Happy Mother’s Day to all the mummies in Singapore and around the world. There are two around me – my wife, who’s a mother to my son, Asher, my own mother and my mother-in-law.

Instead of jostling with the crowd in the town area today, we opted to visit 888 Plaza, a heartland mall in Woodlands for a simple dinner, heartland shopping and participate in the Mom’s Day Out activities.

At 888 Plaza

Mom’s Day Out is a series of fun-filled evening activities across various HDB shopping centres across Singapore in the few two weekends of May. Today marks the last day.

We participated in the DIY Mother’s Day cake decoration session whereby Asher had a lot of fun decorating his own cake for Rachel:

Blank cake

Me helping my son with the icing

Putting in the hearts and loves

Helping Asher to make sure the candy is firmly pasted

Asher adding icing

The finished work

Added Asher’s name at the side

While we were working on the cake, there was a sushi making workshop for kids on stage:

Kids volunteering to make sushi on stage

Making sushi

There were other activites going on and the first 50 customers who spent at least S$20 at participating shopping centres today even got to redeem a special Mother’s Day gift.

Next time you are looking for something to do over the weekend, instead of heading to the mega malls, why not shop at your neighbourhood HDB shopping centres:

You just might find some little surprises. Find out more on their official website.

In conjunction with Singapore’s SG50 fiftieth birthday celebration this year, the Jurong Bird Park has come up with a slew of fun promotional activities and discounts for the whole family to have generations of fun.

If you looking for somewhere to bring the whole family during the June holidays, consider visiting the park!

While my wife Rachel is overseas, I brought my parents and my son, Asher, to the Jurong Bird Park last weekend for intergenerational bonding. Asher was happy to have his grandparents along for the trip and thoroughly enjoyed himself despite the drizzly weather.

We managed to catch a show at the park, feed lories at the lories loft, visited various attractions, ride on the tram and even participate in some of the special weekend old school games!

High Fliers show – two parrots competing to drop ping pong balls into the tree trunk

Birds flying the audience area

A boy volunteer with birds on his shoulders

One of the trainer bringing a hornbill up close

A parrot zipping through a small ring

Two parrots flying together

Flapping through a really small ring

Fun in the audience

Pelicans on stage

What are in store at the park for SG50?

Let’s find out:

Lao Jiaos Are Special
FREE Entry for Senior Citizens + $2 OFF Tram Rides!
30 May – 30 Jun 2015

Asher with his grandparents

Lao Jiao is an old Hokkien slang term that literally means ‘old bird’. All Singaporean pioneer generation gets to visit the Jurong Bird Park – absolutely FREE!

All Singaporeans and PRs aged 60 and above in 2015 will enjoy free admission to the park during the promotional period. Complimentary tickets can be redeemed at the Jurong Bird Park ticketing counters. Senior citizens are required to present original proof of identification.

Tram tickets can be purchased at the Jurong Bird Park ticketing counters or at the Main Tram Station.

Kampong Stories stage games and activities

Singing parakeet

Everybody can be a Feather Friend!
Enjoy 1-year unlimited entry for the price of a 1day ticket!
Promotion ends 31 Dec 2015

Sign up for a special Feather Friends membership now and enjoy unlimited year-round entry to Jurong Bird Park – all for the price of a single day’s ticket!

Birds of Play station for kids

Giant snake and ladder

Playground for kids

Water slides in the splash zone

Asher gets to feed lories at the lories loft

Close-up on the lory

Special Activities – Old School Games
6 – 28 June 2015 (weekends only)

Happy Holidays! This June, Jurong Bird Park gives parents, kids and grandparents something to crow about! Look forward to bonding activities, old-school fun, childhood games – and much more at the park:

Making bubble balloons and zero-point ropes from rubber bands at the park

Asher with his bubble balloon blown by his grandma

My parents and Asher making a zero-point rope together from rubber bands

Five stones booth

Kids craft station

Tikam Tikam game station

A little girl collecting her prize from the tikam tikam station

That’s not all, you can stand to win Jurong Bird Park tickets daily, simply by playing a simple picture-match game online!

Finally, to see what Jurong Bird Park and the birds are up to as they celebrate SG50, check out the instagram hashtag, #flybackjbp (remember to use this hashtag too when you are sharing your photos or videos at the park).

Our small family of three are going on summer vacation to Kalibo in Boracay, Philippines! Thanks to our kind sponsor SilkAir, we will be flying directly to this island paradise via a 3h 40 minute direct flight this Thursday.

Then, from the airport, it will be a 2h journey by van to Caticlan, then a half-hour boat ride to our resort at Discovery Shores Boracay.

The last time we went on a family holiday was to Ho Chi Minh city earlier this year. All our family trips are planned around Asher’s school holiday, which thankfully do not clash with the regular Singapore Ministry of Education school holidays, so we can avoid the peak period.

I’m really looking forward to this beach holiday. A land operator called Boracay Adventures will bring us island-hopping the first thing on Friday. We’ll go swimming at Puka Beach and have a picnic lunch at Crystal Cove Island Resort.

On Saturday, we’ll be gazing at the coral reefs from a glass-bottomed boat in the morning, and in the afternoon, we’ll go to the Trick Art Museum and visit the Oceanarium at Crown Regency Convention. Of course, wherever we have free pockets of time in between, I’d be an eager beaver for local finds in markets we’ll pass by.

We’ll be returning to Singapore on Sunday. Does this sound like fun to you?

We sure hope that Kalibo will be kid-friendly and Asher won’t suffer a meltdown during the long van ride and boat transfer! It’ll be my (and Asher’s) first time on a SilkAir flight and I can’t wait – I’ve heard that they have toys on board and inflight entertainment for the kiddies! I’ll be bringing the iPad so we can connect to the inflight entertainment, SilkAir Studio and Asher can watch his programmes comfortably during the flight.

While we were earnestly packing our baggage for the trip last night, we were delighted to find out that SilkAir allows for 30kg baggage allowance on economy class, and 40kg for Business class. This makes packing a breeze when we do not have to worry so much about overloading! Parents with young kids will understand. There are many extra stuff to bring along like milk powder, baby wipe, baby medicine and more.

Follow us on SilkAir’s Instagram account as well as @alvinology and stay tuned to #SilkAir, #AJoyToFly during our journey.

Letting in on something exciting – We’ll be taking over the SilkAir Instagram account with lots of pics. Remember to follow the account!

Btw, while browsing the SilkAir website, I found out they have a dedicated page on traveling with kids! There are some nifty tips there. Parents, do check out the page! 

This post is written in conjunction with SG50, to celebrate the everyday stars around us in Singapore whom we sometimes fail to acknowledge or give due recognition.

My colleague at migme, Cherlyn Loo (rightmost in picture), is the secretary to our CEO and also handles many of the other administrative duties in our Singapore office.

I joined the company in September last year. Generally when we look for Cherlyn in the office, it is to get her help on filling forms, documents or booking appointments with our CEO.

Being an absent-minded person, I often submit forms late and have to get Cherlyn’s help. I find her always smiley and helpful.

Recently, I casually asked Cherlyn what she would be doing during the long weekend for Hari Raya when we happened to leave the office at the same time.

I was surprised to learn that she is actively involved in volunteer work and is teaming up with a group of friends to try and raise S$30,000 for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS).

They will be having a fund raising event on 6 August. Do go down and support them if you are free. For more details, click here.

When:
Date: 6th Aug 2015, Thursday
Time: 10am – 3pm

Where:
Address: 65 Pasir Ris Drive 1, 519529
Total number of people in the centre: 132 adults with cerebral palsy

They are also collecting donations for CPAS. The wishlist is available here.

Cherlyn is a member of a group of individuals who came together with a common vision to create unconditional love and care for persons with cerebral palsy and their caregivers, called LP133.

Other than fundraising, they will also be painting murals at the CPAS centre as well as working together with business owners to teach the adults with cerebral palsy to make handicraft for sale. The latter initiative seeks to encourage independence, self-reliance and boost their confidence while providing them with an avenue to generate some small income.

Funds raised by the group would be channeled to daily operation of the CPAS centre, purchasing of necessities for the clients at the centre and other projects in line with their vision.

I always find ordinary Singaporeans who volunteer their time for charity or community work worthy of our admirations.

Cherlyn does not actively go around flaunting to everyone around her that she is doing all these charity work during her free time. I happen to know about it through a casual chat.

When I told her I am writing this article about her, she told me to focus on her group and the CPAS instead.

A teacher once shared with me that ‘unspoken love is the greatest love of all’. The same goes for kindness. The people who quietly do good things around us are often the most inspirational.

Cherlyn is not the only one. I had a schoolmate in JC who was actively volunteering all her weekends to tutor and coach underprivileged kids for free. I often wonder why she cannot go out dating on weekends and seem to be always occupied. It was only upon further probing that I found out. To think I was spending my weekends hanging out at shopping malls and clubs.

