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September 16 ForsterLast weekend I went for a short trip to Forster, a beautiful and quiet place which locates at the north of Newcastle. I could summarise my trip in three words: relax, fun and exciting
 I guess the most enjoyable aspect of the trip was not only the beautiful places we visited, but also the game time we had at night!! I couldn't remember when the last time I played Monopoly, it is still a fun game regardless of age!!
 Another game that we played was "liar". I guess my high school friends would know this game very well as we used to play so often during break and lunch time back to the day of school hahaha..... and I still love this game very much
 Another interesting fact I found out about myself was that I can actually survive without a PC
 .... which is an excellent news to me!! haha Song time....
歌曲：世外桃源
歌手：譚詠麟
作曲：譚詠麟
填詞：向雪懷
編曲：盧東尼
我的心已跟海風流浪
我的影同樣尋覓去向 如海鷗剪破了寂靜 如斜陽隨水蕩 隨天光走到了日落 人愛上懶洋洋 我於蒸發感覺中流汗 我的思緒像潮汐退漲 人海中飄泊似踏浪 仍然頑強闖蕩 煩囂中失去了願望 離遠了從前方向 願活在夢幻世界 身穿千尺浪 夢內沒有分國界 自由是國邦 從無緣無故的徬徨 走進歡笑開朗 如帆船微雨中迴航 不必孤身飄遠岸 能遺忘人世的繁忙 方會醒覺風在唱 從從前愁緒中離航 熱情像紅日發放 September 13 A day of "voluntary" workWith great fortune our department had a community service today, which allows us to escape the heavy work load from the office for a day.
 My first impression of this voluntary work was "how hard can it be? At least the jobs can be physically solved whereas I am still digging my way out for those in the office"...... which is somehow TRUE!!
A group of 20+ of us were divided into small teams, the tasks given to us were: painting, furniture assemble, paving and gardening. I was forced to do gardening without a choice..... I guessed they thought I should do some gardening
 ....As we made our way to gardening, we were surprised how much work was need to be done.... I guess the last time someone did gardening might be about 10 years ago!! ahahaha..... obviously the workers there didn't do a lot because there are some lovely "volunteers" visit them periodically hahaha
Overall it was fun despite the physical tiredness afterwards. I would prefer activities similar like this, which get us out of the office sometimes.
P.S. there were photos taken during our work, will post them up.
August 30 APEC - Time to panicLast Thursday, our dear CEO Mr Mohl presented our half yearly result to the media, which also concluded our half yearly valuation task.... You know there had been so much effort behind those pretty numbers..... Now I am on an insane project which is enough to drive me crazy before the next valuation
I guess a highlight of this project so far is that I just wipe out a potential extra 25 millions profit hahaha.... but I am not out of job..... In fact it is a concern if there are large extra profits, the process of analysing the source is somehow troublesome. The lesson I learned was that:
"As an actuary you would not concern how the company generates extra profit but how to keep a stable profit. Extra profitability is good to the company but not your life."
Beside the excitment I have at work, another thing to panic about is the APEC next week. When the APEC meeting was hosted in Thailand, the government made the whole week as public holidays, whereas we only got ONE day on Friday
. My office is located at the sea side which have a great view across the Darling Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge which also make it a high risk area of any "hazardous" activities. I would need to get myself prepare for the police and high security guard around that area next week (better find my elegant business suit for next week
 ).... Btw I would like to see Mr. W Bush, but probably not this time hahaha
August 22 Advertisement - what's the purpose??Due to transportation problem, I was forced to "muck around" Eastwood after work today
 .... Then I came to this real estate agent shop, I was curious to find out the current real estate market..... but I was annoyed after taking a quick look at advertisment board through the shop window...
Out of those properties, at least 70% of them was sold in which they have the little "SOLD" label attached on them....
Why would they still advertise those "sold" properties?!...... I believe the purpose of advertising is to sell the product right?..... So why do they put them up if they are sold? Do they just want to tell you that you have missed the opportunities, giving a sense of regret? i.e. "Only watch, can't own", I really hate this
 So what's their intention?!..... I find it is hard to figure out and understand......
August 19 七月初七Today is 農曆七月初七 which is my 農曆生日. I guess Chinese is very clever in that way they make two New Year(s) and two birthdays into the calendar for everyone which is wonderful =)
農曆七月初七 also reminder me about the story of <<牛郎織女>>. In fact I had a conversation with my mum about this.
