Plenty of time has passed since the last post. Surprisingly looking back, that was 2019 and now we are heading towards June soon.
In the gap since then, went back to gym. Was caught up with gym and work, commuting to and fro, early from home - gym then lunch out - work - home for late dinner, on workdays. On off days, it was early out from home - gym - stay out, lunch etc- dinner at home for 6 days a week. Days and weeks passed by in this manner.
Then changes came and it became fewer days of so but still took up about 4 days a week. Then days and weeks passed this year of 2020.
Final trip I took was to Taiwan with mom, sis and bro-in-law to pray in the various temples in Kaoshiung and Jiayi. That time was to be the last oversea trip looking back now.
Then the shut-down rebranded as "circuit-breaker" came in and since Mar 26th until now, been mainly home-bound. Saw how the disease swept through countries and the infected count sky-rocketed. For some moments, it felt like living through a so-called Zombie Apocalypse, of sort. Especially felt when shopping for groceries to have a stock and the deserted and quiet streets even on a nice sunny day. There is a surreal feeling living through this period and most wont forget it for years to come. No one is spared the impact. We have all been touched in one way or more. The impact can be felt and seen.
Many of us are at home, trying to keep to a routine of sort, looking out for signs of cabin fever. This word was not even in my vocabulary until now. We have different signs of it - in my case, there has been some craving for certain food, even though I can get it but still I havent gotten that KFC. There is also the looping thoughts in my mind. The most recent being fixated on ice chilled watermelon. I would attribute it to the hot summer weather as a contributing factor. Also kept reliving certain short oversea trips I had. The peculiar part being I can vividly recall the thoughts and emotions experienced at that particular time and part of the memory. My two Penang trips with Kheldar and solo one, the two Bangkok trips, with Quetzal and solo, the cheap Batam trip, the expensive Bintan spa trip. Even glimpse of the graduation Redang trip and KL trip. Certain moments pop up and I can recall the emotions, thoughts and sights. Peculiar...
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Tuesday, June 04, 2019
Gym-less for now...
TripleFit went down, lease taken over by True, last day 31st May, announced 23rd April.
Since then, when it was confirmed by the mgt with the same letter pasted all over the gym. Having to do the refunds, which was honoured.
Then went straight out and cheong as much of the favourite classes as my work schedule, sleep and days-off could allow. My most intense was 4 classes in a day. From morning until evening - one in the morning, two in the afternoon back-to-back and one in the evening. It was memorable. The Legacy class was an event in itself. Reminded me of the Halloween party two years back. Reunited with the few gym friends who came specifically for the class. We had food and drinks provided after. Alcohol included. Johnny Walker. It was memorable.
Then that last week was pretty tough. I woke up at 5.15am to go for the morning class on a workday, cos I stayed that far away, reached home, slept then got ready for work that started later. Then even did morning and stay out for breakfast then do lunch class then head to work. Thankfully the last two days of the gym coincided with the two off-days for the past two months of Apr and May, thankful to the universe aligning with my wish. I could cheong those two final days and find closure. Went for the classes, suffered the aches, took pics that I didnt post, but for memory sake, chat a bit with the trainers, went for breakfast, stay out hang around, eat lunch etc. A very intense week. 10 classes, my max.
In the 3 days since the gym closure, I've bought one more cork yoga block and a more decent yoga mat, cleaned and wiped off dust from my dormat kettlebells (which are too light) and my free weights (too light too), and one green elastic band left cos the other purple one deformed.... wiped the pull-up bar too.
Will start some exercise soon. Just Tue is not a day for me due to the work schedule. I usually train Mon, Wed and Thur. For now will aim to keep to that and also add in a weekend like Sat/Sun since it is home work-out for the interim. I now know the differences in the muscle groups as well as endurance, strength and flexibility exercises. Must target more major groups first instead of doing small muscles. That will be the bulk of the exercise.
Since then, when it was confirmed by the mgt with the same letter pasted all over the gym. Having to do the refunds, which was honoured.
Then went straight out and cheong as much of the favourite classes as my work schedule, sleep and days-off could allow. My most intense was 4 classes in a day. From morning until evening - one in the morning, two in the afternoon back-to-back and one in the evening. It was memorable. The Legacy class was an event in itself. Reminded me of the Halloween party two years back. Reunited with the few gym friends who came specifically for the class. We had food and drinks provided after. Alcohol included. Johnny Walker. It was memorable.
Then that last week was pretty tough. I woke up at 5.15am to go for the morning class on a workday, cos I stayed that far away, reached home, slept then got ready for work that started later. Then even did morning and stay out for breakfast then do lunch class then head to work. Thankfully the last two days of the gym coincided with the two off-days for the past two months of Apr and May, thankful to the universe aligning with my wish. I could cheong those two final days and find closure. Went for the classes, suffered the aches, took pics that I didnt post, but for memory sake, chat a bit with the trainers, went for breakfast, stay out hang around, eat lunch etc. A very intense week. 10 classes, my max.
