Friday, September 19, 2008

Tip of the Iceberg

Tip of the Iceberg

Attended a 3 hour seminar conducted by the famous online trader, Conrad Alvin Lim at Adam Khoo Learning Techologies Group yesterday night.

Interestingly, I listened and enjoyed every minute of that 3 hours; unlike my naps during lectures in NJC=X

I also realized that what I have learnt so far is only the TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

However, that does not discourage me from learning EVEN MORE about the art and science of investing. The very thought of acquiring this essential life skill excites me! Like I said, its not about the money, but the fun of earning it purely from NOTHING=P (other than a laptop and a few clicks of the mouse)

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Question #1

Question #1

When an average investor approaches you and asks you whether he should invest in stocks, bonds, unit trusts or REITs;

what is the best advice that you can give to an average investor?

"Don't be average."

Financial Firestorm

Financial Firestorm

The bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, takeover of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America and crisis of American International Group threw the financial world into chaos.

It is pretty much obvious that Standard & Poor 500 is still on the downtrend without showing any signs of consolidation, mostly contributed by the negative market sentiment. Even though, the market has yet fallen to its median value as the P.E ratio is still at 24.3x and considered overpriced.

Hmm patience and discipline, I must have...

"Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing" - Warren Buffett

Friday, September 05, 2008

Long Way

Long Way

My new learning journey has just started not too long ago. There is simply SO much to learn within the limited time span of 2 years. Hopefully by then I would have mastered the skills required and put them to good use. The age of 21 is such a common age limit for so many things. I used to be obsessed with efficiency but now I am taking a new interest in inefficiency, which is the very reason why others managed to achieve remarkable success.

Anyway, life is SISPEC Headquarters is really not bad. Not that kind which I really like, but guess I will get accustomed to it. Sometimes things dun go my way, but what matters is I learn to accept it and make the most out of it. Life is somehow similar to a game, where you experience ups and downs. Learn to accept the existence of 'bad' turns and it will seem alot less tough. I don't care if people find me childish despite being in the army, cause I live my life the way I want.

Its time to get rid of the Phantom menace.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Irritated

Irritated

I dun really like it when people around me doubt my judgement. It's like, hello, I have probably read more and know more than you do on that particular subject and who do you think you are to tell me on what I should do with my own money. It's not as if I ASKED you how to manage my money in the first place. Likewise there's no need for you to tell me anyway. Bleah.

The definition for 'fear of losing' has changed for me, I realised. In the past way back to my childhood days it meant the fear of failure to achieve what I desired, top scorer in class for instance. The significance of this term changed when I was a teenager, when I interpreted it as the fear of losing something intangible like relationships and memories for example.

Something like losing my friendships just because I am not physically there with my loved ones in universities or my buddies in different army camps. I felt mere mobile communication wasn't enough; or worse still, if there's no mobile contact at all. Maybe having friends isn't such a good idea after all, because I will lose them anyway. The statement "We meet to part" is often very true.

I am still trying to register the idea of a higher being who created us, who loves us for simply being who we are and one who sacrificed for us. It sounds too good to be true. I am wary of believing again, especially when things went horribly wrong, way beyond my comprehension.

The brightest light casts the darkest shadow...

Friday, August 22, 2008

Approaching

Approaching

That day is approaching and there is nothing I can do to prevent it.

How I wish I could turn back time by just playing a piece of music, similar to what Jay Chou did in Secret.

So is it completely useless that I have learnt how to play that piece? I dun think so, at least I have found some comfort in music.

At least someone can provide more and make you happier than I do...

I believe the hardest thing to change in this world is the heart.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

I am _____.

I am _____.

Exciting event, and thanks to Darryl for bringing me there. The people there were so friendly and approachable:)

Under normal circumstances, people either like to seek pleasure or gain achievements, but one must understand that accomplishment of any of the things above can only bring temporary and not eternal satisfaction.

What is my purpose in life? Is there anything in this world worth living for? What will we do any of the things we value the most disappear from our lives? Is there anything that can stand the test of time?

I dunno, but I will never stop in seeking the truth...

Saturday, August 09, 2008

National Day

National Day

Singapore celebrates its 43th birthday today!!

As a young and able-bodied male who is currently serving National Service ever since 9th April, I have come to believe that today carries an extra special significance.

Why must I serve? The answer is simple. Because I want Singaporeans to be able to celebrate this day of every year; Sinagpore has come a long way to achieve the success which we enjoy today. And this wouldn't have been possible without an operationally ready force to protect the sovereignty and safeguard the dignity of our nation, our homeland.

During the university admission interview conducted by SMU earlier this year, one of the economics professor asked me if I would cross over to "greener pastures" should the opportunity arises. The other interviewees gave the "standard TYS" answers, citing the positive qualities of Singapore for instance good governance, clean environment and free from natural disasters.

