Singapore Consumer Interest Group

Some people aren’t fond of writing unless it is required of them. Well, what they do not realize is that writing down at least a thought per day is a great way to not only collect your thoughts but also reflect and improve your self-being. You see, the thing that hinders our growth no matter how much we learn is the fact that we forget what we learn. It may be a simple thought or a simply theory, a poem, or just another random writing. Writing on a single page of paper per day throughout the whole year is a great way for you to grow.

The more you write, the more vocal you become with yourself and the more vocal you become with yourself, the more you will realize about yourself. One thing that hinders people from growth is the rejection of certain necessary truths or thoughts lurking within our minds. Do not be afraid to write it down. You may not be able to answer them today but maybe someday, you’d be able to look back and solve your previous problems altogether.

Reflection is not the only reason why you should be writing everyday but it is definitely a good one. The more you reflect on things, the more confidence you get to face them head on and the more confident you become, the easier it will be for you to face on bigger challenges. Growth might be a painful thing, but then again, without pain, there won’t be much progress.

Collecting your thoughts at the end of the year can be a great way for you to review not just your ideas but also your growth. Let’s face it, everybody changes. But have we changed into someone we are proud of or have we changed into someone who needs a little more changing to do.

Everyday we venture a little further. Everyday we step a couple more steps. Everyday we find ourselves a little farther away from where we used to be. This is good because as human beings, we aren’t meant to stay at one spot for the rest of our lives. As human beings, we get bored of being at the same spot for a long period of time. Sometimes, this even means finding ourselves in wrong situations just for us to grow into someone else.

Collecting your thoughts helps you put things into place piece by piece and though it may be a struggle at first to get started, it is definitely beneficial for you later on. Looking back at how much you’ve grown gives you the strength to grow even further.

Herpes is the umbrella term for a group of highly-infectious diseases caused by the herpes simplex virus. What most people are not aware of is that herpes can’t be cured and is very contagious even if there are no visible symptoms on the infected person.

Here are some facts about herpes that you need to remember.

Eight Herpes Viruses
There are 8 known herpes viruses that affect humans to date, but only herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 are usually included in health articles. HSV1 is commonly known as oral herpes, while HSV2 is called genital herpes. Both types can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, that is why you should avoid intimate contact with an infected person or share personal items such as towels, forks and spoons, and razors.

The other herpes simplex viruses are the following:

1. HHV3 or human herpes virus 3 affects the skin and causes either chickenpox or shingles.
2. HHV4 or infectious mononucleosis can be transmitted through the saliva, so avoid kissing, sneezing, coughing, and sharing utensils with other people.
3. HHV5 or cytomegalovirus is usually passed from one person to another through breastfeeding, organ transplant, blood transfusion, and intimate contact.
4. HHV6 affects newborn and young children and can cause a variety of diseases such as roseola and convulsions or febrile seizures.
5. HHV7 is almost like HHV6 and can also cause roseola, a viral infection that causes skin rashes and fever in children.
6. HHV8 is commonly found in HIV/AIDS patients with tumors called Kaposi’s sarcoma. It is also present in some types of HIV/AIDS-related cancer.

Herpes isn’t Curable
There is no known cure for herpes viruses today, but there are medications that will help treat the symptoms of the viral infection such as antiviral drugs. Herpes usually will show symptoms only during the primary infection and will remain dormant in the body. The goal of the treatment is to prevent the latent virus in the body from reactivating and showing symptoms such as the sores or blisters. It’s also important for the patient to get immediate treatment to prevent serious complications such as the occurrence of the infection in the gastrointestinal tract and in the brain.

