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Archive for the ‘Noteworthy’ Category

A post to dedicate to this telecommunications company

This blog entry is specially “dedicated” to this telecommunications company which I engaged their services for the past 9 years. Please do not ask me which company is that as it is very obvious from the font color that I’m using. Within half of the day, I had two very bad experiences with this company.

NOTE: THIS IS NOT BASED ON FALSE ACCUSATION BUT OF REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE.

A few days back on Saturday,my dad encountered some problems with his Sony Ericsson Naite phone. So, he called Singtel Customer Service hotline to check for the nearest service centre in the West area. So, the customer service officer(CSO) told him it is at CJ GLS building 20 Toh Guan Road.

So today, early in the morning we went to CJ GLS building. At the entrance of the building, we were stopped by the security guard as the car park was full and we will have to wait for one car to come out before we can go in. Not wanting to wait for so long, I decided to walk up to the service centre first to save time. I approached the security guard to ask for the directions to the Sony Ericsson Centre. To my surprise, the service centre has shifted to Jurong Point.

What?! So I called the customer service hotline again for verification and the CSO insisted that it is still at the CJ GLS building. I requested that CSO to double check with his colleagues and he got back to me that the information is accurate. My dad had to call his friend to ask around where the care centre has shifted. It was confirmed by his friend that the current care centre is located at Jurong Point.

This is what they exclaimed on their official website:

SingTel’s Core Values underpin our desire to create a unity of purpose across the Group. They reflect our common aspiration to foster a performance-based culture that is open and innovative, and that promotes mutual trust and engagement.

Customer Focus

Our success is based upon our customer focus. We listen to, and connect with, customers and treat them with dignity and respect. By understanding and anticipating their needs, we make it easy for our customers to do business with us. We aim to offer them value and quality services to enrich lives and enhance business success.
-extracted from the Official Website

Isn’t this a slap in the face? Is this the kind of “value and quality services” that they are trying to deliver to customers? They do not even have the updated details in their database and their customers can actually get accurate information from their friends? So why then do we need 1688?

Alright, headed all the way to Jurong Point and waited for the customer service centre to open at 11am. Meanwhile, I went FairPrice with my parents to buy some groceries. At 11am, I was second in the queue, and then sent the phone.

Next, I walked to the Singtelshop to remove my dad as the guarantor for my mobile plan. Ok, I need to bring all of you guys back to what happened 6 months ago when I went to re-contract my phone plan and got my Iphone. The reason why my dad’s name was reflected in my phone bill(together with mine) for the past few years was because I have not reached the age of 21. But when I re-contracted my phone plan in December 2009, I was already 21 and has the eligibility to be an applicant instead of having a guarantor.  So in December 2009, I requested to remove the guarantor’s name but up till now (after 6 months since I re-contracted my plan), my dad’s name is still appearing in the phone bill. Not only that, I could not log in to MyMobile page using my own identity card number to apply for Value Added Services.

So, I queued up at the counter for the staff to get a number for me. The staff asked for my and my dad’s identity card and keyed in some details. I spent fifteen minutes seeing her keying this and that, and I thought she could just easily remove my dad’s name from the system. Yet, I was issued a queue number. So I waited for my queue number to be called out. It was 1120AM. Then, I went to Counter 7. Guess what? The staff was horrible. What kind of “value and quality services” this company is trying to give? This guy did not even want to entertain me at all despite telling him what was my problem. He told me and showed me his system that my dad’s name was already removed from my account. But then, why do I still see my dad’s name in my phone bill right? This guy did not even want to entertain me at all and he just sent me off by asking me to call Singtel Billing Hotline. HUH? What for do I need to spend the bloody twenty minutes waiting for the staff to give me the queue number and wait for my queue number to be called out?

Pissed, I called 1688 again and talked to one of the CSO in the Billing department. Then, my call was transferred to the Sales department. Are they trying to practise some taiji here? Ok, finally, I managed to talk to this CSO named James and told him my concerns here. I was put on hold for ten minutes while James went to check for me (and I was still waiting outside the singtel shop, not wanting to take my ride back home). When this CSO James got back to me, he explained to me that my dad’s name is still on my phone bill because I’m subscribing the Singtel Youth plan. And if I need to remove my dad’s name, I will not be entitled to any benefits from the Singtel Youth Plan such as the unlimited smses and he told me that they will need to re-contract me again. I totally lost my coolness and told James what kind of logic was that? Can’t I be a student who reached the eligible age of 21, who is studying in eligible institutions i.e. any ITE, Junior College, polytechnic, NTU, NUS, SIM or SMU? Is it that once I get my dad’s name to be removed from the bill, I’m not a student and not eligible for any Youth plans? Why do I need my dad’s name to be included in the plan for me to enjoy the benefits? This means that my dad is a youth, that’s why I can enjoy my privileges? And how come my friends who are students and above 21 have no problem with that? I’ve checked through the terms and conditions for the Singtel Youth Plan and it did not state anything about it. James will give me a call back tomorrow.

