Phone Shopping

3 years with the same phone is too long. While the world has gone smart, I was still faithfully standing by my SE K800i, not even entertaining the thought of downgrading it.

But alas, the time has come for us to part, because I didn't want to settle for that same measly $4 rebate anymore.

Looking at the range of phones available, I guess I had to cast out my requirement of a smaller and lighter phone. This also means I have to give up my Classic plan.

Models considered but subsequently rejected
- SE Xperia 10. Cool camera, but too FAT! I know I just decided not to discriminate against plus-sized phones, but this one really cannot!
- HTC Legend. Sounded great, until I heard that Desire was coming soon.
- HTC Desire. Twice, I almost bought it. The first time, it was out of stock. And black was too boring. I read about a silver version. Maybe it would arrive on our shores if I waited just a while more? The second time, I was too late for a special online offer and the price went up by $200. Then, I decided I was too impulsive to want to buy it without meeting it first.

And I waited... and waited... until my brother suggested

Samsung Galaxy S!

I must must go and take a look for myself before getting it. I visited the Samsung flagship store and played around with it. Love it!

The Singtel shop was just a few shops away. I played with the HTC Desire, which I think was the salesman's personal unit, because he took it out of his own pocket. Nice too!

But Desire is $448 with a "shell" (don't know what), while Galaxy S is $398, with a free table stand and some gift booklet. It also has its dedicated series of Galaxy S price plans, which... only differs from the usual bunch by merely the name.

The choice is clear. Quick, before the table stand runs out!

I was about to recontract when I discovered how pampered I have been.

No more free caller ID for all current plans! Only my dinosaur Classic still has it! Can't accept the fact that I have to pay for something rightfully free... (pampered and entitled mindset).

Didn't go through with the purchase. Sigh.

But I did the next day. Just get over it. Before the table stand runs out. My 3-month long phone hunt has finally ended.

Sotong is now a happy owner of a Samsung Galaxy S! The table stand is only a leather (don't know real or fake) piece. But still good at preventing me from sliding my phone all over the place.

Speaking of which, no more spinning my phone on its back for fun. No more sliding the phone from point A to B.

By the way, I forgot and slided my phone across 10cm of my desk. Its back is so new and smooth, that it glided very well. Oops.

So my SE has been decommissioned. Will work as a great backup.

Changes to Our Flight

Seems like changes to flights are pretty common. We couldn't get through a holiday without a change from the airline's side. After just more than a month, SIA notified us of a change in itinerary. We would now depart 30min earlier and go home 15min later. No change to the dates, phew.

Hooray to a net lengthened Japan stay!

Hotel Blues

With the flight confirmed, I can now proceed to home in on the hotels I have targeted.

This time, I tried to find hotels with proper beds. No crappy single bed disguised as a double bed by putting 2 pillows, or double-deck bed or sofa bed for the third person.

There should also be a washing machine nearby, best within the hotel's premises, so we could travel light.

The hotel should not be located too far from the train station.

It should be as cheap as possible. My friend was telling me to budget about S$100/pax per night...


ウィークリー上本町 Weekly Uehonmachi
Our hotel in Osaka. What's cool about this place is that it is unbelievably cheap at 8400円 per night, for 3 of us! And it could have been cheaper if we managed to clock 7 nights. 3 single beds in a gigantic 25m² room (compared to the usual 14m² in Super Hotel), so touched! There's a laundromat within the hotel's premises.

The nearest metro station is right at the doorstep, although it's not as convenient on days we needed to take the shinkansen. Well, it's either we live with all the crap above available in Shin-Osaka hotels, or just put up with a bit of train-changing.

The online reservation form was simple to use. The next day, I got the email confirmation. Settled!


ホテル ルミエール 葛西 Hotel Lumiere Kasai
I came across the 西葛西 (Nishikasai) branch in a forum. It also meets our dream criteria, cheap at an average of 9600円 per night, room size of 21m², near the metro and even has a washing machine RIGHT IN THE ROOM!

The problem was that it wasn't located in the usual places tourists stay. The only place it is near is Disneyland. To reach anywhere else, we needed to change train at least once. The airport bus also doesn't stop at the doorstep, but I guess we shouldn't expect this in Japan's cheap hotels... Taiwan has pampered us!

My best friend, Google Maps, showed me that the Kasai branch was closer to the metro. The airport and Disney bus also stops at Kasai, so Kasai was a better choice. Not all rooms have washing machines though, but there is a laundromat.