1. Antiviral Medication. These types of drugs work best if the treatment is administered early or hours after the symptoms show. The most common antiviral drugs prescribed for patients who feel discomfort or a tingling sensation before the blisters appear are acyclovir, famciclovir, and valaciclovir.
2. Creams for Sores. For patients who have sores, a penciclovir cream is prescribed and must be applied every 2 hours. Other creams can also be used on the sores such as docosanol which should be applied 5 times a day.
3. Eye Drops. If the patient has herpes simplex keratitis, or infection of the eyes that cause sensitivity, tearing and blurred vision, he/she is given trifluridine eye drops.
4. Intravenous Antiviral. For infected newborns or for severe herpes infections, acyclovir or foscarnet is given to the patient intravenously.

While most of the Asian families do not shun their elderly and continue to care for them at home, a lot of people are not aware that having the old folks around has benefits for the entire family.

Peace of Mind
You know that your parents or grandparents get the best care when you can see that they are happy and satisfied. Although nursing homes provide professional help, the elderly do not get the social interaction, family love, and the kind of lifestyle they enjoy like when they are at home. It’s also easier for the other family members to determine the right kind of help the elderly need. If the older members of the family need professional caregivers for example, it’s easier to monitor their health and well-being because they are at home.

Keeps Everyone Together
The best emotional support an elderly can get is through the family. They will feel less guilt in being cared for because he/she is not surrounded by strangers. Constant communication is a good emotional support that will help speed up the recovery from illnesses, not just for the elderly but for everyone in the family as well. Children and the grandchildren will also have more time with their parents or grandparents and learn new things.

Home Care is Better
Home care is affordable even if your family decided to hire a professional caregiver because there is no need to pay for basic needs at home. The help provided is customized to fit the specific needs of the elderly because the home is not as restrictive as a nursing home. Recovery is faster and the emotional well-being is monitored because the elderly are surrounded by their family and friends. This is supported by various studies that show parents and grandparents live longer if they are in the company of loved ones.

Gives Elderly Options
At home, the elderly can still enjoy the kind of life they are used to because they are still in control. Unlike nursing homes that are crowded with elderly who have different needs, your parents or grandparents have a choice of different activities that can help in their recovery. With the technology available today, it is possible to get the best professional help at home. They can also help young parents how to raise children properly if they are still strong and healthy, giving them another purpose in life.

Erases Emotional Problems
One huge factor in an elderly’s state of health and emotional well-being is being able to live a respectable and independent life away from stressors. Make the last years of your parents’ or grandparents’ lives decent by giving them quality life, healthcare and unconditional love. They will be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor as they watch their children become adults and raise their own families. When you get old, you will realize how important it is to be surrounded by loved ones and friends when you’re enjoying your retirement.

If you’ve visiting Singapore, you must have gotten the gist of the same itinerary on the internet or on various travel and tours services. These commercial touring services offer the similar highlights to your Singapore visit, such as heading over to the Gardens by the Bay or taking a mandatory tourist selfie by the Marina Bay Sands.

Regardless, it is also curious to know what the Singaporean locals do for fun especially if you want to discover and experience more of Singapore. Places where the tourist sight-seeing experience and the local culture meet over are everywhere in the Merlion City, you just have to know where to head to!

1. Enjoy traditional bread
Served straight out of the oven, Singaporeans enjoy delicious traditional bread as a snack or even as a breakfast option. These bread lack eggs and preservatives, and they also have lesser amount of yeast in them. Because of that, their taste notably stands out from your typical bread. Popular traditional bread items include brown bread (with brown sugar), milk bread (which has milk powder), and curry puff, a staple favorite dish.

There are only a few traditional bread making businesses left in Singapore, with the numbers ranging about 5 stores. This makes the experience a whole lot rarer and more special!

2. Visit Palau Ubin
Palau Ubin is a national park located on an island off the mainland’s coast. It is a place where you can find a preserved and untouched section of Singapore’s rich history. You can get the general feel of what the city-state was like during its early years of founding — surrounded by green trees, wide places to explore, temples, and the absence of tall skyscrapers. This is revered to be one place where it feels as if time froze, making it a popular destination among locals.

