webitpr | Brits Fail To Cash In On Free £5 Notes
Need to read up but lines that caught me:
People simply had to approach the sandwich board wearer and ask for a fiver. If more than 98 per cent of the people who passed by couldn’t be bothered to do that, it raises some interesting questions about what needs to be done to persuade people to make an effort to improve their financial position.”
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Foundlings | Things found in books | LibraryThing
Foundlings | Things found in books | LibraryThing
Never such long history with books to discover such things. And unlike other places - hardly any used bookshop place here. But I want to explore them. Though the idea of using new book is exciting - the thought of discovering a hidden gem is equally (if not more) inviting. Maybe I should head to Bras Basah or Tanglin Mall this week? What say.
Never such long history with books to discover such things. And unlike other places - hardly any used bookshop place here. But I want to explore them. Though the idea of using new book is exciting - the thought of discovering a hidden gem is equally (if not more) inviting. Maybe I should head to Bras Basah or Tanglin Mall this week? What say.
Conceptual Trends and Current Topics
Conceptual Trends and Current Topics
On Buffet's 1mio bet on whether the hedge fund (Protege) will beat the S&P 500. Must track what happens.
On Buffet's 1mio bet on whether the hedge fund (Protege) will beat the S&P 500. Must track what happens.
J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement : Harvard Magazine
J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement : Harvard Magazine
Harvard is school of my choice - not only because its a great brand name but above article will speak for itself. The opportunities in form of people, work and activities are ample and this is what I want to be part of. Well positive thinking tells me that I have to think about getting into Harvard and work towards it - and I will land up there :). So inspired to dream on..
Harvard is school of my choice - not only because its a great brand name but above article will speak for itself. The opportunities in form of people, work and activities are ample and this is what I want to be part of. Well positive thinking tells me that I have to think about getting into Harvard and work towards it - and I will land up there :). So inspired to dream on..
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
On Shopping
After reading Rahul's post on Shopping I couldn't stop myself because as rare it is to find a guy who loves shopping, equally rare is to find a girl who hates shopping - and I am one of those.
I have never enjoyed the pain of walking through malls and checking the 100 items to get 1 that you are supposed to like - what if I change my mind later and I don't want to use it. I can't return it - waste of money, time and energy; plus add the guilt of not using it. To add to the pain is trying the clothes - getting the right size and fit - and queuing up at trial rooms.
The story doesn't end there, selection in Singapore is very limited. Solids in 4 colours - black, white, red and blue. Green, yellow and pink is great find and anything beyond the primary and secondary colour will be akin to treasure hunt. I hate the limitations.
This dislike of shopping was there even as a kid - I used to go with my parents who use to sort and select my clothes for me to try - if it looks good - great buy it otherwise next. Even today I take my mom along to shop - rather when she gets tired of me wearing same clothes over and over again she drags me to a mall and ensures my wardrobe is 'refreshed'. Sounds strange... check with my mum.
My shopping style is strictly functional - I have in mind what I need - go to the counter, select it and pay for it. Window shopping is taboo word. Only place that I love to shop is stationary and bookshop. Thats one place that I will never walk out of. Even today if I want to have retail therapy a walk in Times Bookshop or Border or Prints will do the magic.
Just waiting to earn enough bucks to hire a personal shopper. Till then my mum will do...
I have never enjoyed the pain of walking through malls and checking the 100 items to get 1 that you are supposed to like - what if I change my mind later and I don't want to use it. I can't return it - waste of money, time and energy; plus add the guilt of not using it. To add to the pain is trying the clothes - getting the right size and fit - and queuing up at trial rooms.
The story doesn't end there, selection in Singapore is very limited. Solids in 4 colours - black, white, red and blue. Green, yellow and pink is great find and anything beyond the primary and secondary colour will be akin to treasure hunt. I hate the limitations.
This dislike of shopping was there even as a kid - I used to go with my parents who use to sort and select my clothes for me to try - if it looks good - great buy it otherwise next. Even today I take my mom along to shop - rather when she gets tired of me wearing same clothes over and over again she drags me to a mall and ensures my wardrobe is 'refreshed'. Sounds strange... check with my mum.
My shopping style is strictly functional - I have in mind what I need - go to the counter, select it and pay for it. Window shopping is taboo word. Only place that I love to shop is stationary and bookshop. Thats one place that I will never walk out of. Even today if I want to have retail therapy a walk in Times Bookshop or Border or Prints will do the magic.
Just waiting to earn enough bucks to hire a personal shopper. Till then my mum will do...
