Product Reviews: The Body Shop Facial Buffer

TBS offers 2 types of facial buffer (sorry couldn't find the picture), and the one below (that I bought) is the softer one. I bought this product impulsively (like most of the things I bought **chuckle**)

They claim:
A gentle exfoliating sponge to polish your skin, whilst cleansing, leaving it feeling refreshed and looking radiant. Use daily for a gentle skin boost. Particularly good for use on dry skin that needs to be exfoliated regularly, it leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.

How to use:
Use daily in circular motion with your favourite The Body Shop facial wash or soap to cleanse and gently exfoliate. Dampen before use.

Price: SGD 4.90

My impression:
- It's a bit too rough on my skin, especially the sensitive area like under the nose, under the eye etc. I felt like being scratch even when I used it on my forehead twice on the same spot.
- Definitely I will not use it on daily basis. (FYI: my skin is oily combination). Probably every 3-4 weeks when I need a deep cleanse.
- The product does it job, I can feel my skin is smoother and clean after use. I like that my white heads/black heads/comedoes (you named it) on my nose are mostly gone. Normally, when I use a facial scrub I still need to use a tool to force them to come out.
- I prefer this instead of facial brush since the brush hair sometime poke my nose (gross I know) and it hurts

Recommended to others: Yes, if you don't have sensitive skin and need a good exfoliator.  

Repurchase: Probably since the price is not so bad.

L'oreal Promotion

I've been meaning to buy new mascara to replace my old mascara which had been neglected since I can't remember when thanks to the nasty styes (yes plural) I got.

When one of my best friend came over last week, she recomended me this L'oreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes. She raved that this product is very easy to use and easy to remove.

It's must be my lucky day since Watson is having promotion "buy second product at $2"
Immedieately, I grab one of this and guess what I got for $2? It is the Renewal Lash Serum worth around $28 something.
I've been wanting this Lash Serum for a while but since it is quite expensive it's been in my wish list forever.

They also have another promotion which is magique base for $2 if you buy one of L'oreal foundation. I want the promotion item but not in need for any foundation right now (I must congratulate my self, great self control) so reluctantly I pass...

I think there are also promotion for L'oreal Men's product which I can't remember (I couldn't care less)

Go grab this promotion while it's still on!

I will update the result of the serum in another post

Empal Suwir Cabai

Empal Suwir Cabai

Ingredients:
2 slices Empal (made by my mommy, don't ask me the recipe. I only know how to fry and eat it)
3 shallots (sliced)
1 tomato (chopped)
4 red chilies (chopped)
2 chilli padi (chopped)
Salt, pepper and sugar to taste
Juice from 1 lime
Cooking oil












Instructions:
1. Fry empal and set it aside to cool.
2. Blend chopped tomato, red chilies and chilli padi with food processor and then set it aside.
3. Reheat the pan, using the left over oil from frying empal, saute shallot until fragrant.
4. Add tomato and chili mixture and cook until the water evaporated. Add more cooking oil if needed.
5. Season it with salt, pepper and sugar and continue cooking until it's done. You can tell by the smell :).
6. In the meantime, when the meat (empal) is cooled down, shred it with your hand or fork, whatever works for you.
7. Toss the shredded meat. Mix well and continue cooking around 2 mins.
8. Pour in the lime juice, cook for another 1 minute. 
9. In the end, the food should taste spicy, salty, a bit sour from the lime juce and a bit sweet from the sugar. Slurppppss!

I serve this with rice mixed with komatsuna (Japanese spinach mustard). 
Komatsuna can be replaced with chye sim.
 

Recipe: Salt Pepper Chicken (Updated)

FYI, I have no work today hence the blog spamming :P

Salt Pepper Chicken (Ayam Lada Garam)

Ingredients:

Coating Mixture:
3 tsp Kobe starch
1 tsp flour
1.5 tsp tapioca starch
0.25 tsp knorr chicken
white pepper to taste
salt (very very little)

2 strips of chicken fillet (cut into dice approx. 2cm)
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 chillipadi (diced)
1 red chilli (diced)
1 green chilli (diced) (why green chilli? to make it colorful, my hubby tastes food with his eyes first)
1 tablespoon margarine
salt and pepper (black and white) to taste
cooking oil.


