Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Reasons to buy physical gold
http://www.theundergroundinvestor.com/2011/12/did-bankers-deliberately-crash-mf-global-to-crash-gold-and-silver-prices/
Hardworking isn't everything
HARDWORKING ENGINEER: "I'm depressed, just got retrenched"
PDF Print E-mail
Written by 'hyom'
Monday, 02 January 2012 07:12
The following content was recently published on hyom's blog http://help-your-money.blogspot.com/ and is reproduced with permission.
2-depressed-engineer
Photo illustration by Sim Kih
A RECESSION IS when your neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose yours. Depression has hit me. I have just been retrenched.
For many, retrenchment is not just economic depression. It is also emotional depression, self-worth depression and a humiliating depression.
For me, it is even more embarrassing because I have been known to bring work home and reject invitations to go out and play over the weekend. Perhaps some people are having their last laugh now at my expense.
A positive is that retrenchment leaves a person with plenty of time to think. Don't waste the experience. He needs to be brutally honest with himself.
In my case, I cannot honestly say it was mainly my fault. It was the free market at work, fair and square. I worked in the electronics industry in Singapore. Although electronic gadgets (iPhones, e-books, smartphones) are changing our lives for the better, fellow Singaporeans who work in the same industry will know that electronics has been on the decline for more than a decade.
The big companies (foreign MNCs) are moving out, there are no big local companies to take their place and the smaller companies which usually service the big ones are dying away. It is not just because of high labor cost. Our land (especially land), transport and energy costs also make us uncompetitive. These are infrastructural costs which the government can do their part to keep low, so our wages can have more room to move up without hitting our competitiveness.
If my company cannot grow, my immediate supervisor cannot be promoted. If he cannot be promoted, how can I be promoted? This time round, everyone lost his job, including my boss. One consolation was that I got a "diligent and honest worker" pat in my appraisal report before the retrenchment. Hopefully, this was not just a parting gift from the supervisor who just wanted to be nice.
I am tempted to lament on how unfair life is. However, this is useless to me and readers who could not care less until the same thing happens to them. Rather, it is more useful to think about practical measures to cope with retrenchment.
Coping by cutting
The first thing that comes to mind is to cut down on all unnecessary expenses. This refers to expenses incurred beyond keeping one alive. Eat the simplest, cheapest food. As long as it fills your stomach, it is good food. Try to eat at home. Don't eat out. The rental cost in Singapore is so high, why help pay for it by eating at expensive restaurants?
Entertainment expenses should be cut mercilessly. I do not subscribe to the theory that good things must come with a price. A lot of good things in life can be very cheap or even free of charge. A person can go to the library and borrow wonderful books free of charge. Get entertained and be educated free of charge. There are plenty of quality documentaries on Youtube. Again, one can get entertained and be educated free of charge. Use the spare time for learning at low or no cost.
There are certain expenses which must not be cut, however. This is one's allowance to one's parents and parents-in-law. The first response from parents is to ask their children to cut or stop their allowance upon learning of their children's retrenchment.
But I have never heard of parents who stop providing for their children when they (the parents) are out of a job. Therefore, why should children stop providing for their parents when they (the children) become jobless? People who stop giving their parents allowance are making a gross miscalculation. Their own children will do the same thing to them when they grow up.
Their children will not feel a pang of guilt because their own parents did the same thing to the latter's own parents. Setting a good example to the children is the most effective and least time-consuming way to educate them. Much better than spending so much time giving them tuition yourself and yelling at them. They either end up resenting you or hating the subject.
job-wanted1-1
The standard advice to retrenched citizens from government help bodies is to get retraining or some educational certificate to make your resume look good. While these people have good intentions, take their advice with a pinch of salt because you know your personal situation better than they.
Is your personality suitable for the type of job you are retraining for? Will employers be willing to hire you even after you have earned a certificate when they have certain discriminatory practices (against older workers and preferring to hiring their own kind)?
I am not willing to invest in higher education because education fees are too high and the investment returns do not look good. Too many people have higher education but are there enough jobs requiring such higher education? In fact, after spending a bomb for that piece of paper, a person may even get discriminated during job interviews because he is overqualified -- or the interviewer feels threatened.
Finding a job is not the only option. One can think about his personal strengths. Think about his hobbies. Can he turn them into useful products/services to sell to people? If he can successfully do this, he can be a very happy person instead of slaving for people whom he has been yearning to say "fuck off".
