Archive for the ‘Advertorial’ Category

ADVERTORIAL

Don’t you agree that these bright and healthy eyes are so precious? 

These bright and healthy eyes are so precious

Today, as a parent, one of my main priorities is to remind my children of the importance of good eye care. We appreciate that “PREVENTION” has to start NOW while they are young.

These “Don’ts” become common reminders in helping Brendan and Darren stay away from myopia:

Getting the boys to spend less hours on Nintendo DS

Spending more time in the "Greenery"

Don’t
- Keep reading or playing their electronic games without allowing their eyes to rest
- Watch TV or read in close proximity
- Read and do activities in the dark
- Read in incorrect posture

I am sure most of you are already very familiar with these tips of good reading posture/distance, adequate rest for the eyes and sufficient lightings.

However, do you know that while making use of the lamps to provide sufficient lightings in our reading or working environment, some lamps can do “more harm than good” to our eyes?

Seriously, I have invested in table lamps at home. Not all table lamps work to my satisfaction though. They are either not adjustable (hence cannot direct the light), not energy efficient, not bright enough, flickering or too glaring.

Especially the flickering and light glare! They are so “disturbing” to the eyes.

Some table lamps cause light glare which can be so irritating to the eyes

Then, about two years ago…..

I bought my first piece of 3M Polarizing Table Lamp (QS2000) with its special feature of the 3M™ Polarizing Light. Evidencing the benefit of the 3M™ Polarizing Light Technology, I have been a happy user since *smile*.

Now…..

I am using a new model of 3M polarizing Table Lamp – CR2000.

With CR2000, my earlier worries on lightings are no more here to stay *wider smile*.

Why do I say so?

Glare – No More
The 3M™ Polarizing Light Filter eliminates glare by up to 80%. My family can read in comfort and yet not hurt their eyes even when they accidentally stare into the lamps.

Dimness – No More
The lamp is equipped with 3M™ Proprietry DESR super reflective film which results in enhanced brightness.

See how dark it is when Darren does not turn on the table lamp

The lamp provides soothing and adequate brightness when Brendan works on the computer

Flickering – No More

3M Polarizing Light is anti-flicker! So far, my first piece of 3M Polarizing Lamp has proven so.

Energy Efficiency

It is such an “IN” expectation now for us to look out for energy efficiency labeling when purchasing electrical and electronic appliances. This lamp comes with energy saving light bulbs that save up to 80% energy used!

The earlier 3M model has not failed our expectations and I believe the 3M Polarizing Table Lamp CR2000, won’t too

So the children’s needs are well taken care of now. In fact, I am getting another piece of this model for my room.

If you are also looking at a table lamp and your expectations match mine, you can check out the 3M Polarizing Light at the retail stores or the website .
[In Singapore, these table lamps can be found at POPULAR, BEST DENKI, CARREFOUR, CHALLENGER, HOME-FIX, URBAN WRITE and PROLOGUE.]

Happy Eye Care!

Advertorial

Previously, I wrote about how we can show our support for the environment through our everyday habits and “Earth Hour” campaign. Not only that – I also mentioned about raising the awareness on environmental sustainability in our young kids.

Yes, building our kids’ early awareness is important. Yes, we also know that engaging them in environmental campaigns and activities do help *smile*.

So, we have several environmental campaigns like Earth Hour and World Environment Day. Coming our way on 22 April 2010 will be the 40th “Earth Day” – a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment, with Earth Day activities participated by more than 1 billion people in the world.

On this Earth Day, you can engage your kids to show their love for Mother Earth in a FUN way!

Let your kids learn the environmental message through these fun activities with your family on this Earth Day:

1) Where possible, walk or bike to your nearby destination. Reduce car driving and reduce the undesirable carbon monoxides which will harm the earth.

2) Enjoy a little picnic, using non-disposal utensils. Recycle and keep our environment clean.

3) Start a new plant life. Treasure the greatness of Mother Earth as the plant grows and blooms.

4) Play friendly penalty games or quizzes with your young ones to bring across to them the significance of :

Saving energy – by turning off lights or electricity when not in use

Recycling – get hands-on in creative art activities with recyclable items like bottles, cans and paper boxes.

Saving water – by turning off water when brushing teeth and applying soap during bath.

For more useful environmentally tips to share with your young ones, do check out http://www.playhousedisney-asia.com/earthday.html.

Besides, Playhouse Disney has ready activities to enable your ones to learn the environmental message in a fun way, together with Daddy and Mommy

Handy Manny, our handy man of Sheetrock Hills, will champion Earth Day on Playhouse! Your young ones will love their favourite Handy Manny episodes, focusing on the importance of preserving the environment – specially aired by Playhouse Disney on 22 April.

Oh yes, Handy Manny and his useful tools, will be showing how to “Get handy with the Earth”!

More from Playhouse Disney!

Join your young ones to participate in the Handy Manny Earth Day Contest and stand a chance to win Handy Manny Gardening Tools. Contest starts on 22 April.

To participate, log on to http://www.playhousedisney-asia.com/earthday.html. Also, encourage your friends, relatives to also participate in this contest with their young ones!

(Pl read the terms and conditions to qualify).

With Handy Manny and our fun activities, I am sure your family will have both an Enjoyable and Educational Earth Day. Let your children learn more about Earth Day on Playhouse Disney (Starhub Channel 34) 22nd April, 9am – 2pm.

[I am also sure our young generations and their future generations will be THANKFUL to us in years to come - for spreading the environmental message among parents, who in turn will play an important role in influencing your young ones to love our Mother Earth and protect the environment.]

The boys and I had a NEW EXPERIENCE a few days ago. We had tried make-over and professional photo shooting in studios but we have never tried being professionally video shot!