I proceeded to book online, but was stumped by the account sign-up form which required a name in hiragana. I don't have no bloody hiragana name lor... how come so foreigner-unfriendly? I was hesitant to give a fake name as I didn't want to risk being rejected on the day itself as the names don't match.

I decided to email the hotel for assistance, starting by confirming the accessibility.

Sotong:
1) Is it 3 single beds?
2) Can I have a room with washing machine if I stay only 6 nights?
3) Is the hotel entrance to hotel room wheelchair accessible?

I got a reply the same day. Swift!
Hotel staff:
I will answer your any questions.
1)YES
One bed is 140cm and othsers 110cm.
Total 3beds we have.

2)It is not possible to promise it positively...
But basically we gives priority to the prolonged stay.
So we guides it as much as possible.

3)Our　hotel's entrance is no steps and flat.
And room too.
If you maind,HOTEL LUMIERE NISHIKASAI has accessible rooms so you need to wide room and bath I recommend NISHIKASAI HOTEL.
But accessible room has not washing machine.

I will waitting to come here.

Thank you.

Sotong:
Thank you for your reply.

I wish to book your hotel, but I am from Singapore and do not know Japanese, so I don't know how to sign up at your website.
Can I book by email instead?

Looking forward to your reply.
Thank you!

Hotel staff:
By the way ,when are you going to stay our hotel.
And how long stay will you?
How many peple?

First of all,pleas tell me about your plan.


I have read about other hotels allowing email booking and listing all eligible offers without being asked to. Here goes...
Sotong:
We have 3 adults. 2 ladies, 1 man.
1 lady is in wheelchair, but she can walk in the room. Since hotel entrance to room is wheelchair accessible, it is ok.

Check-in: 10 November 2010
Check-out: 15 November 2010
Room type: Triple room

It will be great if we can have a room with a washing machine.

Please also let me know the total price.
Is breakfast included?

Thank you!

Hotel staff:
Ok, we will guide you to triple room and with washing machine.
I think that she can walk in the room,it is ok too.
To it,we have eleavators,if you need to help,you call to us.

Triple room is 14500yen to rack rate.
However ,you don't know how to sign up at our website.
So I can receive to resevation of you that 1day 14000yen of normal websaite's rate.

Total price is 72500yen.
Ｉｆ this plan is good of you, I can receive to your resevation.
I'm waitting for your answer.

We will wait for the resevation.
See you.
※I can't write to English so you not likely to be able to understand.
so sorry

Hey... what's that man! Trying to smoke me! With the early bird discount, 1 night would cost only 9600円! Who cares for your S$8 discount? But my fault also lor, I should have requested for this price in the first place and not give them a chance to do this. So disappointed with the hotel's integrity. Does that staff member get a cut from selling rooms at a higher price? Wake up! I don't know Japanese, but in reality, there's online translators! By the way, Google toolbar is really cool, so does the add-on ImTranslator. But I shall not be so direct about the translator thingy...

Sotong:
Thank you for your price quote.

I can read Chinese, so from your hotel website, there is a discount if I book early.
The total price after discount is 57300yen.
Can I use this discount if I book by email?

Looking forward to your reply.
Thank you!

Needless, there was no reply from then on. 穿帮了, no face to reply lor.

Now how? The next best thing was to book Nishikasai with a fake Japanese name. I used my brother's information and crossed my fingers that they don't find the link. Fortunately, the booking was fully-automated with no human intervention and a confirmation email was received immediately. So easy ah? Should have done this in the first place!

I still wasn't happy about having to stay at a less convenient location. 3 weeks later, I canceled Nishikasai and booked Kasai. Hopefully they still don't see the link and totally forget about this episode by November.


I wanted at least 1 night in a traditional ryokan with onsen and preferably Mount Fuji view, not too pricey of course. It should have an ample bathtub in the room or for chartered. The second criteria was exceptionally hard to meet.

富士レークホテル Fuji Lake Hotel
The most suitable of all (so far) is Fuji Lake Hotel in Kawaguchiko. Its selling point is the disabled-friendliness. The chartered bath has handrails and they even have pdf files documenting the exact measurements of the facility! I'm impressed! Moreover, it's not too expensive at 40950Y per night. I know, it's still a to-faint-at price, but it's standard across all hotels in Kawaguchiko and Hakone. Sigh.

The con about it is that the hotel's location is back-facing Mount Fuji. The room I can afford faces the lake while those facing Mount Fuji costs a bomb. There's an observatory, but only accessible by stairs. I don't know how I'm going to see Mount Fuji, but we can work that out later.

