In a wink of an eye, I am on the starting blocks for the fourth and final year at NTU.
But NTU was the last place that I thought I will end up in.
I always wanted to do aeronautical engineering at Imperial College, for some unknown reasons. When the A level results were out, I know that overseas dream that I harboured for a long time was not going to materialise.
I had time to think about things while in the army, or so I thought. At an air force recruitment talk, I realised the air force was the nearest place I could probably pursue my passion, and I was given the opportunity to disrupt for studies immediately.
Suddenly, I had to go back to school, and I followed my heart and my then girlfriend to NTU. Quite a mindless decision, because I could have easily qualified for NUS engineering, widely perceived to be the better of the two.
While the relationship did not work out, the journey at NTU has been very fruitful so far. I have not regretted one bit coming to NTU.
Life at NTU is enjoyable, really. I kept in touch with a few JC classmates at NJ, and they never failed to complain how tough engineering at NUS is. For one reason or another, I don't feel much pressure studying engineering at NTU. And they were always amazed how I kept up with work while putting in 4 trainings a week for canoeing and even meddled around with my Hall JCRC business.
The lack of a gauge like the GPA for my NTU cohort is probably a blessing in disguise. The NUS students I know are a fearful lot, who never fails to discuss how their GPA will be affected if they take tough general electives module, and the motivation is always to maintain their GPA. *yawnz*
I had a lot of fun taking up general electives at NTU, chalking up 15 AUs for my communication studies minor and 10 AUs of French (actually should be 13 but I crashed my level 2 French without sitting for the exams), and 2 AUs for a module called "Social Work". Thatz a whopping 30 AUs of general electives, far outstripping the 9 AUs required for engineering students. Of course, the GE results weren't always good, and I had several Cs, especially for the CS Minor. But life goes on as usual without having to worry for the GPA, and it is rumoured that GEs don't play a part in the final computation for honours. But nobody really knows how NTU calculates. *shrugz*
I benefited from NTU's push to go global as well, going on an exchange to France last year that really allowed me to widen my horizons, travelling to many places I could only imagined, working and speaking a foreign language, experiencing a bag of different cultures with many different nationalities. Studying was secondary for a semester. Haha.
After a year out of NTU with INSTEP and IA, my brain is recharged, and probably reformatted as well. It sounds bizarre. but I am raring to go back to NTU for my final year. After playing for three years, I feel like challenging myself to perform academically, something that I have not shown yet.
With canoeing out of the way, I suddenly have plenty of free time to push myself on the academic front. I haven't gotten on the dean's list before, and this is the last chance that I have. A final push to squeeze into the league of first-class honours.
An exciting final year to prove how intelligent I really am. I can't wait for it to start.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Saturday, July 29, 2006
I suddenly don't feel like owning a house
I have been think about it recently - Is the government's public housing programme a boon or a bane for the average Singaporean.
Singapore prides itself as providing affordable housing for everyone through the developments of HDB flats. But the way I look it, home ownership is as much as becoming slaves of property loans.
The average rates for property loans is about 3.5% per annum, and if you take up a loan from the HDB at a concessionary rate of 2.6% per annum, you are at least paying interests upwards of a few thousands dollars.
Imagine buying a flat for $250,000 making a downpayment of 20% with your CPF.
Remaining sum to be paid = $250, 000 x 0.8 = $200, 000
Interest = $200, 000 x 2.6% = $5,200 per annum!!
This is by no means a small sum, especially for the lower-income middle class. If I were to earn $30, 000 a year, it means that 17.3% of my income per annum goes towards servicing my home loan. I shudder at the thought.
Using the financial calculator at the HDB website, the monthly installment comes up to $801 for a repayment period of 30 years at 2.6% per annum. Or it translate to paying $801 x 30 x 12 - $200,000 = $88,360 worth of interests!
Alternatively, I do know that one can probably rent a 3-room flat in a HDB estate further away from the CBD for $600 - $800 a month. In a year, the rental is between $7,200 to $9,600.
Certainly, renting a HDB flat makes more sense than owning one. Remember, thus far, I have only illustrated with HDB concessionary rates, and the interests that you are paying will be more if you are thinking of buying a bigger property and taking up bank loans.
People are oblivious to the amount of interests they are paying because most people service their HDB mortgage payments using their CPF monies, and this is one very big reason why Singaporeans are left wanting in terms of their financial nesteggs even though the government puts in place a system of compulsory savings throughout their working adulthood. Just a gentle reminder, CPF Ordinary Account pays 2.5% interest per annum, while the HDB charges 2.6%. See the picture?
Of course, the arguement that property is an asset is true to a certain extent. But it is not an easily liquidable asset. And considering that HDB market is pretty saturated, I can't foresee a capital gain by investing in a HDB flat. Pout.
If we use Robert Kiyosaki's definition, then that flat you are sitting on is a liability because it takes money out of your pocket every month.
This idea is crazy, but I am really tempted not to be drawn into the trappings in the name of home ownership. The extra $88k can be better invested and if you are shrewd enough, you can make returns more than the value of your HDB flat. How, though?
That's a question that I am very interested in as well, but am not yet in a position to advise. For now, just, erm, invest!
Singapore prides itself as providing affordable housing for everyone through the developments of HDB flats. But the way I look it, home ownership is as much as becoming slaves of property loans.
The average rates for property loans is about 3.5% per annum, and if you take up a loan from the HDB at a concessionary rate of 2.6% per annum, you are at least paying interests upwards of a few thousands dollars.
Imagine buying a flat for $250,000 making a downpayment of 20% with your CPF.
Remaining sum to be paid = $250, 000 x 0.8 = $200, 000
Interest = $200, 000 x 2.6% = $5,200 per annum!!
This is by no means a small sum, especially for the lower-income middle class. If I were to earn $30, 000 a year, it means that 17.3% of my income per annum goes towards servicing my home loan. I shudder at the thought.
