Worst hair salon ever

The grand award goes to Kiseki Hair House. They claimed to have two branches, one at Tanjong Pagar and the other at Boon Keng. At my last visit, the shampoo girl said they have two more outlets under a different naming.

Update: BEWARE! They have renamed themselves as Rebornz Hair @ Work or similarly Rebornz Hair@Work! They also have new deals e.g. this.

Shop signage

The deal I regretted buying

I really regretted buying the deal from deal.com.sg (shown above) in June 2013, so much so that I haven't bought any of the services again from such sites. A past experience with a manicure deal also scarred me. In fact, I will rather pay more for a reputable place next time. It was S$8 for the hair cut. In fact, they advertised to have stylists from Hong Kong, but from my experience, they do speak Cantonese but they are all Malaysians! So let me describe my ordeal to you:

First cut in July 2013 @ Tanjong Pagar
I was served by a slightly plump lady named Catty. She was really good with the scissors and her mouth was exactly sharp like one. My hair was shampooed by another young girl whom seemed like a trainee. The whole cut took me 1.5 hours with the trainee and Catty taking turns to blow my hair. This already smelled of a disaster, two stylists trying to style my hair differently. But Catty took over and then she pressured me into buying a package. It was S$75 for another 5 sessions of hair cut after failing to sell me 10 or 20 sessions. She said there wouldn't be a deadline to use up those sessions but how would I know if they would close within the next month (it was worrying after the first session). And her face was black like coal after managing to convince me to get the 5 sessions. What bad customer service! I didn't know how but it just sounded so much like a guilt-trap and she was good at it. I never again saw her at any of my subsequent visits, so I really reckon she's either one of the bosses or she has left.
(Anyway, at S$15, I assure you can easily find a better haircut at other neighbourhood salon or an opening promotion in a BETTER salon in a mall.)

Second cut in August 2013 @ Boon Keng
So the dear Catty called and said Tanjong Pagar outlet had been really "busy" and recommended me to try my next session at Boon Keng outlet, boasting its bigger space and more number of stylists. In fact, I think the Boon Keng outlet was so new and the stylists were even "newer" that nobody really patronised the place. I booked for 3 sessions, bringing a friend and sister along. It also helped me to get rid of that package sooner before they "disappear" one day. Bad decision. In fact, I felt bad now for bringing others there. There wasn't any upselling but the staff barely knew what was going on. When I quoted the package I bought, they had no idea and had to phone the other outlet a couple of times to get things straight. Then I also didn't have to verify my identity! The stylists were all well-dressed in black blazers and pants, but their skills were mediocre. My sister was the first to get a cut. After a while, she was done and when I looked at her, I commented,"Did you have the cut? Why does it still look the same?!" It was then, the stylist began to rework on it and then we had a slightly more satisfactory result. Then she did mine, I told her exactly what I wanted, which was only a trim so it was easy. This lady stylist who did both mine and my sister's hair is not as "professional" as Catty, but she was friendly and eager to learn or please. She's slim, with long kinda dyed dark blonde hair (I can't remember her name but she was at Tanjong Pagar branch on my last visit). But for my friend, a bloke did her hair, as she had a shampoo before she came, she did without one. But the bloke barely touched her hair, she wanted to trim the dead ends and fringe but he must be a newbie, he didn't even feel brave enough to cut much for her. It was a complete disaster at Boon Keng and I swore never to come back to this outlet again.

Third cut in October 2013 @ Tanjong Pagar
So I came back again for yet another trim just a day before I attended a wedding. I tried to restore some faith in the Tanjong Pagar branch. None of the stylists I knew was around and so a pretty baby-faced guy named Eddy attended to me. I think this is one of the best things that happened throughout this ordeal! Eddy! IF YOU HAVE BEEN COAXED TO SIGN UP A PACKAGE HERE, ASK FOR EDDY AS YOUR STYLIST. I can assure you even though he's young, his personable character and genuineness is a rarity in this salon. He seemed new from the way he was shampooing my hair, he didn't use the tips of his fingers and he knocked me a couple of times with the hairdryer! Like I said, a trim was a trim, so it wasn't too difficult. He commented about my hair loss but didn't push me for any treatment (knowing that I'm unemployed). But besides that, he did a better job, I received a compliment on my hair right after the hair cut when I met my friend. He also tried to make conversations, well, I thought he was just trying to impress since that was the first time I met him. But when I came back again, he did remember me and what we last chatted! Eddy, thanks for the 'friendship'!

