Brushing Teeth

I used to brush my teeth after every meal but I have a tendency to use force, which is bad for my gums so these days, I brush twice; once in the morning and once before I sleep. However a few people I know only brush once a day, usually in the morning. Personally I think that it's better to brush at night, before bedtime but I wanted to find out more. So after a few Google searches, I found the following by Lion's Oral Care Institute Research Division:

Mutans streptococci, the bacteria involved in causing tooth decay, multiply 30 times overnight if you haven't brushed your teeth before going to bed!

Tokyo, Feb 27, 2004

So for those of you who only brush your teeth once a day, please practice brushing at night, before sleeping instead of in the morning. To counter bad breath, gargle some mouth wash. Better still, cultivate twice-a-day brushing for the best practice dental hygiene :E

Guess who's back?

Earlier this year, I went for health screening and all my test results were fine. But then a few weeks ago, I noticed that I was losing drastic weight and that my pulse was faster than usual so I went for further blood tests and the results showed that my thyroid levels were way off the charts! The T3 Total & T4 Free were doubled, whilst the Tg Ab was 4x higher than the normal range.

I asked my specialist why the sudden onset of my hyperthyroidism as I recovered from it in 2008 and he explained that it's usually triggered by stressful events.

And I thought I was fine. Never knew I could be so vulnerable until my health is affected.

3 Times!!!

Once bitten, Twice shy - Thrice blind

Razer Moray Earphones

My replacement headphones. Love 'em! Tried Sony and Philips but they can't compare.

Comes with Left/Right Earphones (but of course), Small/Medium/Large Ear-Buds, 3.5mm Miniplug, Airline Adapter, Carrying Pouch (perfect size for iPods/iPhones), Quick Start Guide, Certificate of Authenticity, Razer Logo Stickers and superb listening pleasure in a classy black box.



Frequency response : 20 to 11,000Hz
Sound pressure level : 10dB
Impedance : 17ohs
Max rated input : 20mW
Cable length : 1.3m
Connector : 3.5mm miniplug
Weight : 10.7g (including cable)
Price : RM105

Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt

I was in Berjaya Times Square, KL when I saw this self-service yogurt store. I've always wanted to make my own ice-cream/yogurt so imagine my happiness when I saw this. It's my fault because I didn't find out the price but I thought... how much could a yogurt cost? As it turned out, they charge by weight (RM5.30 per 100gms) and my yogurt weighed 343gms so I paid a total of RM18.20 for my yogurt. Ouch! My boyfriend thinks it's fair to charge by weight but I disagree. How the hell is one supposed to know how much yogurt weighs and the smallest cup that they have is huge!

Pulau Tenggol, Terengganu

So I went scuba diving again, after 2 years! As it's been so long, I've forgotten all the basics. How to setup the tank, BCD (that's short for Buoyancy Control Device - sort of like a life jacket that divers use underwater), regulator etc. On one of the dive trips, I even forgot to wear my weight belt! Luckily Paul, the friendly and oh-so-knowledgeable resort manager helped me wear it whilst we were bobbing on the water surface.




Pictures courtesy of Pummkin

There are 3 resorts on the island but we stayed at Tenggol Island Beach Resort and I recommend you do the same. Food there is excellent, rooms are clean with hot water shower and air-conditioning and the resort manager Paul is a really nice guy. I will definitely go back!

Proper usage of the punctuation / (Slash)

I never realised that I was using / wrongly until I googled it. I'm sure you already know this but if you didn't, hope you enjoy the read.

The slash (/), also called the oblique, the virgule, the stroke, the solidus or the shilling mark, are generally used based on these rules:

1. In fractions
   (To separate a numerator from a denominator in a numerical fraction. Do not place a space before or after the slash in a fraction.)
   
   • 1/2 (one half)
   • 2/3 (two thirds)
   • 9/10 (nine tenths)
   
   
2. In dates
   (To separate the month, day, and year, in an informal representation of a date. Do not place a space before or after the slash in a date.)
   
   • On credit card: Expires end 10/15 (October 2015)
   • He was born on 30/11/2007. (30th November 2007)
   • It was invented on 11/30/2007. (November 30th, 2007)
   
   
3. With abbreviations
   (Used in writing certain abbreviations. Do not place a space before or after the slash in an abbreviation.)
   
