The Life and Times of the Resourceful Resourceless - Managing Day-to-Day

In today's times too many to count are struggling to survive simply because they are elderly or unable to work. The resources they need to survive are being played with like their lives are part of some giant game of monopoly. These tales are of and from one of the many who are forced to find resources where there are none. (These are the words of my own mother. She has always managed to make something from nothing - even if it wasn't much. I hope her words touch you as they do me, she surprises me everyday. She truly is my hero!)




In this household (I started to say mine, but it is my mothers actually, I only Parent the Parent). We do manage from day to day, moment to moment. Managing isn't always about money or resources but about life itself. Down to Earth and in your face life. Resources are not there for the toothache I have at least once a week.

I am a veteran but do not have 60% disability to warrant my teeth being pulled. Not tooth but teeth where more that likely the medicine that the VA Hospital put me on caused my teeth to break off and fall out or the dentist that used medication that I am allergic too,two shots at that. That is life and I manage to make it till another week without a toothache.

I manage to eat something from the 200.00 in Food Stamps I receive for me. The state I live in sees me as disabled twice. Workers Compensation Permanent Partial Diability (8% of my whole body) and the dreaded welfare department shows me as disabled to give me a Medical Card that no body takes. In your face life.

Money, resources, happy words too many but sad words for this household. Money a Retirement Social Security check meant for one, but remember I am a seperate household for Food Stamps and feed us on 200.00 a month in Food Stamps. I manage to do it. I won't be able to feed my mother if I have to make or buy babyfood to eat, so I do what I have to.

A little secret Medicaid will pull your teeth but that is all. That is a blessing if you find someone who is taking the Medical Card. Managing and in your face for a moment. Well will get back to you later mother fell or sat down in the floor. More than likely sat in the floor (she has Alzheimers and is more than a handful, but I manage to handle that too).

I was right sat in the floor and time to go manage from day to day, moment to moment. Life is calling me to reality.

An Interview with the Noodle Man from the South

By Kenneth Lee Bozheng, Year 3, Engineering Informatics

The saying a smile makes all the difference certainly rings true for Mr Jackson Lu, the affable stall owner who operates his bustling noodle business at NYP’s South Canteen. Armed with an infectious smile and pleasant personality, Jackson is memorable and well-liked by many. Jackson’s popularity is reflected not just in the vast amount of customers who return to him, but also online, where a Facebook page called “Enthu Noodle Man From The South” has been specially created in recognition of his excellent service.

Justin Heng, a third year student from the Diploma in Engineering Informatics, is the creator of the page. He decided to start this page because he felt it was something new to do and no one has ever created a page like this in NYP before. When asked if he ever thought the page would make it this far, Justin comments that it took off much faster than expected, and it was a fun and learning experience for him in Social Media.

We interview Jackson, the Noodle Man himself to see what he has to say about his popular Facebook page:

Hi Jackson, you are rather well known in NYP! Please tell us more about yourself.

Hi Kenneth, I am Jackson Lu, currently 29 years old of age and I have operated this noodle business since 2008.

How is it that you came about setting up this noodle stall?

Actually I took over this stall from my mum. It used to be at the economic rice stall, but it has shifted a few stalls away.

Was this something you wanted to do?

I wasn’t thinking of doing this, but after helping out my mum, I discovered that my passion was to sell and cook.
Is F&B your interest? You seem very enthusiastic in your business. There is hardly a moment where you are not smiling.

While there are actually many factors to consider in an F&B business, from managing my staff to producing quality and delicious food. Ultimately, it gives me satisfaction to know that my customers are happy with my culinary skills and service, and they leave my stall with a smile J

What is your most popular dish?

I would say the prawn noodle soup, laksa and wanton mee.

Do you know you have a Facebook page with over 1,500 likes?

Yes, students have come up to me and told me before about my Facebook page :)

Did you know who created your fan page, and why was it created?

It was a student. One day, he came to ask me if he could take a photo of me for a project. So I said yes. Two days later, some students came to say I have a fan page!

What do you think of your fan page? Do you think the student portrayed you accurately?

I think it’s a good form of advertising. The portrayal is not far from correct! J

What does a normal day for you look like?
During normal school days, I wake up at 4 am and stop work at around 7 pm. During school vacations, it is better as I wake up at 5 am and can stop work at around 6.30 pm, depending on the crowd.

Has business increased since your fan page came up?

Yes, it helps! :) Students from other parts of the school came here because of my Facebook fan page.

