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Sunday, December 31, 2006
@1:00 PM

Goodbye 2006

Dear readers, thanks for supporting Master Zhuo in the year of 2006. Yes, my blog is full of craps. I promise you more craps in 2007. So continue to read my writing everyday, and feel free to introduce this crappy blog to your friends.
Last but not least, I wish you all a blessed new year ahead! May you fulfill all your resolutions!
Till then ~

by Str|fe

0 comments
@1:49 AM

Resolution for 2007

by Str|fe

0 comments
@1:39 AM

Nothing much to write

I have been approached by Trade Finance prof to be teaching assistant again. Nah. Going to reject him this time. Sick of being a teaching assistant. I want to slack in my final term. Can I?
Here's the report card for last term. I scored 3 As and 1 A-. So my overall GPA now is 3.88 (a slight improvement from 3.87). I am left with 3 courses to complete. My Summa is secured (as long as I don't screw up with 3 Ds). I am not someone who aimed for 4.0. As long as I achieved my Summa, I heck care whether it's 4.0 or 3.80 (min). So what's my priority in this coming term? I have no CCA, no academic goals, no community service projects, no nothing. Ok, it's the final day of the year, I shall state my resolution for 2007 in the next post.

by Str|fe

0 comments
Saturday, December 30, 2006
@12:40 PM

4am last night

Police: Morning. It's Yishun police station. How may I help you?
Me: Morning.
Police: Morning, sir.
Me: There's a bunch of people playing basketball at the court at this hour now. Can you send someone to stop them?
Police: Location?
Me: Block 755. It's 4am.
Police: No problem.
Me: Thank you.

Within 15 minutes ........ the noise stopped. Bloody inconsiderate kids ~

by Str|fe

0 comments
Friday, December 29, 2006
@4:50 PM

Law of M&A

This short introductory paragraph written by the professor is sufficient to get me looking forward to the class.

The Law of Mergers and Acquisitions course examines mergers and acquisitions transactions from the transactional perspective. The topics that would be covered include mechanics of structuring mergers and acquisitions transactions, the preparatory work that is required in connection therewith, the regulatory environment in which mergers and acquisitions take place, duties of participants engaged in mergers and acquisitions (including financial advisers and directors of acquirors and target companies), deal protections, deal tactics for friendly and hostile bids, disclosure obligations, competition issues, compulsory acquisitions and financing.

Interesting?

by Str|fe

0 comments
@12:27 AM

What's real?

Had lunch with my ex-lecturer this afternoon. Some of the things she said really surprised me. I dunno whether to laugh it off or believe that I wasn't sure.
Ok, one more thing. I saw that bastard in hospital when I visited my grandma just now. He didn't even dare to acknowledge my presence nor looked at me into the eyes. But of coz, I was trying to hide from him as well. The last time I saw him was at my late grandpa's funeral. Now, it's my grandma in hospital. Some people only appears on such occassions. Fucker.
Not a good day. Tomorrow will be better, I am sure.................

by Str|fe

0 comments
Thursday, December 28, 2006
@3:35 AM

Old bone can't dance

Just came back from Velvet. One thing I learnt tonight is that I am definitely getting old. I don't feel comfortable on the dance floor at all. I can't dance abit. I was hoping that I was at Acid Bar chilling out instead. Shitty ~ age catching up with me. I need sleeep now ~ yawn .......

by Str|fe

0 comments
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
@3:42 PM

Wait leh

Wah lao eh ..... my professor has started sending emails on the new term already. It's still a week away lah. Let us enjoy our last days in peace leh.

by Str|fe

0 comments
@2:57 PM

Final interview for 2006

Just finished my 45-minutes phone interview. It went quite fine, except for the fact that I was abit rusty. Didn't planned for the questions below, so I was abit slow in answering. The interviewer is a nice friendly lady whom I met back in the breakfast reception. She took the trouble to explain to me in depth on the program before the interview commenced. The result of this phone interview will only be out on the 3rd week of January. Freaking long wait lor. Fingers crossed. And if I do passed this phone interview, there will be 3 more rounds (including 1 case study) to clear.
Chin up, Chris ~

by Str|fe

0 comments
@1:26 PM

Rainy day ~

I enjoyed my driving lesson today. Believe it or not, it's my 5th different instructor on my 6th lesson. Bah. Anyway, this instructor is good. He taught me quite a few stuffs outside the planned lesson, which is interesting. Luckily, the rain didn't spoil my lesson.
So here I am, back at home getting ready for the phone interview. Fingers crossed.

