4 days to 2012!

What's the plan for the weekend? How are you planning to welcome the new year? We are only 4 days to the new year! How fast!

This is always the time to reflect. How did 2011 turn out for you? Has it been fruitful? Or are there things you could have done better or shouldn't do? How do you want 2012 to be? Have you thought about it?

Apart from the usual health and happiness for all around me and of course myself, I hope in 2012 I will get to leave my present job and become my own boss. For that to happen, I hope 2012 means my business will prosper although I will tone that down a little judging from the weak economic outlook for the next 2 years.

Hoping for more travels next year - 3 max I guess since the amount of annual leave I have is pathetic. No money also.....

OK but good start to the year - I'm going to Bali in Jan! Then there's a chance to go to Mumbai though this idea is getting less exciting as time passes. I can't spend too many days there so not sure if it's worth it to pay so much for the visa and then just be there for a week. A good friend's getting married. In October, there's Melbourne! My cuz is getting married so that I'm definitely going with or without the husband. Hmph!

I need to plan something for mid-year. If you don't already know, Singapore has very few public holidays and there is a long period of dry spell from May till August. And if you are in a job you hate, that feels like a century!

Anyway, let's forget that one now. I need to plan what I wanna do this weekend - how am I going to welcome 2012? Tough....this decision gets tougher as you get older...hmmm....

How was your Christmas?

I can't wait for the end of the week! It's going to be another long weekend - thank God.

How was your Christmas? How did you celebrate Christmas?

It was a very lazy weekend for hubby and I. I spent S$998 on an iPhone 4S as Christmas cum Wedding Anniversary gift for hubby :( while I continue using my iPhone 3GS. He in turn gave me a Tanzanite pendant (google it in case you don't know what a Tanzanite is). He bought it 6 months ago during his business trip to Tanzania!!! Wow! Impressed.

I slept late on Friday night (4.30am) and woke up 12 hours later on Saturday. A quick and simple dinner and stayed home till 11pm or so when his friend called. Just a simple short mamak affair where we had our countdown and got home at 2.30am. Late Sunday, woke up at noon and lazed at home till dinner time. Dinner with in-laws (McDonald's) then drinking session with close friends. Just the 6 of us, no crowd, great seats followed by Lok Lok for supper at 3am! Superb!

Woke up at 9am Monday morning (holiday!). I had the cleaner over that's why I couldn't sleep in. Lunch with friends then went home right after and went over to his mum's for dinner.

End of long weekend. How depressing.....

First X Factor USA Winner

Melanie Amaro is the first X Factor USA winner!!! 


She's my fav since the very beginning and I'm glad she's won. 

Merry Christmas!

Another Christmas! 

Wishing all my friends and family a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! 

Wishing all the good things for all, including myself and that 2012 will be a better year and that God will give us strength to brace the coming uncertainties in the world coming forth.

Merry Christmas

Kim Jong Il dead at 69

Kim Jong Il, the dictator of North Korea has died at 69. He died apparently of a heart attack as early as Saturday but report of his death was only revealed this morning.

Sounds like CNN? =p

Yup, he's dead. Could it be the fall of dictatorship in North Korea and they open up like Soviet or China? Will Kim Jong Un rule with an iron fist like his father? Left to be seen. Hope that they will see what is going outside and not live for their own benefit only.

Abused

No No, not by my hubby but my customer. Some idiot of President he is for his division. Extremely petty and totally unlike someone who is holding such an important position. Sorry to say that he will not go far because to be an achiever you must know how to move on and look beyond.

So yes we rolled your cargo, so yes you missed the Christmas sales. So what? What has happened has happened and especially when it is 3 weeks ago! Why are you still haunting me, attacking me personally with your sarcasm? I am trying my might to be patient but don't push me as I will retaliate - I promise you. Don't assume that I won't just because you are the customer. I don't give a damn. Don't you know that this company is not owned by me? I am only an employee and nothing is within my control? You can't see that I have tried my might or did you refuse to see it?

If you don't trust me nor do you think I'm helping you submit your claims why did you even bother writing to me with all your sarcastic comments? Are you getting the kick out of it or what? What an idiot.

Who are you? Shankar Nore from Olam Singapore that's who you are. Yes, sue me. I named you so what?

Jacky Cheung *Updated with pictures*

Jacky Cheung was awesome! His showmanship was awesome! A real professional and am not sure if there will be another like him. Maybe there are and maybe they all are but this is effectively the first and only Chinese act I have seen so far.

I have seen Boyzone (TWICE!), Aerosmith, Linkin Park, Westlife and Scorpion but never a Chinese act.

