Section Leader Course (NCO) in one of the mentally and physically toughest in the whole Armed Forces training.

 

Independent Thinking - how to not be brainwashed.

This phrase is so important in today's world. We are bombarded daily with messaging from social media, newspapers and people around us that we can easily slip into a deranged syndrome without actually realizing that we are in a bubble or cocooned surrounded by like minded friends.

For example, racism is taught, subconsciously sometimes by our elders and the people in our community. We must always guard against subconscious messaging promoting hatred, evil, and moral superiority between races, religions and even between people between North and South. Subconscious casual racism surfaces everywhere including many social settings in Singapore. I will not go into detail because sometimes an aware person can actually distinguish what someone says to a person and what someone acts to that same person does not co-relate. 

It is a very subtle difference, and only those highly attuned to societal behavior can detect the anomaly. 

In today's world that line of doing what is right or wrong is being blurred by the continual messaging through so many social media platforms it is almost impossible to monitor all in real time.

I am by no means perfect, and I know I am fallible, and call be swung by smooth operators.

So I know my own intelligence has a limit and need outside stimuli to check and balance my world view.

Mental clarity is the way we use what we are taught, our life experiences and our exposures which will shape how we think and act.

Knowing the difference in what is a stated fact and what is assumed is crucial. However, not many people are blessed with this mind skill. 

 

 

The Foolish Run Today - November 20th 2012 - A Repost from this Blog.

 I will always remember this run today for a long long time. Today, as I was preparing for the 42km marathon in roughly 2 weeks' time, I decided to take a challenge and run with a new pair of Asics Kayanos (version 18). I decided to run the Sime Trail at the McRitchie Reservoir which is roughly 11km from start to end, 1 complete circle. 

       I am not a novice at running the trails at McRitchie, but as I finished the run, something so significant dawned upon me, that I decided to write this down for posterity. I finished work before 6pm and made a beeline for McRitchie reservoir hoping to catch the last rays of light. By the time I arrived and changed up, and started out, it was 6.30pm. I did the run which was in the jungle, and not uncommonly, I would see moneys, sometimes monitor lizards and the occasional snake. The first half went by quite smoothly. I covered 7km in about 42 minutes or so, at a decent pace of 6min per km. My new shoes were absorbing the shocks of the uneven ground made worse by the rains the past days. There are many exposed roots and its slippery,so one wrong move and you could end up with a twisted ankle or worse, a major leg or body injury. The trail is meant mainly for walkers and people with trail sticks frequent it.
Some weeks ago some trail runners were lost in the Reservoir for up to 9 hours, so its not without its risks.

         I made it to the 2/3 rd mark at about 7.05pm. The ranger station was closed and a sign said that the treetop walk was closed and not open to public after 5.30pm  I was left with 3 options a) use the Sime road, which was well lit and run the remainder 5 km back b) Head back the way I came, which was quite treacherous with the fading light or c) continue with the Sime Trail into the forest and reach the end by sheer foolishness and willpower. That meant running up 9 small hills in the trail which was pot holed, and had mud as well as broken stones placed over the places where it was too muddy. Tough choice. 

        I chose option c). Purely by 'gut feel' and not logic, when I could have chosen the easy way back and ran along the road to the start point.With the light fading, the trail I was quite familiar became a black or near black track, with the occasional light from the opening of the forest which let the moonlight in from the half moon. I was afraid, but chose to press on into the darkness. The trail had its ups and downs, and pot holes, which I had to FEEL MY WAY through. I was scared to be scared, not wanting to think of the consequences of a wrong footing or  going off the track. There were lights but I realised that they were fireflies in the forest. After about 15 minutes  of solitary running in the darkness, there was a torchlight and one runner came towards me, he greeted me, and passed into the night. I felt much more sure. There was another solitary runner about 5 minutes later who greeted me with a hearty "Hi" and I was so energised, I ran with all my might. It was going to be OK, although I had another good 15 minutes still in the black forest.

        At the end of the trail, the lights of the reservoir beckoned. My thoughts during the run were this :

1. I am a risk taker, that is why I decided to go into business. You are always thrust into the great abyss (black hole) of uncertain future but you must have the extreme confidence that you will overcome whatever comes my way.

2. Do not think too much about the what ifs, because, life is real short, and if you spend too much time thinking about things you will never ever achieve anything.

