A CLEAN Slate

The unimaginable happened 2 days ago. My hard disk got corrupted and my system is rendered unsavagable - at least for an computer idiot like me.

For a person whose bread and butter is so dependent on the PC to function like it should, all hell broke loose when i could not boot up the PC. I was a nervous wreck - all the months of P & L, inventory list, scripts and loads and loads of photos of past, current and upcoming stocks, all wiped out just like that. I had always been pretty religious about backing up my stuff, but the past 2 months had been so so busy that i had neglected the all too important task of backing up my work. I was really miserable as hell.

Anyway, orders still got packed and sent, emails still got answered, while Mike got a friend of his to help with the situation, and of course, not without first ticking me off.

Thanks to the capable hands of Johnny, my system is now up and unrunning. He even managed to salvage most of my files. I am just so grateful that I do not need to do a stock take, and the P & L for the missing months. And yes, the many photos in my drive has also been salged, including the photos of the many beautiful stocks that will be coming up in the coming weeks.

Whats unsalvagable were the list of websites that I frequent that were in stored in My favourites list. Yes, including the list of blogs maintained by friends long gone. Gonna try googling to find them...

The Shan + Rozz Show: EP9 - The Boomz Girl

Ok, I know. this is so yesterday's news. But i just don't get it? Whats with this girl?

Does she know that she is being poked fun of...and than doing her hokkein #$#$@#%@ on TV.

Like she said it, this is so Shingz (??????)

I hope we see the last of her

Shopping! Shopping! Shopping!

I always always love a good excuse to shop!

And what better excuse to shop would be for our upcoming trip to the US. I am pretty excited about The trip. Its the first time going to the States, and i just can't wait. We are heading to San Francisco, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and Disneyland and Universal Studios at Orange County. Its going to be winter there, and the temperature is going to be in the range of 7 to 15 degrees. We have been checking out some places for winter clothing, and they are pretty expensive. And so, I have been busy shopping online!

Oh my, the options are endless! I got this for Nic. Cute, isn't it? I got this brand new Gymboree jacket from ebay for about $50+ with postage. Something similar would have cost $199 at ColdWear!!

I just got myself a pair of boots today - a perfect pair without heels. Sigh...I really do miss wearing heels, but oh well, its a small price to pay. I am currently looking for some warm leggings, long sleeve tees, beanies, scarves and gloves for Nic.

Sigh...I wish I could still fit into those winter clothing that I had worn when I visited my friends studying in London then. I was in my youthful twenties than, and had bought myself a tweed trench coat from Mango, a faux leather trench coat from some Indie brand, knee length boots, etc. Unfortunately the faux leather trench and boots have become mouldy and gross and have since been disposed. And as for the tweed trench coat, it doesn't fit anymore. Too fat, cannot button, and so cannot keep myself warm :( And whats left of them are just photo memories...

Anyway, I guess I will be snooping around Ebay for some more deals.

Well...counting down the days till it happen

Exam Fever

Its been the longest time since i last blogged. Been busy preparing Nic for her exams

Nic's exams are FINALLY over. And i thought my mugging days are over. No, you can imagine me harressing the little one to hit the books at 8 pm every weekday night, and practically a good portion of the weekends doing exam papers after another. My efforts are definitely not appreciated, and were met with grouses, protest, tears and whining...lots of whining.

Though I am beginning to see a little more of myself each day in Nic, she kind of lack the kiasu streak in me when it came to my studies. I admit, I had this kiasu streak in me, when i was in school. i was afraid to be at the bottom. Even if i am terrible in a subject, i cannot be the worst. I had to be at least better than the worst student. Well, Nic is just simply bo-chup...

And so we are now waiting for her results. Her optimism about the papers being really easy, hasn't exactly ease my mind, as her complacency had often resulted in careless mistakes.

Anyway, its Children's Day today. So gonna go easy on her today. Its her day today

Happy Children's day!

same ol' same ol'

Haven't been updating much ... nothing much happening... its the same ol' same ol'.

Had my monthly shot last thursday, and my quarterly blood test. Alls well except for the low calcium level and slightly high uric level. Calcium level has edged up a wee bit from the previous test by 0.01 at 2.09 from 2.08. So gotta down the calcium pills religiously and cut back on my kacang.

We had been pretty busy the past 2 weeks or so, preparing Nic for her year-end exams, which is happening really early, starting on the 25 Sep. From the looks of things, I am the one who is more kancheong than the One taking the exams, who is more concerned about the TV schedule and her pets on Pet Society... sigh...

I am actually pretty glad that her exams are ending early. That leaves us with more time to prepare for the final quarter of the year. Yes, our year end trip has been booked, and we are heading to the USA. Thats something on my bucket list which i can finally scratch off. Though it will be no where close to the Niagara Falls, at least its still the US. Well, maybe another trip if health, time and finances permit :)

Where's My Stuff?

Following the Nasty Customer Saga, first of all, we would like to thank everyone who have commented for your kind words and support. Its very much appreciated. The case has been resolved, though it does leave a little bitter aftertaste, and a nagging urge to do a follow-up post.

So, what happens when packages go missing...

All Little Gems orders are always packed in good order, ready to be shipped within 2 business days after payment is received, unless theres public holidays or unforeseen circumstances. In most cases, all items are received within 1-3 working days upon posting.

