Cold Rock Ice-Cream

I was out with my cg after service 2 Saturdays ago (and yes, this entry is really really late!!), and at a recommendation of a member, we stopped and sat down in front of an ice-cream shop in Holland Village.

Now now now, no matter how old you are, an ice-cream at times brings encouragement to your souls, just like how chocolates release eudorphines that makes everyone happy.

This is not a Haagan Dazs or Swensen's outlet, where yummilicious ice-cream comes in all shapes and sizes, with banana split, biscuit cone, waffles etc.

This ice-cream is the ONLY, and yes, i repeat, ONLY store in Singapore. It originates from Australia.




This ice-cream may seem ordinary to you, and even think that it's just a normal scoop of ice cream. But, inside contains all the confectionery that i love and I WANT in my ice-cream, at my own choice, descrepancy and happiness.

In this cup, it has...
a) Butterscotch Ice-cream
b) Maltesers
c) M&M Chocolate peanuts
d) Caramel

And, i can tell u, it's YUMMILICIOUS!!!! Though it really pushes the limits of my sugar intake, but every single bite is worth it! Don't be deceived by its dull-colored appearance.

I can't exactly describe how wonderful it is, but being the ONLY branch in Singapore, it has indeed a USP (Unique Selling Point), in the way that it's prepared. Mamamiaaaaaa!!!!



And what i want to say is: I LOVE Cold Rock Ice Cream!

The way that the ice-cream is presented and the way it allows for your own preferences, IT ROCKS!

So, if you happen to drop by Holland Village, do drop by to visit Cold Rock Ice Creamery at:
24A Lorong Mambong, Holland Village. It's located along the stretch further in from the food center.

Singapore inflation on a high

Everyone gets hit by it, no matter how young/old/pretty/ugly the person is.

Yes, even babies are affected. And your pets are affected too.

What was i talking about? This is one big taboo word: Inflation.

Inflation is when prices continue to creep upward, usually as a result of overheated economic growth or too much capital in the market chasing too few opportunities. Usually wages creep upwards, also, so that companies can retain good workers. Unfortunately, the wages creep upwards more slowly than do the prices, so that your standard of living can actually decrease.

I remembered what i studied during my school-days, inflation is where the value of the money goes down and costs goes higher. It's an inverse relationship.

Let me explain.

Many years ago... Ok, not that many years ago, people pays 20 cents for a bowl of fishball noodles. Now, for the same bowl of fishball noodles, you need to pay a minimal of $2.50. The bowl, the ingredients, and the way the food is presented remains the same. Except u pay 12.5 times more for it.

Another example (specially for the students) of inflation in our everyday lives.

When i was in Primary 1, i get 40 cents per day; 10 cents to buy water, 20 cents to buy noodles for recess, 10 cents to save. Now, Primary 1 students must get at least at least 1 dollar in order to buy the same things!

*****
I often 'engage' in conversation with my mummy to increase my allowance when i was in secondary school:

me: Mummy, I need more allowance for today. I have tuition today and need to eat lunch.

(Mummy gave me $5, and....)

Mummy: u know ah, last time when i was your age, my mother only give me 50 cents and i can survive one whole day. (Wha biang eh, how can compare ah? 以前是以前；现在是现在)

me: But then last time *两毛大过牛车轮！I can't buy anything with 50 cents! ...

(Disclaimers: to all mothers whose children start to negotiate allowances with you using my example, 我是无辜的!!!)

*****
And the inflation over here is on a overdrive. Really scary. Yes, it affects everyone, everywhere.

---

Singapore's inflation hits 25-year high of 6.6%
By Margaret Perry, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE - Singapore's annual inflation rate hit a 25-year high of 6.6 percent in January, according to Department of Statistics (DOS) data released on Monday.

The inflation rate, as indicated by the consumer price index (CPI), was the highest since the 7.5 percent hit in March 1982.

From a month earlier, consumer prices in January rose 1.5 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis, the DOS said.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) issued a statement along with the DOS data, saying the year-on-year jump in inflation in January was due to one-off factors such as a housing value revision and that it was in line with the official inflation forecast of 4.5-5.5 percent for 2008.

The MTI said inflation would start to ease in the second half of the year. In December, the annual rate was 4.4 percent. "The 6.6 percent year-on-year increase in the CPI in January 2008 was consistent with the official inflation forecast of 4.5 to 5.5 percent for 2008 as a whole," the MTI said.

