YOU ARE WELCOME to SUGGEST a blog topic

Let me try this. I am not sure if it will work as I have quiet readers (few comments).

To start off a new year (2011) on 1st Jan 2011, I shall write a blog entry, title of which is YOUR SUGGESTED blog topic.

You are welcome to give suggestions by putting in comments on this blog entry you are now reading. I will pick 1 out of the suggestions and blog on it on 1st Jan 2011.

Well, if all else fails, it's up to my creativity again.

The Cost of Beauty

How many of you go for facials and massage?

Many of you do go. No need for a poll.

On Sunday, I went for a facial at my beauty salon at Vivocity (oh yes, I still have a few sessions with them). It included a shoulder and neck massage. That very day, I got a neck sprain. Actually, it's an old injury from 2009. However, once injured, thus fragile. It only took some kneading to cause my neck muscles to hurt again.

With the bankruptcy of several beauty salons during the year, the lack of laws surrounding this industry is brought to light.


What are the factors to consider when signing a beauty package? Different people have difference consideration factors. Here are some of mine:

1. Number of outlets of beauty salon
The more outlets there are, the more resources the headquarters have. This will result in reduced chance of bankruptcy.

On the flip side of the coin, beauty salons on the large scale does not view me as a valued customer. What is a $3k package to those who sign on the dotted line for a $10k package?

If I consider the 2 that I have packages with:

- Beyond Beauty: They are always running behind time. I have no idea if it's just me or it's them. I am pretty fed up with waiting. My first trial facial with them was in a storeroom because "it was a busy day". By the way, I made an appointment and was not a walk in customer.

- Poly Beauty (Vivocity): The facials always start on time. The downside is that it only has 2 outlets. The main worry is that I would have no recourse if they were to close down.

2. Cost of the package and the package
Being the typical Singaporean I am, I would like to sign for value for money facial packages.

BUT sometimes there are misrepresentations which makes it impossible for you to make correct decisions. Even up to today, I have not found a beauty salon and package that I am satisfied with.

- Beyond Beauty: Initially, I mentioned to their employee my budget is $100 per session. With each session I attended, they asked me to upgrade my package to something better. Apparently, the previous package I signed was the most basic of the basic treatments. I felt so cheated.

Yes, I did upgrade my course. Obviously, per session costs more than my budget now.

To EMPHASIZE, they asked me to upgrade EVERYTIME I went for facials. One day, I got really pissed off and scolded the person.

"You think I print money? EVERYTIME ask me upgrade?"

I got out of there after that.

- Poly Beauty (Vivocity): I don't need to elaborate how they misrepresented the services of my current package and went back on their words. You may read it at link.

3. Effectiveness of treatment
There are 2 types of treatments- manual extraction and machine treatments.

I have done both - manual extraction at Poly Beauty and machine treatments at Beyond Beauty.

There are both good and bad. For manual extraction, ladies are at the mercy of the skills of the beauticians. As for machine treatments, I seriously think the blackheads are still clogging up the pores. Are they effective at all?

***

Missing from my list is a factor which I never considered. However, it has become a concern for me.

Are the beauticians qualified? Do they have to pass a qualifying test before they can perform facial / massage services?

Ouch, it's time to rest my neck early.

10 things in 2010

If you were to ask me what are the 10 most significant things that happened/changed in 2010, here's the list:

1. I am attached.
2. I switched jobs.
3. I signed a new facial package with Beyond Beauty.
4. I am now using an iPhone.
5. I am applying for a flat.
6. I bought a new printer (the previous one worked well for almost 5 years!).
7. I changed my wardrobe of clothes.
8. I go home before 10pm every weekend.
9. I haven't gone on an overseas trip to relax. Main reason is due to switch of jobs.
10. I have gained weight! *groans*

Taiwan snacks in Singapore

Have you visited Taiwan? If you have, does the picture below look familiar to you?


Actually, when I tasted Ah Zhong Mian Xian (mee sua) in Taiwan, I thought it was nothing fantastic. The only thing that struck me as unique was the way that we had to stand and hold onto this very hot paper bowl to eat. It was a test of my tolerance of heat!

*

There are 2 brands that sell Taiwan snacks in Singapore. I've tried both and ...

I highly recommend Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks (http://www.shihlinsnacks.com.tw/sg/locations-sg.htm)


The chicken cutlet with chilli is really good!