Using the financial calculator at the HDB website, the monthly installment comes up to $801 for a repayment period of 30 years at 2.6% per annum. Or it translate to paying $801 x 30 x 12 - $200,000 = $88,360 worth of interests!
Alternatively, I do know that one can probably rent a 3-room flat in a HDB estate further away from the CBD for $600 - $800 a month. In a year, the rental is between $7,200 to $9,600.
Certainly, renting a HDB flat makes more sense than owning one. Remember, thus far, I have only illustrated with HDB concessionary rates, and the interests that you are paying will be more if you are thinking of buying a bigger property and taking up bank loans.
People are oblivious to the amount of interests they are paying because most people service their HDB mortgage payments using their CPF monies, and this is one very big reason why Singaporeans are left wanting in terms of their financial nesteggs even though the government puts in place a system of compulsory savings throughout their working adulthood. Just a gentle reminder, CPF Ordinary Account pays 2.5% interest per annum, while the HDB charges 2.6%. See the picture?
Of course, the arguement that property is an asset is true to a certain extent. But it is not an easily liquidable asset. And considering that HDB market is pretty saturated, I can't foresee a capital gain by investing in a HDB flat. Pout.
If we use Robert Kiyosaki's definition, then that flat you are sitting on is a liability because it takes money out of your pocket every month.
This idea is crazy, but I am really tempted not to be drawn into the trappings in the name of home ownership. The extra $88k can be better invested and if you are shrewd enough, you can make returns more than the value of your HDB flat. How, though?
That's a question that I am very interested in as well, but am not yet in a position to advise. For now, just, erm, invest!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Bus fares set to rise!
The word is officially out: Bus fares hikes will be approved by the Public Transport Council in October, likely to increase 1.7%, or loosely translated to 1 or 2 cents more per ride.
Ok, actually it is not officially out, but it all came from the mouth of an official from the most respected and official The Straits Times, all on the front page! The article tried to focused on new bus service standards set by the PTC, but what really caught the eye was right at the end.
Mr Ong Kian Min, deputy chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport said, "The concern is whether compliance with these requirements may in turn lead to higher operating costs and higher fares in the future."
He actually meant: The concern is the compliance with these requirements will in turn lead to higher operating costs and higher fares in the future.
Argh, it irks me to see the left and right hands collaborating to build a platform for the justification of fare hikes come October. Public-listed companies, accountable to shareholders, profit-driven, reason number 101...
Before I get carried away and lambast the obvious link between SBST, SMRT and Temasek Holdings, let's get down to dissect the improvement of bus service standards.
1. 15 minute peak-period waiting time
I think this should be a given. Does anyone expect to wait more than 15 mins for a bus during peak hours? It is downright labelling of the obvious and non-compliance to such a simple service standards can't be accepted anyway. I will gladly testify that SBST and SMRT flouts this rule on a regular basis. Surprisingly, instead of penalising the transport companies, this is gonna be one compliance that will cost commuters more.
2. On average, buses should not be more than 95% full during peak hours.
What constitutes 95% of capacity? As long as people are packed like sardines but (Bus volume - Headspace) is less than 95%?
Nobody, and I mean NOBODY can stop kiasu Singaporeans from squeezing into the last available space on the bus steps. Why set a new rule that is sure to be flouted? I will blow the whistle on SBST and SMRT everytime people stand on the steps and make sure they are fined $100 000 every time. Happy?
3. Hotlines, website to provide schedule and information + route info at bus stops.
Basic requirement again, especially providing bus routes info at ALL bus stops to help people to plan their routes. I think these ought to have been done donkey years ago, but I assume SBST and SMRT will cite posting of informational materials as increased operating costs. Rubbish. Just making up for the past disservice!
Numerous times I have been refuted, but I must still say these. Public transport like buses and trains are inelastic and it is the lower income group that depends more on them for getting around. Increasing cost of public transport increases the burden for the less well-off. While costs of private transport have dipped considerably for the past years, we see a corresponding increase in cost of public transport.
Where is the logic, for improving usage rate for public transport, for improving road conditions with lesser private vehicles, for protecting the environment by reducing number of cars and hence amount of greenhouse gases?
It seems to me like the simultaneous hikes in public transport costs and increases in private vehicle expenses such as ERP and petrol prices are a ploy of the higher-ups to win-all. !@#$%^
Lastly, if we can't beat them, join them! SBST are posting record profits year after year, buy their shares and rejoice each time public fare hikes are due!
Ok, actually it is not officially out, but it all came from the mouth of an official from the most respected and official The Straits Times, all on the front page! The article tried to focused on new bus service standards set by the PTC, but what really caught the eye was right at the end.
Mr Ong Kian Min, deputy chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport said, "The concern is whether compliance with these requirements may in turn lead to higher operating costs and higher fares in the future."
He actually meant: The concern is the compliance with these requirements will in turn lead to higher operating costs and higher fares in the future.
Argh, it irks me to see the left and right hands collaborating to build a platform for the justification of fare hikes come October. Public-listed companies, accountable to shareholders, profit-driven, reason number 101...
Before I get carried away and lambast the obvious link between SBST, SMRT and Temasek Holdings, let's get down to dissect the improvement of bus service standards.
1. 15 minute peak-period waiting time
I think this should be a given. Does anyone expect to wait more than 15 mins for a bus during peak hours? It is downright labelling of the obvious and non-compliance to such a simple service standards can't be accepted anyway. I will gladly testify that SBST and SMRT flouts this rule on a regular basis. Surprisingly, instead of penalising the transport companies, this is gonna be one compliance that will cost commuters more.
2. On average, buses should not be more than 95% full during peak hours.
What constitutes 95% of capacity? As long as people are packed like sardines but (Bus volume - Headspace) is less than 95%?
Nobody, and I mean NOBODY can stop kiasu Singaporeans from squeezing into the last available space on the bus steps. Why set a new rule that is sure to be flouted? I will blow the whistle on SBST and SMRT everytime people stand on the steps and make sure they are fined $100 000 every time. Happy?
