I need to..........

1) Sleep earlier.

Night-owling is seriously impeding getting enough of sleep. To make me a less irritable person in the mornings. But then again, I cant sleep until most pple in my house are asleep and the tv is not blasting and the lights are not so bright until its almost day.

2) Exercise more.

Havent gone to the gym last Sunday due to recovering sprained ankle. Then this week, sprained other one a bit. Signz. I should do weights more. But its already Thursday and I havent done anything.

Though I did keep up with eating breakfast cereal, eating proper meals only, no snacking, no sweet drinks. Been consciously doing that. Plus food diary. Think results will be much slower without constant regular exercise.

3) Think less, worry less and just go about in a zombified mode

That will do wonders especially for working hours. Just zombified oneself and then go through the motions then re-poessess the brain after work-hours. Then save oneself from frustrations, constantly thinking on the feet, constantly being brain-drained after work.

BUT seriously there is something wrong with Work or Worklife if it is so painful mentally. Is it a phase or more of a symptom of something else. Maybe its time to look for greener pastures.

4) Tidy up my personal table place and part of my room.

Its due to work, plus other commitments, that by the time I reach home, cos take public transport mostly, just chuck my bag to one side. Stuff are piling up on my table, beyond my table, in parts of the room. Need to clear all these clutter and free up more space for the ZEN energy to flow in and restablish BALANCE.

5) Earn more money through alternative means, so that I wont have to work.

For now, the market is turbulent, and I am unwilling to commit any more funds though there are oppts cos I am OVERLY-COMMITTED due to "Buying Enthusiasm", where there are some which I bought in cos I felt it was cheap relatively but now its even lower. Sianz, that meant paper losses. Though its short-term and can wait out.

BUT the immediate effect is 'self-doubt' and 'Buyer's regret?' Something like that though I dont let it dictate the mood but its kinda puts a damper on plans to make it an alternative source esp when you are seeing red across most.

Investment is also part psychology cos of the human factor and hence certain mistakes are repeated and certain patterns are observed. I really should go and plow through that Technical Analysis book once and for all.

Need MORE LUCK

Stocks, falling, but I dun have extra capital to invest. Only can watch until I sell off to get funds. Dont want to overcommit, which is something I have already done... Man, learning about overcommiting lesson now. Some are cheaper than before... Signz

________________________________________________

Work sucks still, though it is bearable cos I am trying to build up my reserve funds that is severely depleted from over-investing in the stock market.

________________________________________________

My hair has gotten longer and intend to go for a haircut this weekend. Now where did I put that picture of Aoi's hair? Gotta find that before I can go over and just tell them "Cut this"

Waiting impatiently for the Friday EVENING to arrive for more Guitar playing and the weekends for lazing around. Though tomorrow is mid-week by the time work is over and have to go for Jap classes. I shall endeavour to munch down a musslie bar to make me less grumpy and stressed during class.

________________________________________________

Lemme tell you a story about my 4D...

Before that I DIDNT win... sianz (-_-)"

My mom and I went to see the sinseh at Upper Serangoon Shopping Mall. There is an authentic 4-faced Buddha on the top level, said to be 'invited' from Thailand from the original. Hence that was why I gave thanks over there since I couldnt return to Thailand with all the turmoil and also didnt want to worry my mom to death.

She wanted to pray a bit so I followed her to the level. While she asked me to help Pour some oil to the lamps on the 4 sides. I accidentally extinguished a light in the 2nd side. After lighting it up and apologizing, went to offer incense around and pray for family etc etc.

I was thinking of a number. Hmm... 4 faced buddha = 4, 2nd buddha = 2, a light = 1, extinguished = 7 . So went to buy 4217 for Sat and Sun.

Saturday nothing came out.

Sunday, 2nd prize = 4172 and consolation = 4271 so there goes the moola. Seriously if buy I-bet, prize is seriously very small cos gotta divide by 24 possible combinations. So prize about $44.375 per $1 big. Based on what I bought, prize should be $172 versus if really tio the full number $4k but then again, I usually dun win anything for the occasions I buy I-bet.

Signz Cos of the prize consideration, unless I go and buy all 24 combinations of $1 big, then cost is $24 per draw. Also expensive.

Signz. Please GOD OF FORTUNE, grant me more numbers and accurate ones that I can win. Think I will go and buy 1 more week of the number.

_____________________________________________

Most likely around the May month region, before the bond ends, I wanna go to the Guan Ying Temple to qiu qian about QUITTING and taking a break versus STAYING on for the Payout.

I Hate My Stomach

I hate my stomach. Period.

Its been giving me so much trouble daily.

Previously I had clockwork bowels. Had to go once I had eaten or drunk anything.

