We're Naughty by Nature too!

From a fellow Internet user...

blessed Mum said...
Hi.today is 23rd July 2008.

One Good news to all you guys who was force [SIC] to buy from this company. I just brought them to Court and won!! Yeah! Full refund was ordered by the court! Yipee!

12:42 AM

Last week, I received a call telling me I had *won* a free makeover with 2 complimentary shots from Naughty By Nature (nbyn). Then I asked the lady where she'd gotten my contact from - she mentioned Taka/Wisma - one of those shopping centre lucky draws. The problem is - I can't remember the last time I actually went shopping at these two places and filled in a lucky draw coupon for a *free* makeover! So I kinda knew - go there, they make u up, make u happy, take photos, then make u spend ALOT OF MONEY to buy their products. Where got free lunch?

So I made an appointment for the family shoot (which they happily obliged - a further confirmation that they want our money - otherwise it'll strictly be for ONE person only) for last saturday. We went there, and saw a rather spacious place. When we proceeded to the makeup room, there were A MILLION PEOPLE in the changing room. All won lucky draw? (I'll explain their overall marketing strategy later). So we wanted to reschedule - as advised by our 'Image Consultant' Joanne. Quite a nice girl although super heavily made up - Abby kept wanting to be carried by her! Abby took to her, much to our surprise (and pleasure). Abby was a darling throughout the whole shoot! Kept laughing, clapping, and just ready to exhibit her full vocabulary and signs! We didn't reschedule as the crowd suddenly disappeared and they did my make up while Ben & Abby watched. We took our 'casual' shot and Abby looked the best - as usual.

After taking about 80 shots, we had another look - the langar formal look. I had a purple evening gown on that hid my bulging belly, Abby had a semi-formal sun dress (ok, not *that* formal) and Ben and a black striped shirt with a *tuxedo* coat. Quite an 'interesting' combination - upon hindsight.

Took another gazillion shots.

Later, we sat down infront of their mega flat screen Imac (which they boasted about later) and previewed the pictures. After viewing, the image consultant asked 'Which book (refering to size) do you want?" Ah-hah! Start of opening sales talk. Before that, NO mention of albums at all. Sigh. We've been through a 'package' wedding to know what's gonna hit.

Although when I first visited their website and didn't like what I saw - very different from what I've been used to - the 'Coverlooks' style - those hip in the 90s will know which studio I'm referring to... heh. Clean, simple, no fuss look. This one, quite a bit OTT. :S But as we saw the photos, there were so many which Abby looked so good in! So we thought, okie, perhaps we'll take a few we like, pay for the extra, have it loose so we can frame them up for our new place, and get out of that place.

But noooo...

The manager soon came over and threw us the entire LOT of their marketing strategy. First, he said - just for the SMALL album - exercise book size - dunno which 'R', we pay $2000 plus! But, (but!) if we have some ABCD credit card, we don't have to pay that price, we just pay $1600plus! But since we want to go for loose prints (manager calculates and jots down) we just pay $1188! for a limited no of prints! OH! And on top of that, we'll get the *privilege* card(!) Wah! So special hor! Imagine that! Member leh! Not everyone can do that coz they only accept referrals (we have to betray everyone on our contact list, pretend it's not us while they call them and bluff them to come down for a 'free' makeover that costs one month's salary for some people and make them 'lifetime' members while we'll get $100/$200/$300 commission depending on the number of successful suckers referrals). Although they claim they do not accept walk-ins, how come their site got FREE TRIAL OFFER also? (Go get ur two free shots and get out of the place if u're interested!) They won't accept money thrown in their face meh? Anyway, they also offer to re-shoot *properly* unlike this trial so that we'll have more to choose from, and can go back every year for a shoot FOR A LIFETIME (that's in the member's privileges) (I wonder who'll live longer - them or their customers) and got two free makeovers every year also! Before going to D&D or some fancy function, go there then they paint your face for you - whether to your liking or not - that's subjective lah. As long as they happy can already. So, how? Wan buy or not?

"OH. But if you walk out of this place not buying, I'll have to shoot you," implies the manager.

So after the image consultant tries to unsuccessfully spend half an hour of our lives poorly photoshopping our photos (their designers too busy lah. Business too good.) then claims that her skills are poor, by then the pregnant mother with slumbering daughter in her arms was too weak/too hungry/too upset because of hunger/and with a bursting bladder. So I nicely passed the daughter over to the father and excused myself to go to the toilet after Ben tries to ask the manager if we could have some time to consider. The manager shook his head. "No, if you leave here, the offer will lapse." Wah. Scared. Ben explained that we've got a very hungry first trimester pregnant lady who NEEDS TO EAT OR ELSE SHE'LL BITE OFF THE HEAD OF THE MANAGER and the manager kinda relented. Said, nearby got kopi-tiam, mac's, etc.

