Life is Such, Such is Life

浮生如梦

2012-02-11T23:09:00.001+08:00

人生在世一蜉蝣，转眼乌头换白头。
百岁光阴能有几？一场笑谈没来由。
当年楚汉今何在？昔日萧曹尽已休。
南来北往走西东, 看见浮生总是空.
天也空来地也空, 人生渺渺在其中.
日也空来月也空, 来来往往有何功.
田也空来地也空, 换了多少主人翁.
金也空来银也空, 死后何曾在手中.
妻也空来子也空, 黄泉路上不相逢.
大藏经中空是色, 般若经中色是空.
朝走西来暮走东, 人生恰似采花蜂.
采得百花成蜜后, 到头辛苦一场空.
夜深听得三更鼓, 翻身不觉五更钟.
仔细从头思想起, 便是南柯一梦中!

-from another blog

Verse For Repentance (忏悔文)

2011-12-04T01:38:00.001+08:00

All the evil karma I have created in the past,
from beginningless greed, hatred and delusion,
that arose from my body, speech and mind,
for all these I now seek repentance and reformation.

- Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (Avatamsaka Sutra)

我昔所造诸恶业
皆由无始贪嗔痴
从身语意之所生
一切我今皆忏悔

- 普贤菩萨 (华严经)

「醒過來」；「放下」

2011-11-10T20:33:00.003+08:00

小和尚:施主~妳離我越近，我離佛越遠
女施主:小和尚~我就是佛祖的化身

禪堂中死一般的寂靜，寂靜得似乎空無一人，只有守關的老禪師心中清楚，參加這次閉關的四十名法師今天已經到了最後一關——破生死關；生死觀亦稱情欲關，情欲不斷，生死難了，但願這些法師今天能不出意外，順利過關。

就在守關老禪師擔憂默禱中，門外傳來了陣陣爭吵聲，是禪堂外護關的師父與一名女子在爭吵，老禪師輕輕打開房門想勸阻爭吵，可就在這時，那名女子猛地推開了房門，突然一步闖進了禪堂，

守關法師再想攔時已經遲了。

隨著門響四十位閉關的法師幾乎同時睜開了眼睛，他們被眼前的這位女子驚呆了，
一位亭亭玉立的美麗少女，是那樣的秀美、端莊、俏麗、輕盈，她的目光掃遍了每一位端坐的禪師，並報以淡雅溫柔的一笑，那攝人神魂的一瞥，那動人心魄的一笑，足以讓每一個見到她的人終生難忘。

守關的老禪師恭敬地合掌相問：「請問女施主進我禪堂，不知有何貴幹？」

少女:「阿彌陀佛！得知眾位法師在此閉關，我特來供養每位法師僧鞋一雙，請老禪師慈悲，滿我心願。」

老禪師:「既然如此，請施主將僧鞋留下，待出關之後老納替施主分發便是。」
少女輕輕一搖頭，含笑答道：「我發願將每雙僧鞋親自為法師們穿上，請禪師慈悲，這樣既滿了我的宿願，也滿了諸位法師的難言之願。」

此時禪堂中四十位法師一聽少女要親自為自己穿上僧鞋，無不怦然心動，個個面露欣喜之色。

老禪師無奈地歎息一聲，合掌應道：「既是如此，施主請便。」

少女輕移蓮步，依次為每一位法師躬身穿鞋，那姣美的笑臉，那柔軟的雙手，那阿娜的身姿，那沁人的幽香，使每個法師無不暗暗自慨：「能與此女相伴一日，死也足矣！」當少女為最後一位法師穿好僧鞋，準備離開禪堂時，才發現禪堂的門已經被鎖死了，少女來到老禪師面前問道：「師父將小女子鎖在禪堂內，不知有何打算？我怎麼出去啊？」

老禪師面沉似水，冷冷說道:「你今天還打算出去嗎？」
少女:「是啊，僧鞋已經發完了，我也該回家了。」

老禪師:「寧攪千江水，莫動道人心！你今天攪擾了我禪堂內四十位法師的道心，你還打算活著走出禪堂嗎？」

少女驚慌地問道：:「我是來佈施僧鞋的，法師們見色動心，難道是我的錯嗎？快把門打開放我出去。」
老禪師:「放你出去很簡單，但你得把一樣東西留下。」

少女:「請問法師你想要把我的什麼東西留下？」

「你的命！」老法師斬釘截鐵地說。

少女淚眼流情、楚楚動人地跪倒在老禪師面前委屈地問道：「為什麼要我的命？」

老禪師:「因為你今天種了一個惡因，在你面前只有兩條路：

一、你將四十世輪迴女身，分別嫁給這四十位因你而動心的法師，他們也將輪回在六道，不論他們投生在那一道中，你都得隨業嫁。

二、就是你今天死在這裏，斷了這四十世輪迴之因。」

少女驚恐地睜大了美麗的雙眼，任由委屈的淚水流下面頰，:「我再沒有別的選擇了嗎？」
「是的！兩條路由你自己選。」老禪師堅決地回答道。

少女緩緩地對老禪師說道：「麻煩您給我找一條絲絛，我寧可把命留下，也不願再輪迴四十世女身。」

聽到少女的話，禪堂裏的四十位元法師全部驚呆了，看到剛才還是嫵媚動人的少女如今卻是神色凝重地手持絲絛，慢慢地走向門前去結束自己美麗而寶貴生命，無不為之惋惜。

少女自盡了，就吊死在禪堂門前的橫樑上，那曾經是春情勃動的生命，如今已灰飛煙滅，那曾經豔如花蕊的臉龐，如今已蒼白冷漠，但仍不失她的美麗。

三天以後，少女的屍身開始散發出腐臭，蒼白美麗的面頰也變了顏色，可老禪師就像什麼也沒發生過一樣，每天護守著禪堂內這四十位閉關的師父們。隨著時間一天天的推移，少女的屍身一天天也在發生著變化，

原本婀娜苗條的身軀，現在已經腐爛的臃腫不堪，那曾經令人心動的面孔如今變成淡綠色，不斷滲出的腐液，散發著令人作嘔的惡臭，閉關的師父們已經無法忍受了，想要請老禪師打開門窗換換空氣，並把這具女屍移出去，可老禪師仍然像無事人一樣，繼續無言地守候在禪堂內。

第七天，四十位閉關的師父們，面對著這具奇臭無比又令人恐怖的女屍再也忍無可忍的時侯，女屍身上的一塊腐肉脫落了，裙子和褲子也同時脫落了，這時大家才看清，腐肉脫落的地方露出了駭人的白骨，上面爬滿了蠕動的腐蛆。大家再也控制不住了，幾乎是同時作嘔起來。

老禪師緩緩地從蒲團上起來，面對大家冷冷地說道：「大家想要出禪堂嗎？」

「對！」四十個人同聲回答。

老禪師：「那好，誰能回答上我的問題，就可以出去了，想回答的請舉手。」
四十個師父同時舉手。

老禪師回手一指身邊的女屍問道：「她是誰？」

四十個閉關的師父全愣住了，啞口無言。

老禪師站在女屍面前大聲問道：：「告訴我，她是誰？是那個令你們神魂顛倒想入非非的少女嗎？」

「不是！」回答整齊！

老禪師：「現在你還打算和她廝守終生嗎？」

「不！」異口同聲！

老禪師：「這個世界上還有讓你們值得動心的女人嗎？」

「沒有了！」斬釘截鐵！

老禪師大手一揮:「好，出關！」

女屍身上蒙著一塊黃布，被四十個出關的師父們抬出來了，師父們並沒有散去，因為他們心中還有一個結：「她是誰？」

老禪師神情莊重地帶領著大家向停放在地上的女屍頂禮匐拜後，對大家說：「你們不是想要知道她究竟是誰嗎？我走以後，你們自己看吧。」說完老禪師轉身走回了自己的寮房。

當大家緊張地掀起蓋在女屍身上的黃布時，全部驚呆了，這哪裡是他們抬出來的腐爛女屍啊？

原來是寺院裏的一尊觀世音菩薩聖像，大家恭敬地把觀音菩薩聖像安頓好後，才想起應該問問老禪師是怎麼知道的？

大家發瘋般地跑到老禪師的寮房時，老禪師已經圓寂坐化了。

禪，留給我們的是啟示，不是遺憾。

醒過來
這個世界上有太多煩惱，
所以有許多人，不約而同地問了佛祖一樣的問題：
「我該怎麼做，才能不再煩憂？」
佛祖給的答案都相同：
「只要放下，你就能不再煩惱。」
有個自以為聰明的人很不服氣，
便專程去找佛祖，挑釁地問：
「世上有千千萬萬個人，就有千千萬萬種煩惱。

