Dear changed the showerhead recently and modified it with string and cable ties to create a rainshower type. I was just grumbling to dear that it makes bathing Horus much more difficult cos i can't hold the showerhead.
However, Horus was a bit pongy so i decided to bathe him today. And instead of boiling water for a hot water pail to bath him, i decided to bath with him. Surprisingly, he didn't squirm as much as he does when he's on the floor, and neither did he scratch me! Wow! In the end though, i took quite long to wash off all the hair Horus shed during his bath. sigh...
But its a funny experience. Imagine a wet baby on your chest as you shampoo him and bath him, while trying to balance him and rinsing him thoroughly! :)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Time flies
I remember big seed had a watch during her school days with the phrase 'Time Flies' on the dial and with 2 little houseflies as the hour and second hand. haha!
And yes, time has really passed by so fast. In a few days time it'll be 30 June 08, and half the year would have passed us by. Time for a stock take?
And yes, time has really passed by so fast. In a few days time it'll be 30 June 08, and half the year would have passed us by. Time for a stock take?
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Shoes, anybody?
Would be going to Malacca sometime soon and would be getting more shoes. One of the shoes that i'm really into is the wooden base sandals with PVC leather (no idea what to call the material) top. As such, the top is really comfy although big seed finds it painful as she said the fold presses against her foot. But then, i've been wearing them quite happily for almost 6 months.
If you're interested, do let me know your size and your choice of preferred colours (bear in mind that the colour may be out in your size). The colours? Sunny yellow, navy blue, red, white, dark green and mint green. Its quite cheap too, at about S$15-$18, so its something quite affordable for weekend wear. :)
So who's my guinea pig? :P
Navy blue
If you're interested, do let me know your size and your choice of preferred colours (bear in mind that the colour may be out in your size). The colours? Sunny yellow, navy blue, red, white, dark green and mint green. Its quite cheap too, at about S$15-$18, so its something quite affordable for weekend wear. :)So who's my guinea pig? :P
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Vacuum
"Dear? Have you ever OPS before and found something so sticky it sticks to your finger, then when you pull your finger away it clears everything so well that you can feel a vacuum inside?"
*speechless* *snigger...*
*speechless* *snigger...*
Tiffin carrier
I bought it finally! Got me a 3 tier 14cm diameter tiffin from the local supermarket and since i brought my own carrier, i had a $0.10 discount. So the carrier costs me $17.20. Since the hawkers charge me $0.20 for each small plastic takeway tub, i figure this carrier should last me at least 86 tubs, or 43 meals with dear. Since we eat out at least 5 times a week, that is about 9 weeks, or 2 months odd. Hmm... Well, the tiffin carrier can definitely last me 2 months (unless i crush it?). Heehee...
My 86 tubs worth... :)
Isn't it so retro? I remember seeing aunties carrying it down to the hawker centre when i was young, and horrors, i've morphed now into an aunty! Sigh... Realized too that i bought a 熊猫牌 carrier. It had better last me as long as the zebra brand lor...
Friday, June 20, 2008
...regardless of...language...
Sounds familiar, huh? I've less than 10% up there, so i shouldn't be violating any copyright laws, right?
Anyway, it drives me nuts when i hear people saying 'irregardless'. Its 'regardless'! And especially when i hear the word from adults all decked up in corporate wear, sipping all those fancy-schmancy drinks and talking all the cheem stuff, then out of the blue, 'irregardless'! The impression just plummets.
Does it mean that they were just reciting the pledge? Granted that as primary school children, they would not be expected to understand the entire pledge, but as teenagers? Doesn't it behoove them to find out what they are reciting everyday? For a good 10 years? That's 2,000 times they are reciting the pledge, not including the public holidays! (For the record, its 40 school weeks/year x 5 days/week x 10 years) Or are they merely parroting what they hear?
Sigh...
So please, its 'regardless'!
Anyway, it drives me nuts when i hear people saying 'irregardless'. Its 'regardless'! And especially when i hear the word from adults all decked up in corporate wear, sipping all those fancy-schmancy drinks and talking all the cheem stuff, then out of the blue, 'irregardless'! The impression just plummets.
Does it mean that they were just reciting the pledge? Granted that as primary school children, they would not be expected to understand the entire pledge, but as teenagers? Doesn't it behoove them to find out what they are reciting everyday? For a good 10 years? That's 2,000 times they are reciting the pledge, not including the public holidays! (For the record, its 40 school weeks/year x 5 days/week x 10 years) Or are they merely parroting what they hear?
Sigh...
So please, its 'regardless'!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Over packaging
I commented once about my wish that retailers would have a little less packaging, such as having 2 packaging for creams, one with just the jar/bottle for repeat buyers and another with all the boxes, pamphlets, plastic etc for new buyers.
