GIC convert Citi stocks

GIC downgraded its Citi preferred stocks with common stocks. The catch is they’re exchanging 7% of annual dividend (confirm will get) for another extra 11% of stake in the company. Many funds are yet to exchange their stocks. If others investment institution did the same, the same 11% of stake in the bank will watered down to a few percentage. It seems likely this move is more of to provide a helping hand for Citi and the possibility upside of the stock will raise to a level hight enough to pay them back in the future. But with US increasing their stake to 36%, it gives a scary possibility of the bank being nationalized and our dearest GIC will have to default on this investment.

Another to note is that Singapore is always on the back heel to react to stuff like Lehman brothers fiasco (remember Hong Kong government and Tan Kin Lian?) and for this they decided to convert just within days that Citi announce the news to convert preferred to common shares. It just makes me wonder the real meaning behind this move.

From CNA
SINGAPORE: The Government of Singapore Investment Corp (GIC) has said it will convert its convertible preferred notes in the US lender Citigroup to common stock in a bid to help shore up the troubled US lender.The exchange price is US$3.25 a share – a 32 per cent premium to Citigroup’s closing price on Thursday. The price is way under the conversion price of US$26.35 a share under the original terms of the investment.

With the conversion, GIC’s stake in Citigroup will rise to an estimated 11.1 per cent, without any injection of additional funds.

In January 2008, the Singapore sovereign wealth fund bought about US$6.88 billion worth of perpetual, convertible notes in Citigroup. These preferred stocks would pay a 7 per cent annual dividend.

Home visiting

Do you remember the first time you get a invite from your gf/bf parents over for a dinner? Do you feel butterflies in stomach? This kind of excitement that is hard to ignore. Especially when you get to be scrutinized by his/her parents from head to toes. Luckily, this did not happen for me This post won’t be focusing on the first visit but rather the subsequent. The first is just too much to be covered. 

For the subsequent visit, as a more traditional guy, I would buy stuff once in a while to her home so as not to go there empty-handed. Well, I have to emphasize that I’m really a traditional cultured person even though my new looks did not show so. That is maybe why people say looks can be deceiving.

On the other hand, my gf will ask me why I do that. I really have no answer except being on the traditional side since it’s something really a must-do for me. I don’t blame her since she’s brought up in the more “kan dan” (westernized) way. It is even more interesting when a female friend told me the exact same thing. Just that this time round the opposite happens, the guy has no clue and find it a hassle to buy stuff.

In conclusion that in this era, it is not exactly a must to buy stuff for his/her family during home visiting. It really depends on the context and his/her parents. I’ll still continue my way of not going over empty-handed as much as I could and not to give the impression that I’m trying to hard to impress them. After all, being natural is still the most important thing. For one could not continue to hide behind his/her facade for the rest of his life.

A simple move requiring a complex mind

Whole flyer capsule for my own

Today, I finally had my first time. Not exactly it’s such a thing to be made known. But I had my first time with someone special on the flyer with the whole capsule for our own. Except for the irritating part of having to explain again and again and time wasting on the information counter of Flyer. What exactly happen is that I’ve opted to refund one of my ticket and scheduled one ticket since yesterday. Yet when I arrive to be made known that I’ve got 2 tickets for today instead. It’s not only troublesome but eating into the time when I could have more time with her.

Time is just a luxury for us. That’s why I really treasure every moment with her. Not to mention my another half taking one full day from me away  from her. Luckily she’s quite ok about sharing me with others.

Well to book the whole capsule, it will actually work out to 1.5k and yet we get it free for 2 tickets worth 60 bucks. It’s a good move considering I don’t have to squeeze with others during xmas eve or vday.

Everything is perfect. The night view of Singapore is spectacular especially the ship moving in the same direction along the straits. The Marina Barrage as well as the Suntec city.

p.s: credit to the special one for making tonight so special

Torture for guy: Shopping

Shopping may be one of the most dreaded activity for a guy in a relationship. It is a uphill battle with lots of walking and traps waiting for any guy to fall in. Especially when being asked about how about this dress and that. Say it’s nice and she may say otherwise which is like a slap on the face or otherwise burning a hole in the pocket. Saying not and most likely you’ll end up having a sulky girlfriend on your way back. This is such a dilemma isn’t it. No wonder shopping may be one of the easiest stuff yet can be as difficult.

