The Honeymoon Series [iii] - Preparing for the Trip

After you have finished with Part 1 and Part 2 of the Honeymoon Series, finally, destinations are selected and the trip is booked! Research has been done too, and now all we have to do is to prepare for the trip.

This means..... shopping!

We are going Europe in November, the start of Winter. This also means that while the weather is cooling to cold, we won't be enjoying snow. That's good enough for me.

MEDICINE AND PILLS

No matter where I go, medicine and pills are very important for me to bring along, for we will never know when stomachache or fever strikes. Clarinase is essential as well, to counter colds and blocked nose during cold weather.

And for countries with time difference, I always prepare Melatonin - aka magic pills to help regulate sleeping hours to reduce the effect of jet lag.

SKINCARE

In colder regions and climates, the skin tends to be drier too. I have purchased (both online and offline), an assortment of moisturizers and hydrating creams, lotions, etc for the face and body. For countries and climates as such, I will happily indulge in some oil-based and oil-infused products, as well as richer creams.

COATS AND CLOTHES

Since the weather is chilly, I will be bringing thicker and warmer clothes as well as a variety of jackets, sweaters and coats.

On top of that, some thick stockings and my black leather hand gloves for extra protection, as well as mufflers.  Singapore's retailers Cold Wear and Winter Time are good places to shop for basic, affordable winter wear.

FOOTWEAR

Usually pretty much a heels person, I am not sure if it would be wise to bring along my 4 - 5 inches heels for the trip. The reason being that we are going with a group tour so might need to walk faster to catch up, and pavements in European cities aren't exactly even.

I intend to bring along my new Adidas sports shoes. Those would be practical even if it rains and grounds are wet.

I have also ordered a pair of low-heeled high black boots from MyGlamorous.SG.  They are soft, nearly velvety, and extremely to wear and walk in (at least for now, when I am just testing them out). Plus, they would look good with many outfits.

SECURITY AND SAFETY (STORAGE)

Luggage locks and hidden compartments are definitely in place, as well as travel insurance. I bought a rather comprehensive travel policy because well, one never knows.

I also prepared a couple of smaller pouches with slim straps that I can easily sling over my shoulder and keep it tucked inside my jackets and coats. There we are - nothing for the potential pickpockets or snatch thieves to see.

INTERNATIONAL / TRAVEL ADAPTER

Remember these, especially in an era where we are not able to live without our gadgets. These will come in very handy for your handphones, tablets, cameras as well as power-banks etc.

DRY FOOD RATIONS

If you think you might not be able to survive on food in your chosen destinations, or that you will be hungry in the middle of the night, or you want to save some money, pack some Instant Noodles or easy-to-make Campbell Soup, etc into your bags. They would come in handy when you least expect them.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND MONEY

Last but not least, and most importantly, your Passport (ensure it has at least 6 months' validity), Visas (if required) and money - whether in the form of cash, credit cards or travellers' cheques.

A List of things to pack has also helped tremendously, to ensure that nothing gets left out.

I think I am ready to jet set and go enjoy my Honeymoon. How about you?

The Asian's Mentality Towards Healthchecks

Today is one of your typical Friday the thirteenth, and a piece of news broke through the light-heartedness of the upcoming weekends, stirring my thoughts once more, on the fragility of life itself.


My closest uncle was diagnosed witb 4th stage Colon Cancer. There were no obvious symptoms or red flags raised all these while, except the occasional, milder pangs which he would attribute to relapses of his childhood gastric pains. After all, he eats very healthily, exercises on a daily basis, does not smoke nor drink, lives in a nice area where he breathes hills and lush greenery every morning, and does the basic health screening on an annual basis.

If anyone were to attain longevity of life, it should be him, right? Well, don't worry, he just underwent a 3-hour long surgery last night at a good hospital under the care of accredited doctors at my recommendation - the operation went smoothly and he should be discharged in a week or so.

When I asked him why he'd never thought to do more thorough healthchecks before, he honestly answered that since he leads a very healthy lifestyle, he did not see the need for these tedious bodily tests that might require hours on end to conduct. His words made me want to emphasize to you right now the 5 main misconceptions Asians have about healthchecks, and why they should be discarded immediately.

