Today is Friday the 13th, and I am getting my keys in 20 minutes.    

The house is in Central Park - an area with the newest homes nearest to downtown and Tunney's (where I work).  I didn't end up getting an older home in an old neighbourhood eventhough the prices are similarl.  I didn't want the do housework during weekends lifestyle.  I talked to Asian immigrant about older homes and he said to me, "I want antique furniture, not antique houses!"  Different points of views I suppose!  Pictures to come on Facebook...

So I have bought a house on my own and gotten all the security I would ever want~  What's next?  Play, risk.  Mind you, it is not as hard as I thought it would be b/c I never thought that I would buy in Ottawa.  It doesn't mean that I am settling here, it is for investment purposes.  I bought it from an agent who yells at me and pushes me to buy.  If you are looking for agents, I'll give you tips.  I am still a little stressed now!

With Dignity comes Respect With Respect comes Trust With Trust comes Bond

Coincidence?  I wish I didn't need to say these to grown (wo)men.

Nonpermanent resident alien!  What a nasty name!  Are these people the nasty octopuses the Starwars crew fight off every once in a while?  (I know it is the movie which misused the word, but still!  Can't they change the name like Canada has?)

Marsha in America

Say if I am to work in the states, I will have to bear this name.  I am a full citizen of Canada, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong, but yet, a legal non-permanent resident alien with no credit history to do anything.  Perhaps I should go to Canada/Europe/HK, places where I am more acknowledged?  The name doesn't sound welcoming at all. 

My status in the US makes me think of the nationality / citizenship status hierarchy.  Eg. Colonists in colonies > locals > immigrants.  Regions in Asia (eg. Middle kingdom), Africa (Ghana region), North America (USA), and Europe (Western Europe) have all been the richest nations at some point of history.  India, Middle East / NE Africa, South America (mayan), Indonesia (cavemen),  have their share of fascinating culture, riches and knowledge.  We are really all the same - genetically, history (relative to animals), prone to be hurt by the same things, doing the same evil / charitable deeds.  It's just that some people happened to be in regions which have different cultures from yours and are unluckier for the time being. 

Everyone is Irish on St. Pat's Day!!!

My brother is moving to Singapore to work.  My uncle to work in Kazakhstan with my aunt.  His daughter (my cousin) to SE Asia to teach after Toronto.  His 2nd daughter to Toronto after all over Asia.  So excited for them but it gives me more stress and urgency to leave!  I don't want to live through relatives, friends and children.  Now that I have decided on not buying an expensive house whereever and buy one that is cheap enough for me to do whatever I want (or just rent in expensive cities), I can do whatever I want within reason.  Screw practicality!  Fun is practical!

Well well, at some point in my life, I want to work elsewhere.  Somewhere Anglophone - London, NYC, Cali, HK, or at least Toronto or VAncouver for now.  Just browsing thru jobsites during the blizzard today.  I kind of stopped looking for jobs elsewhere after working in the inspectorate and my director extended my contract for an extra year.  I am closer to being an inspector in Vancouver or Toronto (but god knows if there will be a position available soon and that they will like me), so I lost the urgency. 

To do quality audit = be an inspector / work in pharma.   Regulatory Affairs = work in pharma.  My experience so far (paper pushing in gov) is not half as applicable as industry exp.

Many pharma have been outsourcing their Clinical Trials to India and East Asia.  Amgen has offices in Mumbai and HK, served as hubs for clinical trials now.  Knowing this, I started working in the Good Clinical Practise Unit in Dec, but I have to return to my original position in 3 months. 

