The Good

• Winning an award for my pendant.
• The work experience at Charles Green.
• Getting to go to Germany for Inhorgenta with my friend and getting one final chance to go to our favourite takeaway in Passing – the food is so good¹.
• Completing the final year of university and having a degree.  I felt that I wasn’t going to achieve a good final mark but I’m extremely happy that all the hard work and travelling expenses paid off.
• Getting a few chances to work on commissions, which I love.  Nothing brings a bigger smile to my face than turning a collation of thoughts and ideas, of the ideal jewellery piece, into an adornment they can actually wear, or give to their loved ones.
• Completing my website/shop².  Thanks to my host’s help I finally have an EPOS to actually sell my jewellery.  Now, all I need to jewellery to sell…
• Getting to go back to Hong Kong and staying for more than two weeks.

The Bad

• Nothing worth mentioning here.

The Forgettable

• Tonsillitis.  In particular getting is so close to my trip for Germany, where is was too cold.
• It was also kind of the reason I missed the awards ceremony.  Not good at all.
• My final exhibition.  My pieces weren’t bad, they just weren’t finished trying to get them perfect was not going to happen.  However, it tough me one valuable lesson: to keep the precesses less and simple!
• Eh…some of the football results…

Oh how rude of me… Happy New Year everyone!  If I drank I’d virtually clink glasses with you but since I don’t I’ll give two very Asian “victory” signs.

1. That is good pronounced with elongated o’s.
2. Designed and imperfectly coded by me.

Warning: this post is quite long-winded, heh.

I ordered a laptop from Ebay (8th April).  The laptop was despatched a couple of working days later (12th April) and was getting delivered through USPS.  Okay, fine, I’ve never used them before but my parcel would arrive before my sister headed back to uni. from Easter break.  I checked the status of the the parcel regularly throughout the week and see this:

What?!  My first thought was who in their right mind would attempt to deliver a package at 6 in the morning?  I also wondered why there was no “Sorry, we missed you.” note.  After a bit of research I found out that any parcels from USPS get transferred to ParcelForce.  I requested a redelivery thinking ParcelForce had tried to deliver the package.  I was wrong…not long after the request someone from ParcelForce explained that there were no attempts and I should wait for a letter for customs’ charges.  I remember him telling me it would cost £87.40 because out-loud I repeated the price in Cantonese.  Anyway, as said a letter from ParcelForce came through the post.  The charge on the letter was about £84, which surprised me but I’m not going argue about paying less.

Okay, customs’ charges paid (19th/20th April) and money came out of her account to ParcelForce on the Thursday (21st April) so I waited thinking the parcel would come on Monday, it didn’t.  Tuesday came and went, and still nothing.  My sister left for uni. on that Wednesday dramatically proclaiming, “I’m leaving for uni. with or without the laptop”.  I tracked the parcel but the status hadn’t changed – I thought that might have been down to ParcelForce not having acknowledged the payment yet so I gave it a couple of days.  Still…

I emailed them on Wednesday (27th April) thinking I’d come home from work to a receive a reply.  Not the case.  So, the day after (28th April) I called ParcelForce wanting to know what the situation of the parcel was.  They tell me that the payment failed…?  I told them my sister paid online and the money had come out from her bank account.  The lady then said she would contact a department and get back to me about 2pm.  I waited for the call that never came¹.  There might have been a possibility of a callback on Friday but then again, it was the Royal Wedding – I just assumed they were closed on Friday, don’t know why.

I, not long before posting this, called ParcelForce in hope someone could shed light on what was going on but I get the same response: payment failed…contacting department².  The only thing is I have to wait until Tuesday for a callback. -_-

University resumes next week so I’m hoping my mum can relay what I’ve said.

One thing that has come from this is that fact that I’m doubting whether I should even consider making my jewellery accessible to people outside the UK.  This local tax thing is troublesome and something people could do without the hassle of.

When this whole debacle is over I’m keeping the MSI!  It was bought through my Ebay account and I’m the one who has been chasing it around.

P.s. USPS should change the line “Attempted Delivery Abroad, April 19, 2011, 6:12 am, GREAT BRITAIN” to clarify that it is the hub/depot they are referring to and not the addressee.  Actually, you would have thought it would have already been changed considering I’ve read posts about the same confusion dating back 2006.