When i collected my new bag recently, i must say that i was impressed by the packaging, but as the photo shows, the packaging is more thatn 100% the size of the product. Example? The receipt went into a card, which went into an envelope, which went into the paper carrier. :(
But look at it from another view; would you pay $200 for a little wristlet without any extra dressings?
Horus' eating habits
Horus' food bowl is in one small corner of the kitchen just in front of a pipe, which is 2.5cm away from the wall. Once one little kibble dropped between the pipe and the wall, which i didn't notice. But Horus found it and i was wondering why his nose was squeezed there, till i saw his paw come out to pat out the kibble, which he then gobbled up happily and meowed at me for more!
Issues
So many issues recently at work. Pay errors, staff performance, store etc. sigh... On top of that, i fell ill again!
I guess this is the main difference between my last post and the current one. For the previous jobs, i had to get machines moving and the men were there to ensure it moves correctly. For this current one, i have to motivate the men to move with machines to help the men along. And guess which is more difficult? Many times, i feel like a mummy trying to make everyone happy. Guess i'm lucky to be a Libra, but sometimes i think i try to balance too many viewpoints at one time, so much so that i drive myself crazy.
But as i joke to SL (my client), i have a stress-induced eczema and the moment i catch myself scratching my right hand, i know i have to slow down. :)
I guess this is the main difference between my last post and the current one. For the previous jobs, i had to get machines moving and the men were there to ensure it moves correctly. For this current one, i have to motivate the men to move with machines to help the men along. And guess which is more difficult? Many times, i feel like a mummy trying to make everyone happy. Guess i'm lucky to be a Libra, but sometimes i think i try to balance too many viewpoints at one time, so much so that i drive myself crazy.
But as i joke to SL (my client), i have a stress-induced eczema and the moment i catch myself scratching my right hand, i know i have to slow down. :)
Friday, June 13, 2008
Responsibility (or lack of)...
Sometimes i really don't know what R is thinking about. She is the AA yet i end up doing her work. Although i'm ultimately responsible for everything, i think i end up doing her work, as well as one group of race's work. They just don't have any sense of urgency.
Example?
My client is famous in the industry for being LD (liquidated damages)-happy. Knowing this, yet when the group, be it one member or the whole group, is tasked to do anything, they drag their feet. Recently we were supposed to give out a card with the staff's details to each staff. Kh was given the task and was to complete it within 7 calendar days. I totally forgot to chase him; when told that we will be given LD if we fail to produce them the next day, i went back to check and the cards were not completed. Only 50% was. To make things worse, he did basic errors which he should have noticed, such as assigning 1st shift staff (whom he sees everyday) as 2nd shift. What the world was he thinking of? In the end i took it all back and completed it within 4 hours. I'm not boasting that i'm fast or super efficient, just that he has no sense of urgency and responsibility.
Now, R is dragging over payroll. Pay is a sensitive issue; the staff work cos they trust they will be paid promptly and correctly. And yet she can make a muck of the last pay. Reason? She wasn't aware of it. Bull! She was around the last payroll and was fully aware of it.
I'm quite tired of this group. I can be quite forgiving and patient, but not when i'm doing her work and i see her mooning over another guy young enough to be her son.
sigh... Seriously, i think R is too complacent. :( :( :(
Example?
My client is famous in the industry for being LD (liquidated damages)-happy. Knowing this, yet when the group, be it one member or the whole group, is tasked to do anything, they drag their feet. Recently we were supposed to give out a card with the staff's details to each staff. Kh was given the task and was to complete it within 7 calendar days. I totally forgot to chase him; when told that we will be given LD if we fail to produce them the next day, i went back to check and the cards were not completed. Only 50% was. To make things worse, he did basic errors which he should have noticed, such as assigning 1st shift staff (whom he sees everyday) as 2nd shift. What the world was he thinking of? In the end i took it all back and completed it within 4 hours. I'm not boasting that i'm fast or super efficient, just that he has no sense of urgency and responsibility.
Now, R is dragging over payroll. Pay is a sensitive issue; the staff work cos they trust they will be paid promptly and correctly. And yet she can make a muck of the last pay. Reason? She wasn't aware of it. Bull! She was around the last payroll and was fully aware of it.
I'm quite tired of this group. I can be quite forgiving and patient, but not when i'm doing her work and i see her mooning over another guy young enough to be her son.
sigh... Seriously, i think R is too complacent. :( :( :(
Ice cream treat!
On night inspection duty tonight, and taking a break now. The whole office smells of instant noodles seasoning! sigh...
