2011-01-29

Rowenta Bagless Vacuum Cleaner RO6643

Bought this from Courts on Friday for S$369.

I have been "studying" and comparing various models from Philips,but ended up getting this which is totally not in my list.

Courts Lot 1 didn't have all the Philips models that I have been eyeing.Hb is away for business trip, so I have to do all the CNY shopping and spring cleaning all by myself, I don't have time to travel to other Courts or Best Denki, so I just "take" this and go.

I like that it's bagless,has HEPA filter,with parquet care kit,light weight at 5kg ,and compact. Anyway ,most in the store is considered compact when comparing to my 10-year-old Ossim vaccuum cleaner,which thankfully, has just retired!

The triangular shaped also made it easier for handling corners. One major CONS is that it's quite noisy at 82dB!

2011-01-20

Online shopping-GST on Package over SGD400

If dellivery is by UPS- They will deliver the parcel without collecting any $,but invoice will come one or two weeks later with the GST,handling fee,shipping fee (if it has not already been paid in advanced by shipper)

If delivery is by DHL-they will deliver the parcel and we'll pay GST and a handling fee of S$10 on the spot.

By USPS Express International Mail-

Marking the parcel as gift/used items do not help! Even if the custom form clearly stated the value,as long as it exceeds SGD400, it will still be detained by Custom!

http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trad/cle/Internet+PurchasesPostal+Parcels.htm

Internet Purchases/Postal Parcels


All goods, inclusive of new articles, personal effects, souvenirs, gifts, food preparations and dutiable products, imported by parcel post through ordinary mail or speedpost are subject to clearance by officers of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at the Singapore Post Centre (SPC). The ICA Office at SPC is located at #01-04, 10 Eunos Road 8, Singapore 408600 (next to Paya Lebar MRT station).
Goods and Services Tax

There is a 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) levied on all goods, inclusive of new articles, personal effects, souvenirs, gifts, food preparations and dutiable products, imported into Singapore. GST is calculated based on the
CIF value of the goods plus all duties payable. If the invoice value of goods does not include insurance and freight charges, the postage charge paid for the goods is to be taken as freight and insurance charges, and is to be added to the invoice value of such invoice for calculation of GST payable.

GST relief is granted on goods, inclusive of new articles, personal effects, souvenirs, gifts and food preparations but excluding dutiable products, imported by post to a total value not exceeding $400. Where the value exceeds $400, the entire sum would be subject to GST.

Clearing parcels containing non-dutiable and non-controlled goods of above $400 in value

Parcels containing non-dutiable and non-controlled goods above $400 in value are subject to payment of GST. ICA requires the invoices or confirmation slips (with values of goods stated), printed from the website of the Internet Portal upon confirmation of transactions, to compute the GST payable on the parcels.

If the parcel is imported with an invoice attached, SP will deliver the parcel to the addressee and collect the GST upon delivery.

If the parcel is imported without any invoice attached to it at the time of arrival, the addressee upon notification by SP could fax the supplier's invoice or confirmation slip from the Internet Portal (with values of goods stated) to ICA at SPC for computation of GST. The addressee may call at SPC to collect the parcels or appoint SP to act on his/her behalf for delivery of the parcel and payment of GST. A service fee is payable to SP for the service rendered.


In my case, the seller shipped out on 11 Jan 2011 (US time),the parcel left SF on 12 Jan 2011. Arrived Singapore Sorting Centre on 18 Jan 2011. 0:18, Confrimed detained by Custom on 18 Jan 2011, 13:18.

On 20 Jan 2011, 11am+, postman delivered a registered lettter to inform me about collecting my parcel from Sing Post Centre.


I could authorise Singpost to pay GST on my behalf, collect the parcel then deliver to me, at a fee of $10 +$5 (this $5 is not applicable if pay by Giro).
Or I can personally collect with any documentation that shows the CIF value of the parcel.

