2007 1st Tutorial

1st tutorial of the year.

Enrolled for the Oxford Brookes University - BSc (Honours) in Applied Accounting while waiting for my Dec 06 exam results. Being a saturday morning class, I was 5 minutes late for the tutorial... Ms Helena Johnson was already lecturing when I got there. This is a brand new challenge for me as this is not the usual modules that I took. I must prepare a research & Analysis Thesis and to do this, lots and lots of research and information gathering have to be done. Its not just study and apply in the exams. Classification of Honours are mostly based on critical evaluation of arguments, evidence and of course, presentation skills. I would really like to be awarded a First Class Honours. Its not all that difficult but its the sheer amount of time that I need to do all that & I have to submit my thesis by 6 Apr 07. Meaning, more hard work and less gaming.

Even the guide is so thick.....

New Year Resolutions?

This year, I'm not gonna spend 30 mins - 1hr to pen down my resolutions. Why? Coz its just useless. Its basically pretty much the same copy and paste minus here add there from last year's list. I'm just as lazy as the next guy when it comes to sitting down and making a list.

The problem with having resolutions is basically telling myself that I have 12 mths to accomplish and it seems a long time for that matter. This time, anything worth doing, I'm gonna action on it immediately. This year, I'm having many transition periods and many serious decision makings to ponder upon for eg. leaving the force in couple of months time, straight into accountancy field or to further studies first after completing ACCA, etc.

Whatever it is, this year is gonna to a whole new change. For instance, I've a just fully renovated my room and furnishings are bout 90% completed to kick start 2007. Now I'm just short of an air-con and a Playstation 3!

Death Note : The Last Name

Watched this today and I must say, its good. Rather impressed with the way the writers managed to compress the whole manga into just 2 movies. Very well written & directed. I'm not going to detail what happens in the movie here, you just have to watch it to really appreciated it. Btw, if those of you did not catch the one movie, I suggest you buy or rent the first one just to catch up coz the initial part of this sequel was just a really fast flashback together with Dani California by RHCP.

I really like the "2nd Kira" Misa Amane portrayed by Erika Toda. She's so beautiful and cute and always dressed in Gothic Lolita style.In this movie, her love for Light is so faithful and pure to even willing to die for Light. But sadly, she is just being used by Light in the mind games between Light and L. Some parts of the movie is really unexpected. Overall, this is a rather good movie as compared to the first.

If I happen to be the beneficiary of a Death Note, that will be awesome. I'll definitely use it. But I think having that "power" may ultimately overpower me, which I think, will not be a good ending. Maybe that's what the writers want to put across to the audience.

Kill Responsibly.

Aaron, I'm so jealous

Time passes rather slow and kinda slack being the 'first' working day of week & 0f course, the last working week of year 2006. Everybody was talking bout how they spend their Christmas blah blah blah. Mine was pretty much boring; out for bout half a day and spend the rest of the day at home, still sorting out my room stuffs. Still in the process of renovating and furnishing my room.

Anyway... so most of my colleagues were talking bout Christmas stuffs and Aaron must have been the best recipient of all gifts : Xbox 360 & a laptop! Damn jealous!

None of my wishlist got fulfilled. But I may have been too greedy.

- PS3 (was wishing my dad got me a parallel import from US/JPN thus saving me to buy during the launch come Mar 7)

- MacBook Pro

- Stylish speaker dock unit for my iPod

- 4GB memory stick for my PSP


Guess Aaron must be playing his new Xbox 360 right now...

Little Cute Terror

School's out and Lyon is staying over for couple of days. Gonna entertain & pamper this little guy!

Early morning impromptu photoshoot....

Big time pre-Xmas spam!

Unbelievable! My gmail is being spamed in the "Inbox" above and beyond the fact that the "Spam" was already loaded with 40 shitty junks!

Can't believe I'm gonna spend at least 20 minutes to sort out these irregularities....

Worst exams ever

Exams finally over but there wasn't any sign of relief this sitting at all. I totally screwed up both my papers and this was one of my worst exam sitting in my entire education phase. I was always very confident for my exams and seriously, this sitting is such a shocker for me. IMO, was kinda unfair papers for Advanced Audit n Advanced Taxaxtion, time was a constant factor and 3 hours for these 2 modules is seriously not enough. Or maybe I was weak in these area, I don't know.

