三世因果经

多子多孙为何因，前世开笼放鸟人。
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今生无子为何因，前世填穴覆巢人。



Post Date: 9 Dec 08

Sigh ... still not good news yet

What I heard last week, I had originally thought good news are on their way.

I was wrong.

Apparently, different cases require different 'procedures'. I know my disappointment is written all over my face, but I don't intend to hide my true emotions.

I am told to stay optimistic, not to be disheartened, keep trying ... I know I have to, but I feel very defeated already ...



Image credit here.

Post Date: 9 Dec 08

Reminder to self

Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.
Be grateful with what you have. Don't compare and don't complain.


Post Date: 9 Dec 08

The Noose: Maid Training School

Michelle Chong is really good ...



Post Date: 20 Oct 08

空虚

今天是农历九月十九, 纪念观世音菩萨成道日.

早上到四马路走了一趟. 拜拜之后, 原本还想跟菩萨求支签, 想问问为什么迟迟没有宝宝的音讯. 可惜的是, 今天没有支签服务.

庙里庙外, 人群很多,但视线很模糊. 是睡眠不足, 还是对周围的一切完全没兴趣?

近期还真的有很多东西烦 - 工作, baby, 投资... 看到人家买车买楼, 感到很自卑, 总觉得自己比不上别人, 因为自己做的, 不比别人多, 比别人好. 真的很难受, 也很空虚. 为了这些红尘事而烦, 显得很肤浅, 但毕竟我还是凡夫俗子.

老婆相反的, 对这些不以为然. 或许, 这就是我需要的, 那股平衡的力量吧.

嗨 ...



Image credit here.

Post Date: 17 Oct 08

Another month, another test marked in red

It's like at night, when you can't get to sleep. The later it gets, the more you worry. And the more you worry, the harder it is to fall asleep.

Very soon, I'll need to dig right inside to conjure up the optimism and belief.

Also, it has been happening with increasing frequency, this lack of a good night's sleep ...



Image credit here.

Post Date: 17 Oct 08

What a LOVELY day!

This is turning out to be such a WONDERFUL day!

Not only is arse luck rearing its pretty head, this is also the day I found out a friend just sold his condo FOR A PROFIT and has moved into his new condo in the west.

And when did I hear this? Right after worrying if my job will still be there and wondering if I should take the property agent course as a backup, and contemplating selling the car to buy a cheaper one so as to lower the monthly instalments.

I can't breathe now, and need to sit down ...



Post Date: 14 Oct 08

If this is not arse luck, then what is??

Receipt of document regarding rights issue: 3 Oct 08
Rights price: 75 cents
Share price: no movement (last done at 84.5 cents long ago)

From 5 - 12 Oct, tried to apply at ATM but either forgot or no ATM.
Share price: still no movement

Finally, today, remembered and found ATM. Happily punched it entitlement of 1 lot, and applied for 2 excess lots. Damage is $2252, including $2 admin fee.

And guess what? The share price finally moved - DOWN! It gapped down to 67.5 cents.

And this is the day STI closed up 128.02 points ! Immediately paper loss $225.

CCB.



Post Date: 14 Oct 08

BankWest in A$2.1b takeover bid from CBA

The West Australian article here.



Premier told BankWest jobs to stay in WA

8th October 2008, 17:30 WST

Premier Colin Barnett said today he had been reassured BankWest staff levels across WA would not be affected by the proposed $2.1 billion takeover bid by Commonwealth Bank.

In a media statement, Mr Barnett said he had spoken with Commonwealth Bank chief executive officer Ralph Norris, who had given a commitment regarding staffing levels and an assurance that BankWest would continue to operate independently of the Commonwealth Bank, with its headquarters to remain in WA.

Mr Barnett said the commitments would give BankWest greater strength and return the bank to Australian ownership.

He said any questions relating to competition would be addressed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission when assessing the purchase proposal.

Mr Norris this morning announced plans to buy BankWest and St Andrew’s Australia from their UK based parent HBOS provided the proposal passes all competition, regulatory and government approvals.

He said BankWest was a quality asset which had been made available on attractive terms, from troubled UK mortgage giant HBOS.

“BankWest provides a significant opportunity to further develop the group’s business in the fast growing WA market,” he said in an announcement this morning.

“It complements our existing operations and will deliver additional growth opportunities in key market segments, as well as enhanced product and service delivery opportunities for customers.”

Despite Mr Barnett’s comments, the Financial Sector Union has warned that WA jobs were likely to be the first to go if Bankwest was taken over by Commonwealth Bank.

The Bank of Western Australia Act 1995 stipulates BankWest’s head office, managing director and core functions must remain in WA.

The company, founded as Agricultural Bank of Western Australia, will be only a drop in the ocean for Commonwealth Bank’s overall market capitalisation – with the $2.1 billion purchase price not requiring the approval of CBA shareholders.

According to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, BankWest holds 4 per cent of Australia’s total lending market share and 4 per cent of all home loans, dwarfed by CBA’s 21 per cent and 20 per cent stakes respectively.

CBA holds $365 billion in loans and advances, $262 billion in customer deposits and $185 million in funds under administration – dwarfing Bankwest’s $55 billion in loans, $37 billion in deposits and $2 billion under administration.

Commonwealth also has 10 million customers to BankWest’s 900,000, and employs 39,600 people – leading to speculation that the jobs of BankWest’s 5,000 employees may be under threat.

While CBA has committed to retaining the BankWest brand in WA, an investor pack released by the bank this morning says it plans to streamline administrative functions, systems and processes of the banks where synergies exist.

CBA will also review BankWest’s recent east coast retail expansion strategy, and look to integrate the St Andrew’s Australia insurance and investments arm into its insurance operations.

BankWest is a market leader in WA, with its 100 branches across the state dwarfing CBA’s 77, ANZ’s 81 and National Australia Bank’s 72.

