Discovering Singapore(:

Very backdated! :X Approximately 2 weeks ago, 24Seven brought us, bloggers, to Singapore Discovery Center! (:

the magic sticker(:

What’s there you ask? Well…SDC holds different exhibition every 3-4 months BUT! The current exhibition is called, “SG Tidbits 365“! Basically, it’s an exhibition about the well-know AND less-known facts of Singapore. You might think you know EVERYTHING! But you’ll be surprised! I like how they make the exhibition like a treasure hunt (: You will be handed a small ‘envelope’ like this -

the envelope(:

Your ‘task’ is to go around the exhibition and collect postcards  from 8 different stations located all over SDC! Just like the one below!

Station 1 : Jalan Jalan

Just a little spoiler/teaser, the other stations are: Singapore Kilat, Die Die Must Try!, Singapore CHOPE!, Don’t Play Play, Arms, Hands and Hairy Legs, Sama-sama Kawan-Kawan and SPOIL Market!

at one of the station. can you guess which one?

My only question (?) is that…erm…was there an exhibition about the many short forms/acronyms that Singaporeans like to use? Like CTE, PIE, ITT, ITQ and etc? (: I might have missed it?

a STRONG little red dot, we are!

Of course, other than the exhibition, we got to try our hands on the SAR21 rifle *rubs hands in glee* I remember my dad an sister queuing forever to try them on one of our trip to SDC during CNY (yes, it’s opened on the 2nd day!!). Never quite knew what the attraction is until I got my hands on it! OMG. Like shooting (photography), shooting IS addictive! Even though I had a little problem cause my dominant eye is the left and I am a right hander-.- So there will be instances where I will close my right eyes and see nothing-.- BAH! But! I was the best shooter out of my round with QQ and Shuyun! WHEEEE~

And also, guess what’s available at SDC as well?

can you guess it yet?

Yes! Movies @ SDC’s iWerks! (: Can’t get a seat at GV/Cathay? Aww! Check if the show is showing at SDC! Cause guess what?! Movie tickets are at $7, regardless of time, day OR *drumroll* if it’s 3D or not!! Hehehe! But hor, the seats are little crammy for people with long legs like me:X But hello! It’s worth it! Just fyi, Avatar is showing there in 3D!!

So can’t think of any place else to go? Then bring your family down to SDC! (:

vroom vroom!

Thank you, SDC and 24Seven for this educational trip (:

[Sorry for the super late post! *pulls ears* :p]

it’s not just about the physical stuff.

[Personal opinion]

Many a times, shops or companies tend to over-concentrate on the physical stuff in their pursue to provide their customers with the best service and the best experience.

Beautiful shop front, spacious shop, nice ambiance music, hunky/pretty staff, big cushion seats, dazzling displays and even fragrant shop smell! But but! What about the attitude of your staff?

Look at True Spa! Yes, they occupy the entire Level 16 of NAC (yes, they told us. Like I am supposed to be impressed?o.O), have beautiful (but old) decorations. They provide tea before and after your treatment, give you fruits and is located at a super prime location. But will I go back there? No.

And there’s Burberry @ Paragon. Spacious, beautiful shop, good looking staff and bloody nice bags! But! My brother went there once with his friends and yes, even though they are young, it doesn’t mean that you can treat them rudely and snubbed them!

I can pull out a whole lot more examples but the bottom line is yes, the physical stuff does contribute to the overall experience of the customers but if ultimately, the soft stuff (ie the attitude of your staff) is not there, it sucks! And frankly, if the physical stuff is not there BUT the soft stuff is then HELL! You still get your customers! Because it doesn’t matter! Your customer loves you!

Enough of the trashing. Let’s look at some companies that these ‘failed’ ones can learn from.

True Spa can definitely learn from Strip. They are very organised and have very good service staff. They remember your name and they always serve you with a smile. My manicurist there actually remembers me! And I only go there once every few months! And my waxer also remember me! Even though the last time she helped me was months ago!

Then there’s Scarlet Hotel. The moment I stepped in and before I could finish telling them my name, the hotel staff already know. They completed my name for me! Hahaha. And when they met me in the hallway, they actually REMEMBER! Checking in and out was a breeze.

And then there’s my optician in the small corners of Bishan. Need to walk abit, shop front quite small and crammy. But their service is quite good. They remember your preference too!

So yeah! More about online service tmr!

[I am super anal about services because I used to work in the service line.]