Fortunately, it isn’t as hard for me as the fashion connoisseur as mentioned by Simplyjean. Just joking. For me, I also have my own difficulty. There’s always a certain angle of view which I like and yet it just shouldn’t be just my perspective. I have to visualize how will the dress looks on that person. It’s twice as tough to judge already with bias towards a certain taste.

For the special misting, the problem is that almost every clothes look nice on her. Is that a problem? Yes it is. One cannot expect to buy all the good-looking clothes out on the market isn’t it. And so my task is made even tougher to sift out the really good-looking ones.

I love shopping. It’s my favourite past times as well as using it for theraphy. Looking around reveal to me the fashion sense out on the market. You don’t have to spend a lot on clothes. But by using a bit of creativity, mixing and matching various clothes can also bring out a different elements to the outlook of a person

Inspired?

To be inspired is like getting a kick on the butt. It makes you feel motivated to do something about your goals, studies and even your hobbies, so that you can achieve more. An encouraging lecturer or a friend that aroused your interest? Or even a youtube video… hmm…

So perhaps, one of the most difficult things to find, is your inspiration. And don’t they come around when you least expect it? Like the debate with your friend whether to attend lecture becomes an inspiration itself? You cannot imagine the dedication my friends have to attend even the most boring lecture in the entire world~! (no ppt slide, just him…. talking…) But she becomes so excited, why? Because it was about war (….). Still, it got me excited and inspired because of her passion for the subject, and her enthusiasm for the topic (she was still talking about it during lunch.)

Magic invaded my life since last year, and i find myself being sucked into this craze for manipulation and linking rings. Saturdays seems like a day dedicated to magic. But somehow along the way, passion fizzles off. UNTIL 5 minutes ago. YES! Not only did it inspired me to practice my manipulation skills, it also inspired me to share this inspiration with you~!

So even though inspirations creep up on us anytime, we should make full use of it. Get ready to be inspired~!

~Misting~

Chasing pavements

Should i give up
or should i just keep chasing pavements
even if it leads nowhere
or would it be a waste,
even if i knew my place
would it be a waste

Many times on the journey of our lives, we find ourselves moving around and around and around. Where does the road started or ends? However, most importantly, what are we chasing?

If only life was straight forwards, a clear end and beginning, then we will have no problems with out orientation in life. But then, paths diverge, link up, turns, junctions, road blocks.

Obstacles and challenges are nothing as long as you have a goal in life. Then you would have a clear start and end. Even so, we all tend to move around and around and around our targets and not AT our targets, such that we will never reach it.

In whatever we do with life, always have a target or move towards it, or else you will find yourself chasing pavements that leads nowhere.

~misting~

Hiatus again

This time it is because my lappie had a harddisk crash. Maybe it’s shy and as such had some problem when I tried to skype with a babe. Well well so for now, there’s nothing I can do with all those important documents such as resume and projects down to the drain. This show us the importance of backing up data. How can I make such a mistake considering I’m so long into IT field. And to consider I’m already waiting for IT show on march to get my portable hdd.

Everyone has their day and I hope my data is still all recoverable. In the meantime, happy working and also because I have less time with my “wife”, I have more time to spend with someone else

 Now I have to rely on Misting to update for me. Thanks!

Down again

Plaktoz computer is down again…
aWww….
The prospects of getting his files all wiped out, or pay 500-1000 to recover it has caused a huge dilemma. So this shows how important it is to always back up your files. Or risk having a huge hole in your pocket.

pre-Valentine’s Day post - flowers

In honour of V-day, there are somethings i feel that guys should know about flowers on valentine’s day. Spoken from the bottom of a 100% nu ren (lady)… ahem….

1) no plastic flowers
I know to all logical creatures (guys) out there, they wont die. Hence worth the money. NO, it does not work that way. You will not get any points for this ‘genius’ idea.

Worst scenario: appear with a plastic flower saying ‘my love for you will never die, just like this flower.’

My interpretation: you mean your love is just as fake as this plastic flower? Stingy creature

2) huge bouquet of REAL flowers

This no doubt is a wonderful gift for valentines day. Because you are helping to boost the economy by splurging on overpriced-overrated-halfdead-tiny flowers. Maybe we will get to see some economic growth because at recessions like this, the only reason to not hold your cash on too tight, is the fear of a raging lady. ‘WHERE ARE MY FLOWERS?!’