It's hot and crispy... and simply yummy!

Another thing that I enjoy eating is their oyster mee sua. What I really like is their serving- just enough soup and each time you scoop, you get one spoonful of mee sua.


The next brand is Xiao Ba Wang. The chain of outlets (at Ion and Tampines 1) are opened by a local artiste Jeff Wang (Taiwanese born).

The food at Xiao Ba Wang is disappointing!


Their mee sua (see below picture) is a huge bowl. Don't be deceived by its size! It's mostly soup. Half the time, I was fishing for mee sua. The soup was not gluey enough and the pork inside the soup was too clumpy/hard.


Not worthy of mentioning is their fried chicken. It's cold, breast meat and tough meat. Not spicy enough. Not appealing even by appearance.


Conclusion?
Shihlin Taiwan snacks is the one recommended. Don't miss it!

Unhappy matters

Episode 1
One day during closing, I thought the accountants are already in the last phase of the close. I had already completed my journal entries. With plans to meet up with my lao gong, I went off at 7pm.

Miss B said: Please do not leave early (?!) during the first 3 days of the close.

Just last month, in November, 1 senior financial analyst and 1 accountant within the same department left on time (6pm).

How fair is this?

Episode 2
I wanted to take leave one Thursday but Miss B rejected my leave.

Miss B said: Next time, please do not take leave when the system is still open. What if there are still numbers to be put in?

On that Thursday itself, I was still putting in some numbers.

Miss B then said: You should have put in the numbers on Wednesday, not today.

I wanted to ask the purpose of me being there on a Thursday (since all numbers had to be put in on Wednesday).

How reasonable is this?

Episode 3
I am planning for a Hong Kong trip and asked for leave in March 2011. As my lao gong is only available in that particular week, I thought an understanding boss would be able to sympathise and approve. In addition, during closing, the most important days are the last 2 days of the month and the first 2 days of the next month. I would be missing just 1 day of the close.

Miss B said: I cannot cover for you because I have my own things to do.

I wanted to ask if she thought I was shaking my leg in office that week I covered her duties during her leave.

Her response to my request was: Lets talk about the work to be done during quarter-end this January 2011.

How relevant is this?

While my leave at quarter-end is disapproved, I gather that another financial analyst is taking leave from this week right up to 4 Jan 2011. Please note that by the time she comes back, year-end is over!!!

Can someone please tell me, how fair is this?

***

My holidays would have been better without such unhappy matters!!!

A time lapse video: From birth to 10 years old

I just saw the most amazing video posted on Yahoo and thought I would share with my readers. A father took a picture of his daughter nearly everyday and made it into a time lapse video. Inside the video, it showcases the many pictures that he took day by day as well as his deep love for his daughter.

Natalie time-lapse video: From birth to 10 years old @ Yahoo! Video

Enjoy the video!

Rule Number 2: I only have 24 hours a day.

Time is precious, no matter if you are a billionaire or an employee. You never know when you will dropping dead. If there is no tomorrow, would you be wasting your time sitting around? Of course not. That brings us back to my point- Time is precious.

I came across this blog entry which I wrote more than a year ago: http://anewdrizzz.blogspot.com/2009/09/rule-number-1-pls-do-not-stick-to-me.html. At that time, I was dissatisfied with someone who nearly drove me crazy.

Today, I am dissatisfied too.

This time, it is an IT. Let's just put as XYZ.

1. It doesn't matter what time I get the default template, 9a.m., 12p.m., 2p.m., or even 5p.m. The e-mail always writes, due by the end of today.

2. After completing a piece of work, I have to top up for things that are forgotten to be said before I started on it.

3. Ideas change, as fast as the stock exchange changes. That involves changes in dozens of spreadsheets.

4. Questions come in piecemeal. But answers are expected immediately. Isn't a list better?

5. I have 13 passwords at the minimum. I just went to reset 3 of them.

6. It doesn't matter if you have 10 tasks. You just have to deliver them, due by the end of today.

7. If you go home early, people think you are very free.

8. They form clicks and tell the rest they have appointments. Before you know it, they are gone. They are also the ones who can go home on time and take one week leave. The rest, either work overtime or is unable to get their leave approved.

9. The solution to an IT problem-reformat.

10. It doesn't matter if you have 10 tasks. I have to update certain spreadsheets on a continuous basis. Such that, after your peak, it is ready.

