Following up on my previous review for Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sathorn, Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Soi Soonvijai is the latest hotel to be added into the portfolio of Holiday Inn Express hotels in Bangkok. It is also the newest green hotel in Soi Soonvijai and the closest IHG hotel to Suvarnabhumi Airport, making it an ideal base for medical tourists. It is also a short drive away from Don Mueng Airport.

For leisure and business travelers, there is a further commute to the city centre, but the hotel provides a free shuttle service that takes guests to Thonglor BTS, Petchburi MRT and Makkasan Airport Rail Link Stations. Nearby shopping malls include Show DC, Terminal 21, Emporium and EmQuartier.

For medical tourists, the hotel is just 2 minutes walk to Bangkok Hospital and Bangkok Plaza. The latter have several eateries like the popular After You dessert cafe, a McDonald’s restaurant, a Starbucks, a Crystal Jade restaurant, a Fuji Japanese restaurant and a 7-11 minimart where you can grab daily essentials. The hotel also offers free transfers to Piyavate hospital and Rama 9 hospital which are in the vicinity.

McDonald’s at Bangkok Plaza

The signature Honey Thick Toast at After You cafe

Too lazy to leave the room? Some of the restaurants like McDonald’s, The Pizza Company and KFC provides delivery to the hotel

The spanking new hotel features 206 modern design rooms and is a good choice for savvy travelers who are looking for the best location at great value in Bangkok. As part of the Holiday Inn Express group of hotels, the hotel follow the express concept for a hassle-free travel experience.

This include trolleys for guests to self transport our luggage to the room conveniently; free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel; a 24-hour fitness centre; self-service laundry facility; and a meeting room for up to 30 persons.

24 hours gym

Green area on the gym floor for fresh air and short strolls

Good for strolling within the hotel in the day

Rooftop open space

Awesome laundry room with washers, dryers and ironing facilities

PC for guests to use

Weighing machine for your luggage

When you enter into the hotel premise, the first thing you will notice is the unconventional layout on the reception floor which is adjoined to the breakfast area. There are lots of tables and seats available as a social area for guests to hang around later in the day and to be used for breakfast and restaurant operations during meal time.

In the night

In the morning

The hotel has no porters or bellboys. Instead, there are luggage trolleys provided for free which you can use to cart your luggage to your room directly. This totally suits me because it is faster this way and I always carry my luggage to my room where possible when I check in to save time.

Here’s how the room I stayed look like:

Fuss-free, clean and efficiently designed, the hotel works for me. There is no need for travel adaptors as there are multiple travel socket options available for various power plugs. I like that the hair dryer is plugged to the wall for our convenience so you don’t have to hunt all over to plug it in when you are in a rush in the morning. All rooms feature a tea and coffee maker, in-room safe, refrigerator, 32-inch LCD TV and an ergonomic work station.

For breakfast, you can opt for the free Express Start Breakfast or Grab and Go option. The former is a no-frills breakfast experience featuring international and Thai fares while the latter is for those who are in rush and would prefer to just grab and go. For the Grab and Go option, there are takeaway containers and cups provided to make it convenient for you to pack everything yourself and be on the go quickly. This is particularly useful when you are rushing off to catch a flight or for an early morning appointment.

For those who want to sample authentic Thai cuisines,

is a Bangkok Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recommended restaurant located right in front of the hotel. The restaurant chain operates four restaurants in Bangkok and is popular with the locals too for their signature southern Thai cuisines like these dishes I tried for dinner during my stay:

Signature Khua Kling Moo Sab (stir-fried spicy Southern Thai style dry Khua Kling curry with minced pork) – 180 baht

Gaeng Leung Yod Maprao Pla Grapong (Southern Thai style hot and spicy yellow curry soup with young coconut soup and sea bass) – 240 baht

Bai Liang Pad Kai (stir-fried Bai Liang Southern Thai green leaves with egg) – 180 baht

Goong Makam (deep fried prawns with tamarind sauce) – 480 baht

Moo Hong (Southern Thai style stewed pork braised with herbs and soy sauce) – 240 baht

Kao Pad Pu (fried rice with lump crab meat) – 280 baht

Honey lemon juice (120 baht) and lemongrass juice (80 baht)

Coconut pudding

Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Soi Soonvijai is part of the IHG group of hotels and as such, you get to benefit from the IHG Rewards Club to earn points at the hotel and redeem rewards at over 5,000 IHG properties worldwide.

For travelers who are conscious of your travel footprints for a sustainable future, all Holiday Inn Express hotels use the IHG Green Engage system, an innovative online environmental sustainability system that gives hotels the means to measure and manage their impact on the environment.

If you are interested to make a reservation at Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Soi Soonvijai, visit the official website for more information.

The post [Hotel Review] Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Soi Soonvijai appeared first on Alvinology.

Ocean Park, Hong Kong’s unique home-grown theme park, has launched its biggest summer festival, Summer Carnimal. From now until 2 September 2018, guests can bask underneath summer skies and enjoy entertainment extravaganzas involvingover 100 talented international performers in animal-themed parades, authentic Caribbean and South American cultural shows and national level synchronised swimming performances.

Taking centre stage are Caribbean Summer Parade and Caribbean Summer Night Parade, the grandest parades that Ocean Park has ever produced. The parades see a group of 50 elite international performers in colourful, creative and exuberant costumes that exemplify three main themes: marine life, wildlife and birds.

Together with stilt walkers and energetic musicians grooving along to wild beats and rhythms, the international performers will dazzle guests in three high-energy Caribbean Summer Parades at The Waterfront each day.

Guests may spot some familiar faces during the parade, including giant puppets that imitate the Park’s beloved golden snub-nosed monkey, a four-metre tall giraffe and an elegant stonefish. When the sun sets, guests can soak in the Park’s unique summer atmosphere at night as performers change into lit-up costumes for the mesmerising Caribbean Summer Night Parade.

In addition to the parades, guests will be amazed by the strong line-up of performers at Applause Pavilion’s Viva Spectacular, which includes Ebon Grayman, a Cirque Du Soleil star acrobatic performer with 13 years of experience, as well as Shemika Campbell, the Queen of Limbo who holds three Guinness World Records. Meanwhile, a national-level synchronised swimming team from Canada will visit Hong Kong for the first time to present a hypnotic water ballet show themed Aqua Kaleidoscope at the Park’s Ocean Theatre.

Whiskers Wet & Foam Bash, a popular activity among kids, will be back at Whiskers Harbour where families can splash away the heat and cool down with colourful fountains and water screen arches. All over the Park, a variety of roving street acts including the powerful Capoeira, drum music, energetic street dances, as well as performers in animal-themed carnival costumes, will enrich the sensational summer experience.

Apart from the enthralling shows, the Park’s restaurants and food kiosks have curated over 100 delectable summer dishes, including an exquisite summer Chinese menu designed by Hong Kong’s Michelin-starred chef Chan Kwok-keung, as well as a selection of Caribbean-style summer food and drink specialties. What’s more, guests can claim bragging rights over their Carnimal experience at Ocean Park with limited-edition merchandise including animal-themed hats, tie-dye t-shirts and headbands. Those who want some Carnimal styling can visit the Wild Face Painting counter at Aqua City for a makeover by professional face painting artists to create a unique look for selfies or group photos.

