There is more to Singapore than the five iconic Merlion statues scattered across the city-state. As the old adage goes, there is always more than what meets the eye. While you can enjoy the magnificent view of highly urbanized skyscrapers and high towers with flickering lights in the night, exploring Singapore like a local is still undoubtedly an experience you wouldn’t want to miss!

Whoever said the mundane and the regular have to be boring? Here are some local activities and attractions you can enjoy during your next visit to the Merlion City.

1. Visit the HDB buildings
If you want to experience the city-state like a true local, one of your best shots is to visit the many Housing & Development Board (HDB) buildings around Singapore. These residential buildings are located in the heartlands and they represent the city’s diverse population in a way. As they say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” and so you can visit a wet market, bargain at flea markets and thrift stores, play chess with locals at the void decks, or jog at the park on a sunny afternoon.

2. Enjoy Sentosa
Sentosa, Singapore’s most popular island, is considered a solace by lots of citizens as it offers them a haven in escaping the busy city life. Visiting the island can be an exciting weekend adventure for you! Take a cable car or a ferry to head over the island, and expect to be awestruck by the beautiful views the resort has. No wonder how it attracts millions of sightseers annually.

3. Eat at a Hawker center
You wouldn’t want to miss out on the rich Singaporean cuisine. It is considered a melting pot of diverse flavors, ranging from Indian, Malay, and Chinese influences. If you’re on tight budget, hawker centers offer meals which won’t drive you to break the bank without sacrificing the taste and the rich food quality.

Eating at a local hawker center, for one, can also be revered to as a sensory experience — with busy people bustling in the streets and different food items you can choose from. Local delicacies such as chili crabs, satay, fried carrot cake, roti prata, and Hokkien mee are a must-try for every tourist!

4. Shop like a local
Allow yourself to enjoy a little retail therapy. It doesn’t necessarily have to cost you thousands of dollars just as long as you know where to shop. Thrift shops, as was mentioned earlier, are considered a popular shopping destination by a lot of practical and savvy Singaporeans. Shopping districts such as Bugis Street, Haji Lane, and Joo Chiat have stores which you can score a great bargain. They have everything you’re looking for in a souvenir, from antiques to trendy clothes.

Whether you live in a high-end condo or in a cramped up apartment, these cramped up breeds will fit just right in. Here are seven best dog breeds to keep you company in apartments or any small spaces.

1. Yorkshire Terrier
If you want a pup that’s small in size but big in heart, then a Yorkshire Terrier might be the perfect pet for you. Yorkies are affectionate dogs and are low maintenance. They do not shed as much, so you do not have to vacuum constantly and worry about your furry and feathery furniture.

2. Shih Tzu
What would better fit in a small space that a dog that’s also called as ‘toy breed’? Shih Tzus furry coat may require a bit more maintenance, but their affectionate attitude and mild temperaments make them worth the effort when it comes to proper grooming.

3. Greyhound
While their tall and lanky appearance looks alarming, Greyhounds are known to be mellow house dogs. These gentle beasts do not require much exercise other that a regular sprint in the park to burn up some energy. They are smart breeds, but their independent attitude best suits a single-pet home.

4. French Bulldog
Friendly, cute and jolly—these what makes a French Bulldog the perfect apartment dog. They do not bark as much, and like the previous breed, do not require much exercise. Due to their playful disposition, they easily get along with strangers and children. However, make sure you have air conditioning unit in your apartment since French Bulldogs do not rest well in extremely hot temperature.

5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Here is an adorable breed that loves being around people and is known for its good behaviour. This breed suits to be in an apartment because they are affectionate towards people and other animals. However, daily exercise is necessary, so be prepared to do an everyday walk at the park.

6. Chihuahua
Looking for an pet do that’s small, sweet and as sassy as you? Look no further than a Chihuahua. They are perfect for your apartment because of their tiny structure and the fact that they do not need a lot of walking at the park. However, be prepared to spoil them with attention: Chihuahuas crave for attention and tend to form very close bond to their owners.

