Went jogging today for the second time in ages. Felt good. It just takes me 3 workouts to get me back in shape but somehow I feel tired or fall sick and then my routine gets screwed.

Uncle Norm got back to me and asked me to send my resume. He said it's going to be Sep/Oct:Toronto and Nov/Dec:Singapore because it will be too cold for me in the winter. I am so excited. I just hope I can do a good job. I'm really really looking forward to this. Thanks uncle norm!

Already, next year looks like a really busy year unfortunately. I'll be working 8 out of the 12 months at citi, o&m and templeton. Only citi is still in limbo so maybe it would be a good thing if I did volunteer work. Or took a break. Or not. Or maybe see if I can work for Jeffrey in NY. Whatever it is I just don't want to waste any time. It's like there's so much to do. I wish we had more time.

Just went for supper at newts with mike and baps. Nothing much else today. Just had my harvard finance lessons online and finished some internship applications. I think I must have sent out 30 cover letters since I came to SMU. I must say they look much better than they started. I mean 2.5 years ago I really had nothing to show for. It's really amazing what time can do.

I decided to take the Franklin Templeton offer. I think because I was more excited about working in Toronto and doing fund management than going to Cornell. I'm really sad I don't get to go to Cornell now, but I think it's abit too expensive. So my last 3 terms kinda looks like this now:

summer: citi/O&M
year 4 term 1: Templeton (2 months sg, 2 months toronto)
Year 4 term 2: stay in sg (GROSS)

Without Templeton I could have graduated 4 months ealier, but I don't think I can pass up the chance. I only get one shot to try everything before I graduate and I want to make sure I've made the right choice. Anyways Canada is a beautiful country to live in, and if I work at Templeton for 2 months here and there, I might have a chance to live in Toronto after I graduate. Jols, Weiyi and Serene are thinking of going there on exchange the same time I'm there so I hope we get to meet up.

Canada is a great place to live because the people aren't rude and in your face like the Americans. They're very civilized like the Europeans, except more tolerant to other races. You know just thinking of Vancouver makes me happy. Both Vancouver and Toronto are ranked very highly on a table of countries with the best quality of life. It will be nice to go back. Me and Weiyi talk about going back all the time.

Nothing is confirmed until I sign my contract and get on the plane so I'm trying not to think about it yet. I'm just grateful I've worked my ass off the last 2 years so I don't have to worry about all the nitty gritties anymore. A few months ago I'd be stressing out about the details and "OMG am I going to do this or that when I graduate?". Haha it's weird just reading how I got so worked up. But heck that, time to relax, keep doing my thing, and watch how things unfold.

Long day. Was in school from 11-10pm to do econs. Then supper with the Specs at Holland V. Bumped into one of the Citibank relationship managers from Khazakstan there.

Auntie Seok Yong smsed me today to say the family is going up to KL this weekend. I suppose since mom went away she's been on "standby" just in case we needed anything.

It's Kai's birthday. Which means it's about a year since he passed away. Time flies. I feel alot more grown up in the last year. I don't think feel like a kid anymore. Definitely not jaded. Just a little more weathered. Wiser. More determined. Less uptight (probably not, ok maybe less). Slightly more opinionated. Alot more balanced.

Kai, I don't think we are going to forget you anytime soon. When I think of you I remember the ACS i version. The good old pole vaulting days. I lent ky my running spikes today and immediately I thought of the good times. Those were really good times yeah?

On one hand I'm sentimental about the good times. But most of me is just ready to embrace "now", to make the present count. To cherish my family and friends now. To keep trying my best and looking ahead.

Mom just called from Canada because she's visiting her sis and soon she's off to visit Dave in LV. She said Uncle Norm is at the Franklin Templeton HQ in San Fran so if I want to do an internship with them I have to e-mail her back by today. MY god there's no time seriously. With 2 papers due and 2 mid terms next week I don't have much time to think about this. As it is I planned a back to back citi and O&M summer so there's no time there. And after that it's Cornell hopefully. I have to cancel something.