Now I had to run several times, 2-3 times in the morning. And its been going on for almost 2 months everyday.

Kinda irritating when you are trying to get to work ealier but this stomach thingy keeps you unwilling to leave too early otherwise experience stomaches and finding toilet issue once you are outside.

Now I am eating my lunch, had eaten my breakfast of a small bowl of cereal and milk around 9.45am.

Man, another onset of Monday blues. Dun feel like working. Its a sian and long day today. Stock market also blue-black. Man, I rather stay at home. Though its going to be a buyer's market but my funds are depleted. So see how things goes.

The Calm Before The Storm

Just last night, the Dow Jones went down past its lowest.

Then I login to Poems and saw RED. Wow, everything falling! Man, even more paper losses than before. Signz there goes my little bit of cloud nine. Have to see how things goes, and have to sit through this turbulence I guess.

My dad was telling me "cash is king" err but I am kinda invested now. So now, going to adopt my sister's "Warren Buffet" style. Buy and dun look at it. Maybe only look out for selling opportunities for 1 counter. The rest all in the reds.

See how things play out.

A bit on cloud nine on Tuesday

K this post was meant for yesterday but not wanting to spoil the 25 me me's air time, I kept the thoughts inside brewing longer. Plus talking with Tab about stuff and also more stock market, hence a thicker soup emerged, just some insights by a newbie investor

There are really many facets to stock investment, I think for every investment, cos it involves real money. That's a fact. Also the sums involved would very much be a substantial part of your pay / savings compared to a purchase of a camera. Hence if you want to make an investment, the 'homework' and 'effort' aspects are important. Think no point investing if you dun even have an idea of the nature of the instrument you are using. Though please remember, I am still a noob. Still forming my own opinions about certain issues. What I can do, is present some of the issues, I faced.
______________________________________________

Tuesday, yesterday, I was a bit on cloud nine. Why? I had managed to realized gains from 3 transactions, 1 in Jan, 2 in Feb and the cumulative profits earned about match my NET PAY in a month. The effect is 'I had a month's bonus' though it hasnt reached my GROSS PAY yet. Well, its measley compared to my Dad who earned maybe 8-9k using his grossly larger capital and buying many lots of the shares for Volume effect. (In case, those who are reading and expecting a treat, err wait until the end of the year first, I am reinvesting some, and keeping capital for buffer for upcoming Rights Issue)

So it really got me thinking about work and the feasibility of making an alternative income source that rivals it. BUT its still too early to say now. Its less than 2 months, and there might be dry months and more shocks ahead?
____________________________________________________

Cos I had been buying and buying more since Nov and Dec especially, it has helped me form a somewhat early version of a BUY-STRATEGY and routine. Eg look at historic price, look at biz, look at NTA, look at prices, look for good counters NOT something that your friends said is good or you heard analyst recommend cos if they are really that good, they would be multi-millionaires already. Also different risk appetites and expectations for returns also affect choice. Seriously no free lunch, things are too good to be true many a times.

Then now after gaining profits and wanting to realize them, I am still very GREEN in terms of selling off. Need to work at the SELLING-STRATEGY and routine. Important questions like

'When is it time to sell?', 'How much is it enough to sell?'

But besides that I've realized that on some days, seriously just cos you want 1-2 cents more, then didnt manage to sell off at that good price, and the following day, prices fell quite a bit and then gradually make it up to near that price.

Are you going to

(1) Wait and see and see if prices go even higher?
(2) Sell at that initial price you decided and see if reach and sold?
(3) Sell at 1-2 cents lower than that price that you had missed earlier so that there is higher chance of getting through soon?

These are questions plaguing me. Sometimes I second-guess myself. I sold off at a gain then a few days later, the price went higher a bit. Then the age-old "Aiya, IF ONLY I had waited...." appears and that affects the next sell transaction.
_________________________________________________

Though things are not ALWAYS ROSEY. I have counters making gains, sold off some, meant left with fewer making gains. ALSO have those making losses, ONLY that losses are not realized and on paper PLUS I have the financial means to wait it out for recovery but that meant locking up capital inside until then. Losses range from 1.5% to 25%. Gains range from 1.7% to 27%.

Some may ask, then sell off lor, 27% gains quite alot compared to 1% interest. The thing stopping me is my own other targets. Cos I only own a few lots of the shares, so the sum involved is not as large and the gains not large. Hence would have to go for higher gains to realize a greater sum.
______________________________________________

THIS leads to another very important aspect, I am still realizing.

