Stick with Doritos.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Getting Rid of Ants the Natural Way
I came back to office to an ant-infested work station.
Apparently, the ziploc bag containing my chocolates and other tidbits had a hole which I did not notice earlier.
It was quite a task killing the ants with my mighty fingers and wet tissues (dry ones dont work).
And I must say, it wasn't a pleasant task.
And I have learnt today that scattering tea leaves help! I am not too sure why. Perhaps the acidity of tannin in tea leaves released makes ants uncomfortable?
Anway, what's important is that it worked!
Keeping ants away is one thing. KILLING them permanently is another!
Next, I will have to buy ant baits to ensure that the ants AND the queen ant are killed!
Apparently, the ziploc bag containing my chocolates and other tidbits had a hole which I did not notice earlier.
It was quite a task killing the ants with my mighty fingers and wet tissues (dry ones dont work).
And I must say, it wasn't a pleasant task.
And I have learnt today that scattering tea leaves help! I am not too sure why. Perhaps the acidity of tannin in tea leaves released makes ants uncomfortable?
Anway, what's important is that it worked!
 |
| scattered tea leaves |
Next, I will have to buy ant baits to ensure that the ants AND the queen ant are killed!
Buying Ties, Bow-Ties and Cuff-links in Singapore
Buying ties in Singapore can be a challenge. Unlike apparels for women, accessories for men are not as easily available. And becuase it is so hard to earn money from men, such accessories are normally priced higher.
After spending a weekend analysing the prices of ties, here's my little 2cents worth.
If you do not wish to go through the hassle of comparing prices of ties and getting the best bargain (men do tend to get ripped off because they are more likely than women to be clueless when it comes to the art of shopping), ties at G2000 range from $19 and are pretty decent.
Departmental stores like Robinsons and Metro sell theirs at $39 and above. But honestly, I can't tell one tie from another. Apart from the difference in prices, every tie looks the same.
The most expensive ties we have seen cost $89 and above (I wonder if there are men who would splurge on a tie that expensive. I would rather take the money and feast on a good seafood meal!) and are supposedly made of wools. But I must say, these ties are classier and more chic. These can be bought at men's boutiques like Benjamin Barker or Raoul.
If you are not looking for quality ties, but ties for one-off events like matching ties for your 兄弟 at your wedding, there are cheap (not just merely affordable) ties you could get at pushcarts in Singapore.
One such pushcart is at Suntec City. It's on the second floor near Carrefour where the OCBC/DBS ATM machines are. There is a money-changer there I think.Apparently, this pushcart has been there for a long time (permanent fixture).
1 tie cost $12.90. 2, $22 and if you buy 3, it will set you back by $30. This shop, when we visited, was manned by a PRC lady. She didnt seem very friendly. But she answered when spoken to, which I guess was good enough. She wasn't upset when we accidentally messed up the ties displayed too. Bow-ties are priced the same. Cuff-links are $20-$49.90 (if I didnt recall wrongly).
But just in case you think the above was a bargain, we stumbled upon a pushcart at the Changi Airport Terminal 3 (outside NTUC Fairprice) that sells the exact same ties at... *drum rolls*... $5!!! GASP!
Don't you just feel like killing yourself if you had bought from Suntec City?!
That was how we felt. It was a good $6 cheaper (we bought 2)!!
This pushcart was manned by 2 young chaps who were definitely locals. They were earnest and very helpful in helping us pick our ties. Gawd, I wished we had chanced upon them earlier. Their bow-tie selection was a little disappointing. So don't bother, if your focus is on bow-ties. Cuff-links are so-so too and cost $12.90 per pair.
Well, good things must be shared: If you do want to save a penny here and there on your ties, please try the pushcart at the airport. If it is no longer there, then perhaps Suntec City can be your next option.
Cheers!
After spending a weekend analysing the prices of ties, here's my little 2cents worth.
If you do not wish to go through the hassle of comparing prices of ties and getting the best bargain (men do tend to get ripped off because they are more likely than women to be clueless when it comes to the art of shopping), ties at G2000 range from $19 and are pretty decent.
Departmental stores like Robinsons and Metro sell theirs at $39 and above. But honestly, I can't tell one tie from another. Apart from the difference in prices, every tie looks the same.
The most expensive ties we have seen cost $89 and above (I wonder if there are men who would splurge on a tie that expensive. I would rather take the money and feast on a good seafood meal!) and are supposedly made of wools. But I must say, these ties are classier and more chic. These can be bought at men's boutiques like Benjamin Barker or Raoul.
If you are not looking for quality ties, but ties for one-off events like matching ties for your 兄弟 at your wedding, there are cheap (not just merely affordable) ties you could get at pushcarts in Singapore.