但是您給他們的解決方式都完全相同，那豈不是太可笑了？」

佛祖沒有生氣，只是反問男子：
「你晚上睡覺的時候，會做夢嗎？」
「當然會！」男子回答。
「那麼，你每天晚上做的夢，都是一樣的嗎？」佛祖又問。
「當然是不一樣的。」
「你睡了千千萬萬次，就做了千千萬萬個夢。」

佛祖微笑地說：

「但是要結束夢的方法，卻都是一樣的，
那就是：『醒過來』！」
男子聽到佛祖的回答，啞口無言。

我很喜歡這則禪宗故事。

這則故事把煩惱比喻成「夢」，只要我們願意放下，

就能從夢中清醒來。

無論你的煩惱是什麼，方法都是一樣的。
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
我當義工的時候，分別探訪過兩個老婦人。

她們的人生際遇有驚人的雷同：

都自小喪母，成為別人的養女；

都嫁了一個酗酒的老公；兒子都很不孝順；

兩人身體都不好，晚年都在洗腎。
然而，她們兩人的心境卻大不相同。
第一個老婦人談及往事，她處之泰然。
她說種種的不順遂，是她人生的功課，現在她年紀大了，

該吃的苦都吃過了，所以她覺得自己真好運，

人生像倒吃甘蔗，愈來愈順利。
這名老婦人，現在是某公益團體的義工。

第二個老婦人談及往事，仍然咬牙切齒。

她指天怪地，罵兒子詛咒媳婦，她說老天爺對她真不公平！
這名老婦人，也跟那個公益團體有關，但她不是義工，
而是受到義工關懷的憂鬱症患者。
讓我印象深刻的，是她們兩個臉上的表情、
散發的氣息形成了強烈的對比。
當下讓我感覺：中國人說的「相由心生」，真的非常有道理。

當義工的老太太，因為已經放下了煩惱，

所以給人的感覺是祥和又親切，
讓人很想親近，表情有如菩薩。

得憂鬱症的老婦人，還把多年來的不順遂、痛苦扛在肩上，
她的氣息尖銳又暴烈，讓人避之唯恐不及，表情如同厲鬼。

然而，對於後者，其實我是深刻地同情的。
她的一輩子都在吃苦，但她不但不願意放下那些苦，

還要抱著那些其實已經遠離的苦難不放，讓它們繼續折磨自己。
也許，人生真的有太多無法逆轉的苦難、無法挽回的遺憾。
也許在夜闌人靜的時候，我們會因此哭泣，覺得蒼天真是無情，

竟然讓我承受如此巨大的痛苦……

但是，你我都不應該忘記，

能將我們從痛苦的地獄拯救出來的，

絕對不是別人，只有我們自己。

人生有太多包袱，

我們可以選擇將它一一扛在肩上，

也能選擇瀟灑地放下它們，
而能否放下，則會決定我們未來的人生，將繼續痛苦，還是可以享有幸福。

想擺脫惡夢的糾纏，唯一的方式是「醒過來」；
想忘卻人生的不順遂，唯一的方法就是「放下」。
醒過來，須苦到極點，痛到極處，才能省悟，反省其因。
放下呢，談兒蝾易，其功夫深徹，
一、必須有知苦而願離苦之愿，
二、面對真實，接受一切苦，明瞭一切無法避免。
三，反省、檢討一切來去姻緣。
四、而後圓融，寬恕，至知。
最後才能真正德放下喔！

-adapted from a facebook post

The 4 Basic Elements Of Stock Value

2011-10-02T12:44:00.000+08:00

The ancient Greeks proposed earth, fire, water and air as the main building blocks of all matter, and classified all things as a mixture of these elements. Investing has a similar set of four basic elements that investors use to break down a stock's value. In this article, we will look at the four ratios and what they can tell you about a stock.

Earth: The Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B)
Made for glass-half-empty people, the price-to-book (P/B) ratio represents the value of the company if it is torn up and sold today. This is useful to know because many companies in mature industries falter in terms of growth but can still be a good value based on their assets. The book value usually includes equipment, buildings, land and anything else that can be sold, including stock holdings and bonds. With purely financial firms, the book value can fluctuate with the market as these stocks tend to have a portfolio of assets that goes up and down in value. Industrial companies tend to have a book value based more in physical assets, which depreciate year after year according to accounting rules. In either case, a low P/B ratio can protect you - but only if it's accurate. This means an investor has to look deeper into the actual assets making up the ratio.

Fire: Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E)
The price to earnings (P/E) ratio is possibly the most scrutinized of all the ratios. If sudden increases in a stock's price are the sizzle, then the P/E ratio is the steak. A stock can go up in value without significant earnings increases, but the P/E ratio is what decides if it can stay up. Without earnings to back up the price, a stock will eventually fall back down.

The reason for this is simple: a P/E ratio can be thought of as how long a stock will take to pay back your investment if there is no change in the business. A stock trading at $20 per share with earning of $2 per share has a P/E ratio of 10, which is sometimes seen as meaning that you'll make your money back in 10 years if nothing changes. The reason stocks tend to have high P/E ratios is that investors try to predict which stocks will enjoy progressively larger earnings. An investor may buy a stock with a P/E ratio of 30 if he or she thinks it will double its earnings every year (shortening the payoff period significantly). If this fails to happen, then the stock will fall back down to a more reasonable P/E ratio. If the stock does manage to double earnings, then it will likely continue to trade at a high P/E ratio. You should only compare P/E ratios between companies in similar industries and markets.

Air: The PEG Ratio
Because the P/E ratio isn't enough in and of itself, many investors use the price to earnings growth (PEG) ratio. Instead of merely looking at the price and earnings, the PEG ratio incorporates the historical growth rate of the company's earnings. This ratio also tells you how your stock stacks up against another stock. The PEG ratio is calculated by taking the P/E ratio of a company and dividing it by the year-over-year growth rate of its earnings. The lower the value of your PEG ratio, the better the deal you're getting for the stock's future estimated earnings.

By comparing two stocks using the PEG, you can see how much you're paying for growth in each case. A PEG of 1 means you're breaking even if growth continues as it has in the past. A PEG of 2 means you're paying twice as much for projected growth when compared to a stock with a PEG of 1. This is speculative because there is no guarantee that growth will continue as it has in the past. The P/E ratio is a snap shot of where a company is and the PEG ratio is a graph plotting where it has been. Armed with this information, an investor has to decide whether it is likely to continue in that direction.

Water: Dividend Yield
It's always nice to have a back-up when a stock's growth falters. This is why dividend-paying stocks are attractive to many investors - even when prices drop you get a paycheck. The dividend yield shows how much of a payday you're getting for your money. By dividing the stock's annual dividend by the stock's price, you get a percentage. You can think of that percentage as the interest on your money, with the additional chance at growth through the appreciation of the stock.

Although simple on paper, there are some things to watch for with the dividend yield. Inconsistent dividends or suspended payments in the past mean that the dividend yield can't be counted on. Like the water element, dividends can ebb and flow, so knowing which way the tide is going - like whether dividend payments have increased year over year - is essential to making the decision to buy. Dividends also vary by industry, with utilities and some banks paying a lot whereas tech firms invest almost all their earnings back into the company to fuel growth.

