diamonds formed under extreme heat & pressure, often contain unique birthmarks / flaws, either internal (inclusions) or external (blemishes).
GIA clarity scale contains 11 grades to grade on natural flaws on diamond.
most diamonds fall into VS (very slightly) / SI (slightly included)
GIA grading system considered size, nature, position, quantity of clarify characteristics visible under 10x magnfication
Clarity grading (under 10x magnification): -Flawless (FL) - No inclusions or blemishes are visible -Internally Flawless (IF) - No inclusions and only blemishes are visible -Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) - Inclusions are difficult to see -Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) - Inclusions are minor and range from difficult to somewhat easy to see -Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) - Inclusions are noticeable -Included (I1, I2, and I3) - Inclusions are obvious and may affect transparency and brilliance
rough diamond must accompanied by government-validated certificate stating that they're non-conflict diamond.
conflict diamonds area diamonds illegally traded to fund conflicts, civil war & human rights abuses.
Bvlgari only buys polished diamonds & with selected diamond suppliers based in countries that adhere to Kimberly Process.
Bvlgari is certified member of Council for Responsible Jewellery Practice (CRJP) which conforms for responsible ethical, social & environmental practice throughout the diamond and gold jewellery supply chain, from mining to retail.
Bvlgari bridal series
allow to choose 4Cs, GIA certificate only available for 0.3 carats above
Bvlgari solitaire only available in specific outlet. Customization only available for 2-3 carats above, subject to diamond availability & limited to specific jewelry design.
For certain iconic design, Bvlgari will limit to specific carat size to retain the exquisite aesthetic value.
jewelry price will be adjusted yearly (Typically on March)
Italian luxury brand founded in Rome in 1884, reputable Italian craftsmanship for jewellery creation.
the Bvlgari store on Via Condotti, Rome is one of the favourite meeting places for movie stars and socialites
Bvlgari creations have starred so far in more than 40 films including Mission Impossible starring Tom Cruise.
Bvlgari pieces have been walked down red carpets at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes and film festivals from Cannes to Venice & worn by Lady gaga, Dua lipa, Alicia key and etc.
Bvlgari has always found a favored source of inspiration in the monuments and architectural treasures of the Eternal City, Rome. Beauties of Rome monuments have been translated into Bvlgari’s jewellery codes, indelibly shaping the Brand identity.
B.zero1 collection, introduced in 1999 embedded with strong circular design & Italian heritage that's inspired by Rome’s magnificent Colosseum.
-the information provided is based on personal experiences & reference materials Credits :
Place a teaspoon of the mixture in the middle of each wonton wrapper
lightly moisten the edges of the wrapper with water. Seal the edges to form a triangle shape, then press the edges to thin out the dough.
Bring the corners together and squeeze to form a "money bag". Repeat with the rest of the wrappers. Set aside on a plate until ready to cook.
Boil wontons in the soup with spring onions and anchovies over medium heat until they float. Optionally, add some white pepper and salt to taste.
Bring all soup ingredients to a boil. Simmer on low for 10 minutes, then remove ginger and garlic cloves and bring it back to a boil. Lower in wontons and cook for 10 minutes more. Serve into bowls and garnish with green onions.
1.5 cup water (depends on rice, some rice like basmati/ whole grain require more water 1:1.5 . Typical rice is 1:1 ratio)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
90g cherry tomatoes / 1 pcs big tomato
60g green peas
70g brocolli
30g/ 6 pcs shrimp
2 teaspoon kombu granules (salt for replacement)
2 teaspoon soy sauce (optional)
3 dashes pepper
Garnish with anchovies
Procedure:
Wash rice, soak 10-15mins
add all ingredients & water into rice cooker. set rice setting, cook for 20mins like normal rice,
When cooked, stir and keep warm for 10-15mins before serve.
Note: Ingredients amount varies from original recipe due to lockdown limitation. **Recipe may improvised to 2 serving with whatever ingredients available & depends on our preferences. **Refer credits for original recipes. Credits :
Had conference with professional dietitian from one of the renowned local private hospital regarding maintaining healthy lifestyle during corona outbreak & how to maintain good immunity. Some interesting take away:
have sufficient vitamin C & zinc to maintain good immunity.
minimise high sodium food like instant noodles & canned food. -instant noodles & canned food wiht high sodium can elevate blood pressure. -Try to prepare simple meal with fresh ingredients.
maintain balance diet with plenty of immune boosting food to maintain health. -use healthy meal plate as guide (1/2 vegetables, 1/4 meat &others , 1/4 grains)
go for healthier options like lean meat, brown rice, whole grain bun whole grain noodles ,more vege. -chicken rice: lean meat,brown rice,more vegetables. (1/2 vegetables, 1/4 meat , 1/4 rice) -wonton mee: wholegrain noodles, more vege -mixed rice: 2 vegetables, 1 meat/tofu/egg, brown rice -burger: wholemeal bun, lean meat, swap fries with salad.
avoid excessive caffeine. -caffeinated drinks: coffee, tea, chocolate drink, energy drink -can alleviate feeling of restless, anxious, irritable -limit the intake to not more than 2 cups /day
1 glass of trendy dalgona coffee ~300 calories = 1 standard balance meal. The sugar content is very high. It’s definitely ok to try but try to share your coffee to reduce consumption.