Darren was the most excited about the professional video shoot, getting ready his sunglasses and ….. wanting to look his best *Chuckle*. Gor Gor Brendan was not able to feel the excitement as much as Di Di Darren because poor Gor Gor had fallen ill, with fever:(

After going through a half-hour make-up session for mummy, the boys and mummy were ready for the video shoot. It was a pity that eventually only mummy and Darren remained on screen as Brendan withdrew due to dizziness:( Darren was really a good boy though cooperating as much as he could and at times he really made me break into loud laughters. In fact, he enjoyed the session so much that he made comments that he would like to do it again. It was overall a very fun and memorable experience. Much thanks to the patient and friendly crew who made the video shooting process an easier one for us. Unfortunately, Papa Ed was tending to Brendan and hence not able to take much photos of us in action.

Looking forward to the outputs. More excitement……….Till then…………………

Mummy getting ready.......

Poor Brendan looking tired and sick...he missed out the fun:(

It was two years ago when Brendan went missing in a shopping mall. A son going missing is definitely a mother’s greatest nightmare!

He was sitting for his piano theory examinations in a shopping mall. I decided to shop within the mall as there was no waiting area outside the examinations centre. When I went back to the examinations room, he was not there. The invigilator informed that Brendan had left the room earlier after completing the papers. Without further delay, I combed through every corner of the same floor but my boy was nowhere to be found. Panic stricken, I continued with my search. The shopping mall was alien to us and I knew my 8-year old boy then must be equally afraid.

All of a sudden, the regretful message that came to my mind was HOW I WISH BRENDAN WERE HOLDING A MOBILE PHONE! Scrambling down several floors, I finally caught sight of the familiar figure of my boy among the crowd. Phew! I could not describe the joy of finding him! Apparently, he was also going around searching for me. After that incident, I told myself that I should get Brendan a mobile phone line.

Usually when I am busy amidst meetings, I receive many phone calls from my two boys and I feel very apologetic because I am often unable to answer or return calls till hours later. Though a busy working mother, I have never failed to remind myself to stay in constant contact with the boys. As Brendan gets involved in more CCA and enrichment classes, with irregular hours, it becomes even more essential for him to own a mobile phone line. I recall many instances when we have to call the Bus Attendance in order to pass messages to him. With a mobile phone, he will be able to send SMS to me and I will be able to maintain contact with him via SMS (in inconvenient situations) and phone calls.

Though I was finally acceptable to the idea of letting Brendan own a hand phone, several concerns, like mobile scams, monthly costs for the phone plan and inappropriate use of phone line, still linger in my mind. Then it occurred to me that even if he were to use a residential phone line, it could still be subject to misuse. What is of utmost importance is for me to educate him the conduct of hand phone usage and let him understand the risk of text bullies. In this modern world of advanced technologies, it is sooner or later that he has to learn and handle.

I got to learn more about SingTel RedPAC Supplementary Plan recently. I am on existing price plans offered by SingTel and will be eligible to sign up for SingTel RedPAC Supplementary Plan. This is a SIM-only price plan that offers bundled minutes of talktime and SMS between parent and child, at just S$8.56 per line monthly (U.P$10.70)  during the 12-month contract. For a little boy, this is definitely worth considering in terms of dollars and cents as compared to the subscription cost of the cheapest S$20+ per month phone plans that I would otherwise consider. After all, SingTel RedPAC is the most affordable postpaid mobile plan in Singapore.

As the SingTel RedPAC Supplementary Plan is applicable to any subscriber who is 5 years old and above, and each main line is allowed to sign up to 3 SingTel RedPAC supplementary plans, both my sons will qualify.

With a one-off registration fee of only S$10.70 and SIM card charge of S$32.10, the package comes with these additional benefits:

·                    Singtel RedPAC subscriber to tap into the unused talktime and SMS of the mainline. This means that the monthly unused talktime and sms of the mainline will not be wasted.

·                    Additional 150 free SMS to any mobile number

·                    Free incoming calls for any the RedPAC line(s), if mainline is on free incoming call plan

·                    Free 3-month Caller-ID for the RedPAC line(s)

What is most attractive to me is that Brendan and I can enjoy up to 1,000 minutes of free talktime between each other! This is equivalent to S$160.50 of free calls. With the SingTel RedPAC line bundled to my plan, it helps in restricting excessive unwanted calls and SMS made by him. In addition, myBill (SingTel e-billing system to monitor calls and SMS usage pattern), will enable me to monitor his mobile usage.

Since the objective of Brendan having a mobile phone line is for our easy and constant communications, hence improving our family bonding, the SingTel RedPAC Supplementary Plan certainly meets my family’s needs and also other parents’ needs too.

It is exciting to note that with any sign-up for SingTel RedPAC Supplementary Plan, between now to 31 August 2009, the subscriber is entitled to a RedPAC-F1 Ticket Draw, with attractive prize of Bay Grandstand tickets to the FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX for a family of 4 (worth S$992)!

Another SingTel service that interests me is the SingTel Locator.  By signing up for SingTel RedPAC, I will be entitled to FREE 2-month SingTel Locator subscriptions worth S$10.70. Being “once bitten twice shy”, I will not want a repeated incident of any of my sons going missing again!  With SingTel Locator, they can be located via a map on the WAP/GPRS phone, even without me calling them. By paying just S$5.35 per month, I can have the Greatest PEACE OF MIND wherever my young sons are and whenever they are out without my presence. All it takes is to add/delete/change the phone number of family members on the locate list and wait for their consents. I can now locate up to 3 family members – my 3 musketeers, including my husband! *WIDE GRIN*.