My mind's a mess, very demoralised. Or maybe that was the pressure of taking ACCA level 3 modules. I always pictured myself clearing all ACCA modules at the very 1st attempt... well, at least up to level 2 modules. Had couple of friends who always admired that I could always clear these professional papers 1st time while they had to cope with some setbacks at level 2 modules. I guess this time, this exam sitting really set me back.

Screw that! I gave my best shot (though I was really thinking I could pass these 2 papers) and there nothing much I could do now. Christmas is round the corner, I will go out tomorrow and fully utilised my leave, have fun, do some shopping and suck up all the festival joy before returning back to office.

PS3 Launch Party

Damn I so wish to be in NYC right now coz its the launch party of Playstation 3 ! Have to wait till March 07 when Sony launches PS3 here in Singapore and it seems so long.... can't wait. Will be getting the 60GB version and probably these games :

- Resistance: Fall of Man (have u seen the video preview @ Gamespot yet? amazing!)
- Tony Hawk Project 8
- Metal Gear Solid
- Ridge Racer 7
- Genji , maybe?

so what if its a little pricey? hey its the next gen power console! And the idea of linking up my PSP with PS3 (which i dont know wat gonna happen) should be great. So far, I've reading up and there's hasn't been any probs or bugs in the first batch of PS3.

Damn desperate for a PS3 right now... and link it up online via its network and pimp! But I wouldn't be so crazy to buy it off ebay. Seriously the prices are still rocketing right now. The last I checked on ebay, it would cost bout S$2.6K?! It's just not worth getting it online coz with this amount, I could have refurnish my room, which I am after my exams. And talking bout exams, I'm so tired right now.... have a 6 hrs advance audit revision class today.

Untitled

I'm tired.
Reached office on time.
Boss sick - he took mc.
Ha ha.
Completed lots of tasks.
No boss down my neck.
More productive.
Listened to a colleague's problem.
Gave him some words of wisdom.
And some rubbish.
He smiled.
Cleared lots of work mails.
2 meetings on 1st Nov.
Ganna secretary for one.
Rush to class after work.
No PSP.
Just my iPod - Slipknot, Trivium, Silverstein, video podcast, can't remember.
Audit class.
Richardson lectured.
Audit Reports - unqualified, unmodified, emphasis of matter, material, pervasive, FRS, criminal case, civil case, adverse, disclaimer, Tom Cruise, etc.
James was late.
Crowded bus home.
A packet of Mee Goreng for dinner.
Deposit money returned by colleague.
Saw some ah bengs.
4 bengs crowd around 1 who was withdrawing money.
Scums of the society.
Dinner = supper.
No time to eat after work & before class.
Eat while watching Friends DVD.
Season 7, Episode 18.
Check gmail.
Type this shit.
Drink coffee.
Prepare to sleep.
Happy Halloween.
Trick or Treat.
Too old for that.

Clowns @ work

In developing countries, there is a saying : the rich gets richer, the poor gets poorer. If I can just amend this phrase to my current situation, it'll be : those who never work gets away with all the benefits, those who work gets more work and shit.

Un-professionalism!

Definition of unprofessional :
1. at variance with or contrary to professional standards or ethics; not befitting members of a profession, as language, behavior, or conduct.

2. not done with professional competence, as a play staged or an opera performed by amateurs; amateurish.

Both are well suited to what I've experienced over the recent past months. My morale is so badly affected at work that I see no point in what I do. The office is a joke, a stageplay filled with slipknot-masked people, and the politics is so damaging. Morale is a very sensitive issue and once morale is affected, it is very difficult to recover from it. Different treatment displayed towards some assclown is clearly sensed.

Oh, today was supposed to be my day-off arranged upon last week because intially, the day-off was to be on 17 Oct (my birthday). But it was decided that the work on 17 Oct was "so bloody important" that it have to postponed to today. But wait, change of plan last minute (as always) I had to forfeit my planned & agreed upon belated birthday day-off today just so that someone senior can take leave today?! Hmm... didn't see that coming.

" teamwork is defined as, a lot of people doing what I say "

Everything is a misrepresentation. I'm not going to elaborate much coz its no point. Just be glad that I'm counting down to leaving this "family" soon.

"we know that this is a problem, but the mgt is not going to discuss it with the people"

Special Delivery : - by air

got this today, so proud of myself, manage to complete till ACCA part 2 (all 1 attempt) within 1.5 yr while doing it part time, next target : complete the final part 3 asap.

