It was the first day of the Chinese New Year 2015, and that day, I had agreed to watch a movie with Jason, who mentioned he had asked two more friends to come. Little did I know how that movie outing would be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. 

It was a cool windy day and my parents dropped me off at Bishan MRT Station, and I strolled over to the station control to meet Jason. Jason looked really flustered that day, as the movie we had booked was due to start in just 20 minutes. He was waiting by the corner, in his electric wheel chair, fingers tapping on the screen of his Android phone. When I got to him, he said, "My sister is still stuck at Buona Vista MRT station, there are too many people and she missed seven trains already!"

In my mind, I was wondering why couldn't she just have squeezed in like everyone else. Fortunately, I said nothing and when she arrived, I understood why. His "sister" is also in a wheelchair, and her wheelchair is not as powerful as Jason's, so she needs to back up and rush into the MRT cabin in order to get in. Vanessa is fair with long hair, and she looked really pretty that day, with her engaging smile. We rushed to the Golden Village through the service lift, and the staff their showed us a short cut through another theater to ours. I was a little uncomfortable walking through the theater, and tried to stoop a little so that I wouldn't block the audience view of the movie. Vanessa and Jason were in their element, whizzing through easily on their electric wheelchairs, and when we got to our movie theater, we have probably one of the best seats at the back, with plenty of space for the parking of the wheelchair.

After the movie, Vanessa and I went to the MRT station together, and that was when I saw how difficult it is to get into the cabin as the NSL MRT was a little higher than the platform, and the gap between the train and the platform certainly did not help. She got stuck at the door and couldn't get into the first train that arrived, and I was standing behind her, stunned, unsure if I should try to push the electric wheelchair. 

"What should I do? Tell me how I can help you get into the train." I stuttered, brain and mouth not matching for once.
"Don't worry, we wait for the next train, and I will back up and rush in", Vanessa cheerfully brushed off my concerns.

The next train was approaching, and I was getting ready to tilt and push her in if she didn't make it into the cabin a second time, when she backed up and sped into the train. I had visions of her toppling out of her wheelchair ( look ma, no seat belts! ), but thankfully, that didn't happen. In the MRT we had a little chat before I got off at my station. We also took plenty of selfies in the MRT, and that was when she recounted that she remembered watching me perform when she was 6 years old, and then again when she went back to Club Rainbow as a volunteer. I was flattered and amazed that she remembered. I was also thinking that she must be pretty special to go back and volunteer, especially when she too, has a chronic illness.

That was the end of our first encounter, and in our second, I decided to help bring her story to the world, as despite everything life has hurled at her, she remains happy and positive.

How many of us out there complain about everything that happens or does not happen? How many of us are negative in our dealings with other people?

Thank you Vanessa, for reminding me that there is good in the world, I hope we can bring your story to the masses really soon.

If you would like to contribute to the costs of making the ebook and a site for Vanessa's artwork, I'll like to say a big thank you first, as you will be helping her fulfill her little rainbow dream.

The Haze is back again! Like a plague, it doesn't seem to go away completely, as long as the Indonesians don't stop burning their forests.

This time round, the ioniser (MHI6100) that I have managed to get is even more powerful, and it is only $100! (u.p $108) No filters to purchase, all is needed is a simple "open, wipe, close"  for maintenance.  (25 instead of just 16 "needles" producing negative ions! )

Am Loving it, so thought I would share the good news!

PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Cigarette smoke, pet odor, pollen, smell of durian and even musty smells will be eliminated within a few hours.

How Does It Work?
The MAIER Silent ionic air purifier has 25 stainless steel needlepoint’s that help to create high-levels of negative ions and a small amount of active oxygen, and a silent fan to quickly disperse the negative ion rich air to all corners of the room while drawing air inside. The smaller particles are then collected on the removable electro-statically charged dust collector plates. UV lamp helps kill airborne germs as they pass through the unit.

The slide-out dust collection blades that traps airborne pollutants with added convenience of removable front and rear grills; this allows users to easily clean both the grills and the interiors of the air cleaners.

No filter to replace 
Permanent and washable dust collection plates efficiently absorbs airborne dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander and cigarette smoke. These plates help prevent the ‘black wall effect’ and can capture particles 0.01 micron small.

Optional fan
Virtually silent, you can place it beside you just about anywhere. If you want it to "throw" out more negative ions, just switch the fan mode on.

