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    October 16

    Happiest Place on Earth

    U know where that is? I never knew that...till May this year when I visited it and fren told me.
     
    U, n prob legions of fans know it - Disneyland
     
    Was never a Disney kid as I was attracted to other cartoon fare and after I heard so many negative reviews of Disneyland HK, I didn't go with high expectations and ended up delighted with my positive experience, which I've been sharing with those around me, especially those looking to visit.
     
    Thanks to 2 travelling companions well-versed in Disneyland knowledge (having visited the USA one), we rushed for all the live and 3D animated shows like Lion King mini musical, Golden Mickey Oscars show with real hosts + cartoon footage, and High School Musical energetic dance numbers with infectious energy, catchy tunes, simple lyrics and slick moves.
     
    Yes, the rides were not very many and mostly family oriented. The park not very big but the pros is you can cover most of it in a day. Oh and the free train that circled the park was lame - you sit sideways to enjoy the view but what view? Just bushes and trees
     
    The longest queues were at the character signings and photo-taking, which we didn't bother with - fren ended up shooting Donald's fluffy butt that looked good to spank! Haha
     
    We spent most of the time gift-hunting in the shops oh and among the 1st to dash into the cafe for lunch at 1130am, portions were good, cream of mushroom soup excellent. Worth your dough. Bakery was even better - wish I could sample everything - believe those were USA recipes and of a consistently high international standard.
     
    U might be wondering how come I suddenly review Disney when it's been 5 months since?
     
    Cos I was reading Phillip Kotler's Marketing book yest that cited a Disney case study on exemplary customer service. I recalled my experience and found it true!
     
    Did you know that every new employee has to pass training at Disney University before they start work? They have to memorise Disney history so that they can answer every tourist's question. They see litter in the park, they pick up, they volunteer to take pictures for tourists, they must be always friendly, warm and helpful.
     
    They are trained never to say no, that's not my job. And the customer is always right! May sound like very old-fashioned principles but in this increasingly jaded society with very PR-customer service, lotsa hits and misses, disgruntled or sometimes even downright rude service staff, it sounds heavenly.
     
    Maybe cos I've been hit left right centre with poor customer service, sad to say, mostly from PRC in SG. (ok more of that next time)
     
    What blew me away is that the book says to keep Disney feeling and looking fresh, the Main Street painters strip every rail in the park to bare metal and apply a fresh coat of paint 5 TIMES A YEAR! Was thinking, hey it's just a railway who cares if it looks sparkling new, but it's sure darn proof of their incredible service quality if it were true.
     
    And they did impress me with their service - from the internet reservations officer, front desk, porter, chambermaid (cutely dressed in the dark grey n white chambermaid dress), park entry staff, F&B, shop attendants...wish I could pick a fault but I couldn't. They were not only professional in their uniforms and manner, but were efficient, friendly and really felt sincere. The chambermaid helped test a faulty kettle and ran to replace one, but still didn't work. She suspected a fuse and really ran to get it fixed for us. We told her no hurry as we were heading out, just as long as it was done by the time we got back.
     
    Another good customer service example I can think of is Hard Rock. The servers were chatty, forthcoming with witty remarks, recommendations and I've even seen a server sit next to a customer, while taking orders, like a friend. Of cos their vibe is a diff one, more laid back and cool in my view.
     
    Back to Disney, Kotler attributes their magic and success to their impeccable service and maintainence, especially in this mismanaged, hectic, tiring world, you drop your emotional baggage at the doors and immerse in their fantasy world where it's always cheery and warm.
     
    And this appeals to everyone under the sun, and it's virtually foolproof - what brilliant marketing!
     
    I'm sure u'll agree u tend to shun a place with bad service, cos the tot isnt very welcoming, especially when u're paying n nid to put up wif lousy attitudes n nonsense, just like how me n my crab kakis tolerated the insufferable Joo Chiat zi char family - that makes for another blog entry hahaha
     
    I can tell u a whole string of bad experiences but only rem precious few gorgeous one, Disney for sure.
     