3. Hotlines, website to provide schedule and information + route info at bus stops.
Basic requirement again, especially providing bus routes info at ALL bus stops to help people to plan their routes. I think these ought to have been done donkey years ago, but I assume SBST and SMRT will cite posting of informational materials as increased operating costs. Rubbish. Just making up for the past disservice!
Numerous times I have been refuted, but I must still say these. Public transport like buses and trains are inelastic and it is the lower income group that depends more on them for getting around. Increasing cost of public transport increases the burden for the less well-off. While costs of private transport have dipped considerably for the past years, we see a corresponding increase in cost of public transport.
Where is the logic, for improving usage rate for public transport, for improving road conditions with lesser private vehicles, for protecting the environment by reducing number of cars and hence amount of greenhouse gases?
It seems to me like the simultaneous hikes in public transport costs and increases in private vehicle expenses such as ERP and petrol prices are a ploy of the higher-ups to win-all. !@#$%^
Lastly, if we can't beat them, join them! SBST are posting record profits year after year, buy their shares and rejoice each time public fare hikes are due!
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
My part-time religion
The 7th month of the lunar calendar marks the start of the Hungry Ghost Festival, when the gates of Hell open for the spirits to roam the human realm freely. That is if you believe in Taoism.
I am officially registered as a Taoist, simply because my family is Taoist. But since a young age, I subconsciously rejected Taoism as my faith because I could not see the logic behind.
The variety of deities worshipped by Taoists is unbelievable. Ranging from Guan Yin, Da Bo Gong, Tian Gong, to Chinese greats like Confucius, to even fictional characters like Monkey King. The multitude of gods and the non-standardisation of practising Taoism makes me highly sceptical. Whereas Christianity, Buddhism and Islam have publications like the bibles, scrolls and qurans which propagate the faith, Taoism has none. It is hard to even become pious.
Yet, my mother and one maternal uncle possess spiritual connections with deities, ie they are mediums whereby the deity will possess and give advices and help believers. I have witnessed streams of believers appearing at my doorsteps and seeking the advice of Guan Yin. For one, I can testify to the innocence of my mother and it is definitely not the usual scams that people see on news. Any fees that the believers pay are strictly voluntary.
And I have sensitive and highly-irritable eyes and nose. Burning of joss paper and joss sticks makes my eyes teary, nose runny and sneezes involuntarily. I recall this as the first reason I would shirk from burning joss papers for as long as I can remember. Even as I am writing this entry, the burnt smell from the joss paper burning revolves in the air.
Religion - do supreme beings exist or are they fabrications to account for man's ignorance?
The latter, probably. I admit that I will resort to mumbling some prayers when passing by the passage parlour at my void deck, where the murder of a Chinese masseur took place. And I try not to be tee kee, meaning iron teeth literally translated from Hokkien, during the 7th month. It is for fear, ignorance and respect. Afterall, why take the risk?
Once in a blue moon, I do set foot on a temple, the Guan Yin Temple at Bugis - the last time about 2 years ago. But it is only at times of extreme vulnerability that I resort to faith, to gain some tranquility. Otherwise, I continue to chomp away the sacred cow with steaks and burgers.
I am officially registered as a Taoist, simply because my family is Taoist. But since a young age, I subconsciously rejected Taoism as my faith because I could not see the logic behind.
The variety of deities worshipped by Taoists is unbelievable. Ranging from Guan Yin, Da Bo Gong, Tian Gong, to Chinese greats like Confucius, to even fictional characters like Monkey King. The multitude of gods and the non-standardisation of practising Taoism makes me highly sceptical. Whereas Christianity, Buddhism and Islam have publications like the bibles, scrolls and qurans which propagate the faith, Taoism has none. It is hard to even become pious.
Yet, my mother and one maternal uncle possess spiritual connections with deities, ie they are mediums whereby the deity will possess and give advices and help believers. I have witnessed streams of believers appearing at my doorsteps and seeking the advice of Guan Yin. For one, I can testify to the innocence of my mother and it is definitely not the usual scams that people see on news. Any fees that the believers pay are strictly voluntary.
And I have sensitive and highly-irritable eyes and nose. Burning of joss paper and joss sticks makes my eyes teary, nose runny and sneezes involuntarily. I recall this as the first reason I would shirk from burning joss papers for as long as I can remember. Even as I am writing this entry, the burnt smell from the joss paper burning revolves in the air.
Religion - do supreme beings exist or are they fabrications to account for man's ignorance?
The latter, probably. I admit that I will resort to mumbling some prayers when passing by the passage parlour at my void deck, where the murder of a Chinese masseur took place. And I try not to be tee kee, meaning iron teeth literally translated from Hokkien, during the 7th month. It is for fear, ignorance and respect. Afterall, why take the risk?
Once in a blue moon, I do set foot on a temple, the Guan Yin Temple at Bugis - the last time about 2 years ago. But it is only at times of extreme vulnerability that I resort to faith, to gain some tranquility. Otherwise, I continue to chomp away the sacred cow with steaks and burgers.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Division of Johns Hopkins Singapore vs A*Star - Who loses?
The rebuttal of Johns Hopkins University by A*Star was forceful and reinforced by facts and figures. Although signs point to a failure of JHU to fulfill their side of the agreement, I was still somewhat dismayed by the way A*Star washed the dirty linen in public against one of the world's most renowned institutions.
For the uninitiated, the spate is basically the closure of the Division of Johns Hopkins Singapore and the now-erupted mutual allegations about the failed delivery of promises.
As a Singaporean and taking a neutral view, I feel that the key performance indicators (KPIs) set by A*Star for DJHS was not entirely reasonable. A good example is the number of patents filed per year by DJHS. Targets of 3 and 5 were set respectively for the years 2005 and 2006, and till present, the institute has patented nothing.
