i'm back! recharged with a great weekend party, b's birthday, but now back to work again
- order delivery cock-ups
somehow, the invincible me has managed to fumble on the delivery times for my singapore wholesale orders... long story... but yeah... i hope no grudges or bad marks are born...
- broken down sewing machine
thanks for your kind thoughts! and your offers to help! i'm actually using my old one now, what a joke, i bought a spanking new cool sewing machine to replace my unreliable old one, and now it's this unreliable old one who is helping to save my day...
- production cock-ups
so much hiccups in keeping up with demands and orders! i dreamt that i became a very useful octopus last night... it was kinda freaky but cool... we've been brain storming and discussing about this problem the past week, this can't go on, and there has to be some kind of solution - not mass-produced factory made solution of course! so no worries...
and therefore..
- ill prepared
i had also really underestimated the power of magazine print features.. did i mention? we're in lucky magazine january edition! woohoo! though i haven't seen it yet??? gawd... and also in today's straits times newspaper digital life section! *doing a little ass shakin'* ^_^ more of that later...
- neglected friends complaining
i have been a really lousy and bad friend, and have been unable to be punctual and able to go out for girlfriend dates... i haven't emailed mao for 2 weeks... so sorry babe! have you gotten your package yet?? and i haven't returned steph her tiffin carrier for so long too!!! 5 freaking months! haha, wat a joke, and she stays like 15 mins away from me...
- i cried yesterday
it was actually a pretty funny kinda joke. i just suddenly teared up while talking, just a sudden rush of overwhelming conflicting emotions.. my 3 best pals are all no longer located in singapore... b is a very one-tracked kinda web-coding guy who can't sew, can't cut, can't clean person, and who's just great at coding, giving massages and putting out the trash.. all the manly kinda stuff.. gawd.. haha, and he's left-handed too and all my scissors don't fit him??! wtf man.. i'm sorry for self-pitiance and i already asked him for forgiveness. and of course, all's good.. haha *smuacks*
- congratulations b!
he has climbed up in his career ladder with a climb in very helpful $$ too :p we went shopping for a ton of cool tasteful ties :p because he has to wear one to work everyday and he's feeling like such a grown-up man.. haha
i miss my mum and can't wait to see her during chinese new year... which is soon after x'mas! yippee!
also, i've totally run out of everyone else's promos! every single one! so, send more along my way if you'd like to! ^_^
i promise to update january 2006 with more treelings, wallets, and wooden handle owl totes.. just watch out for them! as you may have already noticed, selected items from us are now available in more stores locally! so singaporeans who dislike buying online, just pop by those locations in town anytime, though i've to tell you first that every store stocks different items from us
overwhelming hard work but overall happy, hope everyone's december is going grreatt!
Monday, December 12, 2005
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Telefonica – the bane of my life
I would love to hear from anyone who has a good word to say about them. I used to think it was because we were English, but the Spanish also complain about them. I live in dread of having to phone directory enquiries because I know that my simple request could drag on for days, weeks – or in the case of ADSL – months.
Until recently, when you dialled 1004 for an operator, you waited for the electronic voice to say ‘Diga me’ (meaning ‘tell me’ in Valenciano) upon which time you shout ‘Hablas Ingles’, meaning you want to speak to someone in English. Then you get the awful piped music which has been the same for four years - ‘na na na - na na na - na na na na na na na - na na na - na na na…etc, (I think it was designed in the hopes that people would cut off rather than listen to it ) which you could listen to for 10 minutes – only to be found that you are then cut off and have to start again. They have very few English speakers, so the wait can be long. Now it has been changed to a fully automated system where you press 1 for this, 2 for that – but if you don’t understand what each option is saying you can go round in circles for ever – only to be cut off at the end of it.
ADSL is another matter. Any queries must be directed to the technical department where there are no English speakers. If you have a problem, and you don’t speak very good Spanish, you will need someone to make the call for you – or pay Telefonica 85 Euros to come out and check it. This would be a mistake as 99% of the problems are at their end anyway.
