We need to save electricity. This month the electrical bill is going up by 20%. My goodness..now wondering where can I cut down on the use of the electrical appliances.
Table on Electricity Consumption by Appliance (for reference only)
Let me do a calculation using the HOME ELECTRICITY AUDIT tool:
Your estimated electricity consumption in a month is:
850.62 kWH or $259.01
(Based on the current tariff rate of 30.45 cents/kWH)
This is a breakdown of the electrical appliances which contributes to the electricity consumption in your home:
Description Electricity consumed per month (kWH) Electricity Cost per month ($)
Rice Cooker - 600W (2 to 4 persons) 18 $5.48
Electric Toaster - 1000W 15 $4.57
Energy Efficient - 18W 15.12 $4.60
Energy Efficient - 25W 6 $1.83
Air Conditioner - System 2 540 $164.43
Refrigerator - Frost Free (400 litres) 144 $43.85
Electric Fan - 75W (Standing Type) 9 $2.74
Colour TV - 26 24 $7.31
Computer - 300W 72 $21.92
Notebook - 50W 7.5 $2.28
Based on the above, I need to cut down on aircon usage as well as computer. Maybe should just change the Computer to Notebook instead. Good execuse huh?
Finally, the exercise fever is back with me again.
Yesterday evening walked up and down the 4 level stairs once only and skipped for 120 times using the skipping rope. I realise all in all my exercise is less than 10 mins! After skipping for about 60 times, my legs began to feel weak... i tried hard and managed to do another 60. I hope by the end of the week I am able to do 150 times on the skipping rope.
How simple breath work can lead you to a deep state of relaxation.
By Claudia Cummins
Beginning students often ask for instructions on the "right" way to breathe. Alas, there's no single answer to that question, since the optimal breathing pattern at any given moment depends on the type of practice. Restorative yoga focuses solely on relaxation, though, and emphasizes breathing that creates calm and serene states of being. When you settle into restorative poses, try the following techniques for cultivating breathing patterns that are hallmarks of relaxation and well-being.
MOVE THE BELLY WITH THE BREATH. When we are at ease, the diaphragm is the primary engine of the breath. As we inhale, this domelike muscle descends toward the abdomen, displacing the abdominal muscles and gently swelling the belly. As we exhale, the diaphragm releases back toward the heart, enabling the belly to release toward the spine.
KEEP THE UPPER BODY QUIET. During high-stress times, it's common to heave the upper chest and grip the muscles in the shoulders and throat. When we're at rest, the muscles of the upper chest remain soft and relaxed as we breathe, and the real work occurs in the lower rib cage. To promote this type of breathing pattern, consciously relax the jaw, throat, neck, and shoulders, and envision the breath sweeping into the deepest parts of the lungs as you breathe in and out.
BREATHE EASY. Although some breaths may be deeper or faster than others, when we're relaxed, the alternating rhythm of the inhalations and exhalations feels like a lullaby—smooth, soft, and uninterrupted by jerks and jags. Consciously relaxing into this wavelike, oceanic quality of the breath deepens our sense of peace and ease.
LENGTHEN THE EXHALATIONS. When we feel stressed, our exhalations tend to grow short and choppy. When we're relaxed, though, the exhalations extend so completely that they are often longer than the inhalations. Some teachers even instruct that if we're deeply relaxed, each exhalation will be twice as long as the inhalation. To facilitate this, try gently extending each exhalation by one or two seconds.
PAUSE AFTER EACH EXHALATION. In our most relaxed state, the end of each exhalation is punctuated by a short pause. Lingering in this sweet spot can be deeply satisfying and can evoke feelings of profound quiet and stillness.
LET THE WHOLE BODY BREATHE. When we are at ease, the whole body participates in the breathing process. Imagine a sleeping baby: When he breathes in and out, the belly swells and releases, the hips rock to and fro, the shoulders bob, and the spine gently undulates. This offers a mini-massage for the muscles and organs of the whole body, and turns each breath into a soothing melody that further calms and quiets every cell within.
Maybe due to age, now I am beginning to have those aching at the back and legs when I sit for long hours. So now I am into the stretching exercise. At least do a little bit I was telling myself in my heart.
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When you take the shape of a forward bend, you fold in toward yourself, which encourages a sense of introspection and stillness. 
Steps:
1) Sit in Dandasana, then lean your torso back slightly on your hands and lift and open your legs to an angle of about 90 degrees (the legs should form an approximate right angle, with the pubis at the apex). Press your hands against the floor and slide your buttocks forward, widening the legs another 10 to 20 degrees. As with Dandasana, if you can’t sit comfortably on the floor, raise your buttocks on a folded blanket.
2)Rotate your thighs outwardly, pinning the outer thighs against the floor, so that the knee caps point straight up toward the ceiling. Reach out through your heels and stretch your soles, pressing though the balls of the feet.
3)With your thigh bones pressed heavily into the floor and your knee caps pointing up at the ceiling, walk your hands forward between your legs. Keep your arms long. As with all forward bends, the emphasis is on moving from the hip joints and maintaining the length of the front torso. As soon as you find yourself bending from the waist, stop, re-establish the length from the pubis to the navel, and continue forward if possible.
4)Increase the forward bend on each exhalation until you feel a comfortable stretch in the backs of your legs. Stay in the pose 1 minute or longer. Then come up on an inhalation with a long front torso.
After a long time of talking about going to west coast park to the BIG playground, finally I made it last saturday.
Here is some snaphots:
My son enjoyed playing there.
See my mulberry plant 1st time bearing fruit for me!
Picture is took quite some time back :P
Was crossing the road and then thought of taking an external view of the hub. :P
Abit "wu liao" right?
Held at Bishan Junction 8 think 1-2 months back. :P Now then have time to extract and post it here.
This building is located somewhere near IMM there, sent my cooler unit there for repair and need to drive up 9 storey high. And the last storey is not even covered (the side of course got walls), so I am abit scared.
Today 1 Oct is Children's Day. It happened to be Hari Raya as well.
This afternoon got quite a pleasant surprise from my neighbour. My malay neighbour actually cook some food for us to eat. Nice it seems however, I shared with my relatives. :P Most of the relatives meet up at my parent's place and we had buffet + some additional cooking. Those younger cousins of mine are mostly in the teritary education already. However, none of them now at NTU :(, else I would go their hostel to nap. :P
Another surprise is that one of my cousin who is same age as me, but older in months actually called me Jie Jie! Hahahha.... maybe coz' I am married while he is still collecting Ang Pows. I enjoyed the short meet up very much. I still remembered last time when we are still young, each Sunday we would gathered at my grandma's place. Every week we would meet up, we are then all so close together. Think until JC time, when my grandma shifted to my 1st uncle's place..this type of gathering somehow appear to be only a monthly event. Now my grandma is gone, best case is like quarterly or semi-yearly..worst is get to see each other after a few years due to timing issue.. though i saw most of them due the CNY.