The DOS said the jump in inflation was due largely to an 11.1 percent spike in housing costs recorded after a revision to values of public housing. Housing costs, which account for 21 percent of the consumer price index, have the third-largest weighting after food and transport/communication.

Food prices, which carry the largest weighting in the CPI, rose 5.8 percent in January from a year earlier. Transport and communication costs rose 6.9 percent between January 2007 and January 2008, driven by soaring global fuel prices and higher taxi fares. Higher petrol prices also contributed to a rise in transport costs for food.

This, coupled with higher global food prices, means more expensive grocery bills. However, one local supermarket chain has extended a discount scheme to help shoppers cope with rising costs.

NTUC FairPrice has given customers 5 per cent off prices of 500 of its housebrand products since mid-December 2007. The discounts, originally due to finish at the end of February, has now been extended until the end of April. The extension is costing FairPrice S$1 million and is part of the company's "Stretch Your Dollar" programme.

In the heart of Singapore's financial district, many were not surprised to hear the latest inflation figure. Many have already tightened their belts. "I have a family, so I have to plan our expenses and cut out unnecessary spending and then maybe make some investment to cover the shortfall," said a member of the public.

"Shop around a bit more, do a bit of homework (before buying anything). It's a bit tedious, but at the end of the day it's your pocket," said another.

---

Is this crazy or what? SAVE OUR MONETARY VALUE!

What does it mean to you, you may ask. Seriously no one knows how bad it will get in the next few years.

All i can foresee is, 5 -10 years down the road, $2.50 can't get your a decent bowl of fishball noodles. Maybe $4 can.

*两毛大过牛车轮 = This means that 20 cents in the 1960s - 1970s are regarded as high in value, because it might probably be able to buy a cart-wheel.

Will this happen to us?

I got this link from a colleague who msn-ed it to me this morning.

And it set me thinking: Will the ever-rising petrol cost and ERP, which encourages the ever-growing population of public transport riders, lead us to this, someday?



This is the biggest ever 'sardined' scenario that i ever saw.

*shudders.

Myer-Briggs Personality Test

It's the season of all the personality tests again.

It was last week when Leader asked us to do this test from Myer-Briggs to see what we are.

I got an ISFJ = Introvert, Sensing, Feeling, Judging.

I agree 100%.

Today i found another website that gives out the same test, but with more radio button options. And i got this.

ISFJ - "Conservator". Desires to be of service and to minister to individual needs - very loyal. 13.8% of total population.

Jung Personality Test (similar to Myers-Briggs/MBTI)

And i must say, this result is FREAKING accurate!

The Characteristics of ISFJs:

follows the rules, polite, fears drawing attention to self, dislikes competition, somewhat easily frightened, easily offended, timid, dutiful, private, lower energy, finisher, organized, socially uncomfortable, modest, not confrontational, easily hurt, observer, prone to crying, not spontaneous, does not appreciate strangeness - intolerant to differences, apprehensive, clean, planner, prone to confusion, afraid of many things, responsible, guarded, avoidant, anxious, cautious, suspicious, more interested in relationships and family than intellectual pursuits, not adventurous, fears doing the wrong thing, dislikes change.

*agreed ones in orange
*disagreed ones in red

Favored careers:

homemaker, stay at home parent, office worker, health care worker, personal assistant, school teacher, administrative assistant, child care worker, clerical employee, receptionist, library assistant, dietician, health educator, librarian

Disfavored careers:

rock star, philosophy professor, filmmaker, performer, writer, bar owner, comedian, dj, entertainer, ceo, psychotherapist, bartender, entrepreneur, lecturer, astronomer

Everyone who did the test during fellowship asked themselves if they were in their wrong choice of career.... Hahahaha. Oh well, It tests your personality, it should not govern your choice for a career.

6-DIAL-CAB from 21 Jul 2008

You might have heard it early this week.

Or, you might have not.

It doesn't affect us commuters who take this mode of transport, because ALL we want is a cab that will take us to our destination - whatever the company is, be it blue, yellow-top, Red, Silver, Green.

Now now now, if u are those who usually dial a cab, THIS is something u should know.

---

Booking a taxi? Just call one common number from July 21

BOOKING a cab will be a breeze from next Monday. Taxi commuters will just have to call one common number - 6342 5222 - or remember 6-DIAL CAB.

The move, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Tuesday, is to make it easier and more convenient for taxi commuters, especially tourists.

The common taxi booking number will complement the taxi companies' call booking systems, which will continue to be in use.