No Element Stands Alone
P/E, P/B, PEG and dividend yields are too narrowly focused to stand alone as a single measure of a stock. By combining these methods of valuation, you can get a better view of a stock's worth. Any one of these can be influenced by creative accounting - as can more complex ratios like cash flow. As you add more tools to your valuation methods though, discrepancies get easier to spot. From the Greeks' four basic elements, we now have more than 100, some of which exist so briefly that we wonder if they count, and none of them are named water, earth, air, or fire. In investing, however, these four main ratios may be overshadowed by thousands of customized metrics, but they will always be useful stepping stones for finding out whether a stock's worth buying.

- Investopedia, Andrew Beattie

As such...so we learn...

2011-09-02T23:00:00.001+08:00

As assistants, we learn how to endure
As seniors, we learn how to find solutions

定

2011-07-20T23:09:00.003+08:00

咬定青山不放松
立根原在破岩中
千磨万击还坚劲
任尔东南西比风

- 郑板桥

Nice Video

2011-07-01T23:18:00.001+08:00

Saw this video shared on youtube. Nice. =)

">

Hua Hee Tio Ho

2011-06-23T22:21:00.002+08:00

This is a hokkien song which I find the lyrics very meaningful. It is usually sung by a Taiwanese Singer, Chen Lei. This video is a version of the original and the sound is tweaked to sound like Alvin & The Chipmunks.

Hua Hee Tio Ho (Being Happy will Suffice/高兴就好)

A rough translation of the song is as follows,

Life is such...
Not everyone understands...
Sometimes very particular...
Other times whatever...
While some people speaks nicely
There will be others who speak nastily
But if we dont take them too seriously
Life would be much more easy

One moment feels that car not big enough
One moment feels that house not spacious enough
One moment feels that dishes are not well cooked
One moment feels that your spouse is not attractive

When gotten big car, one fear it being stolen
When gotten big house, one realise the pain in keeping it clean
When gotten all the good food in the world, one is told that one has high blood pressure
When gotten a beautiful wife, one fear she will leave for someone better

Life is short...
Liken it to a game...
Sometimes you worry all day...
Sometimes you slack all the way...
If you ask me,
What treasure do I have with me..
I will tell you there is nothing...but contentment...that is bliss

Camp Rainbow 2011

2011-06-06T21:21:00.004+08:00

Initially when I received the invitation to volunteer my service, I hastily gave my commitment but I started to regret my decision afterwards. All the while I tried coming up with possible excuses to back out.

I was really glad I kept to my promise and gave my best effort for the camp. I am determined to volunteer my service again for Camp Rainbow 2012 if the opportunity arises.

The theme for the camp this year was "Camp Discovery". Not only was it meant for the kids to discover what they can do, it is also an opportunity for the volunteers to discover the strength and weakness within themselves.

I saw many familiar faces at the camp which not only brings a smile to me but is also one of the reason I am determined to serve again next year if the opportunity arises. These people reminds me that making a commitment is not a one time affair, once commited, it should be an on going process

During the camp I get to observe many instances of selfless contribution which really earned my utmost respect. Comparing to these selfless volunteers and caregivers, I realised how self centered I have been. From this camp, I am inspired to learn to think and act more for others and less for myself.

It is also from this camp that once again I get to witness the power of the collective effort. When a group of like minded individuals come togther for a common purpose, great things can be accomplished regardless of the number of obstacles ahead.

With this post, I would like to remind myself for as long as I can remember to, that one should live everyday with gratitude and contentment. The spirit of the selfless lives on forever...

nice...

2011-06-06T13:05:00.003+08:00

What Are Words - Chris Medina

Reviewing ministerial salaries: Seven lessons from the private sector

2011-05-26T23:49:00.001+08:00

SINGAPORE: Last week, I taught executive and director pay to an executive MBA class and, during lunch, the subject of conversation at my table was ministerial pay in Singapore — a regular topic among the executives attending the programme over the years.

While most of the rest of the world is concerned with high executive pay, this must be the only country where ministerial salaries are of more interest.

Quite coincidentally, on Saturday morning, I had begun writing a commentary with the tentative title of "Ministerial pay: Lessons from corporate scandals and the financial crisis". That night, I saw on the news the Prime Minister’s announcement that he was setting up a committee to review ministerial pay.

When you pay poorly, you might still get good people but, undoubtedly, the pool you select from will be smaller. You may also attract some who are willing to take low pay because they want to use their position for other benefit, such as taking bribes or getting directorships in companies.

When you pay very well, the pool will be larger, but you also risk attracting the wrong people who are motivated purely by money. People who are attracted to politics because of the money (or power) might still want to use their positions for their own benefit because for some, it is never enough.

I personally do not believe that high pay is effective for fighting corruption; I think it is an affront to the many who make an honest living on low pay to suggest that paying little encourages corruption.

However, it is very difficult to determine what is the "right" pay for CEOs, people with very specialised skills — and government ministers. For CEOs, certain "benchmarks" have been suggested, such as some percentage of profits, some ratio to average employee pay, the pay of sports stars and celebrities or fellow CEOs. None of these are wholly satisfactory.

Benchmarking ministerial pay to other professions has its limitations because they are totally different jobs, and different jobs come with different lifestyles and employment risks. When I look at my peers who have gone to the private sector, many are earning a lot more than I do now, but they do not have my more flexible lifestyle as an academic, and they are not able to achieve tenure which gives better job security.

In any case, I believe that the best people in any field are those who are driven first by their passion and calling.

IT’S HOW THEY EARN IT

As a corporate governance advocate, it has never been my concern if someone is well paid and earns it in the right way. I would be outraged if someone makes a lot of money but does so in an illegal or unethical manner, where it is not related to appropriate measures of performance, or the pay determined is through a contaminated process.

The corporate sector suggests the following "best practices" which should be followed in setting senior executives pay:

— An "arms length" process for determining remuneration policy and packages

— Benchmarks used should be comparable (similar job responsibilities, similar size and industry, etc)

— There should be a reasonable mix of short— and long—term pay

— Pay should be based mainly on factors within the executive’s control

— Performance measures used for evaluation should have strong links with the corporation’s long—term performance

— There should be minimal benefits and termination payments that are generally unrelated to performance

— There is good disclosure and transparency

A private sector approach which treats running a country as equivalent to running a corporation is, of course, flawed to start out with. After all, a government can always print money, raise taxes, determine whether it wants to make a profit (budget surplus) or a loss (budget deficit) and so on.

Tying ministerial bonuses to annual GDP growth can create the same perverse incentives as tying CEO pay to annual revenue growth. For example, it can lead to incentives to invest in projects with high economic payoffs, but with attendant high social costs and under—investing for long—term growth.

But if we are determined to follow a private sector approach to setting ministerial pay, then we should go the whole nine yards and adopt similar sound pay practices, which could involve the following. (Incidentally, when I showed someone the draft of this commentary, I was alerted to a 2007 speech by MP Denise Phua in which she made some similar points. I am glad there was such an alternative voice in Parliament and wish that her views were taken more seriously then.)

DEFER PAY, BE TRANSPARENT

One, have an independent ministerial pay committee to oversee ministerial pay policy and levels (members must be independent and perceived to be so).

Two, adopt a small number of macro performance measures which capture overall performance in a holistic way (such as average GDP growth, average wage growth, Gini coefficient and unemployment rate) and micro performance measures which directly reflect a particular minister’s performance (such as traffic accident rates, average expressway speeds, admission rates of Singaporeans into local universities, percentage of low—income families owning HDB flats).

Three, tie a minister’s pay primarily to his individual responsibilities and performance, based on his portfolio (a small component can be tied to more macro measures but these may be more relevant to assessing the performance of the "chief executive", that is, the Prime Minister).

Four, benchmark targets such as GDP growth to trends in comparable economies, to better ensure that improvements are not largely due to external factors (for example, a significant increase in GDP growth — just like a significant increase in a company’s stock price — may be driven more by general trends in the inter—connected global economy).

Five, defer a part of a minister’s pay for a number of years and put in place conditions under which the deferred pay may be reduced.

Six, eliminate or significantly reduce pensions and other benefits not linked to a minister’s performance. And seven, publish a report each year on the actual amount of each minister’s pay and its breakdown.