Our seats were not the best but that was what was left when we booked (they actually released 500 more just 2 weeks after we bought ours). 4 shows in total. They started off with 2 then added additional 500 seats per show then added 1 more show and then another show and then finally 500 seats to those 2 additional shows. They were still all sold out within minutes! Imagine that! The crowd was awesome too and they really sang along!

But going there made me feel even older. Made me feel that age is really creeping on me. Nobody there was in their early twenties! Most of us are over 30 and quite a handful 40's, 50's, even 60's! Saw a couple of teenagers but I bet they are there because their parents made them tag along. Sad huh? Hehehe...no more rowdy crowds and I am damn sure the organizer knows this that's why our seats are numbered. No numbers when I went to Aerosmith, Boyzone, Linkin Park nor Westlife.

And the best thing? Very very few of the audience actually knew the words to his newer songs. I for one have never even heard of them! It was kinda boring but the 2nd half, the hall boomed with the crowd singing along to almost every song! Back to our era - that's the way we like it. Hehehehe...old farts!

I haven't got time to upload the pics yet. Security was terribly strict so not many pics taken. They didn't allow pics to be taken during the concert. No recording as well. But all of us tried anyways.

It's today!

Leaving in awhile.....but we are currently fighting a cold war so I guess the concert experience gonna suck big time. Damn!

Tired and giving up

I'm freaking tired, pissed and giving up soon. I don't know how long more I can take it, hold on any longer. Stop pushing me.....it will be no turning back once that happens.


Total disappointment and heartache. 

Jacky Cheung in 5!

That is 5 days for you all out there. 


Yes! I am going for Jacky Cheung's concert in 5 days! Can't wait.....I didn't use to like Jacky Cheung during his hey-day because he was part of the Heavenly Kings with Leon Lai. Leon was my favourite during those days. When I was young and naive (about 20 years ago, OMG I didn't realise!), Leon was the best. Nobody, even if they are better, deep down I knew, was good enough.


But now that I am older and wiser, I will watch Jacky's concert, not Leon's. In fact, I have never been to any of Leon Lai's concert. Hmmm...oh because I was too young and too poor then. Hehehe.....


I'm sure it's gonna be good! I gave up catching it in Singapore back in August just because he would have sang more mandarin songs rather than cantonese and I am pretty sure he would have spoken in mandarin too. That totally defeats the purpose of watching a Hong Kong act. 


Counting down!


PS: I didn't know Storm is in KL! Today's the last performance. Damn! 

Worst Flea Ever

Still trying to get over the flea I attended last weekend in KL. Signed up for 2 days flea at e@Curve (just found out about this place!) in Mutiara Damansara. Being just a few steps away from The Curve, I thought it should be good. I mean The Curve, Ikano, Ikea and e@Curve is practically 1 building right?

Thank God I didn't sign up for the whole month! They were going to have this flea every weekend till end of Dec and if you sign up for 4 weeks, you get a RM50 discount of the rental ie instead of paying RM170 for 2 days, you will pay RM120 for 2 days.

I haven't been to many fleas but trust me, this has gotta be the worst! I doubt any fleas in Singapore can top that. Assuming Anlynn did not bring any of her friends to the flea, I would end my day with only 1 customer! Yes! From 11am to 8pm only 1 customer! My sales of the day couldn't even cover my hotel. I had lots of flies and mozzies accompanying me throughout the day though. Hubby as usual was enjoying himself in our 4* hotel room and sleeping all afternoon.

I have totally no idea if the problem lies with OPI or it's just the mall. The crowd in the mall itself is extremely thin so of course the mall plays a huge part. But OPI - the very few shoppers wasn't even interested to look at the colours, at least. They practically walked past my booth without the slightest interest. Aiyah, my problem is no money. Would have mix OPI and NYX just to gauge what are Malaysians really into. Honestly, I doubt OPI works in Malaysia. Really. No thanks to brands like Elianto who are selling polishes for RM5 while OPI is RM30-35.

I'm not gonna give up until I can convince myself that OPI doesn't work in Malaysia then I will have to gear up with my NYX or any other cosmetic brands.

But no doubt, e@Curve was my worst flea ever! To think that the organizer was trying to rent me a rack in her shop in the same mall, on first floor. Eew!

I am eyeing Jaya One. Anybody familiar with the crowd in Jaya One? I am very interested with The Curve's Street Market but too bad, management doesn't allow cosmetics.

Post Malacca

No time to post pics at all!

We stayed a night in Malacca at a little inn Hallmark Inn. It is not the best but it is decent after all. For the price we paid, it's alright.

What did I do? Nothing much really. Visited Jonker Street for the first time in my life. Don't be surprised but really. Nothing great....just another pasar malam. I very much prefer the day street then the night street. Less rowdy but then again the crowd was mostly due to the fact that it was a long weekend so larger crowd.

