tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20111940911061569252024-03-19T01:48:27.264-07:00SillyinvestorLife goes in cycles, predictable yet uncontrollable; just like the markets, but markets give you a second chanceUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger811125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-24115118347137053142024-02-25T01:51:00.000-08:002024-02-25T01:51:21.400-08:00Random thought: Losing and coping with the disappointment<p> Not talking about losing money in investment here.</p><p>Is about my kids losing a competition.</p><p>Regular readers would know I coach volleyball in my school, and I enjoyed it a lot. The kids give it their best too. They came for morning trainings, some reaching school as early as 6.30 a.m. They asked for recess practice and came 15 min before CCA starts. </p><p>I have a group of committed and passionate pupils. </p><p>Hence the disappointment when they cannot reach the top 4.</p><p>The format of NSG has changed, such that last year top 8 schools will start playing each other from the start, called the pool stage. Group A, which makes up the top 8 teams will have 2 teams Deleagued, and then the remainding 6 will reshuffled and play against the top 2 teams from Group B. This round of game is called League 1.</p><p>There are several advantages of this format, as compared to the past Zonal and National Competitions. One, the recreational players will unlikely meet the powerhouse and get crushed. The power house gain more experince playing with teams around the same standard. </p><p>My kids just scrapped past being deleagued but have lost 2 games in League 1 and hence will not be able to play in the top 4 games. </p><p>My disappointment:</p><p>1) If the kids train hard, and do what I told them. I share the resposibility. For the boys' team, I think I underestimate the level of game. I think the level of play has improved the last year, the top 8 teams in my humble opinon are playing like the top 4 teams of last year.</p><p>My boys are already better all rounded and more prepared as compared to last year team, yet they still lost, and I feel, fair and square to a better or equal team.</p><p>2) The girls team are Okies. We managed to beat the second team in Round 1. However, the form is very inconsistent, and when they don't play well, the whole team don't play well, and they are like playing at 30% of their training standard. I am not sure how to improve this part.</p><p><br /></p><p>My resolution:</p><p>After reviewing the games with the coaches, we do have some ideas how to improve our training goin forward. Like the boys need to learn to block, and aim during service and spiking. </p><p>Girls need to work on stress management every training session etc.</p><p><br /></p><p>My pain:</p><p>As I said, they have around every morning, recess, and with me since Primary 3. They did well when they are in junior team, being the first and second in the competition. Although it is no one's fault, I can't help but feel that I fail them and perhaps also their parents, who indulge me with their support for their children to stay back after CCA, come early in the morning etc. </p><p>While, I am not as emotionally affected as compared to the day of loss, I still feel the heartache now and then... I wonder when will it go away.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-88276031632771319612024-01-21T00:16:00.001-08:002024-01-21T00:28:08.970-08:00Random thoughts: Are u caregiving or care "showing"This not really a rattle, but rather some uncomfortable observation.<div><br></div><div>When someone is hospitalised, it is important to show care and concern, but if the patient is weak, the hardwork comes after the patient is discharged, and caregiving kicks in.</div><div><br></div><div>Everyone want to rush to the hospital at the first timing, to show concern, family members sit in the ward for hours doing nothing except wear themselves tired. When the nurses and doctors are around, and conditions are stable, "showing" continue to seem to take more importance than "giving"</div><div><br></div><div>Care showing can do a lot more harm, if u shoot off your mouth, the advices or actions the patient or patient families should take. </div><div><br></div><div>Yes, advices are free. Most mature adults listen to advices and smiled and make their decision. But there are no lack of fearmongers, kan Chong spiders within the immediate families, who became flustered and cause plenty of negative vibes. </div><div><br></div><div>I wonder if showing care, has become a "show-off" of care nowadays? </div><div><br></div><div>Or, has it become a "show"</div><div><br></div><div>A show with the main characters, the injured or sick taking a backseat and the care show men/ women beating their chest, crying over misfortune, seeking divine explanations etc. well, I might have exaggerated a bit, but the shows will give MediaCorp a run for their money.</div><div><br></div><div>The best care in my stupid eyes, is to shut up when unnecessary and start giving. Buying a nice hot meal, sending the patients' kids to school, massaging the patients etc. Do more, talk less.</div><div><br></div><div>And please, rest as much as possible. Caregiving is hard work. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-7420944599294592312023-11-10T19:27:00.001-08:002023-11-10T19:27:02.384-08:00随心笔:天堂这里是天堂?<div>是?</div><div>我可以到处走走吗?</div><div>当然。</div><div>需要注意什么?有规则吗?</div><div>没有。</div><div>我...不知道从哪里开始 </div><div>我陪你。</div><div>风景真好,躺在草地上舒服。</div><div>是的。</div><div>这里有我最喜欢的小贩美食呢!</div><div>请享用。</div><div>为什么远处还有高楼,工厂?</div><div>别人的天堂。</div><div>为什么他们吃山珍海味?</div><div>他的渴望。</div><div>这样不公平!天堂也分阶级吗?</div><div>天堂人人可到。</div><div>我要换,我要过去,凭什么?</div><div>要先绕人间 </div><div>去就去! </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-90592787930798811312023-10-06T23:40:00.001-07:002023-10-06T23:40:07.153-07:00Random thoughts: Yield and returns<div>Random Babbling Again: An Update</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Exiting Equity for Private Property</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I finally took the plunge. I believe I can get a better yield with my cash in equity. The last time I calculated, my average portfolio yield was around 4-5%. Not fantastic, considering the high interest rates on various fixed income instruments, but that's the yield I've been getting for the past 6-7 years, not just the recent 2 years.</div><div><br /></div><div>With Hong Kong in a bear market, I believe there are plenty of opportunities for trading gains too.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, I decided to go with my spouse's desire to leave behind a private property for our child. While she never pressured me for it, I believe it leaves a void in her heart, since all her siblings and relatives stay in one, and their common topic is property. Frankly, I find their conversation rather uninteresting. I do think I am more in tune with the property market, although I don't actively participate in it. Maybe it's a case of sour grapes mentality, but I am not terribly excited to join the conversation now either.</div><div><br /></div><div>In terms of yield, HDB rental yield is the best. We are getting close to 10% yearly, and now it's almost 15%. No private property rental yield can come close.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yet, life is not only about yield. The total returns of filling a loved one's heart are perhaps more important.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Talent Spotting and Development</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Regular readers will know that I am in charge of the volleyball CCA. In my school, both basketball and volleyball CCAs perform well and are highly competitive. However, I feel that my training philosophy differs. We offer optional morning training sessions daily, allowing kids to build muscle memory. I welcome anyone willing to come and commit to training hard. Even if a short kid with poor psychomotor skills joins, I allow it. However, they have to endure the initial boring sessions of digging against the wall before moving on to other drills. If they decide to quit or stop coming, I don't stop them either. For those who perform well but don't come regularly, I try to encourage them, but ultimately, it's up to the players themselves. My management style is quite different from my predecessors'.