Meanwhile, I just have to wait for bookings to open for November.

The Countdown Begins

On leave and bored in the afternoon.

May has passed, but ANA still has not released the promotional fares for November. My poor neck, must have been elongated from the waiting!

How about SIA? Actually I have long given up hope of taking SIA, due to the potentially-high price even on promotion and not being able to travel open-jaw, but a peek wouldn't hurt, would it?

Singapore - Tokyo (Haneda) $730

O_O

*ding ding ding*

O_O

CHEAP!

Our desired days were still available! Yes!! Shall propose getting this after everybody got home!

3 hours later, hand itchy, so I checked again. And guess what, no more promo fares left for our day! Gasp! So fast can!

I scrambled to shortlist all the days with promo fare, adjusting the length of stay sometimes. 志在必得!

After a quick discussion with my siblings, we pounced on the tickets the same night.

2-16 Nov 2010, $730.50/pax.

ANA vs SIA
ANA Pros
- Potentially low fare of $757 + $30 (ticketing fee) = $787.
- Open-jaw flight allowed.
- Delicious food onboard (according to sis)
- Should be able to expect good service from a Japanese airline.
- Fantastic timing. SIN-NRT is 2325-0725, while NRT-SIN is 1730-2340.

ANA Cons
- Taking too long to release the November promotion. Made me wonder if there's going to be any at all. This is the most important reason why my $700 went to SIA.
- Narrow seats, even narrower than Jetstar's, as seen from sis' old photo.

SIA Pros
- It's SIA!
- My brother was very happy about his KL flight. But on the other hand, I heard that the service and seats on short-haul Asian flights are terrible. Contradictory...
- SIA has a history of giving free upgrades. I'm needy, upgrade me plssss *bambi eyes*.
- Unbelievable price for SIA, although I have seen lower.
- Depart Tokyo at 0030, after you have had enough fun. And save 1 night's accommodation by sleeping on the plane.
- We get to fly to Haneda, which is closer to the city centre than Narita. New route, so exciting!
- I get to go to T3!

SIA Cons
- No A380 for this route :(
- No open-jaw. No worries, there's the JR pass!
- Sucky arrival time at Tokyo. 5.15am! Too late for Tsukiji, too early for anything else, except to travel to Osaka. Hence our itinerary skeleton was fixed this way...

Express Justice

Feb 18, 2010
Casino visitors arrested
One man stole phone after losing money; some caught trying to dodge $100 levy

IT HAS been four days since the casino at Resorts World Sentosa opened, and already eight people have ended up in trouble with the law.

The eight, including three foreigners, were among 86,000 people estimated to have streamed into the newly opened casino as of 6pm on Wednesday.

One was Paulus Djohar, a 49-year-old Indonesian who turned to theft when he gambled and lost all his money at the gaming tables.

Caught on Tuesday, he was jailed for four weeks yesterday.

The other two foreigners, arrested on Monday, were a pair of Mongolian friends aged 45 and 18. The younger man, a private student here and three years shy of 21, the minimum age for entry, allegedly used a passport belonging to the older man's son to get in.

Detained by casino staff, who called in the police, the duo are out on police bail while investigations are ongoing.

Committed the crime on Tuesday, got caught immediately and jailed the very next day. Has Singapore's justice system been so efficient all along?

The Storm Warriors II

How cool! 2 middle-aged dudes acting half their age!

Scoring a dismal 4.4/10 on imdb, of course I wouldn't pay a cent to watch it, like I did for the first movie. Critics complained of an overdose of special effects, and I'm not exactly a fan of Chinese special effects.

So what's in the movie?

Wind actually has a penpal!

Cloud's signature sitting pose.

Master naming the new skill!

But Cloud couldn't recognize the word.
Aiyah, actually he wrote wrongly lah! Don't dare to admit!

The villains risked their lives to lay their hands on the Dragon's Spinal Cord (it's really just the spine of a decomposed uncle, not a real dragon). Then the good guys used their newly-acquired skills to stop them. Then the bad guys took it again. Then the good guys fought between themselves and that's the end of the movie. Huh?? The backbone ley? Everybody forgot?

O nevermind, that's material for part III. But they should at least let the audience know that they still remembered and pretend they still cared about China mah...

Pre-CNY Shopping

Received my first "angpow" at the start of my mega-CNY break!
Pardon the ugly orange patch. It's for blocking out my address XD

Aiyah what angpow lah, it's my Drugstore spree items lah, out of my own pocket. The parcel was so huge that I'm amazed that the postman managed to stuff it into the mailbox. And of course, credits to the spree organizer for being so thoughtful as to put the items in a ziploc bag first before putting it into the envelope.