   • c/o (care of)
   • w/ (with)
   • w/o (without)
     
     
4. Separate alternatives
   (To indicate "or", "and" or "and/or". Do not use a slash to join coequal nouns; use a hyphen instead.)
   
   • Dear Sir/Madam (Sir or Madam)
   • Please press your browser's Refresh/Reload button. (Refresh or Reload)
   • The speech will be given by President/Senator Clinton. (President Clinton or Senator Clinton)
   • Mary will eat cake and/or fruit. (Mary will eat cake, or Mary will eat fruit, or Mary will eat cake and fruit.)
     
     
5. Indicate line breaks
   (To indicate line breaks in quotations of less than four lines of poetry. Place a space before and after a slash that indicates a line break in a poem.)
   
   • Shel Silverstein ends his poem "Where the Sidewalk Ends" with a walk: "Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow, / And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go, / For the children, they mark, and the children, they know / The place where the sidewalk ends."
   • "I heard a Fly buzz – when I died – / The Stillness in the Room," begins "I heard a Fly buzz – when I died" by Emily Dickinson.
     
     
6. In scientific writing
   (To represent the word per in units. Do not place a space before or after the slash.)
   
   • The speed limit is 100 km/h. (kilometres per hour)
   • He can type at 75 w/m. (words per minute)
   • The eggs cost $3/dozen. ($3 per dozen)
   • They charge £1.50/litre for petrol. (£1.50 per litre)
     
     
7. With file names and Internet addresses
   (Used to separate parts of a website address (url) on the Internet, and to separate folders on some computer systems. Do not place a space before or after the slash in a file name or Internet address.)
   
   • http://www.englishclub.com/writing/punctuation-slash.htm
   • file:///Users/mac/tara/photos/image.jpg

Canon PowerShot S90

Going diving in April so decided to buy a camera for myself. Was deciding between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 and eventually bought my Canon S90 at S$660 from Alan Photo. They're prices are really reasonable and all the sales staff are helpful and friendly.

Wide Angle - LX3 better
Hot shoe - LX3 has, S90 doesn't but honestly - which one of my cousins use external flash
Video quality - LX3 better
Macro mode - LX3 better = 1cm (S90 = 5cm)
Sensor size - LX3 better 1.63 (S90 = 1.7)
Optical zoom - S90 better
Size & weight - I prefer S90
Price - S90 cheaper by S$10 only
Noise reduction - Although S90 better but this is compromised with detail so I guess this one both same lah

As you can see, LX3 wins in so many aspects compared to S90. But it's 2 years old whereas S90 is 1 year old. And usually it feels nicer to buy something newer. I was really in a dilemma but eventually decided on the Canon S90.



My camera's 'Color Accent' scene mode. I love it!

2010

The above article was on the front page of mypaper newspaper today and all over the internet too. Actually it didn't even occur to me and I don't know what the big deal is about pronouncing 2010. Either way is correct. But personally if you ask me then we should probably just go with what we're used to historically. It's always been eighteen something and nineteen something so why should twenty be any different? Some people simply have too much time on their hands!

Singtel APN

My wonderful father gave me a HTC Hero mobile phone recently and I consider it an iPhone rival. I love it and it's perfect. The only annoying thing is that the phone's from UK and when I tried to setup the APN so that I can connect to 3G/GPRS - I am unable to find any manual settings/configuration on Singtel's website. It's ironic considering that Singtel (my phone telco operator) sells HTC Hero here in Singapore too.

Anyway I googled frantically and finally managed to find the following, courtesy of taz:

Name: SingTel Internet
APN: Internet
Proxy:
Port:
Username: 65IDEAS
Password: ideas
Server: 165.21.42.84
MMSC: http://mms.singtel.com:10021/mmsc
MMS proxy: 165.21.42.84
MMS port: 8080
MMS protocol: WAP 2.0
MCC: 525
MNC: 01
APN type: default

You ARE What You Sing

Alright, perhaps this is kind of silly but I just came back from a buffet where I over ate and I was thinking "you are what you eat" when a Michael Jackson song played on TV. I'm sorry if you find it insulting (this is purely entertainment), otherwise enjoy!

Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough - or until it's too late, in the case of Propofol

Gone Too Soon - and we're all missing you already

HIStory - Sadly, that's all you are now

Black or White - the real story of your colour changing skin

In the Closet - is that where you keep your sexuality?

Smooth Criminal - how you were acquited of child molestation charges (I personally believe that you are really innocent, though)

We're Almost There - I'm guessing that you've already arrived at the Pearly Gates by now

You Rock My World - Yes, you rocked the hearts of many with your songs

They Don't Care About Us - Not everyone, actually. Just Dr Conrad Murray

Remember the Time - We will always remember you, Michael. Remember the time when you sang Ben as a fifth of The Jackson 5, remember you as a werewolf in Thriller, remember when you were brown... then white, remember your sell-out concerts, remember your humanitarian/charitable efforts, remember when you kissed Lisa Marie Presley...

Why, god? Why?

I was in the MRT, listening and playing games on my iPod on my way to work when a gentleman casually remarked "you playing games?" and I just responded "Yeah" and smiled at him. I think he was a middle-aged guy who looked rather charming and had a fit body. I continued playing my game when he started a casual talk.

"Are you going to work?"
"Yeah"
"Where do you work?"
"Oh at ..., opposite Lau Pa Sat"
"Oh, that's a nice building. I work at ..."
"What does your company do?"
"It's a fund management company"
"Perhaps we can meet for lunch one day" (passes me his business card)
"Oh ok~" (fake a smile)
"What's your name?"
"Yen"
"How long have you been working at ...?"
"3 years"
"You look very young"
"Well, it's just the look. I'm not that young. Well, see you around" (scurries off)

Perhaps you might think that this guy is really smooth but the weird thing is - I looked so shabby this morning! This was exactly how I looked (minus the headphones & iPod in hand):

Can I ask you Men - are you in the least bit attracted by the way I looked this morning?

AMP's 'Satu Malaysia' Song

Written and Composed by Uno & AJ
Featuring the voices of Rudy, Moots!, JJ & Ean

Responding to Prime Minister Najib's call for Malaysians to compose and submit songs for the 1Malaysia song competition (click to read more about the competition) - local radio DJs from Hitz.fm has come up with their own version. I really like it, probably cause it's more upbeat compared to the usual national theme songs. Enjoy!



Here's the lyrics if you would like to sing along:

1Malaysia - Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan

Verse 1
Oh indahnya pabila
Kita bersama
Kau, aku, kita semua
Tiada bezanya

No matter whatever the challenge may be
We’ll face it together, the stronger we’ll be

*Tamil lyrics*
Ondraga seinthu, endrendrum vazhvom Santhosham neeranthaeram
(Together we come united as one, and live forever, Our happiness is permanent.)

Chorus
Satu Bangsa
Satu Suara
Satu Nada
Satu Irama
Bersama kita capai semua
Satu Malaysia

Rap
Satu Bangsa we're united in music
Satu Irama united we stand
I feel the hearts of my people when we struggle everyday to be the best that we can
We share the food that we eat, we share the words that we speak, I say what’s up? You say “apa cerita?”
You hungry bro?, jom makanlah!

Verse 2
We go up, never go down
We go up together

*Chinese lyrics*
Wo men shi yi ge Malaysia (we are one Malaysia)
Wo men yong yuan zai tong yi ge jia (we are one family)

Together we are strong
Tuan jie yi qi bu fen bi ci (unity with one vision)
Together we are strong
Xiang qin xiang ai wan zhong yi xin (we love each other and we share a vision)
United we stay, forever and ever
That's the way it's gonna be

Chorus 1x

Bridge Sketch

Ean: Dude, JJ!
JJ: Yes Ean.
Ean: You know what part is this in the song
JJ: Yes it’s the part where they go 1 key higher
Ean: Okay we’ll be quiet now okay
JJ: Yea coz we can't sing but everyone else, 1 key higher!

Chorus 2x

Eh, dah habis? Saya nanyi bila?
Eh engkau dah tua dah.
Engkau dengan aku tak nanyi.
Tepuk tangan je.

