Intelligence is Value

Summer is over. The rainy season made quite an entrance lately with typhoons that shook Singapore with rains. With this, it is important that motorist consider necessary precautions to evade road-related accidents.

Safe driving should be especially exercised during wet weather. Here are some tips:

• Slow down: The basic thing that we should do is slow down. We all want to go home when there’s rain but rushing can’t do us good.
• Stay in the middle: If we are worried about the water getting into our cars, we have to drive in the middle lanes. We have to remember that water pools outside the lanes.
• Maintain and observe proper following distance: We should avoid following others too closely especially trucks or busses.

• Do not drive through moving water: If we cannot see the ground, it is not safe to drive through the water. The worst thing that can happen is we will be swept off the road.
• Go find another route: When driving through an uncertain depth, we have to go slow but if the water is deeper and it reaches the bottom of our doors, it is time that we consider another route.
• If it is possible, stay off the road: If we do not need to go out, it is safer if we are just inside the house. If going outside can’t be helped, we have to check first our tires and our wipers.

These should be enough. Driving is challenging when it is rainy and it is important that we take all the precautions to safeguard our passengers and the people around us.

Considering that you’re one smart, well-read woman, you most likely know at this point that carbs aren’t completely evil. The only problem is, with so many different carbs it’s hard to know which ones are the best to eat if you’re trying to slim down. To help you deal with this problem, we’ve rounded up four of the top carbs that you can eat even when you’re looking into losing some weight.

1. Sweet Potatoes. These carbs are known to have tons of water and fibre, which means they’ll be able to fill you up without filling you out. What’s more is these guys taste so creamy and delicious, they’ll be able to satisfy your cravings of anything gooey and cheesy. Just don’t go loading them up with fatty toppings like bacon and butter, or you’ll end up negating their slimming power.

2. Brown Rice or Quinoa. Just like sweet potatoes, whole grains are also loaded with fill-you-up fibre and water. Cooking them al dente will also aid in maintaining your blood sugar levels, thereby keeping you from reaching for a high-sugar snack afterwards.

3. Roasted Chickpeas. Want some satisfying crunch? Then grab a tasty bowl of roasted chickpeas. Since they’re loaded with protein and fibre, this snack will surely keep you from overeating and help you in maintaining your weight. Just roast a handful of soaked chickpeas for 40 minutes, then add three tablespoons of oil and your favourite spice for one appetizing, crunchy snack.

4. Watermelon.  It is a carb, yes, but watermelon also contains 92 percent of water, so it’s basically every snackers’ BFF. With its high water content, you can simply munch it all to your heart’s content without taking in any extra calories.

5. Low-Fat Greek Yogurt. While it contains simple carbs, this creamy snack can actually help you in shedding off those unwanted pounds. Some studies showed that consuming a probiotic yogurt can reduce your body fat percentage and your body mass index (BMI). In fact, a low-fat Greek yogurt is loaded with powerful combinations of satiating fat, natural sugar and protein that will prevent your blood sugar levels from dropping, thus keeping your sugar cravings at bay.

Now that you know some of the healthy carbs that can aid you in your weight loss plan, shedding off those extra pounds will now become a lot easier – and you even get to satisfy your cravings even when losing weight.

In general, being an introvert isn’t a bad thing. But when you’re looking into entering the love department, your introversion can become an obstacle. In order for you to find the girl or man of your dreams, you’ll need to leave your house and open up to new people. But take to heart: Meeting new people isn’t that scary and difficult if you just honour your introversion instead of fighting it. To make it even easier for you, we’ve rounded up some love tips that might lead you to the road of happily ever after.

1. Know What You Are Looking For. Opposites attract or birds of the same feather? Interested in seeing an extrovert, or are you better off with a fellow introvert? Either way can work, depending on what you need and want from your partner. Giving this a little forethought will help you decide if you should look for a person who dances into the party, or someone who’s more than willing to sit on the side lines and observe the action.

2. Learn to Say ‘Yes’. In order to find love, you’ll need to get out of there and search for it. So every time you get invited to a dinner party or a fix-up, say ‘yes.’ Just promise yourself that once you’ve had enough of the situation you’ve gotten yourself into, you’re allowed to go home. With this as your cardinal rule, saying yes to each party or date invites will be a lot easier.

3. Consider Online Dating. Online dating may be ideal way to find love for introverts, since you’ll be able to take some time to think before you speak. Plus, getting to know the person online first can take a significant amount of stress off the small talks on your first date. Just remember to not let your emailing drag on for too long because you surely wouldn’t want to get all intimate online, only to find out that you don’t have any chemistry in real life.

4. Join Up. Introverts are known to be not big joiners, but engaging in group activities actually has its own benefits. For one, it puts you in situations where chitchats are minimal; and allows you to get to know different people at your own pace. So even if you don’t get to meet someone dateable, at the very least, you’re doing something that interests you.

5. Disengage Your Walls. Sending a verbal message that you don’t want to be bothered is one of strongest suit of an introvert. But you better learn to turn that vibe off when you’re in situations where you should be open to be chatted on. So uncross your arms, put your phone down and look around. Thinking that you’re approachable can also help you put out that approachable vibe.

Finding love requires some sacrifices, and for introverts, the sacrifices are going out in the world and opening up to different people. So if you’re dead serious about finding your other half, simply follow these tips and don’t let your introversion get the best of you.

