Credit Card Annual Fees

Are you being charged credit card annual fees because you haven't spent enough on the card to qualify for a waiver?

If you're in Singapore, it's worth calling up the credit card issuer to ask for a waiver of the fees. In my experience, many credit card issuers would rather waive the annual fees than lose you as a customer.

If they refuse to waive the charge, consider cancelling the card and applying for a card from another bank. Many banks offer annual fee waivers for new applicants.

Daiso, one of my favourite places in Singapore

First, a disclaimer. I don't work for Daiso. It's just that it's one of my favourite browsing places. Fantastic store for craft supplies, d-i-y projects, gardening stores, and all kinds of household items - crockery, cleaning materials, containers, etc. All at $2 per item, and more importantly, the quality is acceptable to great. The items don't look cheap.

What I really like about Daiso also: they sell intriguing Japanese items. When I go there, I often pick up something, and wonder... what on earth is this for? And then try to figure it out from the pictures (the descriptions are often in Japanese). For example, I learnt that, apparently, they make little picks for labelling their lunch. Cute.

My pictures of the Spider Lily a hit

These pictures of mine on Triond received lots of hits recently :)

To see more of my pictures, go here.

Best Mooncake Deal in Singapore

Okay... maybe I shouldn't say THE best, since I haven't done exhaustive research. But this must definitely be one of the better deals around:

Pure Lotus Seed with Double Yolk Baked Mooncake
from Yahweh Delicacies
PROMOTION: Box of two mooncakes for $9.80

Very good value for the fact that their mooncake filling is actually quite good - moist and not overly sweet. I prefer a thicker crust though.

(Note: we sampled this at IMM Jurong)


For mooncakes that my mum and I thought outstanding this season, check out my blog post here:

http://crookedturret.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/insingapore-an-incomplete-guide-to-mooncakes-this-year/

Cheap-and-Good "Siew Mai" (chinese dumpling)

If you love Siew Mai, my family found a yummy version selling at the supermarket -- Sin Mui Heng Fish & Shrimp Siew Mai. My family finds it at least as good as the siew mai you can get the food court, and it costs you 70-80% less.

For the rest of my post, go here:

http://crookedturret.wordpress.com/2008/06/06/insingapore-cheap-and-good-siew-mai-chinese-dumpling/

Value Buy: Roti Prata (also called Roti Canai in Malaysia)

Finding trouble getting good Roti Prata these days? Or, if the roti prata is great, crisp and puffy, the curry that's served with it is diluted and substandard?

Just look to the supermarket.

My family likes the Spring Home Roti Paratha (SGD2.40 for a pack of 5). They're really easy to keep (stick it in the freezer until you're ready to eat it) and prepare (pan-fry from frozen). Tip: After frying, scrunch the roti prata for a softer texture.

Fairprice also has its own house brand roti prata. Doesn't taste as good as the ones by Spring Home, but still better than many roti prata you find these days. And they're even cheaper.

The only thing with buying these frozen packs is that you have to prepare the curry yourself. But the good news is: it's not difficult to make a curry. Browse the internet for simple curry recipes, and experiment until you find a version that you like.

You can also try eating roti prata with ice-cream (yum!) or fruits. And I enjoy roti prata with jam as well.

Freebie Alert: Singapore Medicine Postcards with prepaid international postage

I came across another free-postcard promotion recently when I was at the post office. This series of 5 postcards promotes the medical facilities in Singapore.

My one quibble: they could have made the postcards more attractive. Looks like most of the pictures were originally taken or created for a brochure. I would have liked to see much more creative postcards. The type which will make people WANT to send these cards to their relatives and friends. As it is, to my eyes, only the one on the far right is attractive. And my second choice would be the one second from left in the picture above. At least that has some conceptual interest. The rest...

There's no lucky draw for sending these cards, just free overseas postage. The plus point: it doesn't look like there's a post-by date attached to this set.

Freebie Alert: Grand Prix Postcards with prepaid international postage and lucky draw

For a number of years now, the Singapore Tourism Board has been printing up postcards that people in Singapore can send overseas for free (as a bonus, sender and receiver would be eligible for a lucky draw with prizes like tickets, accommodation, etc).

Many people of course make the effort to send to relatives and friends overseas because of the lucky draw associated with the postcards, but I find that it's a great way to save on postage.

The latest free-postcard campaign is a series of cards promoting the 1st Grand Prix to be held in Singapore later this year (see above). Sender and receiver will be eligible for a lucky draw, as usual.

