Marriott Vacation Club

I was invited to attend a presentation on time-sharing plan by Marriott Vacation Club (MCVI). In exchange for having me sit through the 90-minute sales talk, MCVI gave me $100 worth of Takashimaya gift vouchers. If you have sat through time-sharing presentation before, you will know what I am talking about. 

.

MCVI claims to be the only company selling time-sharing benefits the correct way. There are two types of membership – Standard and Founders. The company is actively recruiting Founder Members for now. To-date, MCVI has more than 500 members on its list. 

.

There are several plans designed to suit one’s income level but a qualified client for the membership has to earn a monthly income of at least $5,000. The plans aren’t cheap and if a client chooses to pay by credit card installments spread over 60 months (ie. 5 years), the company requires proof of income before approving the payment term. 

.

So how much is the “offer”? Membership fee starts from USD12,000 to USD36,000. In addition, there is an annual maintenance fee costing as much as USD960. The maintenance fee may fluctuate over time as the company adds more resorts so good luck to all the members.

. 

Currently MCVI owns 4 resorts and targets to build 10 more over the next 3 to 5 years’ time. As long as the members keep paying the annual maintenance fee, they get to keep their membership for up to 49 years. Not bad, huh?

. 

Other than the membership fee and annual maintenance fee, members who want to enjoy extra benefits are required to pay subscription fee and conversion fee. For example, MCVI has a partner that operates 2000 resorts worldwide and charges MCVI’s members a subscription fee of USD85 for the use of the resorts. Or if a member wishes to convert his membership points to exchange for airfares or Marriott hotel stay, he will have to pay MCVI a conversion fee of USD104. 

.

Membership points system works this way: For buying the cheapest plan that costs USD12,000, you receive 12,000 points to start with. (PS: If you push hard enough, the sales manager may throw in additional 12,000 points for you). Every time when you book a resort, some points get deducted. Resort location and traveling season determine the number of points for deduction. The points system works like most company’s annual leave system. Members are allowed to “borrow” points and accumulate points.  

.

If the points aren’t used up in the current year, members can carry forward the points to the following year. However, there is expiry date for the accumulated points. For unconsumed points reaching expiry date, members are advised to convert them for redemption of airfares and/or Marriott hotel stay.  

.

By the way, if you decide to become a member after you left the presentation, MCVI will only allow you to be a Standard Member without all the extra benefits offered to the Founder Members. Basically it means you are just a sucker if you still want to sign up.  

.

Of course there is a 7-day cooling period that allows a client to withdraw his membership and get a refund, but the salesperson will not mention this. I found this out only much later.

.

Personally I prefer to invest USD12,000 on investment instruments that will help generate passive income than ”investing” in a time-sharing plan that helps me “save” money. Once I have cash inflow, I worry not about cash outflow. Isn’t this smarter money management? But everyone has different needs and priorities in life, therefore my view doesn’t represent yours. Just be a discerning consumer and spend your money wisely. May all of us prosper and lead a happy life.

 

The Answers

So I went to the fortune teller because I was bored to tears with my life, I was depressed too, and I was highly unmotivated.

. 

The fortune teller frowned while breaking the bad news to me. Everything is going downhill — career, health, wealth, love life, etc. How unfortunate! Sucks! No wonder I have been feeling lousy.

. 

“Is there anything I could do about it?” I asked.

. 

Shaking her head, the fortune teller told me to pray. “That may help a little,” she solemnly said. “But …. the future is in your hand. Do something to transform your life and change your destiny,” she offered another piece of advice.

. 

As if I didn’t know! *rolled eyes*

 

2007 Me

.

Friends have been telling me what new year resolutions they have made. I felt embarrassed that I had none. They made me feel like I am a ambition-less person with no dreams or desires.

. 

Oh well, looks like I have to make up my own list and stop embarrassing myself. I came up with this (incomplete) list …

. 

1. Be happy.

2. Don’t be unhappy.  =P

3. Give out lots of love to people I love (up the intensity) and love back those who love me.

4. Forgive those who don’t love me and those  who don’t love me as much as I love them.

5. Practise The Law of Attraction (Positive thinking! Positive thinking!)

6. Live a healthy lifestyle (as always).

. 

2007 is gonna be a fantastic year for me. I know it. 

. 

PS: Happy new year to all of you!