One such pushcart is at Suntec City. It's on the second floor near Carrefour where the OCBC/DBS ATM machines are. There is a money-changer there I think.Apparently, this pushcart has been there for a long time (permanent fixture).
1 tie cost $12.90. 2, $22 and if you buy 3, it will set you back by $30. This shop, when we visited, was manned by a PRC lady. She didnt seem very friendly. But she answered when spoken to, which I guess was good enough. She wasn't upset when we accidentally messed up the ties displayed too. Bow-ties are priced the same. Cuff-links are $20-$49.90 (if I didnt recall wrongly).
But just in case you think the above was a bargain, we stumbled upon a pushcart at the Changi Airport Terminal 3 (outside NTUC Fairprice) that sells the exact same ties at... *drum rolls*... $5!!! GASP!
Don't you just feel like killing yourself if you had bought from Suntec City?!
That was how we felt. It was a good $6 cheaper (we bought 2)!!
This pushcart was manned by 2 young chaps who were definitely locals. They were earnest and very helpful in helping us pick our ties. Gawd, I wished we had chanced upon them earlier. Their bow-tie selection was a little disappointing. So don't bother, if your focus is on bow-ties. Cuff-links are so-so too and cost $12.90 per pair.
Well, good things must be shared: If you do want to save a penny here and there on your ties, please try the pushcart at the airport. If it is no longer there, then perhaps Suntec City can be your next option.
Cheers!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Marina Barrage
A picture paints a thousand words.
Lovely place.
Beautiful scenery.
Perfect for a quiet night with someone special.
Definitely worth a trip... especially at night.
Lovely place.
Beautiful scenery.
Perfect for a quiet night with someone special.
Definitely worth a trip... especially at night.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Newton Circus Food Centre, Singapore
Apart from Newton Circus Food Centre, I can't think of a better place for seafood. There could be others, of course. But so far, for a simple and reasonable seafood fare, NCFC serves my needs.
NCFC is famous for its cut-throat prices, especially if you are a tourist. And they are known to be rather aggressive and persistent in selling their fare to anyone who walks into the food centre. You will find menus thrust in your face, over-zealous promoters leading you to seats nearest their food stalls, cleaning even the seat just to make you feel welcomed and perhaps, indebted?
Being local, such tricks don't work on me. I would normally very politely smile and walk quickly away. I have a favourite stall. So I don't want to waste their time on me.
My favourite stall is unit no. 27. If you turn right upon entering the compound, you will see it. The stall owners do not aggressively promote their food. Unless you walk by or are near their stall, you won't see them roaming around the food centre thrusting menus in unsuspecting customers' faces.
I find their food alright. Good portioned and appertising. And once, when I was agonising over whether to order the smallest plate of cockles that cost $5 because my friend didnt want to share it with me, they offered me an even smaller portion at $3! That's what I call flexibility and great customer service!
Today when I dropped by for dinner, I noticed they now place their napkins and cutlery in a pencil holder! That's so attentive! In the past, napkins would fly all over when the breeze came!
Finally, if you are wondering what the prices are like, a plate of sambal kangkong cost $6, cockles $5 and sambal stingray $10. Rice is at $0.50 per portion.
Very reasonable, isn't it?
Trips to NCFC is always pleasant because I know my favourite food stall will keep me a happy customer, making me want to keep going back for more!
NCFC is famous for its cut-throat prices, especially if you are a tourist. And they are known to be rather aggressive and persistent in selling their fare to anyone who walks into the food centre. You will find menus thrust in your face, over-zealous promoters leading you to seats nearest their food stalls, cleaning even the seat just to make you feel welcomed and perhaps, indebted?
Being local, such tricks don't work on me. I would normally very politely smile and walk quickly away. I have a favourite stall. So I don't want to waste their time on me.
My favourite stall is unit no. 27. If you turn right upon entering the compound, you will see it. The stall owners do not aggressively promote their food. Unless you walk by or are near their stall, you won't see them roaming around the food centre thrusting menus in unsuspecting customers' faces.
 |
| Unit 27 is the stall on the right and it's called Alliance Seafood |
I find their food alright. Good portioned and appertising. And once, when I was agonising over whether to order the smallest plate of cockles that cost $5 because my friend didnt want to share it with me, they offered me an even smaller portion at $3! That's what I call flexibility and great customer service!
Today when I dropped by for dinner, I noticed they now place their napkins and cutlery in a pencil holder! That's so attentive! In the past, napkins would fly all over when the breeze came!