Quite a number of retrenched people will think of investing in the financial markets to make a living. On the surface, it looks like an easy way out. But psychology plays a very important role in successful investing. Retrenched people should be self-aware of their own weakened psychology as market participants.
And given the heightened volatility in the financial markets today, a weak psychology can lead to bad decisions because it is easier to be tricked by the high volatility to try to buy high and sell low. Investing is a fun game for me (on a part-time basis only) and I am reasonably good at controlling my losses in terrible times. But, I have to take my own advice and be self-aware of my new deficiency from now on.
Source: http://www.nextinsight.net/index.php/story-archive-mainmenu-60/916-2012/4753-engineer-qim-depressed-just-got-retrenched-in-decq
PDF Print E-mail
Written by 'hyom'
Monday, 02 January 2012 07:12
The following content was recently published on hyom's blog http://help-your-money.blogspot.com/ and is reproduced with permission.
2-depressed-engineer
Photo illustration by Sim Kih
A RECESSION IS when your neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose yours. Depression has hit me. I have just been retrenched.
For many, retrenchment is not just economic depression. It is also emotional depression, self-worth depression and a humiliating depression.
For me, it is even more embarrassing because I have been known to bring work home and reject invitations to go out and play over the weekend. Perhaps some people are having their last laugh now at my expense.
A positive is that retrenchment leaves a person with plenty of time to think. Don't waste the experience. He needs to be brutally honest with himself.
In my case, I cannot honestly say it was mainly my fault. It was the free market at work, fair and square. I worked in the electronics industry in Singapore. Although electronic gadgets (iPhones, e-books, smartphones) are changing our lives for the better, fellow Singaporeans who work in the same industry will know that electronics has been on the decline for more than a decade.
The big companies (foreign MNCs) are moving out, there are no big local companies to take their place and the smaller companies which usually service the big ones are dying away. It is not just because of high labor cost. Our land (especially land), transport and energy costs also make us uncompetitive. These are infrastructural costs which the government can do their part to keep low, so our wages can have more room to move up without hitting our competitiveness.
If my company cannot grow, my immediate supervisor cannot be promoted. If he cannot be promoted, how can I be promoted? This time round, everyone lost his job, including my boss. One consolation was that I got a "diligent and honest worker" pat in my appraisal report before the retrenchment. Hopefully, this was not just a parting gift from the supervisor who just wanted to be nice.
I am tempted to lament on how unfair life is. However, this is useless to me and readers who could not care less until the same thing happens to them. Rather, it is more useful to think about practical measures to cope with retrenchment.
Coping by cutting
The first thing that comes to mind is to cut down on all unnecessary expenses. This refers to expenses incurred beyond keeping one alive. Eat the simplest, cheapest food. As long as it fills your stomach, it is good food. Try to eat at home. Don't eat out. The rental cost in Singapore is so high, why help pay for it by eating at expensive restaurants?
Entertainment expenses should be cut mercilessly. I do not subscribe to the theory that good things must come with a price. A lot of good things in life can be very cheap or even free of charge. A person can go to the library and borrow wonderful books free of charge. Get entertained and be educated free of charge. There are plenty of quality documentaries on Youtube. Again, one can get entertained and be educated free of charge. Use the spare time for learning at low or no cost.
There are certain expenses which must not be cut, however. This is one's allowance to one's parents and parents-in-law. The first response from parents is to ask their children to cut or stop their allowance upon learning of their children's retrenchment.
But I have never heard of parents who stop providing for their children when they (the parents) are out of a job. Therefore, why should children stop providing for their parents when they (the children) become jobless? People who stop giving their parents allowance are making a gross miscalculation. Their own children will do the same thing to them when they grow up.
Their children will not feel a pang of guilt because their own parents did the same thing to the latter's own parents. Setting a good example to the children is the most effective and least time-consuming way to educate them. Much better than spending so much time giving them tuition yourself and yelling at them. They either end up resenting you or hating the subject.
job-wanted1-1
The standard advice to retrenched citizens from government help bodies is to get retraining or some educational certificate to make your resume look good. While these people have good intentions, take their advice with a pinch of salt because you know your personal situation better than they.
Is your personality suitable for the type of job you are retraining for? Will employers be willing to hire you even after you have earned a certificate when they have certain discriminatory practices (against older workers and preferring to hiring their own kind)?