The thing about the Templeton internship is that they will give me 2 months in sg and fly me to the Canadian head office (Toronto) for another 2 months. Chances are if I postpone this shit I don't know if I will get the chance again. Now or never. However, if I take it, I'll have to graduate with everyone else instead of graduating earlier. And bye bye Cornell. And I was really looking forward to that.

so it's down to:

summer: citi/O&M
year 4 term 1: Cornell
Year 4 term 2: Templeton (if the offer still stands)
or
summer: citi/O&M
year 4 term 1: Templeton
Year 4 term 2: stay in sg (GROSS)
or
summer: templeton/O&M
year 4 term 1: Cornell
Year 4 term 2: Citi (if they remember my face by then)

In short I think no matter what choice I make I'm still going to feel abit sick for giving up something.

Tomorrow there's this Cornell talk on. SMU established some partnership with them so apparently we can go on exchange there. And even more importantly, get a chance to transfer there. All those feelings about transferring university again. Sometimes I think why the hell did I stay in SMU when I could have used my SAT scores to get into a good school in the states. But then there's no way I would have done all the things I've done here. Here I've milked my opportunities dry. I've learnt alot about myself.

I was watching that video about poverty and I thought it would really be fulfilling to do humanitarian work. And then I thought about Cornell. I had a brangelina moment where I thought maybe I could transfer and do political science there. And after that work for the UN in Africa. Not a serious thought. But one of those "what if" moments. If life was just about me maybe I'd risk something like that. But obviously we have a responsibility to family. So we give up helping others to help our own. I suppose its a choice most of us make.

Oh well I hope the talk is good news. I hope they don't pick people based on GPA again. Understandably it's because it's Cornell. But GPA doesn't really mean much if your life skills are zilch and that's not going to make Cornell any easier. Yeah I'm bitter. Please you goddamn beurocratic bitches, just accept my B+ average. I promise I'll make Cornell more happs. Corns I mean.

Tomorrow there's this Cornell talk on. SMU established some partnership with them so apparently we can go on exchange there. And even more importantly, get a chance to transfer there. All those feelings about transferring university again. Sometimes I think why the hell did I stay in SMU when I could have used my SAT scores to get into a good school in the states. But then there's no way I would have done all the things I've done here. Here I've milked my opportunities dry. I've learnt alot about myself.

I was watching that video about poverty and I thought it would really be fulfilling to do humanitarian work. And then I thought about Cornell. I had a brangelina moment where I thought maybe I could transfer and do political science there. And after that work for the UN in Africa. Not a serious thought. But one of those "what if" moments. If life was just about me maybe I'd risk something like that. But obviously we have a responsibility to family. So we give up helping others to help our own. I suppose its a choice most of us make.

Oh well I hope the talk is good news. I hope they don't pick people based on GPA again. Understandably it's because it's Cornell. But GPA doesn't really mean much if your people skills are zilch and that's not going to make Cornell any easier.

I was watching stuff on the MTV website when I saw the link to the Angelina Jolie video. It showed her in Africa in some poor parts of the country and it's almost embarrassing to watch them live like that. While we are worrying about crystal jade or din tai fung, millions of people die from having nothing to eat.

When I was in Primary school I made a class newspaper called Go Green! which was about the preservation of nature. Back then I thought I would be a biologist and live in Africa. I wanted to save the world. I was an idealist. How things have changed.

It's not that we don't care for people, but we're so caught up in the game of our own lives that we forget that there is another reality out there. It makes you sad to see people living like this. But it's hard to pull ourselves out of the context of our little cubby hole in Singapore and see that life is not good for everyone.

Part of me has always been the bohemian, idealistic, humanitarian person, but is it too late to reclaim what's left? Please visit the links below and you can decide for yourself how you feel about these issues.

http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1509772&vid=61385

http://www.poverty.com/

Norainee's a mom. Naf is getting married on mon. Cheryl is talking about saving for a car and stuff. My god we're getting old.

I think very soon we have to realise that we have to carry more responsibilities on our shoulders, and the choices we make don't just affect us.

Gabe said I'd be happier doing something other than banking. I agree. I'd love to be an artist. Or a singer. Or a chef. Or a designer. Or maybe just a bum. Ok cancel last. But a job means alot more to me than just having fun. It's something that pays the bills. It's stability. It's also the frivolous things like prestige and status. But more importantly it's something that will let me take care of my family.

Anyone can get an average job and live an average life. I could live with that myself. Personally I am easily contented. But I don't want that for my family.

When my dad had a heart attack it's like we had to worry if we could keep the house and pay the bills. Even before that I remember we had to be so careful with our money during the recession years. Those days seemed like a different lifetime. And I never want that for my family. I never want to be in the position where I can't pay for someone's medical bills, or education. The thing about life is you can never be sure.