Only the combined operations of Westpac and St George Bank had more, at 107.

BankWest also has more Automatic Teller Machines in the State – 366 to CBA’s 275 – and 28 business centres to CBA’s 10.

PERTH
JAYNE RICKARD AND ANDREW HOBBS



Image credit here.

Post Date: 8 Oct 08

RBA cuts official interest rates by a full percentage point

The West Australian article here.



Market stunned by massive rate cut

7th October 2008, 11:30 WST

The Reserve Bank has cut official interest rates by a full percentage point, stunning economists and financial markets.

In its first full percentage point cut in rates since May 1992, bank governor Glenn Stevens said conditions in international financial markets had taken a “significant turn for the worse” through September.

The move takes rates to six per cent, the lowest since November 2006.

Mr Stevens said the slowdown in the global economy meant the inflation risk was abating.

The bank had to make monetary policy much easier in such conditions.

“The recent deterioration in prospects for global growth, together with much more difficult market conditions even for creditworthy borrowers, now present the risk that demand and output could be significantly weaker than earlier expected. Should that occur, inflation would most likely fall faster than earlier forecast,” he said.

“Given that background, the Board judged that a material change to the balance of risks surrounding the outlook had occurred, requiring a significantly less restrictive stance of monetary policy.”

In an admission of the concerns that banks may not be able to pass on all cuts in rates, Mr Stevens said the board realised the tougher conditions facing commercial banks.

“The board also took careful note of movements in funding costs in wholesale markets. Having weighed these considerations, the board decided that, on this occasion, an unusually large movement in the cash rate was appropriate in order to bring about a significant reduction in costs to borrowers,” he said.

The unexpected move - markets had expected a half percentage cut - generated a huge spike on the Australian stock market which had been in negative territory before the announcement.

Macquarie Bank interest rate specialist Rory Robertson said the Reserve would aggressively cut interest rates in coming months to avoid sending Australia into recession.

“RBA policymakers now will do what they can to avoid excessive rises in unemployment,” he said.

“That means managing key lending rates lower, with some urgency. And not worrying too much about the recent weakness of the Australian dollar, which may or may not be sustained; if it is, recession will be easier to avoid.”

SHANE WRIGHT
ECONOMICS EDITOR



Post Date: 8 Oct 08

BT: Tough going for Singapore bourse

BT article here.

Published October 7, 2008

TOUGH GOING FOR SINGAPORE BOURSE

SINGAPORE shares crashed yesterday, in line with global markets, and more pain appears in store for investors, notwithstanding the odd technical rebound or two.

The economic slowdown and a weakening Singapore dollar look set to serve up a double whammy for Singapore stocks. The strongest official warning so far that the Singapore economy is headed for tough times came over the weekend, when Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that the economy is expected to slow, not just one or two quarters, but for several quarters as the sub-prime meltdown evolves into an economic crisis.

This sets the stage for two major and potentially market-moving announcements this week. On Friday, the government will announce flash GDP estimates for the third quarter. Many private sector economists are expecting a technical recession (two consecutive quarters of GDP declines) starting in the third quarter, and some are warning of a full-blown recession ahead, with year-on-year quarterly contractions.

With economists slashing their estimates of Singapore's 2008 growth to well below 4 per cent, all eyes are now on the government cutting its full-year economic growth forecast of 4-5 per cent.

Yesterday's sharp drop in stock prices is one indication that the market is starting to price in a prolonged economic slowdown, and further downgrades are likely. Corporate profits will increasingly be at risk.

The Q3 reporting season, which will begin shortly, will provide the first hint of the expected deterioration in earnings, although easing fuel and commodities prices may provide some relief.

The Q3 GDP flash estimates will also provide a backdrop for another key announcement on the same day - the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) twice-yearly policy statement. With growth replacing inflation as the main concern, the MAS is expected to signal a slower pace of appreciation for the Singapore dollar against its major counterparts.

The weakening of the Sing dollar will aid the competitiveness of Singapore exporters and help cushion the blow of slowing demand in key markets. It will also be welcomed by local companies which have seen their overseas earnings pared down by conversion losses when the Sing dollar was gaining.

But the weakening Sing dollar could be negative for stocks. When the Sing dollar appreciation story was in play over the last one year or so, there were significant foreign capital inflows into the Singapore economy. A lot of the inflows found their way into local stocks, as foreign investors anticipated currency as well as capital gains.

Now, with the expected Sing dollar weakening, the reverse will be true, leaving the stock market facing the prospects of capital outflows. So it could be some tough months ahead for the Singapore stock market as well.



Image credit here.

Post Date: 7 Oct 08

STI - 6 Oct 2008

**Update**
The STI actually ended 128.80 points (5.6%) lower at 2,168.32 points.

Post Date: 7 Oct 2008

The fallibility of Man

"POWER CORRUPTS;

ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY."

Discuss.



Post Date: 8 Oct 08

Slowing Australian economy

To stimulate a slowing economy, the Reserve Bank of Australia lowered the cash rate by 25 basis points to 7.0%, effective 3 September 2008.

The Herald Sun reported that " ... the Aussie's collapse from its mid-July peak of US98.49c has been the most visible sign of the economy cooling to its slowest level of growth in more than two years..."

Aiyah. Because of this, my Aussie dollar fixed account has receded 8.6% (from S$1.3187 to today's S$1.2047).

Australian Dollar to Singapore Dollar Exchange Rate

Can't change into S$. Have to keep in A$, and survive on interest. Poor baby fund ...



Post Date: 4 Sep 08

Time for a holiday

Wifey has been asking when we can have our next break. Choices like Perth, Macau and Hong Kong were initially enthusiastically discussed but had to be eventually discarded.