Thursday, 10 January 2008
Review 2007 - Personal
For the first time in 23 years I feel like reviewing what has happened
in personal, political and economic space.
Personal:
I wonder what I have been doing for last 23 years anyway. Understandably 1st 6 years were spent on understanding that I am a human baby and fulfilling basic human needs and 'growing up'. Next 10 years, were unfortunately spent in school passing 1 year to another and joining in
misc activities. Some of them stayed with me, many forgotten. It's a whole new topic so lets move on. Big change at 16 - I arrived in S'pore. But thereafter, 6 years were spent in preparing for the world a.k.a rat race - Junior college and university. But, this year - year 2007 was very significant - it will shape my life. On my 22nd b'day I knew it would be different year but I was not prepared for this.
First, my graduation. Bachelor in Business Management - from a science to finance, I attribute this change to my 16th birthday, arrival in Singapore. What started out as interest in economics landed me in this world of finance. Do I enjoy it, definitely - is it something that I really want
- probably.
Next, driving license. I used to have nightmares on driving. I have crashed my vehicle in crowded market or break failure - something with serious causalities. I have never seen or been in an accident but I was always scared of it. Probably due to my friend's loss. My primary school
I had a friend whose dad and uncle passed away in an accident. Whatever the reason I tried hard to wriggle out of it. To add to my worry, S'pore is know for hard-to-pass driving test. But I did it- in FIRST ATTEMPT. Tell that to a Singaporean and you will earn same admiration as of
graduating with degree. Good statistics to find - how many pass at 1st attempt, 2nd and more than that. ..
Moving on, GMAT - now this was totally unplanned yet expected. I definitely want to go for further studies. More I work here and more I believe I need to study and better understand the market. GMAT is important. I had paid for fees on June but didn't start studying - seriously - 2 weeks prior to test. Given my test records of 580-600 I was skeptical of scoring anything above 650 - but - BUT - I got 710. This is not to boast but if the score report had bold option I would
have bold and underlined to ensure that its my report and my score - 93%... For my efforts I am a 'happy chappy'.
But the most important turning point in 2007 will be my job - Barclays Capital. Agreed it is not as big as Goldman Sach, Merrill or JP Morgan but its growing. I gambled with my job, took up a contract job when most of my peers went for graduate programs and/or permanent jobs. It was to get into Barclays and I succeeded - 6month later - I moved to Sales Assistant for emerging markets. It was not a very difficult phase. I am surprised with ease that I got this job. But I am definitely grateful. Dynamism, complication and pace - defines my job. It has affirmed my
belief that I want to move in this field albeit in a different role but field for sure.
I started last year hoping to land in a good job - that's it. But I have reached farther than that. Plans led astray but in a better direction. I recall my boring period in core on-boarding team to
stressful on-verge-of-tears day in current position. Some personal let downs that has left me wondering for what is to happened and professional achievement that will define my future.
1 year down - am I any closer to my ambition? Can't say but first step was in right direction....
in personal, political and economic space.
Personal:
I wonder what I have been doing for last 23 years anyway. Understandably 1st 6 years were spent on understanding that I am a human baby and fulfilling basic human needs and 'growing up'. Next 10 years, were unfortunately spent in school passing 1 year to another and joining in
misc activities. Some of them stayed with me, many forgotten. It's a whole new topic so lets move on. Big change at 16 - I arrived in S'pore. But thereafter, 6 years were spent in preparing for the world a.k.a rat race - Junior college and university. But, this year - year 2007 was very significant - it will shape my life. On my 22nd b'day I knew it would be different year but I was not prepared for this.
First, my graduation. Bachelor in Business Management - from a science to finance, I attribute this change to my 16th birthday, arrival in Singapore. What started out as interest in economics landed me in this world of finance. Do I enjoy it, definitely - is it something that I really want
- probably.
Next, driving license. I used to have nightmares on driving. I have crashed my vehicle in crowded market or break failure - something with serious causalities. I have never seen or been in an accident but I was always scared of it. Probably due to my friend's loss. My primary school
I had a friend whose dad and uncle passed away in an accident. Whatever the reason I tried hard to wriggle out of it. To add to my worry, S'pore is know for hard-to-pass driving test. But I did it- in FIRST ATTEMPT. Tell that to a Singaporean and you will earn same admiration as of
graduating with degree. Good statistics to find - how many pass at 1st attempt, 2nd and more than that. ..
Moving on, GMAT - now this was totally unplanned yet expected. I definitely want to go for further studies. More I work here and more I believe I need to study and better understand the market. GMAT is important. I had paid for fees on June but didn't start studying - seriously - 2 weeks prior to test. Given my test records of 580-600 I was skeptical of scoring anything above 650 - but - BUT - I got 710. This is not to boast but if the score report had bold option I would
have bold and underlined to ensure that its my report and my score - 93%... For my efforts I am a 'happy chappy'.
But the most important turning point in 2007 will be my job - Barclays Capital. Agreed it is not as big as Goldman Sach, Merrill or JP Morgan but its growing. I gambled with my job, took up a contract job when most of my peers went for graduate programs and/or permanent jobs. It was to get into Barclays and I succeeded - 6month later - I moved to Sales Assistant for emerging markets. It was not a very difficult phase. I am surprised with ease that I got this job. But I am definitely grateful. Dynamism, complication and pace - defines my job. It has affirmed my
belief that I want to move in this field albeit in a different role but field for sure.
I started last year hoping to land in a good job - that's it. But I have reached farther than that. Plans led astray but in a better direction. I recall my boring period in core on-boarding team to
stressful on-verge-of-tears day in current position. Some personal let downs that has left me wondering for what is to happened and professional achievement that will define my future.
1 year down - am I any closer to my ambition? Can't say but first step was in right direction....
Thursday, 3 January 2008
Book Slut
Some books are to be tasted, others swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. This was for 20th century. For 21st century readers: Some books are great to flirt with, others to fall in love with and few to have serious relationships - needs improvisation but you got me. Ok it may sound outrageous but thats what I am - a book slut. This title is borrowed from attached article. (need to upload the file). But being one I know what it means to be a book slut or word slut.
I have habit of reading everything and anything. Classics to bottle labels; trashy novels to academic journal - anything that came my way and caught my attention. Serious readers believe to take 1 book at a time - read it patiently and then move to next. But me - no patience - sorry. I have borrowed 8 books this month - of which I have finished reading 2.5. Other 2 are reference book which I read selectively and other is just experimental reading. Also, there are few essential reading which I have not yet started. Bottomline - I have multiple relationship with my books.
Is it a good practice - may be not but to me it means accommodating my reading to my mood. I have books to suit my mood. It has also helped me to increase scope of my reading - from good scientific to business to great classics. At times I couldn't beat to read biography but now it is one my favourite reading topic. It started with reading small articles on the individual. Then getting 2 books at same time, trashy novel and a good biography. When I get tired of 'I did this and that' I change to 'He did this and that..'. But over the time I started enjoying the biographies and now I am an avid story collector but of real life stories.
There have been books that i have not managed to understand (Salmaan Rushdie) to those that I must have read 5-6 times (The Lord of the Rings). During exams/tests I will 'punish' myself by not having any books around the house and ensuring that I do what is required. I simply can't live without books. However, more I think about it, I can't live without reading words. I recollect reading the signboards on my way to school to reading crap advertisement boards in MRT (local train). Its my ongoing affair with words.
Well this is unending story of my love affairs with books/words/prints. So I will start a new sub-blog on books. Anyone interested in sharing my love?
I have habit of reading everything and anything. Classics to bottle labels; trashy novels to academic journal - anything that came my way and caught my attention. Serious readers believe to take 1 book at a time - read it patiently and then move to next. But me - no patience - sorry. I have borrowed 8 books this month - of which I have finished reading 2.5. Other 2 are reference book which I read selectively and other is just experimental reading. Also, there are few essential reading which I have not yet started. Bottomline - I have multiple relationship with my books.
Is it a good practice - may be not but to me it means accommodating my reading to my mood. I have books to suit my mood. It has also helped me to increase scope of my reading - from good scientific to business to great classics. At times I couldn't beat to read biography but now it is one my favourite reading topic. It started with reading small articles on the individual. Then getting 2 books at same time, trashy novel and a good biography. When I get tired of 'I did this and that' I change to 'He did this and that..'. But over the time I started enjoying the biographies and now I am an avid story collector but of real life stories.
There have been books that i have not managed to understand (Salmaan Rushdie) to those that I must have read 5-6 times (The Lord of the Rings). During exams/tests I will 'punish' myself by not having any books around the house and ensuring that I do what is required. I simply can't live without books. However, more I think about it, I can't live without reading words. I recollect reading the signboards on my way to school to reading crap advertisement boards in MRT (local train). Its my ongoing affair with words.
Well this is unending story of my love affairs with books/words/prints. So I will start a new sub-blog on books. Anyone interested in sharing my love?
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