We provide customers the choice to have their purchases delivered by regular or registered mail. We always recommend your orders to be send by registered mail for tracking purchases, as well as an insurance coverage of up to S$60.00. Your article can be tracked here, from the time the article is received at the post office, up to the point where the item is received and acknowledged by the receiver.

For mails sent by regular mail, there's no way the article can be traced. In the event it doesn't turn up, do email us. We will call the delivery base to assist with the tracking. Much as we would like a speedier process, Do be patient, as the ball is not in our court. We will only be able to let you know when the Postmaster reverts to us after their investigation, usually within 3 days.

While lost packages are rare, they do happen. The most annoying and common cases are lazy postman who forgot to leave a notification card at your door when they fail to deliver your package.

Do recognize that there's always a risk for online purchases as the physical package would have to go through the entire proccess of collection, sorting and distribtion. We buy online ourselves a lot too. Its almost awful for us to say that as soon as the package leaves our hands at the Post Office, we have no control over it. Its a harsh reality, yet so awfully true. We would however strive to keep you guys happy, as we treat you as we would like to be treated ourselves.

Last but not least, Remember to always be nice. Its much easier that way.

Self-Restraint

This blog entry isn't so much about the NASTY customer that i had. It is in fact more of how my emotions got the better of me, and just simply spiralled out of my control. You could say that I prided myself for being a pretty calm and collected person, who is at a stage in life where little irks does not unfazzle my nerves, and little people affect me no less. But I guess, i was so wrong.

I am guilty of letting a total stranger ruin my mood and my Saturday with my family. Totally undeserving, and thinking of it still makes my blood boils!

I am so tempted to post the exchange, but will refrain from that, but I certainly will be quoting from our exchanges. To cut a long story short, this customer made a purchase and wanted it sent by regular mail. Registration is always recommended, but she wanted to save that $2.30. she didn't receive the mail after 5 days and emailed me on Friday, accusing me of being dishonest, saying that she "will make a police report against me, and report to ACRA and Small Claims Tribunal". Hey, if singpost screw up, you can't blame me.

I called Singpost that Friday to check, but being a regular mail, there is no records and traceability. The supervisor at the delivery base called on Saturday, and did say that he will get back to me after checking. I could visualised her jeering at me when she said that I "have no proof that you send the goods at all". And she goes on to say that I am unhelpful, and went on to file a claim on Paypal, leaving me no chance to respond to Paypal's request. She had me cornered, all for $26.40. She did not even allow Singpost to revert. I smell fraud, you think I should make police report too? She receives the package and claims she didn't, and makes a claim through Paypal?

What really really irked me, and made me fumed was her attitude. Just because you make a purchase from my shop doesn't entitle you to speak to me in a condescending and rude tone.

While I was still fuming, Nic came by and innoccently asked me a question and I snapped at her. It certainly was no fault of hers. She was simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time. She was taken aback, and left the room, like a poor puppy with a tail between her legs. I know I shouldn't have yelled at her, and I should have exercise more self-restraint. Looking at her sleeping right now, I am just simply guilt-ridden. I know she will probably forget about the episode tomorrow, but I just wished I had more restraint on my own emotions. I wanted to kick my own butt now.

While I honestly do enjoy doing what I am doing, working hours do eat into Family time sometimes. While i do try to keep them separate by spending certain number of hours with Nic, work beckons sometimes, and it may not always be possible. And what about emotions? While I try not to let any negativity affect me, I guess I let my guard down this time.

Well the fiasco hasn't ended. I will check with Singpost again on Monday, and will pick it up from there. Anyone interested to know more details about said customer can email me. I shudder to think that she is in a profession in shaping our future generation.

My mantra from now on will be:

I will NOT let Nasty people affect my emotions. They Do not deserve my attention! They can go *bleep* *bleep* !! (Please fill in the bleeps with appropriate words)

Another Little Bump on the Road

Sigh...who would have thought a sumptious dinner of crab meehoon on sunday would have led to this.

It was just one of those weekends that we decided to have Nic's favourite meehoon soup at our tze cha place downstairs. Nic usually have the meehoon and soup without the crab. Being the picky eater that she is, she decided to be a little adventurous this time round and to try the crab meat as well. She loved the taste of the succulent crabmeat, and had a claw and a single portion of the body as well. Who would have thought...

We woke up on Monday and as we prepare her for school, we saw 2 little red spot on her right cheek. Thinking that its probably some insect bite, we applied some cream and sent her off to school. Alarm bells rang, when she came home from school with a large (about 50 cent coin) red patch on her cheek, the same cheek which we thought were bitten by bugs.

The redness subsequently spread to her ear, and more small red spots appeared on her neck, arms and legs. Brought her to the clinic and were given some antibiotics, cream and anti-itchiness medication.

Its been 4 days already since we had the crabs and the redness is still there. We are pretty concern as its on her face. We are watching her closely, and will probably bring her to the hospital if the redness didn't subside. Nic had a previous episode of food allergy as well, when her eyes became puffy after consuming 2 tablespoon of birdnest. That subsided after a day, and we ruled that she will not be able to have anymore birdnest.

Feeling really heartsick. So poor thing :(