Pimples no more - how to get rid of pimples

Princess Cheryl's thought of the day:- Gastric!!! No appetite but I just had the best meal while I'm still sick.

I just moved all the posts in my beauty blog here. Check them out under the tags Beauty DIYs and Health and Beauty. Most of the contents are about my beauty regime which I hope to share with the girls out there. (^.^)

Do you have pimples problem? I guess many people would answer "YES!!" Sometimes it's unavoidable to get pimples, especially to people like us - all year through in tropical weather, loves spicy food, dusty environment, stressed-out, and too much sebum... Pimples on my cheeks and T-zone are the biggest killers of my appearance. So how did I get rid of them?

This was me 1 year plus ago.



This was me 3 months ago.



If you want to be honest with yourself how healty is your face, go under the natural lightsource (under the sun) or stand under the natural white fluorescent light. You cannot hide anything, even a tiny winy little scar will show up. My photos above were snapped under natural white fluorescent light and natural lightsource.

I do feel sorry for myself to expose my photos with such bad skin condition at first...but if I were to share experience and solution then why not? Seriously, I've been suffering from pimples since teenage years (13 years old), and it never say goodbye. On and off, they visit me, every week, every month. The best record I had for maintaining a pimpless face was only 1 week plus. Sad... Even without pimples, the scar was there, because my skin tone was ivory, too light to hide any scars.

Worse...during uni days. =S



I spent so much $$ trying to kill the pimples, had tried almost every type of pimple gels and acne medication, but they are only effective for a certain period, dry the affected spot, but after a few days, it started popping out again! I visited Watsons/Guardian almost at least once a fortnight, for 4 consecutive years I've changed countless brands of skin care products, due to my very delicate skin....always giving me lots of headaches.

I've tried:
(1) diet control - Totally no spicy food for 2-3 months, no sweet stuff (candies/chocolates/desserts) for months, less heaty food (like peanuts/titbits/chips)...
(2) take supplements - Taking vitamin C and "skin clear" but still doesn't help much..
(3) facial routine - I don't go for facial treatment in facial salon because some of my friends got worse skin problem after trying out!! I read books and do it the natural way, cleansing my face using pure yoghurt, pure honey and so on. It did help to soothe my face whenever I had breakouts.
(4) proper skin care products - I use organic and no-fragrance products to minimize irritation to my skin. But that only helped to control.
(5) blemish gels - You name it!
(6) food/herb - I cooked barley with chinese green bean （绿豆）to detox. Helped a little but must not always drink because it's too 'cold'（凉）for girls. Not that good for health.
(7) face masks and cleansers - Don't ever ever use essense mask if you have blemish skin!!
(8) cleanliness - Very important! Always wash your face after wake up from sleep. And change your pillow case often if you're having combination to oily skin, because oily faces tend to capture dirt more easily and then clog your pores.
(9) professional consultations - Like going to New York Skin Solution? Where to find so much $$$$$?? Not practical to students and fresh grads.
(10)etc...etc...

Sounds pretty familiar, like what you've tried? I guess so... and they didn't really work right? So, here's my final solution -- a magic cream recommended by my friend Jeff. **Thanks for being the savior to us**

This little 5ml bottle of yellow cream is the answer! MIYOME.




I'm not doing advertorial here, but I know how you suffer like I did. I'm a travelholic, and blemish skin is a total nightmare to me whenever I go travel. Who would wanna pack a lot more anti-blemish stuff in her bag and always have to find a mirror to check whether her face is ok before taking photographs? I hate it the most when my pimply face spoilt the whole scenery.

Now that my skin had recovered 100% from pimples (gotta fight freckles though...after coming back from over-exposure to the sunlight after Siem Reap, Marrakech and Bali, luckily London was not that bad..), I'm confident and 'lighter' than ever! 'Lighter' in the sense of burden to take care of my skin whenever and wherever. But of course, I still have some minor scars on my face, hard to find perfect skin nowadays.

Last time I was even worried that sunscreen would worsen my blemish if I apply the sunblock with SPF higher than 20, because it's more oily when the SPF is higher. Now what I gotta do when going outdoor is just practically normal skin care routine -- never leave home without applying sunblock. ^.^

Alright, back to MIYOME, some information if you'd like to know more:
PRODUCT NAME:
- MIYOME Multi Repair Essence. Made by 100% herbal formulation.

INGREDIENTS:
- Lactic Acid
- Glycerin
- Allantoin
- Aloe Vera

EFFECT:
a) Remove Pimples
b) Visible big pores
c) Remove Acnes
d) Remove Blackheads
e) Sweat Stain
f) Whitening effect
g) Balancing oil secretion
h) Remove skin residue (outer layer)
i) Lightening pigmentation
j) Improving skin complexion
k) Maintaining skin moisture.

SUITABLE FOR:
- All Kind of skin problem
- All ages

PRICE:
- RM110 per bottle

If you're interested, I'd be glad to help you understand more. Afterall, this is just a post for sharing purpose, because I believe you deserve to be confident with your look. I used only 2 bottles, and then bye-bye to pimples. Now I spare another bottle for S.O.S in case I have one or two tiny breakouts due to dirty environment during travel.

Now, I only care about one thing when I go travel -- my sunshade!!



Disclaimer: This post is meant for sharing purpose. Please refer to your doctor or dermatologist if allergy or irritation persists.

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H1N1 - Advisory for caregivers and contacts

What precautions should you take if someone close to you is infected with H1N1?
(Click on the pictures to enlarge it for reading. )

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10 FAQ on H1N1 - Must Read

A(H1N1) Flu: Updates on 10 FAQs - Dr David KL Quek, President the Malaysian Medical Association – August 6, 2009
Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com.my/index.php/opinion/breaking-views/34391-ah1n1-flu-updates-on-10-faqs--dr-david-kl-quek

1. Can we distinguish between regular and H1N1 flu, without a lab test?

2. How should doctors decide if a person be given further specific treatment for H1N1?

3. Many anxious people with flu-like symptoms want to be tested or treated for suspected H1N1, but are kept waiting or sent home, without being tested. Is this practice right?

