27 May 2010
by Ubiquityin Pain in the asses, Reality bites Tags: updates
Ever since I received a letter from the Swiss authorities last week, I’ve been one mad woman. I didn’t literally go crazy, eg; not showering, talking to myself, snapping at people for no reason. I was just mad busy; wrote many emails, called and went to all sorts of government offices. Papers were flying everywhere! I never knew that the administration for migrating can be such a nightmare! Especially when foreign languages are involved. Why can’t this world go by with just one language? Wouldn’t it make life so much easier? No miscommunication. No translation. Less headache.
Anyway, like I’ve mentioned before, the grass is definitely NOT greener on the other side.
Moving along, I have sent the things that needed to be sent and all I gotta do now is wait, wait and wait and hope that everything will go smoothly.
20 May 2010
by Ubiquityin Pain in the asses, Reality bites Tags: muses, Switzerland, updates
Today I am bummed. Very, very, bummed.
I’ve finally received some updates about my residency application; the immigration requires a couple more documents from me. “Sure! No problem!”, I thought. But, as always, it’s never THAT simple. It turned out to be a whole lot more! So I gotta get in touch with the authorities back in Singapore for a particular certificate. BUT! In order to obtain that certificate, I need to produce a documentary proof that it’s for official use. “Sure! I send in the letter that I received then!”. Again, not so easy.
1) the letter I receive is in German
2) I wrote translation notes on that letter (which was a very bad idea)
To summarize, there will be lots of papers flying around and more errands to run. I think that it’ll probably take around 4 – 6 weeks before everything gets finalized. Pffft!
On a lighter note, we are going to South of France at the end of June and I’m really looking forward to that. So this whole process of immigration has to be done before then. Otherwise… Let’s just say I’ll be completely bummed.
I haven’t been uploading much pictures now, haven’t I? I haven’t even shared our wedding and honeymoon photos. I’ll get to that soon. Promise!
19 May 2010
by Ubiquityin Facebook, Pain in the asses, Reality bites Tags: Facebook, FarmVille, muses
I’m not gonna work with statistics here but let’s face it; almost everyone we know has an account with Facebook. Even our moms have one! Facebook has grown so huge that it pops up in almost every conversation you have with someone. Companies, celebraties even babies! They all have a Facebook account! It’s amazing!
Here comes the golden question, are you addicted to Facebook?
I’ll be really honest here. I am addicted to Facebook; I log in to my account every single day. Mainly for my farm. I might be one of the people who keeps spamming your wall with my FarmVille notifications.
Sure, I get some friends complaining that all I do is FARM FARM FARM. But seriously you guys, is that REALLY a problem? I mean, if you hate seeing those news feeds from me, just Hide it! Not too hard now isn’t that? I love FarmVille and that DOES NOT make me a freak. What’s wrong with having your own little virtual farm? You know, it has always been my dream to own a farm with chickens running around, but growing up in Singapore I’m deprived of that.
Some people I know are complaining that their privacy has been breached by Facebook. By that, they meant that Facebook has allow advertisers to use their Profile Picture along with their name to promote their products. I have my concerns there as well, but it only goes that far and my Profile are still limited to My Friends Only, so there’s really nothing for me to be worried about. There is something that I have to say to those people who are so paranoid about the revised security features. Why join if you want to remain anonymous through and through?
I can’t be arsed about Facebook security because I know that anything that I publish on the internet will never be private. That’s where I learn to choose what I share with others. There is a bigger part of my life that will remain closed and it will stay that way. But to stop using Facebook? I won’t do that.
18 May 2010
by Ubiquityin Pain in the asses, Reality bites Tags: muses
Someone I know just gave birth to a baby boy and another person that I would have never expected to be a daddy, is a daddy now! Babies, babies, babies… And then, that same night after Fred and I got married, people start asking when’s our turn. I wish I could tell them exactly when but I honestly don’t know. One day. Not now. I wish people will stop asking this question. I, as extroverted as I can be, I would never bring myself to ask anyone that I ‘hardly’ know about something that I dub personal as this.
I mean, how do they expect me to reply?
“Oh sure! Babies. We love babies! We’ll have babies soon!”
And then what?