Anyway, the guys had an unexpected treat tonight. Someone's freezer somewhere in the building conked out, and passed to one of our supervisors 4 carton boxes of ice cream. And not any old how type of ice cream, we all had loads of Haagan Daaz ice cream! Haha! The cleaners were all overjoyed when Esther & i told them to 'quickly take before they all melt!' With the food prices, i suppose this is a really unexpected treat especially as the brand is very expensive back at our northern neighbour.
The ice cream came in the pint sizes as well as the small individual tubs. Managed to stash 10 little tubs in the little freezer in the office for V, R & H later today. The rest disappeared as the staff took the containers and wrapped them all in newspapers to keep cool and to bring back. :)
I'm sure there must be some happy kids tomorrow! :) :) :) Thanks, whichever shop it was that 'donated' the ice cream!
Anyway, the guys had an unexpected treat tonight. Someone's freezer somewhere in the building conked out, and passed to one of our supervisors 4 carton boxes of ice cream. And not any old how type of ice cream, we all had loads of Haagan Daaz ice cream! Haha! The cleaners were all overjoyed when Esther & i told them to 'quickly take before they all melt!' With the food prices, i suppose this is a really unexpected treat especially as the brand is very expensive back at our northern neighbour.
The ice cream came in the pint sizes as well as the small individual tubs. Managed to stash 10 little tubs in the little freezer in the office for V, R & H later today. The rest disappeared as the staff took the containers and wrapped them all in newspapers to keep cool and to bring back. :)
I'm sure there must be some happy kids tomorrow! :) :) :) Thanks, whichever shop it was that 'donated' the ice cream!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
NNPBP -- Day 6 & 7
I made it! Tough but doable. I guess its a matter of planning your shopping needs -- good for quelling those impulse buys! -- and also making do and living with extra bags in the handbag.
It was only today that, when i refused a plastic bag at a bakery, a salesgirl thanked me for caring for the environment. The Mandarin phrase is 环宝. Any idea what is the English equivalent? What she said was '谢谢您环宝.' Wow. Impressed! None of the other shops, even those established supermarkets, said that. And this is a small neighbourhood bakery.
Well, although the week is over, i will continue to think of reducing the need to hoard new plastic bags and to take only when necessary. :)
It was only today that, when i refused a plastic bag at a bakery, a salesgirl thanked me for caring for the environment. The Mandarin phrase is 环宝. Any idea what is the English equivalent? What she said was '谢谢您环宝.' Wow. Impressed! None of the other shops, even those established supermarkets, said that. And this is a small neighbourhood bakery.
Well, although the week is over, i will continue to think of reducing the need to hoard new plastic bags and to take only when necessary. :)
Monday, June 9, 2008
NNPBP -- Day 4 & 5
I think i have to start from 0 again cos Sh passed me a little Coach bag. But if its not counted, then yesterday and today went quite smoothly. Didn't take a total of 3 bags yesterday and 2 bags today.
The real test is when i go grocery shopping. I still need to get a trolley so it'll be easier to go grocery shopping, but i need to think how to 'pass' the test when dear & i go together, cos that's when we really load up. Those reusable bags can't withstand the weight of the items and will also get wet if i place cold items within. I'm thinking that i should perhaps try lining one of these bags with a plastic bag, so that any leakage can still be trapped within. And since i've some spare demin cloth from the sofa dust/fur cover, i can rustle up something. However since i've no sewing machine, it'll have to be handsewn meaning it probably can't take on too heavy items...
And i still have to get my tiffin carrier! I must say that we seem to be going back to the late 70s/early 80s when housewives used baskets for marketing and tiffin carriers for food. Hmm...
The real test is when i go grocery shopping. I still need to get a trolley so it'll be easier to go grocery shopping, but i need to think how to 'pass' the test when dear & i go together, cos that's when we really load up. Those reusable bags can't withstand the weight of the items and will also get wet if i place cold items within. I'm thinking that i should perhaps try lining one of these bags with a plastic bag, so that any leakage can still be trapped within. And since i've some spare demin cloth from the sofa dust/fur cover, i can rustle up something. However since i've no sewing machine, it'll have to be handsewn meaning it probably can't take on too heavy items...
And i still have to get my tiffin carrier! I must say that we seem to be going back to the late 70s/early 80s when housewives used baskets for marketing and tiffin carriers for food. Hmm...
New Coach bag!
Sh met me just now to pass me my new Coach wristlet. Yay!!! :) And its in lilac leather too! :) A bit different from big seed's but who wants exactly the same, right big seed?
Sh, thank you so much. And please thank your friend for getting it for me too!
I'm a happy cat tonight! la la la la la... *waving hands and twirling around...*
Sh, thank you so much. And please thank your friend for getting it for me too!
