Archive for the ‘Let's Discuss...’ Category
The bizarre behaviour of Singaporeans
Extracted from my email sent to me.
44 years of economic and material success have spawned some very strange behaviour among Singaporeans.
We spend so much to buy a house or flat, furnish it up like a palace, but spend our time outside, most of the time at work. And the maids are the ones enjoying the million dollar or multi million dollar assets.
Then we pay so much, the highest in the world, for a car only to park at home. Too expensive to drive, too many ERPs and car park charges to pay. And we are encouraged to park the car at home and take public transport, cheaper and more convenient.
And when Singaporeans travel, instead of seeing the places, they go shopping. The best part is that they head for the cheapest bargains, buying stuff that they could get in Singapore Chinatown or pasar malam, at even cheaper prices. And they are happy that they got a bargain.
And while the heartlanders are busy trying to make a life here, being told to bust off if they are not happy, which they cannot, the rich and presumably very happy and contented citizens are buying up properties overseas just in case they need to make that escape from paradise.
While many Singaporeans are thinking of jumping ship, or preparing to jump ship, hoards of new immigrants are rushing in to take their place in this paradise.
And to top it all up, they keep complaining about the government and all the policies that they found unpalatable, but come every election, they vote and return the (same) government to power.
Strange Singaporean behaviour indeed!
Quote of the Day
I’ve never tried to block out the memories of the past, even though some are painful. I don’t understand people who hide from their past. Everything you live through helps to make you the person you are now. ~Sophia Loren
Beer: Warm or Cold? Your Choice
Would you prefer an ice cold beer or a warm beer?
My answer: I would prefer an ice cold beer.
But do you know that 100 centuries ago, beer were served hot? Ther wasn’t any refrigerators around, so anyone that served frigid beer would assumed that it was negligently left out in the cold. Well, beer was drunk hot from the beginning.
At the dawn of civilization, beer was served at ambient temperature, later, it was cellared to barely cooled and for several centuries in between, piping hot was the temperature of choice. It was easy to find hot beer and it was fashion of the day. Drinkers lapped it up in staggering quantities. Not that they prefer their beer to be hot, but they were convinced that it was good for them. Mulled beer was considered an aid to healthy living.
In 1641, this fellow Henry Overton came up with “Warme Beere.” It was said that consumption of heated beer and ale was far more wholesome than that which is drunk cold.” Overton’s claim was based on a popular of human physiology that believed the stomach was ruled by two “master-qualities” of heat and dryness. Drinking cold beer was thought to put the two in turmoil, upsetting anything from digestion to vaporous humors.
Most famous of the hot, spiced beers was Dr. Butler’s Ale. Dr. Butler’s Ale considered beer an excellent stomach drink which helps in digestion. No only that, it dissolved congealed phlegm upon the lungs and is considered good against colds, coughs, ptisical and consumptive distempers. Being drunk in the evening fortified nature, caused good rest and hugely corroborated the brain and memory. Healthful benefits though.
The actual basis for drinking warm beer was simple. In the days before refrigeration beer was commonly served, during summer, both cellar and serving temperatures crept upward, but tavern keepers never gave it a second thought. In the winter time, warm beer was equally expected and welcomed. Interior heating of those days may have been inadequate but a hot tankard provided a pleasant and comforting distraction. It added variety to a difficult and mundane lifestyle, and mulled ale further soothed the colonial spirits because warming facilitated a quicker absorption of the alcohol.
Heating beer was also considered necessary because of the dominance of homebrew. Frequent use of substandard ingredients, combined with questionable brewing equipment and techniques, made most home brewed beer unpalatable. Additions of spices and warming the beer increased its appeal, and if scorched, sugars caramelized, thereby adding a more gentle roundness.
As in Europe, drinking warm ale was a convention that settlers brought with them to colonial shores.
Typical recipes for mulled beer called for first infusing the herbs and spices in hot water, cooling, straining, and then adding the ‘liquor’ along with sugar, and sometimes cream and beaten eggs. The entire mixture was then heated again, often with a glowing poker drawn from the hot coals of a fire.
Simplest of the mulled beers was ‘Aleberry’ made by heating beer to boiling, then adding sugar, spices, and topping all with floating sops of bread. No one set of spices was recommended, that was left to individual taste.
Lambswool was another common drink. Popular in the 1700’s, preparation began by first roasting several apples until the skins burst. Strong, old ale was heated, into which nutmeg, ginger and sugar were thoroughly blended. Finally, the apples were immersed in the heated beer immediately before serving.