And the gem of the trip? Hard Rock is in Malacca!!!! *Nod nod nod* The shop is up and running but missing the cafe - that is still under construction.

Oh and for a non-laksa eater, man the laksa is superb! The stall is only open during the day (maybe for lunch only) and you cannot miss it - it's got the longest queue. Hubby had the Laksa while I tried the Baba Asam Laksa. Yumz! Two thumbs up (3,4,5 etc thumbs up if I have more than 2 thumbs) It is a must try if you happen to be in Malacca.

I will post the pics soon - try lah ok......

Meet again

Didn't realise it has been quite a while since I last posted. Have been extremely busy myself - getting everything ready for opening of outlets in 313 Somerset and Jurong East Central. Started on 1st Nov and still trying to get everything right so I'm still spending a lot of time running around.

But TGIF!!! Yes! A long weekend - 6th is Hari Raya Haji so brought forward to 7th (Sunday to Monday) and a weekend of weddings.

A wedding dinner tomorrow and a wedding luncheon on 6th in Malacca so yes I'm going to Malacca!! I expect to stay a night there coz we can easily make it back after lunch but hubby says why not just stay for a night since Monday is a holiday anyway. Why not?

I will for the first time in my life visit Jonker Street! Well, at least that is in the plan. We'll see what happens.

*Yawn*

I'm sitting in at my desk in the office as I am writing this and waiting for hubby. I'm damn tired and damn full. I hate this feeling - feeling so damn full. Yuck.

Anyway, anybody reading this post and wants to buy NYX, E.L.F or OPI products, please visit us at Jurong East Central!!! =)

TGIF

It's the weekend!!! I can't wait for hubby to finish work - we are going to have seafood buffet at Concorde Hotel tonight with another couple! Yumz yumz..self control self control.........But gosh, it's only 4.45pm! Time never crawled as slowly as today =( And it was raining all morning, just stopped an hour ago. If it hadn't would have gone out!

Looking forward to the weekend nevertheless!

Note: The 2 year old toddler from that unfortunate accident in Foshan China passed away this morning.

Full of disgust and disrespect

Did any of you watch News 5 (Singapore) yesterday? The news about a toddler knocked down by 2 vehicles consecutively? No? Here it is - read this:

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/outrage-bleeding-china-toddler-left-street-062238639.html

There's a video at the bottom of the report too. If you dare, watch it and be disgusted. It is not for the faint-hearted - honestly, do not watch it if you are grossed easily.

I cannot believe that such people exist in the society. Not just one but the whole bunch of them! Is it the problem of the society/people, government or law? Is it human nature to be evil?

People just walked by taking a second look but not doing anything! Motorists go all out to avoid "hitting" the kid just as if we drive to avoid a nail. There are some who even stopped to look and then drive away! Why why why?!?

For those who will watch the video, notice the first hit - after the front wheel went over her and the back wheel seemingly is stuck. See how the driver accelerated as how we would have done if we are trying to drive up a curb. Common sense people???

Money money money

Need lots of money now now now! I need at least SGD60K to kickstart my business in a big way. That sum is for procurement of stocks ONLY. OK at least USD35K.

Sigh...where to find that kind of money??? Where tell me where? Cracking my head. Should I throw SGD15K for OPI polishes? Should I? Scared sial!

Mid-Week

Mid-week already and going back to BP this weekend. I am sooo bored.

You know it's so damn weird! I lost 2kgs during the 2 weeks break and as of yesterday, I gained 1kg already!!! That only proves my point - that I gain weight when I'm down - not positive.

Just found out from Lynn that I should have delayed my home-trip by a week. I most likely will miss U.Hock's trip back this time round. He's arriving in BP on 21st. Though Lynn doesn't know how long he'll be around but my guess will be 2 weeks? That's usually the case with him.

I am a step closer to booking Hong Kong now that Gulnaz has agreed to go with me. Yay! But now I'm thinking if it makes sense to meet NYX at all? I hope Jaehee will reply within the next couple of days so that I can just make up my blardy mind. I need to know for sure if it makes sense to visit them this time or to wait......

1st day of work

After 2 weeks finally gone back to work today. But it didn't feel like back at work, rather like slowly integrating myself back at work which is good because the boss wasn't around today! He he he.....well, he'll be back someday right? Tomorrow's the day.....sigh.....


Well my point is, 1st day wasn't so bad after all!

RIP Steve Jobs

Woke up to the news of the passing of Steve Jobs.


Anticipated this news to arrive very soon when he stepped down as CEO of the company to Tim Cook citing that he is no longer able to perform his duties.


