Comex 2007

Waited nearly 2 months for the comex show and it is here yesterday. At last I got the T100 camera which I have been eyeing for the past months... hehe. The best thing is that the price has dropped for $100 compared to the price before the latest T200 is released! A hundred bugs saved. Haha...

At the show we are tempted to get the T200 with wider screen and added touch screen features but feels that T100 is more worthwhile since the main camera functions are the same compared with the latest version. On top of that the freebies are better than T200 also.

So happy about my new camera (^_^) Love all its photo editing functions ...

Grandma

Went to visit my grandma's altar at Bedok today. It been nearly a year since she passed away. Even now when i think of her I am could get very emotional. A few days ago, I just dreamt of her and felt like I have something not fulfilled towards her and wake up in tears.

Grandma used to be a stern figure during my childhood days, when she took out the cane, no child would dare to raise a sound. Like every mother, she has a softer side too, even though it's a child's memory, I still remember her stoking me, making me to sleep every afternoon with her on a straw mat and tying my hair for me every morning when I go for school... She is a very good cook as well, her Hei Bi Hiam (chilli prawn floss), belacan chilli paste and curry are the best! I missed her food, sometimes I would try to learn her dishes from the memory I had of how she did it last time.

Gradually as i grow older, my time with her starts to minimize...her laugher fades and due to depression she had Alzheimer. She can't remember anyone except my grandpa. I heard from my mum that grandma's life was very tough when she was young and had devoted her whole life to her in-laws family.

After her decease, I feel quite remorseful and very sorry for my mum because she had already lost her mother, the one she could rely on mentally. Therefore I tell myself that I must treat her well as long as she lives because I am still more fortunate than her for I still have her, a mother.

Planning The Trip

Finally my booking for the 8d7n free and easy trip to Taiwan is confirmed. Sign up with ASA during their travel fair last Sunday, before then Alvin and I had been raking agencies for the best deals until we decided on ASA, which we find them more reliable. We were there as early as 10.20am and I m really surprised to find that there are already so many people queuing for queue no. Really is kiasu Singaporeans... ha ha..

Initially I intend to spend 1 night at a hot spring resort but on second thought worried that it might be boring staying there whole day. So guess is better to just spend 4-5 hours in Beitou (hot spring area)

Since we are going free and easy, we need to gather as much research as possible within 1 month for our destination and now my information is just bits and pieces everywhere. *rolled eyes* My main concern is transportation! They have got different kinds of trains and bus services which I have to ensure that I m familiar at least with their MRT routes in Taipei so as not to appear so clueless when we were there. Guess maybe staying in small Singapore too long makes me a little phobia of going to a bigger country on my own. ha ha... But I believe the free and easy traveling experience to a new place will be fun and fulfilling.

Many forums like Lonely Planet and Flowerpod are quite useful and I actually learned a lot from the sites. Still wondering whether I should buy a travel guide book or just borrow from library but seems like many of such books are on loan...

Hope that I could come out with the itinerary by 1st week of September and prepare for our packing up...

10 Fast Fruits Breakfast

I am on a 1 month slimming plan to prepare for my coming vacation to Taiwan in September! Apparently, this plan is just a way to be safe I don't over weigh my scale when I comes back from food haven. Haha...

Come across this article from IVillage which I find it rather useful which I might try some of its suggestions and maybe upload some pictures here:

SMOOTHIES

1. Pour 350ml orange, apple or pineapple juice into the blender.
2. Add 115g roughly chopped fresh fruit (bananas, peaches, pineapple, mango, berries and apricots work well).
   
3. Add 3 tbsp yogurt, a few dates, a spoonful of raisins or your favorite protein powder to the mix.
   
4. Blend until thoroughly mixed, and drink.
   

FRESH FRUIT SALAD
(Can make the salad the night before, but if using apples, be sure to coat with lemon or orange juice, to prevent browning.)

1. Assemble a few of favorite fruits, such as pineapple, mango, banana, berries or apple.
   
2. Cut them up into bite size pieces and toss with some fresh mint or coconut.
   
3. Top with fresh yogurt, and enjoy.
   

HOT CEREAL
(Oat-based cereals have a low glycemic index, which means they are gradually absorbed and digested by the body.)

1. Liven up porridge or oatmeal with a sprinkling of brown sugar, chopped dates, raisins or almonds.
2. having a bowl of your favorite oatmeal or porridge in the morning will keep you energized, and stave off hunger until lunchtime.

STEWED FRUIT
(Can prepare it over the weekend and keep it in the fridge.)