7. Pug
Pugs are loyal companions and their small size makes them suitable for small spaces. This four-legged little furry mammal is curious by nature, so be prepared to walk and explore around more often. Once they return home, however, pugs easily relax and unwind on their own.

Any dog is a great companion. However, if you’re living in an apartment, where there’s very limited space and where you live closely with other tenants in the same building, getting the right breed will ensure a happy and peaceful living.

There’s a technique to packing a carry-on bag, especially if it is the only bag you’re bringing with you. You should be able to balance the airline requirements, while making sure you have everything you need throughout the trip.

To help you avoid the pitfalls of airport luggage problems and overpacking, here are some practical tips to keep in mind when packing your carry-on bag.

Pack by Planning Around Your Shoes
Your shoes take up most of the space of your suitcase. A good rule of thumb is to bring a pair of flip flops or sandals and a pair of versatile flats that can be dressed up or down. Once you stored them securely at the bottom of the suitcase, fold your shirts and jeans and then roll them up, placing them next to each other. Lastly, your underwear will go in small empty spaces and pockets of the bag.

Use Packing Cubes
Compartments of different sizes will help avoid instances like “where will I put this cover-up?” “Where did I put my bikini?” or “Why won’t this close?!” Zippered pouches will keep your things organized, and neatly packed. They fit in your carry-on luggage like puzzle pieces and keeping all your belongings easily accessible.

Always Bring a Swimsuit
Do we need to say more? You’re in a new place. Frolicking in the beach is part of the fun.

Go Back to Basics
One genius way to save space is to… pack less. If you are thinking of wearing something elaborate for your Instagram post, know that it’s just impractical. It will only weigh down your carry-on and probably pay for more when you’re asked to check it in. In general, stick to basics—plain shirts, basic denim jeans you can re-wear multiple times, a casual dress and a versatile pair of footwear.

If It Doesn’t Fit In the Bag, Wear It
If no matter how much you try to go basic and things still won’t fit in your carry-on, be prepared to layer up! Wear your heaviest shoes, your coat or anything that would take up so much space in your suitcase. Airports and planes are notoriously cold, so it won’t matter if you’re wearing bulky clothes.

Pack a First Aid Kit
If you’re flying more than four hours, make the effort to pack some medicines with you in case of bodily mishaps. In your medicine kit, pack everything from Paracetamol for headaches to your maintenance pills and meds, if you have any. Also, you would want to bring an airplane kit that has eye mask, earplugs and some motion sickness tablets.

Cramming everything up in a carry-on luggage isn’t easy, but always worth the effort. Bringing only one bag makes travelling easier as it gives you more flexibility to change flight or route on a whim without worrying about checked in luggage.

A company that will constantly need logistics services to transport its goods from the suppliers and to its customers is familiar with the problems of finding the right shipping company, which mode of transportation is appropriate for the goods, documentation and fees for both local freight and international freight, the regulations set forth by Customs, and the laws on importation and exportation.

Add to that the problem of transporting sensitive cargo or perishable goods that need to be delivered on time and in good condition. These setbacks can cause extra charges and even cancelations, not a good record for your company.

What should you look for in freight forwarding services in Singapore to minimize the transportation and logistics services problems?

What a Freight Forwarder Can Do for You

A logistics company not only provides or look for transportation services for your goods, but they essentially perform these five basic tasks regardless if you need to send or receive the goods in Singapore or overseas:

1. Special Handling. The freight forwarder should be able to handle sensitive, oversized or dangerous goods properly and assist you in its documentation.

2. Storage. Some goods will need temporary storage before they can be transported, but this should be provided by the shipping company.

3. Packaging. The best logistics company like http://www.freightmaster.sg/ in Singapore should be able to anticipate if some of the goods need special packaging for safe transportation.

4. Customs Clearance. The freight forwarder services in Singapore can assist you in the document processing, Customs clearance, miscellaneous paperwork, and fees for freight forwarding and transportation.

5. Inventory Management. Multiple cargo should be handled in an organized manner by an experienced logistics company in Singapore, whether it’s from the point of origin or at its destination.