Instructions:
1. Mix the coating mixture evenly and put into a medium plastic bag. Put the diced chicken and shake the bag to evenly coat the chicken.
2. Deep fry the chicken until golden brown. Remove from heat and put it aside. on top of the sauteed garlic and cayenne pepper. Mix it well.
3. Heat the pan, melt the butter, saute the garlic and all the chillies until fragrant and soften abit. Put a bit of salt and white pepper. Continue stirring.
3. Toss the chicken, mix it well. Add more salt and black pepper to taste. Personally I choose black pepper cause I like it hot
4. Remove from heat. Put in a plate.
5. Ready to serve.
For 2 people.

Note: chicken can be substituted with tofu, pork, cuttlefish, squid or shrimp.

Normally I would serve this with shredded cabbage, mix with Japanese mayo and a bit of honey mustard.
My hubby loves it!

Bagaimana Memandang Diri Sendiri

Seorang pemuda bertanya kepada biksu, "Guru, ada orang yang memuji saya berbakat, nanti pasti akan menjadi orang yang sukses; ada juga orang yang mengatakan saya ini bodoh, seumur hidup pasti tidak akan bisa melakukan hal besar. Kalau menurut Anda bagaimana?

"Bagaimana kamu memandang diri kamu sendiri?" biksu balik bertanya.

Pemuda menggeleng-gelengkan kepalan, tidak tahu harus menjawab apa.

"Sebagai contoh sekilo beras, kalau orang yang melihat berbeda, nilai beras itu kemugnkinan akan berbeda pula. Bagi seorang ibu rumah tangga, sekilo beras bisa menjadi delapan piring nasi; bagi seorang petani, sekilo beras hanya bernilai Rp. 2000 (masak sih, jaman kapan?); dimata orang pembuat bakcang, jika beras dibuat mejadi bakcang, bisa dijual Rp. 3000 per buah (pasti yg ga ada telor dan jamur hioko nya hehe); dimata pembuat bumbu masakan, diolah menjadi bumbu masak, bisa bernilai Rp. 10.000 per bungkus; dipandang dari sudut pembuat arak, beras dapat diragi menjadi arak, nilainya bisa menjadi Rp. 40.000 per guci"

Setelah berhenti sejenak, sang biksu melanjutkan, "Ada orang yang akan mengangkat dan memuji kamu, ada juga yang menilai kamu rendah. Sebenarnya, kamu adalah kamu. Kamu punya kemampuan apa dan siapakah dirimu, hanya kamu seorang yang tahu dan dapat menilai diri kamu sendiri"

Mendengar petuah dari biksu, pikiran sang pemuda pun terbuka.

Quoted from "Collection of The Most Wonderful Wisdom Chinese Stories"


Note:
But if a lot of people call you evil, while you think you're a floating angel, probably you want to check your head whether there are small horns on top of there instead of wondering why the wings on your back haven't grown yet ;)

My New Love

Check out http://bohemianeleven.tumblr.com

Info: What to do if you have different names?

I hope this information is useful.

Recently I found out that my mother's name stated in my birth certificate was different with the one stated in my mother's passport. How the hell did it happen? Please don't ask me, I was just a cute baby when my birth certificate was made hehehe. And don't get me started on the family card. It's a mess.

To be honest, I never have any problem with this, I didn't even realize that the names were different. Nobody does. However this became a problem when I wanted to apply for 90 days extension for my mom. The immigration officer said that since the names were different it could be two totally different person! Then I was suggested to go the embassy and make an official latter stating that these two names were actually belong to the same person.

So, this morning I finally went to the embassy. I went to the second floor and went inside the 'KEKONSULERAN' (if I'm not wrong) room. I explained my problem to the girls there and she asked me to fill out 2 forms:

1. the first form was for the data/information I wish to state/change
2. the second form was for my personal information and explaining my request.

