Tuesday, September 02, 2008 . 11:29 AM

Who knew Batam can be so costly? Can I say I did? I really did cos I used the powers of logic. See, Batam is frequented by Singaporeans and angmohs, so it makes sense that they earn as much from us as possible. They don't have to price themselves dirt cheap, just slightly cheaper than Singapore's standards and there you have it. Suckers like us swamp in.

The 2-days weekend at Holiday Inn Resort cost as follows (price in estimation only):

Accomodation + Ferry: $100
F&B: $75
Massages: $250
Transport: $8

In total, I spent $433 for the trip. I may as well just go BKK. But then, it's a good thing we didn't, what with the state of emergency and all. Hey, but it's a really good reason to give boss for not coming to work.

'Sorry boss, I really want to come back to work, but I can't leave my hotel, it's too dangerous! I need another few days' leave...'

Yeah right. In my dreams... but after spending a bomb in Batam, I came back and went straight to Comex. I had totally forgotten what a crush these IT shows are. Just goes to show how many Technophiles there are in Singapore. Scary. I must not be counted among them, though. I didn't go to browse.

I went with a Purpose.

The one. The only. The original. Samsung Omnia.

No, I'm not paid to advertise for Samsung, they got the pretty Korean actresses for that. I just pay to own a small piece of majesty they call the Omnia. I'm in fact, paying $398 for the Omnia. A small price, considering they were selling at the IT show at $488 after a $100 trade-in and 2 years contract.

And the Singtel people at the roadshow are so evil. They looked down their bulbous noses at my Song Ericsson Z610i! Told me it's full of scratches and can fetch only $50. Gah! An outside shop offered me $60 for it ok? And you dumb online store says it's worth $100! So I gathered my bruised pride and snatched my phone back from the evil red-shirt people and stalked out of the Singtel booth... and saw the 3 hours queue.

I did the smart thing, of course. No, not join the queue; that's so Singaporean. I went to have dinner. Hahahaha... I came back later, of course. And because I had doubts about buying Omnia (I blame sister and the evil red-shirt people for planting the seeds of doubts), it was eradicted after I went over to the Samsung booth and toyed with the Omnia. Of course, the sales guy being so darned cute helped too.

Sexy small eyes and smooth skin! That he was pretty short didn't register till later. Anyway, I touched the Omnia and was lost. It made me believe in love at first sight. My dead heart, which hasn't raced for any man in recent years, raced for a mobile phone.

I wanted to own it and own it NOW! (I'm still talking about the phone here, not the cute Samsung guy)

But I can't shell out 900 bucks for it right? I went mournfully home and stared at online pictures of the phone.

Came Monday and after my infamous colleague, MM, irritated one time too many, I logged onto Singtel in a fit of anger. And saw a Miracle!

The Omnia going for $498, even without trading in my scratched phone. I didn't hesitate, I went ahead and bought it online. And so! You're looking at a proud owner of Samsung Omnia... in about 48 hours time.

I can't wait, I can't wait. I want my Omnia, I wanna caress its smooth body and fit it snugly in my hands. Ooooh...

Gimme an O!
Gimme a M!
Gimme a N!
Gimme an I!
And gimme an A!
What do you have?!
OMNIA!!!