Staying positive

I have been feeling down recently, due to a whole lots of stuff. Been trying to sleep early, but somehow working at TFL has thrown my sleep cycle topsy turvy. Okay, not that I was an early sleeper pre-TFL.

I was a notorious late comer in school. From primary, to secondary to jc and of course Uni...I just CAN'T sleep & wake up early! I got so many dentention & warning letters I lost count. Even my mum gave up on me. If I had to do a 9-5job, you see how I die. During my flying days, I used to curse & swear when I have morning flight. The job was so not for me.

And tonight was one of those nights I feel obliged to work, but yet by the time I switched on my laptop, it was 330am. You know, at least settle some stuff before going to sleep. I have like 1001 things on my mind. Wanting to think abt TFL for 2014, wanting to do more translation for my Grand Master's Dharma sermons, wanting to set up a new site for my new venture (nothing to do with fashion, if you are wondering) and all these are things that take lots of time. Not a quick surf and I will get my answers kind.

The Husband says I always take on too many things but I would be like it's now or never, no? Maybe I need to be quicker in doing things. Maybe I need to be more decisive. And if I can't decide, go bug people who can help me and pay for their services if necessary. Like this setting up of a new site. I am so TERRIBLE at art and everything that needs a sense of creativity. Sometimes I think for TFL to have come so far, it's always very amazing. Thank Buddha thank Guan Yin thank all deities. Really.

Yes, I should just save up for it, sacrifice some things, and just pay for some pro service. So I can keep the whatever hair I have left on my head before I start pulling all out.

Anyway, so I turned on my laptop at 330am. Feeling torn between sleeping & doing some work. And somehow, I went to Blogilates website.

I like Cassey Ho alot. More than Amanda Russell, whom I previously blogged about. Cassey has full-length videos. Her moves are less complicated for me and I adore how colourful her videos are and how she's so energetic and positive. She has an inspiring story on how she became a fitness trainer & it's so amazing that her Youtube channel & website gives us all we need to have a fit lifestyle & a great body! It's SO COMPLETE! She even has monthly calendars of workouts for us to follow everyday!

 Natural Belly Slimming Detox Water Recipe on Blogilates.com

I have been following her on Instagram for sometime. Though I am very impressed with her dedication & energy, I have never made the effort to do her workout. Does playing it in the middle of the night & watching it to feel the infectious energy count? Haha.

For some strange reason, when I randomly visited her website today, I was attracted to the "The 5 Best Ab Exercises" videos in her latest post.

I clicked 'Play', lied on my Seahorse mattress bed (super hard enough to be double up as a yoga mat on the floor, but not that painful for my problematic back), used my Ikea alarm clock (it was the heaviest object within that close proximity) as the weight for one of the moves and I NEARLY DIED doing those moves. First 2 minutes was easy-peasy....then I start to feel my upper ab muscles cramping up...oh my tian! I have concealed upper abs!!

I couldn't follow all the moves at the same time, but like what Cassey says, "Even if you didn't get through the whole thing, it's ok. You got through the whole at your BEST level. And everyday, you are better than you were yesterday! And that's all I want from you. I want you to reach your BEST potential. It's in THERE!"

The best thing about this random 10-minute Ab exercise at 330am is I felt real good afterwards. Not that those worries are gone like magic but suddenly things seem more possible! There is this mysterious new-found energy to charge forward. Haven't look myself in the mirror, but hey I'm feeling this post-dying-ab-exercise glow on my face! Gosh, I must really make more effort to do Cassey's workouts! I am not the kind who like to cramp myself in a gym or studio & workout with many ladies. And I believe exercise at home is possible without forking out a sum of money to work out (save on all the gym clothes. I can wear the same outfit & no one would care.)

If you feel the need to lose some weight to feel better about yourself, the above video has great tips!

I think Lord Buddha really heard my prayers just now and this is the answer to my worries. WORKOUT to feel on top of the world & I will be able to see things & do things with new energy & zest!!!

If you harbour this secret dream of having a Victoria's Secret Angel's body, Cassey has the complete workouts for various body parts on her Youtube channel too!

