Thursday, May 29, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
US already in recession, says world's richest man Buffet
AFP - Sunday, May 25BERLIN (AFP) - - While economists quibble, the world's richest man has decided: the United States is already in recession. So Warren Buffett tells German magazine Der Spiegel in an interview to be published on Monday.
I Am: A Man A Woman Looking for: A Woman A Man "It is perhaps not a recession in the way that economists would understand it... but people are already feeling the effects and it will be deeper and longer than people think," Buffett said on a visit to Frankfurt.
Buffett, the 77-year-old chief of the Berkshire Hathaway holding company, blamed financial institutions for introducing instruments "they can no longer control" and said the "genie can no longer be put back in the bottle."
Buffett, who overtook Bill Gates this year as the world's richest man, said he believed the financial markets should be more tightly regulated.
According to the Forbes annual billionaire's list published in March, Buffett saw his wealth jump from 52 billion dollars last year to 62 billion, pushing Microsoft co-founder Gates into third position after 13 years at the top.
US economic growth has slowed dramatically in recent months and a growing number of economists believe the world's largest economy will experience a recession during 2008 amid a housing slump and related credit crunch.
Source
I Am: A Man A Woman Looking for: A Woman A Man "It is perhaps not a recession in the way that economists would understand it... but people are already feeling the effects and it will be deeper and longer than people think," Buffett said on a visit to Frankfurt.
Buffett, the 77-year-old chief of the Berkshire Hathaway holding company, blamed financial institutions for introducing instruments "they can no longer control" and said the "genie can no longer be put back in the bottle."
Buffett, who overtook Bill Gates this year as the world's richest man, said he believed the financial markets should be more tightly regulated.
According to the Forbes annual billionaire's list published in March, Buffett saw his wealth jump from 52 billion dollars last year to 62 billion, pushing Microsoft co-founder Gates into third position after 13 years at the top.
US economic growth has slowed dramatically in recent months and a growing number of economists believe the world's largest economy will experience a recession during 2008 amid a housing slump and related credit crunch.
Source
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Food Expo 08
Friday after work went Food Expo with my mum and sis.
My Top 3 favourites
1) Taiwan Mango Ice
2) Authentic Tom Yum soup
3) Fresh mango and glutinous rice
Mango and glutinous rice.
Thai Mango Salad
Horrible authentic Tom Yum no punch. Miss the Tom Yum sold by some Thai restaurant last year.
Die die must eat Taiwan Mango Ice !!!
Great disappointment $5 Turkish Chicken Kebabs. The owner say very nice. For $5 the portion is very little and dry!!!
Thai authentic desserts fruits made of flour with green bean fillings.
My Top 3 favourites
1) Taiwan Mango Ice
2) Authentic Tom Yum soup
3) Fresh mango and glutinous rice
Mango and glutinous rice.
Thai Mango Salad
Horrible authentic Tom Yum no punch. Miss the Tom Yum sold by some Thai restaurant last year.
Die die must eat Taiwan Mango Ice !!!
Great disappointment $5 Turkish Chicken Kebabs. The owner say very nice. For $5 the portion is very little and dry!!!
Thai authentic desserts fruits made of flour with green bean fillings.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Pessimistic news for IT professionals
At the end of April, The Wharton School and CareerBuilder.com released new research on offshoring based on data from 3,000 hiring managers and HR professionals.
If you’re in any of the sectors audited, you should be aware of some of the findings. With abounding uncertainty regarding the long-term outlook of both companies and employees, I found this report to be valuable and insightful because since 2003 I have been warning that nobody is bulletproof when it comes to offshoring.
Now, with business results dicey in many organizations, and the economy making it tougher to get new investment funds, the economics of using overseas staff and management become ever more persuasive.
Here are some of the key findings:
69% of employers believe high skill service positions are now at equal or greater risk of being sent overseas than low skill jobs. Examples they cite included programmers, software developers, marketing, system analysts and general managers.
Industries cited as being at risk included technology services, telecom, engineering, banking, utilities, and communications. For the most part, these are organizations that haven’t yet felt a great impact in the management ranks from offshoring.
Regarding what happened to those employees who had their jobs sent overseas - 71% were let go.
44% of those who are offshoring are using India as the locale of choice, China picked up 24% and Mexico 12%.
Most employers felt they could save money while keeping their service and quality at the same levels.
If you’re in a role that, for the most part, is dependent upon decision-tree logic to make decisions, you need to be concerned about this. Research had already shown that accountants can be replaced (TurboTax), lawyers can be replaced (Completecase.com), and medical doctors can be replaced with MRI’s now being read overnight in South Asia for hospitals in the west.