At first glance, pretty alarming. Millions of public dollars go into funding DJHS's cutting edge researches and no tangible results are yielded. Shame on DJHS? In retrospect, the results are indeed disappointing, but sad to say, not all things (especially when it comes to researches) can be quantified. Inputs and and results on researches can be greatly disproportionate, especially in our day and time. The times when you sit under an apple tree (Issac Newton) and fly kite (Benjamin Franklin) to yield world changing results are over, because much of the fundamentals are already in place. May I liken pumping money into research to the investment of stocks - you can't expect to win all. But as long as some good counters keep your overall balance in the black, and you have a time horizon long enough to ride the volatility, you should prevail in the end. In this light, I really question of the setting up of this performance indicator in the first place. Why didn't JHU oppose to such a criterion?
Another dispute point was the appointment of senior investigators armed with international reputations to steer the DJHS boats. By A*Star's standards, Singapore expect top brains to reside here on a permanent basis to provide leadership for DJHS. I have no qualms about this, and I believe JHU should prove its commitment to DJHS by posting senior faculty here to match A*Star's research dollars. On the other hand, I can see why Singapore has problems attracting the top brains away from the US, and am partly agreeable to JHU's arguement for their employment of junior and promising researchers.
Fundamentally, the objective of research works done at DJHS is more profit-driven and results-oriented than anything else. Trying to map a top scientist's brain, I would say this is not the most conducive environment to conduct researches. Moreover, I reckon the US is nearer to the top resources and personnel in terms of life science researches than our tiny red dot. And not to mention the uprooting of families to enter a foreign land with potential adaptation issues.
A resolution would have been the appointment of a group of probably 4-6 top senior investigators to chart directions, and a supporting group of investigators with intermediate to high international repute and experiences and then that is where the bright and young scientists come in. A compromise is needed but obviously both JHU and A*Star were not flexible enough.
Seriously, no matter how forceful A*Star's statement regarding the closure of DJHS is, the final loser is still Singapore and our reputation as a growing bio-medical research hub. Perhaps the superior indicators such as papers submitted, number of projects initiated, conferences and seminars held are neglected by A*Star. While not as economic-fulfilling, these are signs that Singapore's progress is thriving and international meetings here provide the local scientific community invaluable opportunities to interact with the gurus and network. Sadly, they escaped the eyes of A*Star when the decision to drop DJHS was made.
This whole issue only serves to highlight the inherent flaw in our approach to scientific research - giving a dollar value to every project undertaken and those that fall behind in producing economic returns will be cruelly chopped. Sounds pretty much like the Dummies Guide to Singapore's success. It is ironic how these measures of efficiency and cost-effectiveness can come back and haunt Singapore as we make a quest to join the scientific elites of the world.
For the uninitiated, the spate is basically the closure of the Division of Johns Hopkins Singapore and the now-erupted mutual allegations about the failed delivery of promises.
As a Singaporean and taking a neutral view, I feel that the key performance indicators (KPIs) set by A*Star for DJHS was not entirely reasonable. A good example is the number of patents filed per year by DJHS. Targets of 3 and 5 were set respectively for the years 2005 and 2006, and till present, the institute has patented nothing.
At first glance, pretty alarming. Millions of public dollars go into funding DJHS's cutting edge researches and no tangible results are yielded. Shame on DJHS? In retrospect, the results are indeed disappointing, but sad to say, not all things (especially when it comes to researches) can be quantified. Inputs and and results on researches can be greatly disproportionate, especially in our day and time. The times when you sit under an apple tree (Issac Newton) and fly kite (Benjamin Franklin) to yield world changing results are over, because much of the fundamentals are already in place. May I liken pumping money into research to the investment of stocks - you can't expect to win all. But as long as some good counters keep your overall balance in the black, and you have a time horizon long enough to ride the volatility, you should prevail in the end. In this light, I really question of the setting up of this performance indicator in the first place. Why didn't JHU oppose to such a criterion?
Another dispute point was the appointment of senior investigators armed with international reputations to steer the DJHS boats. By A*Star's standards, Singapore expect top brains to reside here on a permanent basis to provide leadership for DJHS. I have no qualms about this, and I believe JHU should prove its commitment to DJHS by posting senior faculty here to match A*Star's research dollars. On the other hand, I can see why Singapore has problems attracting the top brains away from the US, and am partly agreeable to JHU's arguement for their employment of junior and promising researchers.
Fundamentally, the objective of research works done at DJHS is more profit-driven and results-oriented than anything else. Trying to map a top scientist's brain, I would say this is not the most conducive environment to conduct researches. Moreover, I reckon the US is nearer to the top resources and personnel in terms of life science researches than our tiny red dot. And not to mention the uprooting of families to enter a foreign land with potential adaptation issues.
A resolution would have been the appointment of a group of probably 4-6 top senior investigators to chart directions, and a supporting group of investigators with intermediate to high international repute and experiences and then that is where the bright and young scientists come in. A compromise is needed but obviously both JHU and A*Star were not flexible enough.
Seriously, no matter how forceful A*Star's statement regarding the closure of DJHS is, the final loser is still Singapore and our reputation as a growing bio-medical research hub. Perhaps the superior indicators such as papers submitted, number of projects initiated, conferences and seminars held are neglected by A*Star. While not as economic-fulfilling, these are signs that Singapore's progress is thriving and international meetings here provide the local scientific community invaluable opportunities to interact with the gurus and network. Sadly, they escaped the eyes of A*Star when the decision to drop DJHS was made.
This whole issue only serves to highlight the inherent flaw in our approach to scientific research - giving a dollar value to every project undertaken and those that fall behind in producing economic returns will be cruelly chopped. Sounds pretty much like the Dummies Guide to Singapore's success. It is ironic how these measures of efficiency and cost-effectiveness can come back and haunt Singapore as we make a quest to join the scientific elites of the world.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Idol here, Superstar there
There are time when you feel like growing up faster, and there are time when you wish you were born later. Sometimes, I wish I was born a few years later, into the years when idols competitions like Singapore Idol and Project Superstar are in!
