Forgetting Sarah Marshall

This show is good! i mean, i loved the lines and the people who acted in it. And it helped that the scenery was beautiful. Watch it!

P suggested i go as the Oriental Pearl tower (dong fang ming zhu). She says it's very 'Shanghai'. I really couldn't agree more.

Shanghai Grand?

The theme for this year's dinner and dance is "Shanghai Grand". Everyone and their colleagues are going to either wear a cheongsam, or dress like triad members. Boring, if u ask me. Since i'm a big fan of Mao, i've decided to go as a communist.

New auction site

I've been searching for a good local shopping site. For some reason, i really don't quite like ebay. So i'm going to give this one a shot:
http://sg.auctions.buystation.com/index.php

try it. and let me know wat u think.

good medicine

A good talk with a good friend heals like no other medicine can.

i'm home

Today's a normal work day. but i'm home, in my pjs. but not exactly enjoying life. i'm in pain. shitloads of. i took out another 2 teeth just now and it's worse than the first 2 i took out. now when i smile, it certainly looks very empty. Shame on me for deciding so late to do this. Now it'll all take longer and hurt more, i think.

argh. i feel like a wounded hippopotamus with an arrow stuck in my ass. I can't remove it and i'm in pain, but not dying. arghhhh....let's just hope i lose a few kilos in the process. haha.

Tooth fairy

the tooth fairy (if she exists) will be extremely pleased with me. This is because i extracted 2 teeth last Monday. And i will extract another 2 today. Don't ask me why. it's not my wisdom teeth. And i'm really a bit sad. Cos it's so so painful. And it's not that i completely can't eat. Cos i still do. If i don't, perhaps there'll be some goodness. Like i'll become skinny or something. for some reason, i manage to eat.

Argh. i'm not looking forward to it. i'm scared. and i can't take MC either. I have a call tomorrow at 7am. argh argh argh.

pinkie

My new phone (which i haven't purchased). Cos it's not launched yet. But i'm laying claim. This is MY phone.

Face lift?

On Friday night, i met a friend to shop and eat. We went to Tampines Mall. My goodness, i think i haven't been there in like 5 years. I received a sample of the above cream. I tried it at night. And it stung like mad! I had to keep fanning my face. It was so painful. But the pain did go away after about 3 minutes. I suppose this product does work. It's like the cheaper version SKII. But for now, i'm sticking to my own beauty regime. But in case u wanna try, have a fan nearby.

ella ella

This morning before i left the house, i looked up at the sky and decided that Mr Sky looks a bit dehydrated, having been raining all night. So i didn't bring my umbrella. Then i got caught in the rain. A kind stranger tapped on my shoulder and offered to share. She didn't say a word. I was really grateful for her kind gesture.

I think next time i'll share my umbrella too. U too ok?

Polka-torttie

Say hello to the polka-dotted tortise from Osaka. My sis is on holiday and sent me this picture. So cute hor? I think tortises have smiley faces. Smile back!

Rigged: The true story of a wall street novice who changed the world of oil forever

I'm currently reading this book. I think i'm liking the style of writing this author adopts and has been keeping me hooked from when i settle in bed with it, till the time i fall asleep. Very exciting. When i'm done, then i'll tell u more. =)

30 Aug 08: I've finished this book already. it's not as good as 21. not even close really. but overall, quite informative. It's not unreadable. It's still a rather easy read, just that it might not keep u on edge. =)

21: Bringing down the house

Since i'm a library junkie, authors don't really get to earn royalties from me. As a way of giving back, i shall tell u about this book i've read. it's called 21: Bringing down the house. It's about 6 MIT undergrads who worked out a system to win a lot of money at the casinos. This is a true story, which makes it all the more a good read. The plot is fast paced and exciting. Honestly, i believe it'll make the normal person want to try his hand at Blackjack after reading the book, as the basics of the "system" described is actually quite simple and logical. The best part? it's legal and works. It's not cheating. However, expect to be kicked out cos when u go to casinos, u're not supposed to win.

Anyways, if u are a speedy plot lover like me, read this book! And also watch the movie when it's out.

Predictions

I know i've said this before. And my view hasn't changed.

Based on my predictions (totally originating from me, if someone else says the same thing, i defintely don't know about it), Singapore will experience recession during September 2010, plus minus 3 months (i.e. June to December 2010).

So, hold ur horses and money, and prepare to buy a lot of things then. hahahaha. (also can give me a treat)

=)

Auditors versus accountants

There are a few things auditors and accountants would agree on.
They include: -
- accountancy-trained people have a poor image among members of the public (boring, rigid, poor communicators, just to name a few)
- for the amount of manual labour performed, the pay is actually very low.

I'm attending my CPA pre-admission course. Upon passing this course, and with a testimonial from my employer stating my 3-year experience, i will become a non-practising certified accountant. Not very exciting, i know. But can la. heh.