1. Note to self: if someone is taking an age to call you back, don’t wait, call them.
2. Note to self: always get the name of the person serving you.

However, for the last two months my signal has been limiting or none existent: a text would take an age to send after numerous “unable to send text” messages; wouldn’t be able to call; calls constantly disconnecting, which becomes quite a big issue when you’re ordering by phone.  Note, this is at the old house where I currently stay, the signal in the new house is fine.

My only problem was getting better signal.  Numerous online searching came to nothing but a booster¹ so I called Three to try and resolve the issue, and as I guess they mentioned the possibility of the phone (my HTC) being the issue, to which I replied with Exhibit A: tested sim card on a Blackberry but to no avail.   After a couple of calls back and forth on their end, an engineer looked into it and as promised I received calls back.  In conclusion the signal at the old house was no going to improve…well, it would be but not until the near future.  I was then given a couple of options:

1. Continue with the then-current contract but at a discount – to be fair the deal was great but it would have been pointless if I wasn’t able to use my mobile.
2. Pass on the contract to a friend or relative – who doesn’t own a mobile these days?
3. Go with a reduced deal (less minutes, texts…) – again, would have rendered my phone useless so that wasn’t an option.

I didn’t think there was going to be a chance for me to even consider cancelling the contract, after all I was barely 6 months into it but I decided to enquire about it anyway.  Luckily, they agreed and the cancellation fee wouldn’t cost me a fortune – this includes a very generous discount.   I’ve been reading about people who have receive bad signal but their network providers wouldn’t let them out of the contract – I count myself lucky there.

Now, with my PAC code I have to find a new network and mobile – I would’ve kept the HTC but I have to return it.   Decisions, decisions…

1. I didn’t want to fork money on something, which only had a slim possibilty or solving the problem.

I hope everyone had a good Christmas.  I got a book of sheet music for Boys Over Flowers, Filofax, the new Professor Layton game, a graphics tablet and clothing.  Lovely.

Now I’m going to save up money for a battery, which will last longer than 3 hours, for my laptop.

Just in case I start slacking again have a prosperous New Year.

Although, yesterday I did something, which I never thought I had it in myself to do.  I called my mobile network company, originally to cancel my contract, and ended up negotiating.  Yes people, I negotiated.  I think I’m turning a new leaf…no, I’ll probably bail out next time. XD  I got myself a really, really good deal¹, which includes an exceptionally good mobile.  I also like that the post and packaging is free as well, hehe.

This might seem insignificant but I’m shocked and proud of myself.

1. Not to mention at a good I’m-a-student-therefore-I’m-broke price.

This isn’t going to be a haul post, I’m just going to list the few buys, which I love.

• Cupcake sewing box

© Ditsy-daisies.co.uk.

I can’t find a picture of the one I bought and forgot to take a picture so I hope my description isn’t too rubbish.  The cupcake is brown, corrugated plastic and riveted on the handle.  The topping, or lid if you will, is covered with cupcakes printed fabric.  the lid magnetically clips onto the side.  Inside sits a tray with different compartments.  I also bought a pumpkin shaped needle cushion. ^^

• Boxes; I’m a huge nerd for storage and organising my things.  The boxes are the Ikea self assembling ones.
• Layton And The Curious Village/Pandora’s Box.  I love puzzle games and these games were real thinkers.  They also reminded me of how appalling at Maths I am…and logic sometimes passes me by.
• A friend of my mum bought me a few jewellery parts, when she went to Hong Kong – can’t wait to go back so I can see all the bits and bobs they have over there.
• Ted Baker make-up bag

© Boots.com.

It even has a little bathtub key fob on the zip.

1. By the way, I wouldn’t really recommend shopping yourself silly just to relieve emotional pain.

Coincidentally after that call things started working slightly better but my reception still wasn’t great.   At the places I go most I kept getting “Emergency calls only”.  I bought a new mobile anyway because I’m not making full use of my contract (£15/month 300 minutes call and unlimited texts).  Although the guy did offer to give me 10% but that’s not much and with the VAT increase next year it wouldn’t be worth it.