3. Take a stroll at Clarke Quay
Speaking of Singapore’s rich history, Clarke Quay is a historical riverside dock which is a popular destination for a lot of locals who love to take a nighttime stroll. You can enjoy the cozy feeling of walking around the pier at night, but don’t forget to take a jacket with you to keep you warm.

There are also a number of bars and restaurants you can enjoy in Clarke Quay. If you’re looking for a memorable experience in particular, head to the Karaoke shops in the area and practice your singing!

4. Be one with nature at Singapore’s Night Safari
Located at Mandai Lake Road, Singapore’s Night Safari is a zoo which features nocturnal animals. It operates around 7:30 P.M. up to midnight. The place has roughly about 2, 500 animals which can be found in their respective nighttime habitat. Aside from observing these nocturnal animals, you can also enjoy fire-dancing performances and a hearty meal onboard a moving tram.

Being one of the most urbanized countries in Asia, Singapore is not only economically rich but it is also endowed with rich myths and legends popularized by locals. This includes the myth of how the name “Singapora” initially came about, which roughly translates to the “City of Lion”.

The Legend of Singapura
The King of Sumatra (Indonesia), named Sang Nila Utama, was said to have discovered the island state about 1297 A.D. Enthralled by its white sandy beaches, he decided to stay for a while only to bump into a beastly lion. He considered it as a promising symbol of the nation, thus naming the island city as The City of Lion or Singapora. Sang Nila Utama was also said to have ruled the city-state until his death.

The Legend of the Merlion
This popular tale recounts the occurrence of a tsunami in the island. The villagers prayed night and day, asking God to spare their lives, and their pleas were answered by the almighty almost immediately. A huge beastly creature appeared the day after (said to take the form of a Merlion), and its appearance made the seas subside into a calm and tranquil disposition.

Pulau Ubin
This fable is quite famous for explaining the formation of Palau Ubin, an island off the mainland coast of Singapore. A pig, frog, and an elephant once conduced a race from the mainland all the way to the shores of Johor. Should they fail in the challenge, they will be transformed into a rock. All of the three animals didn’t succeed in doing the race, hence they turned into giant rocks which is said to compose the island of Palau Ubin.

Badang and the Singapore Stone
This folklore is about Badang, a fisherman, who desired to be the strongest person on earth and was granted this particular wish. At some point, strong Badang got into a fight with Bijaya, another strong man from India. He threw a rock into the Singapore River during their battle — and that said rock remains in existence and can be found at the Singapore history museum.

Radin Mas
The Singapore neighborhood of Radin Mas is named after Radin Mas Ayu, a Javanese princess of the royal court. In Javanese, her name means “Princess of Golden Beauty.” Together with her father, they both fled to Singapore to avoid persecution from the hands of the Sultan (which is also her uncle). It was the area in Radin Mas which she first lived in. Unfortunately, she was later killed by a lusty king. A shrine commemorating Radin Mas Ayu stands at Mount Faber.

If you’re in the mood for something more quiet or adventurous for your next weekend outing, why not try camping? Everyday life can be busy and a bit too hectic, but there are a lot of spots in Singapore where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here are few of the perfect camping spots right here in the Lion City.

1. East Coast Park
There are many families that go to East Coast Park for an enjoyable outing during the day, so it would make sense to bring your family at night as well. There are a lot of activities for you and your loved ones to enjoy. There are playgrounds for children, water and sports activities for adventurers, and barbeque pits for those who would like something simpler and more basic.

Before heading to East Coast Park, remember to apply for a camping permit to avoid any unwanted and avoidable issues.

2. Pulau Ubin
Pulau Ubin is a camping site for those who just want a nice place to camp out. You don’t even have to pay for a permit to camp at Pulau Ubin. All you need to do is buy a three-dollar ride from Changi Ferry Point, which is open 24 hours a day. To get around the site, there are bicycles available for rent for a small fee.

There are many activities to do in Pulau Ubin, the most notable of which is the Pulau Ubin Trail, which is perfect for those who would like to get closer to nature. There are also restaurants available nearby, if you don’t want to cook your own food.

