and this is why I use UOB
31/07/2007
I just made a 20 minute call back home on Yahoo! Voice Phone Out. It’s choppy and gross. I’m trying my best to remain an avid Yahoo! user, but this isn’t very compelling.
<rant>
The 20 minute call was to our favouritest bank in Singapore, DBS – which probably stands for Damn Bloody Stupid. It lasted 20 minutes because I was on hold for 10. The other 10 minutes was spent on a really bizarre conversation with DBS Customer Care.
And this is me – Miss Utmost Respect for Customer Care – because of the calls I used to have to pick when our dear Linda was out of the office. But really. It was the dumbest process a bank could ever have. And it’s probably not just specific to DBS. It’s just that DBS annoys the heck out of me with their crap attitude.
It’s like they don’t really want to do business.
Before I left Singapore, I called DBS and asked them to change my mailing address for my credit card account to one in the US that I will be using. They told me I could either mail in a request, fax it in, or do it via Internet Banking. I wanted to do it by Internet Banking, but they told me I couldn’t get an internet banking account because I didn’t have a bank account with them. (And that was because they are a shitty bank and I wouldn’t let them have a cent of my money.) So, fine. I went through some trouble and finally faxed them a signed request.
I left them a cell number to call me at while I was still in town, told them when I would be leaving, and to contact me via email after that date. I called them a day after the fax was sent to see if they received the fax, but was told they were processing it. I left my email again, and asked them politely to email me if there were any issues.
So anyway, I check my Singapore cell number today, and realised that DBS tried to call me several times this week. So I call them back, and after 10 minutes of muzak, was finally put through to a helpful sounding bloke. I told him my situation and after a check he found out that they couldn’t change my mailing address because my signature in the fax didn’t match the signature they had on file.
Ok, I ask, what then?
The bloke said, Do you have internet banking?
“No.” (For the 2,000th time,) “I do not”.
“Well, you’ll have to send us a change of address form and sign it again.”
“Ok, where’s this change of address form?”
“It’s on our website.”
“Where on your website?”
“Can you go to www.dbs.com?”
“Yes.”
“Click on Singapore?”
“Ok”
“Click on Personal Banking?”
“Ok” – dude, if you’re reading this? You can just tell a person the url is dubdubdub dot dbs dot com slash sg slash personal. That’s how you read a short enough url.
“Can you see on the right you have Forms and Applications?”
“Yes”
“If you click it and go down the page, there’s the Change of Address form under the heading xxx”
“Ok. So I can update this and send it. But can you email me if you have problems with the application?”
“Err, sorry. We can’t. Is there a cell phone number we can call you at?”
“Yes, but I would really rather you email me”
“Sorry maam, but we need to record the phone call”
They also could not just SMS me on my new cell number to tell me to call back. No. They have to make a call. I guess it’s just me, but I get highly annoyed by these calls. I don’t mind calling them – so I have control over how, where and when to call. I don’t want to be called on my US cell number.
So here I’m telling the guy, I’m trying my best to keep this credit card service, but they’re just making it hard for me to do so. If I can’t administer it, I can’t really use the card anymore.
And the bloke – I don’t blame him – says he can’t really do anything about it.
So I told him I’d like to cancel my credit card.
He says fine.
I ask him if I need to send him a form.
He says – no. He can definitely do it for me. That he was positive about, and he sounded almost enthusiastic.
So right, they can’t change my address on the phone, despite verifying my details, but they can cancel my card with a call, tell me what crap dollars I still have will be forfeited, and leave the job of telling my supplementary cardholder that the card is cancelled to me.
So I cancelled the card.
I think I gave DBS/POSB a fair shot, but it really wasn’t worth the trouble. There were a few months in the beginning where I didn’t receive the credit card statements, and then they had the cheek to slap a finance charge on me! When I called them to tell them it was their fault, they told me that they could only waive those charges this number of times and they might not do it for me again. And yet – the sucker for pain I am, I hung on to the card for the 5% rebate at Carrefour that I used all of three times.
If it means anything, I’ve found that UOB is the way to go. Credit card dining privileges are good, the One Card and Signature cards have so far been fantastic for me, Internet Banking is well set up, and there are no lines for the ATM. All the banks in Singapore provide fairly crap service, but as long as I don’t have to talk to someone at UOB because of a problem with my credit card, I think it’s good enough for me.