I filled out those forms, submitted it back and I waited outside the room.
Oh I also was asked to buy the stamp (2 SGD) and I also submitted 3 documents as supporting evidence: my birth certificate, my mother's passport and her SBKRI.

Not for long, my name was called and I was asked to submit my mother's birth certificate. I suddenly think "Oh no!!! another problem again!!! my mother doesn't have birth certificate". Since I was really desperate, I just admitted it honestly that my mother doesn't and never have birth certificate.  She was born in 1950 in a small/remote village only 5 years after Indonesia's independence for God's sake.

Finally they accept my explanation and told me to come back the day after tomorrow to collect the document around 14:30 -17:00. I was so happy! The service was good and fast. I love it. Salute for KBRI Singapore.

Important points:

• Go to second floor. The first floor is mainly for immigration services.
• You have to submit 3 supporting documents for your claim. Passport is a must! Since you have to submit your ID in the front entrance please make sure you bring another ID (KTP or SIM) to submit instead of your passport.
• The fee is 32 SGD + 2 SGD for stamp. I believe they only accept CASH, no NETS or CC.
• I don't think the website is having the latest update, but starting from 1 January 2010 the submission hour is: 09:30 - 12:30 (not 13:00 as stated in the website) and collection hour: 14:30-17:00
• No flip-flop, tank top, and bermuda please. It was stated in the front entrance door. I don't know whether they really strict with this rule but no harm in wearing a semi-formal clothes rite?

I hate it when people.....

I consider my self as a normal MRT commuter. I try to always offer my seat to the one who needs it, I don't stand in front of the door, I never eat inside the MRT and I don't bring durian (no matter how you wrap it, it still smell!)

I also consider my self as a 'ching-cai' commuter. I only slightly irritated when people 'blissfully' blocking the door when thousand of people pushing their way through the door. But I really HATE, I repeat HATE, capital H capital A, capital T and capital E when someone does something like this:

• I boarded the MRT, moved to the center and stand there peacefully. Usually the center of the train can accommodate 3 rows of people standing. I stand on row 1.
• Someguy wearing a loose t-shirt with folded sleeves boarded the MRT a couple stations later, sweep in stand in front of me (which is row 0, nobody with normal mind would like to stand in row 0 unless the train is fully packed and you have no choice but to accept the fate and be a 'mackerel in a tin' for a while, and at that time the train was not fully packed) face to face and suddenly he opened this arm to hold on the the hand holder behind my head! Once again he wore a loose t-shirt with folded sleeves which means he openly exposing his armpit and his armpit hair directly in front of my face!!!

Please! who do you think you are mister???!!
Firstly, there is no need for you to fold your sleeves since no matter how you fold it, the sleeves are still way too big for your tiny arms, and secondly no need to flash your armpit since your are not FERNANDO TORRES wearing a body paint & shooting for PEPSI commercial!!

Product Review: Pencil Eyeliner: NYX , Maybelline, TBS and TBS Lip and Cheek Stain

1. NYX EYE/EYEBROW PENCIL (color black)
Pros:

• Creamy, blend easily
  
• Can glide over the lash line quite easily
• Can be used as a base so the eyeshadows stick better
• Cheap (around IDR 45K - 50K)
• Pigmented enough if not used on waterline
  

Cons:

• Even though it can be used on the waterline but doesn't give enough color.
  

Repurchase? Yes

2. TBS EYE PENCIL (SHADE: ROCKY BLUE)
Pros:

• Creamy enough (after 1 time sharpened) still can be blended but does not glide over the eyelid.
• Can be used as a base so the eyeshadows stick better
  
• Cheap (got it on sale SGD 5.00 )

Cons:

• Not pigmented enough (probably because the color I choose though)

Repurchase? Probably if on sale but will buy different shade

3. Maybelline 2-IN-1 Impact shadow liner by EYESTUDIO (color purple)
Pros:

• Super creamy, glides on the eyelid and blend easily
  
• Very pigmented and super pretty purple(I totally love this color)
  
