I love Apple's customer service. When one suffers a spate of terrible Singapore customer service (recently mine being with Crimson Logic), it's refreshing and dizzying to get one so efficient and nice.
The last time when I purchased my MacPro, I already had a first hand experience of excellent service. When I called them about the wrong adaptor sent despite ordering from HK website, the Apple Care US rerouted my call to HK and viola, they sent me a one off travel kit adaptor out of good will. I really appreciate that gesture, and it gave me the confidence to believe that my future purchases will be warranted. So Apple won my loyalty. They trained their customer service well.
That incident was last year. This year, we purchased a new MacAir, as well as an Ipad.
The iPad was purchased with the iPad cover via online. When the stuff arrived via DHL, I discovered my cover was scratched terribly on delivery. I called Apple, and the chap was very pro and nice about it. He apologized for the defect and promised to send me a new cover in return. I asked about pick up for the unused scratched piece and to my surprise, he said it's alright. They will just ship a new one.
The whole process was pain-free, without hassle, and more importantly, they took ownership and proactively aim to keep any dissatisfaction down to a minimal level. In my case, they really won me over both times.
incidentally, I mentioned to my friends, Apple Customer Service must have stringent requirement. They all spoke fluent English and many are American accented. My friend said the customer hotline is now relocated to Singapore at Yio Chu Kang. I was in disbelief. You mean apart from Citibank, Apple Singapore can do such a decent job too?! Wow! Shocker.
No offense intended to Singapore companies or fellow Singaporeans but generally, not only their customer service sucks, their spoken English sounded funny too for all the front line service. It's a well renowned fact. Sorry. Just stating a fact....
Thursday, May 10, 2012
My shopping conquest! It's summer time, what do you expect!
I went about overboard this month shopping. It's summer! I havent stock up on new summer clothing for a long time since I came to HK. Mostly, I tend to shop in Autumn and Winter. So starting with the discovery of Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren@ Times Square, that was when my wallet started bleeding..more accurately, my man's wallet...lol!
1st Stop: @Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren, Times Square, CWB
This is where I can get all things casual such as denim and Ts, and shorts etc.
Also couldnt resist the checkered blue top and the turquoise blue top. Reminds me of heading to the beach! Matched it with my hat purchased in Seoul few years back, perfect!
I got more excited when I saw the navy blue white strip top, as well as the shaded blue scarf! It's actually not a summer wear, at least I dont think the material is. I think its more spring but hell, we dont have cool spring in Hong Kong. Only good for days I know I will be in the mall whole day where the aircon can freeze your arse off. The heat is already killing me now. Again, matched with my old blue uniqlo pants.
Pink is a rare color in my wardrobe though my mum thinks I look nice in them. Blue is predominantly my shade, at least these past months. The sales recommended this pink checkered opaque top, an underlayer is required for those who dont want to "share" views of their expensive lacy bra. hahaha! I decided to drag out my denim shorts purchased in Japan last year @Daiba outlet. Bought it solely for that sewn on patch. Lol! Viola! It worked!
Next was the unexpected red strip sleeveless dress! I love dresses but tend not to wear the cotton stretch coz of my fat belly. However this had a lovely fit and it wrap nicely without being too clingy to the waistline. I paired it with my old MM denim jacket, tied the scarf and yeah, time to hit the town! It worked nicely with my white casual jacket too, paired with light pink scarf.
2nd stop: Global work@WTC, CWB
A sucker for Japanese clothing. I have been looking for lightweight, airy cardigan and found it in here. Buttonless and loosely fit with 3/4 sleeve length. Found a nice light grey cotton pants, with foldable hems, 3/4 in length. Thought it went well with my new red shoes, or gold heels. Yeah, a look recreated based on a Japanese mag.
I have been hunting for a khaki brown short for a long time, a length that actually isnt too short (overly short stuff makes my thighs look extremely unflattering, too old to carry it off too.) I managed to find it @Global Work. Loved the airy blue summer top too! Good for those days you didnt want your top to cling on to you. Have lovely embroidery at the bottom.
After my pink checkered top, I spotted this orange stripped blouse. As per before, an underlayer is required if you dont want people to see the outline of your bra. Decided to try a different look with 3/4 jeans. Good for casual dates! I havent worn my sandals since my wedding, so I thought I will try it out. Not bad alternative to the red.
3rd Stop: Zero Halliburton@Harvey Nicholas, Pacific Place
Was seriously getting fedup with my crappy Rimowa aluminum luggage. Firstly, the wheels fell apart. Secondly the flaps inside came apart. Thirdly, the water from the aircraft holding seeped into my bag and everything inside got completely wet (as if it was dunked into a pool!). The other polycarbon model is also constantly falling apart at the wheels and flap within, though no water seepage yet since they dont get dented.
The problem is that I have to lugged the freaking Rimowa myself to the service center instead of being able to leave it at the counters. So inconvenient. The point is, Rimowa, you suck!
I went looking at Samsonite but tried their zip, not exactly "smooth" for the large size. We had the small Aerial small cabin size bag and liked it. However when its larger, ehe handles felt funny for their Aerial and Cube series. Colour (apart from Aerial blue) wasnt that spectacular either.
We were just browsing and spotted this lovely bright blue bag. I am giving zip a chance, and this is cheaper than Rimowa's pricing. For some reason, the lady here was able to give me 15% straight off. The counter they had at Sogo CWB did not, only offered 10% off, with 5% off if i have sogo card. Strange...so I ended up buying it off the lady at Harvey as she had always been very nice and friendly thrice now, even when we didnt buy anything the forst 2 times.
4th stop: Maud Frizon Shoes@ WTC, CWB
Yesterday, I put on my Charles & Keith heels and headed out for my class. Less than 50steps, the materials on the heels started to disintegrate with every step I took. OMG! Had to throw my old heels away and grab something else. So that means I had to replace my heels. Threw 1 bought 4. A woman's shopping logic! hahaha!
Sms my man who was hard at work in Shanghai,
Me: "Bled your wallet today."
Reply: "Noooooooo!!"
Hahahahaha!
I never knew MF shoes fit me so well. Yes, there are half sizes here. I love the white floral theme sandal so I could not put it down. Had an exact old pump like the above but it worn out after repeated wear, so I had to restock the same look. Next was the blue strip wedges. I never had blue strip shoes before, least of all wedges. They were comfy to my surprise!
The last pair was the red shoes with a floral bow at the front. In one of the pictures above. Well, I couldnt resist the fiery red. Getting bored with all my black and brown heels.
5th Stop: iBlues, Times Square, CWB
I dropped in not expecting to buy anything. I was dressed in my worst, and carrying groceries. However, the sales remained ever polite and helpful, without any hint of disdain for a "poor looking" customer like me.
I paused at a crop sleeve top and she immediately went to the store and grabbed 2 other shades. Oooo...I like that pink and grey polka dots. So I was happy to try it. The sales offered to place my bulky stuff away so that I could be more relaxed.
Next thing I knew, I saw this white dress, innocuously hanging there in a corner. I picked it up and headed to the fitting room. To my surprise, the A-line dress was a nice fit and fuss free, I had to get this. Went home and tried various combi.
First look, matched with a classic blue cardigan from Global Work.
Second look, which is my prefered choice for summer. Matched with my old Zara Green cardigan! I couldnt thank Zara enough for stocking this green! It was perfect colour for me!
Somehow this combi reminds me of Paris, Kate space? Couldnt decide the shade of my heels to go with. Prob red huh.
Well, that's all for now. Dont think you will be interested in my new iPad purchase anyway.
1st Stop: @Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren, Times Square, CWB
This is where I can get all things casual such as denim and Ts, and shorts etc.
Also couldnt resist the checkered blue top and the turquoise blue top. Reminds me of heading to the beach! Matched it with my hat purchased in Seoul few years back, perfect!
I got more excited when I saw the navy blue white strip top, as well as the shaded blue scarf! It's actually not a summer wear, at least I dont think the material is. I think its more spring but hell, we dont have cool spring in Hong Kong. Only good for days I know I will be in the mall whole day where the aircon can freeze your arse off. The heat is already killing me now. Again, matched with my old blue uniqlo pants.
Pink is a rare color in my wardrobe though my mum thinks I look nice in them. Blue is predominantly my shade, at least these past months. The sales recommended this pink checkered opaque top, an underlayer is required for those who dont want to "share" views of their expensive lacy bra. hahaha! I decided to drag out my denim shorts purchased in Japan last year @Daiba outlet. Bought it solely for that sewn on patch. Lol! Viola! It worked!
Next was the unexpected red strip sleeveless dress! I love dresses but tend not to wear the cotton stretch coz of my fat belly. However this had a lovely fit and it wrap nicely without being too clingy to the waistline. I paired it with my old MM denim jacket, tied the scarf and yeah, time to hit the town! It worked nicely with my white casual jacket too, paired with light pink scarf.
