My e-Banking Nightmare (3)

... An Update.

Well... almost a week since I posted my complaint on CIMB website. Well, Deisy... I guessed you were right. Totally ignored... no reply at all. Not even a single computer generated email to say thank you for your suggestion or feedback. Nothing. I am speechless. Totally speechless! CIMB.... Customer Ignoring Motherfucka Bank.
Thats what it stands for!

One World One Dream

One World One Dream - The official slogan for 2008 Beijing Olympics.

I bought one of the commerative gold-plated medallion. This design of 'precious-metal' is an official licensed product of the Beijing 2008 and has a limited circulation of 60,000 units. Mine is the 7,108th unit. It comes with a collection certificate. Cool eh!


It carries images of the emblem of the XXIX Olympiad, mascots and tranditional line drawings of water, bamboo, fire, hillside and cloud (too small to see from the pic), while the back carries embossment images of the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall.

For those who don't know, the five 2008 Beijing mascot was named after the sentence "Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni" which means 'Beijing Welcomes You'. Each has their own character, story and represents different sports, values, nature elements, culture ...etc. Cute! I never had the chance to own any piece of Olympic official products. This is my first, and it's really special coz I bought it from the home country itself. I'll probably get more... and maybe auction them on eBay someday... Hahaha!

I Miss Chee Cheong Fun

I have a sudden strong crave for Chee Cheong Fun (豬腸粉).


No... I am not pregnant. I just wanna eat Chee Cheong Fun... Pity me... I don't think there are any Chee Cheong Fun in Shanghai. I can't remember when was the last time I had this. I guess it was more than a year ago. I never get the chance to go eat my favourite Chee Cheong Fun each time I return to KL. I just love the Chee Cheong Fun from the stall in Cheras Yulek. Arrggghhh!!!!! I soooo wanna eat Chee Cheong Fun now!!!

Are You Serious?

“I got myself a personal bowling ball”… This is how my friend started the conversion with me this morning over MSN Messenger. This is how I answered, part of the conversation below (irrelevant parts omitted):

Me: For what?
Friend: To eat.... duh! Of course to play la!
Me: I mean... Why you need to get a personal bowling ball when u can rent?
Friend: Ah.... that’s why you dunno. House balls are not customized to your fingers. If you are serious in bowling and wanna improve the way you bowl, you need to get your own customized ball. You will hurt yourself if you bowl wrongly with the wrong ball.
Me: You serious in bowling meh?
Friend: All my frens are serious in bowling...not for fun. So we motivate each other. All of them got their personal ball
Me: Why serious?
Friend: That means, not main main, play a fool during bowling. All of us, serious to improve our skills. Not simply throw and laugh about it
Me: So, to prove that u r serious, u have to get a custom ball?
Friend: Getting a personal ball shows that you are committed to play and that's the 1st step to be serious. If you are not serious, will you get a ball?
Me: To be serious doesn’t mean u have to get a ball
Friend: Nvm la. You won't understand
Me: It doesn’t mean u have to get a ball to be serious. So, meaning, ppl who don’t get a ball... cannot be serious abt the game?
Friend: tiu nia seng… wasting time, talking to you.


Hahahah… Ok… and the conversation, and so to say, the argument continues…
My friend… let’s call him Lord B, is a very good ole friend of mine. And for some reason, I love to argue with him. It’s just fun. :)

Now back to main topic. I know what Lord B meant by being serious about the game. But is he really the serious gamer? I believe there are at least 3 kinds of people that we could categorize based on the above:

A. Serious Gamer
People who are really committed to the game. Those who are looking into picking up the game, to learn, improve, to be good at the game and to play the game to the fullest with all their hearts & souls. These gamers will have almost everything personal in place. Personal bowling ball, personal snooker cue, personal golf set, personal basket ball, personal tennis racket, specific shoes, specific attire etc. They may not buy everything all at once, but may add in a little this and that later to improve in their game. These gamers will invest their money into getting a good coach. They will also invest time for practice, to improve, to realise the point of their own mistakes and improve on those gaming mistakes.

B. Show Off Gamer
Show off gamer, just buying some personal balls and stuffs to show off. Not really to be serious in the game, but just to show off “I have everything private and personal”. These gamers are usually not really good in the game itself. Some girls I know bought really expensive attires just to look good in the game, but they suck at playing. It’s all just for shows…

C. The Fun Gamer
These are people who are interested in the game, but not looking at being extremely serious a.k.a “I wanna be a pro!” in the game. They may have kakis every week to play. They find it fun but there is actually no specific reason on why they should get a personal ball, equipment or whatsoever unless the equipment itself is not available for rent. However, they still buy it… just because they are interested and would like to play well to enjoy the game to the fullest. Also, having your own equipment makes the game more enjoyable. After all… it’s personal!