In the 3 days since the gym closure, I've bought one more cork yoga block and a more decent yoga mat, cleaned and wiped off dust from my dormat kettlebells (which are too light) and my free weights (too light too), and one green elastic band left cos the other purple one deformed.... wiped the pull-up bar too.
Will start some exercise soon. Just Tue is not a day for me due to the work schedule. I usually train Mon, Wed and Thur. For now will aim to keep to that and also add in a weekend like Sat/Sun since it is home work-out for the interim. I now know the differences in the muscle groups as well as endurance, strength and flexibility exercises. Must target more major groups first instead of doing small muscles. That will be the bulk of the exercise.
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Update 2017 and 2018
Since the last post way back in Feb of 2017, fast forward, a lot of dust has gathered here and lots have happened since then.
Best thing in 2017 was to join TripleFit, the gym that has great coaches,a good variety of classes, many that I tried for the first time like
-Calisthenics: body weight exercises mainly involving a lot of upper body and core strength and a sense of balance. It is a beautiful form when you see the instructor in action. Not easy though, behind it is a lot of gruelling upper body work and also a lot of core exercises and trying to balance using tucked core position. A lot of muscle awareness and memory to build.
-Kettlebell: A whole series of different movements with the KB that involves a total body workout. Things like push press, press, clean, ground-over-head, thrusters, situps, pushups, farmer's carry, rack hold, step ups, squats, lunges all with the kb. Gives new perspective to the KB and how to utilise a single or double in a full workout. Quite a bit of technique involved which translates very well to barbell.
-Barbell: Traditional lifting and that has progressed with time to more exotic lift routine. I love lifting, especially since Strength was a natural forte for me but I gave it up after six months after there was negative effect on my problematic knees. Not that it damaged anything but my knee issue meant my knees were not able to take so much heavy weight bearing exercises. So I kept KettleBell and dropped Barbell though I was good at it.
-AthLean/EnduroFit/HITT/TripleHIIT: First time doing a whole series of these the first two AthLean and EnduroFit has more aspects of strength and endurance. The latter HIIT and TripleHiit has more cardio intensity. The programs written by the instructors whipped our asses (I attended with my senior from KM, we both stopped going for KM after 4 months free trial at TripleFit) Though we were fit by KM standards, some of these classes especially when doing double classes like we did, the final product was aches and asses handed to us. Not many were doing double classes like we did. We follow the classes of certain better trainers.
-CoreYoga and other yoga: Our first yoga class was not good at all. We felt entirely lost in the poses and it being our first one by one instructor. There were about three different yoga classes taught by three instructors. My senior was kinda put off and didn't want to attend more. I saw another different yoga, core yoga by now our most favourite yoga instructor, and decided to give it a try. I went on my own, found that I could follow her instructions and do the poses. Of course my core sucked. I convinced my senior to try, she went and totally agree with me. That yoga instructor changed our perception of Yoga which was tainted our first lesson. We totally appreciated the hard-core core Yoga. Really good session, I was so happy to attend Core Yoga though my core wasn't a strong area. Over time, I found myself being able to enjoy the mindfulness and breathing and poses. The strength, balance and flexibility of the poses. We were totally going to her classes and helping spread the word around. Some regulars who we meet for other classes, we influenced them to give it a try. It also became their favourite class amongst the numerous classes by main instructors. When I had to forgo Barbell, I went for more Yoga classes like Yoga Jam and Yin Yoga. Subsequently I reduced one day in the gym cos it seems though I took out Barbell, overall still a lot of pressure on my knees from the numerous classes I attended, like 7 classes over 4 days. So now I go for 4-5 classes over 3 days. Less impact, more rest time to recover. Even got Quetzal to attend a trial and she likes the instructor that she signed for single classes then later a three-months just to attend her class. She is that good and effective. Though now the Core Yoga has become Yoga Stretch, it is still an effective class by the same instructor.
Now I go for Athlean (Mon), KB and Yoga Jam (Tue), Yoga Stretch (Fri), I wanted to do more like double classes on Mon and Fri and I was originally doing Basic Calisthentics until it changed to Obstacle Relay then I went to KB instead. But it will be reverted back so I need to revert back to Basic Cali too. Will have to reconsider Thur KB again. So back to 4 days but depending on whether there are good classes by good instructors, then I will do double. If not, keep it at that. And to mention, AthLean (Mon) is a really really killer workout, so one that day is enough.
