The Great Divide: Single vs Married

I am having the time of my life! Pardon me for the lack of updates. I just haven't had time to construct my thoughts and my colourful life into words and readable entries. Just too many things going on in life. Bless my soul.

My Facebook photo albums are filled with partying pictures, my weekends are packed with outdoor activities and drinks sessions, my everyday life is a series of exciting projects and making new interesting friends along the way. Press the PAUSE button here. And rewrite the above as if I were married. My Facebook photo albums will be filled with my kids pictures (heck, even the profile picture will be some parenthood propaganda-worthy photo!), my weekends will be packed with cuddle-ups and DVDs, my everyday life will be work-home-dinner-sleep (repeat as often as necessary). *unpause*

When I was home last month, I encounter first-hand the vast difference in lifestyle of the singles and the married. The singles are living it up working hard and partying hard, travelling lots, packing every weekends with tennis/wakeboarding/cycling/you-name-it, catching up with old friends and making new one too, looking fabulous and well-maintained. The married are staying away from public area, preferring to spend "quality time" at home, making a trip to the buffet line at a hotel restaurant THE highlight of the year, jiggling the excess stomach fats of your partner and feeling contented because only you see the real beauty in him/her, and attending other married couples' kids' birthday parties. Yawn, I'm bored just writing about that.

This is the great divide between the single and the married.

The singles dress up, paint their faces, lead a full and fun life day to night (and past that!). The married dresses down, go barefaced, lead a predictable exclusive-to-couple life day to 9pm. The single clubs, and the married snubs. The single loves life, the married loves family life. The singles hang out, the married back out -- of all social events unless necessary. Meeting for a drink means hanging out at a nice pub. Or does meeting for a drink means having a coffee at a cafe near home. You know which is for which.

I was out partying with my single girlfriend when I told her she was the few friends I've had since high school who still clubs. Because I'm still single, she replied. I recalled the previous weekend when I had another gathering with some ex-classmates. They were all either married or lugging a kid around to the meet-up. By 8pm, they flashed the "Junior needs to sleep"-card or "My husband doesn't like me staying out late"-card. Does married life translates to no clubbing, no staying out late, no activities on weekends, no heels or lipsticks, no fun social life? And why do the married view the single as... well for the lack of better words, failure? Before you protest, let me explain.

The married is always eager to hook up their single friends with another wonderful friend (who often turns out to be fugly, balding and smells. And non-existential EQ). The married scoffs at the clubbing scene, despising friendships made at such places. The married sees weekend activities as a dread with no special agenda other than to stay in. But this is the ultimate: The married believe they have made it. And everyone else who is not married have not.

It is no wonder the singles stop asking the married friends out. Because it's most often 1+1 (even if it's a girls' night out!). Also if the singles were to meet their married friends, they have to forgo pretty frocks and lovely locks. They have to dress down because the married can't fit into their summer dresses anymore and doesn't have anything else to bunch up their hair other than an old faded scrunchie. The singles want to talk about their exciting holiday trips, while the married want to discuss breast pumps and diapers.

Neither want to hang out with the other for the lack of common topic of interest. Neither can integrate their lives with the other without some snobbishness in believing they have the better live.

I've seen too many real-life example of uninspired cuddle-up weekends of married couples. I've heard too much self-glorification in the "kind" advices of married couples. I've picked up the "I've made it"-signals from the married friends. (Do you also sense the "I won't ever notice, much less marry your husband even if you pay me a million bucks and he's the last man on earth"-signal from me?)

I won't say which side of The Great Divide is better. But...
I'm young and has the world under my feet. I have lots to offer and lots to take from it. I am just starting to ride the crest of life. I crave the high of meeting someone gorgeous and knowing it could lead to something more. I don't do cuddle-up weekends. I don't like sharing my bed. I'm taking life by its neck and I need both arms -- can't spare one in somebody's arm. I like options. I prefer deciding for "me" than for "us". I enjoy fancy dinner dates, the rush of that first kiss, the lingering goodbyes at the end of the day. I like to be on this side of the Divide. I have the rest of my life for the other side. Why hurry to start now?

