Archive for September 2013

You can brighten up someone day without a pricey gift!

I didn't grow up with lots of money, so I always find creative ideas to cheer someone up as I got older.

I started doing small things for others that didn't involve cash or much of it, to show my thanks, appreciation and/or admiration for someone. Like there was once, I bought chocolate bars for the whole office staffs and have them placed on each of their table before they come into the office.

Check out some of my favorite ways to brighten someone's day to make them smile without hurting your wallet. Most of these actually mean more to the recipient than monetary gifts do because they come from the heart, not the wallet.

1. BRING EXTRA FOOD TO SHARE

If you are bringing something to eat for breakfast at work, bring a little extra to share with the people around you.

2. LEAVE A NOTE

Because we are all too used to sending handphone messages or emails and we forgotten one of the simplest ways to brighten someone's day comes in the form of a handwritten note. Taking the time to write and either mail or hand-deliver a hand-written note says you care about the person.

3. COMPLIMENT THEM

A lot of times, we get too busy with what we are doing and not taking the time to tell people all the positive things we notice about them. Yes we should not make a fake compliment but take a moment to consider how you could genuinely compliment someone about either their outfit, appearance, hairstyle, make-up, shoes, hard work, recent accomplishments, etc. and tell them you admire them for it.

4. INVITE THEM FOR DINNER

Many people love receiving food gifts, people also love being invited to dinner. Brighten up someone by asking them over for dinner to show your appreciation, care or concern. Some homemade hearty food will sure make them feel warmed and loved.

5. GIVE THEM A CALL

A simple call could be even better than hand-written note. In today's high-tech society, we often overlook this simple pleasure. We often give excuse to ourselves that we are too busy, but a call to tell someone you miss them or find out how are they will make that person feel that he/she is special and mean a lot to you.

6. DO A TASK OR CHORE FOR THEM

If you are at work, help someone with a certain task that he hate to do. If you live with someone, make him/her breakfast, do their laundry, or make their bed for them.

7. UPDATE THEIR PLAYLIST

This is great! I love music! Giving others the gift of music is a timeless one. You can burn them into a CD and pass it to them or even help them download to their phones.

8. FLOWERS

Flowers are a great way to show someone you care, and they don't have to be pricey roses.
You can pick out an inexpensive bouquet of flowers for them and make someone smile with an oldie, but classic way to brighten someone's day.

There maybe other more effective ways to brighten up someone smile but I find these are the few most rewarding and effective one. Have you ever brightened someone's day this way or been the recipient of such a deed?

Check out my video and if you like my video, you can give me a vote at :

http://realsgheroes.com/gallery.aspx?id=76

(Deadline 31 Oct 2013)

For more info, you can visit http://realsgheroes.com

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I just turned myself into a comic book hero!

Go try it. http://on.fb.me/14c0LJ2

Wrote by Only William...

Heaven and Earth® Introduces Ayataka™ - a Ready-To-Drink

Japanese Green Tea that Tastes Closest to Teapot-Brewed Tea Selected as the Most Preferred Japanese Green Tea by Maiko and Geiko

Coca-Cola Singapore announced the launch of Ayataka™ on 30 Aug 2013, a ready-to-drink Japanese Green Tea with the great taste and cloudiness of authentic Japanese teapot-brewed tea. Ayataka™ is the newest addition to the popular Heaven and Earth® tea range, which includes favourites such as Jasmine Green Tea, Ice Lemon Tea, Ice Passionfruit tea and Honey Chamomile Green Tea.

Ayataka™ is brewed using carefully selected tea leaves, contains no preservatives and is calorie free. The unique blend of natural ingredients in Ayataka™ creates the distinct cloudiness that is characteristic of authentic Japanese teapot-brewed tea. By gently swirling the product before drinking, consumers can see the cloudiness and enjoy the experience of drinking traditional green tea on-the-go.