Fourth and last cut in December 2013 @ Tanjong Pagar
I came back again, after I got a call from them. They seem to like to call every month to make you visit so they can make you buy more sessions again. I saw the stylist from Boon Keng, but Catty was never there. I was asked to move seats twice, not impressed. Then a shampoo lady whom was totally clueless about her job was tasked to wash my hair for me. She is the WORST shampoo lady ever. She did not ask about the temperature of the water and washed my hair with cold water until I commented that it was too cold. Then the water became so hot that I had to ask her to adjust. Then it was back to cold water. I bet this is her FIRST HAIRDRESSING JOB and PROBABLY FIRST DAY OF WORK even though she tried to convince me she was sent from another branch. Kiseki Hair House, your new shampoo aunt sucked big time! So initially a FAT bloke was assigned to do my hair but last minute he decided to take an old auntie as his customer... what f*cking service! Fortunately at that moment, Eddy was done with his customer and he saw me. His face immediately lit up and asked if I remembered him, of course I did, and so I was happy to have him do my hair instead. Fortunately, he didn't knock my head much this time round. I asked him for a new cut, shoulder length this time and shorter fringe. I noticed Eddy can be easily distracted, he looked around during the cut a lot when he heard people coming in or moving around. But other than that, I can feel he's learning and doing a pretty decent job than the other stylists, best of all, he doesn't push you to buy add-ons. He's also sympathetic and encouraging at the same time (as he remembers my unemployment). I told him I would go back to him when I find work. Sorry Eddy, if you move to a new salon, I will keep my promise. Because I will never go back to Kiseki Hair House ever, it's the worst hair salon (I pity those old aunties whom are not savvy enough to read reviews). Eddy, I sincerely hope you will find a better place to groom you!

Failed contest

One of those contests you really shouldn't bother taking part... Look at the results, the same names appeared time and time again (wonder if they did an honest audit)! Same surname, are they a family? It's okay not being a lucky winner, but they should play it fair.

I wrote them a feedback, but they took a while to reply and tried to brush me off by sending me some plastic folders (which I have trashed!). Not supporting your products anymore!

WWWhooot!

After the last complaint about the train frequency, this morning I boarded a train WITHOUT AIR CON! Can you imagine with the stupid weather and the crowd at peak hours!! SMRT, what the hell are you doing...! Everyone inside was trying to fan themselves with anything they could and when it got crowded, the air was so still and humid!! It was getting so stuffy inside that I alighted a few stops after to wait for the next train. Imagine when I stepped out, the air outside (which was warm) felt even cooler than the air in the cabin, gosh, I wonder how those people survive another 20 minutes to get to town! I'd rather be late than arrived hot, sweaty and frustrated.

Nothing's gone right

This week is terrible. The hot weather is not making things any better. I can't pinpoint what, but everything is not running smoothly.

I got in later and later at work, and I suspect SMRT has now decreased their train frequency after PAP's bad performance for the election, I had to wait for 5 minutes instead of the usual 1, 2 or maximum 3 minutes in the past. The platform was packed with people and by the time the train reached Bedok, passengers couldn't get in anymore. 5 minutes of waiting, scorching hot weather, "kiasu" people standing in the way of alighting passengers, inconsiderate people who wouldn't move when standing on the right side of the escalator... I know it's probably worst in other countries but I have seen better in Taiwan and Hong Kong. I wonder what's the appeal of working in Singapore for the foreigners?

I booked my spinning class and it was being cancelled without me being informed. I would have blown my temper but I decided I had enough of a bad start for the week and shouldn't cause more trouble. So I just kept my mouth shut, and arranged for the next session. Just my luck, the evening session is full. Okay, patience, patience. It's just testing my patience! I hope flu is not coming to me, as I have been feeling slightly under the weather. Goddamnit! 所谓心静自然凉。。。 I must keep my cool, reap some good karma ;)

So I probably am going to paint my nails and eat some chocolate tonight to make myself happy :) Not very difficult to please, is it?