We eventually narrowed our selection down to Cambodia. While Siem Reap is a great cultural place to visit, I wasn't too sure about the security there. Online reviews sought to soothe the fear, but I needed a second opinion. A DIVINE opinion.

Yes, it's a green light! Thank You very much!

After that, I walked leisurely to the hawker centre to have a light afternoon snack. The dark clouds threatened to pour, but never did.

The feeling is so calm, everything is working out, and I have this overall sense of contentment.



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 4 Sep 08

Hilarious Hitler!

This is damn funny!



Came from this original clip about Xbox Live:




Post Date: 20 Aug 08

Sick chicken

Coughed for one week and finally went to see doctor last night, and got an MC for today.

It's a good break, I must say. Had time to laze around, and finally started on Deathly Hallows. For once, all those office-related problems that I have been bringing back home in my head dissipated. Also gone were the down feeling, the self-doubts, the worries about how and where to find the money to upgrade to condo ...

My mind was surprisingly ... clear.



Post Date: 20 Aug 08

Ad from Japan Ad Council

A powerful ad. I haven't fully grasped all its underlying messages yet. But I want to document it here for future reference.





Post Date: 18 July 08

Thanks and farewell, Dr Ong

Dr Ong Chit Chung passed away peacefully of heart attack on Monday, 14 July 2008. Paid my last respects this afternoon at his Princess Of Wales Rd home.

It was an ang-mo style wake, and I wasn't too sure what I had to do, or not to do. But in the end, it went alright.

I had the privilege of serving Dr Ong as a VIP customer in my first job, attending to his telecommunications needs. Unassuming and friendly, he allayed all my early fears of being a difficult VIP customer. He even went to the extend of writing a complimentary letter and sending it to the CEO. It is now an important keepsake of mine.

I remember there was one I failed him, and he got really angry with me. The silly me failed to realise that I did not activate an important service for him, inconveniencing him on his overseas trip. I still blame myself for that foul-up.

I had the audacity of asking him for help in 1999 when I was going to register my marriage. Fort Canning Country Club was only a walking distance from the ROM, and it was a godsent that he was Chairman. When I brought the matter up to him in one of my visits to his office, he very gladly and quickly agreed. "Of course it can be done! We have very good food here," he enthused, and started recommending a list of finger food. He even assigned his own secretary to see to the smooth running of the event. I was very touched, and eternally grateful.

Considering he was managing so many companies while being an MP, I once asked him how he was able to juggle the heavy workload. "Have capable people that you trust to run the show," was his response.

Rest in peace, Dr Ong. And many thanks for touching my life.



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 21 Jul 08

Where the Hell is Matt?

Respect!


Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

14 months in the making, 42 countries, and a cast of thousands.



Credit here.

Post Date: 3 July 2008

Bill Gates retires

So yesterday is Mr Microsoft's last official work day.

How about 2 clips to commemorate the event?



I prefer the Letterman version : )





Post Date: 3 July 2008

20-year reunion

It has been 20 years since we left secondary school. A friend, together with some others, got together to organise a reunion this Saturday for the different classes.

I have informed the organisers I won't be attending. Such an irony, considering I was the organiser for my own class' 10-year reunion.

I was told the attendees number 50 adults and 50 kids. Sigh. Guess what will be the most popular topic that night? And some of these people that are going, I bump into them on the streets once in a while. It's either I have good memory or they have poor memory - they don't seem to recognise me! Don't see how a reunion will help.

Most importantly, why I'm not going, is because most of my kakis are not going? Why can't they make it, you ask.

Why, to look after their kid(s), of course!

Whatever lah. Going to CommunicAsia 08 later after lunch.



Post Date: 20 Jun 08

Sianzzzz

Slept an additional hour this morning, but it still didn't help with the 偏头痛. Knew that it wasn't going to be a good day. Even my colleagues asked what was wrong.

Decided that I had enough and left for home at around 4.30pm.

On the way home, I tried to rationalise my sian-ness. I think it's a combination of factors, a perfect storm of emotions:

1. Office Work
Work has been really intense, and I've been kept on my toes. I'm not trained in my current responsibility, and I have no prior experience nor knowledge. Everything has been learnt on the ground. Because of this, I move very cautiously, poring over every detail and (try to) cover every angle. The buck stops with me. One wrong move/decision could send me to jail, incur the company a fine, or worse, send the whole structure down. It's not so much the pressure, but rather, the responsibility that's weighing me down. I need a break from months of scolding contractors, complaining to customers, spot checks and approving drawings/plans. And just before I left for home, another person was prepared to inconvenience us so as to get whatever he wanted. I was too tired to fight back.

2. Volunteer Work
Heard from a friend yesterday that the current case has been put on accelerated path. It's back to the good old days. We haven't been approached yet, but it might just happen. I really don't mind helping, but I always get the feeling our help is taken for granted, that it is 理所当然. Sigh. I may be over-worrying. Maybe the existing group can handle ... ?

3. Kids
Went to see the chinese physician again after another month of red marks. This time around, he diagnosed that the problem may lie with me. Sigh. Why is it so hard to conceive? Other people don't even need to try to get pregnant! And we just came back from dinner with a couple friend who brought along their 18-month-old boy. Guess what was the main conversational topic throughout the dinner?



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 20 Jun 08

BizTimes: Global IPO market still solid, thanks to BRIC

It's reassuring to be reading this in the Business Times. I really hope I made the right choice.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,283651,00.html?

Ernst & Young report says Brazil, Russia, India, China will pick up slack

By MICHELLE QUAH

(SINGAPORE) Despite market volatility and the credit crunch caused by the US sub-prime crisis last year, global initial public offering (IPO) markets continued to see a healthy flow of activity, fuelled mainly by emerging markets.

Ernst & Young's (EY) fifth annual Global IPO Trends report said that global IPO activity soared to an all-time high of US$284 billion raised in 1,979 deals. And the BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China - were responsible for over 40 per cent of the proceeds raised.

