Pentax K-X

Been on MC today due to fever, diarrhea and vomitting. I am feeling 99% well and hope to recover completely tml!

Anyway, this past few months has been really busy for me. Finally completed my national day duty haha. After which i went to Genting for the first time with my family and myrna. I must say it is a pretty interesting place. The weather is cooling and there is alot of place to play and eat. Hope i can have a chance to go back again.

Oh ya, I gotten a new DSLR. Pentax K-x. I think many of us who are not into photography might not have heard the brand before. It is not like Canon, Nikon or Sony Alpha but there are more like old school brand like Minolta(which was taken over by Sony to form Sony Alpha). In terms of lens, it is not inferior compared to the major brands and it gives me the best bang for the buck in terms of image quality( as compared to say Canon 550D, Nikon D90, Sony A550) . So far I am really really happy with it. I might want to try Canon in the next round but likely will try at least 60D or 7D unless my budget don't allow me.

Some of pictures I took with kits lens

Anyway things at work have been pretty normal. 9 more months till the end of my bond! I wonder how things will be like in the next few months.

Tml will be mid-autumn festival and my 17th month anniversary with dear.

Sungei Buloh / Houston

Just got back work after spending 12 hours in office!

Anyway yesterday i managed to squeeze some time to head to Sungei Buloh with some of my Cg members. Wanted to go before it shut down and it was pretty fun having a break from usual city life. Oh my it is the first time i spotted crocos there!!! Think must be the rain before our trip and high tides that allow them to move into the areas.

Some pictures taken using my 55200 len.

Hopefully I will get the chance to use my camera more often! Been so preoccupied with work that I hardly have time to exercise or go out.

Will be heading to Houston next week for a week or so. The flight is like 24 hrs with one transit at Moscow! Phew! Been hearing from seniors that usually we will chiong for the first few days then squeeze one to two days of R & R.

Time to head to bed. Brain been overloaded.

Of camera and work

Finally gotten a nite of good well excellent - deserved rest. I have been having 7 days week like for months. Mon to Fri - Work. Sat - NDP whole day. Sun - Church, GF + Family and the cycle repeats itself. NDP is just one month away and I can't wait to march into Padang for the last time!

Speaking of which, I finally decided to get a new Camera. This is my first camera I ever got, excluding camera phone and one time use disposable camera. After many days of intense research and considering the budget. I decided to go for the Sony Alpha A330 even though many people arent sure or ask me to go for canon/nikon.

The price and the wide availability of cheap lens are the main reasons why I chose this model. Furthermore, in terms of photo quality, it has one of the best among rest of the entry level camera.

Took some nice shots. There is so much to learn and one thing i learn is that you must work around your camera and its limitations. Having the best camera and lens does not always mean you get the best shot.

Alot of areas to improve on and I got to shoot more to improve. Tempted to get a 18-250mm len which cost $700 after discount. After considering for a long time, I decided to drop that idea. It simply cost too much. BTW Anyone keen to go on a shooting trip, do drop me a sms. Good chance to chat and talk cock haha.

Work is still ok. Pay is still as low and hours are long. Other than that, everything is still pretty ok. Been learning pretty much about marine on the job, more of the commercial side. There is ever so much to learn! How will i have time to squeeze in my part time studies!


Anyway I am hoping to catch with some friends. The POS peeps, ME peeps etc. Simply can't wait for NDP to be over.

Up, up and away!

Finally got some time to blog about life. Ended work at 7.30pm today. Had a meeting with some Owners with my managers and it went on and on. Basically it is just about the $ sign. I am pretty glad that at least i got something to do. I absolutely detest sitting in the office and not knowing what to do or whatelse to think about.

As i approached the 11th month at work, I began to question myself regarding what my interest are. My work appears to be super mundane. I look at spreadsheet everyday. I key in prices and fulfill what contractual needs we have to do. On and off I get to meet Owners to clarify prices and maybe have tea with them. I dont know how thing will go but somehow it seems to settle into the routine.

On and off I ponder about the path I want to take in life. I dont wish to live a mediocre life and settle into the relax way. I personally believe that one has to sharpen his knife before going for the hunt and if he has to hunt, he should hunt the most rewarding animal. One thing I am happy is that within this 11 months I learn quite alot of stuff with regards to ship repair and there are like tons more to learn. Got to keep up the pace!

Oh ya i simply love my iphone! It basically does everything I need! From reading of news, to internet msging, to keeping watch of stocks, to playing games, to music, to internet etc... My n97 can do most of these too but iphone does it faster, smoother with more function! Awesome!

