Of one shirt and another

Did you know, that a bow tie could be worned with a regular laydown collar shirt? I have always thought that it had to be worn with a wing tipped collar shirt, and was surprised that it is possible. Thought I made a major fashion faux pas during my company's centennial dinner. Some came dressed to the nines with various blings, others were seen dressed more formally, and some looked down right smart. Most females had their hair done in various styles, some even hired external makeup artists. Sometimes I wonder why, but I think females love such occassion to dress up.

Yeah, after having a "black tie" function in August, never thought that there would be another black tie function in November. Though at that time, I wore a suit and a nice tie for the event. Technically, for a black tie event, a tuxedo is a must, with a cummerband or vest. This time round, I wore my bow tie, but chose to wear a normal white shirt (I seldom wear white, and have only one pure white working shirt). Also, no tux, but my regular suit. Yeah, none too conforming, but hey, it has been a very long time since I wore my wing tipped shirt (more than 7 years ago!), and the colour has sort of turned a bit yellowish since I didn't take care of the shirt properly (another reason why I very seldom wear white shirts). On the whole, looked decent enough, but was very conscious of the non conforming white shirt (i.e. non wing tipped). But after doing a bit of research now, am glad it is ok also. Personally, I think a wing tipped shirt would look better, but didn't fancy splurging on a white wing tipped shirt which I will hardly ever wear, with a fitting cummerband and a tux. Oh! I wore my camel active boots too instead of a pair of leather shoes! but it looked decent enough as a black pair of shoes.

At least I have my bow tie, right? :)

Somewhere...

There is so much beauty in such wonderful voices, such pure tones!!! Wow!!!

Of one award second year running

Was down in Singapore last week for a couple of days to attend a bond market summit, as well as to collect an award! :)

This is the second year running actually that I came in 2nd place, but I didn't make it down to collect the award last year, so this year, I thought I had better go. Never know if I will ever be conferred the accolade again. Actually, the award could be used as a marketing game, especially being in the asset management industry, but as I am in the Insurance industry, it could also look good to pad my curriculum vitae eh? :P

But really, I suppose it could be used for marketing as well within the insurance industry, especially if the agents are going out selling Investment Linked Plans, and performance of the fund is shown with such a tag to the fund manager, no? But, of course, the funds managed have to be performing and made sure to be ahead of peers.

How was the voting system? Someone from The Asset will call up bankers in Malaysia and asked them who they think are the most astute local bond investors. So, the bankers will provide a couple of names. And the ones with the most "hits", will of course rank higher. Seriously though, I am sure there are many good fund managers out there who don't talk as much to the market, so may be left out of the list. I guess it is the higher profile ones, and more active ones in terms of trades whom the bankers talk to who will get into the list. There are certainly other categories, but since I dabble in local currency bonds, hence the placement for this category.

Ok, nah! Here's a close up of what the award looks like. The "only" difference between No. 1 and the others are the words, "Voted as the" and "Voted as one of the". I have the "one of the". :)

Where is it now? Err, I think it is somewhere in the cardboard box together with other reports and paraphernalia in the office.

Hahaa, ok! ok! It's actually in the office somewhere on top of my cabinet, not too strategically placed so that people will not see it at first glance. Why? Shy muh! :P

Forty Six days to Christmas!

It is forty six days to Christmas and the shopping malls are beginning to put up Christmas decorative stuff and goodies. Nope, they haven't started playing Christmas carols yet, but no doubt will probably begin soon.

As I was walking around Pavillion yesterday, I succumbed to the temptation of buying ornaments for my Christmas tree. I can tell you one thing for sure, the ornaments don't come cheap!, but I console myself monetary wise, that I had a gig the night before which earned me enough pocket money to splurge a little. :)

As I woke up this morning, was undecided whether to take the existing Christmas tree out of storage or decorate the pussy willow tree which is already in my living room. Ya, me being the usual indicisive self, FINALLY decided on decorating the pussy willow tree after a good time debating with myself. One thing for sure, I didn't set a theme, but got carried away yesterday buying the various new ornamental stuff. So, looked as though it was done in a slapdash manner, but I think for this year will leave it as it is. Yep, looked a bit like a minimalist approach without the usual greenery, and it sort of go with the overall oriental Christmas theme which I had in mind.

Have never thought of white ornaments, but it does lend itself a certain look. Usually, one would go for only red and gold combination or white and blue. But I went for the works!!! Egads!!! Must remember to have a colour theme next year!

Of course, at this time of the year, one would get carried away with the commercial aspect of the coming festive season, but I had a star or two to remind me of the significance of the celebration. I was even humming Christmas carols as I was putting the stuffs up! :)

Now, if you ask me why I decorate so early, I really don't know. After all, I have another forty six days to shop for other ornaments and can redo my colour theme if I have to. Watch this space ... :P

Being a local tourist

You know, I have been in KL for quite a number of years already, but have not even been to some of the local attractions. After various rearranging of timetables, a few friends and myself decided to get organised and go being local tourists. With hats (some of us) and camera (most of us) in tow, we ploughed across various valleys and plains (ha, almost!)... more like the Forest Reserve Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Selayang Hot Springs, and Batu Caves.










Had to get up like 5:45am on one of the Sunday mornings last month just to get ready for a little bit of morning exercise in FRIM. This was my second time to FRIM actually, and quite enjoyable. Tried the canopy walkway, which was pretty exciting, and I think it is purportedly the tallest in the world. Some excitement for one of my friends, who suffered the fangs of a leech bite. Now personally, I don't have anything against leeches, but really am not a fan of those little suckers.

Next stop was at the Selayang Hot Springs. Malaysia's little "onsen". Ha, almost, but no skinny dipping I reckon. There were three sort of pools with varying degrees of hotness. The hottest had the clearest water, as I doubt anyone would dip themselves in there. One can even see the bubbles rising, that showed how hot it really was! The people around there mentioned that you can bring the water back and it would stay hot for up to 9 hours!

Of course, there were various rules as to what you can or cannot do. One interesting signage said "no undergarments in the pool", so does that mean one can go skinny dipping? The other two pools looked a bit murky. One had various people soaking their feet inside the pool under the scorching hot sun (out with the brollies! - it was around noon when we were there) and the other pool had a few old timers sitting around enjoying the natural heat. One lady took it one step further. She immersed her whole body into the pool, so I guess she must really believe in the natural healing properties of the Selayang hot spring.










Then after the earlier energising morning hike, and a sojourn to the hot springs for a bit of relaxation, we tackled Batu Caves and the 272 steps next! Yep, we climbed all the way to the top, and no, it wasn't as tiring as the walk up to the canopy walk at FRIM.










Interesting things to see, including monkeys which were perpetually hungry, eyeing tourists and locals alike for food. Batu Caves is of course a temple, frequented all year round, but peak time being Thaipussam, with devotees undergoing various body piercings and entering various spiritual state of being, climbing all the way up the cave to pay homage to their deity.

Me, I go just to look-see-look-see and enjoy the natural greatness of the limestone cave. And of course, a nice coconut drink at the very end of the long hot day. Oh, the little girl, Sasha, was very excited after being told by Yuin that the coconuts were free, and she wanted to take some home.