This may sound like an awfully tedious process for setting ministerial pay. Unfortunately, corporate scandals and the recent financial crisis have taught us that poorly designed pay schemes set through a flawed process and which lack transparency can create perverse incentives and undermine governance. The current approach to setting ministerial pay emulates the pay levels in the private sector but not the sound pay principles that well—governed companies follow.

If we are not prepared to adopt similarly robust processes and practices for setting ministerial pay, then perhaps we should just follow how other countries determine pay for their government officials.

We can then rely more on robust selection processes and strong enforcement of laws to take to task ministers who are corruptible, in order to ensure that we get ethical and competent government leaders.

However, even if we decide to "de—privatise" ministerial pay, I believe there are certain merits in adopting some of the good practices in the private sector approach — such as having a more independent mechanism for setting ministerial pay, having better measures of ministerial performance, creating mechanisms to encourage ministers to focus on longer—term consequences of decisions, and greater transparency in ministerial pay.

This may minimise the risk of receiving an "unexpected" performance appraisal from the electorate every four years. —

- TODAY , Mak Yuen Teen is an associate professor at NUS Business School.

No Title

2011-03-07T22:23:00.000+08:00

来时欢喜去时悲
空来人间走一回
不如不来也不去
即无欢喜亦无悲

~ Movie-The New Shaolin

COE for beginners

2010-12-26T12:26:00.000+08:00

COE for beginners

BEFORE you buy a car in Singapore, you need to have a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) to do so.

And because there are various ways of securing a COE, it means the car buyer can choose between different ways to buy a car.

You can go with any of the packages offered by car dealers, or obtain a COE yourself. And it can mean that different buyers pay different prices for the same car.

These are the main choices for buyers.

1. Get your new car right away

MOST dealers have an 'immediate delivery' deal, which means they will use an Open Category COE, rather than a COE from the car's rightful category.

This means that if there's a car available in your choice of colour, you just sign on the dotted line and get it as soon as the documentation is done and the number plate is ready.

The attraction: No need to wait. And since Open Category COEs are valid for only three months, dealers will sweeten the deal if the expiry date draws near for COEs they have in hand.

The downside: You may collect less of a rebate when you scrap the car. This is because the 'leftover' value of an Open COE will not be based on its price, but on the price of the COE for the car's rightful category, if the latter is lower.

For example, you use a $12,000 Open Category COE to buy a 1.6-litre car when the COE for 1.6-litre cars in the same tender is $5,000. If you scrap the car by the fifth year, you get back $2,500 in unused COE, not half the price of the Open Category COE.

Offers: Practically every dealer has Open COEs for urgent registrations. The deals for cars packaged with an Open COE can be anywhere from among the priciest to the cheapest.

2. Get your new car within six weeks

THE dealer guarantees that he will get you a COE within two tenders - that's normally four weeks, because bidding is done fortnightly.

The attractions: Aside from the Immediate Delivery deal, this is the fastest, surest way to get your car. Also, you get the rightful COE for your car, not an Open Category one. If stock is available, you get your car within six weeks.

The downside: This is pricey. To secure that guaranteed COE, dealers bid more aggressively. Some sales contracts may say that if the seller fails to get the correct-category COE for your car, he will use an Open Category COE instead. If you are not agreeable, tell the dealer from the start.

Offers: Most dealers offer this. If you are buying a high-end car like a Porsche or a Jaguar, this is the default deal.

For mass market cars, the guaranteed deal also comes with the highest rebate level, which matters if the COE price falls. The higher the rebate level, the better your chance of getting some money back if COE prices fall.

3. Wait for the right-price COE

THE dealer offers to keep trying to get you a COE at the price you're prepared to pay. So a package deal may say that the dealer will bid four or six times in successive COE tenders to get you your COE.

The attraction: It is cheaper than other package deals, and that's why this is popular with buyers who are prepared to wait. If COE prices go down, you could save money.

Reputable distributors of top brands will almost always land a COE - even if they tell you there's no guarantee. If all goes well, you get your car within four months, often sooner.

The downside: If the dealer does not get your COE after six bids - and that means three months - things become uncertain. COE prices may stay beyond your reach, and you end up waiting longer. Or, along the way, you may start feeling anxious and agree to fork out more money to top up the price of your package and secure the COE.

Also, some dealers may not start bidding right away as you expect. They do so only in the fourth to sixth rounds. It means you wait. So it may be wise to hold on to your current set of wheels if you choose this deal.

Also, rebate levels tend to be low for multiple bidding packages. So if COE prices fall, this deal does not offer the best money-back promise.

Offers: Dealers of most popular brands offer this package. The premium marques avoid this because their customers mostly do not want to wait. Not all dealers ask buyers to top up the package price if COE prices keep rising. Among them:

Borneo Motors (Toyota), Kah Motor (Honda), Performance Motors (BMW), and high-end marques like Jaguar, Porsche and Bentley. Parallel importer Richburg Motors also does not ask for top-ups.

4. Do it yourself

YOU get yourself a COE, and then shop for your car. Very few buyers - an estimated 1 per cent - do it this way, even though the process is easy enough.

You can bid for a COE at an ATM, as long as you have $10,000 in your bank balance. This method works best for people who do their homework and track COE price changes, and want to make sure they pay the price they are willing to pay.

The attraction: If you are savvy enough, you can land yourself a cheap COE. No worrying over whether the dealer will give you money back if the COE price falls, or ask for a top-up if prices rise. Some people who are not in a hurry keep bidding very low amounts repeatedly and sometimes get lucky when the COE price plunges. It feels like winning a lottery, they say.

The downside: Dealers set different prices for cars sold to buyers with their own COE and those who take one of the package deals. The difference is not a simple matter of deducting the COE price from the package deal price. Sellers of less popular cars are more open to negotiation on this front.

If you are not familiar with COE trends, you might waste time and effort trying to get a COE the DIY way. There is no advantage if COE prices are creeping upwards. It is worthwhile only if you see prices sliding.

Offers: Most dealers will sell you a car if you turn up with your own COE. But don't expect the best price, especially from sellers of popular brands. The reason: They give priority to releasing stock to customers with a package deal.

Before starting on your DIY journey, shop around, check prices and waiting time for delivery. Your COE is valid for six months before it expires.

COE BIDDING PROCESS OPEN AND TRANSPARENT: LTA

THIS is what Land Transport Authority director Maria Choy says about the COE bidding system:

"Vehicle buyers can bid for the COE themselves or buy it as part of a package deal offered by the motor dealer.

"Many vehicle buyers opt for package deals for convenience and also because dealers compete to offer attractive terms and financing arrangements as part of the package.

"If vehicle buyers feel that motor dealers are not offering them a fair package, they can bid for COEs on their own. The COE Open Bidding System was designed specifically to ensure that individuals are not at a disadvantage when they do so.

"There are many avenues to submit a COE bid. DBS/POSB account holders can use the ATMs, while Citibank and UOB customers may use the banks' Internet banking facilities, and Citibank and OCBC customers may go though phone banking.

"The bidding process is open and transparent. Bidders can see the going COE price, number of bids received and the status of their bids through their banks' systems, LTA's OCOE website, one.motoring and Teletext. The prices are adjusted on a real-time basis, according to the bids received.

"If a bidder finds that he has been outbidded, that is, his bid is below the going COE price, he may increase his bid, through LTA?s OCOE website or through the facilities of participating banks.

"Bidders can decide to drop out if they feel that the quota premium is higher than what they are prepared to pay. Unsuccessful bidders receive their deposits in their bank accounts the following day.

"All successful bidders pay a uniform price for the COE, based on the lowest successful bid. Therefore, an individual can bid exactly as high or as low as he wishes, without regretting it later, or accidentally paying too much if he succeeds. This is in contrast to a 'pay-as-you-bid' tender system, in which bidders are more likely to over-estimate the value of the COE, and thus end up over-paying.

"Once a bidder has successfully secured a COE, he can purchase a vehicle from a motor dealer."

COE system kicked off in 1990

NOWHERE else in the world does it work like this. Before you buy a car in Singapore, you have to get yourself a certificate that entitles you to make the purchase.