I hope I can continue to upkeep an active lifestyle when I finally find a full-time job and keep up this level of fitness though my weight has ballooned up and hasn't gone down... urgh I need more fat-burning exercises and control my diet more.
2018 is the time when I finally overcome the inertia and things have been delayed, deferred, procrastination to start the search for full-time employment after CNY.... more on that in the next entry.
Best thing in 2017 was to join TripleFit, the gym that has great coaches,a good variety of classes, many that I tried for the first time like
-Calisthenics: body weight exercises mainly involving a lot of upper body and core strength and a sense of balance. It is a beautiful form when you see the instructor in action. Not easy though, behind it is a lot of gruelling upper body work and also a lot of core exercises and trying to balance using tucked core position. A lot of muscle awareness and memory to build.
-Kettlebell: A whole series of different movements with the KB that involves a total body workout. Things like push press, press, clean, ground-over-head, thrusters, situps, pushups, farmer's carry, rack hold, step ups, squats, lunges all with the kb. Gives new perspective to the KB and how to utilise a single or double in a full workout. Quite a bit of technique involved which translates very well to barbell.
-Barbell: Traditional lifting and that has progressed with time to more exotic lift routine. I love lifting, especially since Strength was a natural forte for me but I gave it up after six months after there was negative effect on my problematic knees. Not that it damaged anything but my knee issue meant my knees were not able to take so much heavy weight bearing exercises. So I kept KettleBell and dropped Barbell though I was good at it.
-AthLean/EnduroFit/HITT/TripleHIIT: First time doing a whole series of these the first two AthLean and EnduroFit has more aspects of strength and endurance. The latter HIIT and TripleHiit has more cardio intensity. The programs written by the instructors whipped our asses (I attended with my senior from KM, we both stopped going for KM after 4 months free trial at TripleFit) Though we were fit by KM standards, some of these classes especially when doing double classes like we did, the final product was aches and asses handed to us. Not many were doing double classes like we did. We follow the classes of certain better trainers.
-CoreYoga and other yoga: Our first yoga class was not good at all. We felt entirely lost in the poses and it being our first one by one instructor. There were about three different yoga classes taught by three instructors. My senior was kinda put off and didn't want to attend more. I saw another different yoga, core yoga by now our most favourite yoga instructor, and decided to give it a try. I went on my own, found that I could follow her instructions and do the poses. Of course my core sucked. I convinced my senior to try, she went and totally agree with me. That yoga instructor changed our perception of Yoga which was tainted our first lesson. We totally appreciated the hard-core core Yoga. Really good session, I was so happy to attend Core Yoga though my core wasn't a strong area. Over time, I found myself being able to enjoy the mindfulness and breathing and poses. The strength, balance and flexibility of the poses. We were totally going to her classes and helping spread the word around. Some regulars who we meet for other classes, we influenced them to give it a try. It also became their favourite class amongst the numerous classes by main instructors. When I had to forgo Barbell, I went for more Yoga classes like Yoga Jam and Yin Yoga. Subsequently I reduced one day in the gym cos it seems though I took out Barbell, overall still a lot of pressure on my knees from the numerous classes I attended, like 7 classes over 4 days. So now I go for 4-5 classes over 3 days. Less impact, more rest time to recover. Even got Quetzal to attend a trial and she likes the instructor that she signed for single classes then later a three-months just to attend her class. She is that good and effective. Though now the Core Yoga has become Yoga Stretch, it is still an effective class by the same instructor.
Now I go for Athlean (Mon), KB and Yoga Jam (Tue), Yoga Stretch (Fri), I wanted to do more like double classes on Mon and Fri and I was originally doing Basic Calisthentics until it changed to Obstacle Relay then I went to KB instead. But it will be reverted back so I need to revert back to Basic Cali too. Will have to reconsider Thur KB again. So back to 4 days but depending on whether there are good classes by good instructors, then I will do double. If not, keep it at that. And to mention, AthLean (Mon) is a really really killer workout, so one that day is enough.
I hope I can continue to upkeep an active lifestyle when I finally find a full-time job and keep up this level of fitness though my weight has ballooned up and hasn't gone down... urgh I need more fat-burning exercises and control my diet more.
2018 is the time when I finally overcome the inertia and things have been delayed, deferred, procrastination to start the search for full-time employment after CNY.... more on that in the next entry.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
The end of my journey in Krav Maga...
After Feb rolled in and the CNY long weekend, it was time to hunker down and go intensive for KM revision. Had less than 2 weeks to continue to revise techniques, work on mass-assailant drills, eyes-closed drills and also build up and maintain fitness and stamina. It was good for a week and just into the last week on a Monday, some idiots injured my knee.
