DIARY OF A (SORT OF) NON-SMOKER

Week One

Used to smoke 1.5 packs per day. As of now, will be cigarette-free.
I am very determined that I shall quit smoking. I threw out all my lighters, cigarettes, ashtrays and cigarette butts (you never know how desperate you’ll get). From this day on I’ll have beautiful skin, white teeth and I won’t wheeze while trying to put my shoes on. I’ll be a glorious supermodel. I will start walking one kilometer every morning at 6:30am. I feel good. I can’t wait to tell everyone about the brand new me.

Later in Day One

Lasted only 10 minutes on my walk and had to rest. I tried watching American Idol without puffing away at 30 cigarettes. It just wasn’t the same. But it’s only the first day after all. I’ll be better tomorrow.

Week Two

Number of real cigarettes smoked: Zero. Number of imaginary cigarettes smoked: 2,159.
I’m feeling quite sanctimonious. I told everybody I was quitting and all were impressed. This now means I can eat all the chocolate I want.

I’ve been looking at myself in the mirror every five minutes to see if I look 10 years younger, if my teeth are any lighter, or if my skin is any better. People at work say I look a lot fresher and that I’m glowing (come on, it’s not like I’m pregnant) but I think they’re lying. I know for a fact that my butt is definitely at least five centimeters wider since last week. How can it be possible to put on this much weight in one week?

I might need glasses because everything looks like a cigarette. My favorite perfume is cigarette smoke. Thank goodness for those chocolates.

Week Three

Cigarettes smoked: 1 pack.
I was doing really well. Then I suddenly decided I had to have two cigarettes. I went to 7-Eleven and bought a pack and smoked five in a row. I came back to the office, told my office neighbor that I had smoked one cigarette, and she forced me to give the cigarettes away. When my boss found out, he was so mad he threw a pen at me. I promised that it was the last stick I was going to have.

Now I can’t stop. I’ve been hiding out and smoking with a mint in my mouth and a bottle of perfume in hand so no one will know. But every time I return to my desk, there is a photocopied newspaper article on quitting via laser treatment staring back at me.

I am on my way to quitting, it’s just that I’m having a little setback. I’m definitely going to quit tomorrow. Then I’ll have a healthy body, more money, and all those wonderful things. This is only a temporary lapse.

Week Four

Cigarettes smoked: So many I have lost count.
This was supposed to be my glory week: Week Four of Quitting Smoking. Now I’m sneaking at least 1.5 packs a day. It’s like the whole world is disappointed with me. My boss says he’s really annoyed that he has to spend so much time listening to my whining. My office neighbor casts looks of pity at me.

I was exercising but now I can’t bring myself to look at my new running shoes anymore as it’s too depressing. The only reason I still swim every day is so that I won’t forget that I actually do have lungs in my wheezy chest. Why is it so difficult? It’s not like I am smoking crack.

Week Five

Cigarettes smoked: I can’t be bothered to count. But I have gone up in strength.
I am imagining myself lying full of needles in an acupuncture studio in Chinatown and being rid of this smoking addiction. And if that doesn’t work, then I will next try acupuncture combined with hypnotherapy. I am willing to try any form of torture necessary. It’s just that I’m too busy at the moment to actually do it.

I should never have told anyone at work that I was quitting. My colleagues have plastered my entire cubicle with information on how to quit smoking. And the one who is giving me the hardest time is a smoker himself.

The entire exercise plan has collapsed. My shoes still look brand new and the hand weights I bought haven’t even been taken out of their plastic pack. Plus I’m eating all that extra junk I was using as a reward for quitting. Not only am I a smoker, but now I’m a fat one as well.

Just Do It

Quitting smoking using sheer willpower alone is notoriously difficult. Thankfully there’s now an array of different sources smokers can turn to for help with stubbing out the habit.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture focuses on applying pressure to the pressure points that will circulate qi to calm the nervous system. This helps to treat cravings, irritability and restlessness. Physicians treat patients according to their specific smoking habits, so treatments are designed specifically to suit individual needs. Registered TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) Physician and Acupuncturist Amy Liang (Kiat Siong Clinic and Acupuncture, Blk 465, #01-30 Crawford Lane, 6733-0777) suggests that initially the patient should have three visits on three consecutive days for 30 minutes. After this, treatments should be twice weekly. Liang charges $35 per treatment. Treatments that also incorporate weight management cost $48.

Laser Therapy

A bit like acupuncture without the needles, laser therapy works on a similar philosophy to the older science. A laser is applied to pressure points on the ears, nose, hands and wrists to stimulate the release of endorphins. The idea is to give the smoker feelings of relaxation, calm and well-being, thus reducing stress levels and the urge for a cigarette. Phoenix Laser Therapy Centre (26/F, Tower B, Ngee Ann City, 391B Orchard Rd., 6836-9305) claims their Quit Smoking Program is completed after only three hour-long sessions over three days. But quick fixes don’t come cheap: The total cost for the sessions is $640. Counseling is provided.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

The way the Nicorette products work is to provide low levels of clean nicotine (nicotine without the harmful tar and carbon monoxide of cigarette smoke, the primary causes of cancer and cardiovascular disease), to help smokers curb their withdrawal symptoms.

There are three kinds of product. The Nicorette Gum is a sugar-free gum that can be consumed whenever cravings are experienced. The gum releases nicotine into the bloodstream through the mouth’s lining. They are available in two strengths. The 2mg product costs $19.90 for 30 pieces, and $58.80 for 105 pieces; the 4mg product costs $29.95 for 30 pieces, and $88.20 for 105 pieces. A full course of the gum usually takes around 16 weeks to complete.

The Nicorette 16-Hour Patch is designed for use throughout the day, so it’s put on in the morning and taken off before bed. It delivers a controlled dose of nicotine throughout the day, and as the smoker is slowly weaned off them, dose levels should be decreased. It’s available in three doses ($34.65 for seven 15mg patches; $31.50 for seven 10mg patches; $28.90 for seven 5mg patches) and it’s recommended that these are used for about 12 weeks.

To address the behavioral aspects of smoking, the Nicorette Inhaler allows smokers to still mimic the hand to mouth inhaling action of smoking, through a mouthpiece with a replaceable cartridge of nicotine. The amount of nicotine released is about eight to 10 times less than that in a cigarette. It’s recommended that six to 12 cartridges be used per day for a minimum of eight weeks, and then the number should be reduced. A box of 18 cartridges costs $26.25. None of the Nicorette products should be used for longer than six months.

Hypnosis

The theory behind using hypnosis to quit is that it puts the smoker in a state whereby the conscious mind is bypassed. By changing habits in the subconscious, it is supposed to be easier to change conscious behavior. But success depends largely on the smoker’s willingness to go into a hypnotic state. Certified Hypnotherapist El Solaris RP (9615-3348) suggests social smokers will need two sessions ($330) to stop smoking, while other smokers will need four sessions ($660). Single sessions are also available ($200).

It’s that time of the year again—let the splashing begin. Break out the powder, the water cannons, the buckets, the garden hoses, the ice cubes…. What’s that you say? You don’t like getting wet? Well, that’s OK, too. This year, we’re going to prepare you for every eventuality. Whether you fully embrace the squirting, would like to celebrate the holiday in an unusual way, want to find a last minute escape from the madness or hate the water but can’t be asked (or can’t afford) to leave town, there are a host of activities to keep you happy this Songkran.

I Like to Stay Dry

A lot of Bangkokians start getting anxious around this time of year, but not everyone has the time or means to leave the city. Luckily there are a plethora of things you can do in the Capital where you don’t have to get wet. In fact, seeing as some people have as much as 11 days off (lucky jerks…), Songkran can be a great opportunity to really devote yourself to something meaningful, get something big accomplished or take on that project you’ve been putting off for ages.