母:「星期日是七月初七, 你的農曆生日」
子:「七月初七? 牛郎織女的故事?」
母:「這是人間以前的傳聞, 可能將來你和的你的老婆都會分隔兩地, 哈哈!」
子:「........」
What kind of thought is this? Wanna his son and daught-in-law to separate?!.. haha
Despite the trueness of the story, I do find some similar stories happen to my friend and colleague around me. Ofcoz their stories are not as sad as the original one becoz there are now so may communication tools for them to talk and even see their other half. And I really appreciate their love which overcome long distance and obstacle......
If this happen to me, will I have the courage go on???... HAHA I am again thinking too far...
P.S. A song relates to this story, hope you enjoy it!
歌曲：七夕
歌手：鄧麗欣
作曲：歐陽業俊 編曲：Wayland Lee/歐陽業俊
問 織女怎會熱愛牛郎 August 15 From 15+8 to 8x3Yes today is my 24th birthday, and also a remarkable birthday to me for three reasons:
1) I have celebrated this with a group of my best friends
2) I am progressing toward at the end of the "accident hump" of the mortality curve, which means there is higher probability I will reach my next birthday =P
3) This is last year that I need to pay expensive premium for motor haha
With an age of 24, I reckon I am mature enough to choose and do the right thing. It also means I need to plan my future more seriously and move toward the goals that yet to achieve.
This year is the "year of pig" which is also the second cycles of "12生肖" since I was borned, thus it means much more to me..... There are not many "12生肖" cycles of human life, and now I reach my second one.... The next one will be in 12 years time which is a long long way to go.....
I am very sure I celebrated my 12th with my family. Now I celebrate my 24th with my friends and it is very likely (or hopefully) I will celebrate my 36th with my own family..... How about the 4th and 5th cycles?... Perhaps I have been thinking too far
 Well I would like to say thanks again for all my friends who celebrated with me today, I really enjoyed the dinner and also seeing the smiley faces of yours. I have known many of you since High School and Uni... You guys symbolise my history in Australia
August 11 最近比較煩Just said goodbye to half yearly valuation, another big project is coming up.... whenever I have a look at the complexity of the project... it just gives me a headache....
In the past I saw myself as a bull.... exhausted myself to head on the "red flag".... Now the stuff in front of my life, are they the "red flags"?.... well I have started to stuggle in distinguishing the colours..... It seems like I am chasing something that will never exist or turn real....
What am I doing?..... Indeed I find it difficult to answer the question....
Need to take a rest - "我很累"......
August 05 More on <<花無雪>>....Previously I posted a message about Vincy's <<賣火柴的女孩>>, it seems like some of you have shown interest in the song... and a couple of you actually asked me to give them the song tim. I guess EEG should pay me for the promotion haha
..... Anyway I just shared a bit of my thought (no commercial interest), hope you will enjoy it too~~~If you are upset by <<賣火柴的女孩>>, then I should recommend the other impressive song in the album - <<黛玉笑了>>. In contrast to <<賣火柴的女孩>>, the background of this song is taken from a Chinese fiction - <<紅樓夢>>. 「黛玉」refers to「林黛玉」, more details are as below:
「 林黛玉
四大名著 紅樓夢 第一女主角 男主角寶玉的表妹兼愛人 林黛玉 黛玉一生體弱多病又多愁, 詩作為全書人物中最多 全書很少寫黛玉開懷快樂 寶玉跟黛玉兩情相悅,奈何最終未能結為夫婦 寶玉被騙跟薜寶釵成親,林黛玉卻含淚而終 」 Very often we put heavy weight on relationship issue which causes us depression and lost in direction
 . Why not just step back and look at the positive side? Let the「黛玉」in your heart smiles, make it a happy ending of yours?.... 歌手：泳兒
作曲：翁瑋盈
填詞：周耀輝
編曲：Terence Teo
一間間西廂 幾多間像破廟
一朵朵紫釵 幾多現在閃耀 一一的想起 幾多的舊記憶未散掉 一天天開始 幾多日後揭曉 一息間分開 從來並沒先兆 本本詩歌小說 場場聚散誰能意料 或者 所有的奧秘已經寫了 地有天 月有星 然後眼淚就有歡笑 ＊緣和份碰著了 又匆匆失了 紅樓夢過後應該醒了 也許再過一秒 錯過的一切統統得到了＊ 離和合接受了 又拋低不了 紅樓夢向著我呼召 不需要葬花 卻要微笑 哪個為舊人哭 太笨了 (Rap) 一朵朵 一朵朵微笑 綻開了 又匆匆謝了 得到了 又匆匆失了 只有什麼忘不了 真了 假了 我一一的明白了 又糊塗了 最後只有什麼忘不了 一位位寶玉 幾多位是我的 一位位千金 幾多位在執著 一一的想起 幾多的舊記憶未散掉 一天天開始 幾多日後揭曉 一點點青春 原來並未失掉 本本詩歌小說 場場聚散後才開竅 REPEAT＊ 離和合接受了 又拋低不了 紅塵內發現我渺小 即使要痛哭 更要微笑 哪個羨慕黛玉 明白葬花不夠捻花美妙 遺憾了 就趁破曉 忘了 August 03 Finding my own time....Recently I have been working late. When I said "late", it means I got off work at around 7:30pm. Ofcoz it is considered as nothing compared to HK's standard, but you know I am in Australia.... gotta to level down the benchmark to suit the environment
 Well in fact I don't really mind working late, I find it is quite enjoyable to do so. After 7pm there are really few ppl on the train, it is such a nice and quiet place. In the 45 mins trip, I find my own time - listening to music plus a bit of "fishing", which are two important activities which recharge me everyday