You know...if I have a quarrel with the Husband & say, he wants to do something to show his apology, I think I will ask him to do this workout with me...and see how he survive...Muahahaha.

Train like a Beast, look like a Beauty.

My motto for 2014.

From Cassey's e-store. So lemming for this! I love hoodies!



Metta, 欣雨 Xinyu

My toothpaste diary

Hello gals! 你們還好嗎?? 希望你們都很開心！！

So happy to be able to update again! =)

I've been having so much fun and inspiration over at TFL that my only rest times are during sleeping and eating times. Now I have about half an hour to squeeze in a blog entry before I need to run off to pack parcels for courier and get ready for puja later!

I got inspired to blog about toothpastes (yes, of all things) because as I grow up, I realised how difficult it has been for people around me to keep their teeth beautiful, healthy and strong. My teeth has been straight and neat since growing up and apart from the couple of fillings I had in my primary school days, nothing major had went wrong all these years. I count myself very lucky that I didn't have to spend thousands of dollars on my teeth. Still, at my age now, I'm not gonna take things for granted.

Source: Google images

Getting the maximum value from your toothpaste. No lah, this is not what my entry is about today. I just find this photo rather amusing. =P

The only problem I had, since teenager days, is my gums would bleed when I brush my teeth. And you know what that means...reddish toothpaste foam. >_<" I didn't realise it was a problem, till the first time I visited a dentist in my twenties. Wouldn't have gone to one if it wasn't subsidised by SQ. He could tell that I had bleeding gums problem and prescribed me an antiseptic mouth wash, which was green in colour. Since then, I never had bleeding gums and my gums are a very healthy pink colour now! It used to be redder!

The dentist also reminded me to brush my gums gently as I brush my teeth, so that gums are kept clean too. Gosh, I never knew my gums need brushing too!

Since we are talking about brushing, the Husband's dentist recommended brushing the teeth in a circular motion as it removes impurities better than the up-and-down brushing. I tried that technique and my teeth looked cleaner and whiter!


Fyi, his dentist is from Sunshine Dental at Woodlands Civic Centre. The Husband is full of praise for the clinic, its staff and its equipment. On his first time there for a routine cleaning & polishing, they took a high resolution photo of his mouth insides and showed him the current condition of his teeth via the monitor. The Husband was aghast, to put it mildly. All he could mutter there and then was, "Wah, doctor, your clinic has very clear and sharp monitors." Lol.

Darlie Original Strong Toothpaste

This is the first and only toothpaste I had ever used before I got married. My mum, for some reason, only buys the original Darlie and nothing else. Not Darlie with extra mint or Darlie whitening or that Darlie gel toothpaste. Just the original Darlie. She said other brands taste strange. I wonder how she knew since for 20 over years, she only buys Darlie toothpaste for us. 

Source: Google images

We had used Darlie for so loooooong that I even witnessed the rebranding of Darkie to Darlie in 1989. Did you know Darkie was first manufactured in Shanghai in 1933, then Hong Kong and later on, Taiwan? I didn't realise it was a original China product all these years till now! That explains why I could never find it in the supermarkets of Western countries! 

After I moved in with my in-laws, they only had Colgate toothpaste. I couldn't get used to the taste and I really think its effects are not as great as Darlie. So I went out to buy a medium-sized Darlie for myself! I didn't dare to buy the jumbo tube because in the early days, I wasn't sure if my in-laws would mind me stuffing their toilet with so many of my personal toiletries when it was already very packed. Haha!

I have also discovered a new use for Darlie. It can heal burns!!! 

I scalded myself once with hot soup and at wits' end, I applied a thick layer of Darlie on my burn. There was no other medical aid in sight, except a gawking Husband. To my amazement, there was no pain and the burning sensation quickly subsided! So it was no old wives tale after all to apply toothpaste on small burns! Definitely works better than running under running water or putting antiseptic cream! Best of all, as the wound heal, the burnt skin peels off finely by itself and leaves almost zero scar! 

Recently I burnt my forearm again when ironing clothes for TFL shoot. I didn't even put my wound under running water (it's a temporary relief that doesn't heal the burn, imho) but instead, slap on a thick layer of Darlie. And viola, no throbbing burning feeling and by the next day, the Husband couldn't even tell I burnt myself again. 