Modern freight forwarders, however, can do more than these, so ask for a list of services that a freight forwarder offers.

Some companies also need special arrangements for transportation, whether you need air freight or sea freight, to transport your goods by local freight or by international freight. If you have a logistics staff in your business, they should be able to determine if the freight forwarding services will meet your needs; such as determining the type of trade you want performed (door to door, door to port or vice versa, and port to port); ability to handle special requirements for a competitive price; your intended budget versus the rate and the premium charges of globally-competitive freight forwarders; and your expectations in terms of the speed and service level of freight forwarding.

Benefits of a Freight Forwarder Services

Freight forwarding can help your business transport your merchandise safely, whether you’re an importer or an exporter. Among the numerous benefits are the following:

1. The merchandise will be delivered on time and in good condition, because the freight forwarder is an expert in the transportation of goods.

2. The shipping company has an insurance and risk assessment and management in case your merchandise is lost or damaged, making it easier for your company to recover, although these incidents are rare.

3. Freight forwarding services can provide you with a way to track your merchandise anytime, anywhere.

4. You don’t need to worry about transporting goods through special requests, because most freight forwarding companies accept customized cargo arrangements.

5. Fewer headaches when it comes to documentation, because the logistics company is an expert in local freight, international freight, Customs clearances and permits, and transportation.

You need to understand, however, that the freight forwarder is not the party that will transport your merchandise, but they will act as your agents to negotiate which carriers, whether you need sea freight or air freight, can provide you what you need. They are your negotiators who will handle everything from documentation to warehousing to insurance.

What to Look for in a Freight Forwarder

Each business that needs to transport its goods has a different expectation when it comes to freight forwarding. Some clients might want the logistics company to take a product from one point to another, but there are industries that have special needs and special cargo.

Ask yourself before contacting the freight forwarding services if they can handle any type of problem from any type of business or industry. Moreover, you need to ask the following questions when choosing which freight forwarder in Singapore is the right one for you.

1. Can the freight forwarding services handle the type of goods you want transported or do they handle only specific or special items?

2. Is the freight forwarder affiliated with various global businesses other logistics services? Do they have overseas agents? Can they find alternative options for transportation during the peak seasons?

3. Is the freight forwarder financially stable? Do they have a good reputation among the customers?

4. Can the freight forwarder provide you with the right information and document you need as soon as possible?

5. Do they have cargo insurance?

6. Are they able to secure competitive prices for air freight, trucking, and sea freight?

7. Is their communication level satisfactory?

Research about the services of the different logistics services online or ask for recommendations from other businesses or companies that have had experience with a freight forwarder. Don’t forget to look for reviews of present and past customers and what type of problems the logistics company runs into and how these are resolved.

Lastly, you need to know the basic rules of international transportation, the free trade zones, importing and exporting laws and requirements, Customs clearance requirements, list of permits, the list of dangerous and prohibited goods, warehousing, penalties and common offences, and documentation. Singapore Customs has a list of all the requirements for importation and exportation, as well as a best practice guide to avoid the penalties.

You don’t have to be an expert in these, but knowing what you’re getting from your freight forwarder can help you decide what’s good for your business.

Singapore is known to be one of the richest countries in the world. It boasts of tall skylines and modernization of its own kind, of undisputed success by which even foreign nationals can attest to. From what used to be a swampland, it now became a leading city-state in Asia and across the globe.

The Legatum Prosperity Index, which gives rankings on affluent countries based on income and wellbeing, placed Singapore in the 17th spot. Numerous factors suggest why the city-state is successful; it has a strong economy, workers’ wages are stable, and probably one of the most defining factors is that the government truly cares about the people.

The government has formulated various ways to help the citizens. Though other countries generally do so, Singapore seems to have taken the game on a different, much more serious level. In their efforts, they have committed to establish programs that encourage people’s stability and improvement.

