gratitude. Seriously, there is still hope for this country! * ホームにて http://twitter.com/masa_kisshie/statuses/46323838316843008 都営大江戸線の光ヶ丘方面行きは、非常に混雑しています。ホームにも、改札の外にも、電車を待つ溢れんばかりの人。でも、誰一人列を崩さず、通路を開け、係員の誘導に従っている。ロープがあるわけでもないのに、通る人のための通路スペースが。その不自然なほどの快適さに、ただただ感動するばかり。 On the platform The Oedo Subway Line for Hikarigaoka is very congested. On the platform and at the gate there are just crowds and crowds of people waiting for the train. But in all the confusion, every last person is neatly lined up waiting his or her turn while managing to keep a passage of space open for staff and people going the other way. Everyone is listening to the instructions from the staff and everyone acts accordingly. And amazingly … there isn’t even a rope or anything in sight to keep people in queue or open space for staff to pass, they just do! I am so impressed at this almost unnatural orderliness! I have nothing but praise for these people! * 駅員さん http://twitter.com/tadakatz/status/46274214654787584 終夜運転のメトロの駅員に、大変ですねって声かけたら、笑顔で、こんな時ですから！だって。捨てたもんじゃないね、感動した。 Station staff I said to a Tokyometro station staff who was on all-night duty, “I’m sure it has been a tough night for you. Thank you.” He responded with a smile, “On a night like this, gladly!” I was touched. * おっちゃん http://twitter.com/sumonya/status/46479563412348928 昨日4時間かけて歩いて帰ってきた主人。赤羽で心が折れそうになってた時「お寒い中大変ですね！あったかいコーヒーどうぞ！」って叫びながら無料配布してるおっちゃんに出会った。これがあったから頑張れたそうだ。もう5回もこの話をしてくるので本当に嬉しかったんだと思う。おっちゃんありがとう。 Coffee My husband finally got home very late last night after walking for 4 hours. He told me he felt like giving up at around Akabane, when an elderly man who was going around handing out free coffee saw him, gave him a steaming cup and said, “You must be tired and cold. Here, have some coffee!” My husband told me that it was because of this elderly man that he found the will and strength to continue walking. I’ve already heard this story from him five times tonight, so no doubt he was really, really touched! Thank you to my husband’s anonymous helper! * 献血の列 http://twitter.com/NOBCHIDORI/status/46477518169047040 日本は強いです！大阪難波の献血施設は被災地の方の為に超満員の順番待ちでした。私欲の無い列を初めて見ました。感動しました。被災地の方々、全国でその辛さを受け止めます。諦めずに頑張って下さい！ Blood donations Japan is strong! At Osaka I saw a LONG line of people waiting to give blood at the blood donation center. This is the first time I have seen such a queue of selfless people waiting patiently in line just to give. It was a moving sight! To everyone in the hard-hit areas, we your countrymen accept your suffering as our own and we share in your grief. Do not give up! Stay strong! * 節電営業 http://twitter.com/hisyakakukeima/status/46584079558250496 近所のスーパー・サミットに来てみたら、通常深夜1時まで営業なのに大きい看板が付いていなかった。早めに店を閉めたのかと思ったら、外の電気だけ消して節電しつつ営業していた。ちょっと感動 Saving electricity for the North I went to my neighborhood supermarket and was initially surprised that their neon signs were off. They usually are open till 1AM. I then found out that they were open, but were saving electricity so that more power could be channeled to the hard-hit coastal areas. Wow! * 買うのやめるわ http://twitter.com/raai15/status/46546475362160640 バイト先に若いお兄さんたちが軍団でお酒を買いに来たんだけど、その中の一人が｢やべえ、オレお酒のためにしかお金持ってきてないから募金できん。ちょっとこれ買うのやめるわ｣って言って商品返品してそのお金全部募金してた。お友達も続々と募金しててすごい感動した。すごいよ Not enough money! At the store where I work, a huge group of young men suddenly came in to buy booze. One of them suddenly said, “Oops, I only have enough money to buy booze, I can’t donate! Forget the booze, maybe next time!” and instead put ALL his money into the disaster relief donation box. One by one, every single one of the army of youths threw all their money into the box after him. What a heart-warming sight that was! * いつでも買える http://twitter.com/7474529/status/46565903520907264 今日、募金箱に金髪にピアスの若い兄ちゃんが万札数枚入れていた。そしてその友人に｢ゲームなんていつでも買えるからな｣と言っていたのが聞こえて私含め周りの人達も募金していた。人は見た目じゃないことを実感した。そんなお昼でした。この話感動しました。 Goth youth A goth youth with white hair and body piercings walked into my store and shoved several hundred dollars (several tens of thousands of yen) into the disaster relief fund donation box. As he walked out, I and people around me heard him saying to his buddies, “I mean, we can buy those games anytime!” At that, we all opened our wallets and put our money into the donation box. Really, you cannot judge people by their appearances. * 絶対うまいはず http://twitter.com/kyugatimuti/statuses/46594200061493249 僕も秋葉からの帰りにおにぎりとみそ汁配ってる方に会いました、感動しました、チャリだったからダイジョブです他の人にって言ったけどもらっておけばよかったなぁ絶対うまかったと思う They looked absolutely delicious! I too saw the guy handing out free rice balls and miso soup on the way back from Akihabara. I was on my bicycle so I told him, “I’m okay, please give it to other people!” On hindsight, I should have taken one … they looked absolutely delicious!! * お菓子いっぱい http://twitter.com/moebamuse/status/46379810217406465 すごい。弟たった今ディズニーランドから帰宅したんだけど。新品のお菓子袋いっぱいにもらってきて、客全員分の帰りの交通費負担してくれたんだって。一晩中、何か言えば全て対応してくれたって。やっぱり世界のディズニーランドなんだね。 Another Disney episode Amazing! My brother just managed to get home from Disneyland right now. He’s got bags and bags of free sweets. Furthermore, Disneyland paid for every customer’s travel fare back. All night long, the staff responded immediately and fully to every request he made. Disneyland is truly a world class brand! * 困ったときは！ http://twitter.com/ryoshun49/statuses/46605524434821120 昨日青葉台駅で帰宅困難者が溢れる中、車に乗ってる人が「○○方面の方どうぞ！」って行って車に乗せてた。「困った時はみんな一緒ですから！」って言ってた。超感動したの思い出した。 Same boat! Last night, Aobadai station was jammed with stranded people unable to get home. But there were private cars with drivers shouting “If you’re going in the direction of ****, please hop on!” I was able to hitch a ride on one of them. When I thanked the driver, he replied “No worries! We’re all on the same boat. We have to stick together!” * 充電されたい方は・・・・ http://twitter.com/yamachin_x1/statuses/46609620210421760 避難所にいたときに、社会人1年生で、研修でこっちにきてた女の子が、たまたま携帯のバッテリーも持参してたらしく、体育館のコンセントを使用する許可ももらい、「携帯の充電をされたい方は、ご自由につかってください」と呼びかけて回ってたんだ。僕はその子にとても感動したんだよ･･ Need to charge your phone? At the emergency evacuation area, a young first-year intern at my company who had brought her phone’s charger got permission from the facility to use their power socket and went around shouting “Anyone need to charge their phone? Please use my charger!” Just a little thing, but I was touched. See More