Having a baby is a huge commitment people! You don’t just have sex and reproduce whenever you like. You gotta plan for it. You have to know if you’re ready for it. Did they think about this before asking such questions? Maybe they do and they’re genuinely curious…
But why? Okay, It make sense for our parents to be curious. I can understand their enthusiasm about being grandparents. But others, why do they wanna know? Were they expecting to find out how we did ‘it’ that made me pregnant? Pfft!
Anyway, one thing for sure we’re not gonna have kids soon. I’m not against it but I feel that we ought to enjoy our moment as a couple when we can. Without a kid, traveling is easier. I have seen a mom with a screaming baby in her arms waiting in line to go up the Eiffel Tower. The baby is obviously irritated; it cried non-stop! One might even think that the baby is in pain. But the mother stayed in line waiting for the lift to bring us up. That’s crazy. Without a kid, life is a lot cheaper. Think about the milk, diapers, clothes, trips to the doctor, savings for their future… the list goes on. What if you have 3 kids? That’s everything that I just mentioned times 3! Probably even more. I don’t even have a job now. So no no. No kids now. Without a kid, we have more time by ourselves. Bonding! Isn’t that important? We’re a newly married couple here. There’s a lot for us to learn about each other. There are tons things that we can still do together. See?
11 Mar 2010
by Ubiquityin Pain in the asses, Reality bites, The grass is not greener on the other side Tags: photos, Switzerland, updates, Zürich
I’m feeling rather depressed lately. It must’ve been the weather. It’s so cold here. In fact, it’s freezing! Last Sunday it snowed so much that it almost felt like Christmas. Just missing the Christmas jingles on the radios. I love it when it snows. It’s mesmerizing to watch the white flakes flutter to the ground leaving a white blanket everywhere it lands. But when you have to go out, it’s a huge pain in the ass. Think eskimo. What’s even worse is the wind. It gives you chills right through your bones. The grey and gloomy sky sums it all up. Et voilà, ça c’est fait ! (And that’s it!)
I traded the eternal summer, Orchard Road, hawker centres, flip-flops and my walk-in wardrobe for this hard winter that never seems to end. You know, as I’m typing this out right now, my fingers are numb from the cold and I have on my thermal socks. Can you imagine that?! A thermal socks! And guess what? It’s snowing again! Urgh!
Back to my depression now. Since we got here, I’ve done my best to adapt. It may not seem a lot in the beginning but in all honesty, it’s very different than the life that I’ve known for the past 25 years of my life. Of course there’s the weather issue. Then there’s the language barrier. I don’t speak a single word of German but everything here is in German. Sorry. I have to correct myself. It’s Swiss-German. When I meet a random person from the supermarket and they start speaking to me, all I can do is smile and ask them if they speak English. Often they don’t. Especially in the area we reside.
Language aside, I’m also trying to get used to the public transport. The Swiss transportation system is known to be one of the finest in the world. They are almost 100% precisely on schedule all the time. But! There are a dense network of buses, trams and railroads. There’s always more than 1 way for you to get from one place to another. For instance, if I wanna get to Bahnhofstrasse (the city centre) from our place, I could take bus A or bus B to interchange C and get on tram D which will get me there in 25mins. OR, I could also take bus Y to train station Z which will get me there in even lesser time. The only difference in between the two is the walking distance. Now it all sounds really convenient. It’s true! It is very convenient. All you gotta do is prepare your route in advance. Otherwise, if you miss the first connection, you’re most likely to end up being late. Or worse! Wait out in the cold for 15mins.
Another downside for me is remembering the road/bus stop/tram stop names. They are too complicated. There’s always more than 1 Bahnhof and then there’s Bahnhofstrasse and Bahnhofquai. There’s Sihlcity, Sihlquai and Sihlweidstrasse! Oh god!
But then again as negative as I may sound, I’m not regretting the choice I made. You see, I knew that this would happen. Nobody said it was easy. Everyone knew that it’s a HUGE step I took. I like to think that I am brave. Yeah, I am brave! (So gimme some support here and tell me that I’m brave, okay?) It’s a lot for a little person like me but I’ve gotten this far. It’s been more than 3 weeks already! And looking on the bright side, I got so much to look forward to. Like my wedding and my mom and my sister is coming and I’m going to Paris for our honeymoon! And so much more! And we finally got our wardrobe!
Ooops! This entry is getting too long now. It’s also getting late so I will end it and leave you with some photos that I took recently. Oh, and thank you for your time.