With Telefonica the customer is never right. If you complain, they will just cut you off. They have the monopoly and with no competition as yet, they treat their customers very badly. I have worked in a call centre in the UK, where all customer enquiries/complaints are logged, so that anyone else answering a call from the same customer can check the database to see what the enquiry is about and how another operator has tried to assist. Not so with Telefonica, no matter how many times you call, they have no record of any previous calls, or what the enquiry was about. The same enquiry can get you many different answers – none of which are very helpful.
In my business, property sales and rentals, I have to be able to answer enquiries at all times, and have five websites to control, therefore I need an ADSL connection at work and at home. As some areas still do not have telephone lines, even in an established area like the Jalon Valley, I suppose I am lucky that I have it at all, but I have moved home quite a few times in four years and each time the scenario is the same – a bloody nightmare. Now I am moving offices, which probably means I will be unable to work at the new one for the next eight weeks.
First you have to arrange the ‘alta’ and the ‘baja’, disconnection of existing line and reconnection at the new place. You cannot pre-order the ADSL connection, nor can you have a new line until your old one is disconnected. Despite calling 10 days in advance (which is the required time), the line is never disconnected on time, meaning you cannot have a phone line in the new place. You cannot request your ADSL until the new phone line has been installed and switched on (there is a 24 hour delay between installation and a working phone). ADSL then takes 21 days, which in my case has been up to eight weeks each time. Despite the fact that it is a business line, they just take their own sweet time. Meanwhile, you are making endless calls to find out the problem, and each time the operator will give you a different story – it is on, the problem must be your computer – the telephone pole is too far from your house, we can’t install it – we have no record of you ordering it – you cancelled it last week………., the list goes on and on. Meanwhile na na na - na na na, is installed into your dreams and Telefonica brings out the violent side of your nature - even if you don't normally have one.
Until recently, when you dialled 1004 for an operator, you waited for the electronic voice to say ‘Diga me’ (meaning ‘tell me’ in Valenciano) upon which time you shout ‘Hablas Ingles’, meaning you want to speak to someone in English. Then you get the awful piped music which has been the same for four years - ‘na na na - na na na - na na na na na na na - na na na - na na na…etc, (I think it was designed in the hopes that people would cut off rather than listen to it ) which you could listen to for 10 minutes – only to be found that you are then cut off and have to start again. They have very few English speakers, so the wait can be long. Now it has been changed to a fully automated system where you press 1 for this, 2 for that – but if you don’t understand what each option is saying you can go round in circles for ever – only to be cut off at the end of it.
ADSL is another matter. Any queries must be directed to the technical department where there are no English speakers. If you have a problem, and you don’t speak very good Spanish, you will need someone to make the call for you – or pay Telefonica 85 Euros to come out and check it. This would be a mistake as 99% of the problems are at their end anyway.
With Telefonica the customer is never right. If you complain, they will just cut you off. They have the monopoly and with no competition as yet, they treat their customers very badly. I have worked in a call centre in the UK, where all customer enquiries/complaints are logged, so that anyone else answering a call from the same customer can check the database to see what the enquiry is about and how another operator has tried to assist. Not so with Telefonica, no matter how many times you call, they have no record of any previous calls, or what the enquiry was about. The same enquiry can get you many different answers – none of which are very helpful.
In my business, property sales and rentals, I have to be able to answer enquiries at all times, and have five websites to control, therefore I need an ADSL connection at work and at home. As some areas still do not have telephone lines, even in an established area like the Jalon Valley, I suppose I am lucky that I have it at all, but I have moved home quite a few times in four years and each time the scenario is the same – a bloody nightmare. Now I am moving offices, which probably means I will be unable to work at the new one for the next eight weeks.
First you have to arrange the ‘alta’ and the ‘baja’, disconnection of existing line and reconnection at the new place. You cannot pre-order the ADSL connection, nor can you have a new line until your old one is disconnected. Despite calling 10 days in advance (which is the required time), the line is never disconnected on time, meaning you cannot have a phone line in the new place. You cannot request your ADSL until the new phone line has been installed and switched on (there is a 24 hour delay between installation and a working phone). ADSL then takes 21 days, which in my case has been up to eight weeks each time. Despite the fact that it is a business line, they just take their own sweet time. Meanwhile, you are making endless calls to find out the problem, and each time the operator will give you a different story – it is on, the problem must be your computer – the telephone pole is too far from your house, we can’t install it – we have no record of you ordering it – you cancelled it last week………., the list goes on and on. Meanwhile na na na - na na na, is installed into your dreams and Telefonica brings out the violent side of your nature - even if you don't normally have one.