Going forward, investment bankers and stock exchange executives interviewed by EY predict a healthy pipeline of global IPOs in the year ahead, especially from emerging markets.

This is despite a drastic slowdown in almost all global IPO markets in the first quarter of this year. There were 236 IPOs in the first quarter, generating US$40.9 billion - a 38 per cent drop in volume and a 15 per cent decline in capital raised, from the first quarter of 2007.

EY's report blamed the market turmoil triggered by the credit crunch, which led to a sharp deceleration in most IPO markets around the world. 'Faced with more scrutinising investors and stringent valuations, record numbers of businesses withdrew or postponed their IPO plans,' it said.

Notably, however, eight out of the top 10 IPOs last year were companies from the emerging markets - which were bolstered by robust economic growth at a time when developed markets had to endure a slowdown.

Overall, Greater China raised the most capital and launched the most IPOs, drawing in US$66 billion in 259 deals. The US took second place with 172 IPOs generating US$34.2 billion. The third spot was taken by a second emerging market - Brazil - whose IPO markets produced US$27.3 billion in 64 IPOs.

Investment bankers and stock exchange executives noted that soaring global liquidity and flourishing local economies have kindled emerging markets growth.

'It's a combination of the economic, fiscal and currency strength within these local markets, combined with massive global liquidity,' said Lisa Carnoy, managing director and co-head of equity capital markets at Merrill Lynch in New York.

Noreen Culhane, executive vice-president of the global corporate client group at NYSE Euronext, said: 'As these emerging economies develop so rapidly, there is both a need and an opportunity for new entrepreneurial businesses. These businesses need capital to fund organic growth and to gain a currency for acquisitions.'

And global investors with an appetite for risk have been shifting assets to fast-growing emerging markets where higher returns can be achieved. 'It's a little easier to achieve the alpha or high growth that investors seek in the emerging markets, given their generally greater underlying economic strength,' said Jonathan Grussing, managing director and head of equity corporate finance at Credit Suisse in London.

......



Post Date: 16 Jun 08

Life's simple pleasures

Parked at Rochor Centre for a conference at Raffles City.

Had a leisurely breakfast at the Kopitiam coffeeshop. Watched the people going to work past me by.

The breakfast was nothing to rave about, but the me-time did me a world of good.

WARNING: crappy video quality ahead





Post Date: 16 Jun 08

Time for a break

These past 6 or so weeks have been quite intense, for both work and personal. I'm happy to report both have crossed the critical stage and now should be the stable, routine season.

In anticipation that we need to reward ourselves for the hard work (hehehe), Wifey and I booked the package at NATAS some 3 months ago. When it was still months ago, we lamented that it's still so far away. And now, we are wishing we had some more time to pack!

Indian Ocean, here we come!



Image credit here.

Post Date: 2 Jun 08

Out of the ordinary ...hmm ...

So the birthday came and went. Can't say I still enjoy celebrating birthdays, but it gives Wifey and I another reason to eat well. More of that later ...

Want to document some interesting events leading up to, and including, the birthday.

- On birthday eve, someone buzzed the doorbell. It was a middle-aged lady looking for 'Adrian'. She refused to take "No such person here" as an answer. She even prevented me from closing the door, and asking "Are you 100% sure?". I told her I was 120% sure. She left, only to come back again. After the 3rd ringing of the bell, I exasperatedly opened the door, and she asked "He went to Germany or something, right?" UURRRGHHH! Yet thinking of it now gives me the creeps.

- While in the middle of the night (birth day already), I was woken up by a 'tick tick' sound coming from the side table. I turned and realised it was coming from the cube clock that I bought in Thailand. Drowsily I got up and fiddled with the battery catch, and managed to yank all 4 batteries out. Guess what? The ticking didn't stop. Amazing! This thing doesn't run on batteries! (Child's Play, anyone?) Really was too sleepy to be frightened, so I went outside and chucked it on the dining table. The next day, I found out there were 2 smaller batteries with a different compartment. Orrrrhh ...

- So Wifey and I went to eat at this posh place, with supposedly a good restaurant. While the food was good, it was definitely waaaaaayy overpriced. The portions were so little, and the 5-course costs $130 each. To me, that's expensive. Anyhow, 1/3 way through the dinner, I suddenly had this very bloated feeling in my stomach, which then expanded up to my chest. Yes, I did have complimentary bread before the actual meal, but I didn't eat all that many, what! Was it the olive oil? Whatever lah. I suffered all the way until I got home ... where I got my gastric attack.

- To wrap the interesting day up, the gastric attack was followed by this wave of fatigue in quick succession. It was like I was going to crash any moment, and I had to get to bed. Fast. I think I was talking to Wifey ... and I fell asleep. How I hauled my tired ass to bed, I only vaguely remember.



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 30 May 08

1st Anniversary

Hi Father,

How have you been? It's been 1 year since you ventured into another world - how time flies.

It may have been one year already, but everything is still vivid: the emotions, the feelings, the images, the faces ... I think it'll be forever etched into me. I still get goosebumps. I still think of you a lot, when I'm in the shower, in the office, at Mum's place, and when I think of my birthday coming up. Not that this is a complaint. It's just that this is so symbolic of life isn't it? That with 生 comes 老,病 and then 死.

Wifey and I are fine. She just clocked her 5th year of service with the company this year. She's been a loyal employee - this is her one and only company since we came back from Australia. As for me, hehe, not so loyal. The current place is my 3rd one since coming back. But I'm happy to report that things at work is better now than one year ago. Even then, I must remain relevant.

