Clearing the US customs was horrid. Seriously, who died and gave them permission to be so mean and snooty? I'm here on business. I'm not a criminal. And for grapefruit's sake, DO NOT comment on my choice of underwear!

And oh, United Airlines misplaced my luggage in a mere 2-hour flight. How freaking amazing is that? I was up every hour last night, harrassing their call centre in Philippines. I only got my luggage at 5am today. I was half afraid I would have to turn up for work in jeans and sneakers.

My first day of work was awesome. So I got really, really sleepy when it was approaching 2PM, but it wasn't too bad. The people here are absolutely wonderful and it was lots of fun. Though I should probably lay off the beer till the weekend. I hope I don't have too much trouble getting up tomorrow.

My totally awesome bed for the week. Big, soft and fluffy with loads of pillows. All mine!

The area in front of the mirror, with all my makeup and stuff.

The TV kept switching on by itself. Absolutely annoying.

Yay! 3-panel mirror!

Bathtub. Should try a bubble bath some time. My nose runs faster than the shower.

Reading area (so I call it, even though there's no time to read) with my luggage resting safe and sound beside it. I missed it so much, seeing as I had to sleep in my jeans last night.

The European firmware was so not worth my time. Not a lot of improvements, and it had a lot of formatting I wasn't used to. Flashed back to an update of the Asian firmware (which, btw, isn't even available via the Samsung's PC Studio, the eejits). So I got my Chinese language back and some bug fixes. Yay!

I still want an Android phone. Where's the Samsung Galaxy? The lite version is already leaked all over the Net in its revolting lime green glory.

Gross. What is that monstrosity? No lite version for me if that's what it looks like. I want the Samsung Galaxy to be in Singapore now!

Came back and gave Trillian a go and I'm really liking it! I used it years ago and it was really buggy, but so far it's been working perfectly for me. Other than having to rename all my contacts again, that is. And the interface is so very pretty and non-annoying, which is more than I can say for vanilla MSN. I can use MSN and GoogleTalk on it without having to open separate clients, and it works for Facebook updates too! I haven't tried Skype on it, but it's already awesome.

Am going to flash (change the firmware to the European version) my Samsung Jet soon. Hopefully it will be less useless after that. I hope I won't brick it!

My brother got his foot badly smashed up from falling into a ditch (or so he claims). He just had surgery and I can't go anywhere and leave him alone because he's temporarily crippled.

I got a Samsung Jet for my birthday. The phone is well-made (except for the software) and the screen is just so gorgeous. But I'm already bored of it because I can't even install any programmes on it. I want the Samsung Galaxy, dammit! Jacob says I have G.A.S. But I really think android phones are the way to go seeing as Google is slated for world domination extensive reach.

I've been watching House, M.D. right from season 1 and it's so addictive, I'm watching it everywhere I go on my Samsung Jet.

My laptop has been with Acer for weeks and when I went to collect it today, the screen was jaundiced! They tried to push all responsibility away saying it's simply wear and tear but I would have none of it. So it's still in the service centre and I really miss it.

I start work on the 28th this month in Batesville, Indiana. I will really miss my holidays! (I'll only be there for 2 weeks. Nobody will even notice I'm gone.)

The existing plugins that are supported by this current version of WP pretty much suck so I can't yet be arsed to reassign permissions to the 200ish(!) protected entries. If you have access permissions, you can still view new locked entries (if I post any).

Hoo boy, it's been so long (has it been years?) since I've upgraded WordPress. I've quite forgotten what a pain in the ass it can be.

Oh yes, new layout cos I know you're totally sick of the previous one. :)

Just in! Check out my newest beautiful babies!

The Nintendo DS Lite in Ice Blue being the main focus, of course. I gave up resisting and telling myself I didn't need it, and just got it. Am I going to cover every square inch of it with gaudy rhinestones? No fucking way. It is just gorgeous the way it is.

I ordered the new Coastal Scents Smacks as well. In Pep Pink, Carlotta, and Near Peach. <3

Photo courtesy of Mickie-blog:

I'm beyond excited because... You know how ridiculously expensive fragrances are. I have serious issues parting with my moolah for a bit of fragrance and a whole lot of alcohol (which makes the perfumes smell... bad). And these are all alcohol-free! Not only that, the service was excellent. The man occasionally points you to certain fragrances, but never ever pushes. He patiently waits at the side for you to choose your fragrances, and serves you with a flourish even if you're not a big spender. And that's more than what I can say for departmental stores' sales assistants, who make you feel guilty for even daring to glance at the precious designer bottles.

So I got the 5ml version of 4 different scents, and only spent $20 ($5 each). Complete bargain for testing fragrances!

***

I did my own nails cos of all those goodies Jess gave me. They look blah. I'm no artist, I suppose.