Playstation 3 delay again

Yet again the much anticipated Sony Playstation 3 (PS3) is delayed. Read somewhere that the earliest for me to lay my hands on this baby is March next year instead of this November for fans in this region. However, PS3 fans in Japan and States will be buying off the shelves as scheduled this November, as alway :( damn! Though I'm dying to buy this next gen console asap, the delay could be favourable coz I can start saving up more for this US$599 killer when it'll be official launch here.

'Large'ly Suprised

More shocked than surprised that Storm Large was sent home after watching the latest episode of Rock Star Supernova. What was the band thinking sending Storm packing? She has such a great personality and character that could easily front Supernova! I think they weren't interested for a female to front Supernova and I think even though Dilana was the one of the final 4, she won't make the cut during the finals next week. All the talk that woman can also front the band is just for show... Aayway, Dilana should have been eliminated instead of Storm Large. Just hated her, her personality, her voice, her knife-ing her peers behind their back, her personality and everything about her. And Lukas Rossi is another rubbish freak to still be remaining in the final 4. He can't sing and pronounce well! Either Toby or Magni will be great to front supernova. Like what Gibly Clarke mentioned, Toby always put the fun in rock-n-roll.

and Brooke Burke still looks as hot as ever even though she's pregnant for couple of months.

Who says Accountants are Boring?

ICPAS (short for Institute of Certified Public Accountants of S'pore) recently established 2 new committees : CFO committee and the Young Accountants Group Committee. The 2 committees will address the professional needs of CFOs and young accountants.

Because of the increasing complexity of businesses in todays context, it have transformed and evolved the traditional "all about numbers" role of accountants to one that supports and empower strategic decision making and analysis. The committee will help us strengthen the role and the professional image that accountants play in business. So, who says that accountants are boring?!

I particularly like the idea of the Young Accountant Group Committee because it would serve to provide young accountants with opportunities to develop our career and achieve greater competency, knowledge and professional development. Seems like the near future is rather promising.

Damn day

had a really damn day. most frustrating was missing my acca class due to stupid work thus wasting my money. really enjoy going for acca classes but this wasn't the case today. tried to manage my time well today and work as much as i could but stupid last minute stuffs cause me to stay back late n thus missing class. now i've no choice but to borrow notes from friends this sat instead. just by borrowing n copying notes doesn't really helps coz i wouldn't appreciate 1st hand lecture. a lot of unhappiness at work recently which seriuosly affected my morale at work. really glad that i'm leaving current work place in 8 or so mths time and by then should be finishing acca degree soon and start my professional career.

i should have just finshed my class at this time...

New modules, new challenges, same shitty routine!

Yup, this post's title says it all. I barely had any rest this weekend. Lots of outstanding tasks on hand and just had the 1st Advanced Audit eve class 2 days ago (had to rush to FTC after work) and today being a sunday, I've Advance Taxation classes from 10am to 5pm with an hour lunch break from 1-2pm. Come new week tml will be slightly worse.

Mon 28/8 - Advanced Audit eve class
Tue 29/8 - Advanced Taxation eve class
Thurs 31/8 - Advanced Audit eve class
Sat 02/9 - Advanced Audit full 10am -5pm class
Sun 03/9 - Advanced Taxation full 10am -5pm class

Not forgetting my tons of work on hand with datelines closing in. Days that I don't need to attend eve classes means I've to OT myself in order to meet my datelines! Also, COMEX 2006 (IT trade show/exhibition) starts this fri till Sun, which I'm dying to go and get myself the Sony Cybershot DSC-T30!

Now taking on the final level of ACCA is starting to really stress me out. I'm all freaked out now coz both Advanced Tax and Advanced Audit really requires those knowledge that I acquired in level 2. It's like I'm taking 4 modules now coz my level 2 Tax and Audit knowledge seems decrepitly frail. Well, at least I know my future (and I mean near future) is leading somewhere. Big Four perharps? My past experience at PwC during my 6 months internship actually decides why I'm taking both Advanced Audit & Advanced Tax out of the 4 optional papers. Simply coz both have greater prospects imo. I'm already starting to countdown to exams. 98 days...

Less depressing stuff : I'll be expecting my Level 2 completion cert next month and if I managed to clear these 2 advanced modules and subsequently the core papers, I'll complete ACCA and be an ACCA affiliate this time next year! Its a attainable and measurable goal but not w/o lots of hard work.

Really gotta manage my time well this semester. Gotta balance and prioritise my work and studies. I think I'll Mr. Bastard from tomorrow onwards and focus on completing all my current work on hand. I've been too helpful at work sometimes and while people are eating into my time instead of theirs, its time for me to say NO! (but in a less direct and unnerving manner). Sorry guys... you've your tasks and boss to report to, I've mine ; unless you're willing to bear the consequences if I fail to meet my datelines...