Also there are quite a lot of "big days"
approaching. Yes it is in August, a few of my friends' birthdays are coming up and including mine too .... Thinking of doing some special things on my 24th which will be in less than 2 week time. Indeed I always want to do something special on my birthday, but it never has been the case.....P.S. My internet connection is very slow at the moment, this is becoz my bro used up the monthly download allowance and they now cut my speed down as 56k dial-up.... So if you have any exciting files for me, please don't send them to me now.... Having a slow internet connection is painful, can't even do my internet banking properly
July 26 忙中偷閒....I guess I should make yesterday as a remarkable day of my recent life... a mix of stressful and fun time, tired but satisfy...
My department has been organising a periodic Game Lunch in which we can make use of our lunch time to play some games. Yesterday I was down to play Jenga (層層疊). It is interesting to discover how different are my colleagues when they come to game time.... shouting and laughing just like a bunch of teenagers
. Btw we did 30+ layers for a game and found out there was no possible piece for us to take out from the building without causing the collapse..... There was an dinner appointment with "my bros" at Tony Romas yesterday night. Unfortunately got tie up by work and I was two hrs late for the dinner
 . My intention was to have dessert only as I had a "lovely" dinner served by the company..... Eventually I couldn't resist Tony Romas' famous ribs We had a great evening of catching up and "water-blowing"... feel so free... which enabled me to throw away the onerous workload at the back of my mind.
Look forward to next time too!!!
P.S. Wantd to take a photo of my meal "before" and "after"... I took the "after" before I realised that I forgot to take the "before" hahaha
P.S. Walking alone in the city at night is no fun at all, it feels completely different to HK's.
July 23 賣火柴的女孩??I guess all of you have heard of the story <<賣火柴的女孩>>. Unlike many other fiction, it is a sad story in that the poor girl died in the cold and windy weather at the end.
In Vincy (泳兒)'s <<花無雪>> album, you can find a song called <<賣火柴的女孩>>, the last one of the album. This song describes the feeling of a girl who seeks her other half in her life using the analogy as of <<賣火柴的女孩>> ... very 感人
. Vincy's rendering ofcoz is good la.... I don't think I can explain much unless you listen to it.... P.S. Very often the last song of an album is a good one, "the best reserves for last"
歌曲：賣火柴的女孩
歌手：泳兒
作曲：謝杰
填詞：周耀輝
編曲：Adam Lee
鬧市太多爭與搶 或是我太軟弱
冒著什麼哀和傷 而幸福很無常 明明尋覓某座快樂鄉 但瑟縮於雪箱 只有一點光 只有一點愛 誰分享 ＊如落拓小孩 在市中賣 動人火柴 若然未照到華麗中央 點得起妄想 誰都漂亮 如正當一個希冀在燃亮 還要將一撮心意亦燃亮 我在途上 你在途上 各有各錯過美麗的晚上 在圍城遇過卻沒法遇上 什麼也擦不亮 願上天保佑我 要讓暗中的感覺 突然的擦著 多閃爍＊ REPEAT＊ 看女孩如我 想跟你發光 看女孩如我 想等你路過 幾多與我 此刻擦過 幾多擦到 極燦爛的天國 誰都漂亮 如正當一個希冀在燃亮 還要將一撮心意亦燃亮 我在途上 你在途上 各有各錯過美麗的晚上 但仍然自信某日會遇上 若果你也一樣 便誠心走近我 要讓暗中的感覺 突然的擦著 多閃爍 July 18 Work, Revive, SurviveHello! It has been a while since my last message.... Yes I have been busy with work, work and work. Moving into the third week of the half yearly valuation, I guess everything will flow smoothly from now on ^^
I never thought there are so many different assumptions between the calculation of Policy Liability, Embedded Value, Solvency and Capital Adequacy. Although the process is lengthy and somehow confusing, the rationale behind is interesting... (at least the first time I do it, can't guarantee it would be the same next time... haha). Sorry to those non-actuaries again, I have been facing these terms for 8 hrs + everyday for the past few weeks. Just can't stiop them pop-up across my mind
 .An interesting thing that I would like to share with you is that my company serves us dinner during the peak work season. Tonight I stayed for a trial.... the food was not as bad as my initial thought..... Also the menu of each day is sticked on the noticeboard, so you can actually choose which day to stay for the food you want
 .P.S. The new Honda Civic Type R has just launched in Australia, I am a bit disappointed with it after looked at the version in HK. See the photos below (Aus version is the hatch in red whilst the white sedan is the HK version)
P.S. I also added an photo album of the Civic Mugen RR which has a limited production of 300 and is only available in Japan  July 02 SARYesterday (1st July 2007) was the 10-year annviersity of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (HKSAR). Although I am in Australia, I really want to partake into the celebration too. This is because there are not many 10-year anniversities thoughout human life..... So it is always good to find reasons for celebration.
