Loan Shark Woes

We all know that it's not easy living in Singapore because our salaries are never in tune with inflation and taxes (Just SAYING)...
Maybe there are also people whose income is below average and they have a family to feed.
Maybe there are also people who are so into gambling that they forgot they have family, neighbours etc
Maybe there are people who are really desperate for i dont know reasons.

Legal money lenders most of the time has got minimum criteria that people have to fulfill before they are eligible. (oh well, who dont want to earn money and risk lending to someone who doesnt have ability to return at all, end of the day, Bad Debt increases)
Hence quite alot of people go to loan sharks, with an IC, money comes to you. If you are expecting a windfall soon, I congratulate you because you will have the ability to repay their so call 'interest' which I think will probably way higher than financial institutions. Runs like no one's business. And when I say Windfall, it has to be minimum of 10times of what you owed. Not just couple of hundred dollars.
People who borrow from loan sharks, what are the chances that there is a real income coming in? Even if they hold a job, it might not be enough to cover the debt at all. And the amount just keep on rolling.

On tv, during the older days, loan sharks at most harass the person who owes them the money, pig head, the real life: red paint is a common sight and that is if the loan sharks didnt get the wrong address - the person may have already moved away from the address but Smartly didnt update their IC with the police (happens a few times to my poor new neighbours) OR the runners remembering the wrong address and drew on the wrong floor (that happened to me many years back because my address was written on wall with a drawing of a very cute pig head- probably a sign that pig head is getting expensive) I would have taken a picture of it if i have a good camera phone at that point in time. It was the downstairs neighbour's fault and my poor mum has to clean in case people start asking is it us.
They always draw a few floors up and few floors down to probably shame the person who didnt pay and 'encourage' them to pay ASAP.
Problem is, precisely they have no money!!!!!!

Nowadays, given alot of things has gone digital, address and names of people staying near you is easily listed online.
Gone were the days you have to flip that thick phone book call Directory Listings...And you have to know the person by name before you can find 1 name. Now, You just have to get a CD of listings, do a search or something, everything comes up, you probably can find telephone numbers of who want to disturb at that address.
Loan shark nowadays disturb the neighbours instead, they call and send letters to neighbours, forcing them to go to the person owing to pay because they are being disturbed.
They dont even need to draw O$P$.

There is no way to put loan sharks out of business because there are many people who will always need them.

Ramen List updated

Finally, it's time to update my ramen list :) Somehow it is easier to clear this list rather than the café ones because cafes are coming out faster than I can remember. So hard to catch up especially now I have to cut down on outings.

1. Hakata Ikkousha
2. Keisuke Tonkotsu King
3. Menya Sanji
4. Ippudo
5. Tampopo
6. Ramen Bar Suzuki
7. Sanpoutei
8. Baikohken
9. Sapporo Ramen Miharu
10. Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen
11. Shin Sapporo Ramen
12. Marutama
13. Ramen Matsuri
14. Tsukada Nojo
15. Tori King by Keisuke
16. Daikokuya
17. Ramen Bari Uma
18. Nantsuttei
19. Uma Uma Ramen
20. Santouka
21. Tsuta
22. Ramen Keisuke Lobster King
23. Chabuton

Collagen - Shiseido

This is my another attempt with another brand of collagen powder. Ever since the previous brand, I kinda stopped taking for awhile. And so after all these, as age matters, I decide to go for this again.

This time, this one has a more pleasant taste compared to the 2nd one (none beats the first one I tried) But price wise this is acceptable too. I add it to my coffee daily and am enjoying it at least. :)

As of now, I cant tell the difference but I definitely hope that with all the collagen that I'm taking, I hope that my skin elasticity will improve the power of gravity doesn't have much power on me. I want to have an easier time getting back my V- Shape face. :p

Makans

Clearing the long list, it really takes time...
And so, after a year plus later from July 2014, i am back to cross out some on the list! I dare not add too many new cafes in just yet! (guilty) Previously, i have only 10 crossed on my list... Now...Let's see! ......slowly but it's about 17!
1) Necessary Provisions
2) Artistry
3) Chye Seng Huat Hardware
4) The Plain
5) La Ristrettos
6) Carpenter & Cook
7) The Book Café
8) Penny University
9) Department of Caffeine
10) Commune Café
11) Loysel’s Toy
12) Cups N Canvas
13) Stranger’s Reunion
14) Laurent’s Cafe and Chocolate Bar
15) Riders Café
16) Patisserie G
17) Orange Thimble
18) Oriole Coffee Roasters

19) Dutch Colony Coffee Co.