Amgen (Asia) Limited

Regulatory Affairs Senior Manager, NB50187384 Post Date: 22 Feb 08 This individual will head the regulatory, safety and compliance activities for clinical development and commercialization in the Asia Pacific Region, based at the regional office in Hong Kong.  As the regional head for regulatory and safety in Asia Pacific, this individual will manage a high quality, flexible and growing Asia Pacific regulatory and safety group. This would involve development and management of regulatory and safety personnel in Hong Kong, preferred regulatory vendors (e.g., CROs, consultants, contractors), support pre- and post-marketing activities, clinical trial related activities as well as influence local and regional regulatory policies.     Responsibilities include directing innovative international regulatory strategies for product development and approval (small molecule and biologics); responsible for creation of local regulatory documents, submissions, and compliance; represent the company with international regulatory authorities, contractors and corporate partners; provide regulatory support for various departments, projects, and teams/committees; and manage direct reports and external vendors/contractors.     This position reports to the Executive Director, Global Regulatory Affairs and Safety based in Thousand Oaks, CA.    Qualifications: Advanced degree (MS/PharmD/PhD) Six or more years of direct international bio/pharmaceutical experience Supervisory experience; ability to guide, train, supervise and prioritize workload of direct reports Extensive knowledge of Asian regulations, policies, procedures, drug development guidelines and compliance Solid understanding of ICH guidelines. Knowledge of FDA and EMEA guidelines Experience working with CROs and/or contractors Demonstrated ability to lead the orchestration of major regulatory interactions at key regulatory milestones, labeling negotiations, etc. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals and objectives Ability to influence and motivate others outside of direct line of authority Demonstrated ability to manage several complex projects in parallel Strong sensitivity for a multicultural/multinational environment Knowledge of eCTD Where water is needed, there are guns.  Cruelty, aggression, immorality, health, personaly welfare, culture, education, social problems.. The main factors that distinguish among human are related to poverty.

I came across this property in the quiet part of Wan Chai, near Pacific Place III after a talk with a friend who wants to live in HK.  This place is the only split-level in city core that I found: 700 sq.ft. (560 usable). 

I see potential~~  *drool*

 Ottawa - Focus on immediate fixer-uppers and rental income

Best place to rent out!  Low property prices, high rental income.  Around 10k up front, unlimited potential on fixer-uppers: you can modify your house, rent out part of it, reno, add room etc.  No management fees but you do need to pay property taxes of 1 to 1.25% (2 months rent) of the property every year.  Rental income is around 5-8% after operating costs.  Problem: Tons of tenancy protection in Canada so find yourself nice tenants!  Ottawa has had a steady housing market.  Around 3% a year in the past.  No taxes on capital gains on the house you live in.

HK properties - Focus on capital gains, not rental income

You have to pay the stamp duty, real estate agent, a few lawyer fees up front of around 6% of the price.  Each year, you have to pay management fees, and a government rates of 12-15% of the monthly rent.  Typical rental accounts are known to be low - only 2-4% of the house. Say a 4 million home, 30% down, 6% for 25 years.  $18040 monthly, $9020 biweekly plus the fees mentioned up front after the lumpsum and fees up front.  The place can be rented at $18k a month.  Hard to have rental income cover all costs and run off enjoying life.  When you put interest lost in your lump sum, interest you have to pay biweekly for borrowing money, all these fees, buying is not a good option although my childhood home appreciated more than double since 1995 (and of course, it is sold).  It is known that the expensive houses appreciate a lot more than the normal ones, so if you buy, you better buy the most expensive one possible and aim for capital gains!  Everyone 'fries' stocks and houses there if they are able to.  No taxes on capital gains.

Vancouver -

The rental income is simiar to Ottawa, but the houses are a few times more expensive!!  My mum's house on the westside has appreciated 2.5x in less than ten years (from 1998-2006).  Youngsters like us can only look at condos if we want to stay in the city.  Potential is limited on condos and buidings only get older.  Property taxes are lower than Ottawa's.

新書簡介
無乜要解釋啦﹐乜你咁懶架﹐自己睇目錄啦傻瓜。

目錄一覽
1. 遊手好閒的定義
究竟遊手好閒同飯來張口﹑錢來伸手有乜分別﹖如何分辨遊手好閒同二世祖﹑社會寄生蟲﹖遊手好閒者喺社會上嘅定位同發展會係點﹖晉昇機會同平均薪酬又如何﹖

2. 遊手好閒的基本條件
係唔係咩野人都有資格遊手好閒呢﹖例如一個人銀行至少有幾多錢先可以開始遊手好閒﹖心理上又需要有D乜野準備﹖性格悲觀或者實事求事嘅人適唔適合遊手好閒呢﹖遊手好閒呢家野又有無傳染或者遺傳嘅呢﹖其實遊手好閒都有天資多少之分﹐但世上無難事﹑祇怕有心人。而且無話有錢人先可以遊手好閒﹐正所謂多有多遊﹑少有少遊架啫﹐隨緣樂助啦呢D。

3. 將來的事將來做﹕定下遊手目標與好閒計劃

遊手好閒並非一朝一夕嘅事﹐要長期遊手好閒﹐就要為自己定下一套長遠嘅懶散計劃。今日嘅懶散係明日“本啤”嘅動力﹐如果意向唔集中﹑立場唔鮮明﹐就會好容易為五斗米而折腰﹐前功盡費。以下提供三項加強‘遊閒’信念嘅心理輔導。