To keep out the negativity I shall be brief and not record down everything. Basically two came in a bundle and crashed into me. My right ankle got twisted and my right knee cap got jerked strongly. My knee didn't feel normal after that. I was anxious and worried and irritated why it happened. Such accidents just end with a "sorry" but for lasting injuries like this, a sorry is little to no consolation nor mean anything. I was cursing under my breath and it irked my training partner into giving me a lecture. Long story short, tio a lot of sh8t for something done to me. Like I have no right to be worried, anxious and angered by such. I chose not to argue back cos my point about my cough was not accepted and thrown back at me. So I zipped up and finished up.
In the end, I had to get my knee checked out the following day. Had to trouble my sister's husband who had to check it and do all the massage. I feel bad cos he helped me though he is suffering from the heart-aches brought about from his heart condition. Dun want to give others trouble. But for all the trouble it took to kinda fix up both my knees, didn't want to compromise all the efforts. So this added to my irritation and being told off.
I decided not to get angry cos it wouldn't help. Also getting angry is very detrimental to my wealth luck. So I better be careful. Be grateful to the sinseh for helping me. Luckily nothing structurally compromised. I felt stiffness and some pain in some positions that should be muscle pulled. So with that, I took a photo and decided to post it on Facebook, to kinda 'proof' that it was not nothing, sorry-end-of-story incident. There are repercussions I had to bear outside of training time.
One apologised both in person and FB and later again on grading. I had long forgiven by then... and told him to smash through grading. The one who lectured me, not surprisingly kept quiet about my post, though I got a WhatsAp msg from my senior who had attended class that following night and told me that she was repeating the whole story from her perspective and kinda painting me in a very very bad light to all those who listen and like a radio, kept looping. My senior wanted to know my side of the story, so I told her, let her decide. Senior asked me to go back to training to clarify my side of the story, but I say no point cos I had intended to stop KM once grading is over, pass or fail.
So I decided that since my knee was aching and stiff, I shall rest at home until grading day itself, that Sunday. Rational being it was safer and better that way. I won't have anymore incidents and sorrys as a consolation, nor do I need to see or hear the "story" spreading about nor have to explain and clarify myself. I see it as u decide on your own.
I did about 2 days of physical training - shadow box, run through the techniques and all the 50 burpees, pushups, mountain climbers, squats and crunches. (for my grade, is do 40 but I had upped it to 50 several weeks back, just to make sure I train up more stamina) Didn't do more cos it caused more pain and stiffness so I went about my part-time work and also rested at home.
____________________
On grading day, I reached there and changed. Didn't speak to anyone especially the females. I kept to one side by myself. The guy came over to apologise again and he was glad it was not structural injury and I told him a bit pain and stiff, nevermind just smash through. Gave him a pat on the shoulder and wish him good luck to smash through his grading too. His was higher level than mine.
And just before grading officially started, I went up to that one and shook her hand and wished her the best for grading, with no malice. I just want things to go smoothly and safely.
With the exception of that sparring with that one guy who went hard, so I retaliated hard but he went harder and I can't outfight cos of fitness, power and reach all lose to a guy. So this really makes one appreciate the fact that in a real fight, have to hit the groin as hard as possible. In a clean, no-groin sparring, females are severely disadvantaged. And I mean severely, even with proper martial art training. Then it was over, except for the last bit of physical training which was a piece of cake. Though funnily it was a weird menu, 35 push-ups, 15 squats and 9 burpees and I did two full cycle within time frame of 6 minutes. Had to do it with a smile to show the tester.
Then it was over and grading ended, surprisingly under 3 hours, compared to previous ones of 4 - 5.5 hours. There has been quite a number of changes to the federation and certain things are obvious to the old-timers who have gone under the early stricter days of training and grading. It has become so much easier than before to progress in grade. Not that it is not taxing physically but the strictness and completeness of techniques are relaxed somewhat.
Like my seniors are same grade as the newer batch but it is obvious in training that the newer groups are sloppy at times and even downright noob compared to the much seasoned seniors but ironically they have the same grade patch. They seem to breeze through the more frequent grading sessions. It used to be a year or more before one comes along. Now is like every 6 months once and the newcomers seem to breeze through like nobody business yet when I look, I feel the techniques were lacking both the form and power and execution. The constant flow of newbies don't recognise that but they come and ask you your grade and judge based on that.
Not that I want to air my ego as a senior or throw my weight around as a long-timer. But the value of the grading patch has diminished a lot for me, my P1 is still the hardest-earned one and most valued cos I had to train longer than a year for it and was put through 5.5 hours of grading in an outdoor park. It was a badge of honour to smash through that though I was the only female doing it. Now things are much much different. Ask any of the true old-timers. I am not the only one who thinks so but we are getting fewer in numbers as the newer up-coming but not necessarily competent 'seniors' came up and the older ones kinda disappear. Can't imagine how it would be like in the very near future.