Gabe said he read an article about fathers making excuses for overworking, saying that they wanted to provide for their family. I think it's good he brought it up because that's a reality. I just feel sorry for these guys. If it's really just an excuse, then they must feel terrible lying to themselves. These things happen. But only if you let them. When I saw my boss from Citibank with his family, all well taken care of and still close to their dad. I knew it was possible. You didn't have to sacrifice family for success. This was how I wanted my life to be.

I think alot of people think certain jobs will suck the life out of you. But only if you let them. Watching my mom run 4 restaurants and still have time to take care of 3 kids and keep in touch with friends, I've seen that it's possible to juggle. That's why in my life I've always put people as my top priority, whether friends or family. And I don't ever fear I will lose sight of what I believe in.

Just watching friends in school, sometimes they get so busy they don't make time for their girlfriends or friends you would not believe. But then I remember that everybody has different priorities for life. And its important not to follow people when it comes to setting your priorities. Everyone should have their own set of goals, and stick to them no matter what.

I think if we limit ourselves we're only shortchanging ourselves and our family. No one gets the balance perfect, but you just have to always remember what you're fighting for, and be willing to give your best right from the start. I won't change the world. I can't make it a better place. I don't think I have enough power. But whatever it is, I'm going to make sure my family can enjoy life. And that's enough to make me happier than anyone.

Things have come to a crawl this week. Nothing much going on. Just ended the one week break. Did absolutely nothing useful. Should have taken a few says to go to HK.

Was woken up by a call this afternoon. Singtel. Shouting match round 16. I told the mofos 3 months subscription wasn't going to cut it. But I was no pissed off I decided to take $50 worth of call credit to make them shut up. I told them that wasn't the last they're going to hear of this because I still wasn't happy. To be honest, $50 is enough for my grandma to use for like forever, but what about the maids and banglas who get tricked everyday into buying Singtel/starhub/M1's plans? What happens to them.

This term has passed by so fast. It's the middle of the term already. This is probably the most un-fun term ever. I can't honestly say I'm doing anything great or fun this term. Ok except for the art auction and the finance course with harvard. I've hardly seen my best pals around. School is no fun without your pals. And alot of them have been missing this term. Part of me is pissed off people can be so busy they forget whats important. This isn't even fucking work yet. I mean honestly it wouldn't hurt to make a little time.

When Alfian and Kai passed away I was thinking. Life is so short. We better treasure everything and everyone. I suppose its not fair for me to expect people to feel the same way. I was supposed to visit Kai's family, and I can't believe its almost been a year already. Time passes doesn't it. I suppose this has been a big year of changes.

I know who I got my genes from. A few weeks ago my mom was saying my dad was quite upset that one of his best friends just all of a sudden stopped hanging out with their clique just because he moved to another church. This didn't sound like bap. "Oh yeah bah's always has expectations of his friends because he always makes the effort. He's all about the principles." Surprise surprise.

Part of me would have been pissed off if you asked me how I felt about this a year ago. But now I'm just so sick of bothering. The biggest reason why I stopped floorball was so I could spend more time with my friends and family and school. And I've come to realise not everyone has the same priorities. But I think its fair to make at least some time for the people who are closest to you.

When school ends. When there's no more class or projects or cca's or events or exams or whatever. Then what seriously? All thats really left is your damn friends. The real ones who didn't forget you in all the shit that was going on.

Ok so my article made it to the online edition of the Straits Times forum but wth. Online edition? Who reads that knnccb. And they gave my article a snip and trim.

http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Online%2BStory/STIStory_165733.html


Did you know you have to join CASE for a fee before you lodge a complaint? Who the fuck do they think they are?

http://www.case.org.sg/complaint.plx


I better not get into politics otherwise I'd just fire the whole of Singapore.

Yknow just when I thought I was getting over the craziness of summer, I saw the openings for Citibank internships for NEXT summer posted up on ontrac. WTH. They're even more onz about internships than me. Abit the out of hand seriously.

Since work ended I haven't escaped the clutches of Citi. I met up with my colleagues for lunch last week. Went for the citi talk a few weeks back. Bumped into my aunt from citi recently. Had dinner with 2 of my jc classmates in citi. It's been haunting me.

Spent the night writing my cover letter and resume. Like WTH right? it's not even 2008. But HR asked me to send it to them so they could fwd it to the right departments. I'm honestly abit annoyed I have to deal with this now. But I have no choice because the openings are coming. URGH. I hope they don't drag this.