Most well known of all the mulled beers was Wassail. Recipes for this holiday favorite vary, but all were based upon the same basic formula. Sugar was placed in the bottom of a bowl, one pint of warm beer was then poured in along with nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon. After all ingredients were infused the mixture was allowed to stand for several hours. When ready to serve it was heated and topped with several thin slices of toast.
Hot beer drinks were plentiful in old inns and taverns, but as the 19th century progressed, mulled beers faded from view. Equal responsibility for its demise came from the introduction of lager beer and the advent of artificial refrigeration. Lager beer was brewed to drink cold, and refrigeration made its production possible anywhere, and rather than brewing only in cooler months, brewers could make it year-round. Americans responded by enthusiastically embracing light, crisp, ice cold lagers pouring out of breweries. In the process, heated ales became ‘old-fashion’ and quickly disappeared.
Should mulled beer remain buried in history? Clean, well made, flavorful beers may have eliminated the need for spice additions and heating, but the reemergence of holiday releases and other spiced brews is a call from the past.
Listen to your beer drinking heritage. Malty, low-hopped beers eagerly welcome light spicing of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, honey, and brown sugar. Winter ales patiently wait for mulling, and fruit beers offer even more possibilities.
Colder months are perfect for hot beer drinks, they warm both the body and soul, adding a festive glow to the holidays. John Bickerdyke may have said it best, “If there is one season of the year more appropriate than another to hot beer-cups, be they Wassail Bowls, Lambswool, Flip or Mulled Ale, it is Christmas.”
Still, I prefer my beer to be ice cold.
Depression isn’t only a Problem, it’s a Disease!
Extracted from My Fat Pocket.
I read in a magazine that when you feel tired when you’re awake from your sleep but active when you are awake, you are suffering from depression. Moody and temperamental behaviors are also part of depression. Crying alone in your room is not a sign of independence or strength but the first sign that the heartbroken has suicidal tendencies.
Being depressed can be from a lot of factors. One of them includes being overly emotional about something that affects you badly, especially when you do not know how to control your moods because you cannot control the situation. Whatever problems you have, know that help is always around and available. If you think your parents or loved ones would not understand what you are facing but in fact will judge you further, there are other other channels you can turn to.
The weakest people are those who resigns to fate. The weakest people are the ones who refuse a change. But by thinking of other avenues, you are slowly becoming strong. And the good news is, you are not alone in the world. And there will always be others who are worse off than you. Support groups can build a strong community for you to come forth with your problems without being judged or criticized.
Eating disorder is a condition in which one eats, or not, in a negative way that affects your physical, mental and well being – ranging from mild to life-threatening outcomes. The SGH Eating Disorders Programme at LIFE centre is a dedicated treatment programme for the management of eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-Eating Disorder.
The programme addresses the physical and psychosocial problems commonly associated with eating disorders through a holistic approach. They utilise evidence-based treatment based on a multi-disciplinary approach. The multi-disciplinary team comprises psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians, nutritionists, social workers, family therapists, nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
Women of all ages go through this painful ordeal every single year. It is not easy living with one breast. But that does not mean you are lesser than any women with both of them.Together with leading oncologists in the field, Singapore Cancer Society has designed a programme to assist breast cancer patients on their road to recovery. The Reach to Recovery programme is committed to help you achieve maximum recovery physically, psychologically and cosmetically.
Most of the woman involved in running the programme have had breast cancer. They have successfully battled the disease and stepped forward to volunteer their time and share their experiences with other women in the same predicament. Members meet every last Saturday of the month.
Bipolar disorder is like having daily mood swings but on a much higher level of seriousness. Wikipedia stated that the “signs and symptoms of the depressive phase of bipolar disorder include persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, isolation, or hopelessness; disturbances in sleep and appetite; fatigue and loss of interest in usually enjoyable activities; problems concentrating; loneliness, self-loathing, apathy or indifference; depersonalization; loss of interest in sexual activity; shyness or social anxiety; irritability, chronic pain (with or without a known cause); lack of motivation; and morbid suicidal ideation. In severe cases, the individual may become psychotic, a condition also known as severe bipolar depression with psychotic features.”
Call Singapore Association for Mental Health at toll-free Helpline at 1800 2837019 during office hours to register or email to supportsvcs@samhealth.org.sg .
My heart goes out to those who have been in such position. But be strong and brave. It is not your fault this happened to you. I honestly do not know where you can go specifically for this but you can try approaching your GP and perhaps they will put you to the best person they know. Singapore takes sexual abuse very seriously.