by Str|fe

0 comments
Monday, December 25, 2006
@11:51 PM

Footnote on a lazy night

by Str|fe

3 comments
Saturday, December 23, 2006
@10:39 AM

Lets waste time

There's no plan for Christmas eve gathering this year. Just too lazy to organise one, so I reckon I will be slacking at home while the rest get sprayed with foam at Orchard Road. Next week will be more packed. Driving lessons everyday, coupled with birthday party and farewell party. And I will be visiting my poly lecturer back in Ngeeann Polytechnic (semi-annual routine). I am trying hard to keep up with the news as well, so pardon me for the lack of current affair updates on the blog. My room is in a mess. The amount of dust is indescrible. Hmmmm..... maybe a spring cleaning on Christmas Day? How exciting ................
p.s. you know my Christmas wish, right?

by Str|fe

0 comments
Thursday, December 21, 2006
@11:06 PM

An overly excited ostrich

I mentioned about the idiot in the event in my previous post. This idiot is amazingly idiotic. I had came across many idiots in my life, but this idiot wins the crown. I am lazy to go into detail what she did, so I shall just list them in points. Feel free to add on in comment.

Oh, every single participant in the event hates her. She never failed to be the topic of bitching every time. Maybe we should put this ostrich to sleep soon.

by Str|fe

2 comments
@8:49 PM

Some comments from my coach

Since I was the finance guy in the "upstream" team, I was automatically in the central finance team too. This would imply that I have 2 coaches. Coach is a useful asset during the challenge. They are the one who observe us (without assessing), and guide us along the way.
I am very fortunate to have Kenny as my finance coach. His non-sugarcoated comments were refreshing compared to alot of the rest. When I got back to Singapore yesterday, I emailed him for his comments on my performance during the challenge. Both good and bad. :)

So in term of leadership and technical skill, I think I am fine. Enough of leadership experience from school. However, relationship and emotion-wise, I need to work on it. Basically, I get frastrated with both myself and my team if we breach the agreed deadline. I know I need to work on it actively. I can't help screwing the person upside down if he/she doesn't perform. Neither can I convinced myself to accept below-par work from myself. Oh well ~ I will continue to learn.........

by Str|fe

0 comments
@1:54 PM

Postponed interview and greener grass

Woke up at 9am to get ready for the phone interview at 10am. Waited for 90 minutes before I decided that the interviewer must have forgotten/held up at work. So it's back to square one. The phone interview will be held next week instead. Fingers crossed.
Anyway, as mentioned, I've gotten to know a great bunch of local friends through the Gourami. All of us are in our final term in university, so inevitably, our topic often surrounded job hunting. See ~ all of us there are not any lousier than our peers back in school. But most of us are sick of job haunting at this stage. We whined days and nights, and wondered what's exactly wrong with us. Oh well ~ at least we know we are no longer alone in this loser-club. Hahaha!
Oh ya, interestingly, NUS and NTU student really admire SMU. They love SMU so much that I couldn't help laughing. Given a choice, where will you go now? For me, it will be neither. I will work hard for a scholarship (if not, loan) to go to a ivy-league university in the States. Trust me, it will make hell lots of differences.........

by Str|fe

0 comments
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
@7:57 PM

"An experience that you won't regret"

I was promised the above line when I signed up for the challenge. As cliché as it may sound, I am glad that I was given the opportunity to participate.
Shell spent an average of USD$3,000 on each participant for this event, so you can guess how "pampered" we were. The food spread is decent, although most greedy Singaporean will complain the lack of variety after 2 days. Accomodation in a 5-stars resort is very comfortable as well.
Apart from this, I guess the most important takeaway from this event is my new-found friends, whether they are from Singapore (the slacker club) or the rest of the Asia club. It's amazing how stress can bring about close bonding between strangers in such a short time. I will touch more on these new friends in my later posts. After all, they definitely deserve a post dedicate solely for them. :)
There were many ups and downs that I experienced in the past few days. If you are wondering how stressed/packed the event is, you may want to guage it from the average number of sleep most of us had each night. 5 hours. Yeah, it's not because of R&R. In fact, R&R only happened on the final day. During the actual competition, there's no time to shit, no time to press the shirt, no time to close my eyes.
Stress took a toll on us, especially my dear fellows in the finance team. Working with the engineers is a "refreshing" challenge. Idiots surfaced visibly in difficult time. And the biggest idiot award goes to this "ostrich" in my team. Not just within my team, but in the whole event. If you can become the idiot that all 45 participants hates/dislike/can't-give-you-a-shit, I say you deserve an award. This ostrich beats all the rest hands down.
Working with people from different cultures is another bonus from this event. I realised that PRC are a smart bunch of people, although they may be easily overwhelmed by the ah moh. In fact, I think ah moh can easily "outshine" others as long as they continue to keep their ears shut.
I also get to learn more about myself through this event. Imagine going to an assessment centre in your job application. Just extend it from an 8-hours assessment to a 6-days assessment, and you will understand how it felt. Anyway, I think I am getting anti-social. Many times, I preferred to keep quiet in a group. I was "stonning" on every possible occassions. Singaporean friends (from both NTU and NUS) commented that DAO is the first impression I gave and it still haven't change. When I defended that I was shy instead, they wanted to puke. Haha. Oh well, I just have to learn to walk with my nose parallel to the ground. Lalalaala ~
Ok, I need to prepare for my interview. Brb ~

