Last weekend, during the Easter Holiday, I gave myself a hiatus from my professional work by flying to Melbourne, a capital city of Victoria, Australia. I have been told by so many people that Melbourne is a beautiful and culturally-rich city where many would wish to settle there. Staying there for about 4 days, I totally agree with those folks. Its city skyline is clear, its beach is still pristine and the Great Ocean Road is wonderful. I wish I had more times to spend in Melbourne and surroundings to explore and enjoy the marvelous atmospheres.
While wandering in the Central Business District (CBD) area, I found the headquater of the world’s largest diversified natural resources company, BHP Billiton, in which I have a minor stake. Alas, the AGM had already been held and it was a public holiday when I was there, so all I could do was just to take a photo at the entrance of the HQ. Hopefully, I could return here in October for the next AGM.
Not so often for offshore structural engineers to have a chance to see their own works. But this particular work I contributed during the latter half of 2009 is appered in the Woodside’s 4th quarter financial results presentation. On the right hand side is the Pluto Riser Platform. And on the left hand side is the Temporary Living Quarter Modules which I was heavily involved in designing it. In the image, the Temporary Living Quarter Module was on the transportation barge waiting to be installed on the Platform
I’ve just registered for the first game of the ASX Sharemarket Games which will run from 18 February to 2 June 2010. The participant will get a hypothetical AUD 50,000 for the trading. The winner for national category will get a cash prize of AUD 5,000 while the winner of each state will receive AUD 1,000.
Well, let’s see what my outcome in the next 3 months will be.
On 20 Jan 2010, the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway approved for 50 to 1 split for its class B shares. That means one class B share is now changing hand at roughly USD 70. That also means one of my dreams is more achieveable now, that is to attend the Berkshire’s AGM in Omaha and face Warren Buffett. I suspect this year the number of shareholders attending this annual event will surely surge. I hope next year I will be among one of them at Qwest Centre.
This weekend I participated the Victor Badminton Tournament in WA. It’s the last tournamet for 2009 and there are some 180+ badminton players competing for the trophies.
My wife and I participated in Mixed Double Divison C. We didn’t pass the round robins as we lose two matches to under-15 players and a veteran couples.
For Men Double Division, my friend and I were one step closer to the trophy. We passed the round robin with ease before being knocked out in the semifinal.
I will have to wait until next year for the next tournament.
It was a mixed feeling today a year ago when I was on board Thai Airways flight bound to Perth to take on a new challenge. It reminded me of a 3 year period residing in Singapore and be far away from family and friends. For Perth, I imagined that it would be even more challenging as I knew only one friend in Perth and he was the one recommending me here. Yes, I miss my family, my friends and everything about Thailand. Yet, I would regret if I didn’t accept this offer. For whatever the future will be, I consider this is the bonus of my life to gain exposure in a different working environment and live in a beautiful city, Perth.
Today also marks the first day I am going to invest in Australia Share Market as my trading port has been created. I reckon opportunities are abound and I hope I succeed in this new arena.
This weekend my friend and I participated in Men’s Doubles Divsion 3 in the Silver Cup Tournament held in Perth. There were 3 groups in our division and each group consisted of 5 teams. The winner of each group would qualify to the semi-final round. For this tournament, we played only 2 sets and to 21 points.
The first match almost went to our way. We led in the first set for most of the time until we were ahead at 19-17. Then we lose our control and lose the set by 20-21. Second set started in the same way until we reached 19 points but the opponent fought back to tie at 19-19. This time we managed to stay calm and converted the next 2 points to win the set by 21-19.
The second match was supposed to be an easy game when we raced in the first set to 19-15. For some reasons, we did not push hard enough and we lose 19-21. The sencond set went the same way. We led almost all of the game and then we lose grip at the final minute. We lose 20-21.
After 1 draw and 1 lost, we must win our third match to keep our chance alive. We did win with hard fight by 21-17 and 21-16.
Our last opponent was a father and 8-year old son team. We did not take so long to beat them 21-9 and 21-8.
However that wasn’t enough to send us through to semifinal. We were second in the group. And now I just look forward to the next tournament in Novemeber.
Last weekend I entered my second badminton tournament in WA. The results were mixed for two categories I entered, Men Single and Men Double.
For Men Single, I managed to enter semi-final for Division 3. My first two opponents didn’t give me much trouble. I cruised pass them 21-11 and 21-10 (1 set match). My next opponent for the round robin stage didn’t turn up and that made me top of the group (there were 8 groups in my category) and automatically qualified for quater-final round. By luck once more, my opponent didn’t show up and without losing any sweat I went through to semi-final. In semi-final, I lose to young chap 21-10 as he was more consistent.
For Men Double, I lose all 3 round robin matches. No excuse as all opponents were stronger. 55555.
It was a good fun and offered chance to see top players played in division 1. I hope I can do better next year
Yesterday (13 Jun 2009), there was a state level badminton tournament held in WA which has 140 participants and I was one of those. I entered in men’s double division C category. This is my first competition in WA and it is not so successful. There were 16 pairs competing in my category and I was knocked out in quaterfinal round.
R16 : My friend and I faced young Aussie chaps and we were comfotably cruise to victory with 2-0 sets, 21-10 and 21-17.
Quarterfinal : We faced two young Chinese Malaysians. It was a pretty closed match and we were not so consistent enough to hold our lead in the second set. We lose 0-2 sets, 15-21 and 20-22.
Definitely, I will give it a try next year : )
Apart from reading books and investing, badminton is also one of my favourite hobbies.
Gone’s the summer….and come’s the winter.
In southern hemisphere like Australia, winter is fast approaching while in Thailand it is about to enter raining season. Temperature at Perth at present is quite pleasant during day time (20 something degree celcius). But at night the mercury drops to single digit. In the next few months, the mercury will drop further. But I won’t have a chance to experience any snow here unless I travel east.
Season change reminds me of one similar thing in investing world.
Gone’s the bear….and come’s the bull….
It repeats endlessly…..
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