Friends Visit

Yewzhen and Dawn (NOC mates) dropped by Milan last night. I had to pick them up at Central Station. At the station, I happened to come across a group called City Angels giving out free food, scarf, sweater, and boots. I was curious (also because I was too early) and decided to join the que and I got 2 packets of biscuits.

Unfortunately, I had to work and so was not able to bring them around today. Anyhow, on our way to the bus stop this morning, I spoke (in Italian) to our building caretaker about my courier package and that I have arranged for a new timing/place for pick up. Yewzhen happened to be around and was like impressed that I could say a few Italian words! Haha… I still have alot to learn before I can call customer service and screw give feedbacks!

Working at MacDonalds

I was having my lunch at MacDonalds today.

As I was sitting right in front of the customer service crew, I started to recall stupid things that I and my JC friends used to do when we were studying at Macs.

1. We asked for fries without salt and they had to specially fry a new batch of fries for us. We then asked for 2 packets of salt and put them into the freshly fried fries!

2. We asked for fish burger without tartar and then separately asked for 2 packets of tartar sauce!

3. We requested to change the big mac bread top with sesame seeds to the double cheeseburger bread top (no sesame) on the basis that my friend is allergic to sesame!

4. We pretended to be vegetarians and requested to have the meat patties of big mac to be separately packed. We then eat the meat patties while the crew was giving us the change!

Its bad karma. Now I am thinking how would it be like when Em works at Mac when she is here. I hope she don’t meet any nasty customers like me.

Portable Heater

So my heater is still not turned on. Apparently, they claim there are some technical issues and they are fixing it. Seriously, I won’t be surprise if the heater is not turned for the entire winter.

Anyhow, I decided to buy a portable heater for the cold. There several heaters with different prices (from 20 to 140 euros) but essentially the same function I thought. So I took the cheapest one.

I saw the problem (or rather I know why it was so cheap) when I tested it out at home. There is always a reason for higher price. See the picture below…

Do you see the problem too?

This portable heater freaking emits light!!! This is not good for night time when you need to sleep!!!

Five Stages of Grief (not only upon impending death)

I vaguely remembered learning about the pattern of phases that most or all of which people tend to go through when they are dying in my Pathology module (cancer topic). If you are interested, you can read more about Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and her theories.

Anyhow, the point I want to bring across is that we go through these phases not only upon impeding death but when we have any screw ups or problems in our life. In my case, I went through these phases when my newly purchased lcd tv broke-down.

1. Denial. When the screen suddenly turned white, I was in a shock and then I slowly moved into denial mode. I told myself this could not happento my new lcd tv. I reboot my computer, reboot the tv, and remove/reinsert all plugs. Despite doing everything, the screen remained white. I then told myself that maybe the “inside” was too hot and I let it rest for 1hr, 5hr, and 24hr before trying everything all over again.

2. Anger.As expected, no amount of “rest” and nothing I do could save the lcd tv. I then moved into the rage mode. I started to get a little angry with Mediaworld (store) and Samsung (manufacturer) that how could they not do a quality check. The more I think, the more angry I was. Things like “WHY ME” “WHY THIS SET” “WHY SO SUAY” keep popping up in my head.

3. Bargaining.The next day after my rage mode, I went into the bargaining mode. I was like literally talking to the lcd tv to bargain for more “time“. Things like “Please revive yourself. At least stay good for 2-3 years and then breakdown after that and I don’t care” went through my head.

4. Depression.The bargaining didn’t work and I went into depression mode. I was like totally listless in the lab the next day and all my labmates were asking me what happened. The depression was so bad that during this period, I didn’t have the mood and interest to talk to Em.

5. Acceptance. Finally, after everything, I am now in the acceptance mode. I accept the factthat the lcd tv had indeed broke down and I have to get it fixed and replaced. I started calling the store and manufacturer to see what can be done and how can I send the lcd tv for repairs. I also told myself everything will be fine and things will end up okie after the repairs.

I hope not to go through this cycle ever again!

The problem with language barrier is you can’t screw people

Usually in Sg, when things don’t go well, I always screw the customer service people (CSOs) to get them moving (Em says this is bad and I am trying to change). Anyhow, I think this is typical Singaporean style, I mean look at the ST forum, people complain about everything and anything e.g. birds making too much noise till they can’t sleep and air too smelly for them to breath.

Personally, for me…

1. When my cable connection is down – I call and screw.
2. When I get a parking ticket though I had a valid parking coupon – I email and screw.
3. When my not-for-free debit card renewal takes forever – I call and screw.
4. When my overseas letter is not delivered as promised – I call and screw and demand compensation.
5. When Singtel puts me on hold for too long – I email and screw.

Now in Italy, due to language barrier, I can do nuts…

1. My sink choked, my washing machine door broke, my hot water runs only for 15 mins every 45 mins, and my light bulbs fused continuously – I can only ask my colleagues how can I fixed it myself. If I could speak Italian, I would have already screwed the landlord and demand compensation.
2. My heater is not turned on depsite the official date by law is 15th October – I can only pray every night before I sleep that tomorrow the room will be warm somehow. If I could speak Italian, I would have already emailed and complain to the official Commune di Milano.
3. My newly purchased lcd tv broke down only after 3 weeks – I can only call hourly/daily and hope I meet a CSO that can speak English so I could even relate my problem. If I could speak Italian, I would have already screw the first CSO and email to the manager asking for immediate replacement.

Life is tough, very tough…

I hope I can “tong” through everything and not be like Eric Cartman.

Singapore Airlines for Singaporeans (not)?

I was on my way to work today and as usual, I took a free copy of “Metro” (like “Today” in Sg) just for the pictures, supermarket sales, and electronics adverts etc. Anyhow, the point is, I saw this news on Singapore Airlines with their all new Airbus 380 or something on the front page.

I had mixed feelings.

On one hand, I felt happy cos more people will know about Singapore (though they will never know where is it and how small is it).

However, reading this news reminds me of a question that my labmates asked me when I first arrived. They were asking me why I took Thai Airways and not my own national carrier (I’m not sure why they asked but perhaps they take Alitalia whenever they travel?). Seriously, Singapore Airlines should really consider giving special discounts/concessions to Singaporeans. This is my own thought and gut feeling – 70% of Singaporeans who fly had never taken Singapore Airlines before (pls leave a note if you know any real numbers).

Talking about Singaporeans, you guys must read mrbrown post on Who is a Singaporean?! Seriously, don’t you guys think  that the Singapore citizenship is indeed Uniquely Singapore – e.g. serve NS while PR don’t have to, get the same tuition grant as PR/foreginers, $35,000 English lessons for PRC scholars while born-in-bred-in-Sgers have to slog for their own private tuition lessons. Tell me where else in the world can you get this kind of unique citizenship?

Santo Cielo

It is often used by one of my labmates to express “oh my goodness”. But, literally, it is translated to Saint Sky.

Anyhow I happen to take a “Saint Sky” photo (with rays of hope) from my lab the other day.

Mini Retreat at Varigotti

Our lab had a mini retreat at Varigotti for 2 days. Varigotti is a place in the north of Italy along the coast, very near to France Nice Ville (~2hrs away).

Anyhow, the place was very nice and relaxing. Also the presentations were great and I learnt alot of things!

What’s this?

Looks like some ritual or religious thingy.

Tv

I bought a tv recently that could double up as a monitor. So now I get to watch my movies like house, heroes, prison break, mobtv, etc on my bed comfortably without compromising the size of the image.

Anyhow, another plus point is that I get to watch Champions League occasionally on free TV broadcast.