A commuter who makes a call to the common number will have access to up to three taxi companies' call centres.

The call will first be routed to one selected taxi company's call centre. If the lines there are busy, the call will automatically be re-routed to another taxi company's call centre. The call will be terminated only after three attempts to route the call is unsuccessful.

The new initiative was included in the Land Transport Master Plan announced early this year.

'It provides commuters with an additional avenue to book a cab. With the common number, commuters will be able to book a taxi from any of the taxi companies by calling 6-DIAL CAB,' said a statement from LTA.

Ms Tammy Tan, ComfortDelGro Corporation Group Corporate Communications Officer said: 'Many Singaporeans are already familiar with ComfortDelGro's taxi booking number, 6552-1111.
'There is however one group of commuters who may be confused with the different taxi booking numbers and they are the tourists. For them, the common booking number will be of help.'

Added Mr Lo Chee Wen, Vice President of SMRT Taxis: 'The new common call booking number for taxis is an added way in which we can serve commuters, on top of SMRT's call booking number 6555 8888. We welcome it and are happy that commuters now have another convenient manner to reach us when they are in need of a taxi.'

Mr Lim Chong Boo, Managing Director of Premier Taxis said the move would help visitors to Singapore who may be unfamiliar with how to get a taxi.

Welcoming the additional option, Chief Executive of SMART Automobile Pte Ltd, Mr Johnny Harjantho said its drivers will stand to gain from an increase in phone bookings to the company.

Commenting on the move, Mr Seng Han Thong, adviser to the six Taxi Operators' Associations, said LTA had consulted the associations on the feasibility of a common booking number and they supported it because it would bring more bookings.

He added: 'Singaporeans will also benefit from it as they only need to remember one telephone number to call and as the chances of them getting a taxi in a shorter time will be higher as the system will forward their booking requests to the next available taxi company. These would translate to more call bookings and thus, higher earnings for our taxi drivers.'

*****

It officially starts tomorrow. So no more multiple numbers of taxi companies such as 6552-**** or whichever numbers that hasn't stuck into our minds yet.

I think it's a good initiative.

Whenever i take a cab, i'll usually chat with the drivers and ask them about their benefits and stuff like that. And those that are not Blue or Yellow or Yellow-Top cabs, the taxi-drivers usually comment that they don't get a lot of call-cab requests. And u know lah, when u call a cab, there's $3.20 (????) in addition to the base fare (and if during peak hours the surcharge, and if in the CBD area the additional $3).

I remembered when i was younger, i used to play this PC game which is similar to the Monopoly, but the character starts with a character called 阿土仔 (probably from the kampong). So the game starts exactly like how Monopoly is played where there's dice and yahdah yahdah.

And when a player has this card, called a 驱富卡 (the gathering of all the wealth of all the players), he can choose to use this card when he's really down and out, because it will firstly gather all the wealth of all the players, and then dividing them equally among the 4 players. So the poor will become of equal standing with the super duper rich, who are not so happy to share their wealth.

When i heard the news about this, this game and this 驱富卡 came into my mind.

So the red, silver and the green cab will get to benefit from what their biggest competitor is enjoying: popular call cab services. But of course, if the operator is too busy, then this pie may not be beneficial.

Maybe i'll ask the drivers from these companies in a month's time if this is really helping them. But then, 90% of the time i'm being picked up by the Blue cab. Ah, are the smaller contenders able to get a share of this, esp since they are so out-numbered?

I'll only know if i get to sit their cabs.

Smile Everyday =)

Today is one of those days that i woke up at 8am.

Which translates to the need to take a cab to office. (without kena-ing the warning letter - imagine me giving myself a warning letter for being late... CHOY!)

And i boarded a Comfort Cab which has a base fare of $3.00. Yes, the comfy Hyundai-ATV.

FYI: Today starts the official extra $0.30 fare (Diesel Tax). Meaning, when u board the cab in the morning (outside city area), it will be a starting fare of $1.35 + base fare.

As usual, i chat with the cab-driver, who is this jovious Indian uncle, but with a Malay name. Initially he was just talking about how much he pay for the taxi and his family members.... Then, out of the blue, he made a statement which astound me. Because it's so true.

"You must smile everyday, because you will be happier."

How true. Sometimes, a smile may mean nothing to you, even though it's already proven that you take more muscles to frown than to smile. But to someone who's depressed, to someone who needs an encouragement, a smile can simply lift up their spirits. It does miracles, somehow.