My advice: Prepare for the worst and ensure that you are doing work that demands more from the creative side for success. No software or computer has yet figured out how to reproduce that type of work. And many think it’s far more enjoyable work.
Source
If you’re in any of the sectors audited, you should be aware of some of the findings. With abounding uncertainty regarding the long-term outlook of both companies and employees, I found this report to be valuable and insightful because since 2003 I have been warning that nobody is bulletproof when it comes to offshoring.
Now, with business results dicey in many organizations, and the economy making it tougher to get new investment funds, the economics of using overseas staff and management become ever more persuasive.
Here are some of the key findings:
69% of employers believe high skill service positions are now at equal or greater risk of being sent overseas than low skill jobs. Examples they cite included programmers, software developers, marketing, system analysts and general managers.
Industries cited as being at risk included technology services, telecom, engineering, banking, utilities, and communications. For the most part, these are organizations that haven’t yet felt a great impact in the management ranks from offshoring.
Regarding what happened to those employees who had their jobs sent overseas - 71% were let go.
44% of those who are offshoring are using India as the locale of choice, China picked up 24% and Mexico 12%.
Most employers felt they could save money while keeping their service and quality at the same levels.
If you’re in a role that, for the most part, is dependent upon decision-tree logic to make decisions, you need to be concerned about this. Research had already shown that accountants can be replaced (TurboTax), lawyers can be replaced (Completecase.com), and medical doctors can be replaced with MRI’s now being read overnight in South Asia for hospitals in the west.
My advice: Prepare for the worst and ensure that you are doing work that demands more from the creative side for success. No software or computer has yet figured out how to reproduce that type of work. And many think it’s far more enjoyable work.
Source
My baby and hardwork
After 3 weeks of combined hardwork and effort my baby is born.
This is a very heavy, expensive and complex baby!
Riddle for you all to guess.
Today while going home i decided to give my colleagues a riddle to guess here goes.
1) This thing is part of our human body.
2) From the day you born till the day you die, it never change in quantity, shape, size and color.
3) You can see and touch it.
4) Without it, you would not die.
5) You do not use it most of the time.
Happy Guessing !!!
This is a very heavy, expensive and complex baby!
Riddle for you all to guess.
Today while going home i decided to give my colleagues a riddle to guess here goes.
1) This thing is part of our human body.
2) From the day you born till the day you die, it never change in quantity, shape, size and color.
3) You can see and touch it.
4) Without it, you would not die.
5) You do not use it most of the time.
Happy Guessing !!!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Why our graduates joining the banking/financial industries
Economics of choice
WHAT'S with university-bound young Singaporeans and their penchant for business degree courses?
For the past three years, business and business-related courses such as accountancy and economics have consistently been the top picks of A-level and polytechnic students heading to university.
Even science-stream students, who are more suited for engineering or computing, sought berths in the business faculty. This resulted in average scorers (with no options but business) being squeezed out of a place.
This year, despite the caution sounded by the universities, the headlong rush into business has persisted. Business and accountancy were again among the top choices at all three universities - National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU). Another hot course was NTU's double degree in engineering and economics.
This does not make sense, given the recent deep losses and job cuts in the financial services sector.
I decided to seek some answers from the young university hopefuls earlier this week at a tea session organised by one of the universities.
Youngster No. 1, a junior college student wired to his iPod and clutching his shiny, new MacBook Air, reasoned: 'I can get into biological sciences or chemical engineering. But I want to study business because I can go and work in the finance industry or start a business and make some serious money.'
Youngster No. 2, a polytechnic graduate who stands a slim chance of being admitted to a business degree course but is trying anyway, proffered: 'Business just seems more fun. You can go work for a bank and they pay more than other companies. With the cost of living spiralling up, I am just being pragmatic.'
Youngster No. 3, another junior college student who has already been offered a place in NUS' and NTU's business faculties, clad in Sass & Bide jeans and clutching a Coach bag, was forthright: 'I figured I would need a minimum of $7,000 a month to survive. The only places that will pay that kind of money to a fresh grad are the banks.'
So there you have it. Business degree = working in a bank. The financial services sector = big money = MacBook Air, Sass & Bide jeans and Coach bag.
The student in designer jeans said she decided to study business after she read an article in The Straits Times about a Singapore Management University student getting a $100,000-a-year job in an investment bank upon graduation.
The fact that the same article pointed out that only a handful of the best students land such high-paying jobs failed to register with her.
