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.

Miss Say Reviews: The Pink Panther 2

I watched The Pink Panther 2 on the flight today. In fact, the flight seem so long I had time to watch two (and a half) movies, have my meal, play computer game, sleep, etc. Anyway, I decided to review The Pink Panther 2 because IT IS JUST SO HILARIOUS! I couldn't stop laughing all the time! I am normally well-behaved and very low profile on my flights, I promise you. After seeing how amused I was by movie, the girl sitting next to me told me she had to watch it too!

Alright, the movie plot may be a tad weak -- just like the first Pink Panther. But hey, it's a comedy so let's not get too serious! Steve Martin almost perfected the heavily French-accented English. It is frustrating just as it is endearing to watch him (as Inspector Clouseau) humiliate himself unwittingly. The jokes, omigosh, those how-did-you-come-up-with-that-stuff jokes got me rolling around the floor aisle in uncontrollable laughter. Steve Martin is a comedy genius!

Inspector Clouseau on finding the Pope's stolen ring: "Ah, the Pope's ring! His wife will be happy to have that back."

Inspector Clouseau to a late arriving member of the Dream Team: "Now let me bring you up to speed...We know nothing! You are now up to speed."

Say it with a artificial Frenchman's English and one has an instant formula for comicality! I am usually not a fan of slapstick dramas. Moreover, this movie was overwhelmed with negative reviews from movie critics -- just like the predecessor. But it reached #4 on its opening weekend. Quite good, I'd say. I'll add that I think the sequel is better than the original. Few other movies have earned that accolade from your truly.

Go watch it.

How To Be A Savvy Traveller

There are more than a few things I have learnt from my hundreds of flight experience. In the last four years, I have taken more flights than bus rides, ate more aircraft food than mom's cooking, slept in more hotel rooms than make my own bed in the morning. (Well then again, I do not get up in the morning most days anyway.) I could offer one more travelling tips than your hand-carry bag can pack. So I've decided to consolidate them and select the top quintessential-but-atypical tips for travelling. Now they don't teach you this in school.

1) Three pairs of footwear
- flats, for extended walking
- slippers, for beach and around hotel
- dressy heels, for fancy dinner and clubbing

When one travels, exploring the city by foot is not unexpected. So what better way to get around town then in flats. Vacation and heels are not friends, period. Ok, unless you are holidaying in Monte Carlos. Wear covered flats to protect your already exhausted feet from the harsh weather condition. Open toes/fancy slippers plus few hours of walking equals to blisters.

I never travel without my Havaianas. Even though most days I sleep once I reach the hotel, sometimes I also make use of the swimming pool in the hotel. Or I may decide to use the computer in the business centre in the hotel. Or go to the beach to chill and read a book (or the dudes-in-speedos). Slippers are the easiest way to get around in.

We never know where life will take us, especially when we travel! So even if you reckon you are set up for the most predictable evening of room service and early night, bring your fancy heels! One may make a new friend along the way and decide to dine in a restaurant. Or have a drink in the chicest club in town. Do not miss out on life's opportunity in fun and spontaneity because of inappropriate shoes!

p.s. If in winter condition, add an extra pair of boots.

2) Hair Conditioner
Four years of intensive travelling and I have never packed my own shampoo or shower gel. If one stays at a decent three-star and above hotel, the amenities in your room will surely include them. I've been lucky to stay mostly in five-star hotels, so the complimentary bath products have been in the L'occitane and Crabtree & Evelyn (eg. Hilton) range.

But please carry your own hair conditioner. This is the only toiletries you need. No hotel conditioner will get it right for your hair. Those complimentary conditioners are usually weak and useless in moisturising your hair. It's tough enough for your hair to adjust to the different water condition, the last thing you need is a useless conditioner. And you may not be able to buy that particular brand in the country even if you have the moolah. So heed my advice, leave the shampoo and bath gel at home. Save the luggage space for that hair conditioner.