How amazing, that a simple truth is magnified and shown by a jovial cab-uncle. And it's not rocket-science that you need to trial and error to know that it is.

*
*
*

And, this uncle nearly brought the house down, when he said that he MUST smile everyday.

"I must smile every day, because my name is IS-SMILE (ISMAIL), i cannot don't smile!"

Hahaha. And yes, i paid the cab-uncle with a big, wide smile on my face, despite it costing me an $18 burn in my wallet. And even as lunch time is going to be over soon, i'm still smiling whenever i think about this uncle and what he said.

Did u remember to smile today? If u haven't, just do it, u feel many tonnes better than u haven't did for the day. =)

My Fast and Furious

This is my latest purchase, a relevant purchase for what i need to use.

I will caress it with my fingers, have it visible around me 9/5 (9 hours a day, 5 days per week).

It causes me to remember that i STILL hold a driving license. And the existence of the Toyota Vios... and the ever-rising Petrol prices and ever-growing ERP gantries.

I call it the Fast & Furious.

I wish it's the real deal. This is such a gal's car. I love it! Only that it's a...




****

This is taken using my butt-kicking 3 MP Samsung SGH-F700 camera phone.

Until now i still can't believe this mouse cost me $18. Hope it doesn't live up to my expectation of it being 中看不中用。Still, i love it!

Overheard at the gals' outing

The bestest thing to do on a weekend, is seriously, having a good meal together with your galfrens, and musing over all the interesting things which unleases the shopping queen in our insides, and laughing over nothing and everything.

And yeah, we were the loudest in the restaurant, and the waiters can't wait for us to vacant out seats.

The best joke of the day was at the end. As they say, "leave the last for the best".

One of the gals (i call her Fren 甲for this conversation) among us got a new mobile phone on Saturday. I saw Fren 甲 fiddling with her phone, which was an old model. I was seated next to her. So out of curiosity, i chatted with her...

*****

Me: Hey Fren 甲! Thought u got ur new phone yesterday. U haven't charge your phone, so u didn't use it today.

Fren 甲: Oh i didn't bring it. But i made a mistake.

(Another gal, Fren 乙 sat down at an empty chair opposite us, while we were talking)

Me: Oh?? What happened.

Fren 甲 (sheepishly): Yesterday, i charged the handphone, but i realized that i didn't put the battery into the phone, this morning....

(Fren 乙and i stared at each other...... a short, awkward silence before we burst out laughing loudly at what we've just heard)

And the joke of the day send all of us gals laughing LOUDLY, and it seems that the ppl at the FastFood joint wishes for us to vacate that place asap.

*****

Bangkok Trip Sep 2008
U might not have noticed, but in my calendar of events on the right, there's a new entry about Bangkok. And yes, as at Publish Time on this entry, the trip is 70% confirmed.

310 from 17th Jul 2008

The evolvement of the Taxi fare can only be described in the manner as below:

Before 2007: Known as "240", where the base charge is $2.40 the moment you board the cab to bring u to your destination.

During 2007: Taxi became "250" and then "280", because the base charge has increased accordingly. Every jump of the meter has gone up from 10 cents to 20 cents.

In 2008: Taxi fare evolved quite a far bit
a) Introduction of Hyundai - ATC cabs, base rate at $3.00
b) Increase in fares, esp during peak hours, at an alarming rate of 35%. Midnight charges still at 50%.
c) From next Thursday onwards, we will pay a minimum of $3.10 the moment we board the cab.

This 30-cents is to cover the diesel tax that is beared by the taxi drivers.

*****

From Strait Times, 12 Jul 2008

30-cent fuel levy for cab rides from Thursday

MOST cab rides will cost 30 cents more from next Thursday, after Singapore's largest taxi operator ComfortDelGro yesterday announced its decision to levy a fuel surcharge on all trips.
The first of its kind for the cab industry, the flat rate payable regardless of the distance travelled comes just months after fares went up in December.

Most of the other cab companies are expected to follow the lead of ComfortDelGro, which owns Comfort and CityCab taxis. The industry giant was reported three weeks ago by The Sunday Times to be considering such a move.

ComfortDelGro said yesterday the surcharge is to help cabbies mitigate the unrelenting rise in fuel prices.

It noted that diesel pump prices have risen by more than 50 per cent in the last six months alone - to about $1.83 a litre after discount.

Mr Yang Ban Seng, chief executive of ComfortDelGro's taxi business, said: 'In the past six months, we have been absorbing a large part of the increase in diesel costs.'