2nd stop: Global work@WTC, CWB
A sucker for Japanese clothing. I have been looking for lightweight, airy cardigan and found it in here. Buttonless and loosely fit with 3/4 sleeve length. Found a nice light grey cotton pants, with foldable hems, 3/4 in length. Thought it went well with my new red shoes, or gold heels. Yeah, a look recreated based on a Japanese mag.
I have been hunting for a khaki brown short for a long time, a length that actually isnt too short (overly short stuff makes my thighs look extremely unflattering, too old to carry it off too.) I managed to find it @Global Work. Loved the airy blue summer top too! Good for those days you didnt want your top to cling on to you. Have lovely embroidery at the bottom.
After my pink checkered top, I spotted this orange stripped blouse. As per before, an underlayer is required if you dont want people to see the outline of your bra. Decided to try a different look with 3/4 jeans. Good for casual dates! I havent worn my sandals since my wedding, so I thought I will try it out. Not bad alternative to the red.
3rd Stop: Zero Halliburton@Harvey Nicholas, Pacific Place
Was seriously getting fedup with my crappy Rimowa aluminum luggage. Firstly, the wheels fell apart. Secondly the flaps inside came apart. Thirdly, the water from the aircraft holding seeped into my bag and everything inside got completely wet (as if it was dunked into a pool!). The other polycarbon model is also constantly falling apart at the wheels and flap within, though no water seepage yet since they dont get dented.
The problem is that I have to lugged the freaking Rimowa myself to the service center instead of being able to leave it at the counters. So inconvenient. The point is, Rimowa, you suck!
I went looking at Samsonite but tried their zip, not exactly "smooth" for the large size. We had the small Aerial small cabin size bag and liked it. However when its larger, ehe handles felt funny for their Aerial and Cube series. Colour (apart from Aerial blue) wasnt that spectacular either.
We were just browsing and spotted this lovely bright blue bag. I am giving zip a chance, and this is cheaper than Rimowa's pricing. For some reason, the lady here was able to give me 15% straight off. The counter they had at Sogo CWB did not, only offered 10% off, with 5% off if i have sogo card. Strange...so I ended up buying it off the lady at Harvey as she had always been very nice and friendly thrice now, even when we didnt buy anything the forst 2 times.
4th stop: Maud Frizon Shoes@ WTC, CWB
Yesterday, I put on my Charles & Keith heels and headed out for my class. Less than 50steps, the materials on the heels started to disintegrate with every step I took. OMG! Had to throw my old heels away and grab something else. So that means I had to replace my heels. Threw 1 bought 4. A woman's shopping logic! hahaha!
Sms my man who was hard at work in Shanghai,
Me: "Bled your wallet today."
Reply: "Noooooooo!!"
Hahahahaha!
I never knew MF shoes fit me so well. Yes, there are half sizes here. I love the white floral theme sandal so I could not put it down. Had an exact old pump like the above but it worn out after repeated wear, so I had to restock the same look. Next was the blue strip wedges. I never had blue strip shoes before, least of all wedges. They were comfy to my surprise!
The last pair was the red shoes with a floral bow at the front. In one of the pictures above. Well, I couldnt resist the fiery red. Getting bored with all my black and brown heels.
5th Stop: iBlues, Times Square, CWB
I dropped in not expecting to buy anything. I was dressed in my worst, and carrying groceries. However, the sales remained ever polite and helpful, without any hint of disdain for a "poor looking" customer like me.
I paused at a crop sleeve top and she immediately went to the store and grabbed 2 other shades. Oooo...I like that pink and grey polka dots. So I was happy to try it. The sales offered to place my bulky stuff away so that I could be more relaxed.
Next thing I knew, I saw this white dress, innocuously hanging there in a corner. I picked it up and headed to the fitting room. To my surprise, the A-line dress was a nice fit and fuss free, I had to get this. Went home and tried various combi.
First look, matched with a classic blue cardigan from Global Work.
Somehow this combi reminds me of Paris, Kate space? Couldnt decide the shade of my heels to go with. Prob red huh.
Well, that's all for now. Dont think you will be interested in my new iPad purchase anyway.
Love my New Summer Hairstyle from AR Salon! 夏の髪型が大好き！ありがとう！！
Had my hair permed yesterday@ AR Salon (closed on Mon) (Link to add and contact).
I LOVED it!
Previously, was getting super bored with my long hair now that has flatten out. My hair was in desperate need of loving and attention after the ill-treatment over the last 3 months, esp when I was travelling to Morocco and Portugal. I really didnt gave any sh*t to my hair since I was dead tired every day...
As usual, Ito and Beedy did a wonderful job with my hair! As I told them I will be going swimming regularly this summer, they promised me my new curls wont straighten but I also have to do my part in blow drying my hair after wash (else the water weight for wet hair will pull it straight over time).
The best part is that apart from the Aprou lightweight milk moisture which I had been using, I didnt need any other hair products for the curls. (See what I mean in earlier post about NOT pushy?!!) Talk about fantastic for lazy person like me!!!
As I had finished my shampoo and I mentioned about any recommendation, Ito san gave me a Re:>>> Cool Shampoo sample. He told me to buy it ONLY if I like it. He said it's completely non drying. I havent tried it yet. However, I restock my Aprou Milk Moisture instead. I LOVE this product because it smells heavenly, really did what it promised- softening my hair, and lightweight without weighing down your hair.
Towards the end of my session, took a snap shot of the guys who had a role in making me feel top of the world like a princess:) This session, Ito did the haircut, while Beedy was in charge for the perm and wash.
Beedy recommended to try perming the curls from the eye-level for a change as the trend is heading away from the perm starting from jawline. He showed me quite a few pictures to ease my worries since I really didnt want a puff up curly hair. Beedy assured me it will be soft and natural and his words were as good as gold. The curls were really soft and had that natural wave.
Alot of my friends like my new curls.
Even the fruit stall Auntie complimented it. She could be just being polite...hahah.
Anycase, here's a shot to show my indulgence in my vanity...lol
I took a shot right after I got back from the salon.
My hair is still nice and curly despite my "abuse" to it for the next 6 hours and after dinner.
Happy! 嬉しかった！！
After reading about this poor SG mother who had her photos from her Facebook Family album misappropriated and abused for porn and internet chat sites, think I have to be very careful about the self portrait shots that one placed on the internet from now on. Not that I think I will be that "lucky" but better to be safe than sorry.
I LOVED it!
Previously, was getting super bored with my long hair now that has flatten out. My hair was in desperate need of loving and attention after the ill-treatment over the last 3 months, esp when I was travelling to Morocco and Portugal. I really didnt gave any sh*t to my hair since I was dead tired every day...
As usual, Ito and Beedy did a wonderful job with my hair! As I told them I will be going swimming regularly this summer, they promised me my new curls wont straighten but I also have to do my part in blow drying my hair after wash (else the water weight for wet hair will pull it straight over time).
The best part is that apart from the Aprou lightweight milk moisture which I had been using, I didnt need any other hair products for the curls. (See what I mean in earlier post about NOT pushy?!!) Talk about fantastic for lazy person like me!!!
As I had finished my shampoo and I mentioned about any recommendation, Ito san gave me a Re:>>> Cool Shampoo sample. He told me to buy it ONLY if I like it. He said it's completely non drying. I havent tried it yet. However, I restock my Aprou Milk Moisture instead. I LOVE this product because it smells heavenly, really did what it promised- softening my hair, and lightweight without weighing down your hair.
Towards the end of my session, took a snap shot of the guys who had a role in making me feel top of the world like a princess:) This session, Ito did the haircut, while Beedy was in charge for the perm and wash.
Beedy recommended to try perming the curls from the eye-level for a change as the trend is heading away from the perm starting from jawline. He showed me quite a few pictures to ease my worries since I really didnt want a puff up curly hair. Beedy assured me it will be soft and natural and his words were as good as gold. The curls were really soft and had that natural wave.
 |
| Guys hard at work! (Left: Beedy with a smile, Right: Ito in full concentration) |
Alot of my friends like my new curls.
Even the fruit stall Auntie complimented it. She could be just being polite...hahah.
Anycase, here's a shot to show my indulgence in my vanity...lol
I took a shot right after I got back from the salon.
Happy! 嬉しかった！！
An encounter with UK tax officer...
A UK friend of ours was sharing his bad experience with his UK tax officer. They misdirected his tax return with all his private info (address +$$) to another person. The person was nice enough to call him up to inform him.
When our friend called up the tax office to complain about THEIR oversight (nasty stuff may happen if the info fell into the wrong hands), the UK tax officer retorted "WHAT?! You are SOOOOOO PERFECT that you have never made a mistake in your life?"
My UK friend was speechless...
If this happens to any Singaporean right now, you can be sure they will be screaming for blood and murder over Temasek Review or media platform...
When our friend called up the tax office to complain about THEIR oversight (nasty stuff may happen if the info fell into the wrong hands), the UK tax officer retorted "WHAT?! You are SOOOOOO PERFECT that you have never made a mistake in your life?"
My UK friend was speechless...
If this happens to any Singaporean right now, you can be sure they will be screaming for blood and murder over Temasek Review or media platform...
Friend said "Hey let's meet up when you are back in Sg."