With the grading done, I end my journey in Krav Maga. It gave me a lot; situation awareness, alertness, fitness, training partners and later a few friends, also tested my determination to overcome physical difficulties. Yet it also has taken some physical toll on my body (left shoulder injury) and knees (worsen but now fixed until recent incident) A lot of good memories and some bad ones. Met some nice seniors and training partners, made a couple of quality friends. The rest I kinda ignore. It was a period of time in my life and will be looked on fondly at times. Now to move onto something else. I am moving on and hopefully can lead me to another start elsewhere.
To keep out the negativity I shall be brief and not record down everything. Basically two came in a bundle and crashed into me. My right ankle got twisted and my right knee cap got jerked strongly. My knee didn't feel normal after that. I was anxious and worried and irritated why it happened. Such accidents just end with a "sorry" but for lasting injuries like this, a sorry is little to no consolation nor mean anything. I was cursing under my breath and it irked my training partner into giving me a lecture. Long story short, tio a lot of sh8t for something done to me. Like I have no right to be worried, anxious and angered by such. I chose not to argue back cos my point about my cough was not accepted and thrown back at me. So I zipped up and finished up.
In the end, I had to get my knee checked out the following day. Had to trouble my sister's husband who had to check it and do all the massage. I feel bad cos he helped me though he is suffering from the heart-aches brought about from his heart condition. Dun want to give others trouble. But for all the trouble it took to kinda fix up both my knees, didn't want to compromise all the efforts. So this added to my irritation and being told off.
I decided not to get angry cos it wouldn't help. Also getting angry is very detrimental to my wealth luck. So I better be careful. Be grateful to the sinseh for helping me. Luckily nothing structurally compromised. I felt stiffness and some pain in some positions that should be muscle pulled. So with that, I took a photo and decided to post it on Facebook, to kinda 'proof' that it was not nothing, sorry-end-of-story incident. There are repercussions I had to bear outside of training time.
One apologised both in person and FB and later again on grading. I had long forgiven by then... and told him to smash through grading. The one who lectured me, not surprisingly kept quiet about my post, though I got a WhatsAp msg from my senior who had attended class that following night and told me that she was repeating the whole story from her perspective and kinda painting me in a very very bad light to all those who listen and like a radio, kept looping. My senior wanted to know my side of the story, so I told her, let her decide. Senior asked me to go back to training to clarify my side of the story, but I say no point cos I had intended to stop KM once grading is over, pass or fail.
So I decided that since my knee was aching and stiff, I shall rest at home until grading day itself, that Sunday. Rational being it was safer and better that way. I won't have anymore incidents and sorrys as a consolation, nor do I need to see or hear the "story" spreading about nor have to explain and clarify myself. I see it as u decide on your own.
I did about 2 days of physical training - shadow box, run through the techniques and all the 50 burpees, pushups, mountain climbers, squats and crunches. (for my grade, is do 40 but I had upped it to 50 several weeks back, just to make sure I train up more stamina) Didn't do more cos it caused more pain and stiffness so I went about my part-time work and also rested at home.
____________________
On grading day, I reached there and changed. Didn't speak to anyone especially the females. I kept to one side by myself. The guy came over to apologise again and he was glad it was not structural injury and I told him a bit pain and stiff, nevermind just smash through. Gave him a pat on the shoulder and wish him good luck to smash through his grading too. His was higher level than mine.
And just before grading officially started, I went up to that one and shook her hand and wished her the best for grading, with no malice. I just want things to go smoothly and safely.
With the exception of that sparring with that one guy who went hard, so I retaliated hard but he went harder and I can't outfight cos of fitness, power and reach all lose to a guy. So this really makes one appreciate the fact that in a real fight, have to hit the groin as hard as possible. In a clean, no-groin sparring, females are severely disadvantaged. And I mean severely, even with proper martial art training. Then it was over, except for the last bit of physical training which was a piece of cake. Though funnily it was a weird menu, 35 push-ups, 15 squats and 9 burpees and I did two full cycle within time frame of 6 minutes. Had to do it with a smile to show the tester.
Then it was over and grading ended, surprisingly under 3 hours, compared to previous ones of 4 - 5.5 hours. There has been quite a number of changes to the federation and certain things are obvious to the old-timers who have gone under the early stricter days of training and grading. It has become so much easier than before to progress in grade. Not that it is not taxing physically but the strictness and completeness of techniques are relaxed somewhat.
Like my seniors are same grade as the newer batch but it is obvious in training that the newer groups are sloppy at times and even downright noob compared to the much seasoned seniors but ironically they have the same grade patch. They seem to breeze through the more frequent grading sessions. It used to be a year or more before one comes along. Now is like every 6 months once and the newcomers seem to breeze through like nobody business yet when I look, I feel the techniques were lacking both the form and power and execution. The constant flow of newbies don't recognise that but they come and ask you your grade and judge based on that.
