When to Hire an Air Con Service Repair
If you have an air conditioning unit at home, you need to accept the fact that it needs regular aircon maintenance to keep your energy bills down and to make the unit function safely and properly. The question is… when is the right time to call your air conditioning service provider for a regular check-up and maintenance of the unit? What are the signs that your air conditioning unit needs repair? Knowing the signs will help you look for a professional to prevent the problems from getting worse.
1. The air is not cold anymore
You may find that your air conditioning unit is running but the air from the unit isn’t as cold as before or there’s no air cooling at all – that’s the first sign of the need for aircon repair. Most of these cases happen because the whole unit needs to be replaced or a certain part of it is broken and needs to be repaired.
2. Poor air flow
If you noticed a weak air flow from your air conditioning vents, the problem might be the unit’s compressor is failing or the duct work of the AC is too restrictive due to poor installation. Have it checked by the best airon repair guys in Singapore for aircon maintenance. Air conditioning services usually check the pressure of the system to correct air flow problems.
3. Water leakage from the unit
Leakage anywhere near the AC unit is a sign of problem. The water pipe connecting the unit and its drainage may be blocked with dirt or ice causing it to leak in inappropriate parts of the unit. You may solve this problem temporarily with the use of vacuum cleaner to unclog the pipes. But sooner or later your drainage pipe will be clogged again because your fan coil unit is still covered with dusts. The best solution, call an air conditioning service in Singapore and have the unit cleaned by professionals.
4. Strange Sounds
Another sign for the need of aircon maintenance is whining, low rattling noise from your AC unit might be a sign that you need to replace the whole system. If you hear a whining sound, there must be an air leak in the combustion air blower and return air grille. If you hear a low rattling noise before turning on the unit, there must be a crack in the heat exchanger. If not repaired immediately, it could result to carbon monoxide leak.
5. Foul Odors
Pungent smell from AC vents usually means that your AC unit’s wire has burned out. Musty odor usually means that molds have grown in the condenser coil. It develops if the unit does not drain properly, eventually requiring extensive aircon maintenance. Also, molds release spores that are carried by the air out the vents, bringing musty odor to the room.
6. Thermostat Problems
This is another common reason to get aircon repair in Singapore. The thermostat controls the air conditioning features of the unit. When it doesn’t function properly, you may not control the coldness or the warmness of the system, or it may not function at all. Some of these are caused by minor problems like the thermostat unit has no battery (some brands and models are battery operated), while some are caused by major problems like the unit’s wiring which needs professional air con service repair.
Long Hairstyle versus Short Hairstyle
Whenever you plan to go to a hair salon in Singapore, you probably ask yourself this question as you decide on your next hairstyle: what are the respective advantages and disadvantages of long and short hair when it comes to styling?
Well, here they are.
Advantages of Long Hair
1. Versatility. Hairstylists love working on long hair. There are so many things you can do with your hair, whether you want to have it layered at the hair salon or tie it and create different hairdos. What’s more, long hair gives you a lot more styling options that doesn’t use heat, which can be damaging to the hair.
2. Style and accessories. Long hair doesn’t pouf up easily when you curl it and it can be styled in almost any shape you want. There are also a lot of accessories you can use on your hair because there are more areas to hold items such as pins, clips, headbands, hair ties, tiaras and flowers, etc.
3. No frequent trimming. Your hairstylist at a hair salon in Singapore will recommend a trim every few months to keep split ends away if you style your hair a lot. But aside from the regular maintenance at the www.myhairdobar.com.sg in Singapore, your hair wouldn’t need to be trimmed often even as it grows very long.
4. Can be tied up. You can tie your long hair up easily during particularly hot or humid days so that it doesn’t stick to your neck and back.
5. Younger looks. Some people look younger with long hair, especially with the right hairstyle. If you’re thinking of getting a cut that will make you look younger, the best hair salon in Singapore will recommend styles based on the shape of your face.
6. Cover flaws. With the right haircut, long hair can cover up features that you don’t like about your face (if any), such as a tall forehead, pointed chin, square jaws or chubby cheeks. Your stylist at the hair salon can recommend styles that will highlight your best facial features while hiding less attractive ones.
Disadvantages of Long Hair
1. Takes time to wash. Because of the length, the hair takes a lot of time to wash and rinse. Not only that, you will need to use more shampoo and other hair products to cover it sufficiently. Long hair can be expensive to maintain, because more products mean you have to spend more money.
2. Takes time to style. While hairstylists love long hair, you will be spending more time (not to mentions money) at the hair salon just to get it cut, treated or styled. It’s even more difficult to do it yourself at home in front of a mirror. And you’ll be straining your arms too.