Throughout the whole conversation, I can really sense that James is very sincere and wanting to solve my problem. Hopefully he will give me a satisfied reply.

Stop Ticket Scalping!

Dear readers and visitors,

I have recently received notification via the comments of your intentions to sell the tickets to the upcoming Jay Chou Concert. In a situation whereby you are no longer able to make it for the concert, it would be appreciated if the prices are retained at the original cost. Please do not try to exploit the interest of others and attempt to make a quick profit instead; I do have knowledge of other individuals out there who attempt to sell their tickets at sky-high prices- approximately triple the original cost.

If you are an individual who would like to post information about sales of these tickets on my blog via the comments, it would be appreciated if the prices are reasonable. However, if you’re an individual who is simply out there to make a quick buck by quoting ridiculous prices for these tickets, you are not welcomed and your comments will not be published.

To other Jay Chou fans out there, this is my stand:

It would be best if you do not get tickets from individuals who are out there to make a quick buck, by purchasing from them, you would only be encouraging the following actions- These people more often than not, are the ones who are not sincerely interested in attending the concert but just out there to snatch priority over the tickets and sell them at a much higher price to make a quick buck and exploit the interest of serious concert-goers.

Sign off,

True-blue Jay Chou’s fan – Jassy

Vetting through some of the comments irritates me to some extent.

Let’s take a look:

From Andrew: I’m selling a pair of 198 tickets for 600 cos i got e 228 tickets already.
From Jassy: ($198+$3)X2= $402. [Profit of $198]

From HT: Single Ticket for Jay Chou Singapore Concert 2010 (Cat 1) selling at minimum price $328
From Jassy: ($228+$3)= $231 [Profit of $97]

From Whitepolo: Jay Chou concert 2010 singapore tickets for sale (Cat2) at $280 each
From Jassy: ($198+$3)= $201 [Profit of $79]

哭笑不得

笑, 不代表开心, 也不代表快乐. 它只是用来掩盖心里的悲伤.
笑, 是做给别人看. 给身边的人一种安慰, 不让他们为我们操心.
笑, 只是一种心理作用. 它能带给人们一时的喜悦.

哭, 不代表脆弱, 也不代表软弱. 它是一种吸引别人注意的方式.
哭, 不代表伤心, 也不代表痛苦. 它是因为开心,而流出.
哭, 只是一种发泄情绪的方式.
不哭, 不代表坚强, 也不代表勇敢. 那是因为眼泪已经哭干了.

..counting down 1 more day to 7 December 2008..

Disgusting acts in the train

Taking the MRT everyday has allowed me to see the ugly side of people. They are said to be Kiasi (afraid to die) and Kiasu (afriad to lose).

Why Kiasi? Why Kiasu?

People on the platform (into the cabin)

If you are in the MRT cabin and ready to go out(since you are alighting there), you would see people crowding  at the doorway and anxiously waiting to rush into the MRT as if there’s a GREAT SINGAPORE SALE of 90% off! Even though lines are drawn clearly that passengers waiting to board the train to stand behind the two diagonal lines, people just dont follow. Instead of waiting to rest to leave the cabin, people from the outside RUSH into the MRT. OH MY GOD!

Or when the cabin was already packed, some people just dont care and join the squezzing with you.

People in the cabin (alighting at the station)

Even say a simple “Excuse me” is so difficult from them. These people stand behind you and when they want to alight, they just try their means to get through – squezzing, pushing. If you really couldnt alight on time, just wait and alight the next one. Why is so difficult for this?

Monkeys in the train 

Worst still, there are people behaving like  MONKEYS in the MRT. Children can be forgiveable for behaving like a monkey. But there are some adults, behaving like monkeys. Let me give you a better illustration so that you have an idea why I used the word “MONKEY“. 

Of what I’ve observed, there are two different types of monkey.

1) These are people who cling to the whole pole to themselves – either leaning the pole as if they are doing pole dancing or hugging the pole as if the pole is their bolster. This is extremely sickening especially when the whole train is packed like sardines and the train is extremely jerky and we need to grab something to maintain our balance. These type of people just couldnt sense that their act has caused inconvenience to many people. Worst still, when your hands are already there, they pretend not to see it and lean on your hands. Where are these thick-skinned people still live on this earth?
 
