NSL's blog

Build Your Virtual Store - Zlio

After speaking to Bal last weekend, I checked out Zlio, an online webportal that allows internet surfers to set up their own virtual store and earn commission for every sale made through their store.  I thought this is an ingenious option for those who wanted to set up store selling goods, yet lack the capital to do it.  The rule of the game is simple: Set up ur own personal store, sell anything that is offered by the 600 vendors on Zlio, promote your virtual store on your blog or via Google AdSense - voila!  Every purchase made through your store will earn u a predetermined commission rate (say 3%-10%). You do not have to worry about deliveries coz the vendor will do that for you.  Your responsibility is to promote the products far and wide.

I tried setting up my own online store, ComFoot, a virtual store selling women shoes. The difficulty I had is that the store will be tagged to the specific product source you select. To date, there are only four countries where vendors are sourced - i.e. Germany, France, USA and UK.  The problem was that once you chose the country of origin, you are not allowed to change it. That means the products in your store will only be sourced from vendors in those country. Not unless if you set up another store selling goods from another country - which I did to circumvent the limitation.

The other issue I had was the products of specific brands are not complete - e.g. I may look for Birkenstock - but not all the products in Birkenstock are available.  This makes product variation limited. Putting myself in the shoes of an online shopper, I'd like to buy things that could not be found in my country. Similarly, from the point of a seller, I'll like to be competitive by carrying goods that cannot be found in Singapore.

My experience setting up women's shoes store (which is now closed) was met with frustration on the number of shoes I can chose to put on my personal store and the number of brands I can chose from (we all know some brands are more comfy than others).  People seldom buy shoes online unless they can find it in their country to try first. It would be price and design that lures people to purchase such items that requires size and fit.  To circumvent this, people would by default go for shoe brands that have, in the past, produced shoes that suits them (i.e. cutting and design of the shoes).

If Zlio can bring on more shoe vendors with more product ranges, it would be a significant boost to popularity of Zlio as an online seller.

Our Two-Week New Zealand Trip

We just returned from a two-week vacation to New Zealand. Hang on, did I say vacation?

On a typical NZ Road

 

Well.. its not exactly ours.

More like.. hmmm... for our parents.  We brought our parents, his and mine, plus my little niece - Megan, to New Zealand on 29 February 2008 (please don't ask why we chose 29 Feb. I shall not bore you with details on that - two words - nothing significant).

 

 

At Mountain Chalet Motel

We chose to go slow (which does not necessarily translate to stressfree vacation of course). Hubby was Driver by day, and Dishwasher by night; while I'm Vehicle Commander (VC) by day and Cook by night.  Our fathers are into Chinese food. Of course my FIL did tried several times to get the whole group to go for NZ version of Chinese food. Really, if you ask us - we're not keen coz the price just isn't right, not to talk about how different it would taste from those we have at home. So here I am cooking rice and dishes for dinner. Hah! So you say, our fathers are singing similar tune - which is good! We certainly count our blessings that our parents are in good talking terms so far (even after the trip).

 

The Punakaiki water is really turquoise in colour!

Anyway, we only covered South Island. Surrounded by lush greenery with occassional downpour when we are on the road followed by blazing heat from the sun), rolling hills and majestic mountains covered in grass that glows as if its made of gold under the hot sun, and pine trees that stood astudely on the mountain slopes - you just can't help thinking - yeah, this is the place I want to retire (of course subsequently reality hits you with questions like - power supply, water supply, internet access and of course - mobile phone coverage).  The air was cool and crisp - smells so clean that you'll hate the air in Singapore when you return. Long straight and curvy roads run through mountain valleys and plains, and herds of sheep and cows can be seen grazing on the mountains or lazing under the trees on a hot day. Horses are reared as pets or for farming purposes.

Milford Sound

 

As you approach places like Blenheim and Queenstown, vineyards line both sides of the road and yes, you are free to visit private / boutique wineries for a wine tasting session.  Although speed limit was 100km outside towns, you can still see fast cars disappearing into the sunset in a matter of seconds - yes, even when its windy single lane roads that wrap around the mountains!  Nonetheless, I must admit that the New Zealanders that we meet have so far been very friendly and helpful (when we asked for it of course). Road courtesy is often seen (you can almost tell the difference between a foreigner on self-drive vacation and a local on the roads based on the way they drive).

 

Now have I make you wanna go to NZ too? ;-)

My New Vaude Jacket

Hubby and I went shopping last Saturday for a new travel jacket.

Vaude - Womens Eagle Bay Jacket

 

We went around Orchard to check out the cold wear  shops, until we got to Planet Traveller where we found Vaude outdoor range.  Almost immediately, we got our eyes on the Eagle Bay Jacket from the Vaude Women range for Outdoor Trek & Trail.  It was made of wind and water proof yet breathable material. 

This is a 3-in-1 jacket that has a detachable padded inner jacket - just what I was looking for!