What's inside?

2 of this. USD3.99 each. Stock up while the exchange rate is favourable!

My sis' derma e Pycnogenol Moisturizing Gel USD$26.99.

My sis' Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer USD$16.79.

Plus shipping, handling fee and postage, the mean exchange rate was 1.7427, which was the lowest for me all these years. A really good time to buy from US now!

Moonlight Resonance

This series was passed to me by my ex-boss slightly more than 1 year ago. Finally started on so I could get rid of it!

The beginning was still bearable. The usual TVB drama stuff, trying to promote traditional family values and going all the way out to create the happy ending everybody loves. But the effort resulted in the portrayal of a close-to-the-point-of-dysfunctional family.

Coax back a damn f**king irritating, free-loading aunt after countless bouts of serious misbehaviour. She would have thrown out of my house after the first time she tried anything funny.

Have tons of fun playing 亲情猜拳 and 亲情绕口令 as a regular post-dinner activity. Really! Which really normal family does that??! I really empathize with 佳美 when she said she refused to go up for dinner because they have fun playing those things! Boey tahan!

The whole family webcammed with 佳美 for the aunt's birthday surprise. Later, when she was coming over to Hong Kong, all of them suddenly became very curious about how she looked like and found an ancient tomboyish photo, hence nicknaming her 唐山大兄 and even invented a wayang for it. Everybody forgot about the webcam thing! Incredible! Or they just wanted an excuse to give her a nickname.

Husband who kept going back to his ex-wife's home on the pretext of seeing his children. I don't blame his wife for feeling unhappy. Sure, it's his right to see his children. Sure, the children disliked going over to his place. But they could still meet in a public place right? A restaurant or something, everybody minus the ex-wife and ex-father-in-law?

Dr Yu and Dr Ling were neighbours in the same ward when they were born. Both became doctors. Fast forward X years later, Dr Ling was already a specialist who has delivered a wall-full of babies while Dr Yu has only just finished her probation. Hmm...

Imagine slogging for the past 2 decades building a business for your family. Or so you thought. Your husband and mother-in-law forgot to tell you that they were building the business not for you and your child, but for those kids from the other family! Only a saint wouldn't be mad!

The youngest son was an almost-illiterate but fortunately good enough at IT to do computer sales. So why didn't he go get a certificate in IT or something? And his family, all waiting to put him in charge of the company's IT if he joined. TVB, please take public education seriously. Can sell computers doesn't mean you can fix them up and it sure doesn't mean you can head the whole ITD!

And the best of all, portraying the second time a man has betrayed his lawful wife (albeit a different one) as a "happy-ending". How twisted can the script-writers get? The wife #2 has been unfairly villainized!

But that's why all these are on tv.

Rating: Hmm dunno ley. But it's the blockbuster of the year, so just watch lor.

Out With The Old Again!

去旧迎新!
Created more space, but not much new clothes to fill with :(

Compare with 2 years ago.

票房毒药

Finally going to watch Avatar, before it made way for the CNY movies! Relax, this post is not about Avatar. We have all heard about how wonderful it is and how reluctantly the theaters have to take it down, so how would I dare to have a differing opinion?

Movies never start on time. They dim the lights on time so you would rather be trapped in your seat watching advertisements and trailers than tripping over someone's foot and losing all your popcorn.

A very attractive trailer for the upcoming 苏乞儿！

Action-packed!
"I siam!"

Wa... Yuen Woo Ping wor, dun pway pway!

Vincent Zhuo...
Spelling A-C-T-I-O-N!

Zhou Xun! What strong cards!

There's even Michelle Yeoh! Yeah yeah I feel like watching already!

Err... maybe not. I think I'll just download it.

Dramas of the Year

Mr. Brain
The poster itself provides enough justification for watching!

Rating: 10/10!! :P


華麗なるスパイ

My occasional dose of slapstick comedies. It's about a convicted con-artist given a chance of redemption by serving as a spy for the government against terrorists. Which spy-themed show doesn't have a babe? Catch the weekly fashion parade by Kyoko Fukada!

So lame, so funny! The only thing I couldn't stand was how Kyosuke had to clutch his cross whenever he transformed into the person he was impersonating.

Rating: 6/10


救命病棟24時 4

I was surprised that there actually would be a new season. Thought the female lead has retired? Hmm...