Working with animals

Sometimes I really wonder if the women in my office (at my level) are animals or human beings. There's only 1 cubicle for the ladies and we all have to share it. There's 8 of us and none is younger than 25!! Yet, someone always messes up the toilet. It's horrifying that sometimes you step in, and there's toilet paper on the seat and on the floor, shoe markings on the toilet seat (who in these days still squat on a bowl?!!) or just never cleaned after themselves. I am disgusted, especially when some of them are even married, if they can clean up after their kids, can they just clean their **** after using! I often go down to the only cubicle in level 2, there are probably 3 times more women working downstairs, yet their toilet is always spick and span. I think the company needs to send them to take a personal hygience workshop or perhaps learn from the cats! When we move office later this year, these animals better not be shifting with us!! Or at least there will be more than one cubicle.

Friends or foes

好一句，知人知面不知心！

Like the Chinese saying, looks are deceiving.

After 8 months, I finally saw the true colors of my ex-colleagues. How evil and hideous they actually are! I guess, afterall, being too open and too nice is not at all a good thing, especially when you talk to some amibitious malevolent people. But I also ought to thank the "two evil sisters" that I am where I am today, enjoying my business trips, a better boss (in 1000000 times better than the crap project manager!!) and a way better working culture.

I call them the "evil sisters" because they joined my ex-company at the same time through recommendation from the one whom got in first. They are ex-colleagues and came from the same company. When I had the intention to leave, I confided with one of them whom I thought was on good terms with me. But I don't think she honestly is being genuine. I also began to fall for it, as we shared jokes, shopping and gossip, and thought it was the beginning of a great friendship. I told her my plans I wanted to venture in my ex-company, but when she heard that I planned to leave, both her and the other evil twin "psycho" (persuade) me into joining their ex-company. If it was that good, why did they leave!? But of course, I didn't heed it, I didn't sense their sincerity when they tried to talk me into it.

8 months later now, I heard about one of them doing the things I had planned to do in my ex-company but I didn't get around to it because I have left. And what made matters worse is that, when I told the other evil twin (which happened to be a project manager, but not mine), she kept telling me it wouldn't work, and they weren't planning to do anything like that till much later. Now, the evil sister is taking the job I wanted to do, and she is working under the other evil twin. Both of them are in cahoots. But one of them is actually the apple of my ex-Director's eye, so what to do?  Disgusting. I hate it but I still have to thank them for freeing me from the misery. If I am still there, I might be doing it but I am sure I will not be as happy as I am.

So, go ahead, hypocritical evil sisters, PROVE IT TO ME! I wish you success not, but definitely lots of hardship and a rollercoaster ride to hell.

What to expect working in Singapore

The papers have been saying how good the economy is in Singapore, how many more jobs there are now and how much increment we can ask. Even yahoo article says so. Saying all that, but when we do ask for a higher salary at the job interview, we get all the answers like budget constraint, matching educational qualification, getting on par with market rate or even limiting the pay range based on working experience. While many graduates in Europe start their first job as a manager getting a very good salary, it doesn't happen here in Singapore. Some of the people I know complained to me about the miserable S$50 increment... I wish the government can implement a standard (%) increment for companies after a certain amount of time in the company or even based on performance (so the lazy old birds won't get all the advantages from it) than all of us being given excuses without any ability on our side to ask for a raise. Now I feel so underpaid (after reading the stupid report). But this is compensated by a good working environment, I will hang on to my rice bowl till something really worthy comes along.

The 2011 budget will give us all some extra cash. While a lot of my friends are so happy about it, I don't see why we should. They give us advanced cash so they have the rights to raise the transport fees and miscellaneous later part of the year... So it's not free money, it's money for adjusting to the inflation really!

Ridiculous service @ Park Inn Aberdeen

Below is the review I wrote for Park Inn, the hotel I stayed in Aberdeen (pardon all the grammatical errors as I wrote all these off my head and has no time to amend before sending it in).

Rubbish hotel

"The 1st night, everything seems perfect except for having a sandwich which said to have avocado (my favourite) in it but turned up without it! I was put up in the Business room for 7 nights (which appears like a normal room to me) but is an okay size for me since I was there alone. The location was great as it was near to my office.

I ordered room service a couple of times and they were pretty efficient, also the breakfast in bed was delivered on time - impressed with this one. But after one time of breakfast in bed, housekeeping never seems to replace another door hanger for me to request for other occasions. I didn't mind going down for breakfast as the food is always nice and warm, but there wasn't a varied menu for 7 days.