Sharpen Your Palatte

Just because you’re out of school doesn’t mean your can’t learn something new. Impress your boy/girlfriend by whipping up something special that you learned how to make at the adorable Vanilla Industry (B3,500 per person for half day course, B2,500 per person for groups of 3-6 people. 422/2 Siam Square Soi 11, 02-658-4720). To ensure a spot, make sure you call and make a reservation a week ahead of time. Kuppa@Playground (B1,500-2,500 per menu. 3/F, Playground, 818 Soi Thonglor, 02-714-9517-8. Open daily 10:30am-11:30pm) also teaches how to cook their wonderful dishes, though here again you should call ahead to ensure a space. Instruction on creating delectable kanom and international fare in small, intimate classes is available at ABC Cooking Studio (B2,900-4,900 per person, learn 3-6 menus. 208-210 Siam Square Soi 1, 02-251-3448. Open 10am-5pm; www.abccookingstudio.com). If you are itching to make your own sushi, you’ll have to wait until after Songkran, but it may be worth it. Chef Aki’s Real Traditional Japanese Cooking Workshop at Tsu & Nami Japanese Restaurant (B1,900 per person, JW Marriot Bangkok, 4 Sukhumvit Soi 2, 02-656-7700 ext. 4359. Open 8:50am-1:30pm every first Sunday of the month) teaches you how to do everything from appetizers to desserts from the Far East.

Those looking to unlock the secrets of Thai cuisine can go to the renowned Blue Elephant Cooking School (B2,900 per person. 233 South Sathorn Rd., Kwaeng Yannawa, 02-673-9353; www.blueelephant.com) or to the Thai cooking school at the Oriental Hotel (US$190 per person, 48 Oriental Ave, 02-659-9000. Open Mon-Sat, 9am-12:30pm; www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok).

Clear Your Mind
The New Year is of course a time of spiritual renewal and re-birth and the perfect opportunity to do some mental “spring cleaning” by taking a meditation class. The International Buddhist Meditation Center (Dhamma Vicaya Hall, Wat Mahathat, Na Phra Lan Rd, 02-222-6011. Classes held daily 7am-10am, 1pm-4pm, 6pm-9pm; www.mcu.ac.th/mcu/eng) provides instruction throughout the day in Thai and holds a special class in English on Saturdays. Other options are House of Dhamma (26/9 Chompol Lane, Lad Phrao Soi 15, Chatuchak, 02-511-0439. Open evenings and weekends only) and the seven-acre haven of peace and serenity, Sathira-Dhammasathan (24/5 Watcharaphol, Ram Inthra Soi 55, Bang Khen, 02-510-6697. Open daily 8am-5pm; www.sathira-dhammasathan.org), which offers meditation workshops as well as other forms of spiritual development. Alternately, relax your mind and heal your body simultaneously at Yoga Elements Studio (23/ F, 29 Vanissa Building, Soi Chitlom, 02-655-5671. Open 9:30am-7:30pm, closed Sat, Apr 15; www.yogaelements.com) or try Wat Pho Traditional Thai Medical School (B7,000 for 30-hour course. 2 Sanamchai Rd, 02-221-3686. Open daily 8am-4pm; www.watpomassage.com) to put the magic of traditional healing and relaxation at your fingertips.

Get Smart

Now that you have a little time off, why not explore some of those cool places you’ve been reading about but have never had the chance to visit? Thailand Knowledge Park (TK Park) (6/F Central World Plaza, Ratchaprasong Rd., 02-392-5951; www.tkpark.or.th) has thousands of books and magazines to flip through (and maybe even read!), both in Thai and foreign languages. If reading is not your thing, TK Park is also a clearinghouse for all sorts of multimedia: They regularly hold film screenings (including 3D movies), have thousands of songs from all over the world to listen to, information on musical instruments from Thailand and abroad and offer free internet access. Alternately, the Thailand Creative and Design Center (TCDC) (6/F The Emporium, 622 Sukhumvit 24, 02-664-8448; open daily 10:30am-10pm, closed Mon; www.tcdc.or.th) offers similar services in an ultracool 2001: A Space Odyssey kind of atmosphere. Unfortunately, their services are not free; however, you can check them out once without paying, plus students get special a discount. In addition, they have free art exhibitions every month and a cool shop with unique, arty gifts for sale.

Nice, dry, air-conditioned art galleries may be just the place to spend a Songkran afternoon. The following galleries are all having some interesting exhibits going on over the holiday: 100 Tonson Gallery (100 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Rd., 02-684-1527. Open Thu-Sun 11am-7pm. www.100tonsongallery.com) and Hu’u Gallery (OK, it’s a restaurant, but you’re allowed to just look. The Ascott, 1-2/F, 187 South Sathorn Rd., 02-676-6673. Open daily 5pm-1am. www.huuinasia.com). For exhibition descriptions and more suggestions, check out our +art listings in BK+.

Stay Cool - And Dry

Gliding on ice may be a faraway dream on a hot summer day, but believe or not you can do it right here in Bangkok. The rink at Central World Plaza has closed for renovation, but you can still go ice-skating at Imperial World Samrong (B150 plus B100 skate deposit. 999 Sukhumvit Rd, 02-380-4230-32, www.imperialplaza.co.th. Open daily 10am–2:45pm and 3pm-8pm, Sundays until 7:30pm). You can even sign up for figure skating lessons, or just watch for B20.

If that seems like it requires more energy than you are willing to spend, a massage right in the comfort of your own home could be a good idea. Call Kangsadan Home Spa (12/26 Thesabarnsongkrao Rd., Ladyao, Chatuchak, 02-954-3401) and they’ll send a professional spa therapist to your home with all the essentials, including a clean mattress, robes, oil and even some soothing music.

Lastly, for the truly lazy or just the computer-addicted who would like to celebrate a traditional Songkran ceremony but can’t bother getting up from their desk, simply surf on over to www.songkran.net. This site offers you the chance to do it all online including Song Nam Phra (bathe the Buddha), Rod Nam Dam Hua (apologize to older people for all the bad deeds you did to them), free birds and fish (via Flash animation) and “e-splash” friends via email. The site also has information on events and the history of the festival.

I’m Getting Wet But in My Own Special Way

Songkran doesn’t have to be celebrated in water-drenched streets or temples. Here are a couple ideas for people who’d like to stay with the water theme, but in a non-traditional, out-of-the-box sort of way.

Why waste your precious time in Koh Tao when you can get certified to scuba dive before you even leave town? Planet Scuba (666 Sukhumvit Road near the top of Soi 24, 02-261-4413; www.planetscuba.net) is just one of many dive shops throughout the city that offers training in a swimming pool followed by an overnight trip to Pattaya for open water certification, so that you’ll be ready to go when you get to that tropical paradise.

Spend a day at the water’s edge without leaving the city wakeboarding at Club Taco (B200/hr, B300/2 hrs, B500/day. Bang Na Trad Highway Km 13, 02-316-7810. Open Mon-Fri noon-6 pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm). If you can get the hang of it, this fun activity that resembles water-skiing can be addictive. Instead of a boat, at Camp Taco a mechanical cable pulls you around a manmade lake—bizarre but entertaining nonetheless. A tip: Pass on the free equipment and rent the better stuff. It makes a big difference.

Did you know that Singapore recently hosted a blogging convention? Let that word roll around your tongue a bit: a convention. That’s how ridiculously huge the blogging phenomenon has become.