I'm a happy cat tonight! la la la la la... *waving hands and twirling around...*
Saturday, June 7, 2008
NNPBP -- Day 3
Well, the rain changed all my plans and all i did was a spot of shopping at the shop to buy a plastic container for my soap powder. Brought out a reusable bag and asked the storekeeper to place my container inside. Also bought a 'sapu lidi' to wash the common corridor outside my unit.
I think the whole thing would be technically achievable if i just don't go out to purchase anything. As sweeteepye commented, that's not the point of the pledge, which is to reduce the usage. So let me recap the past 2 days since i took up the pledge:
Day 1
Didn't get a bag from Four L for mil's bread.
Usage : -1
Day 2
Made dear's breakfast for him. Used 1 sandwich bag.
Brought lunch to work. Used an old bag for the soup.
Couldn't convince H to let me help carry her purchase. Semi-used 1 bag since i was there.
Usage: 1
Day 3
Brought a bag for the soap container just now.
Usage: -1
It made me think of how to reduce the usage of plastic bags and also general overuse of resources. I read an article in 'Today' about 2 weeks ago regarding the oil prices in Brunei and one of their government officials commented that they are trying to encourage their citizens not to rely on using vehicles so much. The paper also reported the cost of petrol in Brunei is B$0.53/litre. The petrol cost hasn't increased since i left there in 2006! (Brunei is known as Negara Brunei Darussalam, hence NBD) And when i was there, drinking water costs $0.80 for a 500ml bottle while the petrol was $0.53/litre and diesel $0.47/litre. Yup, it costs less to buy petrol than to buy drinking water!
NBD is somewhat like the rural areas of our northern neighbour, with shopping malls located only in a few places and most of their shops located along the main road. Generally, the population of NBD is resistant to walking. I often see families all piling into the car(s) for a trip to the mall or a trip to anywhere.
Once, while at our favourite eating place, we saw a man drive out from his driveway onto the street and out to the main road to the shop (our eating place was beside this shop). The guy came out a short while later carrying a loaf of bread, popped back to his car and drove home. The total distance? From his gate to the junction was 30m. The junction to the shop? Another 30m. A gauge of 30m is the distance between 2 streetlights. And this is a common sight in NBD. They don't want to walk!
How much difference can we make if the population of one country negates all our effort? I mean, here we use less and there they overuse! I guess in the end all effort counts in the reduction, so i shouldn't be discouraged. Every little bit counts. But its so discouraging lor...
btw, do try using the sapu lidi. Its a broom made of natural materials other than the raffia string that ties all the bristles together. Its made of the central long vein (i think its called the vein) of the coconut leaf and is so kampung-y! It takes some practice to use it with aplomb, though. I'm going to start practicing with mine soon. heehee!
I think the whole thing would be technically achievable if i just don't go out to purchase anything. As sweeteepye commented, that's not the point of the pledge, which is to reduce the usage. So let me recap the past 2 days since i took up the pledge:
Day 1
Didn't get a bag from Four L for mil's bread.
Usage : -1
Day 2
Made dear's breakfast for him. Used 1 sandwich bag.
Brought lunch to work. Used an old bag for the soup.
Couldn't convince H to let me help carry her purchase. Semi-used 1 bag since i was there.
Usage: 1
Day 3
Brought a bag for the soap container just now.
Usage: -1
It made me think of how to reduce the usage of plastic bags and also general overuse of resources. I read an article in 'Today' about 2 weeks ago regarding the oil prices in Brunei and one of their government officials commented that they are trying to encourage their citizens not to rely on using vehicles so much. The paper also reported the cost of petrol in Brunei is B$0.53/litre. The petrol cost hasn't increased since i left there in 2006! (Brunei is known as Negara Brunei Darussalam, hence NBD) And when i was there, drinking water costs $0.80 for a 500ml bottle while the petrol was $0.53/litre and diesel $0.47/litre. Yup, it costs less to buy petrol than to buy drinking water!
NBD is somewhat like the rural areas of our northern neighbour, with shopping malls located only in a few places and most of their shops located along the main road. Generally, the population of NBD is resistant to walking. I often see families all piling into the car(s) for a trip to the mall or a trip to anywhere.
Once, while at our favourite eating place, we saw a man drive out from his driveway onto the street and out to the main road to the shop (our eating place was beside this shop). The guy came out a short while later carrying a loaf of bread, popped back to his car and drove home. The total distance? From his gate to the junction was 30m. The junction to the shop? Another 30m. A gauge of 30m is the distance between 2 streetlights. And this is a common sight in NBD. They don't want to walk!