Up, up and away!

I See Tee

Booked out for a few hours before heading bed to camp. ICT has been pretty slack..sleeping the whole day and eating. Tml will be my ippt, hope i can clear it and save myself from RT.

ICT is something everyone hates. Because it disrupt the routine of our lives in a way we does not like. We have to cut ou hairs, start packing things we use like once in a year, using 1G hp again and having to wear the undersize uniform again. Personally if it is a low key one, i feel it is still enjoyable as we get to meet up and talk crap. It serves as a nice break once in a while. However this cannot be said for high key one as we have to be there for 2 weeks! I can't imagine sleeping in a dirty dusty bunk for 2 weeks!

I am getting really fat recently. With my tyre inflating, i ought to start running, swimming and watch what i eat. I really hope to stay in shape.

Alright...time to head off and have some time with my mum before booking in again.

bORINGsINGAPORE

Just had my dinner. Feeling alittle tired and sian. Sg is pretty boring. Some days i just dont feel like sitting around and drinking coffee with the same group of people over and over again. Feels like doing something different tonight.

Went to Asia Pacific maritime exhibition. Meet up with some top top guys in the major yard...like Director of ASL, Second man for ST marine...Meet many bosses from different companies. Most of them grew up poor and work their way up to where they are now! Can see how lucrative the marine business is. Amazingly , they all had the same thing to say and advice for me. All of them tell me to stay in the marine business. Singaporeans are a dying breed and many of these companies are looking for the next generation. To quote what the man from ST marine said,

" I am already 62. Whatever you want, I will teach. What for i keep for myself. I want people to take over the next generation. But to them( the younger generation), the grass is always greener on the other side. "

But frankly marine is hard work. You need to be able to work under stress.


Anyway,do you know the biggest a cockroach can grow up to 150mm. I think it might be hard to believe...but the video below shows you how true it is. Btw it is not at its full size!




Some people are so darn afraid of them but some simply loves them...check this out:

9 months into the journey

Phew! it has been a long time since i really sit down and blog. Life have been pretty packed with so much to learn and do at work. I am happy at the pace I am going. I am not sure how far I will go in the company but my manager have great career path lay out for me. If i keep up the pace, things will be very different in about 5 years time. I guess for my short term aim is to aim for a promotion before my bond ends and to hit the M grade within 5 years?

Life is not about all work alone and work is not all about money. I firmly believe one has to know the direction he is heading before going all out into the journey. It has been 9 months and 6 days since the first day of work. I am adjusting and picking up my stuff faster these days. There is so much to learn, from technical aspect, to commercial aspect, to soft skills, to building network and knowing the industry and market. I am glad for all the attention that we are given.


Bonus payout letter is this month. For this year, we have a record year at bonus. I am not really happy cos of the school fees i have to pay. No matter how much is the payout, i am going to dump to OCBC to pay my school fees.

Shall have a good night before battle begins tml.


Run faster, swim longer, look further, aim higher

Sick

I am feeling feverish and having diarrhea since morning! so darn tired. Shall collapse once i bathed. Quesy feeling in my stomach too.

Time is important.

bday

It is the time of the year again. Everything felt so diff from the previous year.

1,000,000,000 air

I feel weird.

Just that as i zoom past what i have been doing for the last 6 months, i can't help but feel i am not walking in the right destiny.I need to breakthough. I need to breakthrough in my thoughts, in my action, in my faith and in love.


How do you expect to fly when all you think of is landing?

Heineken

Mum is still sick. And she is trying all sorts of method to make her condition well, both natural(unproven) and supernatural. It is pretty tiring having to convince her not to listen to all the aunties saying and trust the doctor.

Been feeling pretty sian this few days and Heineken helps me sleep well at night. The moment i pop one, i sleep till morning without any disturbance. Cool huh. It is not i am drunk or what, just that it keeps me sound asleep.

That's what i need tonight.

Hope and disappointment

Today I almost went through the roof.

nope i wasnt angry. I was happy. Having doing paper trading, I have been picking the right stock. Genting for mon and Capitaland for today. I need to brush up on my TA skill and finish my FA spreadsheet.

Currently reading a book on trading, usually i go for investing books but this is one of the few trading book i started on. Hope I am able to finish it.


Wanted to run and clear up my room but it rained and my mum told me to clear up on sun instead. So ended up watching TV and readin this book.


The more i look at myself, the more i feel i am weird. HAHA. I really pity myrna sometimes. I am one of the most unromantic guy and practical person. Always telling her to save and I feel i am not giving her enough surprises. I think it is time i improve on that.


I am also pretty much a loner. I like to spend time reading, analysing and thinking about stuff. If not i like to exercise. And no i am not fit at all, i am struggling to pass my ippt. Chin up and 2.4 killing me!

I like to make people feel happy, encouraged yet i wish to do the opposite to some people because i feel it is necessary they get the point. In my view point i really pity people who live in self denial. Time is always the best instrument to revealing the truth. Of course i have time people will come up to me and lash out at me, for a moment i will be angry. Then i will think, then i will ask, then i will think, then i will ask more. Then i will do what i can to salvage the situation and think again 3 months later. that is how i try to make myself think straight.



Just got a new mirror screen protector from sean! love it! make my n97 so much sexier!


We must accept finite disappointment but we must never lose infinite hope!

Life

I am pleased to see there are actually people who read my blog.

Anyway to H -> I guess you are must be some high IQ guy who is really into trading. I appreciate your views, do keep them coming!

Leo -> You just gave a money management course to everyone.Thanks dude!


Anyway i just came home and finish reading this week of edge. Oil has slipped to below 79 and with so many financial results that is going to release soon, i forsee the offshore stocks to have big movement.


Everyone is saying that oil and gas sector will set to rise most in the coming year.Personally from what i see in my company, i dont expect the big boys to make money. Be it sembcorp, keppel, unless they have secure upcoming deals. Therefore i recommend stocks with proven deals that is ongoing for the next few months. Keppel in my humble opinion is undervalued and i believe it is a good buy. However it is going into a downward trend. I foresee a bigger fall during its release of result. So KIV.


Genting is set to open in a few days time. With it current price, i am at a loss whether to enter again tml. So far it secure a deal with Air asia and no doubt it boost the confidence of the investor(or should i say speculators) and i believe there is room for rise in the next few days.

I believe if the drop in crude persist on along with rise in demand, this will translate to higher charter rate for shipping sector.The whole shipping sector have been in the red since last year, with NOL turning black, I think there are several firm that are currently undervalue and i foresee they will be the few sector to improve most in the coming year.



For a longer view, SMRT and SATS will no doubt benefits from the higher ridership and higher tourist volume as the IRs open in a few months time. In view of all that i know, I believe there are good counter to hold for long time. Unlike comfort, whose majority of business are overseas, SMRT operates cab, train and bus which will directly benefit from the growth.

I just finished my Heineken. Dont be mistaken, they help me to sleep better at night. :>

" Always believe that there is a chance that you could be wrong"

The market as it is

" What goes up must come down unless cherry pickers stay around"

Here I am a poor man, unable to really trade that much. But i think stocks markets are very very exciting. Whenever i enter the market, i will be extremely nervous. Worried i will suffer loss to my hard-earning money. So far things are good, i am in the black and i do hope my red will come soon. yes i mean it.

As i read through the news and bullish sentiments, i can't help but feel that it is too amazing. With oil price pushing through, i can't but wonders how did we do it?

We just came out of recession faster than the rate we enter.


Theoretically we took abt 9 months to dip and 6 to 7 months to recover...almost fully. I meant by the stock price and the start of bullish run...is it amazing?

I feel a correction should come near feb/march. To some, they might tell me. "Bro why think so much, you like then buy lor"

In stocks, i feel we can never study/know enough nor know too little. At the back of my mind, i have keep the correction-detection on.


For this week, Hoe leong will go strong. SPH too. Ezra. Noble should be continuing its run together with Golden agriculture.

let's see.

Cherry pickers are the best indication of true bull stocks!

1st post of the year!

Today is the 2nd January of 2010!

A new year has come and yet an old one fades into our memory lane. As the symbolic countdown clock still flashes in my mind, many of us were busy with countdowns and parties. It also appeared that everyone were "dying" to get on with time and move forward into the new year. As I look back into 2009, it has been a pretty good year for me. In terms of relationship, personal life, money and church, things are pretty well.

As i began to age, I start to realise and understand the importance of time. When we were younger, we tend to let time fly by while we do nothing or things of little importance. As i cross the quarter of a century, my persecptives of things are starting to change.

Now, it is 2010, I guess many of us has already made our resolutions. For those who havent, start doing it now. I would also encourage all of us to relook back into 2009 and think of the people or things that deserve more of your time. Things that were not included in the resolution made in the beginning of 2009. Let's not take anybody or anything for granted!

Happy 2010!