I have been hooked on Toggle SG for some time. Am very happy to say that this is an awesome way for Singaporeans to catch up with programs by Media Corp. This is especially good for those who are overseas and want to catch some home town programs that would make them feel at home even though they are far away from home. I also find it very useful to be able to catch up with local news to keep in touch with things that are happening back home which I have missed especially the news that is on Channel 8.
Previously there was a site called XinMSN that is similar to Toggle SG which allows you to catch up on missed television programs by Media Corp. However, after some time, this portal seems dead without any further updates especially for the Channel 8 news 6:30pm which I love catching.
So if you are not on Toggle SG, you'd better sign up for it coz it is FREE. You get to catch up with many programs online. For those who are overseas, you too can get onto Toggle SG too. You just need to change some settings by adding your identification number to identify that you are a Singaporean and you are all set to watch the programs. I do hope that this portal would continue to be kept alive and updated at all times so that television craze like me can always catch up with missed programs where ever and when ever.
Read more about Toggle SG accessing from overseas under their FAQ
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Mammogram for the first time
I have reached the age for doing a Mammogram Screening. Thus, scheduled a month ahead in November to visit the Polyclinic in January for a screening.
First time screening and don't know what to expect. Nothing was mentioned over the internet by others who have done this procedure about the screening as to how it was like.
Well, Mammogram Screening at the Polyclinic was different. I had to go to the X-ray department and wait for my name to be called. They don't have a number issued to you and wait for the number to appear on the screen. The cost of having a Mammogram Screening is $107.00. Thank God I am a Singaporean and the government have subsidy for this screening of $57.00. Thus, I only have to pay $50.00 for this screening.
The process is like an X-ray. You have to remove metal things away from the part that you need to be X-rayed on. However, this is a slight different in a way that the machine is able to rotate itself to the angle they want to be X=rayed. So, expect to have each breast x-rayed twice at different angles. It is indeed a painful process I must say. The reason being you have to push forward for the breast to rest on the machine. Imagine that the machine camera on top have a cover to protect the camera screen, your face have to be pressed on that screen for the x=ray to be done correctly. This is also not one of the problem. After the nurse place your breast in the correct position, the machine will start to clamp down and I do mean clamp down to press hard on the breast to get the x-ray. Imagine the pressure coming from a machine! DAMN! OUCH!!! Then another one shot on the same breast going through the same process. After all these pressing, I am in pain! Not forgetting each shot I have to hold my breath. This is causing me dizzy!
& this have to done yet again the following year until 49 years old. After which would be once every 2 years from 50 onwards. Phobia already! The results will be out in a months time.
First time screening and don't know what to expect. Nothing was mentioned over the internet by others who have done this procedure about the screening as to how it was like.
Well, Mammogram Screening at the Polyclinic was different. I had to go to the X-ray department and wait for my name to be called. They don't have a number issued to you and wait for the number to appear on the screen. The cost of having a Mammogram Screening is $107.00. Thank God I am a Singaporean and the government have subsidy for this screening of $57.00. Thus, I only have to pay $50.00 for this screening.
The process is like an X-ray. You have to remove metal things away from the part that you need to be X-rayed on. However, this is a slight different in a way that the machine is able to rotate itself to the angle they want to be X=rayed. So, expect to have each breast x-rayed twice at different angles. It is indeed a painful process I must say. The reason being you have to push forward for the breast to rest on the machine. Imagine that the machine camera on top have a cover to protect the camera screen, your face have to be pressed on that screen for the x=ray to be done correctly. This is also not one of the problem. After the nurse place your breast in the correct position, the machine will start to clamp down and I do mean clamp down to press hard on the breast to get the x-ray. Imagine the pressure coming from a machine! DAMN! OUCH!!! Then another one shot on the same breast going through the same process. After all these pressing, I am in pain! Not forgetting each shot I have to hold my breath. This is causing me dizzy!
& this have to done yet again the following year until 49 years old. After which would be once every 2 years from 50 onwards. Phobia already! The results will be out in a months time.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
MOE Direct School Placement Procedure for overseas personnel
Well, this school placement process should be easy but it SUCKS BIG TIME!
Ok ... We were not able to make it for the School Placement Test for the one that was set by MOE which happens one in Oct and Dec every year. We applied direct for school placement through MOE. We have three school choices to pick but then MOE came back to us with a school which is no where really walking distance but have to change bus to get there. As there isn't a choice we took the one assigned by MOE.
We arrived back home and head to the school MOE has given us and to learn that they only have slots for Express stream. I like HAR! Why MOE give me a school that only have Express stream? Isn't that a waste of time? Only one slot and not test for both slot! Anyway, we went ahead with the test in hope that we could be lucky that our child would really get in. I wasn't hopeful but have to try right?
