There's something magical about Scottish waters....

Honestly! I think there's something magical about Scottish air and water that helps erm... shall we say, builds a healthy body?

I'm really not sure if its because of the crisp, fresh air, or the slow pace of life. Then again, maybe its the softness of Scottish water that helps to regulate the acidity of one's body to make it more balanced?

Whatever it is, Scottish waters are great for the mind, soul and especially the body... can someone please bottle some over to sell please?

Getting through the day with my trusty Citi SMRT Platinum Visa!

This is a blog entry on how one can get through the entire day using only one card... the very trusty Citi SMRT Platinum Visa~! Life IS better...

830am: Bus ride to work
Oops! Late for work! I grab my handphone and my 2-in-1 ez-Link cum Credit Card and only realise that I forgot my wallet after I've tapped my card as I get on the bus. My bus pulls in at the bus stop outside the MRT station.

8.45am: MRT ride to work
Oh no! Only 5 cents left in my ez-Link purse on my credit card as I tap and get off the bus! Never mind, my card is on the Auto Top-up facility so it automatically revalues my card when I enter the MRT gantry. Thank goodness for Auto Top-up! I get to the office without a hitch.

9.15am: Venue change for Team Breakfast
"Ring ring!" My mobile rings... AH tells me the venue has changed from Killiney's to McDonald's. No sweat! I walk over with the team. While they have grabbed their wallets, my Citi SMRT Platinum Visa is tucked into the front of my jeans. Love fridays because its dress-down day!

9.30am: Team Breakfast at McDonald's
"One $2 Breakfast set with tea please!" I say, and swiftly pay with the ez-Link function of my Citi SMRT Platinum Visa. All in a matter of seconds, while the guy in the next queue fumbles for his spare change. Who says McDonald's doesn't accept card payments? It's really all about what type of card you have!

1.30pm: Lunch time!
JL has a dim-sum craving so we head for Crystal Jade. At the end of the meal, again we pay with the Citi SMRT Platinum Visa, only this time, we use the credit card function. A good meal with all the benefits at a Citibank Gourmet Pleasures partner with plus a 2% rebate on your Citi SMRT Platinum Visa. What more are you asking for?

4pm: Tea break
EY calls up. "Let's do coffee! I've got some great stuff to discuss with you!" Again, I grab my Citi SMRT Platinum Visa. "Coffee Bean!" I suggest. We end up having coffee, scones, muffins and more. "Oops, no cash!" exclaims EY. "Don't fret! We'll use my card and get 5% rebate at coffee joints to boot!" I tell EY confidently.

8pm: Dinner
I meet Hubby for dinner. This time, he has his wallet and brought along the vouchers he has redeemed with the rebates earned previously on his Citi SMRT Platinum Visa. We tuck into a Japanese dinner for two at Sakae Sushi and pay using the vouchers. Yay! Dinner is free~

8.45pm: Buy toiletries
Mom calls with a request to help buy some toiletries. On top of the toilet paper she has asked for, we also buy shaving blades, shampoo, soap and other essentials. On the sly, I run to the corner for a pregnancy kit too! SHHH!!!! UOB? No thanks, I've got my Citi SMRT Platinum Visa that also gives me up to 2% rebate for health and beauty purchases.

9pm: Taxi to home sweet home!
The car went for servicing today, so we take the cab home laden with our purchases. This time, we pay with the SMRT Platinum Visa $10 vouchers that Hubby redeemed which can be used for both ez-Link top-up at the station control, or to pay for your taxi fare with SMRT Taxis.

9.30pm: To bath and bed!!!
I kiss my hubby and my Citi SMRT Platinum Visa a very good night... ;p

My plant is drowning in salt!

I was quite certain that my plant at the office was infested with some disease. The soil was coated with this white crusty layer and the stem near the roots were also coated with the same white crusty nonsense.

Try as I might, I couldn't find any disease that was white and crusty. White and fluffy, cotton looking yes... that's mealy bugs infestation... but white and crusty? There was no such disease...

A search on google brought up the root cause (pardon the pun)... it's pure and simple salt!

Now before you start thinking that I am such a ninny as to water my plants with salt water, I assure you that I don't! However, I don't exactly water my plant with tap water... I use filtered water.. Unfortunately, the filter in the office is probably rather lacking in purpose. My potable water really doesn't taste very good.

I initially figured that if I could drink the water, my plant should too, since filtered water is supposedly good for you. But its only after realising the origin of the salt did I remember why my home filtered water always has a particular taste soon after its first clean... I gather the little brown ceramic beads in the filter has this effect.

Come to think of it, Singapore water being cleansed from our human liquid waste, its little wonder that we need vast amounts of chlorine and fluoride in it to make it good... (My fishes died faster after Singaporeans switched to personal pee consumption for tap water, my fish seller tells me its the excessive cholramide used to treat the water).

So.. I'm going to try and immerse the soil to purge the salts.... will let you know if it works.. else its time to throw out the plant for a new one

If you died tonight...

If you died tonight, would you gladly take the hand of the Grim Reaper and walk away without looking back? Would you be able to skip along in front of him knowing that you have done all that you have set out to do in this life and met the right people, or would you be going away unwillingly, constantly looking over your shoulder at the things that have been left undone and with many words left unsaid?

If I were to die tonight, I am content in knowing that I have married a good man. I am secure in the knowledge that the Clan will not fall without me, and that I have not worked myself to the bone without spending my time with the family in the bid to forge a career.

If I were to die tonight, I am happy that I have played when I should have and walked the world as I have. I am satisfied knowing that while my death is mourned, I too have made many good friends all around the world who may miss me while I am gone, but with who I have spent many countless nights sharing our happiness and our woes.

If I were to die tonight, I am at peace, knowing that I have enjoyed my share of wealth, health and fortune. I am fortunate to have shared a cup of tea in Paris or a slice of cake in Scotland with my loves ones. I have indulged sufficiently in luxury goods and I have made at least one person's life better with my existence.

If you died tonight, would you be able to say the same or more?