</div><div><br /></div><div>By 7 a.m. every morning, I usually have around 40 kids training. With such a diverse group of children with varying skill levels, I no longer get to "play with the kids." Instead, I walk around, giving different instructions to different groups and observing their postures, etc. I'm no longer "exercising" at the same time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Compared to the basketball CCA, which has a selected talent pool of around 12-15 players to be trained, I know the yield will be higher for them. It's no secret that focusing on a few talented athletic players yields much better results than focusing on everybody.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, the "returns" of appreciation from students, who know that they "suck" (their own words in their thank-you cards during Teacher's Day), and yet are given an opportunity to train and play for the school team, are truly immeasurable. Some of them really seize the opportunity and train very hard.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've seen a P3 girl who couldn't dig against the wall for almost a year. She seemed unable to control her strength and posture, regardless of the number of sessions we practiced. She even practiced during recess when I could spare the time to bring out the balls. She seemed to have difficulty judging the distance of the ball from her hand and keeping her hands straight. I did vent my frustration once and said, "Why can't you just do it? It's been so long!" I felt very bad after that, and I thought she might not show up anymore. But she still came. I remember one of those sessions when I facepalmed seeing how she did her drills. However, I said this to her: "Just keep doing it. As long as you don't give up, I won't give up. To be honest, you might not make it to the first 8 main players of the team, but I will leave you a spot. I think you've shown resilience in the face of challenge."</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, I think she can finally play, serve, and dig. In terms of yield, I think I could find a handful of players who could reach her level in perhaps half or even less of the time spent, but that's okay.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then there are the talented and athletic ones who learn everything very quickly. Usually, there are only fewer than a dozen in a cohort. There have been several times when people asked me to quickly "capture/grab" these students before they join another CCA or are "snatched" by another. While I understand the joy of finding such gems (I have a P3 boy spiking as well as a P5), I sincerely said to my teacher-in-charge, let them choose, and if they accept an invitation from basketball, I am happy for them, as I know the basketball teacher will develop them well too. In secondary school, many CCAs have prerequisites for joining, and only those good enough to give the school a chance to bring back a medal can join. At least in primary school, I hope to give them a sky to fly. I am short too, but I'm glad my secondary school coach still allows me to play.</div><div><br /></div><div>Total returns and yield—I don't regret my decisions. I might lose a game or two, but I think at the end of the day, if more children get developed, I am satisfied. Looking back, those P3 kids of 2 years ago, who look like kindergarden kids when standing beside the basketball players, are also alethics now. I believe the returns is worth beside the low yield. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-90484999158682768602023-08-02T18:23:00.001-07:002023-08-02T18:23:27.703-07:00Random thoughts: Flashbacks<p><b><u>F<span style="font-family: arial;">lash back 1</span></u></b></p><p><span style="color: #343541; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I was perhaps 6? My elder brother had a high fever in the night. My mum brought him and I to the 24 hour private hospital at balestier.
When told it will cost $60 to see the doctor, not including cost of medicine, my mother just left. On our way back, my mother keep scolding my elder brother. I thought to myself then: why wasn't my brother health more important than money? </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I figured out perhaps, she didn't have more than $50 with her then, she must be also very frustrated. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: arial;">Flash back 2</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Since I was in my lower primary school days, my dad has been in and out of hospital. He had his first heart operation when he is just over 40 years old. I remember the rather solemn and sometimes worrying atmostphere at home. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The second time he did a bypass, is when I am in my university days. He had hold off the second surgery for as long as possible. He was smiling when he push to the operating theatre. He was joking and laughing heartily, the night before. A ward mate saw him and remarked that he had never seen anyone so carefree before a major operation</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I thought most people would be like that, pretending to be strong, to put those loved ones around at ease. Only recently, did I realise, this is not the case, or not the default case for most people.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I also had a speculation, which I believe might be going on in my father's head. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">He might be feel that everyone of us has grown up, and that he was ready to go. </span></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-44383905890559192312023-06-05T21:18:00.003-07:002023-06-06T01:20:50.605-07:00Random thoughts: The best "thank you" gift received<div id="__next"><div class="overflow-hidden w-full h-full relative flex z-0"><div class="relative flex h-full max-w-full flex-1 overflow-hidden"><div class="flex h-full max-w-full flex-1 flex-col"><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">I recently received a "thank you" card that I think I will never forget. It was given to me by the P6 senior boys and girls team. After their NSG competition, they did not need to and should not have turned up for CCA sessions. They should have focused on their preparation for the final exam.</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">During one such session, I was shocked when they turned up in full force. I chased them away, but one of the pupils passed me the card.</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">It consists of 2 pieces of A3 paper folded together. Some of the messages are what a teacher would "die to hear," and I can only dream of pupils saying those things to me.</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">This batch of pupils did surprise me. I wasn't particularly close to them compared to other batches. I asked another pupil why they had gathered together. Did they have a program to express thanks to their teachers? She told me that it was just something they had been planning for a long time.</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">I am very surprised by how CCA can shape a person's attitude. When I called a parent to remind them to apply for DSA, if they wished, they mentioned how much they had seen their son change after he went for training. They sounded sincere enough to make me feel appreciated.</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">This batch of pupils worried me a lot when they went for competition. Their progress in the game was rather slow. In fact, I questioned myself why there was a need to work so hard every morning and recess, practicing with them. I even sent a message to myself on WhatsApp to cheer myself up:</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">如果没有四强,要记得,我的耕耘,不是完全没意义的。