It is all about controlling the number of cars on the road, so that traffic keeps moving.

Instead of continually raising taxes to discourage vehicle buyers, Singapore sets a quota on the number of vehicles that can be put on the road at any time, and then leaves it to market forces via a fortnightly auction of COEs - certificates of entitlement to buy a vehicle.

Five categories of COEs are available: two for passenger cars, one each for motorcycles and commercial vehicles, and an Open category COE that can be used to buy any vehicle but is mainly used for cars.

Bidding for a COE can be done by motor dealers, or buyers can do it themselves. Nine out of 10 buyers let the motor dealers bid for their COE.

The number of COEs released every fortnight is fixed before the start of a quota year in April. The supply is adjusted in October, if necessary.

From all bids received, the lowest successful bid in a tender is the price everyone in the same category pays.

So if there are 100 COEs available in a category, and bidders make bids from anything between $1 and $50,000, the 100th successful bid from the top becomes the COE price.

Car COEs have ranged from as low as $50 in December 1997 to as high as $110,500 in November 1994. Currently, they hover around $14,000.

This is a history of the scheme:

May 1, 1990: The Government implements the Vehicle Quota or COE System, with the promise of reductions in other car taxes. There were as many as eight categories at first.

Nov 1, 1990: Reduction of the Additional Registration Fee (ARF) for cars, from 175 to 160 per cent of Open Market Value (OMV), or roughly their cost price.

Feb 1, 1991: Further reduction of ARF for cars, from 160 to 150 per cent of OMV

Sept 1, 1991: Car and motorbike COEs are made non-transferable. Commercial vehicle COEs and Open COEs remain transferable.

Feb 20, 1995: Residual value of COE for vehicles registered using Open COEs to be based on COE of the vehicle's rightful category - if it was lower.

Residual value of COE for vehicles deregistered within two years after registration for export is capped at 80 per cent of premium. These are to discourage speculation in Open COEs.

Nov 1, 1995: Introduction of the electronic COE bidding system.

April 1, 1998: ARF for cars reduced further, from 150 to 140 per cent of OMV. Registration fee for cars also reduced from $1,000 to $140.

May 1, 1999: Annual COE supply formula revised. A mid-year adjustment for any huge under or over-supply is also introduced. Also, four car COE categories are merged to become two.

April 1, 2002: Launch of the Open Bidding System, which allows bidders to see the going rate 'live', so they do not bid blindly. Before this, bidders could not see what others were bidding. ARF currently stands at 110 per cent of OMV.

-from Land Transport Authority

OMG OMG OMG!

2010-12-24T16:45:00.002+08:00

best xmas present so far!

iPHONE 4!!!

din know my mum can be so generous...lol~

Grandmaster Yip Man - Sil Lim Tao, Chum Kiu, Biu Zhi

2010-12-11T12:06:00.001+08:00

Wing Chun 3 basic forms

随缘-太极张三丰

2010-12-04T16:19:00.002+08:00

刀光劍影不是我門派天空開闊自有我風采

雙手一推非黑也非白不好也不壞

沒有勝又何來敗沒有去那有來

手中無劍心中無爭才是我胸懷

隨月而去乘風而來才是我胸懷

唇槍舌劍不合我姿態天空開闊才是我風采

雙手一推非曲也非直不好也不壞

沒有勝又何來敗沒有動那有靜

手中無劍心中無爭才是我胸懷

隨月而去乘風而來才是我胸懷

Why Winners Win and Losers Lose

2010-10-19T21:47:00.003+08:00

Winners VS Losers

-from the blog Marc and Angel Life Hack

1 Year Lo!!!! ALL HAIL L.E.A!!!

2010-09-28T23:52:00.003+08:00

I still remember 1 year ago the excitement, anxiety, hope and pride I felt as I stepped into the EY training room for the first time.

Many familiar faces but even more unfamiliar ones.

I always believe that those who chose this line is not here by chance. Knowing very well the sacrfices and agony one might have to endure...yet this brave group stick to their beliefs whatever they may be.

This 1 year had been a humbling experience but I definitely had fun. Although there are times that are so frustrating and scary, I am glad I have a strong network of friends to tide me through those dark hours and also share the sunshine together!

Looking forward, I hope the subsequent years will only become better and better.

Finally, let us all hail this League of Extraordinary Auditors!

Preserved it...

2010-08-15T22:46:00.002+08:00

I keep my office cold. Just because my dreams have died doesnt mean they shouldnt be well preserved.

- HJC

Need Vs. Want

2010-08-13T13:45:00.000+08:00

Tit: My iPhone’s screen is too small.
Tat: So?
Tit: I need an iPad!
Tat: When did you realise this?
Tit: When iPad was launched!
Tat: So, you didn’t need it before?
Tit: Er…
Tat: A ‘need’ that comes from comparison is usually a ‘want’!

- from The Daily Enlightenment

Words of encouragement from a friend

2010-07-29T03:21:00.001+08:00

"Do not give up until you succeed or till someone else does"

- CCD

Go ahead and gamble if...

2010-07-26T13:34:00.003+08:00

Go ahead and gamble if 3 conditions are met,

1.) You have the necessary skills
2.) You have the luck
3.) There are suckers at the other end

Once these 3 conditions are met, winning is almost certain

Every Light Cast A Shadow

2010-07-05T22:07:00.001+08:00

One of the greatest lessons we get to learn in life is that we are often attracted to a bright light in another person. Initially, this light is all we see. It’s so bright and beautiful. But after awhile, as our eyes adjust, we notice that this light is accompanied by a shadow – and usually a fairly large one.

When we see this shadow, we have two choices: We can either shine our own light on the shadow or we can run from it and continue searching for a shadowless light.

If we decide to run from the shadow, we must also run from the light that created it. And we soon find out that our light is the only light illuminating the space around us. Then, at some point, as we look closer at our own light, we notice something out of the ordinary. Our light is casting a shadow too. And our shadow is a bigger and darker than some of the other shadows we’ve seen.

If, on the other hand, instead of running from the shadow, we decide to walk towards it, something amazing happens. We inadvertently cast our own light on the shadow, and likewise, the light that created this shadow casts its light on ours. Suddenly, both shadows begin to disappear. Not completely, of course, but every the part of the two shadows that are touched by the other person’s light illuminate and disappear.

And as a result, we each find more of that bright beautiful light in the other person – which is precisely what we have been searching for all along.

- from 1 of Marc and Angel Life Hack blog entry

Hong Kong Here I Come!

2010-06-19T20:29:00.002+08:00

My long awaited leave has finally come!

Will be going to Hong Kong with some gd friends in less than 36 hours!

After 8 months of hard work...I am going to have a gd rest this 2 weeks.

Think its also time to take a look at what I have did in the past 8 months and consolidate what I have learnt and what I need to improve on.

Thats all for now...time to do some packing =)

詠春小念頭

2010-06-12T19:24:00.004+08:00

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7

UnTitled

2010-06-10T00:21:00.002+08:00

善知识，今发四弘愿了，更与善知识授无相三归依戒。
善知识，归依觉，两足尊。归依正，离欲尊。归依净，众中尊。
从今日起，称觉为师，更不归依邪魔外道。以自性三宝常自证明。劝善知识，归依自性三宝。
佛者，觉也。法者，正也。僧者，净也。
自心归依觉，邪迷不生，少欲知足，能离财色，名两足尊。
自心归依正，念念无邪见，以无邪见故，即无人我贡高贪爱执著，名离欲尊。
自心归依净，一切尘劳爱欲境界，自性皆不染著，名众中尊。
若修此行，是自归依。凡夫不会，从日至夜，受三归戒。若言归依佛，佛在何处？若不见佛，凭何所归？言却成妄。善知识，各自观察，莫错用心。经文分明言自归依佛，不言归依他佛。自佛不归，无所依处。今既自悟，各须归依自心三宝。内调心性，外敬他人，是自归依也。

-六祖坛经第六品(忏悔)

A weekend well spent!

2010-06-07T22:22:00.002+08:00

It was a weekend well spent.

Looking at them....I am grateful for what I am and what I have today....

