Monthly Archives: April 2009

Carpe Diem!

15 Wednesday Apr 2009

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Seize the Day!

The first time I come across this phrase was during my high school prom.
Carpe Diem was the theme for that day. I never really care what it means accept then except that it sounded cool and it’s French!! :oP

Thinking back, I realized how appropriate that had been for me.

I have always been the little mouse amongst families and friends. Preferring to keep my own company and minding my own business. Never do very well in school nor do really badly. Never venture far from home. I was afraid of dark. Stick-like figure and constantly on medication (due to some blood problem).

As we parted after the high school prom, everyone went on their own path. Attended tons of open days and was determine to not follow attend any course where majority of my friends were planning to do. While everyone enrolled themselves into the Australian Program, I did the American Program.

Had great time during my college days and made many friends. Enjoyed the different teaching style and actually did really well in my studies (Dean’s List). My lecturers praise me for my communication abilities and my confidence during presentation. Imagine that !! Me ?!

Carpe Diem!! I think I did seize the day.. ;o)

Cure for Nightmares #__#

09 Thursday Apr 2009

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Chulet has never been very brave and she hates HATES horror movie…

Chulet was thrown into the world of nightmare when she was about 8 or 9 years old. She was watching one chinese horror movie by herself as she is bored and has no homework and mum is not at home !! so, she decided to watch some TV but end up watching horror movie. After that show, it has caused her weeks of sleepless night and also fear of even going to the toilet. For a while back then, she thought that she will never be able to get over it. But, eventually, time heals everything.. ;oP

In most culture, there’s always that ‘one’ thing which scares all kids. Whether it is the boogeyman, vampire, chucky, freddie kruger, ‘toyol’ (explained by wiki as mythical spirit in the Malay mythology of South-East Asia. It is a small child spirit invoked by a bomoh (Malay witch doctor) from a dead human foetus using black magic). And parents will spend countless time trying to convince their kids that there’s nothing in their closet. I really am thankful to PIXAR for coming up with the cartoon Monster Inc. It sure helps if I need to convince my kid that there’s nothing to be afriad of. ;o)

Anyway, the nightmares came back again she was about 12. She was watching some horror movie and that night and after that, the nightmares begin again. I can still remember some flashbacks from that dream. It goes that one very famous singer (not going to say who – and will be reference as ^o^ from here on) went missing and the whole world went franticly searching for ^o^. In the next view, I saw the limbs and parts of the body around my house. After that, it was images of head floating about. *brr… i still get goosebumps whenever I think about it*

I have tried to analyse the triggers for my nightmares.

Of course, the number one reason is from the Horror movies I watch. But then, I also note that I don’t ALWAYS get nightmares after the show.

So, why are the nightmares episode super bad during when I was 8 and 12 ? ..

The answer come to me when I was 15 and was watching one chinese horror movie with my siblings. I realised at one point that this was the really scary movie I watch when I was younger !! However, halfway thru the movie, I realised that I never knew how this movie ends…  That night, I had no nightmare at all. In fact, I slept really well.

Then it hit me that whenever I never complete watching the whole horror movie, I get really really bad nightmares.

So, after that, I always try to force myself to sit thru the whole show no matter how scary it is.

If I am with someone, it is usually easier..

But, whenever I watch it myself, I try to take away all the factors which makes the movie scarier. I will turn down the volume to almost nothing. Make sure the room is super brightly litted. Have a really BIG pillow in front of me. Prepare to switch channel when things get really bad and keep switching in and out until the scene is over. ;oP

And usually, the ending of the show gives me a sense of peace. It is like everything is over. It is ok now..

I know it is silly – but, this is how I watch horror shows even until today (not going to reveal age ;oP ).

Why I still watch them ?

I try not to watch any horror show whenever possible. But, sometimes, during channel surfing.. some show started out really interesting turns out to be horror !! mehh…

Kwanpen / HTC and other OEMs

07 Tuesday Apr 2009

Posted by in Bags, Shopping

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My bf used to be in the PR industry and he told me about Kwanpen and how I should look it up.
So, the curious Chulet went to check out this shop in Starhill.