当年我中学,打了一半就放弃,现在还这么喜欢,并1学以致用 继续加油</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">"If there is no top four, I must remember that my hard work is not entirely meaningless. I used to give up halfway during my secondary school days, but now I still enjoy it and apply what I've learned. Keep going."</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">Over the last 3 years, my mindset regarding training the pupils hard has changed. Initially, I wanted to be the champion. After being defeated, I told myself that it was still worth it because the skills and values acquired would help them in the DSA application. But I still quietly hoped for a minimum top four. (Hence the "四强" in the previous message.)</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">After I wrote that message to myself, I found another reason. Many of these players are hardly athletic. They joined just because of passion and interest. In fact, many of them are shy.</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">We do not talent scout for our CCA. As long as you are committed to coming for extra training, you will improve and do better, albeit at a slow pace. They might not have had a chance to be in the school team if they went to another powerhouse school.</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">Coincidentally, that's what one pupil wrote in the thank you card. While it hardly reflects reality, it is a teacher's dream for pupils to work hard and believe that effort can produce results.</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">There is this player who joined late, towards the end of P5, and she learns very slowly. But she comes for every recess training. I told her that I am impressed by her passion, and while she may not have a chance to be one of the main players, she can still contribute to the training. I told her that her starting line is just too far away, but the route is long. As long as she is willing, she is always welcome to train with us, although I might not be able to give her much attention. She needs to understand the reality of the circumstances.</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">I thought she might be offended or disheartened, but nope, she continues and told me she is very grateful that I didn't give up on her.</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">This year, the situation has reversed. Instead of 6 players, I have 8 or 9 ready players, and perhaps another 3 weaker but still deployable players</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">One year after COVID, the opposing teams have become stronger as schools have intensified or normalized their training. It is beneficial for the sport. While I still yearn for a top-four result, I am equally thrilled about a closely fought match. There are many lessons to be learned from it.</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden">The previous batch had confidence issues. Many of them did not believe in themselves. In contrast, this group has an issue with overconfidence, as they topped their group in the junior league (we got lucky with the draw).</div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><br></div><div class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center border-b border-white/20 bg-gray-800 pl-1 pt-1 text-gray-200 sm:pl-3 md:hidden"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br><br></div><main class="relative h-full w-full transition-width flex flex-col overflow-hidden items-stretch flex-1"><div class="absolute bottom-0 left-0 w-full border-t md:border-t-0 dark:border-white/20 md:border-transparent md:dark:border-transparent md:bg-vert-light-gradient bg-white dark:bg-gray-800 md:!bg-transparent dark:md:bg-vert-dark-gradient pt-2"><form class="stretch mx-2 flex flex-row gap-3 last:mb-2 md:mx-4 md:last:mb-6 lg:mx-auto lg:max-w-2xl xl:max-w-3xl"><div class="relative flex h-full flex-1 items-stretch md:flex-col" role="presentation"><div class="flex flex-col w-full py-[10px] flex-grow md:py-4 md:pl-4 relative border border-black/10 bg-white dark:border-gray-900/50 dark:text-white dark:bg-gray-700 rounded-xl shadow-xs dark:shadow-xs"><button class="absolute p-1 rounded-md md:bottom-3 md:p-2 md:right-3 dark:hover:bg-gray-900 dark:disabled:hover:bg-transparent right-2 disabled:text-gray-400 enabled:bg-brand-purple text-white bottom-1.5 transition-colors disabled:opacity-40" disabled=""><span class="" data-state="closed"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" fill="none" class="h-4 w-4 m-1 md:m-0" stroke-width="2"><path d="M.5 1.163A1 1 0 0 1 1.97.28l12.868 6.837a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.766L1.969 15.72A1 1 0 0 1 .5 14.836V10.33a1 1 0 0 1 .816-.983L8.5 8 1.316 6.653A1 1 0 0 1 .5 5.67V1.163Z" fill="currentColor"></path></svg></span></button></div></div></form></div></main></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-43800624805384026682023-06-05T19:39:00.002-07:002023-06-05T19:39:34.397-07:00Random thoughts: Rewriting the script of unfulfilled FIRE<div><span style="font-family: arial;">Warning: Random thoughts are meant very much for myself, rather than any other readers. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The script is clear.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Work hard, save, invest wisely, and then, when passive income exceeds expenses by a significant margin, say "F*off" to your day job. You have achieved Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) and have the freedom to do whatever you want.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The promise of the path to FIRE is clear, straightforward, and attainable for most white-collar workers, even those not earning top dollars.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Yet, I could not do it. So what?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">A week ago, I was chatting on WhatsApp with fellow "financial bloggers," and we discussed feeling uneasy when the conversation shifted to property or "how much one has" in general. I started to feel a little inferiority complex creeping up on me again. This time, I am grabbing the inner demon by its neck and saying the following to it:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">1. I will write my own script.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">2. I love my work. When I achieve FIRE, I want to continue doing what I am doing—teaching pupils and coaching volleyball. So, people are paying me to do what I love, and that is freedom. I may be poor, but I have freedom.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">3. Ten years ago, I wrote about my bucket list. When my mum passed away, I shared about the bucket list. I do not need to start a social enterprise, and I can live a life without fulfilling my dreams and fantasies. It is disappointing but not crippling. I will carry on with my life and find meaning daily.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">4. I am well on my way to building a portfolio of reasonable dividends. However, very soon, I will liquidate most of it to buy a private property. Fulfilling the dreams of my loved ones is also my dream. I can let go.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">5. FIRE means having everything.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">6. I can have nothing and still stand straight. I will work until the day I drop dead at work, which is much preferred to waiting on a deathbed, even though the last journey is not controlled by my will.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I am fully aware that forcefully grabbing the neck of my inner demon indicates a lack of inner peace. Well, so be it. Whether it's sour grapes or not, I have learned to distance myself from conversations that revolve too much around "how much I make." Perhaps if I were making a substantial amount, I could join in, but currently, I simply don't enjoy participating. In fact, I find myself having lunches alone, even if the conversations don't revolve around "money and assets." Maybe as I age, I just want to focus on doing what I want, pursuing my interests, and avoiding superficial small talk.