For Ocean Park Summer Carnimal 2018 highlights, please visit this website.

Win Instagram Photo Contest to See the Tropical Caribbean Islands after Summer Carnimal

From mid-July onwards, guests can stand a chance to win a Royal Caribbean Cruise and air travel vacation package for two valued at HK$80,000 (approx. S$14,000) presented by Royal Caribbean Cruises Hong Kong and Ocean Park Hong Kong.

To enter the lucky draw, simply capture the wonderful Summer Carnimal moments at Ocean Park Hong Kong and share the photos on Instagram with an accompanying creative caption and specific hashtags. Details of the photo contest will be announced on Ocean Park Hong Kong’s official Instagram account, Facebook fan page and website. Terms and conditions apply.

Free Admission Friday and Saturday Evenings

Guests can enter the Park for free every Friday and Saturday night from 8:30p.m. to 11p.m. to join the DJ party Burning Beats, feast on summer delicacies and chilled drinks at Lakeside Chill, Neptune’s Restaurant, Aqua Bakery, or go shopping at Waterfront Gifts*. (*Animal exhibits, thrill rides and other attractions will be closed in the evening.)

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It was a morning of eager anticipation at Resorts World Sentosa’s S.E.A. Aquarium, one of the world’s largest aquariums, as World Cup 2018 races towards the climactic Finals on Sunday, 15 July 2018.

This morning, Ollie, a two-year-old male Giant Pacific Octopus, residing at the S.E.A. Aquarium predicted that France would defeat Croatia and be crowned the eventual winner in the global football Finals match.

Calling S.E.A. Aquarium home since January 2018, it took Ollie about 10 minutes on 12 July 2018 to decide his choice of winner.  A highly intelligent marine animal with three hearts and nine brains, the octopus is known to possess a strong cognitive ability in solving problems and great dexterity in hunting for prey. Ollie’s eight tentacles contain close to 500 million neurons to touch, taste, explore and grip its prey.

A very sporting Ollie has jumped into the fray of the globally trending football fever and enthusiastically lent his prediction of the ultimate winner.

An acrylic maze was inserted into Ollie’s habitat with two pieces of fresh crab placed at two corners of the maze.  Each corner was labelled with the country flag of the two competing finalist teams – France and Croatia.  Shortly after 9.30am this morning (Singapore local time), Ollie picked the crab from the side of the maze that carried France’s flag, deeming the 1998 champion to win the Finals again this Sunday.

As part of Football Fever 2018 celebrations at Resorts World Sentosa, soccer fans can head down to the creatively-transformed Resorts World Ballroom to enjoy a free screening of the Third Place and Finals this weekend where they will enjoy a super-wide 270° visually cinematic feast from multiple large screens lining the venue complete with beer, snacks, floodlights, soccer turf and non-stop entertainment such as hip-hop dance routines and live bands during match breaks.

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The 1-hour Special Set to Premiere on Monday, July 23 at 9:55pm and Repeated Sunday, July 29 at 10.50pm on Singtel Chn 202.

From the moment the heartbreaking news broke that 12 young Thai soccer players and their 25-year-old coach were stuck in a cave complex near the Myanmar border, the world has been glued to the rescue and recovery details.

For over two weeks, the facts of how the group ended up in the cave and the subsequent mobilization of rescue workers around the globe has been a testament of just how powerful human spirit can be—while the sudden and tragic death of one of the rescue divers underscored the seriousness of the situation.

But as each boy has been pulled out, there remains many questions. Why were these boys there? How did they survive for nearly two weeks without food and without knowing how to swim? What will their physical and mental state be moving forward?

What would it take to get this group out of this treacherous cave, and why did the unique geology of this cave present so many challenges? OPERATION THAI CAVE RESCUE will be the first documentary to explore and unpack every angle of this remarkable rescue operation.

Produced in association with ITN Productions, Discovery’s OPERATION THAI CAVE RESCUE unpacks the human and scientific drama behind one of the most difficult and heart-palpitating rescues attempted in human history.

With exclusive early access to men and women – including family members – who have been living and breathing the events, OPERATION THAI CAVE RESCUE focuses on the triumph of the human spirit and the extraordinary scientific and technological innovations used to complete this miracle rescue. As the clock continues to tick, and predicted Monson rains loom above, rescuers in the cave and above ground, plot their next move.

Featuring interviews with medical and mental health experts, renowned cave diving instructors and the world’s leading cave diving rescue experts, the film paints a full picture of what the boys and their rescuers were experiencing and how these heroic divers could recover what was thought initially to be an impossible feat.

As the last boys and their coach were rescued on July 10, the world finally exhaled that breathe that has been held for 18 days.  Now we collectively search for answers to understand the mystery of what happened and how, with one slight difference, the outcome might have been different.

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This year, JOHNSON’S celebrates 125 years of being trusted by families to provide the purest, gentlest and highest quality care for babies and children.

With the vision of creating a world where every child can thrive, JOHNSON’S Singapore is pleased to announce the launch of ‘Social Snaps That Help’ campaign – in collaboration with KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH).

The campaign, which will run from the end of June through August 2018, will aid beneficiaries of the KKH Health Fund through the ‘donation’ of pictures on Instagram to raise money.

 ‘Social Snaps That Help’ Campaign – Donate A Photo

Countless small actions added up have the potential to create a significant difference. JOHNSON’S wants to turn a simple act of sharing a photo into an impactful way to do good.

To achieve this, JOHNSON’S^® is teaming up with KKH, which is also celebrating 160 years of heritage in shaping women’s and children’s health.

Singaporeans can simply share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #BetterWorldForBabies. The photo may be anything, from a picture with family members, to something that motivates people to do good.

For every photo shared, JOHNSON’S will donate SGD 1 to the KKH Health Fund to help needy patients who are in need of financial assistance for their medical treatments as well as to support education, research and disease prevention programmes targeted at women’s and children’s health in Singapore.

With the ‘Social Snaps That Help’ campaign, JOHNSON’S and KKH want to give back to these families with an end goal of raising a maximum of SGD $20,000.

‘Social Snaps That Help’ turns the sharing of an Instagram photo into a meaningful way to give back to Singaporeans in need. The public can feel confident that their photo is contributing to a worthwhile cause that will directly impact the lives of KKH Beneficiaries.

Through its partnership with KKH and the ‘Social Snaps That Help’ campaign, JOHNSON’S will continue to build upon its brand promise to develop products that are safe and effective, to nurture happy and healthy babies, while making these products accessible to those in need.

For more details on the ‘Social Snaps That Help’ campaign, click here to find out more.

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After a month of opening and in response to diners’ feedback,Tsui Wah Clarke Quay, the first Tsui Wah (翠華) restaurant in Southeast Asia, has extended its operating hours to cater to the supper crowd.

Fans and foodies can also tuck into four new menu items, available exclusively during the supper period.

The Hong Kong-style “Cha Chaan Teng” (港式茶餐廳) restaurant’s new operating hours are 11am to 1.30am daily (previously 11am to 11pm). With over 40 menu items specially selected from the main a la carte menu, supper will start from 10.30pm with the last order at 1am.