Haha, there is a certain part in me that wants to be famous. And if I were 5 to 6 years younger, I can take a shot at fame at the Campus Superstar! Afterall, the winner Zhiyang comes from my alma mater - Chinese High. Pout.
I enjoy singing and performing actually. Oh yah, it goes back to primary school as well, when I partners Shijia and Jiaqi and a guy classmate (oops sorry I can't remember who's that) for our school talentime. Then was pulled into the choir by my music teacher and I remember having to wear very ugly make-ups and checkered shorts to perform. Yucks.
It was fun at Chinese High. My throwers senior were all very enthusiastic singers. And we garnered all the talentime solo singing competitions for all the 4 years I was there. There was Yinghao, who was apparently the son of Bao Nana, a female singer. Then there was Junyang, also the Student Council president and could sing like Jacky Cheung. We were always amazed at how his adam apple vibrated as he sang. He won it for 2 years consecutive when I was sec 2 and 3.
I attempted to ursurp him in sec 3, but I screwed up my prelims so badly that I didn't qualify for the finals. Anyway, the talentime in Chinese High back then was very concert like, held at night in our Kah Kee Hall in conjunction with Chinese New Year Celebrations, if I remember correctly.
When all these ex-champions graduated, it was up to me to upkeep the winning tradition of the talentime for the Track & Field throwers!
I had a very keen competitor that year, Keith Lee. He was able to hit the high notes effortlessly, much like Zhiyang if you ask me. But he screwed up his prelims and didn't qualify for the finals, which is really a pity. Lost touch with him already, like many of my secondary schoolmates as he went to RJC. Last heard he was second for the RJ talentime, losing to some opera-trained girl. Hard luck.
Anyway, his failure to qualify left me with an easy task and I won duly, singing William So's "Jiu Ai Hai Shi Zui Mei" But for some reasons, the school decided to shift the talentime to morning during my year, and because it was CNY celebrations, the colour of costume was very limited. Alot of us wore white and khaki, which is so duh because it is exactly the school uniform colours of the school.
First year at NJ and I screwed up the talentime, qualified for the finals but didn't get a placing. Kinda sore over it, because I thought I deserved better. But I didn't bother to take part in J2, because I was an obsessed rower who can't see beyond rowing and gyming. =P Anyway, talentime at NJ was a small deal because you gotta pay to watch, so even winning it and you still won't be very well-known. *bleahz*
But I can feel that my voice is slowly but surely deterioriating. Lack of practices, lack of nutrition, and lack of stage appearances, I reckon I will tremble like hell to perform publicly now. Had chance recently, thanks to an intro by Shihui for some Red Cross Vibrant Blood, but I didn't turn up for the finals because I couldn't be bothered to look for the minus one accompaniment. Got a Hall 8 talentime champion to show though, if it counts, but the level of competition was... =D
Sometimes I do daydream on how my life would have been if I give a shot at such shows, at the peak of my prowress. But then again, I have signed that freedom away, and I won't be able to sign up with any companies IF, A BIG IF, I can emerge triumphant. Back to being a couch potato and admire the talents of others. But there was once a superstar-wannabe here.
Haha, there is a certain part in me that wants to be famous. And if I were 5 to 6 years younger, I can take a shot at fame at the Campus Superstar! Afterall, the winner Zhiyang comes from my alma mater - Chinese High. Pout.
I enjoy singing and performing actually. Oh yah, it goes back to primary school as well, when I partners Shijia and Jiaqi and a guy classmate (oops sorry I can't remember who's that) for our school talentime. Then was pulled into the choir by my music teacher and I remember having to wear very ugly make-ups and checkered shorts to perform. Yucks.
It was fun at Chinese High. My throwers senior were all very enthusiastic singers. And we garnered all the talentime solo singing competitions for all the 4 years I was there. There was Yinghao, who was apparently the son of Bao Nana, a female singer. Then there was Junyang, also the Student Council president and could sing like Jacky Cheung. We were always amazed at how his adam apple vibrated as he sang. He won it for 2 years consecutive when I was sec 2 and 3.
I attempted to ursurp him in sec 3, but I screwed up my prelims so badly that I didn't qualify for the finals. Anyway, the talentime in Chinese High back then was very concert like, held at night in our Kah Kee Hall in conjunction with Chinese New Year Celebrations, if I remember correctly.
When all these ex-champions graduated, it was up to me to upkeep the winning tradition of the talentime for the Track & Field throwers!
I had a very keen competitor that year, Keith Lee. He was able to hit the high notes effortlessly, much like Zhiyang if you ask me. But he screwed up his prelims and didn't qualify for the finals, which is really a pity. Lost touch with him already, like many of my secondary schoolmates as he went to RJC. Last heard he was second for the RJ talentime, losing to some opera-trained girl. Hard luck.
Anyway, his failure to qualify left me with an easy task and I won duly, singing William So's "Jiu Ai Hai Shi Zui Mei" But for some reasons, the school decided to shift the talentime to morning during my year, and because it was CNY celebrations, the colour of costume was very limited. Alot of us wore white and khaki, which is so duh because it is exactly the school uniform colours of the school.