So I went to the toilet. And during then Ben explained (being a nice guy) that it's been a long day and we really need to eat (it was past abby's meal time - about 3.10pm already - we were there since noon) and the manager actually said, "Well, the procedure to purchase takes only ten minutes. If you buy now then all of you can leave and have your lunch already!" Last try tactic. "Well, we'll really need to discuss," Ben insists. "If so, then I'm afraid I'll have to delete ALL YOUR PHOTOS if you walk out that door," threatens the manager. "Ok." replies Ben, unruffled.

Wah. Hero!

That kinda knocked the wind out of the manager a little. "Oh, then I think you and your wife better go have lunch first and discuss." He was shocked. His tactic backfired. YAY!!!

So the wife and the hero, together with the babe in arms, descended the scary flight of stairs and went for lunch. When we came back, we declined the package (as expected) and got our two free shots, unedited. Image consultant says that CDROM is scratch proof! Must be the ultra special Imation CD-R that won't even come in an envelope.

So the Image Consultant chose two photos - one of happy Abby and the other one which she tried to mutilate us (didn't need much effort lah). I was thinking of Xiaxue-who-has-fantastic-photoshop-skills-and-barely-saved-the-scary-Furong-Jie-Jie while she edited our family portrait (hoping that XX can salvage whatever was being destroyed...).


Edited to protect Abby's modesty!



So, if you want TWO(!) free photos and are strong enough not to part with your hard-earned money, go ahead, fill in the form (as long as you're not a student or unemployed - they say they dowan this kind) and SMILE! :S

P.S. Oh. Other studios charge about $100 for such packages. Nbyn claims to be the largest studio and charges about $200-$300 more than the other studios and have 400 over studios in singapore (YAH RIGHT!) and is opening up in KL, Africa or Egypt or somewhere really far away, and has 'potential'!! So they say. And they even offer to train and employ your nieces and nephews to be their image consultants and pay them $1.2k a month plus commission. Ah. That's why Joanne wasn't happy when we left.

P.P.S. Most makeover studios don't last very long. Coverlooks - one of the best, has come and gone. (Update: Oops, they are still around. Paiseh.) Glamourshots, I think is also still around. Don't really know the rest coz can't be bothered. Oh, there's Picture Me and a whole million bridal studios who're ever ready to do your photos as well as really good photographers. So if they (nbyn) offer LIFETIME PACKAGE you must recommend enough successful referrals to sustain their business so that you can go back every year. Otherwise, no refund hor.

Update: Anyway, for those people who have nothing positive to comment, pleaase do everyone a favour - don't comment. Those nasty stuff outta your lips/mind/fingers will only serve to reveal your character. Also, if you're really that gutsy, don't be a coward - leave your name instead of remaining anonymous.

Another Ex-/Anti-Ezzo site...cute!

This site has a darn cute design on Ezzo's 'secular' book. As I see both sides of the coin now, I don't feel that kind of guilt anymore and am more willing to 'take the wheat and throw out the chaff'. We might have to throw out the whole barrel, but at least we don't have to take it hook, line and sinker and feel guilty if we're liberal about our methods by not going according to the book. I'm glad I failed in trying to perfect the 'routine'. Definitely by God's grace. :)

P.S. for those who are really bored by my entries, you're welcome to check out any of my more interesting links at the right column. Thanks. This blog is for my record, not a publication to gain market share. So I really don't mind if you decide to move on. :) Cheers!

Home, School, Ben, Abby, Parenting & Monkeys

Okie, we've finally broken the news to Ben's parents. And now we can tell the world. WE GOT A FLAT!!! It's a 5-room flat in Bedok, mid level and we got it at 15k below valuation! :D Initially there were other slightly higher offers, about 10k below valuation, but the owner(s) were reluctant to let it go. Just when they decided to sell it at that price, the potential buyers all committed themselves to other places! So we happiliy came along, offered our 'best' price and they sold it to us! :D

It's in original condition, so tonnes of work needs to be done. But we're just glad that God's blessed us with this place. Ben finally told his dad after a series of events which opened up the way to us (him) being able to announce the news. Basically his parents are ready to let us go, even his mum, and just hopes that we'll be back weekly for dinners, which is basically not a problem for us coz we wanna do that anyway.

