Another arrival

This week we welcome Danny from Singapore. He is a musician and teacher with Believers' Music and from my home cell back in Singapore; happens to be in the UK this week to visit his sister. As his sister is staying outside London, I offered my place for him to rest overnight before he makes his way to Surrey tomorrow. Interesting since I have mentioned that we do not have many friends visiting us and now we have our fourth in four weeks.

This has been a strange week. Although Monday was a bank holiday, I did not feel like I had a break as I spent the entire long weekend doing up macros relating to my work. And today, I went for an ex-colleague's farewell drinks as she prepares to leave for Volunteer Africa, a charitable project in Tanzania where she will spend three months with impoverished kids, teaching them English and Maths. How 伟大.

There is a weird sort of calm before the storm i.e. month end begins this Friday. No one seems to be panicking although we all know how stressful it can be. Xueyan's preparation for her CFA exams meant more time on the books and less banter with me.

All too quiet, all too strange.

Know anyone coming up to London soon?

I need to get an Oly Zuiko 7-14mm camera lenses. Far too expensive here (a throat-cutting 25% premium). Would appreciate it if you have a contact. Cheers.

Great news for the PAP and employers

Two sixty-plus grandpa that we met on our way to Grindelwald. They were on their way back to Spiez after 10 hours on the train from their place to Italy. They spent six hours climbing a mountain yesterday and will probably go on another hike tomorrow.

As with most countries with an ageing population, the Government is concerned with the retirement of the baby-boomers generation. A sudden outflow of able workers from the market, an increasing burden on the younger generation to support the retirees and possibly more strain on healthcare and pension funds.

So this survey comes as music to the ears of PAP and the corporates.

"Many older Singaporeans feared not being useful and missing colleagues after retiring. They also missed their spending power."

This validates Singaporeans' sense of security and self-worth in their job. I am not excluded. We take pride for being a hardworking and efficient society. So much so the Europeans consider us 24/7 working machines. It seems to be the JOBS that define who we are and how we perceive OTHERS will perceive us.

I think we should have better things to do than missing our colleagues. After all, we can always arrange for social meetings. The free time (retirement) can be used to engage in activities we would otherwise have done if we were not holding full time jobs. So much for repeated emphasis and TCS's soap drama on treasuring time with the family.

Much-needed break

I took for granted the public holidays that I wish to enjoy back home. Being a multi-racial and multi-religion country, we celebrate the festivities of our Muslim, Hindu etc friends. In the UK, we only have eight bank holidays a year, including Christmas, Good Friday etc. So I am really glad that another one is coming up next Monday which meant a good break for us after the recent travels.

Xueyan's preparation for her CFA exams next Saturday meant that we will stay in this week. I realise this is the first bank holiday that I will not be travelling, other than New Year's Day. Which is incidentally good because the forecasted weather for this weekend is going to be terrible.

While Xueyan buries her head within the texts, I will probably go the gym, write some macros (again?) for work or simply laze around at home to read. The next bank holiday will only come around end of August (Iceland!), so I better make the most out of this!

Sweet Revenge

I know I risk incurring the wrath of the many Liverpool fans around but Milan's victory came as a sweet tonic for mid-week blues.

I am sure many REMEMBER how Liverpool came back from 3-0 in 2005 to win on penalties. But who remember the loser last year? Haha. Time for Liverpool fans to share my grief.

I am not a fan of either club but was rooting for Milan to thump Liverpool as a neutral and as a gooner. Neutral because I think Milan plays a nicer game and, in Kaka, has the best midfielder in Europe. As a gooner, I think Arsenal plays a nicer game and, in Cesc, has the best midfielder in the UK.

So adios to Liverpool and as the club's motto goes: "You never walk alone" - The fans can all share that losing feeling. =)

End of a legacy

A iconic symbol of Great Britain's maritime power. Once world's fastest tea clipper. A reminder of England's dominance over the sea and water.

Today it lies in ruins after fire and flames ravaged Cutty Sark, a 138-year-old tea clipper and one who gave her neighbouring area its name, which is also 15 minutes from our place.

Greenwich is famous for the invisible line that cuts the world into two halves. Other than the Royal Observatory, Greenwich hosts Cutty Sark - two powerful tourism attractions. I had the chance to see the tea clipper which, on first glance, did not derive much interest (after all it's just a boat. Plenty of that in Singapore). However once you know her history, you will appreciate all the attention given to her. So important, the London Marathon route was designed to pass this ship so that the world can view her.

The funny thing is when Xuefeng and Tua Yee came over to London, I suggested a trip to Greenwich (since it's so near) to see the Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark.

Xuefeng's and Xueyan's replies: "What is there to see? Nothing la. Not interested."

Indeed, there is nothing to see now.

Feels so different...

Got up at 7am this morning. While it felt comfortable on a warm bed under a thick comforter, the atmosphere seems very different.

Empty. Tua Yee's voice will normally echo off the walls in the morning as she wakes us up for the new "challenges". Xuefeng's sniffing can be heard in the bedroom while I have my breakfast with BBC. Now, I am just having cereals in front of the computer writing this blog while Xueyan lies "concussed" in the next room.

Can't believe the impact the two had on me during this short two weeks. Perhaps I am sentimental. Or I just miss home too much.

They came, saw and left

As I write, Tua Yee and Xuefeng should have just left London on flight QF10. What initially began as idle talk, put to fruition in a space of six months, completed its cycle today as we saw them off at Heathrow.


They came to enjoy two weeks of Europe sight-seeing in the summer but they have also blessed us with their presence. Tua Yee was a pseudo domestic helper who hung our laundry, folded and stacked our clothes and ensured all of us go to bed with a satisfied stomach every night. Xuefeng, despite her initial "homesickness reaction", got into the groove and entertained us with her chirpy humour.