• Not that expensive (got it on promo SGD 9.90 UP: 11.90 )
• Great staying power
• Can be used as an eyeshadow
  

Cons:

• Can not be used on the waterline (just wont stick!) PS: I have a very watery waterline btw.
• Smells funny

Repurchased: Yes yes yes yes (assuming the price stays)

4. TBS Lip and Cheek Stain (http://www.thebodyshop.com.sg/en/ProductDetail.aspx?ProdID=459&SubCateId=160&CateId=2)

They claimed:
"For a natural looking and lasting "just blushed" glow to the cheeks or "just bitten in to a strawberry lips", this double-duty product is a must have for the make-up bag. The more you apply it on, the deeper it gets."

Size: 8 ml

Price: S$21.90

Pro:

• Pigmented and just stain your lips perfectly.
• double duty as lip and cheek stainer.

Cons:

• Pricey.

Repurchase? Only if I have the product rebate or when I'm very upset and need to have shopping therapy session :p

Crazy Girl at The Body Shop Warehouse Sale (read: ME)

I took a day off today, with two official reasons which are first to come to our beloved embassy and change my passport address so I don’t have to always queue in front of “Layanan Bebas Pajak” everytime I go back to my country, and second is to register my marriage since it’s been almost a year (duile…masih mo status single aja). While actually the true reason is to go to The Body Shop warehouse sale at Suntec Convention Centre.

I got the information about it via sms a couple days ago and I thought okay, lets check it out. Honestly, I had one thing in mind at that time which is the “New! Limited Edition Shimmer Cubes”. I thought the colors are gorgeous.

When I was there around 2 pm, the place is totally packed. There were probably 3 rows behind every table, with me being petite and small, it was almost impossible for me to take a peek at the displayed products yet buying anything. But you know nothing is as strong as a shopaholic at a warehouse sale.

Ta-daaahhh….



Okay, my wallet is completely unhappy today.
In my defense, a third of them belong to my friends and in-laws. 90% of the rest are gifts or shared with my hubby and mommy. Some are even belong to my mommy and hubby. Which left me with only little 4 products: the skin boost, eyeliner brush, eyeliner kohl and toe separator. I’m so proud of my controlled-self.

I always face with 4 conditions every shopping:

1. Not so ideal, is when I buy something for someone with my money. I obviously love that someone, eghh but still…what’s the harm with wishing it the other way around?
2. Guilty please, no strike that, it’s supposed to be called Stress Therapy, is when I buy something for moi with my own money
3. My dream Job: Personal Shopper, is when my friends ask me to buy something for them with their money (nitiph)
4. Every day gold-digger prayer, is when I buy something for me with other’s people money (legally of course). Yes, I do believe there is a gold digger persona in every person even though it's not dominant. I mean, come on, who can deny the pleasure you get when something you window shopping for so long, something you dreamed every night is suddenly handed to you in silver platter. Duh!

PS: Photo is courtesy of my dear hubby.

Rotten Tomatoes, Walking With Series & Dirty Jobs

Sigh...
It's been too long since I've updated this blog. Kecian bener nih blog.
The reason is simple. I don't know what to write...
No "blog worthy" events happened lately, but today I'm trying to write something that hopefully worthy enough for you.

1. rotten tomatoes.
Has anybody ever heard about this website? Well, I knew this website for quite sometime but rarely visit it. Within this site you can find movie critics and review and the good news is (for me at least) that "ehm...ehm.. kyknya selera kita sama bokkk!" Based on the statistic 64.5% of my fave movies are Certified Fresh, 12.9% are Fresh and only 22.6% are Rotten (only??? hahaha)

Duh biasanya dulu di kost pasti d selera film gue paling beda sendirian. I've always been "the geek". So, I'm very very excited ternyata gue tidak sendirian hohoho!

2. Walking with Series
Nyambung soal ke-geek-an soal selera film, belum lama ini secara tidak sengaja turn-on the national geographic channel and ntn "Walking with Monster" yang ternyata merupakan bagian dari "Walking with..." series and I've been obsessed with it after since!