This year as Singapore celebrates our fiftieth year since independence, let’s celebrate the accomplishment of ordinary Singaporeans like Cherlyn by giving them a heartfelt thank you for making our society better for everyone.

We can each contribute in our own little ways.

If you have the time, do support Cherlyn’s event by turning up or putting in your donations.

Better still, if this post inspires you, go out and do something nice today or just thank another ordinary star whom you know!

Happy SG50 everyone!

Every year during the June school holiday, Nickelodeon will run their Nickelodeon Slime Cup event, billed as Singapore’s slimiest integrated sports festival.

Asher got to participate in his first Nickelodeon Slime Cup event this year and he got to meet many of his favourite characters from the Nickelodeon channel like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob and Patrick from SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer with her cousin Diego:

People love these characters

Raphael and Michelangelo

Asher got to meet the characters

The event was presented by SingTel mio TV and held at Downtown East from 6 to 7 June over a weekend. The event aims to encourage children and their parents to bond and get active through play. Nickelodeon’s trademark green slime was a main ingredient in the games and activities, hence the name.

Jennifer Ng, Head of Singtel TV Marketing & Home Services and Syahrizan Mansor, Vice President, Nickelodeon, in the middle

Other than the character appearances at the event, they also stayed around to lead some dances for the kids on stage:

Patrick Star leading a dance

Packed audience

Emcee leading the dance

Asher dancing along

Characters dancing together on stage

Other kids dancing

There are also many other games and activities for kids to participate in to win prizes such as Nickelodeon goodie bags:

Ninja Master ball game

Slime golf

Get slimed!

Free temporary tattoos

Football game

Colouring with Pilot pens

 Asher was delighted to learn there was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Dojo Experience taking place at the same time at Downtown East’s Event Square from 29 May to 28 June. He got to try out some ninja moves and games:

Asher was all hyped when he saw this

Avoid obstacles like a ninja

Pinball game

Throw ninja turtles

Glide like a ninja – unfortunately, Asher was not tall enough to try this

Toys section

If you missed out on the Nickelodeon Slime Cup this year, be sure to look out for it next year during the school holidays! Also, check out Nickelodeon Asia’s official events page for more interesting events like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Dojo Experience.

Note:

• Admission to the Nickelodeon Slime Cup was free.
• Entry passes for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Dojo Experience were given to patrons with a spend of S$20 at Downtown East.

Boracay is like Maldives for the masses. You’d probably leave all the little kiddies at home and escape to the Maldives for an adults-only getaway, but if your kids are above age three, why not have some all-inclusive family fun on the beautiful island of Boracay?

It’s very safe, people speak English, the beaches are gorgeous and you can travel there comfortable via SilkAir, which flies to Kalibo in 3h 40min.

I’m suggesting the minimum age of three as a benchmark because you’d want your kid to be able to sit upright in a boat without support, and not freak out while you disappear from his or sight for a bit to snorkel. Also, you and the other half might want to steal away for a few private moments.

Our family of three had so much fun in Boracay, Asher (turning four in a couple of weeks) didn’t want to come home! A little bit about our resort first. We stayed at Discovery Shores, a five-star beach resort located in Station 1, where the sand is so fine and white, it’s almost creamy. The resort staff greet each guest (even the little ones) by name every time they see you and go out of their way to make you feel at home.

Discovery Shores Boracay

By the end of the trip, Asher became so close to many of the service staff that he was greeting them good morning everyday, chatting with them and bidding them farewell when we left.

The room we stayed in Discovery Shores

This has got to be the best hotel I have stayed at. When you check in, there will be bottled water, tea sachets, Nespresso capsules (there’s a machine inside the room!), a bowl of fresh bananas and mangoes, and freshly-brewed, cold Pandan water waiting for you.

Refreshments

Someone will come and give each adult guest a 15-minute foot bath as a welcome gesture.

Welcome foot rub

There’s an iPhone charging station, a tic-tac-toe game, coffee table books and magazines to browse. A proper laundry rack can be found in the balcony outside the room, perfect for hanging out wet swimsuits.

Wash stand and toiletries

A long, low wooden shelf is stashed under the wash stand so toddlers can reach the tap. Speaking of toddlers – there’s also divan in the room which serves as a sofa in the day and doubles as bed at night, so, considering that the main bed is king-sized, the room can easily accommodate two adults and two kids.

Asher is happily settled. More comp items: That’s a teddy bear, beach tote, sunblock and insect repellent for guests.

When you’re out, at least three housekeepers will come in to tidy and clear the trash cans. When you return in the late afternoon, you can look forward to having an afternoon snack – a homemade local tidbit or dessert – which will be placed on the coffee table next to a note describing the item.

One of the many little local snacks

When you return from dinner at night, the housekeepers would have drawn the blinds for you and laid out your bedroom slippers on beautiful handpainted cloth mats on the floor by the bedside. Bliss!

Night view by the beach

Before this blog post becomes “10 reasons why you should stay at Discovery Shores”, let me move on to the five kid-friendly activities in Boracay:

1. Island-hopping on a boat

We went on a boat like this

On the way to Crystal Cove Island, your captain will find a nice spot for you to jump in and snorkel. The turquoise waters are so clear, you can see all manner of tropical fish, sea urchins and corals. One member of our crew even managed to spear a puffer fish and another sort of fish for their lunch.

Gone fishing

Would you eat this puffer fish?

Stonefish

Rachel going snorkeling in the open sea

Commercial fishing is banned in the waters of Boracay but I guess personal consumption is okay.

Our stylo boatman

The water is just so beautiful

On Crystal Cove

Junior won’t be able to join you underwater but you can bring him to swim and wade at the two coves in Crystal Cove Island. The sand is very fine and you don’t have to worry about your child’s feet getting cut by sharp shells or corals. Fish will swim all around your legs. We were told that Crystal Cove Island had been considered for a nudist beach, but thankfully, the owners of the island said that they wanted to keep it family-friendly.

The first cove in Crystal Cove

Swimming in the cove

2. Clear-bottom kayaking at Puka Beach

Puka Beach

This beach is famous for puka shells, which are beachworn pieces of cone snail shells, often strung together to make bracelets, necklaces and chandeliers. The sand is rougher here because of the broken shell bits, but they’re all weathered and won’t cut your feet.

Friendly locals and vendors

Puka shells were what made Boracay famous internationally in the first place. Story has it that then first lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos, gave Hollywood legend, Elizabeth Taylor a necklace made out of puka shells from Boracay. The latter wore it to an awards ceremony and shared about Boracay. The rest was history.

Puka shells

I didn’t get any puka accessories, but purchased an abalone shell cuff bracelet, a natural coral necklace and a matching bracelet, and two shark bone bracelets for a song. (Sorry, can’t remember exact prices, but please remember to bargain.) Oh wait, I was supposed to talk about the kayaking. We were supposed to go on a glass-bottom boat ride with Boracay Adventures but the boat was under maintenance at the time, so we went for this instead.

This is a very kid-friendly activity to do

Off and away

To enjoy the magnificent view

You can rent a kayak (seats two adults and one toddler) made of clear plastic, and paddle off. Asher liked the experience – he reported that he didn’t see any fish, but a lot of sponges. We adults were too busy yelling at each other to get the kayak going in the correct direction.

3. Ride a paraw

Docked paraws

For around 1000 to 1500 pesos (S$30 to S$45) per pax, you can rent a paraw, a blade-shaped wind-powered sailing vessel not unlike a keelboat, for a 30-minute ride. It has two mesh “wings” on either side for passengers to sit on and a crew of three will bring you on a joyride out to sea. Life vests for all passengers, including children, are available.

Setting off

Sailors at work

You can sit this way and look really cool like our guide

Kids should hold on tight to the rope as the waves can get really choppy

Our captain took us out to a spot and passed us snorkelling masks – we adults splashed into the water but because the current was very strong – we surrendered after a few minutes. The kids should stay on board the paraw because trying to get back on board the “wings” is difficult due to the strong waves and slippery boat parts.

It was almost sunset when we got back

4. Get grounded

Take off your shoes/flip flops and walk barefoot on the soft sandy beach. This is supposed to be good exercise and helps your body absorb electrons from Earth. Anyhow, you know how kids LOVE playing with sand. They’re mesmerised and won’t be able to stop touching it. Thankfully, Boracay’s beach is flawless and you won’t have to worry about litter and debris, so your child can play in peace.

Kids playing by the beach

Maybe you get to spot a crab or two

There are many sandcastle experts by the beach who can build you a beautiful sandcastle for around 200 pesos (S$6). You can get them to build one for your kid.

Get the experts to build sandcastles like this one here

The local kids can surf!