Some of your supporters have suggested having a buddy meal or set meal.  What do you think of this idea?
I do have the intention of having new menu items and do not entirely rule out the possibility of the above, but this may take some time to formulate and implement. Of course, I do welcome additional feedback from all J

What do you have to say about your fan stating on your fan page that you forgot to add an egg to her noodles?

I recognize the student from her Facebook profile picture, so the next time she comes back, I’ll compensate her J  If I’m not wrong, her Facebook name is Shopping Queen.

Would you be posting anything on your fan page?

My account name is “Jackson Lu” and every two days I do check the fan page wall. I do feel appreciated and grateful for the support from everybody J

What are your future plans?

I do have various plans to expand my business, but again I will choose to do this slowly as it is not easy to expand. But I would not have been here without my customers and staff support, so thank you all!

What do you do on your days off?

Usually, I rest at home, or go out with friends. For Hari Raya, my plans are not confirmed yet.

Do you have anything to say to your supporters?

I APPRECIATE all your kind wishes, both on the Facebook wall and in real life. Hopefully, you will visit me more often. *laughs*

The Enthu Noodle Man From The South's Facebook fan page can be located at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Enthu-Noodle-Man-From-The-South/166054913465992?ref=ts

 

Monday's Entrepreneur: Chef Veronica and Relevé PCS

Every Monday at PF4P, we like to start the week off on a positive note, so we bring you stories of people like us who have turned a passion, hobby, talent, or skill into something that provides them with either full-time or part-time income.

Personal Finance 4 The People is pleased to introduce to you Relevé Personal Chef Service. What makes Relevé so different from the other businesses we have featured?

Well, Relevé is what inspired Personal Finance 4 The People. I met Chef Veronica as she was putting the finishing touches on her business and just by talking to her I could see her passion. That passion helped me to see my own passion and through some conversations Chef Veronica persuaded me to take my own passion and do something with it…

Enough about me…

Relevé Personal Chef Service offers a menu selection consultations, grocery shopping for all ingredients, meal preparations, packaging and labeling, reheating instructions and complete kitchen clean up.

Chef Veronica Jackson, FSP trained at Johnson & Wales University and is a Nationally Certified Culinarian. She has expertise in various cuisines from Traditional French and European to Asian Fusion. Chef Jackson also plans to dedicate time to Arcadia summer programs via the Woodlawn Plantation located in Alexandria, VA as well as other community based projects.

Chef Veronica supports and advocates recycling, green practices, sustainability and is also an advocate of the food revolution, dedicated to fighting for fresh food in America’s schools.

Enough words, look at the works of art for yourself.











And something to drink it all down with...


So,stop wasting time and call Chef Veronica today!

Relevé Personal Chef Service

...and as always....Tell 'em Personal Finance 4 The People sent you!!!!

Lighting up the NDP Multimedia Screens with Made-In-NYP Animations

For four months, 29 Diploma in Motion Graphics & Broadcast Design (MGBD) students from the School of Interactive & Digital Media (SIDM) spent many sleepless nights working to create a stunning multimedia backdrop comprising of 24 animated scenes for this year’s National Day Parade (NDP).

The students worked on the project, based on a script, a music score, and an overall impression of the installation set-up by the NDP committee. Despite the tight deadlines, they managed to professionally render beautiful cultural motifs and animations for the huge projection screens.

All these could not have been possible without the help of SIDM staff – especially Charles Lee, Stephen Lim and Tina Jailani – who steered the project and supported the students by liaising with the NDP committee, providing art direction and technical help.

As for the students, it was an enriching experience.  Not only did they learn much more about motion graphics editing, but their weeks of research also helped them better appreciate the cultural and historical knowledge of Singapore.

Final-year MGBD students Mohamad Fadhli and Christina Qui felt privileged to be working on such an important national level project.  Although work was stressful at times, it provided them an avenue to bond with their group members while working overnight. They were also pleased to be given NDP tickets!

And the greatest reward for staff and students?  It was having our very own made-in-NYP animations lit up the huge projection screens for the nation to see on National Day itself.

SIDM students at Marina Bay. They were working on their project on site as well as in school.

NYP’s new course: Medicinal Chemistry

By Choo Yu Liang, Year 1, Medicinal Chemistry



It's not just all about experiments

What is Medicinal Chemistry?
Medicinal chemistry is a branch of chemistry that is focused on the discovery, design, synthesis and analysis of novel medicinal molecules that are suitable for therapeutic use.

