Liweipool's 2: Looking back, looking ahead

Best Friend or Worst Enemy

2008-08-01T19:30:00.002+08:00

This is actually taken from an article which i've read on Pulses.

Well in a nutshell, this article describe how a Financial Adviser should be able to help you attain your financial goals by understanding you problems, analysis and designing a portfolio. But more importantly, a Financial Adviser should be there to help you guard against your emotions of fear and greed and help you to stay on track of your investment strategy.

Let's face it, most of the time when we are doing any investments, we always believe we can be rational but very often we give in when market isn't doing well. If you had invested in October 2007, have you already sold off your investments?

Another thing which cause me to think is this, does helping client to stay on course include taking actions which may apparently sour the relationship? In good time, everyone is happy, however in bad times, when most people are afraid, how many FA are bold enough to tell client to stay focus and be objective especially when it comes to dealing with the emotional aspect of people? I guess most FA will just let the client have their way.

Lazy Hardwork, Hardwork lazy

2008-07-18T21:26:00.002+08:00

I had better put this down in case i forget what i've learnt earlier in the week after i've attended a lesson conducted by our chairman. I really think i have joined the right firm especially i get to learn so much from him.

Lazy hardwork simply means people who wants to be lazy so they do lots of thinking and the end result is that of a hardworking person.

Hardwork lazy would naturally be opposite, it refers to people who don't give much thoughts about whatever they are working on and end result is work for nothing much.

In one word, efficiency.

A second concept would be rich poor and poor rich. Kind of similar to that above. However, to comment a little on it, i always believe richness is an expression. When you behave rich, you naturally attracts things that will make you better to you. Easy?

Buy low sell high

2008-07-18T21:18:00.002+08:00

This is quite a simple theory and very often i hear comments such as it isn't as easy cause you never know how the market will move. Well i agree entirely that market is unpredictable but it doesn't do justice to this theory.

If we look carefully at this sentence, it says, buy LOW, not Buy lowerest. Simple isn't it?

Photos from the talk

2008-07-09T01:07:00.000+08:00

Intent

2008-07-09T00:58:00.005+08:00

Today, i came across a very interesting question. (Since i had sometime in between my appointments, hence i hung around in borders.)

If there are 6 frogs on a water lily, and one of them decided to jump into the water, how many frogs are there on the water lily?

What's your answer? 5? Zero? Ha ha, i like the way you think but the answer is 6.

Why? Cause one frog decide to jump. It didn't jump. I believe most of us are like this frog, we have great aspirations in life. We want to do many things in our lives. But most of us only decide to do, we haven't really got to doing it.

Don't believe me?

How long did it take before you actually went to take your driver's license when you have decided to do it? ;)

The Black Sticky Stuff

2008-06-26T01:21:00.002+08:00

Sometimes i really wonder what the world is really up to. Is there really such a thing as a sudden increase in demand and shortage of supply that there's a need to increase the oil price by so much?

The sudden increase in the prices of oil, i believed can be explained first by the cut in US interest rate, which is logical since oil is traded in USD, but why should it affect the rest of the world since when USD drops, the other currencies becomes stronger?

Second, i believe, its this thing call market sentiments. Seeing the prices of oil increase, people who don't like to be left out would make a big fuss out of the increase and cause more people to think that this whole thing is going to make the world collapse. Singapore especially should not be as badly affected afterall, how much petrol issit going to consume for us to travel from Jurong to Changi?

Third, with all these market reaction which multiplies the effect, the oil supplier won't really mind to compound the effect by creating the illusion that oil is really in shortage by reducing output a little, controlling the oil in the market and to see more people react. Afterall, they are paid even more for these entertainment put up by the rest of the world.

Oil Producing Nation --> Oil Refinery --> Consumers

Investors

2008-06-23T22:57:00.002+08:00

There are four kind of people in this world.

The first kind are non-investors. We don't want to talk about them.

The second being those who invest not to lose. They will not win.

The third kind are those who invest to win. The lose big time.