3.1 如何保持心境懶惰
要時常保持心境懶惰﹐就要分散勤奮進取嘅心。當中包括有‘電視麻醉大法’﹑‘飲飽食醉攻略’﹑(最新)‘Facebook時間浪費法’﹐儘量培養遲睡﹑遲起﹑遲到﹑遲交單﹑遲疑﹑遲鈍嘅習慣﹐切忌對人對事太過上心以及成日問‘點解’。避免去人多又力爭上游﹑爭先搶後嘅閒雜地方﹐以免影響懶懶閒﹑脂脂油嘅心情。

3.2 如何面對社會壓力
假以時日﹐你阿媽自然會睇你唔順眼﹐故意喺你追電視劇嘅時候叫你落街買豉油﹐又或者你老豆專登吼你訓到黃朝白晏嘅時候吸塵同起勢dup釘﹐喺呢個時候要注意保持心境開朗﹐因為緊張就會焦慮﹐焦慮就有壓力﹐有壓力就會向現實低頭。積積下如果心中有愧﹐分分鐘搞到番工番學鐘數出街時就會營住D阿蟬向你上下打量﹑出入境申報‘現職’一欄時就會表現得有所壓力﹐此乃諗得太多﹑想得太遠﹐你過慮啦傻瓜。

3.3 堅持好食懶飛﹐懶得有道理
記住﹐遊手好閒唔係罪﹐所以唔需要感到內疚或羞愧。懶惰唔犯法﹐懶惰唔代表我唔愛國。法例無規定人一定要對社會有貢獻﹐只要定時定候交足稅就乜都得。成就係自己俾自己嘅﹐功課係可以抄人嘅﹐女係溝唔晒嘅﹐搵錢係好辛苦嘅。唔好怕細路仔睇你唔起﹑朋友嫌你無出息﹑逗利是時親友問長問短﹐皆因每個人都有自甘墮落嘅權利﹐你要死都無人可以阻你﹐又何況區區遊手好閒呢﹖

4. 入形入格遊手好閒新潮人
遊手好閒都有分宅男型﹑蒲精型﹑發吽型﹑招積型﹑群腳型﹑懶浪漫型﹐但無論如何﹐佢地共通點都一樣﹐就係一個‘拖 ’字。拖咩﹖總之拖得就拖啦﹐咪問咁多。口頭蟬有﹕「得啦」﹑「知啦」﹑「有咩問題呀」﹑「聽日先啦」﹑「你估我唔知咩」﹑「咪做緊囉」﹑「唔關我事窩﹐我都唔想架」﹑「唔好煩啦」﹑「求其啦」﹑「是但啦」等等。

5. 結論
遊手好閒係需要無比嘅勇氣同火一般嘅信念﹐要擺脫傳統思想嘅枷鎖﹑受盡旁人嘅唾棄同白眼。但係唔駛怕﹐除左你﹐世上仲有千千萬萬個比你更無作用﹑更寸嘅遊閒人。所以放心啦﹗無野架﹗遊手好閒係絕對無問題架﹗

關於作者
伍尹妮繽女士﹐廿六年遊手好閒經驗﹐心理學自我催眠系榮譽博士﹐其他著作包括《無聊的藝術》﹑《浪費的美德》﹑《如何有效地白費光陰》﹑以及《意大利式的 new age 頹廢新浪漫》。

定價﹕唔知呀﹐是但啦。

What brings Chinese together? Is it war? Is it poverty of a country? Death of a hero? No, nude pictures of celebrities! The whole Edison Chen ordeal was the main topic for families over their Chinese New Year dinners. To me, it is pretty lame, petty and immature to comment about it in the public day in day out. The part which caught my attention, is that Edison is going to marry Vincy, currently 19 yrs old, when he has made 150 million dollars.

This might partly be b/c she is young and that he has to be responsible for the whole treasurable purity thing. This whole traditional mentality seems so eerily familiar and comprehensible, yet so distant and passe.

Define Purity.  A absence of a few concepts?  In that case, I think even a 10 yr old is impure nowadays.  Book: Cinderella was a liar.

Wedding gown expressions - my interpretation:

Sexy - I want to be remembered as a pretty / sexy woman.    Girlie Sexy - I am a sexy bride!  14 yr old doll - This wedding is forced.  Lavish - I am marrying very well.  Don't you worry.  Plain - I am going to live a simple life.  I am not pretentious.  Stylish but conventional - I am independent.  Different - I do not aspire to purity.  I'll do what I like to do and I don't care what you think.