Monday, September 29

Not practicing customer service? Know the consequences!

I can't understand how some businesses think they can get away with poor customer service. Perhaps if they are in a monopoly or oliogopoly market, yes. But otherwise, get alive and start to realise that it makes more sense to retain existing customers than launching expensive marketing campaigns to attract new customers. Furthermore, facing such fast-paced developments in today's technology, even if you are a monopoly, how much longer can you monopolise the market as consumers elect the many substitutes available over your products (or services)?

Even if you are in the booming years of the business, that doesn't mean your boom will last forever, and getting too carried away with your haughtiness of conducting business will only hurt you badly in the long-run! Ill words spread faster than fire.

I have said my piece, and would like to wish those who think they're so high and almighty good luck with their business!

*** Gotta start working on assignment now ***

Saturday, September 27

Detailed Trip Report

Watch out this space for my trip reports... Will be adding on as and when I get the time. Things at work and studies will start to roll as soon as I get back.

It was a nice chilly morning on the 16th, when I left Busselton via the 7am coach to Perth Terminus. That indeed marks the beginning of a very long journey. That's precisely why I enjoy travelling. The sights and sounds, and sometimes even emotions that accompanied me throughout the journey are all worth remembering. No doubt, I'm someone who love reminiscing such details. I should really start making it a point to pen them down, so that they can be kept alive for a long time.

Upon arrival in Perth, I had to take another airport shuttle to the International Airport. Total travelling time before I even start flying: Aprox 4 hours!

There were some hiccups with my Qantas flight, and it was delayed for almost an hour!

Did a little bit of toiletries shopping at Mustafa after I touched down in Singapore at around 9.45pm. Also bought a huge luggage bag since I already know that I won't go easy with shopping in Korea and Singapore.

Had a pretty restless first night in Singapore. I was probably too excited about my next flight to Korea.

Dragged myself out of bed in the morning and had a traditional breakfast feast of kaya toast and coffee at Far East Plaza. How long has it been since I had something like that? The remaining day was spent on pampering myself with pedi/manicure. The last time I did one was back in April for the wedding! Unreal isn't it? But that's really how deprived I am of such enjoyment over here! Had a "makeover" at the hair salon too! I have never had such a short hairdo for many years, and I love it =)

Had a little bit of shopping around town, but didn't manage to find anything before time dictates that I get going for some last-minute packing for Korea.

Met my sister for dinner at the airport at 6pm, and the joke was, she almost couldn't find me at our agreed meeting place, with my new haircut! Dinner was beautiful, with all the catching up and gossips of what has been happening. My sister has really grown up and we found ever more topics to talk about than before.

We stuffed ourselves with a fair bit of food, walked around a little before collecting the air tickets from our travel agent. And then, my sister came up with this crazy idea of walking over to T3 after we have checked in to satisfy her curiosity. So we did exactly that, dropped by at Charles and Keith, tried a few pairs of shoes, and had nonya dumplings for desserts. Haha, little did we realise that shortly after boarding, we were served supper! We were indeed so stuffed with food! But again that's only the beginning of food galore!

Korea is only an hour ahead of Singapore (and Perth). We touched down at Incheon Airport early in the morning. Was a bit annoyed by the long Q at the immigration. The retarded-looking lady at the counter doesn't help much either. She was really slow with everything she does, and we wondered why she had to stare at her stamp for a few seconds before it was sealed on our passports! I thought we were the only ones who are dazed from the overnight flight!

So then, after the six-hour flight on Asiana Airlines, I was hungry again! Had some sandwiches at Coffee Bean while waiting to be picked up by our guide at 0730.

When the waiting time stretched a bit too long, we reckon that photo-taking is the best way to keep ourselves occupied.



Finally we were ready to make our way to Daegu for our farm visit and fruits picking. It was about 3 hours drive from Incheon. To be honest, we couldn't really recall how long was it exactly, as we were asleep most of the time, waking up only to go for toilet breaks on the highway! Haha! We tried the banana milk drink that was recommended by the guide. My sis love it, while I didn't think much of it! The aloe vera drink that she got was nice though.