To her question I simply replied, "Wherever I may go can never change the fact that I am from Singapore, and will always remain a Singaporean."

August 15th. The day when I shall wear my corporal rank. And wear it with pride. Ending this entry off with an entertaining video, so sit back and enjoy:)

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Finally

Finally

Finally I can find some time for me to blog.

The previous weeks were the toughest times I experienced in my course so far. Before I continue, I would like to state that Echo company in SISPEC IS NOT SLACK AT ALL. There were countless times when I felt like giving up and wondered why am I here in the very first place. It is most fortunate that my section mates are most supportive and helpful, always showering me with words of encouragement. If it weren't for them, I have no idea how I could have overcome all these obstacles alone. Thanks guys!:)

Truthfully speaking, I was rather disappointed when I didn't make it to OCS when I received my posting order. However, things are different now. As time goes by, I realised that I am actually more suited to become a specialist instead. Interacting with people is one of the things I like to do and being a sergeant allows me to gain more opportunities to communicate and understand my men. This is what I want to and hope I can do. Moreover, to quote my staff sergeant: "Before you start thinking about becoming an officer, think whether you can be a good specialist first."
I agree with him completely.

Six months later, I finally mustered enough courage to read once again what was written on the letter. Only that this time round I managed to gain a deeper understanding of the true intention of the writer. My effort put in thinking through the nights in Pasir Laba camp, Mandai nature reserve and the forests of Pulau Tekong had finally paid off. I can see pieces of information falling nicely together to form a jigsaw puzzle. Alas, I really have no idea if any slightest trace of friendship can still be found in the aftermath of the moment of truth. The most painful emotion a person with pride can feel is shame. In any case, should the worst happen, I hope I will be mentally prepared to accept the consquences and shoulder the responsibilities.

Now that I have cleared the innermost doubt in my mind I can start preparations for achieving my dream:)

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Idealistic Perfectionist

The Idealistic Perfectionist

Someone once remarked that I am too idealistic, which I discovered to be genuine after I did some soul searching during the night. I used to be a devout believer, one who put his quiet and yet resilient faith in this world, hoping that truth will always prevail and good will always triumph over evil. Values comprising courage, friendship, love and sincerity are inherent in every single human being or being instilled through daily experience and lessons. Instead, I stumbled upon the bricks of fear, prejudice, hatred and hypocrisy which pile up to form an inpenetrable barrier surrounding my heart.

I have seen people giving in to their fears by adopting passive behaviour;

I have seen people befriending others and expanding influence in order to achieve their own hidden agendas or whatever ulterior motives they might have;

I have seen people mistaking strong emotional dependence and irresponsible flirting through senseless bickering and mindless squabbling for love;

I have seen people pretending to be on friendly terms with one another on the surface while deep down they simply cannot wait to backstab the ones whom they had lunch with;

These logical reasoning brought me to this conclusion:

What I had believed in was nothing more than an illusion.

A life without a direction is like a ship sailing across the vicious waves in the midst of a raging thunderstorm on a dark and stormy night without the guidance of the lighthouse.

That's what I am. Lost. Trapped in the quicksand of time, the more I sacrifice to free myself out of this mess I only find myself sinking deeper into the abyss of darkness.

And where is the hand which is supposed to pull me out of this predicament?

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Earning My Stripes

Earning My Stripes

I will be on my way to earn my stripes tomorrow. A new phrase of my army life. Where I can meet new people and see old friends again:) However, I still relish the chance to "upgrade" my stripes to a bar by crossing over...

Having Endless Nights because I fear Sleeping Murder...

Saturday, June 21, 2008

End of Block Leave

End of Block Leave

Sometimes I just can't help but realise things can actually happen so quickly as my block leave is drawing to a close in a blink of an eye. Managed to catch a couple of soccer matches for Euro 2008 and I consider myself a fervent support of Portugal. It is a side with remarkable quality and mesmerising style of play. They did pretty well in the group stages to book a date with Germany in the quarter-finals but to my disappointment, they crashed out of the tournament in a match with a score of 2-3 to Germany yesterday. They were down by one goal in the dying minutes and yet they fought on till the very end and I admire them for that. The Germans earned a well deserved victory through their tactical play and should be able to go far in this tournament if they continue to play at this level...