Do not be afraid to face up because the evil needs to be punished. Even if that man is your boyfriend or husband, no one should be abused for any person’s pleasure. Marital rape IS rape. Having sex without your permission, will and agreement IS rape.
In the report of Samaritans, the highest suicide rates is highest among “Chinese, with 59.3 per 100,000, followed by Indians at 33.9 per 100,000, and, again, lowest among Malays, with 3.0 per 100,000. Possible sociocultural factors are proposed to account for differences in suicide rates among these ethnic groups.”Life is beautiful. Stay alive.And positive.
You only have yourself to love and live for. The wheels of life will turn so it will definitely shine after the rain. Mariah Carey did not lie about that!
If you think you need help, get it.
Well, I am not afraid to say that I was once suffered from depression. It’s not about the breaking up with boyfriend but unfortunately, I lost my job too. Everything just came unexpectedly and I, being alone, wasn’t able to cope. All I want to do is DIE! After a few months, I told myself that I couldn’t afford to cry everyday on every single thing. Even if I don’t go broke or die of hunger, I will for sure be blind first. =.= If I remember correctly, the treatments took me half a year, each time, spending about S$250 to S$450. My heart is no longer giving panic attacks problem for a couple of months. Guess, I had fully recovered after so many years. No regret in seeing a doctor, least it helps me. Till to date, I am still grateful to Doc Simon Siew.
Xenical – Anyone consuming it now?
Warning: Those who are currently consuming Xenical, please note the following article!
WASHINGTON – US HEALTH officials are reviewing reports of liver injury in people who took Roche Holding AG’s weight loss drug Xenical or the over-the-counter version sold by GlaxoSmithKline. The Food and Drug Administration said on Monday it had received 32 reports between 1999 and 2008 of serious liver injury in patients taking the drug, which is known generically as orlistat. All but two involved prescription Xenical and occurred outside the United States.
Twenty-seven patients were hospitalised, and six cases resulted in liver failure, the FDA said.
‘The FDA’s analysis of these data is ongoing, and no definite association between liver injury and orlistat has been established at this time,’ the agency said.
People who are taking the drug should continue to use it as directed, the FDA said.
Glaxo sells the nonprescription version under the brand name alli. The company said in a statement ‘there is no evidence that alli causes liver damage,’ which can stem from many causes. People who are overweight or obese are predisposed to liver-related disorders, the company said.
Glaxo also said the drug works in the gastrointestinal tract and there was ‘no obvious biological mechanism that would suggest liver damage can occur with alli.’ A Roche spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mr Mike Krensavage, principal of Krensavage Asset Management LLC, said news of the FDA probe could hurt sales of the diet pills.
‘Any time the FDA raises an issue like this, demand is likely to suffer, at least temporarily,’ he said.
He noted that the drug only slightly reduces weight and has been associated with digestive problems. ‘If there’s a minimal benefit to begin with, risks perhaps take more of a toll on sales,’ he said. — REUTERS
Twenty-seven patients were hospitalised, and six cases resulted in liver failure, the FDA said.
‘The FDA’s analysis of these data is ongoing, and no definite association between liver injury and orlistat has been established at this time,’ the agency said.
People who are taking the drug should continue to use it as directed, the FDA said.
Glaxo sells the nonprescription version under the brand name alli. The company said in a statement ‘there is no evidence that alli causes liver damage,’ which can stem from many causes. People who are overweight or obese are predisposed to liver-related disorders, the company said.
Glaxo also said the drug works in the gastrointestinal tract and there was ‘no obvious biological mechanism that would suggest liver damage can occur with alli.’ A Roche spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mr Mike Krensavage, principal of Krensavage Asset Management LLC, said news of the FDA probe could hurt sales of the diet pills.
‘Any time the FDA raises an issue like this, demand is likely to suffer, at least temporarily,’ he said.
He noted that the drug only slightly reduces weight and has been associated with digestive problems. ‘If there’s a minimal benefit to begin with, risks perhaps take more of a toll on sales,’ he said. — REUTERS
Ultimately, the best way is Exercising, Proper Diet & of cos, Cenosis.
Do looks really matter?
My girlfriend, Kim always says “I love you as who you are. Does not matter whether you are fat or thin. You are ‘beautiful’ in my heart.”
Too bad, she is a female. Else, for sure, I will marry her. =P
Does look really matter? Isn’t beauty just skin deep or even piles of make up? Is appearance so important to men?