Zürich Hauptbanhof
Chateau de Tourbillon, Sion; lighted up in all it's glory
One of the painting that I managed to sneak a photo from the Kunsthaus
Sneaked a photo in the tram too...
Snow flakes on the window sill
Nacou begging for food
The common laundry area (Yup! We have no washing machine at home)
A particular night at a club called Mascotte
10 Dec 2009
by Ubiquityin Letters, Pain in the asses, Reality bites Tags: Christmas, drive, updates
I am very disappointed in you.
Okay, that’s unfair. So let’s put it this way. I am very very disappointed in you AND myself. I did not pass today. Did I write in too late? Or have I not been a good girl? Well, whatever. I take it back, I’m not disappointed in you. I’m just completely bummed that I didn’t make it.
I gotta hand it to you though, the road users are nice today. In fact, most of them give way to me. I must admit that I DID make a couple of mistakes. Like; moving of at the wrong gear, that gives me 2 points, and then I stepped on the break too hard / jerky, but that I did just ONCE! So that’s another 2 points for me making up to 4 points already. Add 8 points for causing other vehicles to slow down. That gives me 12 points altogether. Still enough to pass!
But you know what Santa, the tester gave me 34 BLOODY points! Allow me to show you my offences…
- Fail to confirm safety : Vertical parking (4 points)
Okay, fair enough. I forgot. Still can pass! 12 + 4 = 16
- Strike pole / Strike kerb : Vertical parking (8 points)
Now that’s where the ridicule began, I DIDN’T DROP THE POLE! It didn’t even move out of position, I merely touched it. :-(
- Insufficient acceleration : BBDC Circuit (2 points)
All my instructors told me to drive at the 2nd gear not exceeding 20km/hr and I did just that. WTF?!?
- Fail to slow down when approaching road hazards : Exit of BBDC (6 points)
BULLSHIT I gotta tell you! There is no way I wouldn’t have slowed down when there is a stop line right at the exit. I did slow down! So what’s that shit about me failing to?
- Incorrect position : Bukit Batok Road (2 points)
Blah blah blah blah…
Is it just me or did I fall in the “to fail” quota?
Now I’m really sore because the next test date will be in February. 18th February 2010 to be exact, that’s the date we’re moving! So Fred will have to move alone, I will join him later and I don’t want that! I’ve already got enough up my sleeve, I don’t need more!
Enough said, I won’t expect you to reply. You don’t have to. I don’t even think I will write to you again.
Merry Christmas!
Anna
06 Nov 2009
by Ubiquityin Pain in the asses, Reality bites Tags: updates
Thank GOD it’s Friday!
I’ve been quite busy the whole week. I cramped the past afternoons with driving practical and as of today, I have cleared stage 2 until lesson 3.03! Met some friends for late lunch and coffee which dragged until 9 and only got home earlier.
Me & Shikin
I went to see the chief tester of Traffic Police yesterday and tried to appeal for an earlier test date. Together with supporting documents, I explained my situation and to my unsuspecting surprise, he disapproved and demanded for a “proof of migration”. I was baffled! I had in hand my flight ticket and THAT alone SHOULD be enough as a proof.
But NO! NO NO NO… He simply had to make my life difficult. He insisted that I should have it with me and told me a half-baked similar incident with another learner. Apparently this particular learner was suppose to migrate in Australia and came to appeal with the so-called “proof of migration”.
When I asked how do I acquire that document, he simply told me…
“The bottom line is, you should know and you should have it with you if you’re REALLY migrating. If you can get it, come back to me and I’ll approve the appeal.”
Sensing that it’s useless to argue any further, I thank him for his time and left. That night, I ‘googled’ for “proof of migration from Singapore” and keywords along those lines but the search came back with specifically nothing. I’ve even tried the immigration law offices I still don’t find anything! Anyone have any clues? HELP PLEASE!
Pah! So now I’ve settled with a test date AFTER our Christmas trip.
Speaking of which, I am very excited for it! Just like last year, we’re gonna spend Christmas with Fred’s family and do luge! Maybe a weekend with Didier & Romine in Lausanne and New Year too!
Luge!
Lastly, I simply HAD to post a photo of girl I saw in the train today. I had to take my hats off her for having the guts to fashion white shorts and fishnet stockings with silver boots. :-P
White shorts and fishnet stockings with silver boots
I’ll try to write the last vacation entry before next holidays really really really soon okay? Till then, have a great weekend!