New Dishes

Fish Paste Puffs in Mala Soup with Mixian (麻辣鱼付米线) – $8.50:

Tsui Wah’s signature fish paste puffs, freshly handmade daily, served in a mala soup with mixian. Great for soaking up the fiery broth, the fish paste puffs will burst into a medley of flavours with every bite.

King Prawns in Mala Soup with Mixian (麻辣海虾米线) – $10.00:

The freshness of king prawns provides a sweet and crunchy contrast from the fiery mala soup with mixian – each mouthful filled with the umami flavours of the crustacean.

Sliced Chicken in Mala Soup with Mixian (麻辣嫩鸡米线) – $8.00:

For those who prefer a non-seafood option for supper, there is also a choice of tender, marinated sliced chicken served in the fiery mala soup with mixian.

Luncheon Meat & Sunny-side Up Egg in Soup with Instant Noodles (午餐肉即食面) – $9.50:

Enjoy fried luncheon meat slices and a sunny-side up, served over a piping hot bowl of classic Hong Kong instant noodles in soup.

Prices indicated are subject to prevailing GST and service charge.

For more information, stay tuned to the official Facebook page.

Click here to find out more about Tsui Wah’s signature dishes!

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Submitted by a contributor, a guy who described himself as a regular working class Singaporean dad penned this heart-felt letter to his son (imagining if his son was Ben Davis).

Harvey Davis, the father of Singaporean footballer, Ben Davis, 17, had seek deferment for his son from full-time National Service (NS) after the youth signed a professional contract with a English Premier League (EPL) club – Fulham – on June 29.

It is a two-year contract but his application for deferment was rejected by the authorities and he and his family had been informed of it 18 days earlier on June 11. The family intends to appeal the decision, but MINDEF seems adamant to reject the appeal again as they claimed the teenager had “no intention” of fulfilling his NS duties.

Davis Senior said it is “unfortunate” that MINDEF has an impression that his son would not return to Singapore to serve his NS, but had also said that he would consider getting his son to denounce his Singapore citizenship if there is no way round the deferment.

The issue of deferment and male sporting talents in Singapore, ignited by the case of Ben Davis is currently the talk of the town. It is with this context that this Singaporean dad penned his letter.

Have a read and share with us your comment on what you think about it. What would you have done if you are Harvey Davis, the father of Ben Davis?

A letter to my son if he was Ben Davis:

Dear son,

Know that first and foremost, I love you deeply as my own flesh and blood. Being a daddy is the toughest job I’ve ever undertaken in my entire life – past, present and future. Period. It requires every ounce of my grace, humanity and so much of my decision making skills, that until this moment, I am still learning the best way of governance towards your welfare and future.

That being said, there is a time and place for everything and the cookie crumbles in a certain way beyond my control. I am saddened that after doing everything we could through the proper channels, we failed to secure your deferment.

I’m sorry your personal issue is now debated in the open and you might be hurt from certain criticisms. Yet your saga could not be more public because it centres not just around your ball (or my balls to give up your citizenship), it touches on a topic of national interest – national service, which through my observation of public discourse, hasn’t been given the due respect and importance. So I’m going to share my thoughts with you on this area.

Son, national service or more accurately known as military conscription, is especially important for a nation with a small population surrounded by bigger neighbours. This concept can be seen as archaic in today’s context when we are actually a modern democracy as many democratic states have left this business in the hands of voluntary professionals. However, the fact remains that we are too small; without a sizeable military force, and as your grandfather used to say: we will get swallowed up by others.

By enlisting every single healthy male citizen in our country and creating a pool of reserves, we gained unprecedented space for a small nation of our size to negotiate and secure policies of freedom, creating a fearless path to economic success that we are enjoying this very moment.

We own the most badass technologies and equipments but even then, Global Fire Power ranks us 67 in the whole world and we are way behind every Southeast Asian country, except Cambodia and Laos (bet you didn’t know).

Our state sees the implementation of national service not just as her right but it’s also a privilege of every male citizen, to defend the Singapore civilisation. As a realist nation, we prepare – we do not hope. In military preparation, there has to be consistency and uniformity.

A few generations have passed, and today, our government grants deferment of national service for educational reasons or limited sporting ambitions. Education brings a certain spark to the social fabric, contributing knowledge and intelligence; individual sporting events bring glory to the nation through a legit fight between natural physiques. Unfortunately, yours do not belong in the latter category even though it’s sports. Ultimately, it’s about the betterment of society as a whole – not entirely about individualistic goals. I know you are frustrated, believe me, I feel you but could this not be seen as Singapore already softening its old draconian approach? In fact, I believe the government studied very hard and struggled to cave into granting such allowances.

Why do I say it hasn’t been easy for our government to evolve? My son, we have been through extremely dangerous times as a newborn nation and today, we are still living in very volatile times. Beneath the calm surface of an iceberg, cracks are splitting everywhere. As if it’s not timely enough, in the same period when our case was pending, newly minted Malaysian PM Mahathir announced to the world in the most audacious fashion, on the possibility of revoking internationally binding agreements of our water supply.

Who would’ve thought?

Yet, it was our late Lee Kuan Yew who knew our neighbour(s) could never resist revealing its fox tail. Quoting directly from one of daddy’s favourite books, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore Prime Minister, From Third World to First – The Singapore Story: “If water shortage became urgent, in an emergency, we would have to go in, forcibly if need be, to repair damaged pipes and machinery to restore the water flow. I was putting my cards on the table. He (Mahathir) denied that such precipitate action would happen. I said I believe that he would not do this, but we had to be prepared for all contingencies.” This is really about military intervention, restoring order and policy of freedom through the power of our national defence.

And you may say: It’s not as if I don’t want to serve NS. As much as we want to move along with times and please the modern Singapore populace that is increasingly placing more value in personal pursuits and attainment of one’s highest potential, any further idiosyncratic concessions (such as ours), could represent a certain moral decline in our military defence through the lens of our neighbours. Because where then, should we draw a demarcation? There could be no end to it.

There’s this saying by late Sun Yat Sen: 外伤易医，内伤难治. I would think… if your deferment was a success, it signifies the first burst of a microvessel but add up many more in future – the erosion and internal damage to the nation would be unthinkable.

Perhaps daddy is exaggerating but I urge you to try and extrapolate. As an 18-year-old, you are no longer just a kiddo. I hope my sharing would give you a more balanced view of the world and your place as a citizen of duty to this country you grew up in.

I want you to make – what is to you – the right decision; one that is free from shame and guilt, and I will support you to my fullest capacity.

Love always,
Daddy

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A 41-year-old rubber tapper married his 11-year-old student, but told media on Monday, July 16, that he did not do it because he desired her.

According to a report by TODAY Online, the couple from Kelantan have known each other for four years. The report said that they were neighbours, and the man taught the girl the Al-Quran from that age.

He had expressed his intentions to marry the girl in Mecca to his friends and the people in the village much earlier, and told the media outlet that only outsiders were shocked by the turn of events.

Why did he marry the girl anyway?

According to the man, who already has two wives and is a father of four, he had felt the need to marry Ayu ever since he met her. He said that he wanted to marry her to protect her and provide for her.

“I knew Ayu since she was small because we were neighbours, and I also taught Al-Quran lessons to her… it was then I told myself ‘one day I will take this girl as my wife’ and I did so four years later.”

