The SMRT Saga

In my earlier post, complaining about the terrible SMRT Citibank Card services(which can be found here), I finally found an avenue to reach them.

I wrote in to Mypaper.com...i think i wrote a super long email but they summarized it for me. At least i took up a space in the papers free! Haha.

This was published on 25/11/2009. I didn't realize till Sharon text me asking if i am the Won! Yes of cos, i was still whining to her about how terrible this card is since we both sign up the card on the same day! Pardon me for my surname, it was registered under my email and i discovered that i sent the mail before i included my particulars.

I waited and waited till finally someone from SMRT emailed me. All thanks to mypapers, i finally got some response.

"HI XXX,

Hope this finds you well. I refer to the forum page letter on getting a refund for the Citi SMRT published in MyPaper today (pls see below).

We would like to investigate this further. Would appreciate if you can ask the writer, Jackson Won, to call our SMRT Customer Relations Centre at 1800 336 8900 or corpcomms@smrt.com.sg to provide us with information on the date, time and station, so that we can conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. Thanks! "

My reply to them ...hope im not too long winded.

"Hi,

I referred to the below email correspondence.

I have lodged a complaint about the failure of my Citibank SMRT card to all 3 parties, Citibank, SMRT and Ezlink.

The following are the recorded dates,

I called Citibank a few times and only to understand that they are unable to provide me a reason for the failure of the Ezlink services on the card. The solution provided from them, was to replace my card and that the balance in the existing card will be transferred to the new card. However, they could not guarantee that the same problem will not occur again. They were unable to advise the date that the balance could be transferred.

I was then referred by Citibank to approach SMRT ticketing counter as well as calling Ezlink hotline with my problem. SMRT could not tell me the problem with the card nor can they offer me a refund of my balance. I have filed an AFC Passenger Claims/Complaints form (S/N PCC 91014 dated 11/11/09) with Changi Airport SMRT customer service counter. There was no follow-up thereafter.

Ezlink was the most disappointing of all. I hold the line for almost 15mins before someone attended my call but to only inform me that they will look into the matter before calling me back. I have not received a single call from them since 10/11/09.

Co-branding should offer consumer more privileges and greater benefits but not more hassle. Especially from companies like Citibank and SMRT, who provided assurance? I was disappointed that none of the participating parties was able to provide me an answer and a solution. I really appreciate some assistance.

Thanks.

Regards,

Jackson Wong"

So now, all i have to do is wait! Wait for another reply, since it reaches their corp com, i assume they should be calling me and give me an answer. All i wanted is my refund!

My beautiful tanks of shellies

I got these fellows on my birthday! Its real addictive, its my 4th tank! I think unless they breed, if not, there wouldn't be a 5th tank appearing! They are too costly!









And hopefully i got the sex correctly, which i trust that there is 2 males and 1 female!

I DROVE! Again!

They say if you make a birthday wish, most probably it will come true, and i wasn’t so sure about that until today.
I met jimmy and yong for lunch and I didn’t know they were planning to go JB only till I met them. So we changed our venue to Bugis since they would take a bus into JB.
The night before, I was still thinking of asking him to let me test drive his car and the next day, I drove his car around since he can’t find a parking lot.

I was quite surprised, he trusted me with his car. Ahem, I got to clarify on this part. When he asked me how long I have not driven, I replied, not too long. Which in my memory, it was only 1 year ago. I didn’t lie since I really don’t find it too long. The first time I drove, was 3 years after I have gotten my license.

To my surprise, I drove pretty well! Oh yah, it was really a test drive session, there was heavy rain!(happen everytime) Narrow Carpark! 5mins to park a car before jamming the whole road and I passed the test with no sweat.

Ending the day off doing some delivery services before parking the car nicely at Jimmy place! Oh, I should have wish for a car instead of driving someone car if I knew wishes would be granted so easily. Haha

My Birthday Eve

I started my day with some rather hectic work...rushing out a report for a division quite last minute. Then i went for a celebration lunch with my colleagues. Unlike past year, they are pretty mild with all the actions this year. Just a simple and cosy lunch. Which i appreciated!

The celebration ends off with a Cake cutting session at the breakout area with all the managers and my fellow colleagues! Now that everyone know that its my sweet 28th Birthday!

Next, my sis dragged me off to singtel to get her an iphone. She initially mentioned that she wanted to buy me a bowl of noodles, but i paid out of my pocket. Tsk!

When i finally reached home, its already 10pm.

My Fellow SIM Classmate

I seem to be the only one not benefiting from this degree that I undertook. Everyone found their better endeavors this X'mas while I am still here hoping and praying for a big bonus. So is it time for me to start looking for a greener pasture while I am still at my prime and still worth some market values?