5. Watch a fire-dance performance

Boracay’s night life is quite vibrant. In Station 2, near D’Mall, which is the main shopping belt in Boracay, you’ll see lots of alfresco restaurants where you can bury your feet in the sand while you eat. Many of these places have performances at dinner time, at about 8pm.

Astoria Boracay

Outside

Inside

We were brought to Astoria, where had a sumptuous dinner buffet while being entertained by a sizzling fire dance. The performances don’t cost extra but performers will come around to ask for tips after their number, so do get your cash ready.

Heating things up

Young fire dancer

Visually stunning

Here are two extra things to do in case of wet weather – there is a small 3D museum called Dream Land Trick Art Museum which you can bring your kids to. It is located within a small amusement park with kiddie rides and other attractions.

Dream Land Trick Art Museum

Amusement park outside

Merry-go-round

Inside the museum

Asher the painter

Manny Pacquiao

Asher with sea creatures

Transformers

Sumo wrestlers

Ancient Egypt

Next, there is a Boracay Oceanarium located within the Crown Regency Resort. The attraction is home to the world’s largest discovered pearl that weighs 9 kg, with a diameter of 18 inches.

The transparent underwater tunnel

World’s largest discovered pearl

Fishes

Sharks

Oceanbar

Inside the bar

If you were to ask me, I would prefer the beach and outdoor activities any time, but it is always good to have contingency plans!

All-important tips for a successful beach holiday with kids:

• Book a hotel where nanny services are offered at no extra charge e.g. Discovery Shores! You can leave kids aged 0-12 at Discovery Shores’ Sandbox kids’ room, which is open daily at 4pm. It’s equipped with stuffed toys, board games, computer games and DVDs. There’s also a daily activity for kids – staff will do arts and crafts with them, play games, go on scavenger hunts and conduct simple cooking lessons. Make sure that you book a spa treat at the resort (ask for the couples’ room) when you get an hour or two of respite from junior. A well-rested mummy is a happy mummy!

Childcare service at Discovery Shores

• Leave your swimming toys and floats at home – the pool at Discovery Shores is well-equipped with inflatable toys which will keep your young ones entertained.
• Bring and apply sunblock (SPF 50++) liberally to your little darlings 20 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply frequently. Get those spray applicators for easy reapplication.
• Bring aloe vera gel in case of sunburn.
• Bring swimming hats and cotton bucket hats for the little ones (and make them wear!!). Baseball caps don’t really shield one’s neck and ears from the sun. Sunglasses are necessary to protect their eyes too.
• Bring at least two sets of swimsuits. You’ll be doing some sort of water activity every day and can’t count on one swimsuit to dry in time.

Asher playing in a jacuzzi pool

• Crocs are the best footwear for kids on this holiday. You do not need to pack any other shoes for them.
• If anyone in the family is a light sleeper, I strongly suggest that you book a hotel situated in Station 1 even if it is more expensive than those on Station 2 and 3.
• If your little ones are prone to motion sickness, you might want to go to the KK Hospital pharmacy prior to the trip to get over-the-counter medication. Of course, if you’re the natural, holistic sort, prepare aromatherapy oil blends, lollipops or what-have-you to ease nausea.
• Bring a light-weight baby carrier if you know your little one is gonna ask to be carried when he or she gets tired. If you’re thinking of bringing tiny children, I’d suggest that you pack a water ring sling so you can hold on to your slippery little guy/gal while in the water.

To get to Boracay from Singapore to Boracay, you could take a direct flight from Singapore to Kalibo (3h 40min) with SilkAir like we did. This is followed by another two hours via bus and ferry to get from Kalibo to Boracay. SilkAir offers thrice weekly return flights, direct from Singapore to Kalibo.

This family vacation is made possible by SilkAir and the Philippine Department of Tourism.

CONTEST TIME!

We are giving away five sets of exclusive SilkAir goodie bags! Each bag will consist of a limited edition SilkAir travel pack set, airplane plush toy and an in-flight Spongebob board game set. Details.

We have ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!

We are giving away three sets of exclusive It’s More Fun in the Philippines goodie bags! Each bag will consist of a tee shirt, a notepad and other attractive merchandises.
To win, all you have to do is…

1) ‘Like’ the Alvinology Facebook page
2) Follow Alvinology on instagram
3) Share our Facebook post and tag 3 other friends

Contest ends 30 August.

Did you know that 60 per cent of the admissions to KK Hospital daily are a result of accidents? And that 60 per cent of these cases happen at home?

I learned about this at the AXA SmartFamily launch on September 2, where Adrian Pang hosted a fun, one-hour game show participated by theatre practitioner Beatrice Chia-Richmond and Malay comedian Suhaimi Yusof (Jojo Joget on the Noose). Put together by FLY Entertainment, it was a star-studded event well-attended by members of the media and celebrities.

Adrian Pang hosting the AXA SmartFamily Showdown.

Song and dance segment at the end of the show.

Through a series of skits and factual Q&A, I learned that the impact of serious accidents extend much farther than just financial worry. The victim may need a therapist, a psychologist, transportation and perhaps even home modifications to accommodate his disability.

Granted,  insurance may cover a certain portion of the medical costs, but usually, it will fall upon your shoulders to take care of the disruptions to your family’s lifestyle.

This is where AXA SmartFamily differs from a regular personal accident plan. It is a personal accident plan for the family, and the first of its kind to offer a suite of eight services, on top of financial coverage, to help smoothen daily disruptions:

1. Child guardian – arranging and paying to fetch your children to and from school.

2. Home nursing – arranging and paying for a nurse to attend to your follow-up treatments or therapy at home.

3. Consultation with a therapist – making appointments and payment for your therapy or rehabilitation services.

4. Doctor’s home visits – arranging and paying for a doctor’s visit for your follow-up treatments.

5. Home modification – arranging and paying for modification to your home to accommodate your disability.

6. Transportation for medical appointments – arranging and paying for transportation (i.e. taxi service) to the hospital/clinics for follow-up treatments.

7. Housekeeping and meal services – arranging and paying for professional house-cleaning and meal services.

8. Consultation with a psychologist – making appointments and payment on your behalf for psychologist consultations.

AXA’s Acting Academy enacting a doctor’s home visit.

Adrian Pang and his game show participants.

This means that AXA is not just providing insurance, but also a full concierge service for the insured person’s aftercare. The coverage cap is very comprehensive – it’s just one overall coverage cap per plan and you can utilise the eight services in any proportion, until the total amount of cost usage reaches your sum insured. You can choose to insure your family for $250,000, $500,000 or $1 million.

What does it mean to have a personal accident insurance plan for the family? For example, in a family of two adults and N number of kids, each adult is covered at 100 per cent of sum assured and each kid is covered at 50 per cent of the sum assured. There are no limits to the number of children within a family.

The annual premiums are very attractive too:

Annual premium (adult) – $386.27 ($250,000 coverage); $501.83 ($500,000 coverage) and $732.95 ($1,000,000 coverage)
Annual premium (child) – $251.45 ($125,000 coverage), $316.35 ($250,000 coverage) and $476.15 ($500,000 coverage)

You get a 30 per cent family discount when two adults sign up, with or without kids.
From now until December 31, 2015, AXA is offering a 10 per cent early bird discount off premiums for any family, or individual purchase. For more info, please visit www.axa.com.sg

Even Jacelyn Tay approves: 

Singapore artiste Jacelyn Tay at the launch of AXA SmartFamily, a new type of personal accident insurance plan which doesn’t just provide financial coverage, but also a suite of 8 services to smoothen disruptions to your daily life. #AXASmartFamily #axasg Post by one of our editors @pineapplegarden

A photo posted by Alvinology.com (@alvinology) on Sep 2, 2015 at 12:36am PDT

This year for the Mid-Autumn Festival weekend, my family headed down to Limbang Shopping Centre for a HDB heartland shopping experience instead of the regular mega malls.

HDB Shopping Centres addresses the needs of heartland residents while being an important part of the community. They tend to be overlooked because of the glitzier and more expansive mega malls sprouting up all over Singapore, but these HDB Shopping Centres have their unique charms too.

Here are five unexpected finds for us at Limbang:

1.

Lots of convenient and hardware shops

General goods store

This really make sense. There are a lot of shops hawking convenient household items like water hoses, buckets, kitchen utensils, nail clippers and other knick-knacks which are seen in every households, but are so difficult to find when you need them the most!

Thankfully, the HDB Shopping Centres have lots of such stores to cater to our household needs without having to travel great distance to get them.

Hardware store

Kids clothing

Adults clothing

Looking for a pair of pants?

More shop

2.

Variety of food options

Within Limbang Shopping Centre, there is a MacDonald’s fast food restaurant, a Canadian Pizza delivery chain and an air-conditioned food court with an array of stalls serving local food fares.