For better or worse, online journals are the voice of Netizens these days.

A portmanteau of the phrase “web log”, blogs can be a soapbox for opinions on current events, a place to post poetry and musings, or simply a dump for links that you want your friends to check out. It’s a flexible medium and, if you get past the self-absorbed nature of most blogs, it can be used in many interesting ways.

Credibility of blogs are already on the upswing. Izzy, a popular columnist
for Today, first came into prominence through her controversial blog
http://missizzy.org, while many internationally-acclaimed authors, like William Gibson (http://www.williamgibsonbooks.com/blog/archive.asp) and Neil Gaiman (http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/) regularly update their journals.

The question is, of course, which host works best? There are many to choose from, but only a select few are really user-friendly while still offering all the cool features to do whatever you want with your journal.

We made our way through a whole bunch and narrowed it down to the top ones. No need to thank us, but we expect a shout once your blog’s hit-count starts climbing.

LiveJournal, www.livejournal.com

LiveJournal’s (LJ) been huge with the international blogging community for some time now—and for good reason. Aside from an easy to use interface that includes great options like quick-linking to other LJ users and LJ cuts (which lets you “hide” parts of your post so that it doesn’t look so clunky on the main page), its biggest boon is definitely the “Friends” option.

This feature allows you to keep track of other LJ users’ posts, and vice versa. The option also means that only those on your approved “Friend” list can read your locked posts.

Navigation is a bit tedious though, with no clarity on where to click on for any particular function. The layouts of LJ blogs don’t really scream “inspirational” either, with a few rigid formats. Trying to customize it is a lesson in frustration for newbies.

At the end of the day, LiveJournal’s still a very popular choice, mostly among people who’ve been blogging for some time. It’s not completely undecipherable, but there are much easier hosts to start out your blogging life with.

User Friendly: ★★✩✩✩
Customizability: ★✩✩✩✩
Spread the Word: ★★★★★

Multiply, www.multiply.com

To simply call Multiply a blog host is understating things a bit. More of an all-round personal site than exclusively a traditional blog, Multiply is fantastic for anyone who’s looking to do a whole lot more than just write about what they did on any particular day.

Featuring the option to upload videos, pictures and music—all in their own separate sections—Multiply is the kind of multimedia blog that we feel people need to pay more attention to. On top of the host, Multiply also works as a social networking site, keeping you in contact with your friends and, like LiveJournal, up to date of their postings.

Another great feature is that, if you’ve already got a blog running at LiveJournal or Blogger, you can simply syndicate it at your Multiply site, instead of starting a new one up from scratch.

The downside, however, is that Multiply’s layouts are pretty straightforward and dull. Nevertheless, if substance completely overshadows style for you, then this is certainly the host you’re looking for.

User Friendly: ★★★✩✩
Customizability: ★✩✩✩✩
Spread the Word: ★★★★★

Blogger, www.blogger.com

Probably the most popular host among local users, Blogger is perfect for newbies looking to set up their own little place in cyber space. As far as user-friendliness is concerned, Blogger delivers in spades, making it easy for users to navigate. Updating your journal’s a cinch; the interface is very similar to Microsoft Word, so there’s a great sense of familiarity. Heck, it even comes with its own spell-check option.

As for customizability, you need to know a bit of HTML (or at least know where to get the kind of layouts you’re looking for) if you want to move away from the templates, but otherwise it’s pretty straightforward.

Getting word out to your friends about your blog, however, rests solely on you. Unlike LiveJournal and Multiply, there’s no real community feel to Blogger.

A great host that’s much more flexible as far as aesthetics are concerned, it’s easy to understand why Blogger’s gained such a following.

User Friendly: ★★★★✩
Customizability: ★★★★✩
Spread the Word: ★★★✩✩

Xanga, www.xanga.com

Xanga takes LiveJournal’s “Friends” concept a little further, by making your journal part of blog rings—communities specific to the type of topics you blog about. It’s a keen little feature that certainly makes it easier for you to scope out blogs that appeal to your particular interest.

Updating is relatively simple, and, while the potential to personalize your blog isn’t as fantastic as Blogger’s, Xanga’s templates are still pretty gorgeous and varied.
All in all, Xanga’s for a particular kind of blogger. Casual users would probably grow tired of it after a while.

User Friendly: ★★★★✩
Customizability: ★★✩✩✩
Spread the Word: ★★★★✩

The Verdict

We’d recommend Blogger if you’re just starting out. It’s the easiest to get used to, and the most fun to play with, as far as designs go. Most people would progress on to LiveJournal for the “Friends” option, but we’d suggest Multiply instead, especially if you’ve got ambitions to move beyond simple text posts. Xanga would probably be best if you’re blogging on one particular subject, but it doesn’t really offer much otherwise.

Blog Talk

The Internet has always been rife with seemingly nonsensical jargon, and when blogging exploded onto the scene, a new dialect of online-speak naturally started popping up. Here’s a quick cheat sheet, so you don’t look like such a newbie when you get started.

Dooced was a term coined when graphic designer Heather B. Armstrong was notoriously fired due to work related posts in her blog at http://dooce.com. Since then, if you’ve been sacked for posting nasty little things or secrets about your company, as far as the blogging community is concerned, you’ve been dooced.

Memes are either online quizzes you post on your blog from websites like Quizilla (http://quizilla.com/), or “surveys” that are designed to give your readers an overview of who you are. For the latter, you’re usually expected to pass on the meme to another blogger to keep it circulating. This is called “tagging”.

Moblogs are blogs with content that are mostly posted from a mobile phone via SMS and MMS. Interesting fact: For last year’s National Day, Singapore apparently started the world’s first national moblog. Check it out here: http://moblog.ndp.org.sg/main/index.asp.

NSFW stands for “Not Safe for Work.” You will probably find this headlining an LJ cut or link that’ll take you to something obscene or crude. You might not want to open it in the office and save it for when you get back home.

Podcasts are blogs that consist predominantly of audio entries. With the right software, you can have a podcast syndicated straight to your MP3 player. The format’s already huge overseas, but it’s just in its infancy here, with only a handful of locally-based podcasters.

No matter what your stance on the inflammatory events of the day, when it comes to political demonstrations, being heard is intrinsically linked to being seen. A colored top is a must at these events—just make sure that you know what color your side plans on sporting. If it’s a huge public protest you are headed to, there will probably be some clothes available to buy on site. However, preparing your get-up at home will of course insure a snazzier style. You can pick up a new top anywhere from Giordano to Lacoste, or just reuse one that’s been sitting in your wardrobe since high school. Try Siam Discovery Center (Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1000) and MBK Mall (Phaya Thai Rd., 02-620-9111).

As for pants, play it safe with some black trousers or jeans: linen, cotton, or wool will do nicely. Shorts will even work if it’s a hot day, just as long as they’re black. As a simple rule of fashion, black goes with every color. If you are planning on buying something just for this event then you’d better find something that’s cheap and available at nearly every corner in Bangkok. Fashion-wise, choose the color that suits the theme. After all, we are Fashion City citizens. Try Bonanza Mall (Siam Square, Phaya Thai Rd.) and Silom Rd.

Accessories

Flags. You can get national flags in every size and shape at a flag or stationery store. Get creative by customizing your own version of the flag and you might get what you want! Try Saparn Wanchart intersedtion, Dinsor Rd.

Stickers. These are a must for every campaign: re-useable, portable and they get the attention you’re looking for. The more creative you are, the more people will get behind your message (though fellow protesters might not actually give a ****, stickers are cool to have anyway). You can probably get these for free at the venue. Try G/F MBK Mall (Phaya Thai Rd., 02-620-9111).