Don't need to be on somebody's arm to look good
(I like who I am)
I'm not saying I don't wanna fall in love 'cos I would
I'm not gonna get hooked up just 'cos you say I should
(Can't romance on demand)
I'm gonna wait so I'm sorry if you misunderstood
- Single (Natasha Bedingfield)

99 Red Roses

Any girl who says she doesn't like flowers is a liar. No, no excuse at all. All girls love flowers. Yeah so what if they are not the most practical gifts? A little romanticism goes a long way. A maximum-wow-effect gesture surely won't go unnoticed. And a bouquet of red roses to greet me in the morning still puts a wide smile on my face. Every single time I look at it.

Ninety-nine red roses to be exact. That's the number of roses in this bouquet. The scarlet red roses bled envy from other girls, and invited admiring stares from other guys. That is the full effect of a hugh bouquet of flower. And I cannot say I did not enjoy the attention.

Flowers are really one of the prettiest thing in this world. I love watching them bloom into their full grandeur, I love running my fingers through the powdery-soft petals, I love putting my nose against them and taking in the floral fragrance.

Ninety-nine roses. A very special birthday gift indeed.

I'm a woman, let me indulge in romanticism, fairy tales, beauty, love. And impractical resplendent gifts.

Miss Say Reviews: Nexcare Acne Patch

I don't know if it's the weather back home, or the unhealthy -- but totally to-die-for -- local cuisine that has unleashed a wave of pimple outbreak on my face. The weather back home is so hot and humid I don't even use moisturiser after I wash my face. Bad, I know. I only slather on night cream before I go to bed at night to make up for the lack of diligence in moisturising during the day. And even that has not been a nightly ritual. That's in addition to stuffing my face with the much-missed local cuisine which are more often then not unhealthy -- but oh so super yummy! No wonder my body is reacting in protest to such abuse.

First there was only one painful pimple. (Ok, I can handle that.) When I woke up the next morning, there were two. (Alright, just don't touch them.) And by the end of the day, three (THREE! *pitiful sobs*) are threatening to rise out of of T-zone. Except I know they won't because they are all headless pimples. These are the real killers, aren't they? Painful, swollen, and yet there is nothing one can do about them since there is no pus to squeeze out. I complained of my situation to my bestie while hanging out with her yesterday and she recommended me Nexcare (3M) Acne Patch. Well, she also swears by Clinique's anti-blemish solutions Spot Treatment Gel. But since Clinique doesn't do anything for my skin judging for past experience, I decided to try her other suggestion.

Nexcare Acne Patch works this way. Each patch is a water-based gel which reduces the swelling and redness of the pimple when applied. It works by absorbing the oil secretion of the pimple onto the gel patch. It also acts as a protective layer that prevents infection. Sounds simple and convenient enough to tempt any acne-tortured soul to give it a go. Last night before I went to bed, I apply three patches over the reddish swollen pimples. One was a ginormous size zit so I had to use the bigger size patch over it. The other two were milder so I patched the mini-me size ones over them.

I woke up this morning eagerly to investigate the result. Have the patches work their miracles overnight? Have they sucked enough oil out of my volcanic pimples to power up a whole village?

Well, I am happy to report that two of the smaller pimples are less swollen, and thus "flatter". They are almost invisible unless I press hard into the skin. Good job there. However I am not convinced the patch has much effect on the kingpin pimple. The zit is still quite swollen and red, and painful. I can't tell if much oil has been absorbed since the patch appears pretty clear to me. I believe the resistance from the monstrous zit is much too strong for the little acne patch's prowess.

So go ahead and try the acne patch on small, new-grown pimple. Patch them on immediately upon discovery. (They are clear and match one's skin tone closely. I like that.) As for for cosmic-sized zits, expect little effect but use it as a shield to prevent the infection from getting worse. I just replaced the patch over that massive zit with a fresh one. Work, little patch, work! Work your wonder!

Mid-Week Partying

Mid-week partying is not for the faint-hearted. It is only suitable for the young ones. Or for those who don't have to go to work the next day. Luckily I fall into the second category. (Well, even the first too!)

So I was out at a club last night. On a Wednesday. Till 4am. It was helluva party nonetheless! Brought back lotsa memories of the days when I was clubbing till 4am and waking up at 7 to go to school. How did I ever do that? Ah, it's good to be young and full of energy. And sleep was definitely not a priority then.

