From My Heart

Hello everyone,
I would like to wish each and everyone of you a HAPPY AND AWESOME 2012 YEAR.
Live the life you want to be, Be Happy, Love More, Give More and be HEALTHY.

Best Wishes from me.

Irobot Roomba Model 581 Trial Week

A friend owns a IRobot Roomba Model 581 since early this year. I have, been contemplating in getting one since early this year!!!

I already knew I wanted to get a robot vacuum cleaner, but just didnt know which one, which model or brand. I did a lot of research, survey and even wanted to lug one back from the States.

Then my friend offered me to try her unit for a week and see how it goes. 

According to my friend, she is not fully satisfied with the Irobot as she is a super clean person. She tested with intelligent vacuum n seems that it failed her.

So I had the robot in my house for 1 week. In fact, still in my house. On the first week, I used it 3 times.

I had to shut the kitchen door. Confined the robot to the tv area 

 Robot in-action

 Collected dust.hair, etc

 Even tissue paper captured

One week of dirt. 

Overall my experience, quite good. Fulfilled me 99%. 

I wonder if the Picabot can do the same with 70% less the cost?

Detox: Removing Gallstone

Recently a friend posted on her blog how she was disturbed having gallstone. Her doctor has asked her to remove it the "medical" way and that is through surgery. However she wanted to try some natural remedy before going medical as the last resort.

After reading her blog, I said, why not. Why not try her detox method cos I may have gallstones too.

Hence, this was the website I refereed too http://www.natural-cancer-cures.com/remove-gallstones.html

For the first month (I tried it Oct), I used the method as stated in the web.
Step 1:
I juiced 6 apples a day and I normally drink them one-go. and I do it around 10-11am in the morning. I do not peel the apple too. Just hantam everything to the juicer. I did this for 6 days as you need to time the events. I made sure the last day was a weekend. For me, if I ate apple, it may take me few hours as I m lazy to chew. So drinking apple will soften the "stones" in your body

Step 2:
On day 7, I didnt consume any solid from 2pm onwards. I only drank water if I was hungry.
at 6pm, I drank 250 ml (1 cup) of salt water. I used Epsom Salt. Note, you can buy this from pharmacy.
at 8pm, I drank another 250 ml (1 cup) of salt water.
at 10pm, I mixed 125ml of extra virgin olive oil + 125ml lemon juice. Make sure you mix them thoroughly.
Go to bed
Next day, I went to the toilet at least 3 times and I did saw round green stuff that resembles stones.
note: I also had my period that time.

Convinced, and knew I had gallstone, I wanted to repeat the same process the following month. However , came November, I was lazy. Juicing also made me felt lazy man...or maybe I was lethargic. So I tried a slightly different method. Also found on the same web, but from the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgwotcsGI-g&feature=player_embedded

So November, these were the steps.
1) I didn drink any apple juice at all
2) On a Sunday, I ate a heavy breakfast. At 2pm I started fasting and only drank water. Also, it was lazy Sunday so I was napping most time.
3) at 6pm, I took the salt water. I went to toilet then
4) at 8 pm, I took the salt water. I went to toilet then
5) at 10pm, I took the mixture of Olive Oil and Lemon Juice.
Lay in bed.
6) at 6 am the next day, I took salt water again
8) at 9++ am the next day I took salt water.
I WENT TO THE TOILET 5 TIMES and EACH TIME, I SAW GREEN ROUND STOOLS FLOATING. Just over 2 days, I lost 2kg.

Cant wait for another 2 weeks for me to repeat the same.

Personal Experience:
1) The salt water = VERY BITTER. I really cannot take it. Each time, I wanted to vomit. So after drinking the salt water which I do it very fast, I will drink another cup of water to "wash down"
2) The Mixture of Extra Virgin Oil and Lemon Juice = VERY YUCKY to consumed. It was like drinking oil n getting oil stuck to your throat. Again, I drank it very fast and remember to shake well. And drink another cup of water to wash down.

End.

Report: Charity Shoebox Christmas 2011

Thank you to those who responded to my shout for help in the recent Charity Drive that I was involved.