When i have, I will

2008-06-21T01:24:00.002+08:00

I have heard more than enough of this phrase, "When I have more money, I will do this", or, "I will do that" I mean seriously, do you think that works? Haven't anyone though of saying, When i do this i will have more money? This is not just about money, but bout other things as well. Anyhow, i will just use money as illustration.

Chances are, when you have more money, you will increase your spending. You won't do a thing. Status Quo is something which human would prefer over change. So when there's an increase in cash flow, human will do all they can within their means, by spending the excess, so as to remain in the original state. After all, that's the law of physics:

"An object in motion will continue in it's direction of motion unless acted on by an external force."

Boringly Predcitable Uncertainties

2008-06-18T00:59:00.005+08:00

Back in the days as a student, I’ve always believed that in order to achieve better than average results, I need to do things that others are not doing. That thought has stuck with me ever since then. It’s also this idea that I have which brought me into this career, as I believe that if I join the workforce like everyone else, I will probably end up like everyone.

As I entered ___, I brought along this idea with me. I know that to produce better results I need to do what others are not doing. However, back in my school days, I’ve also realized that sheer hardwork alone is no use. Hawkers, construction workers, bus drivers are equally hard working. In fact some hawkers earn more than we do today.

Today’s society is too preoccupied with instant results, instant success. Your worth is measured and determined by how much you can produce and this is so, even at the age of 10 where they stream you into EM1 and EM2. Instant success brought along with it, it’s problem, many of which we do not see until very much later. I believe many of us today are seeing some of these problems.

I strongly believed that in order to succeed, not only do we have to work hard, but we have to also work smart. How long are we able to work like what we are today (not to say that we work very hard)? One day our age will catch up with us and we wonder what we have done with our lives. Some of the process of success isn't easy. But that’s good news! It’s barrier to entry! When we overcome it, it will not be easily modeled after.

I certainly am not here to look for quick fix, or quick solution. I'm looking for long term success and to be an entrepreneur. And being an entrepreneur means life ahead is not smooth sailing. I’m willing to sacrifice for it now, for I know when I’ve succeeded, life ahead will be even more exciting and challenging.

You may not give much regards of my ideas. Like it or not, I’m determined to see them work and I will make them work. Afterall, I’m here to solve problem and to rewrite history. Even if I don’t succeed now, I’ve given my go at it. Have you?

Ediot (Idiot) Proof

2008-06-17T23:35:00.002+08:00

Had a conversation with a friend over MSN today. Well the topic that we discussed kind of reminded me of this thing which i came across in a book months ago. It has these 4 basic ideas:

1) You don't know what you don't know
2) You know what you don't know
3) You know what you know
4) You don't know what you know

I think ideas 2 and 3 are never problems because what we know that we do not know, we find ways to over come it and make it some thing we know or at least we are cautious about it.

The biggest problem is on don't not know what we don't know. Coz we will live our life as though life is normal and until one day we realise what we don't know, it may already be too late to do something.

i remember when i was young, my parents would alway nag at me to study. Back then who will see the importance of edcuation. All i care about was if i can use Ryu and Ken to defeat Vega (M.Bison in some versions) Fortunately, somehow i did what i needed to do back then. Otherwise i would be denied of the many opportunities and fun i had/have.

As a Financial consultant, i often see people living their life like they are going to live forever and stay healthy forever. Pretty much like what George Soros had said, when everyone thinks that the world is fine, it's heading for disaster. People think that they don't need planning. They think that they can rely on Government Plans to help them which i don't deny is there to help, but it's the bare minimum. These people think that they are super heroes and are immune to unfortunately events. As the chinese saying, Birth, Old-Aged, Illness, Death. It's something we would inevitably face. It's a matter of time. Planning doesn't mean we make it happen. Planning means doing something. And my job? To what you don't know, known.

Let's face it, time is never on ourside. Whether we like it or not, time is going to move. We can work with it or against it. What have you got to lose by planning? Which is worse? Planning and realise that you don't need to or not planning and eventually realising that you need?

Cheap, Good, Fast

2008-06-05T23:17:00.002+08:00

Few weeks back, I had a meeting with my superior. Somehow we will on the topic of Cheap, Good, Fast. I can't exactly remember what was the topic about, but it was along the line that you can't have all 3 of the above metioned. You can have 2 of them at most.