Who are the students taking up places in the other faculties? I met two of them who were hanging out with their friends at the National University of Singapore. One had applied for the arts and social sciences as her top choice - because she wants to study sociology and social work. The other wants to take up English language and literature and become a teacher.
The one gunning for sociology and social work said her friends and parents think she is 'plain stupid' as it will mean hard work and little pay. Two years ago, media reports said social workers start with monthly salaries averaging $2,000 - much lower than the $3,000 that fresh graduates in other fields command.
The Singapore Association of Social Workers estimates that the average social worker's monthly pay hovers at $2,500 to $3,000 after five years.
At her parents' insistence, the aspiring social worker put down business and accountancy as her third and fourth choices respectively. 'There is so much suffering. I just want to do my bit and help people,' explained the earnest 20-year-old.
But sadly, with her single B and string of Cs, it will be a stretch to land a place in the arts and social sciences faculty, with its new-found popularity with those wanting to study economics, which is the next best thing for those who cannot get into business.
The other A-level holder aiming to study English has had to vigorously defend her choice. She has a passion for 18th-century novels and working with disadvantaged children. She tells her junior college friends 'money can't buy everything' but they mostly sneer at her.
The girl in designer jeans talks about going on to a brand-name MBA - Harvard Business School, no less - after completing her first degree, so she can 'be a top earner in no time'.
Forget about education for education's sake. For her, education is about transforming herself into an effective economic unit.
Naturally, I tried to recall what my own considerations were when I picked a university course. I could have taken up law at NUS but chose to go into arts and social sciences so that I could indulge in reading more of the great literary works I enjoyed.
My calculations did not disappoint. Every few weeks, I discovered the thrilling works of yet another new poet, novelist or dramatist and, like many of my peers, fell in love with the brilliant young professor teaching it.
I remember being outraged by a don's thesis that Lewis Carroll's Alice books were decadent adult literature rather than children's literature.
I also took up philosophy and remember being floored by a question a tutor posed: 'Why is an orange an orange?' I remember my aesthetics professor bringing along a piece of driftwood nicely framed and asking us to explain why it should not be considered high art.
My university education was, as I hoped, exciting and intoxicating. I never stopped to think about how it could help me earn a living or score a high-paying job.
In the end, it did not make me a wealthy person but it greatly enriched my life.
sandra@sph.com.sg
Source :
I too was divided and tempted to join the Banking/ Financial industries after leaving my first full-time job. Due to the fact my countless number of interviews with IT firms lead to nothing for 2 months.
The lure of the CBD being 10mins from my house, comfy office overlooking the city view, the environment of more females and the astronomical pay for top investors, hedge fund managers, private bankers.
But i decided to persists on as more people are leaving the IT and Engineering industries to the Banks, with stiff further competition from foreign workers. Though being the IT industry for 1y, its still early to foresee the future, due to the dominance of Indians and Filipinos workers.
WHAT'S with university-bound young Singaporeans and their penchant for business degree courses?
For the past three years, business and business-related courses such as accountancy and economics have consistently been the top picks of A-level and polytechnic students heading to university.
Even science-stream students, who are more suited for engineering or computing, sought berths in the business faculty. This resulted in average scorers (with no options but business) being squeezed out of a place.
This year, despite the caution sounded by the universities, the headlong rush into business has persisted. Business and accountancy were again among the top choices at all three universities - National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU). Another hot course was NTU's double degree in engineering and economics.
This does not make sense, given the recent deep losses and job cuts in the financial services sector.
I decided to seek some answers from the young university hopefuls earlier this week at a tea session organised by one of the universities.
Youngster No. 1, a junior college student wired to his iPod and clutching his shiny, new MacBook Air, reasoned: 'I can get into biological sciences or chemical engineering. But I want to study business because I can go and work in the finance industry or start a business and make some serious money.'
Youngster No. 2, a polytechnic graduate who stands a slim chance of being admitted to a business degree course but is trying anyway, proffered: 'Business just seems more fun. You can go work for a bank and they pay more than other companies. With the cost of living spiralling up, I am just being pragmatic.'
Youngster No. 3, another junior college student who has already been offered a place in NUS' and NTU's business faculties, clad in Sass & Bide jeans and clutching a Coach bag, was forthright: 'I figured I would need a minimum of $7,000 a month to survive. The only places that will pay that kind of money to a fresh grad are the banks.'
So there you have it. Business degree = working in a bank. The financial services sector = big money = MacBook Air, Sass & Bide jeans and Coach bag.
The student in designer jeans said she decided to study business after she read an article in The Straits Times about a Singapore Management University student getting a $100,000-a-year job in an investment bank upon graduation.
