Vacation Spot: Hello Burma!

 

Officially known as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Burma is state in Southeast Asia bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Thailand and Laos. Its glorious past and remarkable sights made it a popular tourist destination these days. The only problem is that you need to get visa in order to move freely there.

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Not anymore. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently visited Myanmar on June 7 and discussed about the possibility of Singaporeans not getting visas to enter the country. The good news is that come December 1, 2016, you no longer need to get visa to visit Burma for up to thirty days. Travellers out there are elated to hear the news.

It is time for Burma. Here is a guide to the best attractions and things to do in Burma:

Bagan Balloons

To have the panoramic view of Bagan, you should never miss the balloon ride. Every morning in the winter months, you will see balloons floating above the template plain in time for the sun rise. If you want this, you can make plans with your hotel. In fact, passengers will be picked up from their hotels and taken into the sight where they will see balloons being inflated. The basket will hold at least four people. The flight lasts about one hour and then land in the field for light breakfast.

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Inle Lake

Now it is time to see the Lake. You should not miss the Inle Lake boat trip. The canoes have motors and it can seat up to 5 people. Do not worry because life jackets are present for your safety. One or two hour’s trip along the Inle Lake is not enough. You have to allot at least four to five hours. Start with Indein market then conclude at Nga Hpe Kyaung monastery.

Shwenandaw Monastery

The Monastery is the last and only surviving structure from the days of the Mandalay Royal Palace. The King Mindon used the place as his personal apartment and eventually died there. His son, worried about his ghost dismantled the place. Though dismantled, some original wood works are still present. The entrance fee is kind of expensive because it also includes a combination of tickets for Mandalay Hill and Royal Palace.

Botataung Pagoda

The pagoda is a famous attraction for its interior that is lined with gold leaf. There, you will see an altar that exhibits Buddha’s hair. The pagoda is a complex of shrine. For instance, there is a shrine for the treasure spirit – Mya Nan New which is called the Lady of the Emerald Palace. Worshippers bring offerings for her.

Shwedagon Pagoda

This is the most important shrine in the country. It features thousand diamonds surrounding the 95 meters stupa. Remember though, when going to shrines or pagodas, never wear shorts or sleeveless because it is a sign of disrespect.

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Health Benefit of Getting Married

 

Getting married has a lot of perks. Having someone you love in your arms is a good thing. Building a family together is even a greater feeling. There is no wonder that many people are getting married these days. However in the case of Singapore, more and more couples are postponing marriage until later.

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You cannot blame couples because they just want to be stable by the time they have a family of their own. For others, waiting to be stable will take five years or so. By the time you are financially and emotionally ready, more problems will come.

If you want to get married soon enough, you are free to do that. Perhaps one thing that can add weight to your decision of getting married soon is its health benefit. A new study revealed that people who are married are likely to survive cancer compared to their single counterparts.

To some, this sounds unfounded because there is no relation or link between marriage and cancer but you have to believe in the sanctity of marriage and what it can do to the couples. The study was conducted by California Cancer Registry. The study took place between 2000 and 2009.

There were about 60,000 people respondents. At the end of the study, it found out that married people had twenty percent better chances of surviving with their single counterparts. The respondents suffered from leukaemia, multiple myeloma and lymphoma. The lead scientists – Matthew Wieduwilt, said that it all boils down to your support system.

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Single patients have later stages of cancer and are sicker than their married counterparts. If you are single, there is no one to bug or nag you to get checked. This is true with single men. Note that single women with cancer have good support system so lesser chances of cancer.

According to his studies, married couples with families tend to stick to the treatment. This is because the patients have good support system from the onset or diagnosis to treatments like chemotherapy. The support system is also constantly reminding the patient to take medications according to the prescribed time.

The study also revealed that married patients are motivated to look for healthcare thinking that they have something or someone to live for. The results tell you that health services should focus their care on single patients. Cancer diagnosis can leave the patients feeling lonely and sad that is why support is needed in the home or even in the workplace.

Getting married is not a bad thing at all. It is not always rainbows and butterflies but couples with strong support can get through even the harshest conditions.

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Working with Different Breastfeeding Positions

 

They say that in order to be good at something, you have to practice with all your heart and might. That is true especially if you are a new mother struggling with breastfeeding. Many people think that breastfeeding is merely holding the baby and putting his/her mouth on your breast. How mothers wish this is the case but no.

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Breastfeeding is a bit complicated. Your primary goal here is to make the baby comfortable as much as possible whilst feeding him/her. That calls for coordination and at the same time patience. You will not perfect it if you are new but with practice, you will be so good at it that you can even breastfeed even when eyes closed.