Let me give you an example, medical care: Dentist.

Everyone knows that polyclinic service is cheap, they may or may not be good, but they certainly not fast.

Private medical is not cheap, they may be good, but they are fastest when you pay most.

Get the point? Think about it.

Taxi or Car

2008-06-02T22:29:00.002+08:00

With the recent increase in Taxi Fares and petrol prices, and of course not to mention ERP, it makes me wonder if it's really cheaper now to own a car than having a Taxi. Thus i've decided to do a very "Bo Liao" thing. I worked out the cost.

The cost is calculated with these assumptions:
1) The car loan is a 7 years loan with 20% downpayment. (You get back your DP after you sell your car)
2) The cost of everything is calculated base on an average of 7 years.
3) Commuting between Ang Mo Kio and CBD and having to pass 3 ERP gantries daily to and fro.
4) It's for the purpose of comparing between cost, other factors such as not having to wait for Taxis, looking for parking space are not taken into consideration for this comparison.
5) Any other assumptions that i may have left out.

And here i present my case:
i. annual cost of car = $7,920
ii. Road Tax = $750
iii Insurance = $1,400
iv. ERP = $2,990
v. Petrol = $4,201
vi. Parking = $4,980
vii. Servicing = $1,665
Total Cost = $23,935.22

And now for the taxi:
i. Taxi Fare: $10,400
ii. Booking Charges (1/4 of the trips): $39
iii. ERP: $2,990
Total = $13,429

The above show are just estimates. Can always e-mail me to get a copy of the file that i use for calculations.

It's clear that Taxi makes more sense, not to mention that some uncle knows "short cuts" which may help you save 10cents per trip.

The paradox of increased in income

2008-05-31T02:32:00.000+08:00

Recently i read an article on the net which says that the average income of the world has increased. This increase in income is measured on PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) rather than on absolute income. This means, generally people around the world has greater purchasing power.

This increase in purchasing power naturally pushes the demand for goods higher since it is always human's desire to consume more. However, as the supply has not increase, this unbalance shift in supply has resulted in what we are seeing today, INFLATION.

Who gets affected most with these inflation? Certainly not the higher income nor the lower income earners. Higher income earners spend only a small percentage of the income of consumption. This increase in prices hardly affects this group of earners. Lower income earners spend little on things other than necessities. Since a increase in purchasing power leads to consumption in more luxury goods which takes up a significant percentage of the salary of this middle income group, doesn't that effectively limits what people in this band can have?

2008-05-27T20:37:00.000+08:00

After many months of busy schedule, and procarsination, i've decided to clean up my blog and to start occupying it again.

For those who still wonder if i'm still with my current job, here's the update:

YES, I AM!

in fact, part of the purpose of the update today is to thank my clients, friends, and family support. Without them, i would not have been able to achieve what i have.

Special Thanks to my clients! I've made it to Top 10 again!

Stumbling Block and Stepping Stone

2007-09-08T15:04:00.000+08:00

Many people think that by getting a good degree, it's the beginning to a series of good thing. Afterall, that was what we were taught in school. That idea was further reinforce whenever we refuse to study and our parent would say "if you don't study hard, you will not get a good job." Do you want to be a road sweeper for the rest of your life?" Obviously there's something very wrong in what was being said.

It's important to get a good education. I believe in it. Otherwise i wouldn't have mugged my way out. It's easy to see advantage one has in having a good educations as compared to one without.

Recently, i met up with a couple of my classmates. And the first thing they would ask me is why have i decided to forsake my degree and join a sales industry. A rephrase of the question which i believe carries the same meaning is Does my parents allow me to join an industry like this.

I shall answer those questions with this question. Is my degree bigger than me or am i bigger than the degree? If the education has imposed a restriction on me which limit the kind of jobs i can go into, has it serve it's purpose which is to open up more opportunity for me? True enough, anyone can join the industry i'm in. The only difference, i can do things which everyone cannot do. I can relate to people not everyone can. There's a market at every level for everyone.