I'm sure the whole world is now thinking - what will be Apple's future without Steve Jobs. When he was on MC, he was still there. When he stepped down as CEO, he was still there too. But from today onwards, he will no longer be just a phone call away. 


His intelligence and vision and creativity is from another world. He changed how we communicate and he made the world even smaller than it already is. The world will be watching Apple's next and every move closely at least for the next 2-3 years when the next products are launch. 


Thank you visionaire. I won't settle.

Business Proposal/Plan

How does one write a proper and attractive business proposal? I have been thinking, reading and researching the whole day trying to come up with a proper business proposal. I need one when I speak to companies, partners, investors and banks. But I have not been able to come up with any. 


It is really not easy to come up with one. Headache....I only have till the end of the week to come up with one - actually wanted the proposal to be done by mid-week so that I can bring them with me when I visit the banks but seems like it's too far fetch. 


Sigh......

Friday already?!

When I'm at work, Friday can't come fast enough. But when I'm on leave, I wish Friday will never come! But it's Friday already! 1 week's gone and only 1 week left! Why why why does it have to be so fast?! Unfair!

Well deserved break

3 days of flea at Changi Expo. Not too good - the crowd was very thin. I think it was due to multiple fleas and F1. But anyways, I cleared a lot of polishes - I focused only on polishes this time round.


I am officially at the start of my 2 week break. Took unpaid leave. I really need this to take a good break off work and to concentrate on my business. Though it's not going to generate any income during this 2 weeks but they are the foundations of the business which I desperately need to lay.


I have been neglecting the business since I started work. My website's almost dead and apart from the shops, nothing's really riding so I need to focus. 


I wanna write a proper business proposal as well and visit some banks to look at the possibility of taking a loan, be it business or personal to bring the business to the next level. I need to get serious about it.


So although it's a break from my everyday job, I will still be working.

TheBlogShop Singapore SUCKS!

Long post - beware

For budding blogshop owners out there listen up!!! Please take this seriously as I am writing based on my experience and from what I hear/know from other blogshop owners.

If anyone of you out there is thinking of renting a rack space with TheBlogShop - STOP - honestly! I'm not joking. DO NOT SIGN UP WITH THEBLOGSHOP! The management crew and their way of managing the business will force you to vomit blood!

I signed up with them November 2010 - at that time, things were going very smoothly and I was happy with their service. As their popularity soared, their attitude and service went the other way, BIG TIME! It got even worse when the best employee they had left the company to start a shop of the same concept on her own.

Imagine this - I took up a space in Far East Plaza and ITE Chua Chu Kang. We are promised sales report at the end of every month and cheques are available for collection from 15th of the following month.

I signed up for 2 spaces in ITE because of fake promises made by Clarence (I totally have no idea who the hell he is but I guess he's the Master - owner's son). A young chap in his young twenties who drives an SLK new with an ugly plastic girlfriend with a bitchy attitude. ITE was supposed to start in March but it never did. We were not updated with the progress but money paid.

** Oh btw, TheBlogShop takes only full payment upfront for the number of months you want to rent plus 2 months security deposit ie if you are renting for 6 months, you have to fork out 8 months rent up-front.

Text messages sent but no replies. Phone calls always unanswered. Finally we receive an email saying ITE will finally start its operation by end April and told all vendors to start stocking up. We did but no sales. ITE still did not open. It wasn't until 9th June that ITE finally began its operation but SALES SUCKS!

Since it started operation in June, I have only received 1 sales report from ITE. I have been liasing with Clarence since Lili's departure from the company. I have been chasing for the report since early July but did not receive it until first week of August. That one done BUT I'm still missing ITE's sales payment!

Then came the big bang - my FEP sales payment bounced! A cheque of SGD600+ bounced! I contacted Clarence on 25th August to report this case. He only came back to me on 31 August 2011 asking for the amount and then quiet (I sent him a reminder SMS everyday). The next time I heard from him was 2nd Sept and he asked for my account number so that he may credit the amount directly. Nothing until today. How convenient.

Clarence ALWAYS makes excuses and empty promises. Never once was seomthing acted on promptly. What sort of businessman is this? And they say they are a big company with many offices overseas? I bet they are on their way into bankruptcy because I have spoken to many tenants of Far East Plaza and they have nothing but complains - chqs bounced, payments asked to be stopped, not chqs etc. All to do with money. It makes one wonder is this company in some financial problem?

Then I threatened to go to Tribunal Court. I want my goods from ITE back, I want my bounced chq to be reinstated, I want my sales reports for ITE and I want my sales payments for ITE (since JUNE!!!!). Again, I have to go after Clarence for all of these for weeks and finally he gave me a schedule to follow - in the end, disappointment. NONE was kept.

