Scattered.

That would be an apt word to describe the thoughts and events right now. Wished we were all 'plugged in' and could automatically save thoughts that flit across the mind. It's been a long week but the month is too short. When 2010 ends, it had better not drive me insane. So much for being indulgent..


Mag: Resolusi 2011, kurangkan pencarutan!

Kallari

Call of the crow, screaming infinitely with that throbbing heart

The tiny steps leading to an eternity of desolation

Weep, weep, with your entire being

Privy to the plans of the future

Seeing the life with distinguished agony

Streaking downwards, creating a path that would never be kissed away

Why do you crave that which is not meant to be?

Hear me cry, hear my screams

Hear how my heart bleeds

Look at the canvas, shredded

Torn to never be sewn together again

I concede, I call out

Catch me, hold me

Please..

Touched by that of which was asked

Was it right to never seek?

Thrown to the ground, trampled

Picked up and served on a golden tray

Pretty but worthless in the end

Did it have to break?

Why?

Can you not see?

Could it only watch?

Never deserving, cast aside

Destined to forever hold on

Being sliced slowly, inch by inch

Eaten in the darkness of the blessing.

Morning call of the bird

The beautiful image shimmers

Soiled by the touch of a sinner

Poison seeping in to clutch at the happiness

Clawing the ends, dragging it through the mud

Breaking the pieces, smaller in every attempt

Leave the shards, turn down the offer

I told you so, it would only break.

Silent howls

Coldness inside, never finding the fit

To never be lighted

Given to another.

Sparks and Ashes.

0315 hours

It's probably not the right time of the day to be blogging. Propriety be damned. Terrifying thoughts have flitted across (and is) as these words become imprinted indefinite in the digital world. To die without so much as a column in the newspaper or obituary. Receiving two mental slaps in the time frame of 15 minutes. To learn that one could die suddenly and cause of death not known to those dear to you. To learn that the last invitation you turn down could probably be the last words uttered (or rather, messaged, in this modern day) to a person you will never see laughing, crying, jumping, or screaming at you ever again. To determine to make the most out of your losses and see the world filled with black tulips blooming simultaneously.

Fear, even that greater of long-haired, bloody-eyed wraiths lingering at darkened corridors, spreads through like liquid molding itself to every blood vessel. What if someone you loved more than the world itself was gone tomorrow? What if you never hear that quirky laughter echoing? Would you feel the grief or would you incur that loss? Did you say enough of "I love you. I treasure everything you've done for me. Thank you."?

0323 hours

It made me happy. I recalled the library as I was preoccupied over that document. "You're in my class. Yeah, I sit at the front." You looked intently at me, noticeably trying to catch my gaze. Looking at you, you smiled ever so warmly through your eyes. I turned away because everything blurred away for a moment. You said you have never introduced yourself to me when I couldn't recall your name. Remembering what you said, "You have such determination. You would stand up for them." Would I? I sent you away.

It was fun. You sincerely learning to salsa. I saw the spots of blush as I held your hand and she instructed us to move. Awkward steps soon forgotten and our hands held on naturally to the sounds of "1, 2, 3, 4 ..." Remembering the audition and your exhibitionist side. Smiling on realizing your shy nature. Are you really quiet all the time? The genuine relief when you realized I was there. Walking back together. Uncertainty tainting your words.

0348 hours

You never asked my name. You said, "See you later."

0352 hours

Anger, frustration, and annoyance. One messy ball of yarn. Resenting it but gravitating towards those ties. Patience and silence were the best solution to solve you.

0353 hours

Remembering your trust in focus. Determination your source of pride. Your little girl trekking independently pulls you in different directions. Needing but knowing to set her free. Praying that the sins are not passed on. The girl nearly a woman taking on the world with her stride, learning more every day, trying to contain what you've taught and obtain even more.

0358 hours

The sheer longing for you clutches stubbornly. Remembering your promise to always wait for me. Unknown yet trusting, the consuming need washing over. Overwhelmed by any thoughts of you, clinging to the memories, wanting to run into those ever opened arms. Please, don't take her away.

0404 hours

Hopefully, the laundry is done. A new day, a new story. Don't expect to be judged. Allowances do not walk hand-in-hand always with expectations.

I trust you. Maybe that will be the death of me.

Mulling.

Do you always say what you mean? Do you always portray your true self? Is it really refreshing to go against traditional norms? 

Perhaps the intent was always there but the drive was/is absent. A little bit of harm makes you stronger. Right? 