Not to mention that I am in a business room and complimentary water was not replenished on a daily basis. I don't mind if I have some water left on some days, but I am AMAZED at how terrible the housekeeping service is, they left my EMPTY BOTTLE there and never bring up a new one. On two occasions, I have to ring up for water to be delivered to the room. I have to say I have never been to a hotel that never replenishes drinking water - even if you have not drank the ones in the room, additional ones are always put in the room on a daily basis. Also complimentary tea bag, coffee or hot chocolate packet are not being replenished in the room. BUSINESS ROOM but crap service!! I have to also say once when I rang up reception, and was transferred to room service, no one actually picked up the phone!

I saw a sign that says put the stuff on the floor in the bathroom if you want them changed, so I left the towels and bath robe one of the days. To my HORROR, they hanged back the bath robe (without replacing a new one), though they did change my towels. I have to say I'm very pissed with such service. How can you not take it away for me??! I was presented with 2 bath robes when I checked in, they could have just taken the dirty one away, I do have another spare but instead they put back the dirty one for me. This sucks.

On the weekend (saturday morning) where I slept a little longer (about 9+am), I was awaken by noises of someone dragging the furnitures around. This is not good!!!

The worst experience is they never pick up my laundry. What's the point of having a checklist, laundry bag and drawer for laundry in the room when we actually have to bring it down (later the manager told me)?!! As laundry was not available during the weekend, I packed the stuff for it to be done on Monday as I was checking out on Tuesday. When I got back, it was to my DISBELIEF that the laundry bag is still there! I even left a note to say I have to get it back before I check out. Is the housekeeper blind or just didn't bother - what customer service is this?!! Even if we were to bring it down (we weren't told), someone cleaning the room would have spotted and if the service is that great, they would kindly bring it down. But no, instead, I came back to a room with dirty laundry, dirty bathrobe, empty water bottle and complimentary tea bags/coffee that wasn't replenished.

This is one of the worst stays I ever had, I would not recommend it. Maybe for 1 night if you're in town for business, but anything longer it is a nightmare. My boss wasn't impressed with them too. I don't need a reply to re-assure me of the bad service, please look into your lousy housekeeping, maybe you need to change/train your staff."

Now I am deprived...

Public holidays! I want more, I want more!!

Singapore, can you be a wee bit more generous??

Counting the number of public hoildays the people of Republic China get, the rest of us just want to bang our heads on the wall... Don't we all suddenly wish we live and work there? Make a guess?

31 freaking days in 2011!!!!!!!!

And that doesn't include their annual leave!??

I probably get the same days (31) after I add up my annual leave and Singapore's public holidays. Singapore is not the worst to be honest, we are on par with a lot of other countries that average about 10-11 days of public hoildays. But China, Tokyo and Hong Kong are obviously leading the numbers with 31, 18 and 17... Okay, now I'm envious (maybe not so much of Tokyo and Hong Kong as they work a hell lot!!). But from what I know, Japanese companies are not very generous with their annual leave, so that is perhaps fair with 18 days of additional holidays. So I guess this is why we see Chinese tourists everywhere when we go on our holidays, hahaha.

Perhaps you like to know how the 31 days come about? They have 3 consective days off for almost everything, from New Year's day to Labour Day to Dragon Boat and Mid Autumn Festival. Gosh, seriously, 3 days for a festival, we celebrate them in Singapore too, not as if we get any for them!! Then they get a week each for Lunar New Year and their National Day, they seriously love their culture and nation! We need that in Singapore too!

Should I... Should I not?

Camera is finally discharged today. So happy to have my baby back!

They didn't charge me any diagnostic fee because they couldn't diagnose what is wrong with it. I'm in good mood today, so am still considering if I should lodge the complaint. It has been almost 2 weeks, and my anger has simmered down. I can either lodge the complaint and phrase it nicely because I wouldn't want the poor guy to lose his job, maybe just change his bad attitude. OR. I can also forget about it and blacklist Fujifilm from the camera brands I will be buying (in future) all together. I shall think about this tomorrow.

I told you God is always testing my patience, and sometimes I wonder how long this is all going to last.

Super bad service @Suntec City FUJIFILM Digital Corner

I want to complain, I want to complain, I want to complain...

