This weekend was just coming to grips with Yvonne moving back to Singapore. We had an outing at the airport.
It was very fun yesterday. I went Lai Chi Kok for shopping at wholesale prices. Then had Qing and Kel over for Entourage.
Today would be housework day with dog walking and cooking and F1 match. Back to work tomorrow, and I suspect next week is quiet
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Put your hands on the ground!
This week was a whirlwind again. So many things, just thinking. i yearn for the peace and quiet sometimes. This is not to be considered in the same thread as Julie and Gerald were over for the weekend. It was so nice to see them. We pretty much hung out on Friday dinner and Sat Mongkok. We had bursting beef balls at Lok Yuen King of Beef Balls stall at Fa Yuen Kai on Saturday! For some reason, we were talking about hair colours, like how her being a red head in college days had brought her lots of attention, and how the girls with dyed brown hair on the streets look like party animals compared to those in black hair.
Something that kept me up on Saturday night and Sunday was Friday's party. It spelled so much of Sex, Power & Money. Tattoos, drinking, casual sex. I was a little fazed, but I think after a run, that will just be another experience that I have gained. Meeting some more decent friends on Sunday, i was glad that my sentiments are echoed. In wrapping up that Friday night, other than the vices i have seen, it was also a little on jobs. Speaking to Des on Sat and Daniel on Friday, i realised that banks don't do enough training, and for front office, the skillset to be able to contribute to a team is more valuable than grades. Of course, networking and age of an individual should never be underestimated. In HK, i feel that my competition is not the locals. Local educators have been blamed, as an education system that does not promote individual thought and problem solving has left banks struggling. The solution, is overseas hires or local talent, educated overseas. Banks search for candidates with local knowledge who are also a good cultural fit with their organisations. They are considered to have the “right” education, which is invaluable when combined with the ability to speak English, Cantonese and sometimes Mandarin. A candidate who can offer all this, as well as good presentation and an ability to lead rather than follow, is likely to find themselves with plenty of offers on the table.
Also another thing on my mind is going home 13-21 Sept. I was just glancing through the pricings for air tickets: SQ and CX have this HKD2599 offer that lasts for maximum of 7 days stay. JetStar going for HKD2322, fitting my timeline perfectly. I have not booked it yet, though i will consider somethings before I make that click.
Obviously I would have family and friend commitments when I am back home, that aside, I am definitely considering a hair cut. Long or short hair has always been of circumstance. In H&M magazine, short hair seems to be just about the most hyped about hair style, and no surprise, Agyness Deyn came up tops as the epitome of happy-go-lucky tomboy attitude! I see most girls in HK and SG with long hair, its very pretty, and nice to play on the power of seduction quite easily. Also I remember Mink told me that one must have the bold personality to go with it if you choose to cut your hair off.
How much do you earn? I hear that quite a lot from my SG friends when they come over. Mostly they see that restaurants and rent are not all that cheap. The fact is that thats all I largely spend on. And my facials. Depending on the income disparity and standard of living between HK and SG and China in the next year, we would see an interesting trend. Considering that HK is largely used as a transit point, I should move on to a bigger city such as New York or back to SG. If you are still curious, I suggest you check out ambition or michael page salaries report. I also looked at the Legal Salaries, and now i understand why the local chicks would throw themselves at these lawyers. They are very well-paid! I also understand why they carry nice new blackberry Curve and party and drink so much - because they CAN!
I think i have spent enough time mulling on the above issues, its time to let go and move on!
Something that kept me up on Saturday night and Sunday was Friday's party. It spelled so much of Sex, Power & Money. Tattoos, drinking, casual sex. I was a little fazed, but I think after a run, that will just be another experience that I have gained. Meeting some more decent friends on Sunday, i was glad that my sentiments are echoed. In wrapping up that Friday night, other than the vices i have seen, it was also a little on jobs. Speaking to Des on Sat and Daniel on Friday, i realised that banks don't do enough training, and for front office, the skillset to be able to contribute to a team is more valuable than grades. Of course, networking and age of an individual should never be underestimated. In HK, i feel that my competition is not the locals. Local educators have been blamed, as an education system that does not promote individual thought and problem solving has left banks struggling. The solution, is overseas hires or local talent, educated overseas. Banks search for candidates with local knowledge who are also a good cultural fit with their organisations. They are considered to have the “right” education, which is invaluable when combined with the ability to speak English, Cantonese and sometimes Mandarin. A candidate who can offer all this, as well as good presentation and an ability to lead rather than follow, is likely to find themselves with plenty of offers on the table.
