My Singtel Drama...

Before I begin this story.... I must say that I don't know why I did not blog it down sooner.
I have repeated it so many times.... I feel it is a total waste of energy.
So, I am venting it one last time... in black and white.

In January...I was blissfully unaware of the perks of a Blackberry.
I would tease my friends whenever I saw how attached to them they all were.
Crackberry, we would nickname it and they would try to convince me to swap over..
Me, cockily refusing, saying I would never be a slave to the device.

WHAM!

Aidan buys himself an Iphone and is given a $500 voucher to spend within a day...
He cannot use that voucher to buy another Iphone so he tops up some more cash and gets me a Blackberry Bold 9700. He knows that I have many friends in Hong Kong and Indonesia that use the BBM service.

At the time, I was using the Nokia e71 which I was really pleased with. I loved the picture quality, the speakers for my music, the slick feel. I wasn't looking to change but the BB seemed so tempting.

Last week of January I call Singtel, to check on my plan and what it would cost me to swap over to a BB data plan.
The lady tells me that my contract expires on the 4th of Feb so I figured it would be best I wait it out and then sign on a brand new contract. It also meant I had 2 weeks to suss out other price plans with other providers.
I checked with M1 and StarHub (even bought a Green card by mistake... another story there),
asking them of their price plans for data usage etc to compare.
After dabbling in numbers here and there, I decided to stick with Singtel...more out of convenience than anything else.

This is where the saga begins....

On the 10th of Feb, I go into Tampines mall to recontract. I was also given a $100 voucher to spend on a handset.
The lady who served me was a lady named Gladys.
I told her I wanted to use my voucher on the Samsung Colby but wanted to recontract on the Blackberry Flexi Plan $49 a month with a 15G allowance, as I am now using a Blackberry. (which I was holding in my hand)
She fiddled with her computer...got me my free phone, took my IC, I filled out some forms, she typed out some stuff then took me the cashier and it wasn't long before I was on my way.

A day or so pass and I do not receive any data service. I can still make calls and receive smses but can't surf the web or download my BBm.

I call Customer Service and they tell me my data plan has not been activated.
After about an hour conversation, re-telling the story and reconfirming the plan, the service person tells me that it should work in a day or two.

So I wait.

Chinese New Year arrives... steamboat feasts, catch-ups with Cousins, lots of yu-sheng and Open Houses.
Does my data service work? Nope.

I call Singtel on the 2nd day of CNY....speak to a guy and he pretty much tells me the same thing.
So I wait....and then.. FINALLY.... woohooo....I'm connected.

I hook up my email, my bbm, my whatnots, whatsapp & whatsups.
All my BB friends are stoked, my Nokia e71 ditched and life seems so much sweeter on crack(berry).

I now notice that once a BB friend realizes you are a BB user too... pins are swapped as well as approving nods.
They say "Welcome to the Family... You'll never look at email, messaging etc the same again."
or "It makes so much more sense and the bills are even cheaper...."

3 weeks into full addiction... I decide to check my account balance with Singtel.
Just to know, roughly, what my cost would be.
The automated voice on the phone properly pronounces, "Your account balance dated March 11 is Five hundred and seventy two dollars. Your last bill paid was Feb 28th 2010."

WTF?

I remember paying my bill the day after my data was connected, so as to better give me a gauge of data charges.
So what I am hearing now is that in 3 weeks, I rounded up a bill of $572?
Huh?

I call Singtel...
After an hour of being redirected to 3 different people and telling them all my story...
asking them how my charges have escalated so ridiculously, this lady Erma tells me that the breakdown shows I have a penalty charge of $450 for downgrading my plan.

She then proceeds to tell me that my plan did not run out, as the 1st Singtel lady told me,
and then when I went into Tampines Singtel, the lady swapped my plans instead of re-contracted me and downgraded my plan. So now I have to pay the penalty.

I ask to speak to the manager, or someone who can help me.
Erma puts me through to this worker named Marziah Mohd and
as I am explaining the situation to her..
she answers me with "yah.....so." and "ah..ok I will call u back in a few days, OKAY?"

I tell her I do not appreciate her tone and asks again to speak to the Manager.
She puts me on hold and after some time, I am directed to yet another lady.
I tell her my situation all over again and this time, she is apologetic, telling me she will waive the penalty and reset the billing charges.
She tells me Singtel is sorry and my next bill will only reflect my usage from today on my BB flexi $48 a month plan with 15g allowance.
I put down the phone relieved. I believe this is the last I will hear of this.