4. Are doctors confused as to what to do in this outbreak, especially when they do not have ready access to confirmatory lab tests?

5. Are there sufficient guidelines from the Ministry of Health to address this situation?

6. Is limiting H1N1 testing only to those who have been admitted to hospital justifiable?

7. Are we short of anti-viral drugs (Tamiflu, Relenza)? Should I take Tamiflu?

8. What are some of the problems faced by doctors in dealing with the H1N1 problem?

9. Are we doing everything that should or needs to be done?

10. Is the public in general doing enough to help in controlling the outbreak?


1) Can we distinguish between regular and H1N1 flu, without a lab test?
No, the flu is the flu, but there are variations in presentation. Some symptoms such as cough, runny nose, fever, body aches, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea occur more or less in every flu patient, but may present differently by different people. Some infected people have very mild symptoms, some in between, and a small minority, probably less than 10 per cent, has severe features including the dangerous pneumonia.

However, from sentinel testing and surveillance by the Ministry of Health the last few weeks have shown that almost 95 per cent of all flu-like illness are now caused by the H1N1 virus. Earlier some months ago, seasonal flu variants caused by the B and other A virus were the main causes, the bug causing most flu these few days is the A(H1N1). This appears to be the case also in neighbouring countries, meaning that the new virus is causing more havoc and symptomatic illness than previous types of flu (which are still in the community).

Because almost every flu-like illness (influenza-like illness or ILI) is due to H1N1, the MOH is now recommending that no testing to confirm this H1N1 will now be offered.
Treat as if this is H1N1 for ILI - symptom relief for mild symptoms (paracetamol, hydration, cough medicines, etc) and self-quarantine, social distancing, be alert for complications.
Most (70 per cent) do not need any anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu or Relenza. Only severe cases need to be referred to hospital for further treatment.


2) How should doctors decide if a person be given further specific treatment for H1N1?
If after 2-3 days, fever and cough symptoms do not improve, a recheck with the doctor is recommended, especially if there are features of difficulty breathing, severe weakness and giddiness, or, if the following risk factors are present:

1. obesity (fatter patients seem to have poorer outcome and more complications); 4. pregnant women
2. those with underlying diabetes, heart disease 5. those with reduced immunity, cancer patients, etc
3. those with asthma, or chronic lung disease 6. those with obvious pneumonia features


3) Many anxious people with flu-like symptoms want to be tested or treated for suspected H1N1, but are kept waiting or sent home, without being tested.
Is this practice right?
There is no right or wrong practice as this outbreak is extensive and is stretching our resources to the limit. This is also the case not just here in Malaysia, but also elsewhere around the entire world! The recommendation is now not to spend too much time and effort trying to get tested at designated hospitals or clinics - there is probably no need to do so. I have been informed that as many as 1,000 patients queue anxiously at Sungai Buloh Hospital for testing, due to fear of the H1N1 flu.

So the message must be made clear: Most flu illness do not require confirmatory testing, and are mild and self-limiting. More than 90 per cent will get better on their own, with symptomatic treatment – just watch out for possible complications, and risk factors as mentioned above.

Our resources are limited especially for testing. This is not just for Malaysia, but globally as well. The global demand for test kits and reagents for the H1N1 (PCR) is overextended and are rationed due to this extreme demand. Some 200 million test kits have been deployed worldwide, but this supply is critically short because of excessive demand, so most countries have to ration testing to confirm only the worst cases, so as to monitor the pandemic better.


4) Are doctors confused as to what to do in this outbreak, especially when they do not have ready access to confirmatory lab tests?
Not really. Earlier on there was some confusion as to what to do next and who to test or who to refer for further testing and admission. Now the rules are clearer.

There is no need to do any testing to confirm the H1N1 virus for any ILI - just assume that this is the case in the majority of cases. Treat symptomatically when symptoms are mild, reassure the patients and ensure that these infected patients practice good personal hygiene, impose self-quarantine and social distancing, wear masks if their coughing or sneezing become troublesome, and keep a watchful eye on whether the infection is getting better or worse.

If there is difficulty breathing and gross weakness, then patients should quickly present themselves for admission. Understandably this phase of worsening is not always clear or easily understood by everyone... But there is not much more that we can do - otherwise we will be admitting too many patients and this will totally overwhelm our health services.

But prudent caution would help to determine which seriously ill patients need more attention and more intensive care. Unfortunately however, there will be that odd patient who will progress unusually quickly and collapse even before anything can be planned – hopefully these will be few and far between.

A more important note is that all doctors and nursing personnel should be very aware that they too have to take precautions, and employ barrier contact practices, if there are patients with cough and cold during this period of H1N1 outbreak, which is expected to last a year or two. Carelessness can result in the physician or nurse or nurse-aide becoming infected!


5) Are there sufficient guidelines from the Ministry of Health to address this situation?
I think there are sufficient guidelines from the MOH. Although some politicians have blamed the MOH and the minister for being inept at handling this pandemic - in truth this is not the case. It is useful to remember that this is an entirely new or novel virus, which no one previously had encountered before - thus its infectivity and contagiousness is quite high and almost no one is immune to this virus.

Perhaps, there will come a time when all the resources from both public and private sectors can be put to more efficient use. Some logistic problems will invariably occur, because human beings differ in their capacity to understand or follow directives, whatever the source or authority. Also patient demands have been extraordinarily high and at times very difficult to meet - every patient necessarily feels that his flu is potentially the worst possible type and therefore requires the most stringent measures and testing...

Doctors are also unsure as to the seriousness or severity of this new ailment - and we are only now beginning to understand this better – so our less than reassuring style when encountering this new H1N1 flu is sometimes detected by an equally anxious patient and/or their relatives. But there is only so much that we can do under such a pressure cooker of an outbreak which is spreading like wildfire! But nevertheless we should not panic, and remember that most (more than 90 per cent) of infected people will recover with very little after-effects. Possibly only one in 10 patients develop more serious problems which necessitate hospitalisation.


6) Is limiting H1N1 testing only to those who have been admitted to hospital justifiable?
I have explained the worldwide shortage of such testing kits and reagents. Also it is near impossible to test everyone, the world over. Besides, knowing now that almost all the flu-like illness in the country is due to H1N1 makes it a moot point to want to test for this, especially when most are mild.