I don't think, in my circle of friends, that one could be a truly serious gamer, unless you are talking about professionals like Yao Ming in Basketball and Tiger Woods or Vijay Sigh in Golf. I believe we pick up a game because we are interested in it. We buy our own equipment because we want something that suit us, we want to feel confortable using it, and we want to improve in the game. I don't know if all these explanations represent being serious in the game. I guess personally, I fall into category C. I was never really serious in any game and I never buy an sport equipment just to show off. I once got myself a very expensive golf set and went for golf lessons… because I was interested (mind that I am interested but not serious) in the game. So, are you truly serious in a game? And how serious could that be?

My e-Banking Nightmare (2)

I have yet to call Direct Access phone banking. But I posted a complaint via CIMB website.


Here is my complaint:

"I am very sad abt the results of the merger. The merger should not disrupt the customer's daily banking needs. Now, i could not use internet banking because i am overseas. I called up customer service and no one could help me because i have to register at ATM. How to find CIMB ATM in overseas??? I will not be back to Malaysia for a couple of mths. Clearly, both bank have not considered customers who are residing overseas and rely on internet banking for bill payments. This is really bad."

Let's see how they respond to this. I still have the stupid con-call to continue... FUG!

... To be continued...

My e-Banking Nightmare

I hate this!!!!! This is nightmare!!! The merger between Southern bank and CIMB bank has resulted in my total-loss-of-means-to-pay-my-bills!!!!! This is so shit!!!


Ok, not an exact total loss as I still have good ole Maybank2u.com to rely on. But I use my Direct Access credit card for all automatic bill payments. And every month, I will log into SBBDirect.com to pay off the credit card directly. Due to the merger, they happily merged the internet banking as well, but I do not understand why on earth do they want existing users to re-register for this e-banking facility?? I called up Southern Bank and told them that I am overseas and ask for the procedure to register via phone. All they can say is... "Sorry 'mam, you will still need to re-register at our ATM machines to continue using internet banking." FUG! Great! Now what?? My final hope is to rely on Direct Access phone banking. I hope there are no changes to that. But I need to call them. Will call them later... I have a stupid con-call to attend to, and I am already late for that. ARGGHHH!!!

...to be continued...

What Kind of Blogger Are You?

Take the quiz!!!
So, I'm a Life Blogger eh? I believe so... do you?

You Are a Life Blogger!

Your blog is the story of your life - a living diary. If it happens, you blog it. And make it as entertaining as possible.

What Kind of Blogger Are You?

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A Sad Day

This morning, I received MSN messages from friends telling me about an ex-colleague's demise from this world. It was a freak accident. I immediately went into thestar.com and found the news. Though I am not close to this ex-colleague of mine, I feel sad, for he left behind a wife and 3 kids. No one will ever know what happened behind the wheels that causes this tragic demise.

Next, I read about Zewt's mom. Tears filled my eyes reading his post. I pray for Zewt and his family. Though I have not met Zewt in person, but he is still my friend. I cannot imagine this day if it ever happens to me. But it will happen... it happens to everyone. Some day, people whom we love will eventually leave us. But I guess life goes on. All I can say now is not to take anyone in our lives for granted.
It's a sad day...

Spot the Difference

My Hubby got a fake RMB10 note. I believe he got this from some taxi drivers during the late nights. Most of the Shanghainese taxi drivers knew very well that we will not check the money being changed, especially during late nights when all we want is to quickly get into a shelter away from the cold weather. We tried to re-use it but everyone refused to accept it.

Here it is; the picture does not really show the apparent differences. But this is what I noticed about the fake one:

1. The fake note is slightly blurry. (Not my hands shaking while capturing photo. Camera was placed on the table)
2. The paper quality is almost the same as the genuine note. It has a crisp touch.
3. The color is a bit out, as there are some red spots all over the fake note.
4. It has a very obvious watermark, maybe too obvious that it looked fake.
5. It also has a security thread interwoven in the paper.
6. … much more but don’t know how to explain..

I am not surprised with this fake encounter though, as fake Chinese yuan are all over the place. I have read in Shanghai Expat forums that some guys have fake RMB100 and USD100 bills which are actually withdrawn from the banking counter in Bank of China! I don’t know what to comment about this, but it does tell us something, doesn’t it?

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Blogspot Blocked!

This is so frustrating! It is happening again. China Govt has yet again blocked the blogspot domain from being accessed. However, I can still enter into www.blogger.com and create a post. But I cannot view, cannot response to comments, and worst of all... I cannot read all other blogger's blog!!!