Tell me what do you understand from this sentence:
Your deposit chq will be ready on Monday. ITE chq will be with deposit chq.

My interpretation:
I can collect all the mentioned chqs on Monday from Far East Plaza.

Of course when I called Far East, none of those chqs he mentioned was there for collection. What do you expect me to do? Call Clarence right? After 10 calls, he still refused to pick up my calls. So I text him a super nasty SMS - he replied.

Clarence's interpretation:
I said the they'll be arranged today - most likely in the evening. Your goods + chqs delivered tonight as I had mentioned in the previous smses that they are ready today.

Hi Clarence, I know you said they are ready today so why is it I cannot collect them today? They are ready for you or me? Don't play with words and be more professional.

I have contacted a lawyer to see if there is anything to be done in such instances. Let's see what they come back with.

So girls/boys, please, I beg you, to save yourselves from heartache, stay away from TheBlogShop. Really. You can also help us vendors by stop frequenting their shop - stop buying at their shop!

Gotta be patient

I have been applying for jobs internally every now and again whenever I see something interesting - both expats and local positions - since end of last year. Nothing has come out of it so far - I have had a couple of interviews but none was successful. 


A couple of weeks back, I don't remember when actually, I applied for a job which I really want (I'm actually applying only to jobs within this department in different countries - it is similar to the one I was in in Moscow and Genoa) - String Manager position in our sister company. 


Was called up for an interview last Wednesday and though I won't consider myself standing a good chance but at least I was shortlisted. I gave up on the idea to move, IF i ever do get offered, when I met the head of department. A very difficult lady. 


Anyway, to cut the long story short, I was called into a room by my current manager on Friday. The moment we were on our own, he said "I heard you applied for a job". He said this with a smile on his face - he didn't call this meeting to reprimand me or anything but just out of concern why I am thinking of leaving the department - his team. 


I told him how I felt - how tired and frustrated I am. Most importantly I'm not happy being stagnant where I am. I told him that the new position is something I've always wanted and he knows that, plus it is a 2 job grade jump for me. I've been in my current position for way too long. I told him that by moving there, though a smaller company, I see room for growth which I don't currently UNLESS I take over his position. He said he'll try his best to push me up to that level of job grade but he cannot guarantee it since it will take management to agree. But I told him though it's gonna be a better job grade and better pay but it's still the same shit everyday. There still isn't anymore room for growth, unless I take his place. 


At the end of a half an hour long conversation, his closing summary to me, in his own words "I always want my team to move up and improve. If it was others in the team who are applying to move on to a better position, I would give my blessings. But if it is you, let me tell you straight in your face now, I won't allow that. You are my shining star and best sales person I have." Don't be mislead by that sentence - he was smiling and can see he meant it. 


That means I can stop trying to apply to any jobs anymore since any hiring manager who might potentially want to hire me, will not succeed coz current manager is able to stop the hiring process. I feel flattered but I am still not happy here! Damn!

Only in Malaysia

Traveled like we do everyday from JB into Singapore in the mornings. There is also 2 lanes at Malaysian customs which is open to traffic. How do we know the lane is in operation? Green light will tell us that is accessible and red means otherwise.

2 queus as usual. We noticed the lane on our left only has 1 booth open. The queue was pretty short - when the queue is short, avoid it. Rule of thumb. It only means that it's slow moving. Anyhow, I always prefer the right lane anyway.

Anyway, I stayed on the right and was surprised that all the cars zoomed past without much problems. And taa daa what a surprise! All the booths were closed! None was in operation so nobody stopped for passport checks at all! If you are Malaysian, that will not be a problem but imagine if you are a Singaporean. You are actually leaving the country without immigration checks? I promise you will be having a hell lot of problem trying to get back in the next time.

In fact, one car which was in front of me switched lanes. I was wondering why. Now I'm pretty sure he's a Singaporean.

Only in Malaysia!

Happy birthday grandma! And happy wedding Joe + Yi Xia!

September 11th - a very different day for different people. Of course you can say that everyday is different for different people but to me it is a day of happiness and sadness.

September 11th 2001 - a sad day - terrorist attached World Trade Centre in USA. Many lost their lives. Terror cells made their presence known to the world in a big way for the first time. So big, all countries in the world, especially allies of the United States shook (you can even hear their knees knock!)

So far seems like a peaceful September 11th in United States to me.

September 11th is my grandmother's birthday - a happy day. She's 92 this year! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANNY! I wonder how she celebrated this day yesterday. I forgot to call mum yesterday.

Another happy day for another couple from this year on is Joe and Yi Xia who got married yesterday! Congratulations! I was the driver of the bridal car hehehe......bet you have never heard of a lady driver huh? I dressed up like a Jap schoolgirl. Unfortunately I don't have any pics of myself in that attire at the moment. Hopefully somebody with camera caught it and will post it up soon!

