Why year of ox won’t be a good year?

Right now we’re in a deep recession and in any case it’s quite hard to imagine this year will be better than next year. It’s based on some concrete analysis. Reason?

Extracted from wiki

Oxen (singular ox) are bovines trained as draught animals. Often they are adult, castrated males. In New England and Maritime Canada, the term oxen refers to trained steers at least four years of age.

p.s: hope you get the joke :p

Wrong time + wrong week + wrong classroom = Wrong tutorial

Here are some techniques i found to allow you to check if you are in your correct tutorial.  Well, that is if you only have a softcopy of your timetable, or have one but forgot to type in your classroom, or you arranged them wrongly.  Regardless, being an expert at wrong tutorial class detection, it will help you prevent taking the ‘walk of shame’ out of the classroom.

1) Check out for familar faces

They are people-taking-same-course-as-you-but-not-your-friends type (PTSCAYBNYF).  Or if you have another friend taking the same class as you.

But trust me, even if your friend takes the same tutorial lessons, mistakes can still be made.  Once, my friend and I walked to our biopsychology lesson, we ended up at a Thai language class.  And it was not even my fault~! She was very confident that her nicely printed out timetable was right, WRONG~!

So even if you were with your friend, look around for PTSCAYBNYF.  That was how we got out of that scary Thai class.

2) Holiday weeks are most confusing, so double, triple, quadruple check

This happened to me a coupld of days ago.  It was the CNY period, so this particular lecturer decided to cancel the whole week tutorial.  But it slipped my mind. 

So I happily walked into the classroom.  Funnily, they were filled with people, especially the PTSCAYBNTF type. Which brings me to the next point.

3) Make sure you arrange your timing for each lessons CORRECTLY

This could sometimes be overlooked because people cannot believe that they can possibly make such a silly mistake.  But it happened to me before. 

The reason why there were so manyPTSCAYBNYF faces, was because it was another psychology tutorial.  Moreover, it was the wrong timing.  my lesson was supposed to be at 11am, not 12 noon. DAMN IT.

Moral of story - I need to wake up.

~misting~

Singapore private home prices dip 6.1% in Q4 amid downturn

With the demand for high end property heading south, means more people are going for cheaper properties in this recession, which really makes sense. However, it also means it will create a demand for lower end property or HDB flats. With HDB flat esp 4-room ones getting more expensive, I think it will create a barrier for people to get married esp with the already so expensive flat.

I’m not quite sure if the prices of HDB will also drop, well, I really hope so cos pricing has been crazy for the past few years. There will be a lag in time for public housing, so more observations are needed. Time for a reality check!

Singapore private home prices dip 6.1% in Q4 amid downturn: “SINGAPORE: The economic downturn is hitting home, with private residential prices recording their steepest drop in a decade.”

(Via CNA > Singapore Business News.)

The most ‘memorable’ hoilday

It has been a family tradition that we would go to bangkok for a hoilday with all my relatives during chinese new year. But due to unfortunate incidences the past few years, we have not been going. BUT year of the ox proofed to be different.

We all (which only means the uncles only), decided that Laos is the way to go~! So all 27 of us flew from SGP to Bangkok and travelled by car all the way to Laos.

We were mentally prepared for a very very VERY VERY long journey (a.k.a. 2 days drive). This is where all the problems started coming in.

1. Medicated oil - check
2. Adequate plastic bags - check
3. Nausea medication - check
4. Sugar free sweets - check
5. Correct number of toddlers - 1.. 2… 3… 4… CHECK~!

This trip gave me a total new appreciation for straight and SMOOTH roads. I have always wondered why people love thrill rides? The excitment and adrenline rush. In that case, you should take a trip to Laos. Its very exciting to sit around people who start puking while you not only have to distribute plastic bags, but get ready for puking drills. Here was one i encountered.

‘Jie, i really need to vomit!’ my sister looked at me with those teary eyes. Since everyone was dozing off in the bus, as u handed her a plastic bag. Yes, she started puking..

‘PLASTIC BAG GOT HOLE~! PLASTIC BAG GOT HOLE~!’ i shouted as i stared in horror the droplets of puke start dripping on the car seat.