B1's Primary Five now

No more honeymoon period...P5 is the year they started the preparation for PSLE! Sounds Scary? That's what we were told when B1's in P4!

P5 and P6 are both in morning sessions for her school. B1 said is better, as she's not so tired when she does her school homework in the afternoon.

Till now, I have not bought a single assessment book for any of her subjects. Previous experiences showed that the school teachers gave them enough homework, so much that they really don't have time to do other assessment books.

She started walking back from school instead of taking school bus. I don't really like the idea,but it may be better since she'll have more and more supplementary classes coming along. One Chinese, Two for English+Maths+Science, One Conversational Malay class(optiona), CCAs... In the morning, either daddy drives her, or they walk together to school.

She has to wash her own dishes after meals,but haven't started ironing her own uniform yet.

Also taught her how to wrap her new books and she wrapped all her textbooks and workbooks within 2 days.

Pocket money also change from daily to weekly.

Still as stubbon as before and talk back all the time.... addicted to Korean dramas and MTVs, Korean celebrities,kept watching them on iphone and iPad again and again.

Hb has decided to remove the SCV set up box in her room, since she clearly shows that she couldn't manage herself. Watching TV in her room, instead of taking shower.

She's no longer in the top class of her level, but I think it may be better for her and she seems happier in her present class.Less stress and away from some of the snobbish classmates in her previous class, who were quite mean to her.

Lunch Every Thursday

For the last two Thursday and Today, lunch is always the same soup

Boil soup with soya beans,ikan bilis, a drumstick,black mushroom in the slow cooker early in the morning.

When B1 reaches home, transfer the soup to my small Tanyu pot, boil and add in Quail eggs, Fresh fish balls, Fish dumplings,button mushrooms,chopped spring onion, and fried shallots. Season with salt and a bit of light soya sauce. A pot of piping hot, tasty and fuss-free soup is ready!

Shallots are "fried" in the microwave, so washing up of oily pots and pans after that!

2011-01-16

No mood for Chinese New Year!

no....it's not just no mood....

Actually I NEVER like CNY since I got married.

2011-01-14

ST Urban -Net deals 26 Nov 2010

http://admpreview.straitstimes.com:90/STI/STIMEDIA/pdf/20101125/urb_cov1.pdf

http://admpreview.straitstimes.com:90/STI/STIMEDIA/pdf/20101125/urb_cov3.pdf

http://admpreview.straitstimes.com:90/STI/STIMEDIA/pdf/20101125/urb_cov5.pdf

reviews of concealer (ST Urban 14 Jan 2011)

http://admpreview.straitstimes.com:90/STI/STIMEDIA/pdf/20110113/urb_beauty.pdf

common myths abotu eczema (from ST -Mind your body 12 Jan 2011)

Common myths about eczema

1 MYTH: My child has eczema because her blood is dirty and has poison in it. I want a blood test done.

FACT: Eczema is not a disorder of the blood. It is primarily a skin condition and a blood test cannot confirm if a child has eczema.


2 MYTH: Eczema is a one-off event. Once my child's flare-up has subsided, I do not need to apply the creams anymore.

FACT: Eczema is seldom a single flare-up. To prevent it from coming back, parents need to maintain their child's skin barrier by moisturising his skin frequently and using gentle non-fragrant soaps for baths.


3 MYTH: All children with eczema must have food allergies.

FACT: Not all children with eczema have food allergies. In fact, studies have shown that food is not a common trigger of eczema. So, unless you have confirmed with your doctor that your child has a true food allergy, do not deprive him of certain foods or he may become malnourished.


4 MYTH: To reduce house dust mites, it is good enough to wash bedsheets and pillowcases regularly.

FACT: Wash your bedsheets and pillowcases in hot water to kill the dust mites. In addition, mattresses should be sunned and sheets changed regularly to reduce the number of house dust mites. The surfaces in the bedroom should be cleaned with a wet cloth rather than a feather duster.


