New Domain - momowei.com

I am now at momowei.com

:-)

Thank You, Maxis

Because you made me cursed.

I thought I am pretty zen these days, (actually, I am. I was cursing inside my head.) yet I was complaining so much, that I think I annoyed Tommy with my same old lame topic for almost 2 months. Tommy's my new squeeze by the way, I will tell you more when I want to :p

Anyway, I've always been a very loyal customer to Maxis, dated back to my Uni days, where I was still on my Hotlink. I am not a call-person so my bills has always been rather minimal and ANY telco would do fine for me. ANY shit can satisfy me. That's how low my bar was.

Maxis back then, was like the LV and Gucci from the world of posh bags so you sort of felt "proud" for having a Maxis line. They probably already suck that time but hey, you wouldn't complaint that much if your LV doesn't hold your make-up properly, would you?

My first bad experience with Maxis was 3 years ago. They first launched their wireless broadband services and I remember having a chunky wireless modem, the size of a 1 Terabyte Western Digital hard disk. Their services started off pretty shaky and I was sharing it with my two other flat-mates. We were living at the 7th floor, hence all the myth about not being able to use wireless on high-rise buildings easily shuts our mouth. Flat-mate #1 works in the pharmaceutical line, internet is non of his concern; Flat-mate #2 is a Telco engineer (ya, how ironic) and he doesn't give a damn as he's always not at home. hahaha! Customer service was as usual. No one is capable of improving the lines. I don't blame them anyway. It's Malaysia. Dial-up was good enough.

I moved to a new place after a year and carried on with my sad Maxis wireless broadband subscription (18 months contract, well done). This time, it's the 11th floor. I am sure I once shouted to my sister "even using a dial-up is more consistent than this!"

So desperate that dial-up is your saviour. I was so close to plugging a phone line into Mac but my fashion-forwarded Mac did not have vintage accessories. 6 months left for my Maxis Broadband's contract. I was so desperate that I donated the remaining monies to Maxis and switched to Streamyx.

Despite the bad services from Maxis, I still stayed with them on mobile. I believed in one thing: ALL TELCOs ARE THE SAME. They use infrastructures from the same source, uses the same air space, located on the same Tanah, so honestly, it wouldn't differ that much with the rest.

So years went on, and on. Still happy using Hotlink. Mobile internet wasn't that hot that time and Facebook had only just started. I then switched from my prepaid to my current postpaid as I signed up for my iPhone 21 months ago. Only took the 500 MB plan as I always have wifi and 500 MB is merely for checking emails, downloading apps and Facebook. I don't even Youtube cause I hate viewing videos on a mini screen.

For 18 months, I had been quite a satisfied Maxis user. I do admit that my data plan was obsolete but hey, I am only subscribing to what I need, why pay more for un-used data, right?

My Mistakes
I should have known better, that I am not allowed to abuse my 500MBs.

I should pay Maxis (much) more (for an equally crap service terms) to upgrade my data limit.
It's totally my fault that I tweeted too much and wrote on Facebook walls too often.

My Lessons
I now learnt that when your Telco says [Your 500MB iPhone data plan has reached 501MB. You will be charged 10cents/10kb till 28th June 2011. bla bla bla bla], it simply means your bill will still end up like this (even though you switched off the 3G AND cellular data immediately upon the (inaccurate) sms notification.)

* look how Maxis "rebates" your data usage, so gracefully on the bill that it makes you feel a little bad for even complaining @_@

OH! and when they sent you a notification saying that your call charges (calls, sms, MMS) has exceeded 80% of your limit, it MAY also mean that they are already secretly starting your (500+1)MB counter - I think the IT system was confused. Nevermind, technologies, they make mistakes daily, right? (I wish the bank will add another zero to my account's balance, too. They should acquire Maxis' IT support)


3 months in a row, my data was 75MB over the 500MB limit. The last time I called, they told me my iPhone counter (450MB) was lying.

Oh well, I learnt another lesson then: Steve Job is bad in calculus.