I am not willing to invest in higher education because education fees are too high and the investment returns do not look good. Too many people have higher education but are there enough jobs requiring such higher education? In fact, after spending a bomb for that piece of paper, a person may even get discriminated during job interviews because he is overqualified -- or the interviewer feels threatened.
Finding a job is not the only option. One can think about his personal strengths. Think about his hobbies. Can he turn them into useful products/services to sell to people? If he can successfully do this, he can be a very happy person instead of slaving for people whom he has been yearning to say "fuck off".
Quite a number of retrenched people will think of investing in the financial markets to make a living. On the surface, it looks like an easy way out. But psychology plays a very important role in successful investing. Retrenched people should be self-aware of their own weakened psychology as market participants.
And given the heightened volatility in the financial markets today, a weak psychology can lead to bad decisions because it is easier to be tricked by the high volatility to try to buy high and sell low. Investing is a fun game for me (on a part-time basis only) and I am reasonably good at controlling my losses in terrible times. But, I have to take my own advice and be self-aware of my new deficiency from now on.
Source: http://www.nextinsight.net/index.php/story-archive-mainmenu-60/916-2012/4753-engineer-qim-depressed-just-got-retrenched-in-decq
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Reflections for Year 2011
It had been very long time since my last entry. Therefore would like to make a conceited effort by blogging my last entry for the year and also for my old and new friends to know about me.
Warning this might be a long thread full of words.
Today marks the last day of 2011. This had been a very memorable year for me lots of work, fun and pain. 11th Nov is my birthday, so this birthday was particularly meaningful. 11-11-11 and also did many activities for the 1st time.
Alot of people might think my 1st achievements/activities are not significant, but they meant alot to me.
Major Achievements
1. My sister's graduation from University of London(UOL,Bachelor in Economics and Finance).
To study is difficult, to study when you are visually handicapped was more difficult, its even worse when you under the UOL. Most of my friends and cousins under UOL mentioned it was tough. 3 years was neither long nor short, but it was tough as my sis always lamented how hard study/assignment/exams were.
From my sister's opinion why is UOL difficult:
i) Heavy emphasis on syllabus
ii)Pure exams based, no projects, so tons of hardwork memorizing. Despite her handicapped , somehow she was given the gift of photographic memory.
iii)Exams questions are set based by staff in UK, London and the questions rarely repeat, thus studying past year papers not going to help much.
Nevertheless being more academically inclined, excelling in studies since young, my sister is always the role model for all and we are proud of her.
2. My graduation from SIM-University(UniSIM Bachelor in Infocommunications Technology).
It was also tough 2.5 years for me, having to juggle, work, family, study and friends. Burning some Friday evenings and Saturdays for some modules, some friends got classes even on Sunday evenings, thus I'm not too bad.
I still remembered vividly, when registering for the programme, telling myself this is not like secondary or poly where i can still play around. I need to tune my mindset to focus on my studies, set my determination and work hard. Nevertheless graduated satisfied with my hardwork.
I remembered doing a suicidal move by taking 27/30 credit units, this comprised of 6 modules in my first semester. Better than to suffer now than later !
In my previous job, where i had to travel quite frequently, I also brought my assignment overseas, working lonely in the hotel skipping dinner to save my meager overseas allowances.
Guys who envy me working overseas, a word of advice that traveling and working alone is emotional stressful.
i) No more rushing to Clementi MRT after work.
ii)No more attending boring class where key focus is during last hour.
iii) No more waiting for only bus 154 to Paya Lebar MRT
iv) No more having to wait the damn slow bus 70 at Paya Lebar MRT
v) No more dinners at 1130pm. (Last meal was lunch around 130pm)
I would like to thank my best friend Kai whom we suffered, endured, fought and finally graduated from the programme, 2.5ys was not easy.
Also congratulations to my other friends who also graduated this year. Kiat Loon, Wei Qiang, Hsien Joo who also gotten married this year with lovely wife April.
3. Upon graduation, the next thing to do is to take family photo in our graduation gown. Though i always take alot of photos of my friends, there are hardly any pictures of me and even less of our family. This is very meaningful to me though sister and I did not graduated from creme de la Universities, it is a tribute to my loving mother who dedicated, struggled and suffered so many years to ensure that her kids grow up well and healthy in our family.
