Quarterly SMSP Gathering

The Savvy, Motivated, Successful People got together last Saturday for a sumptous Seafood dinner at Pantai. There were 13 of us and two of them were Steff's friends from France and Germany. More pictures can be viewed at http://community.webshots.com/album/461301508ZFBrrQ

Insects are getting creative! So people....buck up!

I started realizing rashes on my arm since last Tuesday ort Wednesday. It was itchy, and of course it is so nice to scratch sometimes. And at night, you scratch unconsciously. Then as Thursday and Friday came, it developed into mosquito-bite type. And it is a smile sign, happy that it was a success, and when I look at it, it is a sad smile for me (see the picture attached). Today, my neck and back have the rashes, small spots only. Just seen the doctor, and he also said he has never seen that type of smile before. He actually used a ruler to measure the distance in between the red spots. Ha!!!

Oh Sandee!!! / Happy Birthday Sandee

2 weeks ago, I found out that Sandee was not looking at the food when I extended my hand in front of her. She was smelling and looking here and there. I also did more things, and I realized that could be blind one side. So today, her birthday, exactly 8 years old, I took her to Dr Yeoh to get her annual vaccincations. Yes, she is blind. Could be cataract. Poor Sandee!

Love Your Car & Respect Others' Cars

Don't you just hate it, when someone does not park properly?

Yesterday evening, I was at Section 17, waiting for Kelvin to call me. I parked, and stayed in the car while I called Jay. In the midst of our conversation, a white Iswara Hatchback pulled up next to my car, kind of close. I told Jay that this man just came and it is so near, let's see how is he gonna get out. He didn't even have the courtesy to open his door slowly, he opened and hit the wheel fender of my car. Thankfully I have the stoneguard to protect it. So I horned at him and he gave me a very angry stare. He slammed his door back, reversed his car and accerlerated very loudly. He came out of his car and spitted next to his car in a very unsatisfied way. (This is very typical of Asian to show anger).
Still staring at me, I quickly asked Jay how to say "stupid" in his language. I wind down my window and told him, excuse me, you hit my car. He replied, but I didn't scratch your car. But you hit it. I didn't want to argue further. If everyone hits the wheel fender everyday, then it will create a deep dent.
What bad judgment he has by parking so near. He is not that thin to squeeze through. I said "Stupid" to him in his language, but I don't think he heard it because I may not have pronounced it correctly. I have my pepper spray ready should he want to do anything. But I don't think he would do anything more, as he has 2 kids with him.

For those who reads this, please always think of others, park properly, park straight and in the designated box. Also use your indicator lights always. It is there for something, so use it! It is your communication tool for other drivers.

Beware of USAFIS or ISS - Making your Green Card Dream Come Thru?

Every year, United States will make available 50,000 permanent resident visas drawn from random selection. You must meet strict eligibility requirements in order to enter. For 2005, 87 Malaysians got it.

Lately, there are some organizations who offer their services to help you apply and ask you to pay a fee. I did that twice, with two different organizations.... and I learned my lesson. You filled up the same form, and they help you check the application form to see if you fill in correctly because they claimed that some questions or information asked, we may not understand the American lingo. Pleasssssseeeee.... as if I don't know how to check. And if you are talking to someone who has not gone to school, maybe they need help. And not understand the American lingo, come on!!! You don't know your customer well enough. And if this organization can gurantee the green card, why not. But their chance is as good as applying via the United States. So why not go direct? No fee at all.

USAFIS has representatives in US as well as United Kingdom. Someone from UK called me 2 years ago, and then last year, then a month ago and then just yesterday. All these times, I informed them I am not interested. They sounded very suprised. And I was a bit annoyed, why didn;t they update in their system, that I was already talked to.

Yesterday the representative got me fuming mad. She was telling me this great offer to enter the lottery. Before she finished, I told her I am not interested and I have already told one of her colleagues a month ago. She asked why? Don't you want the green card? She kept asking why. I told her I have my own reason. And she asked what was the reason... I said I don't want to tell. She said she is asking in a polite way. I told her I don't want to tell. She said I have an attitude. And she hung up. Gosh, is that the way to treat a customer? If people don't want to tell, let it be. Your organization is not credible enough, so please don't push for an answer which will antagonise the situation. Also I am trying to save their phone calls. Well, just give me 10 reasons why I should pay so much when I can do it free???