3) Colourful clothes
Holiday pictures should look fun! So if you are not the best at striking interesting poses, or pretending you are having the best time of your life, my best tip is to wear colourful clothes. Bring lotsa summer dresses for that beach vacation. Bring a contrasting coloured scarf or multicoloured beanie for the winter holiday. Leave the blacks and the solid colours tops at home. Pack the fuchsia and the yellows so they brighten up the photos even when the background seems dull!

4) Bag with shoulder strap
Bring a neutral colour bag that will match with any colour clothes you may be wearing for the trip. And please make sure the bag has a shoulder strap. Messenger bag or waist pouch (I'll never be caught dead in one though!) are okay too. Arm-carried bags may seem manageable for an afternoon of window-shopping at home. But while on holiday and carrying in it your passport, camera, handphones, maps, guidebooks etc, you may start to hate that Gucci at the end of the trip. And you probably need both hands for phototaking. Shoulder strap bags only, please.

5) Shawl
A shawl is probably the best investment a girl can make in. It is thin enough to pack in your handbag everywhere you go, it is warm enough to keep you snugged. I carry my shawl in my bag even when I go to the mall or restaurants, especially when I'm wearing something sleeveless. When I go on overseas trips, I pack it in my luggage so I'll be ready in case of a sudden change of weather. I have used it as my winter saviour when I forgot Australia is winter in June. I have used it as an umbrella when a sudden rain poured on me in Hong Kong. I have used it to glam up my summer dress when a beach holiday in Athens took me to a classy restaurant in the evening. Oh how versatile is a shawl!

6) Sunglasses
For those who hate waking up in the morning and hate it even more to put on makeup on those early vacation mornings-- when no amount of mascara would make those sleepy eyes open! The best tip, don your sunglasses! I always choose my celebrity-style mega sunglasses that cover half my face. Instant chicness! Save the eye makeup, save the eyebrow trimming, save the blushers. Sunglasses are an essential holiday no-go, from beach holiday to blending in with the ultra-posh crowd in Upper East Side in Manhattan. Voila!

7) Moisturiser
I don't have to explain just how dehydrating the aircraft air is. Anyone who's flown in one before has felt that so-tight-I-don't-need-botox-anymore feeling on their face after a flight. Do yourself a favour and pack that ultra-moisturising face and body lotion and treat yourself to a rehydrating session in your hotel room. I usually pack a sheet mask in my luggage. After a flight, I'll drape the mask on my face before going to bed so my skin has all night to drink up the moisture its lost. Easy tip for lazy folks like me.

Travel light, travel smart. Universal adaptor? Umbrella? Most hotels would provide them at no charge. Whatever you can borrow, share, or reuse, do it.

This list started out with three tips. As I write on, I realised there are so many travelling tips I'd like to share! But if I could only pick my top tips, I say follow the first three tips. Three pairs of shoes, hair conditioner, colourful clothes. They will get you anywhere from Buenos Aires to Budapest to Bali, savvy traveller!

The Importance Of Being Polite

Two weeks ago, I bought a pair of Prada pumps from Saks Fifth Avenue. My little resistance to killer heels didn't withstand the 30% discount Saks was offering. (And really, my legs are endlessly long when I wear them!) I just have to have them. But the thing with Saks is that they almost always offer further discount after a few weeks. Last year, they had 80% *gasp!* off Coach and Prada, just to name a few, at the end of the sale period. So I was in a dilemma between getting my must-have heels now but risk further discount, or waiting for further reduction but risk not having my size anymore. I asked the sales associate if the Prada pumps would go on further discount. She informed me that this is the latest Spring/Summer 2009 collection so there won't be further discount. Only those from older seasons will go on further reduction. She promised.

So I caved in. Bought the black-cap pink pumps home and was as joyful as Christmas morning feels like. I have been gleefully trotting around my room in my new Prada every other day, hoping for a special occasion to wear them out.

Earlier this week, a girlfriend informed me that my new Prada is on 50% at Saks! Imagine the horror. *cue horror music* And anger. And feeling of being cheated. I decided I need to fix things.

