Harry Potter's Collecting Magic: From Stamps To Wands Exhibition at Singapore Philatelic Museum

ABBEY: We wanted to visit Harry Potter stamp exhibition but there is a fee. So we went there on a holiday, during 2017 Chinese New Year. And it is free. 

You can take snaps with your "luggage" halfway thru Platform 9 3/4 and with Hedwig. You can board a cabin of Hogwarts Express or the Quiditch broomstick, Dhoby, the wizards and witches' wands were there as well. 

Stamps and postcards were on the display. But one group caught my attention. It is the stamp version of Harry Potter book covers. For a minimum of 5SGD you can dress up with Hogwarts uniform and feel the wizarding world's magic.

Harry Potter's Collecting Magic Singapore : Stamps

Harry Potter's Collecting Magic Singapore : Wands 

Harry Potter's Collecting Magic Singapore : Station 9 3/4

Harry Potter's Collecting Magic Singapore : Quidditch Ball

Harry Potter's Collecting Magic Singapore

WILL: I have read this Harry Potter's Collecting Magic Exhibit at Postcrossing.com and as wife of a big fan of Harry Potter, I set a schedule for us to visit it. 

We celebrated the second day of Chinese New Year in Singapore Philatelic Museum. We arrived around 5pm and since there are live performances downstairs we took the chance to roam around the exhibition room with few museum goers. 

I am fascinated to see their different wands for different characters. They have a small cubicle in there for you to feel how the train is going to Hogwarts seems like. Broomstick with a nice background to have a photo op. You can rent costumes for only $5 (will be donated) as long as you can. :) 

I collect stamps and I am joyful to see those collector items and even postcards from different parts of the world.

A Harry Potter fan too? Don't miss this exhibit. Free for all Singaporean and PR. $8 for foreigner.

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(Harry Potter) Collecting Magic: From Stamps To Wands

(A) 23-B Coleman Street Singapore Philatelic Museum

(D) 02 Nov 2016 - 25 Jun 2017

(H) Monday to Sunday 10:00am - 7:00pm

(F) Adult: $8; Child: $6; 

Free admission for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents

Saizeriya - Italian Pasta Restaurant in City Square Mall in Singapore

ABBEY: At last we're able to dine at Saizeriya. We went to their branch at City Square Mall. The seats were like booth-style and the ambiance is like the diners shown in movies. 

I got garlic sirloin steak (12.90SGD) and garlic focaccia (2.20SGD). The steak is tender and flavorful. I ate three quarters of the way before I remember asking Wilma to taste it :) The smell of freshly-baked bread is really enticing. The focaccia taste great; soft and hot. 

For 3.80SGD, you can have whatever drink is there in the drink bar; sodas, juices, tea and coffee.

Saizeriya - Italian Pasta Restaurant Menu

Saizeriya - Italian Pasta Restaurant Menu

Bacon and Mushroom Risotto

Garlic Sirloin Steak

Saizeriya - Italian Pasta Restaurant Menu

Garlic Focaccia and  Mozzarella di Ravioli

WILL: I had seen someone who dined here at Saizeriya and gladly announced in her Facebook wall that the food is not compatible with its taste. Well, as her comment posted, the food is yummy and yet it came with a cheap price. Who wouldn't be enticed on that right? And on that, I asked Abbey  to dine out and for us to check it on ourselves. 

We went for Saizeriya's City Square Mall branch. I went for Bacon and Mushroom Risotto, Mozzarella di Ravioli and a glass of Red Italian Wine. 

When the risotto was served, Abbey instantly saw my "dismayed-look". The rice or should I say "risotto" swims in its bowl of cream. Actually it cannot be considered as a cream, because its texture is like water. But because I do not want to ruin the moment.. our date, I took few spoonful and passed the rest to Abbey. 

My ravioli came and gladly it compensated my anxiety with the first food served for me. I indulged on it on every bite. Lovely! But when I sipped their S$3.90 wine, my face cringed and I took a long deep breath. Abbey immediately told me "What are you expecting for a cheap wine?", then I rest my case. 

