A recent incident at a playground reminded me that children can be an asset or liability. This is what happens:
About a month ago, my 2-year-old son and I met two friendly and caring children, 7-11 years old (oversea Indian based on their accent). We were at a fitness corner for adults and these two Indian children came along and asked me how old is my son and what his name is. They even cautioned my son to be careful when using this fitness equipment. I was very impressed with their upbringing and friendliness. I thought these two Indian children will go far with this attitude in life. Their parents did bring them up well.
About a week ago, at the same fitness corner, my son and I met two unfriendly and malicious children, 4-5 years old (Chinese). What happened was this: first, they glared at us, then they insulted us with words like “baby goes home”, and even wanted to throw water at us. I suspect, they would have thrown water if I was not there. Next, one of them wanted to sit on a fitness station that my son was using. As my son refused to get up, he even shows a kicking action. (I suspect he would kick my son if I was not there). I intervened by shouting “wait!” Lastly, a black girl about age 4-5 years old came along. She climbed up the fitness station with her bare hands, and the 2 malicious children upon seeing this, tried to make her fall down by hitting her hands or feet. Thankfully, she held on. Once again, she was insulted by the two children with words like “baby go home”. The black girl had enough of this insults and pointed and shouted back at the rude boy. The boy pointed and shouted back at the black girl. Luckily, the girl’s mother called her back. I am sure the mum saw the quarrel but she chose to ask her to leave. I am disgusted of this two boy’s attitude and their malice. The girl, I am impressed with her mum. She chose to let it go and get her child to focus on something else.
Well, children can be an asset or liability. It all depends on their parents’ upbringing. Recently, we heard that there is a stabbing incident at Orchard Cineleisure. Will these two malicious boys be one of the fatalities in future? I am worried for them in future. Will they become a liability or asset of their parent, family and our country?
Friday, June 28, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
Opportunities many missed
In life, we will come across many opportunities we ignore, neglect or do not know, till it is too late.
For my friend, Mr Weak, he does meet opportunities like a good girl, a good job in a rising industry etc… but he chose to drive them away. For the girl, she helped him to mend his clothes, which is a rare feat in Singapore today. He chose to drive her away by bringing a china girlfriend home. He has a good job in a shipping industry in year 2003. At that time, shipping is slowly turning around. Too bad, my friend did not stay around to enjoy the fruits.
I can go on to talk about many others I know, but I leave it to you to look at your own friends and your own experience. In life, treasure the opportunities that we come across daily for we may never stumble upon it again.
For my friend, Mr Weak, he does meet opportunities like a good girl, a good job in a rising industry etc… but he chose to drive them away. For the girl, she helped him to mend his clothes, which is a rare feat in Singapore today. He chose to drive her away by bringing a china girlfriend home. He has a good job in a shipping industry in year 2003. At that time, shipping is slowly turning around. Too bad, my friend did not stay around to enjoy the fruits.
I can go on to talk about many others I know, but I leave it to you to look at your own friends and your own experience. In life, treasure the opportunities that we come across daily for we may never stumble upon it again.
Is it worth it?
In Singapore, we see huge price difference in houses, cars, food, etc… Undiscerning investors or buyers are paying for features or things that they may not need but yet they paid.
Today, let us take a look at cooked food. At the lowest end, we have the humble mixed vegetable stall at coffeeshop selling at $3.20 - $3.50 for a meat and 2 vegetable plus rice. Chicken rice is sold at $3.50 too. In a hotel, similar chicken rice or mixed rice will cost $10 and above. Is it worth paying 3 times more for a similar dish with better taste, service and good ambience? Personally, I don’t think it is worth it. The coffeeshop mixed rice is not too bad after all. Many men will go if the hotel staff is a pretty woman. Well, I chose not to.
In laptops, computers, we see this situation as well. The lowest end laptop cost $500 at a sale. The highest end that is super thin cost $2,000 onwards. This is 4 times more in price for slight improvement in performance and weight.
Car prices fluctuate greatly due to the COE prices. 3 years ago, it may cost $60,000 for a brand new Toyota. The new BMW then may cost $200,000. Please note that the $200,000 BMW can only sit 5 adults comfortably. It is not as if it can sit 15 persons or can run 3 times faster. Which is worth it? Though, I love BMW cars, I think the Toyota is more value for money than BMW. Also the extra road tax, maintenance and petrol dollars make me cringe.
In housing market, this is evident too. A 1,000 square feet apartment in Sentosa cost $2 Million. A similar unit in Paya lebar cost only $1 Million. Is the scenary in Sentosa 2 times more beautiful or the air 2 times more fragrant? I doubt so. Investors or buyers are again paying millions this time for some features that they do not need or for their ego.
It is your choice.
