namaste,

greetings from bangalore. Having a great time here so far. People are very hospitable, the traffic is crazy but like i always say, there is order in chaos.

First official visit to the childrens home today, they sang some songs for us and gave us garlands and cards they made. We also played some games like dog and bone with them. Ended off with a really interesting game called kho kho, which is kind of like strategic "chasing". Tiring but fun.

more updates soon!

Comment! (0) | Recommend!

And so I present to you, a year in report:

Dear Stakeholders,

2009 has truly been an unforgettable year. Even with the financial crisis and global warming debate still ongoing, it has been a year of revelations and insights. Looking back, it only serves to prove that in life, there are no coincidences; though reasons behind events may be obscured until one day it is finally revealed.

The biggest event of note is my voyage to the other side of the planet. Yes, it was a great time and all but not many know that I was originally scheduled to be there in fall 2008 instead. Due to the Italian government's generous offer, they had me move my trip into spring and by doing so, I met a group of entirely different people and had the most out of the world experience. To date I am positive that if I had stuck to the original plan, I would not have been able to learn so much about myself.

You'd think that in 24 years, one would have already discovered all there is to know about oneself. But therein lies the irony of life; we have been shaped to be a certain way but it is only through the occurrence of events that we discover it for ourselves. If anything, it was a humbling experience.

Live. Work. Play. 3 simple words but have such profound interpretations. Someone who works less hard than you doesn't mean he is a worse person. It just means he has better priorities in life (hopefully!). I learned to be less judgmental, to appreciate family and loved ones more. What it's like to be drunk, and what it's like to finally.... live.

Having sprouted so much "insightful" knowledge, the real challenge only came when I was brought back to reality. I truly believed that life shouldn't be the same and that I returned as an upgraded version of myself: Nick V2 if you will. And hence set forth to work towards new objectives such as:

1. Be nicer to family
2. Appreciate small things in life
3. Be less judgmental
4. Be less generous doling out the term "friend"
5. Focus more effort on those that actually deserve the title of "friend"
6. Achieve a better work-life balance
7. Drinking isn't so bad
8. Be confident to say what's on my mind
9. Talk more to strangers

There I went, using the rest of the semester to live up to these broad principles. I would say it was a conscious effort to live in a way that would deviate from the old boring me. And it worked. I could see family being more responsive, I was enjoying school and working 2 days a week and yet still found time to meet up with friends whose company I enjoy. For a while, my favourite past time had been talking to cab drivers because they have such interesting stories (the ones that I ride with recently don't talk that much).

Unfortunately, there was still the matter of grades that would ultimately judge the success of my new plan. And it wasn't where I wanted it to be.

Financial markets - A
Corporate Finance - B+
Investment Analysis - B
Accounting Information Systems - C+ (WTF!?)

To put it simply, my overall average dropped inspite receiving an A for a finance module that I worked hard for. Strange thing was that I thought I would get a higher grade for the accounting one because I could answer all the questions in the exam and scored an A for the group project. Not to mention there was a falling out at home due to some thing I said and the constant thought of not finding a job and what I want to do as a career is on my mind everyday.

And now, it's been a year since I was preparing to go Milan and it feels as though I've come a full circle. One year older, maybe wiser but not entirely sure if what I'm doing is right. My initial zest for life has certainly waned over the past few weeks.

Looking ahead, there's still one more year of school. I can't help but think how I should already be working. On the bright side, I'm flying off in a day's time to India for a final year project. Hope it'll be good. I also have another year to work on my trading which currently is suicidal but hopefully come good soon.

And to you my stakeholders who have faithfully read this long post till the very end, I wish you the best in the coming year.

Working hard,
Nick

Comment! (2) | Recommend!

After two weeks of preparation, the event has finally come and gone. Though this year's preparation was much less due to our smaller scope of participation, it somehow was the theme of the other companies as well. Everyone i spoke to commented that the event this year was very quiet, eerily quiet even. I guess the financial crisis must have taken its toil on the participants, i heard the entry for 3 days cost 800 dollars!

Was quite disappointed that the organisers decided to cut costs as well, I remember i had time to enjoy the free massage chair facilities last year that was sadly missing this year. However, i think the choice of venue for the party was more appropriate than last; this time at the Asian Civilisation Museum where i went with my company's Senior VP and Director of Sales whom flew in from the states for the event. Not to mention that they stayed in an amazing hotel and afforded me entry into the Ritz for the first time (haha i know im dumb). It was a great event, the two of them were really funny; one thing i like about westerners is that they don't view the importance of hierarchy as much as Asian cultures, i could joke with them quite casually, perhaps maybe there isn't the fear that my job is on the line haha.

It was there too that was the cause of my joy and sorrow. For 3 days i had access to complementary Lavazza (Did i say Lavazza? Lavazza!) coffee served by two cute chicks. I thought we hit it off pretty well but unfortunately it would not have been very professional of me to ask them out or anything. Met her after the event while walking back but somehow didnt muster enough courage to do so, spent the whole weekend moping. Oh well!!

Now i keep wondering where she is and what's she doing... Damnit!

Comment! (0) | Recommend!

Medal Man - Nicholas

You wear your favourite suit
it's full of medals
as they pile on the accolades
for the man of the moment

but what is this feeling
coming over me
these things are meaningful
it's not what it used to be

It's just pointless... pointless
hiding behind the cigarettes
is this the man you want to be

It's just pointless... pointless
ash on the broken table
is just what you left for me

they see you as a leader
a saviour out in flesh
but what is it you're hiding
underneath that stoney gaze

but what is this feeling
coming over me
these things aren't meaningful
it's not what it used to be

It's just pointless... pointless
hiding behind the cigarettes
is this the man you want to be

It's just pointless... pointless
ash on the broken table
is just what you left for me

what you left for me.

Comment! (0) | Recommend!

My mother came back with my favourite fried prawn noodles today and announced that the old man running the store is retiring at the end of the week. He told my mom that given his age (70+ i think), he can't run the store anymore.

I've been patronising the stall as far as i can remember; I think it was one of those things that run in the family. My mom said she was eating the hokkein mee since she was a kid, so I guess it must be a really really long time haha.

The best thing about there was even though it was crowded most of the time, strangely enough it never made it to any of those food programmes that the local stations always do. Deep down I think all the regulars like us have this selfish wish that it would always remained unnoticed and just be like those well-kept secrets we pass down to close friends or family. Even though the quality has deteriorated a little over the years (used to be charcoal cooked), it still is my favourite because everytime i think about this dish from the stall, it somehow reminds me of my childhood; I look forward to saturday dinners when my grandma would take me there to takeaway and I'll be sitting in front of the television in our small 2 room rented flat happily eating away. It truely was my comfort food.

I was told that there would be someone else taking over the stall, and it is still too early to say whether that guy can live up to the standards set by his predecessor. One thing's for sure though, is that it definitely won't be the same without that old man. The first hokkein mee that made me a fan of that dish, and I have travelled across the whole damn island everytime i hear of a "nice" one. But deep down, this hokkein mee stall in Toa Payoh Lorong 5, is still the one that captivates my heart.

Time for you to relax old man!

Comment! (0) | Recommend!

it only occurred to me today how funny internship or job write-ups are...

Bank A
Is Institutional Equity Right for You?
A checklist to help you decide if you have the skills and temperament for this area
•You must be highly focused and goal-oriented
•Have a compelling interest in the financial markets
•Possess excellent written and oral communication skills
•Strong teamwork, initiative, enthusiasm and motivation
•Be an insightful, creative, quantitative thinker with the desire to work in an exciting environment
•Be very detail-oriented, with a quick reaction time to ever-changing events and market conditions
•The ability to multitask and prioritize

Bank B
Interested candidates must be a penultimate year student from a Bachelor or Master’s degree program and have a strong interest in building a career in Asia. XX bank is noted for the diversity of its employees but seeks candidates with a common set of abilities – highly motivated, creative individuals who have demonstrated academic achievement and have the ability to work independently while still operating as a member of a team. Strength in verbal and written communication as well as computer literacy is essential. In addition, we look for intelligent, driven and hardworking candidates with consistent leadership skills shown through involvement in school activities.

Marketing Company A
Key Requirements/ Capabilities
- Strong communication skills (both written & spoken)
- Strong coordination & time management skills
- Team player, positive attitude, enthusiastic , and responsible

Everyone is asking for the same thing... detail oriented, multitasker, eloquent, team player and possess exceptional academic and curricular activities track record. Duh... as if they couldn't be more general to tell everyone what they already know. Seriously, i think they should be more specific like:

"We are looking for the best students in terms of academic and curricular activities. But if you are not that type of student, then don't bother applying. However if you would persist (common sense would have failed you by now), then send in your applications anyway because we will photocopy it and hand around the pantry for a good laugh."

Comment! (2) | Recommend!