I attempted to get out of bed -- four times. No wait, was it three? Or five? I lost count because I was basically climbing in and out of bed all day today. Woke up at 10 to have a quick breakfast which ended up in a struggle between swallowing the food and trying not to puke last night's alcohol. My head was spinning and my ears were ringing. So I decided that I needed the bed again. I laboured agonisingly to get out of bed several times after to get some work done, but to little success. I decided that today will be useless trying to be productive. I'm just too hungover.

Oh but how I miss mid-week partying! Lotsa fun memories of those carefree school days and brash youthfulness. At that age, going clubbing was a religion as it was cool "to see and to be seen" mixing with the popular crowd. A great night out meant getting wasted. Turning up at the school assembly the next morning with bloodshot eyes and reciting the national Pledge with alcohol breath meant you had partied hard.

But these days, clubbing is more of a personal choice than a social pressure. I enjoy letting my hair down with a few moves on the dance floor. I like getting excited about what to wear for the evening and getting my hair done for the party. I love indulging in the girly gossips with my sistas at the bar, or throwing flirty glances at yummilicious strangers across the room. Being a fun drunk, a few drinks always kick the party to a new high! (Now kids if you are reading this, if you drink, don't drive.)

If you are one of those "I'm happily married/in love, I don't need to club anymore"-couple, I don't even wanna begin telling you what you are missing out. If you club just to hook up sweet young things, this entry is not for you. *coughshamelesscough* If you party just to get drunk, here's one word for you -- sad. But if you club because you enjoy a good night out shaking your tushy on the dance floor, indulging in the great company of like-minded pals, getting high on life, you are one who brings the party with you wherever you go! You celebrate life! And you live it up! (Send in your application here to be my partying mate!)

Now I have to go nurse my hangover.

The Other The One

Feeling emo today and realising I'd probably not get any work done after running my errands in town, I decided to get my hair done. I always fix my hair -- cut, colour, rebond, treatment, you name it! -- when I come back to town since I only trust my hairdresser when it comes to my tresses.

Miss Say has an advice with regards to your crowning glory: Your hairdresser is one of the most important persons in your life. Treat him/her well.

You won't find your ideal hairdresser instantly. You have to experiment different hairdressers, visit various salons, endure bad cuts, burn plenty of moolah at expensive professional-use hair products which promises shampoo-ad-worthy hair. Eventually, if you are lucky, you will find that perfect hairdresser -- The One, for you. Then stay with him/her. Till death do you part.

Here's some unconventional tips to look out for in your hairdresser:

1) Delivers results
Basically he should does what his job requires him to do -- cut/colour/etc. A decent job, if not spectacular. If you trying out a new hairdresser, he must at the very least does what he promises to do. If he says a certain cut will frame your face nicely, it'd better does that! I'm not saying he ought to be a magician and miraculously make your face less chubby with a wave of his scissors. But it should be somewhat close -- some obvious deliverable you can see and agree to.

2) Does not hard-sell
Very important rule.
This is a hairdressing for goodness sake, not sales. No decent stylist should behave like a salesman and persuade you relentlessly to sign up for hair packages! They may recommend certain treatment or products, but only once. I hate to spend four hours in the salon chair feeling jittery about when he'll find a new "monthly special" package to recommend me again. No thanks. And only no thanks, once.

3) Chats with you, but not too much
The hairdresser should treat you feel like a frequent flyer with special privilege reserved only for the regulars. These could be asking about the holiday trip you mentioned during your last trip to the salon, or about your pet dog, etc. But more importantly, s/he must not chat incessantly. I like to enjoy having someone shampoo my hair and massage my scalp, and I like to have these done in peace. So if your hairdresser is a chatterbox, consider being a little "unfriendlier" or colder so s/he gets it. Do it at your own risk (of the relationship!).

4) Make helpful recommendation
I wanted to get my whole hair recoloured and rebonded today. But my stylist said only the roots need to be fixed. "You sure?" I asked. He reassured saying he wouldn't turn down money if he could. So he did the minimal work on the roots. And indeed my hair looks like its got a fresh colour boost now that the roots -- and only the roots -- are fixed!