I will make sure this guy's evil presence is made known to the world... or at least to his employer. I'm so anxious, eager and tempted to make a complaint right now. But what will that a** do to my camera??? I'm so worried for my poor camera. Please remind me to lodge a complaint once I get my camera back!!


Okay, the story goes like this...

My camera ran into trouble 2 days out of the 5 in Cambodia, it was devastating to go on a holiday and unable to shoot those pictures as part of the memory to bring home!! My heart almost dropped the moment "zoom error" message came on the LCD and I couldn't snap anything. It came on almost every few times I turned on my camera, and it was only mere luck that I got it to work some of the times to take a few precious shots. Coming back home, my camera suddenly was back to normal. But having such a bad experience in Cambodia, I was considering to send it for a check (since it was only repaired near 3months ago - similar problem).

Yes I really should. The 3months warranty for the replaced part is up yesterday(15/08/08)! I could have it replaced for free if it's faulty. So on Tuesday, I brought it in to the service collection centre at Suntec. There was a guy and a girl at the desk... so I went up with the camera and told them the problem. The girl took my camera, kept on testing the zoom and was clicking away. I told them, the problem is intermittent, so it IS okay now but it still has a problem. Not convinced, the guy refused to take it in for me, and insisted that the repair centre will be doing the same testing as what they did earlier to assess it. I decided to test it the next few days and probably come back again.

So yesterday(15/08/08) I went back with the camera, this time I took out my battery and memory card knowing he would do exactly the same thing he did the other day. I told him I WANT to send it in for a check, because I have rang Fujifilm up and they said it was better to send it in since I have it under the warranty. That a** was reluctant, he was fiddling around to see if he had a spare battery to test it on the spot (AGAIN, god's sake), so I SAID IT AGAIN, the camera IS okay now but the problem is still there. I am very disappointed with the service, the previous time I sent it in, the girl handling was so prompt, polite and provided excellent customer service. But both this girl and this guy are horrible at it! How can they deprive customers their rights to send in for a repair?!? What rights do they have to stop ME from having my camera fixed at my own costs (hey, I bought it from your company/manufacturer, mister)??? I'm extremely unhappy about this...

SO I WILL WRITE IN TO COMPLAIN!

Who can beat the shortest life span product?

So much luck :(

My MP3 player of 5 months is pronounced DEAD. I'm not really upset over the $69 I spent, but more so, very frustrated with the brand and its distributor. Ok, just in case, you need to know the brand before buying something similar, it's Luxpro (Ez-tangent). Not at all lasting like it has been bragged to be. Bragger!

3 months into the purchase, the battery's life span made a turn for the worse. So I brought it in for an exchange since it is covered under a year's warranty. The new replacement gave me hope and renewed my faith in the brand. The battery life easily doubled that of the previous. My, was I happy...

But good things never seem to last. One day... something went really wrong! My battery didn't manage to take me through my train journey from Tampines to City Hall (which is namely only 24mins). "Christ, not again," I thought. I left it alone for some days.

Wanting to take it out on another train journey, I took it out again yesterday. To my horror, something within has swelled up so huge that it forced open the back of the MP3 player. As far as I know, lithium battery can cause explosion! I decided not to dump it at home, in event that it ignites suddenly... I packed it into the box and decided to bring it back to the distributor (wanting to refund it or lodge a complaint). Isn't that life endangering...!

The whole time I felt like carrying a time-bomb in my bag... to make things worse, I had a 2 hours interview that day. Fortunately I made it through the day after overcoming quite a few obstacles, and quite unfortunately I searched 4 storeys of Harbourfront Centre before I was informed that the Co. (the distributor) has recently moved out (or worse, closed down)!!!

I just suddenly felt a sense of relief, at least things have come to an end.

Dumped the swollen MP3 player in the bin, and more importantly I would like share this with others whom have also purchased the product... please beware!

p.s: It is really really really x 1 zillion times NOT A GADGET YEAR for me!

