One-Third

I was looking through my calender for this month only to realise that I have been on my job for 4 months.

So far, my intitial assessment of the organisation, its people and culture were not too far off. Indeed, I think this is a good place to hold a first job after coming out from the protected environs of student life.

At this stage, most of the inability to cope with problems stem from a lack of knowledge about the industry and its practices. I wanted exposure into certain areas when I got in, and I am getting it.

In fact, everything is almost as I have imagined it. Most people have a perception about their jobs and how it'll be like, only to find that there's a gap (sometimes huge) between their expectation and reality. The gap in my case would be around 5-10%. So I must say that the 2 interviews before the job offer helped prepare me well for the job.

I remembered what my HR module coordinator told me. If at first sight you don't like the interviewer, and talking to that interviewer doesn't change your perception, get out immediately. Else you should be prepared for a difficult time.

It's funny how things I asked for turned out. Early in the year I wanted to try out the property market without risking my working capital and to learn the works related to it. Now I am in this area, learning about it, and with no use for my working capital since I'm dealing with corporate assets. The "downside" is of course, I don't stand to gain anything from the sales. I got what I asked for.

Market Timing

Despite what most people say, I do believe it is possible to time the market.

By saying this, I do not mean that I am able to get into the market at the lowest possible cost and get out of it when it reaches the ultimate high. Neither am I confident that I will be able to win all and lose nothing.

Rather, I see that it is possible to get in at a time when most people are feeling jittery and are starting to lose their confidence while a new uptrend is forming. Similarly, to get out of the market when the signs of topping shows up and the crowd is cheering away for their new purchases.

Unwittingly, I was able to avert a potential heartbreak during mid-August when most stocks fell under the pressure of the falling market. I was out by the start of the month and sitting on cash. Though I must say I was feeling rather silly for donating to the market.

I have been waiting patiently for the right time to strike since then. I thought I saw it last Friday. But consultation with the charts showed that the rally had failed just 2 days before.

Just yesterday, I was browsing through forums to while away my time when I came across a forumer who claimed that the rally has started last week. From his observation and postings, I reckon that we are using the same method to gauge the market.

I'm only a beginner where this method is concerned. I shall continue to monitor the market. Especially with the fall of 250 points on the DJI yesterday, the coming week should be pretty interesting for our local index.

My New Extra Curricular Activity

Probably because of the dull weekends I've had over the past few weeks, I decided to join the dragon boat team in my company.

I was at the Kallang Sea Sports Centre by 0800 and was ready to go into the water. It wasn't exactly my first time doing this. I participated in some quirky inter-ECA (although it was already called CCA by then. Old habits die hard.) Dragon Boat race during my JC days. I remember that we only have 8 people in our boat and we came in second through sheer power. Not much technique to speak of back then. But nonetheless, we had fun.

The first day is all about getting the technique right. I felt quite awkward and stiff with the oar. But it did get better, I hope. It's quite easy to pick up. I used to think that only the hand and body would be used in rowing. Turns out some leg power is required as well when pulling. I figure that if I continue to row on the port side, I would probably end up with a bigger left arm and right thigh after a few months.

Guess I probably be occupied on Saturday mornings from now on. Could even drop by Suntec area after the training since the crowd only comes in near noon.