A New World - Turning the tides

“The elite's guidance is needed to assist the people of nations to prevent the arrogant apparatus from hijacking the glorious popular movements [of the Muslim world] and steal their uprising. In that case the future of the Islamic Ummah and the region would be bright,” the Leader said in a meeting with ambassadors and representatives of Islamic countries in Tehran on Monday.

IRNA quoted the Leader as saying that the recent revolutions in Muslim countries are resulted from a prolonged humiliation caused by arrogant powers.

“The responsibility of political, scientific and academic elites and religious scholars in face of the recent developments is very heavy,” he stated.

Criticizing US propaganda and efforts in the region to acquit itself of its role in supporting the regions dictators, the Leader said, “The recent popular movements are primarily against the dominance of arrogant powers.”

He went on to say that the dominant powers' plots against Islamic countries have created discord among Muslim nations, calling on the Muslim nations and governments to become vigilant and stop the “great Satan” [the US] from interfering in their destinies.

“If governments become united with their peoples, no power can take control of their nations,” the Leader continued.

One after another, nations fell and the quest for change takes place across teh Muslim countries dominated by powerful leaders. This is a significant world event that will reshape a new world. A new relationship between the Christian and the Muslim. For better or for worst, its too early to tell but I certainly prayed it is the beginning of dawn.

Changing car in an era of escalating COE

The COE prices are creeping up and there are no end in sight. The era when COE hovers around $20,000 plus is now history to many car owners here in Singapore. Now, is this the best time to buy car? If so, what brands and mode?

The financial considerations is straight forward. The Japanese Yen is hovering around SGD$1.6 for each 100 yen. While the Euro has weakened to around SGD$1.75 for each Euro. With the contrasting currency movement, the resulting scenario is pretty apparent. Most Japanese cars (Mitsubishi, Toyota, Nissan and Honda) are hovering around $140k to $160k. This is an unprecedented era when the delta between the Japanese brands and the more prestigious continental brands narrows to a small gap.

Eventually, I bought a "baby beamer" 320i @ $172,800. Not sure whether this is a correct decision but I would leave time to judge my decision as we enters into Year 2011.

Welcoming 2011

Its time of the year again. Christmas celebration is over as we await the end of Year 2010.  I had not been writing since 2009 and it is timely to work on this page to offer a broad reflection on the past one year and my dreams and desire for the coming 2011.

Year 2010 offers a sharp economic turnaround.  The strong economic rebound from the various government interventions (sharp interest rate cut, money prime into the market and pent up demand ) leads to an unprecedented V-shape recovery, never seen in our history.  The much feared double dipped (as in the great depression during the 1930s) never came.  What a relief!

The under current to the global finanical crisis revamped the world economic powers and reshaped the international influences across continents. The Olympics Games was always regarded as the launched platform to better things ahead.  Japan (Tokyo) in 1964 and Korea (Seoul) in 1988.  Now, China (Beijing) in 2008 had just witnessed its immensed global influences. She has the largest monetary reserves across the globe.

The US government led by Obama continue to pump prime the economy.  Over the last 6 to 9 months, they had succeeded to rescue AIG, Citibank, GM and other well known brands, saving millions of jobs.  Whoever dare then, had the final laugh.  The money that was pumped in multiply into many folds, enriching the government.  Exact replica for Hong Kong in year 1998 during the Asian Financial Crisis.  Coincidentally, it occurs approximately every 10th year cycle.

Something seems to take place on a periodic basis.  So were our lives, tightly coupled with the economic development.  We aspire to earn more money, lift our living standard and pursue our dreams for greater height.  Yet, we must be mindful to seize the opportunity and be calculative on the precise timing.

To me, Year 2011 is still a BIG unknown.  The basic nature on Newtons law on gravity applies - "what goes up must come down".  The success in year 2010 will not translate to the same degree of success in year 2011.  On the contrary, I am personally concerned that it may turned ugly in the later half of the year.  In Singapore's context, we do expect an early election happening as early as in March 2011.  Base on precedent, we shall enter into a dark age once the election is over.  Would the government increase the GST, reduce the workfare and curtail government expenditure.  We are not sure but the writings are all on the walls.