Not that I want to air my ego as a senior or throw my weight around as a long-timer. But the value of the grading patch has diminished a lot for me, my P1 is still the hardest-earned one and most valued cos I had to train longer than a year for it and was put through 5.5 hours of grading in an outdoor park. It was a badge of honour to smash through that though I was the only female doing it. Now things are much much different. Ask any of the true old-timers. I am not the only one who thinks so but we are getting fewer in numbers as the newer up-coming but not necessarily competent 'seniors' came up and the older ones kinda disappear. Can't imagine how it would be like in the very near future.
With the grading done, I end my journey in Krav Maga. It gave me a lot; situation awareness, alertness, fitness, training partners and later a few friends, also tested my determination to overcome physical difficulties. Yet it also has taken some physical toll on my body (left shoulder injury) and knees (worsen but now fixed until recent incident) A lot of good memories and some bad ones. Met some nice seniors and training partners, made a couple of quality friends. The rest I kinda ignore. It was a period of time in my life and will be looked on fondly at times. Now to move onto something else. I am moving on and hopefully can lead me to another start elsewhere.
Wednesday, February 01, 2017
Portfolio strategy / Enough of mopping around
I was kinda sulking around and procrastinating in my job search after I got the email saying that I didn't pass for the counsellor interview... so it was near my bdae then. Then I kinda stopped submitting and instead went to look at my stock portfolio more, cos though I didn't stare at the screen all day, I do check everyday.
I finally settled myself down to calculate my portfolio gains in 2015 then in 2016. To have the numbers and see if I had managed to improve from my 2014 and previous years. I had aimed to 1) increase my dividends and distributions & 2) reduce and take-loss on my losing counters. Both which I did, especially the second one to heart-pain last year. With the numbers in, I could evaluate my strategies - which counters to increase, decrease, cut-loss, monitor, how many lots to buy/sell etc. So 2015 was quite positive, thankfully. 2016 was overall big loss cos I finally cut-loss and realise again that the maxim " The first cut-loss is the smallest" is very true yet again.
But with the cut-loss, my overall red portfolio turned green in January. So without a main income, I decided to 'trade' some counters, ie do more buy-and-sell to earn some monies. It is arguable that I could have gotten more from doing buy-and-hold but "a bird in hand is better than two in the bush". So I sold off some counters for small gains that by absolute value alone, matches or exceeds my monthly part-time tuition income (think about that). Then now I get back my capital with some gains. And now on the look-out to buy back these counters at my designated price ranges.
Then there was more rise and in one of my main counter, I sold off half my lots, kept half for a good return. At least with $$ in the pocket, I have more holding power to wait for more rise. Which it did and I decide to sell off another quarter of my holdings. Left one quarter which I have a comfortable buffer in my pocket now to wait even longer for greater rise. Which it is now still rising. If I look back, I could have gotten much much more if I had hold and wait until now then sell. And this is called "seller's regret" but I remind myself that previously in 2016, there were such rises but I held on yet prices fell back. So this is a better strategy for me. At least I got a fatter pocket than the last time by actually realising the capital gain instead of waiting and refusing to sell.
With that and a round of dividends and distribution (apparently January is a dividend season), I have hit my first investment target. So far so good, hope to keep it up for the rest of the year and reap more substantial absolute gains. No more bad picks that cost me those losses. More weary after making several costly mistakes in recent years. Still hurting from those, though they didn't dent my capital but my total efficiency of the portfolio dropped cos the previous cumulative gains were dented by the significant accumulated losses. ie, my average gains per year has been lowered by a lot with these losses.
_________________________
After mopping around from the week before my bdae until now that my bdae and even CNY has passed, there was time enough for me to pick myself up and build up enough drive to move on forward again. I will do so, though the road ahead seems blurry, uncertain and scary, I remind myself "路是人走出来的" and move onward. I saw a very good phrase which applies to me a lot - "人不怕慢,只怕站; 不怕没进步, 只怕不起步."
I finally settled myself down to calculate my portfolio gains in 2015 then in 2016. To have the numbers and see if I had managed to improve from my 2014 and previous years. I had aimed to 1) increase my dividends and distributions & 2) reduce and take-loss on my losing counters. Both which I did, especially the second one to heart-pain last year. With the numbers in, I could evaluate my strategies - which counters to increase, decrease, cut-loss, monitor, how many lots to buy/sell etc. So 2015 was quite positive, thankfully. 2016 was overall big loss cos I finally cut-loss and realise again that the maxim " The first cut-loss is the smallest" is very true yet again.