It had been more than 10years since my father passed away, that was also how long she suffered, struggled, and mustered the strength to keep the family. I cannot repay with grandchildren yet(also dunno when ;p), so that picture will give you assurance and strength when you are weak.
4. Yes finally got my first credit card. (To some people no big deal, they immediately qualify on their first job). I applied solely based on my basic pay without factoring X months of bonuses and am proud of my hardwork. My next goal is to have an income where I cannot apply HDB. Still wondering why Citibank rejected me the $500 credit card when I was working and they approved the applications for my friends who are still schooling full-time.
Minor achievements not in any order.
5. First time attending my best buddy Jimmy and Jasmine's solemnization and getting involved with the preparation. Stressful yet fun. Congratulations to your marriage, looking forward to your customary wedding next year. Where for the first time I will be a real brother. Ya the guy having to wake up early, accompany the groom to fetch his wife, during which we need to suffer eating wasabi, chili ...
6. Picked up scuba diving.
Well in 2010 during my holiday in Bali i had first taste of scary yet exciting experience of diving for 15mins, it was a risk. After then i fell in love diving, enjoying the view and living a world on its own. Eventually Leroy mustered a few of us to pickup diving under the coach who was his supervisor. Though there was slip shod, finally one Friday evening we were on a 4-5h coach ride to Mersing, Malaysia and another close to 2h boat ride to Pulau Tioman. Luckily i do not have motion or sea sickness else the journey would be terrible. 3d2n and 5 dives, am now qualified to solo diving of up to 20m. May pursue further certification, but mind you scuba diving is an expensive sports and gears are expensive. A casual trip without rental of gears costs you SGD$500 onwards.
7. With the lack of soccer sessions, lost of interesting in cycling(yes lazy to send them for repairs) and single, I had a crazy idea of picking up Muay Thai(Thai Boxing). Initial purpose was to keep fit and have fun, thus managed to find a gym near my home. Classes were held in the evenings with free rental of gears. In the beginning was fun, slowly building the fitness and mentality, after 3 courses, 2x basic classes, 1 intermediate class, own set of gears and spending close to $1000, i decided to call it quits. Nevertheless I loved those sessions , felt good sweating out punching bags and your opponents, sparred with girls too. Some are really aggressive.
8. After few year hiatus of playing field soccer, no idea where it originated but we had a crazy idea to make a new set of jersey for our team and started organizing matches. The prior Muay Thai sessions really beefed my fitness and stamina. Usually i would in the team of reserves, but once I was called upon and opportunity and changed the tide of the game.
I scored my first ever field goal !!! Everyone knows how tiring is to play field soccer to be able to score a goal was an enormous event in my soccer playing years. Till now I had 3 goals, jokingly more than our strikers. Looking forward to next game, but i doubt fitness is there as no longer attending Muay Thai.
9. First time did not apply leave during my birthday. Normally I would apply leave on my birthday to escape work. But hey why different this year? I had such camaraderie working with my colleagues why evade. Coincidentally that day was also day when company celebrated birthday of staff born that month. So to say the whole company celebrated for me.
10. First time attending those high profile events. Our Chairman's daughter post wedding night at Marina Bay Sands. An eye opener to see the whos whos networking in event. Coupled at the event, was highlights of the customary wedding in India, a fashion show, product launch and charity show where our Chairman donated a huge sum of money to president's star charity. The recipient was our now ex-president Mr S.R. Nathan. This was the first time i saw him just 20m away from me. Dinner was also an experience for me Indian vegetarian. But we know what is our true purpose there.
11. Completed eating all the famous Lor Mee stalls in SG.
12. Organizing a surprise dinner for my mum's birthday with my relatives.
13. This was also the year of kite flying, no idea why the sudden craze.
A basic kite starts from $20 depending on the size but can go up to few hundreds with endless amount of modification. Like strips of LEDs lights which look stunning at night. Joined my friends for few session of kite flying. The joy is releasing the kite and seeing soar.
The agony is reeling the kite back especially if its like 100m away, my hand hurts.
14. First time going Hongkong and Macau.
HK dramas had been part and parcel of my life. Thus it was also my goal to visit this place. Dream came true after I decided to give myself a reward after my last papers. Unable to accommodate to everyone date, we managed to fly on August which was also summer in Hongkong. I tell you its hotter than SG.
