Nori-bento for lunch

The plate of Nori-bento looks like our SG Nasi Lemak isn't it? Although the original price was S$3.80, the supermarket sold it for half the price which was S$1.80 in the evening. The tomatoes and cucumber were from our garden. It has been a great meal for me!😊👍

Air cool fan for the summer

Bought this ice cool fan from Japan.
Instruction on how to operate the fan:

• Slide the bottom blue container outward to open
• Fill the container with water or ice or both if you like
• If you place ice packs in the container, make sure it does not obstruct the nozzle in the container otherwise it may not close
• Slide the container inward to close
• Connect the fan to the electrical outlet and press the blue button on the right top corner
• You may adjust the speed, rotation of the air blade etc on the front of the fan panel.

What prompted us to buy the cool fan is because we do not want to use the air-conditioning as it will escalate our electricity bill. So this is a compromise. This ice cool fan is slightly better than the standard fan as its air is mixed with the cool air generated by the ice packs. Don't expect it to work like the aircon or you will be disappointed. It uses very little electricity but is able to keep you cool for as long as you want. At S$88, it is a steal!

Hong Kong actor Simon Yam stabbed

Hong Kong actor Simon Yam was stabbed in the abdomen on Saturday (July 20) during a promotional event in the southern Chinese city of Zhongshan, local news outlets reported.

Yam, 64, was speaking on stage as a guest at the event when a man suddenly charged towards him, according to videos of the incident circulating online.

From clips uploaded shortly after the incident, the man can be seen taking a weapon out of his pocket before aiming it towards Yam's abdomen.

He then lashes out at Yam repeatedly as the actor frantically tries to move away while clutching his stomach.

Many people in the audience can also be heard reacting in shock.

According to the Sina Entertainment portal, a spokesman for the actor said that he remained conscious after the incident. His wound has also been treated.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.

Mahathir with Sophia

Plums and watermelon

In return for the plums, we presented our friends with a few gifts. They felt bad and so invited us again to pluck the many plums on their trees. The rain has caused many of the ripened plums to drop, our friends told us and so they encouraged us to pluck some more plums in order not to waste them. They also gave one of the three watermelons that they grow. It was juicy and very very sweet. This watermelon is the best we have tasted. We are very grateful to our friends for giving us the opportunity to taste such lovely fruits. In Singapore, we will never have the same opportunity as in Japan.

Health benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric is a plant of the ginger family and its powder is used in curry. Turmeric has lots of health benefits. I sprinkle a little Turmeric powder in most of my food. The bottle of Turmeric (14 gm) as shown above was purchased from a grocery store in Japan and cost less than 200 Yen (S$2).
Below are some of the health benefits:

1. It can help prevent or even cure cancer
2. It can prevent Alzheimer's disease and other brain disorders
3. Lower risk of heart diseases
4. It has anti-inflammatory compounds
5. Prevents arthritis
6. Delays aging
7. Improves liver function
8. Fights age related conditions
9. Helps digestion
10. Increases antioxidant capacity of the body

Update on fire at Kyoto animation studio

KYOTO -- An arson attack at a Kyoto Animation studio on the morning of July 18 has left 33 people dead, police and firefighters said, making it the worst such attack in Japan in decades.

Read more

Explosion at Kyoto animation studio

A man set fire to an animation studio in Kyoto, Japan leaving 1 dead and at least 37 injured this morning.
More here

Eggplant lasagna & Mashed pumpkin

Making Plum Sake

With the plums we got from our friend, the unripened ones were made into "plum sake". We will see how the sake is going to turn out. Hopefully, we will be successful.