I said "Let's see if the train breaks down..."
Friend laughed and said "Trains only break down during peak hours"
I said "Really? I dont trust it. Hahaha"
Never thought there will come a day I will be having this conversation about Singapore public transportation...?!?!!
I said "Let's see if the train breaks down..."
Friend laughed and said "Trains only break down during peak hours"
I said "Really? I dont trust it. Hahaha"
Never thought there will come a day I will be having this conversation about Singapore public transportation...?!?!!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Crimson Logic SG Helpdesk, YOU SUCK!
The helpdesk agents @Crimson Logic in Singapore who are assigned to my case ARE ALL FUCKWITS. SERIOUSLY EMPTY HEADED ROBOTIC FUCKWITS WITH NO TECHNICAL SKILLS. It's like they have this instruction manual to only repeat "standard" solutions from there without having to use their brains.
After 1 month, not only they couldnt solve my problems, they even have the fucking balls to email "Can u send screen capture so that we can help you." I already DID YOU FKING MORONS, WEEKS BACK!!!GO CHECK YOUR EMAIL RECORDS!!!"
You see, I have been having problems trying to access SINGPASS.GOV.SG website. Everytime I access the URL DIRECTLY, the site shows a blank page and finally the "taking too long to response error."
I tried everything from Win 7 to Mac system, from IE, Firefox, Safari to Google Chrome and NONE of the sites work.
So I emailed Crimson Logic the fucking company who is the preferred loser's choice for our govt's e-system like IRAS. Why the govt forces its people to be reliant on ONE COMPANY for such key services is beyond me. For a COUNTRY that is so proud to be fucking fast speed connected, the company they employed seemed to be living in caveman times for their helpdesk.
After 1 freaking months of bouncing here and there, all they did was to tell me this
CLogic: Please clear cache.
Me: Cache is always cleared, does not work. I have even tried turned off firewall, NV, pop-up disabler, added trusted sites, nothing works.I am using Win 7 and Mac and brand new ipad, all connected by wifi at home and I'm having problems with them all. However I have no problems with other website sites like e-citizen, IRAS etc. Just Singpass.
CLogic: Please add trusted site
Me: (sighing at the instruction which OBVIOUSLY did not read my email) Yes added, still do not work. Come one guys, you can do better than this. Sent my email screen capture.
CLogic: Please contact the agency you are trying to connect to singpass from.
Me: (Getting fedup). Look guys, I am connecting to your website directly. SINGPASS.GOV.SG.
There is no agency redirecting from!!!! can you guys please escalate to your 2nd tier engineer?
CLogic: Please add to trusted sites. Please send us your screen capture.
Me: (Pissed off) I ALREADY DID! GO CHECK YOUR EMAIL RECORDS!!!
Finally, I did my online search, turned off my wireless and plugged my cable direct,viola!
It worked! NONE OF THESE AGENTS even realised that the router might be blocking it, despite that I had told them I am using wi-fi to connect. Brillant, just brillant. None of these people who mans these service uses wi-fi at home to even know such problems exists. Thanks to other online users and NO THANKS to these paid Crimson Logic losers. They should be PAYING ME to resolve the problem. Granted I didnt solve how to undo the router block but at least I know how to bypass the problem. Those GOONS didnt. So anyone who knows what to set in my Sapido router will be good.
CRIMSON LOGIC HELPDESK, YOU FUCKING SUCK BIG TIME JUST LIKE OUR SMRT TRAIN SYSTEM THAT IS FULL OF DEFECTS AND ILL SUITED PEOPLE TO DO THE JOB!!!
Normally I would refrain from cursing at helpdesk services but in this case, I have enough and especially this helpdesk is manning a service for the SINGPASS service which I am FORCED TO USE. It's not optional, which compounds to my hatred and anger. Christ, I havent been angry for years!
Reminded me once again why I left the IT industry because it is choked with alot of useless people "supposedly" to be working on problems to help non -IT people.
After 1 month, not only they couldnt solve my problems, they even have the fucking balls to email "Can u send screen capture so that we can help you." I already DID YOU FKING MORONS, WEEKS BACK!!!GO CHECK YOUR EMAIL RECORDS!!!"
You see, I have been having problems trying to access SINGPASS.GOV.SG website. Everytime I access the URL DIRECTLY, the site shows a blank page and finally the "taking too long to response error."
I tried everything from Win 7 to Mac system, from IE, Firefox, Safari to Google Chrome and NONE of the sites work.
So I emailed Crimson Logic the fucking company who is the preferred loser's choice for our govt's e-system like IRAS. Why the govt forces its people to be reliant on ONE COMPANY for such key services is beyond me. For a COUNTRY that is so proud to be fucking fast speed connected, the company they employed seemed to be living in caveman times for their helpdesk.
After 1 freaking months of bouncing here and there, all they did was to tell me this
CLogic: Please clear cache.
Me: Cache is always cleared, does not work. I have even tried turned off firewall, NV, pop-up disabler, added trusted sites, nothing works.I am using Win 7 and Mac and brand new ipad, all connected by wifi at home and I'm having problems with them all. However I have no problems with other website sites like e-citizen, IRAS etc. Just Singpass.
CLogic: Please add trusted site
Me: (sighing at the instruction which OBVIOUSLY did not read my email) Yes added, still do not work. Come one guys, you can do better than this. Sent my email screen capture.
CLogic: Please contact the agency you are trying to connect to singpass from.
Me: (Getting fedup). Look guys, I am connecting to your website directly. SINGPASS.GOV.SG.
There is no agency redirecting from!!!! can you guys please escalate to your 2nd tier engineer?
CLogic: Please add to trusted sites. Please send us your screen capture.
Me: (Pissed off) I ALREADY DID! GO CHECK YOUR EMAIL RECORDS!!!
Finally, I did my online search, turned off my wireless and plugged my cable direct,viola!
It worked! NONE OF THESE AGENTS even realised that the router might be blocking it, despite that I had told them I am using wi-fi to connect. Brillant, just brillant. None of these people who mans these service uses wi-fi at home to even know such problems exists. Thanks to other online users and NO THANKS to these paid Crimson Logic losers. They should be PAYING ME to resolve the problem. Granted I didnt solve how to undo the router block but at least I know how to bypass the problem. Those GOONS didnt. So anyone who knows what to set in my Sapido router will be good.
CRIMSON LOGIC HELPDESK, YOU FUCKING SUCK BIG TIME JUST LIKE OUR SMRT TRAIN SYSTEM THAT IS FULL OF DEFECTS AND ILL SUITED PEOPLE TO DO THE JOB!!!
Normally I would refrain from cursing at helpdesk services but in this case, I have enough and especially this helpdesk is manning a service for the SINGPASS service which I am FORCED TO USE. It's not optional, which compounds to my hatred and anger. Christ, I havent been angry for years!
Reminded me once again why I left the IT industry because it is choked with alot of useless people "supposedly" to be working on problems to help non -IT people.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
生活雜記
所謂的美好友誼，我很幸運的在我人生中，結識了幾位。
有些人，可能一輩子就唯有老伴孩子是她／他的一生，他／她的唯一的精神寄託和支柱了。
但我在香港，在一個人生地不熟的地方，拜PG公司所賜，卻讓我在這兒很幸運的，也很難得的交上了位知心朋友。
說實在的，人生旅途上，誇口談得來的朋友可以很多，但是稱得上是真正能惺惺相惜，無所不談的又能很正面交流的友人，感嘆真的不多。
人生的未來有太多人，事，物，不是我們能主宰或預想得到的。
回憶可以是永恆，但關於人，不是每一位都可以化為一輩子的知心友。
不就有句耳熟能詳的經典句「天下沒有不散的筵席」嗎？
這就是所謂的人生教誨吧。
所以我很珍惜每一段得來不易的友誼。
曾經一起上班
曾經一起遊玩
曾經一起抱怨
曾經一起等待我們人生的“下一站幸福”
時間飛逝，有些人，可能她或他已經不是那麼好的朋友了。
話也沒那麼多了。
緣份也也許到了莫名的盡頭。
但是輿她那「曾經的曾經」換來的就是那些以往的美好回憶，是閉上眼都能會心一笑的回憶。
但是，未來的回憶還是要繼續創造的。
所以對於那些還圍繞者我的知己，讓我意識到我很幸福。
昨天，和友人慶生。
雨隨風飛
但與Dear Dear一起吃飯聊天，果然依舊是件最開心的事！
就算外頭下著再大的豪雨，也絲毫不影響漂亮的心情。
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Exhausted after being back
After my trip to Morocco and Portugal, been totally exhausted and not wanting to do anything at all. All I wanted and had been doing was to sleep day in and day out, with exception to time devoted to laundry, groceries and cooking.
Finally finished loading and sorting the photos, they would be up the next few days when I am in the mood..lol.
Morocco was honestly the singular most disappointing and boring trip ever. It's so far down that even comparing it as a poor cousin to Istanbul is being overly kind. The place really had nothing interesting to offer, food is blah, and the quality of air is horrendous unless you are up in the mountains. We were in Marrakech and heaven knows what is the hype. Nothing exotic, nothing interesting.