I am truly grateful that I spent all my years, learning from Maxis as I am now capable of justifying, that even though ALL TELCOs ARE THE SAME, not every telco charges after the data limit and sends confusing (I would like to call it fraud, now) notifications. Paying the 250 bucks (max data charge) was never an issue. I felt cheated as a customer and I am willing to pay the 3 months penalties (again), just to get out of it.

Anyway, I am sure that Maxis doesn't need a 150-bucks-per-month commitment from me anyway ^_^


So, hello to Celcom?

Cliché, But So True.

Something pretty unexpected happened this afternoon. I was dropping by my friend's house and getting her wedding photos from her mom for design. I was expecting only a CD but her mom, so cute, gave me this piece of paper:

It was a list of quotes by a rather famous female novelist 张小娴，whom books I used to read when I was a teenager. She writes romantic love stories: may it be tragic or epic, I am sure they captured the hearts of many silly teenage girls, me included.

Not everyone enjoys her books as I think they probably define them as hollow without substance. Moms will definitely not encourage their daughters (and sons?) to read it as they will be constantly day dreaming about how heroic their love story will turn out to be, eventually.

I do read her books when I was in my Uni days. Not quite sure why, but I guess I wasn't really getting what I want from my bf back then, and reading her books gives you comfort and room for imagination. I stopped reading them as I grew older, as they were, honestly, just to kill time and I am no longer naive to indulge in neither tragic nor epic endings - I think my stories are interesting enough, to be written into a book, too.

But when I looked at these quotes this afternoon...

1. 想把一个男人留在身边，就要让他知道，你随时可以离开他。
2. 放不下的，通常是人，我们放下尊严，放下个性，放下固执，都只因为放不下一个人。
3. 如果没法忘记他，就不要忘记好了；真正的忘记，是不需要努力的。
4. 有时候，我们爱着的不是现实的那个人，而是回忆里的他。
5. 爱情，原来是含笑饮毒酒。
6. 听话的男人不用管，不听话的男人，要管也管不到；对你好的男人不用管，对你不好的男人，不会让你管；爱你的男人不用管，不爱你的，轮不到你管。
7. 宁可高傲地发霉，也不卑微地恋爱。
8. 其实不管你爱过多少人，不管你爱得多么痛苦或快乐，到最后， 你不是学会了怎么去爱，而是学会了怎么去爱自己。
9. 想要忘记一段感情，方法永远只有一个：时间和新欢。要是时间和新欢也不能让你忘记一段感情，原因只有一个：时间不够长，新欢不够好。
10. 爱对一个人，人生就等于做对了大部分的事情。

It was different. I no longer wonder:"how these phrases make sense at all?" They certainly do not make sense to me, 8 years ago. I was going through the list while getting pretty astonished with the number of "checks" I got.

I always knew that Number 10 爱对一个人，人生就等于做对了大部分的事情。is true as who you love does motivates you and your life in every way. He/she should inspire you to be better in whatever you are doing right now.

I never managed to master the essence of Number 1 想把一个男人留在身边，就要让他知道，你随时可以离开他。, hence causing me to be hurt for most of the times - when I liked someone, I gave my all, loads of effort. (*note: now, I refuse to use the word love as I really don't think it was) and the main reason I wasn't able to master Number 1, was because of Number 2 放不下的，通常是人，我们放下尊严，放下个性，放下固执，都只因为放不下一个人.

Number 6 听话的男人不用管，不听话的男人，要管也管不到；对你好的男人不用管，对你不好的男人，不会让你管；爱你的男人不用管，不爱你的，轮不到你管 is almost like general knowledge. You will totally agree to it, when you are a by-stander. However, never try to convince someone who is stuck in Number 2 as they are no longer themselves - I think they agree very much with Number 5 爱情，原来是含笑饮毒酒, which no truly loving couples will admit to it.