Here's how the groom, bride and the cronies looked like yesterday! Laugh it out!

Happy happy happy

Reminding myself that I have to live my life happily. Haven't been truly happy for a long time - since......I left Italy really. That is a long time for somebody to stay unhappy right?

Damn right it is!

I have made a conscious decision to be happy now! It might not come naturally since there is nothing happy happening in my life right now - I am NOT happy (so? sue me). Momentary and short-term happiness doesn't count - for example, happy coz I got the camera I have wanted - that doesn't count.

I have dedicided that this is going to end. No more unhappy days! I mean WTH we don't live that long and what's the point wallowing? If the marriage is failing, so be it. If job sucks so be it. If my business fails, so be it. So everything and everybody else goes against me, so be it.

But I will continue to live my life happily - I will move on. I MUST get out of this shit-hole.

Happy Birthday To me - Belated

Another year has passed - I celebrated yet another birthday on 31st Aug, which also happened to be 2nd day of Hari Raya + Malaysia's National Day.

Since in Singapore, only the 1st day of Raya is a holiday, I took leave on my birthday. Not much of a celebration - went out for extremely late dinner the night before and met up with 2 friends in a pub after that. Finally got home at 5+am..... :s

Woke up around noon and went for Bak Kut Teh lunch with a friend. Relaxed at home after that - not as if there was so much time left before the next working day loomed. Sian......

However, highlight of this birthday - hubby got me the camera I have been wanting to buy since March!!!! =p I couldn't decide between S95 and G12 (Canon) since March. Also, part of the reason is I couldn't convince myself to buy it since my ol' faithful Olympus is still very much alive and kicking. But whatever it is, I am happy :)

Long awaited holiday

I'm going to Phuket tomorrow?! I can't wait!! It's a long awaited break - it's a 5D4N trip. The last time I went on a break (Batam not counted - that is 2D1N) was in Oct last year to India.

What are we going to do there? Hmmm....dunno just relax I guess.

Ahhh come on today should pass quickly!!!

Great Flea!

Did I mention I was going for a flea? Well I did and all on my own too! Hubby was in Africa on business trip, Gie was home and then flying (she dropped by for a couple of hours) and my best friend had her bf back for the weekend from Korea. So I had to rely on meself to cart my goods from JB to SIN then set the stall up and then pack up everynight. So I'm damn proud that I did the whole flea, 3 day flea, all on my own.

It was last weekend in Singapore Expo. It was a damn good 3 days, much better than the last flea. I kind of getting the hang and understanding what sells and what doesn't. My sales was double from the last flea I attended back in November. Same venue, same organizer.

Apart from selling etc it was also to prove to myself that I can do this without anybody's help. I can handle/cope all by myself. It turned out not very healthy since I had to refrain from drinking too much water and going to the toilet. On the first day, I only went to the toilet twice - once before I left home (8+am) and once after I got home (11.30pm)....:s

There will be another in September and I'll definitely be there!!!

Like as if it will help!

OMG OMG like as if it will make any difference! The latest news on The Star today: http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/6/16/nation/8912138&sec=nation

The title of the article reads: RON97 price down by 10 sen

OI wake up! It 10 sen?! Sedekah or what? The difference is still RM0.90/litre over and above RON95 which I as a Malaysian is entitled to! Why then should I continue to hold on to that bloody passport for? I filled up my tank yesterday. Usual 20litres would have cost me around RM35 but last night, I paid RM54 for almost 19litres.

10 sen "discount" means I would have paid RM52 instead of RM54. And the logic is???? I fill up every 2 days and on average, 20litres each time (more during weekends understandably). Very simple arithmetic will tell me my expenses is up by RM340 per month! (assuming 5 times per week, 3 times during weekday and double the volume during weekends)

Yah the government will think that is none of their business. Serve me right for getting a Singapore plate car, serve me right for being in sales and the biggest slap in the face - serve me F**K-ing right for working in Singapore.

BECAUSE YOU CAN'T TAKE CARE OF YOUR RAKYAT THAT'S WHY!

I'm from Hong Kong!

Yah, when you see a visitor from Hong Kong on my Live Traffic, that's me. For some reason I'm from a little village in Hong Kong...LOL

What else can the government come up with?

Malaysian government surprises me every single day! I have no idea what they have up their sleeves next.