But with the cut-loss, my overall red portfolio turned green in January. So without a main income, I decided to 'trade' some counters, ie do more buy-and-sell to earn some monies. It is arguable that I could have gotten more from doing buy-and-hold but "a bird in hand is better than two in the bush". So I sold off some counters for small gains that by absolute value alone, matches or exceeds my monthly part-time tuition income (think about that). Then now I get back my capital with some gains. And now on the look-out to buy back these counters at my designated price ranges.
Then there was more rise and in one of my main counter, I sold off half my lots, kept half for a good return. At least with $$ in the pocket, I have more holding power to wait for more rise. Which it did and I decide to sell off another quarter of my holdings. Left one quarter which I have a comfortable buffer in my pocket now to wait even longer for greater rise. Which it is now still rising. If I look back, I could have gotten much much more if I had hold and wait until now then sell. And this is called "seller's regret" but I remind myself that previously in 2016, there were such rises but I held on yet prices fell back. So this is a better strategy for me. At least I got a fatter pocket than the last time by actually realising the capital gain instead of waiting and refusing to sell.
With that and a round of dividends and distribution (apparently January is a dividend season), I have hit my first investment target. So far so good, hope to keep it up for the rest of the year and reap more substantial absolute gains. No more bad picks that cost me those losses. More weary after making several costly mistakes in recent years. Still hurting from those, though they didn't dent my capital but my total efficiency of the portfolio dropped cos the previous cumulative gains were dented by the significant accumulated losses. ie, my average gains per year has been lowered by a lot with these losses.
_________________________
After mopping around from the week before my bdae until now that my bdae and even CNY has passed, there was time enough for me to pick myself up and build up enough drive to move on forward again. I will do so, though the road ahead seems blurry, uncertain and scary, I remind myself "路是人走出来的" and move onward. I saw a very good phrase which applies to me a lot - "人不怕慢,只怕站; 不怕没进步, 只怕不起步."
Monday, January 23, 2017
Birthday dinner treat and Spring cleaning
Today, after waking up earlier than usual, and thus am faced with the heavy rain and dreary skies. I was tempted to go back to sleep but couldn't fall back asleep. So thus I am up earlier than the usual lazing around.
This weekend, I was pigging out excessively. Saturday, the birthday dinner out with friends at Brewerkz was superb. We really demolished a lot of food and drinks. I find, I can only stomach 1 pint of beer instead of the past 2-3 pints. Did fill the rest with lots of meats. Thankful for friends who took time to come down despite the rain and also the treat. Did enjoy myself a lot. We were pleasantly surprised that many of the dishes tasted really good - the mussels unexpectedly and the buffalo wings, nachos, pizzas and the Big Pig Platter of ribs, pork knuckle and sausages. Delicious, big portions and reasonable pricing in light of the cafe and restaurant prices nowadays. I was surprised how much food just 7 adults can wipe out. I dabao the leftover Big Platter home and it became dinner on Sunday. And we haven't finished the pork knuckle meat yet.
On Sunday I have the munchies really bad. Like insatiable hunger. Ate a lot of food here and there. Even instant noodles though I already had dinner. Hmm... dare not step on the weighing scales until some more days have passed. Then there is CNY. Luckily we are having a very very toned down one. Just want to have the home-made hei zou and soup. A simple meal.
__________________
Today I finally kicked myself to start and helped to wipe the window panes and grills for 3 sets of windows - living room, own room and Mom's room. Didn't want her to do her own and potentially fall... so I did it. Man, while wiping the grills, I am reminded how Spring Cleaning is such a chore. At least we have progressed to using wet wipes instead of cloth and water.
As I get older, Spring cleaning is more and more of a chore. When I was younger, and in our schooling days, we had massive spring cleaning back in Msia ancestral house that lasted an entire week, from morning til evening type. I remembered all the rinsing of cloth and wiping, emptying and refilling water... A massive endevour which we have not done in many years ever since the grandparents passed away.
While doing the windows is definitely not as taxing as KM but its kinda dreary on a dreary rainy day so I played music on Spotify and did them at a shot. I have to keep the momentum going once I have started. No breaks until I am done. Then took down the old curtains and put up the new curtains. Suffice to say, at the end, I was tired and finished my cleaning-quota for the day.
I am definitely not such a diligent person to be wiping dust about the house very regularly. Also I feel, I got lazier as I age but I still do it cos don't want to trouble others to do on my behalf. Don't expect ageing Mom to do such things. So hence kicking myself to do it.