In hindsight, I think I did a pretty good job with Number 9 想要忘记一段感情，方法永远只有一个：时间和新欢。要是时间和新欢也不能让你忘记一段感情，原因只有一个：时间不够长，新欢不够好. I CAN fall for someone, easily. So I forget, rather easily - those petty details in the past are getting very vague (but the main reasons behind each break, I remember them as a good story to tell ;-) It took me a few hard lessons to get so talented in forgetting. Having that said, I now truly believe in Number 3 如果没法忘记他，就不要忘记好了；真正的忘记，是不需要努力的, which I never thought I could, until like 13 months ago.

[Insert Number 8 其实不管你爱过多少人，不管你爱得多么痛苦或快乐，到最后， 你不是学会了怎么去爱，而是学会了怎么去爱自己 here]. I am not sure whether this is a good thing, or bad. Learn to love yourself, is probably one of the most cliché phrases in the whole wide world. I do agree when the more you get hurt, the more you will love yourself. The danger of it, is when you love yourself more than anyone else, you end up alone, eventually. Then people will start telling about balancing blah blah blah. 

It's easier said than done. 

It's easiest when you found a match.

So, for those who reached the advanced level of Number 8, it's not easy to meet someone that impresses them. Lately, I am sort of trying to refuse to accept Number 4 有时候，我们爱着的不是现实的那个人，而是回忆里的他 - it only happens when you met someone who is not that into you. When it doesn't work out the way you want, you feed on fake impressions that you have of him/her. But this is actually the least damage that can be done to anyone as when you grow older, you are (more) capable of focusing on the bigger picture.

And that's why right now,

I am at Number 7 宁可高傲地发霉，也不卑微地恋爱.

I still don't get why aunty gave me this sheet of paper but I think it's something positive: It is a checklist of how much I've learnt and grown. I was indeed having some weird thoughts in my mind lately and somehow, coincidences like these tells me not to stray too far from who I really am, even though these thoughts and actions may give me lots of pleasure that I never get to experience in the past.

Well, thank you aunty, for remembering me anyway :-)

I will create a hearty & beautiful wedding album for your daughter in return ^_^

The Day When Everything Wrong Turned Out Right

It was a beautiful Friday morning, the Sun was up with a cool breeze every now and then. It should be a perfect day for a family outing: photos, snacks, rides. It did not matter to me eventhough my phone was out because it was precious time going out with my baby sister a.k.a. our lovely tour guide. It was crowded. My parents are no big fans of theme parks, but I thought the magnificent fireworks at night will probably wrap their days up, pleasantly.

Right after lunch, the weather turned cold and the nearest place that "looked" like a sheltered area was the Arabian Coast. I remembered us commenting on how Putrajaya look-alike structure it was and how much the curry popcorn tasted like Twisties, from Malaysia.

2.47PM. Standing in front of the fountain, telling my dad how amazing it was as I thought the platform underneath it was moving, like Aladdin's flying carpet. When people start slowing down their pace and some even sat down, my baby sister told us: it's a quake.





Growing up in Malaysia (where there's no quakes, tsunami, volcanos and hurricanes) takes the sense of urgency out of me. To be real honest, I was awed by the swaying palm trees while trying to balance myself with my iPhone, recording whatever I can. I wasn't really scared, because I do not know how a serious quake is like. It got me wondering when people started screaming and running away from the scaffolding in front of the Arabian Coast Theatre: Japanese were trained to stay calm and escape in an orderly manner, it must be something really wrong if someone's shouting.

Rather true. The shaking sensation seems to be going on forever. When it sort of stopped, my baby sister said she had never ever experienced this level of quake, not even in Sendai. She was squatting on the floor, I was still standing with my iPhone. You should listen to her advice about it. She took out her phone and watched the news instantly: Now I am scared, because the news anchors were wearing helmets and Disneysea is actually near the sea. Tsunami, was the first word running across my tiny-yet-slightly-excited brain.

I wasn't really scared about quakes in Japan as I think they have the best anti-quake technologies while building them. But when it comes to Tsunami, I swore, by the thought of it, shivers went down my spine while looking at the Arabian Coast walls surrounding us. Then, those armageddon movies depicting end of the world started playing thru my head. I used to tell myself, every time after I watched them, that I will want to be with my family, if all of those above *touch wood happens. It was a strange sort of feeling, but I was relieved that they were all around me at that moment.