I was tasked to plan the itinerary for this trip, mind you this was my first trip. Our main emphasis was sightseeing, food and shopping. First time taking Tiger airways at the budget terminal. Oh my budget terminal is damn budget. First day we reached Macau and checked into the the extravagance and opulence The Venetian. For such luxury the suites starts from $SGD300/night onwards.
St Paul Ruins, local snacks, gondola rides and casinos.
Lantau island, Lan Kwai Fang, The Peak, Mongkok, Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, Disneyland and dazzling array of signature food. However the trip did not go as I expected.
But Hongkong is not a place where I will settle. Too stressful.
15. First time being a surety.
16. First time roped in to assist in wedding proposal.
Congratulations to the lovely couple Zhi Hao and Charlene. Your touching move had made everyone teared , me nearly.
17. Participated in the planning of the customary wedding. Now has abit of experience.
18. This was the year I had the most wedding invitations. Attended the wedding of 2 of my close friends. Jia Ming and Cindy. Hsien Joo and Cindy. Heartiest congratulations to them in starting the new chapter of their life together forever. Also to Han Keong and Serene, sorry could not attend your wedding.
19. Expanded my cuisine experiences.
French: Foie Gra, Duck Confit, Escargots
Spanish: Pallea (My favourite)
Italian: Parma ham (My favourite)
I want to try Mexican, Middle Eastern, South American food next year.
...
Will continue if I can still remember
Warning this might be a long thread full of words.
Today marks the last day of 2011. This had been a very memorable year for me lots of work, fun and pain. 11th Nov is my birthday, so this birthday was particularly meaningful. 11-11-11 and also did many activities for the 1st time.
Alot of people might think my 1st achievements/activities are not significant, but they meant alot to me.
Major Achievements
1. My sister's graduation from University of London(UOL,Bachelor in Economics and Finance).
To study is difficult, to study when you are visually handicapped was more difficult, its even worse when you under the UOL. Most of my friends and cousins under UOL mentioned it was tough. 3 years was neither long nor short, but it was tough as my sis always lamented how hard study/assignment/exams were.
From my sister's opinion why is UOL difficult:
i) Heavy emphasis on syllabus
ii)Pure exams based, no projects, so tons of hardwork memorizing. Despite her handicapped , somehow she was given the gift of photographic memory.
iii)Exams questions are set based by staff in UK, London and the questions rarely repeat, thus studying past year papers not going to help much.
Nevertheless being more academically inclined, excelling in studies since young, my sister is always the role model for all and we are proud of her.
2. My graduation from SIM-University(UniSIM Bachelor in Infocommunications Technology).
It was also tough 2.5 years for me, having to juggle, work, family, study and friends. Burning some Friday evenings and Saturdays for some modules, some friends got classes even on Sunday evenings, thus I'm not too bad.
I still remembered vividly, when registering for the programme, telling myself this is not like secondary or poly where i can still play around. I need to tune my mindset to focus on my studies, set my determination and work hard. Nevertheless graduated satisfied with my hardwork.
I remembered doing a suicidal move by taking 27/30 credit units, this comprised of 6 modules in my first semester. Better than to suffer now than later !
In my previous job, where i had to travel quite frequently, I also brought my assignment overseas, working lonely in the hotel skipping dinner to save my meager overseas allowances.
Guys who envy me working overseas, a word of advice that traveling and working alone is emotional stressful.
i) No more rushing to Clementi MRT after work.
ii)No more attending boring class where key focus is during last hour.
iii) No more waiting for only bus 154 to Paya Lebar MRT
iv) No more having to wait the damn slow bus 70 at Paya Lebar MRT
v) No more dinners at 1130pm. (Last meal was lunch around 130pm)
I would like to thank my best friend Kai whom we suffered, endured, fought and finally graduated from the programme, 2.5ys was not easy.
Also congratulations to my other friends who also graduated this year. Kiat Loon, Wei Qiang, Hsien Joo who also gotten married this year with lovely wife April.
3. Upon graduation, the next thing to do is to take family photo in our graduation gown. Though i always take alot of photos of my friends, there are hardly any pictures of me and even less of our family. This is very meaningful to me though sister and I did not graduated from creme de la Universities, it is a tribute to my loving mother who dedicated, struggled and suffered so many years to ensure that her kids grow up well and healthy in our family.
It had been more than 10years since my father passed away, that was also how long she suffered, struggled, and mustered the strength to keep the family. I cannot repay with grandchildren yet(also dunno when ;p), so that picture will give you assurance and strength when you are weak.
