The Whimsical World of Argus

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

From good to great.

10 months into my banking career.
There is purpose, and it is meaningful.
Forget money, there is more to my job than that!
Given the current economic outlook, things are still moving slowly.
However, the eternal optimist in me says that it is the same elsewhere, I just have to press on and do the best I can in my current area of work. Surely, the good times will return. Wealth management is the most glamorous area in banking! I heart my job.

I have a fantastic boss and great colleagues; they are a joy to work with. I do have some really nice clients. So really, what more can I ask for? I am contented where I am at, not in stasis but soaring to greater heights.

The key is to stay focus and keep my career objectives in sight. With some time on my hands, I will perhaps go pursue a professional course to enhance my financial knowledge, so as to remain relevant.

Other stuff:
Learn Driving
Check out new apartments
Run, run, run
Read voraciously

At present, in career high gear, but also knowing when to pamper myself. A strong proponent of work-life balance.

Cheers.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Raw Delights

Kotobuki @ 8 Shenton Way



Silken flesh makes my palette tingle with sheer delight. A dash of wasabi and soy sauce (Shoyu) adds a certain panache to the pieces of fresh sashimi. A complete meal which is both hearty and healthy.

Composition of meal:
Salmon (Sake), Yellowtail (Hamachi), Mackerel (Saba), Octopus (Tako), Tuna (Maguro), Squid (Ika), Flying Fish Roe (Tobiko), Crab Stick, Fresh Ginger (Ponzu), Horse Radish (Wasabi)

Sunday, April 19, 2009

A celebration of Life

Red was the colour of the day, because Megan is such a fan of Elmo.








Birthdays are most fun, because we get to celebrate life in such a colourful, and light-hearted manner. Life certainly is good.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Convocation: a milestone

Class of 2008









I look back with pride and satisfaction. Much has been achieved.

A takeaway point for graduands at the Convocation:
"It is not enough to do things legally, but ethically as well"
This was mentioned during a speech at the Convocation; in light of the damage done to the world economy, because of oversight in corporate governance. Basically, corporations have a moral not just legal obligation to fulfil; going forward.

As freshly minted graduates; we have this obligation to fulfil as we take on managerial responsibilities within any organisation.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Not a walk in the park

JP Morgan Corporate Challenge
16 April 2009


My first running competition for 2009. There will be a couple more to come. All these races will culminate with the Standard Chartered Marathon by year's end.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

A hearty affair

A weekend dinner spread at Newton Circus with my family

(Squid, Tiger Prawn, Cray Fish, Sting Ray)

Once a week, I throw caution to the wind. However, for the most part, I eat with care.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Colour my world

Bundles of joy.







The age of innocence, free-spiritedness, and simplicity. Home is where the heart is; my family is dear to me.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Brain work



My classroom for the last 3.5 months at the Singapore Management University....the course in Financial Markets (Products) for banking professionals which I undertook, has officially ended. I have attained my Professional Certificate. What next?

Finally got the time to start training for the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge....perhaps, too little too late? It is on 16 Apr.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Sinfully rich


The tangy Bergamot and Lemon Macarons provide a nice counterbalance to the sinfully rich chocolate cakes by Canele


Dark Valrhona Chocolate Cake by Gastronomia Da Paolo.

In my shoes...


Like the colourful display of light...seemingly in motion- mirrors my life; one that is always on the move- never in stasis.

Where do I start?

It's been a good 3 months since I last said something here. Admittedly, many things; mostly good things have happened, but i did not find the time to document them. I guess work has been an excuse for me being reticent. Then again, my career has always been at the back of my mind, whether i like it or not, it has dominated my life. In fact, I even dream about work! This is not to say i do not carve out time for myself, I am for one, a firm believer of striking a work-life balance, however, work is just simply too important to put aside!

Anyway, enough of my ramblings and moving into a succinct update of my life, thus far....

I have been with a major bank for 9 months now, I have since been confirmed, and my bond of 9 months is coming to an end, which essentially means i am free to seek out greener pastures (fyi: I still love my job). How time flies, it is hardly enviable being in the area of work i am in, given the financial crisis of mega proportions. However, being an eternal optimist, I will continue to press on regardless of how challenging times may be. In fact, i am so thankful to still have a job. I have known of people who have been asked to leave due to cost-cutting by financial institutions.

My area of work has somewhat stabilised from the fallout, but things are still slow-moving, we are far from the days of yore where my banking seniors; my mentor included, could earn as much as a 5-figure monthly salary doing what we do. I got to face it, the glory days are gone, and life is less rarefied; more down to earth.

Henceforth, I have used the down-time to upskill myself. I am currently pursuing a professional finance course (part-time) at the Singapore Management University; for banking professionals. The 3.5 month course is ending soon, and I will embark on another; something on Fund Management. I am basically creating more opportunities for myself, so that when the economy recovers, I can go places with my new found credentials.

Besides work and studies, one must be wondering whether I have a life. Well, yes! I enjoy catching up with peers in the evenings over a nice dinner at decidedly spiffy places, and perhaps adjourn to the likes of Canele to titillate my palette. I am also finding it hard to resist the temptation of stepping into Gastronomia for their cake in a box...heavenly!

Work, studies, food aside.... I have recently joined a country club; hence, I am going to make the best of it by using the gym and pool, tennis court, and perhaps a few rounds on the driving range.

I have also been burning plastic over things like shoes...i am a closet Imelda Marcos...haha. And, am also very fond of "bling-bling"...that I decided to walk into Tiffany one fine Saturday, and ended up buying a Signature 1837 Concave pendant for moi. Being a purveyor of good food (food again!)...I have no qualms about spending good money for good food. Lest you think I am a connoisseur, I am not!...I do fancy hawker fare, alas, it has got to be Newton Circus, because not only its food but her environs are my cuppa.

Life has been good, and I really am thankful. What next? I can't keep still it seems. I guess I need a vacation. I am now seriously considering a vacation in the fashion capital of the world; Paris. But before going there, I have plans to read Philosophy at Oxford University for a week over the summer (intensive but fun) and then jet set into Paris... I want to savour the experience of stepping into LV...the one at Takashimaya, just does not do it for me...(too many hoi polloi in their flip flops) Now, now...before you think I am all material boy, I am not! haha... I would love to visit the Louvre by I.M Pei (the architect I admire most; fyi he designed the headquarters of the bank I now work for; go figure) and the many museums of art and history. Enough of fantasy for now, I am a dreamer; but also very much a planner-I would have you know.

My schedule as always is packed for the next few months....life is never in stasis. Up next, the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge and also mugging for my finance papers.
Between all that, I relish taking life easy....you can catch me at Kinokuniya; mostly in the design section when I need to feed my mind and fuel my curiosity.

Feel free to holler...I can always carve out time for those dear to me.

That's all folks, albeit for now.


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