Environmentally and skin friendly products

Recently I've discovered a wealth of skin products that are environmentally, skin and pocket friendly!

1) Konjac sponge

From the website :http://www.konjacspongecompany.com/

KONJAC POTATO is a perennial plant, native to Asia and sometimes known as Konnyaku .

Benefits of a Konjac Sponge

• 100% Natural Sponge
• Gentle exfoliation
• 100% Colouring Free
• 100% Additive Free
• 100% Biodegradable
• Naturally Sustainable
• Environmentally Safe

A naturally moisture rich plant fibre which is by nature alkaline, and thus balances the acidity of the skins impurities and oils. The unique net like structure of the sponge, gently massages the skin and stimulates blood flow and new growth of skin cells. Leaving the skin extremely clean and refreshed…..naturally! No need for additional cleansers or soaps unless you really want. Should you chose to use additional cleansers or soap, you can use a fraction of your usual amount, as the sponge will generate more bubbles and spread the cleaner further than usual.

Better for your skin, better on the environment and your finances!

 

I've been using it since around March. (It's available in Watson, Sasa and Gmarket) I only use cleanser with it when I come home from outside as I still have left over cleanser. Other than that, I use it with just plain water. So far so good!

 

2) Baking soda

 

There's a wealth of uses for baking soda just google it!

I use it as a substitute for shampoo and shower gel sometimes.  I haven't been using it as a shampoo long enough to comment on it but on days that I use it as a shower gel, I feel fresh and my skin seems smoother.

 

3) Green Clay and Fuller's Earth Clay

 

I buy them online from a Singapore based website ( and use them as masks to deep cleanse my face or to lighten scars. 

 

These are just a few of the natural items that I've been using so far. I'm not sure whether they will work for everyone but I've enjoyed using them so far. I also think that they are a better, more environmentally and healthy alternatives to the concoct of chemicals that we see in the stores.

  

The Concentration game

With the exposure to a variety of provoking stimulants , its harder and harder to get the concentration of students. It becomes a vicious cycle. The more interesting you make the lesson, the harder it is for the students to learn to quiten down.

I feel worried and sorry for this generation of students. The jobs that matter most are going to require intense concentration. How is the next generation going to take up the job of running the country if they are constantly needing exciting stimulants?

Television and the Young Child
Kim Preston, Northen Subhurbs Waldorf Playgroup, Western Australia

Check out page 13-15 on the article of Television and the Young Child.
www.freshwatercreeksteinerschool.com.au/documents/Prep%20Handbook%202008.pdf

Saying I'm sorry

I came back to Singapore on the night of Fathers' Day so I did not get to see my father. The following morning, I greeted and apologised to my father, for being an unfilial daughter.

I could not help but feel that if I had apologised earlier ,my father would have been less lonely for the past years.

Family ties is something that will endure the test of time, harsh words and behaviours. Unfortunately, friendships are more fragile. Sometimes, an unintentional word or behaviour can cause irreversible damage. I wished that I have known this earlier.

Being a scatterbrain, I forget harsh words said to me easily and can be friendly to the person easily. I have naively believed that others would forgive me easily too. This is not so. Sometimes, I don't even realise or care enough on the hurt that I inflicted on others.

Be kind and treasure those around you and never take them for granted.

Earth Hour 2010

Earth Hour 2010 will occur on 27th March 2010.

To quote loosely ,it's set to be the best yet but only works best when all of us are involved.

Lessons learnt

Wanted to post this entry for a long time but was taken off my feet from the hustle and rustle of meeting deadline, going overseas and coming back to meet deadline again.

Discovered this card while packing my stuff at home.

2008 marked the year where I discovered the importance and not to mention the joy of imparting and building a strong foundation of moral values in children. Those kids have a special place in my heart and the affection that they still shower on me when they see me this year puts a smile in my heart.



2009 marks the year where I look forward to seeing my students progress everyday (at least for the 2nd half of the year). One of my students once asked why do I not take leave and have a break. I replied that I look foward to seeing them improve. It sounds unbelivable but it's hard to describe the anticipation and joy in seeing them improve. (Although those around me are constantly inflicted with my complaints about them haha)



2009 also marks the year where I discover the magnitude of childhood education.