Portugal on the otherhand was unexpectedly fun, enjoyable and tiring! We were exhausted at the end of everyday from all the walks. Straight on pounding the streets for solid over 10+hours everyday without much break. Every inch of my body was aching by the last night and I was too exhausted and spent to even sum up any appetite to eat anything!!! Lisbon was amazing, primarily I love all the little things and history that comes along with the place. I didnt even have time to finish or rather cover alot of the major sights in a week!
Portugal is a quaint and lovely place that is deserving of a return trip. Did I mention how awesome and fantastic some of their food were? It's honestly good and apart from Denmark, this place had great food which is at some point strangely similar to Asian food. Or maybe we had port it over during those years they had dominated Asia? Portuguese tart....yum yum...more about that later.
Finally finished loading and sorting the photos, they would be up the next few days when I am in the mood..lol.
Morocco was honestly the singular most disappointing and boring trip ever. It's so far down that even comparing it as a poor cousin to Istanbul is being overly kind. The place really had nothing interesting to offer, food is blah, and the quality of air is horrendous unless you are up in the mountains. We were in Marrakech and heaven knows what is the hype. Nothing exotic, nothing interesting.
Portugal on the otherhand was unexpectedly fun, enjoyable and tiring! We were exhausted at the end of everyday from all the walks. Straight on pounding the streets for solid over 10+hours everyday without much break. Every inch of my body was aching by the last night and I was too exhausted and spent to even sum up any appetite to eat anything!!! Lisbon was amazing, primarily I love all the little things and history that comes along with the place. I didnt even have time to finish or rather cover alot of the major sights in a week!
Portugal is a quaint and lovely place that is deserving of a return trip. Did I mention how awesome and fantastic some of their food were? It's honestly good and apart from Denmark, this place had great food which is at some point strangely similar to Asian food. Or maybe we had port it over during those years they had dominated Asia? Portuguese tart....yum yum...more about that later.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Just when I thought the conversation about his mum's death was over, 2 days later my ex decided to text me to continue (note, not continue off) the watsapp thread we had. Now, let me see how did the last conversation ended? Well, it went like
Ex: I think I will move back once I sell my biz here in China.Been telling my mum everyyear I will be moving back but now she's gone. It's too late.
Me: At least you can still keep your dad company. Not too late for that. You should be looking fwd to moving back then.
Ex: Yeah.
So with that, I didnt think there was much more to say and I left it at that and went back to mugging my Jap.
Then today he decided to start the conversation again out of nowhere
Ex: I guess I have been away too long. Dont miss much.
Took me a while to recall where that line come back and had to scoll back. Honestly, didnt really want to continue the chat. Have better things to do like studying for my Jap test. Still, felt a little obliged to reply so I kinda did a quick reply.
Me: Well, I dont miss the place SG persay since I like living in HK alot. However, it's the people that you will miss, the little things you will regret like missing out on spending time with your frens & family, personally I regret not seeing my nephews growing up. I have basically missed their entire childhood and that's something I think I will sorely miss since I will never have another chance with that. So, yeah, maybe its good for you to create more memories with your family back in SG before you completely miss the chance of making up for lost time.
Ex: Yeah true. I am just glad I made it back in time for my mum before she died. Maybe I should have moved back earlier.
Me: Yeah that's good. Well, at least u are there. For me, I hope to spend more time with my mum. Then again, it will always be a balancing act for me since my husband will also like to spend more time with his parents when they get older. So I guess we just have to shuttle between SG and Australia more in the future. But I guess it's easier since I dont have kids to worry about.
Ex: Oo Australia is far. Tough.
Me: Yeah.
Ex: Did I tell u my grandma died?
Me: Yeah
Ex: I am waiting for my daughter to drop. Like literally. waiting for her to be born now.
Me: in SG?
Ex: Guangzhou. Private hospital
Me: Oh!
Ex: Last time only took 30mins for my son, this time more difficult birth.
This is the time when I think to myself, I really dont need the details. I really dont have to know if your wife, the bf stealer, is having a tough labor or not.
Sigh...............
Really dont want to continue this thread. Honestly, I dont even know why he is sharing this moment with me. Go call your sister or father or something. Damn...why do I always somehow walk into a situation where I rather not be at.However, courtesy got the better of me and so after 5mins of silence, I decided to reply
Me: Your daughter is just doing the princessly arrival. They will be fine.
Ex: Did I tell you my sister 2 boys?
Great...more details...let's get it done and over with.
Me: Nope didnt know Sharon had kids. Great. Your parents must be happy.
Ex: Show you the pixs.
Next thing I know, my hp got flooded with tons of his family pictures, his parents, Sharon's kids etc.
Awww man!!! At least he has the decency to not send me any of his wife.
Ex: Just few weeks ago, I was watching my mum die. Now I am waiting for a new born life to begin.
No answer to that one.
Anycase, I just quickly glanced thru the pictures and what stunned me the most was how much his parents had aged over the 12 years since I last saw them. Ghee-es! His dad had practically shriveled into this small fragile old man. Shock was an understatement. Suddenly, looking at his parents shots, I really missed my mum. A little worried too?
It's not that I dont know she is getting old. However, knowing is different from feeling. The brain is somehow disconnected with the heart sometimes. Looking at someone's else parents looking old is scary. It's like a reality jolt like "How much more time I will get to spend with my mum before her health deteriorate? What other things I think she want to do?" Arrrggghhhh...
When I was wondering about it, my ex told me the baby had arrived. He was still sending me pixs until I told him he should go keep his wife and new born company. He didnt get the hint. Finally, he sent me his baby girl's photo.
Didnt know what to say. Canx say she is cute. New newborn are never cute. They just look like any other baby. So just said congrats, now he has somehow to celebrate birthday together with in March being few days apart and told him to GO.
Think he finally got the idea.
Ex: I think I will move back once I sell my biz here in China.Been telling my mum everyyear I will be moving back but now she's gone. It's too late.
Me: At least you can still keep your dad company. Not too late for that. You should be looking fwd to moving back then.
Ex: Yeah.
So with that, I didnt think there was much more to say and I left it at that and went back to mugging my Jap.
Then today he decided to start the conversation again out of nowhere
Ex: I guess I have been away too long. Dont miss much.
Took me a while to recall where that line come back and had to scoll back. Honestly, didnt really want to continue the chat. Have better things to do like studying for my Jap test. Still, felt a little obliged to reply so I kinda did a quick reply.
Me: Well, I dont miss the place SG persay since I like living in HK alot. However, it's the people that you will miss, the little things you will regret like missing out on spending time with your frens & family, personally I regret not seeing my nephews growing up. I have basically missed their entire childhood and that's something I think I will sorely miss since I will never have another chance with that. So, yeah, maybe its good for you to create more memories with your family back in SG before you completely miss the chance of making up for lost time.
Ex: Yeah true. I am just glad I made it back in time for my mum before she died. Maybe I should have moved back earlier.
Me: Yeah that's good. Well, at least u are there. For me, I hope to spend more time with my mum. Then again, it will always be a balancing act for me since my husband will also like to spend more time with his parents when they get older. So I guess we just have to shuttle between SG and Australia more in the future. But I guess it's easier since I dont have kids to worry about.
Ex: Oo Australia is far. Tough.
Me: Yeah.
Ex: Did I tell u my grandma died?
Me: Yeah
Ex: I am waiting for my daughter to drop. Like literally. waiting for her to be born now.
Me: in SG?
Ex: Guangzhou. Private hospital
Me: Oh!
Ex: Last time only took 30mins for my son, this time more difficult birth.
This is the time when I think to myself, I really dont need the details. I really dont have to know if your wife, the bf stealer, is having a tough labor or not.
Sigh...............
Really dont want to continue this thread. Honestly, I dont even know why he is sharing this moment with me. Go call your sister or father or something. Damn...why do I always somehow walk into a situation where I rather not be at.However, courtesy got the better of me and so after 5mins of silence, I decided to reply
Me: Your daughter is just doing the princessly arrival. They will be fine.
Ex: Did I tell you my sister 2 boys?
Great...more details...let's get it done and over with.
Me: Nope didnt know Sharon had kids. Great. Your parents must be happy.
Ex: Show you the pixs.
Next thing I know, my hp got flooded with tons of his family pictures, his parents, Sharon's kids etc.
Awww man!!! At least he has the decency to not send me any of his wife.
Ex: Just few weeks ago, I was watching my mum die. Now I am waiting for a new born life to begin.
No answer to that one.
Anycase, I just quickly glanced thru the pictures and what stunned me the most was how much his parents had aged over the 12 years since I last saw them. Ghee-es! His dad had practically shriveled into this small fragile old man. Shock was an understatement. Suddenly, looking at his parents shots, I really missed my mum. A little worried too?
It's not that I dont know she is getting old. However, knowing is different from feeling. The brain is somehow disconnected with the heart sometimes. Looking at someone's else parents looking old is scary. It's like a reality jolt like "How much more time I will get to spend with my mum before her health deteriorate? What other things I think she want to do?" Arrrggghhhh...