SLAYER - Live In Our Shores!

SLAYER Live In Singapore. Hell Yeah! The hardcore pure american trash metal band is finally coming to to Singapore. Singapore is finally opening up.... 1st was Slipknot (I was there) now come Slayer... wat's next? Maybe Unearth, Hatebreed, Arch Enemy, more devil horns in the air!

Details as follows.

Date : 13 Oct 2006 (4 days b4 my birthday! Someone pls bdae treat me to Slayer...)
Time : 8 pm (2.5 hours of headbanging and hell)
Venue : Singapore Expo, Max Pavillion
Tics : $125, $85, $60

Another smart move by LAMC Prodctions (who also brought in Slipknot last year. Kudos to them)

Slayer will be here with the full original lineup. Anybody interested pls let me know... too bad I dun have much friends who appreciate metal genre.

Finally.. I cleared ACCA Level 2

Damn right I pass both modules fairly well. Hugh relief and bout $900+ poorer coz I went to enroll 2 new level 3 modules. I'm finally a ACCA level 3 student after 1.5 years.

I enrolled option paper 3.1 - Advanced Audit & Assurance and option paper 3.2 - Advanced Taxation because these are the 2 most career demand and satisfying areas out of the 4 option papers. Too bad the Oxford Brookes degree research program is not available till Jan 07... so gotta wait till then.

Gonna give myself a good treat for my hard work in passing the two June 06 modules. Well, maybe not too much as I'm so bucks poorer and classes starts this fri and sat. Its back to classes too soon but think bout the near future and success when I graduate is a sure motivation and turn-on.

(Pity those who fail marginally like 49% ... ha ha you sad loser!)

ACCA Exams Results out tomorrow...

yup... in bout 12 or more hours time, I'll receive my results online between 12pm to 2pm via email. Oh crap... feeling very nervous got these are the results for the final 2 modules of level 2 which by the way has a rather low passing rate.

Paper 2.5 - Financial Reporting : tough one, already expect the worst.
Paper 2.6 - Audit & Internal Review : confident.

really hope that I can clear these 2 modules so that I can finally move to (the last) level 3 and embark on the oxford brookes degrees research project thingy and then finally grad the whole of ACCA to be a Provisional Member. So far I manage to clear all modules fairly well with just 1 attempt each. Hope I can continue this. If not, gotta wast time and money (both SGP & GBP).

dun think I can really concentrate much during work tomorrow morn till lunch.

Everything e-mails. Do I just sit and wait!?

In a world/society/organisation/whatever, where e-mail has become indispensable, people have equate the act of sending e-mails with instant communication. But if an e-mail is sent via cyberspace and no one is around, does the message get across? Of course not! but many senders (as well as my colleagues) believe otherwise.

"Oh I sent you an e-mail last fri. So the ball is not in my court now" Pls... there's never a ball in the first place. Nowadays, it seems like talk is cheap. People never honour their words. Whenever a task is not completed, dateline missed, certain screw-ups, the "I" is always not at fault. Its always the "she", "he", "they" were wrong. By pressing the "send" button on MS outlook, they assume their job is done or rather, "out of their court". They prefer to hide behind their computer and conveniently avoid any verbal or face to face discussion. Come on, Be Professional!

Like I mentioned, talk is cheap and people no longer honour their words. Everything has got to be 'acknowledged' as a receipt of proof. It seems like verbal agreement don't suffice anymore. Now its like: send an e-mail, print out the mail (as proof!?), attach to any correspondences, file. 2 weeks later if no updates, no status, no action, take out the proof and argue. Its not productive and waste of time!

E-mail sent does not means relieving of your responsibility (for crying out loud!) If the e-mail does not get through to its intended recipient, whose responsibility is it then? Proof of sending is not proof of receiving. If you think the matter is important enough, follow up with a courtesy call. Otherwise, if you mail gets lost in the cyberspace, you have only yourself to blame.

And for god's sake, don't "cc" every damn shit especially when there are replies to every "cc" mails. Its frustrating enough that I've to cope with my work and its even damn frustrating to be entangled into rubbish and non-of-my-concern conversation. I don't want to be in the middle of something that is not my concern and job scope. My job is not just sit in front of the pc the whole damn day and observe the bottom right corner to be notified of any new e-mails coming my way. I'm not paid that much to sit and instruct!

Enough said. First thing tomorrow, check my mail.... damn.