</rant>
settlers
29/07/2007
It’s been slightly over a week since we got here, but it’s been a little tough trying to feel settled down. We’re still living out of our suitcase (though last weekend I managed to empty mine and put what little clothes I brought into drawers). I’ve been hanging out at the redblossomtea retail outlet and having tea all day helps with the jet lag and general sluggishness that I usually succumb to.
But in general, getting set up in a new country is probably like trying to wash the dishes – for me at least. For me, a simple case of washing the dishes takes a phenomenal 45 minutes because usually:
1. I put the clothes to wash, so the washing machine is drawing all the water
2. There are already dishes in the sink
3. The dish rack is full
4. The cupboard is mess, cups are in spaces where the dishes should be, and bowls are hanging out with the cups.
On weekends, we take it a little easier – yes, it is possible – and we take a drive around the city snooping around residential estates to shortlist areas where we might want to live. On Sundays, real estate agents usually do an open house for properties they want to sell, so you can just park by the side, walk in, get a pamphlet, and run out. A bit like visiting model house showrooms back in Singapore. Last week we got lucky and just stumbled onto a couple. This week I did my research, and have a shortlist of the places I want to check out.
The weather, is the usual unpredictable San Francisco weather. It’s generally about 15°C or so, but in the city it’s sunny and where we’re staying it’s foggy and wet. So when I wake up I think it’s freezing and put on a wooley sweater, but by the time we get to the city I’m sweltering under the sweater.
I expect when I get used to it, it’ll be a different season 
Pok meets the Weesle
25/07/2007
It’s been about a week since we got here. I can’t say I’ve really settled down, since most of the time no one knows what I’m saying, and I haven’t really rolled my tongue around speaking American. Apparently, no one knows the difference when I say “three” and “tree”. Mostly because I say “tree” all the time. And it’s really no fun when I’ve to explain terms like “LC” and “unglam”.
So you gotta believe me when I tell you how happy I was to have dinner with Pok and SKH today.
Familiar faces, familiar tones, familiar terminology, they know exactly what I mean. And it was so comforting. And add to that, Big Why lawyers are actually quite a funny (-haha, not funny-weird) lot, we had a really good time. Oh and the food was pretty darn awesome, too.
Well, next up: picnic with the “Slocals” Sammy-boy and Auntie in August. Yes, Sammy-boy is so busy I haveta schedule his time in advance. Should be loads of fun!
too much sleep
19/07/2007
We’re here. I slept a lot. On the plane. On the second plane. After lunch. After dinner.
Then I woke up at 3am and couldn’t get back to sleep.
I’ve a headache.
All I can think of is breakfast, but I want some chye tow kway, black one. And preferably, the soggier, breakfast type with more egg. Not the crispy lunch/dinner type though if I could get that now I wouldn’t complain.
Head hurts!
playing catch up
17/07/2007
Had a full schedule today, with last minute meet-ups and errands to run. Was a good thing too, if not I’d probably be depressed and moping lazily around at home.
It’s my last night at the apartment (for now), and I’m not really looking forward to moving out.
Ah well.
Thanks to everyone for the lunches, dinners, tea, desserts, everything! Thanks thanks thanks. Thanks for meeting me, thanks for hanging out, thanks!
Will be taking a short break while we physically relocate, but we should be back online in no time. Catch you guys soon.
more packing ensues
12/07/2007
I’ve just packed my 10th box. I think I need one more.
The house is a right mess, with bags of stuff for someone or another lying around.
A bunch of stuff up for grabs – $2 per item (bulk discounts available – haha). Give me a ping or an email if you’re interested in:
- Old Sony U20 Cybershot (with 128 MB memory stick), 2 AAA batteries and (s-l-o-w) charger.
No guarantees that 1) it’ll work 2) take good shots - Old Canon A80. No batteries. No charger. No memory.
No guarantees that 1) it’ll work 2) take good shots - Insight Guide to California (old edition, pretty beat up). Taken, 12 Jul
- Bunch of Lisa Ono CDs: Jambalaya, Bossa Americana, Naima, Latin Selection Vol 1, 2 and 3. Taken, 12 Jul
- Lots of loose leaf (probably slightly old, but well kept) tea in airtight muji containers: Tung Ting, Rose Kwan Yin, Moroccan Mint. Taken, 12 Jul
- HP/Compaq notebook power adapter (SG and US pins available) input 100 – 240V, output 18.5V 3.5A. Taken, 12 Jul
- HP/Compaq notebook power adapter (SG and US pins available) input 100 – 240V, output 18.5V 4.9A. Taken, 12 Jul
- Candle holders – one purple+tiled+round and one square
- Bags: 1 dark blue body shop tote, 1 espn purse with pda/large cellphone pouch, Black Office Bag (fits A4 sized documents nicely).