When I was wondering about it, my ex told me the baby had arrived. He was still sending me pixs until I told him he should go keep his wife and new born company. He didnt get the hint. Finally, he sent me his baby girl's photo.
Didnt know what to say. Canx say she is cute. New newborn are never cute. They just look like any other baby. So just said congrats, now he has somehow to celebrate birthday together with in March being few days apart and told him to GO.
Think he finally got the idea.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
A little shocking news
Was a little shocked a while ago. My ex just told me his mum passed away last week.
Even though I had never liked her in the years we were together and she was a real mean bitch to me, yet, I didnt expect myself to be surprised at the news of her death, but I was. Maybe coz my mum and in laws are still relatively healthy and all...so I still havent reach the stage of thinking of anyone's parents passing.
I think back about those long years I knew her, or rather barely knew her, I couldnt think of anything nice about her. She was always snotty, grumpy and always silent. The only times she said anything was to her husband. I told him I was sorry to hear about her passing but I cannot truly say I felt any loss, unlike the passing of his grandmother several years ago coz the lady was nice to me.
His mum wasnt that old really but apparently she had acute liver failure and he told me she had to struggle 8 days before her passing.
Such is life....you never know when God decides to take you back to his side.
We chatted abit more, about his plans to sell his China business and about moving back to SG. He was abit down that he didnt get to do it in time to spend more time with his mum. Never knew he was that close to his mum, but that was decades ago. I dont even know the him now. He's different. Hard to put a finger to what is different, just not the sort of person I thought he will become. Maybe that's why destiny had us go separate ways for a reason.
Anyway, with his mum gone, makes me want to go back home and spend more time with my mum. Life is so short. By the time someone leaves u for good, it will be too late to regret not spending enough time with them. We can lament about not having enough time, or who irritates who, but really, you will wish u still get to argue with them than not having a chance to.
Even though I had never liked her in the years we were together and she was a real mean bitch to me, yet, I didnt expect myself to be surprised at the news of her death, but I was. Maybe coz my mum and in laws are still relatively healthy and all...so I still havent reach the stage of thinking of anyone's parents passing.
I think back about those long years I knew her, or rather barely knew her, I couldnt think of anything nice about her. She was always snotty, grumpy and always silent. The only times she said anything was to her husband. I told him I was sorry to hear about her passing but I cannot truly say I felt any loss, unlike the passing of his grandmother several years ago coz the lady was nice to me.
His mum wasnt that old really but apparently she had acute liver failure and he told me she had to struggle 8 days before her passing.
Such is life....you never know when God decides to take you back to his side.
We chatted abit more, about his plans to sell his China business and about moving back to SG. He was abit down that he didnt get to do it in time to spend more time with his mum. Never knew he was that close to his mum, but that was decades ago. I dont even know the him now. He's different. Hard to put a finger to what is different, just not the sort of person I thought he will become. Maybe that's why destiny had us go separate ways for a reason.
Anyway, with his mum gone, makes me want to go back home and spend more time with my mum. Life is so short. By the time someone leaves u for good, it will be too late to regret not spending enough time with them. We can lament about not having enough time, or who irritates who, but really, you will wish u still get to argue with them than not having a chance to.
Hourly rate in HK
How much is the hourly rate in Singapore say in a food cafe? I just found out in Hk, you are paid about HK$40/hour with meals provided.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
An interesting day out on and about...
The problem with buying some of the Suunto watches is that it is a bloody pain in the arse to get the thing fixed, such as changing the battery.
Apparently Suunto watches comes in the Diving range and the sports range, which are serviced by 2 different set of authorised people. I didnt know that of course until today when I went to Pro Dive shop @ Wanchai (127 Lockhart road) and the very nice lady there told me.
It was driving me mad, having to run to various places looking to get get it fixed. The lady at Pro Dive was very very helpful and offered to check where I can bring it to get it fixed. She got the number and allowed me to use her landline to make the call. Finally when I got through, she took down the address and whipped out her street directory to try to help me locate the new at Kwun Tong.
Her service level despite me not being a customer was amazing. I felt so taken care of and honestly, grateful is understatement. In the midst of all that, the shop had 2 bulldogs strolling around. For some reason, they decided that they like me alot after a quick sniff and hung around me. Being a dog lover, I naturally give them a good pat. The bigger bulldog didnt want to share my affection and bullied the smaller dog away. So I stopped. It's either both or nothing. So the big fellow realised that he wasnt gonna get any more scratchies and lumbered away. The smaller fellow was still next to me and as I started to scratch his top, he decided he liked me enough to plonk himself down and flip over for me to scratch his belly! Talk about not being shy!! I just knew you barely 2mins buddy! Lol! he looked so contented that I hate to stop.
After like 15mins or so, I was finally set to leave. However, being a scuba dive and snorkel shop, I decided to do a quick browse. To my amazement, they were selling rashies for Hk50!!! What a freaking steal!!! I tried a couple and finally bought the Roxy rashie since it was the only one right for me. The shop had a good range of diving suits, gears and accessories. I didnt realise they had such a good stock here! Would have bought it here instead of Australia if I had known...
So from Wanchai, I headed down to Kwun Tong.
I havent been there since 2006, not since my last job required the shop visit for our brand new cosmetic flagship store then @apm (which is closed now!)
However, the place i was heading to was not APM, it was some factory like building at Lu plaza at Wing Yip street. When I got there, I realised it was the service center for Victorinox. So they serviced Suunto watches here as well.
While waiting, this old HK guy in his 50s or 60s asked to have his watch strap replaced. The whole conversation was in cantonese of course but I will narrate it in English.
"How much is it to change it to a leather strap?" He asked
"Sorry, this model does not come with a leather strap, only the plastic strap" the service lady politely replied.
"No, this HAS a leather strap. I am sure." He said.
The service lady politely asked him to wait as she consult the repair tech at the back. She came back and again politely replied to the customer "I'm sorry but the tech confirmed this model do not come with a leather strap."
Now, one can tell the old guy was annoyed but he didnt have to shout or be unpleasant. However what he said in a long drawn tone that mirrored someone trying to be patient. He goes :"I am telling you this watch comes with a leather strap. I own this watch for years, would I not know my own watch model? If you dont have stock, or you stop carrying the strap, please just say so and I wont argue with you, but PLEASE do NOT try to correct me that this model do not have leather strap when I am telling you it does."
The lady seeing him so adamant, went to check the catalogue. It turned out that the old chap was right! The watch did come with a leather strap, just that HK itself didnt carry the leather strap for the model. The lady apologised politely, and the old guy also didnt persist on or become smug. He merely accepted he was right all along, that needed no further attention to the point made.
What I had wanted to point out here was simple - good attitude on both ends.
The guy could have raised his voice being irate at being right but told he was wrong, or the lady could have just ignored him rather than proactively went to check the catalogue. And when it turned out the customer was right, he didnt try to shame her or make her feel inadequate. If only all transactions could be done this way, without having to test the patience of both parties.
After a good 45mins wait, I could leave with both my watches. As I walked towards APM, I found myself in a completely different environment from Causeway bay. Indeed, people smoked here along the streets at every corner which is very infrequent at Causeway bay where I lived. I dont recall having to evade much smokers or having to hold my breadth much here but obviously over here in Kwun Tong, the more industrial estate, its a different kind of HK scene here. I had to chuckle when I walked past this building under renovation and the workers were blasting the ABBA song "Money money money". Quite funny...
In APM, I headed off for a late lunch at 4pm. Went to Menya Musashi for pork belly ramen. It was quite decent actually. Again, I have to point out the attentive service. You see, I walked in with my scarf round my neck. When I was shown to the counter seat, I was about to take the one nearest to me when the serving staff paused and asked me while offering the other seat closer to him, "Do you want this seat instead because it will be less cold. I see that you have your scarf on, so you may not like that seat so much." I was impressed at his consideration of course and took his offer. I was about to move my heavy backpack from the other chair to the floor after I settled down but he told me I didnt have to since the place wasnt busy. Nice!
While wondering what to eat, I asked him what was the different between the "white" and "black" soup option. He recommended the white and I went along with it. While waiting, he came over to tell me the bowl that the chef was cooking was mine and it will be ready soon. After I finished my meal, he also came over to inquired how was my meal and if the "white" base soup was to my liking afterall. It's all those little touches and consideration that really makes me appreciate the top notch service level here as compared to Singapore. Maybe Singapore should start hiring more HK people in our retail sector rather than mainlanders and whatever non local. Afterall, these HK people seemed better trained...
After lunch, I headed off to Taiko Shing to buy dinner. I havent been to Xiyan for a long while. When I got out of Taikoo station, I realised I didnt have their address. LUCKILY for me, nowadays, selected HK MTR seemed to have free internet stations installed before you exit the gantry. So I went over and googled the address. How perfectly convenient!!! Do Singapore have this free internet kiosk in our MRT station? i dont think so right? See, another reason where public service in HK is ahead of Singapore.