So, my child have to take 2 test. One English paper which consist of 3 paper in fact. One letter writing, One Compo, One open ended comprehension. NO MCQ at all! Maths paper also no MCQ but all problem sums. Seem to understand from my child the Maths seems to be on Sec 1 based. Didn't see it myself then can't argue on that she only PSLE stage how to understand Sec 1 Math.
Were told that they would have the results by Tuesday. Waited and waited whole Tuesday, no news. Send email, no reply. Damn! Why can't some people reply emails. At least say something we are still processing or something instead of ignore. DAMN! Hate emails! I should have annoy them with phone calls instead. I called MOE for assistance and the girl who assisted me was extremely nice who go all the way to help me find out from the school. She said that the school will have the results on Wednesday. Ok... waited and waited ... still no news. Damn! Give up! Go find it myself lar! MOE isn't really helpful to making things move. If the school rule everything, what the HELL we need MOE ever for! Do something lah MOE! You preach that you want every children to be in school but it certainly don't look like leh. I am waiting and waiting for some ridiculous procedure to move. Time is running out!
Still, from my understanding from this school, looking for another school for placement, your may child may need to take another school placement test. I like, what the HELL! Can't you all use the same result to evaluate meh? This is utterly demoralizing. MOE what are you doing? Trying to teach a child to be a better person or killing them silently by demoralizing them?
Guess, to make things move sometimes you have to move it yourself! I am going to to ask each school myself! Depressing!
Hopefully I don't have resort to ending myself up in the Meet the People Session to bang some tables. Sure it would get ugly.
Ok ... We were not able to make it for the School Placement Test for the one that was set by MOE which happens one in Oct and Dec every year. We applied direct for school placement through MOE. We have three school choices to pick but then MOE came back to us with a school which is no where really walking distance but have to change bus to get there. As there isn't a choice we took the one assigned by MOE.
We arrived back home and head to the school MOE has given us and to learn that they only have slots for Express stream. I like HAR! Why MOE give me a school that only have Express stream? Isn't that a waste of time? Only one slot and not test for both slot! Anyway, we went ahead with the test in hope that we could be lucky that our child would really get in. I wasn't hopeful but have to try right?
So, my child have to take 2 test. One English paper which consist of 3 paper in fact. One letter writing, One Compo, One open ended comprehension. NO MCQ at all! Maths paper also no MCQ but all problem sums. Seem to understand from my child the Maths seems to be on Sec 1 based. Didn't see it myself then can't argue on that she only PSLE stage how to understand Sec 1 Math.
Were told that they would have the results by Tuesday. Waited and waited whole Tuesday, no news. Send email, no reply. Damn! Why can't some people reply emails. At least say something we are still processing or something instead of ignore. DAMN! Hate emails! I should have annoy them with phone calls instead. I called MOE for assistance and the girl who assisted me was extremely nice who go all the way to help me find out from the school. She said that the school will have the results on Wednesday. Ok... waited and waited ... still no news. Damn! Give up! Go find it myself lar! MOE isn't really helpful to making things move. If the school rule everything, what the HELL we need MOE ever for! Do something lah MOE! You preach that you want every children to be in school but it certainly don't look like leh. I am waiting and waiting for some ridiculous procedure to move. Time is running out!
Still, from my understanding from this school, looking for another school for placement, your may child may need to take another school placement test. I like, what the HELL! Can't you all use the same result to evaluate meh? This is utterly demoralizing. MOE what are you doing? Trying to teach a child to be a better person or killing them silently by demoralizing them?
Guess, to make things move sometimes you have to move it yourself! I am going to to ask each school myself! Depressing!
Hopefully I don't have resort to ending myself up in the Meet the People Session to bang some tables. Sure it would get ugly.
Back Home to Singapore!
Finally back home. Thought I would be looking forward to better days. Guess that is never going to happen in my remaining life.
Flew back from Arizona on 31 Mar 2014 and arrived back in Singapore on Wednesday. Thursday my girl went to assigned school Woodgrove Secondary to take the placement test MOE have arranged for her. She sat the English paper on Thursday and took the Math on Friday. After that, we waited and waited for results to come out. The school say Tuesday they will let us know but didn't came. I called MOE for assistance and they say Wednesday. Again waited the whole day, still never come with results. I don't understand why is the hold up? If you not going to give my girl the slot then don't hold up.
Came back to the house to understand that it is infested with roaches. Previous two tenants didn't care to clean nor take care of the house. This is what you get for renting house out. Things were also missing. If spoil, we were supposed to be inform about it. I certainly don't believe my curtain would have spoil, and certainly not a Little Tikes table too even though it has been with us for years.
Still have more to do for the house before finally settling in.
