Sunday, September 25, 2011
...it really Does.
Even though I always complain about the army, it still has some perks. Monetary wise that is. I've never actually worked to earn my keep before, not counting the 1 month MOE Attachment Programme last year. That was more like a learning experience, not an actual work. Being in the army, we get what they call an Allowance (note it's not salary). And being the rank of Sergeant, of course there's the added money value in it. So ya for the past 1 year 4 months I've been getting a constant flow of income into my bank account.
And with income there's outcome. Spendings on my weekend entertainment, outings, food etc. My expenditure wise hasn't exactly changed alot, keeping spendings to weekends only as much as possible. The only difference is that now I'm no longer drawing money from my parents, but instead myself. And naturally I gotta indulge myself in my gundam modelling hobby as well right.
Savings are important as well too. I remember hearing/seeing from somewhere that a good gauge of amount to save is half of your income. Not sure if that is true. But I've been keeping to that ever since I started drawing money. I would say it's still going quite well being able to achieve the quota almost 90% of the time.
So its a balance of outcome vs income. Of which the latter has to be naturally a larger value otherwise you're in huge trouble. It's also about the importance of planning your budget. To have the ability to foresee your expenditure for the week, to have the caution to plan for miscelleaneous stuff, and the determination to not waver infront of tempting food when you're not hungry xD.
Then comes the question. Why do we save? Do we save because its a society norm to do so, because since young our parents have inculcated in us the good habit to save what little we have. Do we save for ourselves so tat we can go on that overseas trip that we so look forward to enjoying at the end of the year. Or do we save for our family, for the family that we'll form in the future to live in a life with as little worries as possible.
I don't come from a very well to do family, nor is my family very poor. But I dare say my family is in the above average range. Being able to live in a condo, have a car, and go on a trip yearly, sometimes more. These are luxuries that not many get to enjoy. I do admit that I am very lucky to be able to enjoy all these. And the reason for all these?
It's because of my parents.
They aren't the CEO of some big multinational company, just regular employees working very hard to earn what's enough to let their family enjoy the happy days. I have no idea what's the exact figure that they draw, just know that they have enough to not let me worry about my family's financial status. I can also see that they're putting thought into every cent they spend, seeing my mum tabulate the receipts and etc every end of the month. And it's very heartnening to know that even though they have the weight of the family to carry on their shoulders, they never fail to give in to us. Be it getting our favourite food, or simply buying shoes to replace old ones. Maybe its because of this that I am who I am today. That I know what is resonable and not be a spoilt brat asking for everything. The reason I'm the Dalvin you see/read about.
Hence more often than not, I wonder to myself. Can I replicate this lifestyle in my adulthood. If I were to have my own family, would I be able to earn enough to give my children the same kind of life without financial worries. I know you might be thinking these thoughts are waaayyyy too early for a 20 guy. But it's just been a nagging thought in my head.
At the age where we're choosing what courses to take when entering uni, it somehow sums up. By deciding which course you take in uni, it sort of concludes where you're going to be for the rest of your life. Not counting those who go back to re-study another course or are adventurous enough to try something totally new tht they've never touched before. For me, I'm going to be a teacher. Or at least that's the current plan.
So does a teacher earn enough to lead a comfortable life? Will my future wife be working to further supplement the houehold income? None of these are answers that are given to you at the end of the exam. It's just life that you gotta experience and try it out for yourself. You never know how things are going to change in future, so you gotta plan ahead, save what you are able to, and hope that when the day comes and you urgently need it, you don't have to worry.
And yet contrary to what the whole above chunk has been talking about, life isn't all about material wealth as portrayed in the social media we're allso immersed in now. There are so many things out there that are much more valuable, enjoyable and easily within reach that we already have around us. Our family at home, friends outside etc etc. These are things that are definitely more important than money, though more often than not because of the pursuit of the latter we neglect them.
Ok this post has gone on long enough. Even I feel its getting kinda off track. Typed this over a span of one week so pardon the jump in line of thoughts if any. To end off, here's a translated chinese saying for you "Money is not everything, but you definitely can't do without money either."
Revealed on [7:50 PM]
Saturday, September 17, 2011
As the name suggests, this is what I'm gonna be blogging bout this week. VLOG.