2) Another type of monkey is people who grab two handgrips to themselves and doing some stationary Monkey-bar exercise. Their arms are swinging here and there, their body swaying left to right (like nobody business). Are they missing their childhood? I remember Monkey Bar infrastructure locates in primary school.

Really wish that these commuters can WAKE UP..! We should put up this sign beside the “No Eating and Drinking”, “No carrying of flammable objects”.

NO MONKEY IS ALLOWED ON TRAINS.

Section 377A

What’s 377A?
The Penal Code of Singapore, in Section 377A, provides for a jail sentence for up to two years should a man be found to have committed an act of “gross indecency” with another man.

Here, are we talking about equality? or values? Ruth Nanda Arshen once cried out, “Even as the cell is the unit of the organic body, so the family is the unit of society.” Family is the most fundamental block of society that provides love, emotional and financial support.

Recently, there’s a lot of argument on whether should be keep Section 377A or to abolish it. To get a better understanding of both sides of the argument, you can go to www.technorati.com, and type in “Section 377A” in the search box. The bloggers showed their point of view on this issue.

Some aruged that we should lift the ban as everyone has his own rights. Any state should give its citizens justice and the same human rights.

While some may argued that if we remove 377A, it threatens the foundation of the family. Traditionally, the idea of family is to have a mother, a father and a child. Government stand firm on Section 377A as Homosexuality Issue is against one’s culture, religion.

For , they made this video on the issue of Section 377A.

Like what our General Paper teachers told us, we must not be biased and should give both sides of view. So, besides showing you the website on repealing 377A, there’s also a website, Keep 377A @ http://www.Keep377A.com

So, what’s your stand? For those who are lost, perhaps, you can try reading this website. A balanced report to show why people support/oppose 377A. View here and here.

Disclaimer: Above is just my sharing of information i saw. =)

Blogging to Famous

Do you like to be famous? Who doesnt want? I WANT! Of course we want to be famous… for the good things.

In this SG blogosphere, there are potential bloggers like Mr Brown and Mr Miyagi who gained their popularity through their podcast.

Some people, in order to gain their popularity, will post their sexy photos and videos while some create stir in the blogosphere by starting some controversial arguments. (By now, you should know who i am refering to)

I was chatting with my friends about ways to be famous as a blogger. I joked with him and told him this “why not we start something arguable and debatable like criticising people? In this case, we can be famous like you-should-know-who. Isnt it wonderful? We can see our blog hits increasing everyday”

I feel that criticism on blogs to gain popularity wouldnt allow the blogger to go far. Instead, they are just “smearing” mud to their faces, marking down your own reputation.

So, for all bloggers out there, if you want to be famous, I’ve come out with some ideas about how to “Blogging to Famous“.

1. Besides writing about your own life, you can write about things happening around you like news issues, what’s happening in the blogosphere. Something that can interest people. This case, you can gain hits as people will be searching keywords of one issue through search engines.
2. While leaving tags in your friends blog, attach your blog url.
3. If you have forum, you can have your blog url in the signature, so can you put it as your email signature.
4. Write food reviews, movie reviews, album records as you can attract those food, movie, music lovers. Attach nice and “seductive” food photos. Having good reviews allow you to attract back your regular visitors.

Let the list goes on.. Post your ideas of “Blogging to Famous” by leaving a comment here.

The suay six VS xiaxue

Xiaxue? You should know who. The well-known Singapore blogger, and also the “mother of singapore bloggers” wrote a blog entry on the Top 7 disgusting bloggers blog in SGblogosphere. The victims mentioned in her blog are steven lim, celeste chen, maia lee, laozhabo, herself(she gave onli 3 stars out of the 10) and more..

Wonder why she is the “popular” blogger in Singapore. Was it about her “interesting” blog posts that make her soo famous?

In her entry, she evaluated how “disgusting” these bloggers are, saying them till yi4 wen2 bu4 zhi2. After reading that entry, i find that she is the one who is the most disgusting. The victims did not do anything to provoke her but yet she is doing all these sh*t. Since she is the “famous” blogger, many people will read about her entries. Some may get influenced by her “teaching”, but only sensible people like us know the truth.

Many readers streamed in to read her entry and get offended. At the same time, we are helping her to increase the number of hits to her blog.

She also arrowed this auntie(Laozhabor) about showing her flabby arms. This is wat xiaxue said.

“You need to stop showing us your flabby arms.”