Shopping Lifestyle has got the men ‘fuss up. Let’s see what the men said.
His Say 1: “Everything else being equal, looks are definitely a bonus. She
has to look presentable at least. But then again, beauty is more than just
looks, it has to do with some X-factor as well. I know a few ‘plain-looking’
women who have more suitors than their prettier friends, because they have
incredible charisma.”– Samuel, 33, public relations executiveWinnilicious says: “I like you Samuel. Are you married?”
His Say 2: “Yes. If a man tells you otherwise, he’s a liar. Guys are still hot-blooded visual creatures, no matter what. Let a man choose between a looker and an ugly girl, see which one he picks.”– Jeremiah, 26, sales executive
Winnilicious says: “Jeremiah, though you are right. But at times, have you guys look into the mirror yourselves? Or you all don’t think that you are ugly yourselves? =.= Mostly, that is the case.”
His Say 3: “Having a kind heart and good morals is more precious. In this materialistic and superficial world, beautiful women – natural and fake – are everywhere, but nice girls are hard to come by.”– Vincent, 29, manager
Winnilicious says: “My everything is real! (cos I cannot afford any plastic) & of cos, I am kind hearted. So are you keen in me?”
His Say 4: “I’d love to say no, but looks do matter — and it’s not just us guys. Turn the table around, and not many women will bother with a second glance at fat or balding men either. Beautiful people get more attention — that’s a fact. But having said that, you’d need more than just physical beauty alone to sustain long-term relationships like marriage.”– Edwin, 27, educator
Winnilcious says: “Edwin!!! (what a name!) You are wrong. I had seen babes with balding men. So women aren’t that shallow as compared to men.”
His Say 5: “Not really. Looks are only a priority in puppy-love relationships. Love based entirely on physical attractiveness is lame — it’s only infatuation, and it won’t last for long.”– Tim, 22, medical student
Winnilicious says: “Tim, I like you. I totally agree with you. Do you mean “姐弟戀?”
His Say 6: “Looks matter to a certain degree. I’m not the type to go for extraordinary standards — she can be a plain Jane, but the fat and the ugly are off-limits for me. At the very minimum, she must have a great smile.”– Paul, 31, postgraduate student
Winnilicious says: “Well, you are no doubt right. But may I ask, you are fat and ugly?”
His Say 7: “If she’s a bimbo, I’d rather go for an average-looking but intelligent woman. Brains is more important than boobs. But if she’s got both, hey, that’s even better.”– Sonny, 35, recruitment officer
Winnilicious says: “Sonny, many a times, there is no best of both worlds.”
His Say 8: “Having exotic looks will help with the initial attraction. However, once the novelty wears off, inner beauty and depth is what will keep the flame alive.”– Jung, 30, instructor
Winnilicious says “Least, you are not shallow.”
His Say 9: “No. Character is more important than looks. Beauty will wither away with time, but virtues only grow stronger.”– David Lam, 25, systems analyst
Winnilicious says “David, I agree with you. But how will you know my character when you realise that I am so fat?”
His Say 10: “Yes. It’s only human nature to be attracted to beautiful women. Even girls check out other hot girls all the time. I would say outer appearance is a stepping stone that sets me exploring the possibility of a relationship. Her looks is just one deciding factor, I need to consider other aspects like character and common interests.”– Fredrick, 32, trader
Winnilicious says “Fredrick, okay, you are frank enough to say the truth.”