1. Cut up three apples and a pear, and add some dried fruit, like raisins, sultanas or apricots.
2. Add 115ml apple juice or water and simmer on low heat until tender.
   
3. Flavor with a tablespoon of sugar or honey to taste, and add a pinch of cinnamon or powdered ginger.
   
4. Eat with yogurt or cottage cheese, or spoon over hot or cold cereal.

FROZEN BERRIES

1. Keep frozen berries in the freezer, and defrost the night before you want to use them, by setting a portion out in a bowl.
   
2. You can use them in yogurt, sprinkled on muesli or in smoothies.
   
3. Sweeten with honey or sugar to taste.

FRUITY FRENCH TOAST

1. Mix a large egg or two small ones with a spoonful of milk or cream. Whisk together until blended.
   
2. Melt a little butter in a frying pan, dip a piece of bread in the egg mixture, making sure both sides are covered by mix, and fry until set.
   
3. Turn over and cook the other side until set and light golden brown.
   
4. Top with fresh fruit, poached fruit or berries.

BAKED APPLES

1. In a bowl, mix a spoonful of butter or margarine, brown sugar and raisins.
   
2. Add a pinch of cinnamon for flavor.
   
3. Next, remove the core from your favorite kind of apple.
   
4. Fill the center with the mixture and bake at 350F/180C/gas mark 4 for about 30 minutes or until soft.
   
5. Top with cream cheese or cottage cheese.

FRUIT CREPES

1. Buy pre-made crêpes and freeze with some parchment or waxed paper in-between each crêpe.
   
2. Take one or two out and thaw overnight.
   
3. Alternatively, defrost on the morning you want to eat them, in a microwave oven or in a frying pan with a little butter.
   
4. Heat up and fill with fruit, preserves and cottage cheese.

HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE

1. Take 6 apples, then core, peel and cut them into chunks.
   
2. Add a handful of raisins and 115ml apple juice.
   
3. Bring to a boil and simmer until cooked.
   
4. A spoonful of lemon juice will enhance the flavor.
   
5. Spice up this recipe by adding cinnamon, ginger and a dash of sugar.

ORANGE YOGURT

1. Empty a large container of yogurt into a bowl and mix in 115ml orange juice, 1 tsp vanilla and 100g fluid honey (to taste).
   
2. Then, finely grate the skin of the orange into the mixture.
   
3. Sprinkle some dried coconut, chopped nuts, raisins and dates on each serving.

Vinegar Saves The Day

"A glass of vinegar a day keeps wrinkles away"

Haha... and it is proven by research. I have just bought a bottle of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and i absolutely agreed with the fact that vinegar really is one of the most wonderful liquid in the world. I ever read in a website that it can have more than 120 uses with it! But what catches my attention is its uses for benefits of health and silky complexion. However for reference in future, I will still jot down some uses i think would comes in handy when needed.

• Gardening
  Prolong life of flowers in vases. Add two tablespoon of vinegar and 3 tablespoon of sugar with 5 cups of warm water.
  
  
• Pest-Repeller
  Deter ants. Spray vinegar around doors and window frames, under appliances, and along other known ant trails.
  
  
• Tools
  Clean rust from tools, bolts and spigots. Soak rusted equipments in diluted vinegar overnight.
  

...... There are really too many. Anyway the list below tops my priority.


Health & Beauty

1) Take 1 cup of vinegar and warm water into a large glass and use to rinse your hair after you shampoo. Vinegar adds highlights to brunette hair, restores the acid mantel, and removes soap film and sebum oil.

2) You take 1 tablespoon full and swallow when you have the hiccups. It stops them instantly.

3) Soothe a sore throat. Put a teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of water. Gargle, then swallow.

4) Relieve arthritis. Before each meal, drink a glass of water containing two teaspoons Apple Cider Vinegar. Give it at least three weeks to start working.

5) Lose weight. Dilute 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar with 1 glass of water and consume 15-20 mins BEFORE a meal.

6) Gain weight. Dilute 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar with 1 glass of water and consume 15-20 mins AFTER a meal.

7) Facial toner. Mix some 11/2 tablespoon Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with 100ml of rose water OR distilled water.

I have been trying out method (5) for about 3 days now every morning and trying to remember to do so before every meal. Maybe it is still too early to see its effect.

Despite so, I can guarantee its detoxing result. Every morning I will start off with 1 glass of plain water, then 1 glass of diluted Apple Cider Vinegar and finally 1 glass of Organic honey solution. Half an hour later, bowels cleared and it is when i can start eating my breakfast of the day.