SMS to Twitter in Singapore

I don't like using Twitter but my geeky boyfriend who's based in Malaysia thinks that I should use it to stay in touch with him. And we all know that Twitter offers text service where you can send an sms from your mobile phone to a US number. The service is free but you'd have to pay at least 18¢ (or more depending on which telco you're using) per text message.

So for my dear geek's convenience, I've gone on an Internet hunt to look for services which will allow users to send sms to a local Singapore number to update their Twitter. Users would only need to pay 5.35¢ per text message (or free, if your mobile plan comes with pre-bundled sms). Here are the results, for your benefit:

	sms to Twitter	Twitter to sms
widgeo.us	works	doesn't work
sgBEAT	works	works but a little slow

If you would like to read more about the websites, click on these:
widgeo.us - http://blog.widgeo.us/category/odds-and-ends/
sgBEAT - http://blog.nus.edu.sg

roundfish is full of shit, literally

Sunday, 10am - go toilet

Monday 2am - go toilet

Monday 7:30am - go toilet

Monday 5:30pm - go toilet

Harrowing Toilet Break

The whole shopping floor was quiet and empty as all the shops were closed, but I had to go to the toilet. So I headed toward the toilet sign and pushed open the huge exit door. I had to turn left, walk a bit then turn right before I reached the toilet. Just outside, there was a cleaning trolley but no one was around. I went into the toilet, expecting to see a cleaner but I was all alone. The 2nd cubicle was closed so I assumed there was someone inside. But the whole toilet was just too quiet and I was a little suspicious. Perhaps some men are in the toilet trying to secretly record a video of girls pee-ing, I thought.

Although doubtful, I still chose the cubicle next to the one with the closed door because it was the cleanest. I locked the door behind me, hung my bag on the door hook and started pee-ing. When I finished and was about to wear my pants, I heard the door to the toilet creak open and then of course, I heard footsteps. Perhaps I was very paranoid and my imaginations were running wild because of all the hundreds of emails that I've read about such incidents happening in public toilets.

Anyway, I was wearing my pants when I saw a shadow just outside my door. I quickly pulled up my pants and listened... and tried to look at what the shadow was doing. Nothing happened. Perhaps the person is trying to was her hands at the sink just outside my door, I thought. Then all of a sudden, I saw my toilet door being unlocked, from the outside. The latch was slowly but surely being sled opened...

Alarm bells ringing in my head, I immediately pushed and slammed the door shut and latched the door lock. I didn't manage to close it the first time so I tried nervously to slam the door again and latch the door. Then I shouted "EH, WHO'S THAT?!", hoping desperately to scare away the person outside my toilet cubicle. I guess it worked because I heard some male noises and the person scurried away.

Being all alone, locked in a cubicle of a totally empty toilet and wondering what I should do next, I stayed in the cubicle for 2 seconds. Then I decided to go out. I figured that if I just stayed, he was gonna come get me anyway and I probably had a better chance running. So I came out of the toilet and even remembered to wash my hands then walk toward the main toilet door. I hesitated. What if he was waiting for me outside? What if there was a bunch of crazy men? Well I didn't wanna stay in the toilet too so I thought I'd just open the door to check and if there were crazy men then I'd run back into the toilet. So I pushed opened the door and I saw them standing there!

The indian lady cleaner was standing by her cleaning trolley and there was a male security guard beside her. I thought I looked nervous and scared but perhaps my face showed otherwise. The security guard upon seeing me started to apologise profusely and said that the cleaner told him that the toilet was empty. He tried to explain that he was just checking the toilets but I wasn't really listening. I was just happy and so damn relieved to realise that it was just the security guard trying to do his last round of checks before locking the toilet doors.

Although there was nothing to be afraid of, but the sight of my door latch opening and the whole experience gave me a good fright. Even 5 minutes after it all happened, I was still a little shaky and my fingers were shivering. Now I know why some girls just stand rooted to the ground when faced with danger and aren't able to fight back.

a series of blur-dom

It usually takes 10-15 mins on a direct bus from where I live to my aunt's condominium but today, I boarded 3 different buses, walked quite a bit and the whole journey took almost an hour.