The report said that the girl was not in school and came from a very poor family. His friends agreed with his intentions, he said, when he divulged his intentions in the holy land of Mecca.

Are they living together?

The man told media that he married her also so he could teach her about Allah without having to sin. He also said that he would not be ‘touching’ her until she turned 16, and married her to teach her and bring her closer to Allah without being accused of sin.

He said that to protect his first two wives, his young third bride has not met them and he does this to protect the emotions of the former.

“I promise to steer our household well. Stop insulting us, but instead pray for our happiness together,” he was quoted as saying.

Malaysian officials this marriage less harmful than the presence of LGBT

In another report by the Malaysiakini, Malaysian officials have said that while they do not agree with the match, the issue of lesbians, gays, queer and transgender people remain a bigger problem than marriages such as these.

“Marriage with this 11-year-old in religion is not wrong, and does not conflict with nature, law. But this LGBT contradicts nature, in civil law is wrong,” he said.

What do Singaporean netizens say?

Some comments note the standard of living in Malaysia.

Some thought that the man should have just adopted the child and that his intentions are not so good.

Others made comments about the girl’s age.

While others mentioned some points about Islam.

Some accused the man of a crime.

And seconded the comment. Some do not believe that the man has no desire for the girl.

They took issue with how the man said he would wait until the girl was 16 to have relations with her.

While others were more concerned with how the man can provide for three wives.

What do you think of this story and how the authorities commented? Let us know in the comments!

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New for Summer 2018, boutique Cambodian coastal retreat, Knai Bang Chatt in Kep launches a ‘Royal Train Experience’ in collaboration with Royal Cambodian Railways, providing access from the bustling capital of Phnom Penh to Cambodia’s rural region for the first time in over a decade.

The Royal Cambodian Railways has reinstated a passenger train service after 14 years, which will transport travellers from the colonial Grand Old Phnom Penh Train Station to the salt fields and pepper plantations of Kampot, with plans for the train to make a stop along the Southern coastline in Kep by the end of the year.

What you can expect

Guests will be able to take a prime seat soaking in every day scenes of local life as the train passes through Phnom Penh’s inner-city areas and the impressive new developments interspersed with colonial architecture, moving into the countryside where urban streets give way to brightly coloured lotus flowers and rice fields lined by sugar palm trees.

As the train traverses deeper into rural Cambodia, limestone mountains start to rise, surrounded by an abundance of wildlife including livestock and birds. A short stop in a nearby village Pnh-Takeo gives passengers the opportunity to purchase local delicacies from street vendors, such as freshly cut pineapple and dried river fish.

The train passes through an abundance of rural villages including Kep and after 5 – 6 hours, the voyage ends in Kampot.  The colonial town of Kampot is located along the Praek Tuek Chhu river and only one hour away from Kep.  It retains a certain charm and character that has a laidback, bohemian feel.  Travellers are taken through the enchanting streets, where some of the best and last remaining unspoilt colonial architecture in the country remains.  

Accommodation

Knai Bang Chatt Resort

Guests will then be privately transferred to Knai Bang Chatt – a chic modernist boutique hotel in nearby Kep sur Mer, and one of the last remaining hidden unspoilt gems on Cambodia’s South coast.  Once the premiere coastal retreat for the wealthy elite in the 1960s, Kep offers visitors a picturesque, peaceful holiday experience.

Boutique retreat Knai Bang Chatt is the perfect base from which to explore the undiscovered coastal town and discover the ‘real Cambodia’ of today through authentic cultural, coastal and rural destination experiences in Kep National Park and the surrounding region.  Guests who just want to relax however, can treat themselves to traditional Khmer treatments at the spa, while yoga and meditation is also available upon request.

The Royal Train Experience package at Knai Bang Chatt starts from $400 (approx. £301) per person and includes:
Two nights’ accommodation in a spacious Garden View room at the hotel
One-way train ticket from Phnomh Penh to Kampot
Transfers from anywhere in Phnom Penh to the train station and from Kampot train station to the hotel
A delicious picnic lunch including wine is to enjoy on the train
Welcome beverage upon arrival into Kampot

For more information please contact Perowne International:
kbc@perowneinternational.com / +44 (0)20 7078 0295

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Many Singaporeans probably remember and even went to visit the Rail Corridor area in Bukit Timah when it was announced last year that it would soon be closed to public. The area is set to reopen in the fourth quarter of 2018 and will be redeveloped by URA to “cater to workplaces and homes in the vicinity”. For now, though, the area is mainly frequented by nature lovers and fitness enthusiasts who cycle or jog.

And after an exhausting run or cycle stretch, one can then head down to Rail Mall (which is right beside an iconic steel bridge) for some food, to pamper yourselves or even shop.

Food Options: 4/5

First on the list is definitely the most famous tenant at The Rail Mall, Springleaf Prata!

They offer delicious yet affordable pratas and unique dishes based off prata and is a hot favourite at all times of the day, be t for breakfast or supper.

Special items sold that are unique to Springleaf include the Prata Bomb, Murtaburger and Plaster Blaster.

For those who prefer Chinese food, there are a few restaurants for you to choose from.

These include Encik Tan, EAT and Teck Kee Chicken Rice.

There are also 2 pubs here for the night owls and alcohol enthusiasts.

Youngsters may be glad to know that there are popular food chains here as well, including Subway and Coffee Bean.

Of course, you can also get your coffee fix along with some traditional breakfast goodies at Toast Box.

Needless to say, the food options here are pretty concrete and can cater to a rowdy group of friends, a family seeking a nice quiet place for dinner and more!

Uniqueness: 5/5

The Rail Mall consists 43 single-storey shop units. It’s really unique in the sense that it is hard to find malls with such a design anymore, with most modern malls having several floors and being completely indoors. In fact, it may be considered more of a retail strip!

The 60m-long bridge that is right beside the Rail Mall is also conserved under the Green Corridor Singapore and is considered a national landmark!

Tenant Mix: 3/5

Other than housing the famous Springleaf Prata, there is honestly a rather decent and satisfying mix of tenants at this retail strip. This ranges from several body wellness centres to tuition centres and even furniture!

At Cool Haven, a lifestyle furniture shop, they sell rustic and adorable lifestyle pieces such as cute door-stoppers shaped like animals, among others.

There is a Busy Bees Learning Centre which is rather famous among parents for being a reputable Mandarin-teaching centre.

The entire Busy Bees takes up 4 units!

There are also body wellness centres such as EYERoom.

There’s also a 24-hour Cold Storage here which is small but enough to serve up the essentials, which is especially useful for residents living in the area.

Accessibility: 4/5

The mall is actually easy to access by public transport.

For those taking MRT, alight at DT3 Hillview and either take a leisurely 5-minute stroll or take one bus stop to The Rail Mall.

Buses available are 67, 75, 170, 171, 178, 184, 961 and 973.

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Is the photo above a familiar scene?

We are all busy people, and the only time we have to chill, unwind, catch up with social media and the latest netflix episodes while lying in the comforts of our bed at night.But do you know that doing this is very bad for you? The consequences listed below may seem like an overkill or exaggeration, but this is no joke. The effects are so serious that Apple had to introduce a new feature called “Night Shift” in iOS 9.3 that helps decreases such effects.