Portable design 
It’s compact size allows you to easily bring it anywhere – use it in your vehicle or work place and thus, always enjoying clean, fresh air. 

Durability
I have been using the same set for the past 8 nearly 9 years! Do remember, it will STOP WORKING when there is too much dirt and dust on the collection plate, so all you need to do is simply turn, slide out the collection plates, wipe clean and put it back together. It will resume operations as per normal immediately!

HOW IT WORKS
Ultraviolet light possesses the right amount of energy to break organic molecular bonds. As micro-organisms pass through the UV rays radiated from the ultraviolet lamp, this bond breakage translates into cellular or genetic damage for micro-organisms, such as germs, viruses, bacteria, fungi (i.e. mold), etc. This results in the destruction of the micro-organisms. 

It can be plugged into the wall outlets in your home, and also comes with an adapter for use in the vehicle. An independently-controlled fan has been added, since increased air circulation results in increased air-cleaning efficiency.

FEATURES
• Removable easy-clean grills – front and rear grills slide off for easy cleaning
• Neutralizes household odors 
• Adds negative ions into the cleaner, fresher airflow
• Combines proven ionic air-cleaning technology with a germ-killing UV lamp
• Energy saving – cleans and sanitizes the air 24 hours a day on just 8 watts
• No filters to buy or replace
• Ultraviolet lamp kills virtually all the airborne bacteria, mold spores and viruses that enter the unit
• 2W UV bulb is effective for 6,000 hours of continuous use

SPECIFICATIONS
Power Consumption 8 W
Ion Output ≥ 1x106/cm3
Active Oxygen Output ≤ 0.05 PPM
UV Spectrum ≥ 20 µw/cm2
Effective Space 25 m2 / 269 ft2

Self Collection at Stadium MRT
See more at: http://www.chanchop.com/store/p8/Maier_Ioniser_6100.html#sthash.qzFKXLwR.dpuf

After walking past Forever Flawless in MBS countless of times and wondering what kind of products are showcased in that luxurious looking outlet, I finally had the chance to try almost their entire range of skincare. Gloria Soo, their Business Development Director, explained their range of skin care and did a facial on me as well, without the steaming and extraction. I've gone for many facials, but none were ever given by someone who is so knowledgeable before.

My skin problems: Super dry, flaky skin which reacts to eye creams and other creams by forming "Oil Seeds" 

Gloria mentioned that the creams I have been using might have been too rich for my skin, and that I should use a Serum before applying cream. I also found out my method of rubbing the creams into my face was TOTALLY WRONG! *Face Palm* - I should be patting the cream on and spreading it all over in that fashion. In the 40 mins that I was on the facial bed, I learned more about how to care for my face despite years of buying and trying expensive products.

Back to the facial.  Gloria explained that their facials are done free so that we can try the products. They do not steam nor extract, and the powers of their products are shown without the need for invasive facial procedures.  I appreciated her candid and frank nature, so I took the opportunity to ask about their sales representatives, who are really good at selling the products. She mentioned that each sales person is given step by step training followed by on the job training. They are allowed to sell only one product range before they are tested and given training for the other products. This is to ensure that each person lives and breathes each product before they are given another to learn more about. 

I was very impressed that they also have to follow a script, so every sales beauty consultant will be able to give you the same exact information. Their basic pay is also pretty high, and they are given commission and incentives as well. Everyone who works in Forever Flawless also gets vouchers to buy products at discounted staff rates, and everyone seems so passionate about the product only because they are - all their staff use Forever Flawless Skincare. I was so tempted to work at Forever Flawless too, after hearing about the sales training, image revamp and incentives that their sales beauty consultant gets. If you are interested to become a sales beauty consultant for Forever Flawless, do contact Gloria Soo 91724363. 
Applicants need to be either Singaporean/PR and above 18 years of age. Male and Females are equally welcomed.

Their office is located at

Kind Of Blue Cosmetics
Orchard Parade Hotel Business Suites
1 Tanglin Road #04-11
Singapore 247905

Stepping into the room partitioned by a heavy velvet curtain, I felt like I was stepping into the boudoir of a rich, elegant movie star. With maroon towels, Gloria soon wraps me up properly, spa styled, even though I didn't need to change into any other robes. She asks if I have any allergies or skin problems that I would like to highlight, so I told her that I:

1) Am allergic to AHA and plant acids - Bad reaction to that in the past, swollen itchy face after getting a AHA facial.
2) Have very dry skin that feels like it's going to flake off.