Mum is fine too. Not too sure if I've told you this before, but she has rented out one room to 3 Vietnamese girls. They seemed ok enough, and Mum gets along well with them. Recently, we started going out for dinner with Mum, instead of she cooking. She requested for "something fresh". I didn't know Mum was adventurous with food! Her luck with lottery has also been nothing short of spectacular. It keeps her happy and excited. I think this is in no small way your doing, Father?

There is one thing I want to report to you. Last year, there was consideration for Wifey and I to sell/rent our place and move into Mum's. But before that, we had Mum stay over with us. After trying for a few months, Mum still prefered to stay at her own place. I think she's a bit disappointed that we did not move in with her. I think I'm a bit selfish for saying this, but having my own roof over my head is important to me. It's something like a safeguard for a conservative Chinaman. As for renting our place out, I dread to think of the condition when we take back the unit. Amidst all these considerations, we held back moving in with Mum. She worked fast, and found company, in the form of her new tenants. This arrangement is for now. What I intend to do is to look for a place nearer to Mum, with no bus transits in between.

What about you, Father? How are things at your end? Have you adjusted to the new surroundings? Have you made new friends? Do you ... miss us? I really miss you, and I know Mum and Wifey miss you even more, and they are handling it so well. I guess I have to learn from them, to deal with the loss.

That's all I have, Father. Will talk to you again. In the meantime, please bless Mum with good health and happiness, and us with good news on the baby front!

Bye, and take care.



Yours sincerely,

Your son-in-law



Photo credit here.

Composed Date: 13 May 08

Huh? Is that right?

Met some friends yesterday. Haven't met them in a while, and they commented that I looked thinner. "You now have a sharper chin lah", they enthused. Went home and quickly weighed myself, and couldn't believe my eyes.

I'm now a lightweight 63.5kg. BMI is 23 - normal weight : )

Can't remember the last time I weighed myself, but couldn't have been more than 3 months ago. Wah, lost 2kg in 3 months!

So much nearer to my ideal weight of 60kg.



Post Date: 28 May 08

Obigood

Good lah, good lah!

Many, many nights of insufficient sleep, some nights of only 4 hours' of sleep, surfing the web before sleeping ... at some point, something's gonna give, right?

After a few days of never-noticed-or-can't-be-bothered low-grade fever (eh, how come my throat tastes bitter and my eyes like burning, ah?), my body finally gave up fighting. Yesterday my throat was damn sore and the fever went full-blown. 37.7 degrees later, I got an MC to rest at home today.

Whatever happened to health regime of sleeping early? Huh? HUH?!



Post Date: 27 May 08

Baby fund

The arrangement with Wifey from last time was once we have a child, she'll take care of the child's health/insurance while I'll raise the money for education.

The money I set aside from last year were for:
- miscellaneous stuff like delivery package, checkups, etc
- seed money for education fund

Part of the money has finally been invested, after one year of procrastination and too much research.

Miscellaneous fund
- invested on 22.05.08
- topped up $1000
- invested in FCFD with DBS
- A$1 = S$1.3187
- instruction to roll principal and interest
- interest rate at 6.695%p.a.
- maturity in 2 mths

Education fund
- part of money invested on 26.05.08
- bought Schroder BRIC fund with Citibank
- RSP of $300
- sales charge of 2%
- fund price and number of units to be confirmed
- remaining money meant to be invested in commodity fund, but may have missed the boat. Need to re-evaluate.

I hope I've placed my bets on the right things, and that the money will be enough...



Photo credit here.
Disclaimer: my baby can't be blonde, and no way am I investing in US$!

Post Date: 27 May 08

Is the ice considered broken?

It's been 10 months since I announced to you that I wanted to take a back seat. You gracefully agreed that I can be your third line of defence. Before that, you had just started to help me and Wifey with our baby thingy.

We didn't want to appear desperate and didn't want to put you in a spot. That's why for the past 10 months, not once did we breathe anything about the baby thingy.

We were pleasantly surprised when you brought up the issue 2 weeks ago when we went to visit you. "The time is right", you mentioned encouragingly. I'm sure the incident 10 months ago caused much unhappiness. But when you voluntarily said that it was time, I was quietly glad, maybe all that unhappiness is already behind you.

But I must commend you on the timing. This is not the first time already, that you have impeccable timing. For this case, coincidentally, we also seeked our own help a few days ago. Maybe Buddha knows that I'm kiasu, so He double-confirms?

So last night we went to fetch you. The conversation topics may still be the same, but the ease seems to be lacking. Time will improve on that, for sure.

For all the time you were in the house, you didn't leave the seat. There was no opportunity for me to explain why there is a talisman stuck on my bedroom door. But I'm sure you already know. I'm prepared to explain, once the opportunity arises.



Post Date: 27 May 08

The making of

This blog is supposed to document my quest to be a father, but not only are the posts far and few in between (if at all!), I don't even have a label for it.

So I'm creating a 'Baby' label.

3 months after making an appointment (since Chinese New Year), today was finally the day. Fetched Mum and together with Wifey, we went down to the temple. Must say I was nervous. Was very afraid the person-in-charge will say 你没有孩子命.

But it turned out alright. We were given talismans to drink, wash, cleanse and paste.

It was a sigh of relief for me. That means there's still hope!



Post Date: 27 May 08

Praise from the unlikeliest of places

Met one of the customers today at the lobby. Known to have a reputation for being difficult, I spent much effort in reaching out to her and communicating with her. Happy to say, she's been friendly to me.

We were discussing about the flurry of activities happening around the building, not to mention the amount of workers moving around. "So are we 100% full already?" she asked.

"Yes!" I shared happily.

"I was talking to so-and-so that, ever since you came on board, we are seeing more and more people, and now we are at 100%! Good job!"

And she gave me a thumbs up.

I'll be lying if I said it didn't feel good!



Post Date: 16 May 08

English Premier League 07/08

YEAAAH! Everton has qualified for Europe again!