What do you do when you get sick and tired of something? All the hypocrisy and pussy-footing around.

If only mind-reading was a natural gift. On the other hand, the world will be one sick and twisted place. Do something will ya?? Looking and staring won't get you there. Exhibitionism helps. EFFORTS results.

Dare to do it? Have the balls to own up. Notice when you point, 1 finger points outwards and 4 fingers point back at you.

Maybe the time of birth is an indication of a person's natural time of sleep. Birthday celebrations mark your impeccable survival skills to last another year alive. Also, it marks a new year of war with death. Good cause for celebration. Someone has a sense of humour it seems.

I can do this damn it! How hard can it be? With given limit = Absofuckinglutely.

Episode 4.

Honestly, yours truly was pissed to high heavens when she received the email. In the light of the morning, or rather; disturbed afternoon, yours truly just feels cold determination.

Thank you for emailing AirAsia.

In response to your email, please be informed that the time shown in our airport is all monitored by MAB and not controlled by AirAsia.

After discussing, we would like to offer you a credit shell for your no show ticket as a gesture of goodwill. The amount offered for the credit account is MY 44.00 MYR. Kindly note that:

1. The credit account is reffered to, as a Credit Shell.

2. The Credit Shell expiry date is 30 December 2010.

3. The Bookings can be for you personal use or nominated person on our AirAsia Flights (AK, FD, QZ) only.

4. The actual travel date/dates can be after the expiry date of the Credit Shell as long as our schedule is out.

5. Credit Shell redemption can be done via our Call Centres or authorized AirAsia Sales Counters and online via our website.

6. To enable you to use the credit shell for online bookings, please login on our webstie with your user ID and password as registered. Then proceed to make your bookings. When you arrive at the payment page, please click on the credit tab for payment. Any outstanding balance may be paid via your Credit Card.

Besides that, we understand that checking in at our check-in counter needs to wait for long time due to long queue. We would like to suggest you to do web check-in or mobile check-in in future in order to avoid long queue at our check-in counter. Kindly visit our self check-in page at http://www.airasia.com/my/en/myflights/selfcheckin.html for more details regarding web/mobile check-in

Should you require any further assistant, please do not hesitate to write in to us or contact our call centre team at http://www.airasia.com/my/en/contactus.html.

Thank you for understanding and support towards AirAsia.

We are looking forward to assisting you better in the next given opportunity.

So, goodwill right?

A kindly feeling of approval and support : benevolent interest or concern :  the favor or advantage that a business has acquired especially through its brands and its good reputation: the value of projected earnings increases of a business especially as part of its purchase price : the excess of the purchase price of a company over its book value which represents the value of goodwill as an intangible asset for accounting purposes : cheerful consent : willing effort (Sourced from Merriam-Webster.com)


Yours truly harboured goodwill since the first episode. As it progressed and yours truly was brushed off flippantly, that goodwill mutated and was apparently lodged on to the other party. A broken record would be an apt description of these exchanges and the reasoning (or rather, EXCUSE) provided serve no purpose. Advice that is, in JoJo's song, too little too late.

It really is a waste of saliva and time repeating and reiterating facts. Lord knows that varsity is seeing tonnes of paraphrasing all in the name of copyrights. Excerpt from a conversation last night.

So what if MAB controls??? The plane time AirAsia control?? Fact of matter is there were no last calls!
 
When I was waiting to get the employees name from the manager, there were a few passengers departing to JB on a 0715 flight who rushed over. They said they were queuing for the flight at a counter (not a common check-in counter) and suddenly the counter closed while they were still in line. They came over to the Service Counter and was able to check-in.
 
IF MY BLOODY FLIGHT WASN'T IN A COMMON CHECK-IN COUNTER, I COULD HAVE DONE THE EXACT SAME THING AT 0530.

And when the hell was there a common check-in counter??? Does AA assume that ALL their passengers are common flyers and would know all these?? Do I look like I fly with AA all the time??
 
Still refuse to give me a manager's correspondence and inadvertently by their actions, cut off any reasons for me to contact them again. What gesture of goodwill??? Their bloody cow hides! Even to the end they ASSUME that I'd want to fly with them again! I rather pay hundreds to sit F-, T-, bus or the dysfunctional train!!

If the only solution now is a black and white document, so be it. The next email yours truly will be sending comes in the style of an email chain. It was surprising to receive encouragement aside from the neutral expressions as of late. There were some niggling questions this entire week and all was dispelled one way or another.