by Str|fe

0 comments
@4:17 PM

Guess who's back?!

I have loads of stories to share with you guys on my trip, but I am freaking tired now. I shall head for the bed first. After which, I need to prepare for my interview tomorrow.
p.s. yeah, my grandma will be going for the surgery at the end of this month. Fingers crossed.

by Str|fe

0 comments
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
@8:59 AM

Bye Bye

Will be away from 13th Dec to 20th Dec. Doubt I will have the time to blog. Take care guys ~ till then!

by Str|fe

1 comments
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
@9:50 PM

Say a prayer

I am leaving tomorrow. My grandma is in hospital now. Her vessel is clotted. The doctor tried to clear it twice today. Failed. She needs a surgery, but she doesn't want it. I know it's due to late grandpa's incident......
..... she just called me on the phone. She sounded very weak. In my poor Hokkien, I asked her to go for the operation. She said, "Orh".......
I wish I can be there now. Sigh .......................

by Str|fe

0 comments
@5:50 PM

A wake up call

Career counsellor: Chris, do you know what's your most obvious weakness in your resume?
Chris: My internship
Career counsellor: Exactly

I had a 45-minute discussion with my career counsellor this morning before heading to the gym. Yeah, I felt that it's time to seek some professional advices. I have to admit that the session is really a demoralising one. Here's what she had to say .....

Career counsellor:

Don't get me wrong. She is a very helpful administrator, and I appreciate her time. Just a bad reality check for me though. Sigh .......
Maybe it's time to wake up ~

by Str|fe

1 comments
Monday, December 11, 2006
@7:07 PM

Applications updates

1. Fortis Bank - Banking Associate (rejected without interview)
2. Citibank Bank - GCB Management Associate (failed first round of interview)
3. Barclays Capital - Investment Banking and Debt Capital Market (passed online assessment)
4. Credit Suisse - Investment Banking Analyst
5. Deutsche Bank - Private Wealth Management
6. Macquarie - Investment Banking (rejected without interview)
7. Goldman Sachs - Investment Banking
8. UBS - Graduate Program: Investment Banking Department (completed online assessment)
9. DBS - Management Associate: Investment Banking (failed first round of interview)
10. HSBC - Management Associate (rejected without interview)
11. Standard Chartered Bank - International Graduate Associate (failed personality test)
12. HSBC - Investment Banking
13. JPMorgan - Finance Management Graduate Program (phone interview next week)
14. Citigroup Corporate & Investment Banking - Management Associate
15. Temasek Holdings - Associate (no news; presumably not shortlisted)
16. Jefferies & Company, Inc. - Analyst
17. GIC - Associate

This post is long overdue. As negative as the list appears to be, I will keep on applying for the jobs that I want. Don't settle for anything less, if I want to avoid regrets in the future. Yeah, keep the faith.
I know Temasek Holding had conducted the first round of interviews last week, and since I have yet to receive any call from them, I reckon I am out of the race. Definitely disapppointed, but well I knew the competition was stiff. Applied for GIC associate position over the weekend. The associate program looks challenging. Hopefully, I will be granted at least an interview this time round. Fingers crossed.
JPMorgan finally responds to my application in the Finance Management Graduate Program. Supposed to have the phone interview this week, but have to postpone it since I will be away. Once again, fingers crossed.
Will you be kind enough to leave me a comment/msg of encouragement?

