Making your Advanced Medical Directive

I wanted to make an Advanced Medical Directive. It will have to do since it is the closest I can get to euthanasia which is not allowed in Singapore. In the unfortunate event that I become incapable of making my express wishes known, I would not want my life to be prolonged needlessly. The contrary would only waste money and sap energy from my loved ones. It also takes up valuable hospital resources that might better serve those who have more hope. When it is time to go, I rather do so with dignity and be cool about the whole affair. From http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/legislations.aspx?id=7120 , "an Advanced Medical Directive (AMD) is a legal document that you sign in advance to inform the doctor treating you (in the event you become terminally ill and unconscious) that you do not want any extraordinary life-sustaining treatment to be used to prolong your life." Extraordinary life-sustaining treatment is any medical treatment which serves only to prolong the process of dying for terminally ill patients but does not cure the illness. An example is the respirator that is connected to a patient to assist him/her to breathe. It serves only to artificially prolong the life of a terminally ill patient. The AMD Act was passed in the Singapore Parliament in May 1996. I hopped over to the forms section and downloaded the AMD form (link opens to pdf file). I had thought that once I find two witnesses, I am done with this instruction of my mortal body. It was a good thing that I read through the form before arranging for the witnesses. From the form and the FAQs (go to http://www.pqms.moh.gov.sg/apps/fcd_faqmain.aspx and type in "AMD"), it seems that one of the two witnesses must be a doctor. I understand the rationale behind this but it seems an inconvenience nevertheless. How many people have friends who are doctors? In fact, even if you have a friend who is a doctor, I suspect that the witnessing is only valid if he does so in his professional capacity. Then I began to wonder. Why do people even want to make an AMD? I would count the AMD as one of the more important "medical decisions" of one's life. People make AMDs because they have certain motivations, certainly not for fun. For dignity like I mentioned? To prevent loved ones from wasting time and resources? Embarrassingly, I can't think of other possible motivations. Yet if it is because of saving money that one makes an AMD, isn't it ironic that he first has to spend money to visit a doctor? Like I said, I can appreciate the need of having a doctor as a witness. He can explain to you the AMD and make sure that you really understand what you thought you understood. But if money was the crux in the first place, would paying to see a doctor for the signing put one off? After all, the AMD form itself is free. With our current health minister giving his portfolio a vibrant shake, I feel that more can be done here. The AMD act has been in existence for more than a decade but how many people had exercised their rights? I would suggest that the government steps in to make the making of an AMD completely free. I want to say that all doctors should have the goodness in their hearts to volunteer (= do free) as witnesses for the AMD signing. But you know, I know, we know; so we won't say more. Instead of this suggestion, perhaps the government can compensate those doctors who help with the witnessing. Say, every time someone approaches a doctor to be witness for AMD making, that doctor will be given a token $20. Even if the entire nation becomes "AMD-certified", the cost is still hardly crippling. Would the nice government think about it? Cheers. :D

Desktop Tower Defense

Allow me the introduce the most addictive game of the century - Desktop Tower Defense. It is a fun flash based puzzle/strategy game where you have to protect your desktop from invaders by spending money on attacking pieces and building a maze for them to follow. A strangely addictive yet stress relieving game... how many levels can you survive? I know I am exaggerating a bit about the "century" part but I guarantee that it is indeed very addictive. Check it out at http://www.handdrawngames.com/DesktopTD . The current version is 1.5 and it might get even better in future. ^^ You can play the game using only the mouse, or complement the mouse with the keyboard for the shortcut keys. I have been hooked onto this game. For far, I am only able to hit 5000+ points on the hard mode (2 lines of creeps +50% health). I am improving each time and thinking of better strategies! Also, I am getting better at managing my "income". To familiarize yourself with the game, I suggest you begin with the easy mode - I did, for my first game. If you like the game and want to donate, go ahead too. Have fun. =)

LWW Quotes: Miracles

Need a payment solution for your website?

Are you a business owner who is thinking about expanding online? Say, you currently own a brick and mortar shop but you have decided that it is possible to make more money by expanding online. You have got your website up but how do you digitize your shelf items? And, how do you even collect money from your customers who may be miles away? Well, you need a shopping cart software, as well as an interface that allows you to accept e.g. credit cards online. Scratching your head over the unfamiliar concepts already? Fret not, check out Ashop Commerce. Ashop Commerce is a leading provider of hosted shopping cart software. It offers a complete solution for merchants to sell online. Below are several highlights of what Ashop Commerce offers with its ecommerce software. - Web based, no installation required - Affordable ecommerce software - Accept credit cards online - Thousands of features, easy to use - Start selling online right now - Fully customisable design There is a FREE 10 day trial so there is really nothing to lose for you to check it out. (I love FREE stuffs lol. ^^) So there, if you have any questions, just contact Ashop Commerce directly. Oh yea, check out their presentation above too. =) * This is a sponsored post.

LWW Quotes: Reality

Bored when travelling on public transport?

This post is more for those who travel on public transport. If you are driving, you can hardly take up my suggestion. Read on and you will see why. So what do you do when you are travelling and are outright bored? For me, I normally bring a book with me, especially if I know the journey is a long one. However, reading may not be everyone's favorite pastime and it might not always be feasible too. Perhaps you can't find a book you like or maybe you don't want to bring along something extra - especially if the book you are currently latched on is a bulky hardcover version. :P But think: what is it that you will likely always have with you? Answer: Your mobile phone For some people who are able to play music with their mobile phones, good for them. They can choose to have this little entertainment if they are bored. Otherwise? Or if you don't feel like listening to music? How about games then? Games are not strictly the domain of kids, and adults can play games too - especially intellectual ones. Say, remember the Sudoku craze earlier? That "cute" Japanese mathematical brain stimulator? Well, you can consider installing a Sudoku game in your phone and while your time away challenging your mind. Check out Mobile Heart, one of the better websites I found that provide free games that can really be downloaded (I found several others but despite my considerable capability, I can't download the free games offered). You can zoom in straight to their games section (if the link is invalid when you read this post, just find it again from the main site) and see if you can find some games you like for your phone model - or just grab one of the many Sudoku games available. ^^ Enjoy. =)

Exclusive savings at selected Google Checkout stores for a limited period

According to the Google Checkout Blog, a number of Google Checkout stores are offering exclusive savings of up to $20 for Checkout buyers for a limited time. For details, please see: http://www.google.com/checkout/promotions.html For instance: Save $20 when you buy jewelry from Zales. Minimum purchase of $60 or more. Save $20 when you buy laptops from USA Notebook. Minimum purchase of $50 or more. Save $20 when you buy computers from Comp-U-Plus. Minimum purchase of $30 or more. PS.: This is NOT a sponsored post. Since Google is giving me blogs for free, I guess some karmic return won't hurt. =)

Happy 42nd birthday Singapore!

Sing Singapore. Dance Singapore. Clap Singapore. Write Singapore. Run Singapore. Fly Singapore. Drink Singapore. Eat Singapore. Rejoice Singapore. Rock Singapore. Blaze Singapore. Live Singapore. Lick Singapore. Taste Singapore. Smell Singapore. Hear Singapore. Learn Singapore. Grow Singapore. Be Singapore. Happy 42nd birthday Singapore!