Up Mount Faber, across Faber Walk and started on the Henderson Wave, the tallest bridge in Singapore. What we saw immediately ruin our mood.

There were lots of garbage left strewn across the entire bridge. Some people have partied on the Henderson Wave last night, and did not clear away their leftovers.

These inconsiderate acts saddens me. Singapore, being reknowned in the world for its cleaniness, have plenty of rubbish bins planted across the island. I’m sure these people could have found a bin within 1km of the site. But they simply didn’t care and left the trash behind, probably thinking that some cleaners will come round and clear up after them.

But before the cleaners could do that, along came the monkeys the next day and help to make the situation worse by throwing them all over the place.

Please be considerate, if you bring food and drinks to the Henderson Wave, do not litter the place. It is a nice environment to exercise in the morning, and for hanging out with friends in the evening. Do not spoil it for the rest of the people enjoying the place.

There will be times that I don’t feel like going, but I still dragged myself there. There are also times that I just readily agreed and enjoy myself when I am there.

I used to organize gatherings as such. I will call people up one by one and ask them if they are free. I will make extra efforts to ensure that I get the most headcounts for each gathering that I initiated.

There are people whom I always call, but never turn up. There are people who turn up, but I know they are not really enjoying. There are also people who turn up and geniunely enjoyed the whole event.

As time goes by, I put those people who don’t turn up into my blacklist. I never call them up to ask if they are free. For those who don’t really enjoy, I will still call up, but I won’t insist them to come. As for those who enjoy, it goes without saying, I will always call them up.

I don’t have any problem with people telling me upfront that “Sorry, it’s boring. I won’t be there.” but I have a lot of problem when I hear “I can’t make it. I have something on.” cos I know that the reply is not genuine. 

So just recently, another friend who always volunteer himself to organize such a gathering, got another huge disappointment. He initiated the event 2 weeks before the actual day. Only a small handful of people replied and I can tell how disappointed he is. Cos this is not the first time it happened.

It really makes me wonder: “How many invitations does one need to reject before they never get invited again”.

Probably these people are meant to be just acquiantance.

Quoting from the news article …

When I joined the PAP, it was the party of the people. It carried out many remarkable projects, such as building HDB flats, and created a transparent economy,’ he said.

‘But as the years go by, I think the party has lost touch with the ground.’

He pointed to the widening income gap in the country and the high salaries of Government leaders. He also finds it unfair how a disproportionate number of the academically successful come from higher-income families.

It is the Government’s job to correct these problems, said Mr Tan, who calls himself an egalitarian.

‘How many of our leaders take the MRT and bus like me? If they do, they will know that the MRT is crowded even at 10pm.

Perhaps as time pass, even the eyes of great people can stray off the road. Who am I to judge? However, this reminds me of the ideals brought up in a Japanese drama “Change” which was aired in Japan this year.

In the show, the candidate for Prime Minister promised …

• I promise, with eyes like yours. I will find the problem in politics and correct it.
• I promise, with ears like yours, I will seriously listen to the tiniest voice of those who are called weak.
• I promise, with legs like yours, I will run without hesitation towards the problem scene.
• I promise, with hands like yours, I will work with sweat stained hands and point towards the path that this country should take.
• My everything will be like yours!

Back to Singapore … Mr. Tan may have brought up a few valid points, but it doesn’t make him any more capable of delivering. He’s been the chief of NTUC Income for so many years, but didn’t voice out any of these until he left them. Does it mean he has just made this observation? Talk about biting the hand that fed you.

Join the Facebook group to find out more about the drama.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35937549502

You can read the full Straits Times article at http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_305814.html.

http://www.temasekholdings.com.sg/media_centre_news_releases_071008.htm

So by 2010, Singapore electricity prices are at the mercy of the electricity seller. I cannot understand the wisdom in Temasek’s move to sell key installations like electricity generation. Yes, utility companies are not as attractive as financial services companies when it comes to investment returns. But for heaven sake, just look at how much Merrill Lynch share price has fallen since the 2 times Temasek invested into them.