by Str|fe

2 comments
@6:47 PM

4th driving lesson

This is the 4th different instructors so far in my course. This time round, it's a very soft-spoken Indian man in his 40s. He reminds me of Gandhi, haha! Anyway, like what my buddies warned me before I commenced the course, different instructors will give me conflicting comments. While other instructors have been asking me to slow down, this chap has me to step on it even when I hit 50km/hr in my 3rd gear. The lesson went well till the freaking sky poured again! And this time round, it was really raining cats and dogs. So bad was the visibility that the instructor asked me to stop by the kerk to wait for the rain to pass. Wah sei ~ and I remember that I was driving the same vehicle 26 back in my 2nd lesson when it rained. Overall, the lesson went well though. Have to wait for a week before my next lesson since I am leaving for Kinabalu soon.

by Str|fe

0 comments
@12:04 PM

Scattered T-Storms

Best lor. I just went to check out the weather forecast in Kota Kinabalu for next 7 days. Crap sia. Every single day is "scattered T-storms". Eh, I am bringing my tanning lotion there leh ~

by Str|fe

0 comments
@10:13 AM

Why I like Citibank so much?

It appears on the front page of Business Times twice in a month for their innovation. Thumbprint payment (card-less) and SMRT tie-up. If there's one bank which is the pace-setter, Citibank is the one, at least in the consumer banking now. Will you want to work in a bank which is forever copying others (think some local banks), or will you want to be under pressure to deliver innovative products?

by Str|fe

0 comments
Sunday, December 10, 2006
@8:46 PM

Back from JB

A short getaway, but enjoyable nevertheless. Hehe ~ had my first ever massage. A clean one, mind you. Thai-massage. The lady is powerful sia. Very strong, but shiok. I will definitely revisit the "spa" when I go back to JB. Shopping was a letdown though, bought nothing in the end. The dinner was great. The crabs were the best. Haha, I can't stopped eating the crabs last night. Finished off the night with 3 bottles of wine with my buddies in the hotel room.
Next April, I shall visit Hong Kong!

by Str|fe

0 comments
Friday, December 08, 2006
@10:30 PM

Footnote of footnote

Gotten back another grade. A. 3 of a same grade so far. Somehow, I am not feeling delighted anymore.......
3.16.9.1.1
Guess what the numbers represent? Got to do with my education.

by Str|fe

2 comments
@1:55 PM

Footnote

by Str|fe

0 comments
Thursday, December 07, 2006
@2:04 PM

2nd driving lesson

Not good today. I really have a problem with the brake and speed. I always approach the bends too fast, and at times I even accelerate while turning. The phrase the instructor repeated dozens of times today is, "Slow down, slow down". And on a few occasions, he stepped on his brake when I was still considered too fast at cornering.
Other than the speed, I have the tendency to step too hard on the brake. And I always brake too late. I think I just love to stick too close to the vehicle in front. To make things worse, it pours heavily halfway through the lesson. Tamade ~
Ok, tomorrow's lesson will be a better one.

by Str|fe

1 comments
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
@7:49 PM

A slightly better news

Finally ~ something decent arrived. I have gotten back 2 grades. Both As. Not that I am really proud of it. Just glad that my Summa is secured now.
Keep the faith. For all the hard work I have put in, I am sure someone will recognise it sooner or later. :)

by Str|fe

0 comments
@4:24 PM

No more TA

The Prof just confirmed with the administrator. The school want someone who has taken the course before. So bloody hell ~ I am no longer TA next term. Oh well, I guess I will still audit the class since I am keen on the course.
p.s. I need some good news

by Str|fe

0 comments
@12:40 PM

1st driving lesson

It went smoothly. Just going round and round the circuit. Not really exciting. The instructor commented numerous times on my bad habit though - lying my head on the head rest. Haha ~

by Str|fe

0 comments
@1:25 AM

Enough ranting

Lets look forward. I have 4 lesson of driving before I head for Kinabalu next week. Everyone's saying it's gonna be fun. Yeah. I need this break. :)

by Str|fe

0 comments
@12:08 AM

Chris, you can

I am tired.
My msn nicks for the past 2 weeks have either been "just a matter of time" or "keep the faith". Frankly speaking, it's wearing real thin......
It's really demoralising when I learnt that the peers around me are being invited for interviews (same jobs I applied for) when I hear nothing at all. How do I keep my spirit up? I don't even know what's wrong with me. UBS, Barclays, Deutsche, HSBC, Temasek, and Citibanks. All these banks have started the interviews process. Day in day out, my friends are asking me if I receive the calls from these banks since they have received it. Many won't believe that I have heard nothing.
To make things worse, my mum asked me regarding my job applications this morning. I don't know how to reply her. She wasn't trying to stress me. But I feel that it's really time for me to start meeting my potential future employers. I ashamed having to tell her that I am still waiting after all these months. Waiting not for an offer, but an opportunity for interview.
Yesterday, a friend commented that I look down on some of the positions offered. Oh come on. Does following my passion/goal means that I look down on the rest of the departments? For your info, I did a major in Operation back in polytechnic, thus I know I won't enjoy it there. I don't want to try trading because it isn't my cup of tea. I don't want consumer banking simply because I am positive I will fail miserably in that line. So why can't I follow my heart and apply for my preferred positions? Why can't I have a choice after working so hard for the past 3 years?
Yes, I am trying to keep the faith. I am constantly telling myself that it's just a matter of time. Do you understand the pressure I am under? When everyone expects a scholar/student-leader to be highly in demand, I am the odd one out.
Self-confidence finally taking a big blow~