The fact that the same article pointed out that only a handful of the best students land such high-paying jobs failed to register with her.
Who are the students taking up places in the other faculties? I met two of them who were hanging out with their friends at the National University of Singapore. One had applied for the arts and social sciences as her top choice - because she wants to study sociology and social work. The other wants to take up English language and literature and become a teacher.
The one gunning for sociology and social work said her friends and parents think she is 'plain stupid' as it will mean hard work and little pay. Two years ago, media reports said social workers start with monthly salaries averaging $2,000 - much lower than the $3,000 that fresh graduates in other fields command.
The Singapore Association of Social Workers estimates that the average social worker's monthly pay hovers at $2,500 to $3,000 after five years.
At her parents' insistence, the aspiring social worker put down business and accountancy as her third and fourth choices respectively. 'There is so much suffering. I just want to do my bit and help people,' explained the earnest 20-year-old.
But sadly, with her single B and string of Cs, it will be a stretch to land a place in the arts and social sciences faculty, with its new-found popularity with those wanting to study economics, which is the next best thing for those who cannot get into business.
The other A-level holder aiming to study English has had to vigorously defend her choice. She has a passion for 18th-century novels and working with disadvantaged children. She tells her junior college friends 'money can't buy everything' but they mostly sneer at her.
The girl in designer jeans talks about going on to a brand-name MBA - Harvard Business School, no less - after completing her first degree, so she can 'be a top earner in no time'.
Forget about education for education's sake. For her, education is about transforming herself into an effective economic unit.
Naturally, I tried to recall what my own considerations were when I picked a university course. I could have taken up law at NUS but chose to go into arts and social sciences so that I could indulge in reading more of the great literary works I enjoyed.
My calculations did not disappoint. Every few weeks, I discovered the thrilling works of yet another new poet, novelist or dramatist and, like many of my peers, fell in love with the brilliant young professor teaching it.
I remember being outraged by a don's thesis that Lewis Carroll's Alice books were decadent adult literature rather than children's literature.
I also took up philosophy and remember being floored by a question a tutor posed: 'Why is an orange an orange?' I remember my aesthetics professor bringing along a piece of driftwood nicely framed and asking us to explain why it should not be considered high art.
My university education was, as I hoped, exciting and intoxicating. I never stopped to think about how it could help me earn a living or score a high-paying job.
In the end, it did not make me a wealthy person but it greatly enriched my life.
sandra@sph.com.sg
Source :
I too was divided and tempted to join the Banking/ Financial industries after leaving my first full-time job. Due to the fact my countless number of interviews with IT firms lead to nothing for 2 months.
The lure of the CBD being 10mins from my house, comfy office overlooking the city view, the environment of more females and the astronomical pay for top investors, hedge fund managers, private bankers.
But i decided to persists on as more people are leaving the IT and Engineering industries to the Banks, with stiff further competition from foreign workers. Though being the IT industry for 1y, its still early to foresee the future, due to the dominance of Indians and Filipinos workers.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Long break and meetup
It had been a very long and tiring 3 weeks for me. OT after 530pm and coming back on Saturday till 330pm.
Been very busy with a new project. Lots of responsibility, screwed-ups and learning. The project manager eventually had to extend 1 more week before leaving back to US.
1st week, engineers would build a model kit.
2nd week, we are to replicate the model and prepare the documentation and processes.
2nd week alot of time wasted as the procedures cannot adhere to older kits.
Eventually , I had to single-handedly build 27 servers from scratch. What a feat by me. If done by others, guess the project manager had to apply VISA already.
Finally able to relax on Friday as everything was verified working and manager had left. With the Vesak holiday this Monday, its goanna be a long weekend.
Kai still grounded from cycling but hope he would get well soon and pass his exams this week. Met Deyang my sec school mate for riding. It had been at least 8 yrs since i last saw him. But we contact regularly over MSN. He just finished his exams and having his break. I saw his nick about the runway cycling thingy and messaged him if he wanted to come out cycle.
Saturday, met Deyang at Paya Lebar. Not much changes, but seemed like he grown taller or i grown shorter. He bought Kona Blast when he was a RP in PLAB, cycling to camp. After ORD, the bike under-utilised.
We then cycle to ECP - CV and had an early dinner. Then from CV back to ECP. I guess it had been a long time since he worked his muscles thus struggling along the runway road. I was already on my heaviest gear and still faster than him LOL. Need to buck up man. At the end of the trip really worried about him as he was damn pale. Luckily he managed to reach home safely.