Finally, if you are wondering what the prices are like, a plate of sambal kangkong cost $6, cockles $5 and sambal stingray $10. Rice is at $0.50 per portion.
 |
| This is their special chilli sauce that goes perfectly with the boiled cockles |
 |
| Sambal kangkong |
 |
| Boiled cockles. You can opt for half-cooked or fully cooked (I normally opt for the latter) |
 |
| This is my favouriate - Sambal Stingray! |
Very reasonable, isn't it?
Trips to NCFC is always pleasant because I know my favourite food stall will keep me a happy customer, making me want to keep going back for more!
Registered Mails
I'm a self-confess online shopaholic.
And I always find it bizarre when people get upset that their registered mails take a while to reach them.
"I have paid for registered mail and this is taking too long for a registered mail to reach me!" is a normal grouse online.
I wonder if these people know the difference among a registered mail, normal mail and couriered mail?
Registered mail is exactly like a normal mail. It wont take a shorter time to reach the intended recipient. The only difference is that a registered mail has a tracking system. You can tell at which point of the delivery it is at. Is it still at the mailing house? Or is it on its way to the intended recipient. Also, registered mail requires the person who receives it to sign off on a docket. If there is no one to do so, the registered mail gets sent back to the mailing house only for delivery to be rearranged again. Therefore, registered mail never gets lost in the mailing process, unlike normal mail.
The delivery process is a lot more cumbersome than normal postage. And that is the reason why I seldom opt for registered mails when I do my online shopping because there is never anyone at home to sign off my purchase and I hate it when my purchases get sent back to the mailing house. I have to either make a trip to to the mailing house over the weekend or arrange for it to be dropped off at my nearest post office AND of course, I have to make a trip down to the post office to pick it up.
TROUBLESOME!
If you want express delivery, courier is the way to go. I think Singpost does speed delivery too and it's called SpeedPost. This can be delivered on the same day it is mailed out and someone has to sign off the when s/he receives it. It can be anyone, including your security guard, if you have one. If I am not wrong, I have never come across an online seller that sends purchases through courier. Courier services are not cheap.
There you go. So if you opt for registered mail when you online shop, please don't be under the impression that it will take half the time to reach you compared to normal mail. It doesn't. The only perk is you are able to track where your purchase is and it is almost guaranteed never to be lost in the mail because of the tracking number assigned.
Happy shopping!
And I always find it bizarre when people get upset that their registered mails take a while to reach them.
"I have paid for registered mail and this is taking too long for a registered mail to reach me!" is a normal grouse online.
I wonder if these people know the difference among a registered mail, normal mail and couriered mail?
Registered mail is exactly like a normal mail. It wont take a shorter time to reach the intended recipient. The only difference is that a registered mail has a tracking system. You can tell at which point of the delivery it is at. Is it still at the mailing house? Or is it on its way to the intended recipient. Also, registered mail requires the person who receives it to sign off on a docket. If there is no one to do so, the registered mail gets sent back to the mailing house only for delivery to be rearranged again. Therefore, registered mail never gets lost in the mailing process, unlike normal mail.
The delivery process is a lot more cumbersome than normal postage. And that is the reason why I seldom opt for registered mails when I do my online shopping because there is never anyone at home to sign off my purchase and I hate it when my purchases get sent back to the mailing house. I have to either make a trip to to the mailing house over the weekend or arrange for it to be dropped off at my nearest post office AND of course, I have to make a trip down to the post office to pick it up.
TROUBLESOME!
If you want express delivery, courier is the way to go. I think Singpost does speed delivery too and it's called SpeedPost. This can be delivered on the same day it is mailed out and someone has to sign off the when s/he receives it. It can be anyone, including your security guard, if you have one. If I am not wrong, I have never come across an online seller that sends purchases through courier. Courier services are not cheap.
There you go. So if you opt for registered mail when you online shop, please don't be under the impression that it will take half the time to reach you compared to normal mail. It doesn't. The only perk is you are able to track where your purchase is and it is almost guaranteed never to be lost in the mail because of the tracking number assigned.
Happy shopping!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Healing Touch, Singapore
Healing Touch is probably one of the cheapest, if not the cheapest, massage spa in Singapore.
At $50 an hour for massages and facial, its price is unbeatable.
If you are not that picky, massage is actually a-ok. If you are lucky, it can be relaxing. It's not really wow. But it's not bad too. For $50/hr, there is really nothing to complain about.
Ambience-wise, on a scale of 1-10, I would rate it 6.5. It's nice, clean and ocassionally quiet. However, the individual "rooms" are too close to one another and the walls, too thin. So during the massage you can hear your neighbours communicating with their masseuses which can be rather distracting.