Today, let us take a look at cooked food. At the lowest end, we have the humble mixed vegetable stall at coffeeshop selling at $3.20 - $3.50 for a meat and 2 vegetable plus rice. Chicken rice is sold at $3.50 too. In a hotel, similar chicken rice or mixed rice will cost $10 and above. Is it worth paying 3 times more for a similar dish with better taste, service and good ambience? Personally, I don’t think it is worth it. The coffeeshop mixed rice is not too bad after all. Many men will go if the hotel staff is a pretty woman. Well, I chose not to.
In laptops, computers, we see this situation as well. The lowest end laptop cost $500 at a sale. The highest end that is super thin cost $2,000 onwards. This is 4 times more in price for slight improvement in performance and weight.
Car prices fluctuate greatly due to the COE prices. 3 years ago, it may cost $60,000 for a brand new Toyota. The new BMW then may cost $200,000. Please note that the $200,000 BMW can only sit 5 adults comfortably. It is not as if it can sit 15 persons or can run 3 times faster. Which is worth it? Though, I love BMW cars, I think the Toyota is more value for money than BMW. Also the extra road tax, maintenance and petrol dollars make me cringe.
In housing market, this is evident too. A 1,000 square feet apartment in Sentosa cost $2 Million. A similar unit in Paya lebar cost only $1 Million. Is the scenary in Sentosa 2 times more beautiful or the air 2 times more fragrant? I doubt so. Investors or buyers are again paying millions this time for some features that they do not need or for their ego.
It is your choice.
Outsourcing
For the past 10 years, we have seen outsourcing in companies, in government, and even in homes.
Companies like DHL, Singapore Airlines, Nokia, Apple, outsourced their unimportant function like call centres, repair services, cleaning services to local or other companies.
Government sectors, like army outsourced their food catering, security services and call centres to private operators.
Closer to home, families outsource their childcare services, financial planning, and buying of food and running errands and even finding a partner.
As in all things, there are pros and cons to it. For my situation, I remained unconvinced that families must outsource financial planning to insurance agents, financial planners. This is because there is no one, absolutely no one more familiar about your own finance that you yourself. As such I have always rejected the services of financial planner from any company. As for child care, I believe that there is no one who can take better care of babies other than their own parent. Not a trusted nanny, reliable maid or even a grandparent or relative. This is because as parent, sometimes, we get irritated by our own babies as well. At least, we will be sorry to our baby and get it over quickly. But who can predict what a trusted nanny or a reliable maid can do in a moment of anger, frustration or irritation. On top of this, this nanny or maid may also have their own family or relationship problem no one knows.
Companies like DHL, Singapore Airlines, Nokia, Apple, outsourced their unimportant function like call centres, repair services, cleaning services to local or other companies.
Government sectors, like army outsourced their food catering, security services and call centres to private operators.
Closer to home, families outsource their childcare services, financial planning, and buying of food and running errands and even finding a partner.
As in all things, there are pros and cons to it. For my situation, I remained unconvinced that families must outsource financial planning to insurance agents, financial planners. This is because there is no one, absolutely no one more familiar about your own finance that you yourself. As such I have always rejected the services of financial planner from any company. As for child care, I believe that there is no one who can take better care of babies other than their own parent. Not a trusted nanny, reliable maid or even a grandparent or relative. This is because as parent, sometimes, we get irritated by our own babies as well. At least, we will be sorry to our baby and get it over quickly. But who can predict what a trusted nanny or a reliable maid can do in a moment of anger, frustration or irritation. On top of this, this nanny or maid may also have their own family or relationship problem no one knows.
Dairy Farm – a stock I missed 10 years ago
10 years ago, Dairy Farm, which owns Cold Storage, Giant, 7-Eleven, Guardian, etc chain of retail stores was trading at $1. It first came to my attention when it announced share repurchase. Somehow, I missed the opportunity to buy and today, it is traded at $12 without counting the years of dividend received. Wow, it is a 12-bagger in 10 years and more.
Today, as I walked past its business whether, is it Giant, Guardian, 7-Eleven, Cold Storage, I can still scold myself for hesitating to buy it. My excuse not to buy it then was to wait for it to go lower than $1. That day never came. Well, at least I knew it was good, just that I wanted to buy it at a lower price.
Recently, we heard that Carrfour has exited the supermarket business after 10 years of operation in Singapore. The retail business must be very competitive. At minimum, one thing I noticed is that its business is not as good as NTUC supermarket, Watson, etc… Perhaps, one day, Dairy Farm’s business will edge towards a bankruptcy and it will become a turnaround story. This will ensure a great buy. I am dreaming and waiting for that day.
Today, as I walked past its business whether, is it Giant, Guardian, 7-Eleven, Cold Storage, I can still scold myself for hesitating to buy it. My excuse not to buy it then was to wait for it to go lower than $1. That day never came. Well, at least I knew it was good, just that I wanted to buy it at a lower price.
