Reminisence

I was really into this song during my NS days...good that I managed to be reunited with it most recently, because it sure brought back a flood of memories.

This was during the Techno phase of my life....I just connected with the song, and there is a hint of melancholy in it...well, it pretty much characterised the initial period of serving my nation...(i.e: recruit days, like when we had wanted very much to book-out but were held back, and the good thing was, I had this song to empower me...but, life got better after that; thanks to a great bunch of army buddies!)

Looking For a Good Time by Hotel St George


I can't waste my time
waiting for a sign
I can live all day
all by myself

I can sing my song
livin on my own
I can live all night
all by myself

When I feel so blue deep in my mind
When I look around for a good time
I can only hear the music deep inside me

When I feel I'm losing my way
When I look somehow for a nice day
I can only chase the music deep inside me

(When you feel blue and you need to go away
you can always chase the sound inside you
now you can do it
so hear the music and go)

SPCA - help us help animals

Where: 31, Mt Vernon Rd S(368054)
Web: www.spca.org.sg
Tel: 6287 5355

My visit to the SPCA...I am looking to volunteer my time with them...

I love kitties, tabbies and doggies too!


Anil

Tara



Priscilla

Rafa

FRIENDS FOR LIFE.

my family; my life

Tossing...the year of the rat cometh (last day of the CNY)


The tranquility of home


Neighbour towers over...
















Our Home
The evening sun colours the house an orange hue
The waters glisten in the last rays
The house, our place of refuge
Once again, we return
Now it becomes a home
Joy and Laughter fill the air
Playing Bronty*, watching Sponge Bob
Children running around
Then we all gathered around the table
Tossing away for good health and wealth
At last, after a day of varying pursuits
We are home

*Bronty- the name of Randall's (my nephew; the kid in a yellow top) tiny plastic Brontosaurus; christened by me.

On Track

As of today...I would have another 3.5 months to graduation!

YouthInk Article; Straits Times, 18 Feb 2008

5Cs No Longer Relevant

YOUTHS today are more educated, technology-savvy and perhaps, even well-travelled. Hence, having different aims from the older generation is a natural consequence.

Depending on their preferences in life, some would view car ownership as something that cannot be dispensed with.

Yet, others may think that money can be saved by using public transport, given that our public transport system is undergoing a major overhaul.

Additionally, money saved from car ownership can be invested in other pursuits such as indulging in hobbies that were once the preserve of the wealthy, like; collecting art or exquisite watches.

Rather than restricting ourselves to the 5Cs, why not pick from the buffet of lifestyle choices we are offered today?

After all, life is about choices.

The Editor has decided to use my article, hence, the above written by me, will appear as it is in the YouthInk section of the Straits Times; next Monday 18 Feb.
Please allow me to hear your thoughts on what has been written. I would value your 2 cents worth, thank you! (not that it will change anything, but I like to hear what my readers have to say)

LKY Global Business Plan

What: the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Writing Workshop
Where: Singapore Management University; Li Ka Shing Library

Programme:
Workshop - Formulating a Successful Business Plan
Seminar - Boost your Business: Creativity and Innovation in the
thought process
Networking




Buzz Words: Innovation, Creativity, Spontaneity, Focus, Future-Orientation = SUCCESS

"Think Big for Big Ideas" - Prof Kirpal Singh; Creative Thinking Pedagogy, SMU

Formula 1

I have secured my tickets!

A 3 days pass for the Singapore F1 race in September.

Please visit the official website at www.singaporegp.sg; do beware of other websites claiming to sell F1 tix.

Happy Rat New Year

The rat has been good to me...a fantastic start to a great year; looming recession in the US not withstanding...nevertheless, I am great things have been turning out great for me...

I am pretty much assured of a career at a bank, additionally, I have had a great start to the year as a Straits Times 'YouthInk' writer...been more prolific than ever. I am sure more great things await me. Well, as they always say good things come to those who wait.

Here are snippets of the beginning of the Rat Year....a great feast, fire works, ever expanding skyline, family....


More to come...


Home cooked banquet


Piggy Banks that grow and grow...


Flying high


Where the heart of the action is...


Nostalgia

of meatpies and friends

I feel you, Johanna...
I feel you...
Do they think that walls can hide you
Even now I am at your window
I am in the dark beside you
There is sweetness in your yellow hair
Johanna...

The lyrics keep ringing in my head; truly poignant, melodious, and tragic all at once.

If one asks...I must say I am quite the Tim Burton fan... just check out the list of movies by him I have watched and really liked! All these over the course of 15 years.

