Diabetes-Type 1 & Type 2

A well-known disease in modern times, diabetes occurs when the body is not able to regulate its blood sugar levels.
"There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.
The former occurs due to the destruction of insulin-producing beta-islet cells in the pancreas and is more commonly seen in children and young adults while the latter develops when the body does not respond to the insulin produced by the beta-islet cells, which may be making less of the hormone.
Most diabetics here (in Singapore) suffer from Type 2 diabetes, which has a bigger hereditary risk and can be triggered by environmental factors like diet, activity level and weight."
(extracted from Mind Your Body, Straits Times April 23 2008)

Modern-day lifestyle has put people at a bigger risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Even though the genetic composition of an individual may predisposed him or her to developing this form of diabetes, environmental factors play a large part as well in triggering its development. As countries become more developed and affluent, changes in working, living and eating habits would contribute to the increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. As people eat more, exercise less and have a more sedentary lifestyle, they put themselves at greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This can be counteracted by starting a regular exercise program and eating in moderation.

My New-Found Favourite - The Soup Spoon

"The Soup Spoon"

I remember seeing this sign sometime around year 2000-2001 at the basement of Raffles City Shopping Mall. It seemed like a small shop that sells...(surprise!) soup. We were rather hungry and a friend suggested going in to try the soups, as in her words, 'it was very nice'. 'Ok. Why not?' I thought as we proceeded in. Looking at the variety of soups available, from the classic tomato to well-known clam chowder, I was rather taken back by the prices (which at that time, costing $5+ for a bowl of soup seemed rather exorbitant to a student).

We tried the clam chowder, which in my opinion was too thick for my liking and it didn't taste as nice as it looked in the picture on the menu. The portion looked rather miserable too. Feeling sorely disappointed, I made a mental note not to step into The Soup Spoon again.

It is now Year 2008. Had arranged to meet a friend for dinner at Raffles City Shopping Mall basement level, which had changed quite a lot as the area seems to have been extended because the basement level looks so much bigger and has so many more shops and eateries. Walking and looking around as I waited for my friend to arrive, I came across The Soup Spoon once again. Though the layout of the shop looks much better now and the menu is more varied as compared to the past, I still hestiated to venture into the place, as I recalled the previous experience I had. Yet, at the back of my mind, I had this nagging feeling that my friend was going to suggest The Soup Spoon for dinner. Sure enough, as I asked my friend her choice for dinner, I could see her lips forming the words...The Soup Spoon...

Picking up my courage, I decided to give The Soup Spoon one more try...

And boy, was I pleasantly surprised!

Just one word: Great!

The soups were delicious and there's wider selection to choose from, as well as various side orders, different kinds of sandwiches, wraps and salads and they look so tantalising and mouthwatering.

And now I just can't stop thinking about the soups...Mushroom, Beef Goulash...Yummy!

Besides, just add $3.90 and you'll get an either a salad or sandwich plus a snack or drink to complete your meal (but if you're a light eater, the soup'll more than satisfy).

Next soup to try would be Roasted Pumpkin, anyone free to join me ? =)

Middle of the Month

It's the middle of the month...
As one walks around the supermarkets/shopping centres/eateries, one would most definitely notice the increase in the prices of food and commodities.
Rising rice, oil and flour prices have proven to be a strain on the financial budget of most people as the rise of what is considered basic food items would no doubt mean higher expenses. What used to be $2-$3/bowl of noodles has now increased to $2.50-$4/bowl. Customers are complaining about the rise in price but seemingly smaller quantity given. Hawkers are having a hard time too as they strive to retain customers and negotiate with suppliers. The high inflation rate, especially to the basic commodities, is most heavily felt by the lower-income group as the salary of this income group remained relatively unchanged or perhaps just a small percentage of increase, which proved inadequate to deal with rising costs.

Yet, there is little one can do about the situation as according to the law of economics, a low supply and high demand would no doubt result in a rise in prices. Perhaps, to look on the lighter side of things, one can save more by eating less and eventually lose weight through this way. =)

The Day The Office Got Flooded

It was 1st April 2008.

April's Fools Day.

On that fateful day, as I was busy explaining to a customer about the workings of the water system, I noticed parts of the carpet turning a darker shade of blue from the corner of my eye.

To my shock, the carpet was getting flooded!

Turns out that the unit next to my showroom ( a food catering shop), had forgotten to turn off the tap and water was slowly but surely seeping out from the cracks of their glass doors out onto the corridor and then into my carpetted showroom...Oh my!

Quickly called the cleaning department as well as contacted thefood catering person in-charge to get one of their staff to open their door to turn off the tap. All this while, my mind was going "Ah! The carpet's getting flooded, there's a customer with me, why didn't the person turn off the tap, what to tell my manager, where are the cleaners, what's going to happen if the water gets to the storeroom and wet the goods...etc..."

Thank God the cleaners came quickly to vacuum and the food catering guy came to turn off the tap...what a drama! Then I had to speak to the customer along the corridor (because the cleaners were vacuuming the carpet and it was super noisy). What a day!

oh well...at least things turned out fine in the end...we got a cleaner carpet, heehee :P