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Moreover, with my closest friends, I'm starting to feel like our conversations are going nowhere. During our recent supper three days ago, I made a deliberate effort to steer the conversation towards our beliefs, interests, lives, and values. I'm glad that my close friends still open up to me honestly. I was shocked to hear that one of them is contemplating divorce. The funny thing is, he mentioned it last year, and we didn't think much of it at the time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Considering that I have attended several wakes and heard of the passing of many people in just a few months, I have decided to discard the conventional FIRE script and toss it into the fire pit. I need to get back to work soon, and it doesn't really bother me.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-7731658946890371912023-04-10T03:13:00.001-07:002023-04-10T03:13:42.383-07:00祭友文:拿起来,再放下您的过世,是这两周,<div>我听到第三个离世的消息了。</div><div><br></div><div>我知道你热爱生活,爱分享。</div><div>你对退休生活有研究 。</div><div>不只是经济上,人人乐道的三管齐下(3 taps),</div><div>还有精神上,社交上的活跃。</div><div>你现身说法,告诉大家,即使是运不佳,市场还是会再给你机会。</div><div><br></div><div>自从双亲走后,我就告诉自己要活得精彩,活得充实,过得愉快,坦然。</div><div><br></div><div>最近,又让我觉得,</div><div>我们奋力拿起一切,</div><div>也要潇洒放下。</div><div><br></div><div>我们对周围的人好,</div><div>更要对自己好。</div><div><br></div><div>体恤他人,也要珍惜自己。</div><div><br></div><div>毕竟,人生路,我也过半了。</div><div><br></div><div>那些伤感的人,要哭就哭。</div><div>哭了就笑吧。</div><div><br></div><div>生活让你想破口大骂的事,如果忍不住,就发泄发泄,然后放下,明天再爱,再精彩。</div><div><br></div><div>别辜负此生。</div><div><br></div><div>朋友,我只和你见面几次,但我觉得你也过得精彩,潇洒走一回了 </div><div><br></div><div>伤心的亲人,你们节哀。听说他走得安祥,这是福报。</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-15485971149652488862023-03-06T00:44:00.001-08:002023-03-06T00:44:48.099-08:00Random thoughts: The win, loss and the coaching This is not a post about investment.<div><br></div><div>Is about volleyball, the CCA I am in charge of. This is my second year coaching, until today, I am still learning how to do better. </div><div><br></div><div>I must first explained, coaching and playing are 2 different things. Having played since secondary till my uni days at competitive level means I have a rather good understanding of the game, but it only help so much. Coaching is like management, what u want to do with the sessions, how you organise the kids, what role they play, what strategy to use, and most importantly, how to get the basics right.</div><div><br></div><div>I caught myself yelling a lot at the kids. I wonder if I am too results conscious.</div><div><br></div><div>Today, we lost the "semi final", but I am rather happy. It was the best game the kids have played. The opponent is better with less mistakes. </div><div><br></div><div>I feel more at ease knowing that I actually really just wanted them to reach their potential. </div><div><br></div><div>It is sad to see them go, but as compare to last year, I have many in the junior squad waiting this year.</div><div><br></div><div>I have manage better.</div><div><br></div><div>Looking at how the top 2 teams play, have also given my ideas how to train. </div><div><br></div><div>I will miss them, although they are not as close as last year batch. </div><div><br></div><div>I am also glad that finally, things have come to an end. I believe is decent results to be in the national top 4 and top 8</div><div><br></div><div>The top 8 is already hard fought with a good draw of hands. Given the boys are not motivated and didn't really train hard last year. Guess boys like last minute work, this year they played like mad. It is results beyond my expectations le. If only... ... But life has no second chances</div><div><br></div><div>I am also glad that many of them who can't even serve a ball in Nov last year, can hold their nerve with the top 4 teams and play a game with good rally to and fro.</div><div><br></div><div>It is very tiring to spend mornings and recess practising service and the sorts. </div><div><br></div><div>I felt like a stupid fool at times too. I just keep telling myself is for development, I am in the education line. </div><div><br></div><div>May I continue to have the strength and passion and hone my craft. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-66443322090099016022023-02-04T18:49:00.001-08:002023-02-04T18:49:36.572-08:00随心笔:原来爱原来过多的疼爱,<div>对孩子造成的伤害,</div><div>比没有爱,还要大 。</div><div><br></div><div>认识一些没人疼,</div><div>或者少人疼,</div><div>或者没人管的孩子。</div><div><br></div><div>他们都有些怪癖,</div><div>脾气坏,不说话,</div><div>故意跟你对着干,</div><div>但是你关心他们,</div><div>他们知道。</div><div><br></div><div>什么都顺着孩子的父母,</div><div>功课可以不做,</div><div>学校可以不来,</div><div>因为孩子闹一下,</div><div>就肯定是忧郁了,</div><div>辛苦了。</div><div><br></div><div>孩子就会自我,</div><div>什么都要顺着他,</div><div>完全吃不起苦。</div><div><br></div><div>我希望我错了。</div><div>但是,往往这样下去,</div><div>孩子一事无成,手不能提笔,</div><div>肩不能扛包袱。</div><div><br></div><div>我希望我错了,但是几年来看到的,都是如此 。</div><div>家里无人,还是再婚数次,不管环境多糟。我都觉得他们又可爱的一面,让人心疼的一面。</div><div><br></div><div>是你们的孩子,我与他们的缘分很短。</div><div><br></div><div>你的业,你自己承担吧。</div><div>孩子无罪,大人无知。</div><div><br></div><div>真心疼孩子吧。</div><div>如果不能,就别管他吧。</div><div>别到行逆之,孩子变成你的爸。</div><div><br></div><div>爱的教育,变成了堕的实验。</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-35707262951415901722023-01-15T00:24:00.003-08:002023-01-15T00:24:17.176-08:00随心笔:味道、仪式篇<p><u>味道篇</u></p><p>人生如味,酸甜苦辣咸。</p><p>所谓五味杂陈,多有贬义。</p><p>五位杂陈,才是圆满人生吧。</p><p>咖啡,就有苦,酸,甜。</p><p><br /></p><p>味道过盛,对身体无益。</p><p>唯一例外,唯有苦涩。</p><p>然,我们都厌恶苦味。</p><p><br /></p><p>身上散发的,都是酸味。</p><p>酸葡萄。</p><p>也许嘴上不说,你羡慕别人的还少了?</p><p>切莫让酸葡萄,变成了铜臭味。</p><p><br /></p><p>五味,淡淡即可。</p><p>所谓甜丝丝,就是如此。</p><p><br /></p><p><u>仪式篇</u></p><p>仪式很重要。</p><p>仪式,是一种提醒,让自己牢记,让别人莫忘。</p><p>祭奠仪式,就是莫忘祖先。</p><p><br /></p><p>仪式,也是一种尊重,表示我们的重视。</p><p>毕业仪式,对那些勤奋学习,学有所成的学生表示重视,鼓励。</p><p>提醒其他人孜孜不倦地学习。</p><p><br /></p><p>仪式,是一种提醒,一种重视,一种尊重。</p><p>莫忘了,仪式背后,提醒什么?重视什么?</p><p>莫要本末倒置了。</p><p><br /></p><p>新年迎春,提醒什么?尊重什么?</p><p>谁的屋子布置华丽吗?</p><p>能吃上最美味奢华的大餐吗?</p><p>红包的行情很重要吗?</p><p><br /></p><p>还是提醒我们破旧迎新,</p><p>记得布比受有福?</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-51257791167095686782023-01-02T04:50:00.014-08:002023-01-02T04:57:18.231-08:00Surprises in 2022 at work, that i am thankful forThis post is perhaps 1 day late.<div><br /></div><div>2022 has its ups and downs.</div><div><br /></div><div>These are some surprises in work</div><div><br /></div><div>1) Creating lessons that are fun, like "cooking" in class, and a Harry Potter escape room</div><div><br /></div><div>2) Coaching a volleyball team. It is my good fortune this year to meet some of the most passionate players, who turns up without fail before 7 am in the morning to practise, and yet still clamor for more, doing it during recess. I obliged. It is hectic, tiring, and crazy, given i still have my teaching lessons and other duties.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nonetheless, I will gladly do it again. </div><div><br /></div><div>When the NSG season is over, I am kind of sad to see them go. Most are P6 pupils who need to focus on preparing for their exams.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am happy that most of the dilligent players all gotten DSA to schools of their choice. I told them they are good enough among their peers to apply for any schools, but they need to consider their academic competency too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Till now, i remembered vividly how they are waiting for me during recess, sipping milo and waving frantically when i walk towards the court. What i didn't expect, is long after their competitions is over, so many of them still crowd around me to chat or simply to listen, when our lunch break coincided. Crowded by them as they simply sat around me is a 千金难买 feeling, especially when i feel 缘分已到尽头. During the holidays, they returned for training and helped me with training.