    My run finished rather unspectacularly by the reservoir's edge. I remember the words immortalised by the late Steve Jobs to the new Harvard Graduands.

   " Stay Foolish, Stay Hungry, Never Settle".

   Well, the first 2 I have achieved with 100% accuracy. That is why I am still making a living running my own business. I have never regretted a single day of it. Never settle means that I must aspire for better than what I have achieved today. That will only be known over time.

   Seize the Day my friends.   

Accelerated Aging and Shelf Life Testing by QRA International - Get your Products Tested Today

The video above shows the Lab (No. 1) in Singapore running 10 test chambers 24 hours 7 days a week for key biomedical customers from Singapore, USA and Thailand. Accelerated aging is a process in which finished biomedical products are aged in test cabinets called chambers for months for simulate the actual shelf life of the product in their client's storage facility. QRA has been operating its Labs for  over 15 years now, successfully serving many top MNC corporations from Japan, Singapore, Australia, Thailand and USA.

If after the aging tests (for every one year of aging test represents 8 years of shelf life in the storage area of hospitals or clinics) defects show up, it is infinitely better to rectify the products in factory rather than endanger the client's patients in the field. The cost of refining or reworking the products' reliability and long term efficacy has proven to save companies millions of dollars in brand reputation and perception.

This is many times the difference between success and failure.

Think of the damage to the brand's reputation if this batch of new (for example) contact lenses causes a major eye defect once the product is sold and distributed globally.

Screening = Accelerated Aging 

The calculation is simple. According to ASTM F 1980 - 16

For example, if you have a finished product (say daily contact lenses) stored in a box, which has a shelf life of 3 years or 36 months. The ASTM F 1980 - 16 states that for every 10 C increase in storage temperature is equivalent to halving the shelf life. So in essence, if your storage temperature for your box is 25 C,  you can send these box samples to a Laboratory like QRA, we will advise you to do accelerated aging for up to 30 C above the storage temperature (that is IF the products inside the boxes can withstand such high temperatures without melting or having immediate material characteristic change) for shorter durations.

The end result of these accelerated agings would be 

Shelf Life Temp           End of Life            Accelerated Aging Temp    Equivalent End of Life

25 C                             36 months                 35 C                                       18 months

                                                                       45 C                                        9 months

                                                                       55 C                                      4.5 months

It is NOT RECOMMENDED to stress test or accelerate age test above 60 C for polymer products due to rapid degradation due to melting. 

QRA performs BOTH Accelerated Aging and Shelf Life Testing 

Lab No. 1 and Lab No. 2

Shelf Life Testing

Storage                 RH                          Duration                      What is Simulates

25 C                      60%                         5 Years                         Real Time Storage 

5 C                        No.                           5  Years    Real Time Storage (Temperate Climate Countries)

Talk to the Professionals : We have over 15 Years Experience Globally in Accelerated Aging Tests (since 2009) 

Email 

Asia :   mark@qra.com.sg

             evalyn@qra.com.sg

USA   : tim@qra.com.sg

Europe : reypereira@qra.com.sg

Australia: clifford@qra.com.sg

Website : www.qra.com.sg

This is not 'ON' - A habit which needs changing.

 

Let me give my viewpoint on the issue of 'chopeing' of empty tables at food courts and hawker centres in Singapore. 

Look at this picture above, I am sure you are familiar with this scene. People in Singapore who work in downtown central CBD, or in town like Orchard have the habit of booking or reserving (called 'chopeing' in Singlish) the table for themselves first, and then they go and make an order of their chicken rice, hor fun (dry noodles), wanton mee or nasi bryani. 

I think this behavior while it is a solution, is not ideal. I have travelled to many countries in the West and East and I do not see this kind of behavior. Perhaps, in Singapore, we always 'MUST WIN' and having the table at our disposal when and wherever we want before we dine is a necessity.

On the one hand, I think the use of paper tissues wrapped in plastic packets is very unfriendly to the environment, and we have massive amounts of waste to dispose daily, that I will put up in a separate post another day.

On the other hand, maybe if we reduce our 'kiasuness' and stop fighting to 'win all the time' we can actually be a more gracious society in the overall scheme of things.

Let empty tables lie. At the very least, get one person to sit at the table and book the table for the others in that party of (say) 4 or 5. 