He's sick

Update: My man seems to be sick:( I guess I'm just unlucky this quarter of the year! 4 days after I bought the phone, I realised the "4" button is quite annoying. Sometimes I have to really exert my full body pressure on it to get the letter out... sometimes it just didn't want to come out! I hate it. 3 persons tried ringing me but couldn't get through though my "reception bars" are not at all lacking! I brought it to Sony Ericsson Centre (which I totally detest their slow and very average service) and was told I should bring it back to the shop. However iPosh told me they offer a non-exchange policy:( They did mention non-refundable but nothing was said about goods being sold are not exchangeable. Anyway, it really turned me off. iPosh has relatively good service when you get your phone, however considering that goods sold should never have anything to do with them anymore isn't very reasonable, especially when it's like less than a week old! Sigh, what can I do? Complain? Or perhaps wiser to just send it to the damned service centre.

Such a bird! Ostrich bird!

The worst interviewer ever ever ever ever ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 鸟人！

I was so pissed off at the end of the interview I was pretty sure this guy and me are NOT going to work together. He's such a turtle! Why turtle??? To hide his head back in his shell!

He looks 20, yet his hair said he's 40! I'm not going to put him down physically, it's his attitude that turns me off. He spoke like a robot, and looked at his laptop monitor 99.9% of the time. The only time he looked up at me was when he had to send me to the door! Jesus, he asked me Qs while he was looking at his laptop (for God's sake, is he watching some porn or what's so nice about talking to a non-living thing??). I had to answer and felt like an idiot, talking to the table or something. I was so glad it ended, because he began to ask some really redundant and stupid Qs, I believe he has no interviewing experience at all. I wonder why such a big organization (a big Finnish firm) would allocate such an important hiring/recruitment process to such a low ranking person in the Co.? He's hiring for his replacement so this person will be under him, thank God, thank God, I'm not going to be the one.

My sister is such an inconsiderate b****

Seriously, do you ever hate your sibling(s)... I am sure a lot of you do once in a while, or even for some, a long long time. Sometimes you wonder why these people are destined to be in your life, perhaps to pay off a debt in your past life?? Once in a while, you hear other horrifying stories and you thank God your family members are much better. Yet another time, you just wish you can strangle that person so close to you!

As the chinese saying goes “家丑不可外扬”, but hey we're not living in China under old traditions in the 1800s! You share, you hear, you learn... that's what I personally think.

Today my sister, being such an inconsiderate b**** like usual (if that's one in a thousand or million times, that's fine but she's always one!), I really begin to despise her (living with her to be exact). A lot of times I wish I can move out and again be on my own and believe me, I'm already trying very hard looking at many options now.

Let me go through a list of things and tell me how you like living with her under one roof!

1. Her bags strewn over 3 seats on the sofa in the living room, how is anyone going to sit... if you move her stuff, either you get yelled at or a pinch/a slap/a punch. So move discreetly.
2. She doesn't wash up after meals, male servant please wash her dishes. She can't cook, cooking is one thing but at least wash you own dishes please!
   
3. She doesn't do laundry, not to mention she just throws her clothes on top of yours - which is the cause of my infuriation today.
   I have separated my clothes from all of theirs usually and unknowingly my mum separated my pants and cardigan into different pails. So happily after her shower, my sister placed her "RED" piece of crap on my favourite cardigan. The color ran and now my cardigan has patches of red, tried to bleach it away and in the end the whole thing is ruined. I always never wanted to wear my precious clothes (including this cardigan) because I know washing at home is a nightmare!! I can never trust anyone to do it except myself :((( I really regret not doing my laundry last night, and now what happened to my favourite cardigan. I really hate living at home and this is one of the few reasons.
   
4. She likes to have her things scattered all over and you can't walk over or cross. Again you either get yelled at or exchanged punches (which I have had a few times). Imagine her laying everything on the ground and I can't even go to bed at 1am because we share a bloody room!
5. If you share a cupboard with her, it will soon collapse with her junks. Like we used to have a space allocated for our bags, it consisted of 80% her stuff and 20% of mine and she always threw everything out when looking for a particular bag. I'm overwhelmed now we have our own wardrobe!
6. She doesn't clean up after her own business (now I mean hygiene), be it toilet or shaving her hairy legs in any part of the house.
7. She takes no initiative in keeping the place clean. If she doesn't sweep or mop, it's okay, she can hire a male servant next time. However despite I empty the trash bin regularly in our room, within a day or two, its filled with her trash and she can't be bothered to empty. Now it's piling up like a mountain, I'll see when it will fall over...
8. She has a fuckin' foul temper, and if you happened to be there, good luck! She swears at everyone.
   