10 cities in 14 days was no easy feat. From our first enticing palate of Venetian rissoto to the last Portuguese Nando's, tobogganing down the slopes of Pfingstegg to punting on River Cam, it has certainly indeed been more than an experience for us all. We calculated that Xuefeng actually spent more than 24 hours (aggregated) on the train during the two weeks here. No more MRT for the next two weeks, I guess.


Finally - No tears at the airport. Only hugs for the sisters and Tua Yee and firm handshakes of bon voyage. Returning to the guest room feels different now (was sleeping on the sofa for the days they were in London). As I tucked under the now-semi unfamiliar comforter, I thank God for His blessings during their time here and journey mercy home.

I am confident there will be more of such days to come.

P/S: We made a sideline bet with Xuefeng that something might happen tomorrow when she arrives in Singapore. If "that" happens, we will say hello to Xuefeng again this December. Only one man can help us. *wink*

Anyone interested?

Business Analyst/Consultant required by one of the biggest independent financial software houses in the world. They specialise in supplying financial analytic applications to tier-1 investment banks. An opportunity has arisen for a Business Analyst/Consultant to join their growing team who produces the leading capital adequacy calculator for investment banks in the UK. This is ideal opportunity for someone with a Financial Services OR FSA audit and returns background to move into a creative and challenging role working on creating new and exciting software (Future options software). We have previously placed candidates with this background and they haven't looked back, having more responsibility, training & support and a clear career path forward, coupled with an excellent package and amazing future career options. The role is based in the Maidenhead area. Based in Maidenhead and paying between £45k & 65k + Bonus + Excellent Benefits.

What a week...

Finally back home after a really long day. While XY, XF and TY had time to enjoy the Phantom of the Opera musical, I had to contend with two CRT monitors. Accompanied by 2 packs of crisps for dinner.

The new role is really very challenging. What I used to think of product control is so different to what I am doing. I spent most of my time writing VBAs and testing self-written crude scripts. Good thing is I have really learnt to automate most manual procedures and, in the process, amaze myself with the effects. Click and see everything run!

Glad that Friday's off for me as we will be going up to Cambridge for a day trip. Hopefully this long weekend of some rest can help me to recuperate from my persistent coughing!

The Lees are coming up!

Just when Xuefeng and Tua Yee are about to complete their two weeks' holiday in Europe, we will welcome Weifu, Merlin and little Jeiel in autumn (22 Aug to 6 Sept).

That period is certainly looking hectic as we are due to visit Iceland from 25 - 29 August and will probably go on a trip with the Lees somewhere (Prague? Budapest?) during their stay.

Just when we thought our guest room will not be used frequently during our stay in London, recent events have suddenly turned this little room into a mini-hotel! Other than XF/TY who are here now, Pei Kang came over to stay just two weeks back. Shaiful and family will also be coming up early August.

Looks like I can't throw un-ironed clothes on the guest bed anymore!

A hardly known Good Deal

I thought I will share a little-known fact re savings after Meng Yang's and Amy's posts about getting the best returns for their investments.

Welcome to NTUC Thrift (how apt!).

This tip was actually published in The New Paper a few years ago but, being a tabloid paper, I guess no one paid much heed to it. It is basically a savings and fixed deposit (low base) account that provide a much better return for low-risk investments as compared to existing savings plans offered by high street banks.

Its 2% interest on normal savings basically thrash any of the rates quoted by MY's research. No service fee. No minimum deposit. All you need is to be a NTUC Thrift member (One-time refundable deposit of $20 to your subscription capital account). The only complaint you can have is that it does not provide Internet banking. Hence it is good for savings which you can set aside on a regular basis. What's more, you actually get a Free LED Light Keyholder on the successful opening of an account.

And you reap greater returns if you are a committed saver - a bonus of 10% to 20% if you save regularly with a fixed amount (at least $30 per month)!

Disclaimer: Meng Yang rightly pointed out that you have to be a NTUC member. There is a yearly subscription cost which I believe can be offset by points accumulated using their Rewards points. Anyone with more information please feel free to add.

Back in London

Finally back in London after a 8-day trip in Italy and Switzerland. From the sweltering heat of Venice to the below-freezing coldness in Jungfrau, this trip has kinda taken me to the extreme. To the point of bursting my nose veins and leaving traces of O+ blood up in Jungfrau.

Very tired now. Will upload pictures shortly.

Exposed!

A recent internal vacancy, advertising for the role of a investment grade credit analyst, got me very interested. After all I had applied for a similar role with the convertible bonds desk, but with no success. I applied, more keen to find out about the role and the nature of the job than optimistic that I will get it. After a week, I all but forgotten about it until a call from HR today!

Turns out that the hiring manager was actually interested in my CV and would like to take it a little further. But I would need to inform my current boss and seek his approval before I proceed. Gosh, I have not actually thought about any positive news and now I will have to break the news to him only after a month into my current rotation.

Contrary to my fears, the meeting actually turned out quite well as he touched on the interesting bits about research but also the fact that I may be turning my back on great prospects within the Finance world. After all, I am only 7 months aways from my programme completion and a (almost) certain promotion at the end of it. Nonetheless I asked for an interview opportunity and he agreed to it.

Just well I thought everything was hunky-dory, he came over and asked for a quick chat. Looks like I am IN TROUBLE. Finance HR got wind of this and my rotation programme manager is apparently not too pleased. After all, we have just got moved into our present roles and there are not many left on this programme (just eight of us). They might not be keen to release me at all. Worst scenario - I may have to resign to leave the programme for the interview AND if I fail the interview, I will be out of job!

So what initially seems like an ideal world got me on tenterhooks for the rest of the day. I never know an innocent application can have such repercussion.
Pray for me my friends.