How much difference can we make if the population of one country negates all our effort? I mean, here we use less and there they overuse! I guess in the end all effort counts in the reduction, so i shouldn't be discouraged. Every little bit counts. But its so discouraging lor...
btw, do try using the sapu lidi. Its a broom made of natural materials other than the raffia string that ties all the bristles together. Its made of the central long vein (i think its called the vein) of the coconut leaf and is so kampung-y! It takes some practice to use it with aplomb, though. I'm going to start practicing with mine soon. heehee!
Grammar?
I was trying to connect to the Internet just now and read the message from the system:
Please wait a few minutes while modem is trying to connect to internet.
It seems wrong to me somehow. I think it sounds nicer being:
Please wait a few minutes while the modem tries to connect to the internet.
Which should it be or which do you prefer?
Please wait a few minutes while modem is trying to connect to internet.
It seems wrong to me somehow. I think it sounds nicer being:
Please wait a few minutes while the modem tries to connect to the internet.
Which should it be or which do you prefer?
Quiet day
Well, the rain this whole morning has put paid all my plans for a shopping day. I don't mind rain, but only if i'm at home, tucked and burrowed under my quilt and with a comfy book in hand to read and the rain pattering outside. Guess i'm cat-like; i don't like getting wet if not by my choice.
So i did what i typically do on a Saturday morning back in NBD. Polish all my silver! Yup, i buy silver accessories as they're cheaper and i can switch a lot more accessories for the same amount of money that would only garner me one set of gold accessories.
Spent about 2 hours polishing them and rearranging them into the jewellery box that big seed and i bought in Holland Village eons ago. I also brought out the bronze cat that dear bought for me at Malacca recently to hang my dangly earrings. Realized too that, due to long un-wear (?), i've got to change the hooks of 2 pairs of earrings. sigh... Luckily big seed agreed to change them for me. Thanks big seed! Now to think of how to pass them to her. What a pity she works near my home while i work near hers! Never the twain shall meet indeed...
Such a pretty box! :)
I counted. I've got 41 pairs of earrings! wow...
Friday, June 6, 2008
NNPBP -- Day 2
Today was ok too. No new plastic bags used and i reused the C. Jade to hold the plastic container of beef soup that i brought to work today.
But accompanied H to the supermarket at the workplace and she took a small plastic bag for her sweets and cigarettes. Guess its a matter of convenience for her cos she doesn't like to hold too much stuff in her hands. sigh... Couldn't manage to convince her to let me help her carry the stuff. Next time we go to the supermarket, i'll bring along a small bag so i can ask her to place her purchases inside. Afterall she usually buys snacks so the little bag can contain these items. :)
So my count as of today? Day 2 = 0, although if i count the trip with H, i have to start my count again.
Oh well, tomorrow's the start of the weekend and i have some errands to run, including a shopping trip for stuff. Let's see how my Day 3 goes...
But accompanied H to the supermarket at the workplace and she took a small plastic bag for her sweets and cigarettes. Guess its a matter of convenience for her cos she doesn't like to hold too much stuff in her hands. sigh... Couldn't manage to convince her to let me help her carry the stuff. Next time we go to the supermarket, i'll bring along a small bag so i can ask her to place her purchases inside. Afterall she usually buys snacks so the little bag can contain these items. :)
So my count as of today? Day 2 = 0, although if i count the trip with H, i have to start my count again.
Oh well, tomorrow's the start of the weekend and i have some errands to run, including a shopping trip for stuff. Let's see how my Day 3 goes...
Cheap fuel
We went in to our northern neighbour last night for dinner. After one horrendous experience waiting 3 hours in the motorbike queue 3 weeks ago, we decided to go in by car. However, the queue last night was not much better cos we waited about 1 hour. The bikes were much worse, with 4 lines of bikes waiting. If you're familiar with the 2nd link, we joined the jam last night starting from the first gantry. After the wait, the gauge dropped a few notches. Imagine the jam!
By the time we reached our makan place at Gelang Petah, it was almost 1030pm. In the end we managed to have our dinner and as we left, we topped up. After topping up, dear told me that the price for foreign cars is already higher. What used to be RM1.92/litre is now RM2.70/litre. For us, we don't really care cos what we want is to be able to pump petrol when we need it.
We had a discussion in the car during the wait. Is it really worth it to pump petrol at our neighbour? Using 2nd link, the cost for a car to enter and exit is $4.70 per time and RM10.80 each direction. At the current rate of 0.424, it costs a total of $18.56 to enter and exit the country. Yes, perhaps there is a cost saving especially if the vehicle is a MPV or with a large capacity. But how about the time taken? Is it really worth it?
Frankly, when looking back at the long line of cars going in to pump petrol, the amount of emission is scary! Guess Singaporeans aren't so green after all...