Right. Nevertheless. Thank you!

p/s: Dr. Lim, yes, I know when I click on "Publish Post", this will forever be part of my legacy. Oh, I gave proper referencing too. No plagiarism there.

Episode 3.

Yours truly isn't sure which is doing a better job of riling her up - tests and assignments due in university or this unnecessary episodes.

Thank you for emailing AirAsia.

In response to your email, we appreciate that you understand our policy on check-in counters. However, we are regret to inform you that we are unable to check you in as it is already late.

In regards to your unused ticket, you may request for airport tax refund. Should you wish to have airport tax refund, kindly write in to us and we will further assist you.

Thank you for your understanding.

Should you require any further assistant, please do not hesitate to write in to us or contact our call centre team at http://www.airasia.com/my/en/contactus.html.

Thank you for choosing AirAsia.

We are looking forward to assisting you better in the next given opportunity.

Does anyone feel like these episodes have occurred before and yours truly is reading off prepared templates? Seriously, why repeat everything that has been mentioned previously and the assumption that yours truly only wants an airport tax refund?? All these noise just for a refund of RM25 in airport tax? How else can yours truly emphasize the fact that YOURS TRULY WAS IN THE AIRPORT 1 HOUR BEFORE DEPARTURE AND NO LAST CALLS WERE MADE FOR THE STIPULATED 45 MINUTES? That and the fact that yours truly has to write in to AirAsia again via the online feedback form a 4th time to obtain further assistance could really send a reformed Freddy Kruger on a rampage again.

-
To Mr./Miss - ,

Thank you for your email. Kindly escalate my emails to your legal department or a manager directly under AirAsia's employment. I believe that my claims will be out of your jurisdiction or scope of assistance as there is only so much you can do employed under -. Thank you for your assistance.


To whom it should concern,

Please refer to the statement below from the previous reply sent to me by your Customer Service Executive:

However, we are regret to inform you that we are unable to check you in as it is already late.

Please do not waste my time repeating facts. Your employee has been replying to my feedback forms with reference to either a prepared reply template or his/her manager. If being polite doesn't seem to get the message through, let me emphasize in the clearest way possible.

I WAS AT THE AIRPORT 1 HOUR BEFORE DEPARTURE AND THERE WERE NO LAST CALLS FOR CHECK-IN. YOUR TERMS & CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE STATES THAT COUNTERS OPEN 2 HOURS BEFORE SCHEDULED FLIGHT DEPARTURE TIME AND CLOSE FORTY-FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE SCHEDULED FLIGHT DEPARTURE TIME. Replay your security camera recordings if necessary. The communication I have had with AirAsia so far contains element of indirectly blaming me, your customer, for not being right.

If AirAsia's last call courtesy is only extended to Hanoi-bound passengers and not Singapore-bound passengers, not only do I DEMAND FOR THE AIRPORT TAX REFUND, I WANT COMPENSATION FOR THE LACKADAISICAL SERVICE RENDERED. For confirmation of your record and mine, this is the 3rd time I am filling in an online feedback form just to get a response on my case. KINDLY EXTEND THE COURTESY AND COMMON SENSE FOR ME TO GET IN TOUCH WITH A REPRESENTATIVE THAT HAS SOME JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY IN THIS SITUATION.

Regards,
Yours truly.


-


The customer is 

always 

right. 

Even if they are not, do not let them think that you're placing the blame on them. Every man has a wild beast within. The nearer a man gets to being a beast, the less he knows it. Beat the animal, but you can't make it think.

Episode 2.

So, yours truly isn't sure if dinner actually went down the right way or even taste at all.

Thank you for emailing AirAsia.
 
In response to your email, please be informed that check-in counter will be closed 45 minutes prior to the departure time. By referring to your original departure time (0615hours), the check-in counter will closed at 0530hours. So, arriving check-in counter at 0515hours did not provide sufficient time for us to assist you in checking in as there was only 15minutes to closure of check-in counter.

Moreover, the check-in counter was a common check-in counter where passengers of various departing flight will check-in at the same counter. So, this will lengthen the queue and 15mins is certainly insufficient. Normally, should it be a specific check-in counter, we will try our best to accomodate passenger's request in checking in to avoid miss flight. However, as for common check-in counter, we will close the check-in time at 45mins sharp prior to departure to avoid continuous delay.
 
For your information, the last boarding announcement will only be announced in the boarding hall. The location of the check-in counter is far from the international boarding hall. Hence, the announcement will not be able to reach you.
 
Trust the above explainations help.
 