Well, all my friends assumed I was gonna go down to Saks and make a scene. You know, the usual screaming at the poor cheating sales associate, threatening to make her lose her job-which-cost-as-much-as-my-Prada, name-calling, boycotting Saks (yeah right!) and the likes.

Remember this: You attract more bees with honey than vinegar.

So I decided to phone the sales associate and explain how I felt. She remembered me and the "promise" she gave. I was very polite and most of all non-accusatory so I guess she felt even worse about the wrong information she gave me. She said she would ask her store manager if there was anything she could do about it. I told her I appreciated her help and will wait for her reply.

So today, she phoned back as agreed. The store manager unfortunately but not surprisingly refused her request to refund me the difference in discount - even though it was misinformation on their part. The sale associate was genuinely apologetic and suggested various alternatives. After a few more phone calls and resolutions, (just between you and me *whisper*) she told me she can ask for store credit in that amount and asked if I would like that. Hell, yes! Will go to Saks tomorrow to collect my already-paid-for-by-myself gift card.

The way the world works is with politeness. Not rudeness. There is little use in being loud or demanding. You may get your way for a while, but never the real deal. I manage a vast (you cannot even imagine) array of customers everyday in my job. I have seen it all. I can't emphasize enough the importance of being polite. So trust me on this.

More shopping at Saks tomorrow. Hello, Sale!

Mediterranean

I'm sitting here on the balcony of my room in a five-star hotel, on a beautiful Mediterranean island in the perfect heat of summer time. The air is salty but cool. Each breath I take is light and refreshing. The warm sunshine beats down on my fresh golden tan skin. I look out at the cloudless sky, the blue and white stripes sundecks spotting all the balconies, I hear the carefree laughter of the kids playing in the swimming pool nearby, and the giggles of the teenagers too. I feel a strange sense tranquillity overruns me.

I know days like that will never come again.

Close my eyes, take a deep breath of the sea air. Forgetting yesterday's mistakes and tomorrow's worries, summer times and the privilege of youth never felt better than now. Now. This special moment. I. Am. Satisfied.

And for all the grumbles I have about this business of travelling alone, I feel like now is Paradise. This is what it means to be living! This will never come again! This life, this perfect moment of serenity in this splendid little Mediterranean island. This moment will last forever in my mind. For the rest of my life.

That's the lure of the Mediterranean. Summer days never end. Youth lasts forever.

Fashion Faux Paux

It's sale season everywhere *hallelujah!* and fashion name dropping is necessary, if not essential! But the only thing about fashion that hurts more than clear bra straps is bad fashion name pronunciation! Ok, and muffin-tops too. Eew!

Ladies and gentlemen, do not make the fashion faux pas (pronounce "foe pah", by the way) of mispronouncing designer labels. Yes, I understand these are difficult to pronounce names, and that most of us are not French/Italian native speakers. But there is a whole world of resources out there! Ask a fashionista friend, Google it, check on Vogue forum, there is no excuse to say you are wearing a "Loh-bo-tIN", and carrying a "Low-Wee".

Correct pronunciation, in and beyond fashion, is one of my pet peeve (next only to spelling). Unless I've already got it right, I never attempt to say it or pronounce the label. Lately while shopping with my girlfriends, I've been asked to help pronounce certain designer names. I'm glad my secret obsession with articulation finally comes in handy, and fashionably!

I've consolidated a list of popular designer labels with the correct pronunciation that will help with one's designer names struggle. This is the ultimate fashionista's list to avoid fashion faux paux when label-dropping in future!