I went to the counter with a smile and learned that I will be coming back to Saizeriya for their Mozarella di Ravioli and nothing else.

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Saizeriya City Square

(A) 180 Kitchener Road #B2-55/56 City Square Mall

(T) 6834 4877

(F) 6834 4911

Be Singapore Red Cross Blood Heroes - Donate Blood Now!

ABBEY: I missed the whole 2016 to donate blood. So I'm really excited when Wilma schedule our donation February 2017. Yes, "our" donation. 

She will give some of her blood too. This is my fourth time while hers is first. I always tell her that it will be fine and it will finish fast. I'm proud of her accomplishment to conquer her fear of needles and for us to help the community. This will be our regular contribution. I wanted to give back as my mother was a recipient for blood transfusion after her operation due to breast cancer. 

Read my wife's story below.

WILL: I totally hate needles poking my skin. I do not like to look on blood flowing out of a body. But I know that one of the greatest thing to share is my own blood. 

This is the challenge stated by Abbey in exchange of my Marathon dare. But I pushed it until Feb of 2017 to condition myself and to give a face-to-face battle with my fear.

Broccoli, spinach, chicken and pork liver are on our weekly menu list to boost up our iron in our blood. We slept 8-10 hours every day and make it sure to hit the road or gym twice a week for our exercise. 

We supposedly scheduled to have it by Saturday, but we went one day earlier, 3rd Feb. (Please take note to ladies that you cannot donate blood if you are having your menstruation) We filled-up our form, the concierge key-in our details on Red Cross Singapore database, went to room number 2 to check our BP, weight and if we understood the questioners given on the form. Next room, they will get few samples for me them to see if your hemoglobin passed the count. 

Few minutes later, I am sitting inside the room waiting having an eye contact and exchanging smiles with the other donors. Oh! I have a badge that it will be my first time to donate blood. :) 

The attendant compared my veins from my right and left arm and decided to take on my right. She applied alcohol, open up an anaesthesia, she waited for a minute and viola! I saw how big the hole of the needle that will sip out my blood. Instead of looking away (my usual thing), I stared into the needle and the memory is vividly clear how it went in to my arm and the blood start to run down on the tube. Haha! It is indeed a an achievement for me. Facing one of my greatest fear. Now I am officially a BLOOD HERO! 

Blood represents life and it is not only great but holy to give a part of you... part of your body with someone in need.

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Singapore Red Cross - Bloodbank@Dhoby Ghaut

(A) Dhoby Xchange (Near Exit B) #B1-05/06/07/08/09 11 Orchard Road

(H)Monday to Wednesday, and Friday: 12pm to 8pm

Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 5pm

Thursday and Public Holidays: Closed

New Year Eve, Chinese New Year Eve and Christmas Day Eve: 9am to 2pm

Can You Donate Blood?
There are some basic requirements you need to fulfill in order to become a blood donor. 
You may become a donor if you:
1. Aged between 16 and 60 (Youths aged 16 and 17 will need to complete and bring a signed parental consent form)
2. Weigh at least 45kg
3. In good health
4. Do not have any symptoms of infection (e.g. sore throat, cough, runny nose, diarrhoea) for at least one week
did not have fever in the last three weeks
5. Have a haemoglobin level of at least 12.5g/dl (A test will be administered by trained nurses at the donation site) Click here for more information about haemoglobin levels.
6. If foreign worker, pass must be valid at least 4-months.
7. You should not donate blood during pregnancy or menstrual period.
8. Traveled outside Singapore? Check how many weeks/months you can be qualified before the day of donation.  

The Donation Process
The whole donation process involves just six simple steps and takes an average of 45 minutes to complete:
1. Form Filling (5 mins)
2. Registration (5 mins)
3. Medical Screening (10-15 mins)
4. Haemoglobin Check (5 mins)
5. Blood Donation (10-15 mins)
6. Rest and Refreshment (15 mins)
Light refreshments will be provided while you rest for 10-15 minutes. This is to ensure that you feel well before leaving the blood collection site.