5) Discuss with you prior to any action
This could be either the cost of any product/service, or explaining the service procedure. A good stylist may even go into explaining why certain products is more suitable for your hair quality than others. Never allow the stylist to do anything to your hair without first consulting you. And never be shy to ask about the price first. You should decline if you don't feel comfortable paying for that product/service. And the stylist should not push it. This is the reason why I kept going back to my stylist, he's great with talking me through each step -- he even checks if I'm rushing for time so he can adjust the time needed for leaving the chemicals on my hair. Or asks if the smell of hair chemical is too strong for me.

6) Regular's discount
My hairdresser gives me discounts or promotional price without me having to ask. That's the best part about keeping a regular and responsible hairdresser. You know both your hair and your wallet are taken care of. Today, my stylist even gave my hair a special treatment free-of-charge! He won some hair products in a styling competition and isn't at all stingy in sharing the winning. He rubbed the product into the hair meticulously, as if I was paying for that service. Now that's what I call a great hairdressing experience!

7) Male hairstylist
One last tip I learnt from a girl friend ten years ago. Get a male hairstylist (if you are a girl). Female stylist tend to be task-focused and is less delicate with your head. Male stylists are gentler with ladies' tresses and won't pull out a lock of your mane while combing through it. Over the years, even when I change my stylist, I still request for another male stylist. I promise you this is the most useful tip I've ever learnt. Gay or straight, doesn't matter. But isn't it uber cool like to boast of a gay hairstylist on your speed dial?

How To Make New Friends

Whoever laments that it is difficult to make new friends at our twirty-something age, I'd just like to retort that it is not. It is easier than asking your boss for a promotion, it is not as hard as waking up at six in the morning, and it take more skills to scrub your bathtub when you have perfectly manicured nails than to make new friends.

Just be out there! Be open to going to a concert with your friend's friend's friends, or taking up tennis class with your cousin's colleagues, or meeting up for drinks with your sister's boyfriend's friends. Be open to invitations, and just have fun! When you simply throw yourselves out there and expect nothing but a fun time for yourself, you will attract happy people into your life. You will make new friends along the way -- without even trying.

It has been just over a week since I arrive home and even without planning, an array of activities has been lined up for me. Last week, a girl friend invited me to wakeboard with her boyfriend. I went along even though I haven't done it in years. Afterall, it'd just be a few good laughs should I submarine-d instead of ride the waves. Her boyfriend brought a friend along and after sharing a few (lame) jokes during the boat ride, we were camera-whoring like old friends do.

Last Saturday, my best friend's colleague celebrated her birthday at one of the most popular club in town. My best friend invited me to hang out with her Engineering department colleagues. Despite initial suspicion it would be an uneventful evening, her colleagues turned out to be dancing kings/queens. They were welcoming and chatty, and I learnt more than a few internal jokes and scandals.

Another friend invited me to a gig last night. It was a new album launch gig by a local band of which one of the member is his friend. I know neither the band nor the friend. I have never even attended a gig before! But it didn't take me long to agree to go. Always say yes, if you can, someone once told me. You never know what opportunities life holds for you. And indeed, I met three amazing girls at the gig. They were my friend's university friends. Upon seeing I was left alone at the bar when my friend went for a smoke outside, they invited me to join them at their table. I did, and they made special effort to include me in their conversations. We laughed, goss-ed, drank, and promised to stay in touch when the evening ended.

Throw yourself out there to allow life to open up doors for you. Have a soda the pub with your colleagues even if you don't drink. Have a go at the Pilates class which your best friend has been inviting you to try. Movie night with your friend's poker friends? Why not? You'll be surprise how easy it is to meet new people, and how many folks out there are open to making new friends just like you are.

Remember that everyone is just as uncertain about making new friends too. I am not one that advises people to "just be yourself". (I'll stay in bed all day if I'll just be myself!) You need to push yourself just a little more. My best advice: Be a little more chatty when you meet new friends. Don't just speak only when asked. Do the asking too. Then listen and respond. Everyone likes to talk to someone who seems interested. (And interesting!) Be that someone. It's that easy to make new friends.

I'm loving my new friendships, the excitement of joining new activities, the prospect of knowing there's a world of friends-who-don't-know-one-another-yet.