Where to find them

I picked up some at a Library, and more from a ZoCard rack. But, according to their website, the free printed postcards (with pre-paid international postage) can also be found at:

• Guardian Health & Beauty stores
• McCafés
• Post Offices
• Clubs and Community centres
• Hotels
• International Schools/ Universities
• Embassies
• Singapore Visitors Centres

Post-by date

If you're sending these cards, note that you have to post them by 17 August. And, because of the lucky draw, the postcards will be sent overseas only after the winners have been picked, ie after 17 August.

E-Cards

Personally, I love the idea of sending printed postcards. We use email and the internet to communicate so much these days, that it's become somewhat special to send and receive postcards with notes written by hand.

But, if you really prefer e-cards, go to their website at: http://www.visitsingapore.com/projectpostcard/

Lucky Draw Prizes

GRAND PRIZES - one each for the winning printed postcard and winning e-card. Each grand prize for the winning printed postcard and winning e-card will comprise:
a A pair of VIP tickets (Paddock Club access) to the 2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix for each of the sender and the foreign recipient
b Business Class return ticket to Singapore on Singapore Airlines for the foreign recipient only
c 5D/4N hotel accommodation at Marina Mandarin Singapore for the foreign recipient only

CONSOLATION PRIZES - 20 for the printed postcards & 20 for the e-cards. Each of the consolation prize winners shall win one of the following consolation prizes:
a G-MAX Reverse Bungy and GX-5 Xtreme Swing (10 pairs of tickets. Worth $160 each)
b Singapore HiPPOtours (10 sets of one-day sightseeing passes for City HiPPOtours and River HiPPOtours for 4 pax. Worth $132 each)
c Singapore Flyer (10 pairs of tickets. Worth $59 each)
d Dining experiences at any of the restaurants under Tung Lok Group (10 dining vouchers. Worth $100 each)

Clay Aiken’s “Something About Us”

One of the pleasures of listening to Clay’s On My Way Here is that it features a variety of sounds, from songs which are more pop to songs that have rock, r&b, or jazz influences, like “Something About Us” (Track 4).

I have to be honest. I first heard “Something About Us” when snippets from the CDs were put up on an online retailer’s site, and was a wee bit disappointed. I thought it sounded old. But once I got hold of the CD, and heard the song in its entirety, it became one of my favourite songs on there. The jazzy arrangement complements the deeply romantic lyrics perfectly. And the whole effect is rather cool (not dated at all). Plus LOVE Clay’s vocal work on this song.

For the rest of my post, go here:

http://crookedturret.wordpress.com/2008/05/23/clay-aikens-something-about-us/

Hongbao as Collectibles

For collectors, hongbao packets provide great examples of traditional design motifs. Even more fascinating, the re-interpretation of old designs and introduction of modern graphic ideas reflect how Chinese cultural practices are adapting to modern lifestyles and tastes.

For the rest of my article, go to:
http://hubpages.com/_32wy0v979249g/hub/COLLECTING-HONGBAO

My Favourite Sandwich — Avocado and Tomato

I found this recipe some years ago and it’s still my favourite. Avocado goes sooo well with tomato!

The Avocado-Tomato Sandwich



For the rest of my article, go to:
http://crookedturret.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/my-favourite-sandwich-avocado-and-tomato/

Did you know that non-stick cookware may be dangerous?

I was asked to write an article about choosing a wok recently (interesting experience, actually. I researched the subject, but once I did that, I realised that I actually do know quite a lot about it through using various types of work over the years), and in the process of writing it, I discovered that non-stick may be harmful to your health.

For the rest of my article, go to:
http://crookedturret.wordpress.com/2008/07/12/nonstickcookware/

Another Kitchen Must-Have: The Thermal Cooker

One of the most useful "cookers" we have in our kitchen is a Thermal Cooker. All you have to do is put all the ingredients in the pot, take it to a boil, then leave it to cook some more for a few hours (no electricity required during this phase). And the food from the pot is nicely warm when you're ready to eat.

What is a thermal cooker, how does it work and how do you choose one?

For the rest of my article, go to:
http://hubpages.com/_32wy0v979249g/hub/Another-Kitchen-Must-Have-The-Thermal-Cooking-Pot

Entwined Hearts

I added some of the photos I've taken recently to Triond, and very interesting, this turned out to be the one with the most views:


Link to my Triond page:
http://www.picable.com/Concepts/Love/Entwined-Hearts.156629