VOLUME MATTERS

This refers to the number of lots of shares you have. Assuming, bought into a worthy company. To illustrate, lemme offer an example

A has 5 lots of shares at $1 each. That is $5000 capital plus brokerage of $30. Prices went up 30% to $1.30 and A sold the shares. Receive $6500 less brokerage. Net profits of roughly ($1.30-$1) x 5000 x 0.98 (cos brokerage cost both ways) = $1470 That amount seems rather small, but remember its already almost 1.5k outside of work. Also (1470 / 5000) x 100% = 29.4%, which is way way higher than bank interest rate.

VS

B has 30 lots of same share and also sell off at $1.30 too. The profits ($1.30 - $1) x 30,000 x 0.98 = $8820, also at a 29.4% gain.

The difference is the absolute amount of the profits. One would be very envious of B but remember B has to put in $30k of capital vs $5k. That is one fruit for thought.
_________________________________________________

Was talking with my dad on tuesday evening over dinner. He mentioned that he learnt in his own initial trading of stocks that VOLUME is an important aspect to magnify the gains so he concentrated his investment in max 5 counters.

Looking through my own portfolios, I have 13 counters, spread over my 3 portfolios of Cash SG, CPF SG and Cash MSIA, having a loosely defined 'diversified' but not really so cos many are in various aspects of Property. So why the difference? Cos for some, I am taking a bet, some I want to hold longer, some I bo bian, bad judgement especially the first 2 stocks bought. So its a complicated mix. Also capital levels nowhere near the deep levels of my dad. His is accumulated from doing trading for near 20 years with a job to earn an income too. I wanna aim for being a bum with my money earning money for me, with no work. So that leads to different sets of considerations.

Think for now, many things remains to be seen and experienced. With Rights Issue on the horizon, will offer more after I have gone through with it and seen the different sets of considerations it brings.

25 random things about me - tagged by Quetzal

Before I start, wont tag others, cos my number of friends who blog can be counted with one hand.

Now I am still at home, proscrasinating what time to head off to work. I have a admin thing to clear plus the piles of books. But stomach is often unstable plus I havent eaten lunch yet. So think will be near 11am then I reluctantly make my way over. Hmm today stocks market going up, just put in 1 sell order, though I would like to keep that particular shares longer but then capital levels are very very low, so better realize some gains to put at rest certain anxieties and to buffer against certain unexpected events eg Right Issues
________________________________________________

1) Its a well-publicized fact (by Tab) that I have to cover myself with a blanket irregardless of the weather to fall asleep. Also have to put a bolster over both eyes and use it to cover both ears too. Would prefer to sleep in a dark, soundproof room.

2) In secondary and through JC, I was in Chess Club playing both Chinese and International chess. Through going to competitions, it built up my resilence, mental strength plus trains this Poker face thingy. There was a guy whom I admired but nothing came out of it as didnt say anything or do anything. So besides friendship plus the fact that after JC didnt see him anymore. Now though 'found' him but he is attached already. Though I think I still wont say anything cos still dun think I have become attractive in the eyes of the male though I have changed alot since those days.

3) Up until JC, I still have guy friends. In fact, in secondary, most friends I have are guys. That changed when I went to Uni and later NEI plus now in Education. All that I seem to meet are girls. Though, through their influences I have changed in appearances and gained more EQ? But I still somewhat remained whom I was, a tomboy at heart, a rebel, rockster at heart?

4) The first foray into guitar was in Uni Year 1-2? It was an enjoyable period of learning. The whole group of us bought budget guitars (though I was the only one whom bought the acoustic one initially) then weekly lessons with simple songs plus travelling downt to Bukit Merah to learn. Cos the metal strings were far from the fret, I remembered playing until my fingers turned purple and the pain last for 2days. When a music shop opened in Ginza several years back, I went and asked them to reset the fret so that the strings are closer to the fret so its much better. Then on and off, played here and there. Wasnt satisfied with just playing chords so tried a bit of melody on my own but still not good enough. After graduation, its been 6 years since, 3 years after Yamaha, I finally enrolled in another Music school and have been attending Guitar lessons faithfully for 3months+ I hope to stick through until I passed Advanced then move onto Electric Guitar.

5) Working experience were 1.5years tutor, 4months HCSB, 6months Shitty Bank, then 10 months contract teaching, 1 year NEI then full-fledged 2.5 years Educator whose bond is ending soon. Looking back, its a difficult experience. Looking back at earlier posts in those years, work was the means to CLEARING off the 1) Tuition Grant Bond - 3 years and later 2) NEI Bond - 3 years. Though there was an overlap. Also finaces not strong enough to consider not working. Those years, I saved dilligently and resolutely. NOW I have to say finaces are better. Work is still a MAIN source of income but I wont die in the short-term without one. Hope to take a break inspite of the recessionary environment, or prolong until the payout. That is something I am still considering.