Bare Essential

The hot and humid weather back home does not incentivise me to wear makeup. Or wear my hair down. Or wear covered toes shoes. (My beloved Prada pumps are still waiting for their maiden voyage onto the street!) Hell, I'm not even wearing a good mood most afternoon when the sun is beating right into my room. What's with this tropical weather? Has it always been this humid?

How does a glamour queen keep her cool in such Amazon-like weather? Wear the bare essential, I advise. Save the chunky bracelet that gathers vapour between itself and your skin. Change the Posh Spice pencil-skirt for an A-line flare skirt. But the one that works best for me, leave out the foundation on your skin.

I need every pores in my body to "breathe" to get the cool air into my system. I hate to think my facial pores are clogged with Lancôme, producing facial oil instead of generating coolness. Foundation plus heat waves equals shiny T-zone, in record-time. (No, I'm not talking about the summer bronzy look here!) Wearing minimal makeup is the only way that works in our all-year summer weather.

Two words: Bare. Essential.

These what I wear on a day's trip to town:

1) Concealer

A colleague of mine said it well: If there's only one thing she can bring to a stranded island, it would be Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat. This is a highlighter that captures the light, reflecting off the dark spots on the face. The result is a balanced, brightened skin tone. A must-buy, trust me.

2) Powder

Powder evens out the patchy tones on one's face like a foundation does, without the mask-wearing feeling the latter induces. I wear Chanel Poudre Universelle. It has smooth texture that glides easily on your face, producing sufficient coverage while allowing your skin to breathe! And the powder stays on the whole day! What I love about Chanel is that all the cases comes in a velvety black pouch. No more unsightly scratches on the pretty case when you throw it into your bag.

3) Blusher
Perhaps your face is already flushed from the heat. For the rest of us, wear some colours on your cheek for goodness sake. The last thing you need is a homogeneous-toned face, like those who are push out of the morgue. Blusher adds a healthy glow to our face instantly. MAC has blusher with good pigmentation. One quick sweep of the blusher is all you need.

For the sunkissed look, I use MAC Foolish Me. It adds a vibrant peachy hue to your cheeks. It looks very orange-y in its case, but turns out to be a nice peach coral colour when applied. The best thing is the shimmer tone in the blusher! It bounces the sunlight off your face during the day, and adds instant oomph for the night! Perfect!

I also bought MAC Pink Swoon recently. With the subtlest hue of pink in it, I easily control the radiance I desire. Barring the shimmer dust in it, it adds an Innocent girlish soft blush to your cheek. Very cute.

4) Eyeliner

A great eyeliner to use is the Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner. Easy to use and long-lasting, I draw the upper eyelids only for my day-look. Remember, only the bare essential is needed. So this is sufficient to "open" your eyes and make you look more awake. For a night out, I add in a line on the lower eyelids for a more defined look. I often blend the eyeliner out for a soft smokey look too. A note of advice, use the Espresso Ink (a dark brown shade). Black is too harsh for the day.

5) Lip Gloss

Luckily one can't gain weight with lip gloss. Because it is irresistible to not lick off Lancôme Juicy Tube! It took my sister some convincing but she recently took the plunge and bought a Juicy Tube in Toffee Pop. She couldn't stop raving about how yummy it is -- just like the real toffee! I tried it too and it's true! I'm using the colour Framboise now. Well, then again, I have five other colours too! Use it alone or over your lipstick (I say forget about the lipstick), it has little colour but lotsa fun and flavour! Add power to your pout!

Mascara? Save it. Bare essential, remember? Use if only for a night out. Keep your face fresh and minimal during the day. When yours truly is running for time, I even skip the eyeliner. Because it adds little to the face. The most important rule is to keep the look fresh from the makeup pile-up.

One last thing. Keep the facial blotter handy. I use the lovely Pink Grapefruit Oil Absorbing Sheets from Clean&Clear. Great smell, works wonder. Dab your face with the blotter when you feel greasy. Then touch up with a thin layer of powder. Instant fresh look again! Such is a case when you can say less is more! Stay cool, stay essentially bare!