3. Gets tangled easily. It’s not easy to get tangles out, especially if you have very thick hair. You will spend more time detangling long wet hair than if you wear short hair.
4. Problems of water drag. Perhaps you have noticed that a lot of athletes and active people don’t wear long hair because it can be heavy. It becomes even heavier when you’re in the water, so if you love swimming and water sports, best not to keep your hair long.
5. Takes time to dry. It will take a long time for long hair to dry especially if it’s thick. You’ll be spending more time blow-drying and combing before you can finally style your hair.
Advantages of Short Hair
1. Easy to maintain. It’s easy and fast to style short hair because you don’t have a lot to work on. You don’t have to place accessories to fix it.
2. Cool during summer. Even if you can’t tie up your hair when it’s hot, you won’t feel heavy and hot during particularly hot days in Singapore.
3. Hair stays healthy. It’s easy to keep your hair healthy and damage-free when it’s short, because you will be able to use hair products more easily. Regular trims at the hair salon in Singapore will also keep the split ends away.
4. Time-efficient. It doesn’t take a lot of time to dry, comb and style short hair. You don’t even need to use styling chemicals to keep it looking great.
5. Costs less to style. You don’t need to use a lot of shampoo and other hair products to style short hair, and your hair salon will also be charging you less.
6. Makes you look young. Short hair makes some people look younger and cleaner because it highlights the eyes and their smile and doesn’t cover the cheeks and chin.
Disadvantages of Short Hair
1. Limited hairstyles. Short hair isn’t as versatile as long hair, especially if you’re going to attend events like parties, weddings, etc. It’s also very difficult to curl or straighten short hair even at the hands of expert hairstylists at the best hair salon in Singapore.
2. It isn’t for everyone. Not everyone looks good with short hair, so talk to your stylist about cuts that will still hide some of your facial flaws. Your hairstyle should be based on the shape of your face and the texture and type of hair. Kinky and curly hair might look too heavy at the top if not trimmed properly, while people with huge jaws and round cheeks will look bigger with a short haircut.
3. Frequent trims. If you want to maintain a short hairstyle, you will need to visit the hair salon frequently within the year. If you want to grow it longer, you will still need to have it styled especially if it’s a short layered haircut that can look awkward when you’re growing it out.
4. Noticeable flaws. It’s easier to hide flaws with long hair, but having short hair is a different story, especially if the style isn’t appropriate for your type of face. Your cheeks or chin will look bigger or longer if you wear a very short cut, for example.
Watercolor: A Guide for Beginners
So you’ve decided to finally try painting and picked watercolor as your first medium. Watercolor is cheaper and easier to use than acrylic and oil. It’s also considered a starting point for learning other painting media.
Watercolor
Watercolor has been used since the 1700s for illustrated books and paintings. It’s also called watercolour and aquarelle. In Asia, it has been used for brush painting. Artists primarily use black and brown inks.
Watercolor is made up of a pigment mixed with a binder. When the paint is applied to a surface, like paper, the water evaporates while the pigment stays after the binder fixes it. It can also be painted on vellum, fabric, leather, canvas, plastic, and papyrus.
Supplies
The following items should be prepared before you start practicing.
1. Brush – there are different types of brushes, but for a beginner, purchase small and medium-sized flat and round brushes. Some stores sell a set of brushes so you can also opt for that.
2. Palette – use your palette to mix or dilute colors. A plastic palette should be enough.
3. Paint – there is no need to invest on an artist-grade set yet if you’re a beginner. Student-grade watercolor is a good way to start as long as you have the following basic colors: cadmium red and yellow, alizarin crimson, burnt sienna, hooker’s green, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and pthalocyanine blue and green.
4. Water – use clean tap water for your painting. You will also need a container for it because the palette can’t hold enough water.
5. Paper – watercolor can be painted on any type of paper but the best results are on watercolor paper made of cotton.
6. Others – you will also need a pencil and eraser, a container to hold water, and old cloth or tissues.
Techniques
Now that you have all the materials, it’s time to start trying the basic techniques for applying paint.
1. Wet-On-Wet. Wet the paper first with water, then before it dries up, apply wet paint using a wet brush. Next, tilt the paper around to spread the paint.
2. Wet-On-Dry. Use one or mix different wet colors then paint on a dry paper.
3. Dry-On-Dry. The paper’s surface stays dry while only a small amount of water is used to wet the paint. Before painting with a slightly wet paint, use it first on a spare paper to dry the paint further.
4. Dry-On-Wet. Use slightly dry paint on wet paper. Experts advise using just the tip of the brush to maximize the effect.