MacDonald’s and Canadian Pizza

Food court

Array of local food fares

Local cake and bread shop

We had our dinner at the food court and the tze char stall is a worth a try. Prices are reasonable too.

3.

Galore of grooming services

There is the traditional indian barber, the more posh looking hair salons, beauty centres and clinics.

Traditional indian barber

A more posh looking salon

Guardian pharmacy

Whatever grooming needs you may have, there should be a shop to serve you.

4.

Fun roadshows

Heartland mascot

There was a Mid-Autumn Festival roadshow going on when we visited. Asher got to interact with the other kids in the neighbourhood who were participating in events at the roadshow.

Small, cosy event

Decorate a lantern contest

Lantern riddles contest

Get your portrait drawn

Prize redemption booth

It’s quite fun actually. Where else can you get the chance to interact with your local community while shopping?

Asher even had a very nice portrait done for him at the event to take home:

Souvenir to take home

5.

Decent toy shop

We were pleasantly surprised to find a very decent toy shop in Limbang which stocks a large selection of LEGO, priced slightly below some of the bigger toy shops. What’s even more awesome is that the same shop also sells stationary, assessment books, kids’ party gifts and all the stuff parents would need. This is very useful indeed for a heartland shop.

Asher spotted something he like

Is there a HDB Shopping Centre in your neighbour which you are fond of visiting? Or is there any shops in one of these HDB Shopping Centres which you find worthy of recommending to others?

If so, do participate in some of the activities below to support them, while winning prizes for yourself!

1. Vote for your Top 50 shops!

Silence. A common thing we observe during meal time with family. With everyone looking down on their mobile phone, either aimlessly scrolling through Facebook feed, Instagram feed or playing games; we somehow forgot that we were seated at the dining table with our family. We forgot how to converse in real life.

If you are having the same situation and is getting a little frustrated with the lack of communications among family and friends, here’s 5 things you can do to change this.

1 – Turn off Wifi at home

With just 3GB of data a month, everyone tries to tap onto exisitng Wifi whenever available so they can continue surfing. Turn off all wifi connection at home or at the dining place and everyone may just give up instead. Perhaps restaurants and cafes which provide Wifi access can switch it off too during meal times to encourage their customers to truely enjoy their dining experience.

2 – Leave your powerbank at home

By 3pm, we would have consumed more than 60% yo 70% of our battery life. Do not charge the phone and when you hit that last 20% during dinner time, you’ll want to conserve whatever battery left for the journey back home.

3 – Dine at an ulu location, with bad reception.

This way no one gets to do anything much on their mobile phones. So everyone will focus on catching up and enjoying their food for real, instead of eating cold food after all the stand-on-chair-take-photo-and-post-on-instagram actions.

4 – Switch it off

This one takes self discipline and probably one of the hardest for anyone to do. Even in planes during take-off or landing, all mobile devices should be turned off, but there are still a handful who needed a few reminders from the air stewardes before they turned their phones off.

And if all else fails, attempt with the finaly method.

5 – Lock up all phones before meal time

That’s exactly what we did at our recent team lunch at one of our house. To test the effectiveness of a gathering without our phones (and all of us being the social media addicts) we had all our phones locked up before we started our yummy buffet lunch from Neo Garden. When the box was revealed, everyone were boo-ing and rather relunctant to part with their precious phones. With the no-phone-can-eat rule, everyone took out their phones and put them into the box.

Throughout the 50 minutes or so, we could hear phones ringing, messages coming in and other notifications. And surprisingly no one really was paying attention to the phones (except me lah cos I needed to be the “obeserver mah”). Instead every single one of us were chatting, catching up and enjoying the buffet spread. It was one of the best gathering I had for a long time.

I hope this experiment showed everyone present that day that we can be better connected if we choose to. We should go offline more often and stay connected in real life instead.

Hope the above 5 tips will help more families and gatherings be a more lively and fun one.

From everyone at Originally Us and Alvinology Media, we wish all of you an awesome year of the Monkey and may we all stay connected more in real life!

Here’s a flashback of the scary experiment we did that day…

The post 5 ways to enjoy a meal again – Go offline Stay Connected appeared first on Alvinology.

Me with my son, Asher, on a father and son only YOLO trip to Bali

I signed up for the YOLO run recently. Runners are encouraged to run shirtless to show support and raise awareness for breast cancer. This is about the most YOLO I would go in life. Mostly on experiential stuff.

Tandem skydiving? Sure. Done that cos YOLO.

If anyone asks me about trying out new things and seeing the world, I would probably ask you to go for it cos YOLO.

But wait.

YOLO doesn’t apply to me when it comes to financial planning. In fact, YOLO is the worst advice you can give to anyone when it comes to finances. As a father, I definitely would not advise my son to YOLO with his savings next time. My father did not bring me up that way. That’s not how my family handled finances.

Me with my parents as well as my wife and son during a recent family dinner

My parents are very prudent with their money. Although they are not highly educated, they managed to save enough to reach the CPF minimum sum, retired early and are financially independent. My sister and I still send them monthly allowances of course, but they have the discipline to build a sustainable nest to last them through, without support from us.

They passed on the same values to my sister and I.

While many PMETs prefer to YOLO away their earnings, I have always been very prudent with my money. It is the one thing I don’t YOLO about. At least not until I have built up a sizeable nest for retirement that can support me, my wife and my son through any emergencies.

I will be turning 36 years old this year in October. I am quite proud to say that I am loan free, with my HDB flat and car all fully paid. I am not a top earner among my peers. My wife quit her job two years ago to take care of my son fully. We are able to achieve this mainly because we are financially prudent.

To share, here some pointers which helped us achieved our current status:

1. Buying a property within our means

We bought a 3-room flat versus a larger one because we did not want to be saddled with a hefty loan. On hindsight, we could have afforded a larger flat and we do need more space when my son came along. Nonetheless, we spent within our means at that point of time – that is, we did not need to fork out cash each month, and was making monthly repayments calculated to be sufficiently paid out via our CPF earnings only for 30 years.

However, we made it a point to make partial capital repayment at the end of each year if we had spare cash in order to accelerate our repayment and reduce the loan and interest amount. We were able to do this substantially as our careers progressed over the years and our incomes went up. With financial discipline, a 30 year loan ended up getting cleared in less than 10 years.

2. Avoid depleting CPF

We do not deplete our CPF accounts. The interest rates are better than fixed deposits. Yes, the money is locked away till retirement, but remember you can still use it eventually or leave it to your bequest. Hence, take CPF savings into account when planning for your retirement.

3. Tapping into CPF Life

The CPF Lifelong Income For The Elderly (CPF LIFE) Scheme provides Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with a monthly payout for as long as you live. Do you know that it include bequests to your family members too?

This is important for me as I am not just saving for myself, but also for my son, Asher’s future. There are two CPF LIFE Plans for you to choose from – the LIFE Standard Plan and the LIFE Basic Plan. The plans differ in terms of monthly payout you would receive; and the amount you would bequest to your beneficiaries – more details:

4. Tapping on the CDA account

The Child Development Account (CDA) is part of the Baby Bonus package provided by the Singapore government- more details. We topped up our son’s CDA account to the maximum to get the maximum dollar for dollar return from the government. We do not deplete it unnecessarily as we know the remainder of the CDA savings can be passed on to Asher’s CPF account when he is of age (I will be elaborating more about this in another more detailed post, stay tuned).

5. Buying a second-hand car

We chose a second-hand car over a brand new one as it is more worthwhile after factoring in the depreciation once you drive a car out of the showroom.

Depending on model and mileage, a used car in Singapore typically depreciate by about 20% in the first year, and another 10% over the next two years. If a car you are eyeing cost S$100,000 brand new, you can probably get a one-year-old car of the same model with a saving of around S$20,000.

6. Avoid splurging on branded goods

We spent within our means. I see no need to indulge in branded goods. I am not saying you need to always go for the cheapest options, but you don’t have to always go for the most expensive. After a certain price point, the difference in quality is really marginal. How much more comfortable is say, a shirt from Prada versus one from Uniqlo?

7. Spend on Experiences versus Material Goods

We will choose to spend money on different experiences rather than spending on material goods. How many pairs of shoes does one need? On the other hand, the more books you read, the more you travel, the more you broaden your horizon, the smarter and deeper a person you will be. In the long run, spending on experiences definitely pay off better than short-term material gratifications.

In short, YOLO is true for life experiences, but not for financial planning. Happy Father’s Day to my dad and I hope to impart the same good values to my son Asher, plus pass on some of his CDA savings to his CPF, through prudent financial planning. ☺

The post Why YOLO is the worst advice you can give your child appeared first on Alvinology.

Kuta Beach, Bali

Bali is a popular travel destination for a short, beach getaway.