Secondly, bring back the handkerchief ! 

(I am hearing howls of protest from the Gen Z and even Millenials).

Carpe Diem ! 

QRA is ISO 9001 : 2015 Certified - 11 Years in a row !

 

Folks, its celebration time. QRA International is proud once again to be awarded the ISO 9001 : 2015 for the 11 - 13th year running !

The description reads, 

"Sales, Rentals, Testing Services, Preventive Maintenance and Calibration of Environmental Simulation Chambers Laboratory Ovens and Freezers." 

So ever Onwards and Upwards.

Carpe Diem 

I believe I have 3 more 42 kms left in my tank.

 

Salad Days - 2007 Marathon. 

At the ripe young old age of mine, I firmly believe that if I invest in my health, eyes, ears, internal health, I (God willing) will be able to complete 3 more (at least) marathons.

There are numerous examples of people in their 70s and 80s who run like the wind.

So why can't I ?

Discipline.

Dedication

Showing Up

Affirming to the ascetic lifestyle.

ASTM F 1980 -16 Standard Guide for Accelerated Aging of Sterile Barrier Systems for Medical Devices - QRA International Services

 

 

Medical Device Sterile Barrier Package Testing

Medical device packaging must maintain integrity over its claimed shelf-life under the storage conditions specified by the manufacturer. Real time aging programs provide the best data to ensure that packaging performance is maintained over the claimed shelf life, although due to time constraints in the product development process, QRA International also offers accelerated aging.

These 2 tests are run concurrently so as to provide accelerated aging results validated by real time benchmarks.

 

                             QRA has 16 Chambers available at short notice

Shelf Life Testing

QRA International performs testing on products at specific intervals over real time storage to provide accurate shelf life conclusions. However, the drive to get new products to the market often means that accelerated aging tests are often run in conjunction with real time aging to validate the product shelf life claims.

  

 

 

  

Accelerated Aging Testing (ASTM F 1980 and ISO 11607-1)

Our experts will tailor an accelerated aging test program to your particular requirements. We perform benchmark testing on products from the same batch before simulated aging to allow comparative post-aging testing at specified time intervals; a testing process which includes burst tests, dye penetration assessments, and peel strength testing.

 

 

Standards Complied by QRA International’s Labs

QRA International performs accelerated aging according to ASTM F1980 “Standard Guide for Accelerated Aging of Sterile Medical Device Packaging” and BS EN 868-8 “Packaging materials and systems for medical devices which are to be sterilized.”

Additionally, QRA International's labs also test according to ISO 11607 - 1 so we comply with all these international standards, so that your certification is made so much easier.

For more information :

Asia

E : mark@qra.com.sg

Europe

E : reypereira@qra.com.sg

USA

E :tim@qra.com.sg

Australia

E :clifford@qra.com.sg

Website : https//www.qra.com.sg

Accelerated Aging and Shelf Life Testing - Video

 

Here are 2 videos explaining WHY acclerated aging and shelf life testing is SO IMPORTANT now, where customers demand product efficacy, peformance and functionality throughout the entire shelf life of the product, be it 3 years, 5 years of even 8 years.

In this age of recycling and circular economy, we are encouraged to REUSE, RECYCLE AND REFUSE throwing out stuff, hence manufacturers are mindful of :

a) Reusing unused products (off the shelf and not used up to date of expiry) ; the purpose of these accelerated aging studies and shelf life testing then falls on the designer of these products to 

> replace the material which has degraded during the shelf life, and implant into the product and ideally REUSE the unsold product at a cheaper price. This way there is no waste.

> RECYCLE also follows the same logic as reuse. 

The ultimate goal of the manufacturers is to offer products with the longest shelf life spans, so that there will be much less wastage year on year.

When that happens, losses due to waste is reduced tremendously adding to bottom line savings.

For more consultancy videos, watch this blog AND / OR email to :

Asia

E : mark@qra.com.sg

Europe

E :reypereira@qra.com.sg

US

E : tim@qra.com.sg

Australia

E :clifford@qra.com.sg

Website : https://www.qra.com.sg

Intraocular Lens implants testing - send your products to QRA International.