Education
Citizens in Singapore has significantly lower tuition fees compared to foreign students and special permanent residents, whether at a private or government-funded institution. A government initiative known as Edusave Scheme maximizes the citizen’s opportunities that includes the following such as: a pupils fund for primary or secondary level students and various scholarships for students who excel in academics and non-academics endeavors.

Health Care
The city-state is known to put their people first. Health care is one of the top priorities of the government and gives out assistance in many forms. One is the Medifund, which is an endowment fund available to Singapore citizens who are having difficulties paying for their medical expenses. Another is the Medisave, a form of account savings, which can be used to pay the hospital bills of the holder and immediate members of the family in case of need.

Leave Benefits
Filing leave of absences at work is eligible for different situations in Singapore. Citizens are entitled to qualify for taking a maternity leave; for pregnant mothers, paternity leave; which is usually a week-long per year, and childcare and infant care leave; for tending after newborn and little children.

Parenthood Incentives
Singapore citizens who are parents of newborns receive 6,000 SGD for the first two children, and it only gets higher for the succeeding births. Each newborn also immediately gets a Medisave account with grant upon birth. Married citizens, as well as working mothers, enjoy tax relief off their incomes. This is because of a government initiative which encourages couples to bear more children.

Housing
Singapore citizens who are over and above 21 years old are already qualified to purchase flats from the Housing and Development Board. They can also avail the government’s housing loans and grants with a concessionary interest rate.

Facials are now one of the most popular beauty packages people avail. It is easy to figure out the reason behind this growing trend in Singapore, especially since our faces are one of our greatest assets, and how we look leaves a lasting impression on the people we meet.

Most of us aspires to have the same healthy, glowing skin we see in models who are on the cover pages of magazines – and the good news is, having a facial package is a great step to that path! Facials help in fixing few skin problems. Aside from getting rid of clogged dead cells, the process revives the skin’s appearance and prevents wrinkles and other fine lines. It also maintains the skin’s firmness. However, as tempting it is to avail of that beauty package right now, here are some important things you need to know first.

Your Skin Type
Not all skincare treatments are suited for your skin. People with sensitive skin should practice caution in undergoing beauty packages since there’s a chance that their skin may be irritated. Using only the best products depending on your skin type will likely give you the results you are aiming for without additional costs in an event of complications. Better safe than sorry!

Setting Expectations
Sadly, one session alone cannot guarantee you instant results. Yes, you will notice some changes – such as how your skin seems lighter than usual – but it is important to have reasonable expectations of the outcome before undergoing the procedure. That way, you won’t be as disappointed in case the results don’t match the tremendous and great outcomes you were expecting.

Dehydration
If you see annoying, dry flakes on your nose in the morning, chances are your skin is turning dry. Dehydration can cause further troubles to your dermis and you’d want to avoid that before having your rejuvenating facial package. Dehydration, of course, happens when your skin lacks water, making it look dull and gloomy. So make sure to drink plenty of water to improve your complexion.

Caution
Your skin actually turns extra sensitive after going through extraction or deep cleansing which is why it’s better to resist touching your baby-soft complexion after going through a facial package. With your skin being fragile, you must also ensure to protect it against harmful UV rays, external chemicals, and bacteria from your environment.

Better Overall Health
If you condition your overall health properly, you can expect impressive results even from just a single facial session. Dermatologists suggest that having enough sleep, eating healthily, and exercising contributes a lot to the enhancement of your skin’s condition. Make sure to eat a lot of greens and lycopene-rich food such as tomatoes before having your next beauty session!

Insomnia is the most common sleeping disorder. It can affect anyone and is caused by either medical or psychiatric conditions. If you are suffering from insomnia or know a friend or loved one who does, here are the things you need to know.

Causes of Insomnia

The most common cause of insomnia is an unhealthy lifestyle like the following: too many distractions and restlessness before bedtime; a shift in sleeping patterns; too much alcohol, caffeine in coffee, tea and energy drinks; smoking; eating too much or not having meals at fixed schedules; and sleeping in an environment that causes stress.