The rationale for testing only those who need hospitalisation is to ensure that we are dealing with the true virus, and also help to isolate possible changes or mutations to this viral strain. The MOH is also constantly doing sentinel surveillance (random spot-testing at various sites around the country to determine more accurately the various virus types and spread that are causing ILI).


7) Are we short of anti-viral drugs (Tamiflu, Relenza)? Should I take Tamiflu?
These antiviral drugs were available to most doctors during the earlier scare of the bird flu virus, but now are severely restricted, although some orders are still entertained from individual doctors, clinics or hospitals. Remember that these have been block-booked by more than 167 countries which have been shown to have been penetrated by the H1N1 flu bug.

Our MOH has actually stockpiled some two million doses of the Tamiflu or its generic form. In the last inter-ministerial pandemic influenza task force meeting, this stockpile will be bumped up to 5.5 million doses to cover some possible 20 per cent of the population.

Right now there is no shortage in the country. It is just that it is not readily available on demand for anyone just yet. The MOH is still of the opinion that this antiviral drug be used prudently and would like to register every patient given this drug.

The private sector on the other hand would like to have a looser control over the use of this drug - but we acknowledge that we should be meticulously prudent in its use. There is a genuine fear that resistant strains to this drug may develop with indiscriminate and unnecessary use - then we will all be in trouble with a drug-resistant H1N1 virus run amok! Drug-resistant strains have been detected in Mexico, border-towns in the US, Vietnam, Britain, Australia even. So we have to be vigilant and closely monitor the situation. Right now, the very limited usage of Tamiflu gives us good reason to be optimistic. However, because of some unusual patterns of seemingly well people dying or having very critical infections, some people and doctors are wondering if these new strains have already reached our shores... or have we been too late in instituting proper treatment...?

The rising number of deaths to 14 now is quite worrisome, but our health authorities are watching this development very closely and are also checking the virus strain to see if this has mutated. We can only hope that this is not the case, for now.


8) What are some of the problems faced by doctors in dealing with the H1N1 problem?
It would be good if every medical practitioner keeps a close tab on the H1N1 pandemic, and remain fully aware of the developments and changes, which are evolving daily. Every doctor has to be learning on the trot, so to speak, to keep up with the progress of this outbreak and its management, so that we can serve our patients better.

Logging in to the Internet regularly for more updated information will certainly help, instead of lamenting that not enough is being disseminated via the media thus far... Every doctor has to be more proactive and practice more responsible and cautious medicine during this trying period which is expected to run into at least one to two years. Importantly, look out for lung complications, and the above stated higher risk profiles, and refer these patients quickly for further care.

Easier access to antiviral drugs and their responsible use and monitoring would help allay public fears of delay in treatment, but this should be tempered with care and not over-exuberance to dish out to one and all, the precious antiviral drug, just for prevention - this may be a very bad move which can inadvertently create a worse outcome of drug-resistant bugs. However, in the light of the very quick deterioration of some young patients who have died, it might be prudent to use antiviral treatment earlier and more aggressively.

We look forward to the specific H1N1 vaccine, when it does come our way, probably towards the end of the year. In the meantime, encouraging those in the front-line, heart or lung patients and frequent travellers to have the seasonal flu vaccination is a useful adjunct to help stem the usual problems from other flu types.


9) Are we doing everything that should or needs to be done?
Yes, if you check what other nations are doing, we are doing relatively well. We are not overstating the dangers and we have been quite transparent on the possibilities of this pandemic. Earlier, many agencies and even the public and doctors have accused us of exaggerating the pandemic, and our response was dismissed as being too much, even over the top! Unfortunately, it was only when some deaths occur that many are now decrying that we have done too little!

Also if you are quite honest about it, just compare with the countries globally, and you will notice that no one health or government authority has got this right, spot on. We are all learning about this novel flu pandemic, and each country's response is coloured by its past experiences. In Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia we have had the SARS outbreak, so we are necessarily more paranoid! Also here the experience is that flu does not usually cause death in our community, unlike the west where seasonal flu kills some hundreds of thousands every year!

So the fear factor for this H1N1 flu is not nearly as great in the West, although it is slowly sinking in that its contagiousness and infectivity is far greater, and fears of its reassortment to a more viralent mutant form are growing, into the so-called second and/or third wave of this pandemic, but we will not know until a year or so down the line.


10) Is the public in general doing enough to help in controlling the outbreak?
I think the public is now reasonably well-informed as to this H1N1 pandemic. Perhaps, they are too well-informed, that they have a fearful approach to this virus. But the proper thing is not too over-react and to panic, although I know this does sound easier said than done.

It is almost a certainty that this flu will spread within the community - in schools, universities, academies, factories, work places, offices, etc. WHO has projected that possibly some 20-30 per cent of the population worldwide will become infected by this novel flu bug, after studying various models of spread of past infections - the huge and very rapid spread worldwide is mainly due to air travel. While older flu pandemics took six months to extend to so many countries, this H1N1 flu did so in less than six weeks!

In the worst-case scenarios of course, this outbreak will be alarming - hospitalisations may be required for 100,000 up to 500,000 Malaysians, with perhaps as many as 5,000 to 27,000 infected patients (depending on the case fatality rate or either 0.1 to 0.5 per cent) succumbing to this illness.

But because we have been monitoring closely and containing the outbreak thus far, with heightened awareness and greater social responsibility, it is possible to ameliorate the infectivity, spread and fatality that will unfortunately accompany this pandemic... Just how successful we will be in limiting these adverse outcomes remains to be seen, but we can be hopeful.


How can the public help?
First learn and acquire good personal hygiene. If sick, please be responsible and stay at home, even in your own room where possible, wear a face mask (a cheap three-ply surgical mask will do, because large droplet spread is the main danger). Do not go out, practice what is now known as social distancing (about three metres from anyone), and be socially responsible, don't go to public places and infect others - for young people this would be hard, but absolutely necessary - the spread is most rampant in this age group between 16 and 25 years.