My new phone is working great.  Calls are crystal clear, reception is good and my texts send first time ’round.  Maybe the guy was right and it was my mobile in question³…

I’ll be glad when this contract is over as I’m looking forward to just keep this mobile for a long time – not a big fan mobile shopping – and not wasting away my money on contracts which don’t meet my social status (read: a loner who barely uses phone.  Just kidding…I prefer using the Internet to keep contact and would prefer calling without worrying at how many minutes I have left.)

1. Silly didn’t realise that the three months before contract ends doesn’t actually apply to cancelling.  Almost coughed up £70 to cancel due to infuriation of bad reception.
2. Who kept apologising for things that were out of his control.  It’s nice but he really didn’t need to.
3. Admittedly I’m not mobile savvy so naivety may also play a part.

Okay, I’m starting to veer of the tangent slightly.  Anyway, I’ve had things said about my choice of mobiles (read: I really don’t care much about mobiles so will usually go with which ever is free with the contract¹.)  My main brand of mobiles has usually been Sony Ericsson though.  With my current mobile playing silly buggers I decided to get a more than decent sim-free phone, which turn rebellious teen on me.

I was tempted to go to the shops but I didn’t want to get harrassed by an Apple fanboy/girl² so instead I researched online and read reviews.  Yes, I am one of those buyers: research then debate for centuries as to whether you want to buy or even spend the money of such things.  Also, being one of those loyalists I was thinking about getting another Sony Ericsson phone but go with the times (touch screen).  My sister told me not to, being the luck I have with Sony Ericssons.

Samsung is an instant no.  Don’t get me wrong, I know they’re good phones but I used to work in a Samsung product based company (the RMA area) so I knew the faults.  That’s what really puts me off buying any Samsung product³.

Babbling again aren’t I?  Fast foward to the Sunday just gone, I bought a Blackberry.  I had been debating on the buy for months and with a nudge I actually bought it.  At the moment it’s charging the howevermanyhours mobiles are meant to charge for.  When I received the package today I was really surprised that my phone had come, as I was expecting the silicone skin to arrive first.  Now though, I’m wondering, should I have really spent that much on a mobile; a technology I’m not too fond of.  I was really happy and excited⁴ but now…not so much.  I’m thinking I should have just left that money for uni, or even stationary⁵.   I’m going to go all organised now and start organising my life away with my new phone.

God I’m sad.

1. That’s not to say I don’t take care for my phones though.
2. No, offence to anyone but some assistants do tend to make it out as the end all, be all product.
3. Here’s some advise, if you really love a certain brand DO NOT work in that’s brand “faulty products” department. It will put you off for life.
4. Me, excited about a mobile?  Never.
5. I’m a stationary geek, or should that be storage geek?  Hah.

San nin fai lok.  Gung hei faat choi, lay sei dow loy.

Translation: “Happy New Year.  Congratulations and be prosperous, now give me a red envelope!”

I know I’m late but still…it’s the thought that counts. ^^

Today I went to the NEC in Birmingham and took the train to get there – it’s just easier and more time efficient than driving.  Upon entering the “out” train I realised that I had forgotten my mobile but it wasn’t too bothersome, in fact it was quite blissful¹.   The only problem I would have come across was reaching my friend, whom I was meeting up with at New Street to then head to Birmingham International.

I got to the station and used a payphone to call my mum so she’d know I got to Birmingham fine, without being kidnapped or not making it².  Turns out she left me a text and when I hadn’t replied she grew worried and even went back to the train station to ask if I had boarded the train.  One of the staff members had no recollection; I had purchased my tickets from the machine outside so I wasn’t surprise.  It’s safe to say she was relieved when she picked up the phone to hear my voice.  She thought someone had taken me.  Whoops, sorry Mum.  Don’t mean to do this kind of thing to you.

Didn’t the payphones used to cost 20p/min a call?  I put my money in and dialled but the phone kept saying: “more money needed” or something along those lines.  The call ended up coasting me about 50p! O.o Oh well, I suppose it’s worth it.  Had I not called the police may have been involved.

This kind of mobile incident had happened times before but this is the most recent one.

Have you had any similar experiences or stories you want to share?

1. Yes, I have issues with the technology.
2. O.o