Writing my cover letter, I realise that beyond the corporate propaganda that I was spewing at the citi career talk, I was really proud of the work we do at Citi. I read the cover letter I wrote, and it sounded like the best one I had written because it really came from my heart.

This is a big deal for me because I will probably be working for citi if I go into banking after graduation.

My parents are quite pumped up for the fact that I've got my foot in the door. "That takes a burden off us!" my mom said. But with the subprime mess unravelling who knows when the door is going to slam on my foot.

Recently I've been feeling like alot of change has been going on inside me. Especially after the craziness (busyness) of summer, I've had alot of time to just take things easy and figure things out abit. And it's been a good kind of change.

I've had time to re-evaluate my life, take stock, and iron out all the things that have been holding me back. It's been a great time for me to remember what's really important to me. Now it's just down to a few more things in the recycling bin before it's emptying time.

I don't know why I've been feeling alot of change recently. A strong and positive feeling about life. Maybe I just watched The Hills too much. Or maybe it was just about time I had a new lease on life.

"Mr Suren, 1 months subscription is not going to do anything for me. I'm still going to have to pay over a hundred dollars a year if I'm charged for incoming calls."

"I understand Mr Kwok, but we cannot waive the incoming charges. Otherwise we'll have to change the system. How about 3 months then?"

"Over the last 3 days I've wasted alot of time on the phone with Singtel, and it's taken alot of effort on my part to speak to 3 different lawyers about this matter. I don't want to make this a public matter, but you're going to have to come up with something better."

"Ok Mr Kwok I would like to solve this problem as soon as possible for you. How do you think we can help you? What do you suggest?"

"I don't want to spend more time on this matter and be calculating compensation. I believe you are a reasonable person. I have spent a great deal of time over this matter, and I believe you can come up with something reasonable. You think about it, and you give me a call by next week when you have come up with something."

I had a great day today. Watched "Balls of Fury" with Lionel after class and just had time to chit chat, walk about and have some fun. OMG we laughed so loud. Lionel has been a good friend of mine since we knew each other for 2 days of training at PWC. Just getting to know him as a good friend was worth 2 months of auditing. He starts work at Shell in dec so that should be great fun, however, that will mean I'm going to miss his company.

After that I went for Uncle Yeo's 80th birthday. What a special occassion. We were invited to Tower Club for a dinner with some of his closest friends. Many of his kids and friends gave really touching speeches about him. He has worked so hard to make sure all 4 of his kids can grow up without worrying about being provided for. And now they are all successful. What a legacy. And I only hope one day my family can same thing about me.

Dinner was great. Nat doesn't eat fois gras so I had 2 huge pieces. Lots of champagne. Excellent company with good old friends. I'm so happy for John. He made it to berkeley school of music. Sean is also doing great at business school. Nat and Jean are also in medicine. Alex is also having fun in Australia. It's so funny because I've always seen them like my younger siblings and now they're all grown up.

Auntie Bin was there. There's something about her that's extremely special. Like when she talks to you it feels as though nothing else in the universe matters. She recommended me for PWC so I'm very grateful. Felt nice to see her since I left pdubs.

Talked to Uncle Tongel about my Singtel incident over dinner as well. He's a lawyer so he would know. He said it was a case of fraud and misrepresentation. I spoke to my professor who is also a lawyer and he said the same thing. I will call Evelyn's mom (another excellent lawyer) just to make sure I am sure I am correct. Uncle Tongel was like, "Isn't your mom's old friend the Singtel no.2 guy? why don't you just email him instead." Oh. Good advice uncle tonge.

Growing up, and knowing all these aunties and uncles since yonks, you tend to take it for granted that they are all really very special individuals, all very dear friends. As I looked around, I realised how exceptional all these parents were. Hardworking, capable and loving people who have done all the best for their kids, who have made it in life, and who have kept their best friends. I just hope I can be anything like these very exceptional people, these people who I am grateful for as friends.

don't fuck with a kwok

-----Original Message-----
From: Ian KWOK Zhen Ting
Sent: Wed 10/3/2007 10:07 PM
To: Austin I PULLE
Subject: hi prof


Dear Prof,

I apologise for having to walk in and out of class several times today. This came from a dispute that I had to settle with Singtel, which brings me to the reason I am writing to you. Unfortunately this is beyond the scope of The Ethicist, and I have to consult you for your ethical and legal knowledge.