Walaupun my hubby ngorok dengan damainya pas ntn film ini, tapi buat gue ini film TOP BGT untuk memuaskan ke-geek-an gue. Jadi selesai ntn sibuklah cari2 di internet buat filmnya dan ternyata ada di youtube (dooh I'm so happy)

The complete list of Walking with... series are (based on movie chronology):
1. Walking with Monsters
2. Walking with Dinosaurs
3. Walking with Beasts
4. Walking with Cavemen

and I watched all of them. Even though the special effect is not extra-ordinary, but I don't care. I love the knowledge I gained after watching it and knowing how stupid I was before.

3. I love Peter Schmeichel and I'm so excited to see his series called "Dirty Jobs". In this series he's doing all of the dirty job including peeling off cow's head skin, cleaning up the pig's "house" etc, etc. I know it's gross but believe me after watching it, you'll appreciate your job better (temporarily perhaps but still you will, trust moi)

oh before I forget, 24 just kicked of a new season (season 8). Can't wait to see Mr. Bauer in action ;)

Potato Salad Ala Me

Potato Salad

Ingridients:

3 Mini potatoes

2 eggs

Corn (optional)

Cheddar cheese (optional)

Thousand islands

Coleslaw

Tar-tar sauce

Mayonnaise (optional)

Instructions:

1. Peel potatoes (duh, isn't obvious?) chop into cubes neatly (you want all the cubes within the same or at least similar size)

2. Boil potatoes until soft enough (remember not to soft or your salad will become muddy and yucky).

3. Drain potatoes; put in the refrigerator at least an hour.

4. Hard boil eggs, peel, chopped, put in the refrigerator at least an hour

5. Mix together potatoes and eggs with the dressing, taste, grater the cheese, mix it together.

6. Ready to server

For 2 persons

Notes:

1. I'm using Kraft’s coleslaw and thousands islands dressing, both of them are quite sour so I put a bit only.

2. Tar-tar sauce can be substituted with mayonnaise but you won't get tar-tar unique taste.

Recipe: Tahu Daging Cincang Pedas

Ingredients:

2 tea spoons minced garlic
100 gr minced meat
1 egg tofu, cut and fried (big fire) until golden then put aside
10 cherry tomatoes, washed and cut
1 table spoon chili paste
oil
salt and sugar to taste
Spring onion, fine cut for decoration

Instructions:

1. Heat oil and fry garlic until fragrant
2. Add minced meat, fry until half cooked
3. Add tomatoes, keep frying until it becomes soft like paste
3. Add chili paste
4. Add salt, sugar then taste
5. Toss fried egg tofu and stir well.
6. Sprinkle some spring onion, ready to serve

Enak loh...mengagumi hasil kreasi sendiri hohohohoho

Review TBS: Vit C Time Capsule, MMU Foundation and 3 in 1 Corn Blue Mask

What a long title :P

Okay girls, here we go:

1. Vitamin C Plus Time Release Capsules
Even though I already reviewed this product before, but it was a very brief review since it's only based on 1 sample *duuh*. So after stupid incident (read: swimming at 4 PM) that caused my skin to look duller and flakier than ever, combine with the perfect timing of TBS promotion, I finally bought my first jar. Hurray! And last nite was my 3rd day I've been using this capsule and I love every single day of it.

The serum-like potion (correct me if I'm wrong) literally glides on my skin when I applied it, and it is non sticky nor greasy. It's absorbed quickly as it touches my skin and that left my face with clean-light-yet-smooth-silky feeling.

The smell is also acceptable, it smells like an essence of mandarin orange. Well not as good as that but it's close enough. I honestly can not think the perfect example to describe the smell. And the bonus point is my skin feels (significantly) less oily in the morning. Woohooo!!! Even though the sales girl said that she affraid that the vit c might be too rich for my oily skin since that happens with my Vit C moisturiser, it proved otherwise for this product.