Everyone has their own plans, for me, I will still choose to take this coming bonus and enjoy this festive mood as much as I can before entering a new decision!
Good luck and all the best to my fellow friends! Wishing them the best in their new undertakings!

Kicking off my Birthday Celebration!

I know it’s not very common for a guy to hold a party on his 28th Birthday! And believed me, I didn’t want it! Instead, it was my little sister’s idea to hold a party! Not really for me alone, but because it was her 21st Birthday this year! Yes, our birthday falls on the exact date! Because of this, I managed to get a few “Sun Bian” celebrations each year!

Venue this year, at my Elder Sis place! Thanks to her and my bro-in-law consent to loan out his place for a day!
I forgot to take my camera out today, so these pics are from my sis.

We cancelled our original bbq plans and did a buffet instead!


All our relatives


The Birthday boy and girl


My sister got this cake for me! Ermm….????


By request




Very sorry to my 5th uncle and family, we cut the cake before he arrived!


I know I know!!! Before I stepped out of the house this morning, I told myself not to get any HongBaos from my relatives! I shouldn’t! But ended up everyone insisted! Hee! Oh, my aunt Angela although in New Zealand, gave me a big fat Hong Bao too!


I got this Parker Pen set from my cousin, Yi Jun, Yi Tian & his friend Rachel and Jia Jia! This is my first Birthday Gift received this year! I really appreciated their thoughts!




The thought of going back to office tomorrow, Sian!

Salvatore Ferragamo

Finally, i think my dreams are coming true! I was still thinking of getting a wallet and was still complaining to my friends, why the Luxury Sale is not on yet and here it came!

My first Ferragamo Wallet. Got it at the Luxury sale at 80% discount!!!
My sis is paying for it as my birthday Gift!






I got this for my mum, its a small pouch, enough for 1 packet of tissue, 1 handphone and some other things...and guess the price!!! Its only $46..





But sales is horrible, you will see all the girls letting go their image and start being the real them! Squeeze, Push, shout, snatch! And nobody is concerned about being taken advantage of here except for all the poor guys! I even got squeezed out of my spot after i finally found a spot to choose the wallet!

2012...

Citibank invited Yuan's team to the movie Premiere on Friday. Somehow, no one wanted to go, so I told Jessie I will fill in their place.

How can we be so unfriendly even more when the tickets are free! Free Pop Corn, free buffet dinner, free Coke!







About the Movie, I think it’s just another “End of the world” movie. The story line seems the same. No plot, just effect and action.
Well, maybe because I am not paying the price for this movie, somehow I enjoyed it.

But it will be much better if I get hold of Jessie’s ticket. Based on her seniority, she should be at least getting a Rear seat! Well, not too bad thou, we got somewhere in the middle.

East Coast Picnic!!

I think my Family’s way of picnic is quite special. We have our breakfast first at KFC, and then we proceed to rent some bikes and cycle for an hour and we sit on the picnic mat for awhile and off we go! Everything ends within 2 hours!

I was enjoying myself, while treating it more like a photography session.













Before we left!

Staying Happy? At least a little more optimistic?

I know it’s silly to try manipulating your feelings at times but won’t it be nicer to lead a life that brings you a little smile than frowning and worrying about everything?

To many others, I’m being perceived as an optimistic and cheerful guy but in fact, I do have my own problems. And I believed some of my colleagues would have seen me “deep in thoughts” at times.

So who doesn’t have problems? Just that how are you going to cope with it and live a life that doesn’t put you in misery?

I know Petty has this theory of “reverse psychology”, a taboo or some superstitious beliefs that if you speak negatively, things might turn out positive. Somehow when it does turn out well, you will reap a 2x happiness! I used to do that in my schooling days..always thinking that I will fail for the paper and miraculously, I passed..and even if I fail, I would have already in advance notify everyone and prepared others mentally except myself.
I don’t do this now because I felt it was more of an excuse for me and constantly doing this contradicts me. But to many others, if it makes you feel better, why not?

I have another friend who is leading a very difficult life..because she just can’t let go her past, her bad memories..and so much so it’s torturing her badly each day. But she just continues to stay strong each day putting on a brave front to others. I don know how long more can she take it..but as far as I know, if she doesn’t let go, it will just torture her forever.

Want to know how I lead a happy life as a single? Oh dear, Swallowing all my loneliness, envying the couples holding hands on streets..and all the mushy stuff you heard about, “I love you, you love me” on bus?
Just go listen to more stories about failed relationships and marriage from people around you..Haha im kidding, I mean, I just can’t be bothered with them…

Mum and sis is always wondering why I squat in front my fish tank, assembling it, dismantling it and assembling again. Sometimes behaving like a chemist, adding this solution and that powder into the tank which resulted making the whole place messy and wet.
Friends asking me why I spend hours taking picture of similar scene and then spending another few hours in front of the computer fixing them up.
Always surfing some forums and following a series of drama…
I also don’t know why but I do find enjoyment in doing these things and somehow, I felt more occupied and stress free.

Unless you are a fellow hobbyist, sharing the same interest, if not, you won’t understand the joy I get from all these!

2 days ago, I was at a Fish Shop located at Kovan, it was 9pm when I was there, and I saw a lot of aquarist hobbyist. Apparently, there was a shipment from Tanganyika lake arriving late, people were opening the crates and checking through the fishes. I could see the smiles all over their face when they choose their purchases. For your info, these aren’t cheap and it isn’t free but everyone was so happy buying and paying like they have found some gold but indeed these fishes are so rare that to own them, you will either need to import or captive breed them yourself. I was also happy standing and looking at them. Suddenly, it just felt like New Year Eve.

Some love to indulge in work but if you asked me, I rather take these problems elsewhere than work. It’s not healthy…you will feel more stress and those dramatic scenes like while you are working thru the night and your boss came back to the office and surprisingly caught you working extremely hard and gives you a promotion…all these aren’t real! Wake up!

My point is, since there are things that we cannot control; why not choose a better life for Yourself! I believed we can choose what we want, how we live, what we enjoy doing, so why are some of you choosing to stay in misery? Constantly staying paranoid and thinking negatively about all those things that isn’t “going to happen”, why not think positively about those good things that could have happen.

You will find it more Rewarding for sure!

My frustrating day with my Citibank SMRT card.

What is the assurance that you could get from a joint venture product such as….Citibank SMRT platinum card?

You won’t know unless something happens.

1) When the EzLink function failed you.

Good
- You got 3 telephone hot-lines to call.
- All 3 are reputable

Bad
- They just kept transferring you around
- You hold many minutes before the important call reaches them
- No Solution

2) You decide to terminate the card

- Who and how are you going to get the remaining balance back from?

I was once a happy user of the card but now, I have got to borrow a spare Ezlink card to use. Super frustrating!! I still did not get any solutions despite many calls!

Dragon Boat at Bedok Reservoir

Finally after so long, I get the chance to try out Kayaking and Dragon Boat. This was organised by CARC and since we managed to form a team of our own, thanks to Sheryl who Clenched her fist "asking" if we are interested.

CARC only booked 2 practice boat and we have to take turns to row it. Thanks to the "forever late" team, we get to start last.
But we were given a little compensation, we get to do Kayaking first while waiting.

I never knew Kayaking could be so tiring. The way i sat with my legs straighten stresses my thighs. Just a few rounds and i could feel the strain on my tummy and my legs.

Instructor giving briefing to the starting team
See how serious Newbie and clan are at this briefing!




There was a message going on asking everyone to be in red...and guess the message only reaches 2 person


Doing warm up!


And so they left...these are practicing boats that tolerates about 12 people?


No dragon head on the boat.




Kayaking Team 1 ready!


Team 2 ready!


We were having so much fun or should we say lazy? We just join all 4 boats together and let it drift...


And who says Im not putting in effort?? Can try asking Xiao Ying who was beside me, how many times did my paddler hit her head! lol!


And finally 9 Kayaks joined together!


Our turn came finally, but then we were only given 15mins, think we spend too much time kayaking...


Overall, it's really fun!! But We concur that this isn't the sports for us! Its too tiring!

Ice Cream

If you are tired of the fanciful and yet pricey ice cream in town, you may wish to try out those neighborhoods tradition ice creams where they will serve you right under your void deck.

There are no sorbet lime, no munchy chewy chocolates, no orea flavours. What they offer are very simple flavours, such as chocolate, strawberry, vanilla…with some having more varieties such as attap seed, durian and orange.
For just $1, you basically get 4 scoops of ice cream, with a choice of bread, cup or cone. Not only that, you save on transportation since most sellers come straight to your block on bike.

From what I understand, most of them made their own ice cream, some others bought from factories. And it’s addictive if you find some delicious tasty ones…
The one that I have patronize, is a full of himself uncle that keep praising non stop about his ice cream whenever you stand in front of his cart. Well, I think he should, since it’s really nice in comparison with a few others that I have tried.









This uncle only comes once a week and this is the result for coming just once a week…we get a week supply!!