6) Health wise, I have not been a healthy individual since young. Plus both parents have Major diseases eg Heart attack, High blood pressure. Given such genetic tendencies, was rather fit until 2-3 years back. Now I am trying to move back to those 'golden' days of fittness. Its achievable but I just need to put in the time and hard work.

7) I do know some office politics though I choose not to use it. Try to avoid if I can. Though if you let me see those BITCHES in ShittyBank, I would give them the finger. I dun want to rise, I just want to be me.

8) I used to be an ambitious and focused person all through my studies. But work has tampered that to one who is happier with an uncomplicated life. Instead now I want more Personal Time, Personal Space to grow.

9) Got my Poems account in 2004, first trade in 2008 July. Since then numerous trades. Want to test my judgement, my investment methods and my resolution. Want to make an alternative source of income that can almost rival my income source.

10) My chronic problem has gotten worse in recent years. Its another reason for the move away from work to just resting and recovering. Also a spur to make an alternative source of income instead. Seeking treatment but things remain to be seen.

11) Single and still single. The paradox of 'Is it better to have loved and lost or never to have loved before' Well not everyone is meant to be happily married with kids. Though I must admit being single meant I have more time for myself and family. Being not an easy person, I am unsure if marriage is for me.

12) Was almost expelled from Primary school due to 2 incidents, though I feel that its more of an empty threat. Cos got into trouble with the dental nurse and didnt greet the P well so kena marked? Those were seriously minor things and such a big fuss that it left 2 dark marks and lots of fear on my memories of Primary school life. Fuck, if I ever see them agian, I will give them the finger too!

13) Secondary school was more liberating, more subjects, CCA exposure, more things that I tried eg compete in school sport events.

14) JC was not as enjoyable as Sec cos of the rich and not-rich cliques very much around in ACJC. Plus certain friend try to influence me with Christanity, not that I have anything against the religion but I am against the way they try to influence me to convert. But I walked out of there, still a free thinker, though by their definition, I'll be heading to hell.

15) Though I am not those who goes easily for cute stuff, there are the occasional few that made it to my heart, eg Monoko, Maplestory mushroom and Shetland dog and the occasional kittens.

16) I like the feeling of wind in my face. I enjoy the breeze on a windy day, the breeze when one travels with the window down in a car. Its a feeling of freedom and inner peace. Wish that I could experience more of that.

17) Am a rather philosophical person since young. I would ponder about certain issues and examine it in a very philosophical manner, so much so, did rather well when I took Philosophy as a cross-fac module. Though over the years, instead of a thinker, I have become more action than talk and reflection. It was a conscious change that I wanted to do it and experience it instead of carry out the process in my head.

18) My hair is J-rockish in nature. Based on the hair-style of Aoi of The Gazette whom I really like, more over than Gackt, cos of his playing style and the melodies he play. Really eye-candy. Plus the fact that the hair style really suits me, been cutting that for the past year plus. Intend to keep to it unless I got new inspiration.

19) Havent dyed my hair since 2004 Aug. The last dye was a double dye using one colour, brown though it turned fairly golden. Man, I miss my GOLDEN locks. Think will look even coolor with the J-rock hair. Another incentive to leave this job, so that I can finally dye it. Feel so rebel at heart.

20) Likes to try new things, especially food. If there is meatball pasta and escargot pasta, chances are I would try the latter just for the heck of it. What's life without a bit of excitement in the life. How can one go through life, not eating an escargot? Its blasphemy!

21) Like to learn new things, be it new songs on the guitar, new boardgames. It doesnt mean that I wont practice older stuff, its just that once mastered, one should move onto new stuff, so that can continue learning and things dont get stale.

22) Hate routines cos I should be the master of my time. Though routines serve certain purposes, NOT everything has to be a routine. What I learn is my choice, what I want to do in my free time is my choice. Get it?

23) Becoming more supersitious. Now I try consciously NOT to shake my leg cos it shakes away the luck for wealth. Also avoid eating Beef cos it kinda clashes with my luck aspect. I wanna tio my 4D and Toto now asap, not defer it cos I been itchy-mouth to avoid beef.

24) Enjoy watching Documentary be it about ancient architecture, animals, modern sciences, the reason being, one learns new things and expands knowledge. Though nobody is going to judge your knowledge at my age cos no longer in school but its a pleasant way to get new knowledge. Starhub cable tv, Education is really a good group. Of course, I tamper with my diet of 'LA Ink', CSI, Crime and Investigation, MTVs. Too much brainy stuff can drain the brain too.