Unexpectedly, we had a discussion in class today. And it struck me how much accountants (we call them people in "commercial" firms) dislike auditors (typically from "professional" firms). This is a general comment, i know there are exceptions. And the reasons are not invalid. They include: -
- auditors who come on-site to perform audit procedures typically comprise fresh graduates with no commercial/ operational experience, and they are expected to "audit" the company;
- more experienced seniors may not necessarily have gained more experience simply by more years of service in the professional firm. They are known to be booksmart, eager to apply standards without displaying an understanding of the business needs;
- managers who typically know more are not present at field audits;
- everytime there's a change of staff on the audit team, the 'new' member comes along asking the same questions. And this happens very often.

So, to add to the misery of earning not so much, auditors are under-appreciated, even hated.

I'm not ruling out the possibility of commercial people being envious of the people in professional firms, who have annual promotions and can look forward to becoming managers by their 5th or 6th year of service. When u (accountants) think u know more about a company, but auditors are those with an almost iron rice bowl (albeit small one) and receiving the promotions and bonuses in a timely manner, i think it's not impossible to believe that accountants might feel a bit of sour grapes. But i'm not entirely sure of course. Afterall, some commercial firms pay very well.

I don't think this problem can be solved. Auditors as a profession, in my most humble opinion, should be eliminated or taken under the arm of the government (something like IRAS tax audits, only it's the accounting one), perhaps a section of SGX. So that those in professional firms who decide to perform "audits" may do it from a consulting, performance improvement angle and seek to add value to the client's business, and not merely to police them. And those really doing the audit for say SGX (in my imagination) don't have to be graduates. They just need a technical understanding of the processes and simple accounting standards. (See, more jobs for those who choose not to study so much!) Afterall, standards may always be referred to. And when that fails, there's always "prior year" to follow.

This way, accountants and "auditor-consultants" (in my imaginary world, again) will have aligned goals, like improving efficiency, tightening controls, improving business, costing for better profits, etc. And hopefully, the accounts department will also become a more valued part of any profit-driven organisation.

Monday morning melodies

I'm supposed to be at home, snoozing away. but my manager wanted me back. so here i am, with nothing really much to do. i don't have an email full of instructions or anything. In fact, i thought it was good that i come back just to clear the mail box or something. but then, it's not full at all! hahah.

The previous week has been absolute bliss. i don't remember doing much besides walking my dog, going for classes (i'm attending this course now) and walking my dog. In fact, i walked so much last week, today, i asked my dad to send me all the way to the office.

On Friday night, i slept at 730pm and work up at 6am. On Saturday evening, i slept at 630pm and work up at 9am. Get the pattern? Last night i slept at 10pm. So late hor? haha. I think it's been a while since i've gone to school and the learning is just so taxing on my brain. Plus the walking. But it really feels very good. Beats any spa. Try it.

When my dad came back, i asked him if Chippy lost weight (cos i walked him quite a bit this week). and he was like "no la!" hahaha. i also know the answer. But thought it was funny to ask. Oh oh, i also went shopping yesterday. Not deliberately though. My sister and i were bringing a Filippino friend around, and we passed a bazaar sale at Suntec. Not too bad. Not that great either.

Ok, i should get back to work, though i have no idea wat's there to do yet. But perhaps i'l read my course notes. whooppeee. i love Mondays.

Did u know?

That in the Bible, it is written that a righteous man "regards the life of his animal"? i've always thought that Chippy had a place in heaven and i think it's confirmed now!

Well, not really. But you know, there's this thing about people who like animals? or for that matter, don't dislike them? They are usually the people who come across to be a little warmer and a little more able to empathise. No, not that people who don't are bad. Not at all. I'm not out to categorise people. (really!). Just that it further reminds me that my big big God takes into account these small small things. How much more me. =)

In case you're wondering, it's Proverbs 12:10.

Originality no enough

This movie is not worth watching. Please keep the cash in your pocket. The jokes are overused: mainly about the government always collecting money, numerous ERP gantries, how people go out of their way to want to win lottery, collect freebies, etc. Then, the moral of the story is that true wealth is your family and things that money cannot buy.

Some people (other reviews) say it really hit home and reflects the Singapore thinking. I want to vomit at that suggestion. If that's the case, i'm really not typical (but i knew that already). But this storyline is far-fetched without being funny, relying on unoriginal typecasts and non-new jokes. The acting was also not good, with everyone being one-dimensional. It's really sad.

Some computer graphics were employed for the movie and the audience was shown a bit of the process, such as drawings without colour and then how it turns out, and how they simulated certain parts of the movie, such as a lot a lot of people (i'm careful not to spoil the story for you) when they are not that many. But please don't watch the show for this. It's really a waste.

hello hello

I thought i had the time to blog like mad over the weekend, but in the end, it was taken up by a grueling dance practice and NDP TV session and 2 birthday parties. But i'm one happy person. I went shopping again and bought a top! whooppeee. i love shopping. everyone should shop.

If u look really closely, u'd see my brother standing among other soldiers, in the letter "N". i'm how proud of him. coolness. This year's NDP is cool. Celebrating the Singapore spirit. =)