But in many Mar-ians mind, you think that you will score more points for the huge and costly bouquet right? Like maybe 30 WRONG! Let me tell you how points system works in Venus.

1 point for thinking of me (coz you bought the flowers, signifying that you thought of us), 1 point for remembering tis valentines day, 1 point for the expense you made(showing that you care enough to splurge on us) = 3 points

GASP~! the revelation.. its only worth 3 points for a dozen roses?

Well, knowing how we function, here are some ideas of how to generate more points. Instead of giving 1 dozen roses at a time, you can give them separately over the course of a month perhaps. then you get 3 points per stalk~! that would make up to 3 times 12 = 36

It is the thought that counts in Venus, the meaning behind each gift. I believe tat most ladies out there would agree with me that its not the price that counts, its the thought that counts

Happy Valentines Day Everyone

~misting~

New formula for calculating electricity tariffs to reduce volatility

Well I’m not entirely sure about where it would help but quite a proportion of energy came from burning waste and how much rubbish cost? And because of betting the fuel to head north, the contingency plan of it heading south is not planned for and thus we’re punished for due to slumping demand caused by global recession.

New formula for calculating electricity tariffs to reduce volatility: “SINGAPORE: The cost of electricity in Singapore is expected to be less volatile and more reflective of current oil prices with a revision in the tariff formula.”

(Via CNA > Singapore News.)

A memorable National Vertical Marathon

Yes, The Marbles had done conquered Republic Plaza for NVM. Actually, it’s not that bad, considering it’s only 60 floor and 280m above sea level. Even Misting is finding a bit chicken feet :p Just joking k.

We started with another 2 couple in our detail. I even met a guy whom I think is a friend I know in army. As I’ve guessed no couple is so gungho that they will rush up as soon as the race starts. Despite the narrow staircase, there is still space for overtaking if necessary. Everyone is amiable and giving way to the faster couple.

First 20 floor ain’t any problem for both of us. It’s only after the 30th floor then we started panting. I’m still continue with 2 steps at a time thanks to my training in states. Only trouble for us is that the turn is so fast that we started getting giddy as we climbed. We rest at 2 pit stops as well as taking a drink whenever there is. Well we’re there to enjoy the process right While at the 57 floor, one of the organizer told us there’s only 3 more floors then did Misting started to push for the finale. Dots… who told her to listen to uncle that there will be 70+ floors to climb. Reaching the top is exhilarating. Not only it’s fun, it’s also doing it with Misting that make this so memorable.

I think the event is really well organized apart from the delay. Logistic wise and detailing is organized. Maybe the one thing they can improve on is to provide ice cold Berroca drink. It’d be more shiok especially after a climb.

Nasrin at Arab Street

Thanks Edmund for introducing me a nice place with good food. It’s especially relaxing place to enjoy food. Food-wise I’ve got nothing to complain about because the lamb chop is really delicious. Very shiok. It’s so good that I would go for my second even though I’m already quite full. The fries is also one of the best I had ever tried. Service-wise it is good as they actually make the effort to ask the customers for opinion. Price wise it will be $14 for a plate of lamb chop. I will definitely come back again.

National Vertical Marathon

The Marbles will be out to challenge at Republic Plaza for the vertical marathon that is held annually. It would be so much fun to join the lovers challenge where the couple must hold hand all the way to the top. So the smarter one must take the inner lane :p

How many floor is needed to climb? How many steps in total? I don’t know but I’ll follow Nike slogan “Just Do It!”

Few of my NTU mates will also be joining so it would be very fun indeed. Kudos to the organizer for all the hard work

Mighty mouse

I felt in love with the mighty mouse at first sight. It’s just awesome to come with left and right click just a single button. It’s scroll ball can do left-right and up-down scrolling unlike the normal mouse. And squeezing it you can launch another application. Clicking on the scroll mouse will open the widgets screen.

This mouse not only come with functionality but also sleek and cool design as usual for an Apple product. On the down side, I find this mouse a bit expensive. Well, as usual for a apple product.

p.s: thanks dear for the present. i will treasure it.