When the illness does not go away after a few days or when you are deteriorating, get to the nearest hospital. Most importantly, be very aware and responsible!

Finally, keep abreast of all new developments, because these are evolving all the time. With keen awareness, prudent care, early detection and social responsibility, correct and prompt use of antiviral and other support medical care, and later mass specific vaccination, we can overcome this novel H1N1 flu! But it will take time, patience, public cooperation, much concerted effort and consume great resources.

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H1N1 Outbreak - what is our responsibility?

From our EHS Department... (click on the pictures to enlarge it)

Hi everyone,

This is a timely reminder to us all NOT be complacent with the H1N1 outbreak, but to be more vigilant than ever to help contain and control it. As you maybe aware, there has been 8 recorded deaths in the country (out of 1430 confirmed cases) and some are through local transmissions. That means the spread is no longer from travellers abroad - you can get H1N1 from your friendly neighbourhood Ah Kow, Ahmad or Kumar.

Please refer to the attachment for an interesting perpective of H1N1 from the Ministry of Health, Singapore.

Regards.

..PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE OF YOUR OWN HEALTH AND THINK OF OTHERS AS WELL..

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More than just an essence mask

I'm pretty sure that most of the ladies are consuming essence mask sheet as part of their beauty rituals. So am I. Nice scent and easy-to-use, and further more, no washing required! That's the best part of it.

I just lurveee essence mask~ My weekly usage is about 2 pieces in average. What more can an essence mask supply to you besides the nutrients for your face? Have you think about it? Paying around RM6-RM30 for more than a 15-minute temptation on your face... =)

This is what I usually do after putting on the essence pulp onto my face.

*
*
*
*
*
*
Yes~yes~ the remaining essence! Don't throw away the packing yet!!

Pour it out and apply to your arms and legs as moisturizer.

A simple 2-in-1 step for skin care from face to toe~ Nice isn't it? Even the daily body lotion cannot provide you so many different types of indulgences. I always like it that way...so I never really use body lotion.

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My "Fated-to-Love-You" hairstyle

Although it's not 100% the 陈欣仪 (Fated to Love You) look but still around 80% lar... I never really choose any hairsttyle all the while, everytime there'll be surprises from my hairstylist Andrine, especially after I wash my hair the next day...

Right out from the salon after my haircut.

Today after I washed my hair.



I think one month later my hair will look similar to this...IF I trim my fringe.


~WHat yA thInk 'bOut mA HAIR~ Lovely OR Ugly?

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Live on a healthy diet with PRUNES

Prune Facts
Prunes are dehydrated plums. The total production of prunes worldwide over the past 3years has averaged around 300,000 tons with California averaging just under 200,000 tons. Per capita consumption of prunes for the world population amounts to ONLY 7 prunes per person per year.

A prune per day surely could improve your health! ...and beauty as well...

Prune Benefits
Prunes are a good source of fiber and have long been recognized as a nutrient-rich fruit with multiple health benefits. But according to a recent study from Tufts University in Boston, prunes may also help slow the aging process in both the body and brain. The study ranked the antioxidant value of commonly eaten fruits and vegetables using an analysis called ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity). Prunes topped the list with more than twice the antioxidant capacity as other high-scoring fruits such as blueberries and raisins.

SUNSWEET...my favourite brand~ =) Do you know that prunes can be made breakfast too?


Prunes for breakfast~! Play little tricks and enjoy fabulous breakfast treats...
1. Creamy Chocolate Banana Smoothie


2. Yogurt Nog


3. Purple Power


Or DIY healthy desserts...

4. Warm Apple-Prune Crumbie


5. Elegant Prune Whip with Custard Sauce



Want more recipes? Click on the links below for prune recipes.
LoveToKnow Prune Recipes
FoodDownUnder Prune Recipes
SUNSWEET Recipes

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A 100 ways to lose weight

Lazy to go to gym? Not interested to calculate the cal and carbs? Try these...simple steps that do not require major changes or additional $$ or time in your daily life. See how many you can practice.

1. Walk to work.
2. Use fat-free milk over whole milk.
3. Do sit-ups in front of the TV.
4. Walk during lunch hour.
5. Drink water before a meal.
6. Eat leaner red meat and poultry.
7. Eat half your dessert.
8. Walk instead of driving whenever you can.
9. Take a family walk after dinner.
10. Skate to work instead of driving.
11. Avoid food portions larger than your fist.
12. Mow lawn with push mower.
13. Increase the fiber in your diet.
14. Walk to your place of worship instead of driving.
15. Walk kids to school.
16. Get a dog and walk it.
17. Join an exercise group.
18. Drink diet soda.
19. Replace Sunday drive with Sunday walk.
20. Do yard work.
21. Eat off smaller plates.
22. Get off a stop early and walk.
23. Don't eat late at night.
24. Skip seconds.
25. Work around the house.
26. Skip buffets.
27. Grill, steam or bake instead of frying.
28. Bicycle to the store instead of driving.
29. Take dog to the park.
30. Ask your doctor about taking a multi-vitamin.
31. Go for a half-hour walk instead of watching TV.
32. Use vegetable oils over solid fats.
33. More carrots, less cake.
34. Fetch the newspaper yourself.
35. Sit up straight at work.
36. Wash the car by hand.
37. Don't skip meals.
38. Eat more celery sticks.
39. Run when running errands.
40. Pace the sidelines at kids' athletic games.
41. Take wheels off luggage.
42. Choose an activity that fits into your daily life.
43. Park further from the store and walk.
44. Ask a friend to exercise with you.
45. Make time in your day for physical activity.
46. Exercise with a video if the weather is bad.
47. Bike to the barbershop or beauty salon instead of driving.
48. Keep to a regular eating schedule.
49. If you find it difficult to be active after work, try it before work.
50. Take a walk or do desk exercises instead of a cigarette or coffee break.
51. Perform gardening or home repair activities.
52. Avoid laborsaving devices.
53. Take small trips on foot to get your body moving.
54. Play with your kids 30 minutes a day.
55. Dance to music.
56. Keep a pair of comfortable walking or running shoes in your car and office.
57. Make a Saturday morning walk a group habit.
58. Walk briskly in the mall.
59. Choose activities you enjoy and you'll be more likely to stick with them.
60. Stretch before bed to give you more energy when you wake.
61. Take the long way to the water cooler.
62. Explore new physical activities.
63. Vary your activities, for interest and to broaden the range of benefits.
64. Reward and acknowledge your efforts.
65. Choose fruit for dessert.
66. Consume alcoholic beverages in moderation, if at all.
67. Take stairs instead of the escalator.
68. Conduct an inventory of your meal/snack and physical activity patterns.
69. Share an entree with a friend.
70. Grill fruits or vegetables.
71. Eat before grocery shopping.
72. Choose a checkout line without a candy display.
73. Make a grocery list before you shop.
74. Buy 100 percent fruit juices over soda and sugary drinks.
75. Swim with your kids.
76. Flavor foods with herbs, spices, and other low-fat seasonings.
77. Remove skin from poultry before cooking to lower fat content.
78. Eat before you get too hungry.
79. Don't skip breakfast.
80. Stop eating when you are full.
81. Snack on fruits and vegetables.
82. Top your favorite cereal with apples or bananas.
83. Try brown rice or whole-wheat pasta.
84. Include several servings of whole grain food daily.
85. When eating out, choose a small or medium portion.
86. If main dishes are too big, choose an appetizer or a side dish instead.
87. Ask for salad dressing "on the side".
88. Don't take seconds.
89. Try your burger with just lettuce, tomato and onion.
90. Try a green salad instead of fries.
91. Bake or broil fish.
92. Walk instead of sitting around.
93. Eat sweet foods in small amounts.
94. Take your dog on longer walks.
95. Drink lots of water.
96. Cut back on added fats or oils in cooking or spreads.
97. Walk the beach instead of sunbathing.
98. Walk to a co-worker's desk instead of emailing or calling them.
99. Carry your groceries instead of pushing a cart.
100. Use a snow shovel instead of a snow blower.