I have been watching this series, so naturally, I caught this one too. Tokyo has rebuilt itself after the devastating imaginary earthquake, which must have been accomplished with blinding speed because all the leads have only aged slightly. This season, the focus was on the state of the emergency health services. Don't expect it to be as action-packed as US' ER-related dramas. Non-fans will probably find it boring.

Rating: 5/10


宫心计

The only Hong Kong dramas I watch are those 勾心斗角 kind, so how can I miss TVB's mega 勾心斗角重头剧 of the year? People already started scheming right from the first episode, with no letting up right till the last.

O yes, this is also a runway showcasing high-fashion of the Tang Dynasty!

Rating: 8/10


不毛地帯

Based on the novel by 山崎豊子, I expected this drama to be political, action-less, and potentially boring. Probably similar to 白い巨塔, which I enjoyed. Sure enough, there are neither babes nor dudes. In fact, the whole cast is at least 80% uncles. I counted 4 females, 1 of whom died by the 8th episode.

So what's in it for me? I guess it's a more subtle version of 宫心计.

I started on this drama without knowing that it's 31 episodes long (!!!). Now that China is clamping down on bittorrent sites, will I be able to finish this series? :(
31 episodes is for some other version. This is a comfortable 19 episodes and I was wishing for more. Thumbs up!

My Subsidized Movies In 2009

After HSBC Revolution card downgraded the GV movie promotion to a buy-1-get-1-free, coupled with work insanity, I only utilized it once in all of 2009.

March
Watchmen - Superheroes with issues. Afterall, they are only human.

I've not read the comic. In fact, I have not even heard of it till now. The raves and high rating on IMDB stroked my curiosity.

I entered the theater with only 1 expectation - ACTION!

And I wasn't disappointed. Very different from the usual superhero movies. They are not invincible. They did not just get whacked, they even got killed. But considering they were aged and out of practice... ok lah.

Hello, darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision
That was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

Reminds me of 把悲伤留给自己, used in 无间道.

HSBC has downgraded the promotion yet again.
Enjoy 1-for-1 movie tickets with your HSBC's Revolution Credit Card monthly with minimum S$200 charged!

Step 1
Simply charge a minimum amount of S$200 on your HSBC's Revolution credit card in each calendar month (e.g. 1 to 31 January 2010).

Step 2
Receive an invitation via SMS on every 2nd Wednesday of the following month from 5pm onwards (e.g. 10 February 2010 from 5pm onwards).
The SMS invitation will be sent to you only if you have charged a minimum amount of S$200 in the previous calendar month.

Step 3
Be the first 1,000 to reply to our invitation via SMS in this format: RVGV16-digit HSBC's Revolution credit card number.

Step 4
You will receive a movie code if you are among the first 1,000 customers to reply.

Step 5
Present the movie code and purchase one GV movie ticket with your HSBC's Revolution credit card at any Golden Village cinema. The SMS will be valid for 30 days.

Har... never lor... unless I use it as my primary credit card. But I think I still love my platinum more.

No more subsidized movies in 2010! :(

Dear Doctor, I Have Migraine Everyday for 1 Month

Going for my doctor's appointment today, meaning the pharmacy was on the way. My brother wanted some anarex.

Hmm... looks like I will need to have a chat with the pharmacist?

I decided to try my luck with my doctor.

Sotong: Doctor, can I ask something totally unrelated?
Doctor: Sure, what is it?
Sotong: Would I be able to get anarex over the counter? (Just want to confirm my worst fear...)
Doctor: I'm not sure... but I think you can't.
Sotong: (What do you mean you are not sure!!) O...
Doctor: I can give you some if you want.
Sotong: Ok!
Doctor: What do you take it for?
Sotong: My brother I take it for migraine. I find that it's more effective than panadol.
Doctor: How often is that?
Sotong: O, only about once a month.
Doctor: Ok, I will give you one month's supply.
Sotong: (Is she going to give me 2 tablets?? Noooo!!) O...k...

But my worries were unfounded. Doctor not stupid!
Wa BIG stack lor!

Enough for migraine EVERYDAY for one month!

Exotic Veggie Kit Kat

Browsing through Tampines 1's Yamakawa Super which sells Japanese stuff, how could the sotong the sucker for expensive Japanese candies exit the shop empty-handed?

Presenting...
Kit Kat Jujitsu Yasai!

Wa super expensive lor! I think it was $4+ for 2 pcs?