If you choose to camp in Pulau Ubin, note that the tap water is not potable. However, bottled water is available for purchase in the mainland, along with some snacks and other necessities.

3. Pasir Ris Park
Pasir Ris is great choice for those who want to go camping without much of the hassle. This camping site is great for families with small children, as it comes complete with amenities like eateries and convenience stores. There are also many things to do in Pasir Ris Park, like watersports and bird-watching. If you choose to camp at Pasir Ris Park, remember to book barbeque pits in advance, should you need to use them.

4. Pulau Hantu Besar
Unlike the other camping sites on this list, Pulau Hantu Besar is perfect for those who want a challenge. On this private island, you are left alone with trees and the water, and thirteen acres of quiet land. Since there are no stores in Pulau Hantu Besar, you will have to cook your own food and do with what you have bought. If you choose to take on the challenge, remember to obtain a camping permit at least seven days before the day of your outing.

When traveling, we choose our destination based on certain factors, such as historical spots, shopping avenues and the people. However, the most important thing that probably most travelers consider when looking for a place to explore is the destination’s culinary offerings.

For all the foodies out there seeking for gastronomical experiences, here are five of the less popular places you should visit for excellent food.

1. Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi may be a busy and maddening city, but its food boasts a perfect balance of light yet hearty, modest yet complex cuisine. The food here plays an essential role to fuel the people with ceaseless energy and showcase the intricacies of Vietnam. However, leave the fancy dining at the airport and experience authentic Vietnamese food on sidewalk tables, amidst all the chaos. Look for Hanoi’s signature food bun cha, which is a concoction of grilled pork, vermicelli rice and greens, to get a taste of a true Vietnamese food.

2. Singapore
Dubbed as the multicultural food paradise of Southeast Asia, Singapore offers a beautiful mix of flavors native from nearby regions. Right in the heart of Southeast Asia, the ‘Little Red Dot’ is where posh dining meets cheap street eats. You will find not only Malay, Indian and Chinese food, but almost every cuisine you can think of. Imagine finding celeb-chef restos and a full stretch of laidback bistros along Boat Quay district and be able to choose from chili crabs to sushis. What a range of food options you have! However, the real deal when in Singapore is the hawker stalls, which promises you an explosion of flavors for no more than S$5 per serving.

3. Tel Aviv, Israel
Bauhaus, beaches and big breakfast—the four Bs every traveler should experience. Tel Aviv in Israel does all these very well. Jumpstart your day with the most important meal of the day—complete with salads, local cheeses, fresh breads, muesli, natural jams and pastries, with your choice of coffee or fresh fruit juice. Oh, and don’t forget the ever so popular hummus, shakshuka and sabich, which are all Israel’s street-food classics.

4. Bordeaux, France
A home to some of the world’s most popular red wines, Bordeaux in France offers an exciting gastronomic experience for the fine diners. Hosting three Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants, Bordeaux chefs are masters in fusing tradition and innovation in every dish they make. However, don’t be fooled by its French names as not all restaurants in Bordeaux consists of fancy frills and expensive bills, small bistros like Le Petit Commerce whips up excellent French cuisine at a fraction of a price.

Food plays a major role in making your travel fun and unforgettable. Satisfy your taste buds the next time you head on a vacation by heading to one (or two or more) of these less-visited food destinations.

Trademark registration in Singapore is not a mandatory process for most businesses, companies and organizations, but the move comes with various benefits besides the ability to protect your brand. To understand what a trademark and a registered trademark can do for your company, let us examine what intellectual property means.

What is Intellectual Property?

Intellectual property, as the name implies refers to creations of the mind that individuals use either for financial benefits or personal recognition. Examples of intellectual property are artworks, sound recordings, films, names, symbols, and literary works. Intellectual property rights therefore, are a set of laws that designate rights for these creations to protect the creators or inventors and to give monopoly to the designated owners.

The following are some of the forms of intellectual property:

1. Copyright includes works such as paintings, music, books, films, sculpture, advertisements, computer programs, maps, technical drawings, and databases.