First was the biometric scan at all Malaysian checkpoints for foreigners, on top of stamping of passports. This has caused massive jams especially at the Malaysia-Singapore checkpoints. This is obviously extra income for somebody otherwise we have been operating just fine since stone age with current practice of stamping the passport so why this biometric scanner? What is the purpose of scanning? People could still get into JB without having their passport scanned? (Recent report - 3 Singaporean girls managed to go into JB without having their passport stamped)

If foreigners can get into the country without stamping the passport, have no qualms that they can get into the country without scanning as well. Both are at the custom's booth.

Our Home Minister's reply to that? There is nothing wrong with the system so don't blame the system. It's the large human traffic. Eh hello, you born yesterday or what? The human traffic has always been like this - regular during the weekdays, heavy during the weekends and heavier during the school holidays. Year in, year out SAME! Don't understand? SAMA! What makes it so different now? Apparently after the biometric system was installed, human traffic increased overnight because the Singaporeans love to try out our biometric scans. This is making everybody especially daily commuters like myself a lot of inconveniences. The government needs to remember they are encouraging Singaporeans to retire/reside in Malaysia and do you think with this measure, it will attract them? There are many SIngaporeans currently who commutes daily as well.

2nd - today's news. RON95 will no longer be made available to Malaysians with Malaysian ID driving foreign cars. WTF?! Are you crazy or what? Is it now our fault that we are working in Singapore and driving foreign cars? Why should your citizens be penalised in such a way? If you cannot control and ensure rule is implemented, that is honestly none of my business. To be very honest, I think that message is pretty down to laziness. My 1 year of filling petrol in Malaysia in my Singapore registered vehicles, I have only been checked 3 times. That shows the problem lies with station operators. They don't even bother checking our ID!

Blame it on yourself that your Malaysian citizens prefer to work in Singapore - don't even bother wondering why is that so. And it is not our fault that we employment pass holders, cannot drive Malaysian cars into Singapore to work everyday. We have no choice but to drive Singapore registered cars. So why are we being penalised both ends?

One reminder: election is around the corner. Definitely not a smart move Barisan.

Dilemma

Should I or should I not? Tempted......

It's been long and I'm bored

Still bored, business is not as expected, no money for correction. HOW?

BORED

BORED...nothing to write jialat!

7 Days

Grandma passed on 7 days ago. She comes to mind almost every single night before I go to bed. I don't think I have grasp the real effect of not ever gonna see her sitting in her chair yet.

I have imagined it but I guess I will have to go back to her house to feel the real effect. It's gonna be so weird to even go to her house anymore. I used to pay grandma a visit whenever I'm in town. She's the only reason why I'm or any of us for that matter is at visits Riang in the first place. I cannot imagine how empty it is now. How weird it's gonna be to go to Riang and no grandma sitting on her lazy chair. No trace of her, only memories.

I wonder how is aunty getting on. How has aunty been going to sleep the past week? Is anybody going to be there with her tonight? It's the 7th day and according to Chinese believes, the soul returns home for the last time before they cross over completely. Aunty believes in this 7th day thing.

I will not be going back anytime soon, not anymore this month. Earliest should be first or 2nd week of may. By then everything should be back to normal back home. Normal, not forgotten.

Sent from my iPhone

Grandma - Rest in Peace

Grandma,

It was extremely hard to let you go but we find comfort in the fact that you are now in a better place, free of pain and sufferings. You must be enjoying yourselves with the presence of your friends again. We know that you have made your choice but I am very happy that I saw you when your eyes were still open.

You will always be in our memory. We are so proud of how hard you fought and we find comfort that you have managed to see everyone of us who arrived from near and far one last time before you breath your last.

We will miss you.

Rest in peace.

Grandma, stay strong

Grandma (paternal) is in critical condition right now. She has been admitted to the hospital since Saturday and ICU since Monday wee hours. 


She is 90 (or is it 91) this year and according to my uncle, who is a doctor, she is suffering from heart failure. Doctor in the hospital says she only has about a couple of hours, best a day or two left in her. I am praying very hard that she can just hold on for another 24 hours for all of us to see her, to know that the cousins have flown so far to see her and that she will know that. 


Honestly, I didin't know it is so bad when I went to see her in the evening. Her stats improved significantly from this morning so I came back to JB. Should have stayed on. How stupid can I get? 


Grandma, please be strong and hang on........

CONGRATS LYNN!

SPM results out today and guess what? The brain of the family strikes again! My little sister who has happen to score straight A's so far in ALL government exams has scored straight A's in her SPM. **yawn boring.....**

Unbelievable huh? Yeah....nothing new.....boring....Lynn, time to give us real surprises like....I don't know?? Something instead of telling us you have gotten straight A's AGAIN???

CONGRATS SIS! Real proud of you!!!

Online!

Hello people I'm back online! Got connected to Maxis broadband today after 1 week without any internet in the new house. 