At Taikoo Shing, it's like I am transported to another different part of HK. The place here was rather serene, and quiet and very neighbourly. It kind of reminded me of Singapore estate in the 1980s before all the gigantic facelift and overhaul. It has a sense of close community to it. I really like it here and I actually felt relaxed here in the middle of HK. The birds were chirping. yes. indeed. the birds. I realised too there is a new hotel EAST which I havent noticed before.
I board the train and headed back to Causeway bay. Transported back to the most crowded city on HK isl with tons of human traffic on the road. I guess I traded the tranquility for the convenience and constant changing of shop offerings:) I didnt mind since living here, accessibility is utmost importance to me.
Yet, my little "excursion" today truly reaffirm what I suspected for a while, that different parts of HK has different set of people, behavior, dressing, culture and lifestyle. Unlike Singapore where people in the North, West and East do not differ much, I see a pretty drastic different between Kwun Tong, Taikoo and Causeway Bay alone, and I;m not even talking about dressing. Interesting. perhaps that is why my fren living in Hon Hum hated living in HK and bitching about it, while I am totally happy and seeing thing differently while living in Causeway bay. Maybe I am surrounded by the affluent HK people living here from expats to local, so the "behavior" is somewhat less Hong Kongish?
Apparently Suunto watches comes in the Diving range and the sports range, which are serviced by 2 different set of authorised people. I didnt know that of course until today when I went to Pro Dive shop @ Wanchai (127 Lockhart road) and the very nice lady there told me.
It was driving me mad, having to run to various places looking to get get it fixed. The lady at Pro Dive was very very helpful and offered to check where I can bring it to get it fixed. She got the number and allowed me to use her landline to make the call. Finally when I got through, she took down the address and whipped out her street directory to try to help me locate the new at Kwun Tong.
Her service level despite me not being a customer was amazing. I felt so taken care of and honestly, grateful is understatement. In the midst of all that, the shop had 2 bulldogs strolling around. For some reason, they decided that they like me alot after a quick sniff and hung around me. Being a dog lover, I naturally give them a good pat. The bigger bulldog didnt want to share my affection and bullied the smaller dog away. So I stopped. It's either both or nothing. So the big fellow realised that he wasnt gonna get any more scratchies and lumbered away. The smaller fellow was still next to me and as I started to scratch his top, he decided he liked me enough to plonk himself down and flip over for me to scratch his belly! Talk about not being shy!! I just knew you barely 2mins buddy! Lol! he looked so contented that I hate to stop.
After like 15mins or so, I was finally set to leave. However, being a scuba dive and snorkel shop, I decided to do a quick browse. To my amazement, they were selling rashies for Hk50!!! What a freaking steal!!! I tried a couple and finally bought the Roxy rashie since it was the only one right for me. The shop had a good range of diving suits, gears and accessories. I didnt realise they had such a good stock here! Would have bought it here instead of Australia if I had known...
So from Wanchai, I headed down to Kwun Tong.
I havent been there since 2006, not since my last job required the shop visit for our brand new cosmetic flagship store then @apm (which is closed now!)
However, the place i was heading to was not APM, it was some factory like building at Lu plaza at Wing Yip street. When I got there, I realised it was the service center for Victorinox. So they serviced Suunto watches here as well.
While waiting, this old HK guy in his 50s or 60s asked to have his watch strap replaced. The whole conversation was in cantonese of course but I will narrate it in English.
"How much is it to change it to a leather strap?" He asked
"Sorry, this model does not come with a leather strap, only the plastic strap" the service lady politely replied.
"No, this HAS a leather strap. I am sure." He said.
The service lady politely asked him to wait as she consult the repair tech at the back. She came back and again politely replied to the customer "I'm sorry but the tech confirmed this model do not come with a leather strap."
Now, one can tell the old guy was annoyed but he didnt have to shout or be unpleasant. However what he said in a long drawn tone that mirrored someone trying to be patient. He goes :"I am telling you this watch comes with a leather strap. I own this watch for years, would I not know my own watch model? If you dont have stock, or you stop carrying the strap, please just say so and I wont argue with you, but PLEASE do NOT try to correct me that this model do not have leather strap when I am telling you it does."
The lady seeing him so adamant, went to check the catalogue. It turned out that the old chap was right! The watch did come with a leather strap, just that HK itself didnt carry the leather strap for the model. The lady apologised politely, and the old guy also didnt persist on or become smug. He merely accepted he was right all along, that needed no further attention to the point made.
What I had wanted to point out here was simple - good attitude on both ends.
The guy could have raised his voice being irate at being right but told he was wrong, or the lady could have just ignored him rather than proactively went to check the catalogue. And when it turned out the customer was right, he didnt try to shame her or make her feel inadequate. If only all transactions could be done this way, without having to test the patience of both parties.
After a good 45mins wait, I could leave with both my watches. As I walked towards APM, I found myself in a completely different environment from Causeway bay. Indeed, people smoked here along the streets at every corner which is very infrequent at Causeway bay where I lived. I dont recall having to evade much smokers or having to hold my breadth much here but obviously over here in Kwun Tong, the more industrial estate, its a different kind of HK scene here. I had to chuckle when I walked past this building under renovation and the workers were blasting the ABBA song "Money money money". Quite funny...
In APM, I headed off for a late lunch at 4pm. Went to Menya Musashi for pork belly ramen. It was quite decent actually. Again, I have to point out the attentive service. You see, I walked in with my scarf round my neck. When I was shown to the counter seat, I was about to take the one nearest to me when the serving staff paused and asked me while offering the other seat closer to him, "Do you want this seat instead because it will be less cold. I see that you have your scarf on, so you may not like that seat so much." I was impressed at his consideration of course and took his offer. I was about to move my heavy backpack from the other chair to the floor after I settled down but he told me I didnt have to since the place wasnt busy. Nice!
While wondering what to eat, I asked him what was the different between the "white" and "black" soup option. He recommended the white and I went along with it. While waiting, he came over to tell me the bowl that the chef was cooking was mine and it will be ready soon. After I finished my meal, he also came over to inquired how was my meal and if the "white" base soup was to my liking afterall. It's all those little touches and consideration that really makes me appreciate the top notch service level here as compared to Singapore. Maybe Singapore should start hiring more HK people in our retail sector rather than mainlanders and whatever non local. Afterall, these HK people seemed better trained...
After lunch, I headed off to Taiko Shing to buy dinner. I havent been to Xiyan for a long while. When I got out of Taikoo station, I realised I didnt have their address. LUCKILY for me, nowadays, selected HK MTR seemed to have free internet stations installed before you exit the gantry. So I went over and googled the address. How perfectly convenient!!! Do Singapore have this free internet kiosk in our MRT station? i dont think so right? See, another reason where public service in HK is ahead of Singapore.
At Taikoo Shing, it's like I am transported to another different part of HK. The place here was rather serene, and quiet and very neighbourly. It kind of reminded me of Singapore estate in the 1980s before all the gigantic facelift and overhaul. It has a sense of close community to it. I really like it here and I actually felt relaxed here in the middle of HK. The birds were chirping. yes. indeed. the birds. I realised too there is a new hotel EAST which I havent noticed before.
I board the train and headed back to Causeway bay. Transported back to the most crowded city on HK isl with tons of human traffic on the road. I guess I traded the tranquility for the convenience and constant changing of shop offerings:) I didnt mind since living here, accessibility is utmost importance to me.
Yet, my little "excursion" today truly reaffirm what I suspected for a while, that different parts of HK has different set of people, behavior, dressing, culture and lifestyle. Unlike Singapore where people in the North, West and East do not differ much, I see a pretty drastic different between Kwun Tong, Taikoo and Causeway Bay alone, and I;m not even talking about dressing. Interesting. perhaps that is why my fren living in Hon Hum hated living in HK and bitching about it, while I am totally happy and seeing thing differently while living in Causeway bay. Maybe I am surrounded by the affluent HK people living here from expats to local, so the "behavior" is somewhat less Hong Kongish?
Sun Xu saga, published in HK media.
Saw this article in the papers, guess even Hong Kong people now know we have an ingrate China dude Sun Xu who blasted Singaporeans as dogs. Well, obviously they didnt followup on his online swearing that we are cunts as well and that he was ready t whatever o brandish a knife to stab anyone who dare to challenge him. However, I loved how the article reminds those chinese that so call "culture" they had, were ALL DESTROYED during their cultural revolution years.
Unlike some big shot old Singapore "lawyer-author" who had the cheek to comment on our ancestors condescendingly as poor uneducated coolies migrating to South Asia to seek a better life in his published book, while praising the almighty brains remaining in China, yet I beg to differ. True, we are the descendants of manual labourers, merchants etc but we ARE the offspring of the brave, worthy and charitable. Our forefather may be poor, but without their wits and entrepreneurship, they would prob have found it hard to survive, not to mention raising their kids, leading to us now. Our forefathers, they had the right spirit, backbone and courage and not wimpy to stay behind, shamelessly waiting for others to send money back to Feed the whole village all these years even up to 1980s. I know because my father, my father in laws were still sending money for their education etc, buying white goods to the people back in China.