Medical problems that cause insomnia include neurological problems, gastrointestinal or endocrinal problems, nasal allergies and asthma, and body pains like arthritis. Neurological disorders like anxiety and depression as well as psychological disorders can also cause insomnia. Other sleep disorders like sleep apnea might also trigger insomnia.

Taking medications can also cause insomnia as a side effect especially those for heart diseases, controlling blood pressure, asthma, birth control, and for cold and nasal allergies.

Women who enter the perimenopause up to the menopause stages will also likely to develop insomnia because of hormonal changes.

Symptoms of Insomnia

You have insomnia if you experience the following:

• you can’t fall asleep despite fatigue
• you wake up early even if you didn’t get enough sleep
• you have trouble getting back to sleep when you wake up in the middle of the night
• you feel tired already when you wake up
• your daily activities are affected
• you feel sleepy all day

Effects of Insomnia

Insomnia can affect your health, work or school and even your relationships.

The effects of insomnia are the following:

• frequent mood swings
• depression and anxiety
• poor memory and cognitive processes
• inability to concentrate in your tasks
• feeling tired even after you have rested or slept
• you get sick easily because your immune system can’t fight back illnesses

Managing Insomnia

Although there are medications available for insomnia, sleeping pills might not help in the long run and they also have side effects. However, ask your doctor if you need a short-term solution. Don’t hesitate to consult a doctor if you think you need help.

Meanwhile, you can try these solutions to manage insomnia:

• sleep and wake up at fixed schedules
• don’t force yourself to sleep if you can’t, that will only add stress
• try relaxing before going to bed
• reduce your caffeine intake
• eat properly and at the right time; don’t eat before bedtime
• exercise but don’t do so before bedtime
• stay away from activities and items that can distract you like gadgets
• inspect your sleeping environment; make sure your bedroom doesn’t cause stress
• don’t take naps; sleeping a few minutes won’t help you catch up with your sleep

Clinical depression is the most misunderstood mood disorder. Most people associate it with sadness and pessimism and that it can be avoided with a healthy state of mind. That’s where the problem begins however. It is not a disease that can be treated by choice, but is a serious medical condition that can be addressed with psychotherapy, medications or a combination of the two.

So what do you do if you think your friend or a family member is a victim?

Look for Signs

These can be physical, emotional, behavioral and cognitive symptoms. Clinically depressed people feel hopeless, sad and don’t enjoy activities like other people do. They are also unable to concentrate and find it difficult to make decisions. They may also be forgetful, feel worthless, and express excessive guilt. They don’t feel motivated to do or care about anything. They also tend to complain about different pains, weight gain or loss, and insomnia. If these symptoms are present for days at a time, it might be clinical depression.

History and Triggers

Family history can play a role in determining if the person has a high risk for developing clinical depression. Traumatic events like neglect, abuse and violence are common factors as well as death of a loved one. Alcohol and drug dependency may also result in depression.

Other factors like stress at work or school can also trigger. Depression can also be caused by chemical imbalance in the brain. There is also a study that women are more likely to develop depression than men especially when entering the menopause stage. People with chronic diseases may also develop depression.

How You Can Help

Most people who are depressed however don’t talk about the things that they feel. That is why depression is sometimes called “suffering in silence.” If you know someone who fulfils most of the symptoms above, convince him or her to see a doctor. Sometimes, only a doctor can determine of the person is clinically depressed.

Educate yourself and the people around you so that everyone can contribute. The symptoms of depression can’t be stopped by force of will alone, so telling your depressed friend or relative to cheer up and expect him/ her to be okay is insensitive. Practice patience and show sympathy. Some people think being depressed is like being stubborn.

Being More Understanding

Depressed people often have ideas about self-importance, love and support that are distorted from ours. Telling them to toughen up will not get through to them. If you show them you’re frustrated and exhausted, that will only lead them to withdraw further. Listen and play close attention to conversations.

They usually talk not because they need advice but they need someone who will listen. Do not shame them for being sad because that can cause more guilt. Encourage him/her to do activities that are relaxing and promote positive thinking. Depressed people sometimes think about death as a release from their suffering. If you see signs, take it seriously.