The bag’s skin and details are amazing. They have so many different designs and exotic skins.. And the color are so delightful and unique !!

While browsing, I noticed some of the bags are exact copies of Hermes’ Birkin and Kelly.

So, I started talking to the lady there.

“Erm… isn’t this like copy of Birkin” – Chulet picking up this gorgeous pinkish purple-ish ostrich skin birkin. (Pardon me if I got the color wrong – BTW, my camera gives a yellow tinge ;oP so, the color from the snapshot isn’t exactly the real color )

Quick snapshot

She smile and answer me.

“YES – it is”

Chulet paused O___O ( ok….why is this in Starhill – since when they allow copy-cats in Starhill (Starhill being this rather posh and upscale shopping area)

Checking out the bag, I note that the skin is really really REALLY really soft and the feel of running your fingers across is just yummMMmy ;oP

I checked the inside of the bag and it is with soft calf leather and side zipper on both side. Nice !! (So many bags nowadays are with cloth lining instead). The steel buckles are made in Italy !!  (Not CHINA! *surprised*)

Other things aside (being a copy and all), taking into consideration that it is really a very good quality bag and … surprise surprise !! The price was quite reasonable too, in my opinion.

This cute little bag only cost about RM 2,400 (USD 650 or EUR 500).

Would you have considered? ( I know many hardcore fans will faint to even let such thoughts linger in their minds… ) ;o)

While checking out this bag, the lady continued to launch into some really interesting information.

She mentioned that Kwanpen which is a Singapore based OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) that produces exotic skinned bag for many big brands out there. All the manufacturing of the bag is done in Singapore and they provide lifetime warranty to their customer !!  (wait – isn’t there such thing as business ethics? or code or non-disclosure, non-copy agreement? … and.. wait .. lifetime warranty ?  WOW  !!)

Sensing my pause, she continued with her story about the owner of this brand, Mr. Kwanpen. ( OO.. so, the owner’s name is Kwanpen)

According to her (pls note that this is not my words – I am only retelling the story) Mr. Kwanpen was actually there together with the Hermes team to slave over the design the first design of the Birkin bag for Jane Birkin.

As explained by her, Kwanpen started out as OEM of exotic skin bags for Hermes.

Upon Hermes management change, their business strategy changed as well. One explanation to that, I believe, is to have a total control on the quality of the bag and also to be able to control the number of bags produced at any one time. This means that buyers will have to wait for their turn to get the bag they want. This will sort of increase the craze and demand for the bag. That way, it will seem like the bag is truly rare.. Personally, Chulet thinks that is brilliant business plan indeed!!

But then, I have never been a very patient person.. I don’t know how I would feel after waiting for like 3 years for the bag. When I get it, will it still feel the same? OR would there be another bag I am crazy over by then? ( I mean, before Birkin, most people were crazy for Kelly bags, rite? ) And I suspect the same bag with Hermes logo on it would probably caused between USD 10k – 20k. Interesting what money we are willing to pay for brand and recognition from our peers.. ;oP

Anyway, back to Kwanpen…

So, is this a case of the spurned manufacturer getting tired of their customer taking away part of their contribution (which makes the something successful) or just a man hoping to make his mark in the world? (If the story is correct – he might feel that he plays a part in the creation of the bag) And will Kwanpen be able to pull it off ??

Apart from Kwanpen, another classic story of OEM turned internationally known brand name is HTC.

HTC was originally the OEM for Dopod and O2, before, they decided to launch into the mobile phone market themselves.

In fact, more and more OEMs are now trying to carry their own products in their own name.

Personally, I think this is actually quite a good thing for us consumers. Some goods produced (really good quality goods) are priced way beyond their cost price (just because of the brand attached to it) If the price is 50% more, I might not have mind so much. But, certain brands actually sell between 10 – 100 times more !!! YES – sad but true.

BTW, I also learned during my little trip that there’s a big difference between a copy and an imitation. ;oP

Since Kwanpen kept their own name on the bag – it can only be call a copy and not an imitation … hahaaa.. nice one.

All in all, it was definitely an interesting trip.