First year at NJ and I screwed up the talentime, qualified for the finals but didn't get a placing. Kinda sore over it, because I thought I deserved better. But I didn't bother to take part in J2, because I was an obsessed rower who can't see beyond rowing and gyming. =P Anyway, talentime at NJ was a small deal because you gotta pay to watch, so even winning it and you still won't be very well-known. *bleahz*
But I can feel that my voice is slowly but surely deterioriating. Lack of practices, lack of nutrition, and lack of stage appearances, I reckon I will tremble like hell to perform publicly now. Had chance recently, thanks to an intro by Shihui for some Red Cross Vibrant Blood, but I didn't turn up for the finals because I couldn't be bothered to look for the minus one accompaniment. Got a Hall 8 talentime champion to show though, if it counts, but the level of competition was... =D
Sometimes I do daydream on how my life would have been if I give a shot at such shows, at the peak of my prowress. But then again, I have signed that freedom away, and I won't be able to sign up with any companies IF, A BIG IF, I can emerge triumphant. Back to being a couch potato and admire the talents of others. But there was once a superstar-wannabe here.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
the buzzing word - entrepreneurship
As I was flipping thru today's ST, I realised there is a very small column that featured a familiar face - Peiweng. Although the article will not be out until Sunday morning, the brief introduction of a young man with a company with a monthly turnover of $40k seeks to introduce a budding and promising young entrepreneur amongst us.
Before I proceed further, let me first congratulate Peiweng for his hardwork which seems to be gathering momentum and attention. I feel proud to know you!
In the eyes of the government that trumpets the development of the entrepreneurial spirit, they must be looking no further than the dollars and cents that individuals with the abilities to create and accumulate wealth generate.
And probably in this capitalistic light, I have to say that entrepreneurship is not for me. Make no mistakes, I love to be rich. Who doesn't, anyway?
I have signed that freedom for entrepreneurship away at the age of 19. Any attempts of entrepreneurship would be certainly most unwelcomed by the same government that is sponsoring me for studies and paying me living allowance now. Probably unwelcomed is an understatement, I will probably be investigated by the MSD, discharged from the SAF and pay liquidation damages.
I am probably not one to take too high risk as well, one quality that is needed in entrepreneurs. I belong to the type who likes to plan for the future on basis of solid grounds, to be always in control of what I am doing, to be able to foresee my short-term future and make adjustments for circumstances. Is this a shortfall? Personally, I don't think being meticulous in planning can be considered one by most standards, and I take pride to be always in control of my life and being clear of my goals.
Anyway, the element of time-space is already lost. By the time I finish my bond at 27, I would assume I have found a wonderful significant other and will be planning to settle down. It is probably not as good a time as when you are 20 and having more time and less commitment to bear to strike out on your own. I don't envisage living in a pressure cooker and having to worry about making ends meet in the preliminary stages of any possible eventual phenomenal success. Yup, I just lack the temperament and lost the time.
Instead, what I value is the decent financial gratification of my efforts. And did I mention that I regard myself highly. That's why I don't intend to stay in the civil service for too long, because the higher you rise, the less well-paid you are. At least that is my opinion, because their pay package is hardly proportional to their responsibility, especially in the line of the military.
Of course, pay is but one aspect of work. And I will probably only go into a line where I have a good amount of passion for as well. Seriously, I would love to learn to become an investment banker, managing wealth and growing money.
I have a certain affinity to numbers, and coupled with the fact that I enjoy taking calculated risks makes investing a good game, and a good profession to venture into. And I think the pay package of a banker would be performance-based and I can see a bright future taking a bite into the big pies of tycoons who are increasingly making Singapore their choice wealth management centre due to our stability and secrecy. Haha, I am getting pretty excited talking about my choice profession after my bond.
Even without becoming an investment banker, I still believe that the proper investment of one's income will be able to help one achieve a good sum of financial nestegg that can eventually allow them a golden retirement. That's why without venturing into entrepreneurship, I still wanna make my money grow my way and ensure a comfortable degree of material comfort for the people around me.
Seems to be veering off topic about entrepreneurship. But I think in the end it is more of financial intelligence than pure guts entreprise development. Because intelligence is something that is yours to keep, no matter what happen, you can always perform. However, entrepreneurship involves more than just factors that one can control. The macro-economic environment, your luck and availability of opportunities, unexpected turns of world events, all these can work against you, because there is no way to factor and calculate them, and going from hero to zero is pretty easy.
The yo-yo see-saw life of an rich entrepreneur, faced with constant pressures but promising crazy yields. Or the life of a high-flying investment banker who can control the combined wealth of numerous tycoons at a go. An individual's fortunes change. But by principle of conservation of wealth, the total wealth in our system will always remain more or less consistent. And I wanna work for the richest, and at all times.
Before I proceed further, let me first congratulate Peiweng for his hardwork which seems to be gathering momentum and attention. I feel proud to know you!
In the eyes of the government that trumpets the development of the entrepreneurial spirit, they must be looking no further than the dollars and cents that individuals with the abilities to create and accumulate wealth generate.
And probably in this capitalistic light, I have to say that entrepreneurship is not for me. Make no mistakes, I love to be rich. Who doesn't, anyway?
I have signed that freedom for entrepreneurship away at the age of 19. Any attempts of entrepreneurship would be certainly most unwelcomed by the same government that is sponsoring me for studies and paying me living allowance now. Probably unwelcomed is an understatement, I will probably be investigated by the MSD, discharged from the SAF and pay liquidation damages.
I am probably not one to take too high risk as well, one quality that is needed in entrepreneurs. I belong to the type who likes to plan for the future on basis of solid grounds, to be always in control of what I am doing, to be able to foresee my short-term future and make adjustments for circumstances. Is this a shortfall? Personally, I don't think being meticulous in planning can be considered one by most standards, and I take pride to be always in control of my life and being clear of my goals.
Anyway, the element of time-space is already lost. By the time I finish my bond at 27, I would assume I have found a wonderful significant other and will be planning to settle down. It is probably not as good a time as when you are 20 and having more time and less commitment to bear to strike out on your own. I don't envisage living in a pressure cooker and having to worry about making ends meet in the preliminary stages of any possible eventual phenomenal success. Yup, I just lack the temperament and lost the time.
Instead, what I value is the decent financial gratification of my efforts. And did I mention that I regard myself highly. That's why I don't intend to stay in the civil service for too long, because the higher you rise, the less well-paid you are. At least that is my opinion, because their pay package is hardly proportional to their responsibility, especially in the line of the military.