By the time we reached our makan place at Gelang Petah, it was almost 1030pm. In the end we managed to have our dinner and as we left, we topped up. After topping up, dear told me that the price for foreign cars is already higher. What used to be RM1.92/litre is now RM2.70/litre. For us, we don't really care cos what we want is to be able to pump petrol when we need it.
We had a discussion in the car during the wait. Is it really worth it to pump petrol at our neighbour? Using 2nd link, the cost for a car to enter and exit is $4.70 per time and RM10.80 each direction. At the current rate of 0.424, it costs a total of $18.56 to enter and exit the country. Yes, perhaps there is a cost saving especially if the vehicle is a MPV or with a large capacity. But how about the time taken? Is it really worth it?
Frankly, when looking back at the long line of cars going in to pump petrol, the amount of emission is scary! Guess Singaporeans aren't so green after all...
Shopping bags, anyone?
Read a post somewhere -- i've a memory like a sieve! -- and checked on the Envirosax bags (at least i think that's how its spelt). The bags are so pretty! I can't remember where they are sold, but i have the impression that they are available at Takashimaya. Anyway i was tempted then to get the bags cos the designs are so pretty!
But i guess that's where i stopped. Afterall, why get a bag for the design and miss the wood for the trees? I'm supposed to use the bag and store the purchases from my shopping trips, right? Yet these bags have now become a fashion statement. There is this 'I am not a plastic bag' bag from a designer that i now see copies everywhere. It doesn't seem to make sense now, cos everyone is buying it for the statement -- wow...
Guess my grandma was way before the fad. I remember she made some small bags out of the scraps of cloth she had -- she used to make patchwork blankets -- and i asked her for one plain black one cos its just nice for my wallet and handphone. And i used it to death!
So although i was tempted to buy the bags for the design, i didn't. Anyway even though the DEAR bag -- Drop Everything And Read promotion from NLB -- is a bit unglam, i guess it will do. Anyway its in pink, though the pink is a bit loud for me, so its colour that i'll carry. But with the material, i wonder how long it can last. Wonder also what i can use for marketing too. Maybe its time i ask dear to go shopping with me for a tiffin carrier so i can ta-bao food and a trolley so i can go NTUC shopping. Hmm...
If all else fails, i've the Harrods bag that big seed got for me. Pink and with cats! My absolute favourite combination! :) :) :)
But i guess that's where i stopped. Afterall, why get a bag for the design and miss the wood for the trees? I'm supposed to use the bag and store the purchases from my shopping trips, right? Yet these bags have now become a fashion statement. There is this 'I am not a plastic bag' bag from a designer that i now see copies everywhere. It doesn't seem to make sense now, cos everyone is buying it for the statement -- wow...
Guess my grandma was way before the fad. I remember she made some small bags out of the scraps of cloth she had -- she used to make patchwork blankets -- and i asked her for one plain black one cos its just nice for my wallet and handphone. And i used it to death!
So although i was tempted to buy the bags for the design, i didn't. Anyway even though the DEAR bag -- Drop Everything And Read promotion from NLB -- is a bit unglam, i guess it will do. Anyway its in pink, though the pink is a bit loud for me, so its colour that i'll carry. But with the material, i wonder how long it can last. Wonder also what i can use for marketing too. Maybe its time i ask dear to go shopping with me for a tiffin carrier so i can ta-bao food and a trolley so i can go NTUC shopping. Hmm...
If all else fails, i've the Harrods bag that big seed got for me. Pink and with cats! My absolute favourite combination! :) :) :)
Thursday, June 5, 2008
No new plastic bag pledge - Day 1
Did a pledge on Green Issues not to take plastic bags from the stores for 1 week. Have thought about it when i first saw the pledge and was considering if i can make it. Then decided to take the pledge.
Today is Day 1. Ok so far, maybe cos i didn't do any shopping. But on the way home i remembered i was to get bread from Four L. for mil, so brought out one used bag from my office drawer. Told H about the pledge and she said that i'm using the C. Jade one! So i told her that i would try not to take a new one from the shops for 1 week. Also, i got a dirty look from the cashier when i told them to place the bread into my C. Jade bag. Then i realized -- oops! Competition!
Hmm... Think i have to plan a bit more from now on. It means no more impulse buying -- that's good! haha! -- as i would have to plan my activities and to make sure i do have a bag to contain my purchases.
But i wonder; i use plastic bags obtained from the supermarkets to line my dustbin and to throw household refuse. If i have no more incoming plastic bags, how would i throw my refuse away properly? Mine is a household chute so if i really want to be inconsiderate, i'll throw all the stuff in direct. But can't, right? Already i see the tough life of a cleaner; do i want to make it worse for other cleaners?