Wednesday, December 7, 2005
at the crucial moment...
isn't explaning to your customers, that your sewing machine has broken down, and thus their orders will be delayed, the same as telling your teacher you were late to school, because your alarm clock didn't work?
aarrrgghhh..!
aarrrgghhh..!
Living in Spain - The Corre Foc
The Corre Foc – Run with fire - Dance of Fire or ‘Night of Hellfire’
Throughout Spain at any time of year there are many firework displays. Far superior to the type of firework displays we are used to in the UK, many thousands of Euros are spent on any given display and they are magnificent. On top of these, no Spaniard needs an excuse to string up a row of firecrackers – a wedding, a funeral, a birth, a holy day – whatever the reason, firecrackers are a way of life. These are not like our British bangers, more like bombs exploding, which cause your insides to shake with each bang. There can be hundreds attached to strips of rope which are hung like garlands across the small village streets. Often you are given no prior warning, and those who have parked beneath them may end up with a few scorch marks!
The Correfoc however is something else. This is a spectacular display which should not be missed by any passing tourist. These fantastic shows are organised by companies who specialise in theatrical fireworks and travel around Spain offering their services at local fiestas.
Not all Corre Foc’s are the same, the quality will depend on the company providing it, and the amount that the individual village or town is willing to pay.
It is difficult to describe to someone who has never been, but imagine packed streets, with masked ‘demons’ running through the crowds throwing fireworks in all directions, specially constructed Dragons with flames exploding from their nostrils and eerie background music and you’re half way there.
Head projection is necessary unless you like bald patches, and old clothes are advised. Whilst we advise our children in the UK not to play with fireworks – the Corre Foc encourages it. Some are far better than others, and one of the best I have seen was in La Xara, Denia. The show begins by a large bull on wheels being set fire to and pulled into the crowd – move or get burnt! Trying to video it whilst running backwards to get away amidst a mass of other people was not a good idea. However, somehow I managed it without getting stampeded by either bull or humans.
Whilst the bull proceeds in one direction, masked men on unicycles with huge spinning umbrellas wielding lit roman candles are coming at you from the other. All the children gather under the umbrellas, and follow the cyclists, with sparks flying all over them. Bangers are thrown into the crowds and masked men run wildly amid the crowds with spinning Catherine wheels fixed to structures attached to their clothing, whilst people are getting drunk and dancing to ‘Chiuaua’.
After a long and spectacular display lasting around 45 minutes, the street lights are turned off and the people go quiet. A stage, built on 3 levels and 20 ft high plays host to the grand finale. Eerie music is projected from speakers all around, and demons and devils appear on each level of the stage. The whole construction is just one big mass of fireworks as the Corre Foc draws to a close at 2am.
10 minutes later the street disco begins and the makeshift street bars open – now its party till dawn!
Throughout Spain at any time of year there are many firework displays. Far superior to the type of firework displays we are used to in the UK, many thousands of Euros are spent on any given display and they are magnificent. On top of these, no Spaniard needs an excuse to string up a row of firecrackers – a wedding, a funeral, a birth, a holy day – whatever the reason, firecrackers are a way of life. These are not like our British bangers, more like bombs exploding, which cause your insides to shake with each bang. There can be hundreds attached to strips of rope which are hung like garlands across the small village streets. Often you are given no prior warning, and those who have parked beneath them may end up with a few scorch marks!
The Correfoc however is something else. This is a spectacular display which should not be missed by any passing tourist. These fantastic shows are organised by companies who specialise in theatrical fireworks and travel around Spain offering their services at local fiestas.
Not all Corre Foc’s are the same, the quality will depend on the company providing it, and the amount that the individual village or town is willing to pay.
It is difficult to describe to someone who has never been, but imagine packed streets, with masked ‘demons’ running through the crowds throwing fireworks in all directions, specially constructed Dragons with flames exploding from their nostrils and eerie background music and you’re half way there.