Food Safety Precaution: -leftover good could harbor bacteria & unsafe. -2hours rules: food in room temperature for more than 2 hours should be discarded. -do not keep leftover food in fridge >3 days.
small, frequent & regular meal time to prevent overeating. -stick to regular meal pattern -small frequent meal every 4 hours to prevent overeating
get enough sleep. -sufficient good quality sleep -boost effectiveness of T cell (immune cell) -at least 7-8hrs/day
exercise. -mood boosting & immune boosting -stretching, yoga / exercise with streaming short workout video at home to stay active
stay mentally strong & maintain positive thinking. -read from credible sources to avoid misinformation & create unnecessary anxiety
Vitamin C
antioxidant, limit inflammation and tissue damage associated with immune response
Boost collagen production for healthy skin, boost activity phagocytes
inadequate intakes of essential minerals & vitamins should be avoided.
Megadose supplements should be avoided, can be harmful sometimes.
I actually still prefer advises from professional medical doctors & dietitians. They’re more likely to portray overall picture about health including nutrients, lifestyle, sleep cycle, hormonal balance, immunity, body function, physical & mental health and with scientific data. The wellness doctor once told me healthy muscular figure doesn’t mean healthy inside. It’s not just about how fit u look, you’ve got to see overall picture. Credits: Parkway Pantai
Do you know if you start a conversation in French, the French are more likely to answer your questions in English ?
This is also one of the tips to travel in France.
Many claim that the French do not speak English and finding someone who speaks decent English in France is mission impossible. This stereotype is not true.
It's a myth the French won't speak English. English is the standard language of tourism in Europe.
take the time to learn a few words. A simple bonjour instead of hello can considerably change the way people interact with you.
Understand their culture, shows people you care about their culture & with genuine interest in the country. people will more likely to help you, and make your time in their country extraordinary.
Note: The French don't like it when you start the conversation with English. Don't know and don't want to speak to you are two different story and people usually misunderstood that. There's always unwritten rules, so be open minded to understand, learn and respect their culture.
Basic French for communication
Je m'appelle (name). J'habite a (place)Ca va? ca va = my name is (name) live in (place). hello / good? good
Hong Kong Chinese Sausage rice 港式腊味饭 Servings: 1pax Ingredients:
1/2 cup rice
1 cup water (depends on rice, some rice like basmati require more water. Typical rice is 1:1 ratio)
1 tablespoon sesame oil (1 1/2 - 2 tablespoon if require to keep warm for long time)
100g chinese sausage, diced
25g green peas
1 teaspoon kombu granules (salt for replacement)
1 teaspoon soy sauce (optional)
Procedure:
Wash rice, soak 10-15mins
add all ingredients & water into rice cooker. set rice setting, cook for 20mins like normal rice,
When cooked, stir and keep warm for 10-15mins before serve.
Add extra 1 tablespoon sesame oil if require to keep warm for long time to avoid dry harden rice texture.
Note:
due to limited ingredients during lockdown, used 25g chinese sausage & 75g garden peas.it still taste good.
if you're busy, u can cook at night, keep warm with AI rice cooker and just pack it in the morning. put extra 1 table spoon sesame oil to avoid the rice from being dehydrated.
**Recipe may improvised to 2 serving with whatever ingredients available & depends on our preferences. **Refer credits for original recipes. Credits :
a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart, and a book by Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe.
Based on the French novel of the same name by Gaston Leroux, its central plot revolves around a beautiful soprano, Christine Daaé, who becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius living in the subterranean labyrinth beneath the Paris Opéra House (Palais Garnier).
In the English-speaking world, Gaston Leroux is best known for writing the novel The Phantom of the Opera (Le Fantôme de l'Opéra, 1910), which has been made into several film and stage productions of the same name, notably the 1925 film starring Lon Chaney, and Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1986 musical.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera," staged at London's Royal Albert Hall in 2011, available to stream free on YouTube until 20 April 20 for covid 19 fund raising.
The free musical is available on Webber's "The Shows Must Go On" YouTube channel. Viewers are invited to donate to The Actors Fund, (Fund raising for Covid-19 Emergency Relief).
'The Shows Must Go On' by Universal is about musicals going from stage to screen. Will show Andrew Webber's work every Friday for coming few weeks during covid-19.