A good solution is to go through an anonymous tunnel. I can easily access blogspot again via http://anonymouse.org
BUT again... my company has blocked all anonymous sites, thus, leaving me with nothing but more frustration. I have no choice but to only read the blogs at home, after work. Damn! How am I to pass my time at work now? This is so frustrating!

--- Update at 2.45pm ----

Yay! I could finally read and blog again!!! I changed the company proxy setting to route through a US proxy and VOILA!!! I am back in business!!

Perseverance and The Land Before Time

Perseverance, is a matter of holding on and never let go during trying times. I Love this word.


The Land Before Time - This 1988 original animation is my favourite cartoon of all times (please don't mistaken this to all the other terrible sequels). It is about four orphan dinasours travelling the ruins of their world, while grieving the loss of their families and banding together to face the odds of the world. They encounter many obstancles as they learn to work together in order to survive. I cried from beginning till the end. It was a truly emotional movie that thought us about perseverance, about teamwork and most importantly, about holding on to our dreams and never let go.

I was watching American Idol last night and one of the contestant sang the theme song from the The Land Before Time. This song is called If We Hold On Together, by Diana Ross. Being an emotional person as I am, I cried when I heard that song. It brings back memory of that movie, the hardship, the loneliness, the obstabcles, the betrayal that Littlefoot went through to find his dreams. (Littlefoot is the main dinasour character in The Land Before Time). I cannot forget how Littlefoot's Mum lost her life to protect her son. But Littlefoot's perserverance brought him to realise his dreams in the end. I am glad that it's a happy ending.

When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
~ Author Unknown

Anyway, here a little clip of the theme song, for those who have not heard of it. It's a truly meaningful song.

If We Hold On Together
Diana Ross

Don't lose your way
With each passing day
You've come so far
Don't throw it away
Live believing
Dreams are for weaving
Wonders are waiting to start
Live your story
Faith hope and glory
Hold to the truth in your heart

* Chorus:

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I

Souls in the wind
Must learn how to bend
Seek out a star
Hold on to the end
Valley, mountain
There is a fountain
Washes our tears all away
Worlds are swaying
Someone is praying
Please let them come home to stay

* Repeat Chorus

When we are out there in the dark
We'll dream about the sun
In the dark we'll feel the light
Warm our hearts
Everyone

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As high, As souls can fly
The clouds roll by
For you and I

Emotional Reminiscence #1

Warning: Private & Emotional stuffs involved


I am not supposed to write about this. I really don't wanna blog about stuffs which are of emotional essence in Purple-Mushroom, but I just feel the need to shout it all out today. These moods struck me sometimes. And it just did today. It all started with me searching through Friendster as I was pretty bored at work today (well, I am very much bored each and every day though!) . I didn't managed to find any close friends, but just came across some of my secondary school mates. Ha! It was pretty funny to see people whom you used to hang out with long time ago and have sinced drifted really-really far apart after high school graduation. Then, I came across someone... a person so, so, so close in my heart. My Dear 'Lil Brother's profile.

I went through his profile, pictures, friends, comments, etc... and it just puts a smile on my face. I was reminiscing about the good ole times I spent with him, about 10 years ago... when it's all about Playstation, evening biking, roller blading etc. This is the one person whom I grew up protecting, guiding, scolding, quarrelling, laughing and crying with during my adolescent world. I sometimes really do miss the good ole times, just like what I'm feeling right now.

I don't know how to say this, but each time I come across anything to do with my Lil Bro, this same kinda feeling strikes. Eventhough he is an adult today, but my Lil Bro will always be my Little Brother, no more and no less. It's my duty to be there for him when he needs help. Afterall, I only have one, and only ONE, Dear Brother.

Made in China Stoopidity

I was searching high and low for an AV switch during the weekend but to no avail. Some of you may ask, what is an AV switch? Why do you need it?

This, is an AV switch.

The reason I needed it, is due to the made-in-china plasma TV stupidity.

I moved into my new apartment recently and my landlord provided 2 plasma TVs, one in my bedroom and another in the living room.

The plasma TV in the living room was that of a 42 inch. Ok.. happy with that. We then tried to install the machines... a DVD player, a Satelite TV console and our PS2. What we then realised was the plasma TV has only a single AV input. Holly crap! Isn't this pure stupidity??? Yes... this is truly a made-in-china product stupidity!!! How can you have only ONE single AV input on a 42 inch plasma tv???

Ok, fine. We knew the existence of something called an AV switch. So we went on to Carrefour to find it. Nope. None sighted. Then we proceeded to Suning electrical shop and then to Gome electrical shop. Both Suning and Gome were huge electrical stores but they don't have and have not heard of a thing called AV Switch. Again... pure stupidity!