This story arose from the fact that I bought a new handphone for my grandmother to use. Before class, I decided to buy a Singtel mobile prepaid Hi card for my grandmother as it was a cheaper alternative to subscribing to a plan. My grandmother doesn't use the phone often so it's more to use in case of emergency.

The card wrote "Free Incoming Calls" and I thought how nice. I would get to make some savings on her incoming calls that way. But after using it for awhile I realised I was being charged for the calls. I checked the booklet that came with the card, and lo and behold, I saw the words "*terms and conditions apply" on the card, and in the booklet was the terms.

The terms stated that the "free incoming calls" were free if I paid a $0.60 subscription daily. Very upset, I immediately called Singtel to voice my displeasure with their terms. Most of their replies started with, "Oh but you didn't read the terms..", and most of my replies ended with 'I guess you cannot help me. I would like to speak to your boss."

After they played human ping pong with me 6 times, I was finally bounced to the head of the hi card department who said that she would look into the advertising and marketing regarding the wording, but there was nothing she could do except offer me a ridiculous $8 rebate. I told her this would not solve my problem of still having to pay the recurring charge. I have told them that they will have to solve my problem or else I will make this a public issue with case and the newspapers for their PR department to contend with. Alot of people are affected as well. I was just short of explaining to them what a rule utilitarian framework was.


Several points in contention:

1. yes it did state terms and conditions, but they were only laid out inside a booklet that was sealed with the hi card, which means we wouldn't have access to it. you can see the words "free incoming calls" from the outside nice and clear, but you have to open the packaging to read the terms.

2. it is fair for them to have terms and conditions, eg. "spend $20 and have free incoming calls", "subscribe to roaming and get free incoming calls", but it is not correct for them to make me pay a daily subscription specifically for the incoming calls because then they cannot be considered free by logic. Otherwise one could say "free mercedes SLK *oh but a monthly charge of $10,000 for it". One cannot pay specifically for something that is free.

3. they could have stated "unlimited incoming calls" with terms and conditions, instead of using the word "free" which necessarily means you should not be paying for it. If it is free by other terms such as a minimum usage/spending amount then it is ok because you are not paying for something which is supposed to be "free".



I believe it wasn't smart of me not to look at the booklet beforehand, but it wasn't readily available, and even if the terms were clearly stated, the definition of "free" was abused in this case. The funny thing was I told my maid about it and she was duped as well along with many of her friends. The foreign workers are the ones who really suffer from the way in which these pre paid cards are being advertised because they are the ones who use them. The worst part is that they are the ones who are most unlikely to lodge a complaint or make this a real issue. This poses a real problem because there are other service providers doing the same thing.

Even the people at Singtel agree they will have to have a look into their marketing. Free things with fine print is annoying enough, we don't need the big companies telling us that we have to pay for what is free. This is beyond what is legal or not, because it's just fundamentally wrong to charge people what they're not supposed to pay for. Singtel will be calling me back tomorrow.

Well just hope to hear your honest opinion. Thanks. I am honestly grateful for all your lessons, and unfortunately the staff at Singtel will have to face the consequences of ethics 101.


Best regards,

Ian

Felt like puking on the bus home today. Almost passed out walking home. Was in school the whole day to do my readings. Maybe it was just cuz I didn't have a proper lunch today. Whatever it is, just feeling really tired. Need a break. A long one. Unfortunately I don't think that is going to happen anytime soon. School is such a pain sometimes.

"Sian," I said to Serene. Just one of many "sians" we give each other. Where are my best friends when I need them. Sometimes I wonder who can you really count on. Just because you do your best doesn't mean that people are going to put in the same effort as you. The people that have never let me down are family. I owe it to them.

Been meaning to buy my grandma a handphone. But it will have to wait till Thursday. Just haven't had the time. I hope I can find one with big buttons on them so it's easier for her to press.

I wonder why people use facebook so much? It's not a very good substitute for company. And more often than not the people who are on it the most are the ones who hardly have time for their friends.

I got an ernie keychain today. Reminds me of my childhood. The sesame street days. I used to laugh like Ernie until my mom made me change my laugh. Not joking.

I'm on a msn sabbatical. Sam if you're reading e-mail me at ian.kwok.2005@socsc.smu.edu.sg

Time for bed.