Paper visors. Mostly you can get these for free at the demonstration, so don’t bother bringing your own. Hold onto yours so you can customize or redecorate it for the next time. Try Saparn Wanchart intersection, Dinsor Rd.

Scarves. If you want to pick one of these up at the protest, you better get there early—free stuff never lasts long. For the fashion-conscious, make sure your color matches and that the scarf is made from cotton, especially on the hot and humid days. Try Chatuchak Weenkend Market, Kamphaeng Phet Rd.

Shoes. There are no rules concerning what kind of shoes you have to wear; just make sure they’re comfortable and fashionable. You never know how long you could be out there. Try MBK Mall (Phaya Thai Rd., 02-620-9111) and Siam Discovery center (Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1000).

Money, so they say, is the root of all evil. Or, at least, it was the root of all evil–now, it’s just the root of gullibility and desperation, driving people to ridiculous lengths for the almighty dollar.

But fret not, all of you armchair millionaire hopefuls. After sifting through the most popular get-rich-quick schemes around, we’ve come up with the top 10 ways to hit pay dirt based on the likelihood of you succeeding, the amount of effort you’ll have to put in and how much of your soul you’ll need to sacrifice along the way. So, drum roll please…

Baby, Don’t Forget My Number

Fruitlessly blowing obscene amounts of money on 4D and Toto seems to be a favorite local pastime, but considering how effortless it is to plunk down your cash for “four big, four small”, we’ll start our list with it.

If you think about it, it really isn’t a totally hopeless way to make it big. You could rely on sheer dumb luck like the rest of the population, or you could study the statistical odds of what the winning numbers are going to be. I mean, 4D only has 10,000 options, right?

So, if you’re a mathematical genius, you stand a decent enough chance of striking the proverbial gold. For everyone else … well, keep trying and best of luck.

The Laziness Quotient: $$$$
Chances of Making it Big: $
Odds of You Keeping Your Soul: $$$$

Drink and Drive

As far as night life goes, there is nothing worse than being the evening’s designated driver. You can’t touch a drop of booze and you still have to find a way to get the stink of puke out of your car’s upholstery at the end of the night.

So why not make a little scratch from it? Have your buddies “hire” your services for quite the pretty penny to haul their drunken asses home. You’re probably not going to get filthy rich from this, but at least you’ll score a little pocket money for yourself when it’s your turn to get good and sloshed.

The Laziness Quotient: $$
Chances of Making it Big: $$
Odds of You Keeping Your Soul: $$$$$

The Gurus Who Do What Nobody Else Dares To Do

We were all raised to look for a job that’s specialized, but in demand. If you think about it, becoming a sex guru falls into that category quite nicely. After all, aside from Dr. Wei Siang Yu, what other prominent local sex specialist can you think of? The market’s wide open for our very own Alfred Kinsey.

Of course, this isn’t some vague occupation where you can sprout rubbish and pass it off as facts, so there are still years of studying to go through first. Not to mention developing ace people skills so they’ll fess up to you. But no, you don’t get to do it all the time.

The Laziness Quotient: $
Chances of Making it Big: $$$
Odds of You Keeping Your Soul: $$$$

The Eagle Has LANded

LAN gaming cafés are still pretty big business, with new ones now popping up in the heartlands. What’s more, as opposed to normal cafés, you don’t have to worry about food or a scenic view. Gamers, after all, can go without sunlight for days, surviving on nothing but snacks and sodas.

Of course, starting up one of these places actually requires you to spend quite a bit before you even see a cent in returns, which sounds way too hard for us.

The Laziness Quotient: $
Chances of Making it Big: $$
Odds of You Keeping Your Soul: $$$$$

Power to the People

Now, this is what we’re talking about. Power-selling is basically just auctioning a company’s products on eBay or any similar site. Heck, we do this with our old CDs on a regular basis anyway.

While there is the appeal of being able to work in your underwear, your fat check will, however, depend on whether you can actually sell the goods. So, no matter how marketable the product, your success rate is still pretty iffy.

The Laziness Quotient: $$$$
Chances of Making it Big: $$
Odds of You Keeping Your Soul: $$$

Slap Leather

Nothing reeks of gold-digging like jumping on the ol’ bandwagon. Toss a stone anywhere in Orchard Road these days and you can hit a stall selling beaded and leather jewelry. While some of these certainly are gorgeous, a lot of them look like a six-year-old threw them together in his spare time and still go for up to $8. Go for it if you have greater artistic capabilities than a six-year-old.

As far as silly trends go, this is our new bubble tea. Pick up the basics of beading, market your creations just right and, before you know it, you too will be out there making preposterous amounts of dinero from suckers who don’t know any better.

The Laziness Quotient: $$
Chances of Making it Big: $$$
Odds of You Keeping Your Soul: $$

False Idols

Don’t get us wrong–we’re not asking you to win Singapore Idol. That might be a bit too much of a stretch. You should aim your sights a little lower than becoming the next Taufik. Nope, lower than Sylvester. Olinda’s still pushing it here, people! Think William Hung.

With his smooth moves, everyone’s favorite wannabe-Ricky Martin landed himself a movie deal, something that passes for an album, and even his own fan club. All you need to do is to make a complete jackass of yourself on national television. That doesn’t sound too bad, does it?

The Laziness Quotient: $$$
Chances of Making it Big: $$$$
Odds of You Keeping Your Soul: $

Pixel Perfect

When 21-year-old Briton Alex Tew made over a million dollars by selling each and every pixel on his website, www.milliondollarhomepage.com, as advertising space, we couldn’t help but collectively slap our foreheads, while spewing an alarming amount of obscenities. Tew’s ridiculously simple idea is one of those concepts that leave you wondering why you didn’t think of it first.

We can’t deny that it really is one of the best–and, more importantly, laziest–ways we’ve heard of to get the dough rolling. But if you’re going to get in on the action, you’d better get to it right now because a slew of imposters are already popping up online.

After all, how do you beat sitting on your ass and proclaiming that people are paying you to be a part of “Internet history”?

The Laziness Quotient: $$$$$
Chances of Making it Big: $$$$
Odds of You Keeping Your Soul: $$

For Love or Money? (Psst … ! It’s Not Love!)

Well, the only thing we can think of that’s better than making obscene amounts of money while sitting on your ass is doing so while lying on your back. Hey, it worked for Anna Nicole Smith, right? Yeah, it’s borderline necrophilia to be shacking up with a tycoon who’s a stroke away from becoming worm food, but if it means you’re inheriting a fortune, does it really seem so bad?

OK, who’re we kidding? This could very probably work for you, but it’s just disturbing on so many levels. If you are planning on giving it a shot, all we’ve got to say is “Here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson!”

The Laziness Quotient: $$$$
Chances of Making it Big: $$$$$
Odds of You Keeping Your Soul: -

Well, Isn’t This Ironic…

You may laugh it up at those guys who look so enthusiastic all the time and tell you that you–yes, you!–can be as rich as they are. But walk around the CBD during lunch one of these days and see for yourself how many people are reading books that preach the path to riches in “five easy steps”. Chances are you’ve probably cracked open one of these yourself.

So, there you have it. The answer to all your financial woes has literally been under your nose all this while. Writing your own self-help and get-rich-quick book is the way to go. Pick the catchiest–but vaguest–method, then preach on while milking your readers for every cent they’re worth.