......adapted from eDiets.com

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My collection of earrings

Since when did I started buying all these??! Now I need another box to keep the remaining pairs that I keep in my cabinet drawer... Counting down 25 days to my ear piercing 3rd anniversary. I will be buying more and by the time I move into my new house next year, I shall get a dedicated corner for all my accessories lol. (^o')

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Eyelash perming...WTF!!

Today I went for eyelash perming at a beauty salon in Ipoh. I'm feeling a regret now as my natural soft eyelashes are now too much curl...looks like standing grass! Not I'm the only one is regret, my bf's bro's gf is also regret. We thought of trying out something new after being persuaded by aunt, so we took 2 coupons of her package and gave it a try.

We laid on the salon couch for almost an hour for the perming, it was quite tiring to the eyes because we cannot open our eyes until the whole procedure is completed. I can still feel the stickiness on my eye lids now even after bathing!

This was how I look like during the perming was going on... (only a cut and paste from the internet because we were not allowed to take photos in the salon)



Anyway, the procedure goes like this according to my memory...I cut it from the internet because I was closing my eyes all the way:

1. Remove all makeup from eyelashes and lid with oil-free remover. Clean area with warm water, for best results, allow 10 minutes for eye area to completely dry before beginning the perming procedure. Remove contact lenses, if any. Immerse six to eight cotton pads in water and squeeze out the excess water. SEE?? REMOVE CONTACT LENS!! OK THE BEAUTICIAN WAS NOT PROFESSIONAL AT ALL!!
2. Use the following guidelines to determine the rod size.a. Smaller rod is best for the short eyelashes or if a tighter curl is desired.b. Medium is the most commonly used for a good all around curl.c. Large rod is best for the longer lash or looser curl (men prefer this size).
3. Place a ½ round damp cosmetic pad on the lower lid before beginning the perm to prevent fumes from entering the client’s eyes. I TELL YOU, I DIDN'T FEEL AT ALL THERE WAS ANY COSMETIC PAD PLACED UNDER MY EYES!!
4. Remove rod from packaging. Note: The rod is pre-treated with glue. Bend the rod slightly in a “C” curve to fit the shape of the eyelid. May be cut to fit smaller eyes.
5. Place the glue that comes with the kit at the base of the lashes; use enough glue to cover an area equal to the length and twice the width of the roller. Do not place on lid without first coating the lid with perm glue because the roller is pretreated with glue and will be difficult to remove fromlid without additional. It is ok if there is excess glue; the permanent lotion will work through it. If the rod does not adhere on the ends, place a small amount of glue on the ends and use a wood applicator (included with the kit) to hold the rod in place.
6. After positioning the roller, add more glue on top of the roller. Using the wood applicator, carefully place the lashes on the rod. Make sure the lashes are “straight” and do not overlap.
7. Use an orangewood stick or a clean applicator stick to gently dab a small amount of the permanent wave lotion (step 1) on the lashes. Use a cotton pad to wipe off the excess permanent wave lotion and place it over the lashes. Make sure there is enough lotion on the pad to touch the lashes; this will aid in creating heat for perming. If you have a facial steamer, you may use it at this time. SHE TOLD US NOT TO APPLY ANY HEAT FOR 3 DAYS, EVEN DON'T USE THE HAIRDRYER.
8. Let the lotion remain on the eyelashes for seven to fifteen minutes (depending on the texture of the lashes). Clean the eyelid skin immediately after applying the lotion to avoid irritation. Do not overuse the perm lotion. Excess permanent wave lotion will be wasted and will not create a better curl. To determine if the perm process is complete, carefully lift one or two lashes away from the rod with a wood applicator and check curl. If necessary leave permanent wave lotion on until desired curl is attained.
9. Remover cotton pad. Use a newly moistened cotton pad to remove all traces of permanent wave lotion.
10. Follow the same steps used for applying the permanent wave lotion to apply the setting lotion (step 2). Use a new cotton pad every time. Wipe the excess lotion on the pad and place it over the lashes. Let it set for seven to twelve minutes based on the length of time the permanent lotion was left on.
11. Remove the cotton pad follow the same steps used for applying the permanent wave lotion to apply the nourishing agent (step 3). Let nourishing set for five minutes.
12. Use cleanser (step 4) with another clean cotton pad. Gently clean the upper part of the roller touching the eyelid. Using water damp Q-tip slowly roll downward, freeing the lashes from the rod. Clean lashes with a warm damp cotton pad. Apply hypoallergenic moisturizer to the eyelid (optional) to sooth and re-moisturize the skin. OK, NO MOISTURIZER APPLIED!