Oh wait. Maybe I would give it a 7 because it doesnt hard-sell its promotions and packages. It makes going for massages less stressful!
Today was my third time at Healing Touch (Tampines). Twice at the Tampines branch and once, at River Valley. The experience was really a real letdown. It was so bad that I felt very compelled to write a review on my unpleasant experience.
I won't say I am an expert when it comes to massage. However, being a regular to Bangkok, I definitely know my Thai massage. Honestly, I don't expect to find authentic Thai massage in Singapore. Even Thai food hardly is authentic. So why would I be surprise if my quest for Thai massage in Singapore proved futile? As long as it is comfortable and I feel relaxed, Thai massage or not, it honestly didn't matter.
I wouldnt be surprised if my masseuse could be a martial arts expert in disguise. And she probably warms up doing push-ups with her thumbs. Thai massage is about deep massaging using the palms or forearms. It involves stretching or pulling of the limbs. Today, it was just the power of her thumbs that pushed and pressed at every inch of my body that even at this very moment, I feel very upset thinking about the ordeal she put me through.
It was NOT comfortable. It was NOT relaxing. I didn't go all the way to Tampines from Serangoon and pay to be treated this way in pain.
I told her it hurt. And all she could mustered was "oh, it's pain ah."
And I repeated myself again. "It is very painful. And it is not comfortable or relaxing!"
She repeated again, "It's painful ah."
And added "If you want relaxing massage, next time ask for those with oil."
Now, upon hearing this, I was REALLY upset. First of all, I was in pain NOW. So telling me what I should choose the NEXT TIME didn't help.
Secondly, I know my Thai massage. Who doesn't? Anyone who frequently makes shopping trips to Bangkok would know. This was NOT Thai massage. It was just massage disguised as Thai massage and it involved two VERY powerful and strong thumbs. There was nothing Thai massage about her techniques.
I then retorted, "This is not the first time I am doing Thai massage and this is definitely not THAI massage."
She finally backed off and gave a helpless response - "Oh".
At the end of the session, she told me if I wanted good Thai massage, ask for Tracy next time. She admitted that her Thai massage could be too strong for me.
I wanted to roll my eyes but having been brought up well by my parents, I managed a smile and thanked her. To be fair, the masseuse wasn't rude to me. In fact, she was far from rude. BUT it still didnt make up for the poor massage. I felt really cheated.
At the counter while making my payment, I told the receptionist about my poor experience and she merely apologised.
Sometimes, I wonder what kind of rights do aggrieved consumers have? Thank god there was a Great Singapore Sale promotion going on and it cost $40, not $50, for the massage.
I guess the best I can do for myself is not to be such a cheapskate and visit Healing Touch again. At Healing Touch, getting a good massage is like trying my luck at a lucky draw - I can never be certain I would get good massage. You might ask, why not specify the masseuse I want to avoid all these unhappiness? But the trouble is, I havent found one that is good enough to make me return for her!
Anyway, for good massage, I am finally convinced that perhaps good things don't come cheap.
At $50 an hour for massages and facial, its price is unbeatable.
If you are not that picky, massage is actually a-ok. If you are lucky, it can be relaxing. It's not really wow. But it's not bad too. For $50/hr, there is really nothing to complain about.
Ambience-wise, on a scale of 1-10, I would rate it 6.5. It's nice, clean and ocassionally quiet. However, the individual "rooms" are too close to one another and the walls, too thin. So during the massage you can hear your neighbours communicating with their masseuses which can be rather distracting.
Oh wait. Maybe I would give it a 7 because it doesnt hard-sell its promotions and packages. It makes going for massages less stressful!
Today was my third time at Healing Touch (Tampines). Twice at the Tampines branch and once, at River Valley. The experience was really a real letdown. It was so bad that I felt very compelled to write a review on my unpleasant experience.
I won't say I am an expert when it comes to massage. However, being a regular to Bangkok, I definitely know my Thai massage. Honestly, I don't expect to find authentic Thai massage in Singapore. Even Thai food hardly is authentic. So why would I be surprise if my quest for Thai massage in Singapore proved futile? As long as it is comfortable and I feel relaxed, Thai massage or not, it honestly didn't matter.
I wouldnt be surprised if my masseuse could be a martial arts expert in disguise. And she probably warms up doing push-ups with her thumbs. Thai massage is about deep massaging using the palms or forearms. It involves stretching or pulling of the limbs. Today, it was just the power of her thumbs that pushed and pressed at every inch of my body that even at this very moment, I feel very upset thinking about the ordeal she put me through.
It was NOT comfortable. It was NOT relaxing. I didn't go all the way to Tampines from Serangoon and pay to be treated this way in pain.
