Its great to hear people reading your posts (even when you almost never update) and saying that your post made them apply for your job.

I should blog more often. Yes, that is the statement of the year used to death almost.

Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy blogging and sharing my thoughts and opinions online. Its semi voyeurism on the readers part, but I guess that’s part of the thrill. Most of us are exhibitionists in our own unique way.

Some of us like to exhibit but get upset when you talk about their exhibit. Which is rather silly and defeats the purpose of exhibiting the item in the first place. It can be likened to a prostitute that wants to be paid but who just want to watch movies with you.

Anyway, back to the topic. The new Standard Chartered International Graduates for CB has arrived. All better qualified than the “rest of us” with Masters no less. I am quite excited really with all the new talent that has come to Standard Chartered. It just re-affirms the Bank’s promise of being the right place to work. Now, do I sound like HR or what?

Amusing thing was one of them read my blog as part of research to get here. I am quite flattered really.

A few things for people who are planning to join the Program for CB:

• You decide your own career path.
• You need to take your own bold initiatives to get to where you want to be.
• You will constantly need to deal with ambiguities and just “find your way” around such grey areas.
• You will need to stay strong mentally and have the courage to defy odds at times.
• You should be prepared for all the above and more as CB is an ever changing business. We live in exciting times

Sure the road is long and winding, but I think ultimately with the passion, determination and smarts; you should get there.

Its one  of those nights where you find it hard to sleep.

Its just one of those nights where its not too hot, yet not too cold,

But one just can’t find shelter in sleep.
Just like the line in Battlestar Galaticca, “I can’t get no relief”

The worst part is that a lot is required from me tommorow,

I have an amateur movie to shoot. Not sure how that will turn out.
I have a mass farewell (for myself and most of my other colleagues) who will be either posted to different parts of the Bank or finding greener pastures elsewhere.

Relief.

Satisfaction.

Stability.

We crave the comforts of the certain. We just want to sweep most things under the carpet rather than taking things by their horns.

I take a somewhat different approach. I am game in trying out virtually anything as long as I don’t overindulge.
I think self discipline is the first backbone in succeeding in life – either spiritually, academically or materially.

My argument being simple,
If you lack self discipline and self constraint, you will lack control over your behaviour and will not be “riding on the waves of life” and avoiding as much misery as possible.
By being self disciplined, you will take your time to study and do well in your exams.
Finally if you believe in delayed gratification and are able to control your buying urges, it will save you lots of money (in interest) when you buy something in cash and not via credit.

Of course, you can argue about certain necessary evils and 0% flexi payment schemes (which I am incidently a fan of, regretfully). Still, these are just rare cases. For the most bit, I believe if one were to be responsible and know fully what are they getting themselves into to make an informed and educated decision.

The breeze is blowing.

Its 3.23am.

I am not sure how I am going to function at work tommorow.

Yes, I am liberated from non internet life.

Which means I can spend more time updating this dead blog and perhaps even get some people to actually read it and follow it as religiously as I follow Battlestar Galattica.

I just finnished Season 3 on Sunday. It was a fulfilling run. Each season keeps getting better than the previous.

Peeling even more deeply to the thought provoking questions on what makes us human and why do we even deserve a 2nd chance? What is redemption and is always forgiveness no matter how much we have sinned?

I will perhaps do a write up on various episodes and what I think. Some of the episodes touch on metaphysics (another favourite pass time of mine) and politics.

I have also started work on my TMIKL blog. Go visit and you can tell which posts are mine

http://tmikl.blogspot.com

Its a question I ask myself quite often…

Didn’t do quite a good job in updating this blog as often as I should. But I guess its because I lost my passion and have become a mindless corporate drone. Jaded.

Karen was right when she said that once money becomes your main motivation, everything is lost.

I hope to turn over a new leaf and try to remember my dreams before finding what fuels my dream.

I certainly hope I know what I am doing.

I bet most of you thought that this will be another abandoned project.

Partially true. And yes, Johan. I did realize.

Its been quite a busy journey for me since I started here in Standard Chartered. I was away for the International Induction Program where I met other fellow International Graduates. It was really fun to meet people from differnt parts of the world and understanding their cultures, etc.

Then, I went to Singapore for an Academic Programme and stayed in Fairmont Hotel, Raffles Place. It was a wonderful experiance being in a 5 star hotel. Some learning and fun later, I am back to KL and am currently attached to Mortgages.

The last few weeks was spent learning about Mortgages, assisting the various parts of Mortgage and just doing my best to lead a good life. I go to the gym at least once a week for two sessions. I will be increasing this to two to three days in next following weeks. Get in great shape and lead a good life.

I always wanted to do this. I finally got the chance.

I have always believed that we should lead our lives like corporations and sell ourselves like a “brand name”. Take the Sidney Ng brand name. When you are around for some time (been in the market), there are definitely traits that people remember you by and would support or go against you (whether personal or otherwise).

I believe this builds up as one goes along and it really shapes your character of being who you are.

The secret of all strong brand names or successful companies lies in their main core beliefs that do not change with time, but which are merely updated/innovated to suit to the changing culture.

Some companies call it Credo, some companies call it Vision and Mission. Either way, it steers the corporation to the correct direction in good times and bad and helps the company lead on principle rather than on baser needs. I believe that we humans should lead our lives in the simmilar manner. It fives one a sense of living and a sense of direction to where one is going.

Anyway, I am making a public declaration of my mission statement of my own.

“My mission is to become a person who is true to myself, honourable and respected by those around me.
I want to be a contributing agent of change that brings progress and positive differences in enriching the lives that I touch.
I will have an excellent family, professional and personal life while I build lasting wealth and happiness.
I will be courteous to all and live mu life to the fillest with radiant joy and enthusiasm”

Make yours today and make your life worth living!

The new year is here. And it began in quite an un-orthodox way here in Malaysia.

http://videos.thestar.com.my/default.aspx?vid=782http://thestaronline.com/news/story.asp?file=/2008/1/1/nation/20080101161931&sec=nation&focus=1

A Senior Minister admitted to be on a sex DVD. Looks like I will be in Tangkak this weekend.Wink.Wink.

Looks like this is going to be an interesting year.

So this is my first post over here at www.sidneyng.com

Some of you lost your way getting here. No matter. If you are reading this, welcome aboard. You are already here.
This week would involve a fair bit of travelling.
Quite a packed schedule if you ask me.

I had problems with my network last night, I can’t seem to go online and STAY online.
Since it was 9.30 p.m and Ghost Whiperer was on, I decided to just stare at  Jennifer Love Hewitt  solving  ghost  problems and whispering words of the undead to the living.

Next thing I realized, I woke up and it was 12.00p.m, Simon Cowell was making remarks on how a young lady attending American Idol Auditions (it was on re-run). I turned off the TV and fan. Slept till 6 a.m.

Sleeping that long, it felt like recharging a battery.

I dreamt that my credit card went over the credit limit althought I do not remember using it to buy anything. Indeed, it was quite nerve wrecking to think about debts that I never even remember deriving any benefits from.

Oh well, tonight I will be putting up in a budget hotel. Hope that they have  warm water and power supply to charge my phone.

A long day ahead. I will see all of you on Thursday.

Test post.