Planning for my future (2008)

It is not that I haven't been planning, maybe I should say it's a decision made to put them in place. I do know what I want in my life, I wanna be happy, healthy, be loved and financially independent. I want a wealth that will last me and my next generation (optional), haha... So a plan have to be hatched and put in place to ensure that goals are achieved.

I had been trading FOREX virtually since Mar 08, and I had recently opened a LIVE account with interbankFX. I will post my entries on the result of my trading in future, so stay tuned and if you get interested just get in contact with me and I will help you along. ;p

Transition into second career is never easy, for instance having to leave a place with so many friends and collegues to start working in another environment full of strangers (well, they will become friends and collegues eventually) is already enough to stop many from stepping out. I had been pondering this decision over and over again for quite sometimes now, maybe for years. Finally a decision had been made, thanks to the circumstances and the recent people I had been working with. You make my decision making so much easier. So the planning started some months back in search of my second career. Opportunities came for my considerations, interestingly opportunities really just pass you by when you open up your mind and eyes. Took my times to consider the many available options and finally made my decision... I shall not reveal those decision points that I made. Will reveal them when I finally got into it, just in case any contingencies appears.

I also intend to further my studies, one way or another it's really because of her words and encouragement. I really do not know what installed for me in the future, but I do know that if I put in effort, one day it would be paid off. So back to my plans to further my studies, seriously I wasn't sure which field or faculty to go into. Thanks to SF for sharing, I was able to made up my mind. Search a few school in Singapore that provides BSc in Banking and Finance, there were a few, but decided that PSB Academy would be the one.

I was not able to start the course immediately as the course start in Aug yearly. Missed it! BUT looking at it from another angle, everything seem to falls into place nicely now...

1. Career changes (expecting beginning of 2009)
2. Stability in new career (about six months)
3. Start my BSc in Banking and Finance

Not forgetting, I am shifting to a new environment in late Sep 08. New Place, New Life!

P.S. When I graduate (if I ever do), YOU will be invited to the graduation ceremony, even if I have to fly you over, I will!

United 93 (The Movie)

Forgot to highlight this great movie I watch yesterday while on duty. It was related to the 911 incident in USA...

Movie Overview

Acclaimed filmmaker Paul Greengrass (Bloody Sunday, The Bourne Supremacy) writes and directs an unflinching drama that tells the story of the passengers and crew, their families on the ground and the flight controllers who watched in dawning horror as United Airlines Flight 93 became the fourth hijacked plane on the day of the worst terrorist attacks on American soil: September 11, 2001.

United 93 recreates the doomed trip in actual time, from takeoff to hijacking to the realization by those onboard that their plane was part of a coordinated attack unfolding on the ground beneath them. The film attempts to understand the abject fear and courageous decisions of those who - over the course of just 90 minutes - transformed from a random assembly of disconnected strangers into bonded allies who confronted an unthinkable situation.

Greengrass, known for films such as Resurrected and Bloody Sunday, brings to United 93 a history of compassionate filmmaking that has explored some of the most troubled incidents of recent world history - when politics turns to violence, when beliefs slip into zealotry. As there is no perfect record of the hijacking's exact details and hostage retaliation, Greengrass takes a careful hand and partially improvises the events with an ensemble cast of little-known actors who were given studies of their UAL Flight 93 counterparts.

United 93 intends to dignify the memory of those on that flight, the men and women whose sacrifice remains one of the most heroic legacies of the incomprehensible tragedies that unfolded on that autumn morning.

It's really a very nice movie, kept me excited throughout the entire movie from start to end. Minute of silence for the passengers onboard please...

Yet another boring weekends...

Friday - Last day of work for the week ended earlier and SG send me home as usual. Decided to have a light nap but was not able to fall asleep when I reached home, so watch DVD instead. "My wife is a Gambling Maestro" a gambling comedy casted by Nick Cheung and Natalie Meng. The story was about this guy Gerard (Nick Cheung) as a softhearted young man who is often taken advantage of by women who only want his money. One night, he saves a young girl named Ying Ying (Natalie Meng) who helps him avoid these women, and soon Gerard realises that she is a gambling genius - not only in mahjong but for football and horse betting, too. Only problem is she appears to be suffering from amnesia, but that does not stop them from falling in love...

After the show, I SMS CC, Big ST and Small ST for mahjong session, but they were not able to make it. Hence, decided to watch Wall E at Tampines Mall alone. Well I really like watching movies... Checked the timing on the net and got on my way to Tampines Mall. On the way there, I received a call with regards to a promise I had made previously. Of course I am still standing by what I had say, but being on the bus and going to spend the weekend alone, I sounded rather bored and that resulted in some sort of a misunderstanding.