What can you learn in Medicinal Chemistry?
Laboratory investigations and practicals will be conducted after each lecture on a particular topic to reinforce the student’s understanding of the concepts taught through application. During the first year, most of the concepts are taught in theory such as physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, cell biology, microbiology and biochemistry. Laboratory safety is also emphasized.

In the second year, students will understand the process of drug discovery and development. The course will take students from initial research, high throughput screening, drug formulation, and animal studies to clinical trials and approval. Students will also be taught compound synthesis and purification techniques such as distillation, recrystallization and chromatography and drug analysis, and acquire knowledge in drug reactions and toxicology as well as techniques in spectroscopy.

Students will also learn problem-solving skills and the importance of teamwork. This helps them to co-operate with their lab partners to ensure experiments are carried out successfully with meaningful results. These skills will prove useful in the working environment.
The course will also appeal to students who appreciate studying Chemistry and Biology at the Junior College level but are looking for something different from college curriculum.

1st Year Medical Chemistry students having fun in the lab

What makes Medicinal Chemistry so exciting?

Medicinal Chemistry aims to train technically competent graduates to integrate into the drug discovery and development programmes in the pharmaceutical industry, so if you ever wondered what are the active compounds found in common pain killers such as Panadol, Panadol Extra, Aspirin and Nurofen or you think you have what it takes to come up with an effective cure for cancer, then look no further!
From my own experience, the course will definitely appeal to students who enjoy studying chemistry and/or biology since students who perform well in their science subjects at the O-levels usually breeze through the first semester. Most of the lecturers are also friendly and approachable and explain concepts in an enthusiastic manner.

What about attachments and career prospects?
Final year students will be able to experience working in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industry and may be attached to laboratories in research institutions to experience and handle real life situations. After graduation, they may even become research officers in medicinal, pharmaceutical and chemical companies, or technical specialists in government statutory boards.

O-level students may want to consider embarking on this course for an exciting career in Medicinal Chemistry!

My Story: Video Blog #1 - Why do I do this?

This was my first attempt....what did I learn? Figure out how to make the sound louder. Any tips....besides speaking up - too obvious...lol.

Ummmmmm....turn your sound up for now....ok, thanks!

ENJOY!!

Sean Walker - The Truth (Motivational Speech)

Be Careful....it's a TRICK...

So often people tell me that they have never had a credit card and so often I’m still surprised by this. I know exactly why these people say this and can definitely see their side, but…it also makes no sense in making life easier for them. Having a credit card is a HUGE responsibility and test of will – see I can understand why some people feel it best not to have a credit card – but the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

Having a credit card helps you build a credit history – what kind of history depends on various things like your financial value system, your current financial situation, and how strong your will is. Credit cards help you to build a credit history by being part of a couple things such as length of credit history and debt-to-credit ratio, while also giving lenders a sense of your likelihood of paying back the loan by analyzing your payment history. Credit cards are pretty important.

If you mess up with your credit cards, the effects can be felt for YEARS!



If you are an adult and have never had a credit card, I’m sure you have noticed how much more difficult things like renting a car or buying anything with an interest rate.

Is there a right way to have and use credit cards? Sure, and it can even work FOR you.

The main things to remember when using a credit card are:

• Always try to pay the balance in full each month.

• If you have a rewards card, it is extra important NOT to carry a balance because the payments go to the oldest purchases first.

• You don’t even have to carry the card with you, just use it once a month to buy a pack of gum or something, and then pay it off.

• If you have debt spread over several cards, you can try to qualify for a 0% or lower than your current interest to pay the debt quicker. BUT you have to pay the debt off by the time the offer is up or you lose the game.

• Try to only use your card for large purchases only when necessary.
Trying to get a credit card as without ever having one or messing up with one is a bit harder. A secured or lower limit card, usually with a fee. Check out CreditCards.com to find the right card for you….

And remember to USE IT RIGHT! ...well try to anyway....

Monday's Entrepreneur: Jessica Merrell, Leather Expert

Every Monday at PF4P, we like to start the week off on a positive note, so we bring you stories of people like us who have turned a passion, hobby, talent, or skill into something that provides them with either full-time or part-time income.

Jessica has turned her skills working with leather into a side business. Jessica makes everything from wallets to holsters to belts to leather flasket to purses. Anything you can make with leather, she can probably do.