 

New Design

 

.

Finally Nail Palace gave me a design that I like. Pretty white rose! 

 

Facts About Men

.

Studies by Dr. Karl F. Robinson of Northwestern University reportedly prove that men change their minds two or three times more often than do women.

~

It’s commonly believed a man picks out a wife who reminds him of his mother while a woman picks out a husband who reminds her of her father. But that’s not right. Recent research indicates both the man and the woman are most influenced in their selection of matrimonial mates by their mothers. If a woman regards her mother as stern, she’s likely to go for a stern husband. If she thinks of her mother as gentle, she looks for a gentle husband. The father of the bride or groom just doesn’t have all that much to do with it, poor fellow.

~ 

A two-year study conducted at Stanford University demonstrated that, other factors being equal, men are as much as 50 percent more proficient than women in solving complicated problems.

~

There’s a curious difference in the ways that single girls and bachelors pick their romantic partners. The girl might have a dozen boyfriends, none of whom seems to be like another or anything like the sort of fellow she eventually winds up marrying. But the young bachelor is inclined to select all his ladyfriends, including finally his wife, for their similar qualities.

 

Facts About Women

 

Women can talk longer with less effort than can men. That has been proved repeatedly. Why? Because the vocal cords of women are shorter than those of men and so release less air through them to carry the sound. It’s all a matter of breathing.

~ 

Studies conducted by University of Southern California psychologists show that women are more subject to feeling depressed and “down in the dumps” than men.

~ 

Psychological studies show conclusively that, while emergencies tend to upset a woman more, in a real crisis she is likely to remain calmer than the average male.

~

Women’s hemlines go up as the economy gets better. They stay put when nothing happens in commerce. They go down when business drops off. Question is why. Nobody knows why, evidently, but the record indicates the pattern dates back more than 65 years.

 

The Sonnet

 

I am a sucker for online personality tests. LOL. Here’s another one I found: The Dating Persona Test.

Deliberate Gentle Love Dreamer (DGLDf)

Romantic, hopeful, and composed. You are the Sonnet. Get it? Composed? 

Sonnet wants Love and have high ideals about it. They’re conscentious people, caring and careful. You have deep convictions, and you devote a lot of thought to romance and what it should be. This will frighten away most potential mates, but that’s okay, because you’re very choosy with your affections anyway. You’d absolutely refuse to date someone dumber than you, for instance.

Lovers who share your idealized perspective, or who are at least willing to totally throw themselves into a relationship, will be very, very happy with you. And you with them. You’re already selfless and compassionate, and with the right partner, there’s no doubt you can be sensual, even adventurously so. 

You probably have lots of female friends, and they have a special soft spot for you. Babies do, too, at the tippy-top of their baby skulls.

Take the test here:

http://www.okcupid.com/online.dating.persona.test

 

Meaning of JA.NICE

 

.

J  is for Joyful

A is for Active

N is for Natural

I is for Intelligent

C is for Charismatic

E is for Exuberant

 

.

Click here to take quiz if you have nothing better to do.

 

Nail Art … Again

 

I didn’t like the plain design of my latest nail art done at the salon, so I added patterns and colors on it using my nail color pens. 

It seems the standard of the manicurist at this nail salon is getting worse. The design they did for my nail got worse at each of my visit.

  

 

My Five Variable Love Profile

Propensity for Monogamy:

Your propensity for monogamy is high.
You find it easy to be devoted and loyal to one person.
And in return, you expect the same from who you love.
Any sign of straying, and you’ll end things.

Experience Level:

Your experience level is high.
You’ve loved, lost, and loved again.
You have had a wide range of love experiences.
And when the real thing comes along, you know it!

Dominance:

Your dominance is low.
This doesn’t mean you’re a doormat, just balanced.
You know a relationship is not about getting your way.
And you love to give your sweetie a lot of freedom.

Cynicism:

Your cynicism is medium.
You’d like to believe in true and everlasting love…
But you’ve definitely been burned enough to know better.
You’re still an optimist, but you also are a realist.

Independence:

Your independence is high.
You don’t need to be in love, and sometimes you don’t even want love.
Having your own life is very important for you…
Even more important than having a relationship.

. 

(PS: Hehe. Once I start, I can’t stop. The quizzes are so fun to try. =P)

.

Click here to take quiz