</div><div><br /></div><div>3) Unforgettable conversations. A parent whose child is not taught by me, (his boy with my team, i taught her elder daughter years ago) came to look for me, wanting to pass me some snacks from Overseas and thanking me for advice given when his son gotten his exam results. She had wanted to meet another teacher to get some Certificate and i was playing volleyball with the old boys and girls. We ended up chattig for hours and she ordered Macdonald for the kids, when i said some of them didnt take lunch to play volleyball. We ended up having a picnic of sorts, chatting and eating.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of my most quiet pupil in my graduating class actually told me a lot about her family and show me a lot of photos of her younger sister on the last day of school. I always said she is 冰山, as u can hardly get much response from her in class. She is not that cold afterall. Her mum texted me on the day of release of results, thanking me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was tasked to relief a new class after the year end exams. I am surprised that a pupil can earn 50k a year just by chatting to people on a platform with games. I am sure there are plenty of info she didnt tell me, and i told her my concerns about the job taking a nasty turn. Well, i am surprised with the amount of info she is willing to share with a "stranger". I heard enough to feel that she is street smart enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well. I am thankful for these things at work. Happy 2023, have a great year at work too</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-23902093876613544922022-12-21T01:10:00.001-08:002022-12-21T01:14:09.384-08:00Thakral, a gem under the rubble?Note: vested interest<div><br></div><div>Never heard of it? Is a singapore listed company with distrubution and real estate business.</div><div><br></div><div>Maybe u should take a look too and tell me what u think?</div><div><br></div><div>Some interesting facts:</div><div><br></div><div>1) 7.5 +- yield, that is backed by it's dividend policy of 2 half yearly payout of 2 cents. It is broken only in 2020</div><div><br></div><div>2) The distribution business has turnaround and with China also opening up, the longer term trend makes tailwinds more than headwings.</div><div><br></div><div>3) Hit the jackpot with its 50-50 JV with Gemlife, which has been developing retiree homes for the above 50 in Australia for almost a decade. It is going from strength to strength, and there is failed attempt to merge living stone and Gemlife and to attract a new investor for a 1.billion stake. Although Thakral clarfied the australia news article price tag of 1billion is "indicative", and the deal has been called off, a comparison with its existing market capitalisation suggest a wide discrepancy.</div><div><br></div><div>4) Company did a partial offering in 2019 to raise its stake to 50.2 percent at low ball target, of 50. Cents, then just 11 percent prenium to then WAP. It restarted shares buyback above 50 cents recently. It has not done any shares buyback in years</div><div><br></div><div>It is purely my speculation that the company might be privatised. But if is not, a 7.5 yield seem like a good deal to me, especially if the dividends never exceeded the company Net profits and is stated as a formal dividend policy. In short, the dividende seem sustainable.</div><div><br></div><div>Merry Christmas and Thakral you, i mean Thank you for reading.</div><div><br></div><div>Have a festive year end</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-24068803525312801772022-10-11T17:24:00.001-07:002022-10-11T17:24:56.990-07:00随心笔:放松想要放松一点,<div>就把一切不愉快的遭遇当渡劫,</div><div>让一切的失败和辜负被原谅。</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-36070106088317782892022-10-07T23:49:00.001-07:002022-10-07T23:49:15.506-07:00Random thoughts: Thankful for a satisfying day<p>Yesterday was a great day! I am thankful for it.</p><p>For those who read Rolf H2F3 post, it was one of the days where I feel everything is falling in place</p><p>We celebrated my wife's birthday. We didn't really celebrate birthdays beyond a meal at home due to Covind. I spent quite some time planning for this. While my wife changed the plan quite a bit to fit her busy tuition schedule, I can see she is visible happy about the meal out, and the surprise gifts we got for her, which are not expensive. </p><p>I also meet up with some secondary school friends for a game of volleyball, and I brought my son along. I could not recognise most of my seniors, but I nonetheless had a good 1 hour game. I could not play longer as I need to fetch my wife from work. </p><p>What really makes me happy is I used to be very anxious when I played a game with the seniors. This time round, I simply said I would like to play the role of a "setter", even to strangers. There are mistakes made, but it doesn't bother me anymore and I could really enjoy the game as it is. What I have been telling my pupils in my CCA to do, I finally is able to do it myself. </p><p>Even my son said he has the best game play ever and would really want to play more. </p><p>Although there is not much catching up with friends, I am just contented to have re-connect with my secondary school friends, even if it is just short whatsapp messages.</p><p>The time spent thinking and planning for my wife birthday celebration is really worth it. I realise I have spent so much time planning for my pupils' study and I have not put in as much thoughts for my family. Will try to do so more often. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-66343361975197665082022-10-01T18:52:00.001-07:002022-10-01T18:52:59.618-07:00My portfolio turns REDMy defense have been breached. I want to write a blog to reflect on a few questions.<div><br></div><div>1) Could I have sold more earlier? </div><div><br></div><div>2) When to buy more? </div><div><br></div><div>Let's look at the recent actions. My rules governing selling is not price sensitive, as oppose to what many investors and traders use. I ask myself if there is a risk of earning deterioration, and if the odds is high, sell. </div><div><br></div><div>Hence I sold CSE, whose management mentioned about cost overrun eating into margin, and with inflation, I hardly think things can get better easier even with a bigger order book. The price didn't reflect my pessimism, it fells generally with the magnitude of market retreat.</div><div><br></div><div>I also reduce Hotung, as I thought the high interest rate environment with make tech VC business more trying, and they have already had 2 years of good growth, and hence is staring at a high base historically </div><div><br></div><div>I reduce Geely 175 HK, since I wanted to keep my HK portfolio smaller than Singapore, and after accumulating on weakness, i got a chance after China declare it wants to support EV industry to offload with profits. I still have half of the shares, but the fall in this counter has been drastic, things could have been worse if I have not cash out </div><div><br></div><div>These sell actions only generated about 5 percent more cash. </div><div><br></div><div>And some of it, I recycled and bought into YZJ Financial and Wilmar, so the net cash increase is slightly less tha 3 percent. </div><div><br></div><div>Compared to TONG portfolio from the edge newspaper, who decidedly trimmed half of it portfolio, my actions seem to be going nowhere. </div><div><br></div><div>Now, why couldnt I sell more. Are there possible deterioration of earnings that I failed to see? </div><div><br></div><div>Inflation, restricted to my limited knowledge, affect margins for almost every company, except perhaps commodity companies (but apparently this is true only for energy but not agriculture, if u look at the price performance of companies.) </div><div><br></div><div>So, so I sell most of my counters? Or should I continue to look at company specific impact, and hold on to those companies since I have no idea what will be a good rentry price. </div><div><br></div><div>The fear of missing out of a good rentry price for good blue chip companies seems to be the reason why I hesitate to sell companies like ST engineering, HK land, Keppel etc, as I scope them up during pandemic panic. I am not sure if such price will come by again. If u ask me if I can sell first and buy back later, I am.not sure what is the "spread" to take advantage of. I did tell myself to buy back DBS after I sold it at 37 yo get back at 20 percent discount, but when it went to sub 30 for a while, I did nothing, and the chance is pased.