I pray for a safe 2011.  Nothing much to expect except to hang on tightly.  We cannot gain ground but need to focus on solidifying the fundamentals. 

Best of luck to everyone!

JUST FOR LAUGH

One day, "Shut Up", "Manners" and "Trouble" went to the the shopping mall. "Manners" went to the toilet and got lost while "Shut Up" went to look for "Trouble". As he was looking for "Trouble", he bumped into a police officer. " What's your name?"asked the police officer. "Shut up"replied Shut Up. "Where is your manners?"said the police officer. "In the toilet"replied Shut Up. "Are you looking for trouble?"said the police officer. "Yes"said Shut up.

Reaching The End Of 2008 - Welcome 2009

Year 2008 started promisingly, reaching its peak with the successful completion of the Beijing 2008 in August 2008 with the host nation China emerging as the overall champion in terms gold medals haul. Then things started to go wrong dramatically. First to go wrong was Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. These 2 national home loan institutions contacted US Congress for help. Deviating from the past, the US government lend its helping hand. Then, AIG sounded out its distress signal and followed by Lehman Brothers and many... many more ....

Being the advocates for world free market, the US Government decided to forego Lehman Brothers, created the first tsunami waves into the financial sector. As we know today, Lehman Brothers was already in the history book. That did not stop there but the force continue its destructive approach towards the European continent. Then, Iceland went bankrupt! There was even comparison between 24 Oct 2008 to 24 Oct 1929 (the Great Depression).

The hero was of course the UK Premier Gordon Brown. Flexing his power on government treasuries war chest, he invested into troubled institutions to stem the bleeding. That temporarily restore some level of confidence but not for long .... as nobody know how deep or extensive this sub prime will prevail.

Then, in November 2008, the turbulence hit home in Singapore with the announcement of DBS Banking group axing 900 staff. Other corporates soon followed. Fresh hiring was almost non-existence.

What will happen in December 2008 and beyond? Could it be worse? Or could it be the turning points?

We crossed our fingers and prayed. For there shall be rainbows after rain pour be the prelude for good times to come.

Jeremy Golden Effort

On 30 Nov 2008, Jeremy, my eldest son scored an impressive golden effort to secure his gold certificate in the national swimming survival certification (http://www.swim21.com/Certifications.html ) This was a remarkable achivement for a boy who is 8 years and 6 months old to complete the gruelling ritual of the test. Let me tell you more ....

Jeremy first took swimming lesson at the age of 5 under the guidance of teacher Patrick. The coach has initially express reservation for his young age. But he has somehow demonstrated strong adaptability to water and soon pass the bronze and silver respectively. Then, he hit a threshold where he was not improving much. He was consider a borderline case with reference to the gold certificate, completing the 100 metre full geared in pyjamas in 3min 2 sec, being the fastest and the 6+6+8 laps under 43 minutes. The pre-requisite was 45 minutes.

One phone call on 25 Nov 2008 afternoon changed all these. Teacher Patrick contacted me to enquire whether I would like to fill Jeremy for the test. I checked with him and the mother Huey Ting. He sounded positive and would like to give it his best shot. Immediately, I brought him down to Warren Swimming Pool to re-establish his capabilities, and most importantly, his self confidence.

One the first day, he did 3min 5 seconds being the fastest. One the second day, we did 2 min 59 sec and the third, 2 min 53 second. Huey Ting was Jeremy beacon and he demonstrated his unwavering desire for success and completed the 2 laps under 2 min 52 seconds. 4 successive records all in 4 days!

Finally, on the very day of the test, he came in 2 min 41 sec and completed the gruelling 6+6+8 all under 32 min 46 seconds. Many adult would be ashame as not all of us can complete 20 laps with that timing. Moreover, he overtook 4 bigger and stronger testees in the process although he was last from his backstroke, his weakest links.

We are certainly proud of him. May his strong will and desire persist in him to bring out his inner potential to achieve greater heights. Along the process, he shall bring out the similar virtue from his brother, Jared.

Once again, well done Jeremy!