By: Jun Shiomitsu

Start of March School Hols

2011-03-13T22:29:00.001+08:00

I think Alvin's & Ashley's vegetarian wedding lunch at Mandarin Oriental is very nice!! Sans the klutz of the photographer of course. The dishes were very refreshing and healthy, it's good for Dear :) I like the ambience both at the reception and inside the ballroom, the decor, and photos from the pre-wedding photoshoot. A creative touch was their duet performance at their 2nd march-in :)

Photo of me taken at the reception area. I just wanna put up a photo of me in my short hair :)

*Kelly Double Tour* ;)

I just learnt that the President’s salary is also known as the Privy Purse.

Plate Tect News

2011-03-12T01:07:00.005+08:00

Huge Tsunami Kills Hundreds in Japan, sweeps across Pacific

Reuters, Yahoo News, 11 March 2011.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The biggest earthquake on record to hit Japan rocked its northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that killed hundreds of people and swept away everything in its path.

Thousands of residents near a nuclear plant in Fukushima prefecture, north of Tokyo, were told to evacuate as a precaution after the 8.9 magnitude quake, but the government said no radiation was leaking.

Up to 300 bodies were found in the coastal city of Sendai, media said. NHK television said the victims appeared to have drowned. The extent of the destruction along a lengthy stretch of coastline suggested the death toll could rise significantly.

Tsunami warnings were issued across the Pacific but were later lifted for some of the most populated countries in the region, including Australia, Taiwan and New Zealand.