- Essential Oil Burner – one piece, not the kind with the removeable lid Taken, 12 Jul
- Essentail Oil – Juniper, Cypress, Black Pepper (15 ml, all unused – might have been opened for sniffing.) Taken, 12 Jul
- Style Black Pouch – in good condition, clean.
Other stuff:
- Laptop + Camera haversack: Used, but in good condition – $10 Taken, 12 Jul
- Hair Accessory – Philips Curling rods: used once. All parts intact. – $10 Taken, 12 Jul
- Yahoo! Bangalore Wallet (free)
See all items here. Tell me by end of week. Pick it up by Monday 16 July before noon.
Transformers
10/07/2007
Deceptacons look
For cube to take over world
Foiled by weird geekboy
Was impressed with the CGI.
But there was so much going on, half the time I couldn’t tell the Autobots from the Deceptacons when they fought.
3/5: Probably worth it for a slow night.
slumber inability
08/07/2007
It’s 8am. I still can’t sleep.
6am: gave up tossing in bed.
6.30am: walked around the house in the pale blue morning light. Heard weird bird sounds. Weird for the 26th storey. Went to the fridge, looked for the usual sleep inducers. None. No pills, no alchohol, no milk for the honey.
My city is a synthetically bright one. My home is the same. Must get used to other ways of life.
7am: started pc up.
8am: out of blogs, out of mail, out of searches. not in the mood for anything in particular.
*twiddle thumbs*
Am missing our dvd collection right now.
Am trying not to think about the discomfort of moving.
Am trying not to sneer at the meandyou-dotcom wedding sites-turned-blogs.
Faintly recall trying to sleep in other continent. Still frigid air. Smells of bread. What will I do if I can’t sleep? Call home?
Random thoughts creep: I don’t want to take down the photos from the wall. I don’t want to put the rest of my stuff in boxes into storage somewhere here. My parents might move closer to my brother when he moves. I might not see my room again.
Does it matter?
I psych: nothing is final. There is always recourse. No cause for alarm.
I shudder: navigating, driving, job, house, taxes, maintenance, gas, repairs, insurance, phone, groceries, hospitals, savings, investments, forms, processes, banks, mortgage, time.
Many unknowns. Size unknown.
I aspire: others have gone, some alone, some with dependants, some with nothing, some with too much.
They follow(ed) dreams.
Uh-oh. No dreams lately.
Maybe because can’t sleep.
Gone to try again.
boys with ball
08/07/2007
A week or so before we headed off to Japan, the folks in the office managed to organise a nice basketball 5-on-5 match. Usually not my kind of thing, but KF insisted I should check out his moves, so there I was, being nothing less than an enthusiastic camera-person.
Here’re the highlights.
It’s nice that the guys rallied together for what was a pretty cool game. They should so totally do it more often.
i am feeling very sleepy
05/07/2007
This evening Sharkie and I tried out the Jurlique Day Spa at Wheelock Place. Spas and facials sound innately attractive, though I’ve never had a facial, and the last spa I treated myself to was at the Park Hyatt in Vietnam (and I really didn’t fancy it).
So I thought I would reward myself to keep motivated through a somewhat uncomfortable transition ahead. I’ve also been thinking of my quarterly rewards, but it looks like the 400D and the Wii will take me through to the first six months.
I’ve not really used Jurlique before, but I’ve tried the heavenly smelling Rose Hand Cream. The store smells pretty much like that. I tried the Herbal Mud Body Wrap, and it was a pretty pleasant experience. For an hour, you get lightly massaged, get mud smeared on, get wrapped and heated up, lie in the darkened room and try to focus on the sound of the heater, and then experience the relief when they come and turn the heater off. Of course it was messy, but they kept the mud mess to a minimum. There is also a shower in room to take the mud off. It’s probably psychological, but the thought of sweating out buckets in the wrap is pretty revitalising.
What I really liked was the Aromatherapy Facial. For an hour, you get your face cleansed, toned, massaged, hydrated and generally pampered. It also helps that their products smell so good. You also get your arms moisturised and your head and neck massaged while they’re at it. It was splendid.
The Jurlique Day Spa is located at Wheelock Place, #04-02. Call 6735-7177 for appointments.
So despite sleeping most of the day, I’m dead tired now. Looking forward to a peaceful, comfortable and early night.
