Friday 27 February 2015

Our New Washing Machine - Panasonic NA-F75S3HRQ

Our old Samsung washing machine was spoilt four days before Chinese New Year. To be more specific, the "power on/off" button was spoilt, so there was no way to switch on the washer.

Old Samsung washing machine

Since the washer was already about 9 years old, it would be better to get a new one.

In a hurry to get a new one before Chinese New Year, we went down to one of Courts' retail stores after checking the prices of their washers at their web store. At that time, they were having a promotion on Panasonic NA-F75S3HRQ. It was a top loading washing machine with a 7.5 kg capacity. It has three ticks on water efficiency and a 12 years motor warranty. Everything looked good so we decided to buy this. However, it could only be delivered on the third day of Chinese New Year (21 Feb 2015), which was a Saturday.

Panasonic NA-F75S3HRQ 
After waiting for days, our new washing machine finally came. After trying a few times, we concluded that it could not spin dry properly. As it was within 7 days, we could request for a one-to-one exchange with Courts so we called them the next day (Sunday). We had to wait till Wednesday (25 Feb 2015) for Courts to get someone to check on the machine before we could decide on an exchange. 

On Wednesday morning, two persons from Courts came over to take a look. After checking, they told me we could do a one-to-one exchange, but they needed to inform their supervisor first. 

In the afternoon, a lady from Courts called Ardon and checked with him whether the external drain water hose from the washing machine was placed on the floor and he told her "yes". He also told her that we wanted to upgrade to another washer model so that we would not get the same problem.

Later in the day, we went down to the same store where we bought the washer and the lady who called Ardon attended to us. She explained to us that all the top loading washers these days were made with the drainage hole (located behind the washer) much lower than those made many years ago. So, the external drain water hose should not be placed higher than the drainage hole or else water could not flow out properly. So, no matter which model we chose, we would face the same problem. The ways to solve this was either to cut/saw the PVC pipe to a shorter height or to elevate the washer. Front loading washers, on the other hand, would require the external drain water hose to be placed high for water to flow out.

I had read a review saying that the height of the pipe cannot be too high for top loading washers but, at that time, we did not know that our new washer's drainage hole was lower that of our old Samsung washer. We did not think that the height of our drainage pipe was causing the problem.

The lady said we could go home and test it out again before deciding whether to change. We just needed to give her a call. So, we went home to test with the external drain water hose placed in a small bathtub (low enough so that water can flow out). After all the hassle of getting the water out from the bathtub and getting the kitchen floor quite wet, we were satisfied that the washer worked fine with proper drainage.

Small bathtub used
Now the next problem was to decide whether to saw the PVC pipe to make it lower so that water could flow out properly or to elevate the height of the washer. Ardon managed to remove the top part of the pipe (it was detachable). However, the water hose could not be properly put in the remaining pipe there and we were concerned that this may cause leakage of water. Furthermore, even without the pipe, the water hose would still be placed quite high due to its length. In the end, we decided it was easier/better to elevate the washer. 



Ardon managed to get 4 stands (sold as a set) from a shop and we placed them below the washer. Our only concern was that the washer might not be stable on the stands. 



We tested the washer again. Everything worked well. The water was drained away properly and the clothes were quite dry after the spin cycle. Thank goodness, it worked! 


Thursday 12 February 2015

Eczema Balm

Sera had eczema on her left inner elbow. She didn't like the smell of the eczema cream I bought from a retail store so she refused to use it after applying 2 to 3 times. Normal moisturizer only helped to relieve the itch temporarily and was not able to clear the eczema rashes.

I happened to see this Theo10® Skin balm sold online and read many positive reviews about it. It could also help with minor cuts, burns, insect bites and nasal congestion. Since it could also be used for other purposes (in case Sera refused to use it), Ardon and I decided to give it a try. It was not expensive and was manufactured in Singapore. 






After about 3 applications, we saw an improvement on her inner elbow. Rashes started to clear and her skin felt smoother. According to Sera, the balm did help to soothe or numb the itchiness.


1st day after application

3rd day after application

The downside was this balm had a very strong peppermint smell. However, it was the premium peppermint essence that helped to numb the area to stop the itch. Fortunately Sera didn't mind the smell and was willing to use it. Her only concern was that Lynn could not stand the smell. So considerate!



Wednesday 4 February 2015

Cast of 《信约:我们的家园》 "The Journey: Our Homeland"

"The Journey: Our Homeland" is the finale of the trilogy “The Journey”. It depicts the development of Singapore from 1966 to her era of prosperity in the 1980s. Click here for more information.


Actress Jeanette Aw would be reprising her role as Hong Muihui. Click here for more information on this. 



Rui En will play Yang Meixue, a straight-talking nurse who becomes good friends with Hong Minghui, a matron at Kandang Kerbau (KK) Hospital. Zhang Zhenhuan will play the character, Yan Yisheng - Yang Meixue's boyfriend. 



Shaun Chen, Andie Chen and Felicia Chin would be reprising their roles as a Zhang Jia, Hong Dangyong and Zhang Min respectively.

Romeo Tan will play dual roles as Hong Kuan and Zhang Yan (Hong Kuan's biological father). Hong Kuan is the first son of Zhang Min and the stepson of Hong Dangyong. Jeffrey Xu will play the role of Hong Rui, the second son of Zhang Min.

The Journey: Our Homeland also stars Rebecca Lim, Ian Fang, Julie Tan, Cheryl Wee and Shane Pow. Rebecca Lim will take on the role of Wan Fei Fei, who grew up in a poor family with her three siblings Wan Zi Cong (starring Ian Fang), Wan Zi Hua (starring Shane Pow) and Wan Fang Fang (starring Cheryl Wee). Julie Tan plays a tomboyish character named Yao Jia Hui. 

Click here for the other members of the cast of the drama serial.