25) Do worry sometimes about growing old and dying but then would one have really lived just by going through the motions of life without doing things one really, truly wanted? Or would a shorter but more colourful life be more enjoyable? Getting philosophical again. I would want to try things I really want to do, go places where I really want to go. Then that is being alive though hopefully reality eg finaces and work dun catch up.

简单爱

简单爱

Its one of the new songs that I am learning and I like the melody part. Now at intermediate level of Guitar and each lesson learning about 1.5-2 songs. Finally I got hold of the mp3 tracks and will be listening to them to perfect the playing. Have to work on singing along as I play cos that was something I'm weaker in and the fact that I dun really sing along when I am playing. Focused alot on just playing the song well.

Listening to the lyrics of this song, it sounds simple and happy. A simple love, a simple feeling of happiness, simple actions bringing peace and such. For me, it inspires me to think of 简单生活 cos things often get hard and one becomes unhappy over the complication and feelings generated. Sometimes just chug everything aside to focus on what's really important. To me, that'll be family, friends and myself.
________________________________________________

Yesterday's Valentine's Day for the singles is held at FH's place for the 3rd year running. Instead of eating KFC like usual, we decided to get our hands dirty and cook instead. I decided on pasta cos its rather easy, a main meal plus the time consuming part was just the slicing and dicing of ingrediants to add to the sauce. Candle was cooking fried chicken pieces and prawn fritters. FH not to be outdone, experimented with Honey Mustard, chicken, omelette and wholemeal sandwiches.

To make the task simpler, cos knew beforehand that FH's kitchen is rather unused hence he doesnt have most stuff in a kitchen. Hence around 3pm, I seasoned the minced meat, cut up garlic, cubed 2 large onions and 2 carrots. So what's left is just to use oil to cook them up, given that using a bottled Pasta sauce. The onions and carrots are to add veg to the otherwise rather carbo, protein minced meat pasta.

Its a joy to cook something nice for family and friends. At least that's something that I am gradually discovering when I foray to try cooking different dishes. Hope to try something new soon. Maybe move onto the next soup.

BUT its a classic case of many cooks in a small kitchen, each using a stove and a pot to cook the dish but we managed to carry it off without burning the house down and later sat down for a filling dinner around 8.30pm.

Then after dinner, we watched House Bunny and Ip Man dvds I rented just before heading out to meet them. House bunny is funny and very light on the brains. Ip Man has certain good elements that makes it a memorable movie. Midway we made our own ice kachang courtesy of Candle's ice maker. Quetzal joined us when we just started watching Ip Man. After that its talking crap plus going rounds of foot massage using FH's more upmarket foot massage machine.

We left around 1.40am+ and I reached home around 2++ Didnt really look at my watch though. The cab fare quite expensive but given nowadays I dun sit cabs as often plus given the occasion and the lateness of the timing, its alright.
______________________________________________

This morning, we headed to Hong Xin the famous dian xin place cos my mom wanted to treat my sister for her bdae. We went to a nearby temple there and then walked over. Its in the Clark Quay area vicinity though not that near. So didnt go to gym cos by the time, I woke up, it was just in time to wash up and change then head out.

After eating, think ate too much fried dian xin at one go, the mouth felt very ni. Kept downing tea to clear the taste. Cos the steamed dian xin took a while to make its rounds to us. We headed back after by cab around 1.30pm and I sat on the bed to practice guitar, partly to digest the food, partly also I just want to play more guitar. Then fell asleep until 6pm.

Woke up and went online. I havent gone to the gym yet today, but later in the evening, both sisters are going swimming. I asked them to pull me along so that I WILL go to the gym.
______________________________________________
Con'd

I went to the gym, though by the time I reached there, there is half an hour left before closing. But I still went ahead, doing cardio, treadmill and the slider for almost half an hour. Man based on the machine, I used 170 calories. That is the equivalent of a 500ml bottle of sweetened drink be it soft drink or non carbonated. Given I have to work out so hard, sweating like fountains just to lose 170 calories. I think I WILL reconsider everytime I reach out for a non-water drink. Also think will try to up the cardio workout to 2 times a week plus one time weights either at gym or home. Lemme resolve my will to carry out this plan and evaluate results in a months time, 15th March.

I headed to buy Toto, 4D I'll buy on Tuesday or Wednesday then. Then I headed to the supermarket. Cos I gopped my mom's 2 carrots for the pasta. Buy replacements, also shun bian buy Bran cereal, low fat milk and low calorie musslie bars to help with meal regularity for breakfast everyday and late dinners esp on Wed and Fri.

A simple way to pass a simple day.

TGIF

*breathes a sigh of relief*

Its finally Friday. Been a LONG and tiring week.