Looking at them....I felt angry for what nature has done to them....

Looking at them.... I was touched by their effort to live like any others....

"Do not let others do what you can do for yourself"

-someone

Who stands in your way?

2010-05-20T23:38:00.000+08:00

Just because people treat you
like a villain, or an ogre or just some loser
doesn’t mean you are one.

What matters most
is what you think
of yourself.

If there’s something you really want,
or someone you want to be,
the only person standing in your way is you.

- Arty in Shrek 3

when its time to go...

2010-05-16T14:02:00.002+08:00

kid: doc..why do you smoke? isnt it bad for health?
doc: kid....i have seen enough cases...when its time to go.....its time to go..
kid: ...

-contributed by LHJ

INSPIRED

2010-04-20T22:40:00.004+08:00

today i am really inspired by 2 ppl ...

one make the extra effort to make life much much easier for others....all the while maintaining her cheerfulness and grace

the other sacrfifice his own time to guide the lost one back on track.....doing so with such wit and patience

...

these are the people that motivates me to become better and to believe that there is still fun regardless of how stressful the situation is

...

RESPECT!

=)

2010-04-13T22:54:00.004+08:00

"just quit la..."
............
"this is inhumane..."
.........
"no life leh...."
............
"you are so stupid to persist in this...."
..............
"dun act as if you are very determined...."

I only know that since I have made a choice...I shall stick to it
because this is how I thought it should be

Some may say that it is stupid to persist in something which one know its not the best decision made in the first place.................but is that really so?....

wise or stupid.......always changing

if one is to constantly seek out a better choice, will there be an end to it?
always looking for a better job...
always looking for a better spouse...
always looking for a better deal...
always looking for a better life...

always assuming that there is a better one out there....never believing in making effort to create the best from whatever there is

and so...

always looking...but forever missing the point....which is NOW

in now there is no good or bad...it just is
in now there is no hope or despair...there is only 1 breathe at a time
in now there is no room for nonsense...there is only 1 task at a time

Just want to remind myself that no one is really right or wrong...
there is no need to put too much emphasis on that bullshit...
just let go and flow...

silly?....but difficult....yet possible

=)

Advice from UncleBen and Aunt May

2010-04-09T23:45:00.001+08:00

Uncle Ben: Peter… you’ve never been in a fight in your entire life.
Peter: So. Have you?
Uncle Ben: A few times.
Peter: Bet you were a regular Bruce Willis, huh? Kicking butt and taking names.
Uncle Ben: I was a young idiot who learned the hard way that violence is a dead end.
Peter: What do you mean?
Uncle Ben: Peter… these stories are for fun. A way for me to put my troubles aside and spend a few hours in fantasyland. But is the real world? The world we have to deal with every day? It’s nothing like what you see in the movies. Being a hero isn’t about punching someone or blowing up the bad guy. It isn’t about revenge – or who’s got the biggest muscles. It’s about putting other people first. About trying – even when you know… that you’re going to fail. Most of all it’s about doing the right thing – no matter what anyone else thinks.

Peter: Aunt May… What’s fear?
Aunt May: That’s a big question, Peter. Fear is a lot of things. Sometimes, it’s a protective mechanism that keeps us safe from danger. Other times, it paralyzes us – keeps us from moving ahead with our lives. People often feel fear for their lives, or for loved ones. Sometimes those fears are rational, sometimes not. It’s hard to face your fears… but sometimes, you must. Then, you can be at peace with them.

time for some reflection (2)

2010-03-28T21:57:00.004+08:00

6 months lo!!

time flies...

this 6 months have been an interesting one

get to interact with many people from different walks of life...from toilet cleaner to the head of a company....

saw many different faces....some angelic...some demonic

sometimes everything seems so meaningful but sometimes all seem nonsensical

some days i feel so motivated yet some day i feel so dejected

one thing for sure ...

the road ahead is long...

so let me discard all the nonsense and move forward 1 step at a time!

the Will and the Word

2010-03-27T10:49:00.000+08:00

...gather the will....speak the word...and all shall be done

sad....

2010-03-21T00:06:00.001+08:00

everthing seems different now...

so sad...

how long more...

Rainbow Camp 2009

2010-03-15T22:45:00.002+08:00

first meeting today

turn out rate was better than expected

lets see what will come out from all these =)

its a Projection and not a Reflection

2010-03-14T00:45:00.002+08:00

"...opinions, perceptions, judegments of others on us are most of the time projections of the concerns and character weakness of those giving the input rather than a reflection of us..."

-somewhere

Impressed!

2010-03-13T14:11:00.003+08:00

The ability to handle large amount of data and turn them into useful information is a valuable skill!

......

2010-03-11T23:39:00.000+08:00

.......
......
................
....
....
..........................
.................

Decision Making

2010-02-12T22:41:00.004+08:00

Life is filled with times when we have to make decisions.
Very often, many hesitate when the need arises due to fear of making a bad one.

The fear of making a bad decision arises from the reluctance to face the consequences.

However...

The important thing is not how good or bad a decision is....but whether any decision is made at all. We paused to think only when there are incoming evidence that could assist us in making a better decision.

So let us not fear the consequences....instead...we should make the best effort to follow through our decisions.

Life has always been such....isnt it?....not knowing what lies ahead...put in the best effort and see where we end up.....for every day is a new hope!

Its the time of the year again!

2010-02-11T22:22:00.001+08:00

LETS GET INTO THE HUAT CHOY SPIRIT!

WHOLE LOT HUAT AR!!!!!

Funeral Blues - Stop All the Clocks

2010-02-06T12:38:00.002+08:00

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

- W.H.Auden

委屈...

2010-01-29T00:13:00.002+08:00

sometimes some ppl just have the aura to make others feel bad...
sometimes some position does not allow you to speak freely...
sometimes you just feel like letting it all go and dont give a damn anymore...

but this is only sometimes...

most of the time, there are still nice ppl ard...nice happenings...

so.....

FORWARD MARCH! let the rotten stay behind and rot!

another parting...

2010-01-17T23:58:00.002+08:00

had a farewell dinner for a friend today...
happy and sad ...

sad because,

is one of the first few friends i made in EY...
time together may be short but have been through quite a bit as a team...
always friendly and showing concern for others...

happy because,

has found a direction in life...
has found the courage to work towards it...

All the best to you , my friend...
May you fare well in whatever you do

The 3 Magic Phrase

2010-01-03T22:11:00.002+08:00

These 3 magic phrase strung together with a genuine level of sincerity can work miracles,

"I am sorry"

"I was wrong"

"It was my fault"

- adapted from a book

Developing Basic Trust

2010-01-03T21:53:00.004+08:00

Having basic trust is about allowing our life to flow gently down the stream.
Trust that whatever happens to us is exactly what is suppose to happen.
Things may not be good but trust that it is necessary, due to past actions.
It doesnt matter how bad something is, trust that it will eventually pass.

- adapted from a book

The Eternal Struggle

2009-12-28T23:57:00.002+08:00

The time has come again when we must struggle...

Many of us have the potential to accomplish great things, and will willingly struggle against obstacles time and time again.

We struggle because we believe the journey is worth it.

We struggle because we want to improve ourselves.

We struggle because we know we have what it takes.

The day will come when we stop struggling....

Its either we have made it!

or

Its that we have gave up...

The choice is always ours!

- Adapted from another blog

Job Description (3)

2009-12-24T07:53:00.001+08:00

"This is my job.....Ernst Young 007: Sleep Another Day"

- contributed by TYW

Job Description (2)

2009-12-24T07:52:00.002+08:00

"This is my job....We sacrifice ourselves so that others may believe what they read"

- contributed by TYW

Job Description (1)

2009-12-24T01:28:00.001+08:00

"This is my job....can die...but cannot fall sick..."

- contributed by LFS

move....wait...

2009-12-18T00:35:00.000+08:00

move ... i have...
wait ... i will...

We ARE the CHampIONS!

2009-12-17T01:35:00.004+08:00

After 2 months of hard work...
After many nights of rehearsals...
After many saturdays burnt...

We ARE THE CHAMPIONSSSSS!!!

