February 2009

You are currently browsing the monthly archive for February 2009.

I hate automated toll-line and outsourced call centers.

February 28, 2009 in Rants and Opinions by somethingboutrenes | No comments

I called Jetstar’s 24hr toll-line to enquire about their latest airfare promotion

Attempt #1

Automated Woman’s Voice: Please press 1 for English, 2 for…

*1*

Automated Woman’s Voice: Please press 1 for ticketing and booking enquiry, 2 for…

*1*

Round 1
“Music – Music – Promo Ad – Music – Music – More Promo Ads –
Dear valued customers, thank you for waiting…your call is very important to us…”

Round 2
“Music – Music – Promo Ad – Music – Music – More Promo Ads –
Dear valued customers, thank you for waiting…your call is very important to us…”

…

After the 12th rounds…

“Music – Music – Promo Ad – Music – Music – More Promo Ads –

Dear valued customers, thank you for … Hello, this is XXX speaking, how can I help you. (In a strong accented English)”

Me: Hi, I’m calling to ask about …

Accented voice: I’m sorry but you need to call the Asia desk (I freaking called the number listed for Singapore customers) and they will provide you with further assistance. You’ve called us in Melbourne and we are not too sure about the ongoing promotions in Asia. Maybe you can call this number instead ….

Me: (Freak!) But I’ve called the number listed under Singapore call center.

Accented voice: You need to select Chinese language, number 2, to get you through to Malaysia call center, otherwise you will be re-routed to Melbourne again.

Me: (WTH) Ok. So I need to call this new number and select Chinese language.

Attempt #2

Automated Woman’s Voice: Please press 1 for English, 2 for Mandarin…

*2*

Automated Chinese Woman’s Voice: Please press 1 for ticketing and booking enquiry, 2 for…

*1*

Round 1
“Music – Music – Promo Ads – Music – Music – More Promo Ads –

Dear valued customers, thank you for waiting…your call is very important to us…”

….

After the 9th rounds…

Accented Voice: Hello, this is xxx speaking, how can I help you. (In a strange accented Chinese)”

Me: Hi, I’m calling to ask about …

Accented Voice: Oh. I’m sorry, but the tickets that you are enquiring are all sold out during the month of May.

 

Freak.

I need a new header (life).

February 27, 2009 in Miscellaneous, Myself and I by somethingboutrenes | 6 comments

I need change. I need a new header (life).

Header #1

new-header-trial2

I like the rustic-old-washout look but thought the ring looks strange and it will look ugly after cropping it to fit into my header.

Header #2

header-test1

Gloomy and depressing looking. Probably how I feel at times. I need something positive.

Header #3

new-header2

HAH. The pink heels added surprises to an otherwise boring picture. I can imagine myself overlooking a bustling city street scene and am in gorgeous shoes getting all ready to get out of my current life. This is me. This is hence my final choice.

Firestation Hillside Gastrobar

February 24, 2009 in Food by somethingboutrenes | No comments

Had our v-day dinner at Firestation Hillside Gastrobar.

firestation

274 Upper Bukit Timah Road

(Picture taken from http://4-the-love-of-food.blogspot.com)

Food: Average. A great place for booze and catch-ups with your friends though.

Service: HEH. (Need I say more?)

Price: Probably about $40-$50 per pax without the ridiculously-over-priced-vday-set-dinner.

Ambience: Situated in the old fire station at Bukit Timah, the tranquility and exclusive surroundings more than made up for the above 3 factors.

Ratings: 3 /5 (2.5 awarded for the ambience).

I heart (my) Pasta.

February 24, 2009 in Food, Love by somethingboutrenes | No comments

I made pasta during for our pre-valentine dinner. Yes. I can cook. No surprises here. 

I must say. It was the best pasta that I’ve ever tasted in my entire life.

random-032
I know what you are thinking. To your disappointment, it was edible and we were perfectly fine the next day. There weren’t any complex digestion / indigestion issues.

I assumed. We were happy and satisfied.

I should have chosen Betty instead of Mr Jiffy.