Prices vary and she will ship anywhere. To contact Jessica about her work you can message her on her Facebook page or call 216-924-3747.

Floral Belt

Weave Belt

Vine Belt

Small Holster

Automatic Holster

Pocket Knife

Knife Heath

Leather Bound Flask

Dreamcatcher

Day Planner

Clutch Purse

Billfold

Bracelet

Barrette

Items made to worder! ...as always, tell her PF4TP sent you!

NYP students take on Spatial Challenge

(left to right) Happy Family team members Lim Shao Loong, Nicholas Gabriel Goh, Lim Wei Jie, Yr 3 DEI students, and their lecturer Brandon Ng (SIT)

Mention Geographical Information System (GIS) and you would probably do a double-take. While the technology is not new, it is certainly not as popular as its close cousin, the Global Positioning System (GPS). So to encourage tertiary and JC-level students to use GIS, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has organised a Spatial Challenge.

So what is the difference between the two? Well GPS uses satellites to give one’s exact position on earth, while GIS is a technology that can capture, display and analyse geographic data. The two can also be integrated for more complex mapping purposes.

In its fourth year running, this year’s Spatial Challenge has a new category – GIS Applications – to encourage tertiary students to create new and useful GIS applications. A total of 147 university, polytechnic, and JC students from 18 teams participated in the challenge, which concluded on 27 July, 2011.

NYP sent nine teams to participate in two categories, GIS Analysis and GIS Applications (8 teams). We were given two special awards for the GIS Application category.

We caught up with the team Happy Family and their lecturer, Mr Brandon Ng to find out more about their application, the Happy Family Online Map Portal, which was given an Excellent Report Special Award by SLA. The team of 5 students from Diploma in Engineering Informatics (DEI) have won themselves $500.

The team has devised a map portal that helps young couples to access information that supports their decision making on HDB flats, amenities and facilities that support their family planning. The concept was the brainchild of Mr Ng, who felt that there should be a one-stop portal that adequately helps young couples plan for their future.

“These days, property prices keep increasing, and it is not easy for a young couple to find a location with all the specific amenities desired, such as child friendly areas, and the availability of nearby primary schools, child care, and tuition centres,” he said. “This solves problems for parents who want to get places for their children in primary schools.

Thus proposed Happy Family map portal can single out strategic housing estates based on a young couple’s priority list.

“By designing this application, the students learn how to apply coursework to real life situations in the IT industry,” Mr Ng explained.

“We spent about three months designing this application, so it was satisfying being able to deliver this,” said Lim Wei Jie, Happy Family team member, and final year DEI student.

The team did not feel disappointed about not winning the top 3 prizes as they felt the teams that won had a different target and scope. They felt it was a good learning experience, having the opportunity to learn new programming languages and a specialised skill set.

NYP’s four member iTeam also won a special award for Outstanding Data Collection, and received $500. The team designed a Singapore Park Trail Guide application that allows park users to plan a route for exercise within a park and access information such as the availability for public transport, toilets and emergency posts.

Where Voices Unite

By Ho Khin Wai, Yr 1, Diploma in Banking and Finance

On the 22nd of July, a handful of juniors, including myself, turned up for Soundcard camp 2011. Soundcard is a CCA group in NYP for students who love singing and performing songs on stage (think Glee). We were clueless about what we were going to do there, but little did we realize we were going to have the experience of a lifetime!

On the first night, we played many games till 9pm, and got to interact with new friends and seniors. Soon after, a Malay horror film was being screened. Many times, muffled squeals and gasps could be heard from our friends. Thereafter, we were being led out for night walk around the campus. Many of us enjoyed being “freaked out” by the unexpected “ghosts” and “ghouls” who jumped out from behind pillars and walls!

The second day was the highpoint of this whole camp. The Soundcard committee had linked up with NYP Adventure Club so that we had an opportunity to try out the rock climbing, high elements and flying fox in NYP. Everyone had their go at the facilities and we could see smiles on our members’ faces as they complete each item.

After that, we had an ‘Amazing Race’ challenge, here we were given cut-up pieces of a picture and had to piece them together to figure out the next station. Throughout the whole race, we had water bombs and flour thrown at us while going through games and obstacles. We tried to encourage each other and motivated our team to do their best.

The ending point was at the NYP stadium, where we were faced with the ‘Soap Race’. We had our heads SOAKED in foaming soap and each one of our legs tied to another team member’s leg. Next, we had to compete with other teams to get to the finishing line, with our legs tied! With good coordination and teamwork, our group managed to complete the race.