We finished 5th of the table, with 65 points. Fantastic season. And we had to end on a high by beating Newcastle 3-1 at home! Moyesy's 3rd foray into Europe in 4 seasons! Kudos to the lads!



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 12 May 08

Visions @ 0700 (09.05.08)

This would be fairly close, except that there's a second stroller and the shot is from the back, not side.



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 10 May 08

Visions @ 0700 (08.05.08)

After days of checking AU$ and NZ$ TD rates, commodities and emerging market funds ...



While it didn't exactly turn out that way, the clip accurately captured the little girl's response. Hmmm ...



Post Date: 10 May 08

Visions @ 0700 (28.04.08)

I may have been thinking too much of China ... or Titanic ... or Lust, Caution ...

The scene started with me walking to an atrium bookshop and looking at the books. Can't remember if I was chit-chatting with anyone. Later, I turned 90 degrees to head towards the theatre, or at least that's what I think it is.



As I was nearing, the doors swung open and people were streaming out, as if a performance just finished. When I saw this departing crowd, somehow or rather, I instinctively framed the time period and even the location - "Shanghai, in the 30s or 40s". The faces were definitely Asian. It might have been their turnout - longcoats, slicked-back hair, hats.

This image wouldn't be too far from what I saw:



As I walked past the door, the grand staircase came into view.



The second floor was surprising as the first floor was grand. There was another entrance on the second floor from the outside, and people were streaming in. The strangest thing of the whole dream was a ladder behind a wall. It was narrow, and seemed to be the only way to either go up to the next floor or to enter the theatre proper.



Here is a terrible sketch:



I did climb up a few rungs of this ladder. Shortly after, I woke up.



Photo credits here and here.

Post Date: 12 May 08

Orgasmically yummilicious

Was down at Velocity yesterday when I realised Mazda was running a roadshow there. Heard so much about the new Mazda6 that I had to take a look.

When I saw the car, I was really stunned. It had all the right curves at all the right places. Based on looks alone, it was already a winner. Large by comparison (I think) to Elliot, it exudes confidence, style and sophistication all at the same time. This car is a serious good-looker. The newspaper review actually placed it in the same class as the BMW 5 series. Not too sure if that was pushing it, but it did prestige and stature a lot of good.

A look at the pricelist tells me the Sports version is about $98,000 - money that I don't have.



Video and photo above shows the V variant.



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 15 Apr 08

Succession, Mr Brown style

The Company is having a succession problem and drastic measures may be needed!

MP3 here.

Bloody hell, Mr Brown, this is a damn good take on whatever is going on!



Post Date: 10 April 08

Nokia N82

So the story goes that I had wanted so badly to get the Nokia N95, the phone of my dreams. While the price was still high by my standards, I was willing to wait out, what with my contract still not due. Moreover, the existing N73 was worth $200 if traded in.

But things were not meant to be. 2 weeks before the contract was up, the N73 got wind of its imminent demise. While I was multi-tasking having lunch and SMS-ing, it slipped from my fingers and merrily frolicked in the bowl of fishball noodle soup. Even when I angrily plucked it out of hot soup (literally), it threw tantrums by clutching along some mincemeat and what nots.

The gall of that ingrate! Although pretending that it was none the worse for wear, it eventually succumbed to its own foolishness and the lights died out soon after.

So poor old me, who was supposed to get $200 off the price of the N95 from the trade-in, is now left with nothing. $700 is too much for a phone; $500 has always been the comfort zone. But now am too tulan to fork out $500. As such, the new budget is now $300 (as in $500 - ingrate).

So last night, budget-challenged me forked out $318 to buy the N82, and to re-contract the service. Apart from the miniscule buttons, everything else seems to be ok. And let's hope the PC Suite (unlike the previous version) actually works ...



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 7 Apr 08

Author Arthur C. Clarke dies

CNN report here.

Author Arthur C. Clarke, whose science fiction and non-fiction works ranged from the script for "2001: A Space Odyssey" to an early proposal for communications satellites, has died at age 90, associates have said.

Clarke had been wheelchair-bound for several years with complications stemming from a youthful bout with polio and had suffered from back trouble recently, said Scott Chase, the secretary of the nonprofit Arthur C. Clarke Foundation.

He died early Wednesday -- Tuesday afternoon ET -- at a hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he had lived since the 1950s, Chase said.

He had been taken to hospital in what we had hoped was one of the slings and arrows of being 90, but in this case it was his final visit," he said.

In a videotaped 90th birthday message to fans, Clarke said he still hoped to see some sign of intelligent life beyond Earth, more work on alternatives to fossil fuels -- and "closer to home," an end to the 25-year civil war in Sri Lanka between the government and ethnic Tamil separatists.

"I dearly wish to see lasting peace established in Sri Lanka as soon as possible," he said. "But I'm aware that peace cannot just be wished -- it requires a great deal of hard work, courage and persistence."

Clarke and director Stanley Kubrick shared an Academy Award nomination for best adapted screenplay for "2001." The film grew out of Clarke's 1951 short story, "The Sentinel," about an alien transmitter left on the moon that ceases broadcasting when humans arrive.

As a Royal Air Force officer during World War II, Clarke took part in the early development of radar. In a paper written for the radio journal "Wireless World" in 1945, he suggested that artificial satellites hovering in a fixed spot above Earth could be used to relay telecommunications signals across the globe.

He is widely credited with introducing the idea of the communications satellite, the first of which were launched in the early 1960s. But he never patented the idea, prompting a 1965 essay that he subtitled, "How I Lost a Billion Dollars in My Spare Time."

His best-known works, such as "2001" or the 1953 novel "Childhood's End," combined the hard science he learned studying physics and mathematics with insights into how future discoveries would change humanity.

David Eicher, editor of Astronomy magazine, told CNN that Clarke's writings were influential in shaping public interest in space exploration during the 1950s and '60s.