The Laziness Quotient: $$
Chances of Making it Big: $$$$
Odds of You Keeping Your Soul: $

Bernie (who thinks he’s the boss)

He has set up four restaurants (Bernie’s in Upper Changi, Bernie’s BFD on East Coast Parkway, Bernie’s Goes to Town on Boat Quay and Bernie’s on Jalan Tua Kong (now Blooie’s), has been involved in two more (Home Beach Bar and Handlebar), and is now on to his second Botak Jones hawker stall. The first is in Tuas, and the second in Ang Mo Kio.

Sum up your experience running restaurants.
I made more money than I ever had—and I lost it all.

Why keep on running your own food and beverage business?
Bill Gates didn’t start Microsoft to be rich, he did it to be powerful. Steve Jobs started Apple to be an innovator. The focus of strong entrepreneurs is not money but what they do. So even if they lose money they can still keep doing what they do.

How has the transition from restaurants to hawker stalls been?
Boat Quay [his last restaurant] was a financial disaster. We lost a lot of money. By the time we realized what was happening, it was too late to turn it around. BFD was our heyday. We were getting offers everyday from investors. Botak Jones is now starting to brand itself—most of our business is repeat business. We are selling more food at our two stalls than we did at BFD.

How is Botak Jones different from your previous restaurants?
Botak Jones’s business model is smarter than Bernie’s business plan. I went out smarter this time, was quicker at identifying problems and adjusting my business to overcome them.

What are you first: An entrepreneur or a food guy?
I’m an entrepreneur first, a food guy second and a businessman third.

What’s the difference between an entrepreneur and a businessman?
For an entrepreneur, what he does, whether it is food or something else, is his mission. He wants to innovate and bring new stuff to the table. A businessman is someone who is concerned with the nuts and bolts of running a company. Successful entrepreneurs combine these things and bring in people to help in the areas they can’t do themselves.

What qualities do you need to stick it out in the restaurant business?
Drive—lots of drive. You will hit many roadblocks, that’s when you need to take a breather to figure out a way to overcome the hurdles. You also need to learn to sell your ideas to the government authorities. You have to be patient, because different authorities work at different paces. And, you need good relationships—with your customers and staff first, and then with your suppliers. After I lost everything at Boat Quay and resumed business, most of my suppliers agreed to do business with me. They trusted me.

If you had to do it all over again, is there anything you would do differently?
Knowing what I know now about the restaurant business, I would have tried to be smarter from the start. I would not have done the club thing [at Boat Quay], I would have paid more attention to stalls and catering, and let restaurants and clubs be the second generation of my business. But there is a Catch-22 to all this—my stalls would not be successful now if people didn’t already know me from my restaurants.

Any advice for would-be restaurateurs?
Don’t do it for the money. Let the money be a measuring stick of your success, a bonus. Judge your restaurant by the degree of satisfaction you get out of it. For me, wanting to build something and having people find value in what I’ve done keeps me motivated. And you gotta have fun! F&B is about entertainment, making sure that your customers are having a good time.

Samia Ahad (the seasoned boss)

About six years ago she opened her first restaurant, Coriander Leaf, which is still going strong. Not only does it dish out delicious food, it offers cookery classes and corporate training. How does Samia do it? She’s tough, she’s worldly and she’s just damn good at what she does.

You started as a cook before opening your own restaurant. What was that like?
I started cooking in my early 30s (late for chefs). I worked as a line cook in New York City till I was seven months pregnant and then got literally thrown out as nobody could get around me in the narrow kitchen aisles. I then took a break before moving to Singapore. Here, I held a cookery class at home for a group of friends. It was supposed to be a one-off affair, but it evolved into a thrice weekly thing. Encouraged by the response, I decided to take it to the next stage. My initial plan was to open a cookery school, but it didn’t make business sense at that time, so I decided to go the whole hog and open a restaurant from where I could also run cookery classes.

What did you learn during your years in the kitchen that helped you start and run your own restaurant?
Actually, not a lot. Working in a kitchen is very different from running a business. That stint taught me how to run a kitchen and control food costs, but not all the other parts of running a full-fledged restaurant. Also, I was never an executive chef in the years that I worked in kitchens in New York. I was merely a line cook, so it was a momentous jump from that to running my own restaurant!
 
Are you a chef first and a businesswoman second?
I wish! Being a chef is what I miss most. Unfortunately I have to spend more time being a businesswoman than being a chef. However, I do fulfil my desire to cook through my cookery school, albeit not as much I’d like to.

What are the biggest challenges you face in running your own restaurant?
Day to day hassles—just when you think you have everything under control a new problem arises. Staffing is also a huge issue and probably the biggest one. The others are maintaining consistency and quality, managing people and trying to keep harmony between the front and back of house.

If you could do it all over again, is there anything you would do differently?
Yes. I would not do it alone. It is a lot of stress for one person to shoulder and a huge time commitment!
 
What does a restaurateur need most to succeed? Money, culinary skills …
First and foremost—PASSION!! If you don’t have the passion, you cannot survive in this business. You need capital, of course, and no restaurant makes money from day one. Controlling costs is key. And, as for culinary skills, well, they are preferable!

Many small restaurants don’t last five years. What are some of the common mistakes they make?
Spending too much and not leaving enough of a cushion. It takes time to make money back and get regular cash flow. Failure to maintain quality is another.
 
Your restaurant has been open for more than five years now. Does it get any easier?
Not really. There are always new challenges. Also, one has to constantly keep innovating while at the same maintaining consistency.
 
What advice do you have for would be restaurateurs?
Do not glamorize the business. If you’re not willing to get your hands dirty, don’t enter this industry!! If you’re going solo, you have to be prepared to put in the time. My typical day starts at 6:45am and ends at one in the morning—and I work on Sundays too.

Willin Low (the new boss)

After practising law for eight years, this 30-something decided to chuck it all in and open a restaurant, Wild Rocket at Mount Emily. About five months old, Wild Rocket is having a wild time.

What made you leave law?
I enjoyed law but felt that life was too short to do just one thing. So in the last two years that I practised law I became a rent-a-chef. I started catering for friends, who then encouraged me to start my own restaurant.

How did you make the transition from law into the restaurant business?
After I quit my job, I became an apprentice at a restaurant, actually secretly hoping I would hate it so I could lay my desire to start a restaurant to rest. After six months I quit that to volunteer overseas. Three days before I was due to leave Singapore, my stint got cancelled and I suddenly found myself looking for a location for my restaurant.

Was starting and running a restaurant what you expected it to be?
No! It was much, much harder than I thought it would be. I thought loving cooking was enough to run a restaurant, and soon discovered I was wrong! Tough things were getting government licenses approved, hiring staff, finding good suppliers and fixing the menu. Everything that could go wrong did.

Is running a restaurant a lifestyle decision or a business decision for you?
For me it is a lifestyle decision first and a business decision second. But you need sound business principles to stay afloat, such as only spending money after you have made the money, and not the other way round.

What does a restaurant need more to succeed: A good chef or a good CEO?
You need both. I am a chef first though, and I think true businessmen will not venture into the F&B business. You definitely need interest and passion to stay in this business.

Did you write a business plan for Wild Rocket?
I did, but I’m not a business person and my plan was laughable. I rely on my business sense and good old common sense. I’m not a hard core entrepreneur, but I take calculated risks.

If you had to do it all over again, would you?
If I had known then what I know now, I might not have done it. But I enjoy being my own boss, and I’d rather stay this way. Even if Wild Rocket fails, I will have no regrets because I tried.

Any advice for would-be restaurateurs?
Go for it.

First, you need to monitor your lifestyle. Incessant late nights, smoking and drinking will take their toll on your immune system, and those nasty germs will find a way in. Smoking weakens the mechanisms that keep bacteria out of the lungs and alcohol causes dehydration and damage to the liver–your body’s primary filtering system–making you more prone to infections.