    Ok till next time, meanwhile hope u meet good service staff ;P
     
     
     
     
     
    December 16

    Remembering The 80s!

    Continuing with all things 80s, shall start the ball rolling (in this case it's the small rubber ball filled with glittery stars inside that can be bought from the school bookshop that doubles up as our novelty store haha rem erasers printed wif countries' flags, cute stickers, scented tiny balls in transparent plastic box etc)
     
    Speakin of pc games i tink were on those huge floppy disks then n i played Karateka, Pac Man n Star Wars kinda Atari style. Any1 rem? There was a great board game called Rat Race too.
     
    Then there was Micro Genius and very first Nintendo consoles with convertors that you need to attach for small catridges to fit! Default games include Mappy, Ice Climber, Kungfu Fighter and Super Mario 2 was the rage.
     
    Hand helds would be Western Bar *yeeha*
     
    Then we moved to Sega 16bit with Bare Knuckle aka Streets of Rage, Golden Axe, Shinobi, Legend of Zelda, Gun Star Heores and Street Fighter hahaha now PS2 still can find emulator compilation :P O lovely gaming memories, play till thumbs blister yet still wrap the tip of the t-shirt ard it n continue playing till blister burst wahahahha gross
     
    Whar are your memories of school and childhood in the 80s?
    December 15

    if you were born in the 80's in Singapore

    GOSH just so well written and spot on, really opens floodgates for memories n chuckles, missed those innocent, carefree times haha do feel free to add to the list of memories, I'm gonna contribute shortly keke in my next entry so join me! (80s babies unite) *woosh* ala the SBC chen xiuhuan, chen liping volleyball show style when they pile their hand together 4 luck n unity b4 a game ahahha their nicks were tang yuan and fang mei ren! sbc cult classic!
     
    You would remember:

    You grew up watching He-man, MASK, Transformers, Silver Hawk and Mickey Mouse, Ninja turtles, Carebears, Robocop, My Little Pony and Smurfs.

    You grew up brushing your teeth with a mug in Primary school during recess time. You would squat by a drain with all your classmates beside you, and brush your teeth with a coloured mug.

    You hated or loved the school nurse (she was either pretty or mean).

    You know what SBC stands for.

    You paid 40 cents for cartons of Chocolate or Strawberry milk every week in class.

    Everyone's wallet used to be the velcro type

    It was cool to have pagers in primary school

    SBS buses used to be non-airconditioned. The bus seats are made of wood and the cushionwere red. The big red bell gave a loud BEEP! when pressed.

    There were still bus tickets and bus conductors would come up to check them.

    Envelopes were given to us to donate to Sharity Elephant every Children's Day.

    You've probably read Young Generation magazine.You know who's Vinny the little vampire and Acai the constable.

    You know what PETS are and the hidden animals in all the text pages. You hated penmanship.

    Writing lines and caning hands were common, esp if you failed chinese spelling (caning was actually allowed. no shit).

    You were there when they first introduced the MRT here. You went for the first ride with your parents and you would kneel on the seat to see the scenery.

    Movie tickets used to cost only $3.50.

    Gals were fascinated by Strawberry Short Cake and Barbie Dolls.

    You learn to laugh like The Count in Sesame Street.

    You bought tidbits called beebee (20 cents per pack, 10 cents in MGS), and mamee (30 cents), that had a different sticker in it every time.

    You carried a lunch box to school but either threw away the food or brought it back home again.

    You watched TV2 (also known as Channel 10) cartoons because Channel 5 never had enough cartoons for you.

    Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, The Three Investigators, Famous Five and Secret Seven were probably the thickest
    story books you thought you would ever read.

    KFC used to be a high class restaurant that served food in plates and had metal forks and knives. (I dont remember this, anyone?)

    The most vulgar thing you said was asshole and idiot and THE MOST EXTREME WAS 'chicken pie'...you just couldn't bring yourself to say the hokkien translation.