See, as an Excellent Customer Service Facilitator, statistics have shown that if you give bad service, 8 other people will get to know about it. Here, more than 8 people will read my blog. If it hadn;t been for that rude lady, I will not even bother about writing about USAFIS or ISS and informing you all not to use them. One bad representative in an organization, tarnish the whole organization. Below is the warning from the US Government.

Please Note: There have been instances of fraudulent websites posing as official U.S. Government sites. Some companies posing as the U.S. Government have sought money in order to "complete" lottery entry forms. There is no charge to download and complete the Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form.

E Excel, Enrich, Nu Skin, Sunrider, Amway or No Way

The above are direct selling or some called it multi level marketing companies. They promise good returns and make you rich in 2 years, etc, etc. Besides money, some promise you a great figure after taking their Weight Management products. Some play "doctors" and said, see, you are always down with a flu. Take this everyday, and you will not have flu. Wow, miracle drink!

I am not brand loyal, but whatever product fits me, I will stick to it. I am a user of Amway, Clinique and Body Shop. Especially Clinique - I have used it for 20 years and it is suitable for my skin. I have full confidence and trust. Now, why change to something which you are not sure if it works, and something which may harm your skin? You may end up paying more to see a doctor. I know of an agressive agent from one of the above companies. He kept saying this is good and that is good. And he played doctor. If this company can produce something which can fit everyone in the world, then we do not need so many types of brands in the market, right?

I just hope that some of these agents will know the limits and not just think of the dollar signs. Of course there are those people who wants to get rich fast and those with the passion. Target those people please.

Anyone has AIA Insurance?

After reading Dickory's blog on AIA Insurance, I want to pen down my unhappiness with AIA. Don't be fool by these agents. Before you sign up with them, they will say this and that can be claimed. My mom had an experience where she bought a medical insurance with AIA. This lady said that she could even claimed after she visits a chinese traditional doctor (Ti Ta). Just give her the bill and claim form. My mom hurt her arm and saw this chinese doctor where he did massage, and wrapped with herbs. She gave this AIA agent the documents and later to be informed that this is not claimable. I don't want to fill in the whole ding - dong events. At first when mom told me that it is claimable, I didn't quite believe it. Having to work in HR and also working in line with an Insurance company, we only accept medical chits from doctors who are in the Malaysian Medical Practitioners. The Chinese Traditional Doctors are not. Same goes with insurance.

Apart from Insurance, yes, "Falling Sick is not for those without money". It is expensive now, so take good care of your health and start saving. Even though is a dollar a day to start off with. Going to the vet is more expensive than seeing a normal doctor. I have to spend almost RM500 over for two dogs last month. But last week, I went to see a doctor for cold and cough and it only cost me RM13!!! I have to ask the nurse twice, how much?

Dickory - speedy recovery to your dad!

Still Celebrating Birthday...

In the Siemens Dysfunctional Family, Kelvin, Kat and I have our birthdays in the same month. Jay and Hui Ming bought us dinner at Delicious, One U on September 6. Each of us have a piece of cake. Nic could not make it as he is in Penang. This restaurant is very unique, it is behind a boutique called Ms Read. There is another Delicious in Bangsar Village.

Melodying in Nilai

The Melody Choir charted another milestone - they received many praises and great feedback from the congregation after they sang at the 6th Anniversary and Dedication Service of Nilai Methodist Church on September 3. We presented 2 songs - an English and a chinese number. It has been 5 years since we last sang an English song.

I have both of them back

Kelvin is back from his Master studies from Germany. Finally the two boys are together. Kelvin begins his 3 years bond with Siemens as of September 5, 2005. Let the countdown begins!

SMSP Quarterly Gathering

The Savvy, Motivated, Successful People got together last Saturday for a sumptous Seafood dinner at Pantai. There were 13 of us and two of them were Steff's friends from France and Germany. More pictures can be viewed at http://community.webshots.com/album/461301508ZFBrrQ

Cure for Cough and Cold via Acupuncture???

I am ill again, down with running nose, cough and sore throat since Monday night. and this time I have quite a bit of muscle ache. Today I went for an acupuncture session for my knee. The Dr upon hearing me sniffling and coughing, asked you got a cold? Since when? He then put a needle on my forehead! And then one needle on each palm and one on each leg. I am still figuring out how is this possible. That was done at 5.30pm and now more than 6 hours, I am still coughing and have a nose block. Let's see tomorrow. But this Dr is well known to cure many ailments and even make a barren lady to have a baby girl.