A Mind of My Own

I would usually pamper myself on this day. This year, I didn’t really pamper myself because I have given myself the early gift of perfect eyesight by Lasik. Expensive, that was. A few friends SMS me wishing me Happy Birthday. CD, in India for work, MMS me with a birthday song. Even my mum SMS me too. I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye.

DD called me last night to be the 1st one to wish me. 2 poly friends wished me via SMS yesterday. On the day of the makeover at DeCharacter, ES, NL and HF treated me for dinner after the makeover. So sweet. I don’t have to pay for the makeover as it’s gift, right?

During the makeover, we had fun with the poses. I was often told to open my eyes bigger as mine are the smallest pair among the 5. I want bigger eyes. I wonder if I go Korea, I will get bigger pair of eyes. Upon the output of the photos, I was really disappointed. My eyes were simply too small next to the group of girls. I shall never. Ever. Have any group photos with them again. In addition, anyone with huge eyes shall not take any photos next to me.

I blame my dad for giving me tiny eyes. I blame my mum for giving me high eyebrows. My eyes already so tiny and yet she gave me high eyebrows positions! Ok, so it’s the genetics issue. Can doctors change the genetics such that next time, my children won’t inherit tiny eyes? Wait, if they don’t then they won’t be my children, what am I talking about?

It’s a pity that I don’t have any leaves to take as my contract is ending soon. Thus, won’t be able to take some time off work for today. Besides, I prefer long weekends.

And I need a new job.

Image via Wikipedia

After my rant about finding a makeover studio for the group makeover, BeautyBox contacted me using the contact form. I can understand their concern as it is about their reputation. They do provide digital photography but it’s a top-up when my friend checked with them about it.

They did give us a discount voucher if we were to use their services as it would be out second time with them should we go there again. However, we didn’t go there again as I felt that the number of photos given were not enough to split among 5 of us despite the 5th person topping up. Thus, we ended up using DeCharacter.

Now, my general feelings with BeautyBox didn’t change as they have good makeup artistes who will provide touch-ups during the personal makeover session. They were able to make my eyes look the same size. Except my natural height of the eyebrows would need some Browhaus resurrection (very expensive and I’m still wondering if I do need that).

The photographer has an excellent eye as my profiles were captured portraying my best view. A good photographer should be able to capture your best sides and views. This goes the same for wedding albums too.

Next shall be the matter of how they got wind of my post. Oh wait, Rednano is doing a really good job of listing my blog in the 1st page. Oops.

Having studied a degree, writing reports is the next thing to proceed. You have to write thesis for the project for that final mark to gain that honours. It wasn’t easy for me to choose a project from the list of term paper topics as there wasn’t really a list.

We were supposed to think of a problem that is plaguing a company or the mass. Tough. However, when I think of those who are in JCs writing their A-Level coursework, I wonder how they did it. Writing isn’t easy for those who have difficulties putting down the thoughts and process on paper.

Language is a skill. Some are stronger in written while others are better with welding their weapons using the spoken language. That’s why there are those smooth talking sales people we do have to be aware of as the goods that they sell may not be what is claimed.

For the written work, proof-reading is important as you can’t change the text after it’s printed. Written words carry no emotion. Thus, for students who have difficulties, they often request for help from peers or professionals who can help them with their AS Physics coursework, for example.

Donations. Something that is being done most of the time during crisis. The Myanmar’s encounter with Cyclone Nargis brought about an influx of requests for donations. Such is the time to request for money. What I can’t understand is why don’t they ever accept blankets, tents, clothes, food and other non-monetary stuff at such urgent times.

[via Flickr]

Isn’t that what the citizens need most at this time? They need food and water to be delivered as the water supply is not portable at this stage. Will money always solve it? Or it’s easier to transfer money as opposed to the manpower to manage the stuff that has been donated?

I have clothes that I don’t wear any more. Will they want or they prefer their clothes? Without blankets, won’t the people feel cold at night? Without tents for temporary lodging, will they feel cold when the wind is blowing, will they feel hot when the sun is shining down on them?

Money is easy to transfer but where is the money going to? Can it be used at the moment for buying medical stuff? Can it build the road faster? Will the money really be used to help the people instead of going into the pockets of those who should be helping the people?

After the NKF fiasco, one does wonder if the donations are really being used for the reasons that were supposedly stated. When I saw the way they dumped boxes of water and food from a helicopter without any parachutes to prevent the boxes from being smashed into smiterins, I wonder if China is truly giving the necessity such that the people feel that they are truly looked after.