Head projection is necessary unless you like bald patches, and old clothes are advised. Whilst we advise our children in the UK not to play with fireworks – the Corre Foc encourages it. Some are far better than others, and one of the best I have seen was in La Xara, Denia. The show begins by a large bull on wheels being set fire to and pulled into the crowd – move or get burnt! Trying to video it whilst running backwards to get away amidst a mass of other people was not a good idea. However, somehow I managed it without getting stampeded by either bull or humans.
Whilst the bull proceeds in one direction, masked men on unicycles with huge spinning umbrellas wielding lit roman candles are coming at you from the other. All the children gather under the umbrellas, and follow the cyclists, with sparks flying all over them. Bangers are thrown into the crowds and masked men run wildly amid the crowds with spinning Catherine wheels fixed to structures attached to their clothing, whilst people are getting drunk and dancing to ‘Chiuaua’.
After a long and spectacular display lasting around 45 minutes, the street lights are turned off and the people go quiet. A stage, built on 3 levels and 20 ft high plays host to the grand finale. Eerie music is projected from speakers all around, and demons and devils appear on each level of the stage. The whole construction is just one big mass of fireworks as the Corre Foc draws to a close at 2am.
10 minutes later the street disco begins and the makeshift street bars open – now its party till dawn!
Monday, December 5, 2005
my favorite order so far!
absolutely gorgeous!! i have to say, although i've been buying quite a number of cute little stuff from the online community of crafty designers, i haven't been impressed enough to mention any of my buys (i'm one critical bitch huh, heee)... but this has to be the best so far!
you definitely have to check out talented sharleen morco's mmm-fruit, if by some unfortunate luck, you haven't already!
i know 2 people who are going to love their presents sooooo much! *wink* don't worry too, they don't ever read blogs, in fact, they hate the internet, so... they won't catch this delicious picture.. hee
the little handsome fruities are so much larger than i'd expected!! now i know why people think that my treelings are tiny... but in fact, they're not!! note to self: must take pics of treelings with hands in them
great friendly service, prompt replies to emails, very fast and efficient international shipping, great packaging (just like real little fruits all nicely and freshly wrapped up!) and freebies too! this was the ONLY TIME i didn't have to wait like a million years for my order to arrive! it took just 1 week! woo!
i've experienced and observed that many of our genre of online boutiques out there, aren't able to handle international orders as well as they could, even though they do accept international orders and cater to them. shipping internationally HAS to be registered or priority mail, as you call it in america. even if it costs more, let it be an option and charge us, the buyers, for it. i'd rather pay just that bit more to ensure that my package arrives safely, or if not, there would be some kind of compensation, so that either party would not lose out on anything...
also, please let us know when it will ship out before we order anything... because who would want to order 1 small item that takes 2 weeks to get done and another 1 week to ship out and another freaking 1 month to arrive... oh man, that's really taking high-tech business (online) done in the low-tech way (slowness) to the max...
it's sad to say that i haven't received 2 orders so far, and the email correspondences to get something done about my missing orders seem to have vaporised into thin air... hmmm... i don't wanna be a bitch and hanker them for it, so... oh well, just my luck i guess?
anyway... i've decided that i just have to keep one of these cuties for meself!! ooohhh which one... help! ms mandarin orange/ ms ponderosa lemon/ baby nana the banana/ ms georgia peach/ mr fuji apple... gosh..
thanks so much sharleen! you've ended my sad day with a cute happy note ^_^
you definitely have to check out talented sharleen morco's mmm-fruit, if by some unfortunate luck, you haven't already!
i know 2 people who are going to love their presents sooooo much! *wink* don't worry too, they don't ever read blogs, in fact, they hate the internet, so... they won't catch this delicious picture.. hee
the little handsome fruities are so much larger than i'd expected!! now i know why people think that my treelings are tiny... but in fact, they're not!! note to self: must take pics of treelings with hands in them
great friendly service, prompt replies to emails, very fast and efficient international shipping, great packaging (just like real little fruits all nicely and freshly wrapped up!) and freebies too! this was the ONLY TIME i didn't have to wait like a million years for my order to arrive! it took just 1 week! woo!