I told her it hurt. And all she could mustered was "oh, it's pain ah."
And I repeated myself again. "It is very painful. And it is not comfortable or relaxing!"
She repeated again, "It's painful ah."
And added "If you want relaxing massage, next time ask for those with oil."
Now, upon hearing this, I was REALLY upset. First of all, I was in pain NOW. So telling me what I should choose the NEXT TIME didn't help.
Secondly, I know my Thai massage. Who doesn't? Anyone who frequently makes shopping trips to Bangkok would know. This was NOT Thai massage. It was just massage disguised as Thai massage and it involved two VERY powerful and strong thumbs. There was nothing Thai massage about her techniques.
I then retorted, "This is not the first time I am doing Thai massage and this is definitely not THAI massage."
She finally backed off and gave a helpless response - "Oh".
At the end of the session, she told me if I wanted good Thai massage, ask for Tracy next time. She admitted that her Thai massage could be too strong for me.
I wanted to roll my eyes but having been brought up well by my parents, I managed a smile and thanked her. To be fair, the masseuse wasn't rude to me. In fact, she was far from rude. BUT it still didnt make up for the poor massage. I felt really cheated.
At the counter while making my payment, I told the receptionist about my poor experience and she merely apologised.
Sometimes, I wonder what kind of rights do aggrieved consumers have? Thank god there was a Great Singapore Sale promotion going on and it cost $40, not $50, for the massage.
I guess the best I can do for myself is not to be such a cheapskate and visit Healing Touch again. At Healing Touch, getting a good massage is like trying my luck at a lucky draw - I can never be certain I would get good massage. You might ask, why not specify the masseuse I want to avoid all these unhappiness? But the trouble is, I havent found one that is good enough to make me return for her!
Anyway, for good massage, I am finally convinced that perhaps good things don't come cheap.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Water Cross @ Pasir Ris Park
Feeling down in the dumps one day, we decided to take a drive to an obscure part of Singapore where it's impossible to bump into anyone we know (or so we hoped).
We were taken aback at how slowly the Pasir Ris Park had evolved. It still looked the same as I last remember it many years ago and it definitely looked the same as I recalled it to be as a primary school kid 2 decades ago.
There used to be a restaurant called The Fisherman Village. I wonder how many of us still remember it? It's gone. Of course.
In it's place now are 3 very promising looking al fresco dining restaurants by the waters.
We decided to give Water Cross a try.
It was a warm evening. Nothing surprising given Singapore's weather. However, we decided not to plonk ourselves in the air-conditioned indoor but to rough it out in the open area with a better view. After all, we came all the way here not to be in an enclosed area. Enclosed dining is all over Singapore. But an alfresco dining with a fabulous view and no crowd rushing you to chomp your food down is hard to come by.
I didn't regret the decision made. The weather wasn't exactly unbearable and although there hardly was any seabreeze, it just gave me a very relaxing, enjoyable feeling anyway. Exactly what I needed on an overworked weekday.
All in all, I enjoyed my dinner and the away-from-city feeling. I am not too sure if I would return again in the near future tho'. This definitely has absolutely nothing to do with the food or the great view. It's just that Pasir Ris Park is simply too far for us.
We were taken aback at how slowly the Pasir Ris Park had evolved. It still looked the same as I last remember it many years ago and it definitely looked the same as I recalled it to be as a primary school kid 2 decades ago.
There used to be a restaurant called The Fisherman Village. I wonder how many of us still remember it? It's gone. Of course.
In it's place now are 3 very promising looking al fresco dining restaurants by the waters.
We decided to give Water Cross a try.
It was a warm evening. Nothing surprising given Singapore's weather. However, we decided not to plonk ourselves in the air-conditioned indoor but to rough it out in the open area with a better view. After all, we came all the way here not to be in an enclosed area. Enclosed dining is all over Singapore. But an alfresco dining with a fabulous view and no crowd rushing you to chomp your food down is hard to come by.
I didn't regret the decision made. The weather wasn't exactly unbearable and although there hardly was any seabreeze, it just gave me a very relaxing, enjoyable feeling anyway. Exactly what I needed on an overworked weekday.
We ordered a grilled seafood platter for 2 for $38.80. It came with a buttery dip that was pretty tasty. But a tad too much and it becomes a little too over-powering. The serving came with prawns, fish fillet, squid and mussels. On its own, the grilled seafood didnt taste very "wow". But with the buttery dip, it was actually pretty good.
All in all, I enjoyed my dinner and the away-from-city feeling. I am not too sure if I would return again in the near future tho'. This definitely has absolutely nothing to do with the food or the great view. It's just that Pasir Ris Park is simply too far for us.
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