"Bored + (Bored + Impatience) = Anger and Heated Arguement"

So gentlemen, please use all your patience to avoid this, as it spoil my mood entirely and instead of proceeding as planned to watch Wall E, I met up with LT & DT for dinner. Fortunately for me, I have friends like them, as long as they are free and available, they would spare that little time for me. While waiting for them, I cooled down a little and subsequently just forget about the whole incident. LT & DT, I own you one... ;p After the makan, they send me back home and I watch DVD again! Haha... A Steven Spielberg film this time, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Screenshots from the movie...



Before the movie ends, SC called and asked whether I would like to have supper with her, but since I'm at home she decided to proceed home instead.

Saturday - I was at AMK Hub for my movies marathon, watched Death Race and Wall E. Both were great movies, catch them if you have not.

Death Race - The movie plot "Jason Statham takes the role of Jensen Ames in the remake of the Roger Classman classic "Death Race". Overcrowding in the U.S. penal system has reached a breaking point and prisons have been turned over to monolithic Weyland Corporation, which sees prisoners as an opportunity for a televised sport called "Death Race", the world's biggest and most brutal sporting event. Five-time NASCAR champion Jensen Ames is a man who has become an expert at survival. When Weyland demands a driver to headline the big game, Ames is forced to submit. Donning the costume of mythical rider Frankenstein, the racer becomes an instant crowd favorite. Hidden by a metallic black mask, one convict will be put through a brutal three day challenge, with the trophy being the ultimate prize: freedom. Ames' expertise will now be put to the test. It's either to kill or be killed."

Wall.E - Guess I don't have to say much about this movie, but since it's just cut and paste... What if mankind had to leave Earth and somebody forgot to turn the last robot off? WALL-E, a robot, spends every day doing what he was made for. But soon, he will discover what he was meant for. From Academy Award-winning writer-director, Andrew Stanton ("Finding Nemo"), Disney-Pixar's "WALL-E" is the story of one robot's comic adventures as he chases his dream across the galaxy.

After the movies, I had my dinner at AMK and proceed to CC's place for mahjong. She had asked for the mahjong session when I was watching Wall.E. Shouldn't had played seriously, lost $130. Guess it's time to replenish my luck at the table, or maybe it's time to go Loyang Tua Pek Gong Temple. Nevertheless, finish the game at around 2am in the morning and took a ride from Big ST. Retired for the night and got ready for my duty on Sunday morning.

Sunday - It's duty again, made full use of the time at office and did some work. SMSed MB for a ride home later in the evening. He came and send me home in my very own Toyota Wish before going back to the library to fetch his family. Been awhile since I see my wishy, miss her so much.

I'm a proud owner of this Toyota Wish since 18 Apr 2005.

MB had taken great care of her for me, Thank you so much MB. Wishy, I will be claiming you back in no time...

Discover the 90/10 Principle

Received this email about this 90/10 Principle sometime ago from my friend, JC. I thought it was something nice and good to share, so I blogged it down here to also remind myself of this Principle when I read my past entries in future.

Discover the 90/10 Principle.

It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations). What is this principle? 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react. What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. How? ……….By your reaction.

You cannot control a red light. but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.

Let's use an example.
You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react.

You curse.

You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school.

Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home. When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.

Why? …. Because of how you reacted in the morning.

Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is "D".

You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.

Here is what could have and should have happened.
Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "Its ok honey, you just need to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.

Notice the difference?
Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.

Why?
Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle. If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comment affect you!

React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive?

Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.
You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.

The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take outpour frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on.
Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse.

Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the
results. You will lose nothing if you try it. The 90-10 principle is incredible.
Very few know and apply this principle.

The result?
Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle.

It CAN change your life!!!

Enjoy….

So friends and readers, remember this Principle and apply it in your life. I am going to learn and apply this Priniciple in my LIFE!!! ;p

Time to gain weigh...

Tuesday, but its the first day in office for us due to the Anniversary Celebration yesterday. First day of the work week and I have to conduct meeting. After the meeting, had lunch and got myself down to write the minutes for the meeting last week. Mind you, the minutes for this meeting still not done yet. Nevertheless, once I completed the minutes for last week meeting, I call it a day. Informed JS and the whole group of us SGH, that included FX, EA and SC (she had called me earlier to say she can leave early and was wondering whether I can leave early too). JS send us to Bugis Junction before proceeding to Marina for his beloved Kenko Foot Reflexology.

SC was meeting her friend, but her friend was going to be late so we went to StarBucks for some drinks while waiting. After the drink, she decided to do some window shopping since it was still early. Unfortunately or should it be luckily? haha... shops she usually frequent were closed early for company event. So we crossed the road to Bugis Market (dunno what it was really called, but it's just opposite Bugis Junction). Walked around the area and she decided to get a reasonably small sling bag. Then she left to meet her friend while I proceeded to Bishan for dinner and hopefully catch a movie with NO. We were not able to catch any movie as she had already watched Wall.E and the rest of the shows were either crap or late movies (any time after 2100H). Hence we just walk around and try to get interested with what we were seeing or doing haha...