February 24, 2009 in Food and Entertainment by somethingboutrenes | 1 comment

This Valentine’s (seems like ages ago) I betrayed Betty and tried Jiffy instead. Like a typical marketing student, I was sold by its traditional-old school packaging, their claims of being “America’s favorite” and being able to provide “Quality and Value since 1930”. Its irresistible price didn’t help too.

I should have known. I should have trusted Betty. See. I love Betty post. 

All I can say was, my muffin tasted like. Muffin.

random-030

jiffy-muffins

Restaurant Chako

February 23, 2009 in Food and Entertainment by somethingboutrenes | 2 comments

Restaurant Chako
134 West Coast Way
Hong Leong Garden Shopping Centre
Singapore 127064
Tel: 67763919 / 67764613

chako-ambience

Ambience: A rustic-Japanese feel with sliding door, floral-print wallpapers and small Japanese knick knacks decorating the small space.

food

Food: Lovingly prepared by the Japanese auntie who single-handedly whipped up all the delectable cuisines. It was awesome. Did I say it was awesome? I ordered the Charcoal Grill Bento Set which comes with Saba fish, Chicken and some sides. The fish was crispy on the outside and juicy in the inside. We also ordered dessert to complete our meal. The green tea ice-cream was a little too bitter for my liking but upon knowing that the ice-cream is fat free, I gobbled it down without any hesitation.

Price: A little on the pricier side. My bento was about $20 but it was well worth.

random-029

Warning: You need to place a reservation as you can tell from the picture they have a very limited capacity. Also, don’t even bother asking for the menu unless you read Japanese. The menu was apparently 40-years-old and most of their patrons ask for recommendations directly from the auntie instead of referring from it. The entire experience was more like visiting my imaginary Japanese auntie for dinner. Oh, you need to be extremely patient too. The auntie took about 30 to 45 minutes to prepare a dish but I must say it was really good.

Ratings: 4.5 / 5 stars

Whatever happened to Adam and Eve?

February 19, 2009 in Miscellaneous, Rants and Opinions by somethingboutrenes | 4 comments

I read this online. Polygamist?! Whatever happened to Adam and Eve?

I have two husbands: A polygamist’s diary by Kathleen Lewis

My first husband was Alan. We fell together like a couple of old shoes, somehow instantly comfortable with each other. We had similar opinions about plural relationships, and neither of us was averse to the idea. Around a year and a half after we were married, we met Eric. He and I were instantly attracted to each other and, as Alan had no objection, we began getting to know each other better. … … and led to an increase in my family’s size.

I remained legally married to Alan, and we all decided a larger house was in order when we met Leslie. …

…Fast forward to today, and our family is now composed of Alan (1st husband), Eric (2nd husband), Leslie (2nd wife), Amber (3rd wife), and myself (1st wife), plus our children: Todd, Steve, Jennifer, Lisa, and Amber is currently pregnant. Eric and Leslie are legally married, and we’ve added a few rooms to the house. We have two family meetings a week, one of which is for adults only, both of which can get lively and loud. We’ve had our arguments over money, people monopolizing other people’s time, dealing with children’s issues, and so forth — like any other family — but we just have more voices in the discussion.

 

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29239960/?GT1=43001 

February 19, 2009 in Rants and Opinions, School by somethingboutrenes | 1 comment

You meet weird people everywhere.

One participant. Answered 12 pages of questions about his attitudes, feelings, and opinions towards an ad. Placed positive ratings, said the ad was interesting but was a little exaggerating. But when asked to write down anything that he can remember about the ad.

He wrote…

…

…

 Nothing. What is freaking wrong with these people.

February 18, 2009 in Miscellaneous by somethingboutrenes | No comments

My ex-ex-ex…boyfriend’s girlfriend is here for my subject pool. She seems familiar but I couldn’t remember who she is. She introduced herself as, “I’m xxx’s girlfriend.”.

Oh.

He dumped me (long time ago) and went out with her instead.

Such a bizarre feeling.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

February 9, 2009 in Movies, Quotes & Quotables by somethingboutrenes | No comments

20081119-benjaminbutton

Watched it last week and it gave me a new perspective in life.

People are meant to die. People are meant to lose their love ones. Cause only through loss, can one learn to cherish what you have. 

Did I mention Brad Pit is cute? Cate is very classy too. 

Ratings: 3.75 / 5

« Older entries