Anybody with any idea how to throw refuse away properly if i do not have incoming plastic bags?
Count so far: Day 1 = ok!
Today is Day 1. Ok so far, maybe cos i didn't do any shopping. But on the way home i remembered i was to get bread from Four L. for mil, so brought out one used bag from my office drawer. Told H about the pledge and she said that i'm using the C. Jade one! So i told her that i would try not to take a new one from the shops for 1 week. Also, i got a dirty look from the cashier when i told them to place the bread into my C. Jade bag. Then i realized -- oops! Competition!
Hmm... Think i have to plan a bit more from now on. It means no more impulse buying -- that's good! haha! -- as i would have to plan my activities and to make sure i do have a bag to contain my purchases.
But i wonder; i use plastic bags obtained from the supermarkets to line my dustbin and to throw household refuse. If i have no more incoming plastic bags, how would i throw my refuse away properly? Mine is a household chute so if i really want to be inconsiderate, i'll throw all the stuff in direct. But can't, right? Already i see the tough life of a cleaner; do i want to make it worse for other cleaners?
Anybody with any idea how to throw refuse away properly if i do not have incoming plastic bags?
Count so far: Day 1 = ok!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Read between the lines
Mil called just now, asking me to go collect some 'liang teh' after we return from dinner. As it was a while ago since she bought bread, i asked if she had bread and she said she has a slice. So i commented that its already 9pm and i doubt we can make it to Four L. or B. Solo to get bread for her (she doesn't seem to like the G or S brands). She said its all right; she'll finish up that slice of bread and eat biscuits for breakfast tomorrow. She then ended the conversation by asking me to get her white bread from Four L. tomorrow when i return from work.
When dear came back from ordering the food, i related the conversation to him and i asked him if my conclusion is correct. He had a different conclusion but said its my call.
What do you think was the correct thing to do? I said to buy bread for mil as she doesn't have enough for tomorrow. Dear said that since she didn't ask me to get anything for her breakfast tomorrow, its all right.
In the end, i bought some bread buns for her and she seemed happy to receive it.
What would your conclusion be? Am i reading too much between the lines?
When dear came back from ordering the food, i related the conversation to him and i asked him if my conclusion is correct. He had a different conclusion but said its my call.
What do you think was the correct thing to do? I said to buy bread for mil as she doesn't have enough for tomorrow. Dear said that since she didn't ask me to get anything for her breakfast tomorrow, its all right.
In the end, i bought some bread buns for her and she seemed happy to receive it.
What would your conclusion be? Am i reading too much between the lines?
Want to Upsize?
We watched 'Supersize Me' last Sunday ( i think it was last Sunday) and dear was alternately fascinated and horrified by the show.
I remember being fascinated by the size of the food packaging when i was at US in 2001 and i was told that its due to the distance to the supermarket that they buy in big bags. But a gallon of milk? Ice-cream? The containers were huge and it made me realise that is the reason why the American refridgerators are so large compared to the Asian models.
While there i did not remember being asked if i wanted to 'supersize' the meal that one time we went to McD at White Plains. Perhaps it wasn't in place yet? But the portions are large, and for big seed and i who had not had the quarter pounder and milkshake for many years -- there were none in Sg for quite a long while -- it was a treat that we enjoyed.
I still recall one part of the show where the guy threw up after 22 minutes of eating. But really, a double quarter pounder and supersized portions? I think he is crazy! Already the regular portions are difficult to finish, and i can't imagine the supersized portion! The amount of soft drinks he has to finish and the sugar overload!
And yet, are there really people who eat that for all 3 meals? After seeing the impact on the guy's health, it sort of turned me off fast food. Yet i read a cookbook on burgers before and actually, burgers are quite healthy as it basically comprises a grilled meat patty, veg and a bun. I think with the fast food chains, its the adding on of french fries -- do you know they are double fried? Fried then frozen and fried again before serving? -- with loads of salt, pickles, sauces and the ubiquitous soft drink that made it so unhealthy.
Perhaps with the food price increases, it is a good time to consider the nutrients we get from the food we are consuming against the cost of the food itself. If the fast food meal price is comparable to the zi char food price, it might make good nutrient sense to pay for the zi char food as you can still choose the food with more veg. Alternatively, if the kids must have their french fries fix, it would be a good time to train them to eat unsalted fries. Most of the the McD that i go to are ok with serving me unsalted fries. One good thing about asking for unsalted fries is that you really get the piping hot fries as they have to cook a new batch, for which i don't mind the wait of 5 to 10 minutes. Anyway, try ordering a packet of fries then tapping each piece on the tray to dislodge as much of the salt as you can. Have you seen the amount of salt that piles up? And that is only those that can be shaken loose. Its enough to scare you!