I am a magician. Anyone ready to hire my services? Service tips only!

Romantic Christmas

I was just browsing through some advertisements sent via snail mail and came across this interesting article. I shall share with my readers what I read inside the interesting article:

Have you ever been to Japan during Christmas? Have you ever wondered the significance of Christmas to Japanese?

In Japan, Christmas Eve has long been hyped by the media as a season for romantic "miracles". The Christmas season in Japan is somewhat closer to the Western concept of "Valentine's Day". It is regarded as the time to spend with your other half in the most romantic settings. In addition, girls also take the opportunity to reveal their affections to boys and vice versa.

Now, that is an interesting idea altogether! In my perspective, I often thought of Christmas as the time to party with friends and loved ones. The best way to celebrate it is either to countdown with a huge crowd at some countdown party OR to find a quiet place to enjoy life (eg sip some good wine and reminisce on the year that has passed).

The Japanese celebrate Christmas Eve by eating a "Christmas cake". The prices of the cakes are pushed down on 25 Dec every year in order to sell all cakes by 26 Dec. Hence, there is a sarcastic comparison to young ladies (http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/culture/christmas.html). In olden days, young ladies are referred to as "Christmas cakes": marriageable until their 25th birthday and requiring heavy discounts to get married after their 25th birthdays. Well, I cannot agree with that statement! Afterall, marriage is not a transaction measured by monetary terms. It's still worth the wait for a special someone.

In Western cultures, it is often a tradition to have a turkey on the dining table. However, in Japan, you can't find a turkey. Well, that is if you book one online to be couriered over. Therefore, Japanese often eat fried chicken during Christmas celebrations. Should you do a google, Christmas dinner in Japan = fried chicken = Kentucky Fried Chicken! (Click this) *wow*

Christmas in Japan is definitely one experience different from that of Singapore. It seems KFC has the monopoly in Japan in terms of fried chicken...... perhaps other fast food joints selling fried chicken can consider Japan as a potential market?!

Fried Chicken at its Best

I am not obsessed with fried chicken. However, I must say the crispy chicken itself is irresistible. Guys like to eat meat while girls like to eat seafood, that's what I also come to realise. Well, with a lao gong who likes fried chicken, I thought that I could share with my readers the different places that are good.

1. Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits

This is my favourite place so far. There are a few outlets in Singapore, but the recommended one is at The Flyer.

There are a few reasons why I enjoy eating at Popeye. Firstly, the atmosphere gives me a family oriented feel. The outlet at The Flyer has television sets playing Tom and Jerry. I also often see families eating out at Popeye. Secondly, I think the serving of the crispy chicken is generous. In addition, the chicken is not that oily.

Although my lao gong is not as impressed as I am with the chicken, he recommends 1 side dish that is a must have at Popeye. That is the mashed potato. The gravy is the highlight of the mashed potato, with small chicken bits in it. It is unique and well blended with the smooth mashed potatoes.

Must try! Mashed potato!

2. Arnold's Fried Chicken

One thing worth mentioning is that this is Singapore's own brand! Many highly recommend the chicken at Arnold's. In my opinion, there isn't anything spectacular about it. However, one thing that I really enjoy having at Arnold's Fried Chicken is the potato platter!

I must emphasize I'm not a fan of potato. But, the potato platter gets me hooked. Those people who are watching their waistlines should abandon the idea for the time being. The pot of cheese is the highlight of the potato platter! Just thinking about it makes me salivate...

Not forgetting.. here's the address of the place:
810, Geylang Road, #02-99/101, City Plaza

Must try! Potato Platter!

3. Texas Chicken

There are only 3 outlets in Singapore.1 at Expo, 1 at United Square and 1 at the airport. One thing worth mentioning is that the chicken at Texas chicken is very soft and tender. The spicy chicken at Texas Chicken is different from the rest of the fast food joints. It sort of reminds me of some hot samba chilli below the crispy skin. Its definitely very hot. I wasn't too impressed with the chicken.

However, there are varied opinions on Texas Chicken. My lao gong liked the spicy chicken, mainly due to the tenderness of the chicken as well as the comparatively larger servings.

Must try! Spicy chicken for its tenderness!