Just Do It (In Secrecy)

Secrecy is the first law of Magic
- Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way

It is no secret that I took a month of leave to come home, in preparation of my exit from my current overseas posting. It is also no secret that I had intention to quit last year, and we're into the second half of this year thus my plans have been much delayed. It irks me to the core whenever someone teases, "you always say you're gonna quit, you'll never do", or jeers, "last year you said the same thing, you're still here now", or mocks, "I've heard that before". The fact is that I did have serious plans to leave my job. But something even more serious and important came up in my life that made those plans inadmissible. At least for the time being. Why should I be subjected to such sneering of skepticism, or be taunted with accountability to them? Or is it with the liability to my declaration of plans? (And hence the embarrassment that follows when they fail?)

I used to believe that announcing my intentions would gather support from friends, or affirmations from the good-willed. Afterall, for a major decision such as changing your job or buying a property, you ought to let everyone in your network know your plans so they can keep a lookout for you, or throw in their two-cent worth of advice, right? Wrong.

Firstly, no one cares that much. Only nosey folks make useless small talks. Because they are also eager to take a jab at you when your "life-changing plans" fail. Friends (and I use the term loosely) who congratulate you on your entrepreneurship now will be quick to throw in those "I already knew"-counsel once you fall from grace.

Secondly, when you share your intentions with the wrong crowd, you will attract their discouragement and unbelief. All the "you shouldn't"s and the "you can't"s. These negative energies can undermine your motivation. Focus on your plan, not on what they think you shouldn't/cant' do.

The other downfall of announcing your plans is that you will give yourself a "premature sense of completion" as mentioned here. And I quote,

You have “identity symbols” in your brain that make your self-image. Since both actions and talk create symbols in your brain, talking satisfies the brain enough that it “neglects the pursuit of further symbols.”

Announcing your plans to others satisfies your self-identity just enough that you’re less motivated to do the hard work needed.

Simply talking about it dissipates the energy that motivates you to put it into action. Don't lose the energy focus. Act on the motivation.

It may be difficult to hold in your excitement about that new plan. It is tough to not share your goals with your mates. But go against your natural instinct if you have to. Don't attract their pessimism. Save your energy for the hard work of your plan.

If you have any plans in life, just do it.
Plan and execute them, in secrecy.

Just. Do. It.
In secrecy.

"If A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."
- Albert Einstein

Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen

No, not the song by Baz Luhrmann. Although it is one of my favourite song. I'm writing about sunscreen.

My Sunday morning was spent at the sea wakeboarding. Damn right, your Lifestyle Queen is getting all healthy and sporty lately, what with the yoga and the wakeboarding. Although this was a common phenonmenon today...
I woke up to an overcast sky this morning. It was perfect for the girls and I since we're not too keen on the tan-look. My friend brought along her spray-on sunscreen and I had a go at it.I hereby declare sunscreen spray is the only way to go for sun protection! Spray-on is so easy to use and is the most efficient way to get the sunscreen all over your body evenly. Also, no more white patches on your skin that happens when the cream sunscreen is not rub into the skin sufficiently. Run out and get this from your nearest drugstore.

Especially when doing water sports, one must remember to keep replenishing your sunscreen. Everytime I was in the water and I wipe the water off my face, I removed some sunscreen from my face too. Thus, the result is a nose as red as Rudolph the red nose reindeer. And my lips are burning and slightly raw as if I just drank tom yum soup. Not a pleasant feeling. Or sight, to say the least.

I also remember my cousin lamenting the tan lines around the top of her feet after our holiday in southern France recently. Or my sister teasing her boyfriend about his sunburnt scalp after their Kota Kinabalu getaway last week. Splattering on sunscreen is only the first step to sun protection. Here are other top tips to sunscreen wearing:

1) Check the expiry date.
Yes, they have expiry date. The active ingredients in the sunscreen may break down and lose their effectiveness after certain period. The last thing you need is a case of a bad sunburn and bad rash from the expired chemicals.

2) SPF 30
This is more than enough. Sun Protection Factor 30 allows you to stay in the sun 30 times longer before you get sunburnt. SPF 30 already blocks out 97% of the harmful UVB rays. Do you really need more? Feel free to use higher SPF, the difference is little.