We had applied for Streamyx before we moved in - the weekend before but TM told us that we need to have the homeline fixed before they will process out Streamyx application, which will take 3-7 days AFTER homeline installation. Fine. We got the homeline fixed the day before we moved in. On Tuesday I found out that my Streamyx application did not get through because they have no more available ports in my area. I got to know this through TM's agent.


I called Customer Care the next day but they told me they have not received anything like that recorded in the system. The lady told me that she will lodge a report for me for technical department to call me back. Nothing. I called again 2 days later and this time they told me no Streamyx order was lodged for me! I was asked to go to the nearest TM branch to check out.


So I did. Indeed, no more ports but have no idea where my order went. Maybe they cancelled it. I cancelled my homeline on the spot - when I did that, I told them specifically that I installed the homeline solely because of Streamyx. The customer service agent said can I offer you RM10/month without rental for you to keep your homeline? NO. 


Went straight to Maxis. Paid RM380 and  =) Now I'm back online! 


(No) Thanks TM. Would not have gone to Maxis if not for you and now I have up to 7Mbps speed. 

Happy Monday!

Our new place is awesome!! Happy happy happy! Nice place - I feel really comfortable in that house. Not much has changed since we have moved in - we have not add much so no updated pics. If anything changes, will post them.

New House!

I have promised pictures of the place I will call home for the next 12 months and here it is! I finally got the keys today from the owner and everything you see in the pictures belong to the owner. They are already inside - we have not moved in. None of our belongings are in the house yet. We are only moving in tomorrow. 


Correct, even the bedsheets are not ours. NOTHING is ours. What you see is what I saw when I stepped into the condo unit today as well. Cool huh?

Tomorrow!!!

I'm getting the keys to my new place tomorrow! Can't wait can't wait!!!!


Apart from that, why is life so difficult? Why is it that some people can be such bastards?! I really just don't get it! Why is my every single word taken out of context and everything I say or do is just not right? Why why why WHY? Just thinking of wanting to get out of that shit once and for all.


Should I?


When is the best time?


Life's a bitch. How the hell did I get into this mess?

A Monday (or Tuesday) I don't hate!

For the first time since I'm back at work that I don't hate Mondays (or Tuesdays). I actually was looking forward to it. Unbelievable? Not really.

Why?

Because that only means I am one day closer to moving out! Who can stand to hate Monday when that is just around the corner?

A lot of things are in my mind right now - these past couple of days especially after I have been to see KSL. A lot of projects and plannings going through my head now, so much so that I have difficulty sleeping. I wish things just ain't so complicated. URGH - wish I had the money and I can say money isn't a problem. That is what's stopping me. That's why I need to consider from so many aspects.

I can't write too much now - don't want to give anything away. And I'm busy - need to set some stuff up and get some stuff going. Stop procrastinating!!!!

New Scam Method

I got this in my nelanz email today. I have no idea what are the implications if I replied but I did a quick check using the usual method - email header - and also googled sender's email which told me many others have already been a target. Just to be on the safe side, thanks to the sender who included a URL, I have sent an email to the address published on the website instead of replying to her directly. Let's see what happens tomorrow. 


In the meantime, if any of you receive email below, just remember - IT IS A SCAM! IP address shows China and the owner of the IP is a chinese fella. Not some corporation.

From: anna

Subject: Copyright Of "nelanzstore".(TO Principal)(Urgent) 

Date: March 2, 2011 2:07:17 PM GMT+08:00

To: sales

Reply-To: Anna@netservice.hk

Dear Principal,       

 

We are a domain name registration and dispute organization in Asia,who mainly deal with global companies' domain name registration and internet Intellectual property right protection in Asia.Currently we have a very important issue that we need to confirm with your company. 

On Mar.1, 2011,We received an application formally from one company named Qornty Investment Co., LTD that wanted to applly for the Internet Name"nelanzstore" and some domain names from our organization.

After our initial examination, we found that the Internet Name and domain names applied for registration are as same as your company's name and trademark.These days we are dealing with this case,we were wondering whether you consigned Qornty Investment Co., LTD to register these domain names with us? If it is true,we will complete the registration of these domain names.Do you know this company? Currently,we have postponed this application of this company temporarily.In order to deal with this issue better,please contact us by telephone or email as soon as possible.

In addition,we hereby affirm that our time is limited for dissent application.If your company files no dissent within the time limit,we will unconditionally approve the application submitted by Qornty Investment Co., LTD.

(PS:If you are not in charge of this matter,please transfer this email to appropriate dept.)

Best Regards,

Anna

Hong Kong Head Office:

Tel: 00852 9566 0205

Fax: 00852 3069 6940

Email:anna@west-cnnet.com

Website: http://www.asia-gov.com