And after 3 days my skin feels silkier, smoother and moist. The flaky skin on my cheek is almost gone (Yiippiee...)

Highly recommend this product. Luv it.

2. Blue Corn 3-in-1 Deep Cleansing Scrub Mask
Last weekend as one of my 'kalap' attempt to restore my skin condition I tried this 3 in 1 mask. First I washed my face with Seaweed facial wash, dried it with small towel and then I started applying and scrubing it with circle motion all over my face and leave it for a while.

After around 15 mins, the mask started to harden, so I prepared my wash cloth and soaked it on warm water before using it to remove the mask.

I dont know whether my skin is very healthy or too much oily, however after the mask was removed even though I felt my face clean, I still saw a glimpse of shine on my forehead. And oh the good thing is after I removed the mask, I felt there was additional candle-ly layer protecting my skin. So I guess the mask does moisture my skin.

The only downside is the smell. Jeezz..... for me it's kind of a mixture of sandal wood and other Mustika-Ratu or Sari Ayu mask. But I bear with it.

3. Nature’s Minerals™ Foundation SPF25
Okay, this is tricky.
It could be because I am a newbie so I don't understand how to apply it properly, or because my skin is too oily or because I apply too little amount of the foundation. However after I applied it on top of my moizturizer, I can not see the different at all :D **hmm perhaps my moizturizer is too oily or I dont leave it enough time to be absorbed because I already late as usual**. So I apply another coat of loose powder on top of it and then I can see the wonder.

The foundation helps my loose powder blends or stays better with my skin and give way better coverage (tampak rata tapi ga medok) and yet feels very light like I dont wear any foundation at all. And until now (almost 6 hours after I applied it) my face is not as oily as it used to be. I'm not sure whether this is the result of the MMU foundation or the time capsule Vit C or the 3 in 1 mask. As I told you before 'kalap nih kalaappp'

Overall I'm quite satisfied with the product but since my face need additional coat of loose powder duuuhh bengkak dong budget gue ...sigh...

TBS Promotion on July

Nitip anyone?








PS: Me and my friend Mrs. Nyinya Bunny are planning to buy 2 Vitamin C serums, if anybody wants to join us so we can get 30% disc, just message me :)

All images are courtesy of TBS Singapore http://www.thebodyshop.com.sg

TBS Skin Care and Make Up Haul

Since my two 20% off discount coupons (one for the make up product and one for skin care product) expired yesterday so I decided to give my self a tour on TBS, see whether I can make a good use for these coupons.

It turned out TBS is holding a promotion for the Vitamin C Skin Care range.
Vitamin C Plus Time Release Capsules is on special price for 29.90 (UP:42.90). While buy any 2 products of Vitamin C you'll get 25% off and buy any 3 you'll get 30% off.

So forgive me God for I have sinned....

1. Vitamin C Plus Time Release Capsules
An innovative time release system that provides the skin with pure vitamin C. Helps to even out skin tone, brighten a dull complexion and protect from environmental damage, leaving the skin radiant-looking over time. Suitable for daily use.


2.Tea Tree Oil Facial Wash
Cleansing gel that lathers to gently cleanse, lift impurities and make-up while helping to control shine and blemishes, leaving the skin feeling clean and fresh. Deep cleanses to remove dirt and makeup while allantoin soothes skin.


3. Nature’s Minerals™ Foundation SPF25
Long-lasting powder foundation made from the purest minerals. The powders act like a protective veil to naturally defend the skin against sun damage with SPF 25. Applies evenly and blends easily for a radiant, natural-looking complexion. Non pore-clogging. Colour builds easily to provide an adjustable light to medium coverage. Effectively reduces the appearance of redness, imperfections, blemishes and visible pores. Preservative-free, fragrance-free. Dermatologically tested, non-comedogenic.

Pssstt.. the sales girl told me it doesn't clog the pore.
I tried this product this morning and except for thinking the lid is way too small for my kabuki brush, I still don't have anything to report.