SCDF ad.

I saw the flash banner on Nadnut’s blog and erm..I don’t understand! So, I took two printscreen -

eh?

When I saw the first banner, images of firemen in shorts came running into my mind with hose! (yeah, reality stopped for a moment.)

Then the bottom banner came up and I was like, “HUH?! That is still trousers what!!”

Can someone explain to me? Or maybe perhaps they shouldn’t have used the word trousers in both banners?

Bad service at True Spa.

My friend invited me to True Spa for a massage last Tuesday and it was a bad experience.

Plenty of staff at the reception, but all pretended to be busy when we stepped out of the lift. We told them our names and the very next instant, they forgot about it. The CSO turned and walked away, didn’t ask us to follow her and when she turned around and saw that we were not, looked at us like we were idiot. Best part was, she went, “Erm…erm…you over there..follow me.” WHAT?!

a) If you can’t remember our names, at least call us ladies, miss or something. Not you over there.

When we were seated, she dumped us two clipboards and two forms, told us to wait. While filling up the form, another CSO came over and DUMPED two cups of teas on the table. I was shocked but out of habit, I said, “Thank you!” and the CSO just barked, “You’re welcome” over her shoulders.

So while we were filling in the form, a spa specialist (SS) came and told us to stop filling up the form. Took a quick look and saw that I was 22. Apparently, I don’t fulfill the age limit. The SS did not tell me why and just said that I don’t fulfill the age limit and I am therefore, not entitled to the massage. No apologies or anything.

b) If there’s an age limit for your services, you could have told my friend when you informed her that she can bring a friend along.

I asked why and the best answer the SS can give was still, “Our services do not cater to those 23 and below.” REALLY? Frankly, I think it’s because they think that people who are 23 and below do not have the financial capabilities. I just sat there fuming, because the SS kept repeating the same reason in different ways, hoping that I will say, “Ok then. I’ll just go then.”

Well, if she had apologized, I would have quietly left because I just had a full body massage the day before! But nope, no apology and I hated the way she was handling the problem. So I told her that I am not going to “pay” for a mistake that her colleague has made. I will be really unhappy if this turned out to be a wasted trip.

And so, she went off to talk to her ‘manager’.  When she came back, she told me, “Miss, I’ve managed to secure you a foot spa! It’s of the same value as the back massage!” Like WHAT? It’s your fault to begin with so why does it sound like you are doing me a favour? And! It’s not about the monetary value of the service, you doofus. URGH!

To not make matters ugly for my friend or anyone, I forced a smile and nodded. Off I go for my foot spa. Happily ever after right? NOT!

It’s a small room, dimly lit crammed full of people. The ‘massage’ chair was peeling and the moment I put my feet into the water, I got a scratched. And the service staff do not make eye contact with their customers! They give me a feeling that they just want to get their job done and go home. Doesn’t help that they will actually talk to their colleagues who are standing behind you?

Oh and I feel like I am in some sweat shop? A SS came in and asked the lady doing my foot spa, “Are you done? I need this chair. Come on! Hurry up!” WTF?!!!

c) Please don’t pretend your customer is transparent.

AFTER the foot spa, we were made to wait (again). This time another SS came and ‘interviewed’ us. She looks like she is high on drugs. Can’t formulate her questions properly and give off the same “I just want to get this over and done with” vibe.

She asked us to give her names of our friends who might be interested in the service and when both of us said we dont, she said she will be right back. We nodded and WAITED. We waited and waited, she didnt come back!

So we went to the front desk to look for her and guess what she’s doing? She’s sitting there, enjoying life! When she saw us, she went, “OH! Yah. You guys can leave now.” WTF.

Seriously? Don’t ever go there.

a pervert.

i was taking a looong stroll after sending Victor and Qiquan to the train station. and towards the end of the stroll, i met a pervert.

i was walking towards a staircase/shelter and this guy came down the staircase and waited. i thought he was waiting for someone to fetch him so i ignored him. walked passed him, nothing happened. just remembered that he smelled of cigarette.

then, a few steps later, he walked really quickly passed me and slowed down. at which point, he started scratching his crotch. i averted my eyes and stared at the envelope/book + orange rubber bracelet he was wearing on his other arm. HE TURNED AROUND! And instead of scratching his crotch, he was juggling his balls and you-know-what. He started walking towards me and had the intention of bumping into me. But I paused and glared at him. I guessed that shocked him. So, while he was still juggling his balls and deciding on his next move, I ran away.