For ordinary people, an ordinary sales adviser would do fine. The sales person tell him how great the product is and he buys. For extraordinary person, they need extraordinary Financial advisers who look at their financial state and prescribe the neccessary solutions to rectify the problem. That's the difference between me and them. That's the goal i set for myself anyway.

Gratitude...

2007-08-18T02:15:00.000+08:00

It's been nearly 2 weeks since i last posted anything. I've been asked why isn't the blog updated. The answer to that is not because i'm lazy or have given up on this blog, rather, i've decided to use this blog mainly for positive things rather than for negative. Nonetheless, this blog wasn't updated as i was busy with work.

I've been at work for quite a while. And to be honest, i've realized that i'm becoming better in what i do. From prospecting to chatting to discussing about plans and handling objections. All these are thanks to my boss, who will come down to where my college and i are working. He doesn't have to come, but he chose to and observe how we work. Most importantly, he provides us with important feedbacks that assist us in our work.

2 weeks ago, our boss of the whole company decided to organize a intensive training program which teaches us how to do financial planning, not only on insurance or savings or investment aspect, instead it excompasses everything including wealth distributions and taxes. I met a few friends a few days back and they asked me if i feel cheated, since the managers are over-riding whatever income i'm earning. In other words, the managers and bosses are earning commisions through the cases i closed. Do i feel cheated or put at a disadvantage? The answer is obviously no. I can see it of course that they want me to be successful because if i am, they earn more. But the main thing is that they do not have to go to the extend of training me so hard. Which Financial Institution will provide trainings for 5 days a week and 3 hours for each sessions. Each training is just like a lectures and are conducted by professionals. All these are given for free. Do i still have any more to complain?

Had a chance to have a little break after working for a whole week. After attending a course on how to carry myselfand dress properly, i suddenly realise how professional my mum is. Her choice of clothes and things she taught me are actually useful things which of course in the past, i thought they were rubbish and simply throw them out from the other ear. Though i know my mum is good at it, i still feel weird if she has to accompany me to shop. Thus i employed the help of Anamanda. I must admit that she has great taste. She selected some clothes which in the past, i know i will not consider, but somehow i believe in her taste. And Amazingly, when i got home, my mum actually said those are nice. What else is there to say?

杀气

2007-08-08T00:09:00.000+08:00

Went back to tampines. The place where i have, rather had 100% case closing rate. Seems like this is already history. I failed to close a case today. And because it's tampines, it hits even harder. According to my boss, the way i'm prospecting people today and the other day at Dohby Ghau has slight difference.

The lack of 杀气. On friday, i was filled with energy, and was joking from morning to even night, which explains why i'm clsoing so many cases. And today, i'm just not displaying that kind of energy and in fact, i'm attracting all the wrong kind of people. Been getting very negative replies.

If i am to trace the reasons for such negative energy, i will say it's my mum. The last two occasion in which i failed to close any case, i had my mum nagging and just rattle about how she dislike moving to this house which i'm staying in. Seriously, she has been complaining non stop. But her complains are getting on my nerves... For a start, i just listened to her coz she's my mum, but nowadays the complains are getting so much that i can no longer tolerate it.... It's affecting my mood. it's making me feel irritated and when i'm travelling to work, i tend to think of these negative things. Perhaps i need to learn how to swicth my mood more effectively, rather than blaming other people for it. Perhaps, avoiding my mum before i go to work would be more effective.

Stay happy! Stay Positive and case will come!!!

A summary of the week

2007-07-21T12:41:00.000+08:00

Nothing much happened for the week, with a mixture of good and neutral things. As for bad things, there's no point focusing on it as it will only drained energy from me. Besides, i was introduced to this new law which as a science student would love very much. Everything in this world are governed by law. Whether you like it or not, they are within the boundary of such law. Mechanics is governed by Newton's Law, Thermodynamics has their own laws, Idea gas too has it's own set of law. Like it or not Gravity exist whether we understand how it works or not. But the difference is, people who understand it and accept it make use of gravity to their benefit. People who doesn't understand falls victim to it.