4 Gems to Behold

2009-12-14T21:55:00.001+08:00

ROw Row Row Ur BOat
GenTly DOwn the StreAm
MerrilY MerrIly MeErily MeRrily
Life is but a DreAm

is that all?

2009-12-13T23:59:00.003+08:00

there was only goodness in the beginning....
gradually trolls and orcs start to appear....
not long after, the name of Voldemort was heard....

it seems that the light is diminishing....
i always knew that the light will go out one day....
but din expect it to be so soon...

is this it? it that all i can look forward to?

then so be it......

let the dark hoards march forth...i shall stand firm even if i am the only one left...even if this is a doomed battle

looking back someday...

2009-11-30T20:49:00.003+08:00

people always come and go.....do something so that when we look back someday....we can see who were there in dire times

Useful Tips

2009-11-22T12:53:00.002+08:00

Useful Tips on Buying Your FIrst Property

very true

2009-11-18T23:23:00.002+08:00

motivating

2009-11-18T23:07:00.002+08:00

...

不管路艰辛
我愿..意去
迈开大步走向前

不管路遥远
何时到终点
我会完成这心愿

...

- lyrics from a song

time for some reflection (1)

2009-10-30T20:56:00.002+08:00

its about 1 month since i joined EY...
life as an auditor isnt so hard after all...
one just need to have the right attitude...and ride through any storms ahead

i know this doesnt sound right....but i really duno where i am headed 1 month ago
i guess i had been making decisions using the least effort all these while...just consider the bare minimum and then follow the crowd...

BUT now...things have changed a bit...

i have a clearer vision of where i am heading and what needs to be done...
although there is still doubt and fear...
but i know time and experience will dissipate them...

"the road ahead is long and tiring...yet...do not forget where you set out to go in the first place...and....do not ever give up along the way"

we just duno

2009-10-20T02:27:00.002+08:00

saw this phrase on another blog...found it very meaningful...

“Do your best with what’s in front of you and leave the rest to the powers above you”

many times in life, we stress ourself out by trying to achieve goals and standards... however how many actually realise that the key is not to produce the best but to put in the best....then rest and let life flows...

"nobody knows for sure whats next...so why worry so much..."

a new moment has arised

2009-10-14T00:34:00.003+08:00

when the road ahead is dark...and you are afraid...remember your destination....for you will reach it eventually

when you feel that everyone has forsaken you....and you feel lonely...remember your love ones...for you are always in their heart

when you are tired...and you feel like giving up...remember your purpose...for you will then be motivated to go on further

when you feel lost...and you feel like crying...remember to laugh...for you will then not take things too seriously

"its a big big world out there...there is always an option...do not feel restrained....you have a long long way to go...enjoy the journey along the way....remember to laugh for before you know it .....a new moment has arised "

my faith in myself is tested...

2009-10-13T00:28:00.002+08:00

first time at client place...
reached at 930am....left at 11pm...
what a traumatic experience...
even though i was mentally prepared to stay till late...
but when i really go through the process...
things felt wrong...

YET...

i must contantly remind myself not to quit at the slightest stretch...
i definitely have to find some motivation to carry on...

"when the going gets tough, the tough gets going"

Call Agents Unite!

2009-10-10T23:50:00.001+08:00

It was a special afternoon in Sembawang Park.

Almost all those who had served on the MOH Team during the H1N1 crisis and Singtel Team were gathered once more.

Thx to those who make the effort to organise and follow through. Even though some only know each other for a short period of time...strong friendships were forged.

We will never forget those classic moments when we had to deal with obnoxous, crazy, silly, friendly, long winded, humorous, lonely, etc etc etc callers.

The many different paths crossed for a short period of time and now must go their seperate way again...till our paths cross again...may all fare well in the journey ahead.

Joint Orientation in Malacca

2009-10-07T23:47:00.001+08:00

Had fun...learnt much...new friends

Takeaways:

- adopt global mindset
- diversity through inclusiveness
- build personal brand

"....no one can beat us"

玩真的了!

2009-09-28T23:54:00.002+08:00

"This is not a simulation, soldier!
I repeat! This is not a simulation!"

bla bla bla...

2009-09-14T22:37:00.000+08:00

世间万般
瞬间即逝
心若执着
诸苦即生

2 take aways from this part time assignment

2009-09-09T22:11:00.003+08:00

its has been quite some time since i become a part time telemarketer...

i nvr imagined i can sell things to others...even though its through the phone...

but i guess a lot of things is possible if one is prepared to adjust the mindset and take the first step...

i realised that the only real obstacle that prevents one from achieving something is usally the self...

in the beginning, i found the job interesting and i looked forward to the next day...

but as days passed, the initial excitement wears off...i noticed i began to dread going to work the next day...

throughout this whole process...i realised that motivation do not last...one is responsible for one's motivation level....it takes effort and creativity to make every day a joyful experience

Almost bankrupt...

2009-08-18T09:37:00.002+08:00

started off with the intention to earn some quick bucks...

but before i knew it...

greed had taken over me...

more profit...less loss...more profit...less loss...

lost my peace of mind for the last few days...

glad to be able to realise my foolishness before all is too late...

"得便宜处失便宜,贪什么..."

Knowledge is power

2009-08-13T21:02:00.002+08:00

know what is that which is holding you back that doesnt work for you anymore...let go and move on...this is the way to positive change...this is the way of the masters...

-annonymous

A contract with the self

2009-08-13T20:49:00.003+08:00

I will be committed to making changes in order to become better.

I will honour my decisions which includes taking responsibility and sticking to my values.

I will seek ways to improve my awareness and focus.

I am determined to succeed using every ways possible within my own ethical boundaries.

Date: 13/08/2009
Time: 2043
Witness: Any readers

Should I break any of the clause stated above....may I fail terribly in life and live out the rest of my days as an insignificant passerby in this grand scheme of LIFE.

know that...

2009-08-10T22:04:00.003+08:00

know that all things arises due to their own set of conditions...failure to understand this will result in sadness and despair...one should seek to observe and understand the conditions and the consequences....only then will one be able to see the fleeting nature of things and thus be able to let go when necessary

tired is the heart that clings on , refusing to let go...
sad is the heart that pursue but cannot reach...

maybe one day...

2009-08-08T23:36:00.001+08:00

i thought all is lost...

but today i saw a glimpse of hope...

dim as it may be...

with a sincere heart, i cling on...

maybe one day that which was broken will be made whole again...

WPS 6J 1997 Gathering Once Again!

2009-08-02T03:29:00.002+08:00

The Woodlanders gathered once more!

This time Gao Lao Shi was also there....it has been 12 years since I last seen her...she looks healthy and happy. I am amazed that she still remember our names!

Many turned up for the BBQ....but unfortunately some were overseas and could not make it. Updated each other on our current lives and talked about those fun times of the past. It was an enjoyable evening.

After the BBQ and sending off of Gao Lao Shi, the night is still young for the rest of us. Played saboteur and taboo all the way till 3am....almost wanted to continue with mj.....but I guess most ppl were already tired....and thus ended our gathering.

LXH use her car to send us home. 7 people squeezed into a small car! Record breaking stunt!

Anyway, thx to KGQ and LJA for organising and lending the place to make all these possible. Will look forward to the next gathering.

time to repair...

2009-08-01T12:09:00.001+08:00

observe...

adjust...

align...

maintain...

thoughts shaped the destiny

2009-07-29T16:58:00.004+08:00

Thoughts lead to actions...
Actions lead to habits...
Habits lead to character...
Character lead to destiny...

- Annonymous

One night, many feelings

2009-07-28T17:35:00.016+08:00

At last it was done...proud, grateful and contented...