An adaptation to the new age of diary through videos, a play on the word Blog, a way for people who are very open and rather show their face then hide behinds their words. Vlog actually spawned from the word Blog. Which is kinda cool, how people adapt to things they don't like and simply change it. Video-blogging = Vlog. We all understand that logging means to take down thins in sequential order of happening, aka timeline. So Vlog means doing so via Videos. But in the first place...where does the "B" from Blogging even come from???
Oh well. That's not important. That's not even what I wana discuss.
Recently, or perhaps just these few weekends I've been catching up on regular Vloggers via Youtube. NigaHiga. ArdenBCho. And my favourite of all time WongFuProductions :). They've all brought laughter into my weekends. Simply through their funny ethics. Ok Arden isn't exaclty funny...just pretty. But I like funny.
But actually I wana blog about is how "common" these "uncommon" people seem. These people are just average people, going about their average lives. Simply vlogging for the fun of it. But just by doing the thing they enjoy, they have managed to capture the attention of the international crowd. It's very amazing. Just shows you how with the spread of technology one can easily reach out to the world.
And in this case, they've even manage to come up with a company, as with Wong Fu Productions. With my favourite being their Agents of Secret Stuff prefessional video, featuring NigaHiga and Arden. Never fails to crack me up. They also have a online store. http://areyouaniceguy.com/ . Of which I'm so very interested to buy, only that I dun normally buy shirts online and I'm afraid the shipping costs will be too expensive. Unless any of my readers wana share :). Anyone?
See it's so witty :). Wana share buy anyone???
Also what I like about them is that they're trying to promote "local" talents as well. Those that dun make it to big screens. The ones we so ardently stalk via youtube videos. To the extent they formed a concert series, International Secret Agents (ISA), to feature these people. Not the kind of huge big concerts at stadiums. But the small concise ones seating about 1000 of people all sharing the same passion. Maybe its the sense of cohesion of such a tight community that has drawn me to them.
Just a note. They're slowly advancing to the world stage now. Currently in production with taiwan pop idol Wang LeeHom :).
Go WFW!
Revealed on [10:01 PM]
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Does it hurt because I really care?
Two instead of one.
One that I don't know.
The other I thought I did.
Connected physically,
an irony in that state,
of which it was shown to me.
Emotions so heart-throbbing,
so real and scary,
grabbing my subconscious mind.
Tossed and turned,
struggling in the dark,
unable to hold onto the light.
Somehow I braved myself,
to confront the truth,
only to be shown a fake.
So what is this,
a reflection in the mirror,
or pinch in my forehead.
Nando demo sagashidasu yo kiminome sono te no nukumori wo.
Revealed on [7:45 PM]
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Yay!
As you can see, that's my medal for the completion of the Army Half Marathon. My 1st marathon in life, might be last, might not be, see how 1st. Thou I must say, it really wasn't easy. Considering I've onli managed to clock to 16km thus far.
Was aiming for a timing of 2hr15mins, but got 2hr30mins. Didn't reach my goal, but timing isn't bad either. I tink it's due to a lack of training in the environment. Somehow the moment I started running in the city, I sweated Alot. Not even close to 5km yet I'm pretty much soaking wet...dunnoe why. Then I began drinking water...and I tink I drank too much. Felt alittle queasy in the end lolz. Cos normally I run I dun drink. Even for my 16km I drank like twice nia.
But in the end I still completed it. And I know I gave it my best. Proud of my tahan-ning skills. Can't run any faster than I already did. So quite satisfied :). At least now I can say I completed a Half Marathon. I really think those who attempt a Full marathon are crazy. It's like twice the distance I ran sia. Wun ever do it...thou I never thought I would run 21km ever either. For a guy who hates running, I'm very proud of myself!
The feeling of seeing the finishing line is just...liberating!
Fitness has definitely gotta be the best perk of being in army. Like Duh. Like the influence of need to be healthy, to keep fit. If not for army, I would've never started my pt regime to get myself in shape before entering. And now I'm in, I'm keeping to a regime to remain fit. I now confirm am fitter than I use to. I'm hoping this habit will stay with me for life, and not just die off cos of commitments in adulthood.
It's quite important to remain fit actually. I tink its a waste if one were to lose fitness through the years. There's really no reason to let one's fitness slip away over the years. Everytime I see adults in gym or running on the public roads I quite envy them. It takes quite abit of determination to stay fit, just like how I make myself go exercise everyday.
Maybe...just maybe...I might make AHM my yearly activity. Quite proud to say I'm a 21km Half Marathon Finisher :).
Revealed on [3:49 AM]