9. She's just a selfish b****, materialistically she can be kind and occasionally generous. But when it comes to thinking for others, she's just too self-centered.

Seriously, I wish I can make her eat a bar of soap today! I am fuming, even now... Please leave me alone for a while. And I don't want to talk to her till I'm not steaming anymore, I think that will be even after my HK trip (no more souvenir sister!).

Boycott education fees

Uummmm after looking through the Boycotting photos (©Patrick G. Stößer) in Germany, you can't help but... think those policemen (polizei) are so cute/cool!! Hehe, actually I meant you'd go thinking why do we have to pay for education.

Education is a right isn't it. Sometimes I think about that too in Singapore. Though it is tried to make possible with government grant and bank loan, still how many of us are working to pay them off in future. Why is education not free! And why have the companies and government placed emphasis/favouritism on people with a degree education - whom will automatically be paid higher! Even if scholarships are provided, only the top students are getting them... University education should be made affordable without creating a financial burden to us or our parents, and even be a worrying issue for our future kids. Talking about this, I'm thinking of taking NSW when it's ready... but since it's an australian university, I'm not so sure how much SG government is subsidizing.

p/s: Please visit Marcus's blog for more related posts.

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Cash-eating Cashcard

I wonder what's the point of cashcard when we already have NETS... and cashcard is not making things easier. Well perhaps it's useful for motorists with the ERP. Besides that, I'm pretty fed up with the way the Cashcard is working!!

1st. Okay, you pay a refundable deposit and get a cashcard with $5 in it. Then if you want to top it up, you need to pay extra 50cents at any participating retail outlet. If you choose to top-up on AXS, you pay 10cents per top-up and then 20cents to review your past transaction. It's all about service charge here and there, what's the real use of a cashcard??

Singapore, 1st class - not so impressed!

I went to collect my '2nd-time-experiment-with-lomo-fish-eye' photographs from one of the Singapore Color Centre. To my surprise (I've been there once, and it was pretty good), I actually encountered such a bad service that made me hesitant to use their service again.

Singapore is first-class for a lot of things... like its Changi Airport, the cleanliness, etc. But when it comes to customer service, we are certainly not the best, not even the average... Oh well, I mean there are a lot of bad or you call it "black" sheeps around.

Yesterday I brought my film to the shop and asked for developing into 3R. I know 4R is common, but I'm collecting my 3R lomo photos. The customer service crew kept persuading me to do 4R since it's only a 5 cents difference, which isn't a matter of cost to me, 3R is just what I wanted. So I insisted and she wrote "3R" on my collection slip. I turned up today, she gave me all in 4R. Of course, I'm furious. I remember I told her repeatedly I wanted my 3R. She did not apologize for that mistake, instead she kept urging me to keep those copies of the wrong size, and it costed more. When asked to re-develop the right sizes, she seemed a little reluctant. I also told her I wanted to have 2 photos less after I browsed through the pictures since they were obviously over-exposed - those photos were in orange-hue! She said "NO" and I couldn't choose. I asked for her manager, then she told me she was only the one I could speak to, this time her attitude slightly improved. She allowed me to do with 2 photos less, however this time round, she didn't even bother to adjust the color of my photos which she did for my 4R, she insisted she could give them to me right away - yes with such lousy service and quality! Yes, to make matter worse, she also developed one photo less for me (after I went through the negative) which I had to make another trip down.. arghh! Mad, mad, mad... I'm really very mad at how unprofessional service that is, and when it all boiled down to her negligent mistake.

My only consolation - Thank goodness, I have a couple of captivating pictures this time round!

I'm not a superwoman...

but maybe I can be one...

Recalling yesterday, I was running with my heels down a flight of stairs just to catch the bus, luckily the bus didn't drive off... It's been a while since I wore heels, I have been favoring the flats more. But my thoughts have been drifting away, everytime the door is closing, I realized I've already reached my destination. Like today in the MRT, like yesterday on the bus!! So I ended up alighting without tapping my Ez-link at the exit, because I anxiously ran down. I hate this stupid system, where you pay the maximum fare and get the rest refunded when you alight. Why can't they learn from London bus that we pay a fixed amount of fare!! Old people forget, anxious people like me forget... So I thought I'd check it out how I can get a refund at the ticket sales office. It ended up that I can only collect the pathetic 40cents back with the receipt a week later at any sales office. How silly, only 40 cents, takes a week?? Forget it lah hor... Well, if I do remember and if I do have the receipt... Should I write in to them that they should really improve their system!