 

Intraocular Lens of all types need to have sterile barrier testing. QRA International provides prompt, cost competitive testing with ISO approved test reports and upholding the highest standards of test protocols for International markets. We do the accelerated aging tests according to :

ASTM F 1980 - 16 (21)

ISO 11607 - 1 

for many opthalmic manufacturers worldwide. These tests are standard requirements for biomedical manufacturers of international standing and have been practised and approved by many standards bodies for compliance to international markets like the USA, Europe and Asia.

For more information and consultancy, please email to :

Asia

mark@qra.com.sg

Europe

reypereira@qra.com.sg

USA

tim@qra.com.sg

Australia

clifford@qra.com.sg

and a specialist will be happy to guide you through your test essentials and requirements.

Website : https://www.qra.com.sg

Aiming for 500, 000 views by APRIL. Thank You !

 

I am in disbelief that my 'little' blog is now hitting 500, 000 in what I can only dream of, in a months' time. The last 2 months, I have had 100, 000 + views, I never in my wildest dreams imagined this could actually happen. I had targetted 500, 00 views by June, now, this is brought forward to April. 

Now, if only this will happen for my company QRA International  > the views >  then the enquiries > then the actual orders. 

Its one step followed by another. 

 

Excellent Pizza at Sam Leong Road. Pity about the ambience though.

 

Spicy Angel Hair Pasta with Prawns

Yesterday evening, my son and I ventured off Jalan Besar road, to a 'hole in the wall' eatery serving Italian food. Helmed by a Singaporean (I believe) named Fernando, this eatery makes one of the BEST Italian foods I have tasted this year. That is saying a lot, since I am a fan of Italian cuisine and have been to Italy 4 times in the last 6 years.

We ordered the following, as shown in the pictures above and below. 

1. Spicy Angel Hair Pasta with Prawns

This was my dish, and I enjoyed it very much. Only one comment, the gravy was overflowing which in my son's opinion, was too much. That was his opinion, though this dish suited me just fine. There was 5 - 6 fresh prawns in the bowl and I was overjoyed at my dish. 

Linguine Aglio Olio Pasta with Seafood

2. Linguine Aglio Olio with Seafood.

I would give this dish 10 out of 10. The linguine was just nice, "Al Dente' (chewiness) and the spicy aspect of this dish was a standout winner. There was ample seafood ingredients from fresh mussels, calamari and prawns interspersed with some spring onion. 

A winner.

Parma Ham with Burrata Cheese  

3. Parma Ham with Burrata Cheese

This is the Piece de la Resistance. The Magnus Opus of this eatery. The ham was thinly cut with just the right savory flavor and the burrata cheese was top class. The pizza crust was also not too thick neither too thin. So this, in my opinion is the top seller of this eatery.

Ambience - Not great ; barely acceptable

Its a hole in the wall. When we were there, the eatery was catering mainly to undergraduates and some people who didn't seem to be locals. In total, 10 people would be deemed full house. The area is not in the best part of town, that is all I would say.

The business owner Mr. Fernando is nice and welcoming. His staff are all friendly and helpful too. 

Pricing 

It is rather pricey. Just take a look below

> Parma Ham Burrata - $ 40 (for 2- max 3).

> Spicey Angel Hair Pasta with Prawns - $ 28 (1 pax only)

> Linguini Aglio Olio with Seafood - $ 28 ( 1 pax).

Compare this with Peperoni (Greenwood Ave and United Square)and their large pizzas (Speziale) is $28  for a 12 inch. The seafood aglio olio is also $27 for 1 pax, AND the portions are bigger (easily 50% more) than this place.

Ambience is much better (in residential area), and you get my drift. 

> For the food, would I go back there again ?  Yes definately.

> To dine in, how would I rate the experience ?  Barely acceptable.

> Price wise how would I rate it ?  Rather expensive, for the relatively small portion.

Fernando's Pizza

11 Sam Leong Road

#01-09  Trio Mall (newly opened)

SGP 207903

ASTM F 1980 - 16 (21) a simple summary

 

What exactly is the ASTM F 1980 - 16 (21) ? 

It is simply the American Standards for Test and Measurement whereby biomedical products such as endoscopes, contact lenses (for example) must subject these products for 2 types of tests :

a) accelerated aging

b) shelf life testing.

What is Accelerated Aging

The standard (you can purchase it online) gives a detailed 5 page formula derived assertion that IF you wish to know how your products will age during its shelf life, the manufacturer must subject it to a test called accelerated aging. 