20) 49 Seats

21) Lola

22) Wheelers Yard

23) Wimbly Lu

24) Strictly Pancakes

25) Coastal Settlement

26) Fresh Fruit Lab

27) Creamier

28) Symmetry

29) Miam Miam

30) Habitat Coffee

31) Cake Spade

32) PS Café

33) Kith Café

34) Saveur

35) Concetto by Saveur

36) GRUB

37)  Antoinette

38) Spruce

39) Prive café

40) Slappy Cakes

41) Wild Honey

42) The Living Café

43) Jewel Café &Bar

44)  Dean and Deluca’s

45) Barracks Café House
46) Group Therapy

47) Canopy Garden Dining &Bar
48) To-gather cafe

Bottomslim - woes??

I walked into this place on my own, and i took up some packages with them...
I thought I would look very slim down but sorry, i didnt. My friend says M.C works better but i am not too sure because i never try M.C on myself before.

Service:
I think the services all in all, doesnt differ that much. I have visited quite a few outlets of theirs and they are pretty much comfortable.
 Most of the staff there are Malaysians and PRCs, so they are all pretty chatty. But yea, i do have a fair share of flaring at them. And the staff changes quite often.. So i am not sure if it's the staff problems or the management's... There is no one person to follow you through the treatment( Something that i prefer esp for lose weight sessions.) This is where L.W.M is slightly better than them because at least they bother to give you 1consultant to follow you through.
They do serve tea/water after your session.
The nagging staff and the desperado feel of selling is what deters me alot.

Price:
I spend alot on them (I really wonder why) not like it has been super effective obvious although it do seem to work a little on my problem areas but maybe because the staff's persuading skills are ridiculously irritating and they really put you in a room so there's not much place you can run to...
I have mastered the skill of walking out of the room soonest and pretending not to listen to them talk while doing treatments.
The price per treatment is like almost $150-$200 (my few older sessions) or even $500-$800per session (the newer treatments) recently, aint cheap and per part is around 20min. Meaning, 10min on your left, 10min on your right, for the machines. Of course, the more sessions you buy, the cheaper it is.


Treatment: 
They have recently started on hands-on massages as well which are pretty good because the people there are pretty skilled. I have too many treatments with them and i am sort of confused...
But basically, the treatments are to 'melt' (as what the staff will say) your fats so that it can be passed out more easily. Making sure that your skin has collagen so that it doesnt sag.
I remember having one call 50K, when they go round my thighs, the more sound i can hear in my ears, the more fats i have at that part of my thigh, so the sounds just go on and on until the session is over, but the person who can hear is only you yourself.
But at that moment, the results really look quite good because on the spot they took a photo before and after treatment.
I guess the treatment works for different people.
I have moved on from using machines so now i am just going for the massage sessions and as well as Po Jin (the more expensive treatment i have), per 1-time try is already almost 800bucks which feels abit like gua sha because it causes redness at the back but it is not as painful. Supposedly, the more times you do the PoJin, the lesser redness you should observe after the end of each session.
True enough, the Po Jin 1st time vs 2nd time, my back is lesser red and lesser pain.

Collagen - ASAHI

Finally bought another brand of collagen to try... Due to the change of packaging of the previous brand, I wanted to try stick to tin container, not individual sachets.
This one also doesn't give a weird fishy smell but the taste is kinda different from the previous brand that i tried.
Overall i feel that this brand still got a (I dnt like it) after taste. After putting it in my usual coffee, the taste isnt as attractive and nice to drink and I always left abit of my coffee because I just didn't really enjoy my coffee. 

I couldn't say that it doesn't work because due to the taste, I didn't really drink it regularly, hence the effect that I got from the previous brand was good for me because I can drink it almost everyday.

Olive Oil Skincare product

This is 1 of the new product that I've tried recently and i am kinda loving it... i am a tea tree oil user so i know...
This flavour is Lemon Scented Tea Tree soothing balm.
I dont really know the full exact benefits but I know i used it for 2 purposes:
1) insect repellent
2) pimple healing

Due to it having tea tree ingredients i tried it on my pimple and by the next day, the pimple pain is almost gone!
As for insect repellent, I use it to dab on my legs and hands when i am so pissed by the mossie... and immediately the mossie didn't attack me anymore.