Asher and I went on a father and son only getaway last month. This was the first time I traveled alone with Asher without Rachel. Usually, the mother is the one taking care of the child during a family vacation while the father takes care of the itinerary. For this trip, I had to do everything and it turned out pretty okay.

Father and son only getaway

We stayed at Sheraton Bali, the only 5-star resort in Kuta and flew with JetStar, which offers two daily flights to Bali from Singapore.

Very cosy airport transfer to Sheraton Bali hotel

Everything went smoothly and here are five reasons why you should choose Sheraton Bali if you are planning for a short, family vacation to Bali.

1.

Convenient Location

Kuta Beach

The hotel is located in the heart of the bustling Kuta Beach where all the actions are. Jamie’s Italian is nearby and at the connected upscale shopping mall, Beachwalk, adjacent to the hotel, there is a kids’ amusement park as well as a LEGO shop:

Jamie’s Italian is within walking distance

Lego shop

Kids indoor gym

A whole floor of kids entertainment shops

Beachwalk mall

As mentioned earlier, this is the only 5-star resort in Kuta, offering spacious rooms with views over the Indian Ocean. Check out the size of our lavish suite:

Living room area

Beverage station

Comfy large bed

Wash area in the bathroom

Shower

Bathtub

View of the room from the attached bathroom

Wardrobe

Lounge chair by the balcony

Wide balcony area

Vanity kit

A 5-star welcome!

2.

Childcare Facility

There is a free childcare centre for kids, Play@Sheraton, provided for hotel guests. This was mighty awesome for me as I was traveling alone and get to go for a massage while I checked Asher at the childcare centre.

Play@Sheraton

Computer stations

Outdoor pool area

The centre follows the concept of ‘edutainment’, merging education and entertainment, encouraging intellectual stimulation and fun whereby children will experience fun and educational activities.

Facilities in Play@Sheraton include:

• Welcome area
• Communal table with 3 computer stations
• 42″ TV with international channel selection and DVD movies
• PlayStation 3
• Complimentary wireless internet access
• Local and international books selection
• Mini toilet and wash basin
• Outdoor sand pit
• Outdoor wet area with cascading water feature

While the kids are at Play@Sheraton, the adults can then pop over for your own pampering at Sheraton’s Shine Spa:

Shine Spa at Sheraton Bali

Waiting area in the spa

3.

Kids Friendly Facilities

There is a nice little kid’s pool where Asher gets to swim at every morning while I jog on the treadmill in the gym. The gym faces the pool, so I get to keep watch on him while I exercise.

Pool area

The infinity pool with a view of the ocean

Sunset by the pool

Gym with view of the pool

Inside the gym

Kids slippers provided in the room which you can bring home

Towels folded like animals to amuse the kids

Kids’ amenity kit

4.

Quality Food Choices

There are three restaurants within the resort itself – Bene which serves Italian cuisine; Feast Restaurant which offers international cuisine; and The Lounge, for bar and drinks. Most important of all for family travellers, they offer kids menus.

Bene

Dining in Bene

Asher enjoying his Muffin Burger from the kids menu

Rack of Lamb at Bene

Steak at Bene

Feast Restaurant

Asher enjoying his breakfast

International buffet spread

Salad bar

Asian selection

Pastries

Ice cream

My breakfast

The Lounge

Sunset view from The Lounge

Gorgeous isn’t it?

Great view, with glasses of the signature cocktail

5.

Friendly Staff

The service standard is top-notch. When I checked Asher in at the childcare centre, he got to know one of the service staff so well that he asked me to bring him back there before we leave the resort so that he can say bye to the guy! Some of the other reception and wait staff also made effort to remember Asher. He was greeting and even chatting with some of them like friends by the end of our two nights stay.

The wonderful kitchen team at Feast

If you are thinking of booking a stay at Sheraton Bali, they are currently running several promotions, including a FAMILY FUN package that is specifically for family travellers. This offer includes:

The post Five reasons to choose Sheraton Bali for your next family vacation appeared first on Alvinology.

Nickelodeon recently launched their Emmy award-winning Nickelodeon Play app under the Singtel’s Cast app umbrella.

To access the app, download Singtel’s Cast app and register for an account. You will then be able to access Nickelodeon Play under the “Kids Pack” section.

The Nickelodeon Play app includes some of the best and funniest Nickelodeon content, including access to hundreds of show episodes.

Here is what you and your family will be able to experience in the app.

LAUGH YOUR PANTS OFF
Look out for random, hilarious elements from the DO NOT TOUCH button. Starting 23 January, find the Golden Chicken on Nickelodeon Play and you could win tickets to KidZania Singapore.

I must admit I kept tapping on the DO NOT TOUCH button… it’s addictive. I think for kids, it’s even more so. The more you ask them not to touch something, the more they want to do it.

ON THE MOVE BOREDOM KILLER
Play with Nickelodeon anytime, anywhere. At home, on the way to school, and even when you’re at the loo.

NON-STOP EXCITEMENT
Grab the popcorn and catch up on hundreds of episodes of popular shows like Make It Pop!; plus titles such as Avatar, Rank The Prank, Sam & Cat, and Victorious that are only available on the app.

TOTALLY SAFE FOR KIDS (AND PARENTS)
Everything within the app is family-friendly – perfect for kids and those who are young at heart.

ENDLESS SURPRISES
Launch the app and you’ll discover fresh items on the main grid. Tap, shrink, and expand, and you’ll uncover something new with every swipe.

GAMES GALORE
Play a whole bunch of free games and quizzes such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Heist in a Half Shell, and Which SpongeBob Character Are You?

The Nickelodeon Play app is available for free download from www.nick-asia.com/apps.

To access the full version of Nickelodeon Play, users can subscribe to the “Kids Pack” on Singtel’s Cast app from $4.90/month per pack (12-months minimum subscription period).

From now till 31 January, enjoy two months Cast subscription free if you sign up for the $4.90/month plan. Visit cast.sg for more details.

The post Nickelodeon Play app for kids appeared first on Alvinology.

This Chinese New Year (CNY), why not celebrate and bond with your family by embarking on an adventure together at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort?

The resort is offering a flash deal now, offering some real big savings; plus they are also organising some special activities for CNY.

Look forward to exciting CNY activities such as the Activity Trail Card collection & Ang Pow collection, the LEGO BIG Rooster Building Activity and LEGO Rooster Family Speed Building Challenge.

To celebrate CNY, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort is offering a flash deal on the premium annual passes.

Only available on a first-come-first-served basis and for a very limited time, purchase the premium annual passes now and enjoy up to 50% savings on your full journey to LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort directly from Singapore.

Topping it off and exclusively for the first 2,000 purchase, you will receive a Limited Edition LEGO Lunar New Year Rooster collectible item, so grab it now while stocks last!

FLASH DEAL Details

Buy 1 Premium Annual Pass and get the 2^nd premium pass at 50% off (Available on a first-come-first-served basis, for a limited time period only)

• + FREE Transport to LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
• + FREE Limited Edition LEGO Lunar New Year Rooster collectible item (While stocks last for the first 2,000 purchase)

Retail value : SGD330, Now SGD247. Save SGD83! (Prices may vary with conversion rate)

You can purchase your tickets at:

• LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort Ticketing Window
• LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort Online Website

For more information on LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort Lunar New Year activities, visit www.legoland.com.my.

GIVEAWAY:

In a special collaboration with LEGOLAND Malaysia, we are giving away the following:

• 3 pairs of combo tickets to LEGOLAND (includes waterpark entry)
• 3x LEGO Rooster Limited Edition Collectible Item 

This means a total of 6 lucky winners will walk away with great CNY prizes from this giveaway! 

To join:

1. ‘Like’ the Alvinology Facebook page and get at least 1 other friend to like the page too. 
2. Follow the Alvinologies Instagram account where we frequently share on such promotions. 
3. ‘Like’ and share this post on Facebook, tagging at least 1 other friend. Make your post public so we can find it.

Contest ends at 12 noon on 2 Feb 2017. The winners will be notified via Facebook, and must be able to collect the prize in Singapore.

The post [GIVEAWAY] LEGOLAND Malaysia CNY Flash Deal! appeared first on Alvinology.

If you or your little one likes to learn about space, this is an exhibition not to be missed – NASA – A Human Adventure.

The exhibition will be housed at the ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands, from 19 November 2016 to 19 March 2017 and is described as the most comprehensive and extensive touring space flight exhibition in the world.

The exhibition displays a collection of over 200 historically significant items from the U.S. and Soviet Union space programs. The exhibits are all original and space flown objects or high fidelity replicas and scale models.

As you walk into the exhibition, the tour follows the story of space travel, starting with the Dreamers gallery, followed by the GoFever, Pioneers, Endurance and Innovation galleries respectively.