“Singapore has one of the highest per capita tea consumption rates in South East Asia, but many Singaporeans find it challenging to juggle their busy, modern lifestyle with their love of traditional tea culture. As a result they are constantly seeking new tea experiences that allow them to balance their need for convenience, with their desire for tradition. Ayataka™ Japanese Green Tea allows Singaporeans to enjoy authentic Japanese Green tea any time of the day. We are excited to launch this product as part of the growing Heaven and Earth™ range, and are confident that consumers will enjoy the great taste, quality and authenticity that Ayataka™ has to offer.”, said Andrew Jeffrey, Marketing Manager, Coca-Cola Singapore.

The Japanese Green Tea Most Preferred by Maiko and Geiko

In a taste test conducted in Kyoto, Japan, with 100 maiko (apprentice geisha) and geiko (geisha), Ayataka™ emerged amongst other leading Japanese green tea brands in Singapore as the closest to authentic Japanese teapot brewed tea, as well as the best tasting Japanese green teai.

Carrie Chen, local tea artist and owner of Tea Bone Zen Mind, expressed, “The art of preparing and drinking green tea is embodied in hundreds of years of culture and craft.

The sensation and texture of Japanese green tea is well represented in Ayataka™. Through this new drink, consumers can enjoy different elements within the green tea, while experiencing the true meaning of what Japanese tea is about.”

Heaven and Earth® Ayataka™ Japanese Green Tea comes in 315ml cans, 500ml bottles and 1.5L bottles. It is sold at all major supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores and coffee shops across Singapore and is priced from $0.75 to $1.75.

Win Authentic Japanese Experiences with Ayataka™

From 20th August to 15th October 2013, Ayataka™ is giving Singaporeans the chance to win authentic Japanese experiences that include a trip to Japan, Japanese spa treatments, as well as Japanese dining vouchers. More details can be found at coca-cola.com.sg

Wrote by Only William...

Recently me and Shaun (http://www.shaun-owyeong.blogspot.sg/) we went to The Manhattan Fish Market and tried the Star Platter and we really love it!

Fresh On Board!

The Manhattan Star Platter is set to tantalize with five seafood cooked in five different ways!

Yes from now to October 31st 2013, get fresh with a new star creation from The Manhattan FISH MARKET. Whether flamed, baked, poached, fried or grilled, The Manhattan Star Platter (SGD$39.95) has it all and is the ultimate manifestation of the restaurant’s philosophy that there are many great ways of serving seafood with a fun-filled experience and the freshness of great seafood assured.

Above: The ‘Manhattan Star Platter’ at SGD$39.95

With five different seafood cooked in five fin-tastic cooking methods, diners will be spoilt for choice as they tuck into the smorgasbord of tastes and flavors to invoke the taste buds.

Start with the Garlic Herb Mussels, one of the restaurant’s favorites; where the mussels are poached to preserve the moisture, juiciness and flavors so that diners can relish the seafood at its fullest. Served in the restaurant’s signature Garlic Herb sauce, diners will enjoy a side serving of baguette to mop up the sauce with to its very last bit.

Next, make your way to savor the Fried Oysters which are coated in batter to give the oysters a crunchy bite on the outside while locking in the juicy tender goodness on the inside.

From the juicy Fried Oysters, move on to the goodness of Grilled Calamari where the juiciness of squid is sealed during the grilling process.

One’s dining pursuit does not stop at the calamari for the next item on the platter will rev up the appetite to greater heights with the restaurant’s signature Manhattan Flaming Prawns. This glorious flaming process is filled with the visual excitement of showmanship where the service crew also known as Sea-cret Agents perform on-the-spot flaming to bring out the caramelized sweetness of the succulent prawns.

Round up your dining pleasure with gusto over another of the restaurant’s hot favorite, the Mediterranean Baked Fish. By having the dory fillet baked in an irresistible blend of flavorful spices and herbs in foil, this cooking method helps to seal in the tantalizing aroma and flavor within to allow each and every diner to savor the goodness of the fish right up to the very last bite.