An UpdAte.....

I din't really feel like writing for this week so let me just type something short and sweet (hopefully).

Hmm, the past week flew past with the Chief Signals Officer COC parade. It was damn slack. The formation RSM was so nice that he keeps telling us "Keep it up, your drill is there", "you all are there, I have been to a lot of parades and your drill are there" and the crappiest thing is that deep down all of us know how pathetic our drill is. Haha. Well, heaven helped us on tueday with such a huge downpour that we ended up sleeping and talking rubbish the whole day. And I admit that the sun at Stagmont is super hot, and waiting for COL Koh was tortutous (stood there for like 15 mins waiting for him to walk in? Blame it on those guests!!!).

Oh well, at least we booked out on thurs (hopefully can get 1 day off too). Went to wild wild wet on friday with xj, yb, yh, simon and abel. I was amazed that there were so many school kids there that day. Well, the rides there are certainly not as thrilling as those in Taiwan, but it is seriously not bad. Next time if have chalet at pasir ris you can spend one whole afternoon there. It's money well spent in my opinion.

Watched new police story with cx and hj. Haha. I'm amazed leh. Wanted to watch at PS cause thought another of cx's fren was going, then ended up at tampines cause only got 2 of us. And when I reached there, hj was there too. Not that I'm very closed with him, but at least got talk and play ball with him last time. Hehe, and I've never felt safer in my whole life with 2 NSPIs by my side. Well, the feeling is kind of shiok watching NEW Police story with 2 police officers, but I must say the film is great. Its the typical jackie chan's show, and you are constantly amazed at his ability to think and perform some of the stunts in the movie. He is certainly Asia's spiderman!!! Oh, but in the show he added depth to his character and it is certainly the first film by kackie that I see so much character development. Jackie's certainly developing into a megastar who is not just all action.

Talking about JackIe, I just found out from cx that jacky cheung has just released a new album!! Too bad it's not out in singapore yet. But I felt so pissed with myself that I did't know about his album. SiGH!!!

Popped down to expo to check out MPH warehouse sale. Quite sucky... Nothing there interests me or even tempts me to buy. Its quite bad...the varieties were so limited and most of the books there are fiction.

After that, I went down to town to meet william they all. Haiz.. a pretty pathetic number of guys turned out... Oh well, its ok la since it was so last minute. Come to think of it, Edwin hasn't appeared for squad outing in a super long time.....

And yes, went AHM this morning. SO PAISEH!!!! Me and wj and yh actually were the last to reach back in our battalion, and they were all waiting for us to get dismissed. I heard CO also finished talking (amazing since he usually talks damn LONG). Well, heard RON and CSM were cursing us....but who cares.... Anyway its not my fault leh. Of course the 21km ppl come back first since they start at 6 while the 12 km ppl starts at 8. And CCC had so few ppl running 12km that I couldn't really gauge. And it was like a mass walkathon (blame those public dudes -- they were walking the 5km route and caused such a huge blockade in front that it definitely affected us!!!!!!)

Yupz, just uploaded some pictures courtesy of zx.

Tomorrow is off as well -- hoping to finish stats chapter 2.......

What A Day!!!

I like today, it has been tremendously wonderful. I've never felt happier in a really long time! Well, I guess it will be a day that will live in my memories, something real enjoyable and memorable that it will be firmly etched in my mind at least for quite some time...

Let me begin with the whole day's proceedings. I woke up around 8 (which was damn freaking early), went to DHS to hear PL update some stuff. In addition, he sold the idea of a DHS SNCO real well. But then, I always hated the zone SNCO, especially the management and the whole crap syllabus and stuff, so I'm always supportive of a radical change. Its not that I think Zone is crap, but the truth is that it is. A youth organisation that runs and focuses not on the youth is one that will never be able to achieve its goal. Why don't people focus on the real, core issues instead of those side ones that are never the true ones that matter.

Anyway, PL asked me about my commitment, and it is indeed a tough question which I don't have any answer for. Let me enlighten you all. On one side, there is a me which feels a bit attached. Ok, who or what am I attached to? Possibly my batch people that's all. Of course, I do feel a bit like effecting changes. I mean that's something challenging and beneficial as well. On the other hand, I know that I'm not committed for I realised that I have other things in life which I need to attend to, and that I might not be able to make my prescence felt thanks to NS, as well as my tertiary education. There is also the sense of detachment, and the feeling that it is now time for the young ones to take over. Anyway, this is an issue that I need time to think, to talk to people who know me well and to seek their advice. HOW?????????????????

Haha, after everything, I went to watch terminal. A fantastic show that left me deeply in thought to some extent. I must agree that the show does give a certain limited feeling which I had after watching love actually. Its real nice, simple and sweet, although the ending was bad. The show also taught me to a certain extent (via the actions of Mr NAvosky), the meaning of "zhuo ren". Haha, I think its weird that I think so much, but the show does gave me some insight and ideas on the importance of human relationships. And then, the cast was fantastic! Catherina Zeta-Jones is totally beautiful, that I don't mind watching the show again. Haha!

Oh, after the show I went to borders. They had a 20% storewide discount so I snapped up some Taiwan version comics at 5 bucks each, which is a bargain cause the cheapest I could normally get them is $5.50. So I'm real glad that I got a good bargain. Haha, was explaining a bit of Econs too, especially since Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was selling for 20 bucks when I bought them for double the price. Its not under-cutting or what -- it is simply price discrimination and the segregation of markets. I'm sure any year 1 Econs kid will understand...

And the most memorable and meaningful part of the day came when I went to HC MAF. Haha, and why was I there? To meet up with some of my closest friends of course! Or maybe Ed and CX knows better. Hehe..... So sad I couldn't find XY for Ed or he will be so happy. Haha, I'm starting to babble nonsense...

Hmm, its the first MAF that I'm attending, and also the last for HC will no longer be HCJC but Hwa Chong Institution and hence MAF will be run be TCHS(former) next year onwards. Sounds real sucky to me. And HC has just joined VJ in the sense that the faculty system is abandoned and a new house system will be adopted. What a total waste!!!! Well, at least I must say that I know the 3rd last Arts Fac Head. Hehe.

And I must say a BIG THANK YOU to CX. He was a real great host (and friend too!!!) and he introduced me to his classmates and council mates. Real nice of him for making me feel so much at home and not neglected. Kudos to you dude. Hmm, makes me wonder whether I will ever have the chance to introduce him to the SJ clique, S21 and geppers. Haha...he already knows some of them so shouldn't be too much prob to introduce him to the rest. Anyway, he talks so much crap that most people should at least be able to have a short conversation with him.

I'm quite pissed off too. DO I REALLY LOOK THAT YOUNG? Why is it that CX's classmates asked me whether I'm his younger brother? DUH!! And to ask me whether I'm the same age as them???? Oh, I must say that it was quite tough for me to explain to them how I met him. Cause when I say "I met him in Taiwan", they were wondering like what am I doing in SIngapore! DUh duh!!! Haha, but it's quite fun to know new people.

Met dewen, zichun and jiayi they all too. Saw others such as the jiemei dang (the first time I met them, and I'm real impressed with the number of doctors they produced).

I must say that I was really impressed with the atmosphere that MAF produced. Although HC mass dances were simple, they impressed me with the whole grandeur of the thing, the fireball (a pity the lantern din't end up in flames), the songs (some of the HC songs are cool, and I really like dang ni gu dang ni hui xiang qi shui, haha for reasons I'm sure some of you only know too well), as well as the people there. WHy! I'm a bit regretting not going there leh. Well, I've given up certain things 3 years ago when I chose not to go HC, and I'm determined that I will not lose them again.

Seriously speaking, when I come back from studies to teach, I might want to teach at HC. it is not that I hate my alma mater, but HC is a special school to me, and I think that I will like to know it better. Since my days as a student is over, so why not try as a teacher? Or even as a member of the staff? Sadly, the HC that I know is now gone and will be invaded by chinese high and Nanyang girls...

I ended the days thinking about assumptions and efficiency and opportunity costs. I'm still not happy with my camp for letting us out so late on friday, and they are so inefficient and don't understand opportunity costs at all. if my S3 has a degree in Economics, then I must say he must have flunked. I shall talk more about efficiency and opportunity costs in future.

And on assumptions, why is it that people think that Economics is all about assumptions and that Economists are over idealistic?? I'm not sure whether I got talked about assumptions vs predictions, but if there's a need, I will type a post on it.

Talking about Economics makes me realise that I still haven't finished doing my assignment. I shall complete it tomorrow. In the meantime, I shall carry on reminiscing about my wonderful day today................................

Mind Maps...

I just have the urge to blog, so here I am blogging. And I've decided that I'm taking ChunSz's advice, and I shall not talk about Economics or anything related to it. This post shall be personal, more of a reflection.

I've just moved down on Tuesday! Well, it's a good feeling that I have, although I think it is real dumb that I stayed in the bunk, then moved up one storey and now I'm back to where it all started. I guess all this is fate, but it's something which I truly like and enjoy. And the best part is that I'm no longer sleeping on my old bed, which was more on the quiet side. Instead, I'm sleeping on the other side where it is noiser and more fun! (Ok, it's really because the people there are more fun!)

Eversince I stepped into 3 Sig, my life experiences certainly increased humongously. I mean I got to know poly people better and I really saw a side of life that I truly like. I think it is really something that I would never experience if not for SI and of course 3 Sig. I mean for people who don't feel this kind of thing, they will not understand the richness of really interacting with people from all walks of life, and at the same time working and spending time with them. I guess some of you will get what I mean. And of course, the very fact that nobody knows much about my background means that people will then know me for who I am and not for what I am. It is such a different feeling. But then, when there are people around you who leaked out to others bits and pieces of your past, you don't exactly have the chance for people to find out about you through the way you work and through your thoughts. Sigh... I really missed those days when I got to know people really for who they are like.......

Anyway, I must admit that I'm turning real vulgar. Haha... It is rather ironic especially when everyone all knows about me becoming a teacher. Hmm, guess I'm a lousy teacher after all. Maybe I look like one, but people who do know me will really know and understand what I want. Well, I'm not trying to say that I don't like teaching but instead, I'm talking more about what I hope to achieve from teaching. Hehe. I think I'm not too sure myself as well.

I don't know but I think that there are people in this world who are a bit too sensitive to issues, and a bit stoic minded on certain stuff. Granted that I accept that different people will have different ways of thinking, but I do hope that people will respect each other's actions and decisions. Of course, knowing how to draw a line is important as well. I guess, it is really a lot about different upbringing that is causing all the friction, and although I hate it alot (I mean who likes being offended), I think it is a good form of social training as well as a great experience.

Judgement is a real difficult thing, as it is not easy to judge a person totally from his appearance alone. But I know there are some people who are so sincere in their thoughts and actions, that you are able to see their personality and understand them. Those people are fools to some, but I think they are the most trustworthy and dependable people on earth. Sadly to say, I'm not like that. I'm a tough nut to crack, and few have even managed to poke beneath my shell. Of course, some people do understand me, and I know their existence. I must say they are few, but they are people whom I truly treasure, and whom I hope we will always remain as close friends forever.

MoKingbird is super gan cheong, planning to give us a mini exercise once every month to test us, I don't mind seriously, I truly want to gain new knowledge and apply them. After all, that is my job and I certainly do not want to waste away the rest of my NS life. Of course, doug seems frightened leh..and I must say he tends to ask a lot of bo liao questions at time. DUH!!! The importance of knowing how to ask the right questions at the right moment is a skill that not many have.... Hmmm......

I think I have been randomly typing and babbling, just writing whats in my head. But who cares?? Haha. I hope I will have a good new week as well as a chance to go KTV... Really miss singing....

noThing Much SeriousLy...

Heya, I’m back after a pretty bad week of flu vs. fever vs. cough vs. COC parade rehearsal (ie. Drill, and the crap RSM is having more drills the coming week like around 3 hours for 4 out of 5 days!). But for some interesting reason I don’t find the week that bad… And I got quite a few comics from Qinyao so I will be occupied for a really long time…

Anyway, I want to talk briefly about self-interest Vs. selfishness. From my short conversation with my friend, there are people who think that they are the same. But are they? Now, according to the dictionary, self-interest refers to "Private interest; the interest or advantage of one's self" while selfish is "Caring supremely or unduly for one's self; regarding one's own comfort, advantage, etc., in disregard, or at the expense, of those of others". If you were to examine the 2 definitions, there’s like not much different except that selfishness has a lot more negative connotations.

Now, I tend to disagree with the linguistic view. Having read up on so much Economics, I am of the opinion that self interest is actually a neutral term which just aptly describes human behaviour while selfishness is actually a negative term that describes people in a real bad light. Why? Cause self interest is private interest that means that you are concerned with your own personal interests and desires. And I think it is perfectly normal that people act according to their self-interest. Even altruism is a form of self-interest. For example, it is out of one’s self-interest that he or she actually helps others. Confusing? In fact it is logical because I help somebody because helping that somebody I feel happier. Isn’t that acting out of your self-interest?

And it is this belief of self-interest (or description?) that drives the world. The basis of the economists’ market mechanism is self-interest. Because people act in their own interest and for their own gains, you actually get a very good allocation of resources that is good for society as well.

What about selfishness? I consider it to be acting in such a manner that you actually create undesirable outcomes for the people around you. People actually dislike your actions and behaviour. People don’t want it and they want you to change. So selfish acts are socially undesirable and they are bad for society.

Now I hope I’ve shown my argument that selfishness is bad while self-interest is neutral. Hopefully it’s a new perspective which helps you to see certain things in another angle.

Anyway, for those of you who read this, I'm sure you can tell that my writing is totally pathetic, at least for this week's post. That's because I'm running low on inspiration!!! SO please, give me some comments so that I can at least attempt to argue on...

The thing about savings plan...

I’m kind of happy about my blog – I’ve been receiving real great comments from people around me and it has been real encouraging, so I shall blog more. In fact, I’ve just got 2 separate ideas that I just encountered in real life and I shall attempt to show you supporting readers an economic interpretation of the 2 ideas. One is about selfish Vs self interest and the other is on savings. I shall discuss the savings one first because I am extremely pissed off about what happened this morning.

Let me give a brief summary of what happened. I got a call yesterday by this person who was asking me out to do some survey conducted by American International Group (AIG) and I actually agreed. How wonderfully weird and unlike me to do that especially since it’s a meeting at MOS burger. Never mind, I went there met the person and I realised she’s from AIA (I should have guessed!!!) and she’s trying to sell to me some life savings plan where they are so kind as to help me ‘save’ by saying I need to! And I get a decent return of 3.5% a year on interest as well as the ability for me to withdraw anytime I like. And it also serves as a life insurance too!!! How wonderful right?

Let me debunk all this by giving you what I really think of such savings plan. And the whole joke is that I’m planning to be an actuary, so I was really very interested in the plan (actually the calculations and stuff involved) than I was actually interested in signing up.
Firstly, I think having a forced savings plan is great. It does curb your spending and force you to save. That’s very good for it teaches youngsters a bit about financial management, and let them have the feeling of independence, that they are finally saving on their own (And I think this is one key sales technique). Most importantly, the returns is seriously speaking very good -- 3.5 % compared to the current POSB savings bank interest of <0.5%? And they offer you a premium just in case you are involved in an accident. But all these are possibly the few merits which the offer has.

Well, why do I say that? Let me criticise first on the calculations of interest rates and stuff. I saw some of the figures and basically you actually get back less than what you put in if you were to take out your cash in the first 10 years. Only after a certain year, then you actually get back more and the longer you keep your money the more money you get back. Sounds great right? A potential money-making scheme and it all accommodates your own savings pattern.
I think I shall clarify certain stuff (I think the person trying to convince me was nice in the sense that she herself is honest to a very large attempt, guess MAS did a good job). The 3.5% interest rate is not fixed and is all dependent on the economic situation. I mean you can expect it to rise as the economy improves and drop when the economy is a slump. So please do not run away with the idea that you will always just earn 3.5%. Anyway, it is really better than fixed deposits or any other types of savings that bank offers. And the real interest rate (after discounting inflation) is what I estimate to be around 2.8%? That’s still real decent.