YS SMSed me for meetup so that he can pass me my long awaited medicine. This medicine is going to help me gain some weigh. Hopefully it work, or rather it better work, cost me hundred bucks. YS came to Junction 8 to pick me up and proceed to his house in Buangkok, Block 273C, and I get my chance to spend some time with MO and take some photos of her. ;p

She's going to cry, time to return you to your parent.

Hopefully, you can see how skinny I look from the photo... only weigh 57kg. This chinese medicine YS had passed me or should I say prescribed to me should make me gain weigh over two months time. The beauty is I just need to take twice a day and continue with my routine meals. Let's see whether it works...

Teachers' Day (1 Sep 08)

Happy Teachers' Day to all teachers in the world!!! Today happen to be my unit anniversary celebration as well. The celebration was held at Singapore Discovery Centre. Was there early in the morning, CP gave his speech and presented plaques. There was a cake cutting ceremony too. After that, breakfast was served right at the tentage before we move into SDC to tour around the place and watch movie. I did not really get any of those, did not try the breakfast, don't seem to be delicious and have to stand and eat, so I gave it a missed. Luckily, I wasn't eating, as SC called and chatted from her home until she reach SDC. This girl is so horrible, can be so late for work even when work is equal to just having an event outside of office. Though have to give it to her, since she was not feeling well but still get herself out of her nest to make it for the event. Everyone proceeds to SDC while I chatted on the phone until her arrival. Then we had breakfast together at Discovery Cafe, before proceeding into the exhibits area.

It was so boring, I left early to CH house for MJ, haha... This time it was with CH, GH and WK. Session end at 1800H and I won $60 which half of it will be given to SC. Every MJ session in future would be like this. Winning will be split into two and shared among the two of us and sad to say loses will be taken care of by me.

Rush home after the MJ session and when to Punggol to view the flat. Ya, will be moving in soon. Punggol neighbourhood, here I come. The flat have nice seaview scenery as it's facing Pulau Ubin. Yet to decide which room to take, but since I am just a tentant, haha... I will take which ever room is left. Seriously not much of a different for me. However, next time for me to go meet SG for work would be more troublesome. Will have to start to find other alternatives.

Time for DVD... ;p

My "boring" Weekend II (31 Aug 08)

Had a great chat with someone, she shared with me some of her feeling with regards to certain stuff. I gave her my point of views and she decided on some course of actions, some what a true counselling session. The only different compared to a real counselling session was the setting of the place. Nevertheless, what needed to be share was shared and I am happy and glad. After the so call counselling session, I went to have my breakfast and while walking to the bus stop to get home after my breakfast, walk pass the Singapore Pools Outlet and decided to pay for a chance of luck, haha... Sunday 4D and Monday 1.5 millions TOTO, hee hee... Seriously dreaming for the prize money on Monday (Teachers' Day).

RH called and we went to Suntec Conventional Hall for the annual event, COMEX 2008...

It was extremely crowded, as what the chinese saying goes... 'People Mountain People Sea' The human traffic jam was worst then the daily early hours rush on CTE haha... We manage to make our way to epiCentre, selling all the MAC and iPhone, iPod accessories. RH wanted to buy the protective cover for his iPhone. It wasn't difficult to find, the first stall / booth we went, he had already got what he wanted. Since we were already there might as well take a look at the entire exhibit to see what was available... To me, it was rather disappointing, other than there was nothing for me to buy (probably because I dun need anything), there wasn't much to see as well. LT still tell me the camera gals are good looking, so I SMS her and tell her what a disappointment I had.

After an hour or so of walking among the human jam, we decided to go for our lunch. Went to Marina Square food court. RH will be going for his diving trip at the end of the week and he called YS to borrow some of the diving gears. We guys always do that, rotate our gears around so we dun have to rent them. Was told by YS that he would be going to H's mum wake in the evening, so we agreed to meet him there. RL called and told us that he was at COMEX 2008 as well and asked to have dinner together, but we were about to leave the place so we told him we will be in Tampines later. RL called later when we were at the wake and RH spoke to him and told him about H's mum. RL joined us later at the wake. We left the place shortly to get RH diving gears from RL and YS. Then RH drove to Bukit Panjang to settle some personal matters. We had supper at Jalan Kayu, mutabak with ayam and teh tarik. During supper, we chatted and urge each other to stay focus and work towards our goals and dreams.

See how boring my weekends had been? Nevertheless, I decided to stay focus and compose myself and work towards my dreams. I can't afford to have any more delays or mistakes as the finishing line for this goal is only a merely 3 years away (35). Oh and not forgetting to mention, remember the 4D I bought in the morning? Out of the 8 sets of numbers I bought, 2 sets came out in consolation and starters, but they were permutation of the numbers I bought, so with iBet I won $6 and $10 respectively.

Draw No: 2745 Sunday 31 Aug 08

1st Prize 7518
2nd Prize 6309
3rd Prize 5925

Starter Prizes
0044 0321 0987 1089 1373

2313 7559 7641 8059 9008
Consolation Prizes
1000 5670 5789 7864 8252

8860 9000 9174 9653 9680