Taking the ingredients of Ito En’s Jujitsu Yasai drink, which is a popular Japanese vegetable beverage that was launched in 1992, the new Kit Kat is packed with healthy ingredients based on the drink, where the white chocolate is flavored with refreshing apple and carrot, while the light wafer and the cream is laced with the Jujitsu Yasai powder.

What's Ito En’s Jujitsu Yasai drink? *wonders*

Not bad, but too expensive lah XD

Just for fun!

New, But Expiring Products

Free to go out and shop, and Watson's 20% off store-wide was still on. O right! Perfect combination to restock!

I think my sister and I must have been blocking traffic at the Tampines 1 Watson's for at least 15min, picking the tubes of St. Ives Apricot Scrub and Eucerin DermoPURFIYER Scrub that appeared to be the newest, meaning prospective buyers have not squeezed some out to try before. We noticed that our chosen tubes were slightly dusty, but I didn't think much of it.

Alas, I should have paid heed to the dust!
Both were expiring at the end of 2010 lor! How to finish using them in less than 1 year?

Like I care! Don't I disregard all the "discard 12 months after first opening", and kept my last St. Ives Apricot Scrub for more than 2years (still in use now, because haven't finished using)?

New (Inedible) Goodies!

After years of sleeping super late nightly without fail and sleep deprivation on workdays, I began to fear that aloe vera gel alone for my eye area wasn't enough. Better to stop being cheapo than be sorry! Later look like a certain ex-colleague with permanent dark eye rings! Not that I wanted to be cheapo lah, but because I had no idea what to buy! No time (and lazy) to research!

Ok lazy way out - friend's recommendation!

John Masters Firming Eye Gel
USD $35.50

I am considering it not because it is organic - I don't believe in organic products. Only because my friend gave it a positive review and people sang its praises over the internet. Moreover, I have been considering it for about a year.

Ok on!

The next question, where shall I get it from?

I already know bud Cosmetics carry this product. Free delivery for purchases above S$100, but looking around the store... there's no way I could accumulate that amount. Go down to the store personally? But no intention to go shopping soon ley...

Found John Masters in Beauty.com too, but afraid that the glass bottle would arrive in pieces...

Came across ShinOrganic. They charged in USD, but due to the weak dollar lately, the prices still wound up cheaper than buying from bud. And not to forget the free delivery within Singapore with any purchase! No need to think anymore! Google is my best friend!

Before checking out my shopping cart, this caught my eye.

John Masters Deep Scalp Follicle Treatment & Volumizer
USD $27.00

Got rave reviews too, can get one to try...

Impulse purchase, shit!

Actually, the French Green Clay & Green Tea Purifying Mask looked good too.

Argh stop it! Check out before it's too late!

Paypal offered to charge me S$90 for a total of USD$62.50, meaning a rate of 1.44. Don't want to risk some sudden spike 2 days later if I were to use my credit card's rate! Anyway, it's still cheaper than buying from bud Cosmetics (not forgetting the free delivery too!)

19 Dec today, let's see when my loots would reach me. Before or after Christmas?

I could... ask ShinOrganic to send me a sample of the mask! Yeah great idea! Hope I could receive a surprise in my parcel :)

But the very efficient ShinOrganic replied on the next working day that there's no sample available for the mask. Sad :(

Then the next day, my parcel arrived. Happy with the prompt service. Even happier with some John Masters shampoo and conditioner samples surprise.

This doesn't sting my eyes at all, easily-absorbed, no stickiness, good! Shall continue monitoring for effectiveness.


John Masters The Zinc & Sage Shampoo with Conditioner
Hmm... ya... after using it just once, my hair seemed less oily the next day with slightly less hairfall. Not to forget the heavenly smell that lingered!

The con, which is probably also its selling point, is that it doesn't contain sodium lauryl sulfate and thus doesn't foam as much as ordinary shampoos, so one might use more than necessary.

Tempted now...

I passed the Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructor and Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstruting Shampoo samples to my sister.


--------
I had once mentioned to my colleague that I'm looking for an eye gel. On Christmas Eve (and still feeling ecstatic over my day-old loot), I received a Christmas gift from her.

Artistry Replenishing Eye Creme
Last known prices are $22.80 for distributors, $28.50 for ordinary folk like you and me.

What a 大手笔 advertisement! I couldn't tell her that I had just gotten myself a Christmas present too :X

So how? I couldn't leave it to collect dust while I finish my John Masters first?