He pointed out that cabbies get diesel dispensed at company-run pumps at $1.19 a litre.
In the first quarter, ComfortDelGro declared that it incurred a $6.3 million loss on diesel sale because it has been selling diesel at sizeable discounts.

Mr Seng Han Thong, adviser to the Taxi Operators' Associations, supported the move. Mr Seng had said that taxi firms could not continue to subsidise fuel indefinitely.

'We call on other taxi companies to continue to help their drivers cope with rising diesel prices,' he said.

Assuming that each cabby gets about 30 customers a day, the 30-cent surcharge will raise his daily takings by $9, which ComfortDelGro said will help to offset his bigger fuel bill.

Even with subsidised diesel, ComfortDelGro drivers pay about a $15 more a day, based on an average consumption of about 45 litres a vehicle.

To commuters, the surcharge amounts to a 2.6 per cent rise in fare for an average 9.3km ride.
ComfortDelGro said it will remove the surcharge when diesel falls back to $1.19 - the market price of the fuel in December 2007.

Asked if it would raise the levy beyond 30 cents if diesel continues to climb, spokesman Tammy Tan said: 'We've not come to that. This is a very new thing to us.'

Smaller taxi operators are following ComfortDelGro's lead.

Mr Johnny Harjantho, managing director of Smart Taxis, said: 'We will most likely follow.'
Mr Lim Chong Boo, managing director of Premier Taxis, said his company is also likely to implement the surcharge 'after consulting with our drivers'.

The exception, at least for the moment, is Mr Neo Nam Heng, managing director of Prime Taxis, whose fleet of cabs runs entirely on natural gas, which is cheaper than diesel.

'We should consider the commuters' interests. Our drivers have to accept it too,' he said.
Cabby Tan Soon Huat, 49, who has been driving a Comfort cab for 14 years, said: 'I think the 30 cents surcharge is quite reasonable. I just hope commuters see it that way too.'

Others added that the rising diesel prices have wiped out much of the higher takings they were starting to get from the December fare hikes.

Regular taxi user Tang Swee Noi, 33, a teacher, said: 'Much that I am unhappy about it, I still have to take taxis, or I will have to wake up much earlier to go to work.

'We all know the fuel price is increasing so I don't think there's very much that taxi drivers can do. For now, it's still cheaper than getting a car.'


I'm sure u do remember my Taxi-advocate post a few months back.

And i can tell u, i still do talk to a lot of cab-drivers. And yes, i met a cabby who was complaining about the diesel tax.

I mentioned previously that the rental for a cab is about $90 for the old type ones. Actually during my conversation with this cabby-who-complained-about-the-diesel-tax, i realized that the $90 is already inclusive of the $20 diesel tax that they pay daily!

The cabby pays a whooping $6,000 (at the minimal) for yearly diesel tax!

Best thing? Besides all other vehicles that uses Diesel that kena this tax, the Taxis kena this tax. And their diesel tax is seriously no joke. $6,000. And the buses doesn't even pay this much for this tax.

Now it's very easy to hail a taxi, because every other taxi has lost substantial customers with the increased price. And, with the price increase, you'd have think that they are earning more.

Apparently not. It's even harder for them to earn to pay off their daily rental (including the $20 diesel tax).

This move is a move to sooth the taxi-drivers' daily burden of the diesel tax, but looking at it, it's going to be a lose-lose formula. Because of higher cost, consumers would not want to take cab EVEN MORE than ever. And it will get worse.

=====
The 4 cents effect wore off much sooner than i expected. It's already expected when something goes down, another thing will go up to fill the void. And it went one big round eventually back to square 1.

a) Decrease in petrol prices - no much difference to cabbies, and passengers alike
b) Increase in cab fare - affects passengers' willingness to take cab, and sooth the pay for cab drivers, but reduces their rate of customer pick up.

And, the whole thing about this increase here and there - Inflation.

Inflation rate is expected to be at 6.2% and it is a sharp inflation. Everything (literally everything) goes up high in price (which economics says that the real value decreases), but our salaries doesn't seem to go up in value or amount.

So not fair.

Singapore's mandarin Radiomercial

Something really funny that i heard over the radio

I remembered that it was Monday, while i was getting ready for work, dressing up and make up, and listening to my usual morning radio channel.

Then i heard this super-duper funny radiomercial from A skincare specialist.

I'm gonna paraphrase what i heard (from rememberance) it into English from Mandarin. Here goes.

*****

A mother was having a meal with her 5 year old son.