2. Patents include rights to inventions and give the owner the choice when and how to use such invention.

3. Industrial designs includes the ornaments or aesthetic components of an article, such as its shape, three-dimensional or two-dimensional features, lines, color, and patterns.

4. Trademarks include signs or marks that distinguish one’s products and services from other enterprises.

Intellectual property rights also cover plant varieties or plant breeders for commercial use, geographical indications, trade dress, and trade secrets.

Trademark and Registered Trademark

Most businesses in Singapore use symbols, names, and phrases called trademarks to distinguish themselves from other companies so that they will be recognizable to the consumers. Trademarks registered with brandmark at Singapore often come with distinctive marks such as the ™ and ® next to the name, phrase or symbol. These marks let other competitors know that the company is claiming the trademark as their own. However, these symbols mean two different things.

™ This symbol is used if the trademark registration is still pending for approval or if the company has not yet decided to register trademark at the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). It indicates that the trademark is not yet officially recognized by the law, but the company is claiming it as their own. It is not a violation of any law to continue using the symbol, although it does not include the benefits of a registered mark.

® This symbol is used only if the company’s application to register trademark has been approved. It means that the registered mark is protected by Singapore’s laws on intellectual property. The registered mark can be used by the company to claim damages if other parties violate the laws that protect the register TM.

Sometimes a company also uses words, phrases, and designs that distinguish their services called the service marks. Although both trademarks and service marks refer to trademark collectively, some companies use the symbol SM to indicate that the service mark is not yet officially registered, similar to the ™ symbol.

Trademarks that Can Be Registered

A trademark can be in the form of names, numerals, symbols, letters, shapes, colors, and any other device or a combination of these that will easily distinguish the company from the others.

Some trademarks that cannot be registered, however, include descriptive marks, deceptive marks, direct reference marks, marks identical to other trademarks, and marks that could confuse consumers.

To be able to apply for a trademark registration, the applicant must fulfill the following criteria:

1. The trademark must be represented graphically
2. The trademark must distinguish the products and/or services from other companies
3. The trademark must be distinct or unique
4. The trademark must not contain descriptions of the products and/or services
5. The trademark must be in the customary or current language
6. The trademark must not be similar to other existing trademarks in the register

Advantages of a Registered Trademark

Trademark registration in Singapore will entail a lot of benefits for the company, such as;

1. Exclusive rights to the use of a trademark. The owner of the registered mark has the exclusive use of the mark and is protected by laws if there are unauthorized uses of the mark. The company can sue the offender for infringement and may be able to obtain damages. You could also protect the company if there are any infringement claims from other companies, because your company does not need to prove its ownership.

2. Security or hypothecation. The company can use the registered mark as a security if it wishes to secure loan facilities, after all, it is considered an immovable property that can be bonded.

3. Licensing. A registered mark can be used to generate more revenues for the company through licensing or allowing other parties to use the mark through an agreement.

4. Deterrent to misuse. Deterrent to other parties that might want to use the trademark. Other companies will think twice of using a similar trademark if your company’s trademark has been registered.

5. Intangible property. Once the trademark has been made legal, it can be considered an intangible property of the company that cannot be separated from the identity of the business. The registered mark will always be tied to and will represent the company, which the owner can use if he/she wishes to transfer it to another person or company.

6. Foreign territories. It will also be easier for your company to register the trademark in other territories, so that your rights are protected while your company is expanding. In Singapore, you can apply for trademark registration outside the country or the foreign companies can designate Singapore through the Madrid Protocol.

7. Dealing with third parties. It will also be easier for the company to contact traders, vendors, and other third parties that can help you expand or improve your business.

The thing with having thick and heavy curtains is that, they are often difficult to give a proper washing. These big curtains may be grand to the eyes and can welcome any house guest invitingly, but they also require tremendous efforts when it comes to maintenance and proper curtain cleaning.