I was listening to my iPod when I saw bus 109 approaching so I retrieved my EZLink card from my bag and boarded the bus as soon as it reached the bus bay. I chose a seat near the TV to watch (and listen) with 1 ear while the other was still listening to my iPod. After a few turns, I looked out the window and realised that the route didn't look familiar. I walked toward the bus driver to ask him where the bus was headed when I saw a sign that said 105!

Knowing that I boarded the wrong bus - I immediately sounded the bus bell and got off at the next stop. Luckily, the bus had not gone very far and so I back tracked. After a 15-mins walk, I arrived at a bus stop and looked at the bus guide. There was a bus which was headed to my aunt's home and as soon as I saw it, I boarded bus 156. As I wasn't sure how long the bus ride would take, I took out my iPod and started playing games on it. After some time, I looked up and didn't recognise the roads. It looked like I was going in the wrong direction so I immediately pressed the bus bell and again, got off at the next bus stop.

So I looked at the bus guide at the bus stop and realised that I was on the correct bus! Because I had taken a wrong bus at first, that made me lose my bearings and I forgot where I was. In the end, I boarded bus 109 (which I was supposed to board at first) and arrived at my aunt's place late and hungry.

Rid Odours in Refrigerator

How to Get Rid of Refrigerator Odor

Cleaning

---

Materials:

• Hot water • Sponge/Cloth • Empty container

• ½ cup of baking soda • Ice • Clean, damp cloth

Steps:
• Fill container one-third with ice.
• Place all perishable items like meat and fish into ice box or a cooler.
• Unplug the refrigerator from the power outlet.
• Remove all items from the refrigerator and freezer. Throw away all spoiled and spoiling food.
• Dissolve baking soda in a sink filled with hot water.
• Remove shelves, drawers and trays from refrigerator and wash with soda water. Allow to dry.
• Using soda water, scrub out all the mold, food particles, and other stuff stuck on the refrigerator and freezer walls. Don't use a scouring pad or steel wool as much as possible, because you may scratch the coated surfaces of the inside walls.
• Wash the inside walls of the refrigerator with soda water. Pay attention to the magnetic rubber seals, the meat chiller compartment, and the egg racks.
• Use a clean, damp towel and go over the refrigerator interior to rinse away cleaning residues.
• Allow the walls to air-dry before plugging it back and returning shelves, drawers and trays.
• Return the perishables to refrigerator.


Deodorizing

---

Materials: 1-2 cups of coffee grounds or 1 box of baking soda

Coffee grounds are useful in a number of ways, and coffee grounds are very effective at removing bad odors in refrigerators. Don’t expect bad odors to disappear immediately. Allow a few days for the coffee grounds to absorb bad smells.

VS

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a very effective deodorant. It has a unique chemical property that works by attracting the molecules of the foul odors into itself. Foul odors come in the form of moist air, which then clump with the baking soda and stay trapped for a long time. One box of baking soda can last up to a year inside your refrigerator, and keep it smelling fresh and odor-free.

Steps:

Coffee grounds • Dump coffee grounds on a large plate and leave it in the refrigerator. • If the smells are extreme, use multiple shallow bowls, and place the bowls on different shelves in the refrigerator.

VS

Baking soda • Either slice off the top of the baking soda box or pour baking soda in plastic container. • Keep the box on a door shelf, or the far corner of the refrigerator.

Tips

---

• Newspaper or charcoal can also help absorb odors.
• To prevent odors in the future, make a point to look in once a week or so and remove expired food. Try looking right before you take out the trash. It's a good reminder and items don't sit around in your kitchen trash smelling bad.
• As much as possible, contain foods in airtight containers. They will stay fresher longer and the odors will not spread as much if they do spoil.
• If your refrigerator smells exceptionally bad, mix about ½ cup of baking soda with a tablespoon or two of vanilla extract.
• Keep baking soda away from vegetables, because sodium bicarbonate can sometimes cause green leafy vegetables to wilt faster.

Limonium sinuatum

This is my favourite flower. Not roses but dried statice.

Mosquito Trap (Home Made)

I just received the following in one of those forwarded emails. Not sure if it works but it sure looks believable. Good luck!