What’s wrong with flabby arms? Everyone is not perfect, and we each have our own flaws. LZB may have flabby arms, but she has other talents like acting in our Mediacorp shows. Can you? Xx herself, isnt as perfect as she thinks. She thinks that she is the best, whatever she said is right. But she’s not. And some more, if xx doesnt like to view lzb’s blog, then she can just click the cross at the top right corner of her explorer

LZB quoted “Sigh… … … … am just an old lady… … why must she do that? I wonder how her mum feels about her daughter abusing a senior citizen (and a lot of other people). I’m sad because she is not being taught well. It must be her growing up environment. She may have been abused by someone at young age or she is psychologically sick. She loves using words to abuse people to get thrilled. It’s just like the serial killers. They kill and enjoy seeing their victims in pain. “(after knowing that lzb herself was marked innocently in the “hall of fame”)

So, where’s the “care for the elderly” that our government is trying to promote in Singapore?

I really want to saluate lzb. Although she is old, but she is keeping up with the trend by blogging. I dont think my ah ma will be able to blog, not even with good english.

I dont think it’s sensible enough to criticise people like that. Yeah, blog is our own space. We can blog whatever we want, whatever we feel like it. But before you blog, you have to think that everyone is READING it. It’s on the WORLD WIDE WEB. Blogger should take responsibility on the things they wrote.

If everyone started to blog whatever they “feel like” it, should the government step forward and take control blogging? Should blogging be restricted?

Soon after the mess, Steven Lim made a video for xiaxue, and asking wan bao to sue xiaxue.  In case you guys missed out the video Steven Lim had specially made for xiaxue, here’s the url: http://youtube.com/watch?v=riBS5cURFRI

Wonder what Steven Lim was talking about the date with xiaxue for one of the episodes of Girls Out Loud? Here’s the url:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlEOz1LTOyQ

And guessed what, according to kennysia, Steven Lim is going to have his first debut album. So, lets wait.. =)

The Angsana Tree @ Braddell Road

Source: CNA

Talking about road safety, today is the first day of the removal of the angsana tree at braddell road. LTA announced that the 80 yrs old(twice the age of Singapore) tree posed threats to the motorist’s safety. There was an big orange board to indicate the 40km/h speed limit. LTA said that there are still motorists who are driving faster than the speed limit. So, they decided to remove the angsana tree. So after that, there will be 3 straighter lanes along the stretch on Braddell Road.

For those who dont know, this angsana tree is standing right at the middle of the diversion of the road. So is like when you are approaching the tree (while you are worrying that you may knock onto it), the lanes are splitted up. and you go a curve.

I dont think there’s a need to cut down the tree. My dad drove past there many times and didnt have any problem with it. Cruz too. (and i told cruz to start a petition)For sensible drivers, when they see the maximum speed sign, they will automatically slow down their cars if they’ve speeded. No one is so stupid to take his/her life as a joke right? And also, cutting down the trees is not the best way to solve the problem of road safety. Instead of cutting down the trees, why not educate the drivers-to observe road signs? Dont tell me that you gonna cut any trees that you see on the road whenever you find that it is dangerous? Why should we sacrifice a tree for the convenience of such irresponsible motorists?

please lah..

this is not a good solution. 8 days ago, we said “Live Earth Live Earth” So what are they doing now? Isnt it contradicting to the 24 hr broadcast of “Live Earth” on Singapore’s Channel 5?

The road signs are there for a purpose- To warn people to slow down, To give way to other motorists etc.. Anyone aged 15 years old will also understand some basic road signs even though they do not have a driving license.

For forgetful drivers, let me help you refresh your memories..in case you’ve forgotten everything after you took your theory test.

Indication of a Electronic Road Pricing gantry

Road narrows on left ahead

Indication of a zebra crossing

Sharp left bend ahead

Lane merged with centre lane ahead

Temporary sign to ask motorists to slow down

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_signs_in_Singapore

I’ve thought of this way.. Instead of cutting down the tree, we can have speeding camera and sign boards like this:

It may not be the best solution, but is one of the many solutions LTA can use. What Singaporeans fear the most? Summon!!

*updated*
Just watched the news on how the workers saw the branches of the 80 yrs old tree. Just like peeling one’s flesh. My heart bleeds.

Reality TV gone wrong.

If you recalled, one beautiful day last week, you saw this news about this reality show-The Big Donor Show whereby a 37 year old terminally ill woman(Lisa) with an inoperable brain tumor, giving away her kidney to 3 people who needed a kidney transplant. Out of the 3 contestants, she has to choose who will be the “lucky winner” to get her kidney. Viewers were able to text Lisa to help her make the decision on who should be the recipient of the kidney.