But, but, but please remember not to apply Darlie with EXTRA mint! I did that once and I was literally yelping from the 'hot' sensation on my wound from the strong mint! Not sure if other toothpastes work just as well though. I had only used Darlie on my wounds so far. =)

Theramed 2-in-1 Whitening Toothpaste + Mouthwash

A friend with super serious teeth problems introduced me to Theramed, a made-in-Germany toothpaste about 2 years ago. It has several different toothpastes but I only like the whitening one. I had never found the need to use whitening toothpaste despite being a a Coke-aholic aka serial Coke drinker. But as I hit my late twenties, my teeth were definitely not as white as before. I used to brush my teeth only once a day and that was when I wake up. After hearing my friend's woes about his teeth, I started brushing my teeth after every meal whenever possible.

My verdict: Within 2-3 weeks of using this toothpaste and only this toothpaste, I could see my teeth lighten by about 1-2 shades. Even over all these months of usage, the effect remains. I had never used it as a mouthwash, but only to brush my teeth.

Yellow teeth are just not so pretty especially when I put on deep-coloured lipstick. There was a period of time when my mum kept telling me how yellow my teeth are and I should visit a dentist in front of her friends. Gaaaah!! So embarrassing!!! But now even she noticed my teeth are whiter than before!

Currently, I used this toothpaste when I wake up and sometimes after the last meal of the day, to keep my teeth white. It is available at Watsons, Guardians and Cold Storage. If you are a Watsons member, best to get it at Watsons. Sometimes there's 20% off the usual price of S$3!

The only con is this toothpaste is not great for freshening the breath. My guess is mint is not a prominent ingredient in this whitening toothpaste. Darlie is still the best for that!

Dentiste' Plus White Nighttime Herbapeutic Toothpaste

I strongly recommend this nighttime toothpaste to people with toothache problems! One of the main ingredient in this toothpaste is clove oil, which is a great remedy for toothache. But, dear, if you have a serious problem of toothaches due to more serious issues like my friend, please see a dentist. My friend has this innate and illogical fear of seeing a dentist that he rathers his teeth drop out one by one, despite our threats/coaxing/cajoling. Sigh. Don't ask me why. 

So this same friend told me about this amazing herbal toothpaste. It cost S$10 for a 100g tube meant for sensitive teeth. I couldn't fathom paying so much for a toothpaste when I had been so used to using Darlie, which is at a fraction of this price! If you have non-sensitive teeth, you can get the normal range at $11.90 for 3 in a pack (2 full-sized 100g tubes, 1 60g tube) at Watsons. 

My verdict: It really does what it claims! The morning breath is much better and my teeth feels much cleaner, compared to using Darlie! I was surprised at how herbal this toothpaste taste & smelt on my first usage. And I really like that! 

To give you an idea of how herbal this toothpaste taste, here's some of the active ingredients:

Xylitol, Silicon Dioxide, Peppermint oil, Clove oil, Menthol, Vitamin C, Eucalyptus oil, Sage extract, Chamoile extract, Fennel extract, Glycyrrhiza extract, Cinnamon Bark extract.

My friend, who suffers from toothaches due to dying teeth and diseased gums, has his toothaches drastically reduced, after using this toothpaste!

Here's some technical information extracted from the web:

Dentiste' Premium Night Time Toothpaste, world's first and only natural night time toothpaste clinically proven to inhibit night time bacteria for fresh morning breath, features a proprietary blend of 14 kinds of premium natural extracts. The premium natural extracts are naturally anti-septic and anti-bacteria so that it provides an active protection against bacteria caused by low saliva flows and thus eliminating bad morning breath. For even better protection, we use Xylitol, a natural sweetener that cannot be digested by bacteria therefore starving and reducing their accumulation. And to make sure that no bad morning breath is left, CDX (Cyclodextrin Complex) is used to provide a passive protection against bad morning breath by effectively trapping bad breath. The Dentiste' bacteria-eliminating mechanism works so well that 97% of Dentiste' users feel the difference within just the first night of use.