In essense, if the product's shelf life is 5 years (or 60 months), and it sits idle in the storage facility of the doctor's clinic, the standard asserts the following :

> Temperature (storage) : 25 C

> Humidity (storage)       : 50% 

The product must be subjected to a 10 C increase in temperature, for it to 'age' by 1/2 or the shelf life shortens by half. In this case, 30 months. So at 35 C, the shelf life is 30 months

If another 10 C increase is added to the storage temperature, then the shelf life shortens another 1/2 or 15 months. At 45 C, the shelf life is 15 months.

If another 10 C increase, the shelf life becomes 7.5 months. At 55 C, the shelf life is 7.5 months.

Now, ordinarily you would think Voila !, increase another 10 or 20 more C and you get 3.75 months and 1.875 months respectively.

Well, most biomedical products have Styvek polymer seals, and it will literally melt above 60 C, so practically it is not advisble to do accelerated aging for biomedical products above 60 C.

Most manufacturers would purchase a stability chamber which can do either of the most common accelerated aging tests.

Temp      : 55 C

Humidity : 50%

OR 

Temp     : 50 C

Humidity : 50%

Want to learn more ?

Speak to the experts at QRA International Pte Ltd.

Email :     mark@qra.com.sg    (Asia)

                reypereira@qra.com.sg (Europe)

We would be happy to discuss your test requirements and advise you in detail.

QRA International Laboratories - Focussing on improving Opthalmic and Biomedical Devices in line with ASTM F 1980 - 21

 

20 Test Chambers at 2 Test Labs in Singapore 

Presenting QRA International (Estd : 2003) . 2 Laboratories in 2 locations with 20 chambers for the purposes of :

a) accelerated aging

b) shelf life testing     (5 C, 30 60% rH)

c) photostability testing 

of products for biomedical, pharmaceutical industries in and around the region. We serve global opthalmic manufacturers, endoscope manufacturers, proximity sensors, and pharmaceutical product manufacturers looking for sterile barrier testing according to 2 internationally benchmarked standards :

a) ASTM F 1980 - 21 Sterile Barrier Testing for Biomedical Products

b) ISO 11607 - 1 

3 VC (Germany) Chambers for Testing 

Each chamber comes with its own Certificate of Calibration. (9 points)

Chart Recorder, Temperature and Humidity sensors are calibrated according to SINGLAS 

ISO 17025 - Laboratory Standard. 

Lab Test reports with Calibration submitted every :

a) end test (short and long duration)

b) start of test

c) month end

We also provide other types of test in house :

a) resistance testing

b) acoustic functionality

c) device functionality  

3 QRA (Singapore) Chambers for Testing 

Test chambers are routinely serviced (every 6 months) to ensure tip top functionality.

Parts are changed every 3 years due to wear and tear.

We keep chambers on rotation to ensure minimal downtime 

Customers are invited to visit our Lab - by appointment only.

3 ETSP (S Korea) Chambers for Testing  

Test with the Best, Test with QRA International 

Email to : mark@qra.com.sg (Asia)

                reypereira@qra.com.sg (Europe)

Locations :

Lab 1

21 Toh Guan Road East

#04 - 02 Toh Guan Centre

Singapore 608 609

Lab 2

7 Perahu Road

Singapore 718836 

Website : www.qra.com.sg

Aiming for 500, 000 views by June 2026! Amended Target.

Earlier last month, I set a target that the readership of this blog hopefully reached 500,000 by end of the year. That was roughly 150, 000 views for this year 2026 alone.

I am reviewing this number and setting it upwards. I believe in all sincerity, that the blog views will reach 400,000 by April and 500,000 by June 2026

I am just so grateful and thankful that people actually bother to read blogs these days, especially this small one which I started way back in 2008.

Thanks for the views.

We are all here on this Earth only for a short while, so do meaningful activities which assist our common man, and especially the people who mean a whole lot to us. By that I am referring to our immediate family,. our wives, our children, our in laws, our outlaws, friends, associates, and the people we come across in our lives on a daily, weekly, monthly or even occasionally. 

Be nice and kind. 

Be present. 

Be accountable

Be wise.

Be firm and fierce when I must 

Carpe Diem 

Courage isn't having the strength to go on. It is going on even when you don't have strength.