Mother: Ah Boy ah! Finish your food quickly.

Son: I'm full already.

Mother: If u cannot finish your food, next time your wife will have a lot of pimples on her face.

Son: It's ok, Mom. By that time, I will bring her to ***skin.

About the 4 Cents

That's that much that can be done over the ever-rising petrol cost.

Was on the bus, watching TV Mobile which was time for news. Something that will perk ALL drivers in Singapore - There's a ... 4 cents discount on petrol.

However, it appears that this deduction did nothing to sayang the hearts of the drivers, ever since the price of petrol started skyrocketing last year.

Noteworthy comment that i've seen and heard on News:

"Today they may reduct by 4cents, wait another few days it will increase by 10 cents."

We don't know how true this statement will be made flesh within the next 2 weeks to a month, but u can feel that this will really happen, as in comparison to further deductions.

And, if u haven't noticed, the ERP rates went up - AGAIN!

A taxi ride from my home to office used to cost like $16, now, has become $19 dollars. That gantry outside Cathay increased by a whooping $1. Is that crazy or what?? How true to say that ERP stands for "Every Road (in CBD and around CBD) Pay".

Click here for the price to pay for individual gantries at a given time.

Now, before we keep on ranting about ERP, there are AIMS and Benefits that LTA wanna educate all motorists.

AIM
To allow motorists to be more aware of the true cost of driving.

All drivers already know how much the true cost of driving is, including:
- Instalments for the car
- Petrol (ever increasing, with minimal deductions)
- Road Tax
- Insurance
- Car park
- Maintenance of car
- Summons/fines [if necessary]
- Diesel Tax (if you are a taxi-driver)
- topping up your Cashcard so that you wouldn't kena fine for crossing the gantry.
= at least one-third of your salary gone.

And if that's not bad enough, the ERP make motorists pay even more.

Yes, roads are optimized, but the traffic slows down even more wherever a gantry is nearby. Which leads to wasting more time, energy (honking at the vehicles in front to "move on, lah".), emotional quotient (especially when people are running late) at the busiest of both peak hours.

Yah, I know the true cost of driving. Blardy expensive.

Benefits of ERP
A) Fair - Is it fair for us commuters to pay $2.00/$2.50/$3.00 to enter a gantry not by our choice, despite using a public transport (the Taxis) as encouraged? We may not have caused a jam, but we are still 'penalized' for it?
Note: Heard it somewhere that one aim of the ERP is to reduce the number of vehicles on roads, and encourage the public to take the PUBLIC TRANSPORT?

B) Convenient - I have to irritate lotsa taxi-drivers to drive in weird direction to avoid the gantry. How "Convenient" it is for Taxi-drivers to give me strange looks and trying to 'preach' the correct direction to me.

C) Reliable - Thanks to Technology. Don't remember if there's ever an error on the system. (At least, Not yet)

I seriously think that the ERP price is getting a bit way out of hand. I shudder to think the next time i take a cab especially to work. And i hasn't even got to the 35% fare hike during peak hours.

Seriously, if u want to encourage people to use the public transport, don't allow bids for Certificate of Entitlement, which will make people to have no choice but to take the public transport.

Does 4 cents really make a lot of difference? Yes, only when u buy in tens or hundreds of litres, the price difference is in terms of cents to a few dollars.

WINs from Bangkok

Finally, the touchdown for the whole Bangkok trip, lies in this entry.

No more about the food, and it's all about the shopping, and my prizes. I don't think it's going to be a long entry, but i'm sure it will really make u look forward to going to Bangkok. Yes, it's shopping heaven.

The craziness about bags




Contrary to Popular belief, NO, i didn't buy like 20 bags. I only got 3 bags. And i'm hitting myself for buying so little!!! I saw one that's sooo nice but i didn't buy it... and i didn't even know why i didn't. Argh!

U see bags everywhere in Bangkok, be it the outstreets, or shopping centers. But, u have to know what kind works the best for u.

The chocolate color bag is bought at a random temporary-set up store nearby the open-air massage place. It cost 180 Baht = SGD 8.10. If u buy something like that in Singapore, it would have cost you like SGD 16.90 even at Bugis.

The purple one and the dark yellow color one (special mention: it has a D&G tag, hahahaha) is bought from a bag shop on the top level of MBK, each costing 199 Baht = SGD 9.05. In Singapore, you can buy such bags at a minimal of SGD 25.90 at Bugis.

The Clothings, Mamamiaaaaa....