5. Flat Wash. Wet the paper and then apply wet paint on the surface making sure the color is even throughout the surface.
6. Graduated Wash. The paint should look like it’s fading gradually. Paint a small amount of paint on a slanted wet surface.
7. Variegated Wash. This technique is the same as graduated wash, but you’re using more than one color. More than one paint should combine where they meet looking as if the color is shifting.
Items Every Avid PC Gamer Needs
Investing in top-notch computer hardware and software takes a lot of dedication and money. Money most of all. If you’ve still got some to spare though, shed some dough for these awesome items.
Swivel Chair
While everyone seems to focus more on electronic gadgets, there’s one item that’s often overlooked. If you’re gonna spend hours with your face glued to the screen, then you should have something comfortable to sit on. Swivel chairs are perfect for lazy bums (hey, we’re all guilty of that) who don’t have time to get up to grab something from the next table.
Surround Speakers
Wearing a headset for hours can strain your neck and back. Free up your head and get surround speakers instead. They’re also great for voice chats with teammates because you’ll get to hear everything.
Microphone
Well, if you’re getting surround speakers, might as well complete the package with a mic. Pick a microphone with omnidirectional patterns. It’s easier to talk with a mic setup than with your headset on. You can also use it for other things besides gaming.
Controller and Arcade Joystick
If modified gaming mice like an 8-way directional gamepad isn’t enough for your collection, there are controllers and joysticks designed for specific games. There are joysicks designed for beat ‘em ups, flight simulation, strategy, motion-sensing and racing. There are even programmable gameboards that can substitute keyboards.
Gloves and Glasses
Everyone knows that if you’re playing online, you can’t pause the game. Even if you have a gaming mouse designed to withstand hours of gaming, there are people who have sweaty hands. Gloves not only make your hands less slippery but it also supports the wrist. Glasses will also help reduce eye strain that results from staring for hours on the screen.
Gaming Lights and Projector
If you’re planning to build a gaming den, then you have to fill the room with items that contribute to the ambiance. Gaming lights change color depending on the game you’re playing. Because, hey why not? A gaming LED projector on the other hand fills your need for a bigger screen if a multiple-monitor setup isn’t enough for you.
Gaming Gloves and Vest
Tired of your mouse? Get yourself a gaming glove designed to make casting spells easier for you. Some of us just want to feel our characters getting hit. So if a vibrating controller isn’t enough, there’s a gaming vest designed to let you feel every punch and bullet your character takes.
Repair and Maintenance Kit
Investing in PC gaming isn’t a joke, so you need to keep it in top working condition. You should always have the following items ready: screwdrivers, tweezers, cable ties, compressed air, duster or vacuum, brush, and spare screws.
5 Products You Should Never Apply on Your Skin
There’s something to be said about DIY skincare. But even with the internet as your main source of beauty tricks, tips and recipes, what you can do at home isn’t always what’s going to help your skin in the long run. While the following are widely praised on beauty blogs for their amazing use on the skin, they’re actually among the top products that causes skin issues. So avoid the risk of getting allergic reactions and pesky breakouts by scrapping the following ingredients off your beauty routine.
1. Baking Soda
Although baking soda is often endorsed as a good gentle exfoliant, the pH level of this household item is actually far too alkaline to be applied on the face. Using ingredients or products that contain a high amount of alkaline will only damage and disrupt the natural barrier of the skin, allowing bad bacteria to seep in. Applying baking soda on the face also causes significant moisture loss and compromises the skin’s ability to regulate itself.
2. Lemon Juice
Just as how sucking on a lemon destroys the enamel of your teeth, using pure lemon directly on your skin will irritate and upset its mantle. With a pH level of two, lemon is a highly acidic ingredient. Dermatologists even say that the oils found in citrus fruits are phototoxic, which means that even a short duration of sun exposure could aggravate the irritation and cause chemical burns.
3. Toothpaste
Another ‘quick-fix’ product that’s actually more harmful than beneficial, toothpaste is loaded with ingredients that can be irritating and drying to the skin. While it’ll help in drying out a pesky zit, it’ll also zap the healthy moisture on the surrounding areas and chemically burn your skin. Instead of toothpaste, apply benzoyl peroxide for an alternative pimple treatment.
4. Hot Water
While it may be enticing to bathe in a steaming hot shower, dermatologists claim that it’s not the ideal water temperature to cleanse your skin. Using hot water will only cause thermal burns and melt away your skin’s natural oils. Instead, use water that’s about 100 degrees Fahrenheit for bathing and cleansing your face.
5. Sugar
Just like with baking soda, using sugar as a DIY exfoliant can be disastrous for your skin. While it can work wonders in making your legs looks gorgeous and smooth, the texture of its grains are just too rough for the epidermis on your face. This is also true for most exfoliators and scrubs that are marketed for facial use – they’re too rough, and their sharp edges can create tiny tears that could prematurely age and damage the skin.
Although natural and DIY skincare remedies are beneficial and cost-effective, it’s also important to understand their effects in the long run. Consulting an expert before using a particular household ingredient on your skin will definitely save you the trouble of figuring out what works and what doesn’t.
Contemporary Asian Authors You Should Read
Asia has had no shortage of brilliant writers. Whether they grew up in their hometown or had to move to other parts of the world, their pieces reflect their Asian heritage that distinguished them from other writers.
The following is a list of today’s most notable Asian writers.
Amy Tan
Amy Tan was born and raised in the United States. Her works reflect the life of generations of Asian Americans. She is famous for The Joy Luck Club, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, and The Kitchen God’s Wife.
Anchee Min
Anchee Min became an actress when she was 17 years old at Madame Mao’s Shanghai Film Studio. She went to the United States in 1984 and is well-known for her works Empress Orchid, Red Azalea, and Pearl of China.
Arundhati Roy
Arundhati Roy is passionate about social justice and economic equality. Known as an activist, she is also famous for her work The God of Small Things which won the Booker Prize in 1997.
Haruki Murakami
Haruki Murakami was influenced by Western writers such as Franz Kafka, Fyodor Dostoevsky and F. Scott Fitzgerald. His most popular works to date are Norwegian Wood, Kafka on the Short, and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.
Jhumpa Lahiri
Jhumpa Lahiri was born and raised outside India but was schooled about her Bengali roots since she was a young girl. Besides writing, she also teaches creative writing. Her works reflect the lives of Indian immigrants. Most notable are The Namesake, Interpreter of Maladies, and Unaccustomed Earth.
Kazuo Ishiguro
Kazuo Ishiguro moved to England in 1960. His debut novel, A Pale View of Hills, garnered an award, and since then, he has produced outstanding works like An Artist of the Floating Worlds, The Remains of the Day, and Never Let Me Go.
Khaled Hosseini
Khaled Hosseini and his family moved first to Iran then France and finally to the United States. They tried to return to their hometown Afghanistan several times but after the coup in 1978, they stayed in California ever since. His most notable works are The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Lisa See
Lisa See was born in Paris and currently lives in California. She was awarded National Woman of the Year in 2001 by the Organization of Chinese American Women. Among her best works are Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Shanghai Girls, and Peony in Love.
Salman Rushdie
Salman Rushdie lists among his influences Anton Chekhov, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Joseph Conrad. Besides novels, he writes essays as well. He received death threats when he published his work The Satanic Verses. His other notable works are Midnight’s Children and Haroun and the Sea of Stories.
Shin Kyung-sook
Shin Kyung-Sook won the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2012 with her novel Please Look After Mom. Among her other notable works are I’ll Be Right There, The Girl Who Wrote Loneliness, and Li Chin.
8 Healthy Foods for Manageable Peri-Menopause
Peri-menopause is the phase in a woman’s life before she becomes menopausal. This could last for a couple of months or sometimes years, and is often accompanied with irregular menstrual cycle, disrupted sleep, hot flashes, mood swings, fluctuating sexual drive and changes in weight and metabolism.
The good news is that there’s plenty of ways to help manage or even eliminate these symptoms by stocking your pantry with the right food. Here are seven delicious and nutritious foods that can help support your hormonal imbalance.
- Salmon: Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Enjoy it glazed, roasted or marinated with a bit of salt and pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
- Lean Meat: Always pick turkey or chicken breast over fatty beef brisket. Roasting a whole chicken is so much easier than you think. Just season it with olive oil, salt, pepper and rosemary, and you’ll have enough meat for the entire day.
- Broccoli: Rich in vitamin C and fibre, broccoli helps regulate metabolism. Add it to a sautéed bunch of your favourite vegetables or make broccoli-slaw out of it to go with your turkey sandwich.
- Oranges: Loaded with antioxidants, fibre and vitamin C that can help manage blood sugar, oranges make a healthy snack with a serving of nuts in between meals. Don’t just juice it; peel it and eat the whole thing.
- Pineapple: Studies show that pineapple helps reduce hot flashes and night sweating. Try freshly juiced pineapple with cucumber and basic for a healthy, non-alcoholic cocktail.
- Avocado: Reduce fat intake and maintain your weight by substituting butter and cheese with avocado. Spread it on your toast or make a creamy sauce out of it for your pasta dish.