A
Agnes B. : Ahn-nyaz-beh
Andrew Gn: Andrew Jen (rhymes with “ten”)
Anteprima: On-tay-pre-ma
Anya Hindmarch: Ahn-ya Heind-march

B
Badgley Mischka: Badge-lee Meesh-ka
Bebe: Bee-bee
Balenciaga: Bah-len-see-AH-gah
Bally: BAH-li
Balmain: Bal-mah
Bottega Veneta: Bo-tega Ven-e-ta
Bulgari: Bool-gah-ree
Burberry Prorsum: Bur-bur-ree Pror-some

C
Cacharel: Cash-er-el
Carolina Herrera: Caro-leena Hair-era
Cerruti: Cher-ru-tee
Chanel: Sha-Nel
Chopard: Sho PAR
Christian Louboutin: Kris-tian loo-boo-tahn (soft N)
Christian Lacroix: Kris-tian LAH-kwa
Christian Dior: Kris-tian Dee-yor
Commes des Garcons: Comb day Garse-on

D
Diane von Furstenberg: Diane Von Fur-sten-berg
Dolce & Gabbana: Dole-chay and Gah-Bah-na
Dries Van Noten: Dress Vahn NOH-tehn

E
Elie Saab: EH-li Zahb
Emanuel Ungaro: Ee-MAN-noo-el OON-Gah-ro
Emilio Pucci: Ehm-ee-lee-o Poo-chee
Emporio Armani: Em-POHR-yo AR-mah-ni
Ermenegildo Zegna: Ehr-MAN-ni-jil-do ZEYN-ya
Etro: EHT-tro

F
Fendi: Fend-ee
Furla: Foor-la

G
Giuseppe Zanotti: Gee-zepee Zanottee
Givenchy: Jee-von-shee
Gianfranco Ferre: Jawn-franco Fair-ay
Gucci: Goo-chee
Guy Laroche: Ghee Lah-Rosh

H
Helmut Lang: HEL-moot Lung
Hermès: Air-mehz
Hervé Léger: Air-vay Lay-jay

I
Issey Miyake: Eees-Ay Me-Yah-Kee

J
Jean Paul Gaultier: Jawn Paul Goat-ee-ay

L
Lanvin: Lon-VAN
Loewe: Low-ey-vay
Longchamp: Long-shum
Louis Vuitton: Loo-ee Voo-ee-ton

M
Manolo Blahnik: Ma-no-low Blah-nick
Missoni: Miss-own-ee
Miu Miu: Myu Myu
Moschino: Mo-ski-no

N
Narciso Rodriguez: Nar-siss-so Ro-dree-gez

P
Prada: Pra-Da
Pierre Cardin: Pee-air Car-dahn
Proenza Schouler: Pro-enza Skool-er

R
Ralph Lauren: Ralph Lauren (rhymes with "foreign")
Roberto Cavalli: Ro-BER-to KA-VA-lee
Rochas: Ro-Shahs

S
Sonia Rykiel: Sonia Ree-kee-eel

T
Thakoon: Ta-koon
Thierry Mugler: Tee-air-ree Moog-lay

V
Vacheron Constantin: Va-sha-Ron Con-ston-Tahn
Versace: Ver-sah-chee

Y
Yves Saint Laurent: Eve-sahn-Laur-ahnt

Z
Zac Posen: Poe-zen

Lately, all the major fashion houses are distinguishing themselves from the mainstream with haute coutour. This is some serious business -- and word -- one should investigate. Let's say it right once and for all.

Haute Coutour: /ot kutyʁ/ "Oat coot-Tour"

Here's also a link I found on YouTube that says it all, literally. From Hermès to Lacriox, hear it the way it oughtta be said! Au revoir, fashion faux paux!

Hope: Drug or Remedy

Was watching a re-run of Sex and the City yesterday. One can never get enough of this show! No matter what age group you belong to, no matter how many times you've watched the show, no matter which stage in life or what emotional state you are watching the show at, you'll always relate to one part of the show or other. You'll always find a "that's me!"-moment. You'll also be thankful there are millions and millions of women out there struggling with the same issues you've been so tortured with, and that your problem is not unique. And there are solutions to it. Even if there are none, take heart in knowing that some of us do really understand you. (Alright, unless you are a man.)

In the episode last night, Carrie Bradshaw asked this question:
Is hope a drug we need to go off of or is it keeping us alive?

This questiong has been going through my mind all day. Why do women torture ourselves with aching hopes, and then get ourselves crushed when hope drops us from the high? Are you not strong enough to go off the drug of hope, and rather be addicted to hope and risk your heart out there over and over again?