Source: Google images

Dentiste' Plus White Repaire Rebuild Revitalize Remineralization Toothpaste

This, my dear readers, is another truly awesome product! It can really rebuild teeth! Well, not give you a brand new tooth if your old one is dying. But it helps form new enamel around your teeth!

Due to our lifestyles, diets and aging, we face teeth erosion and abrasion problems. This toothpaste contains a breakthrough ingredient "Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate" derived from bone re-generation technology. Imagine bone re-generation technology in your toothpaste!! Now can someone invent a way to brush this into our bones?? A 2nd chance to grow taller maybe??

This ingredient neutralizes the acidity in our mouths (so that we can stop destroying our own teeth), converts to form enamel crystals, creates new layers of enamel and fills the open tubules (pores in inner layers of teeth) in your teeth. In short, this miraculous ingredient can repair cavities in infancy stage, reduce teeth sensitivity, gingivitis (gums inflammation) and bad breath! 

You know how we girls buy a moisturiser that says it can do 24352562 amazing things to your skin yet it fails? But here's a toothpaste that posts similar claims and performs to it!  一網打盡! At S$25+ for a 70g tube. Best to get at Watsons, especially when they have 20% discount. Guardians' sells it at S$29+!

It's really cool to see enamel crystals forming in the teeth! You would end up spending the next half an hour gaping into the mirror with your mouth open. But it's really amazing to see new enamel being formed!

When I was coaching my teen nieces in their Science, they were asking me why it was crucial to learn Science since they were not keen to be scientists. Now I can tell them it would help loads when you want to blog about a very useful product and you want to impress your readers by simplifying 4 paragraphs of complex scientific information into 2 short easy-to-read paragraphs. At the very least, you would be able to understand what you are blogging. Hahaha!

The toothbrush set I bring out! Got it at less than S$4 from Cheers at Changi Airport. I don't really like the toothbrush but I like the cover for the toothbrush head and the flat hard case. Used to buy the travel set from Dentiste' (nice toothbrush!), but the zip-lock case is too filmsy for my liking and gets dirtied easier.

Not sure if you notice but I really don't like squeezing toothpaste from the middle of the tube. Wait, you mean you do?? *wide-eyed*

Metta,
欣雨 Xinyu

That time of the month

My best friend in secondary school introduced me to this brand of sanitary napkins when I was 14. Had been using it since then. Ultra thin way before the other brands came out with their version & amazingly absorbent! I had tried Kotex (they came to our school!), Laurier and Whisper but none matches the comfort level. But this brand has undergone at least 2 name changes in the past decade.

When it was first launched, it was Prima (or something like that). Years later, it changed to Modess. Now, it's Stayfree. I guess the demand for this brand is not as strong as the dominant brands, hence the several rebranding attempts. It was frustrating when I couldn't find my favourite brand on the shelves. Would take several months for me to find it again and I always have to figure out which is the one. 

Guess how I always re-find my favourite brand of pads?

From the front, the Butterfly symbol! It was their mascot since Prima days! Sometimes it's big, sometimes it's small, sometimes it's fully coloured, sometimes it's just a silhouette drawing.

And step no. 2,

I look for the manufacturing company! It's by Johnson & Johnson!

Stayfree also has sanitary napkins meant for lighter flow days. I find that so useful!

My mum is an ardent fan of Kotex, but I'm a Johnson & Johnson convert all the way! I wish they have more aggressive marketing like how Kotex & Laurier do! That will make buying their pads easier! I used to buy half a suitcase worth of their pads when I stayed over at Bangkok. Much cheaper there! Watsons in Singapore did not carry this brand for a very long time, and I have to get it at Cold Storage/Guardian. But now not only Watsons has this, so does Mustafa! Surprise surprise!

And Mustafa has a comprehensive Eu Yan Sang counter at its newer building at Level 1 too! That's where I snapped these pics on Sun! Now I know where to find 真材实料 herbal tea in the middle of the night!