For the last 4 months, I rarely bumped into my neighbour, this Honkie-British old couple... Till the day before, I happened to see them at the lift lobby. Since my holidaymaking in London, my neighbour auntie has been encouraging me to stay on in UK and suggests lots of ways I could stay there. I wish it is that easy! Can I give up my passport for theirs??

My life is getting routine and I seriously detest it... Work, eat and sleep. Basically, that's all I do. Finishing work, I get home around 12am or before if I'm luckier... Sleep around 3am (if I do manage a hair wash) or some TV (fortunately World Cup ended)... it means I get more beauty sleep. Woke up at 11am, not much time left after a breakfast and shower, then I need to prepare to leave for work at 1pm. Tabulek tahan!!! I don't even find the decent time to paint my nails, think about my long-termed career - I need that!

I dream every night... I wonder if all my creative cells have been resting too much at work and they all worked throughout my sleep! There is no need for my creative juice to flow at work, so sad... luckily they aren't dying, they just changed their shift to work the later night shift :S The night before I dreamt about Emperor and fruits (a buffet)... don't ask me why, maybe watched too much Korea serial the last time round. Last night, I actually dreamt I met up with Dan. A friend I have known online since I was 16... 8 years now, we lost contact and got back in touch. It's funny that we are so near yet very far at the same time. He was like a brother to me, though now we're not as close as before... He lives some bus-stops away from my workplace, but we just have not decided to meet. The later part of the dream was horrible because I met a pervert... there's no one around to help me :((((((((((

Early in the morning
I put breakfast at your table
And make sure that your coffee
Has its sugar and cream

Your eggs are over easy
Your toast done lightly
All that's missing is your morning kiss
That used to greet me

Now you say the juice is sour
It used to be so sweet
And I can't help but to wonder
If you're talking 'bout me

We don't talk the way we used to talk
It's hurtin' so deep
I've got my pride, I will not cry
But it's makin' me weak

*I'm not your superwoman
I'm not the kind of girl that you can let down
And think that everything's okay
Boy, I am only human
This girl needs more than occasional
Hugs as a token of love from you to me, ooh, baby*

I fought my way through the rush hour
Trying to make it home just for you
I want to make sure that your dinner
Will be waiting for you

But when you get there you just tell me
You're not hungry at all
You said you'd rather read the paper
And you don't want to talk

You like to think that I'm just crazy
When I say that you changed
I'm convinced I know the problem
You don't love me the same

You're just going through the motions
And you're not being fair
I've got my pride, I will not cry
Still I can't help but care

*chorus* x 2

Oh, baby, look into the corners of your mind
I'll always be there for you through good and bad times
But I can't be that superwoman that you want me to be
I'll give my everlasting love if you'll return love to me

*chorus*

If you feel it in your heart
And you understand me
Stop right where you are
Everybody sing along with me

Hoo, hoo, hoo, ooh, ooh, hoo
Hoo, hoo, hoo, ooh, ooh, hoo
I'm the kind of girl that can treat you so sweet
But you got to realize that you got to be sweeter to me, oh, ho, ho

Hoo, hoo, hoo, ooh, ooh, hoo
Hoo, hoo, hoo, ooh, ooh, hoo
I need love
I need just your love

*chorus*

I'm not your superwoman

A song that perfectly describes my feelings...

One old hag

Hag (hăg) n. An old woman considered ugly or frightful. A witch; a sorceress. Obsolete. A female demon.

There is one living in my houseshare. Ugly. Old. Disgusting. Rude. Hostile. B****. The more I see her, that seed of hatred in me grew rapidly, almost like a Jack's bean stalk. I need to chop it down, and to do this, I need to deal with this evil old woman. I don't want to name her a witch, she's too fat to be one - too big of an ass to sit on that poor tiny broom!

Monday is supposed to be a nice start for work, however her charcoal black face has ruined my beginning. I tried to greet her nicely, and was taken invisible - how rude is that! Her words of "Hello" are miserably stingy and only to people whom she seems to want to share her very bad English with. Who cares - maybe she can't even understand my English and it would be such a waste of time/saliva to speak to her. Old hag!

This evening onwards, I shall make her invisible for the rest of my stay...