It was then that plastic bags, sweets, water and medicated oil literally started to be thrown at me. -_-| thanks for the help guys…

Morale of story: prepare plastic bags with no hole - check

S’pore Flyer reopens

Finally after months, flyer is operating. I am not sure if I’m suay or fortunate cos I got the 24th Dec ticket. Just an advice, make sure you do all your “business” before you go up. Just in case la… you wouldn’t find it exciting having to do these things with so many others looking at you.

S’pore Flyer reopens: “THE world’s biggest observation wheel was set to reopen on Monday after a pre-Christmas fire trapped assengers for hours and led to a one-month shutdown of the attraction, its operators said.

‘We anticipate to be hosting passengers from 11am onwards,’ a spokeswoman for the Singapore Flyer told AFP.

In a press release, the Flyer said it had obtained, late Sunday, the licence allowing it to operate again.”

(Via Straits Times Interactive - LATEST NEWS.)

IBM to cut more than 2,800 jobs

Another round of job cut, nothing can be more painful than this. But I thought, they are doing relatively well. Well it’s a tough world with manufacturing industry especially the electronics taking a hit. Irony is that someone actually asked me to apply for IBM.

My cousin is working in one and his company has been burning a million a month (due to 0 order), from a factory size of 60 to now 6. I also discovered in order for the company to retrench you, they don’t have to compensate you base on the number of years you work in the company. 3 months compensation is more than enough for manager level. Another friend suggested to cut pay by half and another half the next month to force people to leave instead. Really have to shudder at how pragmatic the world is.

I am just worried for people who just graduate or about to graduate. I don’t see the economy will recover in a year time. Not even next year. But it all depends on Obama policy. But even in his term I believe won’t be enought time. Just not enough….

IBM to cut more than 2,800 jobs: “WASHINGTON - US computer and software giant IBM Corp. is planning to cut more than 2,800 jobs, a labor union representing the firm’s employees said Monday.”

(Via CNA > Business News.)

Prettiest lady in the world

Even though she’s 123 years already but many people are still in awe of her beauty and travel thousands of miles to have a good look at her. You don’t believe? Check her out :p

Keeping the fire alive

After working fo so long (only a week), I finally understand why working for someone else will extinguish the fire in you. There’s always a set of stuff to keep one busy with a fixed working hours (only in paper). Life can be pretty boring if you follow the rules and regulation (which is required for the job I’m in).

I come to the realisation that this is quite dangerous and jobs actually makes a person dull and fixed a person in a certain routine (eat, work, sleep). But in real life, this is something that is inevitable. At some point in time, majority of people will need a job to feed their family.

Fortunately, I got like-minded friend who are daring in one way or another. Always willing to try new things and being with them has a certain influence in my perception in life. Being successful or not, it’s secondary. But most importantly, everyone gets something out of it. Eventually, it will shape thoughts and behaviors for the future.

Happy Niu Year

Chinese new year, also called Lunar new year, is a yearly event where it lasts for 15 days supposedly. A bad rat year as the worsening global economy has forced shops to open extra early this year, which means there will be less rest day for the service side. Let us salute them for their hardwork. It also means we can start shopping on the second day of CNY.

Today is also CNY eve where reunion dinner will be held. For me, I already had my reunion lunch. It’s really quite full with lots of good food especially abalone :p count myself lucky to have a few slices. This meal is one of the most important meal of the year for a Chinese.

Not only that, there’s also Chingay every year and Misting will be performing in it too. She has put in a lot of hard work week in week out. I believed she will have a good 2 day of Chingay on the last fri and sat of the year! It’s great to be with you!

p.s: hope the economy will recover soon and the lower income group can actually enjoy better years ahead. we can only hope like what obama said.

Insight for home allowance

Getting use to my new workplace (though it’s a pain to enter) and knowing new colleagues takes quite some time. Personally, there’s stuff about working life which I’m quite green and it itself is a good ice-breaking conversation to have.

Before, I got my pay, which is still quite far away, and having to contribute to home allowance, I had do quite a bit of “data-mining.” Only to come to some specific rules that has to be followed

Rule #1:- Home allowance can only go up
Just like housing, home allowance follows a positive-growing graph. Though this principle is not applicable in the current situation for private housing context. But does the sub-prime crisis applicable? Well it does, only when one is out of job. As such, I am more than happy to pay my “S&C” monthly.

Rule #2:- Load balancing
If one has many sibilings, one can do load-balancing so that the stress on one person to contribute is not this great. It is a good consideration to note while setting up family. Personally, I feel following the policy “2 is enough” is good enough

Rule #3:- Eldest set the example
Even though we’re now at the 21st century, eldest still play an important role in setting an example. As such, they will most likely set the maximum monthly payout for “S&C.”

