random thoughts on Mr. Google

I always thought the Internet is amazing with its endless possibilities. I even think Google is so 'charming' (and so does all the search engines) when it 'found' so many things that I looked for. He's like a perfect boyfriend - very understanding and accommodating. lol. 

For example, when I hit the wall in my work - the Boss gave tasks that I had never done before. I can simply Google and found so many things. Like:

how to tell someone their work is bad

how to tell someone their work is not good enough

Now, I sometimes listen to the radio and heard song that I really like but never get to know the singer or even title. More than often, I would try to listen carefully and catch some of the lyrics. Then I would just Google the phrases and found it. How accommodating that is. Take That's Patience is one of the song that I googled many years back. And yeah, I got introduced to Youtube by Google. 

To enjoy the beauty of language (lyrics.. duhh), click here.

Of Personality Test - I am an INFJ

I remember during my first semester taking MBA, the first subject I took was Organizational Behavior. In the first class, we were given sheets of questionnaire to figure out our personality type. So I went through my old notes dated 18th September 2014 and the Myer-Briggs Personality Test that I took showed that I am an INFJ. That was then. 

So recently, I took another test - ONLINE. There is this website where you can answer a set of questionnaire that will generate your personality type. It has been more than a year later and I still got INFJ. I guess I really am an INFJ. 

Based on my old notes, INFJ personality type "succeed by perseverance, originality and desire to do whatever is needed or wanted. Quietly forceful, conscientious, concerned for others. Respected for their firm principles."

The website, however, described an INFJ as a "Diplomat", an "Advocate" who adopts constant improvement as her/his strategy - quiet and mystical, yet very inspiring and tireless idealist.

The test that I did online had a more detailed descriptions in which you can read (here). When you do this kind of personality test, the outcome of the test always seems 'understanding'. I couldn't agree more with what the descriptions stated. They're like 80% close to what I've always felt or thought. You know what it feels like when somebody understands you? It feels great. 

So, go and do the test. See what you got and share with me! What's your type? Click (here) for the test.

Of coffee & rewards - Starbucks

I love coffee. There are a lot of coffee houses nowadays. But my favourite had always been Starbucks. The services had always exceeded my expectation. One of Starbucks' feature that I like the most is its Starbucks' Card. The card is similar to your usual Touch 'n Go card where you refill and use it like a debit card. Mine looks like this:

Do you know that you can purchase the card and refill it at any Starbucks outlets? When you first purchase your card, there is an area where you can scratch at the back of the card to reveal security code. By using the card number & security card, you can register you card online and keep track of your rewards. Thus, to register your card:

Go to Starbucks.com.my

Click "CARD" tab

You will be directed to the following page:

There will be three links related to registration/signing in. (1) is for your to register by using card; (2) is for you to create account if you have no account yet; and (3) is for signing in when you have created your account. I have created mine so I can just log in from the following:

When you have log in, you'll be directed to the following. I only have one card but you can own more than one card and have it managed via the website:

When you click "Manage My Card", you get to see the balance that you still have in your card card:

Other than that, you can also check your rewards by clicking at "Card Balance & Rewards":

Like mine, I have (1) one free donut that I am yet to redeem; and (2) one more drinks to go before I can claim complimentary grande beverage. Yay

Other than that, you can also view your past transactions (in case if you forgot how much that drink costs you last time).

Other than the websites, Starbucks Malaysia also has its own official mobile applications for Android which you can also download from Playstore. I am yet to try on the apps. According to the description, you can also pay at Starbucks with the mobile phone whilst also earning rewards in the My Starbucks Rewards™ program. With Starbucks mobile application, you can:

- View your Starbucks Card balance

- Check your Starbucks Card Rewards and see how close you are to your next free drink

- Reload your Starbucks Card

- Get a new virtual Starbucks Card

- Be the first to find out the latest Starbucks promotions 

- Receive special offers and gain access to many other useful features

I'm getting it. Now.