Although upgrading is due for the new place soon, we're glad that the whole place will have a whole facelift. It's not gonna be a piece of cake, but part of the upgrading has been done already. There are security features at the lobby, security gate and camera and lift stops at every level, so it's basically only the exterior as well as our toilets, grilles and doors, which they assume will take about two weeks. :)

However, plans will be put on hold until I get over the first trimester. Gosh. Every weekend I just knock out. I sleep for the most of saturdays, and sundays I'm still partially zombified. But I'm fine from mondays to fridays, especially on tuesdays when I have classes from 8.30am to 5.30pm with only two 1-hr breaks. That's when I'm the most energetic and chatty, right up to the night! Guess it's really God's strength that keeps me going on. But I can barely keep my eyes open on saturdays. I'm just soooo tired.

Ben's gone back to camp and might not see him tomorrow. Horrid thoughts just filled my mind before he left and I'm just praying that God will protect him. I dunno what I'll do without him. :'( I've been having strange dreams as well. Downside of pregnancy - the dreams which can be super vivid at times!

But on a brighter note, Ben was back over the weekend and spent great time with Abby. There was this night where Abby woke up and didn't want to sleep, just play and yak. So she rattled on her entire vocabulary of words to a sleeping mummy and a sleepy daddy. So cute. "Daaaada, Daaaadi, Bah Bah, Mama, Mamam, Mak!, Jie Jie (sounds like), Wooh (for dog), Wah-Wer (for flower)." Yesterday she started her, "How?" and now loves to mimic Ben's mum's yawn. She can identify 'eye' and 'ear' in Hock Chia!! But that's on other people's faces. Today just taught her where her ears were, and when Ben asked this evening, she pointed to her left ear! :D Very fast learner! :D Likes to listen to "Eensy Weensy Spider" and looks like she's trying to do the Spider climb up the spout! Best part is - sometimes, when the rain washes the spider out (I usually emphasise on Wash!) she'll mimic the flow of the rushing water! Heheh... so cute! Oh, and she can do "Jiu Yang Dub Dub Puay!" (That's Hock Chia for bird fly away or something!) So cute... See, she picked up so many things in dialect, shows that we hardly spend time with her... sigh... but good lah. Dowan her to lose her roots. So whatever minute window of opportunity we have with her, just enjoy her and savour every moment! She's such a cutie... :D loves to give us kisses with 'mmmmm' sound effect! :D

After we stopped being anal parents as recommended by some parenting philosophy (well, not exactly, but I've learnt to take it with a pinch of salt. In fact, a huge dash of it.) we've bonded better. Well, although we managed to withdraw from GKGW organised by a group (paid LOADS OF MONEY but got a partial refund), we're still attending the course but organised by our church instead, at a fraction of the cost. Because of the former group (the people we know and the instructor's expectations) we felt everything had to be done EXACTLY. Otherwise we weren't doing it right. But I think for this new course (partially because we're paying a ridiculous fraction of what we paid for the first organiser) the pressure's off. Also the new instructors aren't that strict I think. We'll take what we agree with and just throw away the rest. I've read too much stuff online regarding Ezzo and although I don't agree with how he's managing himself and the way things have turned out, I still think that he's probably got some two cents worth that we could listen to (and not more that S$700 worth of lessons!). Argh.

Anyway, I've been reading Chewymom's website regarding her past experience with Ezzo as well as Tulipgirl's which provides me a counter perspective to what is being preached. It does get quite 'exclusive' in the course with all that teachings going around, yet with these two ex-Ezzo moms providing experience, I'm getting a more balanced picture of the situation. Perhaps for those who haven't heard in detail regarding Ezzo, these two ladies may provide a strong perspective towards the teaching. Yet, one side of the story will always sound correct until we hear the other side of the story. So Chewymom and Tulipgirl are just my counter reference points to the course which we used to subscribe until the guilt overtook us and made us think we're bad parents. Now, we recognise that whatever courses we attend, they are just somebody's opinion about how things should be done. It doesn't mean because everyone's done it that way, that means that's the way things should be done. Well, this story says it all. :)

Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it. Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the other monkeys with cold water. After a while, another monkey will make an attempt with the same result - all the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.

Now, take away the cold water. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm! Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth.

Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked. Most of the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey.

After replacing all the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try for the banana. Why not?

Because, as far as they know, that's the way it's always been done.... and that, my friends, is how company policy begins.

Uh oh!

Need to start on my article review IMMEDIATELY. It's due tomorrow. Procrastination in its highest. Wanna finish it before my sis-in-law comes over for dinner, so can yak and chat till the cows come home (or Ben, rather). :D But! Must finish work. Okie. I have 2 hours left. :P It's worth 25%!