Sunday, Mum cooked my favourite Mee Siam !!! I was her trusty assistant and she always said it was a very simple dish to prepare. But i would not reveal her secrets. Hopefully 1 day I can cook without her assistance, to see how much I mastered her skills. After lunch she didn't feel like going anywhere, so I just laze at home, playing yahoo pool. Managed to catch XX and Jimmy on MSN and asked them whether they interested to meetup. Arranged to meet Orchard 7pm.
Somebody took a photo of the new Nissan Skyline Police car and posted it on EDMW. Whats next for the Traffic Police. Is the Subaru and Skyline necessary? Singapore is so small, no traffic offenders can run away.
I reached Orchard MRT while waiting for the 2. Surprisingly XX was not the last even though he stayed Serangoon and need to transfer at the NEL. We went to buy drinks whilst waiting for Jimmy. Soon he came wearing full body black except a pair of white leather shoes. He is a image conscious person. We then walked around and stumbled across Osim roadshow. Don't know fated or impulse, I spent quite alot there. But its for the family so its ok. We then headed Plaza Singapura for dineer at Cafe Cartel. Beside dinner, we all talking about, their Macau trip which doesn't seem fun to them. Work, love and money. Left for home at 11pm.
Blanket made of very soft material.
Source
You are the King, and your head deserved to be pampered.
Source
The actual thing.
Worn on my head.
n.a.p Massage wrap
Source
True Yoga vouchers for sale, please contact me.
Sunday ard 515pm, cycled to CV then back, reached home around 8pm.
Fact A Mountain Bike can never win the speed of a Racer
Been very busy with a new project. Lots of responsibility, screwed-ups and learning. The project manager eventually had to extend 1 more week before leaving back to US.
1st week, engineers would build a model kit.
2nd week, we are to replicate the model and prepare the documentation and processes.
2nd week alot of time wasted as the procedures cannot adhere to older kits.
Eventually , I had to single-handedly build 27 servers from scratch. What a feat by me. If done by others, guess the project manager had to apply VISA already.
Finally able to relax on Friday as everything was verified working and manager had left. With the Vesak holiday this Monday, its goanna be a long weekend.
Kai still grounded from cycling but hope he would get well soon and pass his exams this week. Met Deyang my sec school mate for riding. It had been at least 8 yrs since i last saw him. But we contact regularly over MSN. He just finished his exams and having his break. I saw his nick about the runway cycling thingy and messaged him if he wanted to come out cycle.
Saturday, met Deyang at Paya Lebar. Not much changes, but seemed like he grown taller or i grown shorter. He bought Kona Blast when he was a RP in PLAB, cycling to camp. After ORD, the bike under-utilised.
We then cycle to ECP - CV and had an early dinner. Then from CV back to ECP. I guess it had been a long time since he worked his muscles thus struggling along the runway road. I was already on my heaviest gear and still faster than him LOL. Need to buck up man. At the end of the trip really worried about him as he was damn pale. Luckily he managed to reach home safely.
Sunday, Mum cooked my favourite Mee Siam !!! I was her trusty assistant and she always said it was a very simple dish to prepare. But i would not reveal her secrets. Hopefully 1 day I can cook without her assistance, to see how much I mastered her skills. After lunch she didn't feel like going anywhere, so I just laze at home, playing yahoo pool. Managed to catch XX and Jimmy on MSN and asked them whether they interested to meetup. Arranged to meet Orchard 7pm.
Somebody took a photo of the new Nissan Skyline Police car and posted it on EDMW. Whats next for the Traffic Police. Is the Subaru and Skyline necessary? Singapore is so small, no traffic offenders can run away.
I reached Orchard MRT while waiting for the 2. Surprisingly XX was not the last even though he stayed Serangoon and need to transfer at the NEL. We went to buy drinks whilst waiting for Jimmy. Soon he came wearing full body black except a pair of white leather shoes. He is a image conscious person. We then walked around and stumbled across Osim roadshow. Don't know fated or impulse, I spent quite alot there. But its for the family so its ok. We then headed Plaza Singapura for dineer at Cafe Cartel. Beside dinner, we all talking about, their Macau trip which doesn't seem fun to them. Work, love and money. Left for home at 11pm.
Blanket made of very soft material.
Source
You are the King, and your head deserved to be pampered.Source
The actual thing.Worn on my head.
n.a.p Massage wrapSource
True Yoga vouchers for sale, please contact me.Sunday ard 515pm, cycled to CV then back, reached home around 8pm.
Fact A Mountain Bike can never win the speed of a Racer
Friday, May 16, 2008
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