1. Healthchecks / healthscreenings are troublesome and unnecessary
Right - that means you probably never heard of "prevention is better than cure".  By the time your body starts displaying weird signs, trust that some part of it has already been hit hard - and probably underwent months or years of endurance before the breakdown. Why do you think machines require periodical checks instead of waiting till it malfunctions eventually? Why do you need anti[-virus for your computers even when they are brand new? Well, your body works the same way, so please be kind to it and bring it for checks at least once a year.

2. Healthchecks / healthscreenings are Expensive
Yes, admittedly, they are, especially if you choose to go for the comprehensive ones. Again, for the sake of prevention, and if you measure it against the value of your health - whats a few hundred dollars a year? Your latest (don't say Prada or Chanel) Longchamp bag, new I-phone or Japan trip probably are less vital than a good healthscreening package - yet I bet you probably pay for the latter items without batting an eyelid, but feel the need to sacrifice bodily checks.

3. Lack of proper information
I have personlly been reprimanded by (both educated and uneducated) elderly folks for suggesting that they attend healthchecks / healthscreenings, citing reasons from superstitions to "don't curse me" scoffs to distrust of the medical facility handling their health reports. These people misunderstand the true purpose of a healthcheck / healthscreening, later blaming illnesses to everything else besides their own lack of commitment to healthcare. Would someone educate them on this please?

4. "Don't Say It" (denial)
No one likes to hear bad news, especially news that they have been diagnosed with somethint unpleasant diseases. After all, it affects one's emotional and financial well-being, and may even eventually disrupt their lifestyle totally. Who wants to think about medical bills, long-term treatments and being a burden to family members? So, better not go for checkup, in case something bad is being discovered.

But f you keep burying your head in the sand this way, you would eventually end up with your worst fears. After all, not knowing, not hearing, not discovering, does not mean that the problem does not exist. Discovering it at an earlier stage would help save more costs than treatments at later stages - where sums of money spent may no longer guarantee recovery.


5. We are meant to die anyway
So you enjoy living life on the edge, believing that you would have no regrets even if you were to die today? Hence the unhealthy food and lifestyle, as well as deliberate neglect of bealthchecks / healthscreenings.

Cool, you rock! Just ensure that before you are diagnosed or die, you have set aside enough savings for treatments in case you fall ill.  Better yet, maybe disown all kin so that if you incur massive bills, they wont be implicated; and if you have difficulties with daily living activities, they won't be burdened to take care of you. If you think I sound harsh here, you are even harsher to your loved ones, through these selfish thoughts of yours.

If any of the above scenario or mentality reasonate with you, or sound familiar, perhaps it is time to change your views on healthchecks / healthscreenings, and to educate your loved ones to do the same. Take ownership of your own health, because ultimately, health is wealth!

Review: Aloe Vera Gel (various brands)

Besides ingesting of Aloe Vera Gel Drink for various health benefits - including but not limited to weight loss, detoxifying etc, I also love to use topical aloe vera for various reasons.

The first contact was a cut while holidaying in my aunt's house. In her garden, she grew these sharp, scary looking things that turned out to be aloe vera - she cut off a stalk and applied the natural aloe gel on my skin. It soothed immensely, though did not heal the cut immediately of course.

Photosource: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Banana-Boat-After-Sun-Aloe-Vera-Gel-16-oz/10533319

Since then, using Banana Boat's Aloe Vera Gel after suntanning or swimming to soothe  my skin has become a very common habit.   Though I found that gel a little sticky on the skin.

Photosource: https://www.vimchi.info/product/aloe-vera-benefits-herbalife-herbal-aloe-
everyday-soothing-gel/herbalife-herbal-aloe-everyday-soothing-gel-aloe-vera-benefits-2/

I was also "coerced" into buying some Aloe Vera Gel from a  very pushy Herbal Life marketeer before, she called it "Aloe Gel" in her Hong Kong accent, and spoke of it as though it were a miracle for the face.  It was very expensive - it was about 10 years back, and this small tube already cost SGD$21.00. Then over the years, the price kept going up, and stopped buying since it did not moisturize or soothe much anyway.

But to be fair, back then I had very stubborn sensitive skin with breakouts.