This weekend, I was pigging out excessively. Saturday, the birthday dinner out with friends at Brewerkz was superb. We really demolished a lot of food and drinks. I find, I can only stomach 1 pint of beer instead of the past 2-3 pints. Did fill the rest with lots of meats. Thankful for friends who took time to come down despite the rain and also the treat. Did enjoy myself a lot. We were pleasantly surprised that many of the dishes tasted really good - the mussels unexpectedly and the buffalo wings, nachos, pizzas and the Big Pig Platter of ribs, pork knuckle and sausages. Delicious, big portions and reasonable pricing in light of the cafe and restaurant prices nowadays. I was surprised how much food just 7 adults can wipe out. I dabao the leftover Big Platter home and it became dinner on Sunday. And we haven't finished the pork knuckle meat yet.
On Sunday I have the munchies really bad. Like insatiable hunger. Ate a lot of food here and there. Even instant noodles though I already had dinner. Hmm... dare not step on the weighing scales until some more days have passed. Then there is CNY. Luckily we are having a very very toned down one. Just want to have the home-made hei zou and soup. A simple meal.
__________________
Today I finally kicked myself to start and helped to wipe the window panes and grills for 3 sets of windows - living room, own room and Mom's room. Didn't want her to do her own and potentially fall... so I did it. Man, while wiping the grills, I am reminded how Spring Cleaning is such a chore. At least we have progressed to using wet wipes instead of cloth and water.
As I get older, Spring cleaning is more and more of a chore. When I was younger, and in our schooling days, we had massive spring cleaning back in Msia ancestral house that lasted an entire week, from morning til evening type. I remembered all the rinsing of cloth and wiping, emptying and refilling water... A massive endevour which we have not done in many years ever since the grandparents passed away.
While doing the windows is definitely not as taxing as KM but its kinda dreary on a dreary rainy day so I played music on Spotify and did them at a shot. I have to keep the momentum going once I have started. No breaks until I am done. Then took down the old curtains and put up the new curtains. Suffice to say, at the end, I was tired and finished my cleaning-quota for the day.
I am definitely not such a diligent person to be wiping dust about the house very regularly. Also I feel, I got lazier as I age but I still do it cos don't want to trouble others to do on my behalf. Don't expect ageing Mom to do such things. So hence kicking myself to do it.
Monday, January 16, 2017
2017 is already here...
I like this poster meme about New Year Resolutions but can't find the pic to share online. So lemme quote it
" My goal in 2017 is to accomplish the goals I set in 2016, which I should have done in 2015 because I made a promise in 2014, which I planned in 2013."
This kind of sums up what new year resolutions turn out to be. A sort of a fleeting thought, fresh in the mind in January but by March, it became a figment of the imagination.
I believe in daily resolutions or even weekly ones. The reason is sound. If you want to do something about it, do it today, or within the next few days. Or you will lose the drive to do it.
If I have decided I will go for KM thrice a week, I start looking at the calendar for the week and slot in the days. I try to go for one session as soon as I can before I lose the motivation and proscrastination sets in. If you allow it, deferring to tomorrow can stretch out to many tomorrows and soon, before you realise, weeks or months have gone by.
By doing things within a scope of a few days or a week, it becomes like a list of things to do within the week. You kinda go about your week and doing things without too much thought. Before you know it, you have actually kept at doing that you have planned.
This I feel is more effective than waiting until the end of the year to see how your new year resolutions have fared.
Of course, being without a job does give me time on hand. And the challenge for me is to see if I could keep this up when I have a full-time job. But lemme reassure you, the proscrastination is the same irregardless of the job status. Deferring things still happens but I try to keep things within the week. Though at times there are a few things which have dragged over two-three weeks.
" My goal in 2017 is to accomplish the goals I set in 2016, which I should have done in 2015 because I made a promise in 2014, which I planned in 2013."
This kind of sums up what new year resolutions turn out to be. A sort of a fleeting thought, fresh in the mind in January but by March, it became a figment of the imagination.
I believe in daily resolutions or even weekly ones. The reason is sound. If you want to do something about it, do it today, or within the next few days. Or you will lose the drive to do it.
If I have decided I will go for KM thrice a week, I start looking at the calendar for the week and slot in the days. I try to go for one session as soon as I can before I lose the motivation and proscrastination sets in. If you allow it, deferring to tomorrow can stretch out to many tomorrows and soon, before you realise, weeks or months have gone by.
By doing things within a scope of a few days or a week, it becomes like a list of things to do within the week. You kinda go about your week and doing things without too much thought. Before you know it, you have actually kept at doing that you have planned.
This I feel is more effective than waiting until the end of the year to see how your new year resolutions have fared.
Of course, being without a job does give me time on hand. And the challenge for me is to see if I could keep this up when I have a full-time job. But lemme reassure you, the proscrastination is the same irregardless of the job status. Deferring things still happens but I try to keep things within the week. Though at times there are a few things which have dragged over two-three weeks.
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