4. KFC

The most common place that Singaporeans think of when they think of fried chicken is KFC. I remember going to KFC each time after yoga during my NTU days. In terms of tastiness of chicken, I would rank KFC's chicken after Popeye's chicken (yes, Popeye's chicken is #1 in my opinion). However, overtime, the chicken served at KFC has become scrawny and in my opinion, pathetic. The servings of each fast food joint above is definitely larger than those at KFC.

One thing that I must give KFC credit is its cheese fries, which are not available at the other fast food joints above. Mmmm...

Must try! Cheese fries!

**

So.. have you tried the above? If not, then take the above as food for thought!

iPhone Apps (2/2)

Continuation...

2) Interesting applications

(a) Sims 3 Ambitions


The best application of all which I highly recommend is the Sims 3 Ambitions application. It is a game in which you create a character with a certain personality. This character has basic needs just like a normal human being. Inside the game, the character can further his/her career, make friends, date people of the opposite gender and even have kids. In addition, you may also expand the house and populate the house with furniture of your choice. This is indeed a game that you must try!

5*/5*

(b) Plants and zombies



Nowadays, I don't really play this game because I grew out of it. It's a pretty interesting and cute game. My infatuation with it extended to the PC version which had more minigames. It is a game in which you grow plants to guard your house against zombies. A straightforward game which engages your thought process to strategise. There is a cute music video after you have cleared the final stage. Definitely worth the effort.

4*/5*

(c) Brain Challenge


There are various games inside this application, including Logic, Math, Visual and Focus. I prefer the Daily Tests and not the Stress Tests. The Stress Tests include the same games as the Daily Tests. However, the Stress Tests include interference like insects crawling across the screen while you are solving the puzzles. These interferences are pretty annoying when using the application.

As for the Daily Tests, the puzzles given are mentally stimulating. With each set of tests that you have done, new puzzles are unlocked. Hence, there is little chance of getting bored with this application. It's a must try!

4*/5*


***


After much discussion about iPhones applications, you must have some on your list that you would like to share. Feel free to leave your comments on useful / interesting applications that you think is a must-have!

iPhone Apps (1/2)

I've been recently obsessed with playing games on my iPhone 4. Since that is the activity which has been taken up nearly 50% of my free time, I decided to post reviews on some applications that I find interesting and/or useful.

1. Useful applications

(a) WhatsApp
This is a social networking application. Pay US$0.99 and you are set for an application that acts like an MSN for iPhones.

The good points of this application are many. Firstly, you don't have to pay charges while using this application to send messages via WhatsApp when you are physically overseas. Secondly, you can send your current location to your friends. This is useful for directionless people like myself. Just a click on it, and you will know your location.

The downside of this application is that it uses 3G. My phone is unable to connect to 3G when at home. As such, WhatsApp doesn't really function well while I am at home.

4*/5*

(b) Flixster
I am personally not using this application. However, I tried it on my lao gong's phone. It is an application that movie critics and the public posts reviews of movies. The reviews are pretty informative and useful when deciding which movie to watch. In addition, our own assessments of the movies on screen are aligned to the reviews in the application.

4*/5*

(c) tranSGuide
This is an application that is able to pick up information on the expected arrival times of SBS Transit buses. The estimated times of arrival are pretty accurate. However, this application doesn't work 50% of the time. You can be waiting for the information to load...and your bus has arrived at the bus stop. In addition, it is limited by the 3G points around the location. There are some bus-stops which are not captured. An example will be the bus-stops along Macpherson Road. The application is totally useless along that road.

3*/5*

To be continued...

Nantsuttei Ramen

Frankly speaking, I am not a fan of ramen. I was first introduced to Nantsuttei Ramen by my colleagues during lunch on a workday.


First question you may ask, why is the soup black?!! Fret not...

The soup of the ramen is what sets Nantsuttei's ramen apart from the rest of the ramen restaurants. Floating on the surface of the soup is the fragrant black ma-yu (roast garlic oil) which forms an iconic component of the Nantsuttei flavor. This iconic roast garlic oil is created by frying garlic over seven phases.

Despite my resolve to go on a diet, this bowl of ramen is really difficult to resist. I really love the soup base as it is very tasty. However, some people may find the soup base slightly too salty.

If you like to see a wide variety of food on the menu as part of your dining experience, this is not your kind of place. There are really few choices (I guess less than 10?) on the menu, with nearly all of them ramen. The best and highly recommended choice is the cha-shu ramen. Remember to add an egg in ($1 each)! The eggs are really nice with a runny egg yolk but well boiled egg white. I do think the cooks put in a lot of effort in preparing the eggs. The remainder of the ramen choices is really just additional toppings of onion etc. Well... I do think its not worth the money to pay more for additional... onion?