4. Yes finally got my first credit card. (To some people no big deal, they immediately qualify on their first job). I applied solely based on my basic pay without factoring X months of bonuses and am proud of my hardwork. My next goal is to have an income where I cannot apply HDB. Still wondering why Citibank rejected me the $500 credit card when I was working and they approved the applications for my friends who are still schooling full-time.
Minor achievements not in any order.
5. First time attending my best buddy Jimmy and Jasmine's solemnization and getting involved with the preparation. Stressful yet fun. Congratulations to your marriage, looking forward to your customary wedding next year. Where for the first time I will be a real brother. Ya the guy having to wake up early, accompany the groom to fetch his wife, during which we need to suffer eating wasabi, chili ...
6. Picked up scuba diving.
Well in 2010 during my holiday in Bali i had first taste of scary yet exciting experience of diving for 15mins, it was a risk. After then i fell in love diving, enjoying the view and living a world on its own. Eventually Leroy mustered a few of us to pickup diving under the coach who was his supervisor. Though there was slip shod, finally one Friday evening we were on a 4-5h coach ride to Mersing, Malaysia and another close to 2h boat ride to Pulau Tioman. Luckily i do not have motion or sea sickness else the journey would be terrible. 3d2n and 5 dives, am now qualified to solo diving of up to 20m. May pursue further certification, but mind you scuba diving is an expensive sports and gears are expensive. A casual trip without rental of gears costs you SGD$500 onwards.
7. With the lack of soccer sessions, lost of interesting in cycling(yes lazy to send them for repairs) and single, I had a crazy idea of picking up Muay Thai(Thai Boxing). Initial purpose was to keep fit and have fun, thus managed to find a gym near my home. Classes were held in the evenings with free rental of gears. In the beginning was fun, slowly building the fitness and mentality, after 3 courses, 2x basic classes, 1 intermediate class, own set of gears and spending close to $1000, i decided to call it quits. Nevertheless I loved those sessions , felt good sweating out punching bags and your opponents, sparred with girls too. Some are really aggressive.
8. After few year hiatus of playing field soccer, no idea where it originated but we had a crazy idea to make a new set of jersey for our team and started organizing matches. The prior Muay Thai sessions really beefed my fitness and stamina. Usually i would in the team of reserves, but once I was called upon and opportunity and changed the tide of the game.
I scored my first ever field goal !!! Everyone knows how tiring is to play field soccer to be able to score a goal was an enormous event in my soccer playing years. Till now I had 3 goals, jokingly more than our strikers. Looking forward to next game, but i doubt fitness is there as no longer attending Muay Thai.
9. First time did not apply leave during my birthday. Normally I would apply leave on my birthday to escape work. But hey why different this year? I had such camaraderie working with my colleagues why evade. Coincidentally that day was also day when company celebrated birthday of staff born that month. So to say the whole company celebrated for me.
10. First time attending those high profile events. Our Chairman's daughter post wedding night at Marina Bay Sands. An eye opener to see the whos whos networking in event. Coupled at the event, was highlights of the customary wedding in India, a fashion show, product launch and charity show where our Chairman donated a huge sum of money to president's star charity. The recipient was our now ex-president Mr S.R. Nathan. This was the first time i saw him just 20m away from me. Dinner was also an experience for me Indian vegetarian. But we know what is our true purpose there.
11. Completed eating all the famous Lor Mee stalls in SG.
12. Organizing a surprise dinner for my mum's birthday with my relatives.
13. This was also the year of kite flying, no idea why the sudden craze.
A basic kite starts from $20 depending on the size but can go up to few hundreds with endless amount of modification. Like strips of LEDs lights which look stunning at night. Joined my friends for few session of kite flying. The joy is releasing the kite and seeing soar.
The agony is reeling the kite back especially if its like 100m away, my hand hurts.
14. First time going Hongkong and Macau.
HK dramas had been part and parcel of my life. Thus it was also my goal to visit this place. Dream came true after I decided to give myself a reward after my last papers. Unable to accommodate to everyone date, we managed to fly on August which was also summer in Hongkong. I tell you its hotter than SG.
I was tasked to plan the itinerary for this trip, mind you this was my first trip. Our main emphasis was sightseeing, food and shopping. First time taking Tiger airways at the budget terminal. Oh my budget terminal is damn budget. First day we reached Macau and checked into the the extravagance and opulence The Venetian. For such luxury the suites starts from $SGD300/night onwards.