Also another thing on my mind is going home 13-21 Sept. I was just glancing through the pricings for air tickets: SQ and CX have this HKD2599 offer that lasts for maximum of 7 days stay. JetStar going for HKD2322, fitting my timeline perfectly. I have not booked it yet, though i will consider somethings before I make that click.
Obviously I would have family and friend commitments when I am back home, that aside, I am definitely considering a hair cut. Long or short hair has always been of circumstance. In H&M magazine, short hair seems to be just about the most hyped about hair style, and no surprise, Agyness Deyn came up tops as the epitome of happy-go-lucky tomboy attitude! I see most girls in HK and SG with long hair, its very pretty, and nice to play on the power of seduction quite easily. Also I remember Mink told me that one must have the bold personality to go with it if you choose to cut your hair off.
How much do you earn? I hear that quite a lot from my SG friends when they come over. Mostly they see that restaurants and rent are not all that cheap. The fact is that thats all I largely spend on. And my facials. Depending on the income disparity and standard of living between HK and SG and China in the next year, we would see an interesting trend. Considering that HK is largely used as a transit point, I should move on to a bigger city such as New York or back to SG. If you are still curious, I suggest you check out ambition or michael page salaries report. I also looked at the Legal Salaries, and now i understand why the local chicks would throw themselves at these lawyers. They are very well-paid! I also understand why they carry nice new blackberry Curve and party and drink so much - because they CAN!
I think i have spent enough time mulling on the above issues, its time to let go and move on!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
My Yummy Sweets
I needed a break, I was going crazy with the amount of thinking i was doing. Hence the schokolade!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
No more gunpowder
Invested time in reading about what I am interested in.
http://www.risklatte.com/madeSimple/
Why Monte Carlo Simulation? MC vs Binomial? Difference between pricing Futures & Fwds? Understanding Gamma & Delta? What is Skew?
I am tired. i keep fighting and trying and pushing.
I want to go home. I want to spend my birthday back with my family and friends.
I miss everyone.
http://www.risklatte.com/madeSimple/
Why Monte Carlo Simulation? MC vs Binomial? Difference between pricing Futures & Fwds? Understanding Gamma & Delta? What is Skew?
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
I am tired. i keep fighting and trying and pushing.
I want to go home. I want to spend my birthday back with my family and friends.
I miss everyone.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
now now
Two weeks have passed, and today is the Olympic closing ceremony, such a glittery affair involving the human spirit, technology, and most importantly, the sheer dominance of the Chinese will. In the sporting arena, The Beijing Olympics 2008 has set new standards in the realm of the human mind, ability and endurance, and gave the world the hope for an Asian revolution.
The past week was a whirlwind because Monday colleagues from another desk in same was closed down by the end of the month. And I have two real opportunites which i have to close asap. And then it is down to the grind for next year's pipeline.
I had a date with an American A&O lawyer today. He was "won" from the Charity auction, and it was very pleasant. Great view at the Four Seasons, great conversation flowing. Seems like I will be seeing more of him.
Week ahead, I have to set the stage CMB and SCB. Of course support issues are side issues. Meanwhile, i have to keep pushing my agenda for these two.
Long term goals on my mind
- Study Masters or CFA
- Plan for trips - Sg or Next year
- I am going to forget about Flatsharing. I want to focus on my work
- Read up more!
- I have to plan my time more effectively. Manage my taxes and expenses well too!
The past week was a whirlwind because Monday colleagues from another desk in same was closed down by the end of the month. And I have two real opportunites which i have to close asap. And then it is down to the grind for next year's pipeline.