I was appalled when BNN eventually broadcasted the program Netherlands on Friday 1 June, instead of stopping it. I find that it is very morally wrong to get our entertainment from people’s suffering. But thank god, it was a hoax. BNN then explained that the purpose of this reality show was to highlight the needs for kidney in Netherlands. And the “terminally ill” woman Lisa was actually an actress, but the three contestants are genuine kidney failure patients who are still looking for a suitable kidney for transplantation. The purpose of the show is to raise awareness of how much patients live their lives and how much organ donors are needed. But i think the adverse effect is greater than what the producer wants to emphasize.

Even before the broadcast, many criticised the about the show. The show had set off a storm of criticism about Reality show. According to a survey with Dutch television viewers, 75% of them were determined that they will not watch the broadcast. The show was even condemned by Jan Peter Balkenende, Dutch PM.

I dont think such issue is a matter of joke that we can play on. It is morally wrong. First place, how can the lives of the patients be controlled by viewers’ decision? (So you call this survivor of the fittest??) I think Big Donor Show has gone overbroad.

Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Donor_Show

It’s the Dragon’s fault?

If you’ve read yesterday’s newspaper, a 19 years old girl, Shi Ying who got ABE for her A levels couldnt even get into any of the 3 local universities in Singapore. This year is the Dragon Year Intake. There will be more people fighting for the positions in the universities. Local universities NTU, NUS, SMU reported that there’s an increase in applications and cited that the Dragon Year Effect as being a contributory factor. Dragon Year- is considered auspicious in the Chinese Calender. And during 1987 (if i didnt get the year wrong.let’s flip back my history notes), our Singapore government encouraged families to have more children by giving incentives. That’s why in 1988, there was a baby boom.

An MOE Spokesman said that they have already increase the number of university places  and the Dragon Year Effect had nothing to do with the students not getting a place in the Universities.

Adapted from Straits Times

The ministry also did not buy the argument that standards have gone up and students with average grades are finding it tougher to get into university.

Wonder how the desperate teens will do when they cant get into local universities. It is impossible to ask the Dragon Years babies who did not score well for their A levels to retake A levels again, as the old syllabus had been phased out after this dragon year batch. So, those who didnt get their positions in the universities got to- 1) study overseas, 2) start working, 3) Private Universities in Singapore.

I was chatting with one of my pjc friends. His girlfriend(i know her just as a normal friend) scored AAB, but couldnt get herself into the local universities. Providing the fact that she failed her GP. And this girl has to study overseas at Melbourne. Imagine a 19 years old girl, who has to adapt with the new environment and start everything all over again?

(According to my Gp notes..)Singapore is trying to attract foreign talent, but yet, leaking our own local talent out. When these Singapore students graduate from the foreign universities, by then, they have already adapted to the environment and culture. And they may stay and contribute back to the society. Isnt this “leakage of local talents to others”?

Singapore Education system is highing up. Syllabus have been changing to accomodate with the fast pacing society. Like now, everyone needs to know some IT skills. So, classroom lessons are making teaching more interesting through E-learning. Students need to learn to use the Internet, submit assignments online to their teachers. In the past, a normal degree allows you to use it as a passport to the working society. Now, a normal degree is not enough.

How will our future generation survive?

I guessed most of us should have heard about the pull out of University of New South Wales, UNSW? Because of that, Singapore’s three local universities extended their application deadlines from 1 June to 4 June. Does the closure of UNSW shows that the students may be left stranded, without a university to go to? Student’s dreams are shattered.

I’ve surfed and search some information about the news and how people react with the pull out of UNSW.

Adapted from My What Nots

It’s such a pity the UNSW has decided to close down in Singapore just 3 months after opening.  This has shocked the academic field and the students who have gave up their places at NUS and NTU to study at UNSW here are the worst hit.  At the moment, many of them are at a loss, not knowing what to do.

Adapted from CNA

As with UNSW and other multinational corporations, when they pull out, Singaporeans have to pick up the pieces, whether they be lost jobs, missed opportunities or dashed dreams.

Read more:
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/191364.asp
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/279504/1/.html
http://intelligentsingaporean.wordpress.com/2007/05/31/when-the-silence-is-deafening-post-unsw-edb-lessons/
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna/cgi-bin/search/search_7days.pl?status=&search=singapore%20universities&id=278716
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna/cgi-bin/search/search_7days.pl?status=&search=singapore%20universities&id=278872
http://iwicked.blogspot.com/2007/05/unsw-asia-foundation-students-unhappy.html