I go to Bali for 2 weeks. For Nyepi... for the Kiss Villas launch party...
I get back into Singapore two nights ago.
I call Singtel to check my outstanding balance.

Five hundred and seventy two dollars.

???

Food for thought..... on Beach Day ( Bali Sunday)

Beach day at Padang Padang is always delightful.
I remember coming here with Parta a few times before when I was living in Bali in 2007.
Last year, Padang Padang was the Bali backdrop for the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" (based on the book) filmed here, starring Julia Roberts.
During high tide, you can swim the clear blue waters and even rock climb with the locals.
The warung there serves nasi goreng, mee goreng, egg tomato and cheese toasties amongst other things. And to the right of the comfy beach, there are rock formations and hidden adventures that lurk behind the cracks.

During this time of the year, you can't watch the sunset from Padang Padang and
Dreamland has been destroyed by all the construction happening there.
So Eddie, Parta, Yulia, Aidan and I go for sun-downer Mexican just down the road.
Yulia and I have the fish tacos, which come with side salad, yellow rice and mexican beans.
Oh and yummy roasted potatoes.
Eddie, Parta and Aidan have the beef burritos which are well reputed.
The margaritas here are incredible too, but we all refrain ourselves since the drive back down to Nusa Dua and Seminyak is lengthy.
The deco is quaint with little reminder tablets, hung on the wall saying
"People in a rush, not allowed here."
There is a poster of Bob Marley, surfboards affixed on the ceilings and photographs of surfers, conquering massive waves.
Most of the pictures are of the owner himself, riding waves all over Uluwatu.

I forget to introduce myself and ask for his name but the whole 2 hrs we were there,
he watched over us with such genuineness and attentiveness.
The chefs even shared a 'recharge' moment with us by blasting Bobby McFarrin's
"Don't Worry, Be Happy" song in the midst of our meal. We all sing along loud and proud.

Earlier that day, Eddie and I had a gratifying breakfast at Gourmet cafe with some good friends.
The french toast there is exquisite and their Liver Detox juice is my ultimate favorite.
Their omelets are also delectable and you can even make your own sandwiches.
I usually have croissants with tuna and melted cheese.

For supper, I scoffed down the Nicoise salad from Soho. I love their anchovy dressing.
And indulged myself with the Vanilla milkshake. Slurp.

What a feast I was blessed with today. A healthy one too for that matter.

Stay tuned for more of my BALI FOOD ADVENTURES.

Student Power – Environmental Change Starts from a Young Age

Student Power – Environmental Change Starts from a Young Age

Such a powerful piece and so enlightening.
Yes children have the power and we should start from now, to educate them truthfully.
God gave us free will, we should give our youth, the future, the same...if not more.
Teach them, give them the info and let them decide for themselves.

Namaste

P.s Am reading a book now called "Eating Animals". Highly confronting but incredibly educational.
I suggest you give it a read.

Do u.... want more?

Last Sunday, I was accused of being selfish with my knowledge.
My photographer friend Olivier said,
"I've known you all this while and I only recently realized how spiritual you are."
He went on to tell me,
"If I knew this before, I would have seeked your cosmic advice way before."

My only defense was to reply...
"I believe spirituality is best shared through positive experiences and personalities.
If personal theories were preached and insisted upon, spirituality does not come by choice.
If by being a spiritual person, in touch with the cosmic, one is at peace with themselves, happy and joyful to be around... that is a good example of what the Universe can bring u, if u only believed.
People will then seek their own awareness and happiness since they see that THIS is what inner peace and compassion brings to me."

Well Olivier and I went on to have quite an indulgent Sunday...
with good food, groovy music, lots of drinks and great company
and through the day, we would catch each others eyes,
exchange a intuitive nod and went on bouncing through the party.

Monday morning came and I got to thinking....
He is right.
I know all these things...out of pure passion and personal achievement.
I know of angels and Goddesses and crystals and healing herbs...
and I have not shared it....enough.
I share it with my Loved ones and my best friends and strangers I encounter
but I have not seeked out another avenue to share more.

Since I was a little girl, I had been fascinated with the Mystical.
I was born Catholic but grew up reading philosophical novels, bibles and encyclopedias on ancient remedies.
Crystals were my type of 'candy', my eyes would always follow butterflies and birds,
insisting to know the name of every tree or plant and totally tamed by the sight of the Ocean.

During my early years of modeling and while I was still in school,
I use to get sarcastic remarks about the constant grin on my face or my airy fairy comments about the day and all things remarkable.
And I would read my Sybil Leek books,
hiding the covers and titles from their sights just to avoid scrutiny and judgement.