You have to find a hold that works for you and the baby. It is important that you know different positions because you will do it every day for as long as you consider breastfeeding. Here are some positions that you need to consider if you want nursing to go smoothly:

  • Cradle hold: The classic position is the cradle hold, this requires you to support the baby’s head using the crook of your arm. You should sit on a chair with armrests for support with many pillows. You have to hold him/her in your lap so that he/she is lying on her side with his/her face, knees and stomach directly fronting you. To secure the hold, tuck him/her lower arm under your own arm.

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  • Cross-over hold: Cross-over or cross-cradle hold is another famous breastfeeding position. This position is different in the sense that you do not support the baby’s head using the crook of your arm. Your arms will cross-over or switch roles. For example, if you are nursing from the right breast, you should use your left arm and hand to hold the baby. You just need to rotate his/her body so his/her tummy or chest are fronting you. This position is best for babies who have difficulties latching on.

 

  • Reclining position: If you are recovering from a caesarean operation, this position is recommended for you. You just need to make sure that you keep your hips and back in straight line. Your baby should face you and you can just draw him/her close and support his head with your hand.

That should do it. The important thing when breastfeeding is making sure that the baby knows how to latch on. Regardless of what position you prefer, you need to bring the baby to your breast than the breast to your baby.

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What You Need to Know about Michelin Guide

 

If you are a foodie lover, you know what to look for when searching for the best place to eat – the Michelin Star. If you are not familiar with Michelin Guide, it is time that you know what it is. Michelin Guide is a reference guide that awards stars to hotels and restaurants for their excellence.

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The star is sought after but only few achieved it. In fact, the loss or acquisition of a star can have an effect on the triumph of ta restaurant. At first, the Michelin brothers published a guide for motorists in France. The guide contained maps, repairing and changing of tires, etc. The brothers were hoping to boost the demand of for cars and eventually car tires. In 1926, the brothers made several changes for their guide to include listing of hotels and restaurants.

The brothers noted the popularity of hotels and restaurants that time so they hired inspectors to visit and write reviews of hotels and restaurants while maintaining anonymity. Fine dining restaurants were awarded single stars but in 1931, the brothers established a scoring system from 0 to 3. However, in 1936, the guide established the final criteria. Here are the starred rankings:

  • One star: The restaurant is considered very good in its category.
  • Two star: The restaurant offers excellent cooking that is highly recommended.
  • Three star: The restaurant provides exceptional cuisine that must be visited.

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The cover of the Michelin guide was originally blue but in 1931 it was changed to red and remained that way up to now. In 1950, the first edition (French edition) listed thirty eight establishments. In 1956, Italy also got its first edition but no stars were awarded that time. In 1974, Britain finally got its guide and twenty give stars were given.

Just in 2005, Michelin crossed borders and published its American guide. It only concentrated in New York including five hundred restaurants and about fifty hotels in Manhattan alone. In 2008, Hong Kong and Macau guide were published and in the same year, a guide was published in Tokyo. In 2013, there were about fourteen editions of Michelin guide that covered twenty three countries.

You should know that now, it has come to Singapore. IN fact, on July 21, 2016, Michael Ellis, the director of Michelin guides presented a start to two food hawkers. This is the first of the guide’s history. The hawkers who were awarded include Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle and Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle. These hawkers boast of a Michelin star for meals under S$5.

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Tips for Downloading Music

 

Without a doubt, music plays a major role in the lives of people. It has a direct impact to our mental and emotional state which eventually leads to an immediate change in our moods. Music has become very influential to people’s lives that they instantaneously become happy, sad, nostalgic, energized, or something, and that’s while listening to some of their favorite songs.

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Even if you don’t have an Mp3 or you’re not listening to the songs downloaded in your mobile phone, you can’t help but listen to it when you hear songs blasting from the stereo of the public utility vehicle you’re riding to get to your work or from the blaring speakers of boutiques at the mall. Even if you may appear to not be a big fan of listening to music and you consider songs as just noise, you can’t help but take notice when you don’t hear it anymore. It also plays a big part for the therapy of some individuals.

Can you just imagine life without music at all? It would definitely be an unthinkable matter. Although music may have different meanings to different people, the bottom line is it’s still an essential part of their lives.

Before you proceed with downloading some songs to add to your playlist, it is very important that you consider following these tips. These tips will help ensure that you’re making a safe and legal download of songs and other music genres you love listening to.

