This year...

It's been another year ... as one grows older... every year suddenly has greater importance.

I remember when I was really young (not too long ago) I would always look forward to another year.... hoping for something in the coming year... looking forward to something new...

With the passing of time (and increase in age), the looking forward act is usually accompanied with a turning around glance... an act to see how fruitful the year has been.... a time to count my blessings from God.

Going home is like Chinese New Year to me.... it's so exciting to meet my friends and family... I really miss my family.... so to be back to see them... it has become such a privilege.

This year... I became an Uncle, without fulfilling the role of one... this year... my parents grew older... this year... I miss them even more... this year... I am blessed more by God.

This year.. I moved to a different job, and am blessed with people whom I enjoy working with (so far)... this year... I get to learn something new on my job.

This year... my relationship with God was not so consistent... I really need to work on that.

This year, I am 29.

I was just thinking to myself, as I walk towards the big 3... Life would be really pretty meaningless for me, if I didnt have God....

Grew up studying and had lotsa fun along the way... made great friends.., then start to earn money.... then try to travel alot... to "gain in life"..... then get married... then try to be a good parent to raise up my kids... then when I hit 50s... i am considered old and pretty useless... and it's like life is just about waiting for time to pass and finally die and go to dunno where... I literally had that sad thoughts a few days ago...

Then I realized... thank God... I have God... I live my life learning about Him... (try as I might)... live my life finally opportunities to tell people about him... (i need to work harder on that- walk across the room)... I help the poor and he sees it... i care for others and He notices....

I tell people about God, so people who receive Him will be filled with a purpose in life....

And finally... when the time come for me to leave this world... I do not go into "nothingness", but I go to heaven... where God is... where everything good is...

It is so wonderful....

230am now.... flight at 740.... leaving at 430am. wooohoo!

Thank God!

Home home home...

Last time I did this... one year ago...

Feeling... still very excited to be home... Really cant wait to see my parents and family and friends (friends less)... haha.

Singapore... I miss you!

An interesting encounter

From then till now…

From the last time I updated my blog, I have been out of town to Richmond in Virginia, San Francisco and Sacramento in California on job. It was a really simple assignment, thanks to divine intervention, which allows me plenty of time to prepare for the last part of my CPA.

I took the last part at the end of August, squeezing in another florida trip to join the dodos… it was a really good month…

The activity filled month was top off with a trip to lovely Boston. Before the trip, there was a little argument with my love… and it carried on till the start of the trip, but was duly resolved in the parking lot in Boston Logan Airport’s Avis Center. Haha.

Small arguments are good for the relationships I think. No two people are the same, and each time, with the help of God, we build a bridge towards each other. It is really important for us to continue to focus on God and the relationship, and not let any distractions get in the way. Many a time, arguments are due to miscommunications, which is the case again this time.

I am glad we did not give up on resolving the differences and clearing any miscommunications. Thank God that we live to fight another day…. I think we should pray more together…. Not a habit now, but certainly can work more on it. Prayer works…

One other thing worth mentioning about my trip is that I lost my wallet. How careless…. It’s one of those things that you remember you had it at one stage, but somehow the memory of this thing blurred when it passed through a certain passage in time… life sucks… but thankfully, I only lost $100++ (would have been more I think if I were in Singapore)

The cards were easily replaced… talking about replacing the cards, I have to rattle on a little about this interesting Citi guy… kind of a long story…Here goes

Me: “Hi, I would like to report my card as lost. Can you please send me a replacement card.”
Customer Service Rep (CSR) (Who happens to be an Indian from India… not disrespect… just a matter of fact):
“Sir, I need to verify a few questions with you… What is your mailing address…”

After like 6 questions of where I live, my social, my this and my that… which I answered with much patience and willingness (I wanted to get this over with as well)…. This fine Indian Gentleman shocked me with this question.
“Sir, can you please tell me the purchase of $25.75 that you made on Aug 25 (4 or 5 days ago) was paid to which merchant?”

I was shocked… how can anyone ask something like that… Esp here in the US, credit card use is so common… I probably paid for a coffee using my credit card…. Also, I am one of those pple with literally tens of cards… how the hell would I remember that!!!!

Me: “Ajay (CSR’s name), I have no idea what it was paid for, but I am pretty sure it was made in Houston”
CSR: “Sir, that is not sufficient, I need you to tell me exactly which merchant you paid this to.”
Me (flabbergasted) “Ajay, let me put this to you… would you remember a small purchase like $23.50 that you made like 5 days ago? I mean if that is for $500 or $1k, I probably will understand”
CSR (in a typical Indian way- no disrespect, trying to force me out of my rumbling): “Sir, if you do not answer my question, the system will not allow me to proceed with your request”
WTF!!!

Me: “Ajay… are you in a customer service industry?”
CSR: “Yes”
Me: “So, listen here, I am trying to give u some feedback on your service. If you are not interested in that, maybe I can send that feedback to your supervisor instead”

I was both filled with amazement and frustration with this person….

The Indian gentleman went on to politely apologized, and blamed the misunderstanding on his poor communication skills… and he perfectly understand my frustration and how he is willing to work with me through it and he will lose his job if I speak to his supervisor etc etc….

After a long struggle… I finally got him to cancel my existing card and send a new one.

Let’s look at the process with American express:

Me: “Hi, I lost my card, and would like to cancel it and also request for a replacement”
Amex CSR: “I am sorry to hear that sir. Can I please ask a few questions for verifications.”

After 3 or 4 short and reasonable questions.

CSR: “Sir, I will overnight the new cards to you.”

Two days after reporting that my card was lost, I received the new one from Amex…. Truly the best in customer service for me…

And yes… after 7 days, shittybank’s card is still not here…

Guess who I will patronize more.