Dreamers

This gallery focuses on the all-important dreamers, the first geniuses to document their great visions about exploring space, which include many writers and artists. The writers were able to create breath-taking stories that often went on to resemble the future of space exploration with astounding accuracy. The artists depicted space in such an inspiring and intriguing way that it sparkled a broader public interest in space travel. Most importantly, these dreamers were instrumental in motivating many gifted people who later went on to make space travel a reality.

Go Fever

In the late 1950s, scientists and politicians in the Soviet Union and the United States competed fiercely to perform firsts in space: to launch the first satellite and send the first human beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. The confrontation between these superpowers, and the 1957 launch of Sputnik, the first man-made object to orbit the earth, resulted in what we now know as the Space Race, an extraordinary timeline of consecutive one-upmanship that produced some of history’s greatest achievements in space.

Pioneers

The Pioneers gallery is dedicated to the genius rocket scientists and engineers who made the ambitious dreams of space travel a reality. This gallery shows the amazing and swift evolution of rockets: from the first German V-2 all the way to the most powerful launcher ever successfully used, the Saturn V. Get a chance to take a closer look at real rocket engines and a large scale model of Saturn V moon rocket.

Endurance

Ever wondered what it is like to be on a space mission? Space is a hostile environment. Space travel requires a great deal of physical and mental endurance, along with no small amount of ingenuity. Moreover, surviving in space requires special equipment and skills. The Endurance gallery showcases the high-tech equipment and clothing used and worn by astronauts close up. It also includes special foods eaten on space missions. One of the highlights features the most challenging type of space mission, the Moon landing.

Innovation

As the space missions became more daring and lasted longer, new ideas and technologies were required. This ranges from the pioneering equipment and space crafts used in the first space flights to complex advanced assemblies like the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. Gallery highlights include Mercury, the first American manned spacecraft; Gemini, that enabled practicing the advanced manoeuvers required for the Moon landings; and Apollo, that carried the first humans to the Moon and back.

For those who like thrill rides, you can try out the G-Force – Astronaut Trainer Ride for an additional S$10 per ride. During the ride, let astronaut and test pilot Gus Grissom be your guide as you go on the famous Mercury Liberty Bell 7 flight, the second in a series of successful U.S. manned suborbital flights in 1961.

I brought my five-years-old son Asher to visit the exhibition and both of us found the tour educational. I was able to share the concept of space with him and teach him some of the science behind space travel.

For the little ones, other than interactive exhibits to engage their attentions, there are also free stencil stations at each of the galleries for them to work on their own space artworks to bring home:

Space travel is something that fascinates most of us. We know it’s existence, but only a select few in the whole world gets to experience it – and the world that we know is actually much bigger than we imagine. There are so much more out there that we have yet to discover, explore and learn.

Go learn something about space travel at this exhibition. There is a special promotion for the Lunar New Year whereby everyone gets to purchase tickets at child price:

NASA – A HUMAN ADVENTURE
Dates: 19 November 2016 to 19 March 2017

This Lunar New Year, let your childlike curiosity reign and go on a journey of space exploration at a special price! Starting 28 January, everyone enjoys the exhibition at the Child price of S$11 per ticket (U.P. Adult S$25), so gather your family and friends both young and old for the space expedition of a lifetime.

Visit the official website for ticketing details. 

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Three months have passed since Asher has taken violin classes at Aureus Academy.

As mentioned in my first blog post about Asher embarking on his education in classical music, Aureus Academy specialises in one-on-one music lessons. All of their 75 teachers are full-time staff and are tertiary-qualified performers.

Under Ms Alice Wong’s tutelage, Asher is enjoying his violin-playing, which was one of my goals in the first place.

The always-cheerful Ms Alice Wong showing Asher how to use his fingers on the E string.

In the beginning, he learned how to hold the violin, the names of the four strings, and how to hold the bow.

Then he proceeded to learn how to use the bow on the strings, how to follow rhythm, and read very simple scores. He learned what’s pizzicato, tremolo, arco, and col legno.

He can play very simple tunes like Little Mozart and Happy Hadyn which involve merely changing strings and no fingering.

In the lesson just past, he’s learned fingering, and he is practising Hot Cross Buns (also known as Big Cellos) on the E string.

The best part of Asher’s journey isn’t how much he is learning, though – it’s how much he enjoys playing the violin. It’s an interest which is genuinely growing. Just the other day, Asher got all excited when he saw a poster for a Stradivarius Quartet performance at the Victoria Concert Theatre and wanted us to attend it.

He looks forward to violin practice every day, even if he doesn’t get it first time right and will shed tears at being corrected.

Even his Kindermusik teacher at school, who is giving him ukulele lessons, has remarked that he is better at his finger work these days!

In March, Aureus Academy is introducing a new home programme called Aureus@Home, whereby parents and children have the option of having Aureus Academy’s teachers visiting the students’ homes for music lessons. This is a great option because it offers the parents and children convenience and flexibility, without the extra costs of parking fees and travel time. Parents can also to book the teacher and preferred time slot online for scheduling flexibility.

You can find out more here: http://aureusacademy.com/aureus-at-home. They are offering a 50% discount for the first month of fees, too. If you’re wondering why I’m not taking this option, it’s because Ms Alice isn’t on the home programme and we’d have to switch teachers if we wanted lessons at home instead. We are perfectly fine with this as it has already become part of Asher’s routine to visit Ms Alice at Forum The Shopping Centre every Sunday evening. Otherwise, Aureus@Home sounds like the perfect solution for busy students, don’t you think?

Exclusive promotion for Alvinology.com readers
Simply quote “Alvinology.com” to enjoy $50 off (one time only) your first lesson at Aureus Academy!

The post Asher’s progress on the violin three months on with Aureus Academy appeared first on Alvinology.

COSFEST SEA is returning on board Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas this year and there are more exciting activities lined up this year.

The 138,000 tons cruise ship with a capacity to hold 3,807 passengers, will be transformed into a world of cosplay fantasy once again, when it plays host to Asia’s biggest cosplay festival at sea for the second time.

COSFEST SEA: Beyond The Great Horizons is organised by The Singapore Cosplay Club in collaboration with the cruise brand, will be on a 3-night weekend cruise from Singapore to Penang from February 17 to 20. The region’s top cosplayers for the championship plus exciting cosplay entertainment and activities will be in store for fans and guests. Ticketing details are available on the official website of the Singapore Cosplay Club.

We went on board Mariner of the Seas last year to experience the first COSFEST SEA and will be sailing with them again this coming Friday. Hence follow us on our Instagram, Facebook and this site for live updates.

Stephanie Loh, President of The Singapore Cosplay Club said, “COSFEST SEA: Beyond The Great Horizons, will be bigger and better with new cosplay activities and entertainment for folks of all ages! Everyone including young kids and their parents is invited to indulge in a moment of fantasy onboard. We want to make cosplay enjoyable for everyone, all the more on a super ship like Mariner of the Seas.”

The biggest highlight of this theme cruise is the Asia Cosplay Meet Championship which will feature contestants from eight countries and territories such as China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, The Philippines and Thailand all vying for the top spot. There will also be guest performances from American cosplayers. This will be open for public viewing for all the guests onboard to catch the action. There is also a special preview before the competition begins.

Onboard, the cosplayers will also have chances to mingle with one another and discover about different cosplay cultures. As for the guests, they are welcome to join in the mood in their own cosplay outfits.

Other activities highlights open to all guests include the Movie Costume Museum which will show costumes from many movie and animation titles and have costumes for guests to dress up their children for photo taking; the spectacular Cosplay Parade along the Royal Promenade which will be filled with cosplayers dressed up as popular Anime characters; and the Cosplay Treasure Hunt for participants to accomplish as many missions as possible onboard. Guests onboard will have the chance to meet some of your favourite movie characters.

The theme cruise packages are on sale at the Singapore Cosplay Club’s website. The Interior Stateroom package goes for SGD 495 per person (including taxes of SGD 118) and the Ocean View Stateroom package is at SGD 567 per person (including taxes of SGD 118). Customers who purchase these packages will be entitled to a specially designed COSFEST SEA souvenir.

We are going for COSFEST SEA and we hope to see you on the ship this Friday too. If you are still undecided, check out some of the event photos from last year or read our coverage for last year’s event:

Onboard Amenities and Activities

The 15-deck Mariner of the Seas with a total capacity of 3,807 guests, is the largest ship based in the region. She offers a wide range of activities and entertainment onboard including a ice-skating rink, full-sized sports court, DreamWorks Entertainment and Royal Promenade, a boulevard of boutiques and cafes. Together with a series of special theme cruises lined up such as “COSFEST SEA: Beyond The Great Horizons”, Mariner of the Seas aims to create more attraction and excitement for cruising among vacationers in Asia.

The post COSFEST SEA 2017: Beyond The Great Horizons with Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas appeared first on Alvinology.