Since this is Soundcard, on the last day of the camp, we sang and performed in front of all camp attendees. Each group had managed to “floor” the audience with amazing voices and choreography.
At the end, everyone was tired but felt that the camp had been a great success. The bond between Soundcarders was definitely much stronger.

“Soundcard camp was awesome! We have grown to become one big happy family. I have learnt so much from the seniors and I would want to attend the camp again next year,” said Soundcard member Hidayah Azman, Year 1, Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management.

One Dollar, One Million Personal Finance Seminar Aug 27

Contact: Rikki Grooms, CEO
Phone: 202-431-8008
Email: PersonalFinance4ThePeople@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PERSONAL FINANCE 4 THE PEOPLE TEACHES HOW TO MAKE
ONE DOLLAR EQUAL ONE MILLION WITH NEW SEMINAR

AUGUST 8, 2011 (OXON HILL, MD.) - We’ve always heard the phrase (and most of us realize it’s actually true once we get our first taste of adult responsibility), that “money doesn’t grow on trees,” but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the money you DO have grow... On Saturday, August 27, 2011, Personal Finance 4 The People (PF4TP) will host a 2-hour financial seminar on something more people should know, but don’t: the basics of attaining financial success. Taking place at the Oxon Hill Library (6200 Oxon Hill Road) from 10-2pm (one seminar at 10, one at 12), the “One Dollar, One Million” seminar will be held for just $10 to allow everyone to attend and learn the secrets of successful personal finance - how to make one dollar become one million.

With the current state of the American economy, consumers are drowning in their financial responsibilities, creating empty pockets and extreme debt for the average and below-average citizen. The underprivileged minority members of society are feeling the brunt of the deficit, and PF4TP’s mission is to assist those individuals in making better decisions with their funds to ensure a stress-free financial future for themselves and their families. The August 27th seminar will cover basic financial education, debt reduction/management, savings, and budgeting, and will allow for attendees to speak one-on-one with Rikki Grooms, CEO of PF4TP. Attendees are encouraged to become involved and ask questions, and network with the company and their peers as they take the first steps towards financial freedom.

For more information on “One Dollar, One Million,” please email PersonalFinance4ThePeople@gmail.com, or call Rikki Grooms at 202-431-8008.

###

ABOUT - Personal Finance 4 The People
PF4TP aims to reach out to those individuals who lack financial education while instilling the fundamental principles and importance of being financially independent. With a societal focus, PF4TP focuses on those types of behaviors that are often cyclical and universal to those who are minorities in the general society (i.e. African Americans, women, LBGTQI, Latino, single parents, young parents, and/or under or poorly educated) and underemployed, unemployed, or disenfranchised by the system.

Monday's Entrepreneur: Tarika Winchester, Certified Massage Therapist

Every Monday at PF4P, we like to start the week off on a positive note, so we bring you stories of people like us who have turned a passion, hobby, talent, or skill into something that provides them with either full-time or part-time income.



Tarkia Winchester is a Certified Massage Therapist who dreams of helping people to alleviate pain and aid in relaxation. Tarika received her certification from the National Massage Therapy Institute (NMTI) and is currently working on obtaining her National License.

Her specialties include:
Swedish Massage
Deep Tissue Massage
Hot Stone Massage
Sports Massage
Relaxation Massage

I was lucky enough to have Tarika fit me in her schedule to experience her one of her massages (yet again, it pays off to have a business helping others...lol) and let me say it was the BEST massage I have ever gotten. No lie.

Tarika also hosts Pamper Parties….

Individual Pricing:

Deep Hydration Facial Mask
(For hydrating sensitive and dry skin)- $45.00

Sensitive Skin Facial Mask
(Circulation Stimulation with a calming effect on sensitive skin) - $45.00

Salt/Sugar body scrubs- $35.00
(Sugar scrubs- this scrub gently exfoliates old skin while locking in vital moisture to keep skin healthy and visibly radiant, leaving the skin feeling silky smooth and moisturized)
(Salt Scrubs- This scrub is ideal for easing stress while exfoliating and moisturizing from head to toe, leaving skin silky smooth and glowing.)

Full Body massages:
1 hr Full body massages-$95

1 hr 30min Full body massage-$120

To contact Tarika:

Email: TarikaWin23.TW@gmail.com


...And tell her PF4TP sent you!