Bad things comes in multiples

It was a lousy period for her. She didnt like what she do for the last two months and she thought the baby would bring sunshine to her gloomy days. My friend and colleague found out that she lost her baby today. Its was an unexpected pregnancy and she thought it was a gift from god. She had problems conceiving before she find herself expecting the unexpected. I hope she will recover emotionally and physically soon. Not so that she can come back to work soon, but for the little girl she had gave birth to four years ago.

The Road to Recovery

Two weeks ago, I was running high fever and down with bad running nose. I thought I will recover until the doctor told me after 2 days on his prescription, that I have developed resistence to his antibiotics. Then he gave me something stronger for the next couple of days - antibiotics that cost S$9 a pill and can only take once a day. To prevent me from developing yet another bout of resistence to this antibiotics, he put me on it for 3 days, and requested that I return for a review on the 4th day. He added that I should see myself recovering by the 3rd day after going on the antibiotics but just on the safe side, I should continue the pills for 6 continuous days.

 

The four days was basically spent in bed. Day 1 - I was woozy and was knocked out by the drugs. Slept 3 times a day (i.e. after every dose). However, by Day 2, I realised that the fever failed to subside once I stopped taking the panadol (thinking my fever was under control). After battling fever on Day 3 morning, I decided to return to see my doctor - who then concluded that I've developed resistence to the prescribed antibiotics. Day 3 was spent sleeping - yet again. Day 4 went quite well after I started on the expensive antibiotics. Day 5 finds me recovering but with a strange voice - the deep low ones. Day 6 I was up walking around though still sleeping a lot. Day 7 I returned to work. But it was not easy coz I was still recuperating and finding my breath. Day 8 finds me still weak and head spins.  Thereafter, I thought I was fully recovered but doc has already advised that I will take a longer time to get back to health. Thereafter, I experienced bad appetites and wanted to vomit everytime I eat. My family got so worried, thinking that I might be pregnant - which I am certain I am not.  I slept a lot on weekends and last weekend find me sleeping and feeling queasy all the time. Tried to throw up but I end up with nothing. Then I started to moderate the food that I eat - light, hot, soupy. It kind of helped. Now I started myself on health supplements. Hopefully that will help with the recovery process. :-)

 

Wish me luck....!!

Date Personality Test

Tried out the Date Profiling Test and this is the result!

Date Profiling Result Your profile is of type "Emerald Green". Please remember your colour code is Emerald Green.

Emerald Green Relationship

Very driven to fulfill their obligations and duties, especially those towards their families Generally put God first, family second, and friends third Hardworking to meet obligations and duties, according to priorities Consider relationships to be lifelong commitment, they are dedicated and loyal to it Likes being in control of their mates and children, can be overbearing Hold high respect for traditions and social rules, expect that their mates and offspring to support these as well They have little patience and need for dealing with people who see things very differently from the Emerald Gree

Emerald Green Strengths

Generally optimistic, enthusiastic, upbeat and friendly Stable and dependable, they can be counted on to promote security for their families Seriously committed in relationships Responsible about taking care of day-to-day practical concerns around the house Usually good with money Not personally threatened by conflict or criticism Interested in resolving conflict, rather than ignoring it Take their commitments very seriously, and seek lifelong relationships Able to move on after a relationship breaks up Able to administer discipline when necessary

Emerald Green Weaknesses

Too much of a “take-charge” attitude Impatient with inefficiency and sloppiness Not in tune with what others are feeling Not naturally expressive May inadvertantly hurt others with insensitive language Tend to be status-conscious Generally uncomfortable with change, and moving into new territories

Emerald Green as Lovers

You are full of life in love! Enthusiastic and robust, you nevertheless still take your duties to your loved one seriously. Partners looking for security need look no further. Emerald Green lovers love to shield their loved ones, be they family members or lovers. Unfortunately, this occasionally results in over-protective behavior which may stifle rather than nurture. On the flip side, such honesty in opinions means that Emerald Green lovers are open and appreciate praise and affirmations. Do something your Emerald Green partner likes and you can be sure you’ll get to hear about it! Although two well-developed individuals of any type can enjoy a healthy relationship, Emerald Green's natural partner is Ruby Red, or Pure White.

Well I'm married, so this would just be for info only. However, I find some of the points mentioned to be untrue of me - still most of it would be quite true (like 95% true?).

 

Anyhow, thanks to WOW-HER.COM for offering this profiling service for free during this period. :-)

One more week...

Just one more week and hubby will be home... Everyday I cross out a day mentally - as I count down to the day he'll be back at home again. The last two over weeks was spent in a rather disoriented manner. I felt a sense of loss without him around and it was then that I realise how reliant I was on him since we got married - and yes, we're not even 6 months married!

 

Hubby did call home whenever possible. At times we'll send sms to each other to find out how things are and to keep each other updated on the changes while he's not at home.  Last Thursday was Deepavali public holiday, and it was also on this day that FIL fell down and injured his right hand. It really affected his ability to drive because he's not able to lift his arms properly.  I only came to know about this when I visited my in laws on the following Sunday.  FIL had requested that I keep this from hubby - but I know I just can't. I can only assure hubby that his dad is well and that I'll keep him posted if things did not turn out well.