Of course, pay is but one aspect of work. And I will probably only go into a line where I have a good amount of passion for as well. Seriously, I would love to learn to become an investment banker, managing wealth and growing money.
I have a certain affinity to numbers, and coupled with the fact that I enjoy taking calculated risks makes investing a good game, and a good profession to venture into. And I think the pay package of a banker would be performance-based and I can see a bright future taking a bite into the big pies of tycoons who are increasingly making Singapore their choice wealth management centre due to our stability and secrecy. Haha, I am getting pretty excited talking about my choice profession after my bond.
Even without becoming an investment banker, I still believe that the proper investment of one's income will be able to help one achieve a good sum of financial nestegg that can eventually allow them a golden retirement. That's why without venturing into entrepreneurship, I still wanna make my money grow my way and ensure a comfortable degree of material comfort for the people around me.
Seems to be veering off topic about entrepreneurship. But I think in the end it is more of financial intelligence than pure guts entreprise development. Because intelligence is something that is yours to keep, no matter what happen, you can always perform. However, entrepreneurship involves more than just factors that one can control. The macro-economic environment, your luck and availability of opportunities, unexpected turns of world events, all these can work against you, because there is no way to factor and calculate them, and going from hero to zero is pretty easy.
The yo-yo see-saw life of an rich entrepreneur, faced with constant pressures but promising crazy yields. Or the life of a high-flying investment banker who can control the combined wealth of numerous tycoons at a go. An individual's fortunes change. But by principle of conservation of wealth, the total wealth in our system will always remain more or less consistent. And I wanna work for the richest, and at all times.
Friday, July 21, 2006
is topodium happy?
a survey that places singaporeans as the most unhappy lot in asia. as I tuned in to radio discussions and television debates on how happy singaporeans are, I pose the same question to myself.
I am not unhappy, thatz for sure.
I am happy for being competent at studies, at least that is almost all a singaporean youth with any meaningful purpose in life ever does until he steps into society with a piece of paper called degree. I thank the supreme being for granting me an above-average cognitive ability, riding out the waves of the treacherous academic pursuit that claims as many casualties - sending them to a condemned world starting from 10 - as elites, who are groomed for national leadership with sponsored studies at the world's best universities, even before they step out of their teenage. Me, I belong to the group deemed good, but still not good enough. Aha, this is where the reserved happiness stems from.
I am happy to have many good friends around me. People who ride the merry-go-round together during playtimes at 6; people who hang out at game shops playing guardian angels and bomberman on sega saturn, who enjoy playing basketball as much as relishing in the freedom post-PSLE at Yishun 10 LJS at 12; people who go thru the rebellious adolescence together, experimenting at the border of legality at 14; people who mug together tirelessly at 16; people who canoes as if there were no tomorrow at 18; people who are on the penultimate lap to graduation at 22. Every period of my life, I had good friends around me. But friends are probably as much cyclical and seasonal to me as anything else. I hold a tinge of regret for not holding on to the best friends from each part of my life, and sometimes I wonder how I managed not to.
I am happy to have a career mapped out for the next 5 years, but the bureaucratic environment where scholars reign supreme and the others slog to gain recognition irks me. You know, I don't believe they are as superior as they are made out to be.
Oh, I am certainly unhappy drawing blanks on the love front. And considering I am going back to a workplace almost barren of the fairer sex, this must be the most worrying aspect at this point in time. And I even went to France and back to no avail, haha. BUT, but I must qualify - I didn't try especially hard since the last breakup which was... hard to swallow and heart wrenching.
Sounds quite unhappy right? But nope, I am very at ease with things around me. That said, I would constantly set new targets for myself, and make their realisations the source of my new happiness. It's an unending cycle of expectations, but thatz because I foresee an extraordinary in the making. *winkz* Until then, I am a singaporean - not unhappy.
I am not unhappy, thatz for sure.
I am happy for being competent at studies, at least that is almost all a singaporean youth with any meaningful purpose in life ever does until he steps into society with a piece of paper called degree. I thank the supreme being for granting me an above-average cognitive ability, riding out the waves of the treacherous academic pursuit that claims as many casualties - sending them to a condemned world starting from 10 - as elites, who are groomed for national leadership with sponsored studies at the world's best universities, even before they step out of their teenage. Me, I belong to the group deemed good, but still not good enough. Aha, this is where the reserved happiness stems from.
I am happy to have many good friends around me. People who ride the merry-go-round together during playtimes at 6; people who hang out at game shops playing guardian angels and bomberman on sega saturn, who enjoy playing basketball as much as relishing in the freedom post-PSLE at Yishun 10 LJS at 12; people who go thru the rebellious adolescence together, experimenting at the border of legality at 14; people who mug together tirelessly at 16; people who canoes as if there were no tomorrow at 18; people who are on the penultimate lap to graduation at 22. Every period of my life, I had good friends around me. But friends are probably as much cyclical and seasonal to me as anything else. I hold a tinge of regret for not holding on to the best friends from each part of my life, and sometimes I wonder how I managed not to.
I am happy to have a career mapped out for the next 5 years, but the bureaucratic environment where scholars reign supreme and the others slog to gain recognition irks me. You know, I don't believe they are as superior as they are made out to be.
Oh, I am certainly unhappy drawing blanks on the love front. And considering I am going back to a workplace almost barren of the fairer sex, this must be the most worrying aspect at this point in time. And I even went to France and back to no avail, haha. BUT, but I must qualify - I didn't try especially hard since the last breakup which was... hard to swallow and heart wrenching.
Sounds quite unhappy right? But nope, I am very at ease with things around me. That said, I would constantly set new targets for myself, and make their realisations the source of my new happiness. It's an unending cycle of expectations, but thatz because I foresee an extraordinary in the making. *winkz* Until then, I am a singaporean - not unhappy.
what's a topodium?
