The Carpenter

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing machinery and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference and finally, it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I 'm looking for a few days' work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor. In fact, it's my younger brother! Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us.  Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day -- measuring, sawing and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all.

 
 
It was a bridge .. A bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all! And the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched..

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.
"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have many more bridges to build." 

It's not all roses and smiles in investing/trading

Yesterday afternoon, I took mom to People's Park so we can make a new pair of reading glasses for her.

We flagged a SMRT cab there. The cab driver was a Chinese senior in his late 60s. Well groomed. Speaks well too. 

We chatted a bit and somehow the conversation came to what we do.

It turned out this cab driver was a contractor. As we were driving, he was pointing out to me the HDB upgrading works he tendered and worked on in the past. 

He sold his company in 2002 after racking up $10 million in losses "playing" the local stock market. His no. 1 loser was Chartered Semi-conductor Manufacturing... (Being Temasek owned means little if you bought high and sold low...)

Anyway, I didn't want to pry too much; but suffice to say although it's a big step down from his glory days, this cab driver is not exactly down and out.

He told me his wife owns a shop and he drives 10 hours a day without a need for relief driver to share his cab rental.


The first thing I did last night was to review my core holdings (they pay for my sabbatical from work) and reminded myself the reasons I bought them in the first place.

But more importantly, I remembered what happened to my portfolio when I was more than 100% vested (I on margin) during 2000, and how lucky I was mostly in cash during 2008.

It's vitally important to know when to sell too - especially when the reasons I've bought have deteoriated! 

Never assume it's all roses and smiles just because the STI has gone up by 20% in 2012. Don't forget about risk control!


There's another lesson I learned. Life moves on. The future is uncertain. No matter what happens, don't dwell on the past.

If I ever to bust my portfolio again, I am mentally prepared to go back to selling sofas or going back to the selling floor. Glad to know retail sales jobs are not popular with most Singaporeans.


It's always nice to engage with seniors on their life journey.

   








 

The 3 idiots - Inspirational and philosophical movie!

If you have 3 hours to spare this weekend, and you have broadband at home, I would heartily recommend this Bollywood movie that I watched on Youtube this New Year holiday.

There's English subtitles so no worries! I've cried, laughed, and cheered during the movie. What a roller coaster emotional ride!


I highly recommend it if you are:

1)  Still schooling and undecided whether to select a stream or faculty based on your interest or based on the lastest salary survey.

2)  Parents with children who are torn between "knowing what's best" for your child and wanting your child to be happy. And to be conscious of what "great expectations" can do to your child...

3)  In love and wishes to know if your significant other is an "ass-hole" or "price tag"; so you won't marry the "wrong" person.

4)  Gold-diggers, that's how you spot "ass-holes" and "price tags"! Happy hunting!

5)  Stressed with competing priorities between work and family. 

(There's a scene where these words were uttered: "There are many exams; but there's only 1 dad." My floodgates opened. Lucky I was at my silbing's home. No need to hold it in.)               

6)  Genuine educators who passionately want to be part of an institution and profession that inspire enquiring minds - not a degree or paper qualification mill that produces exam smart students.


I am glad my silbing invited me to watch this movie. It was introduced by the church that my sibling went as part of their councelling sessions. 

One of their church member, who is a senior teacher, even brought it up to her school management to focus less on "collecting" achievements and awards. Bring the focus back to inculcating the joy of learning in their students!

There's light and hope! 

I support the Ministry of Education's recent move not to disclose publicly the PSLE results. Now that's a step in the right direction!

To the naysayers, how would you like it if the schools do a survey and reveal the rankings of how their students rate their parents? Or would you like it if your company publicly reveals the performance evaluation and ranking of all their employees?

Exactly.