Beetlejuice,
Batman Returns,
Edward Scissorshand
Big Fish,
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,
Corpse Bride
and now...Sweeney Todd

Sweeney Todd- The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; I can relate to the movie and felt transported to the London of olden days. As the ship nears the docklands, I could see the City...the only 2 recognisable features (to me) of then London is the London Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral; both of which still stand today (I have visited them)...

The best part is, I have walked along Fleet Street (where Sweeney had his barber shop)...it is the street I walked to get to school in the summer of 2007 (the London School of Economics).

In its early days, Fleet Street was the home of the British Press, as well as Courts of Justice.

Modern day Fleet street as in the old, is populated with Courts, and now, Law Firms dominate the landscape.

And, Old Bailey a.k.a the Central Criminal Court (mentioned in the movie) is still around. Doubly cool!

Most movies by Burton captured my heart. And my all time favourite has to be Edward Scissorshand...and now Sweeney Todd; the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.


Fleet Street, Circa. 1890 (Around the time Sweeney Todd lived)


Fleet Street, 23 Jul 2007...I managed a snapshot of the busy yet charming street.

Interestingly, St Paul's Cathedral is in the backdrop of both pics...I must say its priceless (pure coincidence, but comparisons can be made; then and now).


Sir Vernon walking down Fleet Street in what looks like an auspicious colour.(St Paul's Cathedral ahead, yet again)...Sweeney Todd's barber is just a few blocks away.


Dining at Mrs Lovette's Meat Pie Store...in what is now Macdonald's... from here you a red pub which, was a chapel where the Priest used to stand at its entrance. And Antony (my buddy; not Anthony from the movie) like, Mrs Lovette's better half, gorges his food down- a symptom of Bloatation. Incidentally, Bloatation is something Mr Lovette died off. The place also serves surprisingly good Beef burgers...perhaps keeping to the tradition of Mrs Lovette's; where unbeknownst to many, human meat is truly delectable. Nasty but true.

According to Wikipedia:
Fleet Street is famous for the barber Sweeney Todd who was an early example of a serial killer, the character appears in various English language works starting in the mid-19th century. There are some records that show he actually EXISTED. (That's awesome!)

I miss London.

Innovation is key to success

Where do I see myself in 5 years time?

I was asked that in Round 2 of the interview with DBS Bank, by the Vice President of the Derivatives Unit.

Around that time, I was working on the Citibank Case Challenge...I have learnt that the ability to identify problems, make recommendations, and justify them with solid reasoning and arguments are hallmarks of an effective leader.

Indeed, the world is moving rapidly, and the key to being a leader or being in management is the ability to innovate as well.

Increasingly, I see myself being a banker (perhaps my aspiration to become a diplomat will come later in life), and by age 32 I hope to be at least a Vice President within a bank.

Why 32? Well...
Many others have gone before me such as my cousins; already VP in their early 30s. These are the corporate high flyers whom I look up to and aspire to be. I believe with my skill set and abilities coupled with industry, reaching that position should not be a problem.

I hope to get overseas postings as well.

A little excerpt:

"The evolution of the global economy makes today an ideal era for students of the Chicago School of Business approach, he said. “It is becoming a more global world and in many respects a somewhat more rational world,” Dougan said. “Thoughtful analysis, quantitative approaches to things, and what I call a more collegial approach are becoming more and more effective. They are the future of global business. I think students from Chicago are going to play a very, very important role in these markets as they change." -Brady Dougan, CEO of Credit Suisse Group

Crocodile Hunting!

Where: Wisma Atria
Takashimaya, Centrepoint,
Suntec...and finally, hunted it down at Marina Square

The big, fat crocodile sure was an elusive character....

Voila!

My cheena New Year clothes....i am bucking the trend by going with my version of auspicious colour...BLUE is the new red!

A week of feasts...I am officially prosperous!

You get the drift...prosperous physically, that is....


Genki Sushi, Marina Square.
Winner! so delicious...MEOW! NO wonder, I am not a kitty for nothing...raw fis, any time...Salmon-lina and her unhatched babies. Paw-licking good!



NYDC; Heeren, Orchard



Food Republic, Suntec




Moi Lam, Cantonese Restaurant




New York, New York, City Link Mall

A Time for Everything

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.

Indeed, it was designated as such...and now, is the time for me to S.T.U.D.Y.

Henceforth, I shall retire from a highly active student life to be a mugger...till its all over...come June...C.A.R.E.E.R

C'est la Vie