Went for several outings such as cycling with octave at pasir ris, where I taught some of my grand juniors (juniors' juniors) how to cycle and it amazed me that I actually sweat more than my juniors who were learning to ride a bicycleXD Really glad to see that they are still so bonded and this is what makes octave and harmoc so special from the rest. And the usual singing sessions with NS and NJ buddies where I realised a worrying trend in my choice of songs=X Anyway this had been a short but exciting block leave, think NS actually teaches me how to cherish those who are around me, a kind of feeling which I already understand but is further reinforced by army life. Take care guys!(=

Friday, June 20, 2008

Posting Order

Posting Order


Your Posting Order is listed below:


1. You are posted to:


SISPEC.
(School of Infantry Specialists)


2. Your vocation is:


INF LDR.
(Infantry Leader)
It is to my pleasant surprise to know that my buddies are posted to SISPEC together with me(: Arh but my posting to SISPEC also suggests that there are more mountains for me to chiong and more forests for me to campXD Hope it will turn out to be a enriching and enjoyable experience!:)
Hey ya oh arh infantry arh, we are the men from Viper company arh!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Ideal Career

Ideal Career?




Your Career Type: Enterprising



You are energetic, ambitious, and sociable.

Your talents lie in politics, leading people, and selling things or ideas.



You would make an excellent:



Auctioneer - Bank President - Camp Director

City Manager - Judge - Lawyer

Recreation Leader - Real Estate Agent - Sales Person

School Principal - Travel Agent - TV Newscaster



The worst career options for your are investigative careers, like mathematician or architect.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

POP

POP
It's finally over!!! After 9 weeks of basic military training, I have completed my course at last and graduated from BMTC (Basic Military Training Centre) on 10th June!! Enjoy the pictures!!:)

Viper Warriors standing tall!

Can you spot my location?

With my Mom and Sis


Me, Yong Shun and Eugene---Best Brothers!!

Me and my buddy Jeremy with that pesky Yong Shun sneaking in from the side:p


Officer wannabes!


Sadistic Sergeant: Knock it down you "chao4" recruits!!

"V" is for Viper!

Me and Zhi Yuan aka Robot:P


Our commanders repaying their debts muahaha!

For Honour and Glory!

One arm push-up!

Strike at the enemy!

Thus this marks the end of my BMT, where I have had a most memorable experience and developed meaningful friendships:) Hope that my buddies and I can continue to see each other in command school! Remember to keep in touch guys!

There is a destiny that makes us brothers:

None goes his way alone:

All that we send into the lives of others

Comes back onto our own.

-Edwin Markham

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Above All

Above All

Air Force. Above all.

Sounds pretty cool. That's exactly the reason why I signed up for a career in the Air Force as a pilot several weeks ago. Went for computer test and medical review ever since then and to my surprise, I was offered a contract to join the Air Force as a pilot. Very attractive terms and benefits indeed, but I chose to reject it in the end because I do not wish to be tied down by any bonds. My true passion still lies in Economics, where I shall graduate from SMU and carve out a career in Investment Banking:) Thus I can't afford to sign on and I really wonder how I got selected out of 200 over people in the first place=x That's a really hard decision to make, and I am glad I have done it in the end=)

Gonna POP soon!!! Feels great to have completed BMT and overcoming every obstacle ranging from IPPT to SOC, but the most important thing I have gained from my 9 weeks is true friendship and the close bond I share with my section mates:) I really feel that they can be buddies for life cause we can click well haha... What's even better is that we all expressed interest in going to Command School and thus there is a chance that we can still end up together=) Been busy rehearsing for Passing Out Parade lately and standing still under the hot sun can prove to be physically exhausting, but like what I always like to say, it's still mind over matter... I shall execute every drill to the best of my ability so that I deserve the honour of accepting the jockey cap from my parents on the actual day itself.

To my all friends out there: Get ready to address me as Private Tan! (Though I still prefer Officer Cadet Trainee Tan lol)

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Defining Limits

Defining Limits

I never considered myself a fast runner, my 2.4 km run timing has always stayed above the 11 minute mark. My previous 2.4 km timing during the first IPPT was 11:01, which I thought I have reached my limit already. However, I managed to break my 11 minute barrier by achieving a timing of 9:38 (gold timing being 9:44 and below) and this gave me a great sense of satisfaction:)

There is a lesson to be learnt from this incident, I realised.

I learnt that while there is a limit to the physical strength of an individual, the power of the mind is infinite. There were times I really felt like giving up during the run but my mind simply refused to yield. Maybe my willpower has been honed by the harshness of the environment in NS.