    Catching and pepsi-cola was the IN thing, and twist was the
    magic word.

    Your English workbooks were made of some damn poor quality paper that was smooth and yellow.

    You came to school 15 mins before the bell every morning just so you could copy someone's homework.

    CDIS was your best friend.

    The only computer lessons in school involved funny pixellized characters in 16 colours walking about trying to teach you math.

    Waterbottles were slung around your neck and a must everywhere you went.

    Boys loved to play soccer with small stones or tennis balls in the basketball court.

    Girls played five stones and boys played with marbles.

    Science was fun with the Balsam and the Angsana being the most important plants of our lives, guppies and swordtail being the most important fishes.

    Who can forget Ahmad, Bala, Sumei and John, immortalized in our minds from school textbooks.

    We conducted experiments of our own to get badges for being a Young Zoologist/Botanist etc.

    Every Children's day and National day you either got pins or pens with 'Happy Children's Day 1993' or useless plastic files with 'Happy National Day 1994'.

    You wore BM2000, BATA, or Pallas shoes.

    Your form teacher taught you Maths, Science and English.

    You went to school in slippers and a raincoat when it rained, and you find a dry spot in the school
    to sit down, dry your feet, and wear your dry and warm socks and shoes.

    There would be spelling tests and mental sums to do almost everyday (you hated them).

    Your friends considered you lucky and rich if your parents gave you $2 or more for pocket mone everyday.

    You saw Wee Kim Wee's face in the school hall.

    Boys liked catching fighting spiders, earthworms or tadpoles.

    Collecting and battling erasers was a pastime for boys.

    Class monitors and prefects loved to say, "You talk somemore, I write your name ah!"

    You got booked for muddy shoes in class.

    There were at least 40 people in one class.

    You brought every single book to school, even though there was a timetable.

    There was a pro-yo/bumblebee, digimon craze at some point in time.
    July 05

    Rojak Culture

    Chanced upon this entry in a Cathay Pac WE LOVE HK contest, they giving away 1000 airtix, just need to confess ya adoration haha
     
    This struck a chord cos I think it kinda applies to SG too, in terms of being a cultural melting pot and sponge for other countries' influences determined by latest trends.
     
     
     
     
    一個人,兩手字,三種話,這就是香港市民、香港文化。在這裡,我們聽流行曲,廣東話中加插一句普通話,還搭上幾個英文字。我們看美國電影,偏偏非看那行礙眼的中文字幕不可。我們讀中文報章,卻要寫英文求職信。
    我們造就了港式普通話(有沒有搞錯),發揚了Chinglish(long time no see),創建了地道廣東話(無厘頭)。很矛盾,卻可愛。
    若有歐美遊客問路,我們會臉紅紅回答;若有國內同胞來電,我們會口震震回覆。有驚無險!還要多看英語一分鐘、笑談普通話、最緊要正字替自己「惡補」。
    可是,我們能讀《射鵰英雄傳》,又讀《Harry Potter》;我們能聽羅文,又聽鄧麗君,再聽The Carpenters。
    兩文三語的香港人,可以學貫中西,可以跟世界上絕大部份人溝通,多麼好,多麼酷!
    一國兩岸三地,一人兩文三語,堪稱絕配。
    August 01

    HK Portland St in SG?

    Finally managed to scan in this news clipping - this incident marked my 1st time at the 24hrs Hol V Coffeeshop diagonally opp Crystal Jade, where it happened.
     
    England VS Portugal that night, din expect so much drama on and off screen.  Was bz tucking into supper at that time..first started with this guy on mobile phone who suddenly stood up and threw his Tiger bottles on the ground, startling those around.  He then proceeded to the dark alley nearby to probly fight it out with a fellow angry man, with wife in tow.
     