I think I owe it to people who know me to explain what exactly is a topodium.
topodium = topodium = topodium
Well, topodium is nothing but a word I coined which fuses top and podium, signifying a desire to attain the highest position on the podium, on the winners' stage. Pretty ambitious, but the biggest prize has always proven to be elusive.
I think I have a tendency to crack under pressure. My losing streak in sports started way back in primary school, when I just embarked on a career in track & field. From primary 4 up till primary 6, I was the perennial runner-up for boys shot put. Seriously, I no longer have any impression who beat me to the title, but it was this annual failure to win the school title that I was unable to represent my primary school during the Nationals.
Another memory that still rings clearly was how I helped my House to a silver in the 4 x 400m relay in primary 6. I was fast at primary 6, almost making it to the finals of the 100m. But 400m was a tad too much, but I was in the 400m relay team anyhow. It was nightmarish as I squandered a substantial lead during my leg and my House eventually settled for second. Oh, and did I mention that it happened before the eyes of my primary school crush as I huffed and puffed.
The silver streak continued into my secondary school life. I was with the school's basketball team for the C Division. I was hardly the star player, but our team breezed thru the zone preliminaries all the way to the West Zone final to face Jurong Sec, which was at that time the basketball kingpins. Quietly confident, we tried our best but still lost out narrowly to Jurong, finishing runners-up. The team went on to finish in the top-eight for the Nationals.
My flirt with track & field was not over yet though. Secondary 2 must be my most glorious year, I reckon. I was winning track & field meets like Swift and Flash leading up to the Nationals, but I underperformed during the final itself, hurling only far enough for a silver. At Sec 4, things got worse as I finished 6th at the B Div shot put.
When I went to JC, I realised my lack of height and size will be detrimental in my pursuit of a gold medal, and I decided to switch to canoeing. But little do I know that my power and explosiveness was never enough to compensate for my lack of endurance. If only there was a T1 250m race at my time. But my JC career finished in tears and heartbreak abundant.
Entering university, I continued to row my hearts out. But I was obviously distracted and the envisioned glorious finish to my canoeing career did not materialise. But at least I ended my career competing on a K1, something which meant more emotionally than anything else. Hmm, but I did get a silver at IVP level - a T2 500m mixed with Priscilla. It was an immaterial race anyway, because that result was not computed for the overall tallying of points for the IVP championships.
A sporting career littered with runners-up, silvers, and the golds did not come at the biggest occasions. Thatz why topodium is always a target that I'm aiming. Sure I have a few golds along the way - a talentime champion plaque, various shot put golds from club meets, jc and ntu, dragonboat champions medals abundant from my time at NJ and later with the alumni, but they will never make up for the disappointments I suffered at moments of truths.
Even now, I face the prospect of graduating with a second-upper class honours in 12 months time, getting a B+ for my recently concluded industrial attachment, and the many IPPT silvers.
Frankly, I hate to be second class, I hate to play second fiddle, I hate to be the next-best. Going topodium is the only way to go. Now, you know what's a TOPODIUM.
topodium = topodium = topodium
Well, topodium is nothing but a word I coined which fuses top and podium, signifying a desire to attain the highest position on the podium, on the winners' stage. Pretty ambitious, but the biggest prize has always proven to be elusive.
I think I have a tendency to crack under pressure. My losing streak in sports started way back in primary school, when I just embarked on a career in track & field. From primary 4 up till primary 6, I was the perennial runner-up for boys shot put. Seriously, I no longer have any impression who beat me to the title, but it was this annual failure to win the school title that I was unable to represent my primary school during the Nationals.
Another memory that still rings clearly was how I helped my House to a silver in the 4 x 400m relay in primary 6. I was fast at primary 6, almost making it to the finals of the 100m. But 400m was a tad too much, but I was in the 400m relay team anyhow. It was nightmarish as I squandered a substantial lead during my leg and my House eventually settled for second. Oh, and did I mention that it happened before the eyes of my primary school crush as I huffed and puffed.
The silver streak continued into my secondary school life. I was with the school's basketball team for the C Division. I was hardly the star player, but our team breezed thru the zone preliminaries all the way to the West Zone final to face Jurong Sec, which was at that time the basketball kingpins. Quietly confident, we tried our best but still lost out narrowly to Jurong, finishing runners-up. The team went on to finish in the top-eight for the Nationals.
My flirt with track & field was not over yet though. Secondary 2 must be my most glorious year, I reckon. I was winning track & field meets like Swift and Flash leading up to the Nationals, but I underperformed during the final itself, hurling only far enough for a silver. At Sec 4, things got worse as I finished 6th at the B Div shot put.
When I went to JC, I realised my lack of height and size will be detrimental in my pursuit of a gold medal, and I decided to switch to canoeing. But little do I know that my power and explosiveness was never enough to compensate for my lack of endurance. If only there was a T1 250m race at my time. But my JC career finished in tears and heartbreak abundant.
Entering university, I continued to row my hearts out. But I was obviously distracted and the envisioned glorious finish to my canoeing career did not materialise. But at least I ended my career competing on a K1, something which meant more emotionally than anything else. Hmm, but I did get a silver at IVP level - a T2 500m mixed with Priscilla. It was an immaterial race anyway, because that result was not computed for the overall tallying of points for the IVP championships.
A sporting career littered with runners-up, silvers, and the golds did not come at the biggest occasions. Thatz why topodium is always a target that I'm aiming. Sure I have a few golds along the way - a talentime champion plaque, various shot put golds from club meets, jc and ntu, dragonboat champions medals abundant from my time at NJ and later with the alumni, but they will never make up for the disappointments I suffered at moments of truths.
Even now, I face the prospect of graduating with a second-upper class honours in 12 months time, getting a B+ for my recently concluded industrial attachment, and the many IPPT silvers.
Frankly, I hate to be second class, I hate to play second fiddle, I hate to be the next-best. Going topodium is the only way to go. Now, you know what's a TOPODIUM.
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