I was very pleased with myself and those who responded for your love and care towards little children. Within a week, I managed to get interested parties to pour in RM1250 in cash and 2 sets of gifts were in kind. In total, gifts bought were 127 sets + 2 sets = 129 sets.

Once again, thank you to those who responded and thank you for your generosity and support. For those who personally know me, I purposely make it a point every year to GIVE. Its a conscious decision and effort and I never regretted it.

Like last year, this coming CNY 2012, I will be making a visit to the ICU ward in UMMC again. For those unaware, there are 2 children's unit in UMMC where the children are struck with illness beyond medical help. Last year, I went there with Philip (then 3 yo) and we distributed party packs for each child + a little small red packet. It was heart-renching to see these children and I quickly left the place as I cannot contain my tears. I didnt want the children to see why I am sobbing whereas they were very hopeful and cheerful to their daily lives.

Let me now leave some photos of the Charity Shoebox Drive for you.

EPF A/C 2 Withdrawal - Part 2

and so, I continue from where I left earlier 

I bought my first home (note, I really cherish it and wanted to make it forever...) in year 2000. That time, I was only 2nd year to really working full time. I took a loan from my parents (as an advanced wedding angpow) + savings and bought. Never, NEVER I told myself that I will utilised the EPF money as EPF is MEANT FOR RETIREMENT. So naive. Being 24. What do you expect?

For the next few years, I worked so hard and every penny goes into the home. Left me with very little savings and some times negative in the a/c comes festive season.

When the trigger of change (note, there was a huge change in my life) came in year 2007, I realised time to visit the EPF and use up A/c 2 to reduce the loan.

It was very easy. I really salute EPF Shah Alam Branch for their efficiency.

Documents you need:

The EPF Form which you can download from their web

Photocopy of your IC

S&P

Bank letter to mention the balance of loan

Land Title

It was in year 2007 and I remember vividly that it took 1 month for EPF to send me the cheque. Extremely pleased and by year 2008, I completed the loan for the house we bought at RM280k in USJ 9 in Year 2000.

In year 2008 when I did a second withdrawal, I only needed the form, Photocopy of IC and Bank Letter.

EPF allows contributors to use it for their first house purchased. If you have more than 1 property and wanted to withdraw EPF for your 2nd property, you needed to show evidence and proof that your first house is properly disposed off. a S&P is not sufficient. They need the Land Title to proof.

Anyway in year 2011, I did a withdrawal on my 2nd property. This time, I visited the same branch and within 1 week, I got it approved (approval was 1 day) and 4 days later, the money was in the bank. 

Not sure about other branches, but Shah Alam, the one I frequent is good for me.

I also utilised my EPF A/c1 for UNit Trust Investment purposes and Proud to say, up to today, I have been making good profit..returns at min 10%. If you leave your money in EPF A/c 1, interest is only 3-4% annually. The bulk of your money is in EPF A/c1. So must make full use.

So come 2012, I am going to EPF again to do loan reducing for my property...woohoowhoohoo

Charity: Shoebox Christmas 2011

Dear Friends,

Warmest greetings everyone.

Season of joy is around the corner and it is a very suitable time to give some thoughts to those who may be less fortunate.
Let’s participate Shoebox Christmas Gift initiative!

What is Shoebox Christmas?
The ‘Shoebox Christmas’ project was put together to encourage people to consider the needs of the less fortunate. Your participation is an act of love that will see the distribution of gifts packed in a shoebox to about 2,000 under-privileged children in Sabah who will be blessed by your love.

Where & When will the Shoebox Christmas Gift be distributed to?
Children in the following locations in Sabah:
1. Kg. Dandun – Pitas
2. Kg. Lugu/Pandan/Mandamai/Ontolob/Peropok/Mandurian – Pitas
3. Kg. Terian and surrounding villages, Inobong (salt trail)
4. St. Theresa Hostel, Kota Marudu
5. Franciscan Sisters Kindergartens in Paitan, Pitas
6. Skycommunity, Kota Marudu
7. Emmanual Houses, Kudat
8. Kg. Tenghilan, Asrama Gereja St James Tenghilan, Tuaran
9. Kg. Tenghilan, Mission Asrama (KK – Kota Belud), Tuaran
10. Asrama Desa Pukak, Kiulu

Gifts will be delivered to these different locations on 5 November, 26 November & 10 December.