Dr Li Jie, a certified TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) doctor, reminds us of a few simple but effective lifestyle factors: “Open your windows regularly to keep the flow of fresh air around the room, wash your hands frequently and cook your food thoroughly–particularly with the current threat of bird flu. Be sure to exercise regularly and wrap up with some heat!”

Oriental Medical Doctor Doris Rathgeber signals that saunas or steam rooms are a good way to strengthen the immune system. Viruses can’t survive in that stifling, misty heat. She advises, “Be sure to always take a cool shower after, to restore the balance of heat.”

Food for Thought

There are ways to beat the bug before it gets you. Since childhood, we have been told to eat our greens, but you shouldn’t underestimate their potential. Fruit and veg’ are a great source of vitamins C and E, and contain antioxidants, which boost the immune system.

Dr Zhang Yifang, a Chinese Medicine professional, recommends stocking up your shopping trolley with oranges and dark green vegetables like spinach or broccoli. “It’s also important to eat lots of protein,” explains Zhang. “Protein helps build up your immune system and build antibodies to fight against viruses–meat and nuts are the best source of this.”

Zhang also sings the merits of dates. “They are a good source of nutrition and they help blood circulation.” They may smell bad, but garlic and spring onion also provide great protection against infection. So start popping those cloves, but just make sure no one gets too close.

“Eat the fruit of the season,” says Rathgeber, “Apples or pumpkins are good and pear juice is good for coughs, particularly if mixed with almond.”

Remedy it

Our bodies are subject to enough chemicals, so rather than diving straight for the medicine cabinet, there are a few natural means of reducing those nagging symptoms. Dr Zhang warns against dairy products. “Try and avoid an overload of dairy products for a while because they will increase congestion. And combat the early signs of a runny nose by eating chili peppers–they clear the sinuses.”
To fight the fever, look to the herb–peppermint tea, in particular, has soothing properties. “You can also apply pressure to the tops of your ear with your finger tips,” says Zhang. Alternatively, Rothgeber advises wrapping cold towels around the calves and neck.

For sore throats, honey and lemon in hot water is an age-old remedy, as is gargling with salt water. “It’s important to drink lots of fluid if you are suffering–plenty of water,” adds Zhang, as this will help loosen mucus and re-hydrate you–flushing your system clean of toxins. Steam inhalation is also an easy and effective method to clear those passages–add some chamomile, eucalyptus or thyme essential oils.

Fancy a cuppa?

A lot of teas contain natural antibiotics that counterbalance some of the effects of colds or flu. The experts stress the antiviral qualities of ginger tea. “It helps with congestion, coughs, and tickly throats. It has quite a pungent taste so restrict yourself to two cups a day. You can sweeten with a drop of honey too,” advises Zhang.

To make the tea, boil one tablespoon of grated fresh ginger per cup of water for 15 minutes, then remove from heat and steep for 10 minutes.

Shopping List

A by all means non-exhaustive list of stuff you should munch on:
Green Vegetables
Apples
Pears
Lemon
Pumpkins
Nuts
Nuts
Garlic
Onions
Honey
Ginger
Peppermint Tea

We could all be healthy and beautiful. There’s a ton of gyms and yoga studios in this town. Trainers and life coaches are a dime-a-dozen. Oxygen machines and ergonomically correct chairs are just a click away online. But let’s get real for a moment. Are you going to wake up at 5am, do a morning jog, have a vegan breakfast then pack a balanced lunch? When would you have time to work?

Working, smoking, drinking, sleeping too little, these are the rhythms of life for far too many in Singapore. But even these unfortunate people can do something about their health. We rang up a few experts and consulted our medical journals to compile these health tips for the unfit, the unaware and the uncaring.

They won’t all be right for you. Pick and choose the ones that fit with your lifestyle and who knows? Maybe you’ll get started on a path toward a better, stronger, smarter or thinner you. And remember, even though we like to dress in white coats and use stethoscopes, we are not doctors – so consult a real one before you try something new, like exercise.

1. Eat breakfast. People who eat breakfast every day are less likely to be overweight - 44 percent less likely in one Harvard study. One reason is people who skip breakfast tend to overeat at dinner. In addition to weight gain, other consequences of this are fatigue and low productivity. Anything is better than nothing, but you’re better off with a combination of protein (eggs are great) and slow-digesting carbohydrates.

2. Eat more (often). Waiting four-five hours between meals is bad for several reasons. One consequence is low blood sugar, which can leave you weak, tired and bitchy. Second, to compensate, your body breaks down muscle to use as fuel. You don’t want that: You need muscle for strength and endurance, and the more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn even when you’re not exercising. So split your usual three (or two) meals a day into five or six meals.

3. Cut “bad” carbohydrates like white rice, noodles, bread, potatoes, baked goods and candy from your diet. These fast-digesting carbs cause your blood sugar levels to spike, and your body reacts by shutting down the fat burning process. (This also increases your risk for diabetes and heart disease.) Fruits and vegetables are a much better source of carbohydrates. Can’t give up your precious pasta? Try limiting your carbs to the morning. And make sure you eat your “bad” carbs with plenty of protein. The carbohydrates will be less likely to be converted into fat, plus protein also helps reduce hunger.

4. The bed is for sleeping and sex. Doing other things sends mixed signals to your brain, and you may end up with trouble falling asleep.

5. Exercise. This needs no introduction. But if you’re still not convinced why you should spend at least 30 minutes doing aerobic exercise, listen to this: workouts relieve stress and anxiety, strengthen your immune system, make it easier for you to fall asleep and improve memory. Still not convinced? Well, men who exercise regularly are less likely to have erectile dysfunction. The key is to take small steps: don’t start your exercise or weight-loss program with unrealistic goals. The important thing is to do SOMETHING. Why do you have to run 10 laps every day? Your first week out, start with two laps - walking.

6. Smile a little. The Buangkok MRT station is open and it’s the start of a fresh new year—isn’t that reason enough to relax and smile? Be extra polite to people around you. Smile to those who work with you. You might get something totally unexpected – the nasty door bitch might let you in, the unhelpful waiter might serve you first, the grumpy receptionist might put you on the top of the waiting list, or you might suddenly score the date with that coffee shop girl. Suddenly it’s a much better world.

7. Dump the junk. Say goodbye to junk food of any sort. It’s fast, but unhealthy. Junk food is for teenagers only.

8. Walk 1.0. We all love the escalators at the MRT stations. They save energy and help us avoid those god-forbidden steps. But contrary to popular belief, although memorizing all the doors closest to the escalators might seem a wily decision, it’s damaging your body. Don’t underestimate this kind of exercise, as it adds up quickly and can work wonders on your legs and ass.

9. Tea before the treadmill. Caffeine helps you go harder over a longer period when consumed an hour before you work out. Tea works better than coffee, according to one study.

10. Shop sober. Never go grocery shopping when you’re starving. Hunger breeds cravings and irrational behavior - like taking samples from every person handing them out and filling your cart with seven flavors of potato chips. If your stomach is growling when you arrive at Fairprice, buy a container of yogurt or a banana first, eat it, THEN start your shopping.

11. Fill up on water. Most people who work in offices underconsume water and overconsume caffeine, which contributes to insomnia, irritability, anxiety and fatigue. Water helps your body work the way it should, and is necessary to build muscle and lose fat. Keep a liter bottle of water at your workstation at all times. Sip from it. When it’s empty, there’s your excuse to take a break—to fill it up or buy a new one.

12. Skip the sugar. For one week (to start), no soft drinks, sports drinks, fruit juice, or sweetened soya milk. Can’t shake the craving? Have ONE serving of fruit.

