Sale of Greeting Cards

Today, I participated in a CIP event that was organised by the school. For the CIP event, volunteers (yes, this was not compulsory) would have to sell as many of their greeting cards to the public today. I guessed that my job today can be commended, as I sold 70% of the cards I had by today. However, I had a peek at the 'contributions' list (that was over at Choa Chu Kang) , and I saw some (rather huge) disparity between the highest achiever (in salesmen's speak) and the lowest achiever in our class; the difference was 78% ! I thought about how this super achiever (this person might be different elsewhere) , Shu Hui, could have gone about selling cards at 150% of my efficiency on the train ride home. I came up with the reasons below:

#1: The persuasiveness of a professional salesman
One reason could be that she has a very glib tongue that could convince people to buy cards from her. Erm, possible but rather difficult (and funny) to imagine.

#2: Her (natural) charm
Another reason could be that she has shown her cute side, her child side and hence people would be willing to buy cards from her. Erm, isn't this a very whacky thought!

#3: Extra hour
A third reason is that she puts in extra time selling these cards. I mean, she could have probably went around selling these greeting cards on Saturday, so she would have less to sell on Sunday. A far more reasonable thought, for I also practise this too!

#4: --- Shall not be revealed for various reasons (I don't want to be flamed) ---

#5: Location, location, location
A probable reason is that she has gotten herself a place where there is a steady flow of people, and that there aren't any competition for donation. Of course, if you're fighting with others over 'terrority', then your sales would be lower.

#6: Every dog has its day
A last reason is that she has met very generous people while selling cards, who might buy 3 or more packets of cards, while others might get people who refuses to but their cards. This would be the most probable reason why her sales could be so high.

Anyway, back to my sales experience. The number one thing that irks me about Singaporeans, is not just them rejecting my offer, but in how they reject me. I'm fine with people who say 'No, thank you', and I'm grateful (even) if they put in a short reason, like 'I'm rushing for time' and 'I don't have time'. (The most intriguing reason was that she was a volunteer herself. Even if that was fake, I'm more than willing to accept it. Better reason than anyone else.) However, some people say 'Thank you' without the 'No'. It's so weird. 'Thank you, but I have no interest in buying these cards?' or 'Thank you, I would like to buy these cards?'. Why can't they add a 'No' in front? (They could just say no, and I would be fine with it.)

The number two thing is that some Singaporeans and expats (at Orchard MRT) did not even bother to put down their earphones to listen to me speak. For comparison, those at Bukit Panjang has this basic courtsey of putting down their earphones, even if they did not wish to buy the cards. Shame on these business people, who are self-centred and couldn't care more about other people. May dogs from the SPCA be unleashed and bite them, so they will kena rabies!

Enough of these unhappy thoughts. Now, if I could just finish off the remaining 30% of my greeting cards ...

National Science Challenge Opening

Here I'm going to blog about the first episode of the National Science Challenge (NSC) 2008, that I'd just watched earlier.

Firstly, I can't believe that we (as in our school, my team) were featured so upfront in the show! I mean, our BPGHS team as featured right after RI, who were the first to be featured on the show. Being together with RI at the front of the show, I infer that we are definitely one of the best schools, best teams around in Singapore.

Secondly, I can't believe how wonderful a job the post-production team has done on the show. The show looks more fun, and lively too. Take for instance, I caught myself chomping away on TV, complete with "CHOMP CHOMP" bubbles beside my mouth! Also, they have put in bubbles with comments (not real ones of course) by the judges. I remember one of them, where a boy posed as Sir Stamford Raffles, and then another boy hit him, and then the "statue" did not move. The Mediacorp judge, someone involved in the production of the show, was like thinking "What the..."! It would be more complete if she placed three fingers beside her face, like this: |||
Thirdly, I can't believe how some teams can place the workability of props on oversight. A Hwa Chong boy was pulling off a table cloth which had a bowl on top. Unfortunately, it did not work as expected, and the bowl moved with the cloth and landed on the floor (along with some special effects) !

Lastly, I gained new insight on the teams, not just those that qualified for the quarter-finals, but teams in general. I realised that we were very fortunate to have a smooth-working team!

So when our quarter-finals are arriving, I will let everyone here know, so stay tuned!

Songs for every mood

I like to use songs to express my mood. Sometimes I would sing happy songs (or hum happy tunes -- that happens more often) and it would kinda reflect my happy mood. On the other hand, I would sing sad songs when -- you guessed it, I'm sad.

Sometimes it's not just the tune, but also I sing songs which reflect my thoughts, my feelings in the lyrics. Often only part of the song reflects my feelings; it's difficult to find songs to suit certain moods, like songs that would show your sadness in not going for a class outing (for instance) as you could not make it. (Actually I can think of a part of a song that reflects this feeling. Well kind of. Let me know if you know this song?)

Anyway the tune I'm humming to now is One Step At A Time, by Jordin Sparks. The link to the MV and the lyrics are posted below:
Link to the MV
Hurry up and wait
So close, but so far away
Everything that you've always dreamed of
Close enough for you to taste
But you just can't touch

You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting

[Chorus:]
We live and we learn to take
One step at a time
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly
Or falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's
Supposed to happen that we
Find the reasons why
One step at a time

You believe and you doubt
You're confused, you got it all figured out
Everything that you always wished for
Could be yours, should be yours, would be yours
If they only knew

You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting

[Chorus]

When you can't wait any longer
But there's no end in sight
when you need to find the strength
It's the faith that makes you stronger
The only way you get there
Is one step at a time

[Chorus x2]

Have you realised that the lyrics have been modified? Maybe not, but I like to do that, to certain songs especially, so as to better reflect my inner feelings.

On a last note, my inner soul is my best pal. I like to talk to him, discuss things with him, pour out my thoughts with him, even release my stress with him. My inner soul is virtual though (stop thinking about light!), and how I would wish for a real pal!

Significant (numbers in) dates

Being very much a numbers person, I am intrigued sometimes by dates. Take the date of the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony, Friday, 08/08/08 for instance. How often do you ever get such a nice date (All your luck are multiplied 8X8X8X=512X!) ?

However do not discount normally mundane dates. To me, today's date (25/8/08) is rather special too, for if you take away the slashes and put the numbers together, you will get 25808. This so happens to be my PSLE index number, so you can imagine the significance of this date!

Of course, there are so many other special dates for other people. Just go ask anybody on the streets for their special date, and most likely you will get a myriad of dates.

On a side note, what a way to start off my blog!