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  1. The number one tip that you should follow is download from a legal music downloading site. Although there are some countries that don’t prohibit online dance music downloads, most are quite strict since it concerns music distribution. Even if you can download for free, it is best that you get music from a legal site. Though you will have to pay a fee for every songs you download, it will be a small amount only and you may even get some discounts.
  2. In addition to the first tip, it is also very important that you be protected from any malicious software downloads paired with the song you’re trying to get online. It mostly happens when you download from an illegal site since it’s possible they didn’t heighten their security parameters. Because it’s easy to find a digital music site where you can copy songs, do your part in making sure you have a safe music downloading experience.
  3. Protecting yourself from viruses and malicious software downloads is as important as protecting yourself from a potential litigation as well. In relation to the first tip which states that you only download from legal digital music sites, it is also very essential that you don’t face any legal trouble. So make sure that you are downloading from a legal site.
  4. As there are different file formats you can choose from, you need to know what is compatible with your portable music player. Although you found a site where you can make a dance music download, it won’t matter if their file format isn’t compatible with your music player. It’s very essential that you make sure of this before you make a payment for the songs to download.

Following these tips, it is now time that you make the right decision on which online site you should download songs.

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Finding the Right Hedge Fund

 

It is true that there are a lot of these funds out there. Nevertheless, one should choose carefully which hedge fund investments they should invest in. There are factors that you have to consider when looking for the perfect fund for you:

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  1. Genuineness

You have to keep in mind that not all hedge funds out there are genuine. There are also frauds or scams. That is why you have to really research about a certain company before investing in them if you do not want your money to be wasted. The first thing you should research is whether the company is registered in your country or not.

 

  1. Reliability

Before investing, do some research on how reliable the company is. You can check the feedback of other investors. You can check some customers’ comments and reviews to find one. If it is good, then there is a high probability that you will also like what this company offers. If you think and you doubt that it’s not even practical, then there is no need for you to pursue that choice. Also, evaluate whether it provides reliable database on their funds.

 

  1. Experience

Know when the company started operating. The number of years of their experience gives you an idea on how expert they are. Of course, the company that has been in the industry for a longer time gives an impression that they are better than those new firms.

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  1. Customer Service

If you are a beginner in this industry, then it is best to look for a company that offers the best customer service. Customer service is highly imperative in determining a good and stable relationship between the company and the client. This is to ensure that you will get the assistance that you need to be successful in hedge fund investments.

 

  1. Hedge Fund Manager

You should know some details about their hedge fund manager. The manager will be the one to help you make money. Therefore, you have to make sure that you have the best manager if you want to maximize your earning potentials in this industry.

Now that you already know the most important details about hedge funds, you can now become one of the great hedge fund investors out there. Start first with a reasonable amount of money before investing a lot. This is to help you understand the game of this industry first.

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5 Things to Say Goodbye to During Your Twenties

Like most teenagers, you probably counted the days when you’ll finally be in your 20s. After all, there are a lot of reasons to be excited about embarking on the ride that only our twenties offer. This will probably be the most frustrating and thrilling decade of your life; you’ll experience some ups and downs, but to make the most out of this time, you need to learn to say goodbye to the following things.

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  1. Destructive Relationships and Toxic People

Your 20s is when you figure out what you really want in life. It’s also the time when you discover what your dreams and passion are, as well as develop ways on how you can turn them into reality. That said, it pays to have a solid social network who will encourage and support you in chasing those dreams. The last thing you’d want to have during this time are people who only bring negative vibes to your life.

  1. Drama

You spent most of your teenage life creating and dealing with drama, and by now, you know that drama won’t get you to where you want to be in the future. So whether it’s in your romantic relationship or your friendships, start dropping the drama, and act like a grown-up that you’re supposed to be.

  1. People-Pleasing

Gone are days when you look into the mirror several times wondering if you look decent enough to avoid getting laughed at. Now that you’re already in your 20s, be yourself and live the way you want to be. Not everyone will cheer you on for being yourself, but it’s not like their opinion will decide who you’ll become in the future.

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  1. Need to Justify Your Choices

Unless it’s someone important who’s questioning your decisions, stop feeling bad about not explaining your decisions to certain people. Now that you’re in your 20s, you’re already capable of thinking and taking responsibility for the consequences of the decisions you make. So forget about the people who question your life choices. Remember that with or without their approval, you can do anything you want.

  1. Need to be in a Relationship Just to be Happy

As you enter the phase of young adulthood, you’ll learn that being in relationship isn’t the answer to a lasting happiness. The key is to be happy regardless of your current relationship status. This way, you’ll be able to live your life happily without depending on someone else. Sure, most of your twenty-something friends might be in a relationship, but that doesn’t mean that they’re really happy with it.

Letting go of things that only bring negativity to your life is what will make your journey to your twenties more enjoyable and worthwhile. So say goodbye to all the drama during your teenage years, and start enjoying a fresher and better perspective in life on your twenties.

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Ombré Obsession: 5 Must-Know Ombré Hair Tips

Hair colour trends come and go, but we know for a fact that ombré is here to stay. There’s a reason why regular people and celebrities alike flock to this hair look: It’s flattering and subtle, and there’s a version available for almost every hair colouring, length, and type. But similar with most hair colour looks, we’ve seen a lot of good and bad. So keep the following ombré tips in mind to ensure that you stay on the good side of this hair colour trend.