"He was very interested in technology and also in humanity's history and what lay out in the cosmos," Eicher said. His works combined those "big-picture" themes with "compelling stories that were more interesting and more complex than other science fiction writers were doing," he said.

Tedson Meyers, the chairman of the Clarke Foundation, said the organization is now dedicated to reproducing the combination of imagination and knowledge that he credited the author with inspiring.

"The question for us is, how does human imagination bring about such talent on both sides of the brain?" he asked. "How do you find the next Arthur Clarke?"

Clarke was knighted in 1998. He wrote dozens of novels and collections of short stories and more than 30 nonfiction works during his career, and served as a television commentator during several of the Apollo moon missions.

Though humans have not returned to the moon since 1972, Clarke said he was confident that a "Golden Age" of space travel was just beginning.

"After half a century of government-sponsored efforts, we are now witnessing the emergence of commercial space flight," he said in his December birthday message.

"Over the next 50 years, thousands of people will travel to Earth orbit -- and then, to the moon and beyond. Space travel and space tourism will one day become almost as commonplace as flying to exotic destinations on our own planet."

Watch the video below:



Bye bye, Sir Arthur. I knew your greatness, and bought books hoping to catch a glimpse of that greatness. But alas, mediocrity and sloth impedes my link to you ...



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 7 Apr 08

New horizon

I was asked last month to take over the running of the company.

With a key staff having already left us and another leaving end of this month, big boss doesn't really have much of a choice. "But this is not my domain area," I asked him.

"I'm prepared to let you try, if you're willing to," he replied.

Ok, let's give it a shot. Will officially take over on 1 Mar 08. Will have 2 staff. Will have zero experience. Let's see how this pans out.



Post Date: 20 Jun 08

Everest legend Edmund Hillary dies

CNN report here.

Sir Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th century's greatest adventurers, has died, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Friday. He was 88.

...

The accomplishment as part of a British climbing expedition even added luster to the coronation of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II four days later, and she knighted Hillary as one of her first act.

But he was more proud of his decades-long campaign to set up schools and health clinics in Nepal, the homeland of Tenzing Norgay, the mountain guide with whom he stood arm in arm on the summit of Everest on May 29, 1953.

He wrote of the pair's final steps to the top of the world: "Another few weary steps and there was nothing above us but the sky. There was no false cornice, no final pinnacle. We were standing together on the summit. There was enough space for about six people. We had conquered Everest.

"Awe, wonder, humility, pride, exaltation -- these surely ought to be the confused emotions of the first men to stand on the highest peak on Earth, after so many others had failed," Hillary noted.

"But my dominant reactions were relief and surprise. Relief because the long grind was over and the unattainable had been attained. And surprise, because it had happened to me, old Ed Hillary, the beekeeper, once the star pupil of the Tuakau District School, but no great shakes at Auckland Grammar (high school) and a no-hoper at university, first to the top of Everest. I just didn't believe it.

He said: "I removed my oxygen mask to take some pictures. It wasn't enough just to get to the top. We had to get back with the evidence. Fifteen minutes later we began the descent."

Bye bye, Sir Edmund. Thank you for the adventure, and making the day a significant one.



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 11 Jan 08 @ IMM McD

If I had $100K

The stock market closed at 3,482.3 points for 2007, a 16.6% improvement over 2006.

My foray into the market has seen mixed fortunes. Was making good gains but failed to read the writings on the wall, and then August hit. There's now a slight paper gain, but it's almost laughable. Nevertheless, na see wah wu jit pah cheng, I'll buy:



We will do the sums again at the end of this year, with regular quarterly reviews.

Good luck to me!



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 2 Jan 08

New year resolutions for 2008

Yes, that time of the year where everyone fools themselves into thinking that it's a great year ahead for great achievements.

I've had my fair share of resolutions that have been rolled over for the nth year, and this is Year n+1. So here goes ...

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

1. Be more serious about photography
- Learn about the different techniques
- Make the SLR investment pay for itself


2. Set up and follow a health regime
- Sleep by 12.30am
- Regular exercises, eg. morning jogs

3. Pick up a new skill
- It could be singing, guitar-playing or even tap-dancing

4. Seriously think about residual income
- Learn more about the different forms of investments
- Consider about getting values from collectibles
- Explore the opportunities of an online, part-time business

5. Participate in the Stanchart Marathon
- Start off with the 10km run first, and progress to the longer distances over the years

6. Start thinking about the scholarships
- For the longest time, have wanted to set up 2 scholarships in my parents' names: physical science in Dad's and social science in Mum's
- related to this is also to find out about setting up foundations

7. Just added - don't write new year resolutions in June!



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 11 Jun 08
(As to why the resolutions are only written in Jun, you have to remember that I'm a procrastinating lazy asshole!)

School starts

Attended little niece's first recess session on her 1st day of school, together with her daddy, mummy and grandparents.

She seems to be coping well, eating her food healthily and chatting with her new-found friend heartily.

1. Still remember mum buying my food and waiting for me during recess.
2. How fast has little niece grown!
3. So that's how it looks like on "this side"!
4. When will it be my turn?



Photo credit here.

Post Date: 2 Jan 08

Personal DNA - Considerate Realist

About You

If you want to be different:

Appreciate that your skill set can be useful in many ways; your attention to detail and your familiarity with the inner-workings of things are valuable assets.

Try looking beyond the earthly qualities of things in order to expand your perspective, without losing your grounding in reality.

How You Relate to Others

If you want to be different:

Because other people would benefit immensely from your understanding and insight, you should try to be more outgoing in social situations, even when they make you uncomfortable. Others will want to hear what you have to say!

My personalDNA Report



Post Date: 19 Dec 07

Bye bye, Dan

2 days ago, CNN reported that Dan Fogelberg had passed away.