Flew back from Arizona on 31 Mar 2014 and arrived back in Singapore on Wednesday. Thursday my girl went to assigned school Woodgrove Secondary to take the placement test MOE have arranged for her. She sat the English paper on Thursday and took the Math on Friday. After that, we waited and waited for results to come out. The school say Tuesday they will let us know but didn't came. I called MOE for assistance and they say Wednesday. Again waited the whole day, still never come with results. I don't understand why is the hold up? If you not going to give my girl the slot then don't hold up.
Came back to the house to understand that it is infested with roaches. Previous two tenants didn't care to clean nor take care of the house. This is what you get for renting house out. Things were also missing. If spoil, we were supposed to be inform about it. I certainly don't believe my curtain would have spoil, and certainly not a Little Tikes table too even though it has been with us for years.
Still have more to do for the house before finally settling in.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Returning Singaporeans - School Procedure
Being attached 2 years overseas for children that are coming to age to leaving the Primary School when they return has left me with lots of stress.
Firstly, trying to deal with Ministry of Education (MOE) procedures is already enough to cause the stress. It sounds simple from the website but they have so many hidden areas that are not clear. I tried doing search over the internet but couldn't find one that really answers to my question. I have to clarify again and again with MOE. I send a few e-mails to them and sometimes the e-mail don't come back with a satisfied reply to my question and I have call them. This alone is enough of agitation as waiting for the e-mail to come back with a reply takes 3-4 days and when they don't come back with the answer you want, it will take another few more days.
After going through all these agitation, it has finally been clear. I thought it would be good to share this information with those who also encounter the same and in hope this will help in some way to clarify MOE's - Overseas Returning Singaporeans Procedure instead of going round and round in their website.
If your child is heading to Primary 1 when you return, this is very clear cut. If you have registered your child into the school of your choice, you can enter with no problem. That is if you are returning before the school term starts. However, if you return after school start, be sure to apply for Leave of Absence (LOA) as this will ensure a place for your child and he/she can join back to the school with no issues.
As for other levels eg. Primary 2,Primary 3...., this is easier. You can join back if you have LOA with no problems too.
Ok... for Primary 6, this gets complicated. If you are to return before the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) which starts in August, then there aren't any issue. If not, you can apply for the School Placement Exercise for Returning Singaporeans — Secondary (SPERS-Sec). This examination takes place somewhere else which is not within MOE building from what I understand from the website. Registration usually starts in July. The examination will take place in October. If you are unable to make it for the October, there is also one in December. This examination will test the child English (Composition and Main Paper) and Mathematics.
Well, if you are unable to make it for the SPERS, MOE recommends that you approach the school directly of your choice for placement. However, I have read a few reviews that people have encountered problems in putting their child back into the school. I am not sure though is it because they try to put their child into good schools that is why they are encountering problems. MOE do assist to parents in school placement but they recommend you to do it yourself. If you encounter problems, you can approach them but this will take a while for them to process. Alternatively, you can also apply online for school placement but your child must not have an existing LOA.
Firstly, trying to deal with Ministry of Education (MOE) procedures is already enough to cause the stress. It sounds simple from the website but they have so many hidden areas that are not clear. I tried doing search over the internet but couldn't find one that really answers to my question. I have to clarify again and again with MOE. I send a few e-mails to them and sometimes the e-mail don't come back with a satisfied reply to my question and I have call them. This alone is enough of agitation as waiting for the e-mail to come back with a reply takes 3-4 days and when they don't come back with the answer you want, it will take another few more days.
After going through all these agitation, it has finally been clear. I thought it would be good to share this information with those who also encounter the same and in hope this will help in some way to clarify MOE's - Overseas Returning Singaporeans Procedure instead of going round and round in their website.
If your child is heading to Primary 1 when you return, this is very clear cut. If you have registered your child into the school of your choice, you can enter with no problem. That is if you are returning before the school term starts. However, if you return after school start, be sure to apply for Leave of Absence (LOA) as this will ensure a place for your child and he/she can join back to the school with no issues.
As for other levels eg. Primary 2,Primary 3...., this is easier. You can join back if you have LOA with no problems too.
Ok... for Primary 6, this gets complicated. If you are to return before the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) which starts in August, then there aren't any issue. If not, you can apply for the School Placement Exercise for Returning Singaporeans — Secondary (SPERS-Sec). This examination takes place somewhere else which is not within MOE building from what I understand from the website. Registration usually starts in July. The examination will take place in October. If you are unable to make it for the October, there is also one in December. This examination will test the child English (Composition and Main Paper) and Mathematics.
Well, if you are unable to make it for the SPERS, MOE recommends that you approach the school directly of your choice for placement. However, I have read a few reviews that people have encountered problems in putting their child back into the school. I am not sure though is it because they try to put their child into good schools that is why they are encountering problems. MOE do assist to parents in school placement but they recommend you to do it yourself. If you encounter problems, you can approach them but this will take a while for them to process. Alternatively, you can also apply online for school placement but your child must not have an existing LOA.
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