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  1. Understand that Tone is Everything

One of the most common mistake we see in ombré is a brassy tint, which is often caused by using bleach on dark hair with reddish undertones. A colourist knows how to follow up highlighting or bleaching with a corrective toner, but if you’ll be doing it on your own, make sure that you add an ashy or cool colour-depositing hair toner after bleaching your hair to get rid of the yellowish and orange-y tones.

  1. Keep Your Strands Healthy

Getting an ombré involves bleaching to lighten or remove hair pigment, which is a far more damaging hair colour process than darkening your strands. Ombré also focuses on the lengths and tips of the hair, which easily sustains damage than the areas closer to the roots. This is the reason why hairstylists recommend getting a trim before and after going ombré to avoid causing or worsening split ends. Also, get into the habit of using a colour-safe deep conditioner to keep your strands nourished and soft to touch.

  1. Ditch the Harsh Lines

A harsh line of demarcation where the hair goes from dark to light is never good to look at. Ombré should look sun-kissed and natural, instead of appearing as an obvious dye job. Most hairstylists use hand-painting techniques, and muss up the strands to evenly blend and distribute the lighter pieces. If you’re going DIY, a good technique that you can use is to rub the colour upward using a clean toothbrush to achieve a subtle gradient effect.

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  1. Avoid Drastic Colour Changes

A good way to avoid having an ombré that looks fake is to consider your natural hair colour. If you have black or dark brown hair, your ombré shouldn’t go lighter than a soft medium to light brown; if you have light brown or dark blonde hair, however, you can go lighter towards the tips of your hair. As a general rule, the lighter your hair colour is, the lighter your ombré can be.

  1. Trust Your Colourist

Although a good DIY ombré isn’t impossible to achieve, it’d be best to leave colour processes involving bleach to the professionals – especially if you’re not skilled enough in home dyeing. There’s just a lot things that might go wrong, especially if you plan to intensely lighten very dark hair. A good hairstylist knows where to place the highlights to give you a more flattering ombré look.

Just like with other dyed hair looks, it’s quite easy to mess up an ombré look. So make sure that you keep these ombré tips in mind to achieve a flattering and natural-looking hair look.

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What to Consider in Buying Bedroom Furniture

Moving in a new place or getting your bedroom a makeover? Buying new bedroom furniture is usually an exhilarating yet nerve-wracking experience. Being the focal point of your home, the bedroom furniture is an important aspect of making the whole interior design go well together.

So stop stressing about it! Instead, read on the following things you need to consider before you purchase a new bedroom furniture.

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Check for inspo. If you’re only starting to think about redecorating plans, you might still be unsure of exactly what you want the place to look like after. Check design blogs and lifestyle magazines for easy home decoration inspiration that you can copy. You can also get ideas from social media sites like Instagram and Pinterest.

 

Beyond basics. One of the key pieces of the bedroom is of course, the bed. Don’t settle for your run-of-the-mill bed. Look for different styles and other things your bedroom might need such as a bedside table or study desk. Start from this in tying your ideas together and making them work as one.

 

Shop in context. In order to keep the design theme of your bedroom concise, shop furniture pieces with the theme in mind. If you’re someone who like clean and sleek lines, go for minimalist pieces that go well with the interior design you’re going for. If you’re leaning towards a homier ambience in your bedroom, make sure that the pieces you purchase for are very comfortable. Whatever design theme you’re aiming for, contemplate properly if it goes well to avoid getting mismatched items.

 

Measure, measure and measure. Measurements are important when buying furniture to guarantee that a piece will really fit in your bedroom. Double-checking measurements is important in order to keep money and time from being wasted.

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Anything you can repurpose? Getting furniture for your home need not mean that you always buy new ones. You can always repurpose old furniture and redesign it according to your running design theme. Look for furniture pieces that could use a dash of new paint or upholstery.

 

Choose a brand or company. Now that you’ve decided on your bedroom interior design, another thing to carefully consider is what company you’re buying furniture from. You can try IKEA for multi-purpose and affordable furniture. However, if you have a bigger budget, try reaching out to small furniture makers that specialize key items.

 

Make use of the area of the room. No matter how much you want to make your bedroom into your dream room, you must examine the whole area and work with what you have. Check everything from the windows, ceiling, wall lengths and the overall layout of the room. Play around with how you can elevate the whole look of the room using limited furniture choices.

 

No need to go all out. It’s easy to get carried away with all the decorating plans you have but it is also important to see that there is no need to go on a full-on makeover yet. Gradual refurnishing and redecoration is better than settling for something sloppy and inadequate.

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