Gosh

Again!


If Google has any way of tracing the usage of accounts, please, i implore you,
check.



Someone is using my account to post russian info!!!! 


this is not the google/blogger experience i am looking for!

timely Reminder

Saw this on ivillage today, quite true, so i'd share it with you.

Fat-free foods

These are actually not as virtous as you might think. "Fat-free does not mean calorie-free," Brill points out. Fat-free foods often replace fat for sugar, so basically, what you're losing in fat, you're more than gaining in sugar and salt to make up for the lack of flavor. It kind of beats the purpose because you're consuming about the same calories, but you'll feel less full and more likely to lapse into snacking.

Energy bars

"Some energy and protein bars can be deceiving as they are often marketed as a health food," says chef nutritionist Michelle Dudash (RD). The truth? "Many contain as much sugar and calories as a candy bar and have just as many processed ingredients with little nutritional value." You can avoid these sugar-laden bars by paying attention to the ingredient list and going for those with whole grains, dried fruit and no added sugar

it's hokkaido fair in isetan scotts today, got some butter manju from there.
<3 totally love it.

Also, sort of bumped into this lady, guessing she must be very hungry or
 have not had pepper lunch for a long long time.

she was so fussy on the customer service!

i can empathise with her, although i felt it need not have come out that way.

oh well. hope she enjoyed her lunch. 

have a great day.

 Valerie

Love this financial analysis from THE EDGE, SINGAPORE

The EDGE Weekend Comment June 22 Beware the banks By Joan Ng Ratings agency Moody’s has downgraded 15 of the world’s biggest banks as part of a wider review of bank ratings. Moody’s says the downgrades follow a reassessment of the volatility and risks inherent in large capital market operations. “In the past, these risks have led many institutions to fail or to require outside support,” Moody’s says in its release, adding that its downgrades reflect not only the credit implications of capital markets operations but also the size and stability of earnings from non-capital markets activities of each firm, capitalisation and liquidity buffers. It has downgraded the long-term senior debt ratings of Credit Suisse by three notches while another 10 banks, including Morgan Stanley, Barclays and Citigroup, have seen their ratings downgraded by two notches. The banks have criticised Moody’s moves. Morgan Stanley, for instance, has issued a statement saying that the ratings “do not fully reflect the key strategic actions we have taken in recent years.” But the damage was done. The S&P 500 Index fell 2.2% last night while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 250 points. For these banks, the near-term impact will be a rise in borrowing rates. According to a Reuters report, corporate treasurers have also been reassessing where they put their deposits, whom they trade swaps with and whom they borrow from. The industry has been waiting for these ratings downgrades since February this year, when Moody’s announced it was commencing a ratings review. What does this mean for the three banks listed here? Anecdotal evidence suggests that banks have been more aggressive in talking up their transaction banking and trade finance businesses of late in order to take advantage of potential weaknesses at rival banks. Earlier this year, some analysts even suggested that Asia’s banks could begin to win business from their European peers. However, investors may also want to take this opportunity to reassess their positions in the local banks. Year-to-date, they have outperformed the benchmark Straits Times Index. United Overseas Bank is up 18.6%, DBS Group Holdings is up 17.9% and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp is up 10.7%. The STI is up 6.6% this year. Valued on a price-to-book basis, it would appear that UOB is the most expensive. According to Bloomberg data, it is trading at 1.32 times its book value, versus 1.11 for DBS and 1.26 for OCBC. But analysts, it appears, are least optimistic on OCBC. In a June 11 note, Morgan Stanley describes the bank as having more of a capital markets nature, thus making it “more geared than most”. This morning, CIMB Research downgraded its call on OCBC to “neutral” and cut its earnings estimates by 1% to 3% on lowered insurance and trading contributions as well as higher credit costs. It now has a target price of $9.51 for the stock, down from $10.35 before. “We are still wary of an eventual European banking crisis even if Asian corporate balance sheets are cashed up and prepared,” says CIMB. “With the lowest provision coverage, least aggressive general provisioning in the last three years plus a nascent rising non-performing loan trend, we think that OCBC’s earnings have the most headwinds from credit costs.” CIMB adds says that the present volatile markets will make private clients more risk averse, thus hurting OCBC’s private banking operation. “Also, sustained low interest rates and flat yield curves make it more difficult for insurance to price products and make money. We do not think the environment is great for OCBC’s main revenue engines.” Inside issue 529 this week Lucas Chow is overseeing a shake-up of Orchard Parade that will see the once sleepy Singapore-listed unit of Far East Organization emerge as an interesting hotel and healthcare property player. Find out what this means for investors in our cover story this week. Also... Aussino morphs into new Myanmar play Awareness of anti-money laundering rising, but more can be done, says BankersAccuity Ship chandler Sinwa expands client base, builds up marine engineering business More stringent service standards at SMRT could lead to lower dividends and returns Liquidators move in on ‘tunnelled’ Celestial, aiming to draw attention of China authorities With biomass plant success, ecoWise eyes expansion in renewable energy business Yangzijiang fights to avoid order cancellation while venturing further into micro-finance Asian exchanges find new growth drivers Big Money: Assif Shameen: Why Asian funds will drive local markets Big Money: Lim Yin Foong: Modern pawnbrokers accept new ‘swag’ from savvy but cash-strapped Britons Global markets: China is best bet in Asia for 3Q2012, says ABN Amro’s Daphne Roth Disclaimer: The Edge Publishing Pte Ltd does not accept any liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect or consequential losses or damages that may arise from the use of information or opinions in this newsletter. The information and opinions are not to be considered as an offer to buy or sell any of the companies discussed. If you do not wish to receive any further emails, please click here. For other inquiries, please contact The Edge Publishing Pte Ltd, 150 Cecil Street # 13-00, Singapore 069543.Phone: (65) 6232 8622 Fax : (65) 6232 8630. * terms and conditions apply Email: hotlinespore@bizedge.com