Recently, we heard that Carrfour has exited the supermarket business after 10 years of operation in Singapore. The retail business must be very competitive. At minimum, one thing I noticed is that its business is not as good as NTUC supermarket, Watson, etc… Perhaps, one day, Dairy Farm’s business will edge towards a bankruptcy and it will become a turnaround story. This will ensure a great buy. I am dreaming and waiting for that day.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Child abuse
There are many forms of child abuse:
1) One of them happened a few blocks from my house. What I heard from outside the house was this:” Must I train you like a dog? Even a dog is easier to train than you!” a lady in her 30s was shouting in the house. Her child, probably 3-4 years old was crying badly. I was angry and sad that something like this can still happen in modern Singapore, said to be the world richest city.
2) Another type of abuse is deliberate neglect. The grandma is looking far away, totally indifferent to her grandchild’s needs. She seemed in a world of her own. Her grandchild, 4-5 years old, is playing 5 -6 metres away by himself.
Could this be the right way to bring up a child? I wondered.
1) One of them happened a few blocks from my house. What I heard from outside the house was this:” Must I train you like a dog? Even a dog is easier to train than you!” a lady in her 30s was shouting in the house. Her child, probably 3-4 years old was crying badly. I was angry and sad that something like this can still happen in modern Singapore, said to be the world richest city.
2) Another type of abuse is deliberate neglect. The grandma is looking far away, totally indifferent to her grandchild’s needs. She seemed in a world of her own. Her grandchild, 4-5 years old, is playing 5 -6 metres away by himself.
Could this be the right way to bring up a child? I wondered.
The final test in life
When we are as young as a sperm, we were competing to see which one of us will hit the jackpot( or egg first). After we have grown 9 months inside mummy’s tummy, we were competing to see if we can come out to see the world successfully.
After we were given birth, we were tested on ears, eyes, to see if we are generally like the majority of our peers. Soon after, we were sent to schools to compete in science, maths, English etc. Major tests like PSLE, GCE O’ Level, GCE A’ level , degree, diploma, driving test, medical test followed. The final test in life is to take care of our own children and our marriage. This is life’s hardest test in which our character traits like patience, love, discipline, responsibility, reliability, were all tested to the core.
If we are successful, we will be blessed with happiness. I wish you all the best.
After we were given birth, we were tested on ears, eyes, to see if we are generally like the majority of our peers. Soon after, we were sent to schools to compete in science, maths, English etc. Major tests like PSLE, GCE O’ Level, GCE A’ level , degree, diploma, driving test, medical test followed. The final test in life is to take care of our own children and our marriage. This is life’s hardest test in which our character traits like patience, love, discipline, responsibility, reliability, were all tested to the core.
If we are successful, we will be blessed with happiness. I wish you all the best.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
When to draw the line?
When I read that parents have to draw a fine line between protecting their children and overprotecting their children, I am reminded that our schools, army camps, government etc may overprotect our people.
For example, in the army camp, recruits enjoy welfare like sleeping on branded King Koil mattress, taking air-conditioned ferry services to camp, eating commercial-standard chicken rice etc. In stark contrast, based on stories or accounts from army recruits 30 years ago, the recruits slept on unbranded low-end mattress, eat horrible food cooked by inexperienced cooks and took open-air ships (called RPL) to camp. Could this welfare be excessive? Are we spending too much money on material stuff and not focusing on the emotional and training needs of our recruits?
30 years ago, I understand that pregnant ladies go for medical checkup only a few times during pregnancy. Now, pregnant woman go for check up at least every month. Are we paranoid and wasting too much time and money on checkup? Do we over-exaggerate our minor illness or pain or do we over-value our life?
The reasons for this excessive care in our society, be it army camp or hospitals could be due to the emergence of the rare Singaporean due to our low birth rate, too much funds in the army camp or in family, the higher expectations of highly educated parents and the power of media. Could this ultimately be good for our society?
For example, in the army camp, recruits enjoy welfare like sleeping on branded King Koil mattress, taking air-conditioned ferry services to camp, eating commercial-standard chicken rice etc. In stark contrast, based on stories or accounts from army recruits 30 years ago, the recruits slept on unbranded low-end mattress, eat horrible food cooked by inexperienced cooks and took open-air ships (called RPL) to camp. Could this welfare be excessive? Are we spending too much money on material stuff and not focusing on the emotional and training needs of our recruits?
30 years ago, I understand that pregnant ladies go for medical checkup only a few times during pregnancy. Now, pregnant woman go for check up at least every month. Are we paranoid and wasting too much time and money on checkup? Do we over-exaggerate our minor illness or pain or do we over-value our life?
The reasons for this excessive care in our society, be it army camp or hospitals could be due to the emergence of the rare Singaporean due to our low birth rate, too much funds in the army camp or in family, the higher expectations of highly educated parents and the power of media. Could this ultimately be good for our society?
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