13. Stay at home, sickboy. If your doctor thinks you’re sick enough to stay at home, you should take his advice. Consider your colleagues as well – surely you don’t want to spread whatever you have to people in your office and ultimately people in the whole building (thanks to our infamous closed ventilation systems)? And taking a sick day off doesn’t mean you’re the weakest or most disloyal guy in the company. One recent UK study spanning nearly a decade found workers who never called in sick were twice as likely to die from a heart attack than people who took 14 sick days a year.

14. Cardio, then weights. If you’re doing both aerobic exercise and strength training, you’ll burn more calories if you ride the bike first, and then hit the dumbbells.

15. Take your vitamins. The best way to get vitamins and minerals is from food. But most of us don’t eat enough of the right things, plus we exacerbate it with alcohol, caffeine and nicotine. Especially in a city like Hong Kong, you may want to take antioxidant supplements, which support your body’s natural detoxification.

16. Wine is fine. One or two glasses of red wine per day may decrease your likelihood of getting cancer. Just remember – do it in moderation.

17. Get some rays. Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption, which is necessary for strong bones. It also boosts your immune system and makes you feel good. Ever seen a plant that’s been left to grow in the dark? To get what you need, sit in the sun for 10 minutes two-three times a week without sunscreen. (Apply sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 after the 10 minutes are up.)

18. Eat after your workout. For one to two hours after you exercise, your body is primed to use energy to build and repair muscle, as opposed to storing it as fat. Researchers at the University of Nevada found that a 30-minute workout increased the thermic (calorie-burning) effect by over 70 percent. So eat something healthy after the shower.

19. Focus on your food. If you’re trying to lose weight, don’t eat while you’re doing other things, such as reading or watching Desperate Housewives, as you’re likely to eat more than you would without such distractions. Just think how much junk food you can eat during a movie or a soccer match.

20. Sympathy day. Today you’re going to try to understand everyone’s point of view - except your own. That means for every person you come in contact with (including on the phone), try to imagine what it would be like to be this person and try to understand why they think and act the way they do. It doesn’t matter if you agree or disagree, because you will not place yourself in the picture. What a nice person you are. Nice people sleep well.

21. Stretch. Set aside 15 minutes in the morning or before you go to bed. Try these. Butterfly: sit on the floor with your knees bent and soles of your feet touching. Lean forward until you feel pressure in your groin. Hold for 60 seconds. Don’t bounce. Figure-four hamstring: sit on the floor with your left leg extended and your right leg bent so the sole of your foot touches your left leg. With your left hand, grab the toes of your left foot (or as close as possible). Hold for 60 seconds; switch legs. Side stretch: stand with your legs slightly spread, even with your shoulders. Extend your right arm straight up and then to the left until the right side of your body is “tight.” Hold for 60 seconds; switch sides.

22. Watch your back. Bad posture at your desk can cause tension, stress and, eventually, pain. Imagine your spine as an S-shape, not flat, so your chest should be out and your shoulders back. Crossing your legs, slouching and cradling a phone on your shoulder while typing are all requests for trouble. The top of your monitor should be at eye-level, as looking too far down or up for long periods of time can put a lot of strain on your spine and result in herniated discs. You may need to put a book or two under your monitor. Use your eyes, not your neck to look at the screen. Concentrate on your posture. Today, whether you are sitting, standing or walking, do it with your body straight. When you’re sitting, don’t just sit on one butt cheek - distribute your weight evenly, which means no fat wallets.

23. Breathe better. The average person (not Lance Armstrong) uses only 15 percent of his or her lung capacity. Try this exercise every morning. Place your hands on your ribs on both sides of your body. Take a huuuge breath, sucking in air until you’re like a balloon about to pop. You should feel your ribcage push outward slightly. Breath out slowly. Repeat four more times.

24. Chuck the chips. Instead of fried potato (or other) chips, munch on seeds (sunflower, pumpkin), almonds (unlike other nuts that are healthy but fattening, almonds have a unique cell structure that prevents your body from absorbing all of their fat) or green soy beans (a.k.a. edemame).

25. Get more sleep. Pretty obvious - and easier said than done. The golden rule is an average adult should get at least eight hours a day. But if you need more incentive, reducing your sleep time by 40 percent can lower the effectiveness of your immune system by half. Also, people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to be overweight than people who get plenty of shuteye.

26. Sleep like a baby. If we all abide by the eight-hour rule, that means we spend one-third of our lives in bed. So why not make sure we’re enjoying it? Get a pillow made of “memory foam” that conforms its shape to yours when heated by your body temperature. It’s great for head and neck support. And buy a mattress that is firm enough for your back so you won’t wake up with backache.

27. Get a flu shot. Though this is not designed to protect you from bird flu, but your chances of getting the avian virus are greater if you’re already sick. Every year hundreds of thousands of people worldwide die from influenza, and millions get sick – and antibiotics are not going to do a thing. The very old and the very young are most at risk, but anyone can get hit. Flu vaccinations are considered 75 percent effective in preventing the flu or lessening its severity.

28. Go green. The older HK generation already knows this, but office workers throughout the city could do with the tip: This week, substitute your usual coffee for green tea. Among the many benefits of green tea is the ability to protect against colds. And even though those mass-produced green tea drinks in plastic bottles may be convenient, you’ll benefit much more from tea that you brew yourself - plus you won’t be consuming all that sugar.

29. Surprise yourself. Your mind loves surprises since novelty is the essence of happiness. Rearrange your furniture. Or take the bus instead of the MRT. According to one study, traveling on different physical pathways uses different pathways in the brain. If you’re trying to get fit, it’s also good to keep your body guessing. Mix it up. Today at the gym, do everything in the opposite order you normally do it. If you normally run on a treadmill, go for a run outside. If you normally ride a bike, try the rowing machine.

30. Give up TV for two weeks. During the time you save, read a book or take a walk in the park. You’ll feel much better when your tether to the satellite dish is cut.

31. Work out before breakfast if you’re trying to lose weight. Without an immediate supply of carbohydrates, your body will need to take calories from your fat stores. Or exercise at night. You’ll have more energy in the morning, according to one study.

32. Put the toilet lid down. Flushing the toilet can scatter fecal particles in a six-meter perimeter around the loo. Ewwww.

33. Buy plain yogurt and add your own fruit. Yogurt has untold benefits, including strengthening the immune system. But most fruit yogurts are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, which is high in calories and can increase the levels of triglycerides in your blood, raising your risk of heart disease.

34. Make scents. Different aromas can stimulate your brain and make you more alert. For a quick pick-me-up, try herbal teas or essential oils in scents like peppermint, green tea, orange and vanilla. But the expecting should be extra careful because essential oils COULD lead to miscarriages.

35. Go wild. We have lots of parklands and greenery, so go to MacRitchie, try the Bukit Timah Hill, and hop over to Sentosa for a nice day out and a long beach walk. You come back to town as refreshed as you are cleansed.

36. The rule of four. Taking the elevator is convenient, but you have to stand the crowd, the BO, the bad air and the company of unwelcome friends. So why don’t you walk up at least four flights to everywhere you go? You can choose walking up the first four flights or the last, as long as you can keep it as a habit. It does wonders for your legs and cardiovascular system.

37. Ban Arctic temperatures. In case the people who run offices, shopping malls and cinemas haven’t noticed, we live in a sub-tropical climate. Keeping the indoor temperature freezing is unnecessary, environmentally wasteful, and most of all, bad for our health. Blame the colonialists by all means, but do something about it. The optimum temperature should be 25.5C. Cool enough to chill, not so warm to cause noddings off.