I've been swearing by Eu Yan Sang Bak Fong Pills for about a decade. They help relieve my tiredness, slight cramps and discomfort during menstruation. Having 八珍汤 after menstruation is heaven for me! My mum used to make that for me, before I got married. There would be a chicken drumstick and a hard-boiled egg each  for my sister & I and chicken liver in the soup! The soup is kick-ass bitter! I'm pretty sure that helps keep my sister's and my wombs clean, healthy & strong! Hahaha! We didn't have cramps problems in our younger days or experience much tiredness then. But it's a different story now. =P

Best to get the Bak Fong Pills in bulk when Eu Yan Sang has 20% discount. Happens about twice a year, during the 三八妇女节 period and somewhere 2nd half of the year. That's when I stock up!

Metta,
欣雨 Xinyu

Crunch it! Crunch, crunch, crunch!

If you're following my Twitter, you might have seen this:

A little background information about Amanda Russell, extracted from www.amanda-russell.com :

After moving to the United States from Canada on a running scholarship, Amanda Russell was closing in on the Beijing Olympics for the 10,000m when she suffered a career-ending leg injury. Told by doctors she’d never run again, she was determined to recover and continue pursuing her passion for fitness. After two years of intense rehabilitation, she was winning triathlons. 

Putting her unique running background and extraordinary passion for health and fitness to work, Amanda created The AR Program. A holistic mind and body system, the proprietary program focuses on intense dynamic workouts combined with a healthy diet and has been praised for its ability to achieve a lean and fit runner’s body without running.

Alongside her work teaching and inspiring others to conquer their health and fitness goals via The AR Program, Amanda has partnered with award-winning Makers Studios to create Amanda Russell TV, a popular YouTube fitness and lifestyle channel that brings the gym to you, for free. Amanda showcases a fun, new, calorie-torching workout every week while helping motivate viewers to look and feel their best with insider diet tips and tricks. She also hosts an interactive website (www.amanda-russell.com), where viewers can find everything from latest tips and trends in health and fitness to personalized fitness programs based on one’s unique needs.

Amanda was recently selected by Google as one of“YouTube's Next Trainers,” a title awarded to only 16 contestants around the world, and is the successor to supermodel Molly Simms as the spokesperson for ZICO Coconut Water. She is creating her first private label fitness clothing line (Amanda Russell for Zweet Sport) and has partnered with EverdayHealth.com as one of their in-house fitness experts.

And this is THE 6mins Abs of Steel workout that got me bowled over:

My goodness! When I first watched this video, my jaw dropped literally at the kind of ab exercise Amanda can do. She makes it look so effortless & beautiful! Gaah, when I started doing them, I was panting like a dog!

If Amanda looks that slim and toned in videos, she must be even more gorgeous in person.

I used to do a lot of crunches to maintain my waistline, but have been slacking off for very long. Had gained like 6 kg since my uni days! Though most people tell me I look slim, they don't see all the fats bulging underneath!

This exercise video really works, gals! I'm trying to do it every other day, with the Husband's Ipad playing the video! 

Because of the long amount of time I spent sitting down battling the emails, I feel my body shape has gradually changed. My hips has gotten bigger and I really don't like how I look in maxis and some pants. When I wear cropped jackets with skinnies, I look weird with a capital W. No point asking the Husband for pointers, because everything he says can be so unconstructive. Long gone are the days when I look good in ANYTHING! =(

Here's another video that I felt it works for my body!

It's very thoughtful of Amanda to include the pared-down modified versions for almost all of the exercises, so that more people can do regardless of fitness levels. I definitely can't do all the 'siong-like-mad' versions at one go. 

I have never watched other fitness gurus' videos as right now, I'm pretty happy with what Amanda is teaching. Her videos are so professionally done and I can tell she puts in a lot of effort in pumping in useful content, easy chic exercise wear and what a beautiful home she has! Not only did she inspire me to have a better body, I want my next home to look like her New York apartment too! Manhattan style with luxurious furniture! (Go TFL go!)

A screen shot taken from one of her videos. Awesome equipment Makers Studio has for her videos! I wonder if ever any Singaporean will make such useful videos! In the meantime, it's great that we have Michelle Phan for makeup tutorials & Amanda Russell for workouts videos!

When her Youtube subscribers cross the 25,000 mark, Amanda promises that she will make full length videos of her workout! Can't wait! That will be much easier & more motivating to follow!