Finally we arrived at the farm, where lunch was served first. It was quite a feast, although the steamboat was abit inappropriate for such warm weather. I was actually expecting cooler weather in Korea, but was disappointed.


After lunch, we headed to the farm side for fruit picking. It was an interesting experience (I have not done it in Australia myself). But both of us didnt manage to try the apples we got, because we left it behind at the hotel by accident!

Next up, we got to pamper ourselves at the Spa Valley. It was nothing like anything I have seen before. Spa Valley consists four levels of pool, jacuzzis, baths, sauna, and massage facilities, with the infamous Doctor Fish Leg Spa included! I have never felt so relaxed before! It was a real treat to soothe the tiredness from the overnight flight. For those who plan on visiting the Spa, be forewarned that the baths at the fourth level requires females and males to be split. Not only that, you need to strip for your baths- not even bikinis allowed! Haha!


Finally, we were able to head back to The Grand Daegu for a comforting night's rest. The hotel was splendid- comfy, soft beds, huge TV, well-equipped bathroom, and Nina Ricci robes to sleep in!

We couldn't ask for more for such a good rest!

************************************************************************************

Wednesday, September 24

It may be a bit more manageable to break up my posts into tiny bits.

Here I present my favourite hobby... ever...





Apart from dining (by Australian standards), things are pretty expensive in Korea. Love the fashion here. The fabric quality is great, but comes with a pretty dear tag. Haha. 2 trench coats, a few tops, a skirt and just a dress were all I could afford, without doing much damage to my wallet! Cosmestics are must-scores as well! I bought two hundred dollars worth of cosmetics and skin care products- OoOpzzz!




There are TWO Chanel boutiques at the Incheon airport. I almost wanted to bring the metallic blue reissue with black hardware home. Phew!




Loaded my luggage full of foodstuff from the bakery and departmental stores. For those who want to get foodstuff from Korea, buy them cheap from the Lotte supermarket (near the underground exit from Lotte World Adventure).


Ahn-nyong-ha-se-yo!


(Taken at Everland theme park, and yes, my hair is noticeably shorter than ever! I love it!)


Just got back from Korea about 2 hours ago, still bursting with the excitement from the trip, with heaps that I could share!

But it's nearing 1am. I gotta recover from the gruelling 6-hour flight, where I was strapped to my seat most of the time due to air turbulence. My trip is coming to a close, and I'll be flying back to Perth from Singapore on Thu morning. What a shame!

Will update when I get home!=)


Wednesday, September 10


What are the things you do when you feel busted with stress?








In my case, I torture myself with food, by convincing my tummy that I am starving, and dig my face into more and more food.






And... increase my buying impulses!







The YSL duo-colour lipstick is awesome! The packaging is love, and functionality of it is even better! Work it out yourself from the pictures and you will get what I mean! =)

Saloon size Decleor product at a special price! Hee...

And finally, your nasty FC trying to brighten up yet another gloomy day at work with her fav colour!

Tuesday, September 9

This is going to be an incoherent piece of message to let everyone know that the past weeks have been hectic and hellish for me. Assignment deadlines and exams, plus the long working hours that stretch into weekends. The desire for rest is, sadly, nothing more than comtemplation.

I'm still in a mad rush to "finish" the impossible workload. I can hardly hold out any longer, and I don't picture a possibility of pulling through the last quarter of the working year. Unfortunately, some people are just left with far fewer options in life than others. What can I do?

Looking forth to my holidays in Singapore and Korea. Just a week more to go. The temporary release from the living hell is much needed to keep me from breaking down. Mercy on my tired soul, and failing strength!

I'm tired, but need to catch up on my readings before I fall too far behind again! *Sulks* from the very-unwilling-financial-controller.