A Mind of My Own

I am in a rather foul mood. It started in the afternoon. Something just triggered it. From work? Could be. It lasted till now. I had a black face all the way to Suntec City. The squeeze began. I used my skills gained while navigating the crowded trains during peak hours.

I walked through the crowds and grabbed whatever brochures were offered. Looked through the booths and the offers. I went to look at Brother printers. The network ready printers are very attractive. Starting from $399. Tempting. I decided to think through since the current HP is still working fine except for the fax.

I hate the way the software works for HP. It is laggy and it can’t even update automatically. I can’t find the CD that came with it. Could be lost somewhere in the boxes. I wanted to have a hands on feel for HTC Touch Diamond but there was only 1 working set at the booth and I ended up looking at the display.

Image by Brent and MariLynn via Flickr

I did get my hands on MWg Zinc II and found the spacing for the keypads too far apart for my taste. It is now out of my list. I wanted to buy SD card, 8GB from Kingston. To my horror, it was sold out. Tired and hungry and feeling foul, I decided to get from SanDisk. There were 4 choices. SHDC, SHDC II, SHDC III and SHDC Plus. I bought SHDC as I felt the rest were rather expensive.

Ultimately, despite my spoils from the PC Show, I was still cranky. I must have radiated heat because most people avoided me. I guess I’m hating the fact that I was right the 1st time. Now that my contract is being asked for the extension, I feel like being evil and refuse them. However, where does that leave me?

Am I being childish not to renew it? Am I just trying to exact my revenge or have my passion burn out? Or I have found new passions?

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.

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.

Dear HSBC,

Thank you for your enthusiasm in getting your agency to contact me so that I can receive a credit card from you. The first time, I applied, I was rejected. No reason given. Fine. Thus, I decided that it wasn’t worth the effort of contacting your staff to verify why.

The second time, I was contacted about a few months later by one of your agency that I was to be given a HSBC Dual Card (Gold). Not. I was first rejected the Personal Line of Credit. Then, I was rejected the card saying that I didn’t provide complete credentials.

I believe it is time that HSBC can stop contacting me. I have given the SAME credentials for all my other credit cards and received NO rejections except from you. I am no longer interested in HSBC credit cards as I’m unable to take a third rejection should one of your agencies contact me again.

So, HSCBC, please STOP calling me to apply for your credit cards. I will HANG UP immediately without any reason whatsoever.

Regards

I’m seeing less clouds now. Although I am resisting the tendency to rub my eyes with each itchiness attack on the eye lids. Using the eye drops at regular intervals is a little difficult when I’m out. However, I have to be consistent for a month. This two weeks will be critical for my recovery from the operation.

The second review will be coming up next and I hope my vision is good for it. It’s no laughing matter when the operation concerns the eye. Either part of our organs being operated on is serious. I decided to take a rest for Monday as I think I still needed to let my eyes see more far away objects than staring at the computer screen for 8 hours.

Watching movies is ok as they are shown on the white cloth instead from the electronic screen. Watched The Hottie and the Nottie with DD. Not sure how to make of the movie but it’s like Shallow Hal. As for Paris Hilton, I can’t say for sure but I did notice something. Her breasts size changes with each set of clothes.

Image via Wikipedia

Overall, I’m looking at things far away clearer than yesterday. Just still a little sensitive to fine words online and the sunlight. Sunglasses is my best friend.

I am seriously wondering if there is something wrong. Or perhaps, nothing is wrong. It’s just that when one has the power or authority for more than 40 years, one tend to be led into thinking that it can be used in any way and the powers that be should never, ever, be doubted.

Are we doubting it now? Perhaps. Since all these years, it has never, ever, said it was wrong in anyway. Wow. How infallible. With 40 years of management under its belt, it will not be wrong at any one time.

I have failed before. I have mistakes in my work. There were times when my mind was simply too tired or overworked to even think properly. We are only humans. Even animals make mistakes.

Ultimately, it’s always the ones who are at the bottom who are at fault. When employees quit, what is the reason? The one that is never spoken out loud but a survey proved it. There are also ways to get someone to quit too.

Anyway, I digress. It’s not about pushing the blame so that you get to keep your position. It’s about accepting that somewhere along the way, a decision wasn’t made that well and it led to this. It led to a Mas Selamat escaping from that window. A ledge was even built under it to facilitate his escape when others have failed to notice it. Neither the grilles were built nor the window’s size reduced.

Even shopping centres have smaller toilet windows or none. Men would say, “How come there is a door for the urinals? They have never, ever, encountered such a toilet that gives you the privacy, rather intimate since 2 men can enjoy their business by closing the door.

Let’s not even get to the discussion about CCTV in the area but not activitated.

I used to have this manager who treated us very well. He would also be environmental conscious, which is very rare for a company although it is ISO 9001 certified. There was once we had to keep some keys temporarily and he produced clear plastic bag from magazines. The ones that magazines are kept in for sending. Our jaws dropped.

He has a mean streak when playing badminton. I heard the other ex-colleagues often can’t beat him. Thankfully, I didn’t take part since I would have been humiliated with my pitiful skills. He was a national champion in his own country. That’s why no one in the department could win against him.

When we first heard of his name, the literal translation “Professor” came to mind. I think he did have a bachelor degree, can’t remember if he did a Ph.D though. He would speak professionally, if that didn’t sound like a professor, I don’t know what did.

He even accepted my request for being my referee. How sweet of him. Wonder why I’m thinking of him. Maybe I miss working with him as he would be sociable and offer his help.

It took me a few rounds of phone calls before finding a studio that had a free slot before 3pm. Of all days, it had to rain. Heavily. I settled on Gloria Photo Studio in the end as it was able to have a slot before 3pm. The photographer was very friendly and made us feel comfortable.

Even the brother who loved to give stern faces for each and every family photo smiled. I had specifically stated to the men in the family that they had to smile. If not, I will make them pay. Thankfully, they did smile for the camera.

The session took about 30 minutes. The style for convocation photos for this studio is traditional. The background has stayed the same. So, for those who prefer modernised versions, it would be best to select other studios. This studio doesn’t provide makeup for the ladies either. That’s why the package is cheaper than DeCharacter and The Makeup Inc (both that I initially wanted to choose).

A family portrait is important. If any of the family member feels that it isn’t, slap them upside down. If they dare to do that on your wedding day, give them two tight slaps.