Passing IPPT allows me to qualify for command school and the fact that my entire section passed IPPT brought me even more joy:)

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Update

Update

Strange name for a blog entry title, but I dun really feel like thinking of one=X

That's it. I have made the decision. I shall express interest in going to command school. Preferably OCS (Officer Cadet School) but also alright with SISPEC (School of Infantry Specialists) ; where I will become an officer or sergeant upon graduation. Some people choose to aim for command school because of the salary or prestige, however none of these is my main motivation for commandership. My reason is simple. Being a commander allows me to contribute and serve the country to the best of my ability; the very thought of protecting my loved ones gives me the strength to carry on even under extremely difficult conditions. People are always more than ready to take the easy way out: Become men in a slack vocation and "geng" (feign illness) to pass the 2 years. I have nothing against that, it's just that I desire to achieve the best I can in whatever I do:)

Furthermore, I have decided to accept the offer by SMU School of Economics. Wanted to obtain a business degree initially as it will increase my employability but I decided I want to do something I really like. Thinking of getting a MBA in NUS upon graduation before trying for the Big Four or any other famous financial institution in Singapore. Missed the Tea with the Dean session at SMU today due to late book out:( Gotta ask my friend for the details of the session when I book in tomorrow. I can't help but feeling excited to know that there is a possibility we might become classmates in university:)

Oh yeah, the pilot computer test was kind of fun. Certain sections of the test were like arcade games and others required INTENSE levels of concentration and EXTREME levels of multi-tasking skill=X Still gotta go for a pilot medical checkup this coming week and MP selection test. Many things are happening lately and I just realised that POP (Passing Out Parade) is only about 2 weeks away... Experiencing a range of emotions right now; both happiness and sorrow... Happy in the sense that I am about to complete BMT (Basic Military Training) and sad because I am going to be separated from my buddies... Gonna put in my best effort for marching and footdrills so that my parents can see me march smartly on the Parade Square on June 10:) Shucks, Harmoc concert on June 9 so its impossible for me to go... Comments from my platoon mates about NJ Harmoc always never fail to brighten up my day:) But I never tell them about myself though, except the fact that I was from Harmoc in NJ. Nothing more than that, because I value truthful and honest remarks...

All I wanna do is find my way into honour and glory=)

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Decision Making

Decision Making

Well I guess the entry title says it all. Many tough decisions to be made, some in a week's time and some in a month's time. Both as a soldier and as a civilian.

As a civilian:

Got accepted for NTU Business and SMU Economics.
Difficult to make a choice, since NTU business school is no doubt the most established and experienced in Singapore and the region; while SMU school of economics boasts of providing an education modelled after top universities in the US. Furthermore, I am still waiting for a reply from NUS for Business. An additional choice may be available once I get accepted again and more headache too=X

As a soldier:

Signed up for pilot during Air Force recruitment talk and they asked me to sit for some computer test. Dun really understand why I am chosen instead of my other friends who are fitter than me. In addition there is also a Military Police (MP) interview next week, not sure how I got shortlisted when I never even express any interest in it before=S Sounds quite fun though, wonder if I will get to wear the police uniform, that would be extremely cool man...

Hmm guess I will need a few days to think it through... Sounds a bit random, but I have had the happiest dream in my life so far during last night... Cant really remember the details but I roughly get the whole picture... Though its realistically impossible for me to fulfil that wonderful dream, I am contented for being able to experience it... Sometimes I really like dreams because they can fill up the gaps which make reality incomplete... Maybe certain things can only exist and survive in dreams and not in reality... Sounds like some 'chim' theory, but it is actually very simple... I know I am not supposed to and shouldn't dream by this point of time but sometimes I really can't help it... There are some things you can't change instantly, it takes time, and for me it seems like an eternity... Sorry to my readers if you all dun understand what I am talking about, you all dun have to understand so dun worry... I just need to talk to someone or something (like this blog) to express how I feel and I dun wish to bother my friends with my unimportant concerns. I like blogging in this particular manner because I feel relieved and better after that (at least for the moment). Okay think I am really spouting some senseless nonsense here already so might as well stop here before I confuse my friends and readers even further...

Sunday, May 04, 2008

College Day

College Day

Attended NJC 39th College Day as an award recipient yesterday... Maybe its because of army, I made the effort to reach NJ before 4.15pm in order to attend the briefing on time by taking a cab and only to realise that it didn't matter whether I was punctual or not=X The briefing was merely attendance taking and following the instructions written on the sheet of paper... Never mind about that anyway...

Saw some people I know but they couldn't recognise me. Do I really look different when I am botak? Perhaps so. I usually like to walk around the school premises whenever I get the chance to visit my former school, recalling past memories and savouring the sweet moments I have had in there. I felt something when I visited RVPS, I felt something when I went Cat High, but sadly I was emotionless when I walked around NJ. Maybe I did feel a bit different whenever I walked past LT3, where I used to conduct harmoc practices, but nothing more than that.

Still remembered what Liyan messaged me: Enjoy the moment of fame when you received the award on stage. To tell the truth, the medal and certificate mean nothing to me at all. I know that many years down the road some people will remember me or some will just simply forget me, but for those who do; I would like to be remembered NOT as the president who led the band to attain the Gold with Honours, but rather the one whom went through all the shit and did his best for everyone. If people remember me for my achievements, I would rather they forget me like how they forget to complete their Math tutorials.

Alright, gotta book in soon, so I gonna stop here again...