May 29 2007
Remote Control Helicopter (Toy)
On Friday 18 May, I went to China under a very short notice, to observe a new supplier’s work over the weekend. It was a very rush trip, with very little time for myself.
I arrived in Beijing hotel mid morning Saturday, had a short nap, went over to the Toy City to get some toys for my children within 30 min, and then went straight to the agency’s office and started working till late night. I still owe a friend to buy a table runner for her (next time ya?).
Sunday morning, flew to Shanghai, rushed to the agency’s office and worked till late night. Monday morning, flew to Guangzhou, spent some time arguing over their mistake, changed hotel, rushed to the agency’s office and worked till late night - same on Tuesday. Wednesday, left Guangzhou after lunch heading back to KL. What a busy schedule, so no chance to sight see and/or taste the delicious local food. Most of my meals were fast food, delivered to the office. 
Anyway, what I wanted to highlight is the toys that I bought from Beijing. I bought a remote control helicopter for Ian. I always wanted to buy this and have been waiting for a trip there to buy. It is very cheap, much cheaper than here in KL. I remember checking the price from a wholesaler here, the cheapest one would still cost above RM100.
In BJ, I asked for the cheapest one, and found this one only RMB60 (RM30). It was made of foams. Just when I was about to pay for it, I curiously asked about another one which look a lot more sophisticated. That one costs RMB190 (RM95). After negotiation, I bought it with RMB140 (RM70).
Why bought that? Its wings are made of soft plastic, saw it dropped and hit many times, won’t get damaged. It really can fly up and directions can be controled and can fly back to us.
I was actually very excited over this helicopter toy, to a certain extent that I doubt my intention of buying it — for Ian or for myself?
I reached home on Wed night, went to work early on Thur, then only got the chance to ‘test-drive’ the toy on Thu night.
Aiyoh, I was so lousy in controlling it. It just keeps hitting into things, dropped. It requires some ‘micro-tuning’, which I didn’t know before reading the mannual (my fault). Then Ian got scared that I might damage the toy and asked me to stop.
Friday morning, I tried flying it again, managed to tune it to follow my instruction, but still need to master the skill. Ian, again, got scared and asked me to stop.
In the afternoon, after returning from the studio and hospital with Isabel, I put all children to MIL’s place and went home to try the helicopter again.
This time… dadadada! The moment it flew up, I hit it on Ian’s book case… PLAAAKKKK!!! One of the wings broke.
It just BROKE! It was just my 3rd trial! How can that soft plastic break? It was like a piece of paper. It was so soft and so thin. It just BROKE. I haven’t even managed to control it yet, not safistfied playing with it yet. My RM70 gone, just like that. Not even two full days!
I tried to fix the wing with tape — resulted it turn in spiral but not able to lift up.
Then, tried to glue with super-glue — the wing is just so thin that the super glue also can’t hold.
Basically, my expensive toy has gone kaput in just 3 trials. Sob, sob, sob. I am so heart sick. Can’t get over it, even this morning during the wee hours I suddenly remembered it in my dream - woke up and couldn’t sleep. 
So, you see, who did I buy the toy for? More for myself, isn’t it? In fact, Ian didn’t feel anything though I apologized to him. Hahaha!
Oh, remember the toy car that Ian got on his birthday? It only costs RM20 in the same wholesale market Toy City. Maybe the locals can buy it even cheaper.
I bought two wooden toys for Isabel, quite solid, and costed only RM10 and RM20 respectively. Saved quite a lot! I tell you, I just love toys, and I always doubt why I keep buying for my children - is it because I think they like or because I like them myself?! I love to see my children playing those toys that I liked.
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hahaha… guess there is a hidden ‘kid’ inside all of us. we all love toys. I went to this toy whole sale market in Guangzhou, and I almost bought an RC helicopter too. The only thing stopping me from buying was how to carry it back home. Anyway, my ciplak RC aeroplane is now sitting there eating dust. Still remember Ian almost wreck it? hahaha…
charsiu:
Yes, I still remember your RC plane, and I think Ian still remember that! I actually saw this RC helicopter long time ago, wanted to buy but also didn’t buy for the same reason - no luggage space. This time, I purposely brought a large suitcase, and bought the toy on the first day. 
[...] Unexpectedly, he said: “Ya, mama why you spoiled my helicopter?” [...]