What do i mean? Well, people who knows how gravity knows how to calculate g force and create enought thrust to make things like aeroplanes. Build rockets to moon and Mars. People who don't simply cannot make use of even the downwards (relative) attraction to ground to their benefit.

Compound interest whether you like it or not, exist. Those who knows it, makes money out of it. those who doesn't simply let people make money out of them. They realise they are forever in debts. They worked harder to clear debts, but they realise they can never be out of the problem. Help comes, but they feel that they dun need help because they are either too proud or they feel that people are making money out of them. Think again.

First law of attraction states that when you want something bad enough, you will get it. This law applies whether or not you know it. It doesn't matter if you believe in it or not. Law doesn't need us to approve it or understand it. It governs the universe including us. When one wants to be out of financial burden, very often help comes to them in the forms they dun see it as obvious help. As much as it doesn't appear to be help, it is help whether they like it or not.

Second Law of attraction states that when what we want appears, all we have to do is to recieve it. Many times, when help is presented to people in financial crisis, they are either too afraid to recieve it or that they are too sceptical to recieved it. Thus explain why they are always back at where they are.

By now, you should have realise that first part of the Law of attractions has two components. Want is to know what you want and focus on it. And the second part is to be opened to it and accept it. To have what one have in life is as simple as the above. Like it or not, it exist. Use it to your benefit or be victim of it.

Opposites attracts not

2007-07-12T00:15:00.000+08:00

In school, we are taught opposite attracts. Negative and positive charges attracts, North pole is attracted to south pole of a magnet, Man is attracted to beautiful woman. But in life there are also things that attract out of similarities.

First and foremost, in sales, people are attracted to buy things from people who are similar to them. As i've said before to some of my friends, everyone is selling the same thing. But what is it exactly they cause one to buy from the other. Some call it luck and i dun disagree entirely. Only now that i'm offering an alternative point of view. People tends to click with those who have similarities too right?

2ndly, people are attracted to positive vibes and energy. Negativisim turns people away especially people who are optimistic. Think about it. How many people actually mangage to close big cases on days where their moods are bad? Optimistic people are attracted to people who are enthu, excited, happy etc. That's why opposites do not always attract.

Today must be productive Today

2007-07-11T00:45:00.000+08:00

Here is an example of my one day regardless of weekdays or weekends since i work on both. But this only an example coz everyday is different for me which is why i like this job.

0630: Alarm clock goes off
0700: Get off bed, Change, shit, wash up.
0730: Breakfast
0745: Leave home
0830: Arrive in office
0900: Trainings
1200: Lunch
1330: Roadshow
2230: Packup
0030: Home and shower
0100: Sleep

Some questions many people asked me is why do i subject myself to this kind of life and if i have to do live like this? The answer is no. But i choose to live it this way.

Reasons: I believe every hour and every day should be make use of. I dun mind sleeping lesser. I need to be learning. I need to be working. I need to be productive. Today and only today can i be productive. I can't leave it till tomorrow coz i can't save time, neither can i withdraw it at a later date. Most of my peers have opted for a standard 9-5 job which pays a decent pay. What happens after 5 i seriously do not know, except that i wish that would maximize the period that they are worknig and learn as much as they can and fulfill as much of their goals as they can. I hope sincerely that whatever they are doing now will lead them to their eventual goal, because today must be productive today.

** Good Luck my friends who have graduated in whatever you are doing! it's a wonderful 4 years at NUS!!!

Day as a Turbo Charger

2007-07-08T18:36:00.000+08:00

Turbo charger (TC) is a device that is installed in the car so as to increase the power a car can produce. How TC works is that it actually tries to pack more air and fuel into the engine thereby increasing the output power as more energy is released during the combustions. The increase in fuel and air results in a increase in Pressure. What many people are not aware of is that TC does not increase pressure all the time. At some point of time, i.e changing of gears, excess pressure is being release from the TC, otherwise the pressure can actually damaged the engine pistons.

Life i guess is pretty similar to the turbo charger. A little pressure from surrounding is good and can actually increase the output of a person. However, constantly under high pressure can result in unneccessary stress which may eventually lead to a breakdown or catastrophic failure. Thus at different point of time, we have to let off some steam. The next thing to ask is, when?