Indeed I define myself as a Honkie more than as an Australian. Not because I don't like the life in Australia, but the fact that I grew up in Hong Kong makes me feel this way~~~
While you guys are enjoying the public holiday today in HK, I am getting very busy with work in Australia. So many tasks need to be completed for half yearly valuation e.g. EV, cashflow projection, solvency ........ -_-!..... this is exacerbated by the fact that they all come at the same time
 i.e. you got two hands but there are hundreds of stuff waiting for you....I guess I will remember this special day (1st July) very well as it is certainly a big day or peak seson for me every year
June 25 "Fishing" weekI reckon my energy capability has been deteriorating since I come back to Aus. No exactly sure about the reasons, but I guess the cold and wet weather is the main cause
 ~~~ Back to the time I was in HK, I rarely feel tired after work unless it was during stressful period or worked until late. Now I am "fishing" on the train everyday after work, just fall asleep whenever I closed my eyes.... =.=
The lifestyle in Aus is much more relaxing, so no need to worry about crossing the road with a crowd and squeezing myself into the MTR in the morning. Also I haven't tuned up my brain since my last exam in May, it is indeed "half-dead" hahaha
From next week onward it will be a busy period, this is becoz of the monthly reporting and the half yearly valuation. Quite excited about it beocz they are the hearts of my role.
Anyway will try to sleep early in the coming days in the preparation for the peak season at work and also the Part 3 actuarial exam starts again next month
 .P.S. My last actuarial exam result will be out on this wednesday. I wish I am able to get though even though I haven't put great hope in it~~~ If I fail this exam, it is highly unlikely I can get a moon roof for my car
June 16 May's farewellYesterday I went to a farewell party for my friend - May - who is going back to HK for work. It is kind of interesting that I just came back from HK and now she is going back, it seems like our friendship got to be kept distance.
Although I haven't known her long, she is a typical HK girl who is talkive and easy to get along with. And I always make fun on her... haha
Anyway, got a song for her. This song is rather old but very meaningful and I am sure she will like it becoz we sang it yesterday at karaoka.
Wish her all the best in HK!!!
紅日 - 李克勤
命運就算顛沛流離
命運就算曲折離奇 命運就算恐嚇著你做人沒趣味 別流淚 心酸 更不應捨棄 我願能 一生永遠陪伴你 一生之中兜兜轉轉 那會看清楚
徬徨時我也試過獨坐一角像是沒協助 在某年 那幼小的我 跌倒過幾多幾多落淚在雨夜滂沱 一生之中彎彎曲曲我也要走過 從何時有你有你伴我給我熱烈地拍和 像紅日之火 燃點真的我 結伴行 千山也定能踏過 讓晚風 輕輕吹過
伴送著清幽花香像是在祝福你我 讓晚星 輕輕閃過 閃出你每個希冀如浪花 快要沾濕我 June 11 ReflectionToday is the Queen's Birthday, of course I am happy about it as I can have a break shortly not long after I came back to Australia. Haven't done a lot this weekend beside went to check out some cars with my friend - Alex and my father. Although the price is quite attractive during end of financial year, I don't think I will get one in the short time. But it is just a matter of time. Looking back the my past week life in Sydney, it has been a relaxing period to slowing down myself and enjoying the beautiful weather. Living with family of course is much better than living alone, unless you want to stay quiet sometimes. So I don't need to worry about buying food, getting my clothes washed and paying my bills on time. A downside of this is that it gives me too much time to think about other stuff about myself. I guess I am really stressed about my new job, always concern about the stuff which need to be done in the coming day. Most of the duties of job are new to me, so I really need to push myself on track.... Beside work, there are lots of other things for me to clear, for example buying a car, saving up plan, taking out insurance etc etc.... just feel like I am facing series barrier to overcome and decision to make.... Philippian 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoyce! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This is the verse which I look for whenever I am anxious and worry about anything, I hope you will find it useful too.