Given a choice, I would always opt for organic fruits and vegetables, but they are usually very pricey compared to the standard stuff you get at most supermarket.

Enter Mahota Commune, a 20,000 sq ft organic supermarket hidden in Jalan Besar. Not only is the floorspace huge, the prices are extremely attractive too as Mahota sells organic produces procured from their own farms in China. To call Mahota a supermarket is an understatement. The wellness centre occupies the entire third floor of Kitchener Complex in French Road and is owned by Prime Group International, which owns Prime Supermarket.

It is conveniently located just beside Lavender MRT station, but still kind of hidden because Kitchener Complex is not exactly a popular shopping mall which people flock to. For those driving, there is a HDB multi-storey carpark nearby.

Mahota Commune boasts a well-stocked supermarket choke-full of organic produce and health food at very reasonable prices you cannot find elsewhere; a restaurant as well as a cafe using organic ingredients; a TCM clinic; an activity space hosting meditation and yoga classes; even a childcare centre.

Mahone Commune was launched and opened to public mid of 2016. The commune prides itself as a promoter of healthy living and even publishes it’s own free newsletter on wellness.

All the items served at the restaurant and cafe are cooked using ingredients which can be found in their market. Mahota Market imports seasonal produce from the sustainable Mahota Farm in Shanghai twice a week. The market also boasts an organic and biodynamic wine selection from Australia, France, Italy and their own vineyard in Penglai, Shandong, China.

The supermarket offers free-range, hormone-free pork and chicken, as well as organic beef from sustainable sources in Australia. To enjoy discounts, you can sign up for a membership with Mahota Commune if you intend to shop there frequently.

For parents with kids, other than the childcare centre, there is also a large play area for kids which is open to the public. You can go for your meditation or yoga session at the commune or shop at the organic supermarket while your kids go to play.

Mahota Commune’s motto is “we grow what we cook, we cook what we sell” which is pretty damn fantastic as there are not many businesses in Singapore or even the world which can boast of being able to achieve a sustainable business practise like this.

We tried out some of the menu items served at the cafe and they were pretty delightful. Usually, people associate healthy food with being bland and boring. Not necessarily so. Here are the items we sampled:

Cold-pressed juices (S$7.90 per bottle), prepared fresh every morning – Juice 1: organic kale, organic cucumber, organic green apple, organic lettuce, organic lemon; Juice 4: organic purple carrot, organic tomato, Australia red apple, coconut water, lemon, chia seeds

Cappuccino (S$5)

Air dried fruit and vegetable crisps

Air dried kale

These “eggs” you see are not real eggs, but made from vegan ingredients – Tofu Egg Benedict S$17.90 (Vegan): Cauliflower Hollandaise (egg-free hollandasie, cauliflower, roasted pumpkin, grape seed oil, salt, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar), house-made grilled charcoal bun, tofu “egg”(organic tofu, organic soy milk, sea salt), arugula, home-made dehydrated tomato (organic dehydrated and pickled in spiced oil), egg plant bacon (dehydrated egg plant with apple cider vinegar, sea salt, paprika powder), organic greens with balsamic dressing, compressed melon.

Elements box high tea set for two (S$28.90) – Come with a tea and a coffee. The box a mixture of sweet and savoury items, made from healthy, organic ingredients.

Element Bento Box Two (S$19.80) – Donburi with mix grain rice, free range pulled pork confit, tomato, stir fry organic broccoli and cauliflower,  roasted mushroom with caramelised organic yellow onion, organic purple slaw with egg-free mayo, free range onsen egg, compressed rock melon, compressed watermelon, 4 colour homemade tofu, bamboo charcoal, pumpkin, beetroot, edamame, konbu miso soup.

Element Box Three

Smoked Salmon on Toast S$19.80 (Dairy Free) – herb cured smoked salmon (with dijon mustard, pink pepper, smoke paprika, dill), vegan mozzarella cheese (cashew nut, organic natural yeast, whole grains), organic fresh tomato slice , roasted nuts, organic greens with honey mustard, avocado spread, toast, pickled baby carrot.

4 colour handmade tofu cubes

What left a deep impression is the attention to details for each of the carefully crafted menu items. From the presentation to the flavours, a lot of effort is put in at each step.

Working with nutritionists, each of the items going into the 9 Element Box are designed to introduce a variety of essential nutrients to your diet for a healthier meal. Not only do they need to taste good, the food served at Mahota need to do good to your body too.

With all the ingredients sourced from the adjoined supermarket, if you like anything you tried at the restaurant or cafe, you can just pop over next time to make your purchase and prepare your version at home!

Mahota Commune

809 French Road
Kitchener Complex, Level 3
Singapore 200809

Tel: +65 6295 8809

Opening Hours:

Mahota Pantry and Market
Daily: 9am – 10pm

Mahota Kitchen
Weekdays – 11am – 10pm
Weekends – 10am – 10pm

The post Mahota Commune: 20,000 sq ft Organic Supermarket Hidden in Jalan Besar appeared first on Alvinology.

Your parents aren’t worrying unduly when they cautioned you against meeting strangers from online.

As recent news shed more light on the unsettling case of Josh Robinson, we learned that he actually met his victims through dating sites. Do the names of the sites – Okcupid and MeetMe – sound familiar to you?

Image provided by Shutterstock.com.

Chances are you may have come across these sites, but you didn’t pay much attention to it as everyone else is getting on dating sites (or apps) these days. While we may let our guard down as dating sites proliferate, can we really afford to do that for underage kids?

Before you draw a conclusion to that question, here are some rules of thumb everyone – parents and teenagers alike – should know:

The minimum age on MeetMe is not even 18 – it’s 13

Source: Topgist.net.

Initially, we thought this dating site has a minimum age requirement of 18. Well, we thought wrong because guess what? You only need to be 13 to be on this site.There’s also the possibility of children younger than 12 pretending to older in an attempt to be on the platform, as if 13 isn’t already young enough.

You can even specifically search for individuals between the ages of 14 and 18. This opens up a gateway for creeps and pedophiles to make their move on minors. There’s also the location feature, which makes it easier for predators to strike in a proximate vicinity.

While MeetMe may position itself as more of a social discovery than a dating site, there’s no denying the possibility of one looking for dates – or even to commit sexual offences at MeetMe.

That was exactly what happened with the MMA instructor, Josh Robinson who sexually assaulted two minors – having met one of them on MeetMe. After exchanging phone numbers with the girl, he pressurised her into meeting up. The pedophilic perpetrator also told the 15-year-old he had gotten to know on the site, about his fetish for girls in school uniform.

Source: Vimeo.

Needless to say, Robinson requested for her to come in her uniform with no panties. He even filmed down the sexual assault on camera without her knowing; and at that point, the victim thought he was multitasking.

Even though it’s strictly 18 on OkCupid but is it really?

As much as we hate to admit it, some of us may have created an account on OkCupid even before we were legal – because it’s so easy to do so. There’s no age verification so we won’t be surprised to find matches looking younger than they claim to be.

There are different types of relationship you can seek on OkCupid.

As compared to MeetMe, OkCupid works more like a dating site as it is mandatory to answer fifteen questions about your preferences before you proceed to browse other users’ profiles. Based on the fifteen answers you provide, the site gives you matches based on how compatible others are with you.

While users may be at least 18, you won’t know for sure until you’ve met the person in real life. To our horror, Robinson met another 15-year-old girl onOkCupid in 2013. When the police raided his apartment, they made a horrific discovery. Amongst thousands of obscene films found, a folder labelled “Fifteen” – containing twelve films of him engaging in sex with the minor – was uncovered.

Similarly, he filmed the sexual assaults without her permission. Although she asked him to delete the videos, he refused, saying that it was for his “viewing pleasure”.

Dating sites are a double-edged sword

Given the lack of age verification on dating sites, it has cast much doubt on the reliability and safety of  these sites. While dating sites (and apps) can be a great way to expand your social circle, it’s more advisable for underage teenagers to lay off them until they’re older. After all, there’s a reason why certain age limits are being imposed – many creeps tend to prey on minors.

As a whole, it’s imperative to exercise caution with dangers lurking everywhere, not just on these dating sites but the Internet.

How to protect children or underage teenagers from harm

In all, open communication is key.

It’s paramount to help kids understand the importance of online safety so that they would exercise more caution online. Although parents can’t always be around their kids to monitor their phone usage, having their kids know that they can talk to them about anything will make them more willing to open up.

Sometimes, all a predator needs is an underage teenager who’s seeking validation and attention from an outsider. It’s better to nip the problem in the bud.

The post The Dating Sites Sex Predator Josh Robinson Used to Meet Underage Girls appeared first on Alvinology.

Parents who are worried about the safety of their kids while taking Grab car rides can now ride with relief. Ride-hailing platform Grab today announced a move to enhance child passenger safety by equipping all GrabCar vehicles with a child booster seat in Singapore.