3) UVA and UVB
Did you know sunscreen is not the same as sunblock? Chemicals in sunscreen absorbs the UV radiation whereas those in sunblock reflects the UV rays to protect your skin. Absorb? Reflects? I say potato, potahto. Just use a sunscreen/sunblock that has UVA and UVB protection. Period.

4) Apply half an hour before going into the sun.
This is to allow the active ingredients in the sunscreen to start working on the skin.

5) Reapply every 15-30 minutes.
I say 30 minutes. I'm really not keen on running for my can of spray-on every 15 minutes in a game of beach volleyball, or putting down my book before I can finish one chapter in that 15 minutes on the beach chair.

This is the crux of the matter -- the list of places one always miss while applying sunblock:

1. Eyelids
   The skin around your eyes are much thinner than the rest of your face. Surely one shouldn't neglect this delicate region.


2. Lips
   Do you want goth-inspired dark lips? Use a SPF 15 lip balm for goodness sake.


3. Ear
   Earlobe and back of ear are the spots we most often missed.


4. Top of feet
   Do you know how difficult it is to get rid of the tan line of your sandals or mary-jane strap if you forget to apply sunblock on your feet?


5. Back of neck
   Flaky wrinkly neck is not pretty. You don't want others to think you're diseased.


6. Scalp or exposed hairline
   Mostly for guys with really short hair. Take note, please.

This shall be your checklist the next time you apply that sunscreen. Now I have to go nurse my tender nose and burnt lips.

Full Of Crap

Today we're going to talk about a rather unpleasant topic.
Constipation. (Or being full of crap, literally.)

City dwellers like you and I are faced with high stress, fast paced lifestyles. The direct consequences of this are irregular eating habits, unsound sleeping patterns, and aplenty illnesses and pains. Especially for women, the problem of constipation is one that plagues many. I have had this problems for many years (decades, even!) and so I'm totally qualified to share with you the remedies that work. I've tried medicine, exercise, alternative chinese medicine, etc. They are of little use. There are only two things that has ever work for me. Ever.

1) Drink water first thing in the morning
As one of the reason for constipation is the lack of water intake in the body, this results in the body absorbing the water from the digested food in the colon. Hence we must replenish the water loss. Drink (at least) a glass of water when you wake up. Let it be the first thing you do once you open your eyes -- before you brush your teeth, before you check your blackberry, before you figure out how you get home the night before.

Drink a glass of room temperature water. Forget warm water, or water with lemon. Or apple cider vinegar. Just plain water of any source (yes, even tap water if they are potable.) I place a bottle of water next to my bed and reach for it even before I hit the first Snooze button. Then when I finally hit the 63rd Snooze and ready to get out of bed, my body is well-rehydrated after the night's sleep. Your body absorbed this water quickly as it has been devoid of water during the your sleep. This water is imperative in preparing your bowel for the day's activity ahead.

2) Have oatmeal for breakfast
If you are like me who love having hot breakfast, then oatmeal is the best thing you can have! Oatmeal is full of fibre which is the nemesis of constipation. Insoluble fibre (like wheat and oat) adds bulk to the stools by softening them so they move easily through the digestive tract. Cook your oatmeal with lots of water so to make it into a watery porridge. Add two tablespoonful of condensed milk and you'll have a perfect healthy breakfast recipe! It's totally yummy! There are days when I wake up craving for the smooth warm cereal first thing in the morning!

Some days when I am lazy to cook, I'll have oatmeal for all three meals! I have a superb savoury oatmeal recipe that'll nurse my hungry stomach in matter of minutes! That's the time one takes to cook the wax-coated, deep-fried, MSG-laden instant noodles! I ♥ oatmeal!

Water and oatmeal have to work hand-in-hand to resolve the problem of constipation. Fibre retains the water we take in. So without fibre, the water we drink gets absorbed directly into the bloodstream or removed from the body as urine. So we need to increase the fibre we eat as we increase the water we drink.

I've never believed these methods when others encouraged me to try -- I'm a pretty skeptical person, you see. But out of desperation, I did. And it's changed my life forever. Two simple things you need to do to make those toilet trip more pleasant.

Remember:
Drink water first thing in the morning + Oatmeal breakfast
No more expensive colposcopy or Ducolax or sweat-breaking toilet trips.