Recently, I decided to give Aloe Vera Gel another try - starting from this miniature tube from Jorubi given to me by a friend while holidaying. I complained that my face was a little itchy from the dust, and she asked me to try this.  There was a cooling sensation upon application, and my face felt soothed thereafter.

So, since I came back, I have been shopping for, and topping up my Aloe Vera Gel - buying different brands to test them out to see if all of them worked as beautifully. Fruit of the Earth has this interesting one infused with rosehip -  while calming upon the skin, there was a weird smoky, stinging sensation whenever I applied it close to eyes area.  I tested two tubes of this, and decided that maybe I'd try its original one (without rosehips) one day, for effect.

From tubes I upgraded soon to tubs of Aloe Vera Gel - Nature Republic and Alo Natural, both Korean brands boosting high levels of pure aloe vera. I have tried the Alo Natural, and loved the cooling hydrating it leaves on my face, brightening it up.

Besides applying them on my face, I also use them as moisturizers for my limbs - soaking the skin in their natural goodness to prevent dry itchiness. My skin takes the gel in rather easily, and there is no greasy residue at all.

In fact, I love my Aloe Vera Gel so much, sometimes I wear it like a second skin - going out with no makeup on certain days, letting the sparkling aloe vera leave its radiance upon my face, brightening it up.

It is one of the best moisturizers for me - light enough for day wear, hydrating and soothing in different weather conditions, may be used on face and limbs, is natural and very affordable.  Lately I am doing research of its effects on the hair, too.

If all goes well, I might start growing Aloe Vera on my own just so I could enjoy its benefits everyday...

E - the Aloe Vera Farmer. How's that sound?

Treatment at ClearSK Medi-Aesthetics @ Novena Medical Center

10 Sinaran Drive #10-01 Novena Medical Center, Singapore 307506

Tel:  6100 6868 / 6397 7280

Website: http://www.clearsk.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/clearskaesthetic

CleakSK seems to be the big name these days, for medical treatments and skincare; I hear about it everywhere. In fact, they had high-tea cum beauty seminar session somewhen in May that I was supposed to attend, but was not able to make it.

Anyway, decided to give them a try. By the way, they have many outlets all over the island - spanning central to the western and eastern parts of Singapore. I chose to visit the one at Novena Medical Centre because it is closest to home, and even there, they have multiple outlets!

Besides skincare, they also provide weight management programs etc. Feel free to check out their website for more.  For my pigmentation and scars, I decided to try out their newest E-Matrix laser - collagen, skin-rejuvenation programme.  These usually go for SGD$1,000.00 a session, but they have promotions every now and then, so contact them for more.

I was attended to by the professional and pleasant Karen, who took pains to understand what it is I needed, proposed solutions, and made customised recommendations.  I did not have makeup on - just aloe vera gel and sunblock - because I was prepared to undergo treatment.

Then I consulted with Dr. May (sp?), a very pretty and gentle lady doctor who explained the various procedures to me and made recommendations. Again, I had to admire that none of them - neither consultants nor doctors - sounded pushy or tried to hardsell anything at all.

So we firmed up what I needed, and we went through the standard Health forms and Consent forms before payment was made.

Then numbing cream was applied on my face while I sat in the cushy waiting room replying emails, Instagramming and browsing a few fashion magazines. The wait was about 20 minutes, as I felt the numbing cream gradually taking effects.

Thereafter, I was brought to the treatment room. Here a therapist cleansed my face, applied another kind of cream over my skin, and set up the E-Matrix laser machine. They also took photographs of my bare face from three different angles, and prepared me for the sensations of the treatment once more.

I lay back against the glaring overhead lights while they worked on me, and I tried to lose myself in easy chatter and soothing music playing in the background of this lavish clinic.

Oh, did I remember to mention that at this stage, I was brought to another ClearSK unit on the same level?

Then Dr. May came in to administer the treatment personally, surprisingly. When I went for Blue Light treatment at a well-known clinic in Paragon, and Derma-roller treatment at another clinic in the East, it was the therapists / nurses who handled the procedures after consultations with the doctors!