 

One interesting thing though - hubby and I just realised (over a recent phone conversation) that we're so 'connected' that we even get sore throat at the same time when we are at two different places. Coincidence?

[ARTICLE] AsiaOne: Office Dating Works

Found this article about office dating on AsiaOne website. My hubby and I met in his current company, so we are one of the living examples that office dating does work. However, a traditionalist myself, I did leave the company eventually after dating my then boyfriend (now my hubby) for about 6-7 months - citing several reasons, where a small part of it was the refusal to have to be labelled as participants in a 'scandal'.

 

You will not believe what kind of conversations can an office romance trigger off.  If you are already 'earmarked' as a 'couple' when you were not, you basically have the blessing from everyone even before you are dating. Expect the response to be mild.  If your colleagues find the coupling unexpected or odd, you can be assured of more gossips and alley news spreading through the office grapevine. 

 

True enough, office dating in Singapore does attract a lot of attention.  For onlookers, it will be exciting to know when you two got hooked up, what you see in each other and how the relationship evolves - the teasing will follow and soon after, you two may even be considered as one pair of twins. Whatever you do, just remember, do not do anything 'stupid' or socially unacceptable coz it can ruin your relationship (this includes unbecoming behaviour of one party that affects the 'reputation' of the other).  Remember, its a partnership. Your actions can affect yourself and your date, be it socially or at work. Of course, as the article has highlighted - no hanky panky in office please. :-)

Orchids and Blooms

My parents-in-law has always loved orchids and any other plants that blooms with flowers.

 

Yet, they've not been successful at keeping the flowers in bloom. Often, the plants will be in full bloom when its bought from the florists and then dies.  You bet how sad my parents-in-law would be.

 

Recently father-in-law went to buy a few new pots of orchids - really pretty ones with lots of buds waiting to bloom.  Initially I thought its because the place where they put the pots (the corridor) was too shady hence the plants die.  Mother-in-law has been watering the orchids religiously but to no avail.  Remembering that my mom always soak the orchid pots (i.e. Orchids growing on charcoal) into water, I asked hubby to try. True enough, the orchid buds bloomed and the flowers looked more radiant. Mother-in-law also claimed that the leaves were also firmer and no longer droopy. That confirmed my initial hypothesis - the orchids were not getting enough water.

 

Then we went out to buy fertilizers and orchid hormones. This is where we learnt more about orchids.  The lady at the florist told us that orchids with spiky leaves (like needles) needs a lot of sunlight. Van de Joaquim  (I hope this is how we spell it) need not as much sunlight because they dun have spiky leaves. Just give them sufficient water (can soak the pots of charcoal in water for 10-15mins), spray it with water mixed with some of the orchid hormones twice a week. We were also told not to fertilise the orchids in bloom because it can shorten the bloom life.  That is, orchids usually can stay in bloom for 3-4 mths. If we fertilise it, it may shorten to 1mth or so.  Hence, we should only put fertilizers for those orchids that has deflowered to provide it with sufficient nutrients. Orchid Hormones on the other hand can be sprayed on the leaves, roots and flowers regardless of whether the flowers are in bloom or not.

Hubby going away again

Hubby is going on one-month reservist and that means that for the next one month, I'll get to stay at home (at my mom's) over the next 4 weekends until he returns.

 

These days, shuttling between my parents' and his is a regular d'affaire.  Almost every weekend is stay-home-do-thesis weekend and hubby will be seen working tirelessly on his laptop on his two thesis.  Its a real ordeal for him, and he's certainly finding it unbearable and frustrating as he tries to piece all the literature and analysis together for something that we all know, there isnt sufficient information on.  He felt most apologetic to me - his wife - because I always seem so restless at home and can't wait to get out of the house to play. Yes, I'm over my MPPA and now just can't wait to break free and enjoy my weekend with hubby. Anyway, hubby's heeded my advise and decided to clear his leave effectively by taking every Friday off and some time end of the year to do up his thesis. His target? Get as much material out before Feb 08 - so that he can have a peaceful and enjoyable 2-week family vacation by then.  Hubby is having a lot of pressure from his supervisor - who at this point still demonstrate a lot of compassion for his current state of things - marriage preparation, and one month away for national service.  She's even suggesting that she speak with the school to grant him extension so that he can have enough time to wrap up his individual thesis.

 

Parents-in-law are great folks. They've given us quite a fair bit of leeway in terms of how we run our lives. Mother-in-law is most kind and she's always eager to feed us with tonics and food. HAHA... unfortunately, though Father-in-law has mentioned that we and my entire family might want to consider buying a place near theirs when the new development comes up (the kampong spirit of living near each other so that we can take care of each other), the idea is always declined because my extended family is not able to due to proximity to their working locations. Similarly, while father-in-law also explored possibility of moving hubby's extended family over to my parents town, its not possible to coz the boys (nephews!) are studying in school near my hubby's family. SO - that leaves us hanging between two states. HAH!

 

Anyway, we've decided that the family that can help us look after our kids will determine the location of our crib.