"Dan Fogelberg, the singer and songwriter whose hits "Leader of the Band" and "Same Old Lang Syne" helped define the soft-rock era, died Sunday at his home in Maine after battling prostate cancer. He was 56."

I have been afraid for many years, fearing that this day might come. But death comes to everyone, and dear old Dan is no exception.

Thank you for the wonderful music and your wonderful voice. Thank you for introducing to me Leader of the Band and Longer, 2 songs that touch my heart whenever I listen to them. Every single time.

Rest in peace, Dan, and do remember to watch over us from Heaven.



Picture credit here.

Post Date: 18 Dec 07

Places we would love to go - Part I

These places are high on the must-go list, hopefully in Apr/May next year.

Austria

The beautiful scenes of The Sound of Music really captivated us.

(Photo credit here)

Switzerland

I cannot get the image of the Swiss Alps with the little cottage from Heidi out of my head.

(Photo credit here)

Scotland

The land of bagpipes, Gaelic, castles and Nessie

(Photo credit here)

France

This would count as a re-visit, cos we didn't explore much the last time around.

(Photo credit here)

Post Date: 22 Oct 2007

Canon 400D

I have finally succumbed to temptation and am now a proud owner of the 400D.

I've pondered for almost a year on whether to get a DSLR, and if yes, which model to get. The Sony Alpha came really close, but the 400D won the day.

What tipped the scale was a well-placed advice, reminding me that I only live once, and since I like to capture memories, why not?

Being the newbie that I am, I have to put everything together, little by little. To start off, I have been loaned an entry level kit lens to use "until you feel like returning me". Another kind soul offered me his 2nd hand bag. Dry box will be phase II. Extra battery, card and tripod only when going for holiday.

The only thing missing now is the out-of-stock lens book, which will take me from lesson 1.

As my boss said aptly, "It's time to reward yourself".



Image from http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon400D/images/Canon400D_main.jpg

Post Date: 12 Oct 2007

Malaysia's first astronaut

So Malaysia has just had her very first astronaut sent into space. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, an orthopedic surgeon and part-time model, travelled with Soyuz TMA-11, bound for the ISS.

I feel proud for Malaysia. I'm not bitter, jealous, anything. I'm glad that they have come to this level of achievement, organically or otherwise.

I feel proud that such a close neighbour has sent one of her sons into space. It's almost like I'm living out my dream through him ...



Image from http://diodati.omniscientx.com/2007/10/11/facing-mecca-in-space-an-exercise-in-spherical-geometry/

Post Date: 12 Oct 2007

Just when you ...

... thought it's done, you get a call to say someone went to ask sometwo, and since sometwo wasn't supposed to know and now the secret is out, we have to go back. And start. All. Over. Again.

Production line starts tonight.



Post Date: 12 Oct 2007

What a great way to start the week

Was reading the papers this morning at breakfast when I spotted a familiar face in the Business section.

It was an ex-colleague, someone that I quite regularly bumped into. He has just been made General Manager of a developing country up north.

Here I am, wondering if I'll still have a job in 2 weeks' time, and then I see in the papers a peer who has been promoted.

What I know is, he's no longer a peer after this announcement.



Post Date: 1 Oct 2007

Current predicament

So I have been offered a less-than-attractive package. While I want to sleep over it now, I may have to face it in a few weeks' time. May, because they might not want to hire me after all.

This is the fix I'm in - I can only choose 2:



- If I want money and time, I have to give up commensurate post -> current offer is to give up money AND commensurate post
- If I want money and commensurate post, I must give up time -> logical, but not likely to happen to me
- If I want time and commensurate post, I must give up money -> dunno what's the likelhood of this

Methinks my biggest problem today is the lack of an objective.



Without an over-arching goal to guide my decisions, I'll never know which choice is better, which is worse. Time? Money? High post?

Sigh.



Post Date: 1 Oct 2007

It's done

UPDATE - 29 Sep 07

The update is that the case is closed. All's well that ends well.

*********************************

It's done.

We completed one week of work last night, culminating into a trip to you-know-where.

The results are good, although we still don't know its direct impact. And so we wait.



Post Date: 1 Oct 2007

It's imminent

Just got a call.

The message passed was for Wifey and I to go back and help.

The situation is tricky, with many angles to cover. I can think of 2 possible outcomes:

1. We will be hated to the core
2. We will hate ourselves for being subjected to manipulation



Post Date: 18 Sep 07

How a weekend was screwed

Got a call from New HR on Friday, while I was waiting for the train at City Hall MRT.

They offered a position that is below my expectations, and a package that, on first look isn't too bad, but a base pay that I was already on 3 years ago. Back to 40:60. To add to the pain was the impersonal, deadpan tone of the HR person.

I really wonder when my career and basic pay can finally make their way up consistently. Over the past few jobs, it has been up, down, up, down - how to put a stop to this nonsense? Initially the dream of a $100k annual basic pay dream seemed so much nearer, but now? Huh!

It's not so much that I'm an ingrate - my annual package has been on the up. It's just that at every stage, I get pushed back a few notches, and have to fight my way back to equity and beyond. Most of the time I clear, but sometimes I trip, and pay kena hentak kaki. When will someone finally offer me an increment to jump ship? Something clear cut, simple, not mind-taxing, and where I don't have to feel sour even before joining the company? When? WHEN?! Why is it that everytime, I'm made to feel small? Why? WHY?!

Apologies to Wifey, who once again had to put up with my long face and withdrawn mood. Don't know how long she can take this nonsense.

Here we are, sweating over the annual package on offer, and wondering aloud when will the tides turn, while people just took delivery of their new Mercedes Benz C-class. I'm been told a gazillion times, "Don't compare, don't compare", but I reaaaaally cannot help it.



Post Date: 10 Sep 07