You know, money can become a major inconvenience when you're out of the country. Thankfully, in this day and age it's rather convenient, what with accounts accessible online, but nonetheless I find it difficult to get things done as efficiently. With tax season in full swing, I am getting concerned about filing my own tax returns this time around. There's a form that I need that I don't believe I have, but being away makes it difficult for me to ensure I have it in time for the deadline.
Then there's the issue of bank accounts, which I am considering opening up here, but then I have to figure out how to close it down and withdraw the money at the end of it all. I've thought of just living off cash, but that is too risky and not taking advantage of ways I might be able to make my money work harder for me if I deposited it. I've considered trying to use PayPal, which gives decent rates, or figuring some other way to get my paychecks deposited into something useful.
Let's not even mention the headache of deciding if keeping my money in SGD or USD is more advantageous. Ironic that I studied Econ when I rather dislike financial analysis. Don't even get me started on stocks, bonds, mutual funds, CDs, IRAs, 401ks, etc... all that talk makes my head spin. Unfortunately, it is also stuff that I am going to have to get more and more familiar with in the coming years as I try to manage my money effectively. Sigh.
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Why do people have this aversion to bugs (and amphibians and reptiles)? Generally they are not going to hurt you and if you just let them be, they will not bother you too. Yet, it seems that a dislike for these creatures is widespread, from girls who squeal and hide to guys who rush off in a different direction. Reactions and distaste can range from just avoiding them as much as possible to chasing after them in an attempt to kill them. But for me, it's a completely different story. I spent nearly two hours discussing ideas and philosophies with a coworker today, as he shared with me his thoughts and observations and I expressed some of my own. Though we see things from very different angles, I respect him as a capable person who is good at what he does. However, his motivations and mine are vastly different, so the way we approach and think about things is quite unlike the other. Talk about a powerhouse. I am constantly surprised at all the speeches that I hear overseas that include references to America this, America that. I mean, I know that American culture is infecting other countries, but in every area, from social to political to scientific, I am reminded again and again just how effectively this seems to be occurring. Ok, so they watch American TV dramas and movies, fair enough. Hollywood is the mecca for the entertainment industry after all. But must it also be mentioned when referencing research, political philosophies, or economic analyses? (I'm not talking about the current economy "crisis" here - I can understand how talk of that can stem from the states.) [originally posted March 17, 2009] [originally posted March 16, 2009] You know when your mother loves you when she is willing to fly to a country she has never been to to live with you to help you with your language skills. o.O And you know she really sacrifices for you when she's willing to make time outside of a full-time job to help you translate things. Sometimes, it still amazes me how much my mom has and would give up for me. I just talked to Elle and she got the Teach for America offer! Now it's time to spend the next week deciding if she wants to go for it. Though she worked really hard for it and is leaning towards that path, you never with these things. It is a big decision for her life, after all, since it will take over the next two years of her life and take her out to Louisiana. Instead of looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow, I will be getting up even earlier than I do for work to go to a facilitation seminar of sorts. I'm not exactly sure what it is about, but that's why I'm going! (To learn about what facilitation is and how I can add it to my list of skills.) It's a part of this whole idea of "relentless self-improvement" and learning. I feel like I should take advantage of all the resources available to me, as long as I'm even remotely interested in them. If it doesn't get in the way of work or something else that really matters to me, why not? I can sacrifice a little sleep to gain some extra knowledge. I am often inspired to write my personal opinion or a follow-up to what Katana has been writing. I follow her feminist fitness blog, professional blog, and Associated Content material closely and as of late, she's been a superstar in posting for AC! Awhile back, she posted an entry about an engagement ring and today Lin and I were talking about such things, so I felt it was appropriate to delve into it a little more. |
laelene My philosophy is simple: things change. Therefore, we are all on a lifelong journey of discovery. We should be flexible, questioning, learning, adapting, and growing. Always. Archives
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