How can you bless these children?

You can choose to do this in 1 of the following ways:
Either
1. Contribute to the treasure chest (in funds) for Shoebox Christmas Gift team to pack Shoebox Christmas Gifts for the children. Each shoebox gift costs about RM10. You can donate any amount directly to us. Picture of gifts purchased (using your donation) and shoebox gift wrapped will be taken and sent to you.
OR
2. Pack one (or more) Christmas Shoebox Gift for the children. Each child will receive one Shoebox Christmas Gift (See below for more details)

How to pack Shoebox Christmas Gift?
Each shoebox gift would not cost more than RM10, however you can contribute as much as you want in a shoebox gift.

Shoebox in 3 steps!
1. Shop for the gifts
Here are some suggested items that you can include in a shoebox gift (for children aged 1 to 12):
Toys ~ small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes
School supplies ~ pens, pencils, sharpener, crayons, markers, stamps & ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books
Hygiene items ~ toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (wrapped), comb
Others ~ T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry
Do not include ~ Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans

2. Wrap it. Once you put the gifts into a clean & empty shoebox, you can wrap it with a bag or gift paper (preferably lid separately or leave one side open as the boxes will go through safety scanning).

3. Drop it off. Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop it off to me (will arrange with you a suitable pick up time/place).

Feel free to ask if you have questions.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

HOPE TO RECEIVE SOME SUPPORT FROM YOU..LET’S GET-GOING FOR THE LITTLE ONES!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Entah Apa-apa meal #2

Made something. I guess only myself will like it. Dont dare to let anyone try :P
Cant find a name for this dish. Puree broccoli mushroom pasta?

Ingredient included cream (to make it more lat), olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, dry herbs

 This is the puree brocolli and mushroom. 

Supposed to be for cream soup. Normally I prepare this in lots and freeze them

Plastic Bottle Cap

Was thinking what can I do with a plastic bottle cap? Most time, I seen people using the bottom part of the bottle to store stationary or chopsticks.. Then a thought.. Plastic Bottle cap was meant to tighten the bottle, to prevent leakage.

So I started to experiment.

Indicate where to cut

This was the ultimate test.

Ie: U can use this for biscuits / beans / anything as its air-tight. 

But I wanted to see if water would leak out

Insert as shown. Best you experiment on your own

After I tighten it, I threw the packet against the wall.

Woolaa...no drip, no leak, no break :D

Then I google..I found this...:(

This picture was source from google search.

Illegal Work At the Kitchen

ahahhaha dont be taken aback. Not so serious.

I am one lazy bum here. During the last Raya holidays, we decided to juice often. So I got very tired after each juice extract as I have to clear and clean the fruit waste, the pulp,  etc.  I then thought to "seal" the juicer so that no ants can enter. True enough. I tested for 6 days. Not a single ant found. It did smell a little fishy as there was some liquid found. Otherwise, this is good. Will continue this illegal work in my kitchen

This is the juicer

#1, I stuck a paper towel at the juice outlet

 #2 for the waste/pulp, I line with plastic. 

Hence mush easier to thrash and the plastic container was clean. However I still rinse it.

Ikea Photo-frame turn Earring Holder Project

Here is another project I did for the Home Sweet Home.

Got this photo frame at Ikea Mutiara Damansara. Cost: RM4.90

Open it up and assemble it.

In the original packaging, it comes with a plastic board. 

This is for you to stick your photo on it.

I got mosquito net, made out of aluminium. 

Its best to look for stainless steel type but could not find in my neighborhood stores

Use the plastic board that came with the photo-frame as a guide for sizing.

Just cut along the frame size.

Then insert to the frame

 Then start hanging your jewelries

Photo taken with red background

Photo taken with white background

Overall, I love this creation. Good as gifts.