I had a date with an American A&O lawyer today. He was "won" from the Charity auction, and it was very pleasant. Great view at the Four Seasons, great conversation flowing. Seems like I will be seeing more of him.
Week ahead, I have to set the stage CMB and SCB. Of course support issues are side issues. Meanwhile, i have to keep pushing my agenda for these two.
Long term goals on my mind
- Study Masters or CFA
- Plan for trips - Sg or Next year
- I am going to forget about Flatsharing. I want to focus on my work
- Read up more!
- I have to plan my time more effectively. Manage my taxes and expenses well too!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Quotes from an Olympian
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Emil Zátopek was a Czech athlete probably best known for his amazing feat of winning three gold medals in athletics at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He won gold in the 5 km and 10 km runs, but his final medal came when he decided at the last minute to compete in the first marathon of his life.
Zátopek was the first athlete to break the 29-minute barrier in the 10 km run (in 1954). Three years earlier, in 1951, he had broken the hour for running 20 km. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest runners of the 20th century and was also known for his brutally tough training methods.
"Essentially, we distinguish ourselves from the rest. If you want to win something, run the 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon."
Upon winning: "But it was the finest exhaustion I've ever felt."
Muhammad Ali: To date, he remains the only man to have won the linear heavyweight championship three times (the linear title is recognized by tracing an - almost - unbroken lineage of titleholders going back over 100 years, with nearly every champion defeating the previous titleholder in the ring).
"He floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee"
Robert KorzeniowskiPoland (POL) completed the 50km walk in 3:42.22in Sydnet 2000 games. Korzeniowski is a three-peat winner of the 50 km walk at the Summer Olympics. He won 1996 in Atlanta, 2000 in Sydney, and 2004 in Athens. In addition, he became the first athlete to claim both the long distance and the short distance crown, when he won the 20 km title at the 2000 games.
Ray Ewry (United States)
Gold: standing high jump, 1900, 1904, 1906, 1908; standing long jump, 1900, 1904, 1906, 1908; standing triple jump, 1900, 1904
Ewry’s story is special. He began exercising after being confined to wheelchair through polio as a child.
Emil Zátopek was a Czech athlete probably best known for his amazing feat of winning three gold medals in athletics at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He won gold in the 5 km and 10 km runs, but his final medal came when he decided at the last minute to compete in the first marathon of his life.
Zátopek was the first athlete to break the 29-minute barrier in the 10 km run (in 1954). Three years earlier, in 1951, he had broken the hour for running 20 km. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest runners of the 20th century and was also known for his brutally tough training methods.
"Essentially, we distinguish ourselves from the rest. If you want to win something, run the 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon."
Upon winning: "But it was the finest exhaustion I've ever felt."
Muhammad Ali: To date, he remains the only man to have won the linear heavyweight championship three times (the linear title is recognized by tracing an - almost - unbroken lineage of titleholders going back over 100 years, with nearly every champion defeating the previous titleholder in the ring).
"He floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee"
Robert KorzeniowskiPoland (POL) completed the 50km walk in 3:42.22in Sydnet 2000 games. Korzeniowski is a three-peat winner of the 50 km walk at the Summer Olympics. He won 1996 in Atlanta, 2000 in Sydney, and 2004 in Athens. In addition, he became the first athlete to claim both the long distance and the short distance crown, when he won the 20 km title at the 2000 games.
Ray Ewry (United States)
Gold: standing high jump, 1900, 1904, 1906, 1908; standing long jump, 1900, 1904, 1906, 1908; standing triple jump, 1900, 1904
Ewry’s story is special. He began exercising after being confined to wheelchair through polio as a child.
Monday, August 11, 2008
National Day & The Mighty Olympics
This weekend was eventful, with us celebrating Olympics Opening Ceremony, and national day celebration with some guys up at a bar and mambo after. It was very good to meet up and hang out in such a big group.
Very motivated by the Games as well, its really exciting to watch the matches on TV!