I really like what dearie just sms-ed:

"few years ago we hv nothing to b proud of. Few years down, we will be different. We will be better better n better."

I was simmering with displeasure over some incident at work..but after he talked to me, my perspective changed.

Dearie is right. Why be bothered with the little nitty-gritty things.. there is alot more ahead. I am already ahead of her. Once I graduate, my next goal is to obtain quality experience.

I'm a goal setter & getter.

During my 2nd round interview with my boss and the hr manager, my boss asked me, "what do you see yourself in 5 years time?"

i replied, "i want to achieve my cpa."

and yes, i am almost there. Next month i am eligible to apply for my cpa. On top of that, I am going above that.

If he is biased and doesn't appreciate the work i do, that's fine. i have other options! =)

rising above it all

Portfolio presentation went pretty smoothly though we did not quite hit what prof wanted. There’s still work to be done. good thing the assignment is only due one week after exam. That gives us abit more time to work things out as most of us will be busy preparing for the upcoming fis exam. I am thankful to have marilyn and lester in the team. I have learnt a lot from both of them and I am grateful for their patience with me.

Managed to clear the CPA admission exam. Received it in snail mail yesterday, after may sms-ed to tell me she passed. This is definitely a step forward for me because that means I have the seal of approval to apply for my cpa (non-pract) full membership. Apr 2010, I will fulfill the required 3 years’ experience. Yay! It’s not too far away..although it could have been accelerated if I have kept proper testimonial from my first job at Carrefour. That’s almost 8months of experience gone to waste because I have not obtained a testimonial to verify my work with them. Lesson learnt: always remember to get your employer to give you a testimonial before you leave the company. Even if they may not have good things to boast about you, the duration you were with them stated on the testimonial is most important.

Went for a run with dearie yesterday and I felt really out of form. The 13km run was not difficult but neither easy. I fret for the 42km next Sunday to be honest. Dearie gave me a prep talk and that helped calm my nerves to some extent. Got to do some simple calculations.. keep pace.. focus.. and make this trip a worthwhile one.

Caught “My Magic” on tv yesterday. A poignant film. The father’s sacrificial love for the son touched me.

FIS exam is this Wednesday and I am feeling somewhat jittery about it. The phobia of failing still persist.. but somehow, having worked through the 2 assignments, I think I kind of know what I am studying better. Like the run, got to make sure I give a good shot, do well and go on holiday with a peace of mind.

School’s been busy for dearie and i. something I tell mself is this will not last forever. every time I receive results that I’ve cleared the term.. it gives me that ommph! I can almost see the finish line and it is important I keep my eyes on them and sprint towards the end. A couple of classmates and I were discussing about graduation and james suggested we can consider going to Adelaide for the convocation. It will be nice..but I was thinking what I can do at Adelaide..(unlike Sydney or Melbourne).. traveling there just for convocation seems a bit extravagant..unless I have the extra cash to spare.. then again..if many of those in class do go for it together, it will be a pleasant event, won’t it? Haha..that’ll be in apr next year..so I still have plenty of time to consider about it.

It’s been a tiring month..but it is worth it. It is the accumulation of every bit of effort that will help me rise above the rest. =)

hard pressed but not crushed

i call myself a fighter but I am weak. I need to fight hard this week but far too often I find myself shirking away when faced with the pressure.

FIS assignment due Thursday has been submitted. Good.

Portfolio assignment I contributed so little. Now I’m lost as to where mel and les has done. I feel like a failure. I must take good time to understand what they have done..i don’t want to repeat like fis.

FIS exams. It is exactly a week away and I’m still struggling to complete the assignments.

Portfolio class this weekend.

The whole gunk of things on the top of my head is crazy. I find myself staring in blank air for long moments sometimes.

I need to get through this very badly. I must clear.

There are still team matters to consider about. Things just get tougher. I need more help.

Ok. Better get my job done for the day so I can work on the powerpoint slides. Even if I have to work till 2am for the next few days I must do it.

i look terrible these days. Messy hair. Scarred pimply face. Eye bags.

After this year, I need an overhaul!

Extracted from The Straits Times.

I like what this Canadian reader wrote. We often hear heartlanders complaining about Singapore government. Of course, there is always room for improvement in the way things are done, but I feel we should be contented that we live in a peaceful country. Not that I am trying to boast or put our government on the pedestal, but they deserve the recognition for being efficient and effective.

When I got to study the economies of some bigger countries, I took them and compared with what we have here. We are a small yet strong. The people put in charge of running this country know what they are doing.

In light of the economic crisis that has impacted the world, including Singapore, the government has put in place good policies. A good policy is not one that hands out loads of welfare. It just creates a society of reliance. Just like a great teaching goes, " It is better to teach a person to fish, so that he can fish and survive in the days to come; instead of handing him a fish, that will only last him for a day."

My eyesight has been deteriorating. Words from afar look blurry these days. Dearie says it’s a sign of short sightedness. It’s been bothering me as I had to squint badly at the projected slides. I can barely read what prof writes on the board. =( I do need to get my eyes re-examined soon.

i’m swarmed with assignments; so many of them it overflows from the brim. I need to prepare for the exam end of the month too.

Dearie bought me a birthday present yesterday. I love it and thank you so much, dearie. To me it contained a dream I want to look forward to. Dearie said one day when I become a full-fledged accountant, I will need this.

This morning, I thought about my future, as I walked to catch my morning company bus. Graduation doesn’t seem too far off; another 4 months to my last exam. All seems so close, yet so far. Like that blurry vision in front of me; clear at times, blur on other times.

Some good habits I thought I want to start inculcating: Reading WSJ and the economist on a daily basis. After listening to prof talk about the kinds of information he gathered from WSJ over the years, I feel by keeping myself abreast to the going-on in the market place will be helpful. When I was still pursuing my acca, I used frequent the library on a weekly basis and ensure I got the latest issues of economist. That habit dwindled off over the years and I think it’s time to rekindle that again.

The market is huge out there and I am astounded by how little I know about it. I’ve been confined within the 4 walls of my tuas office, unknown to me the world developed at a pace I am struggling to keep up.

This is so timely as dearie has offered me an opportunity to do some finance management for him. Wow. He is giving me a chance to put the things I study into good use! =) i will have to delve into some things I have on my mind but have never put into practice.. do some fact finding and analysis on my own. Intend to start on this once portfolio mgmt exams are over.

Keeping informed of what goes on in the economy is crucial in investing. Prof expressed his view on the market and I found it mind opening. He said, “ the market is a filter. It filters information from the economy and reacts to it.” There is a lot of truth in this statement as he went on to talk about beating the market and how it ties back into the different investment strategies. It comes down to the fact that if we believe that the market is efficient, then we will never be able to beat the market. There are indeed very few Warren Buffetts in the world who can beat the market consistently. I think there are more Ponzis and Madoffs than Warrens. =P

There are still many ways to earn decent returns on investments - that’s my perspective. I’ve thus far been a risk adverse investor.. hence my expected return will be relatively lower. Well, if an investment says it can yield you 10-20% returns per annum, then you better consider if it’s a ponzi scheme or not! =)

really excited with this new 'assignment'! got to make sure it's a piece of High Distinction work. =) and yes..i need new lenses quick..so i can see the gains coming up ahead!