Staring at our phone screens at night can cause a variety of harmful effects.

Harmful effects of using mobile devices in the dark before you sleep can include:

1. Lower memory ability the next day
2. Lower learning ability
3. Poorer sleep quality
4. Risk of obesity
5. Cataracts
6. Retina damage
7. Depression

Tech Insider published an info-graphic on that just recently. Take a look:

Source: Tech Insider

Recently, I experienced this for myself as well. I was chasing a very nice drama series, but because my work often take me till late in the evening, I ended up watching the show on my iPad at night in a dark room before I sleep. I noticed that although my eyes were very tired & and felt heavy by the time I decided to turn in, I just couldn’t sleep. My mind was still fully awake and racing. That was when I did some research and realized this whole issue of using mobile devices just before sleep.

I noticed that although my eyes were very tired & and felt heavy by the time I decided to turn in, I just couldn’t sleep. My mind was still fully awake and racing.

Research has shown that this is due to exposure to blue light just before we sleep, which is against our nature. Our minds associate bluish and white lights to day time, while orange or brown lights to night. By staring at bright and white light before sleep, we are actually telling the primitive parts of our brains that it is not time to sleep yet.

Apple came up with an elegant solution for this in iOS 9.3 Called the Night Shift mode, it automatically dims the screen and filters it so that the entire screen looks yellowish-orange, devoid of all traces of blue.

Android users aren’t so lucky as this feature wasn’t baked in. On Android, the issue is also compounded by the fact that different device manufacturers have different definition of what is the minimum brightness, and in most cases even the minimum brightness is way too bright for use in the dark.

Apple came up with an elegant solution for this in iOS 9.3. Android users aren’t so lucky as this feature wasn’t baked in.

Thankfully, there are third party apps built to help with that!

Enter Dimmer: Night Mode With A.I. Developed by a local (Singaporean) app development company, this app uses an intelligent A.I to detect if you are in a dark room. If you are, this app automatically and dramatic lowers your screen’s brightness to a level that is much lower than what your manufacturer allows, so that your device’s screen is more gentle on your eyes.

If you are in a dark room, Dimmer: Night Mode With A.I is the only app that automatically lowers your screen’s brightness to beyond the lowest available setting to be more gentle on your eyes.

We want to protect our well-being to continue enjoying our favourite TV series and social media network. Let’s do something about it today.

Download the app from the Google Play Store now to get started on a good night’s sleep.

Photo from Shutterstock, woman in bed with phone

The post Disturbing Facts About The Harm Of Staring At Your Phone All Night appeared first on Alvinology.

There are teachers and students who become friends outside the classroom, and there are those who become involved in drugs together. Celesta Ee Qiying is the teacher who asked her student convicted drug user and trafficker Khairul Naim Mohamad Nasir to source methamphetamines for her.

In a recent report by The Straits Times, this teacher from Meridian Secondary School has been removed from her post following her admission and the information given by Nasir in court, where he had bought Ice from a different contact for Celesta.

According to the report, Celesta confided in Nasir that she was getting charged too high by her supplier when buying methamphetamines. What Nasir did was take her money and buy the drugs for her. He denies that he sold her drugs, only that he acted as a go-between.

She had allegedly given $200 to the student to buy the drugs for her.

This incident happened in 2016. When Nasir was brought to court and had revealed the nature of his transactions and the persons he transacted with, the teacher was removed. This removal happened in September 2017.

Nasir, who is now 20 years old, has been charged with drug related offences and was sentenced to probation of two years and three months after pleading guilty in January to one count each of methamphetamine trafficking and cannabis consumption.

His probation requires that he would have to stay in a hostel for nine months. He must also undergo drug intervention programmes and perform 210 hours of community service.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Education, “Once MOE was informed of the investigation, we suspended Ms Celesta Ee from duty in September 2017 so that she had no contact with the school. She has since been dismissed from service.”

The court document doesn’t reveal any details of Celesta’s case.

Who is Celesta Ee Qiying?

According to her now-defunct social media accounts and digital footprint, Celesta is 28 years old and was until recently a teacher at Meridian Secondary School.

In 2016, a year before she was removed from Meridian Secondary School, she was a Co-form teacher at Coral Secondary School.

She was a co-curricular activity staff member at the school when she was removed.

Reports said that “MOE takes a very serious view of misconduct by teachers. Teachers who fail to comply with our standards of conduct and discipline will be subjected to disciplinary action, including dismissal from service – which was precisely the outcome here.”

After being dismissed from service, Celesta’s digital footprint vanishes.

What do netizens have to say about Celesta?

Here are some reactions to what Celesta has done, now that it’s been revealed to the public:

Some say that she is mentally ill and needs help, along with the student.

Some said that her job as a teacher may be too stressful.

Others got mad that this sort of thing happened.

While others showed compassion.

Some remembered a television show that was similar to this incident. Have you watched this show?

While others think she deserves an award.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments!

The post Who is Celesta Ee Qiying? This is the teacher who asked student to buy meth for her appeared first on Alvinology.

Each marital breakup is unique. The emotional, financial and parenting issues require tailored solutions to ensure parties can come to an agreement. However, the basic structure that most divorces follow from initiation through to the end is very similar. You should contact a specialist family lawyer for advice to discuss the options available to you. The following article will help you understand the divorce process in Singapore.

Temporary Orders

Issues surrounding child custody, financial obligations and in some cases family violence, can arise whilst the divorce proceedings are in progress. This often requires temporary orders to be made by a court.

Personal Protection Order: A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is an order given by the court to help protect people experiencing family violence. The Court needs to be satisfied that this order is necessary to prevent further harm to the victim/s. An application for a PPO may be lodged at the Family Court Registry. Whilst the granting of a PPO does not necessarily suffice as immediate grounds for divorce, the fact of family violence may be relevant. You may wish to seek legal advice from your divorce lawyer to ascertain whether the incident of family violence can constitute evidence that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.

See Brochure

Maintenance Application (MSS): If you are going through a divorce and are concerned as to how you will meet your financial obligations, you can consider applying for maintenance. Such an application can be made regardless whether or not there are divorce proceedings ongoing. The court will take into account all the facts and circumstances of your case in deciding whether or not to grant an order for maintenance, and if so, the quantum of the maintenance.

Some of the factors the court will consider include:

* Salary and earning capacity of each party;

* Financial needs and obligations; and

* Standard of living prior to the marriage break-down;

* Interim Custody, Care and Control: An Interim Custody, Care and Control (ICCC) order governs the care arrangements for the children of a marriage before a final order is made at the final divorce ancillary matters hearing. There are three issues which will be determined in an ICCC order:

* Custody – This refers to the right to make major decisions for the child, such as education, religion and healthcare. The Courts generally award joint custody to both parents unless there are exceptional circumstances to warrant an order for sole custody,

* Care and Control – This determines which parent will reside with the child and o is responsible for the day-to-day care and decision making for the child.

* Access – When one parent is granted sole care and control, the other parent will be given access to the children. The degree of access conferred may vary, depending on the circumstances.

To apply for an ICCC order, a parent must submit an application to the Family Justice Courts under the Guardianship of Infants Act. You should approach your matrimonial lawyer to understand the procedure and the criteria considered by the courts before an ICCC order is made.