More importantly, the author seemed to have forgotten that it is not the "education or wealth status" that make the mark of a man. It is the intrinsic character such as integrity, honor, and backbone that makes a great man, which applies to many of our forefathers who banked on the shores many decades ago. Sure, having a good education is a boon for a good man, but those isnt everything. Do I want smart, calculative, selfish neighbors who would be first to stab me behind my back, or in my face or would I prefer honest, caring, integrating but maybe not the most brillant mind nor living next to me? The answer is pretty obvious isnt it? We want people who are rich in character, not just someone intelligent to replace us.
People seemed to forget. Those great intellects in China during the Cultural Revolution were no doubt either being sent to corrective labor, killed or they had escaped the country to Taiwan or other countries as far as Brazil as one of my Taiwanese fren's relative had. My relatives in China back then, as I was told, the family of farmers told on their relatives who were teachers so as to gain some "monetary" reward. The poor couple had to do corrective labor for many years...So imagine, if in those days, even your relatives will betray you, what sort of people are left in China after that is unthinkable, esp being left poor for so long that the sudden leap to modernization left many blatantly obnoxious in the face of wealth.
Most of the Chinese culture are thankfully left intact, thanks to us, outside of China. So China should be telling us THANK U for retaining the culture, and stop bragging about your non existent thousand years of culture. Books for burned in case one had forgotten. Plus if China is that great, most of our ancestors wont have left.
The China people shouldnt be insulting us, for the longest time, Chinese people by race out of China have been supporting and caring for people in China when they were still poor and underdeveloped decades back, hundred year back. So it gives them, the Chinese nationals no rights at all for any to insult us at all, regardless if you are on scholarship or not. Please do not become obnoxious just because your country is a rising power. Which translate, do not become the bully. It is sorely unbecoming. So what if your mandarin prowess is greater than ours, so what if your sense of poetry is more acute than ours, so what if you can spew more chinese idioms than us? So what if you can play all those chinese instruments better than us? It means nothing at all if you are ungrateful, manipulative, and opportunistic at the expense of the people who offered you a silver lining or a dream.
Back to the itchy fingers Sun Xu, do I expect any demerits or actions taken against this chap by NUS? In all honesty, no. These so call people in charge wont rock the boat nor ruffled the feathers of the apparent national on-going policy of all out china import. I dont think there's a need to revoke his scholarship but some sort of penalty such as repaying the course fee for 2 semesters would be really nice. One semester for each nasty thing he said. It would be at least a proper punishment for someone that is biting the hand that feed. Even my husband who is not a true blue Singaporean was sorely appalled and disgusted by the behaviour of this so call scholar. He asked me, why is the singapore govt spending so much money on these foreigners who obviously will never treat Sg as their real or final home? Esp with China growing economically, who will abandon their own "motherland" when they think China is the now the oriental land of dreams? Chinese people are pragmatic people. They go where the pot of gold is, and Singapore definitely is no longer the most sought after place to rest their anchor. It is prob the best spring board to other bigger nations but it will not be the final resting place for many well heeled, educated Chinese nationals. So if we just need labor force to ram up the GDP, why offer them the PR? If they want to, and proven they had contribute enough to the economy, only then should we consider their application. (You get why Australia made it sooo hard? It makes it all the more precious of course.)
Perhaps that is also why Singapore govt is importing so many "blue collar" Chinese nationals and offering them PR. For it is not the rich that will stay on, it is the "poorer" ones who really wants to better the lives of their children that will try to make it a home here in SG for them. People who are the hawkers and cleaners and what have you are the ones who will have children integrate here, esp the ones born here. It's not the good brains, (I wont say best because China will NEVER let their best out of their country to embrace another) that will stay in Singapore. Just like any well heeled professional Singaporeans that are working and residing overseas, if they are not sick of the political scene back in Sg, they probably will like to head back someday too. At least that is what I would like to do someday too. So I really dont get these no strings attached scholarship that the govt are dishing out freely, accompanied by the PR forms so readily.
Personally, I have no issue with scholarship with bonds, but completely free with no strings attached is like helping China trained and feed their kids for free. I had about 7 Asean scholars in my class back in Secondary days, and not one, NOT ONE of them stayed on in Singapore to work or to stay as citizens. They had all moved on to other western nations or returned to Malaysia. I have nothing against them at all though and I still stayed in touch with one. Did they raise the bar in class? No not really. We were all still studying on our own speed. The scholars were actually competing secretly amongst themselves and not with us the local kids actually. The fact they are all older than us means they are much more mature and "wiser" than us, esp in the studying department. Did we learn anything from them, despite our harmonious relationships, not really unless you consider tibits of their courtship life in hostel as something worthy of knowing.
Fast forward to NTU years. Do we have Chinese scholars amongst us, yes amongst us in the hostel. Do we like them, my answer is frankly NO for the Chinese living on our floor, and also in our block.
They are anti social, band amongst themselves as if we are outsiders, they never participate in any of the activities or even simple social (food/movies) events that is less than an hour. They would rather stick to themselves in their rooms, talking in Mandarin. It isnt that we didnt try to include them but rather, they were out to exclude us from their circle. In fact, the Chinese gal living next to us had her Malaysian roommate up in arms because the Chinese refused to clean her hostel room. It got really disgusting because you can see the floor clearly black and white in half. My Malaysian neighbor even complained of the stench from the chinese gal because she doesnt bathe during her period and weeks leading up to exams, she smelled fishy. Her side of the window was all blacked out from dirt, and you can see all the instant noodles overflowing from her basket without a care. She didnt care what we think either. She didnt need friends. She didnt see the need to integrate. She was just here to milk the system. In fact, I still rem clearly that some gal actually shitted on the floor in the shower area and the cleaners was shocked. We were shocked! This is definitely not the behaviour of any Singaporean, nor Malaysian. The only other foreign national was the chinese gal in our block, on our floor....Did we kick up a stinker and confront her, no we didnt. We were just disgusted and let it slide and left a notice on the door on "acceptable toilet behavior". If we are so xenophobic as some like to put it, funny how we got along beautifully with our other foreign friends, just not those from China who seem to think of us as ....? And all these was in 1995. Even then, they were so unpopular but less arrogant, haughty and frankly they wont be openly condescending for sure as those now.
The following year, I had myself a Malaysian room mate, we lived together beautifully. No kinks, no problems. She stayed on and continued working in Singapore, contributing to our economy. Oh, she wasnt paid to study here. She PAID to study here and she stayed on. So you see, you dont need to pay people to come here to study to make them stay on. If they truly liked it here, they dont need Singapore govt to entice them here. They will come. However, when you make it sooo easy for them to come, to be given PR status so readily, then they wont cherish it as they will see it as part and parcel of the deal to come here. They no longer see it as a prize, but just a mean and medium to get to their final destination, which certainly dont seemed to be Singapore these days.
Just look at those Ivy league school or even Australia schools like Monash. People are flocking there, or wants to flock there NOT because the country is dangling free carrots like free scholarship or free PR status. In fact, the school fees for foreign students are pretty high. For the Ivy leagues, the academic institution in itself is so alluring that people will PAY to go there if their grades permit. Australia wise, the country's lifestyle is so alluring that people will also PAY to go there and stay on if they life it. So you see, our govt get it so wrong. You dont get the best minds to come just via monetary bait. You get the best minds by creating an environment that is so irresistible that people are drawn here on their own like moths to the flame. And when these people come because of their OWN accord with no promises or treats, they will come with humility, respect and willingness to integrate.
The problem with Singapore varsities is their unwillingness to be transparent and open like those Ivy league. Maybe it is time for them, all the schools to publish annual reports on the student cohort statistics. Ivy leagues have set a portion of their cohort for foreign students and no one there begrudge the foreigners. They have a proper set of statistics put out there for all to see such as "the ratio of foreign students vs locals,", the ratio of scholarships of foreigners vs locals", "the % of those on finanical aid" etc etc. All these information served to keep a tight leash on the board of not over indulging themselves on foreign students fee, and keep speculation and resentment down to a minimal over the number of placements going to foreigners. I dont see why Singapore schools cannot do the same, rather than just broadcasting a "national" overall figure of foreigners in Singapore/ in Singapore schools.
Unlike some big shot old Singapore "lawyer-author" who had the cheek to comment on our ancestors condescendingly as poor uneducated coolies migrating to South Asia to seek a better life in his published book, while praising the almighty brains remaining in China, yet I beg to differ. True, we are the descendants of manual labourers, merchants etc but we ARE the offspring of the brave, worthy and charitable. Our forefather may be poor, but without their wits and entrepreneurship, they would prob have found it hard to survive, not to mention raising their kids, leading to us now. Our forefathers, they had the right spirit, backbone and courage and not wimpy to stay behind, shamelessly waiting for others to send money back to Feed the whole village all these years even up to 1980s. I know because my father, my father in laws were still sending money for their education etc, buying white goods to the people back in China.