Dr. May was friendly, caring and ensured that I felt comfortable throughout. The prick was more intense than I had expected, and the faint charred hints could be detected even before it touched base with my face. The sensation was like sharp, hot pricks, but you don't bleed - not like Derma-roller at all.  It stung and brought some tears to the eyes, hence tissue was being handed to me.

After that, Karen came in again to apply Beta Cream for me. I was also given a small tub of the same cream, as well as a Soothing Sheet Mask to bring home.  Dr. May and Karen had advised me about the downtime and gave instructions not to go out into the sun, etc.  They did mention the value and benefits of signing for the packages once or twice again, but again I stress - not pushy at all, very smooth and soothing recommendations.  It was very pleasant working with the people here, and I enjoyed it immensely.

After the mask and cream, as well as my own soothing moisturizers, makeup goes on as normal the next day and voila- everything feels and looks normal again, except maybe better. Okay, the pores do look a little enlarged due to the slight swell, and there may be slight flaking over the next 2-3 days, besides the redness, but all was good!

Thank you, ClearSK.

Review: Blood Donation Experience at HSA BloodBank @ Dhoby Ghaut

11 Orchard Road #B1-05 to 09 Dhoby Xchange, Singapore 238826

Tel: 6333 5532

Website: http://www.hsa.gov.sg/content/hsa/en/Blood_Services.html

Alternative website:  http://www.donorweb.org/bloodbanks

Opening Hours:
Mon - Wed, and Fri 12.00pm to 8.00pm

Sat and Sun  10.00am to 5.00pm

Eve of New Year, Chinese New Year and Christmas  9.00am to 2.00pm

Thursdays and Public Holidays:  Closed

Blood donation helps those who need tranfusion due to accidents or diseases and our blood contains many life-saving components that can help to treat different injuries and illnesses. Every day in Singapore, around 15 units of blood are used and more than 100,000 units of blood are required to meet the transfusion needs of patients every year.

I have been wanting to help these group of patients out with sharing of my blood for a while, but could never do so because my weight did not meet the minimum 45kg requirement. Yes, it does not mean that anyone who is healthy wanting to donate can do so - there are quite some determining factors they use to see if you are a suitable donor.   And yes, I gained weight gradually since the food blogging - and the only good thing is that I have reached the minimum mark for blood donation (which means that I better do it now while I can, before the stringent weight loss regime kicks in).

There are 4 permanent Bloodbank stations in Singapore, namely HSA Building @ Outram, Dhoby Ghaut, Woodlands and Westgate. They are all well-furnished in a sleek, clean and bright fashion so that donors feel more relaxed before the session.  There are also mobile bloodbanks at various other spots on daily basis - check out the websites listed above for updated information..

Oh, also, whether you donate through HSA or Red Cross, it is the same Bloodbank stations that serve you.

Okay, basic introduction done, now we go on to the experience itself.  One can either make an appointment online via their website (click here) using SingPass Login, or walk in.  We can also choose to fill up the Health Questionnaires and Declaration Forms online, or at the BloodBank Station itself - it takes only about 15 minutes in all.

Before heading down for the Blood Donation, ensure that you are feeling well, have enough rest, drink enough water and of course, are a healthy donor.   I chose to visit the Dhoby Ghaut outlet since it's closest to home.

At the Bloodbank, we hand over our original NRICs for registration purpose, and are given a Queue number to see the doctors.   The Medical Screening with the doctors take about 10 minutes - where they go through the questionnaire and declaration forms with us in detail, highlighting salient points; and they take our temperature, weight and blood pressure.

After that, we proceed to the station outside the consultation rooms where a Blood Prick test is being done, to test that our iron level is sufficient for blood donation. For females it should fall within the range of 12.5 to 16.5.   At this juncture, if our temperature, blood pressure or iron level fall short, they will still disallow us from donating blood. If the problem is with our iron level, we are given a box of iron tablets to take. We may set an appointment around 4 days later to try again.

If we pass everything, we will be brought into the Donation Room where we lie down and relax while the friendly nurses attend to us - speaking to us to calm us and prepare us, giving us painkillers / anaesthetics to minimize our pain, and then blood withdrawal begins.  It takes about 5 - 10 minutes.   If you have been through thorough healthscreenings before, where your blood is being taken, well, this feels like that - only longer. So yes, there is slight pain and discomfort during the process.