The other parent will have an opportunity to respond and/or object to your requests and may propose an alternative arrangement. If the issues cannot be resolved amicably through processes such as counselling or mediation, this will culminate in a hearing and the court will adjudicate on the matter.

Read more

Preparing to File for Divorce

It is advised that you engage an experienced divorce lawyer as soon as possible. They will help you determine the merits of your case and establish the appropriate strategy for you. This is particularly important for heavily contested divorces where complexities are expected.

Practical issues you need to consider:

* Understanding of the divorce process and how it applies to your circumstances;

* Establishing your best and worst-case scenario;

* Establishing your spouse’s possible defences and/or position;

* Considering pre-action manoeuvres to protect your interests;

* Establishing realistic goals for when you separate;

* Addressing issues of communication with your spouse; and

* Preparing yourself for the challenges ahead.

Most importantly, you should consider the legal fees and the necessary court filing fees that you will expect to incur when you engage a lawyer and/or when you commence an action.

Read more:

I WANT A DIVORCE BUT MY SPOUSE DOESN’T. WHAT CAN I DO?

COMMENCING YOUR DIVORCE IN SINGAPORE: WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

The Divorce Process

Divorce in Singapore is a two-step process. At the first stage, the Court will deal with the termination of the marriage itself. Here, the Court will decide whether the marriage should be dissolved.

Facts to prove the marriage has irretrievably broken down are as follows:

* Adultery

* Unreasonable behaviour

* Desertion

* Separation

At the end of this first stage, if successful, parties will receive an Interim Judgment. At the second stage, the Court will deal with the ancillary matters.

These include:

* Division of matrimonial assets;

* Child custody issues; and

* Spousal and child maintenance (if applicable)

At the end of this stage, parties will receive a Final Judgment.

For more information on the divorce filing process, please click here.

Ancillary Issues in a Contested Divorce

Matrimonial assets include, among others, all property acquired during marriage. Common examples of assets which may be subject to division include businesses, insurance, shares, cars, savings accounts and CPF balances. You should consult a divorce lawyer to ascertain if an asset constitute matrimonial asset subject to division.

Under Singapore law, the court has the power to divide assets in a “just and equitable” manner. Factors the court will take into account prior to a just and equitable division include:

* The extent of contributions made by each party, both monetary and non-monetary; * and

* Any agreement between the parties with regards to the division of the matrimonial assets before marriage, during marriage, during separation, and/or during divorce proceedings.

Child maintenance: It is the duty of both parents to provide financial support for children of the marriage. Children up to the age of 21 are entitled to maintenance. Orders can be extended for children above the age of 21 where they are pursuing tertiary education or extended military service. A parent living apart from their child is equally liable to provide for the financial needs of the dependent child.

Factors the court will take into account to determine the quantum of child maintenance include:

* Financial needs of your child;

* Income earning capacity of you and your spouse; and

* Standard of living enjoyed by your child before a parent stops maintaining them.

Spousal maintenance: The court may order the husband to pay maintenance to his ex-wife. The court may also make an order for the wife to provide spousal maintenance to the incapacitated ex-husband.

Factors the court will take into account to determine the quantum of spousal maintenance include:

* Salary and earning capacity of each party;

* Financial needs and obligations;

* Standard of living prior to the marriage break-down;

* Direct and indirect contributions; and

* Any losses suffered as a result of the marriage.

You should consult a divorce lawyer to determine if you are eligible for spousal maintenance.

Read more: ANCILLARY MATTERS HEARING

The post Understanding the Divorce Process in Singapore appeared first on Alvinology.

In celebration of Mickey Mouse’s 90th anniversary and Singapore’s 53rd National Day, Raffles City Singapore collaborated with The Walt Disney Company (Southeast Asia) to launch the first “Mickey Go Local” campaign. Part of Raffles City Singapore’s long-running Arts in the City programme, the month-long campaign features a host of activities, including a public exhibition of 90 Mickey Mouse figurines designed in Singapore style by individuals from different walks of life, including President Halimah Yacob, JJ Lin, Nathan Hartono and even yours truly.

Watch this video to check out some of the cool designs:

The campaign was launched today by President Halimah Yacob in the company of Mr Lim Ming Yan, President & Group CEO of CapitaLand Group and Director of CapitaLand Hope Foundation and Mr Daniel Tan, Executive Director, Marketing, The Walt Disney Company Singapore and Malaysia.

My Mickey was delivered to me earlier last month and I took a couple of weeks to complete it. Titled Shiny Red Dot, my design concept is as below:

“Singapore may be a small country, but we never undermine ourselves and always strive for the best in what we do to have our presence felt globally. We are small, but we can’t be ignored; just like this shiny red Mickey, with sparks radiating the full body from the five stars and a crescent moon where the heart is. From hosting the iconic Trump-Kim summit to Joseph Schooling winning an Olympic gold medal for swimming, let the little red dot continue to shine and flourish.”

Here’s the work in progress before the design was completed:

I thought of adding more graphic elements to it, but decided to keep it all bold red and shimmering so it will stand out from a sea of colourful Mickey Mouse.

Do pop by Raffles City from now till 29 August 2018 when the figurines are on display. When you are there, you can do your part for charity by simply taking a photo of yourself with the figurines and posting them to Instagram with hashtags: #RCSArtsinthecityPC, #Mickey90, #MickeyGoLocal, #CapitaLand and #CHPFC. CapitaLand Hope Foundation will donate S$10 per hashtag to President’s Challenge.

“Mickey Go Local” in Singapore

Binding generations together, Mickey Mouse reminds people of all ages the benefits of laughter, optimism and hope. The year 2018 marks 90 years since the beloved mouse made its first appearance in American animated short film Steamboat Willie on 18 November 1928. To commemorate this milestone, a series of world-wide celebrations has been lined-up.

Kicking off the celebrations in Singapore is Disney’s “Mickey Go Local” campaign at Raffles City Singapore, which aims to connect the iconic character with Singaporeans and tourists in a surprising and fun manner. Specially-created “Mickey Go Local” products, including household items, fashion merchandise and accessories, feature Mickey Mouse in uniquely Singaporean settings that showcase local heritage, customs, language and delicacies. Over 80 of these products will debut at the “Mickey Go Local” pop-up store at Raffles City Singapore, and a larger range will be made available later at all major retailers.

Singapore through the lens of Mickey Mouse

Disney’s “Mickey Go Local” campaign celebrates the character’s 90th anniversary while paying homage to Singapore’s rich heritage and culture. In all, 90 pieces of 60-centimetre-tall Mickey Mouse figurines have been decorated with creative and thoughtful designs by individuals from different walks of life.

They include President Halimah Yacob; Mr Lim Ming Yan, President & Group CEO of CapitaLand Group and Director of CapitaLand Hope Foundation; Mr Amit Malhotra, Country Manager, The Walt Disney Company Singapore and Malaysia; popular artistes JJ Lin, Nathan Hartono, Kit Chan, Li Nanxing and Felicia Chin; film directors K Rajagopal, Boon Junfeng and Eric Khoo; as well as athletes, media creatives and many more. The uniquely Singapore Mickey Mouse figurines will be displayed at Raffles City Singapore from 1 to 29 August 2018.