The Importance of Saving and Budgeting

Most people underestimate the freedom that being diligent and saving can provide. Besides building an Emergency Fund (which is important for obvious reasons; and for those that don’t realize how important having an Emergency Fund is really need to pay attention), saving for particular life events such as weddings, vacations, new cars makes doing these things that much easier. The money for the item or occasion is already there, no need to scrape to get the money or take from something higher up on the priority hierarchy.


Most financial people advise to “pay yourself first” but in reality bills should come first because if you don’t pay yourself that month you won’t be punished. Having a budget helps with saving and allocating money for needs, wants, and want to needs and is very important in the overall success of your finances. Once the financial situation is more stable, sure, “pay yourself first” because you have put in the work to make sure your needs are met and most likely have found “extra money” hidden in your spending.


Once the “extra money” is found and allocated, then the best way to save is to set automatic deposits into a high yielding savings account and forget it. You won’t miss the money because you just found that you have it. Until then, saving is based on what is left after the other needs are met. It’s unrealistic to sit down make ONE budget and expect it to work the first, second, third…. time so that all the needs are met and money magically starts to appear in your savings account(s). It takes change on our part.

For people living pay check to pay check budgeting and saving is even more important because there is less money to spread around and being wasteful in any area can lead to a major financial nightmare down the road. The whole point of saving is to prepare for something in the future. It can be a short or long term goal, but you are prepared.

One nemesis of budgets and savings is the need for instant gratification. Every day we are told we can have whatever we want, instantly. Of course we believe it (after all advertisers wouldn’t lie to us just to get us to buy something would they?) and we want what we want, RIGHT NOW! Waiting isn’t something we can do automatically. One way to train yourself to be patient is to set a goal to save for the item. If you have the money but aren’t sure if the item is a want, need, or want to need then take 24-48 hours to really think “do I need to spend $500 for this, when I can use that $500 to pay off my debts that much faster?” Basically, think over the decision and why you MUST have it right now.

Getting on track financially is more than just changing your spending habits – it takes a lifestyle and mindset change. One can’t have the same values as when they were overspending and expect to be successful financially. I stress this to my clients each time we meet because this whole process can be very frustrating and we all may want to give up but we will never get to the point we desire financially.

Don’t give up. Don’t let frustration take your dreams away. Don’t think you are the only one.

Be persistent through the struggles. Be pro-active. Be determined.

And when that doesn’t work PF4TP is here to offer support, advice, tips, and stories of our own….

Preparing to Enter a Most Meaningful Profession

Congrats to our 12 recipients!

Muhammad Khairul Nizzam Bin Mazlan, a first-year Diploma in Social Sciences (Social Work) student has a special heart for young children. His love for children was sparked off when as a lad in secondary school, he helped his uncle who ran a centre for children with special needs.


Said Khairul, “I enjoyed interacting with the children, who were 7 to 12 years old. So from young, I have always had this strong interest to want to help others. It is my way of giving back to society.”

Khairul was delighted when he became one of the 12 first-year Diploma in Social Sciences (Social Work) students to receive the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) Social Work Associate Training Sponsorship. This sponsorship is given by NCSS, with the support of the Ministry for Community Development, Youth and Sports. The students received their sponsorships from Ms Ang Bee Lian, CEO of NCSS during a ceremony on 12 July 2011.

The sponsorship covers tuition fees, other compulsory fees and an allowance for books and reference materials for their three years of study. Upon graduation, students would work for a year with a Voluntary Welfare Organisation under the NCSS.

Khairul and Winsome feel that this sponsorship would motivate them to do well.

Another recipient of the training sponsorship is Winsome Foo. Winsome, who will be attached to a Student Advisory Centre when she graduates, is looking forward to her new workplace. She said, “There is nothing like being there on the ground, helping people and being able to directly apply the skills that my NYP lecturers have taught me.”

Both Khairul and Winsome felt that receiving this training sponsorship would motivate them to excel in their studies.

At the award presentation ceremony, Ms Ang Bee Lian interacted with the students and gave them much encouragement. She said, “You will be in a growth industry when you graduate. And the social work profession would be a most meaningful profession for you to enter; one which will have long-term impact.”

NYP’s Diploma in Social Sciences (Social Work) course is a relatively new course which started in 2010. This course aims to train Social Work Associates to meet the increasing manpower needs of the social service and healthcare sectors in Singapore. The 12 students who received the NCSS Social Work Associate Training Sponsorship form the second batch of students who had attained these awards.