The only problem comes if you cannot commit. If you have no intention of having a commitment with the bank (I estimate that you need 20 years at least or else I doubt that it is actually worth it), please do not sign up. It might even be better that you put your cash in POSB instead. Cause you are sacrificing quite a lot of liquidity, so that is really the opportunity cost of having the savings plans. For people who don’t mind, please go ahead if you intend to save. Its good as it does ensure that you save now and that when you are like 40, you will have money to purchase certain things you want.

Besides the idea of commitment, the other issue is whether you can make a better investment decision. I think a life savings scheme should solely be used for just that – to save (just like what the CPF board does to your salary). If you intend to earn returns and things like that, you might wish to consider other assets like stocks and shares, unit trusts, equities, bonds and so on. I shall not comment on my own preferences, but please bear in mind that all these investments have a certain amount of risk involved, so just keep in mind that you should have some form of savings which you will not touch as part of your investment portfolio.

I think I should elaborate on what the company does with the cash. AIA is a big bank cum insurance firm after all so they actually gain returns from it by investing here and there. So of course the longer the time period you keep your cash with them, the better things is for them as they can put the money in long-term investments which tend to offer better returns. That’s the logic why they want customers to keep the money there longer. So when you sign up any plan, please make sure that it is a reliable big name corporation you are signing with and please ensure that they do not have a big risk portfolio so as to guarantee that you get your money back.

I did not signed up with the lady today because I am unsure of my commitment, my own asset management decision as well as I do not want to make an uninformed decision. Please think thrice before signing anything. And do make sure you read through every inch of the document.
I will love to elaborate more about saving (it is a flow concept so you are constantly saving) well savings is a stock idea. Anyway, for people who do Economics, please note that above is the micro view of saving, that you are just setting aside money so that it can be used in future. For the macro view of saving, it is different and we will be more concerned with National Savings. Will talk about it in future.


P.S. Seriously speaking, I still do not knows what goes on in the calculation of all these insurance stuff. Will let you guys know once I figured things out.

Well...

I don't really know what to blog about. The past few weeks went by without any thing exciting that I can actually say, so life is pretty good (and boring at a lot of moments too!). One thing I must say is that I'm now sick of Jurong Point. I guess I will start to tour around both varsities real soon.

Anyway, I think GArfield is a real cute movie that is real nice, simple, family entertainment. Its real cute to see GARfIeld!!! Ok, guess I like garfield to a large extent. I'm looking forward to watching terminal soon!

Oh, I am currently on a vcd buying spree. Weird right? I bought 8 VCDs over the past 2 weeks. I'm now scared and petrified as to what kind of spendthrift I have actually become!!

Anyway, I made the most economic irrational decision of my life (very very likely) when I decided to donate 6 bucks a month to NKF. Dumb right? Don't remind me cause even I am also regretting about it. Its not that I am a miser who refuses to donate to charities but the NKF?? And some more monthly?? That's a little bit too much for anyone to take.

In fact, I thought of how to justify economically why a lump sum donation might appeal more to people than a constant monthly payout. Haha, I thought of using the Keynesian AD model to explain, but I realised I couldn't justify too many stuff. In fact, I think indifference curve analysis will suffice. Or is it the irrational human behaviour framework which I saw before where people tend to feel more 'discomfort' at a small loss while a larger loss only makes a person feels a little more painful? (I think that's the main reason, although I think the idea that you are constantly losing some cash here and there hurts too by affecting the budget line). I'm not bothering to do much of a detailed analysis here.

Anyway, I saw this article in the Economist that makes me better appreciates human beings. Our ability to cooperate and scheme against each other is truly amazing. Without it, economic processes will not have developed and a lot of things in this world will never happen. Humans are truly amazing.

5 day week is starting this month (according to my S1) so I'm loving every bit of my life now (with the exception of MOKing bird??)

Hope to blog again next week. Bon JouR!!!