More importantly, the author seemed to have forgotten that it is not the "education or wealth status" that make the mark of a man. It is the intrinsic character such as integrity, honor, and backbone that makes a great man, which applies to many of our forefathers who banked on the shores many decades ago. Sure, having a good education is a boon for a good man, but those isnt everything. Do I want smart, calculative, selfish neighbors who would be first to stab me behind my back, or in my face or would I prefer honest, caring, integrating but maybe not the most brillant mind nor living next to me? The answer is pretty obvious isnt it? We want people who are rich in character, not just someone intelligent to replace us.
People seemed to forget. Those great intellects in China during the Cultural Revolution were no doubt either being sent to corrective labor, killed or they had escaped the country to Taiwan or other countries as far as Brazil as one of my Taiwanese fren's relative had. My relatives in China back then, as I was told, the family of farmers told on their relatives who were teachers so as to gain some "monetary" reward. The poor couple had to do corrective labor for many years...So imagine, if in those days, even your relatives will betray you, what sort of people are left in China after that is unthinkable, esp being left poor for so long that the sudden leap to modernization left many blatantly obnoxious in the face of wealth.
Most of the Chinese culture are thankfully left intact, thanks to us, outside of China. So China should be telling us THANK U for retaining the culture, and stop bragging about your non existent thousand years of culture. Books for burned in case one had forgotten. Plus if China is that great, most of our ancestors wont have left.
The China people shouldnt be insulting us, for the longest time, Chinese people by race out of China have been supporting and caring for people in China when they were still poor and underdeveloped decades back, hundred year back. So it gives them, the Chinese nationals no rights at all for any to insult us at all, regardless if you are on scholarship or not. Please do not become obnoxious just because your country is a rising power. Which translate, do not become the bully. It is sorely unbecoming. So what if your mandarin prowess is greater than ours, so what if your sense of poetry is more acute than ours, so what if you can spew more chinese idioms than us? So what if you can play all those chinese instruments better than us? It means nothing at all if you are ungrateful, manipulative, and opportunistic at the expense of the people who offered you a silver lining or a dream.
Back to the itchy fingers Sun Xu, do I expect any demerits or actions taken against this chap by NUS? In all honesty, no. These so call people in charge wont rock the boat nor ruffled the feathers of the apparent national on-going policy of all out china import. I dont think there's a need to revoke his scholarship but some sort of penalty such as repaying the course fee for 2 semesters would be really nice. One semester for each nasty thing he said. It would be at least a proper punishment for someone that is biting the hand that feed. Even my husband who is not a true blue Singaporean was sorely appalled and disgusted by the behaviour of this so call scholar. He asked me, why is the singapore govt spending so much money on these foreigners who obviously will never treat Sg as their real or final home? Esp with China growing economically, who will abandon their own "motherland" when they think China is the now the oriental land of dreams? Chinese people are pragmatic people. They go where the pot of gold is, and Singapore definitely is no longer the most sought after place to rest their anchor. It is prob the best spring board to other bigger nations but it will not be the final resting place for many well heeled, educated Chinese nationals. So if we just need labor force to ram up the GDP, why offer them the PR? If they want to, and proven they had contribute enough to the economy, only then should we consider their application. (You get why Australia made it sooo hard? It makes it all the more precious of course.)
Perhaps that is also why Singapore govt is importing so many "blue collar" Chinese nationals and offering them PR. For it is not the rich that will stay on, it is the "poorer" ones who really wants to better the lives of their children that will try to make it a home here in SG for them. People who are the hawkers and cleaners and what have you are the ones who will have children integrate here, esp the ones born here. It's not the good brains, (I wont say best because China will NEVER let their best out of their country to embrace another) that will stay in Singapore. Just like any well heeled professional Singaporeans that are working and residing overseas, if they are not sick of the political scene back in Sg, they probably will like to head back someday too. At least that is what I would like to do someday too. So I really dont get these no strings attached scholarship that the govt are dishing out freely, accompanied by the PR forms so readily.
Personally, I have no issue with scholarship with bonds, but completely free with no strings attached is like helping China trained and feed their kids for free. I had about 7 Asean scholars in my class back in Secondary days, and not one, NOT ONE of them stayed on in Singapore to work or to stay as citizens. They had all moved on to other western nations or returned to Malaysia. I have nothing against them at all though and I still stayed in touch with one. Did they raise the bar in class? No not really. We were all still studying on our own speed. The scholars were actually competing secretly amongst themselves and not with us the local kids actually. The fact they are all older than us means they are much more mature and "wiser" than us, esp in the studying department. Did we learn anything from them, despite our harmonious relationships, not really unless you consider tibits of their courtship life in hostel as something worthy of knowing.
Fast forward to NTU years. Do we have Chinese scholars amongst us, yes amongst us in the hostel. Do we like them, my answer is frankly NO for the Chinese living on our floor, and also in our block.
They are anti social, band amongst themselves as if we are outsiders, they never participate in any of the activities or even simple social (food/movies) events that is less than an hour. They would rather stick to themselves in their rooms, talking in Mandarin. It isnt that we didnt try to include them but rather, they were out to exclude us from their circle. In fact, the Chinese gal living next to us had her Malaysian roommate up in arms because the Chinese refused to clean her hostel room. It got really disgusting because you can see the floor clearly black and white in half. My Malaysian neighbor even complained of the stench from the chinese gal because she doesnt bathe during her period and weeks leading up to exams, she smelled fishy. Her side of the window was all blacked out from dirt, and you can see all the instant noodles overflowing from her basket without a care. She didnt care what we think either. She didnt need friends. She didnt see the need to integrate. She was just here to milk the system. In fact, I still rem clearly that some gal actually shitted on the floor in the shower area and the cleaners was shocked. We were shocked! This is definitely not the behaviour of any Singaporean, nor Malaysian. The only other foreign national was the chinese gal in our block, on our floor....Did we kick up a stinker and confront her, no we didnt. We were just disgusted and let it slide and left a notice on the door on "acceptable toilet behavior". If we are so xenophobic as some like to put it, funny how we got along beautifully with our other foreign friends, just not those from China who seem to think of us as ....? And all these was in 1995. Even then, they were so unpopular but less arrogant, haughty and frankly they wont be openly condescending for sure as those now.
The following year, I had myself a Malaysian room mate, we lived together beautifully. No kinks, no problems. She stayed on and continued working in Singapore, contributing to our economy. Oh, she wasnt paid to study here. She PAID to study here and she stayed on. So you see, you dont need to pay people to come here to study to make them stay on. If they truly liked it here, they dont need Singapore govt to entice them here. They will come. However, when you make it sooo easy for them to come, to be given PR status so readily, then they wont cherish it as they will see it as part and parcel of the deal to come here. They no longer see it as a prize, but just a mean and medium to get to their final destination, which certainly dont seemed to be Singapore these days.
Just look at those Ivy league school or even Australia schools like Monash. People are flocking there, or wants to flock there NOT because the country is dangling free carrots like free scholarship or free PR status. In fact, the school fees for foreign students are pretty high. For the Ivy leagues, the academic institution in itself is so alluring that people will PAY to go there if their grades permit. Australia wise, the country's lifestyle is so alluring that people will also PAY to go there and stay on if they life it. So you see, our govt get it so wrong. You dont get the best minds to come just via monetary bait. You get the best minds by creating an environment that is so irresistible that people are drawn here on their own like moths to the flame. And when these people come because of their OWN accord with no promises or treats, they will come with humility, respect and willingness to integrate.
The problem with Singapore varsities is their unwillingness to be transparent and open like those Ivy league. Maybe it is time for them, all the schools to publish annual reports on the student cohort statistics. Ivy leagues have set a portion of their cohort for foreign students and no one there begrudge the foreigners. They have a proper set of statistics put out there for all to see such as "the ratio of foreign students vs locals,", the ratio of scholarships of foreigners vs locals", "the % of those on finanical aid" etc etc. All these information served to keep a tight leash on the board of not over indulging themselves on foreign students fee, and keep speculation and resentment down to a minimal over the number of placements going to foreigners. I dont see why Singapore schools cannot do the same, rather than just broadcasting a "national" overall figure of foreigners in Singapore/ in Singapore schools.
Wong Fei Hong's martial school, anyone?
The thing about taxi drivers, is that when you meet a nice one, they are often pretty interesting people to chat with.
Just like this cab driver who was friendly enough to start chitchatting with me, he told me his is a disciple of Wong Fei Hon's grandchild! Oh wow! I didnt even know they had a school like that. I shouldnt be too surprise but I was when he said even those international schools will invite them to conduct classes for the students! How cool is that!
I grabbed the namecard off him so that I can do a shout out for anyone interested in learning some martial arts! lol!
Just like this cab driver who was friendly enough to start chitchatting with me, he told me his is a disciple of Wong Fei Hon's grandchild! Oh wow! I didnt even know they had a school like that. I shouldnt be too surprise but I was when he said even those international schools will invite them to conduct classes for the students! How cool is that!
I grabbed the namecard off him so that I can do a shout out for anyone interested in learning some martial arts! lol!
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