The Latte Factor: The Price of Convenience

David Bach author of the Finish Rich and Automatic Millionaire series teaches about the power of the Latte. Not like super powers, unless you count slowly draining you of your hard earned money, but the power meaning how much of a role continually spending little bits of money everyday add up and negatively affect your finances. Bach uses the morning cup of coffee to explain how this works, but it really works with anything you buy continually; like lunch and that afternoon snack.



The Latte Factor can be that one thing that keeps your budget from working, thus keeping you from reaching your financial goals. Think about it….

That morning cup of Starbucks, let’s say, $5 a morning.
$5 x 5 days a week = $25
$25 x 4 weeks a month = $100
$100 a month x 12 months a year = $1,200


That's a lot of money!

$1,200 a year for a morning cup of coffee. And that’s not adding your morning Danish, or your lunch or your afternoon snack.

$1,200 a year for coffee, when you could buy coffee from the grocery store and bring it to work (a piece of fruit, granola bar, and nuts for snacks) and you save yourself so much money over the course of a year.

One of the first things I do when I am working with a client is to ask them to tell me what they THINK their spending is, THEN we go over what their spending ACTUALLY is. Every time there is a BIG difference. Unless our spending habits are laid out in front of us in of them in black and white. It’s always a shock.

The Latte Factor is one way to cut back your spending and be more conscious of what you spend your money on. Many things we buy are convince items that if we spent the same amount in the grocery store our money would go much further.

Go to the grocery store with a list, use coupons and see how much more money you have and depending on what you buy see how much healthier you are.

The Latte Factor Calculator – give it a try and see…

If you cut out one item you buy for convince how much would you save a month?

A celebration for the nurses and the nation

By Banu Priya, Year 2, Diploma in Nursing

Don't you like our recyclable costumes?

On 27 July 2011, the School of Health Sciences (SHS) celebrated Nurses Day and National Day in advance.  This event, organized by the SHS Academic Club and staff, was held at Block K garden from 3-6 pm. The area was beautifully decorated with red and white balloons which are the symbolic colors of our nation. There was also a banner at the back of the stage and Singapore flags hung at various areas.

 So why is there a need to celebrate Nurses Day and honour our nurses? I went around and asked some students who attended the event.

Celebrating Nurses Day and National Day with lots of good food and more

“Well Nurses Day is a day to appreciate the nurses and their noble profession. We honour them because as they are the ones who literally help save lives of patients with their consistent care,” said Akmalina Zuhrah, a Year 2 student from nursing group 1001.

Muhammad Farhat Bamadhaj, a Year 3 nursing student, added that it is a day to honour nurses who made a difference in the past.

“We should celebrate Nurses Day to honour all those renowned nurses such as Florence Nightingale, who was a pioneer of modern nursing.  We could also acknowledge nursing as a profession, because nurses contribute greatly to society.”

Honouring our top students

The event also recognised top students in Diplomas in Nursing, Radiography, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. The students received these awards from Ms Wong Luan Wah and Ms Lau Cheng Mun, Directors of Nursing and Allied Health respectively.

a rollicking good time

 Of course, what is an event without performances, right? We had Year 1 Nursing students, Dain Azrinda Binte Kasrin, Hafizah Binte Hassan, Then Hui Yee and Myat Mon Aung, performing two dances. One was an Indian dance and a modern dance, which was a crowd favourite. We also had a singing performance by Year 3 Nursing student, Khairul Azree, accompanied by the blissful music of his guitar.

Up next were performances by lecturers.  Mr Jim Lim from Social Sciences (Social Work) sang a popular National Day song and even had the audience sing along the chorus.  This was followed by lecturer Mr Ibrahim Shaik Mohamed who he sang a Hindi song accompanied with a band member from the percussion group.  His performance also got the audience clapping.

Black is the new Black!

 Another highlight of the event was the fashion parade. The challenge was to use recycled materials to create a design that can be used as nurses’ uniforms in the future. A wide variety of designs were showcased with names like ‘Cleopatra’ and so on.

All the futuristic costumes made with recycled materials

Pairs of students were asked to parade on stage with catchy music in accompaniment. I believe the models enjoyed showcasing their creations and so did the audience. The winners were awarded with gift vouchers.

In conclusion, the various highlights of these events managed to attract a large crowd. It was a successful event with lots of scrumptious food. Hats off to the SHS Academic Club and SHS staff for pulling off this awesome event!