These days, as much as I look to the Angels and Goddesses for signs and guidance,
I follow Buddhism.
Which speaks of awareness, compassion and acceptance mainly.
I go to the temple whenever I can, and pray for my family and friends but more important,
I fuel my lifestyle by surrounding myself with good friends and clean fun.
Our indulgences are deserved and we hurt nobody else in the process so we give ourselves that permission to let loose. That's my type of Good Times.
The energies exchanged are genuine and clear of dishonesty and secrets and malice.
We laugh because we are happy we live.
Not out of bitchiness or jealously brought on by insecurities.
And we celebrate the Trust, within the circle and the depth of our histories together.
We share life mottos and helpful lessons to get through Life.
And we promise each other loyalty and love.

I know I am blessed. Because I have these friends, and I have this advice.
And I know of the Universe and how cycles are necessary in this world.
But I want to share it.
With you... yes You.
Just one bit at a time.
Spare me some of your brain space and see if my words resonate within you.
And if they work for you....
Or even if reading them entertains or lightens you.
Support me if I tell you my stories and my experiences.
Drink me when I am on a roll or off the beaten track.

Do u..... want more?

Dharma Cards

One mind

Our worlds are created in our mind
and we live as if these worlds are real.
Our thoughts and our actions
bring misery and complications
and we have no freedom.

In our mind we create the world
and we live as if this world is real.
To realize the truth
and free ourselves
we must pass through
the doors of awareness.

Six
Collecting Honey

As the bee collects nectar
without injuring the flower,
so should you move through life.

Watch your actions,
learn about yourself,
and don't compare
your ways with others.

The words of those who are unaware
are like withered flowers.
They are faded and have no scent.

The Dharma Cards

I am reminded once again of the importance of positive thought and speech.
I guess sometimes I mix it up in my head when I work.
When I put on my 'work mode', I am expected to be judgmental and curt with people.
The industry almost feeds off the snobbish aloofness shoveled around these circles.
But there again, I see this incredible emergence of highly aware people who are making good changes in their habits and lives and are setting a better example for the fashionistas of the future.
As always, as a cycle and as the way of the Universe, there is balance in all.
Namaste.

Get well.

Stuck at home with the flu. Arrrgh.
Although I am rather happy that I actually have a reason to sleep all day.
And I know my body needs it.
I still can't help but wonder if it would socially irresponsible if I went for yoga anyhow.
YES IT IS!
Gosh, I wish more people would stay at home when their ill.
Coming out, eating at a public food court, exercising in gyms, taking public transport all require you to interact with other people, share space and yes spread germs.
That is socially irresponsible behavior.
Especially when you are the height of your sickness. The first 2 days. And you are most infectious.

Ok, so maybe I am restless at home. After washing Gizmo and his bed, cleaning out the termite remains, folding some laundry and putting in somemore, checking my facebook's Cafe World every 20 mins and giving it a whole renovation, I should either try and sleep now or lie down and rest my body. I guess I couldn't help but put it out there to all you sick people...
stay in, drink juices, sit on balconies and get better.
Don't go out and share germs so there won't be more sick people at home out there.

Get better soon.

FEAR!

Fear fools us all.
No one of us completely eludes it and the weird thing is, the more we run from it, the more it comes to challenge us.
The moment we believe we have it under control, it stings us like a painful reminder to stay awake.
It feeds off all the anger we give it, and thrives on the paranoia lurking deep within.
We try to hide our fears only to realize how obviously we wear it, during all those ugly moments.
The power we give it stuns us and the control we so desperately want, slips away.

We always give excuses for fear. We are afraid to admit it controls us. What a paradox.

We cannot understand why it always gets the best of us. We are blinded by fear.

We need to be aware that we do not have to live in fear.
That we, as sentient beings, can be awakened to a happier, higher pattern of living.
But we must first break bad habits and self-sabotaging behavior, as well as develop awareness and compassion.
Trust our instincts.
"Worship the alter of our own intuition"
- quote from the book "The Gospel according to Coco Chanel".

What an awesome message.

So, as I write here... almost to myself.
As these lessons I talk about are my thoughts in words, in relation to an event in the day.
I would lie if I said my day was peaceful and meditative and joyous.
Today, I saw fear. I watched it rip away at two beings while they nurtured it with their pride.
A mirror and it's reflection.

Thus, my message to myself is...
Don't live with Fear, and Fear will not live with you.