Check out their FB for more info on where to get those products :)
Try it! (Lemon grass smell is pretty there so you must be able to like it)

The Langham - Hong Kong

Had a chance to stay there and used the executive level facilities. there are 2 hotels with the name Langham around and this one is in Tsim Sha Tsui... not the one at Mongkok.

Staff here are all very friendly and helpful. I like the way the housekeeping staff turn down our room.

Room wise, I am always more particular about toilet, so I shall start off with the toilet... Let the photos do the talking :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only one question here, why is the panel to control the flap is outside facing the room and not facing inside the toilet, so that when I am at the bath tub I can choose to open or close to watch tv. Now that it is outside, if anyone wants to play prank, shuts off /open without permission for you, you wouldn't be able to control anything,

 

For the bed, it is 2 super single beds. Comfortable and super nice to sleep on. the control for the lights are also quite handy as they are located at the sides of both beds. and the little couch at the side gives it a nice feel. Flower arrangement is pretty too, makes the room so much brighter! :)

This hotel has a very English feel from the first time you step into the lobby. I kinda like the feeling of it and with the fake fireplace, I couldn't resist taking photos with it. there is also a business table beside the fireplace so that you can make conference calls. (for me, I used that table to eat) the other side of the fireplace is the minibar and the usual coffee machine which I so love! I guess I was too busy taking photos with the fireplace, I forgot to take the rest :)

 

 

This is an open air pool at the top floor, I went for a night swim at 10pm and I was hoping the water wasn't cold... And true enough, the water is warm and pleasant for me that night. I was there till the pool close at 11pm. There is a small Jacuzzi at the side as well. The view is really good from there, I love the feeling of being able to see the sky.

And I am down here to take a quick photo of the lobby area :) it's pretty spacious and welcoming.

 

Tried the breakfast at the lounge in the morning but I am a lil disappointed with the variety, I understand that the variety may be lesser, but really, when you step in, you would have expected more than what I saw...But of course, they also have a side menu on the table that you can order from and they cook it for you which is not bad...

 The feel of the this place is very classy and if you love a quiet breakfast, this is the place for you! They also have afternoon tea & evening cocktails at parts of the day for you to utilise :) I wasn't around in the hotel most of the time during the timings so I didn't get to try the tea and evening cocktails. But I would think that it will be nice to be seated in the atmosphere.

 

 

2nd day breakfast I decide to try the main dining area downstairs called 'The Food Gallery' and I totally love it. the food there are so pretty and they taste good too! I am so fascinated downstairs, but in contrast to club level, this is more crowded and noisier comes with it. Nonetheless, I still love the downstairs main one better or if not, they should actually have slightly more range of food upstairs. 

MySurvey Part2

After I posted my complain, few days later, this email came to all the members I would assume.... I don't get it, they took so long to 'process' this email??! I mean since May they should know they cant fulfil, why didn't they show this email and I would have been more patient about it. Sadly, they only send this email out in JULY. But that time 4months have past... and that it's another 2months of wait, which means, I have total of about 6months to wait for my redemption counting from March. I would much rather they inform earlier. Or maybe they have their own difficulties but as a service, they should already have known. Right now, I am going to wait for the 2months that is stated from date of this email (24 Jul 14). And we'll see if they have any updates or more excuses. I do not believe that they do not have any revenue since they have a lot of surveys. And I also don't believe that the vouchers have no stocks if they were to buy from the store themselves. So Wait & See! 

 

MySurvey Web survey - COMPLAIN

16Jul2014
I don't recall having much issues with survey web until now: ( I took away the names so that at least the person's name wouldn't be broadcast since only a staff)
I am not being ridiculous because I did my redemption in Early March and they mentioned that due to overwhelming response, expect to wait up to 2months which I did (Latest should be JUNE if they want to argue that March not being the month). And up till today, the status is still PROCESSING. This is ridiculous right?? I have redeemed my rewards in other website survey before and this has never happened. And I think I am patient enough to wait for 2weeks from their reply of 13Jun till I next email them on the 2July. But as of today, I still have not heard back from anyone yet. Neither did I receive the vouchers.
MySurvey I thought has been has been doing quite well.I don't know what's wrong with them, they still have emails on Survey coming in but why is the redemption so difficult.
I don't know isit me or isit them. And I also don't know how many people are going through the same thing as I did.