Perhaps one weekend i'll cook a burger meal for dear. Grilled meat patty, tomatoes and lettuce, then peas and salad for the veg fix. And baked homemade fries! Hmm... :)
I remember being fascinated by the size of the food packaging when i was at US in 2001 and i was told that its due to the distance to the supermarket that they buy in big bags. But a gallon of milk? Ice-cream? The containers were huge and it made me realise that is the reason why the American refridgerators are so large compared to the Asian models.
While there i did not remember being asked if i wanted to 'supersize' the meal that one time we went to McD at White Plains. Perhaps it wasn't in place yet? But the portions are large, and for big seed and i who had not had the quarter pounder and milkshake for many years -- there were none in Sg for quite a long while -- it was a treat that we enjoyed.
I still recall one part of the show where the guy threw up after 22 minutes of eating. But really, a double quarter pounder and supersized portions? I think he is crazy! Already the regular portions are difficult to finish, and i can't imagine the supersized portion! The amount of soft drinks he has to finish and the sugar overload!
And yet, are there really people who eat that for all 3 meals? After seeing the impact on the guy's health, it sort of turned me off fast food. Yet i read a cookbook on burgers before and actually, burgers are quite healthy as it basically comprises a grilled meat patty, veg and a bun. I think with the fast food chains, its the adding on of french fries -- do you know they are double fried? Fried then frozen and fried again before serving? -- with loads of salt, pickles, sauces and the ubiquitous soft drink that made it so unhealthy.
Perhaps with the food price increases, it is a good time to consider the nutrients we get from the food we are consuming against the cost of the food itself. If the fast food meal price is comparable to the zi char food price, it might make good nutrient sense to pay for the zi char food as you can still choose the food with more veg. Alternatively, if the kids must have their french fries fix, it would be a good time to train them to eat unsalted fries. Most of the the McD that i go to are ok with serving me unsalted fries. One good thing about asking for unsalted fries is that you really get the piping hot fries as they have to cook a new batch, for which i don't mind the wait of 5 to 10 minutes. Anyway, try ordering a packet of fries then tapping each piece on the tray to dislodge as much of the salt as you can. Have you seen the amount of salt that piles up? And that is only those that can be shaken loose. Its enough to scare you!
Perhaps one weekend i'll cook a burger meal for dear. Grilled meat patty, tomatoes and lettuce, then peas and salad for the veg fix. And baked homemade fries! Hmm... :)
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Cable TV!
Yay!!! Dear finally got cable TV! :) He was grumbling for quite a while on the dearth of decent shows available on air and dear was considering subscribing to cable TV. We went online to check the offers and went down to Vivocity yesterday.
Got us a HD box! It costs $48.15, one payment, but we have to be on a contract for a minimum value of thirty-something for 1 year. Alternatively, we can pay $300-plus with no contract. So of course we took the 1 year contract. Afterall, the package we wanted was slightly above the minimum amount, so we didn't mind that. And dear wanted to watch HD shows.
However, i had to promise dear, or at least agree, that there will be less air-con usage as the TV will now be switched on for quite a bit. Currently we don't really watch any TV programmes so there's some savings which i offset -- haha -- by having the air-con switched on every other night.
I'm not sure if its a good thing to have cable TV, but since we don't go out much after dinner, i suppose its a fair exchange somewhat. Dear said that at least i won't be bugging him to think of where to go after dinner!
Will have to see next month's utilities bill. Seems we're pretty low compared to mil, at about 30% of hers. Probably once i get the next bill, we'll find other ways to reduce usage... I suppose it'll have to be back to handwashing the clothes!
Got us a HD box! It costs $48.15, one payment, but we have to be on a contract for a minimum value of thirty-something for 1 year. Alternatively, we can pay $300-plus with no contract. So of course we took the 1 year contract. Afterall, the package we wanted was slightly above the minimum amount, so we didn't mind that. And dear wanted to watch HD shows.
However, i had to promise dear, or at least agree, that there will be less air-con usage as the TV will now be switched on for quite a bit. Currently we don't really watch any TV programmes so there's some savings which i offset -- haha -- by having the air-con switched on every other night.
I'm not sure if its a good thing to have cable TV, but since we don't go out much after dinner, i suppose its a fair exchange somewhat. Dear said that at least i won't be bugging him to think of where to go after dinner!
Will have to see next month's utilities bill. Seems we're pretty low compared to mil, at about 30% of hers. Probably once i get the next bill, we'll find other ways to reduce usage... I suppose it'll have to be back to handwashing the clothes!
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