I’m no longer sure if I’m donating to the right causes despite what the signboard says. I’m not that heartless but if proven that the donations are not going for the causes that is being stated, why should I donate to those who have too much authority over the money and used them for other purposes?

China is a huge country. Days before the earthquake struck Sichuan, thousands of toads roam the streets. Water in a pond inexplicably shrunk. And animals in the zoo behaved abnormally just hours before the quake struck. The Chinese are now wondering if animals can predict earthquakes.

However, when more reports of animals behaving strangely, such as on 24 Dec 2007, that was the day tsunami struck, those people who followed the animals were safe. One does wonder if there is something in the air or ground that warn the animals. Perhaps such signals are easily picked up by animals as they are more attuned?

One would think that one would like to be healthy. However, this woman, takes the cake. She is accused of faking brain cancer in order to avoid going to work. Her scheme came to light when the “doctor’s letter” was left on the printer of a neighbour.

Her colleagues were so kind to donate their medical leaves so that she could rest at home too. What if one day, the cancer part is real but no one will believe her any more?

A 19-year-old freshman of University of Oklahoma has been elected as a mayor of Muskogee. The city has a population of 38, 000 people. John Tyler Hammons won 70% of the vote from the public. It was the “greatest, humbling and most awesome experience” he had in his life. As his college education has yet to end, he plans to complete it and still be a mayor.

I wonder if such an election for young fresh blood would be welcome here since ours have been talking about young, fresh blood for years.

Family outings used to be great fun for us. We looked forward to Genting Highland trips as we would get to ride the bumper cars by ourselves. My mother would announce that next week, we will be going to Genting and I would pack my bag happily.

A family trip in the long car ride was not the highlight was we would get car sick. We have serious motion sickness. However, the thought of enjoying the cool weather and the theme parks was enough to be excited about a non-exotic place for a holiday.

Over the years, my family trips reduced as we had different schedules due to CCAs and meeting with friends for shopping or projects. The family favourite routine is to arrange for a trip on the go. Once the decision to visit the zoo was made, the very morning, as long as the sun was shining brightly, we were off to the zoo.

It is so much easier to just go out as a family upon the decision was made as any other days would have resulted in one missing family member. Take the Singapore Flyer ride, it was made in the evening and when I reached home, I had to go out after dinner for the ride.

There was no time to think too much. The weather was just perfect and the traffic was fine. It isn’t much of a routine but something that is tradition in my family. The fastest way to have a family trip, decide on the day to go anywhere in Singapore as long as weather permits.

I am facing frustrations and more frustrations just trying to find a suitable package that will actually tailor to our interests. Apparently, makeovers done by studios (not bridal studios) tend to be fixed in their packages. We looked at The Makeover Inc (the one that sent me irrelevant reply), DeCharacter and BeautyBox.

The Makeover Inc

Never replied to my query again. Either they prefer face to face or over the phone. In this case, please remove your email account.

DeCharacter

Some problems trying to get them to give us a tailored package with changes to the photo sizes. Each photo to be burnt to the CD also cost a bomb. Seriously wondering if the cost is overpriced. The package doesn’t include selected photos to be burnt into the CD for free either.

BeautyBox

Went the 1st time and were rather satisfied with the outcome. However, still using negatives. Not that it is a big issue. The issue is that they refused to give us a quote for all 4R photos, saying something about way below cost. Huh?

Out of The Box

This one promised to give a new quote by Wednesday. Thursday, still nothing from them. Please remove your email account too.

Our Requirements

Just 4R photos that are enough to share among 5 girls. Is that really tough? I wonder what GEMS is for anyway and who the hell said Singapore service is good or improving? Maybe we should consider using bridal studios since their packages are usually flexible. Really angry now.

Apparently, my English isn’t as I thought it is supposed to be. The following is the email I sent for an enquiry.

To Whom it May Concern,

I would like to know if there is a package for a group of 5 girls for a makeover as I can’t find it in your website.

Thanks.

Simple, right? WRONG! Look at the reply below.

Hi,

Thank you for your interest in our services.
Please go to our web site www.themakeoverinc.com.sg for more information.
All pictures are taken in digital format and there is no negative or soft copy or CD provided. CD are additional charges.

Image in CD:
(list of the pricing for the images to be burnt into the CD)

False eyelashes are available at $20 per pair. And please bring ur own outfit thank you!

There is an image for a package for one female. That certainly wasn’t what I asked for. So, I scanned through the email again trying to see if there was anything wrong with my eyes or my language. I am seriously wondering if that is the standard reply. I asked for GROUP, didn’t I?