In the previous post, I finished that piece of work around 1.30am. Then last night, I was so tired, fell asleep shortly after dinner. Then woke up at 12am, practiced guitar cos the whole week too busy or tired to do so, and then watched 2 interesting programmes on cable, one on Mayan civilisation and one on Modern Marvels - the coin machines. Though I knew after doing so, it was 3am, but heck, I work hard so I deserve something for it, though I would pay for it dearly today. Now still stoned, woke up at 8am but lazed around until near 9am.

I just logged onto Poems, and am down to the final little bits of capital. The rest is up the the God of Share Investment or Cai Shen and lots of prayers.

Cant wait for today for the work to be over. Looking forward to doing more things I like.

Mid-Week

As of this hour, 11.28pm, I have still one piece of work with deadline due tomorrow. I had just reached home about 20 mins ago after dinner and Jap class. Had taken a quick shower to freshen up and now just updating stock tracking excel file.

Tom another very early day. Hope to finish that piece of work really quickly. Should start in another ten more minutes then chop chop finish. Then go sleep. Eyes closing, brain dead.
____________________________________________

Man if there is a God of Shares out there, please make my stocks (only those I buy) rise high high very soon or God of Fortune, bless me win Toto or 4D big big. Though Tab was telling me to Dan Ku Ku when she heard my prayers to them on the MRT ride. Well I BELIEVE in them and HOPE SINCERELY they grant my wish.
____________________________________________

This Sat, cooking pasta at FH's place. Thinking of bring my Bingo drinking game shot glasses, plus I bought lemons too. Do tequila shots, Baileys Mudslide, brown cow shots if got milk. Maybe throw in some other funny stuff. Hmm that's a bit to bring. Hmm that would mean I need to bring 3 bottles down and bring 4 bottles home... Is it too much?

Maybe drinking tea instead. I got Tie Guan Ying(cos I like), Oolong (cos its supposedly help reduce fat from regular drinking), Green tea (cos I like), Fruit tea (cos I like too) and Pu Er (cos my sister like) Spend time sampling different flavours of tea instead? Its healthier.

Tired again

Suddenly a whole flux of short deadlines appears in the horizon. Deadlines coming to and fro, left, right, centre and I am exhausted after a long day today. I have done nothing related to work once it was over, unlike yesterday's blue moon phenonmenon.

Stock market jittery plus two of my shares tio Share Right Issue at certain prices. An unexpected thing so that meant if I want to go through with it, need to pay up some more for the new issue. Luckily I still have some capital though after all these, not much left liao.

The Sg counters are in the reds across quite a number of counters. The Msia counters is moving up. Hope they go up more more, then can sell off some to realize gains and recover some capital levels.

Night of the Blue Moon

Serious BLUE MOON PHENOMENON that even I am surprised by myself.

Not only had I finished a damn bloody long hectic day intact, crap I hate Mondays and mid-week cos of the very heavy days, I managed to reach home and finish up an outstanding admin deadline plus had dabaoed back 2 stacks of worksheets to mark and ACTUALLY marked 1.5 of them without falling asleep very early due to exhaustion.

Tomorrow I am NOT going to do that. I will try to use my free periods to clear off other outstanding work so that I can ride upon the time saved from marking this 2 stacks to finish up others so that ALL can be cleared in a swoop.

Hope tom I can finish EVERYTHING.
_____________________________________________

Wanted to continue from the previous earlier post about doing things one like, really want versus work.

Today tio a very STUPID thing from work (I shall not divulge now, ask me personally), that I am seriously considering about the 'STAYING ON' aspect. Maybe its just a lousy day. Maybe not. Wonder how much more crap can one handle, things one never hears about or rather the Idiotic notion that just cos one transplants something from another organization/content into Education/Admin, its a new thing altogether and hence by virtue of that, it is a good and sound practice that should be kept in place, where in fact, its RIDICULOUS from a normal person perspective but cos many have been in the system too long, they themselves dun realize it. I would much prefer the life of a relief/adjunct. It seems so so much simpler.

A sort of counting down, with drinking celebration to mark the end of this servitude. Options are still being considered, though with more of such crap churning out from a flawed system, one wonders how long can one endure without turning into a numbed individual.
___________________________________________

This year's full scale foray into Stocks had come with mixed results in line with the recessionary stock market. I have realized 2 gains, via 2 transactions to sell but mainly I am still buying into stocks given the prices are falling and some counters have really become under-valued and cheap compared to their prices just 6 months/ 1 year ago. I just wish I have MORE CAPITAL so that can buy more. Not a good idea to overinvest cos as many analyst say, the worst is yet to come.

