Bitter gourd juice

Healthy = 100
Tasty = -50

Happy skin. Unhappy tastebuds.

Herbivores and me

I was eating watermelon with OF when we decided that humans only eat land animals that are 'mainly herbivores'. We're not considering worms, insects and the like as 'animals'.  So I'm classifying chicken as herbivore of some sorts. 

Granted that Asian people drink snake blood, eat bear paws and tiger penises... Those are more medicinal than food food.  You get the point.  According to YouTube, some people eat cats and dogs... But those are the rarer exception.

Hmm, why do humans typically eat herbivores but leave carnivores alone?  Maybe carnivores are too expensive to be eaten. OF says carnivores are too smelly and tough to eat.  Pigs are omnivorous?  Maybe that is why they have the 臭 pork 味.

TCM and Skin

Summer is giving me terrible skin! Shall post this here in case I have problems tracking down information next time.

What TCM says about pimples and acne

Pimples and acne can be an annoying ailment that affects everyone, not just teenagers still undergoing hormonal changes. Outbreaks can still occur in adults who have long passed their teenage years, appearing on areas such as the face, neck, back, arms or even on the torso. One of the most visible areas that acne can appear is on the face. While Western wisdom says that pimples and acne are caused by excessive sebum, or hormonal imbalance, proponents of traditional Chinese medicine believe that a blemished complexion is indicative of trouble in other parts of the body. We have collected a list of the various symptoms that are associated with pimples and acne collected from various online TCM resources. Pimples on forehead According to one TCM website, pimples on the forehead may indicate problems with the heart and blood circulation. This can be caused by mental tiredness, resulting in bad tempers. What you can do: Keeping early hours and having a good night's rest will be the natural solution. Drinking plenty of water will also help. Those who suffer the above symptoms should also strike a balance between work and rest and not worry too much. Pimples on the nose A blemished nose may point to a variety of ailments. Pimples growing on the bridge of the nose may indicate problems with the spine while pimples on the tip of the nose may be linked to digestive system problems. However, if pimples spread to both sides of the nose, it may indicate problems related to the ovarian or reproductive function or the reproductive system. Some traditional Chinese medicine practitioners also believe that pimples on the nose may be caused by eating habits and food preferences Pimples on jawline Jawline pimples may indicate problems with the kidneys, or problems with the gland that pours hormones into the blood. Girls who are prone to jawline pimples may suffer from irregular menstrual cycles. What you can do: Practitioners believe that such problems can be solved by nourishing the kidneys. Pimples on cheeks Pimples on both sides of the cheeks also may be due to different health issues. Pimples growing on the left cheek may be caused by stagnated liver functions, such as liver secretions, detoxification or other functions. Pimples on the right cheek may be caused by abnormal lung function. Pimples on hairline and lips However, other than such related body ailments, external circumstances like improper cleaning procedures or contamination from chemicals may also result in outbreak. For example, the use of unsuitable hairgel or leftover toothpaste around the lip areas may also cause pimples. What you can do: Ensure that the washing lotion that you are using is suitable for your skin condition and that your facial cleansing methods are sound. From: http://www.asiaone.com/Health/Health%2BMatters/Story/A1Story20110609-283117.html

Post exam sushi

I finally finished my exams. Learnt a few things about the literature and also on annoying human tendencies.

OF and I went to Gari because I'm into overpriced Japanese food.

Sirotan for President

Currently 4 Tans are running to be Singapore's next President.  I think my lumpy little SiroTan should join the competition too.

: )

Purin Tower

My tower has Purin on it. :)

Seal hug

Ginseng in a mug

My latest addiction.

Whole Foods suck all my money!

Animal cookies

Randomly baked stuff because I didn't feel like doing work.  And also because I wanted to use my cute cookie cutters I bought in some Japanese store in San Francisco.

Brontohsaurus

Bathing cat

Hilarious bathing cat widget!

Purin and cookie

Summer in New York

It's obvious that I've lived in NYC for too long when I find AM new york's article funny and true.

5 minute chocolate cake

Microwaved chocolate cake + Haagen-Dazs strawberry icecream = yum

Last umbrella tree

Two trees died. Maybe this will survive. I see new shoots.

Of Karma

I'm not the sort branded as religious. I will go even as far as to say that I have been labelled anti-religion. If you must know, I'm pro-science. But this does not mean I'm anti-religion.

But surprise surprise, I think I am rather spiritual. I have spent some chunk of my post prefrontal cortex development years pondering about the concept of karma. Maybe I am making a bias search, but I am becoming increasing convinced about karma. What goes around comes around and bite you in the butt, rather painfully. I see it happening to me, to people around me, and to some distant associates.

Things that happen, happen for a reason. Often times the reason is not apparent, but sometimes one gains sudden insight about why certain things occur. The clarity is painfully clear at times.

Awake at 430

Musing about friendship when I'm supposed to be working.

Create opportunities for higher incomes

I was just reading news on the 2011 Singapore general elections when I came across the PAP's slogan 'Securing Our Future Together' with its six planks (Why planks? I thought planks are pieces of wood? So we need to secure our future together with 6 wooden sticks?? Hm.. just webster-ed, my English is not good enough... apparently plank can mean: an article in the platform of a political party / a principal item of a policy or program... So there, I learn something new every day!).

The Six Planks:
- Create opportunities for higher incomes
- Improve the lives of lower-income Singaporeans
- Bring out the best in every child
- Develop a vibrant city and an endearing home
- Help the elderly stay active, healthy and engaged
- Involve all Singaporeans in shaping the future

The first thing that went through my mind after reading the 1st plank was "wah, so obvious create more opportunities for rich people ah? Like that can meh?". [Create opportunities for "higher incomes" (noun)]

I had to read that plank a few times over before I figure it probably meant: to create opportunities for (people to have) higher incomes!

How I know... maybe the government wants rich people to vote for them and keep the status quo. And is it very hard to add a few more words to prevent confusion?!

OF thought it was a not so subtle hint for the higher incomes to vote for PAP. Maybe... just maybe... If I vote PAP, can PAP please guarantee me a job when I go back to Singapore? Thank you very much!

Of Consideration

I had a short conversation with a colleague today and was struck by the consideration he has for his girlfriend. He wishes to marry her (and bring her to the US) in approximately 2 years. To do that, he plans to have an apartment all set up and ready for her by the time she arrives. It would be what she prefers. I'm too writing inapt to clearly articulate how sweet he was and so you will just have to take my word for it.

I don't know about others but such 'feelings' can be sensed. The flicker of anger, the soft gaze at the mention of a loved one, the indifference that comes with boredom.