Gloria brings over the first item in the facial and proceeds to test on a small area on my face - I have seen and heard so many horror stories about using the wrong products that I was a little nervous. I was so glad that Gloria did a test on a small patch first. She mentioned that this cleanser is a three in one - it cleans, it tones and it moisturizes at the same time. This sounds like the perfect cleanser for me, being probably the laziest female possibly, with regards to skin care. Even though their product range have not been known to cause allergies, I appreciate that Gloria allayed my fears by doing the test. From the White Diamond Collection, she used the Diamond Infused Cleansing Complex and when she spread it all over my face, I felt a cool , tightening of pores sensation. I was a little concerned at first, having seen nightmarish photos of other bloggers getting "burned" by facial products, but Gloria mentioned it is just the toner doing it job of closing pores after cleansing. After washing it off, I touched my skin, and to my surprise, it felt cleaner and yet moisturized.

Next, Gloria used the Diamond Infused Facial Peeling Gel - this gets rid of dry skin, reduced blackhead and white heads as well. I wasn't sure what to expect, so when the dead skin started sloughing off my face without any discomfort, I knew I was in safe hands - and I absolutely loved the feeling of all the dead skin peeling off like magic. She coated a thin layer on my face before using the third and fourth fingers to gentle exfoliate in circular motions - I could feel the blood circulation and it was really very comfortable.

At this point, Gloria started telling me about the different masks they had. The stretching mask sounds really interesting - it gives the effect of botox without any injections or poison! Apparently, it lifts your face and you can choose to apply it only at the "saggy" areas. As I have relatively young skin, I decided to try it out on my neck. The next mask she told me about was the Collagen Boosting reconstructive mask from the Pink Diamond Collection. This sounded like it is right up my alley! So I asked for it to be put on half of my face. The last mask she talked about was the thermal mask that helps with blood circulation - I still half of my face so I asked her to put the thermal mask on the right of my face. After 20mins, she washed everything off and I was amazed by the transformation wrought by just 20mins of mask on my face and neck.

My face looks so fresh and so young! I'm 37 this year, but this facial made me feel and look 10 years younger! No makeup and no sunblock yet, but that is about to change. Gloria finishes the whole facial with a moisturizer she pats on and a BB cream for sunblock. ( I'm going to blog about the BB cream in another post, as it has to be the most amazing and long lasting one I've tried! ) She asked which mask I like best, and it was the collagen boosting one I liked best. The black diamond thermal mask left a slight pinkness on my cheek, and I was overly worried about it - though there is no itch, I was still a little scared. However, as I am writing this the next day, the pinkness has disappeared and my skin still felt smooth to the touch - very different from the dry flaky skin of yesterday!

I really enjoyed the facial, and I will be trying the products out at home as well, to see if I am able to achieve the same effect as the facial I just had, wish me luck! See you guys in another post when I decide to try out the facial at home!

Where can you find Forever Flawless in Singapore?

FOREVER FLAWLESS FLAGSHIP BOUTIQUE
The Shoppes at the Marina Bay Sands
2 Bayfront Ave #L1-64
Singapore 018972
Tel: +65 6688 7464
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FOREVER FLAWLESS STORE
The Centrepoint
176 Orchard Road #02-04
Singapore 238843
Tel : +65 6737 1012
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-*From their website in USA*-
Forever Flawless skin care line is designed to deliver spa quality results in the comfort of one's home. By utilizing cutting edge technologies, and by developing natural diamond powder infused formulas, our skin care specialists have successfully combined the proven benefits of professional microdermabrasion and peeling treatments to satisfy the desire of many individuals who try to defy the aging process. 

Forever Flawless - Diamond Infused Skin Care - is the perfect combination between scientific professional skin care and high-end skin care for personal use. Each product of the line contains micronized, natural, and genuine diamond powder as an exfoliating agent. This unique approach ensures the delivery of the most advanced active and age defying ingredients into the deeper layers of the skin. The outcome is overwhelming. Within a few applications wrinkles and fine lines diminish and other skin concerns such as age spots, acne, stretch marks etc. are significantly improved. 

* Please note that all product photos and description were taken from the Forever Flawless Site in USA and copyright of the images and words belong to them. None of the photos of myself was touched up or given a filter makeover. The only photo that was photoshopped is the one above, but only to add in the diamond and the words.