BUT for me, I observe the historic price chart and note that certain worthy companies have really fallen until their historic low. Unless a new historic low is created, its already dirt-cheap in that aspect. Of course, need to check up the nature of the biz cos for some the dirt-cheap price is due to POOR PERFORMANCE consistently so that from its IPO prices, its been going down ALL the way to its historic low. My sister is going the Warren Buffet formula way, my Dad is going the Technical Analyst plus Economics way. Me is going my historic price chart plus land value way. We shall see the score by the end of the year, or a couple of years.

So most counters, since I am still buying and have not sold much, so is mainly invested and in for the ride. Given the market jitters, quite a few are falling, though there are gainers cos of the mixed portfolio. As price fluctuates daily and so the Portfolio view in POEMS the amounts vary, sometimes I find it affects the mood. Feeling good as investment gains, feeling anxious when investment loses. Sometimes I really wish the days can go by faster cos when prices are rising/falling, its always not enough rise/fall in a day. Usually have to wait for a week or more for prices to climb up and go down until your target buy/sell price. Its like now IRONICALLY I wish for the day to come quickly so that I can observe and make decisions or for the days to pass quickly so that can see the outcome of certain decisions, price trends etc etc. Its a good daily ticker to get through the days/weeks.

Back to the Grind

After the millions of disappointment regarding the Toto Draw, aka didnt win. Though the 2nd prize came from a System 7 from the lucky outlet I went down specially to buy. But alas the 'luck' force is not powerful enough. So its back to the grind of work.

Life is definitely okay, bearable without work to complicate things. That is something I realized after I started really doing things that I liked, wanted to pursue yet always put off due to work. Things like learning Jap (though at times a pain) and Guitar. Things like going on-line to check stock market, record closing prices and monitoring. Things like buying/renting fantasy, sci-fi books and curling up on the bed to read into the wee hours of the night. Yep those are things I can definitely do and enjoy.

If only work was in the same category that is, if I could get myself to like it and enjoy doing it, maybe it wont be such a pain in the ass. I must qualify its not that I hate all aspects, there are definitely areas that are liked. But as the years go by and the systems in place which is not perfect, continues to generate errors aka crap. After a while, its not appealing nor enjoyable anymore.

Yep hopefully this year's full-scale stock market foray can be successful so that I can take a long break soon. Proceed with caution.

Toto Draw 10m, have you bought your hope yet?

Guess this entry will mainly be about Toto and 4D.

I have this excel file which I keep to track my 4D and Toto expenditure. Looking back the first foray, it was 2nd March 2007. That time I remembered that I was on mc. Was sick and tired of working (ironically that was only into my 9th month of actual work after graduating from NEI) Since I had not decided to start monitoring the stock market, only started that in August 2007 but sat at the sidelines cos the market is very overpriced. I just decided to buy my hope. It worked to give me something to look forward to weekly. There's Toto on Monday and Thursday. There's 4D on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Since then until now, I have bought weekly dilligently. Tio a few times in 4D. Looking at the cumulative amount spent, err in thousand region. I made losses in Toto but earn in 4D. Cumulatively still got earn. Though with this dry spell recently, means this surplus is dwindling.

Now Toto and 4D dun give me something to look forward to. Somehow that effect wore off by the middle of 2008 but it has served the purpose to get me through 2007 which was a difficult year due to very heavy workload then.

Now again the 10M Ang Bao draw is here. Like my former accounts teacher whom I quote "I am buying a Hope" which now I will expand to "I am buying a Hope that I wont have to work so hard for a living and have my time, energy and health returned to me." Have you bought your hope yet? Of course I am not throwing in all my savings. Maybe I do buy more than my usual for this ang bao draw. But hey, I am very human anyway, and I bet many are buying alot also. All having the Toto Dream.

Eventually I will stop buying. I continued buying cos of the sinseh telling me got money luck in 2008 and now 2009. Think if 2010 is not a good year, either stop or buy very very small. But to get the slightly bigger banana payout, will have to endure until end of 2010. Guess I'll still be using 4D and Toto as a sort of weekly milestone to get me through.

Kinda tired, what's happening?

Hmm though it seems that I am often complaining of being tired. Guess its true. At times, its the physical tiredness from waking up early and sleeping late. It could be from the night owling ways especially on weekends, partly from growing a bit older and hence less energetic, partly from work which takes up lots of time, effort and energy.

Other times, its the mental fatique from going through the boring motions call 'life'. In the way that one cannot have all the time to oneself and has to go through the motion of the 'working week' which almost always when one look back to reflect about things done in the week, to be absolutely sure to find nothing spectacular worthy of mentioning. Its the same old routine of work. Though to get through it, one would pepper the end of the day with a dinner with friends, run an errand, go out somewhere. The years pass by in a flash. Looking back through the years at the working aspect, cos the working week takes up so much of the time and energy, again one finds absolutely nothing spectacular about the work, except for the income earned, hopefully partially saved up and not all spent.