05 Oct 2009
by Ubiquityin Pain in the asses, Reality bites Tags: drive, muses, updates
I am not supposed to be writing random updates right now but just for a quick recap, I have already successfully enrolled myself as a student at Bukit Batok Driving Centre.
As soon as I arrived at the centre this morning, with full of confidence that nothing will go wrong, I went straight up to the TP counter at the 2nd level. Got myself a queue ticket (although there was nobody else there) to renew my PDL, waited for at least 5mins until my number was called and only to be told that their computer system was down, come back later after 4pm (the time when the queue is even longer than that of ICA) and there was nothing that they can do for me until then. BOLLOCKS!
Sure I can understand how slow and inefficient the IT people can be when it comes to system recovery. But seriously! Where is YOUR customer service recovery?!? What bullshit are you trying to tell me that there is NOTHING that you can do?
“Excuse me LADY! But there is one thing that you can do.”
“You can tell me that I don’t need to queue when I come back later.”
Don’t you think it only make sense?
“I came at 9am to avoid the queue and it is NOT MY FAULT that your computer is down. How could I have anticipated that your computers would act up before hand?”
“I mean, come on, don’t tell me you guys are running old system that breaks down every Monday morning at 9am…”
“I can assure you that NOT ONLY you will help me save time, YOU will save YOUR time and breath from arguing with me any further. You know I’m right. “
And so I got my point across. The lady scrawled a little remark underneath the application form, “Seen applicant, system down, proceed counter, no need Q”
With no PDL in hand I went down to the 1st floor to settle the enrollment administrations where I’ve learned that it is ALMOST impossible for me to obtain a driving license by January 2010.
Note : ALMOST
I am attempting the impossible, please DO NOT try this unless you’re as desperate as I am.
Anyway, the issue with the PDL is finally resolved. As promised I’ve managed to get ahead of the queue. I’ve also attended a briefing which lasted for about 15mins and the 1st Basic Theory Lesson (BTL 1.01). Which I think is a total waste of time and completely pointless. At least for me since I’ve passed my Basic Theory Test and gotten my PDL at another centre.
I will sit for the last Basic Theory Lesson (BTL 1.02) and my 1st practical training tomorrow. Wish me luck please, I know I really need that.
01 Aug 2009
by Ubiquityin Pain in the asses, Reality bites Tags: muses
Nenek Keropok in English literally means Crisps / Chips / Crackers Grandmother but let’s just call her Cracker Lady (as quoted on http://www.sfogszero.com/news/nenek-keropok-cracker-lady).
There has been a lot of hype recently about this poor old lady going around knocking on people’s door selling crisps / chips / crackers. Words are circulating via sms and (even the public media!) radio, that this particular lady goes around with a spook and if it should happen that she is refused of her services, the spook will enter the house.
So let’s get this straight.
First thing’s first, I can tell you guys that this is nothing more than just a hoax. A bad bad joke created by bad bad people who have nothing better to do.
Just like that myth about Kum Kum. It’s bullshit! Be honest you guys, have you REALLY ever encountered with one? I’ve not and neither did any of the people I know!
This old lady might have just been a real and innocent old lady trying to make a living by selling the keropok. My heart goes out to her. If she is REALLY real, she must’ve had a hard time trying to make money now. And if she is REALLY real, without the money, she might not be able to afford her rent. And where will she live?
I’m utterly disgusted with the local radio station for promoting such fabrications.
Now let’s talk about the things that the spook will do when it enters the house. What do you think it’ll do? Haunt you? Eat you? Decided that it will live with you? Cook for you a meal?
GET REAL!
How old are you to still believe in ghosts?!?
Back on Facebook, somebody has even set-up an account for the nenek. How much of an imbecile one can be? Some poor old lady’s photo has been posted up and now we have a physical idea of how she looks like. And then what? If we see her we should run? Or should we walk around with the butterfly net and use it to catch her when we bump into her?
My heart goes out to the person related to the lady on the photo. What are you waiting for?
This is defamation people! Why are you adding her as your friend? Why are you making fun of her? What if it has been a photo of YOUR granny there?
Or then again, that could’ve just been a model. But still! It gives no one any rights to create such half-baked Facebook account along with half-baked stories.
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