i've experienced and observed that many of our genre of online boutiques out there, aren't able to handle international orders as well as they could, even though they do accept international orders and cater to them. shipping internationally HAS to be registered or priority mail, as you call it in america. even if it costs more, let it be an option and charge us, the buyers, for it. i'd rather pay just that bit more to ensure that my package arrives safely, or if not, there would be some kind of compensation, so that either party would not lose out on anything...
also, please let us know when it will ship out before we order anything... because who would want to order 1 small item that takes 2 weeks to get done and another 1 week to ship out and another freaking 1 month to arrive... oh man, that's really taking high-tech business (online) done in the low-tech way (slowness) to the max...
it's sad to say that i haven't received 2 orders so far, and the email correspondences to get something done about my missing orders seem to have vaporised into thin air... hmmm... i don't wanna be a bitch and hanker them for it, so... oh well, just my luck i guess?
anyway... i've decided that i just have to keep one of these cuties for meself!! ooohhh which one... help! ms mandarin orange/ ms ponderosa lemon/ baby nana the banana/ ms georgia peach/ mr fuji apple... gosh..
thanks so much sharleen! you've ended my sad day with a cute happy note ^_^
Sunday, December 4, 2005
cranky
i had the most fabulous time at attica on saturday night with b, it has been such a long time since we went clubbing and drinking together exclusively (6 months??), without being with a whole group of friends, and it was really nice for a change... and it's b's birthday this coming friday, and i still gotta come up with the surprise gift part II... *blank* oh, we always do gifts in parts, part I, II, III, don't know why, both of us just think this way's more fun... oh, and x'mas gifts.. gawd... *super blank* i'm so busy packing gifts for my customers and yet have yet to do any for my friends... it's so lucky to be my friend huh LOL
other than sat night, it has been the most torturous time, i don't feel like celebrating the whoopping number of sales at all, it's totally weird and screwy. being busy and having lesser sleep is totally making me too unnecessarily sensitive to everything and everyone around me. like my menopausal dad today. the whole situation just pissed me right off to the moon. no rudeness to the elders intended.. but whatever, think what you like. ppfftt..
december has never been so un-december-ish for me... wow, can't wait for 2006...
i believe if someone truly has the intention of helping another person, to the extent of volunteering their help without being asked, they will, should, and must, do it wholeheartedly and 110% willingly and happily. to feel obliged to help, means it is coming mostly from the mind and not the heart. which means you're not doing it to help the other person, you're simply doing it for yourself, to make yourself look and feel good that you've been, technically speaking, "helpful". and that, is fucked up, and that "helpful" person should just stop doing whatever he is doing.
if i've a 100 to spare, i'll spare all 100, if i've 10000 to spare, i'll spare all 10000. don't act around me like some crazy pathetic fool whom i owe my 9 previous lives to. i don't owe anyone any shit, except my wholesale buyers, who have been waiting for their orders, a few favors here and there from some friends, and my mum who gave birth to me.
i'll take refuge in my paradise forest lair in my dreams tonight again... cos the world sucks ass... talking bears are much more fun.
other than sat night, it has been the most torturous time, i don't feel like celebrating the whoopping number of sales at all, it's totally weird and screwy. being busy and having lesser sleep is totally making me too unnecessarily sensitive to everything and everyone around me. like my menopausal dad today. the whole situation just pissed me right off to the moon. no rudeness to the elders intended.. but whatever, think what you like. ppfftt..
december has never been so un-december-ish for me... wow, can't wait for 2006...
i believe if someone truly has the intention of helping another person, to the extent of volunteering their help without being asked, they will, should, and must, do it wholeheartedly and 110% willingly and happily. to feel obliged to help, means it is coming mostly from the mind and not the heart. which means you're not doing it to help the other person, you're simply doing it for yourself, to make yourself look and feel good that you've been, technically speaking, "helpful". and that, is fucked up, and that "helpful" person should just stop doing whatever he is doing.
if i've a 100 to spare, i'll spare all 100, if i've 10000 to spare, i'll spare all 10000. don't act around me like some crazy pathetic fool whom i owe my 9 previous lives to. i don't owe anyone any shit, except my wholesale buyers, who have been waiting for their orders, a few favors here and there from some friends, and my mum who gave birth to me.
i'll take refuge in my paradise forest lair in my dreams tonight again... cos the world sucks ass... talking bears are much more fun.
Thursday, December 1, 2005
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)