These clothings are grouped here, because they are found at the same place: the outstreets nearby the Baiyoke Sky Hotel area. And, i haven't even finish shopping at that place yet!

The blue, pink and black tops cost 180 Baht = SGD 8.10. Which means that each piece is only SGD 2.70!

This brown and Yellow color tops are my favorite as they are comfortable and make me look good. They cost 250 Baht for 2 pieces = SGD 11.30 for 2 pieces.

And i think if i ever see it in Singapore, i will have to buy at like.. at least SGD 20 for each piece??



This white color top is one special one, as its material is similar to those that babies wear, which has very small holes and is very airy and loose-fitting. Bought at Platinum for 150 Baht = SGD 6.80.

The other 4 tops (yes there's 4 tops there, i believe u will miss the black one) are bought at Separpun (??), where it's quite a distance from Baiyoke area. Feels like a gigantic Pasar Malam that stretches across a lot of roads. Oh, it's where i saw the fried scorpions and other exotic eats.

The grey top comes with some metallic pattern and cost at 180 Baht = SGD 8.10 and is comfortable and look good (though i haven't really wore it out yet)

The black one comes with white spiral patterns and cost at 180 Baht = SGD 8.10. It's also one of my favorite tops, because it makes me look slim and hide my fats well. Haha.

The blue army-inspired top is about 120 Baht = SGD 5.45 is bought from the same store that i got this extraordinary green-blue top which cost 180 Baht = SGD 8.10.

Be mindful that when u are at Separpun, you need to bring out your bargaining skills to use. Actually, u should do that when u are in the outstreets too.



This was a last minute purchase on my last day in Bangkok at Platinum. It's extremely comfortable and the best part? It only cost 80 Baht = SGD 3.60. And i never regretted it. I've worn this top like at least 3 times already!



The Most comfortable bottoms. Yes it's so comfortable that i wished i could have bought many more back. Ended up i only got 2. Chey. Bought 2 pieces at the outstreets for 160 Baht = SGD 7.20

Crazy about accessories......

Gals, get ready to screammmmmm.....



There's so many accessories in Bangkok that you will literally be able to get something from there, be it the outstreets or the shopping centers. Accessories will cost between 35 Baht (SGD 1.50) - 135 Baht (SGD 6.10). Special mention is the watch (yeah, alas, the one and only watch), it's so nice, and it cost only 100 Baht (SGD 4.50)..... Which i believe i will see it in Bugis selling for SGD 5.

I saw the same watch a few shops down the road at 75 Baht (SGD 3.40). I nearly fainted.

Lesson Learnt: Walk a few shops before coming to a decision on where to buy. U can get a better deal with a few more price checks.



At the most bottom u see a few colored necklaces yah? I got it near to Pratunam at 100 Baht (SGD 4.50) for 6 pieces! *Scream!!!

Ladies, the next one up is not to be missed.



Crazily abundance of earrings!! I got it at Indra Square at a shop that sells accessories. U may not notice, but there's 12 pairs inside the box. These 12 pairs cost a whooping 120 Baht = SGD 5.45. So each is about SGD 0.45.

Bugis sells such at 3 pairs for SGD 5.

I'm mad, yes i am. MAD about earrings.

Crazy about Cosmetics



M.A.C lip gloss and Anna Sui loose powder and cheekblusher, and fake eyelashes

If i'm not wrong, the prices (estimated) are:
a) Lip gloss - 60 Baht (SGD 2.70)
b) Loose Powder - 80 Baht (SGD 3.60)
c) Cheek blusher - 50 Baht (SGD 2.27)
d) Fake Eyelashes - 50 Baht (SGD 2.27)



M.A.C Multi color eye shadown Palette; 220 Baht (SGD 10)

Blocking my eyes from the scorching sun



Cool Eh? It cost 100 Baht.

My craziness about shoes is satisfied here

And yes, the shoes here are really crazy.


The 3 pairs of shoes from the left cost 99 Baht (SGD 4.50) each. And they are the culprits that cause my luggage to be overweight. Haha.

Slippers cost 75 Baht (SGD 3.40) at Diamond Center push cart.

Comfy and furry slippers at 100 Baht (SGD 4.50) and sandals at 150 Baht (SGD 6.80)



Slip-ins from Outstreet, 100 Baht (SGD 4.50)

And my most expensive shoes that i bought there...



Shoes that looks very much like Puma's. My most expensive purchase during the whole Bangkok trip. Bought it at 650 Baht = SGD 29.50.