13JUNE2014 (after writing to them via the website for like 3times in different months?)

##- Please type your reply above this line -##

Your request has been solved. To reopen this request, please reply to this email.

Dear MySurvey Member,

Thank you your message.

I apologise for any inconveniences that this has caused you. Please know that I have contacted the provider in regards to your inquiry. I will contact you as soon as I have additional information for you. Please know that this may require a couple of business days, so your patience is greatly appreciated.

Please feel free to contact us for any further assistance.

Best regards,

xxxx

 

2JULY2014

Dear xxxx

 

Understand from your email that you had follow up for me, can i check the status of my Takashimaya Gift Voucher (SG$10) under ref no any further updates?

Because your last email is 13Jun informing me that you will take a couple of business days but it has been 2weeks and I have not heard from you yet.

3JULY2014

##- Please type your reply above this line -##

Your request has been solved. To reopen this request, please reply to this email.

Dear MySurvey Member,

Thank you your message.

I apologise for any inconveniences that this has caused you. Please know that I have contacted the provider in regards to your inquiry. I will contact you as soon as I have additional information for you. Please know that this may require a couple of business days, so your patience is greatly appreciated.

Please feel free to contact us for any further assistance.

Best regards,

xxxx

 

4JULY2014

Dear xxxx

Is this an automated reply?! It is exactly the same as the previous reply. And I believe I have given Ample time for you to check.

Please get back to me ASAP.

##- Please type your reply above this line -##

Your request has been solved. To reopen this request, please reply to this email.

Dear MySurvey Member,

Thank you your message.

We had refer your redemption to the provider, please kindly wait for our reply. Since the provider needs time to check up your transaction.

And also this is not automated reply, I apologise for any inconveniences that this has caused you.

Please feel free to contact us for any further assistance.

Best regards,

xxxx

Ramen

The list of cafes gets too too long...With the recommendation from YAHOO...
And hence the love for Ramen is on another post :) And that it dawn upon me that I am a Ramen person than a café person because with a list of 20, I can have 5 crossed!!!!!

1. Hakata Ikkousha
2. Keisuke Tonkotsu King
3. Menya Sanji
4. Ippudo
5. Tampopo
6. Ramen Bar Suzuki
7. Sanpoutei
8. Baikohken
9. Sapporo Ramen Miharu
10. Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen
11. Shin Sapporo Ramen
12. Marutama
13. Ramen Matsuri
14. Tsukada Nojo
15. Tori King by Keisuke
16. Daikokuya@Robertson Quay
17. Ramen Bari Uma
18. Nantsuttei
19. Uma Uma Ramen
20. Santouka

Makan- Cafes, Waffles, Pancakes...etc....

It is so hard to decide where to eat and what to eat, looking at the youngsters nowadays, I really feel super 'OLD' when it comes to eating. As one can see from my List of 40plus places to go, I Only managed to cross out a few!!!!! This is so scary. And the list could only go longer. :( Some of them are really abit out of the way without own transport so I gonna take it slow :) Along the way, I think I will still add on to my list but as of JULY, this shall be the number for now... Till the next update!

1) Necessary Provisions
2) Artistry
3) Chye Seng Huat Hardware
4) The Plain
5) La Ristrettos
6) Carpenter & Cook
7) The Book Café
8) Penny University
9) Department of Caffeine
10) Commune Café
11) Loysel’s Toy
12) Cups N Canvas
13) Stranger’s Reunion
14) Laurent’s Cafe and Chocolate Bar
15) Riders Café
16) Patisserie G
17) Orange Thimble
18) Oriole Coffee Roasters

19) Dutch Colony Coffee Co.

20) 49 Seats

21) Lola

22) Wheelers Yard

23) Wimbly Lu

24) Strictly Pancakes

25) Coastal Settlement

26) Fresh Fruit Lab

27) Creamier

28) Symmetry

29) Miam Miam

30) Habitat Coffee

31) Cake Spade

32) PS Café

33) Kith Café

34) Saveur

35) Concetto by Saveur

36) GRUB

37)  Antoinette

38) Spruce

39) Prive café

40) Slappy Cakes

41) Wild Honey

42) The Living Café

43) Jewel Café &Bar

44)  Dean and Deluca’s

45) Barracks Café House
46) Group Therapy

47) Canopy Garden Dining &Bar

Love of Food - Strangers' Reunion

First time visiting this place... It's nearer the EXIT F of Outram station if I didn't remember wrongly.