Other Japanese nuclear power plants and oil refineries were shut down and one refinery was ablaze. Television footage also showed an intense fire in the waterfront area near Sendai, the city hardest hit by the quake.

A major explosion hit a petrochemical complex in Miyagi prefecture after the quake, Kyodo said.

Political leaders pushed for an emergency budget to help fund relief efforts after Prime Minister Naoto Kan asked them to "save the country", Kyodo news agency reported.

Stunning TV footage showed a muddy torrent of water carrying cars and wrecked homes at high speed across farmland near Sendai, home to one million people and which lies 300 km (180 miles) northeast of Tokyo. Ships had been flung onto a harbour wharf, where they lay helplessly on their side.

The quake, the most powerful since Japan started keeping records 140 years ago, sparked at least 80 fires in cities and towns along the coast, Kyodo news agency said.

A ship carrying 100 people had been swept away by the tsunami, Kyodo said. One train was derailed and another unaccounted for.

In Tokyo, residents who had earlier fled swaying buildings jammed the streets trying to make their way home after much of the city's public transportation was halted.

GRAPHICS

-- Quake epicentre http://link.reuters.com/qub58r

Electronics giant Sony Corp, one of the country's biggest exporters, shut six factories, as air force jets raced to the northeast coast to determine the extent of the damage.

The Bank of Japan, which has been struggling to boost the anaemic economy, said it would do its utmost to ensure financial market stability as the yen and Japanese shares fell.

"I was unable stay on my feet because of the violent shaking. The aftershocks gave us no reprieve. Then the tsunamis came when we tried to run for cover. It was the strongest quake I experienced," a woman with a baby on her back told television.

The tsunami alerts revived memories of the giant waves which struck Asia in 2004. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued alerts for countries to the west and across the Pacific as far away as Colombia and Peru.

The earthquake was the fifth most powerful to hit the world in the past century.

There were several strong aftershocks. In Tokyo, there was widespread panic. An oil refinery near the city was on fire, with dozens of storage tanks under threat.

Around 4.4 million homes were without power in northern Japan, media said.

"People are flooding the streets. It's incredible. Everyone is trying to get home but I didn't see any taxis," said Koji Goto, a 43-year-old Tokyo resident.

NHK television showed flames and black smoke billowing from a building in Odaiba, a Tokyo suburb, and bullet trains to the north of the country were halted. Thick smoke was also pouring out of an industrial area in Yokohama's Isogo area. TV showed residents of the city running out of shaking buildings, shielding their heads with their hands from falling masonry.

TV footage showed boats, cars and trucks tossed around like toys in the water after a small tsunami hit the town of Kamaichi in northern Japan. An overpass, location unknown, appeared to have collapsed and cars were turning around and speeding away.

"The building shook for what seemed a long time and many people in the newsroom grabbed their helmets and some got under their desks," Reuters correspondent Linda Sieg said in Tokyo. "It was probably the worst I have felt since I came to Japan more than 20 years ago."

The U.S. navy said its ships had been unaffected by the tsunami and were ready to provide disaster relief if needed. China offered to provide earthquake relief.

The quake struck just before the Tokyo stock market closed, pushing the Nikkei down to end at a five-week low. Nikkei futures trading in Osaka tumbled as much as 4.7 percent in reaction to the news.

The disaster also weighed on markets elsewhere.

GREAT KANTO QUAKE

The quake surpasses the Great Kanto quake of Sept. 1, 1923, which had a magnitude of 7.9 and killed more than 140,000 people in the Tokyo area.

The 1995 Kobe quake caused $100 billion in damage and was the most expensive natural disaster in history. Economic damage from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was estimated at about $10 billion.

Passengers on a subway line in Tokyo screamed and grabbed other passengers' hands during the quake. The shaking was so bad it was hard to stay standing, said Reuters reporter Mariko Katsumura.

Japan's northeast Pacific coast, called Sanriku, has suffered from quakes and tsunamis in the past and a 7.2 quake struck on Wednesday. In 1933, a magnitude 8.1 quake in the area killed more than 3,000 people.

Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world's most seismically active areas. The country accounts for about 20 percent of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.

(Writing by Jonathan Thatcher; Editing by John Chalmers)

Today is 9 March

2011-03-09T09:08:00.005+08:00

I don't know what to title this post.

I was at........... Ichiban again today!! Haha... For dinner with Jialing after a long hard day of work. But I seriously should cut down on sashimi. Eating too much raw food is not good isn't it.