- Nuts: Almonds, Brazil nuts and walnuts are good fats that contain selenium, magnesium and antioxidants. Chop up some and throw them in your salad or eat a handful for snacks.
- Beans and Lentils: Another source of fibre, beans and lentils help regulate your metabolism and stabilize blood sugar—and is also said to help regulate mood swings. Beans and lentils are a filling side dish or can also be the main event for meatless Mondays.
Peri-menopause is the beginning of the new phase in your life and an opportunity to balance the health aspects of your life that no longer serves you well. It is the time to take extra care of your well-being, and your diet is a good place to start.
Why You Should Be Using Mineral Make-Up?
When shopping for make-up we’re usually faced with the choice of traditional make-up against mineral cosmetics. However, modern times have made women (and some men) smarter when it comes to choosing products best for their skin. Going natural is always the best option, and mineral cosmetics are rapidly growing in popularity for its numerous benefits. Discover five of the many reasons why make-up enthusiasts are into this beauty trend.
- Ease of Application
The special formulation of mineral cosmetics allow for easier application. Mineral powder foundations, for example, are made of finely-milled ingredients that let you blend the product well into the skin. Lightly dip the brush and evenly sweep it on your face, and your powder foundation is perfectly distributed without too much effort.
- Breathable Property
Coming in thick and cream or liquid form, traditional make-up products need more work to blend seamlessly to the skin. They have the tendency to settle into your pores and fine lines, and eventually look cakey especially on a hot weather. Mineral cosmetics, on the other hand, are lightweight. They don’t clog your pores and remains on the surface of the skin. So if you have any existing skin condition like acne, you won’t have to worry that it’ll get aggravated.
- Hygienic Property
Surprisingly, mineral cosmetics can withstand build-up of bacteria, the reason why most mineral products are in powder form. It lacks moisture, which is a good breeding environment for these microorganisms. Hence, these make-up products acquire longer shelf life of up to three years, compared to traditional cosmetics, which should be disposed after a year.
- Gentle on the Skin
People with sensitive skin will benefit the most from mineral products as this type of make-up are gentle and soothing to the skin because they don’t contain common skin irritants like dyes, synthetic fragrance, parabens and other ingredients that can exacerbate skin problems.
- It’s a Green Product
Whether it’s food or personal necessities, organic variety definitely benefits both our health and our planet’s, and one way to go eco-friendly and reduce carbon footprint is to switch to mineral cosmetics. Two of its major components are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which are all natural and skin-friendly ingredients.
Just the future of the planet is enough reason to switch to mineral make-up. The best part, aside from taking part in saving Mother Earth, you get a makeover that’s not just fabulous but also good for your skin.
Understanding Psoriasis and Its Causes
You always wish to have a blemish free skin but you are always bothered by psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin disorder. It is the most perplexing and insistent of all skin disorders. The disorder is characterized by incessant multiplication of the skin cells (up to ten times faster than the normal). You often see raised and red plaques concealed with white scales.
Most cases, it usually occurs on scalp, elbows, knees and other parts of the body like feet and torso. There are many symptoms but it will vary depending on which type you have. If you have plaque psoriasis, common symptoms include red plaque skin and silver scales. There will be lesions but it will be itchy and at some painful as they can crack leading to bleeding. If you have fingernails and toenails discoloration and pitting, you have plaque psoriasis.
Psoriasis is so perplexing that it has different forms (aside from plaque psoriasis). Some forms include psoriatic arthritis, pustular psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis and erythrodermic psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis is perhaps one of the most painful forms as it can lead to swelling of the joints. The pustular psoriasis is defined by scaly and red skin especially on palms and feet. The guttate psoriasis is defined by red but small spots on limbs and torso.
Inverse psoriasis on the other hand is defined by shiny and red lesions that usually appear in armpits, under breasts, groin area and other skin folds. Lastly, erythrodermic psoriasis is defined by fiery redness and scale shedding. This form is usually triggered by different factors such as infection, sunburn and infection. For people suffering from this form of psoriasis, it is better that they consul doctor right away as it can lead to illness at the end of the day.
There are many doctors here in Singapore that can help you deal with psoriasis. But before anything else, it is important that you know the causes of psoriasis. Many factors are in play from emotional stress to infection. Recent studies show that abnormality of the immune system can aggravate the situation. Psoriasis can run in the family but some acquired it through lifestyle choices.
The good news is that with the right treatment, the symptoms will surely subside in time. The trick here is to be consistent with the regimen and follow the doctor. If you really want to prevent flare up, be sure to live healthy. Take psoriasis as a challenge or hurdle you have to jump.