</div><div><br></div><div>Let's assume I should have done it, and I should sell most of my counters now, I am not sure if they will fall another 20 percent, it seems like "gambling" that a Inflation triggered recession will wipe another 20 percent off when prices have already corrected. I think HK counters is really too late to sell, as they have already dropped close to 40 percent from their peak. </div><div><br></div><div>I also shuddered to think that developers/reits who survived 2 years of pandemic crowd control measures who do worse in a recession. </div><div><br></div><div>It seems that at this point of time, the answer is I could not have sold more unless I changed my rules for selling. </div><div><br></div><div>The HK market is a surprise, as I did miss selling the construction companies when the developers are delevaraging and their property market went into doldrum. Beyond that, is school fees paid to understand the business better, what raw material course to look out for, and what regulation to stay clear.</div><div><br></div><div>For the second qn, my rule is accumulation when prices fell by 20 percent in a "normal" market and 25 - 30 percent in volatile market. </div><div><br></div><div>It definitely is the latter now, I did went and scope up plenty of HK counters recently. Ping An, ICBC, Alibaba, China Resources </div><div><br></div><div>Even in Singapore, I intiate position on CICT and adds on to SATS. </div><div><br></div><div>I will keep to the rule, and buy anytime when I think the odds of future earning growth is high. (need not be the next quarter) </div><div><br></div><div>Conclusion</div><div><br></div><div>There is no denying that I have limited knowledge of how the companies are run and the industries that they are in. </div><div><br></div><div>But the silver lining is that I have not broken any self-written rules for investing. </div><div><br></div><div>I am not sure how I should measure my performance, but I am definitely not losing sleep yet. </div><div><br></div><div>Maybe one of the selling rule could be 2 years of record growth? Any lack of catalyst or first sight of red flag should be enough to activate a sell some call, so I could have perhaps lock in more profits. </div><div><br></div><div>If I followed this rule, I would not be able to sell earlier, but I could have sold Lung Kee, CSCP, lonking etc </div><div><br></div><div>I think the most important rule to review should be I should have a different set of rules for HK portfolio. Since the movement in this market is perhaps 2 to 3 times not volatile. I should take a more active trading mindset with overseas counters</div><div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-81334813048581686912022-09-09T23:15:00.001-07:002022-09-09T23:15:52.577-07:00随心笔:中秋节的祝福<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />中秋快乐, 但愿读者身体健康。<p></p><p>不求闲逸无事,只求累得心甘情愿。</p><p>不奢望包容受宠,只要知音的了解 。</p><p>不盼亲友四周,只需心存挂念。</p><p><br /></p><p>最后,俗的可以。</p><p>送着一幅图。</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlx5DhdIlXtRJAesMVucpB4AyO5wezlHTLnV_SQKzJVm-STtvZKqhMv4raZO9X4BnVRUAYxBP2VEiGJzAeI134muN2Gg-_sGFXXEtpoqZ9D19bGsA9laeon41WV1TmtbGvJHVsijRw9fVZAUHGcteLCZ66ZFycshLi3AWWQIT00hBXz0U020i8g/s1439/IMG-20220910-WA0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlx5DhdIlXtRJAesMVucpB4AyO5wezlHTLnV_SQKzJVm-STtvZKqhMv4raZO9X4BnVRUAYxBP2VEiGJzAeI134muN2Gg-_sGFXXEtpoqZ9D19bGsA9laeon41WV1TmtbGvJHVsijRw9fVZAUHGcteLCZ66ZFycshLi3AWWQIT00hBXz0U020i8g/s320/IMG-20220910-WA0024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-74518408684545896592022-08-19T22:00:00.002-07:002022-08-19T22:00:21.662-07:00Random Thoughts: Fairness<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6u9yT18UKBx10ggB-r_XmL2AaoVJVlEM5N1DOo6cSLpFdofHRYcHxNCZt9qSF1UJNqtO52KpYhIePSg_xIu7i-ETvmA8uWt8iLkVw2T5k4I-gx-KahOt1WohgJffR5TeGDiqzNRRoedUeBmrMJZrh_X1NepCnwr4gHgBGZ_cMZAr98jzeTWYdQ/s913/45168008_2326182767453470_298213250242183168_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6u9yT18UKBx10ggB-r_XmL2AaoVJVlEM5N1DOo6cSLpFdofHRYcHxNCZt9qSF1UJNqtO52KpYhIePSg_xIu7i-ETvmA8uWt8iLkVw2T5k4I-gx-KahOt1WohgJffR5TeGDiqzNRRoedUeBmrMJZrh_X1NepCnwr4gHgBGZ_cMZAr98jzeTWYdQ/w329-h400/45168008_2326182767453470_298213250242183168_n.jpg" width="329" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Recently the above words resonate with me a lot. I do not see it as a whin about the world being the "lion" and hence it is survival of the fittest, rather it is about a choice, a choice that we make and hence, we live with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have been taught that our parents take care of us, hence we take care of them. Work hard and study hard, and we will get the food of our labour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The truth, I guess, is there are plenty of exceptions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The reverse is true too, Mother Nature has given us almost everything, i.e. resources, fresh air etc, but what have we give back to Mother Nature?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is about the choice of a process.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Recently, I read up a bit about Karl Marx's ideas about emancipation, and that there is a difference between political emancipation and human emancipation. I guess the romantic vision of human emancipation where the ideas of communion and fellowship is so ingrained in us that people need not institutional rights to protect us, is akin to thinking that lions will not harm us, if we do not harm them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is human nature to expect a certain result from a certain efforts. However, as a teacher, I knew firsthand that the threshold of "efforts" is arbitrary, and how much efforts one put in, is often seen in one's own perspective. I seldom hear comments like "I have already done my utmost best" from pupils in the past, but I hear it quite often now. (i.e. Pupils are really more articulate nowadays). From the vintage point of a teacher over years, I have seen how some pupils work really hard without complaints and how some think a little efforts exerted is killing them. Sometimes I just have to reply very blankly that "your best is simply just not enough"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even if efforts measured by hours are the same, how effective the hours are spent differs, but I would like to point out that it is already very difficult to get some to put in the hours. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The faster we recognize our choices, and accept the possibilities of our choices, the earlier we discard "complaints" and reduce some of the instinctive negative understanding of our world (Some say is survival instinct)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I might be dealt with some lousy cards in life, and I am taking the opportunity to think and plan for my next steps if the worst happens. I guess I would feel really unhappy if the worst happens, but at the same time, I believed I will pick myself and challenge myself to explore new horizons. </div><br /> <p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-10590122900781891582022-08-13T20:16:00.002-07:002022-08-13T20:16:33.989-07:00Random thoughts: Academic and sporting performance <p>I have faced disappointment in both areas, as a participant and also as a teacher/coach.</p><p>We tend to give too much hope to good performance and forget that consistency is the most important.</p><p>It is useless to be able to spike, serve well during training and let fear takes over in a match. When we can do very well in some questions, doesn't mean we can answer all similar questions.