2C's fieldtrip to MINT Museum of Toys.

Hope this place is able remain the way it is:

Last village standing evokes Singapore's rural past
Tuesday 8 March 2011 Yahoo News

Quietly tucked away in a corner surrounded by high-rise apartments and rows of bungalows is a rustic village where the old Singapore still survives.

Dogs and cats run freely and chickens cluck noisily as children play around colourful, zinc-roofed houses made of wood and cement, undisturbed by the din of cars zipping by on an expressway just a few metres away.

Welcome to Kampong Lorong Buangkok, the last surviving village on the Singapore mainland.
Its days are numbered but until development forces residents to move, the village gives visitors a glimpse of what life was like in the 1950s before Singapore became one of Asia's most modern and wealthiest cities.

Occupying a land area the size of three football fields in the northeastern suburbs, the kampong ("village" in the Malay language) has 28 houses scattered haphazardly with a total of about 50 residents.

With unpaved streets, large backyard gardens, grassy patches and occasional banana plants, the cluster is an anachronism in a city-state crammed with office towers, high-rise apartment blocks and shopping malls.

For residents, the village provides relief at the end of each working day, a quiet oasis where neighbours still know each other intimately, quite unlike the anonymity of city living.

"I have a deep attachment to my neighbours," said Sng Mui Hong, a 57-year-old spinster who rents out houses in the village for Sg$6.50 to Sg$30 ($5 to $23) a month.

Most of Singapore's five million residents live in government-built apartment buildings and private condominiums.

"After all they grew up with me, and some of the grandmothers and grandfathers here have watched me grow up," said Sng, who currently lives with a nephew and niece, three dogs and several pet birds.

Her family moved into the plot of land in 1956, when Singapore was still under British colonial rule. Electricity and running water came into the village in 1962, a period when the country was in political transition.

Singapore, a largely ethnic Chinese island, became part of the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but was expelled two years later as Kuala Lumpur pursued policies favourable to the Malay majority.

In modern-day Kampong Lorong Buangkok, racial harmony comes naturally for the Chinese and Malay families whose houses are about five metres (16.5 feet) apart.

"They are like my own parents because we are from the same village. So I don't care if they are Malay or Chinese," Sng said of her older neighbours.

And while the village is by Singapore standards far from supermarkets, schools and bus and train stops, residents rarely mind as there are perks to village life that cannot be found elsewhere.

Some even own cars, a luxury in Singapore.

Makeup artist Jamil Kamsah, who has lived in Kampong Lorong Buangkok since 1967, enjoys the amicable nature of the village folk.

"People here are very friendly, motherly and polite, and it is easy for me to make friends with them," the 55-year-old said. "I don't scold animals and I talk to plants."

In his free time, Jamil tends to his garden and touches up the exterior of his house, welcoming visitors with a ready smile.

In land-scarce Singapore, where many older buildings and residential areas have been converted to more modern housing or commercial use, Kampong Lorong Buangkok faces an uncertain future.

Sng hopes the village can be preserved to educate future generations about the past and show them how their forefathers lived.

"Not everybody started off wealthy, many grandfathers built their lives from scratch," she said
Some city schools take their young students on excursion trips to Kampong Lorong Buangkok to learn about village life.

"Some children mistook the chickens for birds," Kamsah recalled.

The village's days are numbered, and the residents know it.

Singapore's land-use planning agency, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), said there are plans to redevelop Kampong Lorong Buangkok, but gave no time frame.

"The kampong at Lorong Buangkok and its surrounding land is planned to be comprehensively developed to provide future housing and other neighbourhood facilities supported by a road network," said a URA spokesperson.

Sng, however, does not feel sad even if her village has to go one day.
"Nothing lasts forever," she shrugged.

Weekend of Japanese Lunches

2011-03-06T20:43:00.011+08:00

This weekend's activities:

Friday: Sakae Sushi lunch, piano, Angry Birds
Saturday: Lunch at Ichiban, Art & Science Museum, movie: "I Am Number Four", marking.
Sunday: Japanese lunch at the food corner of a Japanese supermarket at Central Clarke Quay, hair spa, shopping, parents' place, marking

It's a weekend of salmon and tuna (maguro) sashimi, tempura, ramen, cha soba, green tea, gyoza, etc!

Chanced upon this tourist's website, http://3ingapore.travellerspoint.com/, whoever (s)he is, did a pretty good intro about Singapore. The write-up depicts local culture quite accurately!