Nantsuttei Ramen is a good place to eat ramen if you are craving for a bowl. And even if you are not, it's really worth a try.

Updates:
I realised that I forgot to put in the address of the place so here goes-
Private House No.P3-06, #03-02 Millenia Walk 9 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039596
On the 3F of PARCO Marina Bay .

About mooncakes

This mooncake festival was special. Two reasons made it special. Firstly, I took the effort to read through forums to see which are the mooncakes that come highly recommended. Secondly, I gifted one box of mooncakes to my lao gong's family.

Here is a review of the mooncakes that I sampled:

1. Jewels Champagne Mooncake


Jewels is a new cafe that carries an exquisite range of chocolates. The chef and owner of Jewels has been a chocolatier in the F&B industry for more than 20 years. She is also the very chef who concocted the champagne mooncake popular at Raffles Hotel.

The skin of the mooncake is soft and the filling (lian rong) sweet. Within the mooncake is a spherical chocolate that contained champagne. One thing about the mooncake I noted was that the chocolate and the fillings seemed to fall apart pretty easily. Many a times, I ended up eating the chocolate and the fillings plus skin separately.

2. Raffles Hotel Champagne Mooncake

Coincidentally, I got to taste the Raffles Hotel champagne mooncake this mooncake festival. My comment about the mooncake in comparison to that of Jewels is that its fillings is richer in champagne. The chocolate and the fillings is one in taste and it doesn't fall apart as I eat.

The opinions about these 2 champagne mooncakes are mixed-good comments for each. I guess its subjective and for my readers to judge.

3. Goodwood Park Durian Mooncake

I am not a durian lover. I merely stole a bite of the durian mooncake. Just couldn't resist tasting the famous Goodwood Park durian mooncake. What made it so famous?

The filling is just like the flesh of a D24 durian freshly bought. Very rich and addictive to durian lovers. Despite being a person who prefers mangos to durians, I definitely think this mooncake is a must-buy.

*

Having said the above, I am really fortunate to be able to taste the above famous mooncakes this season. Not surprisingly, the above mooncakes are ranked among the best in Singapore, not to be missed. This post may be a tad too late. But! Remember not to miss them next mooncake festival.

I mean, why grow fat by eating mooncakes that are mediocre in quality? Go for quality!

http://sgcgo.com/mid-autumn-mooncakes/
http://www.lifestyleasia.com/features/the-best-mooncakes-in-singapore-2010/article-id/5457

Putting numbers to facts of life

1. The correlation between money and happiness

How many of us do remember Marslow's Theory of Needs? At the bottom-most of all needs is physiology needs of human beings. During such times, money to buy food and basic necessities to make life comfortable plays an important role. As annual income increases, other factors come into play to increase general satisfaction.

I came across this study that put a number to the annual household income that money buys happiness:

US$75,000

That's the magic figure obtained by the study which is performed on a group of Americans. Per the study (click here), "the level of 75,000 dollars was just above the median income of 71,500 dollars for US households in 2008." Should we do a research, the median income in Singapore is approximately S$53,000 dollars (click here).

Based on the following assumptions:
- The annual household income approximates the median income in Singapore.
- The standard of living in Singapore and America in terms of spendings vis-a-vis earnings is approximately the same.

From the above, the magic number for the annual household income that money can buy happiness for Singapore would be S$53,000.

2. Health and overtime

We all know that sleeping late is unhealthy. But do you know that overtime also has an impact on a person's health?

Based on research by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, working just three hours overtime every day has been linked to a 60% higher risk of heart problems.

So, isn't it time to pack up your bag to knock off now?

3. Prepare to lose your best friends

Earlier this week, I read from Yahoo (I couldn't locate the webpage now), that a person who has entered into a relationship must be prepared to lose at least 2 best friends. Based on the research, an average person has only 4 best friends at any one time. The amount of time that a person spends with a new significant other approximates the time that a person spends with 2 best friends.

As with general relationships, time is required for bonding between 2 individuals. Not surprisingly, spending more time with your significant other results in a decrease in time spent with your best friends. 2 to be specific.

That's all I have. Please feel free to comment with any statistics in life that are interesting. =)