Rule #4:- 10% or more
It is a common practise for working children to contriibute 10% or more. Though, after some research, I found most fresh grad normally contribute around $300. A little more than that will be preferable. It also depends on the stand of CEO (father) and CFO (mother). Intermediate negotiation skill is required.

Absence makes the heart grows fonder

The famous quote “absence makes the heart grows fonder” is having an effect on me. I think its a testament on whether the love for each other still exist. Having a break from time to time can helps the relationship in some way but sometimes this break can be unbearable.

Just have to wait for another 3 more days, it can’t be that bad

Dreaming of you

Extracted from Wikipedia

Dreaming of You was the last studio album recorded by Selena. It was first released in 1995 after her death, and re-released in 2002. It sold more than a million copies in the US in less than 2 months. The album has been certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA.

Late at night when all the world is sleeping
I’d stay up and think of you
And I’d wish on a star
That somewhere you are thinking of me too

Cuz I’m dreaming of you tonight
Till tomorrow, I’ll be holding you tight
And there’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be
Then here in my room,
Dreaming about you and me

Wonder if you even see me
And I wonder if you know I’m there
If you looked in my eyes
Would you see what’s inside?
Would you even care?

I just wanna hold you close
But so far, all I have are dreams of you
So, I wait for the day and the courage to say
How much I love you(Yes, I do)

I’ll be dreaming of you tonight
Till tomorrow, I’ll be holding you tight
And there’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be
Then here in my room,
Dreaming about you and me

Ahhh…I can’t stop dreaming of you
Ahhh…I can’t stop dreamin

Late at night when all the world is sleeping
I’d stay up and think of you
And I still can’t believe that you came up to me
And said, “I love you; I love you too”

Now I’m dreaming with you tonight
Till tomorrow, and for all of my life
And there’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be
Then here in my room,
Dreaming with you endlessly…

Foot in the door technique

This is a psychological phenonmenon that many have experienced before. It is a compliance technique that you might have used when you were younger when trying to persuade your parents. It would involve asking for a small/moderate request before asking for something more.

In essence, you ask for a lot more, but small increments on your part and easily persuade someone as compared to asking one shot. From a personal experience, it works. Whether I am the persuader or persuad-ee.

Plaktoz and I decided that we should hang out at Kallang, then he said he wanted to collect his ‘wife’. So he said,’ We are quite near to suntec, maybe we can walk there.’

So i had to assume that the Apple service center was at Suntec ( i am not an apple user k… i should be forgiven). When we were there, he said,’ Erm.. we need to walk to Raffles City Shopping center.’

Okay, fine, was not THAT far. But to my horror, he then said,’Actually, its in Funan.’ !@#$%^

If we were to look at it separately, you would realize that plaktoz was not asking much from one place to another. But effectively, we walked from Kallang all the way to Funan.

So this is the foot at the door technique, which is very common out there. From a tall size to venti in starbucks. Each increment is only 50cents right?

~misting~

Tripartism - a double edge sword

Come across this article from Straits Times.

Spread word on tripartism
From StraitsTimes

This is the way the Singaporeans keep their jobs when times are down (by cutting wages) but this is also where employees are taken advantage of and have to rely on themselves to fight inflation especially for the lower income group. It is a double edge sword and if not taken care properly, social inbalances and a much tougher life for them. Question is, how to keep this in balance?

Mas Selamat, where are you?

I find it quite hilarious to see this article. By no means, I’m taking a dig at our minister.

It would be nice if Mas Selamat can post a youtube video to let people know of his whereabout if he is enjoying life right now. Maybe by the beach sun-tanning and drinking juices with girls putting grapes into his mouth.

Ok my dear reader, the truth is…

this is my fantasy :p

ST Jan 16, 2009
Likely Mas Selamat has fled

ALMOST a year after he escaped from custody, where is terror fugitive Mas Selamat Kastari?

Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng narrowed it to either of two scenarios: one, he is in Singapore and hidden by sympathisers unknown to the authorities, or, two, he has fled the country.

Asked which was the more likely, Mr Wong told The Straits Times: ‘It’s very hard to say. Both scenarios are plausible. Maybe the second one is more plausible.’