5 MYTH: No steroid creams for my child, please.

FACT: The use of steroid creams is an effective way to treat eczema. Avoiding them may cause more harm as untreated eczema rash causes the child misery and can become infected.


6 MYTH: My child's skin is dry because he did not drink enough water.

FACT: Dry skin has nothing to do with the lack of water intake.

Sources: Dr Lynn Chiam, an associate consultant at the National Skin Centre; Dr John Chiam, a general practitioner in private practice

Parents under stress

Parents are bending under the strain of taking care of their kids who have eczema.

A study by the National University Hospital (NUH) in 2008 found that incurring high expenses was the No. 1 one problem, followed by fatigue and emotional distress.

The study, published in the International Journal Of Paediatric Allergy And Immunology, surveyed 104 mothers with a child suffering from eczema.

It found that mothers whose children have eczema were less well physically and mentally. They complained of pain and fatigue and reported feeling sad and nervous.

Madam Diana Ng, whose five-year-old son has eczema, is exhausted from waking up nightly to his crying and scratching.

Madam Ng, 36, has another son, three, and a daughter, seven, both of whom have mild eczema. She said the most stressful part about having a child with the condition is the feeling of not being able to help the child.

The assistant director of a marketing communications department had eczema into her teens herself.

The authors of the study, Professor Hugo Van Bever and Dr Roger Ho from NUH, said mothers need the support of not just doctors, but also professionals from different disciplines such as nurses, psychologists, counsellors and social workers.

Parents of children who have eczema can find help through support groups at NUH and the National Skin Centre. The skin centre has published a book which gives parents tips on how to live with eczema.

Madam Ng said she could not have coped with her son's condition without her husband. The couple take turns to look after their son at night. MadamNg's mother helps in the day.

Her son has been on oral steroids for four months. His eczema began 'mysteriously' 21/2 years ago after he was hospitalised for high fever. Red, itchy patches can be found all over his body, including his scalp. His condition is so severe he draws stares from strangers.

Madam Ng is still trying to pin down the triggers of her son's eczema.

Traditional Chinese medicine doctors told her the antibiotics her son took in hospital made his immune system 'go haywire', while Western doctors pointed the finger at house dust mites.

Madam Ng thinks something else is at work.

She said: 'Every two weeks, I eliminate a certain food from his diet to find out if his eczema gets better." She has eliminated seafood, milk and cheese because his rash seemed to worsen after he ate them.

If nothing works, she is thinking of emigrating to a temperate country.

She said: 'When I took my son to Japan and Australia for holiday during winter, I found that the cooler climate there dried up his sores faster and he did not scratch so much.'

Those interested in joining support groups for parents with kids with eczema can contact:

* National Skin Centre

E-mail thomaseyun@nsc.gov.sg or call 6350-8558

* National University Singapore

E-mail enquiry@ican.com.sg, log onto www.ican.com.sg or call 6772-5566.

Help, my kid's itching all over

Cases of children with eczema - a skin condition resulting in dry, red and itchy patches - are on the rise. But health experts cannot explain why

Madam Diana Ng has tried everything to help her five-year-old son deal with a rash that keeps popping up all over his body, including his scalp.

Each month, the assistant director of a marketing communications department spends up to $400 on medication and moisturisers to soothe the angry rashes.

Recently, she borrowed an electrolyte machine which converts tap water into alkaline water for drinking. Reason: Another mother had told her that drinking alkaline water improved her children's health. If it helps to improve her son's eczema, Madam Ng plans to fork out $1,600 for a machine too.

Then there was laundry detergent additive she spent $130 on, because it claims to kill dust mites. Next on her shopping list is an air filter which will cost her about $700.

The itching is so bad that her son gets only 21/2 hours of sleep every night. He scratches his sores till they bleed.

Madam Ng does not like applying steroid creams on her son's rashes. These creams are prescribed by doctors to reduce the redness and itching. When used over long periods, they cause thinning of the skin and can slow down a child's physical growth.