Just like car and TC, whenever there's a change of gear, pressure is being released. We haveto released pressure stuck in our butt. For me, i liked to heap pressure on myself, as i worked and perform better under pressure. The main problem i face is that i never know when to release and often when i can't take the pressure, i just explode without myself knwoing that i'm actually doing it. I was doing roadshows yesterday at Jurong East. Somehow after toking to a few potential client for hours and they refused to sign up the plan, i feel freaking frustrated. Thereafter, my prodution level spiral downwards. At this point of time, it's fortunate for my boss to step in and tell me to stop work. Come to think of it, which boss will actually tell his guys to stop work. Anyway, my boss and i went to a nearby cafe and he explain his observations to me. Making the unaware, aware. In my 25 years (a few more days to 25), no one has seriously told me much about breaking a frustration. The school which is where we are suppose to learn things like that mentioned nothing of that sort. My parents had no time to teach me something llike this. They are always busy. Seems like joining the company, i'm getting more than what i'm asking for. It's time for me to know when to change gear.

Close close close

2007-07-07T01:10:00.000+08:00

Today marks the 2nd day of my work. So far, it's been productive as i've managed to get clients through the 2 roadshows i've done. All these i owe it to the people from my companies as well as the mangers in charge and of course my boss who is there to helped me out whenever i'm stuck. I think each day as i work, i realise i'm beginning to like this job than a desk bound job. At least i'm face with different scenario everyday, meet different people everyday. Although there were times that i fell really low morale coz of rejections from people, but with each rejections, i learn something. And as boss always says, enjoy what you are doing. Focus on the proccess and not the results. I must say, i'm really learning more than what i could ask for.

Another thing which excite me is that, of the few proposals that i made, none of them, are my friends. Let see if i can break the record by not FORCING friends to get plans from me. ;-þ

Returned Recharge Repay

2007-07-04T22:16:00.000+08:00

After a 3 days company's retreat at Batam, i'm finally home today. This retreat, as with most retreat has it's good and fun times, as well as sickening boring moments. Nevertheless, it sure is refreshing and i definitely feel recharge to work, especially having endured all the exams before i can finally get contracted. It's also through this short getaway, that i realise that i have so much to repay. Not in monetary sense, but in terms of favour.

Having to wake up before 5 so that i can be in time to catch the ferry at habour front, i woke up cursing myself why did i chose to join the company. Nonetheless, i made my way day as i've promised my manager that i will be there, and partly, i have to pay for it. After all the congestions and admininstrations and whatsoever, i finally arrived in Batam and the programs begin. We played a lot of "Orientation" Games, which to me is a complete waste of time. Though that's how i feel, i just participated since either way i have to do it, might as well do it happily. I personally don't like stupid orientation games, or those get to know each other games because, things or events like this are meant for, i feel, people who are loud, out spoken and a bit siao siao. Morever, most of the people in the group already knew each other. It makes blending in tough for new comers. Still, at the end of the retreat, i managed to identify people whom i can click with and whom i know i can achieve my goals with.

The second day of the event is to me a whole lot more meaningful. We learn about setting goals. The big boss of the company shared about how his company was started and that was really insipring. He created something out of nothing but sheer hardwork. Further confirms my choice to join the company. Many Awards and incentives were given out, but to be really honest, i'm not interested in them at all. What i'm interested is to achieve my goal, to know that my plan is in line with this career path i've chosen. To many people, incentives such as this can motivate them, but to me, i believe that all these are temporary. The desires for such incentives may diminish and the will to fight will vapourise along with it. For myself, i believe that only i, can decide for myself what i want to achieve in life. Along the way, many emotional musics were played. Honestly, i dun really appreciate it as i dun believe that kind of motivations would last. In any case, i left batam feeling more recharged and motivated.

The final day of the whole trip would be the most memorable one. I've got sometime actually to reflect on why i wanted so much to be in this career. Big boss of the company, doesn't believe that money along can drive people to work hard. Money will drive people crazy and do all kinds of stupid thing. He believes that People should be the motivations for people to work hard to get money to make things more beautiful. Personally, i think i've much to repay. Repaying my family, for supporting me through my education and making me debt free. This i would say is one great gift they have given me as many people have to pay for debts in one way or the other.