And if you gals are looking for a video to fit into that summer beachwear, here's one that looks real 'siong' but I'm sure will reward you with a fabulous body!

Watching her videos can be so uplifting on my down days too! She exudes such positivity and confidence, which I think come with having good health and a fabulous body! Let's work towards that, babes!

Metta,

欣雨 Xinyu

Insurance matters (pun intended)

On Thursday afternoon, I accompanied Grandaunt to NTUC Income at Bras Basah. It was almost impossible to get me away from TFL work on a weekday afternoon, with the parcels and emails always piling up. I hardly pick up calls or reply smses in the daytime, even if they are from my mother or the Husband. But it was very rare that Grandaunt needed a favour from me. At 72 and single, she has always been very independent and self-sufficient.

On top of that, I'm the only working adult in the family that understands insurance matters and have flexible working time.

Grandaunt bought an insurance policy at age 54. That was 17 years ago. So one day, when she got my mother to help her interpret a letter of insurance summary from NTUC Income, my mum told her to terminate the policy.

Reckless is the word here. My mother did not attempt to understand the policy nature, the breakeven point, the coverage of the policy and how relevant/useful it might be to Grandaunt. Mum's logic was at 72, there was no need for Grandaunt to continue paying for a policy. She said it was a burden for Grandaunt and tried to convince me that Grandaunt was keen to terminate the policy and needed the extra cash.

Knowing my mum, I was sceptical.

So on Thursday, when Grandaunt and I were at NTUC Income, we sat down with a random financial consultant in a bid to know more about what policy my Grandaunt bought. I wanted to know what it covered, the sum assured, the breakeven point, the bonuses, their growth rates and if any interest was given for the bonuses kept with them.

Took us half an hour and 3 different staff but it was a good half an hour spent.

Deciphering insurance illustration takes a lot of patience and skill for the layman who is not interested in numbers. Tons of them. It would have been easy to just ask the consultant explain everything, without pouring through the papers. But how would we know it was really everything that was said? That the consultant did not miss out anything accidentally or intentionally? I can't be sure, so I rather do the dirty work myself.

It was a life insurance policy that covered 30 critical illnesses, total permanent disability & death. Either one happen, Grandaunt can make a one-time claim. The sum assured was pathetic. Firstly, the amount of premiums my Grandaunt has paid for the past 17 years is already more than the sum assured. Continuous payment would just tip the scales further. Secondly, apart from Medishield, Grandaunt does not have any hospitalisation or surgical policy. The sum assured will definitely not be enough if Grandaunt is diagnosed with a critical illness or TPD and requires long-term medical care. Death would have been cheaper. #justsaying

Sum assured  <  premiums paid over 17 years

Buying a life insurance policy at age 54 wasn't a wise choice, in my opinion. For the same amount of premium Grandaunt pays every month, term insurance might have been cheaper and offers more coverage. I was still schooling when Grandaunt was 54 and had very little knowledge of insurance, compared to now. I wondered what the insurance agent had in mind when he proposed this life insurance policy to Grandaunt. I hope it wasn't the huge commission difference between selling a life insurance policy and a term insurance policy.

The only benefit is the bonuses that are distributed by NTUC Income yearly.

Sum assured + bonuses accumulated over 17 years  >  premiums paid

That was the only way this policy made any sense. The thing is bonuses are never guaranteed. It is always an assumed figure that the insurer gives in the illustration, based on past performance. The past, however, does not secure the future.

For this policy, the bonuses kept with the insurer do not grow, apart from the annual giveout. This was unlike my endowment policy with Prudential, where bonuses earn a few percent interest annually if I do not cash them out.

And you know what, it's another 16 more years before the cash value (if opting for termination) exceeds the premium paid . Early termination definitely meant loss of thousands. Based on calculations of the performance of fixed deposits, bonds and even gold, my Grandaunt would have earned more if she had placed her money in these instruments for the past 17 years. Then again, the premiums paid were accumulated over 17 years and not a lump sum amount.

Yes, it might be like a saving-for-the-unforeseen thing but still this policy does not make sense to me numerically.