by Str|fe

0 comments
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
@9:35 PM

Tomorrow's first

Yeah. First lesson tomorrow. Better don't screw up. Haha ~
p.s. I am very bored. Don't know what else to update.

by Str|fe

0 comments
@10:33 AM

4D tips for you

You can try 5246 or 5240. If you win this weekend, I expect a treat from you.

by Str|fe

0 comments
Monday, December 04, 2006
@8:49 PM

For a moment, I thought he's back....

My heart skipped a beat when I turned into the corrider. The black paint/oil is splashed all over the window and floor. For a moment, I though he's back....
I had been used to such scenario since young. Scrubbing off the "posters" off the lift, repainting over the big O$P$ on the walls, hearing the loud knocks on the door in the middle of the night. There were so many times in which I had to lie through my teeth to the loansharks while that fucker hid himself in the toliet. There was one memorable incident on the Chinese New Year Eve. You know, most of us won't be sleeping early on that night, so while I was watching TV, I could smell the stench of paint suddenly. When I opened the wooden door, I saw the door splashed with black paint and the metal gate chained. Happy New Year!
Now, when I saw the paint on the window moment ago, I really thought it's all coming back to haunt me. With such experience, I walked to the other side of the wall, knowing exactly that there will be some writing. #05-240.
WTF. 240? My unit number is 246. What the fuck! Ok, I walked over to my grandma's unit straight away (next door). She couldn't wait to explain to me. The police were here earlier this evening. It was a mistaken identity. FUCK. That bloody borrower really live in unit 240. This idiotic loanshark still have the cheek to write 240 on the wall, while he splashed the paint on 246. What the fuck sia ~
Tell me ....... how do I escaped from all these?

by Str|fe

1 comments
@4:51 PM

Fresh week

It will be a good one.

by Str|fe

0 comments
Sunday, December 03, 2006
@2:29 PM

Prison Break 1&2

I am halfway through season 2 already. Hmmm...... season 1 is definitely better. Staying true to the serial title, the setting was in the prison itself. For season 2, it's more like a cat and mouse chase on the street. No more gangster rap. No more colorful prison characters.
Anyway, other than this show, I am occupied with my driving course. Haha ~ my first lesson gonna start next Wednesday. Going to book my advanced theory soon, so better finish reading first before I depart for Gourami Challenge. 13th-20th Dec. Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort. Kota Kinabalu. Gosh ~ I can't wait!

by Str|fe

0 comments
Saturday, December 02, 2006
@7:50 PM

23rd April 2007

Defnitely not the day that I am looking forward to......

by Str|fe

0 comments
@6:20 PM

Flower headache

Where can I get flower in Yishun?
How do I carry it around without appearing like some tutu?
How many days in advance can I buy it before it dies?
How do I store it at home? In the fridge?
Hahahaha ~

by Str|fe

0 comments
Friday, December 01, 2006
@11:02 PM

One book down, another book up

Yeah ~ time to study that driving hardbook. Next week, have to read the case study for the Gourami Challenge. How exciting ~

by Str|fe

0 comments
@11:10 AM

Over and waiting

Yup. I am done with both papers. Hmmm..... they are reasonably easy. Oh well ~ not as if I really care already. As long as my GPA doesn't fall below 3.8, I am easy.
Every rejection is like a slap in my face. My ego taking a fall these days. I don't even know what's wrong with me. No, I have yet to receive any more news. In fact, after so many freaking applications, most of them have yet to reply. No news doesn't really mean good news, right? Everyday is just another day of waiting. No, I am not desperate for job. I have one more term in SMU, remember? I am desperate to know that I am not that bad. Tamade ~ sian. I just want to go for more interview. To learn more about the jobs in the market. To confirm that I am just as good as the person sitting next to me.
Sianzzzzz...........................

by Str|fe

0 comments

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