At the same time, i owe it to my direct boss, that i'm able to be in this company if not for his continuous follow up. As for the details, i shall not say here, otherwise, i won't be sleeping tonight. In order to repay the faith my boss have in me and the trainings the company has provided me, i shall work in whatever way i can. One thing i know that when i join this company, I'll never walk alone. What i have is beyond what people have. What i see is what others don't see. What i do, is what others don't. And what i will achieve will be what others will never be able to replicate.

Beginning of Journey to Heaven: Hell

2007-06-19T22:28:00.000+08:00

The road to Heaven has finally begun. Only problem, the journey is hell. Having passed my exams yesterday, i can finally officially join the company, in other words, the beginning of my trainings to be a consultant or advisors whatever people call them. Went through the rush to have all the admin sorted out then spend 2 plus hours waiting for a short 5 minutes interview, just so that i can attend the training sessions this week. Sounds familiar? I'm beginning to think that all big organisations are similar. Gov sector, private sector. Baaah....

The journey to the "training ground" is quite 'hell' as well. Taking the train requires some getting use to. Yesh yesh, i admit, i've been spoilt by the car. In any case, i've been travelling on the train and i must admit, there are sights that i've not seen for a while. First would be people sleeping while standing. Just exactly how do they do that? Makes me wonder what they do the night before. Then would be those who plays the music so loud that everyone can hear. hmm... Is he deaf? Then the stare at you people. Which kinds of remind me of a staring encounter which nearly got me into trouble back in secondary school days.

Today's training i must say is pretty fun. At least, i've learn how to use the calculator. The Financial Calculator. Allows me to use compound interest and calculate all the future value etc. If you are wondering what's so tough, here's why: I've been trained to use the Scientific calculator for over 20 years. The lessons on the whole has been quite engaging. Honestly, i was paying so much attention that i could hardly remember when was the last time i was so attentive after the lessons. Funny thing is, people around me are dozing off despite the lectures being so enganging. I dono why, i dun agree with such behaviours, but i shall just keep it as it is, Try and maintain a neutral pespective.

After lessons, brain filled with too much info, and totally shagged out, i need some fresh air for my brain. I head to town to meet a friend whom i met when we went to Deutschland and chilled out at New Asia Bar. As usual, some alcohol does wonder to the brain. Plus, it makes the world a better place to live in. Guess, the Journey can be made easier with some tonic: Alcohol.

The ah beng of liweipool

2007-06-15T01:00:00.000+08:00

Woke up early 2.5 hours earlier so that i can take a crap, shower and have a good breakfast with Lavazza coffee on wednesday morning and still be on time for work. Other than meeting a particular group of my friend who is well known for being extremely late, i would normally prefer to be punctual. Arrived at the company 30 minutes before the supposed meeting time, totally unaware of what's awaiting me.

When it's finally time for the training, i entered the training room. The trainer for the day is definitely better than that on monday. One thing, when doing the presentation, he doesn't switch between languages. While my command of my language isn't very strong, i get very frustrated when people uses singlish during a presentation. It's not that i hate Singrish. In fact i love it and i use it to communicate with my friends, as well as for my blog entry. But i believe when it comes to a presentation, a certain standard of language has to be there. If something is to be in English, let it be in english. If it's to be in Mandrain, then let it be in Mandrain, and if it's supposed to be Hokkien, you get what i mean.

During the break, i had a chance to chat with the trainer. I can't remember the exact things we tok about, which makes me think that i'm suffering from "STML", but the one thing he said really stunt me like nobody business.

Trainer: Wah, initially when i saw you, i tot you are Ah beng. I tot who is this beng.
Liweipool: ....... *Stunt*
Trainer: But after talking to you, i realise you are not...

Eh, just how do you determine who is beng and who isn't? I mean, do i have the look of Beng? Some said it's the kind of clothes i wear, but eh, the day i'm wearing formal leh. Siao boh? Some said it's the way i wear them, but then hor, i'm wearing formal, how else do you expect me to be in the formal attire? Use the tie as belt and belt as tie? So it goes down to how i carry myself and how i look right?