I really didn’t know how scared I was until I was standing outside my house. I started crying. Sigh.

On the down side, the guy seems like the one who followed me home a month or so back. Same height, same built and same style of holding things in his hands. Shite.

On the bright side, or let’s just say, to reduce the cognitive dissonance, I am going to laugh at myself. Because, here’s what went through my mind. A minute before and after the incident.

I miss J. Where are the stars? I miss being the high-powered senior in school. Photography. Sigh. 3-digits left in bank. Where are you, stars?

(Appearance of guy at staircase) Ok, weird man. Looks gay. Oh look, car outside Deyi! Where are the stars?! Okay, strong cigarette smell. Why is he all jumpy? Are they going to open the gates for the car? Walking pass strange man now.

(After passing strange man) Strange vibe. Ohwell. Woah! He just walked passed me. Hey, uncle! Stop scratching your balls! I can see it! Reminds me of *** *** from Deyi. Definitely FB worthy! Okay, dont stare. Concentrate on orange bracelet. Orange bracelet.

(At which point, he turned around) WOAH! Major juggling happening there. SHIT! *looks at man* He is NOT going to bump into me is he? SHIT! SHIT! URGH! WOAH! Stop! *glares* Okay, RUN! RUN!

Yeah. Have to be more careful i guess.

Staycation @ The Scarlet Hotel

Heard about the term ’staycation’ waaay back in JC days. Basically, it’s a like a vacation BUT without the travelling. You get a nice hotel, drop all work and just enjoy (: Here’s an article about it in Strait Times back in April.

Been toying with the idea for a very long time. I just need a change in environment. Even if just for awhile. So, I bite the bullet and booked a hotel at the Scarlet (: On off we go for a 1 day staycation!(: Just me, me, me!

Can I just say how impress I was with not just the decoration but also the customer service provided? When I arrived, the receptionist knew my name after I said I made an internet booking. Was told to wait for awhile before being SHOWN to my room! (:

And, Singaporeans being Singaporeans. I liked how they press the doorbell before entering the room for you. Nice! They know of such practices too!

The room is not too big! But just nice for me! Cosy (:

cosy (:

They have cable in the room and internet connection too! The first thing I did when I went in was to look for the cable for internet! Heh. After which, I checked out the toilet!

washroom(:

Very clean and simple no?(: I like! So, the bed and the washroom passed the test! And I am officially happy with the room! I plonked down on the bed and started flipping through the channels. And HELLO! With HBO, Star Movies and Star World, you won’t be bored!! I was so entertained that I almost missed my massage appointment!

On my way out, I met one of the receptionists and guess what? The person actually remembered my name and greeted me! WOAH! Yes, I am easily impressed.

After my massage, I took a bath and promptly fell asleep(: Best nap I ever had! I even woke myself up with my own snore :X But it was good! I slept through the girls’ calls! :X HAHAH! It was good (:

Cynthia and Mabel came over for a girls’ night out. We chatted for awhile before they have to leave to catch the train home. We chatted, we stopped and it was nice. Thanks, girls(:

Alone again in the room, I decided to take another bath before lounging on the bed and watch TV until I fell asleep :X I woke up at 2 hours interval because I kept waking myself up with my first snore-.- But ohwells!

I slept all the way till 11.40 (check-out was at 12!). I was seriously contemplating extending the stay but ALAS! The wallet and bank account screamed out. 3 digits are never good. So I reluctantly packed and left:(

I love Scarlet! And I want to go back!

happy after a good night's rest(:

OH! Their call-waiting is uber cool! It goes something like this -

gracious greeting from the scarlet. your call is my desire. i want to give you ardent pleasure. please hold. thank you~

Cute no? (:

Saving up for my next one!

Addiction.

Quote from Grey’s Anatomy -

The hardest part about kicking a habit is wanting to kick it.
We get addicted for a reason.
Often, too often, things that start out as just a normal part of your life, at some point, crosses the line to obsessive, compulsive, out of control.
It’s the high that we are chasing. The high that makes everything fade away.

The thing about addiction is that it never ends well.
Because eventually whatever it is that was getting us high, stops feeling good and starts to hurt.

Still.

They say you don’t kick a habit until you have hit rock bottom. But how do you know you are there?

Because no matter how badly the thing is hurting us, sometimes, letting it go hurts even worse.