Little-Wonder.Net

30 September, 2003

Horrendous service from Dell Computers :x

21:17:50 | Ranting | writebacks (11)

The past two days have been pretty hectic. For starters, my computer had a major crash on Sunday and it could barely start up. Initially, I suspected that it had to be the Blaster virus but later on, I found out that the Hard drive had actually failed. However, I was lucky enough to back up all my files via my father’s laptop.

The computer repair man from Dell Dimension Systems arrived to fix my computer and to replace my hard drive this afternoon. Personally speaking, his behaviour was so DAO (Translation: Arrogant). He never smiled and he was so unfriendly. Upon arrival, he just announced that he was going to change my hard drive and started into the action despite the fact that I was standing there protesting about how I would lose all my files and data…etc. He just ignored me and continued working. My entire A’Level Project Work was in there and it was the only copy I have. My uncompleted school assignments and notes were also in the hard drive and he just ignored me when I complained about how important my files were to me.

Yesterday, I also contacted Dell’s Support hotline regarding the crashing problem. Although the Support people were (quite) unfriendly, it was quite easily seen that they didn’t really bother much about me. They also mentioned that they had to change the hard drive through the phone and as usual, I was explaining about how important my files were and wasn’t there some way in which the files can be transferred from one drive to another. She just told me in an exasperated voice:

“Sorry, this is a mechanical problem.”

Hello? I wasn’t even asking about the problem. I was enquiring as to how my files can be retrieved. As my Project Final Draft was due this week, I was constantly whining into the phone about the importance of my A Level project and that it was important that they come as soon as possible to rectify the problem. And what happened? They simply hung up.

In the end, all those rude Support prople from Dell were phoned up and yelled at by my Father who demanded that since we paid good money for the computer, it is necessary that we obtain good and quick support service.

Seriously speaking, Dell Dimension systems can really do better in terms of friendliness and efficiency. As mentioned before, the serviceman was so arrogant and uncommunicative that the urge to whack him with my bowling ball was overwhelming. He just went on to do something without my consent. Some people really cannot understand how important files are to a computer user. Probably he looks down on me because of I am a teenager? And that my data aren’t as important as that of an executive? Complete misconception.

Once again, this journal would be placed on a semi-hiatus basis due to my promotional examinations. I really need more study time due to my inconsistent habit of procrastinating. A journal entry might be posted this weekend regarding my cousin’s wedding celebrations and that will be about it. Until the exams are over, take care and enjoy the month of October. See you in 3-4 weeks! :)

28 September, 2003

David makes a ’spectacle’ of himself

01:29:34 | People | writebacks (9)

My distant grandmother is currently recovering at my aunt’s home after an eye operation for cataract. Therefore, my entire family dropped by to visit her today after going out for dinner together. All that spicy Thai food we had today was enough to set my mouth on fire, gulping down a glass of water every now and then.

David (my 11 year old cousin) looked slightly different when I first met him at the restaurant. Upon closer inspection, I realised that he didn’t have his spectacles on. I then jumped into the conclusion that he had gotten contact lenses and started to marvel at him right there and then…

“Wah, David! Your contact lenses really make you look so different. So much more yandao than before!” (Translation: Yandao means ‘handsome’)

Aunty Olive rolled her eyes and then revealed that David had mysteriously misplaced his glasses even though he had been wearing it 24 hours a day. After which, my mouth fell open in shock and I started to badger David with questions as to how he had actually misplaced it. What confused me most was that David didn’t even know! He looked so completely blur that even Aunty Olive got exasperated. According to Aunty Olive, she only discovered that David wasn’t wearing his glasses when they got into the car and by then, it was already too late to search for them. Sigh… that boy really has a knack for causing problems for everyone.

Sure enough, David was dropping almost anything in sight since he couldn’t see really well. One moment, he dropped his spoon on the floor and the next, his fork and napkin. When the time came for us to order desserts, David pointed to the menu print and ordered “Durian with glutinious rice”. I was mystified as I knew that David had never liked Durian. David finally realised his mistake in reading when his whole face scrunched up in disgust at his first mouthful of the durian dessert. In the end, I was the one who ended up eating part of his dessert for him.

We only headed over to Aunty Nelly’s house to visit my distant grandmother after that eventful dinner. On the way, mother stopped by at a store to buy some Siew Mai and Char Siew Pau for her as a gift. My mother, Aunty Nelly, Uncle Ah Tee and I reached the house first and we waited for the rest to arrive. Ten minutes later, David appeared at the front door and successfully tripped over the front step since his vision was blurred. The rest of the time was spent listening to David’s continuous cursing and swearing.

Last but not least, I have opened my photolog over at my second domain. A photolog entry regarding today has been added there as well.

27 September, 2003

Plagued by worries (and tummy-aches)

01:05:10 | Daily Life | writebacks (9)

At long last, my Chinese teacher appears to have calmed down completely after that Chinese Faculty Fiasco 3-4 weeks ago. For the past month, he had always been stalking into class, fixing his beady eyes on each and every student, barking out commands and assignments for each of us to do. He never smiled, but would frown throughout the entire period and his gaze would really make me feel extremely uncomfortable. However, he strutted into class today with a friendly smile fixed on his face and throughout the lesson, he spoke and joked in his usual cheerful manner. Although I was partially relieved that things had gone back to normal, I am thoroughly puzzled by his sudden change of behaviour.

What is going on? Mood swings? Maybe he has reached that period of time where men start to andropause.

At long last, the most awaited day — Friday has finally arrived, which means 2 whole days of rest and relaxation. Sadly, there is still loads of revision and assignments to complete before the promotional examinations. The Chinese paper would be held next week and what scares me most is the fact that I have yet to touch my Chinese notes. Have been placing too much emphasis on the A Level subjects and neglecting the AO subjects… Big mistake.

*panics* And my Mathematics is stilled in a screwed-up state. Despite having Mathematics tuition, there still seems to be no improvement. Haiz… is this a symptom of stupidity? Maybe that is the reason why I just can’t improve in Maths.

Had dinner at Swensens, Changi Airport with my family and we ordered a Combo set which was supposed to be meant for 4 people, but there were only three of us. So naturally, dinner was unusually heavy since each of us had to pack in as much food as possible in order to avoid any wastage. The combo contained 4 buffalo Chicken wings, 4 Fried Chicken slices, 4 Fish fillets, 4 friend Wantons, a bowl of salad, a huge plate of US French Fries as well as I (gasp) 4 bowls of soup. Being the usual greedy person I am, I gulped down two bowls of soup at one go despite the horrible appearance of the soup. Personally, I felt that the Mushroom soup at Swensens looked like murky, leftover glue. (And tasted like that too!) Dinner was followed by a huge Ice Cream sundae which I had ordered for myself while my parents ordered ice cream single scoops, and they romantically shared an ice cream soda together.

Feeling so bloated now, probably due to excessive ice-cream intake. I am that sort of person who would fall sick easily if I take too much dairy products on a particular day. Not really sure about the exact reason for this habit…