Shopping online

Honestly, most women love shopping. But walking around in malls can be tiring sometimes. So this is why there are such things as “online shopping”. Nowadays, online shopping is the in thing. Personally, I have few favourites online stores that I kept repeating my purchase such as Zalora, Lazada and Fashionvalet. But on the top of my list is the Poplook.

Few years back, I was skeptical on online shopping. I mean, can we trust people online? Will I be cheated? So back then, no matter how interested I was with the product I saw online, I would not buy it. One day, I didn’t know how or why, I suddenly felt the confidence to shop online. I remember that Poplook was the first online store where I made my online purchase. And ever since then, I am now (not quite) addicted to online shopping too.

So, to shop with Poplook, you must first register for an account. Once you’re done, you can start browsing every inch of the website until you found what you want. Like I did:

Click the desired product:

Pic

Choose your size. The measurements are stated at the bottom:

Choose the quantity:

Click “Add to Shopping Bag” and the following box will appear. Now, if you want to keep on shopping, ignore the pop up box, it will appear for a short while only – KEEP ON SHOPPING. But if you’ve had enough and want to pay, you can simply click at the “Shopping Bag” link at the top right of the page and will be directed as follows:

Click “NEXT”:

Check your shipping address & total damage (price). Click “NEXT” and your will be asked on shipping method i.e. “POSLAJU”:

Now, when you click “NEXT”, you will be asked on payment method:

For me, I usually opted for “Online Banking” and once I clicked “NEXT”, I will be directed to the following window:

Clicks “PROCEED” and you will be directed to your usual online banking log in. Once you’ve succeeded with your purchase, an invoice from Poplook will appear on your screen. You can also check your mail on notification from Poplook & iPay88:

Usually Poplook will notify through email the “Tracking Number” that you can check on Poslaju’s website so you can keep track of the parcel’s progress.

Now, come to the hardest part – waiting for your parcel to arrive. FUN.

Disclaimer: This is not an advertorial kind of post. I shop because I want to.

Oh, Emergency!

Today, on my way back from work I came across an accident that happened in front of me. Two ladies on a motorcycle collided with a car. One of them fell on her back laying the ground, conscious but was unable to move while the other one managed to get up on her own. An emergency call was made by one of us (random drivers) that came to help. Since the accident happened at a roundabout, the traffic was quite a heavy one. So for my own peace of mind, I waited with them for help to come.

I was expecting a typical hospital ambulance to come with flashy siren like what usually saw in TV (how naive I am). But it was not. It was a red ambulance escorted by a police patrol car. Mind you, I have always had smooth sailing ride in life and rarely encountered such emergency incident (alhamdulillah.. and not that I am asking for it). Anyway, I think it was less than 15 minutes of waiting for them to arrive.

Since it was not the 'usual' ambulance I expected, being a curious cat I am, I observed. The ambulance attendees wore those uniforms that looked like military clothing but different. They're actually Emergency Medical Rescue Services EMRS Bomba. I know now, that our Bomba has such rescue team. How ignorant I was.

So this got me into thinking. I wonder how this emergency response calls work. I wonder what happened when we call 999. Earlier this year, there was a widespread belief that instead of 999, the number 112 is the country’s most efficient emergency number to use as it connects mobile phone users directly to the police even without network coverage. According to what I read here and here, this was not true.

I know now that 112 is actually the standard emergency number globally. If we dial 112 in a foreign country, our call will automatically be mapped to the designated emergency number of that particular country. And in Malaysia, an agency is appointed to take all 112 calls from mobile phones and re-route it to our designated emergency number – 999.

So here in Malaysia, the MERS 999 is the Government’s initiative to consolidate the emergency numbers in Malaysia into a single number for public convenience – 999. The number covers all types of emergencies involving five emergency service providers – the police, Fire and Rescue Department, Health Ministry, Civil Defence Department and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. 

So, be it 112 or 999 – either one of it will get us to the response centres.

There, I know now.  

Alice: How long is forever? 
White Rabbit: Sometimes, just one second.

― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland