A pinch of Salt

If i need to take things with a pinch of salt, i reckon i'll need at least a few bags of salt.

Employment through ability, i rather it be attitude. At least there are some things that can be taught.. those that can't are the ones that are of value-adding. That said, re-train however much also won't create value. There are things that money can't buy.. really.

Employment IMO is to value-add.. and if marginal cost is more than marginal return, then for what? My preference is with one-time payment than infinite installments. Which means, if technology can replace the job scope, why not? The payoff will most likely be very very soon.. and not only that, it can keep all the small circles away.

I believe that sincerity goes a long way. To be sincere doesn't mean to be perfect, but to give customer whatever is due, and not to shortchange customers through unnecessary shortcuts. To know is one thing, to understand is another.

And to be able to bring, one needs to able to see. That is, to foresee whatever is foreseeable, and to have contingency for the unexpected.

Said i need at least a few bags of salt le..

Just that little Bit

All it needed was just that little bit of change.

A little bit of change that sets things right. Then the rest will follow.

Had a change of perspective today, and hoped that it got integrated before i forget - "Cause and Effect".

Will be off to the chocolate factory counting chocolates tomorrow morning.. and seriously for most of the past 25 years, i never thought that i would take this path.. at least not as the 1st full-time job after graduation. But so much things that got stacked together and then i end up where i am now. Nothing to lament, and nothing to be glad. A reason for everything, and i accept.

And with change, certain memories are being denied. There is no need to already. Not totally cleared, yet i'm comfortable at this level. Perhaps when i'm old and with nothing to do, nostalgia can be a form of entertainment.

With those emo dodos cleared, i can make better use of those energy. Energy to improve on things around - environment and me. Little changes that goes a long way.

Why?

"Singaporean hostage dies in Mumbai attacks" - Yahoo news

A sad piece of news.. and really wondered why there are people out there acting so brazenly. My condolences to all the victims and their families.

May this kind of vile act never happen again, no matter what the clause is.

Fallout

Nowadays like a lot of rare happenings around sg. Really uniquely sg.

Days ago, one guy attempted to rob one of the local banks.. but his plan was foiled.. coz he never shaved properly. Then today, one worker was killed by the beh hors in the zoo.. wah leh.

Maybe partly due to lehman fallout i think. It was really an oversight from those that was supposed to save it IMO. See what the lehman fallout do to the whole economy and well-being of the society? People got affected by it's ambiguous product, and the FIs suffer from having to assume responsibility due to goodwill, and then the staffs got affected becoz the FI had to cut cost. Now the whole economy is in shambles and it is no wonder that some might do irrational things.

And due to the credit crunch, even the IR also got affected. Too much betting on the IR le.. even before it was opened. Should it fail, it would likely to be another one of those lehman fallout.

Heard from my friends that the retrenchment exercise started.. and now it's only the finance sector.. it is really gloomy lor. Hopefully they will get to keep their jobs.

$1.65 Painkiller can't cure this

The $1.65/pill painkiller worked surprisingly well for AS.. and actually, it was manufactured to be easier on the stomach... just so it happen to cut down on instances of allergic reaction too.

So i tested the new painkiller today, with no side effect.. maybe also no painkilling effect.. lol.. got used to it so much that i can't feel the difference.

Anyway, other things to perhaps, be happy about. 3 FIs announced yesterday that they will compensate/buyback the failed structured products from those deemed vulnerable. By vulnerable they mean those old and/or those that receive little education. Sadly, the matriarch of my village failed to qualify for either criteria. Strangely, it seems that everybody else is supposed to know what a swap is by default. And if you fail to inform investors of the exact risk/reward profile of the product in detail, and then shift all responsibility to investors just becoz they signed on the dotted line is kind of without ethics. And to get staffs not meeting the mark through extensive training or education/knowledge to serve the general population is definitely not a very professional thing to do.

Compensating on a case by case basis is goodwill on the part of the FIs, but vulnerable doesn't always have to apply to old people and those that received little education. Again, finance is not something that everybody knows.. unless it is incorporated in your daily job, or you happen to study finance. Some of the terms like swaps are not something everyone can understand. It isn't a surprised that many still thinks that the structured product is a bond. Why not? the name itself is already misleading. But to compensate through certain criteria is as if that the rest really deserve it for putting implicit trusts in those that sell them the products, so when it fails, they OBG right?

However, i must say that the FIs are working very hard to find a resolution. And now for the rest, there might be an option of letting the product to run for another few more years till maturity. Yet, it just prove to be even more sleepless nights.. imagine having to wake up every morning wondering whether your investment is safe.. and it all happened becoz you thought it was having a similar risk profiles of a bond.

So that day on ST, someone said that it is unfair for FIs to compensate for the losses of the investors becoz it is in black and white. And then this someone compared the investors to gamblers of a casino saying that you can't demand a return of your chips from the casino operator just because you lost them on the tables. And if this is possible, the shareholders of listed companies can also demand compensation for a fall in share prices. IMO, if it doesn't happen to you, you won't feel the pain.. however, that is besides the point.

For:-
(the "you" refer to the author of the article)

1) Investors are not gamblers. You gamble with that knowledge of losing everything.. but bond investors (as some of the investor are being misled into thinking that they are bond investors) are those with low risk profiles. Heard of risk aversion? Heard of equity premium puzzle? (and even though so, the minibond is NOT even a bond, so there might be no premium puzzle)

2) Gambling is a zero sum game. Either the casino wins or the punters win. There is no win-win situation. Investing on the other hand is SUPPOSED to be a win-win situation for the FIs and investors.

3) Investors do not over-invest. They just failed to diversify. Why diversify if you truly believed that this so called "bond" (which i must stress again is not a bond) is SUPPOSED to be safe? Then you will diversify your interest away don't you? And failure to diversify is not over-gambling.

4) Gamblers can choose whatever game they wished to play, without the dealer influencing them on their decision. Some sales staff from the FIs try to sell the structured products to people who just want a simple fixed deposit. You really think those being swayed by the sales staffs really deserved it? Do you think they represent the product in a fair manner?

5) Shareholders are owners, investors are lenders. In anycase, lenders are creditors that have a priority claim higher than that of a shareholder in the event of insolvency. To par shareholders with lenders is another load of bull. If they are the same, why don't they share some of the profits with the investors?

6) Shareholders can hold the management liable if they failed to perform (for example the dropping of share prices) in the coming AGM by replacing those responsible.. but for the investors, what real option do they have in this case? Lawsuit? Protest? And even so, they do not solve the root of the problem.

I'm just short of flaming the author.. and already this entry is slightly altered to omit the more unfriendly expression. But after reading his/her full article, it is something really IHO (in his/her opinion), and perhaps the greatest mistake is making it into the ST.. that's all.

Of coz, to make shareholders pay (through a fall in share prices) is not fair, neither is making taxpayers pay through fiscal/monetary policies. For sure, this is hardly a win-win situation.. coz someone, somewhere, has already won. The money is somewhere else, maybe in some high-end SPA, but nowhere near that is.

There won't be any solution soon, and the solution won't be as clear cut as those being compensated in full. Every decision is critical.. and so it is putting a lot of stress on the village's matriarch. You think she really deserves it?

A Simple Question

A simple question - "Is this fair?"

A very familiar question, and even more so when it was put across to the CEO of a now defunct investment bank elsewhere. Why is it unfair? Why not? Coz what he received during he tenure of 8 years is enough to buy him 500 ferraris.. or maybe more since it was in USD. And to receive such bonus while not being able to maintain the solvency of the bank, is it really fair?

Very irresponsible of him.. and the whole insolvency caused so much "stress and inconvenience" to the whole village... especially in times of impending economic crisis (which is again made worse by them). The wait for a resolution from the fallout is getting too draggy le.. and it is no wonder why the villagers are unhappy.

If it doesn't happen to you, you won't know how it feels.

Doh liao loh~

Just like the stock market today, MOS (sg) doh-ed today.

I guess it must have made no difference. Most crubs here are short-lived, with the exception of a few which are still around. The then MOS was so high-profiled, with different rooms offering different genre. For the usual crubs, the genre is determined by the day of the week. Then it was starting to get rather werid. Anyway, it isn't as fun as it was supposed to be.

Then the market doh-ed today, creating a new low of 2.1k+. It was almost on its way to 4k just last july. A zero sum game, the transfer of wealth must be great. Most likely, the rich got richer, the poor got poorer. As usual. But the stock market is supposed to be 'risky', to some extent, like a online casino with a in-house loanshark. You can always 'contra' even if you don't have the cash needed, and some time before the ban of naked shorting, opportunity to short shares even if you don't own the shares. Yes, very risky indeed. Even more risky is the trading in warrants (they got expiry date). I once saw a percentage gain/loss of 300% (in a day, and you can gain/lose the same % in that period of time).

Bonds are perceived as a lower risked investment (in at least of investment grade bonds) of coz offered lower rate of return of about 3-5%p.a.. and most likely, the bond is contracted to about 5 years. However however however.. the lehman bros that doh-ed made it all so much different. At least with the stock market (and also the sg insurance co.that attracted people to go there drink coffee), you still can choose to preemp by running first with the money. Lehman lei? No chance. You think people so free to check out on every entities linked to the product meh? If so, i might as well lend the money to the borrower directly and bypass the the FIs. FIs do delegate monitoring? pi ar~ Simi is value add? Value add is after people doh liao then call you say your money all gone?

But given the status of the bros when get involved in these bonds, sales staff will most likely to say/think, "will doh one meh?". Perhaps those willing to invest thought so too. Maybe investor didn't bothered to find out that if one doh, the bond is considered as default. Maybe they didn't even know got such thing.. coz what they see is how much interest income it offered in the next 5-7 years. And with some of the very strong local bank and one of the largest US commercial bank on the list, who cannot be assured? Can you blame the investors? No. Coz they don't really know what thing triggered what, and how will lehman be so involved and affected by the sub-prime toxic. And can you blame the sales for pushing sales? No either. Because nobody can forsee. And if they don't push sales, they won't get the pah pah bonus and all can go eat grass le. Perhaps you can only say they don't know how to sell through emphasizing on the downside enough. But who would sell like that?

I sell bedlinen also never really go tell the whole word that it is made in somewhere else, different from where is company is.. that is unless customers ask. If i go around telling people 'where it is made' instead of 'where it is from' (they are really different) i can go eat grass also le. But made in where is a commonsense question... but financial products are complex. Not commonsense. And it was made even more complicated with the multitude of FIs getting in the picture like forex and i/r swaps, underwriting, guaranteeing and all those fee services. If one link is broken, the product fails.. Cost nobody will want to tah the rubbish for free. Anyway, the money lost isn't theirs.. so the most they can do is say, "sorry".

I didn't say they sell financial products without telling the truth or misleading investors (if they do, most likely people will complain to the central bank le).. i'm just saying that some of them don't emphasize the risk enough. EMPHASIZE on the EMPHASIZE. By enough, maybe keep emphasizing on the entities and their role in the product.. and what will happen to the contract if there is any disruptions to the functions of each of them. No need to explain what is 5% pa. This is confirm commonsense (and most likely they will bold it in the pamphlets). Unless it is written return of 25% in five years, and principal amount not guaranteed. Then they need to emphasize the fine print le.

Maybe coz the sales staff (or 'relationship manager' as they like to call themselves and investors just as the rest of the depositors like to call themselves) didn't go into details that's why so many investors are unhappy. Unhappy that they want to go honglim park this saturday to protest. But.. protest against what? Against the FIs for saying the return is 5%pa, principal is not guaranteed, the risk that you can lose everything should anything under the 'defult section' of the prospectus occurs to any one of the entities? It sounds direct enough. But how many of investors know lehman well enough at that point in time to question the product? I guess that even some of the staff don't even know. At least for the pillowcase, the "made in *****" can be found inside the pillowcase.. and there is even a full refund policy within 30 days. So if anyone is so unhappy seeing the "made in" tag, they can always return the goods. For a full refund somemore. Where to find this feature in financial products? Early bird terminations means they will return less than what you put in.

It won't be a suprise to see how irritated the investors are at honglim park this weekend... coz some of them put their life savings (i've heard a case of one investor putting sgd200k) into these products. It's like suddenly losing your only house overnight. Remember they say don't put all your eggs in one basket? Diversification only works when disaster strikes. And in this case, one of the worse financial disaster of the century.

With that, i think the "equity premium puzzle" (that is why people still go for bonds even though the returns on equity is much higher after risk adjustment) should change to "bond default puzzle" (that is why people want to go for bonds given that you can lose everything overnight even though the risk is so much lower).

Well.. whatever works for those investors this coming sat.. hopefully they will feel better after that. If not, the corner can also go eat grass le.

First Ever Bumpy (Night) Grand Prix

Just as the GP starts here, another bank (WAMU) in the US bites the dust. Although the depositors' savings are protected, somehow, it just show how bad the bank is being managed even though there are plenty text examples about ALM (asset and liability management) and all that. I really doubt they put it into good use (wondered where all the additional profits from the addition risks taken went to). Anyway, it just shows that the show ain't over yet.

Finally got to watch the world's first ever night GP today at home, on the tv. Tix were too expensive by the way. I was awed by the fact that it took place at night.. coz the tv screen just look weird with all the cars racing at night. Apart from that, nothing really that trilling. Street circuit is common, especially under the shadows of the Monaco street circuit (nice view by the way)... or so i thought.

Then it struck me. I was wondering why the cars were bouncing around. Sparks were literally flying. It was too bumpy le. It turns out that their greatest concern about the lighting was nothing much afterall. Then the pit lane was inconveniently located, such that drivers entering the pit will block those trying to rush to the start/finishing straights. It was also quite funny to see the branches blocking some parts of the view..

Even though they might want to showcase some of the landmarks of sg such as the anderson bridge, sg flyer, durian esplanade and all the others, in the night, on my tv, i can't really see much (maybe they should shine that wow-so-special lights on these landmarks instead).Or maybe they should consider including our ERP gantry lor.. uniquely sg wor. The 'hole' in one of the grandstand looks special though, and i quite liked it. By the way, the markings on the road looks irritating.. it was pointing one way, while the cars were traveling in another direction.

Well.. it was kind of difficult for the organisers to foresee these problems, especially the bumpy road surface. But at least they could have done a bit more dry runs (with more road closures sadly) using different race lines. Sadly, the bumps are making this track famous instead of being the first night race.

Oh by the way, don't expect locals to be excited about the GP.. it's just not the same as the olympics. We don't have our very own drivers, not even foreign talents.

With experience and feedback, i supposed the race next year will be greater and nicer. After 5 years, we will know whether the marina circuit is a success or not.. and i hoped i will at least once get to see it 'live'... after i've store enough of my salary.

p/s: it's IMO purely, really.

The "Lost Decade"

The lost decade is with reference to the jap economy during the 1990s. It was caused by asset price bubble and it took them very long to recover.

Similarly, the US might have the same outcome coz one thing leads to another... and another and another.

Just hope that with the 'lesson learnt' decades ago, they can put an end to all these nonsense sooner.

With that, i think my banking degree is barely sufficient to tackle the banking sector now.. and hopefully if i ever attempt another path, i don't end up with a lost decade again.

Milk Crisis

Somehow, the tainted milk is just like the bad assets of the financial sector. It just spread and spread, and then many end users find themselves exposed to the risk.. just becoz someone at the beginning didn't do their job.

The intention of adding melamine is very zek ark.. as with the sub prime lending and borrowing. For profit, the rest didn't really matter to them huh?

Just once is enough le lor.. i already miss the luncheon meat, now i'm going to miss all the dairy products.

Glimmer

Finally something not as gloomy.

The STI managed to climb back from the negative after lunch amid some positive news. The central banks pumped in more liquidity, and the remaining banks are on their way to mergers. Plus, some markets are putting a temporary halt to short-selling (which drives the share down by selling first and then buying back the shares at a lower price). They could have done all these sooner rather than to allow the market to 'correct' itself. IMO, i don't believe in the invisible hand of market, for there are none. It is driven by "hope, greed and fear".. and with these emotions, nothing will work to models and assumptions.

Excessive long buying will create bubbles where only the greatest fool loses out (the last one to own the stock and finding no other buyers at that price), while excessive shorting spooks the market, and cause others to short even when it is irrational. People are just too afraid of losing than gaining even if the probability is 50/50 (loss aversion under behavioral finance). This makes short selling a very common strategy during times of crisis (when you get a lot of people doing short selling) making it a self-fulfilling prophecy and it is enough to bring an institution down (hence creating all the shockwaves and all the clearing up in years to come). Of coz, there are those who are critical of behavioral finance, but that is IYO (In your opinion).

Maybe the financial market evolved too much that it is very difficult to untangle all the mess now. And the current solution - pump in more money (money comes from tax payers mind you) and let them (the assets) slowly recover.. really slowly, like that of the japan economy will take decades.. just because some of the FIs anyhow lend.. a bit papaya lor.

Got NOR

Took it quite a while to reach, so long that i didn't even want to check the mail liao.

Anyway, my result slip is here, and 'as expected' they typed it correctly.. lol.. don't know to be glad or sad.

Finally over!.. and it was all because of that 3 mods that cost me an additional year.. and one of them was because i absent myself after a 2 week break. It was my last paper lor... If only i just need to retake 2 in my 3rd year... Overall quite a stupid move, but given that year 'plentiful', it's difficult to focus. Ok la.. my fault, and i've paid for it with an additional year and additional school fees too.

Everything seems to be with timing. Graduate also like that, choose modules also like that, and all the more, buy shares also like that. Correct move, wrong time, also gone.

Today the STI rallied down again, after the profit takings, and also the reduced oil production (cut in supply to maintain price = demand is falling = slowdown in growth), falling euro (in order to make exports competitive = falling export = slowdown in growth), plus the chwee-ing of lehman (one of the more hard hit negative news of the week, even though fred and fan was rescued). Today it fell 80 over points, and there is no signs of the economy recovering. Of coz, IMO, i'm quite pessimistic about the economy coz the financial system is integrated across nations. One bank chwee can lead to another bank chwee-ing.. in the end a lot of them chwee, then people get no money to start new biz and they chwee also. Then those that invest in their shares also chwee. Chwee until the point when it can chwee no longer, then perhaps they will be happy. Anyway, i wonder where all the money since before the sub-prime went to. Money can just disappear 1 meh? Surely it must have gone somewhere.. perhaps into the developers' pocket of those estates. In conclusion, the rich just get richer (that is exclude the banks.. they suay la).

Anyway, maybe i might end up in some banks too.. coz i seriously wonder what my degree can do other than banking and finance (becoz it is banking and finance).. or maybe i should go learn how to groom dogs? LOL.. (never work with animals or kids). Haiz.. the coming of NOR means quite a lot wor.. for one, my degree is confirm (it should already but i just want the hard copy to verify) and then, it's time to adjust to a different mode.. afterall, it was one whole year of this kind of lifestyle (or maybe it was 4 since the beginning of my SIM days).. and it is rather challenging to change suddenly. Arr.. i don't want to leave the 'shire'.

Still, a CFG performance coming up on saturday at ICA, we'll be a part of the whole performance playing 2 pieces - xiao ding dang and japanese graffiti iv (without repeats). So.. will you be there?

I substituted this Entry with..

Pakki is almost 21 months old le, and still as cute as the 1st day he came.




He looks sleepy though..


After grooming.

Pakki went to a new groomer this week, as recommended by one of the staff of the chocolate factory. She was having a grooming course there, and so we can get discount. Quite a nice place, coz the moment pakki went in, they feed him some treats.. plus, the learners there were all so delighted by pakki's arrival. When the job was done, pakki got 'dressed up' with a bandanna. Too bad he missed the class 95 bandanna when he went for the dog walk the other time.. coz i think bandannas look very nice on dogs.

Was on my way to boonlay for pract when i saw one stray dog crossing the road. It almost got knocked down by a truck.. and the dog siam.. then it ran down the middle of the road.. so very dangerous. Strays are so poor thing.. especially in this urban place. The other time, another stray at my place here died coz it ate a dead bird. I wondered why people would want to abandon their pets lor.. they really can't survive outside.. and other shelters also won't have place for them to stay in.

Those that feed strays also are no better.. coz the more you feed, they more they reproduce.. and this is very irresponsible lor (if you want, bring them home.. not just feed as and when you like).. 不知是爱还是害. Want to feed go to the sea and feed the fishes or prawns la.. But not silverfishes hor.. i don't like them.. they are so all over the place hindering and irritating. Please do not feed them.

At band today, i kind of like the acoustics of the 2nd level. Very spacious and makes a nice echo. Superb for hiding imperfections. Was trying my projections as such, and found the scc's holton 179 to be very very nice. Tone not really that good, but it was easier to project. Plus, it didn't have that much tuning problems at the higher octaves. Quite very nice indeed. And i was so glad that the 179 was so nice today.

Rain came and had to abandon all my night activities.. i dislike rain when i had to go places. I could have stayed all night at scc though.. that is if my stomach don't rebel.

Home soon, and instant instant noodles as usual. I think this is the Nth time i ate instant noodles this week le. Instant noodles with crab sticks and egg.. cost less than $1. To think that MGR w/egg cost $4.50.. that amounts to daylight robbery. Thought i kind of missed the kopi tarik there.. so now, i switched to home-made milo instead. And there are variations of milo lor.. i thought milo mocha already quite pro le... now they introduce cereal de.. wah.. i can have 3 sachets everyday also won't get bored.


I think my pots and kettles are going to be as black as each other if this keeps on.

Thursday at hq for the dry run, campus superstar Benjamin came and he sang 伯乐. It was very nice even though that was just a partial rehearsal. And the song was nice too.. lol.. the melody got stuck le.

Read this on the SSA times, "cherry blossoms are cherry blossoms, peach blossoms are peach blossoms". I find it quite meaningful, though sometimes i still forget. I got STM, but there is no need to remind my of my STM. When i forget, i remember.

My Saturday night ruin by rain (saving me some cash in the process).. I wonder where all the life will go when work begins. So why not grab it now? It is a once in a lifetime opportunity wor. if not now, then when? (looks so familiar)

I am, What I am.

Full was i, and happy i was.

I said it moves in tandem, and it did.

Band today, and it was my latest... i actually was so tired that i overtook the afternoon nap.. haha. It was, partly becoz of friday's lecture. FR was ok, though lecturer chute power.. whaha.. coz we showed that we didn't really revised. However, the killer came from IM.. i now know why i was so tired every friday.. whaha.. not becoz of 2 lectures back to back.. but really, it was becoz me trying to understand what my IM lecturer is trying to teach.. lol.. sad to say, i did burn a lot of brain cells just to try to understand.

Other than that, i was being indulgent - in everything else. Wilful i was, yet to a lesser degree.. for i would most likely to forgo band practice. Yet.. i was glad i didn't give up. Was so much delighted. Was so happy... lol.. i also didn't know why.. perhaps i was being what i was.. i recognised myself, and i be myself. Of coz after 24 years, i already knew much of me.. lol.. and in the aspect of band, i know nerve was never a forte. LOL.. as usual, think too much and then was trying too hard to fine tune.. haha.. that was me. Perhaps, i was reminded of how ignorant i was in my sec school days.. haha.. especially when they played "dance of yao".. awww... i was reminded of so much.

Had an haircut, DIY-ed.. whahahaa.. pro hor? LOL.. and no, i wasn't being called for reservice.. and yes, i've gained weight.. that was what i was trying for the past 2 weeks.

Oh ya.. today saw so many friends..lol.. at Boonlay, saw miss xx wor.. whahahaa... so qiao right? Then saw the rest from the band.. in the train, saw bernard also.. wah.. haha... qiao right?

Today was one of my friend's bday.. lol.. nov is always "dangerous".. whaha.. so many of them having bday wor.. lol.. so as usual, was at dbl wor.. and as usual, tah lor.. strange was, after so long, it hasn't dropped. Yet today, met someone really very irritating.. ya.. some people are just soooooooooo "imm zim".. i really don't understand leh... dopod so what? and was so irritated when people tried to say, "mine is dopod leh.. what phone you use?" zzz.. eh.. got money to buy, no money to repair ar? LOL.. mei you du liang. Anyway, i was reminded of one shewish woman.. whahaa.. sometimes, they like to eat 99 lor.. siao.. and when it was them who is at fault.. zzz.. siao. I just don't understand lor. Let and let be.. so poor then don't take dopod la! Nokia not nice meh? Ericsson cmi meh? Hao lian shem me? $1300 very big hor? Can just buy some people's character. LOL.. ok la.. $1300 still a lot.. lol.. that bugger that buang my car wanted to go court over $100.. whahahaaaa... damn stupid.. and sometimes, i wondered, what is that for. With reference to a similar case reported on the ST a month ago, another bugger went court over a sum of few hundered dollars.. in the end, it cost 12k for legal fees.... what are they thinking? Right or not, it doesn't have to go to that extend lor. I admit, i will give in.. for i would not want to downgrade myself to their level.. i would never. I am what i am. I would rather be stupid than to be "imm zim". No wonder.. hah.. no wonder there is no equality. There are people out there, wanting equality and also comparitive advantage.. ha.. i really have nothing to say.. just that, don't come out and harm me can le. Leave me alone hor..

I am being bias.. most are. Hah.. so much that if you charge them 10 cents more, they will go court case with you.. need to xiang bu kai meh? This world so "evil" ar? So much that no one can make mistake? Sigh.. sadly, there are such.. and as i've said, if so, then don't hao lian la. Ha.. i've be using my hp for more than 2 years, and i now carry a less than $50 fm tuner instead of an ipod... lol.. i am poor leh, so i carry lousy things. It was my mistake to drive my sis's car.. whahaha.. and hor, that bugger that was that one who crashed into my car, was actaully driving an SUV.. hah.. don't have such a big head hor, then don't wear such a big hat la.. if driving a big car caused you not to see your side mirrors, then for heaven's sake!, ride a bike la... you know, er ren xian gao zhuang one lor.. and if you cannot hold you dopod or whatever pod in your had properly, for god sake, put in your pocket la!.. don't .. really don't come out and harm people lor.. LOL.

Zzz.. so much happy i was initially.. althought the recent matter doesn't concern me, i just felt it was unreasonable lor.. of coz, there are much more people as such out there.. believe me.. maybe you are one of them. Anyway, anything, whatever, just don't come find me can le.. don't show how much you are really worth to me.. be it $1300 or $100.. i don't care. Afterall, life should be priceless.. just as the mastercard ad.

Anyway, i've said, i move in tandem.. with much.. hahaa.. be it good or bad, happy or sad. Strangely, i was ok leh.. hahaha.. wow.. maybe just for now, maybe for more.. i just isn't what i used to be.

Was home at 4.30am.. and went to da bao ba chor mee.. whahaa.. very hungry leh.. how to gain weight like that? 12 hours without food wor.. LOL.. so happy to have a 24 hour ba chor mee store outside.. wahaha.. i just love it! Was so full and so satisfied.. and then it was sunday again! Wah.. haha.. time just pass like that leh.. already almost 2 years lo.. and my extension for the final year is almost halfway.. wahahaha.. i'm couldn't be much happier!

On the train back, i've learnt quite a lot from my band colleagues.. even those that are younger than me.. yupz.. they had such drive.. for every moment in their life, nothing was wasted.. yet, it all depend on the wants in one's life. Nothing is unreacheable.. just how badly you want it. Of coz, i wouldn't want people to compensate me just becoz my phone was knocked off by others. All in all, i am with such little ambition that i currently isn't moving much.. but who knows? Someday, perhaps one day, perhaps never, i might just move so much.. haha.. but who knows? I a, just glad that i am what i am, for all flaws, for all praises, i am, what i am.

Of coz, i recognised this is much of the rollarcoaster ride wor.. and to be certain that i wouldn't lament more than i should, i will ride it up, and never doubt myself.. that is, for now.

Just some more Nonsense

While most of my schoolmates are busy looking for jobs (I hope they are.. haha..), i'm actually quite looking forward to the new sem in school. I want to study as much as i can.. wahah..

The results.. don't know when they will be out.. i just want to know how many modules i passed.. lol.. of coz, looking forward to my LBO result.. I've put in sooo much effort lor. LOL. I want a 2nd lower at least. Wasn't easy for my writting speed though to score such.. coz i write so wols.

Why didn't they use typing instead of writing? Then they would have so much less problems.. less mine too. Hahah.. for example:

1) problem of using correction fluid,
2) saving the trees
3) saving ink
4) problem of papers getting lost etc.
5) problem legibility
6) the need to use a frail string to tie the papers together
7) spelling errors (with the aid of spell check)
8) ease shifting of paragraphs/ editing the essay as a whole
9) speed in typing

Of coz, this is just something IN MY OWN OPINION. Need not contest with me with the benefits of using the traditional way of having an exam. LOL.. in anycase, i'm trying to be nonsensical while trying to convey some truths.. it indeed save paper at least ba.. haha

Well.. some people said.. because not everyone can type.. ya lor.. practice la! LOL.. oh ya.. in the future.. we might be doing our exams with laptops huh.. who knows? But at least not at the moment. Some things just like to remain primitive.

For example, the number of financial tools provided in our financial market (i mean OUR) does have some difficulty for us to short sell during the bearish season. It was supposed to save guard the interest of the buyers ba. In theory, there is no limit to the potential and/or risk of shorting.. i think that's why. But then again, there are solution offered in the US.. so what is this? Developing ba.. one might say.

So while developing, the market made another plunge this rainy friday. It was 80 over points down.. huh.. so indeed it came, but sooner than i thought. Well.. well.. never believe too much of what people say (or what i blogged either).. for for every truths there are, there are bound to be half-nots. Also, there is a thing call propaganda so long as enough was done.. the not so credible thing became the truth. Read the "Crucible" before? You'll get the meaning.

So they say this they say that.. (who are "they" anyway?) they say that it was going to be beyond 4000 points at the year end.. well.. it was, IN MY OPINION (must really put IMO leh.. people are so offended if their views are being criticised.. lol.. so this is purely IMO.. i might be wrong too) kind of self-fulfilling. So long as you get many doing the same (like buying up a share), it will go up.. just that nobody is losing money as long as there are people willing to pay more.. and as many bided for it, the price increase and so those who bought at the outset will benefit. So.. who are the losers? They are those that chase the profits at the wrong time.. that is, when the security is over-priced.. and still offered to buy at a premium. It is true that many over-priced stocks still have the potential to gain.. so long as people continue to bid for it.. but for everything, there is a limit. When the limit is reached, people will start selling.. and when you get enough people the same thing, they practically sell down the market. Add in a few more other psychological aspect of investing.. i think a lot of people will try to get out of the market, making the problem worse.

In the end, those who are tempted to chase profit without realising the risk of the market will get their fingers burnt. It is, a risk/return game.. think more 1st please.. if not, just go in casino bet lor.. the outcome is nearly the same as those not doing "homework" before investing.

Of coz, it is possible for anyone to reap what others had sowed. Even auntie can top the bankers in warrent trading.. haha.. that is, if you use common sense and limit greed. Run before it is too late lo.. the losers are those who bought last (during bull), and those who sells first (during bear)(In theory, if you don't sell, you won't realise lost.. it is just paper lost. But then, if you paid for something at a premium about premium.. it might take more than a lifetime to get back to the same level). Common sense huh? Hahah.. yah.. but the only problem is identifying the bull and bear.

It was easier said than done, of coz i know.. if not, i'd be not here sitting and blogging le. The hardest part is identifying the animals lor.. haha.. even till now.. i'm still a greenhorn at the market.. lol.. easy to make mistakes lor.

Anyway, i do hope that the market will not continue to plunge like that.. it has stong implication on the economy and other issues. So shall wait for monday and see what it is like.

Disclaimer: Invest/disinvest at your own risk.. i don't bear any responsibility/liabilities for any movement made to your own investment. I don't get paid saying these nonsense either.

Lousy Classification

Oh darn.. i cannot access eRev.. darn.

I'm not graduating in 2007 means not year 3 meh? Siao de. Lousy logic, lousy admin. Tomorrow must call them and check le. Then what? I year 2.5 ar? Then don't collect my membership fee la.. knn.. pay 3 times membership fee not year 3 then what? Sian.

Now it seems, i'll attend lessons alone.. wah piang eh. Very ke lian de lor.. lol.. especially if it is a full day lecture.. I'll eat alone.. whaha.. kns.

Haiz.. but then again, i think alone also not bad la.. maybe only. What can i do? I not year 3 mah.. then i dunno what the memebership right is liao.

Back long ago from yishun safra. LOL.. was at party world.. (i didn't know safra got ktv de.. wahaha..) But it was so deep in from the main road.. wah.. walk and run and it took me 10 mins. Just in time for bus home.. i don't take midnight cabs le... too expensive.. haha.

And today was celebrating jh's belated bday.. lol and there were only 3 of us, all from SWE. Sasa came too, long time never see le.. haha.. but all stayed the same. We had 4 hours, from 8pm till 12mn.. haha.. but i left early to catch last bus.. so paiseh to the bday boy.. Sang a lot a lot of jay's song to kill my voice.. lol. But had fun la.. coz all anyhow sing.. lol.

And yet again, another celebrity passed away just the last sunday. Another one from korea also.. aiyoh.. don't know what to say lor.. life too fragile le. Drepression kills, accident kills, nature kills. What else? Bird flu too..

Then again, how much can things thaw? I guess we all have to learn.

Speaking of depression, a lot of people killed themselves due to depression.. i think depression very scary lor.. like dong bu dong want to go and die like that.. but sometimes, things happened in such a way that we are not able to handle it at that point in time. People didn't realise and won't be aware also.. SO, the best way is to keep oneself busy. Busy with whatever except hu si luang xiang.. lol. Like for example doing bo liao things like coverting a carom board into a mahjong table.. lol.. i guess maybe i'm the only bo liao person in the world to do that.. hahaa..

Still in the process of planning in order to cut cost. Seek help from dad and got scolded instead.. wahahaha.. coz he say i bo liao. But this is my dream mah.. anyway, i WILL do it.. and will post it upon completion. LOL..

Sigh.. the only thing that spoilt my day is the fact that i can't do eRev.. tmd toopid school.. very pek chek liao lor.. haha.

Tour @ SP

Today after MSM, i went SP to look for one of my bandmate schooling there. Sad to say, i've been to NTU, NUS, SMU, NYP, NP.. all except SP and TP. Maybe i've been to SP for concert, but i forgot ba.. Hahaha.. went in there then a bit lost lost.. and i think SP is sooo nice lor.. anyway, nicer than my school that is. Very large campus.. a lot of foodcourt, got KFC and pizzahut.. hahaaha.. if i study there, i confirm fat one.. and confirm broke.

I liked their CCA rooms, very nice coz all CCA gather in one building, then all got 1 big panel of glass window.. very sud lor. But too bad la.. i think i chose the wrong path le.

Haha.. nua until so much.. nua until i got to repeat. Sian.. and my school fees are inducing me to run at the bank. Btw, one of taiwan's bank is having a bank run.. aiseh.. got things to add to my FI essay le.

But now i need to practice my LBO essay.. too bad Durai's case like cannot be incorporated. Tomorrow LBO test leh.. i feel like duang-ing lecture.

2nd week of january.. and i buay tahan the bus crowd le.. Bus service like cannot make it de.. I set off early, the bus came late.. i set off late, the bus left early.. simi kuku bus service? Then got bus no space.. still want me to pay adult fare? I say unfair lor.. no wonder more and more people want to get private transport. That day my friend just niao the bus company.. and i still help them.. now they make me dl also.. make me wait 1/2 for a bus.. then the bus driver drive like never release handbrake like that.. kns.

And since some don't know whatever class starts their lesson, the school is showing signs of overcrowding.. crowd until the overhead bridge also jam.. haha.. management school really know how to manage their resources hor? I don't want to say le.. i really very sick of that place.. just be grateful that my degree is from london. (when i graduate) But who knows? Maybe this 4th uni's degree might worth more in the future?

And today 8pm on channel 8.. i saw a lot of familiar faces! Muahahaha.. my sec school band alumni people took part in the home deco survivor.. lol.. i don't know what to say.. i mean, seeing the people you know on tv.. lol.. But in the end, they didn't win the $6000 worth of furnitures la.. so ke xi.

But i won't take part in this kind of tv variety de lor.. so malu.. haha.. but i'm sure my mom would.. haha.. she is the typical 'auntie' de lor.. (hopes she don't see this..) I think must 'upgrade' her to tai tai le.. haha.. send her for tai tai conversion course.. lol..

The makings of a tai tai:-
1) must have branded handbag and purse (imitations are not acceptable)
2) must have a lot of gold and jewellery accessories and wear until they look like christmas tree
3) must know how to play mahjong (and win)
4) either drives or have someone chauffeuring them in luxury cars
5) shops at departmental stores in some shopping centres instead of 'shop n save'

Haha.. just kidding..

May it be Gone

I think i had enough of this.. but finally saw some light in regards to this settlement. Not that i was wrong, but the odds are really against me. Be thankful that i got away just in time.

Wiser definately. But an altered personality? I don't think so. I still want to treat people the way i do now.. just don't let me lose trust again.

Don't want to say anymore, as everything is going to be settled tomorrow. A dent on vios, and another dent elsewhere. I think i got bothered by this whole incident enough.. i just don't want to comment anymore.. (provided that stupid auntie don't come and di xiao me)

"Downgraded", and i was late for school. But i can't stand MSM lectures. LP programming.. simi lp la.. don't understand at all.. haha..

Starting to like CF and FI more and more.. i yearn of a day where i could just sit back and relax, and watch the money flow in from investments. LOL.. i think that is my dream, my goal.

Ok.. maybe a bit too late for daydream.

It rained all day.. Well, i like the cooling weather.. but i don't like the wetness. Rained from morning till now.. lol.. or are they the melted snow?

I Still Despise

Sis came home today, and so i told her what happened to her vios. As expected, i won't get to drive anymore.. haiz.. tio banned le. Haha.. might as well.

See what 1 stupid lzb can do. Sian la.. don't know how to drive then don't drive la.. kns.. don't know how to drive, drive MPV somemore. Didn't see, still want to accuse people. DAMN. (don't get me wrong, i don't have anything against women drivers.. but the fact remains that this bugger didn't check her side mirrors while moving.)

I really can't believe this, this lady from the admin actually opened her mouth to seek payment from me. And when i refused to pay, she sort of threaten to seek legal advice. FOR ONE HUNDRED SINGAPORE DOLLARS, IS IT WORTH GOING TO COURT?????? imagine the legal fees, the court fees and all that.. siao ar? But already siao le.. i believe that people of this kind will go to that extend. Somemore this lady (or should i say auntie) is working lor.. $100 repairs cannot afford? Need to fight it out with a student meh? No compassion at all! Huh? Whats more.. she already got witnesses ready! I don't believe in making a mountain out of a molehill. Need to go till this extend meh? Ignoring whose's fault it is, (we might never know.. she'll insist that she's right, and i won't admit i was in the wrong).. but the things that the auntie did makes me despise still. I think i feel like puking le lor.

No, it won't end me condemning her for as long as there is greviences. But i'm not so lowdown such that i'll go scratch her vehicle.

And which reminds me.. the school admin can consider installing a few security camera at the carpark or not? When the accident happened, i don't have any passenger as witness. Like that very luggi de leh. We pay so much in our school fees not for the marble floor de lor.. and then still have to spend even more money to employ clearners and equipment to polish the marble floor until i can see my face with it lor. And it is also not for building a bamboo garden so that they are destroy to make way for escalators. (which eventually the final year students might not get to use) I WANT SECURITY CAMERAS IN OUR SCHOOL!

Yes, i resent. For i felt that this was really illogical. Afterall, the person who made all these happened is part of the organisation. Who else can i blame?

After all that, i've been overly defensive in driving coz i don't want to incur anymore expenses for the moment. LOL.. perhaps i should take bus for the moment ba. Sometimes things need time to cool. So be it.

Been clearing debts, and still had a few more to clear. Didn't want to go bash, coz pok liao.. and also said that i wanted to cut down, might as well.

Yesterday was dicussing statistics with my chem engine friend, and then discovered, the similarities in both modules. But i think i need a pure maths student to answer my question.

Been starting on revision, but felt that the pace was way too slow. But from next week onwards, i should be staying in school after class to study. LOL.. yupz, i'll be free for dinner in school.

Finally, the student portal notified us of the change in FI class. From friday to saturday! KNS.. how can they do that? (well, actually i kind of liked the idea.. whaha.. but i just want to niao the school for their bad service) LOL.. imagine those who had to work on saturdays.. friday is weekday and saturday is a weekend. Don't they know the difference? Weekend is very precious de wor. Lousy service.. huh! But my fridays are now freed. LOL.. thurs and fri... wahaha.. and after class on sat, i'll go boonlay for band.

Cleared some doubts, and then realised what i knew was true. Have not been making any comments becoz it doesn't concern me. And i felt that, whatever choice we make, we must be able to stand by it. Ignoring how others will be affected, so long as one is satisfied, it won't seems to matter. BUT, if you can't take the criticism for your actions, then i believe, it might be a wrong decision afterall. (where will you be satisfied?) Most of the time, it involves balancing a lot of things...

But still i must say, regardless of how things turned out, it doesn't concern me. I'm too busy clearing my debts! LOL. But disappointed afterall.. haha.. coz i didn't expect things to turned out this way.

Xmas soon, so i thought it might help people who might want to send mye xmas presents by preparing a wishlist..

In order of preference:
1) Security Cameras in SIM
2) Winning numbers for 4D
3) A second upper for my degree

LOL.. these are all so intangible..

As xmas approaches, the year is coming to an end. Another new year, another set of unrealised resolution. Time to say byebye to this lousy 2006.

Lost in Emotions

I'm really sick le.. that's why i'm blogging on a saturday night! Argh.. Supposed to be at zouk already lor.. sigh..

Other than being sick, i think i tio poison le.. sigh.. been having a series of weird dreams.. is it just because everything is starting to settle down? Perhaps i wanted to too.. 2 whole months of events, outings, happenings, and maybe some da bian also... and finally, these all will come to an end.

But, people all around me are scaring me.. it's not what you see is what you get. People change with situation.. and with status too. (that includes myself) It isn't easy at all.. and i'm not really confident. Must really purge my poison out soon.. lost my placebo long ago, and no longer worked for me..

Lost in emotions.. woah.. (missed this song on mambo) Hah..

School really really is reopening soon leh.. i want to start schooling and maybe work real hard for the coming year le.. Although still got involved in SRC.. but i think i'll make more friends.. lol.. as i told some of the freshies.. must join src.. then know more people and extend the circle.. so if i happen to work in sales, i can start calling all of them.. lol.. Impressive work on Friday.. coz much more people signed up for welfare.. special thanks to Johnson and Syl. Haha.. of coz i got do work 1 lor.. haha.. if not, how come they will sigh up? Projects on the other hand, need no promotions.. (so they actually no need sales).. why get so many people? End up having too many choices to make.. coz all are too good le.. haha.. Sometimes, no choice is the best choice.

OOh.. so excited.. haha.. met so many new friends last friday, some who went for the camp.. Of coz, this batch is different.. and being older (and of coz wiser) There are some who chose to challenge.. (haven't they learnt? Challenging the authority have implications.. refer to.. erm.. haha.. camps) The thing is, there is a thing call grudge. If not, why do you think the people of the middle east still enter war these days? Check history please.. as Kah Beng (my IR lecturer) says, "it dates back to 2000 years ago..." whaha.. SO PLEASE .. don't be so eager to show off your intelligence lor.. i'm not stupid by the way, and i'm not inflexible.. but i have to repeat again.. things happen for a reason.. and if you don't know the reason.. don't act smart. Hah. Try doing that to your boss next time.. and i wonder what hell-ish kind of life will one get.

People these days are so rude.. mei li mao! Hahaa.. Smarter i agree, but really no manners. Oh yah.. was about to be tipped off my scale when i just lun.. haha.. "noobs bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.." whaha.. for what should i degrade myself? Just pretend i didn't hear lor.. haha.. i'm ok de.. since after that, who will remember who said what? But then again, i'm human also.. so nevertheless, will feel agitated ba.. for the moment only.

Haiz.. so sian.. blogging on a saturday night.. haha... when i'm supposed to be out.. And i'm still being doubtful about some things.. couldn't sleep.. argh..