Which i bargained it down from 950 baht (SGD 43.10).

I love its texture and its color.

*****
In closing, i think this whole trip is really satisfying. And i'm looking forward to the next Bangkok Shopping trip. Not to forget the massages and the food.

And i'm still a shopping princess at heart. Maybe i'll get 'promoted' to the queen the next time i go there. =)

For ladies only: Lingerie there is good. Opt for those that cost at last 59 Baht (SGD 3) each, that's my advise to you. =)

PS: School of Theology will be 5.5 months for 2009. Woohoo!!!! I'm so happy. Can't stop raving about it!!

What i did for the rest of the evening...

Hey people!! Just in case if u are wonder: "When on earth are u done with ding-dong-ing about the phone!!!"

EH HEM!! Eh Eh Hem!!!

I got the phone on my hands, finally!!!

Hybrid = combination of a) Qwerty Keyboard, b) touchscreen

Initially, i was really wondering if this is really the phone that i want, and my brother was saying about the volatility (is there such a word??) of phone prices and stuff like that. And yes, there are new phones popping out like every single month! Wha lau eh. These mobile phone makers really know how to capture the hearts of the techie-hungry folks! But once i set my eyes on the phone, not even the Omnia or i780 could move me away from it.

Anyway, i've got the phone, and it's charging right now.

That's how it looks like, in rest mode

Oh, they come with a handphone pouch (not that bad-looking, only a bit ah-pek styles), and a matt-surface screen protector (good for touchscreens)



Have tried to sms using the touchscreen and the qwerty, I'd prefer qwerty anytime, because it's like typing, though a bit cumbersome where the symbols department is concerned. But no more wrong wordings due to over-reliance on the dictionary. =)

I have great expectations for this phone. So i believe once my MicroSD is in place, there'll be more things to be done with it.


*****

While i was deciding between taking the Mrt from Bugis or taking a bus back to Clementi, i was just finishing my dinner at Fortune Center (which is like 2 buildings across the road from where my office is located).

My decision wasn't fixed even as i found myself walking within the building towards the Bugis Mrt station. While i was nearing the exit, a shop caught my eye, on my left.

I mean when everything you see in sight is yellowish in color, and you suddenly sight a bright green shop front, of course it catches your eye. The signboard showed a picture of a girl's face with some fruits on her head.

The shop name is Tracy Juice Culture.

Beyond the bright exterior, the sales-auntie caught my eye. She was giving out samples of their juice and promoting their juices.

Their juice is no ordinary juice. Ordinary juice can be found on the other side of the building. This juice is quite different where it comes with various flavors.

The sales-auntie gave me a sample of beetroot juice, which was quite a new thing to me, and which is something i couldn't exactly relate to. It tasted a bit like Yam.

And the second sample is the wheatgrass with something, which made me think if i should give out a MOOOOO or not. Anyway, i hate that.

The last sample is this juice that i knew later was this Pine Lemon, which is refreshing, and it tasted good; not too sour, and the taste is just right. The sales-auntie exclaimed that while she stood for hours promoting the drink, she got very tired. But after drinking it, she felt energized. An example of a 活招牌？

I got myself a cup of Pine Lemon, which the counter staff juice out a fresh cup for me. And to my astonishment, i saw her putting in whole cut lemons, with skin and all into the blender!

Of course, for fruits, the best parts are the skin definitely. But Lemon seeds and skin all into the juice, it's a first for me. And it taste just as good, if not better, as the sample. This cup cost me $3.50.

They have other varieties of juices and desserts, which i got a sample for this 山药 (which is a underground root??) and taste like Yam, but much nicer, and not too sweet. This is what part of their brochure says.



There's a lot of varieties of the juices and desserts, which are healthy and looks-feels-and-is-indeed-delicious. And it's within walking distance to office. Woohoo!!

U can grab a Tracy Juice at 3 places:
1) Vivocity Basement (near to Subway = YES there's a new Subway outlet behind Candy Empire)
2) Fortune Center (Near to Parklane Fried Yun Tun Noodle = YES the one with the purple signboard )
3) Raffles City Shopping Center (Eh, should be somewhere basement. I've never seen it when i was there)

Before i forget, they also have some rewards programs like what Starbucks have. The more u drink, the nth drink is free. For them, it's different, for the nth drink, they are eligible to attend a free juicing workshop for certain juices. Interesting and innovation and educational. (Disclaimer, the first n and the other n is not equivalent to each other)

There's no weblink for it, because it's down.