Thank you for your understanding and support towards AirAsia.
 
Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our call centre team at http://www.airasia.com/my/en/contactus.html.
 
Thank you for choosing AirAsia.




Yes, yours truly is aware of the distance between the check-in counters and the international boarding hall, thank you. No, the explanation did not help. Kindly explain why were there numerous calls for flight bound for Hanoi at 0630 hours between 0525 hours and 0555 hours but none for Singapore within the stipulated 45 minutes. Is this a show of preferential treatment? Do Hanoi-bound passengers have the luxury to be paged multiple times for their flights but not Singapore-bound passengers? Last calls take place both at the check-in counters AND the boarding hall as yours truly had the privilege to be present at both places from 0515 hours to 1145 hours on Sunday due to an alleged missed flight and a delayed flight.

Talk about being cheated of promised service and hinted of ignorance and probable stupidity. Reminders on the 45 minute stipulation is just a waste of time. Let's all beat around the bush. Why assume the customer would be interested to call the call center with the existing reputation of it? Was yours truly supposed to be happy with the above explanation and expected to spend further by calling AirAsia after the sum of RM341 on Sunday? Tsk.

Patience, Freezing Toes.

Having to 'hang out' at LCCT since 0530 hours is not an experience yours truly would care to repeat. Give yours truly KLIA any day. The only bright light in this already darkening day is this 2-hour free wi-fi for passengers' usage. So what IS yours truly doing here typing away in front of gate T3?

--

To Customer Service Officer,

I hope this email finds you in good health. At this exact moment, I am waiting for my delayed 1010 hours flight to Singapore after an unpleasant experience at the AirAsia check-in counter.

My original flight - AK7** bound for Singapore, was scheduled at 0615 hours. Sent by my mother and sister to the airport, I confirmed with the departure board that the counter to check-in was at counter R6. However, to my understanding, the row of counters there were 'common check-in counters' and as such passengers could queue in any of the lines. While waiting, I heard numerous calls for 0630 hours flight to Hanoi. At my turn, the attendant informed me that she was unable to check in my luggage for the flight as it was already closed. She then directed me to the Service Counter to speak to the manager. All these took less than 5 minutes.

After a short wait at the Service Counter, I had the luck to be attended to by Mr. A who informed me that flight AK7** was not accepting anymore boarding passengers as it was already 0600 hours. He graciously pointed out the reminder on my flight itinerary that check-in counters close 45 minutes before flight time which I agreed on. My argument was that there were no 'last boarding' calls in the period that I arrived at the airport roughly at 0515 hours, walked into the airport, screened my baggage, waited in line for about 2-3 minutes, walked to the Service Counter to enquire about check-in baggage fee payment, and returned to queue at R8.

Mr. A explained to me that I should have moved forward to the counters directly by 0530am if there were no boarding calls for my flight as I had the right to. I agreed to his logic but as there were only 4 counters opened and swamped with passengers, it did not cross my mind to do so. Mr. AL who was beside Mr. A spoke up to say that he made the last boarding calls at least 3 times with the last call made at 0545 hours. I presented my arguement to Mr. AL and Mr. A again but Mr. AL insisted on his actions.

Please understand that I do not fancy being indirectly called a liar at the wee hours of the morning. Doubting that perhaps I was at fault, I checked my mobile phone. At 0533 hours, I sent a text message to my friends while waiting in line, that I was queuing for my turn to check-in and that I was looking forward to meeting them again in December. At 0535 hours, a friend replied my text wishing me a safe journey. The time stated in my mobile phone follows Maxis time. At the AirAsia sales counter, the time shown at the display screen dispersed my doubts - my time is similar to the airport's. Mr. A offered some consolation and advised me to write in a complain via email. He could not put me on another flight and insisted that I purchased a ticket at the sales counter.
 So if Mr. AL made the last boarding call at 0545 hours, which timing was he referring to? Are the clocks in the airport not synchronized? Did he mean to say that AirAsia check-in counters and sales counters had different timing?

I bought the ticket for AK7** on 4 August 2010 for RM44. This morning, I had no choice but to purchase a ticket on flight AK7** for RM267 plus RM30 to check-in one baggage. This difference of RM223 is no small amount for me. I am only a student awarded with a grant and bank loan to study in Singapore. Just to board a flight on AirAsia to Singapore has cost me RM341 in total. I have had the pleasure of flying with AirAsia prior without any complaints or regrets despite contradictions from family and friends about AirAsia airport services. This experience however, has left a very negative dent in my impression of AirAsia.

