Never give up on your loved ones

I would like to share this true story that I heard over the Chinese radio this morning.

There was a man who was renovating his home in Japan one day. As he removed one of the false walls in his home, he noticed that a lizard was on the back of the wall. Upon closer inspection, he realised that the lizard was pinned on its tail by a nail when the house was built ten years ago. Amazingly, the lizard was still alive!

How could the lizard survive for ten years without food and water, immobilised behind the wall? The man thought to himself. He decided to pause the renovation and find out the answer.

Quietly, the man kept a close watch on the lizard and soon, another lizard approached. Its mouth was filled with food and it began to transfer food from its mouth to the mouth of the immobilised lizard. Finally, the answer was out. Another lizard had been faithfully staying on with and sustaining the the life of the immobilised lizard for ten years.

Although I do not know the relationship between the two lizards, it is heartwarming to know that even lizards manifest such love for one another.

As humans, can we compare ourselves to these lizards?

Back to norm!

I am guilty of neglecting my friends and not reading my friends' blogs for the past few months whilst I was engrossed in my own activities and work. Previously, I had been busy preparing for my exam, NPC attachment and APEC deployment but I do not want to use my fully-packed schedule as a convenient excuse. I promise I'll change ok?

It's not too difficult to look good, really!

Check out this guide to taking better pictures!

Interview with Phua Chu Kang

Watch these funny Phua Chu Kang spoof videos of Ris Low! Damn funny!

Imagine

A nice wedding video by Papercranes!

Go fly a kite!

Our first kite-flying experience today was somewhat good, although with limited success. Guangfan and I were the only ones attempting to fly a medium-sized kite in the empty field popular with seasoned kite-flyers. Anyway, who would go fly a kite under the big hot sun at 2pm? To make things worse, there was little wind then. Nevertheless, we had our limited flight time!

Preparing to fly the kite

It's in the air!

This was one of our most successful attempts!

Don't mess with me...

BOO!

Do I look hideous enough?

This is a cool fake teeth Halloween lollipop bought by my sister from the U.S.!

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Dr Robert Cialdini

Do you know what are the common tactics employed by marketing people?

Six "Weapons of Influence"

1. Reciprocation:

People tend to return a favour. Thus, the pervasiveness of free samples in marketing.

2. Commitment and consistency:

If people commit, orally or in writing, to an idea or goal, they are more likely to honour that commitment even if the original incentive or motivation is removed.

3. Social proof:

People will do things that they see other people are doing.

4. Authority:

People will tend to obey authority figures even if they are asked to perform objectionable acts.

5. Liking:

People are easily persuaded by other people that they like. (Physically attractive)

6. Scarcity:

Perceived scarcity will generate demand.

$AVE SMART, EARN MORE by Dennis Blitz

Below are some pointers from the above book by Dennis Blitz. I hope you find them useful :)

Rules of successful investing

1. Invest in what you know.

2. Invest, succeed, repeat.

3. Embrace the learning curve.

4. Avoid losing money. Consider risk before return.

5. Create a complementary combination of investments.

6. Take charge of one investment to improve performance and reduce management costs.

7. Keep it simple to reduce management costs.

8. Trust your method and stick with it.

9. Rebalance your portfolio.

No amount of savings can overcome the handicap of poor investment performance.

The Unwritten Laws of Business by W.J. King

I would like to share some useful reminders from a book that I recently read.

Laws of Character and Personality

1. Cultivate the tendency to appreciate the good qualities, rather than the shortcomings of each individual.

2. Do not give vent to impatience and annoyance on slight provocation.

3. Do not harbour grudges after disagreements involving honest differences of opinion.

4. Form the habit of considering the feelings and interests of others.

5. Do not become unduly preoccupied with your own selfish interests.

6. Make it a rule to help the other person whenever an opportunity arises.

7. Be particularly careful to be fair on all occassions.

8. Do not take yourself or your work too seriously.

9. Put yourself out just a little to be genuinely cordial in greeting people.

10. Give people the benefit of doubt if you are inclined to suspect their motives, especially when you can afford to do so.

Hello!

I apologise for not updating my blog as frequent as I used to in the past. As some of you may know, I am currently staying-in and my weekends are usually burnt. I am unable to check my Hotmail emails in camp due to the limited internet access in camp and hence I can only reply on weekends. If you wish to contact me, do facebook me (I have access to that!) or drop me a sms!

Weichen's back in Singapore!

Girls' day out with Weichen on 15 August 2009

At Ten Dollar Club, Chinatown
As the name goes, it's ten dollars per head!

TKGS good buddies

Peiyu and Weichen

I'm so happy I'm so glad that I have you...

I finally have internet and intranet access from HTA! Woohoo!

Now I know why I like London so much

1. There are no freaking mosquitoes biting me in the middle of the night.

2. Springtime in London is heavenly.

3. Almost any two points in London are reachable within walking distance.

4. I am never drenched from perspiration.

5. I can get fresh yummy oysters from Borough Market at only GBP1.50.

6. Snow is simply beautiful.

7. There are authentic Northern Indian restaurants in every corner.

8. I love Hyde Park and its flora and fauna.

9. I miss the oven which I used to bake.

10. I miss my freedom.