    Then, it was this crazily drunk Malaysian Ah Beng who hit the taxi's rear (parked very near us) accidentally the first time, which diverted our attention away from the match and food momentarily but soon dismissed it.  He soon rammed it a 2nd time and I had just finished telling SK the taxi will run up the kerb if he rams it once more and true enough, we had to run to safety as the impact sent people tables, chairs and plates crashing to the ground seconds later. 
     
    It was kinda interesting to see Singaporeans united against the common "enemy" and showed their aggressiveness in trying to force that idiot out of the car by kicking and slamming tables and chairs.  Unfortunately, he was equipped with very sturdy windows...hmm think was either a Renault or Chevrolet btw in case u were wondering...
     
    O n we were guessing the police and medics were busy watching the match too as they came just after the penalty shootout hehe.
     
    Such a dramatic night - o a bonus was we got a free meal n were so unfulfilled we went back for the same dishes soon after.
     
    May 01

    Trading Women

    Trading Women

    Whether it is the trade in children or women, myths and horrors surround the issues concerning the disadvantaged who are caught in the industry. Feingold’s ‘Trading Women’ focuses on the sex trade in Southeast Asia and asks why it is that many highland girls and women end up migrating to work in this industry. The film draws from interviews with sex workers, brothel owners, politicians and trafficked girls as well as the parents of the children who were kidnapped and taken into the industry. Through sharing their collective stories, the girls are empowered and some of the misconceptions around the sex trade are more cogently dispelled. The film was shot on location in Southeast Asia and is narrated by Angelina Jolie.

    AFTER-THOUGHTS
    I left with a heavy heart after catching this documentary - feeling sorry for the victims, knowing that this situation has been around for ages and will be here to plague for some time yet, despite all the supposed efforts of US and the 2 most affected countries, Myanmar and Thailand. 

    It was wrenching to see lower-end brothels in more rural parts of Thailand, where the men lounge around drinking and selecting their desired one/s through a one-way window (much like a witness identifying the suspect) while the girls sit around chatting or watching tv, waiting for their turn to be called.  There was a comment that it felt like a zoo - watching them on parade, and they are humans!  It was really the pits to know the meagre sum they betray their bodies for - 100 baht per customer, which is about SGD 4 and to make your jaws drop even lower, they only get to pocket half as the remaining is given to their boss.  And their definition of a good night is only about 2 - 3 customers! 

    Just imagine their earnings, they barely have enough to eat after sending the bulk back to their families, usually in tribal parts of China or from poverished Myanmar.  Some were kidnapped and sent to brothels, having to bear the pain and anguish of separation from their families at such tender ages.  And due to the lack of education and precaution, they sometimes get inflicted by STD or the fatal AIDS.  Even TB can kill them as they do not have the means to seek medication.  They keep hoping to earn enough for their families and passage home, and the irony lies in that yes, some finally get their wishes fulfilled but they are going home to die as they are suffering from incurable diseases.    

    An elderly couple was interviewed and despite the passing of so many years since their daughter was kidnapped, they still yearn daily for her return.  Can you believe they knew exactly who abducted her? Their neighbours living just 2 streets away!  And they are powerless to even confront them as they do not have evidence, not to say jurisdiction!  So the poor couple can only whisper and point out the devlish duo's house to the camera crew, and that incurs the wrath of the pair's mother, who curses and swears, not feeling any guilt that her sons are criminals! 

    It was simply heart-breaking to see a university graduate from Myanmar, being forced to sell herself in Bangkok in order to raise money for the mother's funeral.  And for about 10 - 20K baht (SGD 400 - 800), customers can even choose to "open virginity" meaning that the girl would have to insert some cotton wool into her vagina after the act is done, to show the bloodstains thus proving her virginity.  Again, the girls always have to spilt the money with their owners and also to bribe customs officers and policemen in their area.  In a way, these corrupt officials aid in the human trafficking despite the measures taken.  In summary, this documentary really opened our eyes and hearts to the harsh conditions of the women in such poverty and you can't help but be thankful that you're in SG, a safe haven in comparison.

    Have a view after reading this?  I would love your comments for discussion so feel free to leave them!  Thanks!