Idea! How many times do I get to compare products side-by-side? I shall use them both at the same time, one for each eye! O, pls don't let the difference be too pronounced... XD

Artistry stings my eye more than John Masters, but still, it's not much lah.

Monitor, monitor!

The Face Shop and Dermalogica Samples

Running out of face moisturizer but no time to shop for a new one and no discount lately! How about a temporary solution to tide me over? Get some free samples sent to my doorstep!

Not many exciting moisturizers brands around. Hard time picking...


The Face Shop Eco Vert Extreme Moisture
I didn't know I was going to get 2 sachets of products!

I wasn't sure how to use these 2 items. One for day and one for night? Dunno lah.

I started with the Extreme Moisture Serum first. Mildly and pleasantly scented! First, I tried applying all over my face. It was oilier than Galenic Intense Moisturizing Serum and absorbed more slowly too. Didn't feel much difference before and after application. Soon after, my T-zone turned oily. Used it on my cheeks and neck only, where it's better appreciated.

After finishing Extreme Moisture Serum, I began trying the Extreme Moisture Cream. Not sure if it was meant to be a night cream as the website said it was, but both the sachet and card didn't say so. Ah nevermind, just use it day and night! As a cream, its texture was naturally thicker than the serum. My face was velvety soft and smooth after applying this product.

The bad news is it did not do a good job of keeping my very oily T-zone matte for long. I experimented by applying this on one side of my face and aloe vera gel on the other. Result... aloe vera gel won! So I think this product is better for my cheeks and neck.

The Face Shop was never on my skincare to-buy radar. This sampling still hasn't changed my opinion. The products are quite pricey but still don't seem to work better than my current products costing less than half the price.

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Product Information
Extreme Moisture Serum $48.90
Main Function
A serum specially created to saturate the skin with lavish moisture

Extra-added ingredient White Lupine extracts, an excellent moisturizer and skin softener.

Nano Nutritive Hydrasome (nano vesicle containing Argan oil) fortifies skin’s natural protective function to prevent loss of moisture (Argan oil promotes faster cell regeneration)

Imitates skin water structure.


Extreme Moisture Night Cream $48.90
Main Function
A recharging night treatment cream. Moisture-protection intensifying cream.

Extra-added ingredient
Ceramide (Naturally occurring moisturizing agent of skin) + Lecitin (component of cell membrane) forms Liquid Crystal Emulsion System

è These two components are added to strengthen the natural protective function of the skin.

* Liquid crystal emulsion system prevents moisture loss to minimal and leaves the skin feeling thoroughly moisturized and soft.

Features
• Moisture level of the skin is increased by 50% in just 30 minute.
• 12-hour lasting moisture supply.


Front-view of the upcoming reviews

The Face Shop Su Hyang Snow Maximizing Gel Cream
What a pleasant, sweet fragrance that greeted me! Upon close inspection of the cream, I found it has some subtle glitter in it. But not sure if it helped improved my appearance at all! Back to it's primary purpose, this product was too rich for my oily T-zone. In fact, it was even richer than the above 2 products, so I only applied on my cheeks and neck. Worked quite well for them lah, but at the end of the day, those parts were shining a bit lor.

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Product Information

Suitable for oily & combination skin

“ Water Balloon-like Cream “

• Gel type texture melts into your skin as if snow melts when
touched.

• Contains 91% moisture (Hexagon-shaped hydrant)

• Song-i Mushroom, Nano Gold and Xylitol boosts the blood
circulation while supplying energy and nutrients.

à Improved circulation of moisture and energy maximizes clarity and
brilliance to your skin.

Retail Price: SGD$53.90


Dermalogica Intensive Eye Repair
Looking for an eye cream also. When I found Dermalogica being listed, I pounced on it!

Alamak, the sachet so big, but the sample was only 1cm wide!

What's great about this product was that it was easily absorbed, leaving my eye-area looking moisturized without a sticky and oily look. The con is that after leaving the sachet at room temperature for a few days, the texture seemed to have become more watery. Also, the paint from sample's packaging actually started coming off, leaving specks of grey on my finger after handling it. If I hadn't noticed, and used the same fingers to apply the cream, they would be on my skin! So it's bad quality paint, or the solvent for the eye cream could dissolve the paint too?

Nevermind the reason. The price was repulsive enough.

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Product Information
This ultra-rich cream, fortified with Vitamin C, pure antioxidants and phytonutrient Wild Yam, helps repair prematurely-aging skin while smoothing-away fine dehydration lines.