I went searching for it yesterday from the internet and found it for sale in Taobao.com. Taobao is like our Malaysia's Lelong.com. I happily bidded for that item which cost only a mere RMB13.50.
My AV Switch arrived at my office today. Yay!!! I finally found it! But I better not celebrate it so soon. Who knows... it may not work. Afterall... it is still made-in-China.
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Sam-Bat Day

Today, is International Women's Day. Yes, Women's Day a.k.a Sam-Bat day. Why Sam-Bat? Coz it falls on March the 8th (3.8). Ahhh... now I know how this 3.8 thingy came about. This is the reason why they label woman as 3.8. How ironic!

Being a woman myself, I do not at all feel happy on this day. Instead, it's a down-feeling day for me. Reason: most of the companies in China offers a 1/2 day off for all woman employees. All my friends working in Shanghai has this priviledge and most of them are shopping in Xujiahui now as I blog. Unfortunately, the organization that I am sitting in does not recognize this day for the women. So I am still sitting on my chair, working, feeling so demoralized.

Funny how, that I only realised the existence of this 'Day' in China. Perhaps the Chinese Govt gave more respect to the women than the Malaysian Govt? Anyways, it's a good thing that I know this now.


So, as a tribute to all my female friends and all the Women who read my blog, Happy Women's Day!!! You've got it All, girl!

Silly Beauty Pageants

I read at www.thestar.com.my today about Miss Cheongsam pageant. Here is the entire article:

KL model is Miss Cheongsam

Picture taken from www.thestar.com.my

KUCHING: It was first time lucky for Lee Foong Ling, 20, when she was crowned Miss Cheongsam Malaysia 2007. She beat 17 other finalists and walked away with RM8,000.

Sunday night’s pageant was the first ever for the freelance model from Kuala Lumpur. Lee was overcome with joy after receiving her crown from last year’s winner Lim Lee Ching. “I’m so happy. I did not think I would win because I was very nervous during the question-and-answer session. This is the first time I’ve taken part in a beauty pageant so I’m very happy,” she said.

Lee plans to take part in more pageants besides carrying on with her modelling career. College student Mastarareqha Tony, 19, was first runner-up and Gan Ee Jin, 18, who is waiting for her SPM results, was second runner-up. They received RM2,000 and RM1,000 respectively

Now my question:

What the HELL is Miss Cheongsam??? And do they judge the book or it's cover? Do they have swimsuit session or is the whole thing about wearing Cheongsam and walking around? This is so hilarious. Nowadays they can just come up with anything. Hmmm.... maybe we should start a pageant call Miss Blogging. Ha!

Morons in Shanghai

Venue:
Carrefour, Zhongsan Park
Lower lever, cashier area
Fast lane - less than 5 items




This really pisses me off. The fact that I'm holding a few small items and waiting in line at the fast lane, just to find out that the long queue was due to some morons who couldn't understand that this bloody lane is intended for small purchases of less than 5 items!
Look closely at the 2 moron's trolley. Fully loaded!! The few guys in front are also having trolleys worth more than 5 items. Idiots! And what even pisses me off is the fact that this happened to me 2 times in a week! There is also another lane for pregnant woman. But you've guessed it! Even old fags and grandfathers are standing in the line!

I was wondering why isn't Carrefour management doing something about this. What is the purpose of having these lanes when no one cares or adhered to it? Isn't it pointless? Really beh tahan! Arrrggghhhh!!!!

Test Drive the Damn Car!!

It was just after lunch hour. I headed straight to the washroom and as usual... walked right into the last cubicle to do my thing. Then... I heard some noise. Some grinding sound like gggrrrrzzzzz...... The first thought that came to my mind was: "A vibrator? Someone is using a vibrator!" But then again... there wasn't any groaning and moaning, so I dissed the idea, quickly did my job and get out from that cubicle. Then I realised where the sound came from. Any wild guess? Will not reveal it now... hehe.

Now, this inspired me! I got this email from Princess Eileen containing the following question: "My fren asking me about sex. About G spots and what does orgasm really feels like. Talking about guy's size etc. How important is sex in a relationship?"

My answer to her is simple: Yes. Sex is important

Then came her reply: "So if your bf sucks in bed or have a pathetic size, then quickly dump lor? Like that must trial b4 marriage!"

My Answer: How can you buy a car without test driving it?

Well... the bottom line is... go for a test drive! I am sure there are many who wouldn't agree with me, but I am pretty sure there are also many who will agree! It's simple. You like the car, go for a spin before deciding. If, however, it turns out to be a lousy spin, there are still no hard rules whether or not you should or should not buy the car. Afterall... it's your own decision. You may like the model and despite its poor handling or 'thrust', or both, you may still end up buying that damn car!

So Girls, please... test drive the bloody damn car!!