This makes Grab the first private-car hire service in the country to come up with such an initiative.

Grab is partnering with mifold, a company that specialises in ultra-compact portable child car seats. Each GrabFamily ride comes with one mifold booster seat for children aged between four and seven years old, and weighing between 15 and 36kg.

Passengers with kids in tow can book a GrabFamily ride by selecting the GrabFamily icon on the Grab mobile booking app. A GrabFamily booking costs S$2 more than a regular GrabCar Economy base fare of S$2.50.

From now till 31 March 2017, Grab is waiving off the additional S$2 surcharge for GrabFamily rides with the promo code “FAMILY”. Visit the Grab website for details.

This post first appeared on Asia 361.

The post Grab Enhances Their Rides With Child-Safe Booster Seats appeared first on Alvinology.

These super cute LEGO figurines arrived at my work desk a few days ago, courtesy of LEGO Singapore:

If you are wondering what these are, they are figurines from the LEGO BrickHeadz series which generated plenty of hype and interest at the San Diego Comic Con last year in America.

If you want to get your hands on them, you will be delighted to know that the much-anticipated LEGO BrickHeadz series will soon be arriving on our shores, making
its big debut on 11 March (this Saturday) at the LEGO Certified Store (Bricks World) at Ngee Ann City!

Not just that, for the official launch, Design Lead for LEGO BrickHeadz, Marcos Bessa will be at the event to launch the new product range.

“I’m incredibly humbled and honoured to be a part of this amazing launch event of LEGO
BrickHeadz. I really look forward to the meet-and-greet session and can’t wait to share with you the inspiration behind the BrickHeadz series. More importantly, it would be my greatest pleasure to be able to share my passion of building with LEGO bricks with you,” shared Bessa.

Bessa is also the designer behind many well-loved sets including LEGO Disney Castle,
LEGO Ghostbusters Ecto 1 & 2 and FireHouse, LEGO DC Batman: Arkham Asylum
Breakout and LEGO Marvel The SHIELD Helicarrier. On 11 March, avid LEGO fans in Singapore will have a rare opportunity to meet Bessa in person at a one-time only meet-and-greet and autograph session during the LEGO BrickHeadz launch event.

The new LEGO BrickHeadz features fun and stylised versions of iconic characters reimagined in colourful LEGO system bricks along with distinct details for a humorous twist. The series will kick off with characters from THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE, including Batman, Robin, Batgirl and The Joker. Each character also comes with its collectable baseplate featuring the LEGO BrickHeadz icon and series number.

This series also includes characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe – Iron Man, Black Widow, Captain America and The Hulk as well as one of Disney’s most popular and loved couples Belle and Beast, plus Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Armando Salazar from Pirates of the Caribbean.

The 12 characters will be launched weekly, starting with Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and The Joker on March 11; Belle and Beast on March 18; Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man and Black Widow on March 25; and finally Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Armando Salazar on April 1. Each character retails at S$19.90.

To celebrate the global launch of LEGO BrickHeadz, LEGO Singapore has teamed up
with a local designer – LEGO Certified Professional, Nicholas Foo, who has
applied his unique and artistic style to create the limited edition LEGO BrickHeadz
Gallery:

Pre-order is already over, but you can head down to LEGO Certified Store (Bricks World) at Ngee Ann City on March 11 for another shot at purchasing the whole LEGO BrickHeadz series. The first 500 LEGO BrickHeadz series will come with the exclusive, not-for-sale BrickHeadz Gallery, launched first in Singapore.

For die-hard collectors who have to collect’em all, here is the full cheat sheet provided by LEGO Singapore on how to get your hands on every single one of the characters in the LEGO BrickHeadz series:

Launch of LEGO BrickHeadz series (12 characters) including 4 characters
from THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE

Date & Time: Saturday, 11 March 1100H-2130H
Venue: LEGO Certified Store (Bricks World), Ngee Ann City, #05-15A
Unit: 350 LEGO BrickHeadz series
Recommended Retail Price: SGD238.80 per LEGO BrickHeadz series
Gift with Purchase:
Only 350 Exclusive LEGO BrickHeadz Gallery, first come first serve

Special Note: 10 characters to be collected on 11 March. Two characters: #41593 (Captain Jack Sparrow) and #41594 (Captain Armando Salazar) can only be collected from 1 April from LEGO Certified Store (Bricks World) Ngee Ann City.

Unit: 250 sets of 4 LEGO BrickHeadz characters from THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE
Recommended Retail Price: SGD79.60 per set of 4 characters

Product:
1. #41585 Batman
2. #41586 Batgirl
3. #41587 Robin
4. #41588 The Joker

Gift with Purchase:

11 March:
250 sets of 4 LEGO BrickHeadz Bases on 11 March at LEGO Certified Store (Bricks World) at Ngee Ann City, #05-15A, first come and first serve; redeemable with purchase of 4 individual LEGO BrickHeadz characters.

12 March:
1500 sets of 2 LEGO BrickHeadz Bases on 12 March at all LEGO Certified Stores in Singapore, first come and first serve; redeemable with every purchase of 2 LEGO BrickHeadz characters.

Special Note: Individual LEGO BrickHeadz characters are not available for sale alone on 11 March. Single boxes of LEGO Brickheadz are only available for sale to customers
who have bought either
a) LEGO BrickHeadz series of 12 characters,
b) a set of 4 individual LEGO BrickHeadz characters from THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE, or
c) one of the following products designed by Marcos Bessa:

• #71040 The Disney Castle
• #75827 Ghostbusters Firehouse Headquarters
• #75828 Ghostbusters Ecto-1 & 2
• #21108 Ghostbusters Ecto-1
• #71006 The Simpsons House
• #71016 The Kwik-E-Mart
• #76054 Batman: Scarecrow Harvest of Fear

The LEGO BrickHeadz characters from THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE will be sold in all LEGO Certified Stores from 12 to 17 March.

LEGO DESIGNER AUTOGRAPH SESSION (11 March)

Date & Time:
Saturday, 11 March 1130H-1630H
Venue: Wisma Atria level 1 atrium
Qualifying Criteria: Customers who purchase selected LEGO sets at LEGO Certified Store (Bricks World) Ngee Ann City on 11 March can get an autograph from LEGO Senior Designer Marcos Bessa.

Special Note:
For any purchase of LEGO BrickHeadz series of 12 characters, Marcos will sign on an exclusive serialized autograph card.
For any purchase of a set of 4 individual LEGO BrickHeadz characters from THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE, Marcos will sign on an exclusive serialized autograph card.
Marcos will not sign on any individual LEGO BrickHeadz products and/or packaging.
The selected LEGO sets Marcos will autograph are as below:

• #71040 The Disney Castle
• #75827 Ghostbusters Firehouse Headquarters
• #75828 Ghostbusters Ecto-1 & 2
• #21108 Ghostbusters Ecto-1
• #71006 The Simpsons House
• #71016 The Kwik-E-Mart
• #76054 Batman: Scarecrow Harvest of Fear

LEGO DESIGNER WORKSHOP (12th March)

Date & Time:
Sunday, 12 March 1400H-1600H
Venue: LEGO Singapore Pte. Ltd., 38, Beach Road, #13-11, South Beach Tower,
Singapore 189767
Qualifying Criteria:
Buy LEGO BrickHeadz series of 12 characters via pre-order or at LEGO Certified Store (Bricks World) Ngee Ann City on 11th March before 1600H to get a chance to join the LEGO Designer Workshop hosted by Marco Bessa.
Limited to 30 participants.

Special Note: 
Lucky winners will be emailed latest by 11 March 1800H.

Release of LEGO BrickHeadz Characters from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Movie

Availability Dates:
18 March – 24 March 2017

#41595 Belle
#41596 Beast

Gift with Purchase:
Redeemable with every purchase of 2 LEGO BrickHeadz characters – 1000 exclusive BrickHeadz Bases on 18 and 19 March, first come and first served.

Release of LEGO BrickHeadz Characters from Marvel Comics

Availability Dates:
25 March – 31 March 2017

#41589 Captain America
#41590 Iron Man
#41591 Black Widow
#41592 The Hulk

Gift with Purchase: 
Redeemable with every purchase of 2 LEGO BrickHeadz characters – 2000 exclusive BrickHeadz Bases on 25 and 26 March, first come and first serve.

Release of LEGO BrickHeadz Characters from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Movie

Availability Dates:
1 April – 7 April 2017

#41593 Captain Jack Sparrow
#41594 Captain Armando Salazar

Gift with Purchase:
Redeemable with every purchase of 2 LEGO BrickHeadz characters – 1000 exclusive BrickHeadz Bases on 1 and 2 April, first come and first serve.

The post How to get every single figurine in the LEGO BrickHeadz series in Singapore appeared first on Alvinology.