Hello from Singapore!

Okay I'm now in Singapore.

I'm having a heck of a time accessing my CLC email so please just send or forward any e-mails you've written me in the last 36 hours to sharonnitliong [at] yahoo [dot] com. Please know that I'm not ignoring your e-mails. I just can't read e-mails for some reason. I can get as far as my inbox and see who wrote me, but when I click on the message itself, I'm booted out and no amount of re-logging gets me back in.

I will be back in the Philippines on Sunday, December 21st and hopefully, I'll be able to log into my e-mail account with no problems there.

I'm off! I haven't even checked into my hotel room yet.

Again, since it bears repeating as I know people are anxious to receive their orders - all holiday orders have either a) already gone out or b) will be going out by the end of this week at the latest. As I stated in my previous e-mail, I have someone who has taken over the packing and mailing of the orders in my absence. Your orders are in very capable and confident hands, but as with any new team member, oversights may happen. If this is the case, I will make it right upon my return to the U.S.

Thank you!

Greetings from the Philippines

I finally got internet service! Man, I tell ya, it's times like this where I wish I were back in the U.S. Anyway, I just wanted to give everyone a quick update on their orders.

A bulk of the orders went out before I left. However, there are a number of them, mostly orders from our holiday sale that are waiting to be packaged, packed in a box and shipped. I have someone fulfilling this for me in my absence. All products have been made, with the exception of those that are out of stock. The holiday sets have been packaged extra lovingly and they will ship out by the middle towards the end of this week. According to USPS, last day for Priority Mail shipping in order for a before Christmas arrival is December 20th. Most packages will go out prior to this day.

I truly apologize for the delay. I didn't realize just how much orders I had to complete and the short amount of time I had to fill it before I left. I pulled an all-nighter prior to my departure to make sure all orders were fulfilled. The gift-packaging took longer than I expected so that's what I had to leave behind for someone else to fill. No worries, though. Your order is in very, very capable hands. If however, there is something missing in your order, or there was an item that is out of stock, please rest assured that I will make it right by you as soon as I return. I want you to be completely happy with your order. The thing is that, in spite of the fact that I left the loose ends to be tied in very capable and competent hands, it's still not me seeing your order to fruition so I'm having issues letting go of control. I find a certain sense of fulfillment when I've personally sealed and stamped each box. I've been told it's more of a control issue than anything else. I'm finding it hard to come up with a good argument otherwise.

Again, if there is anything in your order that's missing or was filled incorrectly, please let me know and I will make it right as soon as I return from my trip.

Thanks for reading.

USPS MIA WTH?

Figures...during the busiest time of the year, USPS CnS, among other services on their website is down.

I have packages waiting to go out and on Monday, when I attempted to print shipping labels, I was told that the problem would be fixed in an hour or two. It is now Wednesday.

I am starting to get panicky and angrier by the minute.

I am looking into an alternative solution just so I can mail your orders out. And no - standing in line with 50 plus boxes during the holiday rush season is not a feasible alternative.

Stay tuned.

Filipino Greeting Etiquette

Even though I've lived in this country for 20 years and have adopted a lot of American mannerisms, habits and values, the very core of me is pure Filipino. And while I love my adopted country, the Philippines will always be my home. With that said, I have to remember that Filipinos greet each other differently and what some Americans may consider downright offensive is a big compliment to a Filipino. Case in point -

Filipinos will often say to another whom they haven't seen in a long time...

"O tumataba ka yata!"
Literal translation: You are getting fat.

What a Filipino really means: You must be doing well in life that you can afford good, rich food - prime cuts of meat, hearty soups (not watery broths), desserts and lots and lots of candy.

Possible American interpretation: Daaayummm...hello Ms. McButterpants! Look at that bodonkadonk you got going! (At which point, Sir Mix-a-Lot's I Like Big Butts starts playing.)

I get this greeting a lot when I go home. The Americanized side of me wants to respond by saying, "Well you don't look so hot yourself Fat Boy!" followed by two swift kicks to their shin. However, I know better now and respond appropriately. Like so -

"Really? No stop! Are you sure? Aww jeez, thanks! You're looking pretty fat yourself!"

And this back and forth goes on, all the while feigning bashfulness...

"I'm not fat, you are!"
"What? Who are you kidding? Look at you! You're the one who's fat!"
"No you're fatter than me! You're the one raking in the big dollars!"
"Have you seen the news lately? The U.S. is in a recession! How can I be fat? I can't afford to buy food anymore!"
"You're fatter!"
"No you are!"
"No you!"
"You!"

At one point, I added, "...infinity plus one" after the you're fatter mantra, but they didn't get it.

Oh and this reminds me of when my parents saw my SO for the second time.

My mum tells him in her thick accent, "Hello Chris! It's good to meet you again. You're fat!" (fat pronounced FAHT)
My father adds, "Yes, you have gotten very fat!"
At which point Chris turns to me and mouths the words - W.T.F.???
I told him to just say thank you.
Which he did.
"Uh, thanks?" he says tentatively.

In about 9 days, I will switch to Filipino mode. I will eat only Filipino food. I will speak only in Tagalog. My thoughts will be in Tagalog. I will shop for shoes like a true Filipina.

And in 9 days I have to remember that this fond Filipino saying is a true compliment and one that should be accepted graciously and with aplomb.

Mabuhay! Philippines here I come!

Winding down - but not just yet...

This is sad. I haven't posted in so long I even forgot my login name and password. Note to self: Add to ever growing New Year's Resolution list: Post more often in blog. I enjoy posting in my blog. It makes me feel connected to my customers. I should do it more often. I will do it more often. In 2009. I will. I promise.

I leave for the Philippines and Singapore in T minus 10 days and I still have a lot of work to do. I'd like to have the bulk of the Holiday Gift Set orders out by this weekend. I am shooting for everything to go out by next Wednesday the 10th. I now have 2 part time help so things are moving. Last week, before we opened for the sale, we were busy finalizing the products we're shipping to Singapore. This weekend, I'm going to the warehouse to palletize 550 bottles and jars and 2,000 product samples.

I'm really looking forward to my brief time off. I've decided that I'm going to start something called a Use It Up List. Jaime has opened my eyes and is teaching me how to take my B&B addiction to the next level. Apparently, there are gals out there who keep spreadsheets of their products and track their usage rate/level etc. Complete with color coding and everything!!! Are you for real? Spreadsheets + B&B stash = Heaven! Mainline this combo into my veins baby because I'm about to get high on my own supply!

I'll save this for next week, but I'm already trying to figure out how to set up my spreadsheet. Ideas and suggestions welcome as I'm really a newbie to this. I thought I had it bad with my shopping, concocting, creating and hoarding, but you...you girls with the spreadsheets are putting me to shame! I gotta catch up. I gotta learn quick and set up my spreadsheet fast because I'm starting to feel pangs of spreadsheet envy and feeling slightly inadequate.