节俭是美德吗？
雖然在這個賺錢難、開銷大的時代，「開源節流」是一件必要的事。因此「節儉」，應該是一種正面的形容詞。不過，我認為在某些事情上，「節儉」不一定是一種美德。如果過度的「節儉」，反而會造成人際關係的障礙，或是視野的侷限，這時就不應太堅持！
往往適當的「用錢」，也是一種投資，是賺錢的方法。
舉例來說，幾年前，我的部門有個設計師。他的電腦繪圖技術不錯，人也長得頗為端正。不過，可能是妻管嚴的結果，收入不差的他，可說是相當的節儉。他每天身上只放一百元，一百元剛好顧三餐，所以常常其他同事在辦公室叫個下午茶或雞排時，他從來不會加入。
另 外，他偶爾還會接個外包設計案件，只要不擔誤工作，我這個主管並不會反對！不過，據我所知，他的外稿酬勞遠遠低於行情。在我的看法裡，雖然他的作品不錯， 但他衣服的質料太差了，樣子太舊了，讓他整個人看起來灰撲撲的，因為外表的質感太差，拉低了他的行情，所以他無法拿到該有的酬勞。
還有一次，我更加見識到他的節儉，因此，認定他未來在設計上不會太有成長。
某個週日下午，我在市貿附近看到了一個免門票的設計展覽，我感到非常驚豔！市貿離他家不遠，於是我打電話給他，建議他有空出來觀摩學習一番，不過，他以「省摩托車油資」的理由婉拒了！讓我非常驚訝他的節儉。
過 了半年，他跟我辭職的理由是：他只想做個「單純的設計師」，對於我常叫他「想創意」，感到非常有壓力。我想，如果不願投資金錢及時間吸收資訊，當然想不出 新創意啊！當時，我就認定他的程度，可能就是個操作電腦設計軟體，因此沒有多說什麼就簽了他的離職書。不過我很肯定，未來當設計軟體功能愈來愈強時，他的 職場價值絕對是愈來愈低的。
有些理財專家常說：「一天少喝一杯咖啡，十年就可以省下許多錢」等等節儉致富的理論，不過我認為，少喝一杯咖啡，可能會讓你少一點靈感，或少了和人溝通以得到的賺錢機會。就像那個設計師雖然不一定要和同事一起叫下午茶，但永遠不參加，人際關係總會怪怪的！
消 費有其必要性。有時候「消費不只是消費」，消費往往是一種體驗和學習！就像從事行銷、企劃、設計的人，常常得從消費中體驗感動，然後擴大視野！因為「懂得 感動的人，才有能力感動別人！」這就是為什麼雖然我覺得看電影不便宜，但卻不能省。人家花了幾億拍電影，我只花兩百多就可以吸收資訊，只要我從中學到一些 東西，我覺得看電影實在是一種便宜的行銷課程！
Credit to 邱文仁.
I was browsing through the net about 节俭 when I chanced upon 邱文仁’s blog. I strongly agree with her. Though 节俭是美德 but too much of it, people will think that you are either money minded, stingy or even 會造成人際關係的障礙，或是視野的侷限. It’s true.
I am not a person who can save. Neither am I 节俭. Towards people that I think who deserve, I am rather generous with them, provided I have money at the point of time. But if you were to be 节俭 with me, then sorry to tell you that I count every single cent with you.
I have met 节俭 friends before.
Some are 节俭 towards themselves and are generally generous with friends.
While some are 节俭 towards others and ended up 贪小便宜 but super generous towards ownselves.
Some are like me, with no such words as 节俭 in my dictionary.
Coming to think about it. Do you want to slow down your pace and ask yourself, which category you belong to?
2nd death at Sentosa IR
Extracted from ST.
A 300-KG metal pipe came crashing down on the head of a foreign worker at the Resorts World worksite at Sentosa on Saturday, killing him instantly.
It is believed that Mr Annamalai Chandramani was taking a break from work when the pipe, which was being moved above him, fell right onto him.
Mr Annamalai, 33, suffered multiple fractures to his neck and was pinned under the heavy pipe.
A 30-year-old worker, who was at the scene, told The Straits Times there was ‘a lot of blood’.
It was the second industrial death at the Resorts World site in Sentosa since work began about two years ago. Just last month, another foreign worker was found dead of head injuries sustained when he fell from a height of about 4.5 metres.
Two months ago, construction firm Lian Beng Construction was fined $100,000 for a safety lapse at the other integrated resorts, Marina Bay Sands. In January last year, a worker died after a brick wall on the worksite collapsed on him.
The latest IR death comes amidst a drive by the Government to shore up safety at worksites. In 2007 and last year, 130 workers died on-site, with more than half of them from the construction and marine industries.
About 20 of Mr Annamalai’s friends and colleagues were at the mortuary on Sunday as their manager identified his body. They said he was a ‘very nice and good’ person.
Mr Annamalai came to Singapore six years ago from Pondicherry in India. He is married with two young childredn, age four and seven.
Resorts World said the accident would not delay the completion of the integrated resort as no stop-work order had been issued so far.
My condolences to the family members.
The kids are so young.
It’s gonna be a big Work Injury Compensation claim.
MEN ARE JUST HAPPIER PEOPLE
NICKNAMES
EATING OUT
MONEY
BATHROOMS
ARGUMENTS
FUTURE
SUCCESS
MARRIAGE
DRESSING UP
NATURAL
OFFSPRING
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing!