Story of a Singaporean's life

Author: Chen

  • Saving $1,000 To Spend In Vietnam

    This february, i am going to Vietnam, or Ho Chi Minh. I am going there for a variety of reasons that i would be more comfortable keeping to myself. Anyway, i am saving up $1,000 so that i will be able to carry out a series of actions which will maximize the satisfaction of the trip to my family and me. Yes, i am going with my family =)

    Anyway, i am working super hard now to save enough money to go to Vietnam. I would say my schedule is pretty crazy. Add that into my study at the university and i just feel so cramped, so stressed. But slowly, and steadily, i am somehow getting into the tempo of cramming myself up. I feel light at times even when i am pushed to the extreme. Things seem to move slower and i feel to be in more control of my mind and body.

    Definitely, i am working more and studying more compared to my first semester. I have significantly reduced the amount of time i spent for entertainment. In fact, i am guessing my entertainment time is less than 10 hours every week. Also, i am doing less napping even when i am extremely tired. I need to push myself more, if not, i might crumple under my responsibilities and that is something i never want to see happen. I will come up on top!

  • The Importance Of Researching Before Purchase

    Today, i am going to talk about doing research before buying something that you want. I decided to talk about this because i recently just saved more than $35 for an additional ink cartridge. When i was previously buying ink cartridges, i did not bother to look for additional information and clueless about where to go, i end up purchasing an ink cartridge for $65+. The salesman was very friendly and let me feel that i have made a real bargain.  

    However, this time when i need an ink cartridge, i did a careful research and discover that it only cost around $15 to $25 per piece. Luckily, i managed to find a supplier in Singapore who was willing to sell me the ink cartridge for $38. I bought 2 in the end for $70. To be honest, i saved more than $70 worth of money by just doing a bit more digging around. I am not surprised there are many more instances like this where i can save more. I have made a decision to never jump in too early and do tons of research next time before i purchases something.

  • India Gang Rape Case (Defending Rapists) – Mr Manohar Lal Sharma (Lawyer)

    I have decided to write about this piece of news seeing all the hype this particular incident has generated and I feel extremely revolted after seeing some of the points made by the defendants’ lawyer, namely Mr Manohar Lal Sharma, a lawyer for one of the accused. Before that, i would suggest you to take a look at these links to get a feel of what is this case about:

    http://www.globalnews.ca/3+suspects+in+india+rape+case+plead+not+guilty/6442785600/story.html

    http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/08/world/asia/india-rape-case/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+(RSS%3A+Top+Stories)

    http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/delhi-rape-victims-blame-defendants-070339413.html

    http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/01/10/india-gang-rape-pleas.html

    Anyway, i am not saying that the accused should not be defended but to denounce their crimes entirely? What the lawyer is proposing can be deem insulting to women by some. After reading some of his defence grounds, which you can find more by googling his name, some will say his arguments are twisted.

    In one article, the accused is said to be crying to the lawyer and telling the lawyer to get him out of “here”. However, how did the man feel when he was carrying out the horrific crime of raping and brutalizing a girl? The lack of humanity in his behavior deserved the most severe punishment that deter others from committing the same crime.

    This trial is now one that can determine the future of women in India. If the suspects are let away too lightly as suggested by the brilliant lawyer, the future of India is a very bleak one indeed and i would strongly recommend all women not to go to India. There is no safety at all. It is not just that, the moral of the entire nation is at question here.

    Take a look at this link: http://www.dailyshame.co.uk/2013/01/satire/manohar-lal-sharma-is-the-perfect-excuse-for-a-revolution-in-india/ where they pretty much sum up the ridiculous arguments they think made up by Mr Manohar Lal Sharma. Words cannot begin to describe how i have lost all my respect for this man even when i have never met him in my life.

  • Fine Dining Restaurant Waiter – 2 Days Part-Timer

    Today, i should blog about my 2 days experience as a part time waiter at Marina Bay Sands. I was working at a very classy fine dining restaurant with my university friend. After the first day, we felt that this job was not for us. It is definitely not because we feel that we are above the job, instead, i have a deep respect for the many employees there. For example, there are Filipinos, China foreigners working 11 to 13 hours a day there and this job requires you to keep standing straight for hours without rest.

    In my few conversations with the workers there, i find that most of them left their family behind to come to Singapore to work and they work more than 10 hours per day. Yet, these are the people pushing our economy forward. They do the same thing day in and day out, repeatedly without complain. Let me mention that this job is in no way easy though it doesn’t require a great deal of thinking. Imagine wiping glasses for hours and checking for finger prints against the light… and then doing it for 6 hours straight. Glass wiping is one of the most mundane jobs ever… There are some perks to this job, like a decent hourly pay of $9, with free food and transportation and these are the things that make me want to work on the second day.