</p><p>In the end, the process of refining how I coach/ teach, becomes more meaningful and motivating than the final results.</p><p>My players trained hard but didn't get the results, my pupils were lazy and kept telling me they are stressed and have too much work. </p><p>Effort does not gives u results, it however will likely give u progress.</p><p>Let hope those who passes me fear no hardship and progess in life.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-43342115797545629592022-08-12T03:00:00.003-07:002022-08-12T03:00:27.699-07:00随心笔:枷锁<p>看不见的枷锁,套在心上。</p><p>想着以前,害怕改变。</p><p>即便有人把我推了出去,</p><p>我可能还是看着之前的框框。</p><p>我在想:现在的生活比以前好吗?</p><p>什么叫好呢?</p><p>其实,不同,有什么关系。</p><p>何必放不下过去。</p><p>不同的节奏,不同的生活,</p><p>会给周围的人带来困扰,但是,</p><p>不要再犯同样的错误了。</p><p>不要再和过去比较了,</p><p>我珍惜当下的每一秒,我过得很满足。</p><p>我不需要和以前一样,</p><p>也许日子会穷一点,</p><p>也许,生活没那么写意,</p><p>也许,相处的时间少了。</p><p>但是,这是并不是最重要的。</p><p>解开枷锁,认真去拥抱不同吧。</p><p>不同的感触,不同的困难。</p><p>心里的宇宙,不要让它小的像沙粒。</p><p>走了一圈,或许回到原点,</p><p>或许倒退了。</p><p>但是,走着,就是活着,</p><p>走着,感受着向前迈进吧。</p><p>也许,别人走得很高,走得很远。</p><p>我就试试,走一下不同的路。</p><p>放下,枷锁。</p><p>如果推了出来,就潇洒地走,不要回头。</p><p>不同,是我的脑筋在玩游戏。</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEGSR0NnH_doVeQq_ecgZUsCAuImxgimRBCGLIDggWRyR0e9xUp7mOOkDT5sXiidd-8FlUboYYhTbUhNOEE_PrmMRRa6MGyyHXmkYdSYPMMRftt1TpFMM9Sr5oFvGEDh2SD_mf0Vv0gM7ieozW67zESTEuWdqtt2SBzfRywRqVK_u6rnn9ZQAyUA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEGSR0NnH_doVeQq_ecgZUsCAuImxgimRBCGLIDggWRyR0e9xUp7mOOkDT5sXiidd-8FlUboYYhTbUhNOEE_PrmMRRa6MGyyHXmkYdSYPMMRftt1TpFMM9Sr5oFvGEDh2SD_mf0Vv0gM7ieozW67zESTEuWdqtt2SBzfRywRqVK_u6rnn9ZQAyUA=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-7188053246651209832022-06-19T05:09:00.001-07:002022-06-19T05:09:41.053-07:00Random thoughts: A School Holiday BreakThe weird insights of my break from work<div><br></div><div>1) Misses work for the first week of break, but apprehensive about restarting work in the third week.</div><div><br></div><div>2) Watch and then finished reading "Demon Slayers". The Anime Art blow my mind, but what really sticks is the line "there is no heaven or hell, that is a concept imagined by weaklings who cannot do anything about their sufferings"</div><div><br></div><div>I agreed with it. Althought it is words uttered by demon, we should live out lives to the fullest or to the way we wanted, there is no need to hope for heaven or wish the hell for others. </div><div><br></div><div>3) Reading Dalio "Changing World Order" and Grayting "history of philosophy"</div><div><br></div><div>The mind is the most beautiful and effective when combined with the most powerful computer or the most trialling circumstances. </div><div><br></div><div>Live the experiences, and let them become tools of enlightenment and research</div><div><br></div><div>4) Simplicity is enjoyed by kids too.</div><div><br></div><div>We planned a camping or rather Glaming trip for our son and nieces and relative kids </div><div><br></div><div>We planned bowling, aracde trip, BBQ, jumpolin etc, surprise and surprise. Most of them said they enjoyed the BBQ of Masmalo most, and second the visit to turtle muesem at ORTO.</div><div><br></div><div>I shall start work again tomorrow. Looking forward to it. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-40703159726075697852022-05-27T22:53:00.001-07:002022-05-27T22:53:03.679-07:00Random venting: A weirdo emotions<div>Warning: Low energy post</div><div><br></div>I think I am a weirdo.<div><br></div><div>In the past few months, I have been bombarded with 1 bad news after another.</div><div><br></div><div>My good friend going thro divorce, another friend's mum is down with cancer and another passed away. </div><div><br></div><div>In my area of work, a parent complained that I picked on her son. I misplaced a rather important document at work. </div><div><br></div><div>Yet, while these incidents cause some disturbances, I got through them within minutes, made a decision on what I should do, and execute them.</div><div><br></div><div>My superior told me my performance might be affected due to the loss of the item. It didn't really bother me, I simply went on to discuss with my bosses and proceed with the actions to bring damage to a minimal.</div><div><br></div><div>I was rather "happy" with my zen, and how the many setbacks didn't seem to affect me much. The market pullback didn't even make the list of what bothers me. </div><div><br></div><div>But when the team that I have been coaching and working with lost a match, I was very upset. I feel they lost to their fear and were not playing to their potential. </div><div><br></div><div>In the third and fourth placing match, I told them to play to their best and the placing doesn't matter anymore. They played even worse.</div><div><br></div><div>I was quite taken a back by how strongly I feel about the whole incident. The night the team lost the semi-finals, I can't fall asleep and I feel tightness in my chest. The next morning, I did an punishing exercise routine to sweat it out and vent. It works only for a while. </div><div><br></div><div>It's the first day of the holiday, and I still feeling rather moody, the last time I remember experience such intense unhappiness is during the caregiving and later, the passing on of my parents. </div><div><br></div><div>As I lie on bed, I realise I experiencing some "separation anxiety" too. Every year, during my pupils graduation, I would feel it for a week or 2. </div><div><br></div><div>I think I am weird. When my superior told me I might get a much lower performance bonus, I was just upset for like ? 10 min? </div><div><br></div><div>I think I am super emo. So like instead of experiencing separation anxiety once a week, I will experience it twice a year, at the end of the NSG. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-41931371664139057392022-03-20T20:33:00.001-07:002022-03-20T20:33:58.964-07:00Random thoughts: Energy vampires I feel drained when I hear the following:<div><br></div><div>1) Petrol pump is up, everything is going up, and there is going to be GST, the ......</div><div><br></div><div>2) Why is there an price difference between Grab food platform and the price of food from food court? Let's order something else ... ...</div><div><br></div><div>3) Why is the country opening up? There are still so many cases, they dun care anymore... ...</div><div><br></div><div>It is not the content, but the lack of perspective and drama that I hate. I can understand it when a PVH laments about the cost of petrol eating into margins and profits.</div><div><br></div><div>Yet, we are safe and sound in Singapore, while Ukraine is being bombed, and car owners who still have their jobs keeping talking about rise in cost, it smacks of lack of thankfulness.</div><div><br></div><div>I am glad that Covid, Ukraine's war, and inflation is affecting my life only in terms of dollars and cents and I am very thankful that I can manage, and still get on with life. </div><div><br></div><div>While I have many unhappiness regarding how Covid is managed in Singapore, I think there are many loopholes and flaws in Singapore, but I nonetheless is grateful that we are in no shortage of Vaccines, and our hospitals are not overwhelmed. </div><div><br></div><div>U can disagree with the way things are, I express your opinions, that doesn't make u or me a energy vampires. But if you just like to complain and dramatized the many little inconveniences, I wonder how can we experience happiness and peace. </div><div><br></div><div>Dun be energy vampires. If we cannot spread positivity, at least keep the negative Energy to ourselves.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-5993497740482056482022-03-17T05:34:00.005-07:002022-03-17T05:43:35.040-07:00Random thoughts: Alibaba and JD<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> I think Alibaba brought a lot of grief to people. <br /><br />From what I read in the blogger sphere, it seems many people "regret" boarding the bandwagon. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As a silly investor, I would like to give my silly take. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As Alibaba went south, I followed my rules of engagement of accumulating when price show 20-25% weakness. When it is my third or fourth Tranche, I look for 30-35% correction. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Mathematically, the third or fourth tranche will be less than 50% of your last purchase price.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The caveat is the accumulation cannot Exceed 5% of my overall portfolio, and my portfolio, I included my cash that are set aside for investment. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I believe Alibaba cloud business will turn in profits, and its e-commerce still has a moat. I also believe/ hope that regulations will come to an end, and release the pressures on these companies. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">My average price is 146 and I am 30% into the red. I missed the lowest price and my last entry is 96, which is just slightly higher than what the market offers now. At its worst, I am down by more than 40%. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I do not think I will accumulate further although I still have leeway and room before the 5% ceiling is hit. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The same can be said of JD, although I waited longer before accumulating because JD results is worse than I expected, (turning in a loss).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I think I am humbled by the HK market, as I am a newbie in it. I didn't experience multiple days of more than 20% swing in price per day with STI. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">My holding of HK counters increased significantly when HK hit bear market, alas, I was 2 days too early, or I would be already be sitting on good paper gains. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Yet, I reminded myself that my goal is not about bragging rights, but to build a portfolio that is less fragile to shocks, and one of the way to build such a portfolio is to do bear hunting. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I bought:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial; white-space: nowrap;">1China Shineway Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial; white-space: nowrap;">2Stella, </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial; white-space: nowrap;">3Ping An, </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial; white-space: nowrap;">4ICBC, </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial; white-space: nowrap;">and accumulate JD and Alibaba. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The point I want to make is this, we can never predict the market, and we will likely learn new lessons from Mr Market, but it is of utmost importance to have a plan or strategy and stick to it. Gather data as you execute the plan, and refine it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If we start throwing out our whole blueprint every time the market move against us, and hope to get a new sure-win plan, we are asking for trouble. We should be more concerned about our portfolio, than individual counters. What is the cash flow generating from that portfolio, and is there any buffer to withstand a correction? My last count, my yield of portfolio is 3-4% only, but it is a portfolio that allowed me to sleep well during turbulent times and is better than CPF, OA, without lock-in period.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I hope to be able to improve either the yield or the MOS of my portfolio. Since I am still building up my portfolio size, I am definitely BUYING more than SELLING. The only stock I sold in the last month is DBS, but I agree with SMOL that I can do better at SELLING, since I am too fixated on buying. It is one area that I think I can improves on, but SELLING and PANIC SELLING are 2 totally different matter</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I am more a turnaround investor, so my style suit me alone. I am not peddling my way, but encouraging whoever is sitting on Alibaba paper loss, that well, you have a silly companion who is not just silly but also stubborn. </span></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2011194091106156925.post-26301521830341366942022-03-06T01:56:00.001-08:002022-03-06T01:56:57.317-08:00Random thoughts: Steady portfolio in chaotic times.My portfolio is 10 percent in the green, but I have several misadventures, with counters down by 50 percent or more, such as TianNeng Power international, and several others such as Alibaba 9988<div><br></div><div>The portfolio is actually not at it lowest, for the past 1 year, despite the HK tech meltdown, Russia War, and inflation fears.</div><div><br></div><div>Looking back, the last 6 months provide several reflective points, which I will pen down </div><div><br></div><div>1) Portfolio should include both realised and unrealised profits and also cash.</div><div><br></div><div>I used to ignore unrealised profits or loss in looking at my portfolio, and realised how foolish I have been. Several counters that I bought for a trading gains, like Geely, Alibaba, JD has gone from a profits to loss. Geely especially, has met target of 50 percent gains, and yet, I didn't do anything. </div><div><br></div><div>2) Thematic reallocation of portfolio.</div><div>When inflation is the scare, I pick up Olam, a commodity player. Commodity plays tend to do well in inflationary environment, and so far it worked well.</div><div><br></div><div>Reopening theme plays have not turn out too well. </div><div><br></div><div>But restructuring plays like Capitaland to capital investment, sembcorp Demerger, and Keppel vision 2030 restructuring all turn out relatively well. </div><div><br></div><div>Diversified portfolio need various themes, and I will continue to explore this, together with geographic diversification. I recently re-enter US tech stocks again.</div><div><br></div><div>3) Dumb luck.</div><div><br></div><div>ST ENGINEERING and BAE are bought, for their cash flow and defensive business. When war broke out, both perform well, although I rather there is no war. I hope war ends quickly and won't not mind the 2 counters knee jerk corrections.</div><div><br></div><div>4) Averaging down is a double edge sword.</div><div><br></div><div>1 counter, TianNeng Power, has been average down thrice. Hitting for ceiling/ threshold of 5 percent and singlehandedly pull the whole HK portfolio into RED. </div><div><br></div><div>I think I might need some review of Av. Down rules again. </div><div><br></div><div>Of course, there are cases of Averaging down working well, like For Olam, etc.</div><div><br></div><div>5) Accumulate up will work too. </div><div><br></div><div>I did that for Hotung, YZJ, Comfort Delgo when I predicted that earning will improve, and pushing up dividends. It works well for all except Comfort Delgo. </div><div><br></div><div>The idea of earning projections and expansion is important in our decision making process. Don't just buy low price, buy when there is low expectations, and earnings can beat those expectations.</div><div><br></div><div>6) Diversification gives me a good night sleep.</div><div><br></div><div>Non of my counters are above 5 percent of my total portfolio values. In fact, I have more counters in the 2- 3 percent range than 5 percent range. My portfolio value moves up and down like a snail. </div><div><br></div><div>I guess is nothing exciting. But since most of the counters gave a dividend, as long as the portfolio stays above water, I will just milk the dividends and occasional opportunitsic trades.</div><div><br></div><div>7) Entry point is everything..Almost.</div><div>I created the bulk of my portfolio during the Covid onset scare, when STI is around 2700. </div><div><br></div><div>Yup, I went in early. It bottoms around 2300. </div><div><br></div><div>But it is still a reasonable entry points for most counters. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4