Coming from a low-income background, Grandaunt was bewildered at the thought of losing thousands of dollars after 17 years. So the policy remains, because of this inequality equation:

Sum assured + bonuses accumulated over XX years  >  premiums paid

If anything happens to Grandaunt, this policy would be profitable, so to say.

It is apparent that a portion of the premiums goes to NTUC Income's investments. NTUC, like most insurers, buys bonds and other stable securities and gives back a percentage of the returns to its policyholders in the form of bonuses. This reminds me of investment-linked policies (I never believe in those), except you don't get to choose the funds and exposure to risk is kept to the lowest.
Buying life insurance is not a way to grow your finances. It is to protect your finances if anything happens to your health. Life insurance should not be bought based on projected figures. It should always be based on what is guaranteed.

17 years ago, it would have made more sense if Mr Insurance Agent has recommended term insurance + hospitalisation & surgical policies to Grandaunt. Because along these 17 years, Grandaunt has done 2 operations which cost her thousands of dollars. Yet, she can't claim from her insurer because there is no critical illness.

So gals, before you buy anything for yourself or your parents, do your research carefully and understand your needs thoroughly.

After the financial consultant was done explaining Grandaunt's policy, he waited at the sides for a while before coming up to me and asked, "Miss, by any chance, will you be considering buying a savings policy?"

I smiled back at him and shook my head.

It was savings policy that he asked. He didn't offer to do a financial assessment for me, to see if I'm adequately covered in critical aspects. I don't know if that crossed his mind or he would ask later on, if I had agreed to speak more with him.

I understand the need for sales staff to be proactive. With the carrot dangling in front, every agent is bound to say his company's policy is good enough or better than the rest. That may or may not be true.

And I worry how the average consumer will know. Especially the older folks.

A random picture to end off this post! I love parcel posting at the airport! Long opening hours + No heavy lugging with the readily available trolleys, no matter how many bags I have! Woohoo!

Metta, 

欣雨 Xinyu

A trip to Ikea

After every annual feng shui audit of my home, there will be some minor changes to the house's colour scheme, which I'm most happy about. A change in the colour of bedsheets, curtains, seat cushions etc. is always very refreshing and welcoming for the new year.

No matter how hard I try, I'm very bad at coordinating colours for the house according to the Husband. There goes my Martha Stewart dream. It's a god-sent honestly that Master Dai Hu is very good at colour-coordinating. Because the Husband isn't any better than me. Haha!

In any case, a trip to Ikea is always fun to me! I only get to go out on weekends! No parcel packing/mailing!

I was staring at this set of bedsheets for some time with a deja vu feeling, but I couldn't put a finger to it. Then, it struck me. The spreadsheets that my stock lists are keyed in! I see these grids everyday! Excitedly told the Husband but he couldn't understand what my glee was about. Sigh. We have an 'industry gap'.

I love the Raspberry Pink cushions! So cheery! But I was looking for green or blue seat cushions. Got to 割愛.

Shopping at Ikea always have to end with having Ikea food. I love their food! The thing is their restaurant is always very crowded on weekends. So we usually get our food at the takeout counter. 

The queues are just as long, but it sure beats stuck in a noisy restaurant with kids around. I had not been to Ikea for very long and we were thrilled that the takeaway menu now includes the famous Ikea chicken wings! 好久沒吃了！There's meatballs too! The Husband is convinced that it won't be long before the cakes & tarts make their appearance at the takeout counter too. I love their cakes & tarts!

Snapped this while the Husband was queuing. It was his first time wearing this lime green FBT T-shirt and he was mad happy with it. He has a thing for green tops and this T-shirt was very comfortable on him. I think it's also because it only cost S$16.90 (if I remember correctly). Same colour as my green seat cushions. He kept going on and on about how he was returning to NTUC @ Nex to buy another piece. 哎喲，很長氣耶。

The last time I was there, I don't remember Ikea serves Coke. It has always been Pepsi in my memory. Was slightly grouchy when I thought I had to drink Pepsi. So thrilled Ikea is now serving Coca-Cola!! Happiness!

There were tons of people at the bar tables, chomping on their takeaway. We were lucky to find an empty sofa at the delivery arrangement area. It was a red sofa. I preferred their previous wooden benches.