    Anyway, these 2 days of working at the restaurant has taught me a few things:

    1. Study harder for a better career and thus, future
    2. Always strive to your fullest and hardest like the workers there
    3. Remain optimistic even when the whole world seems to be dropping down on you
    4. Save your money and don’t splurge like the workers there and you will find yourself many times richer

    They might not be as lucky as Singaporeans to be born here, but if they keep working hard like that, their future might be better. On the other hand, if a Singaporean work hard like them, we might see the first Lee Ka-shing of Singapore.

  • My Business Ventures

    In the 22 years and 9 months of my life, i have undertaken various business ventures and gained many valuable experiences and lessons from them. I started business before i even knew what a business was. At the age of 11, i started buying pens and pencils from a local thrift store and selling them to my classmates at a good profit. I will now list down a timeline on my business ventures, the ones that really matter.

     From 2005 – Online Websites (Ongoing)

    My 2nd older brother was an internet whiz kid who got me started on my first real money generating venture. He introduced me to the world of internet marketing and showed me what real cash was. The earnings from the sites peaked in 2010 and is showing a declining trend. Sadly, not much savings remained from this highly successful venture as i was never a wise spender in the past.

    2009 – Free Stuff Warehouse (Failed)

    Started another internet venture that involved me pasting fliers with a few friends all over Sinagpore. Sadly, the implementation part failed. Our operations were in a mess and there was simply no system, and a business without a system is doom to failure.

    2011 – 12 Events Website (Docile State)

    Around 2011 to 2012, i got into contact with a IT whiz who is currently working in California. He taught me many things about system and showed me a glimpse of what it means to do the big projects. Unfortunately, because he had to continue working in California, our cooperation did not last as it was simply too difficult to coordinate everything. Eventually, the entire cooperation just went dormant.

    From 2012 – Dlicsar (Changed)

    Before 2013, Dlicsar was supposed to be a web development team that built websites for clients. Unfortunately, due to the team’s lack of technical expertise, we eventually have to give up on continuing operations at Dlicsar and it was eventually converted into my personal journal.

    From 2012 – IQ Home Tuition (Ongoing)

    This is currently the business venture that is showing the most promise right now. One partner and i are currently doing this together. Simply put, we try to help parents find a suitable tutor for their kid. This is something i wish to focus on as i want to venture into the service industry, which is what is thriving right now.

    As you can see, i have gone through quite a bit and i still haven’t add in the hundreds of ties that i brought from China into any of these business ventures. Much time and money was wasted but massive experiences were gained. Was it worth it? Only time will tell.

  • Part Time Gems And Diamond Salesman

    I have been working as a part time gems and diamond showroom salesman for around 3 to 4 months now. As i become more accustomed to the vast variety of stones, i become better at selling them. I try to practise active listening, while at the same time subliminal persuasion in order to increase my sales. Of course, you cannot sell meat to a vegetarian and i am still learning how to sweet talk the bird out of the sky.

    Some basic information about my part time job as a gems and diamond salesman:

    1. $9 per hour basic salary
    2. A percentage of all sales amount, with incremental percentage as sales volume increase

    This job is definitely fulfilling as i get to learn more about the different gems and jewelleries. I also enjoy talking to various customers from all over the world though i do wish to make an impact by using the shortest possible time to influence a customer and that is something i have to learn more. However, i sense the prospect of this job is limited as i am limited by my maximum 4 hours per day service. I did consider going up to the boss and suggesting viable avenues to increase traffic and in turn increase sales but decided against it. There are so much things to learn about gems and diamonds and i think by the time i get out of university, i basically will have a vast repository of knowledge about everything at my disposal. With that said, let me introduce some stones for you according to the birth month.

    January: Garnet

    February: Amethyst

    March: Aquamarine

    April: Diamond

    May: Emerald

    June: Pearl, Alexandrite & Moonstone

    July: Ruby

    August: Peridot

    September: Sapphire

    October: Tourmaline & Opal

    November: Topaz

    December: Lapiz Lazuli & Turquoise

    Of all these stones, the 4 most precious stones are Emerald, Diamond, Ruby and Sapphire. I have only sold ruby earrings and diamond earrings before but not emerald and sapphire yet. I am waiting for the day where i have sold all 4 stones, something to tell myself i am no longer just a salesman who want to sell, without knowing what is it i am selling. Next time, i might update the blog with what kind of stones to get for wealth, career, love, friends, family and more. For now, this post is more about my job and the experience that i am getting.

  • University Semester 1 Results Out

    Today, i got back my examination results back from the university. Basically, i got 1 A, 3 B+, and 1 B-. I scored a B- for microeconomics and to be frank, i expected myself to do better, much better for that module, maybe a B or B+. All in all, my cumulative GPA is currently standing at 4.0, just squeezing tightly into the Second Upper Class honors range. With my results out, i plan to revise what i have done wrong this semester and prevent the same thing from happening in the second semester.

    My Resolution:

    1. Around 6 weeks of my time were spent on solving personal problems that would have been put to greater use if i have been more focused
    2. Always do my tutorials and commit myself to the highest possible quality for each and every assignment
    3. Try to take a more active role in class and participate actively in discussions
    4. Always seek to clear any doubts instantly should i encounter any
    5. Allocate my time more efficiently and reduce my entertainment time to a minimum

    With that said, this is my study resolution for my education in university. Curricular activities are not included as that is something i will be delving into once i settle all my personal issues and more free time is available (currently doing 3 part-time jobs). Hopefully, i will be able to perform better in the next semester than i did this semester. I am slightly disappointed at my results, especially the B- that i received. Hopefully, next semester will be a much better one.

  • Surveying As A Job

    Recently, i have started a new part-time job with a research company in Singapore. This job requires me to be extremely independent and vocal as i have to approach random strangers and ask them to spend 20 to 30 minutes of their time with me to do a survey. Currently, we are doing a survey for a local university which investigates racial harmony among the different social groups in Singapore.

    As expected, this job is one of the toughest i have ever done. The amount of commitment you have to put in and the rejection you faced is something that will put off a weak-minded individual. This job does not pay me a basic salary though the incentives provided by completing one survey is quite attractive, in the $10+ region. However, the rejection is one that can get to you after a while. I went through some HDB flats today and managed to complete 6 surveys in around 3 hours. It was an incredibly mundane but interesting experience, the irony of this job.

    I am constantly looking out for new opportunities due to my circumstances now. To be honest, sometimes, i just feel so tired but coming back home and realizing i have to work hard, i just keep on striving and striving and hopefully, one day will be able to reach the top of whatever industry i am going to venture into in the future.

  • My Best Present

    This year, i received one of the most memorable and useful present from the most special person in my life right now. She has always been with me, through thick and thin. There are times where we severely disagree with each other, which usually ends in me taking a step back and letting her “win” the whole tug-o-war. She has put me through times of happiness, unhappiness, excitement. Simply put, being with her is like a roller coaster ride in one of the most crazy theme parks ever built or conceived by mankind.

    Yet, this is the same girl that has propelled me through incredible growth, where i cry, i laugh, seek for advice like a helpless boy crying for his mother, ponder over certain things, and simply come to terms with myself and who i am. She has made me stronger. By being with her, i learnt patience, money management, temper control, 3 of my biggest flaws. Of course, like life itself which is constantly changing, i am constantly building up these 3 characteristics of mine.

    This Christmas as i reflect on my life and looked back on my years, even though it was not the way i wanted it to turn up, i am grateful for all the events that lead up to today. She has made me a better person. I am definitely better because of her but i do not dare to foresee the road ahead of me. If we are both going towards the same goal, i believe a life of highest fulfillment will reach us. For now, i am just going to do the best i can in whatever i can, my job, my studies and my family. I haven’t spoke to my grandmother in 2 weeks, maybe its time to call her and tell her how much i love her. In case you are wondering, no, my grandmother is not the girl. As for who the girl is, someday, sometime, you will know when i am rich and famous.

  • Filial Piety

    Today, i am going to talk about the concept of filial piety. Before i was mature enough, i always blamed my mother for nagging at me, not showing me enough concern, causing me embarrassment, but after going through each and every event in my life, i understood that she was the one who was always by my side, supporting me, helping me. I feel very ashamed that i am still not independent enough that she has to keep working at the age of 55. Throughout her life, she has been guiding me subtly and helping me in whatever ways she can, yet i being the immature fool could not comprehend the various things she has done for me and continuously blamed her for every stupid choices that i made myself.

    Slowly, i am understanding the folly of my 20 years of combined brashness and insensitivity. I am determined to make sure that she feel the love her children has for her. Sometimes, when i see her working 10 to 13 hours a day, i cannot help but feel a tinge of sadness. If i was a bit more sensible a bit earlier, i could never have spent the way i did, wasted my time the way i did and continuously strives to give her a much better life than all she has experienced. She has always been the silent warrior supporting her 3 children by herself since my dad passed away. She might not know it, but my life is so much better because she was my mother. My life experiences has humbled me, and in the process, open me up to what is the most important thing in my life, my family. As we safely tide over “the end of the world”, perhaps its a good chance to ask yourself what do you hold dear to yourself?

    Thank you my mother, for you made me who i am today. Even though i might not be much now, but someday, you will enjoy one of the best life that is humanly possible. Until then, i will keep on walking and striving towards that goal.