That is a somewhat grim but realistic view of having to work. Though through the news report daily, there are pple out there who are glad to be still working, glad to find jobs so that they can meet their commitments. A point which I try to consciously remind myself to be grateful to be earning an income still.

Guess that's the difference between me and them. I have lesser commitments than them. They have housing, car, family commitments. I manage myself, at least for now. Live with parents in a fully paid-up HDB flat. Cos both parents are of poorer health than peers', dun intend to move out unless absolutely necessary. We help look out for each other, with my parents and siblings.

Not to mention my views about the whole fuss about the Housing Issue in s'pore being a typically Singaporean way of life (Refer to Singaporean Way of Life post)PLUS the fact that commiting to a housing loan of $300-500k region for a duration of maximum 30 years is mind-boggling to one like myself who seeks to take a break from employment eventually. Plus the sum of money involved after a 20 year interest is factored in is astronomical in itself.

Taking a flat rate of 3.5% interest per year. A 20 year loan will multiply the capital by 1.99 times, meaning that if the amount is $400k, after 20 years of paying, the amount you would have paid up is $796k, a monthly payment of $3317. For a 30 year loan, the multiplying factor is 2.8 times, paid up $1.12M, monthly of 3111. Too way beyond the budget of a single-income. It has to be a dual-income to afford something in this region, meaning $1556-$1659 per person. With CPF, maybe less off $700, $856-$959 a month. Of course, this is ONLY a rough gauge of the figures. There are differencs in interest rates, interest payment types, even income figures and cpf amounts. But using it as a rough gauge, why would I want to get myself into this? Unless of course that I am starting a family. Taking the view of investment, the commitment is still too great, the risk too. Such a large sum in hopes of the market going higher, still the so-called opportunities are in the Pte housing sector, and that exacerbates the capital sum involved. Seriously this league is beyond most of the ordinarily employed. At least for me, I rather just take the $100k to invest in the stock market instead. Saving up the other $300k. Though of course, means having to save continously and hope to have accomodation. At least that's what I think about this whole housing issue.
_____________________________________________

Kinda feeling bored this whole day. Woken up quite early by horrible karaoke singing of CNY songs by some neighbourhood community-type karaoke singing session. Seriously out of tune, pitching problems. Then lazed in bed and eventually slept a bit more, woke and practiced guitar cos wasnt as dilligent after the test. Then did reading of the half dozen $6 paperback fiction books bought previously. Finished 4/6 books so far. Then ate lunch. Was still feeling tired that went back to sleep. It was kinda of short nap, 1.5hrs though I felt kinda rested. Followed my dad to Vivo with my bro. Walked around with him, answered his questions at first dilligently but later more irritably cos it got too much. Ate LongJohnSilver, their Cajun chicken wrap quite decent.

Thereafter we walked around the CNY stalls displayed inside. Watched the portrait artist sketched out 2 pple. Think the standard dont really reach the level displayed by their hung-up works. Think not using the full-power to draw. Either the shading kinda light, not as dark as those hung up works. Or that the intricate parts eg the hair and its shading, instead of using mixture of charcoal and pencil shading, just use charcoal or just pencil to finish up. No wonder those displayed pieces are so good. Its cos they are really intricate. The shading on the hair, the face, the shadows, the eyes all way surpass what they do when the subject is live and standing there. Within 40mins still dont reach the standard shown. Like what my bro says, 'there is a difference between the Magee mee style and the Slow style.' If you want it on-the-spot vs giving a picture to reproduce. The difference is there.

Was interested in the Occarina but they are pricey. Minimum was close to $20 for one. Its definitely of better quality but its ceramic. Though the sounds produced is very nice to listen to. Didnt want to make a rash purchase so didnt get it. Also learnt after walking past all those stalls that there are really numerous Chinese art forms and that truly each has its own beauty and intricacy and mastery levels in its realm. Highly impressed though I am not as tuned into art.

Reached home and decided to go to Ginza to walk around. Got tea packs, oolong tea and bought some bread home for tom breakfast. Nothing much else except I went online, looked at stocks a bit to make monitoring, decisions. By now, after this long post, its already 12.30am. Still not feeling sleepy though body feels like it need more sleep. Think will be going to sleep after this, dont want to strain it.
______________________________________________

Today dunno why, guess I am just feeling moody. Feeling bored in a way though I did go out. Feeling tired and just wanting to hide at home. Maybe its the onset of Monday blues. Definitely, if this was Sat, I wouldnt have this feeling. Guess its the feeling of feeling trapped that one cannot sleep too late, go out too late cos there's work the next day. Signz