Practice of this procedure is highly recommended before servicing clients. SO MAKE SURE YOU ASK THE BEAUTICIAN ABOUT THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS BEFORE YOU PAY FOR THE SERVICE.

Technicians should wear gloves throughout the procedure. SHE DIDN'T WEAR GLOVES AT ALL!!!

This product is for use by licensed , trained, salon professionals only. BUT I DON'T THINK THE BEAUTICIAN IS PROFESSIONAL.

Eyelash Perm Ingredients:

1. Perm Lotion (step 1) Ammonium Thioglycolate Solution, Ammonia Water 25%, Monoethanolamine, Tomin-A, Perfume, and Distilled Water.

2. Setting Lotion (step 2): Sodium Bromate, Tomin-A, Perfume, and Distilled water.

3. Nourishing Agent (step3):Aloe Extract, Sod PCA, and Distilled Water.

4. Cleanser (step 4): Celquat, Surfactant, and Distilled Water.5. Eyelash Perm Glue: Synthetic Resin Emulsion, Butyl Hydroxy Anisol, and Distilled Water.

I'm damn f*ckup especially after reading this. And my eyelashes...NOPE, OUR EYELASHES look darn funny right now. What to do?? Wait for another month before everything gets back to normal lor.

This is illusion... For ours, if you look from beside, our lashes are standing in an 'L' shape. Ugly enough?



Now I'm thinking of how to make my eyelashes back to normal...I think I'll be the joke of the day when I go back to work on Tuesday. Sucks! I don't even want to post my photos now.

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I Love GREEN TEA =我爱绿茶=

Green tea is always my first choice whenever I feel thirsty; be it at home or at office, I always have plenty of green tea tea bags for spare. I love the smell of 'greeny', which makes me feel as if I have a Genie in my cup.. And at most of the time, I can't resist green tea desserts too...


Maybe because I love green so much, I fell in love with green tea. Chinese old folks used to drink a lot of tea but I am not familiar with all the Chinese tea names; seriously I am more familiar with black tea. In my uni days I used to drink a lot of black tea, almost every night I drank at least a cup, then mom started nagging me because she thinks that black tea is not good for girls because it is too 'cold' (in Chinese '凉') and it would affect my health if I drank too much. So after I came back from Korea, I slowly changed my habit of drinking black tea to green tea, then I fell in love with it! Partly because of the colour as I mentioned, and partly because of the benefits of green tea.

If you're wondering what am I doing right now, I am sipping my cup of green tea while writing this article. Now that I have put on a little weight after a few luscious buffet meals during my training, I sure need to drink more green tea to slim down. Adapted from Chinesefood.about.com, I would like to share the 7 reasons WHY I love drinking green tea.

7 Reasons to Drink Green Tea

1. CUT YOUR CANCER RISK
   Several polyphenols - the potent antioxidants green tea's famous for - seem to help keep cancer cells from gaining a foothold in the body, by discouraging their growth and then squelching the creation of new blood vessels that tumors need to thrive. Study after study has found that people who regularly drink green tea reduce their risk of breast, stomach, esophagus, colon, and/or prostate cancer.
2. SOOTHE YOUR SKIN
   Got a cut, scrape, or bite, and a little leftover green tea? Soak a cotton pad in it. The tea is a natural antiseptic that relieves itching and swelling. Try it on inflamed breakouts and blemishes, sunburns, even puffy eyelids.
3. PROTECT YOUR SKIN
   In the lab, green tea applied directly to the skin (or consumed) helps block sun-triggered skin cancer, which is why you're seeing green tea in more and more sunscreens and moisturizers.
4. STEADY YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
   Having healthy blood pressure - meaning below 120/80 - is one thing. Keeping it that way is quite another. But people who sip just half a cup a day are almost 50 percent less likely to wind up with hypertension than non-drinkers. Credit goes to the polyphenols again (especially one known as ECGC). They help keep blood vessels from contracting and raising blood pressure.
5. PROTECT YOUR MEMORY, OR YOUR MOM'S
   Green tea may also keep the brain from turning fuzzy. Getting-up-there adults who drink at least two cups a day are half as likely to develop cognitive problems as those who drink less. Why? It appears that the tea's big dose of antioxidants fights the free-radical damage to brain nerves seen in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
6. STAY YOUNG
   The younger and healthier your arteries are, the younger and healthier you are. So fight plaque build-up in your blood vessels, which ups the risk of heart disease and stroke, adds years to your biological age (or RealAge), and saps your energy too. How much green tea does this vital job take? About 10 ounces a day, which also deters your body from absorbing artery-clogging fat and cholesterol.
7. LOSE WEIGHT
   Oh yeah, one more thing. Turns out that green tea speeds up your body's calorie-burning process. In the every-little-bit-counts department, this is good news!

Useful tips - HOW TO BREW A CUP OF GREEN TEA

Producing the perfect cup of green tea is a tricky process. If not handled properly, those same polyphenols that provide health benefits can ruin the flavor, making the tea taste "gassy." It's particularly important not to overbrew. While it's best to follow the manufacturer's instructions for each variety of green tea, here are some general instructions:

• Use one tea bag, or 2 - 4 grams of tea,* per cup.
• Fill a kettle with cold water and bring to a boil.
• After unplugging the kettle, allow it to stand for up to 3 minutes.
• Pour the heated water over the tea bag or tea, and allow it to steep for up to 3 minutes. If using a tea bag, remove the bag.
• Allow the tea to cool for three more minutes.
  *One to two teaspoons, depending on the variety of green tea you are brewing.

---- More articles on green tea:
The Miracle of Green Tea
How much green tea should you drink?