"The Phantom of the Opera," at Royal Albert Hall (2011):
in celebration of 25th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.
Cameron Mackintosh (British theatrical producer and theatre owner notable for his association with many commercially successful musicals) produced a unique, spectacular staging of musical on a scale which had never seen before.
Inspired by the original staging by Hal Prince & Gillian Lynne.
The lavish, fully staged production set in the scumptous Victorian splendour of London's legendary Royal Albert Hall features a cast of orchestra of over 200 & special guests.
"The Phantom of the Opera" song was performed by Sarah Brightman in closing of the musical theater .
Sarah Brightman is the pioneer for the role of Christine Daaé in first preview of The Phantom of Opera
Definitely something worth to watch, the gigantic chandelier with fireworks at the opening, the organs and props are extremely impressive.
The Synopsis on wikipedia about the story is pretty much similar to the plot in the musical show and helps you to understand the stories better if u miss any part.
Academy Awards & Golden Globes, nomination for Best Original Song: "Learn to Be Lonely" from the 2004 motion picture The Phantom of the Opera
Tony Awards 1988, Best Musical for The Phantom of the Opera
Olivier Awards 1986, Best Musical for The Phantom of the Opera
1988: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations for The Phantom of the Opera.
Background: Andrew Lloyd Webber
English composer, impresario of musical theatre
"the most commercially successful composer in history" - The New York Times
"fifth most powerful person in British culture" in 2008 -Daily Telegraph
the Really Useful Group (His company), one of the largest theatre operators in London. Producers in several parts of the UK have staged productions, including national tours, of the Lloyd Webber musicals under licence from the Really Useful Group.
Sunday Times Rich List 2006 ranked him the 87th-richest man in Britain with an estimated fortune of £700 million.
increased to £750 million in 2007, publication ranked him 101st in 2008.
The Sunday Times Rich List of 2019 saw him ranked the richest musician in the UK (overtaking Paul McCartney) with a fortune of £820 million.
Awards:
knighthood in 1992, peerage from Queen Elizabeth II for services to the Arts, six Tonys, three Grammys (as well as the Grammy Legend Award), an Academy Award, fourteen Ivor Novello Awards, seven Olivier Awards, a Golden Globe, a Brit Award, the 2006 Kennedy Center Honors, the 2008 Classic Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, and an Emmy Award.
one of fifteen people to have won an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony.
has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is an inductee into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, and is a fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors
widely used as flavor enhancer. Although generally recognised as safe by food safety regulatory agencies, several studies have questioned its long-term safety.
FDA categorizes MSG as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). also categorizes salt and sugar as GRAS.
controversy over the lack of oversight the FDA has in the introduction and use of additives by the food industry. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), many GRAS foods don’t go through the rigorous testing required for this safety claim. Trans fats were once identified as GRAS until enough research forced the FDA to change the classification.
MSG is added to many Chinese food, processed foods, including hot dogs and potato chips.
FDA does require companies that add MSG to their foods to include the additive on the list of ingredients on the packaging.
some ingredients naturally contain MSG, food manufacturers may choose to use these ingredients to avoid disclosing the name MSG on the ingredient list. If you intend to steer clear of MSG, exclude these main ingredients: autolyzed yeast, textured vegetable protein, yeast extract, glutamic acid, gelatin, soy protein isolate, and soy extracts.
Chinese restaurant syndrome: outdated term in 1960s. Refers to symptoms after eating food from a Chinese restaurant. Currently known as MSG symptom complex. Symptoms often include headache, skin flushing, and sweating.
Effect
Hypertension
Effects on Brain -high MSG intake can have adverse effects on brain. prolonged intake can lead to damage.
Headache - can transform into migraine. (intense pain, vision modification, nausea)
Effects on Nerves -tingling, burning sensation in the neck and face. MSG is neurotransmitter that induces the nerves and misbalances the neurotransmitters. These disorders can contain diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s has connection with Ajinomoto.
Sleeping Disordered Breathing -improve the risk of snoring and sleep-disordered breathing.
Risk of Cancer -has cancer-triggering capabilities. consumption of MSG can increase the chances of cancer.
MSG has been linked with obesity, metabolic disorders, Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, neurotoxic effects and detrimental effects on the reproductive organs.
Hummus pastaServings: 2pax 1.Gordon Ramsay, Angel hair pasta Ingredients:
½ tablespoon salt (Normal salt)
4 grind seasoning salt (Himalaya pink salt)
3 dash pepper
2 tablespoon olive oil
100g angel pasta/Capellini N1 (2pax)
Procedure:
Add water to large pan, cook evenly.