3. Blue Corn 3-in-1 Deep Cleansing Scrub Mask
A 3-in-1 mask that deeply cleanses, exfoliates and moisturizes the skin in one easy step. It leaves the skin feeling clean, smooth and balanced.

Once upon a time there was a stupid girl who couldn't control herself not to splash into the pool on a very sunny day. As a result her face skin is flaking on some spots. Sigh.
The sales girl told me that before applying mask, it is better to have your skin exfoliated first. That way the mask will penetrate your skin better.

Since I don't have an exfoliate scrub, she suggested me to buy this mask so I can use it as an exfoliate scrub and after leave it for a while, and voila... it will turn into a mask




Image and some of the descriptions are quoted from http://www.thebodyshop.com.sg

H1N1 at Singapore

Quoted from Straits Times
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_395639.html

H1N1 cases hit 315

Experts warn that outbreak is only at an early stage

A SCIENTIFIC committee tasked with examining data on H1N1 flu patients here is agreed on one thing: Things are going to get much worse.

And going by the latest numbers released last night, Singapore's H1N1 curve is heading up rapidly, with 95 new patients, the highest number so far. This brings the total to 315.

Nightspot Butter Factory had 10 more staff and patrons down with the flu, making it the biggest cluster of infections, with 21 cases so far. The Health Ministry said last night it had yet to complete investigating how 48 of the 95 new cases caught the bug.

The sharp increase appears to confirm the conclusions of the team headed by the Health Ministry's director of medical services K. Satku that Singapore is 'past the tipping point'.

Signs are that the flu season, which should have been tapering off around this time of year, will return with a vengeance. And over recent days, more flu cases have been of the H1N1 variety.

This happened in the United States too. Its flu season should have ended, except for H1N1 fuelling a drastic spike in the number of flu patients, now in the thousands, with deaths occurring regularly.

Doctors on the panel yesterday made it clear that Singapore was not over-reacting in its response to the pandemic, even though H1N1 has proven mild so far.

The big question now is, what happens when the numbers surge? Said Dr Lim Poh Lian, a senior consultant at the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC): 'When the numbers go into the thousands, we will see people coming down sick, who might need ventilator support and who might die.'

A reason for caution: Doctors and scientists have had only two months to examine the nature of H1N1, and while the Genome Institute of Singapore found that it has mutated only slightly, there is no telling how much it will change. Said Dr Lyn James, the ministry's director of communicable diseases: 'It is wiser not to underestimate the virus, because we are still in the early stages of the outbreak.'

Doctors have so far only examined about 200 patients, mainly young and healthy travellers. Once H1N1 circulates freely, it will also infect the elderly, pregnant women and others with various health problems. Said Prof Satku: 'We must remember that we have vulnerable individuals who have a higher risk of flu complications.

'Let's look after them too, by ensuring that we do not inadvertently expose them to infection.'

CDC head Dr Leo Yee Sin said she is worried because the population mix is different from the H1N1 patients seen so far.

'I worry about how it will affect this group of older folks and immuno-compromised patients,' she said.

Virus behaving differently from regular flu

THE virus is already behaving differently from seasonal flu in that it attacks young people. Half the H1N1 patients here are below 20, the youngest just 14 months old.

It also appears to be more infectious, spreading at a rate higher than seasonal flu.

The good news is that the antiviral drug Tamiflu has proven effective in treating the sick, and has worked on all but two H1N1 patients.

As of Wednesday, 1,499 home quarantine orders have been issued to those who had come into close contact with infected patients.

The impact of the virus is clearly being felt in Singapore with companies and educational institutions finding more infected cases in their midst and ordering others to stay home to avoid contagion.

Asked when efforts to contain H1N1 will make way for measures to mitigate its impact, Prof Satku pointed out that so far, only 4 per cent of those with flu-like symptoms have H1N1.

When this hits 15 per cent or so, mitigation measures will kick in.

That is when polyclinic doctors and general practitioners will take on the load of treating flu patients.

Then, most flu patients will be sent home, and only the very ill would be hospitalised.

Prof Satku could not say when this will happen, but given the statistics, it should be quite soon.