I would appreciate it if you could kindly look into this matter.

 
Regards,
Yours truly

cc. Dato' Sri Tony Fernandes



--

Thank you Jesus for Saral replying to my text. Apologies to Tze Ning for having to cancel lunch date. Anouncements via crappy microphones and rude security guards - are these to be Malaysia's trademark?

Yours truly: Excuse me..
Security guard: Apee?? *greatly annoyed look*
Yours truly: *holding in temper* Do you know where is the AirAsia sales counter?
Security guard: Go out and turn right.
Yours truly: Thank you. Ha kepala otak ko!! Apa?? Ko sorang je penat? P*****k c***i betul.

At least yours truly has Stitch under her hoodie for company. Oh, a reply has come. Does anyone know why yours truly chuckled at it?

Thank you for your feedback. Please rest assured that we have looked into your case matter and are in the process of resolving it as soon as we possibly can. We will also contact you IF there is a need for further clarification.



We thank you once again for your time and patience.

The airline that cares,
AirAsia

Yours truly can see the long week ahead. *sighs*


p/s: Notice yours truly's 1010 hours' delayed flight?

Dry Spell

Nearly 3 months of a dry spell can definitely go on to 6 months or a year.. Maybe even longer. Much has passed and most importantly, I'm in Singapore now!

I was offered to enroll as a Bachelor of Arts in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) with National University of Singapore (NUS). Henceforth, I'm sticking with acronyms. They really do have a bunch of them here. Be warned. They may cause confusion or lack of understanding. I should know.

So here's the breakdown:

- I've been here a month.

- I will be here for the next 3 years to complete my studies.

- It may be 4 years if I get offered to do the Honours program. Yes, you have to be OFFERED.

- Then it's a cumulative 3 years of employment with a Singapore-based company as per stated in the T&C of the Singapore Government's Tuition Grant that I am taking.

- I was offered a shared room but was given a single room.

- I spent 6 hours in the Immigration & Checkpoint Authority* (ICA) building to obtain my Student's Pass.

- The neighbour opposite my room is an awesome Malaysian girl from Penang and buddy to Sherilyn Ooi.

- There are tonnes of friendly people here.

- I already have assignments due and TONNES of materials to read.

Basically, this blog is going to be filled with my time at uni and probably some of the random, weird, funny, shocking, enlightening, etc. encounters in my daily life. You should know. Normal never liked me.

I was all out for dragon boat but unfortunately, I forgot about my bloody knees and nearly got injured. So I had to pull out of the team. However, I still have the NUS Catholic Students' Society (CSS) and my hall activities. Plus, NUS Students' Union Voluntary Action Committee (NVAC) is recruiting and I'm waiting for a feedback. I really like the dragon boat team.. Although they really like jogging quite a bit.

Ey, you think I'm doing all these just for fun? It's a requirement by the university to be active in Co-curricular Activities (CCA) and obtain points. What does CCA points do? You have 1 year to accumulate a minimum amount in order to secure a place IN campus. Quoting a fellow classmate, "You're getting points so that you can PAY to stay on campus??" Needless to say, he's a local living with his parents in Singapore.

Anyways, I did join CCS and NVAC for fun. Fine. I joined all these for fun. The CCA points just happens to be there. Pictures are up in Facebook (of course). Oh, did I mention that my hall is just directly opposite my faculty where ALL my lectures take place? Of course, it's not possible to roll out of bed 15 minutes before class starts to get to class. Now, if only the exchange rate was abolished..

While doing laundry..

Guy 1: -singing a 4 second mellow Chinese (possibly love) song with emotion loudly-

Guy 2: EH, SHADDAP LA! -typical Chinese accent-

Note - there is no indication if they were from the same block or roommates.

* It could be wrong. Couldn't be arsed.

Period of Scrambles.

Things have been picking up for me lately. Hectic would be an understatement. There's just so much to figure out and think about that I can't for the life of me, ever remember having so much to think about continuously. In your life, there are many pressing issues that I'm sure you're facing right now. You may be combating a giant or overcoming a hurdle in life. Whatever it is, I wish you all the best and may you get the best outcome (it may not satisfy but proves right in the long run).

I just want those who fervently read my blog to know that this blog isn't turning into a botched attempt. I have much on my mind and I cannot put it down in coherent words. I do not want to use the wrong terms in a rush to express myself and offend where no offense was meant. Plus, I'm not emotionally or mentally stable at the moment.

Just wait patiently for the next post and pray it will be soon.