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Starbucks Coffee - Indulgence for dieters

This is interesting!! Dieting with coffee has a way too... Now check out the lists below before you order your coffee at Starbucks. Indulge in your Starbucks Coffee with a planned diet!!

Source: Starbucks.com & Dietbites.com
How many calories in Starbucks coffees? Although plain coffee contains 0 calories, flavored coffees can pack on the pounds when the calories are not included in your daily calorie total. Let's see just how much damage that cup of tasty java can do to our hips - but before you look, keep in mind that if you account for that special cup of coffee or treat throughout the day, then it's totally OKAY.

Diet Tips when visiting Starbucks Coffee:

• The fancier the drink, the fancier the calories - especially when you opt for the whipped topping. On average, the whipped topping will cost about 130 calories.
• Most of Starbucks Coffee 'flavoring' additives contain 70 OR more calories per shot - so go for the sugar free varieties to save calories.
• WHENEVER you are calculating 'milk' calories, remember that skim milk contains about 80 calories per cup, low fat milk contains 120 calories per cup and whole milk contains 160 calories per cup. Each are separated by 40 calories as we move up the scale from skim to whole.

p.s/ I spent quite some time to categorize the per serving calories into 3 categories with the following colour codes:
GREEN - below 200 cal; ORANGE - between 201-400 cal; PINK - above 400 cal
Grande= 16 fl oz; Tall= 12 fl oz

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สวย - Beautifully Thai

I was strolling along the Jungceylon shopping mall in Phuket last week, doing some spontaneous shopping while looking for food. And...what a surprise -- 359Baht for facial relaxing massage plus free head & shoulder massage!!! Not even need to pay for a 500Baht facial...

Too bad I was in a rush so I missed it!! D*mn! ...*sob sob*... But I learned one word from my masseur the next day - สวย (sŭay) - pronounced "zu-ai", it means beautiful. In Thailand you get to stay beautiful all the while, yes. indeed.

For the guys, you should learn to say this -- ผม แม่บ้าน สวย (pŏm mâe bâan sŭay). It means "I have a beautiful wife". XD

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Looking for a suitable Sunblock?

Which sunscreen ingredients should I look for to get the best sun protection?

For maximal sun protection, get a sunscreen that gives you both UVA and UVB protection. A lotion that offers UVB protection will have an "SPF" rating, while those with UVA protection will have a "PA" rating.

If you want to get a makeup or skincare product that can offer you protection against UVA and UVB rays, ensure you read the labels. There are different types of sunblock ingredients: Some are called physical sunblocks, others are known as chemical sunblocks. These are the ingredients that are commonly added to guard against infrared rays.

• Physical Sunblocks. As the name suggests, physical sunblocks offer protection against the sun's rays by physically blocking out dangerous rays from coming into direct contact with your skin. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (Z-cote) are examples of physical sunblocks. When applied, they cover the skin thus preventing direct exposure to UV rays.
• Chemical Sunblock. Chemical sunblocks include avobenzone (Parsol 1789) which guard against UVA rays, and octyl salicylate and cinnamates which protect your skin from UVB rays. For chemical sunblocks, you need to apply them at least 30 minutes before stepping out for maximum effectiveness.
• Water-Resistant and Water-Proof Sunblock. If you are heading to the beach or pool for a swim, your best option should be sunblock lotions that are labelled "water-resistant" or "water-proof". These contain ingredients that make them stick on your skin longer, even when you are in water. However, their adherence will weaken when you come into contact with water, so remember to re-apply after swimming.
  

For more information on suncare products, browse through the following websites:
- Banana Boat (My favourite suncare product, suitable for me because there is no cinnamate ingredient (I think I'm more like a coral...easily damaged by sunscreen...))
- Nivea Sun
- Sunplay

A little more....about...Cinnamates.
Cinnamates are less commonly found in sunscreens but are a common ingredient used as flavorings and fragrances in everything from toothpaste to perfumes. These chemicals are related to Balsam of Peru, cinnamon oils and cinnamic acid and aldehyde, so people allergic to cinnamates may also be allergic to these other chemicals.

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Weight loss through eating habits

Counting down on another 7 days before my vacation...so what's the progress of my 2-inch reduction work out?! Yea I've been reading tonnes of articles about calories, weight loss, and eating habits... And I found this. I think it's no harm to follow some really good eating habits for weight loss without having to starve myself.

"The following dining tips are simple and can work for anyone on any diet to drop pounds. "...I hope so, but still I'm following it now....and I feel good about it.

1. Hunger Erases Food Sanity
   Don't wait until you feel ravenous before sitting down to enjoy a meal. Otherwise, you might mirror the pretty lady who sucked the french fry through her lips.
2. Take Time to Dine
   Take time to savor the meal before diving in. Take in the colors, the textures, the smell and the atmosphere. And once those utensils meet with the hands, take time to eat slowly.
3. Salt, Sugar, Butter & Dressings
   Before grabbing the salt shaker and shaking it over the food take time to taste it first. Use the same technique for foods that are complimented by sugar, butter and dressings.
4. Taking Bites Down to Size
   By simply pausing to cut the food into smaller and/or manageable bites, digestion is made easier, the meal takes longer to complete, and the food is more satisfying. When there are foods such as English peas on the table, rather than grabbing an overloaded spoonful, try eating just a few at a time - and enjoy them before swallowing.
5. Chew-Chew
   Rather than chewing bite-sized food for a second or two, then swallowing - take time to chew food thoroughly. Our bodies naturally require chewing time which is one reason why liquid diets fail.
6. Dine in Peace
   Flip off the tube and/or video games as individuals tend to eat more when their thoughts become preoccupied. When dining, it's time to keep the focus where it belongs - on the meal.
7. Soup & Salad
   When dining out, enjoy a side salad with light dressing or a cup of broth-based soup. A soup or salad before mealtime will help curb appetite. And you'll end up eating far less fat and calories that are packed into the freebies - such as the innocent looking bread and chip baskets.
8. The Water Trough
   Try opting for clear cool water to enjoy with meals rather than sweet tea, sweet sodas or sweet juices. The common serving size for beverages is about 8 ounces which equals a cup. Most individuals end up drinking 3-4 times that amount over the coarse of a meal which adds up to several hundred calories for just the beverage. Rarely do glasses equal one cup.
9. Desserts for Waist-Watchers
   Desserts served in restaurants tend to be on the gigantic size. If you opt for dessert, request a couple of plates and forks and share with someone at your table. Or, request a to-go box and enjoy later.