St Paul Ruins, local snacks, gondola rides and casinos.
Lantau island, Lan Kwai Fang, The Peak, Mongkok, Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, Disneyland and dazzling array of signature food. However the trip did not go as I expected.
But Hongkong is not a place where I will settle. Too stressful.
15. First time being a surety.
16. First time roped in to assist in wedding proposal.
Congratulations to the lovely couple Zhi Hao and Charlene. Your touching move had made everyone teared , me nearly.
17. Participated in the planning of the customary wedding. Now has abit of experience.
18. This was the year I had the most wedding invitations. Attended the wedding of 2 of my close friends. Jia Ming and Cindy. Hsien Joo and Cindy. Heartiest congratulations to them in starting the new chapter of their life together forever. Also to Han Keong and Serene, sorry could not attend your wedding.
19. Expanded my cuisine experiences.
French: Foie Gra, Duck Confit, Escargots
Spanish: Pallea (My favourite)
Italian: Parma ham (My favourite)
I want to try Mexican, Middle Eastern, South American food next year.
...
Will continue if I can still remember
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Happen to find this website.
Singapore City Codes
Ang Mo Kio +65 645
Ayer Rajah +65 676
Bedok +65 644
City +65 653
Geylang +65 673
Jurong West, Tampines +65 678
North +65 635
Sembawang +65 675
Tampines +65 677
Source http://www.1areacodescountrycodes.com/international-country-codes-city-calling-code-singapore.htm
Do not seems accurate for me, as I am in Geylang but +65 634
Ang Mo Kio +65 645
Ayer Rajah +65 676
Bedok +65 644
City +65 653
Geylang +65 673
Jurong West, Tampines +65 678
North +65 635
Sembawang +65 675
Tampines +65 677
Source http://www.1areacodescountrycodes.com/international-country-codes-city-calling-code-singapore.htm
Do not seems accurate for me, as I am in Geylang but +65 634
Monday, June 27, 2011
Fruitful Saturday
A day of many firsts.
1. First time see guy propose to girl. (Different from TV drama)
2. First time involved in a couple's wedding proposal event and playing a critical role.
3. First time see many girls touched and teared. (I also very touched)
4. First time drink milkshake in SG.
5. First time attending a social media event @ scape, and amazed by the power and influence of social media like Facebook, Google and Twitter.
6. First time listening the ABCs of running a F&B venture from a young boss cum chef cum salesman cum purchaser cum accountant cum marketing. (Now who wants to sponsor me SGD $100K?)
7. First time go top of Marina Barrage.
8. First time witnessing a marathon event.
9. First time fly kite at night and seeing other kites being entangled without owner realizing, till you see spiderweb form in the darkness.
10. First time meeting and enjoying the companion of 3 groups of my very dear friends in a day.
Group 1 1230 - 2215
Group 2 2215 - 23xx
Group 3 23xx - 03xx
--------------------
Looking forward to my graduation trip with a group of special friends. That would be another first.
1. First time see guy propose to girl. (Different from TV drama)
2. First time involved in a couple's wedding proposal event and playing a critical role.
3. First time see many girls touched and teared. (I also very touched)
4. First time drink milkshake in SG.
5. First time attending a social media event @ scape, and amazed by the power and influence of social media like Facebook, Google and Twitter.
6. First time listening the ABCs of running a F&B venture from a young boss cum chef cum salesman cum purchaser cum accountant cum marketing. (Now who wants to sponsor me SGD $100K?)
7. First time go top of Marina Barrage.
8. First time witnessing a marathon event.
9. First time fly kite at night and seeing other kites being entangled without owner realizing, till you see spiderweb form in the darkness.
10. First time meeting and enjoying the companion of 3 groups of my very dear friends in a day.
Group 1 1230 - 2215
Group 2 2215 - 23xx
Group 3 23xx - 03xx
--------------------
Looking forward to my graduation trip with a group of special friends. That would be another first.
Friday, June 10, 2011
2 short term goals, 1 achieved.
I had set 2 short term goals, since started working.
Today i had received the parcel and completed one of them. The next goal would be known towards end of month.
Waiting anxiously !!!
Today i had received the parcel and completed one of them. The next goal would be known towards end of month.
Waiting anxiously !!!
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