Having a pimple appear on your face can be a major downer, especially if it appears right before an important event like a special date, your prom and even your graduation. Since we know how much it sucks to experience a zit surprise, we’ve listed down some of the quick and easy fixes for your acne emergency.

1. Exfoliate the Zit. Got the unwelcome visitor at night? Then don’t dry it out using your salicylic acid spot treatment. Instead, exfoliate it with an exfoliating mask or gel. If you’re using a mask, leave it on overnight and watch how that zit subsides by morning.

2. Avoid Picking It. As tempting as it seems, it would be best to just leave your pimple alone. Don’t ever use your dirty fingers to prod or pop the pimple, as it will only make you more susceptible to scarring, bacteria, or worse, infections.

3. Apply an Anti-Blemish or Acne Solution Gel. No time to do an overnight treatment? Then simply use acne solution gels that contain salicylic acid and tea tree oil extracts in the problem area to dry out your acne and control oil. If you want, you can also reapply the product to ensure that the zit will be gone on that same day.

4. Use Ice Cubes. One of the known and effective quick fixes to get rid of acne is dabbing ice cubes in the zit area. This trick will lessen the pimple’s redness and inflammation, making it less obvious. It might not completely go away, but it’ll be much easier to conceal.

5. Reach for Your Concealer. If there’s one good way to cover-up your acne without making it worse, then that would be by using a two-in-one concealer that contains salicylic acid. Applying this kind of concealer won’t just make your zit look invisible, it’ll also treat it at the same time. Just gently apply your concealer in the problem area, then blend in your favourite BB cream to even out your entire face.

Dealing with an acne emergency doesn’t need to be stressful. All you’ve got to do is have a go-to pimple quick fix that can work wonders on managing all your pimple problems, most especially on the times that you need it the most.

When it comes to lipstick shades, a woman’s collection certainly rivals that of a rainbow’s colour. From purples to oranges to wines, we manage to try each shade once. Still, there are specific shades that we tend to wear more often than the others, and these are the colours that more often than not accompany us from our brunch meetings to dinner dates. So take a clear look into these can’t-live-without shades, and see whether or not you already have them in your beauty stash.

1. The Classic Red. Every woman needs that one signature red lipstick that they can wear on special occasions, or even on days when they just want to make a bold statement. Just remember to choose red lippies that has blue undertone to make your teeth look whiter. Some of the best brands include NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in F-Bomb, and Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipcolour in Cherry Me.

2. The Sexy Pink. If there’s one good way to break the monotony of your nudes and reds, then that would be the perfect pink lippie. Pink shades are just very easy to rock, whether in the boardroom or in the bedroom. So bring out your feminine side and sport a rather pink puckers with L’Oréal’s Colour Riche Rouge in Impulsive Fuchsia, NYX Matte Lipstick in Summer Breeze, or MAC Lipstick in Twig.

3. The Casual Nude. Any woman can definitely rock a nude lip since it’s the easiest and simplest way to look effortlessly put together. It can make your smoky eye standout, and even add a hint of classiness to your winged liner-mascara combo. Just remember to look for a nude shade that’s perfect for your skin tone to ensure you’ll be looking fresh and not washed out. Some of the good nudes to sport include Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in Hibiscus, Bobbi Brown Lip Colour in Beige and Tom Ford Lip Colour in Blush Nude.

4. The Bold, Look-At-Me Shade. You probably have that one dress that you know you’ll never wear, but bought it anyway. Well, the same goes for lipsticks. Don’t be afraid to get yourself at least one bold shade. If you’re not quite sure how to wear it, then experiment. Colour’s too bold for you? Neutralize it with your nude lippie. Feeling more adventurous? Simply mix it with your pink or red shades. The possibilities are just endless.

Other than your mascara, liner, and brow pencil, lipstick is one of the makeup products that can give you that effortless, put-together look. Make sure to keep these shades in your collection to be able to achieve any makeup look you want.

Singapore is not free of illegal drugs like other countries. In fact, illegal drugs are the common enemy of all nations. With this, it is crucial that we do something about it before it greatly impacts our lives and the people around us.

The good news is that the government is doing its best to rid illegal drugs. They started the fight long ago and recently listed the help of Jackie Chan to warn youths on how drugs can impact their lives. Jackie Chan is the first celebrity here in Singapore that was named the Anti-Drug Ambassador.

Many people scrutinized the choice knowing that Jackie Chan’s son was involved in drug crimes in Hong Kong. In fact, his son was released on February this year after serving 6 months sentence in relation to drug charges. For Jackie Chan, the experience made him all the more determined to fight against drugs. He saw what it can do.

Here’s how drug use impacts our life:

• Our Body: Drug users tend to inflict physical injuries. When we are under the influence of drugs, we do things that we do not normally do. This will lead to accidents. Drugs can also influence violent behaviours. Let it be known that drugs can cause damage to our internal organs.
• Our Well-Being: Drug use can effectively alter our emotional and mental states. I can cause strains within oneself and with other people. If we do not take drugs, we will feel stressed and depressed.
• Our Future: Drugs can impact our future. If we are caught dealing, selling or using it, we will face jail time. This cannot be erased even if we are reformed.

Let this be our warning.