When they declare that Chiba area was free from Tsunami, the tension eased. But the air was getting chilly and strong gusts of wind sent us all shivering near the fountain. No one was allowed to move indoors as aftershocks were still strong.

We were not dressed for this occasion. It was supposed to be a sunny windy day out in the park. We looked exactly like the homeless folks that we passed by the night before at Shinjuku, but at that moment, I was really grateful as this was the best blanket and shelter that DisneySea can provide us. I was no longer excited. I was cold. I wished I could joke like the girls in front of me, but my face was numb and I can't feel my limbs T_T

4:30PM. I was still rather optimistic, that we will be able to leave soon and proceed to the next area. I remembered asking something stupid like: Do you think the fireworks will still be out tonight? Can we go to the restaurant nearby and grab a bite? In hindsight, I seriously do not know anything about quakes :(

7:00PM. It was freaking cold. Too cold for just two layers of clothes. It was only another hour later that we got clearance to move into the theatre.  One word: Joy, with an exclamation mark (!)









I wouldn't call myself a refugee as the treatment we had was first class amongst thousands of others who were stranded at train stations and rural areas. We were given aluminium blankets and heat packs where others may only be hugging themselves while leaning on the homeless folks' makeshift cardboard shelter. We were given cookies and chocolates in souvenir packagings as food. We had rice at 2AM even though I wasn't hungry at that moment. Breakfast was naan with corn soup. By the time we left the theatre at 7AM, we were all well fed.

20,000 people were stranded at Disneyland and Disneysea. Getting out of there the next day took us almost 8 hours of waiting and camping under the sun. But when they handed us shrimp donuts and energy drinks, I think I turned to my sister and said: I like Japanese. They are too nice.

However, this was just our luck, for being at Disneysea at the wrong time.

If our plan was to visit my sister at Sendai first, I will be eating less and not shower for 9 days.

If my sister did not get to Tokyo a day prior the quake to settle her new apartment and University contracts, she will be stuck in Sendai and we will all be sick worrying bout how to get her out.

If AirAsia did not announce about the Japan Promotions last year, I won't be getting this March tickets. I won't be part of the quake history.

We managed to alter our plan slightly, and still walked around Tokyo for a few more days before spending the rest of our trip at Kansai area. I think being optimistic and looking at the brighter side of everything gives you a chance to experience something different, rather than stepping back into your comfort zone, doing what you know, that will be right for sure.

Being optimistic doesn't necessarily mean i-don't-give-a-shit-bout-the-radiation and quake: it simply means you justify what is best to do for yourselves at that particular moment and when things as huge as quakes and tsunamis happen, there're really nothing much that you can do but to embrace what you have right now and cherish it till the max. Canceling your plans doesn't mean you are mourning for them. However, appreciating what you still have, is learning a lesson from the tragedy.

Laugh out loud, keep smiling and everything will be OK :-)

The Desperate vs The Awesome

Ok, seriously. I would like to apologize to whoever that I called "desperate" before: Not because that I think you're not, but because I didn't know what's being desperate, and how it differs from socially hyper...


Not until lately, when someone (well not just one LOL) actually said that I am desperate for a boyfriend! =.=


Now, first of all, please bear in mind, when someone says to you:
eh, when are you gonna intro your friends to me? I thought you said you have some eligible friends?


it DOES NOT freaking read:
eh, please find me some one~ I am lonely and I need a gf/bf


wtf. so wrong. 
Being desperate and being socially hyper is not even a fine line apart. I am sleepy so I'm gonna just go through very quickly, and precisely! hahaha


desperate |ˈdespərit|
adjective
you ask around for new friends, because nobody wants you


awesome |ˈôsəm|
adjective
you ask around for more (see, is more) new friends, because you want to choose from the best




and only one of them has a beeline.




So, don't be a sour grape and use the word "desperate" wisely, okie? Not everyone fits the criteria of being desperate LOL






Good day ahead peeps! :D