My Experience with DBS/POSB's new SMS 'Q' system

Last week I have finally decided to get my fat bottom moving and headed over to open a bank account for baby K.

POSB recently has this new queue system which they advertised as one that can save you much waiting time as you can request for a queue number through SMS before heading over to the bank. To quote from them, 'With the DBS SMS “Q” option, you can now join queues at our bank branches remotely without being physically present in line'.

This is the commercial in case you missed it:

Such a brilliant idea right? What could have gone wrong? I mean, this is totally customer-oriented!

So while I was walking over to POSB, i SMSed the number provided and was notified that there was no one in queue for 'account opening'. Instinctively to avoid missing my turn, i then decided to SMS only when i have reached the bank (which was just five minutes later I swear). 

Suddenly I am two numbers away! I guessed there probably were two customers who miraculously decided to open bank accounts within that five minutes of me walking. 

Anyway, the sms stated that it will 'send me a reminder when it was nearing my turn'. So nearing my turn means probably before my actual turn right? Unless we are not speaking the same language. So dumb dumb me went to the store next door to kill some time (yes i know right, not exactly a smart move when there were two persons ahead of me in the queue but hey, there were only two counters serving new accounts and other services).

Then after quite some time my phone rang: 'please proceed to counter xxx now to be served'. 

Eh hello? What happened to 'nearing my turn'?? 

But never mind that, since it is my fault for being so trusting. I walked really fast (like Godspeed compared to my last trimester) only to receive another sms almost immediately: 'you have missed your turn. Please reply "5" for a new queue number.' 

{#^%}£?!*

Ji Dan Gao. 

So this time round, i have to wait there patiently for my turn even though once again the sms told me i will be notified when it is 'nearing my turn'.

After eternity, i was served and after a while at the counter, i received the sms again, to proceed to the counter 'now' for my turn.

You think I will fall for it wouldn't you? Ah hah.

It is a good thing that I do not have to go to the bank often, but this 'sms to avoid queuing' system is a flop. Whoever came up with this should either 

1. Review the English used ('nearing'?); or

2. Remind people that skipping the queue just means that there will be no line but you are still required to be physically there in the bank (think McDonalds' crowd at the collection point); or

3. Hara-kiri (joking k, please do not do that)

On another note, i must applaud POSB's staff as they really displayed good customer service. The redeeming factor of my visit that day.

P.S. while i was waiting for my turn (again), this lady came up to me with a tablet and asked if I have used their sms service to get a queue number. I looked at her, smiled (probably not a pretty one given how irritated i was), and said, 'yes, don't get me started on it'. I was hoping she will ask me for feedback but she decided it was better to get out of my way. *shrug*

Have you experienced the new system? Did you encounter the same issues as i did? Let us know by commenting below!

Of Kurma Milk and Carbonara Linguine

Here's Baby K smiling happily at her 12th week!

Made some dates milkshake this morning. Crossing my fingers and hope that it will be a milk booster for me!

Kurma Milk, also known as Dates Milkshake, is simple, nutritious, and delicious!

There is a lot of hype online for Farm Fresh Kurma Milk, which is said to be a milk booster for many breastfeeding mummies. They are selling for ~SGD7 per 700ml bottle online, and most of them are for bulk purchase. This isn't very ideal for me because i doubt i can finish the drink before they expire.

Dates are now readily available everywhere because of Ramadan, so I just grabbed a box at the supermarket. It is however, too sweet for me to eat them on its own. That's when I decided to make my own dates milkshake.

All you need is a blender, some dates, fresh milk, and water. Just remove the seeds and soak the dates in some water to soften them before blending the dates, water, and fresh milk together.

We didn't manage to make a trip to the wet market so I do not have any fresh ingredients on hand for dinner. Instead, inspired by the new western food stall near my estate, I made some Carbonara Linguine. :)

I thought it will be a little dry but surprisingly the runny egg made the pasta pretty good! *BHB*

It's Lactation Cookies Baking Day!

Finally back online after a long hiatus!

Been really busy since the baby was born, and it took a while for me to get used to life as a mum.

My days now are pretty much a fixed routine... Someone asked how is life as a mum? All i can say is, days are like endless cycles that pass by very quickly: Feed the baby, burp the baby, coax the baby, pump milk, and repeat the cycle several times a day. Squeeze in some time in between to bathe the baby,.wash and sterilise bottles, grab a bite, wash her clothes, prepare dinner, and at the end of the day, pray hard that she sleeps early.

Baby K was in a good mood this morning. Gave me a huge grin after she woke up and had her milk *cue hearts in the air*

I wonder why parents will always find their own kids cute; maybe it is nature's way to ensure that the kids survive the harsh environment haha.

Lactation Cookies: Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Chips

Today while Baby K was having her afternoon nap, I decided to make some lactation cookies for myself. Baked three flavours: peanut butter, dark chocolate chip, and cranberries & raisins.

Was quite an accomplishment given how I have procrastinated and delayed baking for weeks!

 I personally love the peanut butter cookies as it blends really well with the cookies. I could still taste a hint of brewer's yeast for the cranberries & raisins flavour so I probably have to refine the recipe further. Can't wait to make other flavours after I finish eating this batch!

Thai Green Curry Rice with Omelette

Because i was busy baking, dinner was much simpler. I made Thai Green Curry Rice with Omelette. :) We bought the spice mix during our Bangkok trip and it has been resting in the pantry since then. Pretty fragrant and packs a punch! Totally recommended if you like spicy food!