Add ½ tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon olive oil
boil the water (stops pasta from sticking)
add 100g angel pasta, 3 1/2 - 4 minutes (3 minutes if require further cook in pan with sauce) , set timer (time depends on pasta manufacturer, tried with pasta that require 5-7 minutes)
turn with tongs until it starts to melt & twist into pan.
lift a strand to test & ensure al dente.
into a colander, drain pasta
add 4 grind salt, 3 dash pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil, stops it from sticking together
**pasta cooking time depends on type of pasta & manufacturer. **Refer credits for How To Cook The Perfect Pasta - Gordon Ramsay 2. Hummus pasta Ingredients:
100g cooked angel pasta/Capellini N1 (2pax)
110ml hummus
1/8 cup sun dried tomatoes (oil drained)
1 tablespoon olive oil / tomato oil
10g garlic , minced
1/4 cup pasta reserve water (1/2 cup lighter consistency)
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olives
1/4 cup cherry tomatoes
1/8 marinated artichokes
5 grind Himalayan pink salt /to taste
3 dash pepper /to taste
For garnishing (optional):
1-2 leaves chives
few grates, Grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tablespoon Italy white truffle oil
few dash red chili flakes
Procedure:
Heat olive oil (medium heat)
Add 10g garlic, sun dried tomatoes cook 1-2 minutes (stir frequently until golden on the edges-don't overcook)
Add hummus and pasta (stir to combine). Carefully add 1/4 reserved pasta-cooking water (or until sauce reaches desired consistency)
Off the heat, add Himalayan pink salt,pepper, garlic powder, fresh lemon juice, olives , cherry tomatoes, marinated artichokes
For dressing, add 1-2 leaves chives, few grates Grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 table spoon Italy white truffle oil, few dash chili flakes
1 pcs dried noodles (use nan shan misua as alternative)
1 teaspoon garlic oil
spring onion (optional)
Procedure:
Boil water and add 1 tablespoon olive oil.
place noodles into boiling water and cook for 4 mins (depends on brand, the brand i'm using recommended 3-5minutes)
Drain the water and 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Mix to avoid noodles from sticking together.
Mix seasoning in another bowl.
Add seasoning into noodles and mix well.
Add garlic oil & spring Onion for garnishing
Note: typical wonton noodles is made of egg noodles. For coronavirus lockdown we used nan shan misua noodles with natural ingredients as alternative. texture and noodle size are quite similar to egg noodles. texture and noodle size are quite similar to egg noodles. Lockdown with limited ingredients just made us re-imagined food, improvised recipes and replace things with all kinds of alternative. **Recipe may improvised to 1-2 serving with whatever ingredients available & depends on our preferences. **Refer credits for original recipes. Credits :
require to add additional Sichuan peppercorn if you opt for the extreme spicy level in China hot pot restaurant.
Serving: 2-5 pax/ pack
Typically 1 pack = 1-2 round of soup
Recommended to buy at least 2 packs / flavour for each round of steamboat for better taste and able to add >2 round of soup.
Storage life : 12 months Key Features:
Produced by Yihai International holdings, a food distribution and seasoning manufacturer for Haidilao hot pot chain .
Zhang Yong (the haidilao founder) holds majority stakes of Yihai international holdings. So don’t worry, this is legit haidilao sauce.
Brand awards
Top 10 hot restaurant award for 5 consecutive years in China
won more than ten titles and honors such as “advanced enterprise”, “consumer satisfaction unit”, “famous hot pot” famous hot pot in Sichuan, Shanxi, Henan and other province in China.
"Haidilao” trademark was awarded “China Famous Brand”
"Chinese Famous Hot Pot" by the CCA.
“National Well-known Trademark” by the Trademark Office of the State Administration of Industry and Commerce
“Top 100 Chinese Catering Enterprises” for 5 consecutive years.
Hai Di Lao is one of the reputable China’s hotpot giant and for this company quality and service comes first.
Sichuan style hot pot chain famous for its unique special service with manicure, hand care, free leather show cleaning service, free photo printing, offers massage chairs, have children's play rooms (accompanied by special personnel), Sichuan's characteristic face-changing performance, fusion of Chinese martial arts performances, noodles making performances. It also provides variety of snacks, fruits, and games. During birthday celebration, the staff will sing birthday songs with Happy Birthday LED panel.
Typically require to queue for hours, there’s limited seats / day and might not be able to get seats.
Haidilao founder Zhang Yong. Forbes has named him as Singapore’s third richest, has also been listed as the 224th richest man in the world.
Haidilao is a successful Sichuan-style hotpot chain with 466 stores at the end of 2018.
has oversea outlets in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan.
has more than 36 million VIP members and 60,000+ staff.
Zhang Yong (Hai Di Lao founder) has majority stake in Haidilao Catering, Hai Di Lao International Holding (parent company of Haidilao), Yihai International (food distribution and seasoning manufacturer for Haidilao).
