The kids and I went into the city(San Francisco) on Wed. Ashwina’s passport had expired and I was able to apply for one online and even took the picture myself. I got an email saying the photo was approved and ICA(government body in Singapore) was processing the application 24 hours after I submitted the application. How freaking efficient is that?
2 weeks later, I got another email saying her passport was ready for for collection and I should go down to the embassy in the city.
It took us another week before we could figure out schedules and when we could go. I didnt want to drive there(parking is horrible and I suck (SUCK with all caps for emphasis) at parallel parking.) I didnt want to drag all 4there. NK said he would take time off and would drop Ashwina and I andthen go find parking and meet us back.
So we alight at some other random road. I start looking for the building number. Eventually I located the building. We go in, have to sign in and show id.
We walk into the elevator and it only goes to the 2nd floor. The people in the elevator say you have to press the keypad outside. We go back down to the lobby. I stare at the elevators keypad. It had a ATM like keypad on the wall. I ask Ashwina what floor did he say it was on? She doesnt say anything.
I scratch my head and then decided to go out and ask the security guy. He comes in and shows me how to operate the freaking elevator. Apparently, you have to call the elevator to the floor you want. There were 6 elevators A,B, C, D,E, F. You press your floor number. Ours was 24. Then it would flash a alphabet and you to corressponding elevator. How freaking high tech is that? Have you ever heard of such a system?
We go up, get the passport( she has a biometric one) and then come back down. I smile at the security guy and tell him I have NEVER used such an elevator before. I told him I feel like a country mouse. He laughs and says, oh it has confused many people. You are certainly not the first one.
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We went to a birthday party. The host of the party was Armenian. Lots of good food and strong coffee. I proceeded to stuff myself. Tomorrow, I have my 2nd auction item. I bid and won a Champagne brunch with this author. I and 8 other woman are meeting at the mom’s house for champagne and discussion with the author. I cant wait.
the blurb for the book looks interesting….write about it OK.
I have never heard / seen any such elevators … if you are, then count me as a country mouse as well
Me:
Very hi-tech! I haven’t even read that in a book or seen it in a movie. Whoa!
Me: Me either. But did you see Kenny’s comment. There is one in Mumbai. maha impressed.
my building in mumbai has such an elevator! its not so uncommon though it always drives every visitor nuts. i mean, despite the fact that we have only three elevators (A,B&C).
on country mouse!
Me: Really! Impressed!
They use that elevator system at the Marriott Times Square in New York City. If the security guys see you come in with luggage, they immediately take you to the elevator and show you how it works, but regardless every time I stay there, I see any number of people confused by how it works, getting on to whatever elevator doors open and then realizing they’re going to whatever floor the person in the elevator with them is going to.
Me: Now if I *ever* go to that particular hotel, I would know what to do.
high tech elevators indeed!
Enjoy the discussion…. and tell us about it later.
Me: hey how have you been?
Me good, how and where have you been lady??? Miss you!
LOL I was a bit like that when I walked into the new Deloitte building here in Melbourne for a meeting. I was like…wow…. but then thought it’d be highly inefficient in peak times lol.
Give me my normal type lifts anyday
Me: I was thinking the same thing. What would they do in peak traffic hour? So useless right
There are such elevators here in SG also..In the CBD area.
Is confusing to use, even more difficult when u r high on alcohol…
Me: Hmm hello..wasnt drunk in the afternoon. Siao chabo!
thanks to you, we would know better and pretend to be city mice! know it all types! :p
cheers!
Me: rofl. Always willing to help. Thats me.
Let me join the Country mice club too! How does Armenian food taste?
I haven’t heard of such elevators.Thanks for writing about it!
I can pretend all cool and composed if /when I come across these.
p.s: I have been following your blog since few months and am hooked.
Big fan of your energy and enthu, Super woman!!
Me: Hey, waves hello.
*scratches head while looking extremely confused*….. lol i had to re-read your post to imagine it in my brain……hahaha thanks for the tip – and if ever i’m stuck…i’m texting u for instructions!
Our hotel in Honolulu had that kind of an elevator. we had to show our room key(card) on the keypad and it will display the alphabet and we had to get into that elevator. let me tell you, scared the hell out of me with two kids in tow. now if one of them ran into some elevator, God help me because there was no way in hell i can follow them back. I would nt know how to get into that elevator, which floor,…. argh!!!
Me: That sounds even more high tech.