Price wise, it's a little pricey. Food wise it aint too bad, I kinda like them but if I were to be strict, the price doesn't quite match the quality of food.

For 2mains,1waffle and 2drinks(photo only has my coffee because the other one is normal ice chocolate), I spend about 70plus. Tried their coffee called 'Magic' but I didn't get the WOW effect myself :) Service wise, they are nice and polite I quite like them. Waffles is NICE. Though I choose the 'sour' flavour, but the taste of the waffles itself is GOOD. :)  Didn't get to try the truffle fries and maybe the next reason I will go back is to try out the fries!

I was there slightly before 7pm, so I managed to get my seats without waiting... The place is kinda small but cosy to certain extent. There's a queue when I'm there So when you are done with your mains and desserts, they will politely hint if you are going to order more... Which means, time to go.

ABSOLUTE SKIN

*Update*

They manage to finally give me a call.but I wasn't pleased still though.explanation not good enough. Still draw the line very closely for customer service and consultants.

**

 This company is really hard to ‘search’ online as they really don’t have much details to be found. No website, nothing.

But I convince myself that they are worth a try since they seem to have moved to a bigger area which probably meant they are doing quite ‘well’. Because this is the 2^nd time that they invited me back for a trial.

True enough when I step in there, the whole place looks good and new.

What’s good:
The therapist is nice, friendly and she’s good.
The machine makes me feel  that my face is clean and I like the after feeling that it’s kinda clear and smooth. Yes, being that it’s having some cheap promotion, I have decide to give them a chance for 10sessions…
It’s painful though, as she told me that I have not done this kind of procedure before and so she is removing some blackheads that is buried under my skin for long long time.
But yes, the whole face is Red….

Here comes the complaint:

Before I went down to the centre, I have received text from ‘call centre’ for reminder and also have asked her to confirm that the treatment is only $18.80 as what she stated. She confirmed with me with ‘YES’ but yesterday after the treatment, I came to realise that the payment that is supposed to be made is $20.11 (after GST) which is something that I wasn’t informed. And best part is when taking cash, its ROUND UP to $20.20 instead of ROUND DOWN the 1cent. To me, being in service line before, the most important thing is to Deliver what you Promised. I was told $18.80 Only. Why am I going to pay the $20plus?! The staff there insisted that I must pay the full sum of $20.11 by card /$20.20 by cash because the treatment is already done and there is nothing she can do to help. Everything is set by company, there is NOTHING she can do and yes, she did nothing. She gave the take it/leave it look.

I am not saying that I don’t have the $2 to pay, but to me, being able to go so many places and have packages at quite a few places already, I have my fair share of good experiences with those I have dealt with, they are Willing to honour even though it’s the staff mistake because I have the proof that this is what I was told and they have to go through it. For those who have been reading my blog, I have packages in facial, scalp/hair and even body, I have so much experiences with ‘listening’ to package talks and rejecting/accepting offers…

My first time experience is so much better (I didn't even sign anything at my first visit but yet service is nice) although I couldn’t remember who is that but this time round, the staff that served me also has quite an irritating face because she keep giving me a ‘none of my business, I cant do anything’ look. You are a Staff, You represent a company no matter who the boss is.

I have send them an email to the Ops Mgr but never heard from them back, not even a polite acknowledgement. There goes to show, after the cheap 10sessions, is a goodbye to them since the customer service is that bad. If only the therapist is the one serving me because she is so much friendlier and sweet.m

Do Not Get Cheated - pure life cleanse

**latest updates**

After numerous emails....

They have processed a 50% refund on my purchases and they put it as discount.

Because they have mentioned that IF I want to refund, they will need me to pay for the international shipping  and 15% restocking fee per order.

Makes me wonder what is restocking fee but I guess taking the so call discount is better than I have to make a trip down to post office to process the shipping, only their side needs to process the discount while I wait for the CR to come into my account. (by 24/03/14, I have confirmed received the refund)

 

Angry----felt so CHEATED.
DONT BUY THIS ANYWHERE! Includes the rest of products the website sells.

It may look like you are buying just 1 bottle but in actual fact you are getting charged for 5bottles and you will only know when you suddenly receive 5bottles of the product!

and when you email them for refund, they will pretend they didn't receive your email and ignore you!

Dont fall into this unless you really plan to get it.benefit of doubt this pills really makes you go toilet but am Not losing weight.