Question: Is Liweipool Beng? Discuss in not more than 500 words.
Time allocated: 45 mins
You are not allowed to write on the answer book until you are told to do so.
This paper contains 0 printed pages.

The lonely walk in you'll never walk alone

2007-06-10T11:57:00.000+08:00

Choosing a different career path from my friends after graduation can be a scary thing to do. To make things worse, my decision is not supported by some of my family members. To be honest, i have ever thought of giving up this choice and just look for a more secure job as an engineer. Fortunately, whenever i feel like giving up, there will always be people who again reassure me of the decisions i've made regarding the choice of job.

It's not that i do not like engineering. I love engineering, and all that about science. The only thing is i also want to be rich and own my own business. I seriously hope that one day, i dun have to work to have income.

Last night, i went to attend the wedding of my boss i've been working part time for during my undergrads days and during the holidays. He is actually only 2 years older than me and well he is already a boss. He too graduated with a Engineering degree from NUS, but he chose to start his own business making use of engineering knowledge rather than to work as an engineer. Somehow he showed me how things can be done.

The thing is i'm sitting with most of his old school friends who are of course working now. Many of them are working as senior engineers or project leaders. Funny thing is their advice to me are all the same. Don't go into engineering. In fact their advice to me is that, if they had a chance, they would go into marketting 2 years ago. Reason, you work like shit in Engineering, but you get paid the same amount. On the other hand, marketting and sales make you work like hell, but pays you base on your effort. hmm... sounds logical.

Problem with most people today is that they don't like salesperson. They think that they make money out of their friends. Let's be fair. Everyone makes money out of each other. You go to a networking session hoping to network with someone so that one day, that person can benefit you. Salesperson sells a product which you can just turn him down if you are not interested. It's just like me operating a shop selling a product. If you are interested, pay the price and become the owner of the thing. Friends or no friends, thats how transaction is done. Since when is there a job that makes money out of friends and one that is more noble?

(No offence to anyone here in particular) Most of the people i know are either going into research or furthering their studies. To them, that is something noble because they are researching and improving the lives of their society. The thing they don't realise is that they are taking tax payers money and if they didn't realise, we didn't pay tax willingly. We pay because we have no choice. So how can that kind of job be a nice thing. Many of them study under a scholarship. The thing they dun realise is, their scholarships and money comes from taxpayers who earn a high income. And who are these high income taxpayers? Engineers? Researchers? Doctors? Wake up to your senses. They are sales persons.

I've not taken a single cents from any institution in my life to fund my education. Probably my grades ain't good enough. But the thing is, salesperson pays the same percentage of their income to taxes. So in what way is anyone funded by taxpayers money any better than a salesperson?

Moreover, that coming from experienced engineers themselves that marketting and sales is a better choice and that they would have switched job if not for job security which they need now coz they are either expecting a child or paying off their house loan now, perhaps my decision is right afterall. The only thing is that choosing a paths that is different from everyone is tough.

Cut the hand to save my life

2007-06-08T11:24:00.000+08:00

After ensuring that someone from the mahjong table have lost... I went to the kitchen to bring the glasses for punishments or forefit. As i was coming down the stairs, i slipped and the rest you can imagine. I have a cut so deep, that blood is still oozing out of my hand 3 hours later. Steady, but i refuse to go to the doctor because they will probably suck the blood out of me. (by the way, blood really taste good. they have the salty taste and i love the iron after taste.)

after such a eventful exciting happening, of course i forgot to punish my friends for losing to me in mahjong. Something else happened after that which somehow make me think that this cut is only a small lost coz it prevented me from losing something bigger. Ask me if you want to know.

Come to think of it. falling from staircase with so many glasses and only sustaining a small cut. I must me one of the lard-kiest people on earth. those shattered glasses could have:

1. gone into my eyes
2. cut more parts of my body
3. cut the important parts since i was sitting down.

funny thing is i landed on my back and i believed i could have break my spine. Hmm.... was i lard-ky or what?