This can be a hassle to employees who have a tight work schedule, or to those who know nothing about the fundamentals of curtain cleaning, thus a number of them turn to avail commercial curtain cleaning services. Paying for their services seem like a convenient option to take, but if you’re running on a tight budget – these payment per session can accumulate over time.

With that in mind, you can save a few dollars by cleaning your curtains yourself. This is ideally to be done regularly to avoid dirt build-up and prolonged staining. However, if the dirt and stains stay even after you gave it a washing, contact the nearest curtain cleaning service shop in Singapore and ask for assistance.

Steam cleaning

This method is considered one thorough way to clean your curtains. A hot water steamer is generally used for this, but there are also other types of cleaners sold in Singapore market which are widely available for convenient home use. Notably, they are not that expensive – so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank when buying the product.

These cleaners from www.curtainrepair.com in Singapore must be used in the same manner as you would vacuum the curtains, with gentle strokes and while they are in their hanging position. Think of this as one great alternative to curtain dry cleaning!

Vacuum

Vacuuming is probably the easiest way to personally clean your curtains. As was mentioned in the previous paragraph, the ideal way to vacuum your curtains is through gentle strokes as they hang near the windows. This must also be done regularly to get rid of dirt and dust (that may build-up overtime if overlooked). Ceiling fans or windows leak-in are usually the reason behind these dust, but there are cases when they just occur naturally.

A useful tip to this curtain cleaning method is to make use of the soft brush attachment that is on the vacuum cleaner. Make sure to avoid any cords or fringes that may be ruined once in contact with the vacuum, as you would want to ensure your curtain is safe and sound. Also do not pull the vacuum a little too hard to avoid letting the curtain fall from the rod.

Shake out

You don’t have to rummage all across Singapore for the best curtain cleaning centers. In fact, you can give your curtains a simple shaking if you want to clean them quickly. This is best done when the drapes are hanged or removed from the rods that hold them. It’s discouraged to possibly contaminate the other surfaces of your home though – so make sure you shake them out outside the house.

However, merely shaking your curtains will not work with too much dust and dirt build-up. If your curtains haven’t been cleaned in a while, it’s best to take them to the nearest cleaning shop.

Dry clean

Yes, you read that right. There is a way for you to do curtain dry cleaning at home, saving you from a long trip to the cleaning shop and from paying the service fee. You can make use of dry cleaning solvents in your steam cleaner to keep your curtains clean. But, only do so if you are a hundred percent sure the material of your curtains is compatible with dry cleaning. Do your research on the fabric prior to the washing, and if there’s any manufacturer label tag attached to the curtain, then read on it.

If you remain unsure, it is much better to avail commercial curtain cleaning services. These professionals know how to handle your fabric with utmost caution and care. They know how to wash your drapes properly, thus avoiding the material’s ruin.

Lint brush

This curtain cleaning technique is perfect for heavy curtains that are difficult to maneuver and take down. In fact, using a lint brush to clean your curtains can be done on a regular basis and is considered to be quite simple and quick. This is also ideal for curtains which are made of velvet-like material, or other similar fabric.

Fabric softener

Also considered as a quick way to clean your curtains, using a fabric softener dryer sheet can be effective in making your curtains as soft and fragrant as ever. Rub the product along the curtain similarly as you would apply the lint roller brush. You’ll undoubtedly feel relaxed as it leaves a pleasant scent on the curtains that would linger for long. The aromatic scent is a nice welcome to house guests too!

Remove odors

If your main concern is the odor of your curtains, not the dust and dirt build-up, you can always make use of fragrant room sprays that are widely accessible at almost every store in the city-state. You can choose from different brands and a variety of scents available – from lavender to fresh linen. Spraying your curtains quickly cleans the fabric and leaves a fragrant scent at the same time.

Not only that, the rest of your room is bound to smell pleasant as well. This makes the house smell cozy and welcoming. If you are a pet owner or a smoker, it is advised for you to spray clean your curtains as much as possible.