Bits & Pieces

Deadline due on Friday, and not a word yet. It's a lit review paper, and I really hope I'll be able to make sense of the article. It's for Social Studies.

Ben's off to reservist today. He's got his Master's program, so he's able to book out every night. But have to go back before 2359 I think. :( Met him for dinner and he bought me a pair of black court shoes and a pair of sandals! They fit perfectly! :) My current pair of shoes are threatening to take their last breath. Each time I wear them to school, I have to remind myself to put an emergency pair in the car. It's that bad. Heels' gone and the straps are all coming apart. The bow's just a piece of ribbon. It's hideous. Thank God for new shoes.

Confession: I don't really know how to shop by the way.

Besides wanting and getting shoes, I saw this lady runner yesterday and just wondered, "Hmm... Think I could do with a pair of running shorts." Just a very simple thought as I was driving. And Ben bought me two pairs of running shorts. I didn't even tell him!

Also, just last week, I was just wondering - whether my Diploma results would affect my degree results. I had this impression that they were separate - what I got in Diploma had nothing to do with the degree. Just one of those passing thoughts. Then during lunch one day, I put my things down and grabbed lunch. When I returned, I saw two PRC nationals sitting at the table on my left, with stuff put on my table. I thought it was theirs. There was a lady who sat opposite my stuff (usually when tables are taken people look for other occupied tables) talking to these two men. Then her friend who put her bag with my stuff joined her. Both sat side by side. I was just abit irritated - personal space lah - but didn't get up to move to another table. Just finish my lunch and quickly get over and done with it lah. So they started talking to each other. At first I thought they were PRCs also - talking about returning home three times a year (i thought that was quite frequent) then I realised that most prob both were Malaysians. So they were talking about stuff then suddenly...

"Are you in the PGDE program?" the lady diagonally asked me.

"Oh, I'm not. I'm in the BA. Crossed-over from Dip Ed (Gen)." I answered as I looked up from my food. Strange how I knew she was talking to me.

So the conversation continued. Through that, I learnt the 'secrets' of the crossing over system. She explained in detail to me!! Also, I revealed that I was from Murdoch and she asked me whether I 'fought' for AU exemption. I was quite stumped by her question and my reply surprised both myself and them. "But I enjoy the modules too much to ask for exemptions!" Seriously. We enjoyed the conversation, and through it, she revealed that the dip ed results is also taken into consideration together with the degree. Perhaps this is common knowledge, but confirmation is better than 'rumoured' understanding - like how we understood the crossing over to be.

God's good.

Anyway, school's running in full steam right now, and I feel like I'm just barely hanging on. Hope that I'll be steadier by the end of the week. I'm just glad that I'm meeting up with some of my cross over friends. Well, maybe because I'm almost always at the canteen, buying food or eating! I'm eating on every 2-3hr interval and i'll feel sick if i don't. Well, the weight's all coming back. Argh. Never mind lah. Just whack first. Heh. :)

Impressed

Dr LK Yap (my gynae) actually has a website. He's a really sweet guy, and the office atmosphere is very relaxed. Second time round, and I'm going back to him still. :) I know I'm in safe hands. He's super patient! Besides being very patient and all ears during consultation, he actually waited for me to fully dilate before he jumped into action. Meanwhile he was sleeping in the next waiting room (for those in early labour). FYI: My first labour & delivery was THIRTY hours. Well, he attended a conference during the day (it was a Sunday) and popped by from across the road where his conference was held (Mandarin Hotel) to see how I was doing, and went back again. And finally, when Abby began to appear close to midnight, he quickly got everything together, got Abby out and stitched me up in a jiffy. Think he took 20 minutes in all, and even took photos after that some more! :D

Woohoo!

Although it rained abit today, the timing was great for the crew to break for lunch. Then we (they - i sat around coz wasn't feeling fantastic) set up the stall and business was good! :) Next week, we sell to church. If everyone just bought 1 item, we can meet our target! Yeah! Great buys, one man bought the VCD/MP3/CD/etc ENZER player set for only $40! on his bicycle some more! He was ferrying his son. It was a very quick sale. We were telling this othercustomer what a good deal it was, then suddenly this cyclist paid for it and just chucked it inside his front basket. Stylo lah, some people.

Anyway, it was quite a fun time seeing the people at cell unite with a common goal. It was really fun. And one of our friends had too much sun, so he started blabbering nonsense,... heheh... Asked me if I had Ben's mobile phone number (we're not thatclose yet, I think... he has yet to give me his no.), and declaring in all seriousness, that he owns a long-sleeved halterneck*. Technically it might not be possible, but still quite a sight if a guy ever wears that! :D heheh...