38. Steamed, not fried. Chinese food is a blessing for those who like a taste of oily, deep-fried batter-covered delicacies. But exercise restraint, because it’s yummy once in a while, but your body thinks it’s yucky if you eat it too often. Instead of deep-fried chicken, order the steamed one and eat it without the skin. Instead of fried broccoli, ask for steamed.

39. Make love, not war. Heard that Mr. Bush? When commoners like us have more sex, we have healthier lives. For every 30 minutes of sexual intercourse, you burn approximately 150 calories. It can also lower cholesterol, relieve stress, kill pain, improve prostate and genital health – and that’s not even touching on the long-term benefits of greater intimacy.

Among so many guys behind the bar, few possess real talent—a man with a smile on his face and a love of mixing in his heart. Yos Malelak, an expert bartender from Bali, has the skill for this job, plus a confidence and an always-smiling face. And that gets him many honorable awards, including last year’s International Flair Bartending Championships at Dubai. Now Yos is a resident at the well-known Behind Bar Company in Bali—managing bar entertainment, promotion, merchandise, catering and bartending course. As a bartender, Yos not only mixes nice cocktails but he also entertains his clients with his amazing mixing acts like juggling the bottles or spinning the shaker. To experience the art of this mixologist master, head to Zuk Bar, Sukhothai Hotel, where he a guest bartender throughout this February.

What makes a good bartender?
Smiling is the key. It’s not just making the customers a drink, but we have to entertain them. And making a good cocktail isn’t based on what recipe you have but it’s on your love in your job. Do it with your heart and the love will show in whatever you mix.

What’s your favorite cocktail to drink?
Sometimes I prefer gin and tonic, however, when I’m really in a cocktail mood, I always love my martini. None can make the same martini. If you ask a bartender to make one for you, he won’t ask what’s your martini style but he’ll do it in his own style. No one ever has the same martini taste. It depends on your style as well. And I love my style of martini.

What’s the most popular cocktail?
It’s more like a trend to drink martini nowadays. Everybody thinks they can make their own martini—and actually they can—but to make a good martini is another story.

For this coming Valentine’s Day, Yos Malelak recommends a romantic drink for all lovers, White Love Martini. The mixologist reveals his secret recipe to us and then even you can make it at home. It’s not hard to do, but to make it as good as he does is another thing. Here you go:

Ingredients

Absolute Vanilla 1½ oz.
Cacao White 1½ oz.
White chocolate
Rose petals

Add ice in the shaker followed by Absolute Vanilla and Cacao White.
Then pour it in cooled glass, topped with peeled white chocolate and rose petals.

Dogs are more than mere pets; they are members of the family just as much as humans, and the range of pedigree services available proves it. From spas to takeaway dinners to café meals, dogs now have it just as good as we do. Don’t make a dog’s breakfast out of caring for your pooch: Here are some pampering providers who will make any mongrel stop its bitching.

Rub-A-Dub-Dub.

Spas are no longer just the province of tai tais; pooches can now indulge as well. After a hard week of chasing the neighborhood cats and straining at the leash, your pet will need to chill out at Kreature Care (75 Jalan Hitam Manis, Holland Village, 9781-5744). Here dogs can get 60-90 minute ($50-75) spa treatments that include a swim, a soak in a tubful of herbs and spa milk followed by (we’re not kidding) a thorough sports massage.

Showing Off

Glam it up and make your darling a regular show dog by sending it to a pet salon. Les Poochs (26 Holland Grove Rd., 6469-9331) is one of the most exclusive in town (they take only five appointments a day). Treatments come in packages that include a wash, manicure and pedicure, and styling ($60-250). Les Poochs’ shampoos are luxurious and natural, without any soap or alcohol, and come with scents specially designed for male and female dogs as well as unisex fragrances for puppies. Some of their ingredients include royal jelly, sea kelp and vitamins D5 and E. The rest of the treatment includes styling fit for the stars: How about a mohawk for your schnauzer or a teddy bear look for your shih-tzu?

She’s Got the Look

To complete the doggy makeover, a new wardrobe is in order. The style gurus at Fluffy’s Choice (33A Lorong Liput, 6464-8255) have everything a mutt might need—from jumpers to caps and bandanas. Worried about spoiling that little nail trim? Even socks are available. For those more formal occasions, little tuxedoes or dresses are ideal. And when out visiting the relatives, what better way to accentuate the new look than with a silk robe with sash ($38) or a Mandarin top with buttons and collar ($26)?

Café Culture

Now that your pup is primed and ready to hit the town, take it out for dinner to celebrate. Urban Pooch (#01-07 530 Balestier Rd., 6252-5046) provides food for both dogs and their owners. Hungry hounds can chose from meal sets that include one of these mains—German Shepherd pie, grilled meatballs, John Dory fish or jerky—plus a big bowl of water ($3.80 per set). If your dog’s getting a bit of cabin fever and wants to make some friends, there’s an elongated play area where up to 20 dogs can socialize. And for owners who’ve forgotten to bring their copy of I-S Magazine, reference books on dogs are supplied.

For the more selfish owner who doesn’t want to restrict his dining experience to the animal menu, Epicurious (#01-02 The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay, 6734-7720) is a pet-friendly establishment where dogs are welcome to sit outside with their owners. Water bowls are available for thirsty Fidos.

Dog Tired

If Rex is more of a homedoggy then here’s a way he can feast like a king without ever having to leave his kennel. US Doggie Bakery (355 East Coast Rd., 6346-7168) will deliver tingkat ($16.50) meals for your pooch. These are gourmet meals for the discerning doggie: How do cheese paws, carob chips and lamb meatballs sound? Throw in chicken or lamb baos (five for $3.50) or cookies ($8.50 for 200 grams) for dessert or supper, and you’re set. What more could a dog beg for?

Party Time

More sociable mutts can mark their special occasions and territories by hosting a party. You no longer have to worry about lactose intolerance when catering to your hungry hound’s dessert needs: Greedy Pet Bakery (230 Tanjong Katong Rd., 6344-1554) can deliver cakes and pastries to make you look like the hostess with the mostest. Get cakes in chicken, lamb, beef or fish, as well as fruitcakes ($25-35). They even come with candles and messages, and are shaped as hearts or bones. And to make it really feel like a children’s party, goodie bags filled with sweet treats (prices vary) can be arranged.

Big Boys Toys

Forget about daggy doggy toys like old thongs and smelly tennis balls. Get serious by buying interactive toys for your four-legged friend to bury in the backyard. For instance, Brainy Dog Treats Tennis Ball ($9.50) is a ball stuffed with food to encourage some cardio while Rex picks at his food. The Woof or Treats interactive toys ($22.90) make noises to draw the dog’s attention. But if you prefer more traditional squeakers, frisbees and fetching toys, then Hotdog (268 River Valley Rd., 6736-4064) has the full range. They even deliver.

Tag It

Dog tags might not be loud enough for some, so to put your puppy love on display head to Woof Woof (372 Telok Blangah Rd., 6272-7271) where you can buy a personalized pet plate. Think car plate, but embossed with doggie’s name using wacky colors and fonts ($27-35).

Precious Moments

And after you’ve spent all your money adorning your four-legged friend with grooming, spa treatments and a bit of bling, take some shots to remember just where all your hard-earned money went. For $800 at Munch Media (#01-07 Tower 1 Sin Ming Plaza, 2 Sin Ming Rd., 9435-1783), a coffee table album can be filled with photographs of your prize pooch in costume, in various settings or in those more natural and less rehearsed poses. If you prefer to keep your posing private, then Munch Media will even come to you so you don’t have to walk the dog into the studio.