JJ Lin’s design

Nathan Hartono’s design

Giving back through art

In conjunction with the campaign, CapitaLand has pledged to donate S$300,000 through its philanthropic arm, CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF), to the President’s Challenge 2018.

President Halimah Yacob’s design

To date, CHF has committed S$10,000 for the completed artwork by President Halimah Yacob, and S$2,000 per completed artwork by notable Singaporean personalities and individuals from different walks of life as well as the top ten designs submitted by Raffles City Singapore’s Design Your Version of Disney’s Mickey Mouse participants.

Held from 13 to 22 July 2018, the design competition was opened to all Singaporeans to style Mickey Mouse in the most quintessential local motifs, such as food, customs, heritage, architecture and language. The top 10 designs are part of the exhibition at Raffles City Singapore.

For every photo taken by members of the public with the Mickey Mouse figurines and uploaded onto Instagram with hashtags: #RCSArtsinthecityPC, #Mickey90, #MickeyGoLocal, #CapitaLand and #CHFPC, CHF will donate S$10 per hashtag to President’s Challenge.

Raffles City: Disney’s “Mickey Go Local” Exhibition

Date: 1 August to 29 August 2018
Time: 10am – 10pm
Venue: Level 1, Raffles City Singapore, 252 North Bridge Road
Admission is free

The post Check out these 90 Singapore-themed Mickey Mouse at Raffles City designed by celebrities like JJ Lin, Nathan Hartono, President Halimah Yaacob and more appeared first on Alvinology.

With National Day just around the corner, StarHub will be offering a free preview of over 140 channels for all StarHub TV customers. The free preview will be from 8 August, 12pm to 13 August, 12pm. Customers can expect to catch programmes from many different genres ranging from entertainment, sports, lifestyle, news and kids.

For the full list of channels, please visit this page.

Programme highlights during the free preview period:

1) Ti Amo Sweetheart 100 Hari

Telecast details: Thursday, 9 August, 12pm on Hub Sensasi (StarHub TV Channel 123)

Synopsis: A story of a woman searching for her missing husband who has taken their child away from her, and their reconciliation as they stay together for 100 days trial period for the sake of their child. Starring Zul Ariffin, Neelofa, Nur Qistina Raisah, Scha Alyahya.

2) Coco

Telecast details: Thursday, 9 August, 12:40pm on FOX Movies(HD) (StarHub TV Channel 622)

Synopsis: Aspiring musician, Miguel, confronted with his family’s ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer.

Image credit: © 2017 Disney/Pixar

3) The World’s Most Luxurious Airline

Telecast details: Thursday, 9 August, 12:35 pm, 10:50pm on BBC Earth (HD) (StarHub TV Channel 407)

Synopsis: Marketed as one of the most luxurious and distinguished airlines in the world, Singapore Airlines has been providing first-class travel to customers around the world for decades. But during recent years the rise in competition for luxury travel in the aviation world has seen the airline knocked off its number one spot.

With exclusive access to Singapore Airlines, we uncover the lengths they will go to build a first-class suite for the super wealthy, revealing the specific standards the passengers demand when it comes to the highest quality bed linen, handcrafted top quality Italian seat leather and Michelin-style menus.

4) Lucky Boy

Telecast details: Thursday, 9 August, 10pm on Hub E City (StarHub TV Channel 111/825)

Synopsis: Luck has never shone on Lin Yu since birth. Following a series of unfortunate events, his Mother, Wu Zhi seeks divine intervention despite her husband, Lin Chong’s displeasure, and the fortune teller predicts that Lin Yu will meet with misfortune throughout his life and the safest bet is to maintain a low profile and live life with the motto – do less and make fewer mistakes.

Photo by Melvin Wong @ (www.maisonsuperb.com)

5) Phantacity 2018 (same time telecast as China)

Telecast details: Friday, 10 August, 8pm on Hub E City (StarHub TV Channel 111/825)

Synopsis: Phantacity is a brand-new original variety show focusing on musical performances. Faye Wong and other famous singers and actors will provide inspiration, and together with professionals in the field they will produce short music videos.

6) Dunkirk

Telecast details: Saturday, 11 August, 9pm on HBO (HD) (StarHub TV Channel 601)

Synopsis: In May 1940, German troops advanced across France, trapping Allied soldiers on Dunkirk. Civilians were recruited to bring the soldiers back to safety.

Image credit: HBO and Home Box Office are service marks of Home Box Office, Inc. © Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. © 2018 HBO Asia. All rights reserved.

7) Thor: Ragnarok

Telecast details: Sunday, 12 August, 12:50pm on FOX Movies HD (StarHub TV Channel 622)

Synopsis: Thor races against time to return to Asgard and stop Ragnarok, the destruction of his world, at the hands of villain Hela.

Image Credit: © 2017 Marvel

Marvel Studios’ THOR: RAGNAROK..L to R: Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston)..Ph: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2017

8) Blue Plant II: Oceans of Wonder

Telecast details: Sunday, 12 August, 9pm on BBC Earth (HD) (StarHub TV Channel 407)

Synopsis: This extended special of the nature documentary series journeys from the equator to the unexplored depths, meeting the best-loved characters from the series.

Image credit: BBC WW

Surfing bottlenose dolphins. Wild Coast, South Africa. Surfing may be a form of play in bottlenose dolphins, which is important in developing social and cognitive skills.

9) Risky Romance

Telecast details: every Sunday, 9:45pm on Hub VVD (StarHub TV Channel 855)

Synopsis: Han Seung Joo is a cold-hearted neurosurgeon who has a strong desire to win, while Joo In Ah, an endocrinologist, is obsessed about hormones. What will entail when In Ah becomes curious about Seung Joo and wants to study such a man?

10) Ligue 1 Live Match: PSG v Caen

Telecast details: Monday, 13 August, 2:55am on beIN Sports HD (StarHub TV Channel 213)

Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Angel Di Maria plays the ball during the French L1 football match Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) vs Rennes at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on May 12, 2018. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo credit FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

In addition, from 28 July onwards, StarHub is offering customers up to $253 OFF selected phone models as a limited time promotion. For more information, please visit this page.

The post StarHub National Day Free Preview includes Thor: Ragnarok, Coco, K-Drama and a lot more! appeared first on Alvinology.

When a small child like a lower primary school pupil is assigned homework, you’re basically assigning the parent or the guardian the homework. Some young children can be conscientious about their assignments, but most of the time, it’s up to the parents to monitor their tasks.

There are times, though, when instructions are unclear and you have to contact the teacher on what the task actually is. While this is a common occurrence, this text exchange between a parent and teacher has the Singaporean internet community torn once again. Take a look:

The parent, named Teresa Juann, who has closed her Facebook profile, asked the teacher what her child needed to bring for Show and Tell and got a response.

The parent didn’t like the teacher’s response and called the teacher rude and asked for more help since her child had forgotten.

The teacher then asked which part of the statement was rude, and reiterated that the assignment was based on the script that the students were supposed to have.

The parent then berated the teacher because her child forgot the assignment. She also lambasted the Class Dojo that is used to communicate with parents. The teacher then said that the Class Dojo is all right and thanked the parent. The teacher reiterated that they will talk to a superior.

The parent then repeated that the statement the teacher first said was rude and to walk it back. Then the parent agreed that a meeting with the head should be scheduled.