With OPI Nail Lacquer in Fruitti Tutti Tonga and Canmake Nail Glitter in 03:

With The Face Shop Nail Colour in PK103 and stickers:

Look at the contents of the big fat package I got in the mail today:

Blushes

• Benefit Dandelion
• MAC Beauty Powder in Shell Pearl
• Milani Powder Mosaic in Sweet Cheeks
• Flirt! Peek-A-Blush Sheer Powder Cheek Color in Heart Candy

MAC Pigments

• Azreal Blue
• Lovely Lilac
• Shimmertime

Nail Stuff

• OPI Nail Lacquer in Fruitti Tutti Tonga
• The Face Shop Nail Colour in Dusty Copper
• Canmake Nail Glitter in 03
• Nail art stickers!

Fragrance Samples

• Vera Wang Princess
• Bvlgari pour Femme

I can't wait till I have time to play with them. Looove!

This crazy poofball had been licking my toes all day. Cute though you may be, please do not lick my toes. My toes are frankly quite disgusting, IMO.

I buy the same products again and again for years if they work for me. Every month, I go to Kevin to get my hair cut, and Esther to get my brows trimmed. They do so quietly, without any attempt to hardsell anything.

In turn, I'm an impressive customer advocate. I wax lyrical about products and services I love, give glowing reviews, and convince people to try them.

I also work the other way. If I receive exceptionally bad service, I write in feedback. I expect something to be done. That's when I learned that single-cell organisms are being put in front of computers to make up banks.

Good evening,

I received a very unpleasant phone call this morning from an insurance company that claims to be affiliated to Standard Chartered. With an extremely pushy sales pitch, the caller expected me to agree to sign up for an insurance plan over the phone by verifying some personal details.

I was interested in the plan, but did not want to make a decision yet, so I told her to send any materials to me over email so I can learn more about the plan. She asked me if there was anything unclear about the information she provided to me. I explained that I did not want to make a hasty decision and wanted to sign up only after I learned more about the plan.

She repeated her sales pitch again and again and kept insisting I verify my personal information, like a macro programmed on loop until the command "Yes" is issued.

It is disgraceful that Standard Chartered abuse my personal information like this. I did not agree to any unsolicited calls, and it is unethical to use my information to generate sales. For any future promotions, please send all materials by mail. I do not wish to receive further unsolicited calls from Standard Chartered and any related companies. If I do, I will not hesitate to terminate my account.

Regards,
Samantha Tan.

Dear Ms.Samantha

Thank you for your email.

Our sincere apologies for the inconvenience you have experienced

Please be advised that we have informed the relevant department on this issue and will check with the person who contacted you.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Any enquires, you may wish to give us a call directly at our 24-hour customer service line at 1800 747 7000 or +65 6747 7000 if you should be calling in from overseas. Our Service Consultants would be glad to assist. A collect call can be arranged through the local operator.

Thank you and have a nice day.

Sincerely,
Steve
Senior Service Banker
E-Channel & EPB

Firstly, who the fuck gave him permission to address me by my first name? I'm not on buddy terms with him. Call me Miss Tan and be done with it.

Hello,

It has been 2 weeks and I received no further news from you regarding this matter. You did not explain why Standard Chartered was collaborating with an insurance company to pressurise customers to sign up for insurance over the phone. Nor did you address my concern about Standard Chartered using our personal information to make unsolicited calls in order to generate sales.

I would like an explanation and an assurance that this would not happen again.

Regards,
Samantha Tan.

Dear Ms.Samantha

Thank you for your email.

Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience you have experienced.

We would like to assure you that the Bank greatly values feedback from customers on the service level rendered to them. We would like to thank you for taking the time to provide us with your valuable feedback, which will help us improve on the quality of our service.

Should you require further assistance, please contact our 24-hour customer service line at 1800 747 7000 or at +65 6 747 7000 and our Service Consultants will be pleased to assist you.

Thank you and have a nice day.

Sincerely,
Steve
Senior Service Banker
E-Channel & EPB

Does he think I'm blind? Or an amoeba like him? Can't tell it's the same bloody email he sent the last time?

Hello,

Please stop sending me standard template replies. Your first and second message are almost exactly the same. They did not address the problems at all which are, if you did not understand my previous messages:

(1) The bank has been giving out my personal information to third-parties.

(2) The bank has been collaborating with third-parties to harrass customers over the phone and push packages that they expect customers to sign up for immediately.

(3) The lack of assurance that this will not happen again.

As such, in your next response, please address the following:

(1) Please inform me exactly why my personal information, that I have entrusted the bank with, is being used to sell me insurance

(2) Please explain why Standard Chartered was collaborating with an insurance company to harrass and pressurise customers to agree to sign up for insurance packages OVER THE PHONE, with no information other than a sales pitch

(3) Please assure me that the above will not happen again, and that my information can be safe with the bank and not used for such unethical means.

If this is the level of service I can hope to receive from Standard Chartered, then I would like to terminate my card and I will not be signing up for any of Standard Chartered's service in the future.

Gawd, with that atas front the banks put up and all their nonsense with strict recruitment processes, you'd think they'd hire some people who can do more than copy and paste.

Okaaay. Things have been a bit hectic lately. Be back later!