It was quite fun. Wished I could contribute more, but just wasn't up to it, after the laksa I ate for lunch threatened to spill over. Anyway, we've come to a conclusion. We like the 328 Katong Laksa, the one at the overhead bridge corner junction. :) Not so jelakafter a bowl. The one on the other side of the road - after a few spoons, you dowanna continue anymore. :P

Anyway, back to school tomorrow. I HAVE A DEADLINE DUE ON TUESDAY AND ON FRIDAY. And I haven't started yet. HELP.


*He meant turtleneck.

Sawang!

My mum's a missionary to Sawang and I'm really glad that the cell that I belong to has also a tremendous heartbeat for the people there! The fruits have been tremendous -many families have been come to know the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord & Saviour since a year ago and God's been blessing them so much!

Our dedicated team have been going down to Sawang Indonesia - and heading the team have been Tuan Yee, Sok Tuan and Gwen, who've been deeply committed. I'm encouraged by their faithfulness. Tuan Yee & Soks are excellent arty/architectural/design people. They draw wonderfully and are extremely talented. And they've put their talents to great use by building/renovating a church in Sawang!

So, to raise funds, all of us have pooled in our resources and set up a stall at a Bazaar this Sunday especially for the renovation works in the Tj Batu premises. Our goal is to raise $2000. We did the pricing last Sunday, and things are really going at a steal! We actually bought a fondue set!! Hehe. It was actually mistaken as an aromatherapy set so it was sold off. When I saw it, I was like, Gosh, that's a fondue set!! Chocolate-coated fruits! Yum!! And Ben bought it! And it's really not an aromatherapy set. Well, I think besides finding this goodie, they've got cheap bags, toys, ornaments and electrical appliances. Check out this site for some of the items on sale. Oh, can also 'chope' some of them at sawangers@yahoo.com.

The stalls are at Marine Parade Road Park and the Bazaar starts from 9am to 7pm this Sunday 14 Aug. Really hope that business will be GREAT!! :D

My two darlings

Morning sickness is not funny. Just when I thought I was all ready to hit school and give it my best shot, now I contemplate every monday morning whether to even get out of bed and go to school. I've missed two mondays already. Well, today, there were two 1 hr lectures, with a FOUR hour break, followed by National Day Observance Ceremony. It's a bit too much for me.

Apparently Ben's been nauseous for the past three weeks in the morning even without realising it. He thought it was just stress. Then he told me last night that he'd been like that even before we found out I was pregnant. He was like that as well when I was expecting Abby. The Sympathetic Father syndrome. I don't feel so alone in this. :) Apparently some men have ALL the symptoms of pregnancy except the baby. So. Strange.

There's a ton of work to be done, and I have no idea where to start. I'm not even half as organised as I was. I just wanna go lie down and rest.

Abby's been having runny nose which has developed into an irritating phlegmy cough. Quite bad. We took her to her PD, finished her medicine, MIL took her to another doc, in the midst of the medicine, but nothing's improving. Darn. But she's still bright and cheery, which is good.

She's been a darling. Whenever she wakes up, she'll look for her DaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaDi. Even when he's not around, she'll climb up to see our wedding portrait and point to him and go, "DaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaDi". We haven't figured out when she's calling me yet. We guess it's Mama, coz sometimes she does go, DaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaDi', then "Mama" which sounds like "Mam Mam" or either that she's calling for her granny. Anyway, I acknowledge her lah. She's been really sharp. We went jalan jalan the other day, went past a floral display, and she went, "Wah-wer!" a couple of times. That's flower. And she's done that several times without us pointing out to her. And she does that to different types of flowers. Amazing.

And dogs too. Whatever species, she knows it's Woof. We're constantly amazed by her. :)

Anyway, I need to go lie down. Too much energy used blogging. Heh.

Abby's First Birthday Celebration!

It was at cell! :) We celebrated on Friday, 29 July 2005, with all our good friends who have been praying for Abby even before she was born!





It was a simple, yet lovely celebration. Surrounded by friends and loved ones.

Abby's Actual Birthday Celebration!

Daddy, Mummy, Randy Kuku & Mama brought me to Changi Airport's Swensen's today! I had alot of fun! :D


Abby reading Swensen's menu


Abby with granny!


Abby with happy mummy!

I really wanted to order all the food on the menu, but I couldn't make up my mind. I liked the fries though! :D Mummy let me have some! :P Well, I still finished my dinner, like how a good girl should! It was a great first birthday! Can we do it again tomorrow, Mummy?