Alright there's more to talk about....such as combinations of food that will strangle our diet plan to death~ Huh...so much more that I just realized... sh*t! I just swallowed a whole box of POPCORN last night when watching Nuffnang's free premiere screening - Mamma Mia!!!

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I need a slimming cream....any suggestions?

Apparently I need to lose more weight... only 12 more days for me to gain a satisfied result on my current workout, at least another 1 inch reduction on my flabby tummy. Oh...I must have enjoyed too much supper recently and now it's really S.O.S. on my diet plan. What more can I do to speed up? I've been reading ads in magazines searching for an effective slimming product. I'm not going to take any slimming tablets or slimming juice but only thinking of buying lotion or cream...

All these days I've done quite a lot of "selective slimming" for my tummy, my hips and my arms...sit ups, cycling, massage.... Well, yes I did lose about 1 or 2 inches but I'm not that satisfied yet...you know, going for vacation in Phuket means most outfits will be sleeveless tops, tube tops, bare back, short pants, swimsuits or even bikini mar... I plan to snap a lot a lot of photos so I gotta look slim instead of looking like a pig... I want to look perfect under sunshine!!!

Anyone can suggest me a really effective product to speed up my slimming regime?? I've tried Shimizu and Loreal before but the effect was only skin tightening I can say... Help help!! Emergency weight loss I need....for a picture perfect vacation!

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Enough sun care for your skin?

Have you ever evaluate yourself on your suncare knowledge? Like what SPF is sufficient to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, how long should you reapply your sunscreen, what amount should you apply.....

Spend a 5 minute for this "Sun Safety Quiz" to find out more. I scored 9/10! =) What about you? But if you're too lazy to take the quiz, scroll down for my set of answers....well, I still got one wrong...

Let's start!

Q1: A suntan is fine, as long as you don't burn.
Answer: False

Correct! While even one sunburn may double the chance of eventually developing melanoma (the most serious type of skin cancer), you are still at risk even if you never burn. Both burning and tanning damage the DNA of skin cells. This damage sometimes leads to skin cancer. In other words, the more sun you get, the more likely you are to develop certain skin cancers.


Q2: To get sufficient UV protection, you should choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least:
Answer: 15

Correct! Make sure your sunscreen offers at least SPF 15. SPF ratings indicate how much longer you may be protected from sunburn than you would be if no sunscreen were applied.For instance, if your unprotected skin normally starts turning red in 20 minutes, using a product with SPF 15 will theoretically prevent burning 15 times as long — or about five hours.

Q3: If you're planning to spend time outdoors, you should apply sunscreen:
Answer: A half hour before leaving

CorrectSunscreens should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to fully bind to the skin.

Q4: You should reapply waterproof sunscreen:
Answer: Every 2 hours

Correct! All sunscreens become less effective after about two hours – even waterproof ones. To make sure you stay covered, reapply every two hours, especially after you've been swimming, or sweating or doing something that can wipe off sunscreen, like toweling off.

Q5: The darker your skin color, the less you need to worry about sun protection.
Answer: False

Correct! Anyone can develop skin cancer, even those with darker pigmented skin. For this reason, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that all people take precautions against sun exposure, regardless of their skin type or color.

Q6: How much sunscreen should you apply?
Answer: Enough to cover half the palm of your hand

Incorrect! The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that adults use an ounce of sunscreen to cover all exposed areas – the amount that fills a shot glass.

Q7: On cool or cloudy days, you still need a sunscreen.
Answer: True

Correct! According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, up to 40 percent of the sun's UV rays reaches the earth on a completely cloudy day. This is the reason people often end up with sunburns on overcast days after spending all day outdoors with no sun protection.

Q8: Wearing sunscreen can cause vitamin D deficiency.
Answer: False

Correct! Although sunlight helps our body make vitamin D, we get plenty of this nutrient through vitamin D-rich foods such as milk and fortified orange juice and everyday sun exposure, says the American Academy of Dermatology. Plus, even if you're wearing sunscreen, small amounts of UV rays still penetrate your skin, and that's more than enough to help your body produce vitamin D.

Q9: When does sunscreen expire?
Answer: After three years

Correct! Unless the expiry date says otherwise, sunscreen lasts for up to three years. If, however, you keep the bottle in your car on hot summer days, the heat will cause the sunscreen compounds to break down, which means your sunscreen won't last as long.

Q10: Darker lenses on sunglasses offer better protection from ultraviolet rays than do lighter sunglass lenses.
Answer: False

Correct! The shade of the lens doesn't tell you whether it protects your eyes from the sun's rays. In fact, you won't be able to see any difference between lenses that block the ultraviolet rays and those that don't. Look for a manufacturer's label that says the sunglasses block 99 percent or 100 percent of all ultraviolet light. To be even more effective, choose sunglasses that fit close to your face or have wraparound frames that block sunlight from all angles.

Enjoy your sunbathing. Just like me.

And I'm gonna tan myself again this Oct... in Phuket. =D

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Moonlight beneath my eyes

First of all, this is a special post in conjunction with my celebration for Mooncake Festival. =) Ok, I went for beauty shopping again today because I thought of buying myself some makeup tools and maybe some masks. Notice that I look kinda tired recently? I think it's time to pamper myself with a little more shopping goods.

Puffy eyes due to not enough sleep

After choosing and picking up cosmetics from a few beauty shops, I finally got myself these - most importantly, BRIGHTENING EYE ZONE TREATMENT PATCH!! Yes I definitely need this to lighten my dark circles.

Alright I just finished gobbling 2 mooncakes. Gosh...another few more hundreds of calories to reduce!! So while doing some simple workouts to burn calories while blogging now, I'm patching my eyes as well. A 3-step-routine to brighter eye zone, I can't wait to see the effect.



Looks like 2 half-moons on my face yea? Happy Mooncake Festival!

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