Last night was convocation night, it was a special night...so special that I cant find words to describe....however there are always things to be said....always...

started feeling a myriad of emotions only hours before the ceremony...excitement...joy...sadness...fear...loneliness....
I think I had experienced these before on the last day in my secondary school...but it is more intense this time...

it always feels good to be back in familiar places with familiar faces...although there was some confusion on my part upon reaching ntu...managed to regain some sense of direction after a while........had to register.... had to collect the additional invitation card (thx to LCY).... had to change into the convocation gown....

having settled my family down in the auditorium....decided to go around finding friends to take photos......managed to find some....failed to find some...

the whole ceremony was supposed to be solemn yet some moments elicited laughter from the audience (me included).... I wonder whether was it due to our good sense of humour or is it because of our "child-liked innocence"......

anyway the whole ceremony proceeded smoothly and ended with the audience cheering and clapping loudly when the last graduate received the certificate.....the audience has been a very patient and supportive one...

on our way out for the reception and more photo takings...I saw a grandma struggling to stand up and reach out to hold her grandson's hand (1 of the graduates)....as the hands clicked together......I know in my heart that mine was somewhere looking at me and I know she will say "well done ah wee...you have done me proud".....and I replied in my heart "thank you po po..."

once outside .... chaos reign again.... some rush for food...some rush to find the love of their life before all is too late...some just rush around because they feel the need to.....some rush to the toilets too i guess...

I was torn between taking photos with my family and also with friends....hopping around the auditorium joining the different groups for photo taking and the throwing of the motarboard...HUAT AR!

after all was done....I knew it was time to leave....I turned around and looked for one last time the place where I learnt a lot ...where I suffered a lot...where I enjoyed a lot...I turned back and decided to move on.....such is the way of life....it goes on

argh...

2009-07-21T20:31:00.003+08:00

today i become the type of person i despised the most...

gd luck...have fun~

self control

2009-07-08T21:35:00.002+08:00

A moment of anger can bring about more anger...

I picked up the phone...

I heard distress and worries...

Not long after, came the anger and swearing...

Controlling my response, I tried to understand the problem...

blinded by his own ignorance and fear, he cannot see the point...

perhaps I wasnt skillful enough to transmit the light through his thick skull...

yet contented and proud for having brought self control to new heights...

Breaking ...

2009-07-04T00:01:00.002+08:00

Break the concept of weekdays and weekends...
Break the concept of day and night...
Break the concept of them and I...
Break till there is nothing left...
All will then be clear again

The Motarboard

2009-06-30T22:09:00.006+08:00

years after years of hardwork...

picking myself up each time I fall...

learning from mistakes of the past...

looking back at the path I have travelled so far...

wearing the hat and seeing myself in the mirror...

I know I have come a long way...

yet ever onwards I march on this endless path

Grad Trip CLASSICS Series

2009-06-18T22:18:00.003+08:00

A: Lets go access the internet using the free terminals!
B: For what? You need to check your stocks?
A: No...I need to sound the horn
.
.
.
.
.
.
A: Can we go now since the bus is full?
B: NO! I got my own timetable... this is my rest time
A: ...
.
.
.
.

To be cont...

I am back and I will be back!

2009-06-17T16:29:00.002+08:00

Landed in Singapore last night.

Europe was fun!

What jet lag? no lag leh......where was I?....oh ya...I landed in Singapore last night......Europe was fun...

Think I go sleep somemore...

this could be my last post =)

2009-06-04T19:54:00.005+08:00

In about 14 hours, I will be sitting on a plane bound for Dubai with my 3 other friends where we will transit on another plane towards Zurich. Thus begins our long awaited grad trip...

Finally finish getting all the necessary stuff and done packing them.

Mum is damn worried about this trip due to the H1N1 and the recent crash of Air France plane. I told her, "今日不知明日事,愁什么. 儿孙自有儿孙福,忧什么."
Of course that is easy to say but I guess only being a parent will one really understand the anxiety when the child goes abroad.

As I was getting all the necessary stuff and budgeting how much currency to change, a line came to mind... "治家勤俭胜求人,奢什么."......really short of funds....how sia...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Fark all those worrying la...just enjoy myself first....who knows whether I can make it back alive....I shall leave the worrying for another day....缘起缘灭一却隨缘.....right now I shall look forward to seeing snow for the first time in my life! TO EUROPE!!!
.
.
.
.
.
.
din want to include this paragraph at first...but on 2nd thought....if this is REALLY my last post....just want to say that I have enjoyed my 24 years so far, grateful and contented (though some regrets along the way is inevitable)....and thx to all who have made all these possible... till we meet again =)

差一点...

2009-05-22T12:30:00.002+08:00

now i can feel most keenly the anguish of 差一点...
差一点 and it will be different...
why are there so many 差一点...
差一点 and it will be perfect...
i guess i just have to live with these 差一点...
差一点 and i will get used to them....

&^%@$...

2009-05-15T21:00:00.002+08:00

system recovery...loading...

scanning for problem...this may take a few minutes

after a long long time...

...fail to identify problem...please contact your system administrator if problem persist...

-.-||

4 days retreat...

2009-05-14T21:08:00.001+08:00

thx to sy for organising and inviting the gang to the holiday bungalow

nice house...i always like houses that have staircase in it...

for me...it was gambling all the way while for some it was a total chill out...

limit break...slept only 1 day worth of sleep in 4 days

time flies...

2009-04-27T11:54:00.000+08:00

even though fading away is the inevitable fate of all...it is the fleeting yet many little happy moments that make the existence worthwhile...

time flies....

step by step forward....

24 years....

grateful and contented

Opposites

2009-04-25T00:37:00.000+08:00

Every state you experience
becomes its opposite
till you transcend all opposites.

- Anonymous

at last....

2009-04-24T15:29:00.003+08:00

after so many years of studies and exams...
finally its all over today!
all things come to an end...
but the end brings forth a new beginning!

its a mixture of feelings....a bit of excitement...a bit of sadness...a bit of confusion... a bit of joy

i dont know what lies ahead but i have a feeling that the best is yet to come!

Nice Show - Departures

2009-04-17T23:08:00.001+08:00

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Summing up the 18 years

2009-04-16T22:10:00.004+08:00

it all started 18 years ago when an old lady queue up at the break of dawn to register his grandson into the kindergarten...

TO be continued..

Limit Break!

2009-04-13T00:30:00.002+08:00

8 hours non stop of Sun Life Financial!

It will be a long long time before I decide to analyse a case again...

yawnz...

放手

2009-04-09T22:52:00.002+08:00

秋风落叶乱成堆
扫尽还来千百回
一笑罢休闲处坐
任它著地自成灰

- Annonymous

Great is the art of beginning...greater is the art of ending

2009-04-07T01:26:00.000+08:00

I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next.

- Gilda Radner

如果...

2009-04-02T23:33:00.000+08:00

如果爱上，就不要轻易放过机会。莽撞，可能使你后悔一阵子；怯懦，却可能使你后悔一辈子。

-CCD

遗憾...放弃...坚持...

2009-04-02T23:21:00.000+08:00

人生最遗憾的,莫过于,轻易地放弃了不该放弃的,固执地,坚持了不该坚持的……

-CCD

fish and the fisherman...

2009-04-02T23:16:00.000+08:00

鱼上钩了，那是因为鱼爱上了渔夫，它愿用生命来博渔夫一笑……

-CCD

fireworks!~

2009-04-02T23:13:00.000+08:00

有些人与人之间的相遇就像是流星,瞬间迸发出令人羡慕的火花,却注定只是匆匆而过.

- CCD

Immaturity of thinking manifest itself in 6 ways...

2009-03-31T23:59:00.002+08:00

1. Idealism and criticalness - Envisioning an ideal world but realizing how far the real world falls short. Resulting in holding others responsible and convinced that the world can be run in a better way.

2. Argumentativeness - Constantly looking out for opportunities to try out and show off one's reasoning abilities by being argumentative.

3. Indecisiveness - Lack effective strategies for choosing among various alternatives.

4. Apparent Hypocrisy - Failure to recognise the difference between expressing an ideal and living up to it.

5. Self Conscious - Preoccupation with thinking about oneself, including the assumption that others are also thinking about oneself.

6. Specialness and Invulnerability - A belief that one is special and not subject to the rules that govern the rest of the world.

- Clinical Observation by David Elkind

tokens...

2009-03-28T10:27:00.001+08:00

i dun wan to leave the arcade like tat...

i need just 1 more token...

jus 1 more...