Many vices and habits once formed during childhood proves difficult to eradicate in adulthood and experienced teachers warned that once a person reaches adolescence, preaching and controlling no longer works. It is then vital to impart all important moral values and habits to a child.


Once you got the right moral values ticking, you don't have to invest much time, energy or money trying to enforce discipline and motivating them to learn.


I'm not sure what are the impact created on my students but through teaching them, I have learnt so many things. It is difficult to preach what I don't do and because I have to teach I have to do what I preach (its difficult but still have to try lah)


There are many other things that I have learnt this year including the temptations I have yet to resist, but the post's getting lengthy.


Hope 2009 has been a meaning and fulfilling year for all of you!

Preventing Sinus Infection

Nope, I'm not having one of the dreaded infection again. Was having frequent bouts of sinus infections last year.

For those not in the know, sinus infection, or sinusitis, is an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages. A sinus infection can cause a headache or pressure in the eyes, nose, cheek area, or on one side of the head. A person with a sinus infection may also have a cough, a fever, bad breath, and nasal congestion with thick nasal secretions. (http://www.emedicinehealth.com/sinus_infection/article_em.htm)

For me, it wasn't detected during initial diagnosis at the clinic. It seemed like a normal serious flu that just would not go away. The pressure on one side of my head got so bad I couldn't sleep properly as I will be awaken by the pain when I toss to the "pressured side".

Not sure what was the exact cause but I do have a sensitive nose. A sensitive nose is one which is constantly blocked or running. For me, its just frequently blocked.

Tried using the nasal spray but somehow it didn't seemed to work for me.(maybe I'm not diligent enough?) I still had frequent bouts of sinus infections.

Recently, I came across an article saying that those with sensitive nose should stay away from coffee, beef, milk, eggs, orange juice, peanuts, seafood, cold beverages and food with artificial colourings. I have also attended a course which the speaker mentioned that milk tends to cause respiratory problems.

So far, I have tried to avoid food with milk and eggs, as well as cold beverages(I'm a vegetarian so avoiding seafood and beef is not an issue for me). I have also stayed away from artificial flavourings and colourings. Its not easy since most food have them. So far, I have not had any more sinus infections. Of course, it could also be due to other unforsee variables.Those who are prone to sinus infections may like to try avoiding the above food. =)

Earth Hour

Its Earth Hour today.
2030-2130.
Are you ready?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIu2G3JTOk0&feature=related

http://www.earthhour.org/about/sg:en
For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour

Hit and Run

What kind of day was it? Actually , I can't remember at all. Was it sunny, windy or cloudy? Truth is I was probably too absorbed in my grouchiness and self pity in needing to go back to school during the school holidays to notice the weather.

Upon arriving in school, probably still clouded by my grouchiness, I did not take note in where my steps have taken me.

Suddenly, I heard a cracking sound. Being retarded, it took some time for me to stop and retraced my steps. I couldn't make out what I had stepped on.

"Its a snail," my colleague enlightened me.

So you can imagine the damage that was done to cause the snail to be beyond recognition.

I walked back to my office.

After telling a colleague who sits near me what had happened, we took some paper , intending to bury the snail if it was dead or do whatever we could to salvage the damage.

Alas, the snail was cleared by a cleaner when we went back to the place of incident.

The poor snail, no voice to scream for help and too slow to try and escape. Imagine if glass was crushed on your body, probably that's what the snail felt when I stepped on its shell and its shell was cracked and crushed into its body.

I couldn't think of anything else to do for the snail except to utter a word of prayer and pay more attention to where I was walking in the future.

Translated version

Was looking through the book which I mentioned in the earlier post . At the back of the book is a self assessment for students.

I translated the assessment for the first verse into English. My standard of English seems to be off these days...so the translation might be quite bad. Feel free to amend and use it for your students

When my parents/elders /elders call me, I answer them straight away.
When they ask me to do something, I do it quickly.
When my parents/elders instruct or teach me, I listen respectfully
When my parents/elders /elders reproach me, I do not talk back. I explain to them respectfully. If I am wrong, I admit my mistake. I try hard to change and improve myself.

We Share

Sometimes I can spend quite a substantial amount of time creating resources . Sometimes I pass and share it with my fellow colleagues. Actually, its for a very simple reason. What if i suddenly die or decide not to be a teacher? Then at least it will not be sitting in my hard disk collecting dust.