The teacher then repeated that the Show and Tell script with the student should be able to give the parent enough understanding of the assignment.

What do netizens have to say?

While the parent’s  profile, complaint, and ranting are no longer available, netizens were quick to weigh in based on what people were able to take screenshots of. Here’s what netizens have to say:

Most comments took issue with the fact that the parent did not have great communication skills in English.

Others pointed out that the parent may have bad critical thinking skills and couldn’t understand the situation. They also bemoaned the state of education in Singapore, which the parent may be a product of.

People have advice for this parent. The advice is usually about growing up. The commenter wished the parent had taken a look at the Class Dojo as the teacher had said.

Some went as far as to make a comment on the child’s name. They also mentioned that the parent should not spoon-feed their child all the time.

While others made comments on how children are educated today, and the role of technology in a child’s education. The comment still says the teacher is not rude.

Some vouched for the Class Dojo application and that it is a great help to their child’s education. This commenter also agreed that the parent was out of line.

What do you think of this exchange? Is this a case of a strawberry parent or was the teacher rude? Let us know in the comments!

The post Strawberry parent or rude teacher? You be the judge of the Xinmin Primary School saga appeared first on Alvinology.

After a month of opening and in response to diners’ feedback,Tsui Wah Clarke Quay, the first Tsui Wah (翠華) restaurant in Southeast Asia, has extended its operating hours to cater to the supper crowd.

Fans and foodies can also tuck into four new menu items, available exclusively during the supper period.

The Hong Kong-style “Cha Chaan Teng” (港式茶餐廳) restaurant’s new operating hours are 11am to 1.30am daily (previously 11am to 11pm). With over 40 menu items specially selected from the main a la carte menu, supper will start from 10.30pm with the last order at 1am.

New Dishes

Fish Paste Puffs in Mala Soup with Mixian (麻辣鱼付米线) – $8.50:

Tsui Wah’s signature fish paste puffs, freshly handmade daily, served in a mala soup with mixian. Great for soaking up the fiery broth, the fish paste puffs will burst into a medley of flavours with every bite.

King Prawns in Mala Soup with Mixian (麻辣海虾米线) – $10.00:

The freshness of king prawns provides a sweet and crunchy contrast from the fiery mala soup with mixian – each mouthful filled with the umami flavours of the crustacean.

Sliced Chicken in Mala Soup with Mixian (麻辣嫩鸡米线) – $8.00:

For those who prefer a non-seafood option for supper, there is also a choice of tender, marinated sliced chicken served in the fiery mala soup with mixian.

Luncheon Meat & Sunny-side Up Egg in Soup with Instant Noodles (午餐肉即食面) – $9.50:

Enjoy fried luncheon meat slices and a sunny-side up, served over a piping hot bowl of classic Hong Kong instant noodles in soup.

Prices indicated are subject to prevailing GST and service charge.

For more information, stay tuned to the official Facebook page.

Click here to find out more about Tsui Wah’s signature dishes!

The post Tsui Wah now offers 4 new menu items for supper! appeared first on Alvinology.

Comedian Mark Lee has posted an appeal for information regarding an autoimmune disease that has struck his 5-year-old, Calynn.

In a report by Toggle, Mark has set up a Facebook group where he details the difficulties that his daughter is going through, from the start of her very high, 40-degree fevers a few months ago to the treatment that she is undergoing now.

What’s wrong with Calynn?

Toggle reports that Mark’s wife, Catherine Ng, had posted a group called “Cheers for Calynn,” which aimed to gather information and support for their family in light of Calynn’s diagnosis of Glumerulonephritis.

According to The National Kidney Foundation, this type of disease indicates that the filters that exist in our kidneys to clean toxins and other substances from our blood do not function. Calynn’s sickness started in May with very high fevers.

When the doctor’s checked her urine, they found white blood cells in the lab results, which lead them to diagnose her with the rare disease.

What’s happening to Calynn now?

According to Mark and his wife, their youngest daughter has gotten her first round of treatments, but the doctors say that they are not sure how long the road to recovery is going to be.

Doctors cannot peg her recovery if it will take months of up to five years. This is the mean reason why Mark and his wife created the Facebook group.

“This is our first time learning of such a disease, so we hope for families with children facing the same medical condition to leave a comment and help us understand it better, and better learn how to care for her,” Catherine said.

“We hope the medicine helps her. She is a brave little child who doesn’t cry despite receiving so many injections. She only cried once when a doctor accidentally pricked her during a jab. I hope everyone can cheer for her, thank you!” Catherine wrote.

They are discussing Calynn’s case with one of the foremost experts on the disease in Singapore, but they are having trouble understanding. They are appealing to other people who have experienced this disease to help them understand how to help their daughter.

The expert, though, has mentioned that Mark and Catherine must prepare for the worst, especially if Calynn doesn’t respond to the medicine.

What about Mark’s other children?

Mark and Catherine have two older children. Callista, 10 years old, and Marksson, 7 years old, are big enough to understand that their little sister needs extra care because she is sick.

According to the same report, the children are adjusting to Calynn’s stricter diet. They are no longer allowed to eat chocolate and their diet consist of less sugary, less salty, and less sour food at home.

The family also took a recent overseas trip before Calynn’s treatments started, since it would be difficult to do so once she begins her several rounds of treatment.

Netizens send words of support

After the news of Calynn’s sickness was revealed, netizens have offered words of comfort and support for Mark and his family.

Hope you get well soon, Little Calynn!

The post Mark Lee’s 5-year-old child suffers from rare kidney disease, asks other parents for information appeared first on Alvinology.

Do you have neighbours from hell? Ifuencer Pek Yi Tsing has allegedly been in a neighbour-nightmare for three years running, according to a Facebook post on August 2. She relates what her next-door neighbours have done to her, which she says includes sexual harassment, disturbance and other nasty behaviour.

You can take a look at her blog post here:

The post Blogger Pek Yi Tsing allegedly harassed by horrid neighbours for three years and running appeared first on Alvinology.

Having trouble picking out a preschool for your child? Worried that they won’t be in good hands? Or that their development will be hindered at childcare?

Well, you can put your worries to rest! My First Skool isn’t just a childcare centre which only feeds and takes care of your children. It has in place an educational curriculum which follows the Ministry of Social and Family Early Years Development Framework, ensuring that your children will be well-prepared when it is finally time for them to enter primary school.

The teachers at My First Skool are qualified and meet the training requirements set by the Early Childhood Development Agency. All the of the programmes offered are developed by a team of education development specialists, with each programme – Skool-Educare, Skool-Ready, Skool-aCe – targeted at children in varying age groups, ranging from 2 months to 6 years of age. Rest assured that your child will be well-educated and taken care of at My First Skool!

In fact, My First Skool adopts a pedagogical approach that emphasises outdoor play and experimentation. They educate their children using the PETAL system – Playing, Exploring, Thinking and Applying Learning. Children are given the opportunity to play games, self-discover and challenge themselves through a series of outdoor play activities. They’re encouraged to be inquisitive, to be curious about the external world. Through these unique outdoor play experiences, not only will your children nurture better motor skills, but they will also develop better artistic, emotional, and social skills.

So what are you waiting for? Let your children experience the joy of learning today with My First Skool! For more information, check them out here. 

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