After that, the wound will be secured and we are advised to take a 10 - 15 minutes rest and some refreshments before heading off. They have a rather well-stocked refreshments bar with drinks, snacks, etc that we could help ourselves to.

Once everything is completed, and we feel steady and well, we can leave the Bloodbank already, and go to do whatever we have planned for the day ahead.   It is rather gratifying to see that by evening time, the Bloodbank was filled up with people who were queuing to give blood.

While there is no need for abstinence of any food or activities, it is good to take some "red blood cells producing" food such as pig liver or kidney, red meats, beetroots and other red fruits / veg, and drinking of red date longan tea.

Anyway, if you fit all the above criteria, and would like to contribute in a meaningful way, do drop by Bloodbank to share a little blood which could potentially save lives! It only takes an hour or less of your time in all.

Stiff Neck - Ma Kuang TCM Treatment and King Koil Micro-gel Support Pillow

Block 231 Bain Street #01-69 Bras Basah Complex, Singapore 180231

Tel: 6336 6386

After the first stiff / sprained neck  episode in February / March 2014 - when I woke up in the morning experiencing severe stiffness and pain in my neck + shoulders, so painful that even moving my arms or turning my head hurt - I have been having rather frequent (albeit milder) bouts of stiff / sprained neck or shoulder pain.

I stumbled into the well-known Ma Kuang Chinese Medicine Centre for treatment, since the two TCM clinics / Sensei that were recommended to me were closed (it was still within the 15 days of Lunar New Year). Ma Kuang has many branches, and not all have therapists (though all have physicians), so for a list of their outlets and services, visit their website here.

Not knowing what to expect in the clean, well-kept Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic since it was my first time, I told the friendly receptionist about my problem, and she assigned the Therapist on duty to me.

Last visit was a male therapist / tuina-logist, and since today he was not around, they assigned a female therapist / tuina-logist to me. When it was my turn, I was ushered into the treatment area with beds (okay, it is nothing like a lovely spa bed, but this is a clinic!) and the therapists took care to sterilize them and lay the necessary towels etc.

There we chatted about my current ailment that required treatment, and the therapist would ask questions about my lifestyle to discern the causes. Then they would work on the treatment. Having been scared (by movies and hearsay / misconception) since young into believing that "tuina" (bone-setting) was all about therapists forcefully twisting one's joints / bones back into shape, and that it would hurt like mad before one was soothed, I braced myself for the onset of agony.

I was asked to lie facedown while the therapists worked on me - kneading, massaging, rubbing and pressing on the knots of my back, constantly asking if a certain area hurt. Sometimes I would hear gently cracking sounds as my bones / joints settled into position at being treated. The male therapist had asked me to sit up while he rotated my head, neck and shoulders while the female therapist did more of massage-style treatment.

The male therapist included Cupping Therapy (Ba Guan) as part of his treatment package whereas the female therapist today asked if I wanted to include it - I said yes anyway. The heat and tight vacuum suction upon various parts of my back was a little painful, but it was still tolerable - I knew it had many benefits such as sucking out the toxins, water etc in the body.

My body did feel better after the masso-therapy, and the entire session of one hour only cost around SGD$70.00 each time, including some medicated plasters to take home. The only drawback was probably the ugly red marks - 3D at first, then fading into 2D - that would last me for about a week. Service was polite overall and no pushy hard-selling, hence appreciated.

I also did some research and consulted with several TCM and Western medical professionals on the probable causes of neck sprains / stiffness one feels upon waking up in the mornings:-

(i)    Bad sleeping position
(ii)   Prolonged sitting down to use computers or working at a desk
(iii)  Bad sitting position
(iv)  The very high heels I wear to work
(v)   Showering after 11pm at nights
(vi)   Previous injuries or spinal issues (N.A. for me)
(vii)  Sunken in / soft pillows or mattresses
(ix)   Stress or pressure
(x)   Standing too long with head bent (i.e. computer not at eye level)

I also had to end up buying this pricey King Koil Micro-Gel Support Pillow (SGD$99.00) - was debating between the cheaper coutour support pillows or this - and found this to be softer.