 

Nearing the finish line of my 9th full marathon in 2014. 

This is the words of Napolean Bonaparte to motivate myself when all around me are flailing and falling. 

"Courage isn't having the strength to go on. It is that you have to go on even when you don't have strength"

Take heart, there are countless people who have gone through the limits of pain both mentally and physically and overcome their greatest obstacles.

And when they do, they are so much more grateful that they went through the fire.

Wonderful Spanish Dinner at Kulto - Best Meal of 2026 !

 

Kulto (Sapnish Restaurant) 
87 Amoy Street

Description : Spanish Restaurant in a Shophouse setting. 

Jamon Iberico Croquette 

Yesterday, my family had a treat, courtesy of my lovely wife. We booked this fantastic Spanish place, called Kulto, which is located at 87 Amoy Street. Bookings are all done online, and to prevent 'no shows' there MUST be a surchage of $25 per person, IF there is a no show for the reservation.

I must say, this strategy, will really kill off any fence sitters who are booking just for fun and then at the last minute they change their plans. So, the dishes, as described by me. 

Jamon Iberico Croquette

===================

This tapas as a starter was exceptionally tasty, the crust was slightly crispy and the ham bits mixed with potato inside was a winner. Lovely to start the meal.

Grilled Octopus Galician Style 

Grilled Octopous Galician Style

========================

This one was a little mystery to me at first. We have been to Spain a few times, and when I first ate this tapas, I thought this was some form of back bacon. The octopus flavour of the sea was too camoflaged by the red chilli pepper and yellow eggy paste. Once I realised the chewyness, I then realised it was octopus done in an unusual way. OK, I liked it once I realised what I was really eating.

Iberico Chorizo with Crispy Potato, Organic Egg and Fried Kale 

Iberico Chorizo with Crispy Potato, Egg and Fried Kale

==========================================

This was my third favorite dish. The Chorizo sausage stood out for its  taste (something like our preserved Chinese Lap Cheong sausage) and the crispy potato, the onsen style egg and the fried kale made this dish a must try the next visit when I do get to visit.

Roasted Cauliflower Garlic Chilli Sauce, Mint Yoghurt and Hazelnuts 

Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic Chilli Sauce, Mint Yoghurt and Hazelnuts

=======================================================

The 'healthy option'. The cauliflower was nice, the hazelnuts stood out and the mint yoghurt gave this savoury dish some 'oomph'. Though it wasnt one of my top 3 favorites, I would say it is a necessary dish given there was little vegetables ordered. 

Seafood Paella 

(Seabass, Prawns, Clams and Mussels) 

Seafood Paella

============

The Piece de Resistance meal. The one that all of us gave a 11 over 10 rating. The seafood Paella which everybody raves about long after the meal is eaten, the reviews made and the memories locked in our basal ganglia. The seafood paella is so fresh, the 4 prawns were literally jumping out of the hot plate, the mussels, the clams all had no fishy smell. They must have been airflown in probably on the same day. 

The Paella rice was  savoury and light, it was  not sticking to the hot plate like in the other Spanish Restaurants. I must say this Paella rice is probably the best I have tasted in Singapore. (I have tried TInto,  Asador,  Pura Brasa and La Taperia). 

My Favourite Dish of last Evening. 

Aged Rib Eye with Mesclun Salad and Organic Peppers (500 g) 

Aged Rib Eye with Mesclun Salad and Organic Peppers

=============================================

One phase. 

"Out of this world" 

The marbling on this ribeye must have been M5 or M6, and while it literally melts in your mouth, the savory aspect of it, makes you want to come back for more. 

My second favourite dish of the evening. 

Kulto Cheesecake 

A fantastic end to a really superb meal ! The Kulto Cheesecake was not too densely packed, and the raspberry icecream, with the biscotti bits made this a grand finale to a truly unforgettable meal !  A must try. The head Maitre 'D gave this to us as an 'on the house' offering and really made our day ! 

My review of Kulto (I havent done one for close to 9 months).

Food         :  4.8 out of 5

Service     :  4.8 out of 5

Ambience :  4.0 out of 5 

Satisfaction: 5.0 out of 5. 

Overall     :   4.65 out of 5  (Fabulous !) 

Kulto (Sapnish Restaurant) 
87 Amoy Street

SGP 069906