June 10 李克勤演奏廳完全版Recently I have been into Hacken Lee's song, I reckon his production always contains some sort of quality guarantee. Well there is no doubt that he is one of the best singers nowaday, probably the best male singer.
His two most recent albums are the <Hachen Lee Concert Hall> and <Hachen Lee Concert Hall II> in which I have neither of them =P haha, but I have the <Hachen Lee Concert Hall Compete Version>. It is definitely a worth buy if you do not have those two albums. With around HK$130, you got 2CD and 2DVD, what more could you expect?
Personally I like the <Concert Hall II> more than the first one, this is because the songs are more stand out as if each of them is unique, in other word they are quite different in style. I also find the songs in the <Concert Hall Hall II> suit Hacken's style better, just like it is a tailor album for him to show off. Whenever you want to enjoy great music in your car or in your room, it is a good choice.
I won't be comment on「天水．圍城」and 「公主太子」as you have probably heard of them before. Hacken shows his outstanding singing skills in 「肉麻」and 「香港仔」, they are just the songs for him. The song that I like most is 「情比紙薄」, which I believe is his best song in recent years... very very good. 「九龍皇后」and 「Paris Hilton」 are just another two good songs. Lastly one of the two bonus tracks 「仍是老地方」, it is an old song but has been refined in this album, which is of course refreshing.
As for <Concert Hall I>, you would probably be excited about 「十年前後」 and 「未成年同盟會」. Another song that worth of mention is 「輸情歌」, just another emotive song that Hacken good at. 「情非首爾」 and 「婚前的女人」 are two songs that you guys probably be familiar, so I won't comment on them.
I am looking forward to find out more about his next album. Although I doubt it is going to be <Concert Hall 3>, I believe it will still be a good album. ^^ June 04 The first day with AMP"Ok la" is probably the most common phrase that I use. This is because it is concise, straight to the point and easy to type which suits lazy people like me. Nothing really special about my first day with AMP. So if you ask me how it went, I would answer you "ok la" again.
One thing that I find worth mentioning is the lunch time break. When I jumped out the office at lunch time, I was surprise to see many people running around to take advantage og the lunch time break for exercise whereas in Hong Kong you would hardly find this scene. (Well there are no space for HK people to run around during lunch time anyway haha)
With no surprise I found out that the valuation team is quite big, consituted by around 20 people which is like the number of the whole actuarial team in HK, as many of you would understand that the actuarial industry is far less mature in HK. (Sorry to those non-actuaries, but I have tried to make it simple ^^)
Indeed I will try my best to make a good start and enjoy this job as far as I could. =)
Although it was not a big day for me, I was quite tired (probably didn't sleep well last night). So after I got on the train, I just slept...................................................
June 02 Farewell dinnersJust a little bit about my farewell dinners with my colleagues at Deloittte.
On 28th May evening, we went for a drinks at Staunton's Wine Bar + Cafe. Well I lost count of how many round I had, but fortunately I was able to go home by myself. Another interesting interlude was that one of my colleagues was not feeling well, so the half drunk took the nearly drunk back home. =.=
The next day we went for Korean BBQ buffet and nearly no one had a drink on that night haha.... Overall it was a good place, a variety of hot food, soups, dessert to choose so that we won't feel like there are just meat at Korean BBQ.
Then the following I was not feeling well, probably had too much on the two days before la -_-! ...... Anyway I went to Pizza Hut with brothers from Joshua fellowship. (In fact I planned to have a drink only but eventually I couldn't resist the food hehe)
Photos took on those nights are found in my album. ^^
DeloitteMost of you would have known that I am starting my new job in Sydney next monday. A new page of my life!!
Deloitte Actuarial and Insurance Solutions (HK) Ltd. was the company in which I worked for the last year. Beside the work pressure, I had enjoyed it very much, particularly the lovely colleagues who I worked with. They are the bunch of people that you definitely would like to meet at party time.^^
There are 4 particular people who I would to express my special thankfulness.
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