Retail Price: SGD$98.00 / 15ml


Dermalogica Renewal Lip Complex
Actually I got this with my sister in mind, since she was constantly on the lookout for a good lip moisturizer. Found an expensive brand, faster grab!

This has to be the best lip balm I have ever used. First of all, it smells so nice! The scent filled my room the moment I opened the sachet. Secondly, just a thin layer is enough to keep my lips moisturized the whole day, even if I do not reapply after meals! Thirdly, I'm pleasantly surprised that it cured a sore at my lip corner. It's WAY better than Kiehls!

But, $65 for a lip balm... err... I think I will still stick with Burt's Bees.

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Product Information
It’s hard to imagine a more deliciously flavoured raspberry lip treatment that simultaneously helps to repair damaged lip tissue, protect against free radicals and AGEs, moisturises and smoothes contour lines. It also improves lipstick application.

Retail Price: SGD$65.00


These 4 items cost $2 in all. The price is probably prohibitive for people who were planning to live on the samples. For me, I will only be getting the items I would really like to try. Hope they will carry more attractive products in future.

Mid-Autumn Sin Festival 09

I thought it was bad enough that I was almost too busy to go mooncake shopping during last year's Mid-Autumn festival. This year, I was 200% overloaded. No time to think about mooncakes at all!

Good thing that my brother had staff rate for Marriott Hotel. Didn't think we could go very wrong with a hotel and 35% discount sounded like a great deal, so here we go!

The discount was later revised to about 20% or 15% :(.

Then my brother didn't read the instructions on the box of durian mooncakes. He left it out in the sweltering Singapore room temperature and it turned sour. But we discovered it in time and the usually sensitive me didn't get a bad reaction, so it's safe to continue eating!

Here's our snowskin mooncakes.

A box of 8 durian snowskin $48 (original price)
A box of assorted snowskin $48 (original price), consisting of Ebony & Ivory Whisky Chocolate Praline (ok lah...), Horlicks with Crunchy Pearls (yum!), Japanese Sweet Potato Paste with Atap Seeds & Red Bean (yum!) and White Lotus Seed Paste with Egg Yolk (ok lah...).

Verdict: I don't think I would get this without the discount. But for the sake of Horlicks... I might have to think a bit more.

Lucky Me! Needs a Lot of Luck to be Eaten

A hungry midnight again. This called for the sampling of (free) new products!
My sister's company's product. Of course, the artificial portion. She had brought back Lucky Me! before and it was BAD. They had to market this as "instant mami noodles". I remembered the last time, it was sold as "curly spaghetti".

Let's try...
Now, this one is AS BAD. It was still bearable when very hot, as the heat masked some unpleasant smell and taste. However, when it cooled down, the waxy smell, smell and taste of stale oil became evident.

BLEAH!

Fortunately for us Singaporeans, if I remembered correctly, this product is sold in Philippines only. Hence it's less likely for us to randomly grab a bad cup noodles.

Annual Cake-Tasting

Last year's cakes were unforgettable. This year, I was so tied up with the bloody Wet Spear upgrade project that I neither had the mood nor time to think about my birthday cake and dinner this year. Hell, I thought I would just give it all a miss this time. Afterall, I was booked by my boss to do data upload on my birthday night! What a special present!

My sister wasn't going to give up the chance for some exotic cakes without a fight. She passed me a brochure for Pasticceria Da Valentino. Never heard of it, somemore at a super ulu location only my father could reach. Well, since my sister so badly wanted to try it, I decided to get my cake from there. She said they are famous for their tarts and talked me into getting one too.

Whose birthday was it again?

Gave her some work to do - order the cakes for me!

Gave my father the address. Hope he could find it lor.
7 Jalan Bingka. O, the wonder of Google Street View. If only it has existed the time I need to get my cake. So, this is how the place looks like...

Because of some screwup at work, I got to celebrate peacefully in the end. How ironic.

Torta Valentino
9" - $45
My main cake! Never heard of them, not much confidence, so I got something chocolate, which can't go VERY wrong. In fact, it was all correct! Bitter, rich chocolate, with raisins so drunk that didn't know they were being eaten. Yum!

Purposely over-exposed so you guys can see clearly. The chocolate was so dark that cannot see lor!

Crostata Ai Frutti Di Bosco
7" - $26.00
Instead of just "fruit tart", it actually has a name. Long and unpronounceable, no less. Covered with juicy berries which burst in your mouth. Perfect blend of sweetness and sour. Very appetizing!

So thin only... but I should remember it's a TART.

Not to forget the drink of the night.

Total damage for cakes - $71.