I was holding my cup of Coke (no ice!) very precariously, because I had zealously filled it to the brim. Haha!

Found another photo in the Husband's Iphone. Most of us probably know how the nerves in our feet are linked to the health of our organs. But did you know our palms are too?

I started pressing certain areas on my palm after seeing this picture and oh my goodness, my palms are so sore! Someone I know has a heart problem and the fleshy part of her palm is always slightly blackish, especially when she lacks sleep. Now I know why! TCM is so cool!




Metta,
欣雨 Xinyu

Some insurance knowledge

Work at TFL has intensified these 2 months and I have not been able to blog as much as I would love to. So happy to finally have the time to blog! Thank you to all who have been checking back! And thank you too to readers who made time to leave a comment on my Formspring or TFL email, telling me that you are readers of my blog & would like to see me blog more regularly! Although I'm unsure what you gals like about my blog, 我還是覺得你們很貼心！=D

I rarely read the news. There is no TV at home, we don't subscribe to papers and I don't check Channel News Asia website. Last Sunday at Conrad's Oscars Cafe, I was reading the Sunday Times provided and would really like to share this piece of news with all of you.

Remember me blogging about hospitalisation insurance for my dad?

I think this news article can help those who are deciding on health insurance for yourself & your parents and readers who are unsure what such plans are about.

When we first stepped into the working world, most of us will be thinking about insurance for ourselves. But it's equally crucial to plan for our parents too. Many of them probably never have an active insurance plan for themselves. Maybe they have terminated theirs so that they can have one less commitment to fret about while bringing us up.

Everyone of us will get really sick at one point or another. For some of us, it comes early. For others, it comes later.  We just never know when and how.

From my dad's experience, the bills have been a 5-figure sum for each of his hospitalisation & ops, in a span of 7 years. Imagine when it's 2 parents or this scenario repeated in shorter intervals.

And it's very heartbreaking when you can't afford the best possible treatment and a more comfortable hospital ward for your parents. Doesn't apply if you have no heart to speak of.

I'm sorry the lighting at Oscar Cafe was yellowish & dim, hence the poor quality in the photo. You can click on the photo for a larger view.

The Sunday Times   Published on Feb 27, 2012

Easing the Pain of Medical Bills 

A round-up of different policies which offer protection in times of emergencies

By Magdalen Ng

Copyright © 2011 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

The axiom 'health is wealth' is a cliche, but true nevertheless when you consider rising medical costs. It is equally true that health insurance is a must, but most of us need much reminding. Singaporeans are all too aware of how debilitating illnesses can be for the pocket.

An AIA Healthy Living Index Survey last year found that 28 per cent of Singaporeans polled say that "not having to use savings for medical treatment" is a key motivator for leading a healthy life.

About 40 percent did not want to rely on others.

However, the high expenses can also be a barrier to better health. 84 percent of the respondents agreed they would go for more frequent health checks if these were cheaper.

It is better to buy health insurance at a younger age, especially if you are young & healthy.

Many health insurance products preclude people with existing conditions, illnesses or disabilities and some policies are unavailable to those over a certain age.

Before buying health insurance, check if your employer offers portable health plans. If it does not, the coverage you enjoy while employed ceases once you leave the company. If the plan is not portable, it is advisable to buy your own.

There are three basic categories of health insurance needs. 

• Hospitalisation & surgical

This will protect your finances when you are admitted to hospital so you will be able to cover your medical costs through reimbursements. 

For such plans, the total benefit is limited to the actual expense incurred so there is no need to buy extra policies. You will not be able to claim twice. 

• Critical illness

 These plans offer extra cash to cope with expenses associated with critical illnesses such as stroke and cancer.

• Accident

With an accident plan, you will be protected with extra cash to cope with loss of income associated with disability due to illness or injury.

As you proceed through life, there will be differing health insurance needs at different stages of your life. The Sunday profiles three of them.

You can click on the pictures for a bigger view.

Hope this article is useful for you ladies!

Found this in the Husband's phone when I was emailing my photos from his phone. It's really hilarious!

Have a relaxing Sunday, everyone! =)

Metta,
欣雨 Xinyu