Cases of children with eczema are on the rise here. At least one in five under the age of 12 is affected, a study published by National University Hospital (NUH) in 2003 showed.

In 2006, a report in the medical journal Lancet noted that cases of eczema among six- and seven-year-olds in Singapore rose from 2.8 per cent to 8.9 per cent in seven years.

In contrast, asthma cases in the same group fell from 15.7 per cent to 10.2 per cent.

Children with eczema have sensitive skin which reacts to triggers in the environment. Dry, red and itchy patches erupt, typically at the wrists, the backs of knees and the insides of elbows. Babies have flare-ups around their cheeks and mouths.

Associate consultant Lynn Chiam from the National Skin Centre said the increase is a worldwide phenomenon, especially in urban areas.

One hypothesis is that city kids are under-exposed to bugs and mites from young, so their immune systems cannot handle the triggers. However, this does not explain why asthma cases, which has the same triggers, has gone down in the same period.

Evidence has emerged in recent years to pinpoint a strong genetic cause for eczema. The gene, which produces the protein filaggrin to protect the skin, has been found to be defective in those with eczema.

A genetic predisposition is then triggered by environmental factors, the most common of which are house dust mites, said Dr Chiam.

Other triggers are heat, sweat, stress, food and dust, for instance, from nearby construction or renovation works.

With 150 children - or three out of four - showing up at the National Skin Centre each month with eczema, a workflow plan for doctors and a dedicated team of nurses to counsel patients and their families was put in place.

At NUH, there are nurses assigned to look after these children and their families.

Two out of every five children seen at the hospital's allergy clinic have eczema, said Professor Hugo Van Bever from the NUH University Children's Medical Institute.

General practitioner John Chiam, who is in private practice and has an interest in dermatology, sees one new case of childhood eczema every week, compared to one every fortnight five years ago.

It is not always possible to pinpoint the triggers but the good news is, three out of four children will outgrow the condition.

Dr John Chiam said the most effective way to battle eczema in children is to guide parents on the use of soap substitutes, moisturisers and medication such as steroids. Some soaps strip the skin of its natural protection so parents should avoid using them.

New-generation steroids have fewer side effects such as skin thinning. But Dr John Chiam warned that all steriods, when used long enough and in the wrong way, can cause side effects. This is why steroid creams should be applied in thin layers and children should stop using them once their eczema clears.

There are also non-steroidal creams available and they are safe and effective.

A few studies suggest that probiotics supplements may be beneficial, but other studies, including one done at NUH, have shown no such beneficial effect.

Madam Ng wanted to give probiotics to her son too. 'But the doctor said probiotics works only if my son starts taking it before he turns two," she said.


1 in 5 kids under the age of 12 has eczema

2011-01-12

recipe :Grill Miso Chicken


600g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, each cut in half and visible fat removed

Marinade:

2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoon mirin
1/2 teaspoon peeled and grated fresh ginger
2 tbsp grated pineapple
Salt to taste

Miso Glaze:

2 tablespoon mirin
1 tablespoon sake
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup white miso
3 tablespoons water

Garnishing:

Grilled Pineapple rings


Marinade:

1. In a shallow bowl large enough to accommodate the chicken thighs in a single layer, mix and stir the soy sauce, sugar, mirin and ginger.

2. Add salt to taste.

3. Add the chicken, turn to coat evenly, and let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes or for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.


Prepare and preheat the Cornell griller to medium.


Miso glaze:

1. In a small bowl, stir the mirin, sugar, miso and water, mixing well.


Grilling the chicken

1. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.

2. Place the chicken directly over the heated griller and grill for approximately 6 minutes. Turn the chicken over, brush the top with some of the glaze, and grill for 5 minutes.

3. Turn the chicken over again and brush the other side with some glaze. Continue to grill, turning and brushing with the glaze every 5 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes in total.

4. Remove the chicken from the grill to serve.