Don't ask, don't get

Recent examples from Me and Myself that the life motto "Don't ask, don't get", works.

1. Free tickets to The Wicked musical

Booked two tickets to the musical at MBS, got rather premium seats (about $180/tix) as I am absolutely fascinated by the songs and the stunning effects. This was our view:

I'm flying high, defying gravity 

Walked out feeling rather disappointed that Elphaba was not lifted as she belted Defying Gravity. Checked with Busy Roys who watched it a few weeks earlier - his version of Elphaba, as was my recollection of my virgin experience in London in 2014, was that she flew. Googled that if Elphaba didn't do that, the reason was most probably due to a technical issue with the scissors lift. Feeling rather bummed, I wrote a feedback to MBS seeking for an explanation. When they replied, I wasn't expecting to be offered free tickets to a weekend screening a few days later!?? Which we attended, although it was CAT B but hey it was on the 2nd last day of the musical screening! And my hair stood on ends as I finally witnessed Elphaba 'flying'. The iconic part of the musical. Left contented, fulfilled and happy. Now, imagine if I did not voice out my discontent???

2. Avoided paying close to $400 

After requesting for annual fee waivers for ALL my credit cards over the last 2 decades and having them waived successfully, I was utmost surprised that Standard Chartered recently refused to do so. To make matters worse, they must have had their processes made more challenging for customers to request for fee waiver. One could only do so via the automated phone banking or SC app. I attempted. Numerous attempts. Over a course of one week, on both channels. The result: Not successful.

Determined not to pay $196 per card (whose rebates I received over one year do not even amount to half of the fee), I trial-and-errored and iterated the phone banking options until I was finally connected to a customer service officer. Immediately after she verified my details, it took her less than 2 seconds to inform "after careful consideration, we regret to inform the waiver request is unsuccessful. We recommend you pay as soon as possible to avoid incurring further charges. Unfortunately this decision is final, we hope this does not deter you from using the card". 

I replied instantaneously, "It does, I would like to cancel the card." 

The service officer then tried to do some service recovery, said will help to put up an appeal and the result would be updated via SMS within 3 days.

The same night, my phone beeped. It showed that the annual fees have been waived off for both cards. 

I felt gratified. But at the same time, I felt disgusted at how commercially-driven the bank is. Firstly, they made it almost impossible for one to appeal for a fee waiver. Even when I have paid my outstanding balance and requested via their app to cancel the card, SC rejected my cancellation request. Secondly, it is quite obvious they were able to accede to customer's waiver request. But their SOP and how insincere the service officer in her delivery, made the whole experience unnecessarily lengthy and negative. I will be working towards closing off my SC account.

Ye loves soft boiled eggs

This to document that my lil #wye6 loves half boiled eggs with half teaspoon of soya sauce. Immerse eggs in boiling water for 6 mins with lid for perfection. (Kampung eggs from Kluang)

Qing Ming and visiting Grandma

It's been more than a decade since I last paid respects to my ancestors during Qing Ming, and thought of paying Grandma a visit too, so I took a day's leave and unknowingly spent a pleasant 14 hours with my parents.

We set off at 5.30am from Tampines and reached Rengam in record time at ~7.20am?? There was no jam whatsoever at both sides of the causeway and it was a fantastically smooth drive. Rengam was, as I fondly remember of my parents' hometown, beautifully calm, serene and peaceful. We had breakfast at uncle's home while catching up with one another on the usual topics hovering around holidays recent and near-future, food  (OF COURSE) and status of old friends and neighbours. It was very entertaining listening and observing their banter and harmless mockery, haha. We set off for the cemetery at 9am. 

Qing Ming:

Was I rather surprised the offerings had watered down substantially... in my recollection there would be many bags comprising a whole chicken/duck and roast pork, steamed buns, fruits, rice and kueh and 3D model of a house / car. Today there was only fruits and wine and incense papers and joss sticks. What was once soil and gravel that made the path leading into the cemetery has been replaced with tarmac (done in 2024 according to my uncle); the antenna tower that I recounted as a landmark for my great-grandparents' graves had been demolished a few years ago.

First stop - my paternal great grandparents. The siblings and everyone chipped in with the set up and burning of offerings.

A few contributed eye power, a few continued to talk about their holidays and how easy Google maps has made navigation overseas. We learnt my great-grans passed away in 1947 and 1948 so none of them had seen their grandparents before.

Weather was brilliant and kind on us. Second stop - my paternal grandfather.

No pictures at 3rd and last stop which were graves of my grand-uncle and uncle (who passed away when he was 3yo due to sickness, he was 3 years older than Auntie Wai Pang). 

After shower and more chatting, as per customs all of us had a sit down lunch together, this time at Ocean restoran at Simpang Rengam.

Visiting Grandma:

😢 Poor grandma must be feeling so ill and weak and lonely :( She looks vastly different from barely a month ago when we visited her at the senior care centre. So grandma had low BP last Thurs and was admitted to hospital. From what uncle and auntie updated, grandma had blood transfusion and received injections thereafter to relieve her pain. She's been sleeping alot and speaking illogically. Today, Grandma couldn't quite recognise us and even retorted "我不相信！“ to my dad when he introduced himself. She questioned where and why she was at the hospital. Though she could speak and also asked if I took leave today, grandma was visibly weak and didn't budge her body except for her straining of neck when speaking and tapping of her right hand on the bed. :( I can't be sure whether her weakness was due to the medication or due to her liquid diet (grandma can't eat lately) but the sight of her current state is certainly very depressing... :(😭 I felt extremely helpless and a cruel sense of relief when the security officer chased us away as visiting hours was up... 

Errands in Kluang:

We spent the rest of the day leisurely as my parents and I don't have anything planned. Today my parents gave me the feeling they were very relaxed, which is atypical of them when they're back home. We circled twice in search of a bicycle shop (which wasnt open), detoured to Botak Laksa (which my dad ate at when he was in sec sch), shopped at a supermarket, sat down for a drink at Old Town coffee, and stopped by to get eggs from a wholesaler. 

Finally, we returned to Rengam for a short rest and left for JB. Dinner was at 千里香 which specialises in Hakka cuisine. The hakka ytf and pork soup were delightful and we ordered seconds!

After the satisfying dinner, we returned to SG. There was no jam at causeway on both sides at 7:50pm!

I had a wonderful time with my parents and relatives. It's been a few years since I've been in their company as a group, and I am glad nothing has changed. As for grandma, NGL we are not optimistic of her condition and I only wish and pray for her suffering to be alleviated.

Dai chow

 

Malaysia dai chow starter pack - 

(1) green chilli padi with chopped garlic, 

(2) kok fa cha (chrysanthemum tea) and

(3) the quintessential pink "tissue" paper (tbh I'm not even sure if it's tissue?! 😂).