Merrill Lynch & Co Inc (New York Stock Exchange) - USD8.34 (21 Nov 2008 close)

Here are some ways to build a basis for your mental well being.

1. Connect - with the people around you, at home, work, school or in your neighbourhood. Think of these people (family, friends, colleagues and neighbours) as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these relationships will support and enrich you every day.

2. Be active - go for a walk or run. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, pick up a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of health and fitness.

3. Take notice and be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

4. Keep learning - Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a
challenge you enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.

5. Give - Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself and your happiness, as linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.

Before you begin trying all the above, sit down … relax and have a cup of nice Kopi O. That does wonders for me.

Have you ever thought that if DBS’s or any local SG bank’s exposure to those bankrupt financial companies would be?  You know, the shares market is bad for banks and alike.  Will our banks be in trouble?

To Singaporeans, the thought of a local bank collapsing will be brushed off by many.  

“It will never happen, its backed by the Singapore Goverment.” will be the reply.

However a call from my brother over at England, make me think twice.  He had tried to reach me several times, I had 4 missed calls…. it was the 5th that I managed to pick up the call.

No matter what, we, as citizens, should also learn how to protect our own assets, whether or not the Government will help to bail out, if anything should happen to any of the local banks.  

Over at England, 4 out of 5 local banks are in trouble.  My brother also sent me a link subsequently on Mr Wang’s blog, talking on the exact same issue we spoke during the call. 

http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-to-protect-your-money-in-singapore.html

Give it a thought.

If you do not know what is StatPress:

Here is the link to StatPress Reloaded:-

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/statpress-reloaded/

Here’s the link to the current author’s blog:-

http://blog.matrixagents.org/2008/09/statpress/

American International Group, Inc. (AIG), is the World’s leading international insurance organization with operations in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions.  If something like this were to file for bankruptcy, it would have meant trouble, and a possible market crash seems imminent. 

I had thought AIG would give up their air-craft subsidiary for cash. For a moment, I was happy that AIG is saved. But on second thoughts, I really would have prefered that they could have saved themselves by giving up whatever subsidiary that could get them out of the shit. Well, it could have been a smaller loan figure instead, which translates to a smaller stake given away.

Nevertheless, I suspect that damage has already been done.  People worldwide has their confidence crashed in AIG.  Will you buy another insurance policy from AIG?  You’ll consider?  That’s good news for AIG.  Oh, you’ll never buy from them again?  Trust me, you are not alone.  For me, I’ll relook at my insurance & investment portfolio.  Seriously, my stand is still Service, if the agent from AIG is good, I will still buy from them again.

I had 99% of my insurance policies with in AIG.   I was such a loyal customer of AIG.  This is really a good lesson learnt, so AIG, please wake up and do some good to your customers!

News on Fed helping AIG is here:-

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/17/business/17insure.php

This article gives a view of what is expected to come, I personally like the way the author portrays, calm and prepared to ride out the storm.  However do note that this is more geared towards UK audience.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/what-the-lehman-collapse-means-for-us-all-931986.html

I also read up on WHY Lehman Brothers went under:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/stephen-foley-why-lehman-brothers-went-under-931988.html

Above article talks about Leverage.  Most articles I read are talking about excessive leverage that banks and financial institutions play.  Leverage is using debt to amplify gain, but people forgot that losses get amplified as well.

Finally, read this up, another article on what is to come as well:

http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/15/what-the-financial-meltdown-means-to-you-if-youre-not-in-fin/

The author presents his information in a very simple to understand format that I really liked. At least, I am more at peace with myself after reading their articles. Personally I want to agree with the author of bloggingstocks that economy may NOT come crashing down as yet, but is difficult to say.   The limelight is with AIG for now, let’s see how who will be the white knight saving AIG or will AIG be able to save themselves?