Or is hope the elixir of life that puts that dance in your step each day, making you more alive whenever you remember how all the risks and optimism may someday reap a good harvest? In the book of Corinthians in the bible, it says "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love." It is certainly a very important essence in life. What's a life if you can't/wont' even believe in hope anymore?

Is hope a drug we need to go off of or is it keeping us alive?

A Girl's Gotta Do What A Girl's Gotta Do

I went for Yoga class yesterday. And today. So it's not difficult to imagine how tight my muscles feel now. Any swift movement may snap one of those at the back of my thighs. Ouch. I dread the pain, yet I crave the ache. These achy feelings remind me that I had a good workout. (Or that I need to work out more? Oh well.)

Had a warm shower and made myself a nice quick dinner. Feeling so relaxed I feel like climbing into bed and have a good read before an early night. But my girlfriends just texted me to hang out tonight. After struggling back and forth, I've decided to head out. Trust me, it's not an easy decision to make when I'm already halfway into dreamland. But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Staying in and having a me-time can wait. Hanging out with the girls and exchanging information (read: gossiping) is priceless.

Isn't life like that too? Often in life, we have to make difficult decision. And we often choose the decision that's hard on ourselves. But this is part of the learning process. We always learn much more when we make tough choices. We always learn more about life and out of life when take the road less travelled. Today it may be going out versus staying in. Tomorrow it could be marrying the wrong man or walking away from a bad relationship (random example that came to my mind). Make wise decision, girlfriends. Do what a smart, sassy, independent girl would do in every decision battle.

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Hanging out with her girls gotta be quite high on the priority list. Cos few things beats a good girls' night out! Gotta run!

Present Tense

I've always loved poetry. I even took up an elective in American Literature in the university. That was when I was exposed to Robert Frost, Edgar Allen Poe, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and the likes. More than once I've had the goosebumps feelings when a certain poetry struck a chord in me. How could a few simple words put together be so beautiful, and meaningful?

This poem by Jason Lehman brought a little tear to my eyes when I read it this evening. It is tragically beautiful.

It was Spring.
But it was Summer I wanted,
The warm days,
And the great outdoors.

It was Summer.
But it was Fall I wanted,
The colorful leaves,
And the cool, dry air.

It was Fall.
But it was Winter I wanted,
The beautiful snow,
And the joy of the holiday season.

It was Winter.
But it was Spring I wanted,
The warmth,
And the blossoming of nature.

I was a child.
But it was adulthood I wanted,
The freedom,
And the respect.

I was twenty.
But it was thirty I wanted,
To be mature,
And sophisticated.

I was middle-aged.
But it was twenty I wanted,
The youth,
And the free spirit.

I was retired.
But it was middle-age I wanted,
The presence of mind,
Without limitations.

Then my life was over.
And I never got what I wanted.

~ Present Tense by Jason Lehman (1989) ~

Classy And Fabulous

Coco Chanel said "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous."

You can be fabulous in your charming personality, your blessed good looks, your expensive makeup and shoes. But to be classy, this is the tricky one. If I can only offer one advice, read. Read extensively. Not just the heavy duty scientific encyclopedia or anthropological thesis, read everything and anything. Read the Financial Times, read Vogue, read an autobiography, read the history of the World Wars, read a Marian Keyes, read a Paolo Coelho, read the Bible, read the Atlas, read ColdFusion for Dummies, read modern poetry, read trivial facts.

Read. Extensively.

In that way, you'll be able to strike up a conversation with anyone. And that classy side of you will show through the subject knowledge, and the way you speak about them. You will be confident in your self-worth, you have your own opinion on aplenty topics, you are able to carry your thoughts across in a smart and stylish manner.

You don't have to dress like a million bucks to prove you are classy. You don't have to speak like a lady-in-waiting to be classy. You do need a good brain to work that elegant side of you.

Read, girlfriends. Read extensively.
And be Classy and Fabulous.