Thesis topic?

My thesis topic, took a very different turn - into financial economcis!
Actually it seems more like finance than economics.
I'm going to study about the Book-to-Market effect in Malaysia/Singapore/I-dunno-la.
Provided that data is available.

Haha. I only started considering this area of research at 4.30pm, after consulting another lecturer (besides the one mentioned in the last post!). This topic is actually a lot easier than calculating the adequacy of retirement funds in Malaysia, such that I am unsure about whether it is sufficient. It is time-consuming enough to be honours thesis worthy though.

Sigh. I guess I'm going to end up not doing anything about inequality or social security.
This topic is manageable, given that I know what it was like to study the January effect two years ago. I figured that this is probably better than the inequality one, because I can't do macroeconomic theory. I kept falling asleep while attempting to read the theses. The financial economics stuff are much more readable - well actually not that much better, but at least I've had a taste of how it can be like,and the math is much simpler.

Funny huh. I chose this degree program because I thought I was 'good' at math. And now I'm so averse to too much math, which is present in economic theory.

So here goes.

I think my happiness upon finding a topic and sorting it out with my supervisor/professor who met me at 10pm at the Starbucks near my residence is keeping me awake. FINALLY!! AFTER 18 days of research!

Oh dear. It's been an hour and a half!

Theses topic search stress relief

Still no supervisor.
I wish I thought about research topics more thoroughly.
Sigh.
So my thesis topic research trail has been as follows:
ageing theses
-> CPF, Advanced Life Deferred Annuity
-> Inequality: suggested strengthening of social security measures like unemployment benefits, workfare income supplement, and retirement/medical benefits
-> Retirement adequacy
-> Rejected mode as I yesterday found out how thoroughly the professors have researched retirement adequacy. The medical idea was also rejected as a friend was focusing on that already
-> Inequality and how a 'meritocratic' education system can worsen inequality
-> Tried reading another professor's research, got tired before the second page.
-> Wrote a proposal on retirement adequacy in Malaysia
-> Current supervisor asked me to ask other people - it's not in his expertise, but there's not many I can ask
-> Currently waiting for one professor's reply.
-> Reading about Christianity and Economics. I'll see how long I read it before I'm bored. But since I stopped to blog, it's not a good sign.

I really hope to be inspired to do something interesting to myself!

It has been depressing, being rejected so many times.

Caught Offguard

Being indirectly rejected by a potential thesis supervisor
Feels like failing an impromptu interview

I didn't anticipate it
Through a meeting at another place, she obliged to help me explore thesis topics, with no promises.

But in her office
She wasn't really helping me determine a topic.
She was determining the kind of person I was based on my background - of where I'm from, what I intend to do after graduation, what's my grade, whether or not I'm on track for first class honours.
Her method of rejection, was to ask me to wait to see the other supervisor, who did not have me on his list, which she might have found out earlier, as she was in his room.

I should've been more aware, and asked why
Or at least pondered at her type of questions, and waited in the silence to let her lead the questions, rather than bombard straight into what I've been thinking about for the thesis - just because her invitation was to help me explore the thesis topic.

All the advice I got, was to concretise the topic.
But that's the area of help I need! :(

This was the worst, and most intense first day of any semester, ever.

Feels like all my efforts of preparing somewhat for thesis in the field of retirement or inequality is wasted.

But hopefully other, perhaps less experienced supervisors in this field will still be awesome.

But I'm just too tired. Why is the deadline today?

Why I don't use "fuck"

So I saw this on Facebook, and thought it was a nice poster! As a disclaimer, among most people whom I don't care that much about, or have more important issues I care about, I ignore its usage.

So why don't I use vulgar words?
1. Well one of the reasons is that it shows the limitations of the user's vocabulary. And changes the original meaning of the word.
2. But more importantly, it doesn't say much / or communicate what's happening. Using more expressive words, like 'owwww' or this is gone! or this is terrible! or someone is something something. (I.e. saying what is wrong is probably more communicative.)
3. In addition as we communicate it better during a bad time, we are more likely to process the situation better, and hence respond rather than merely react to the situation. (i.e. combine your smart brain with your emotions!)
4. It is rude. It shows the level of respect you have for the other party.

Note:
It is arguable that it creates some sense of camaraderie among people who use the same word as often. However, it also encourages this habit reacting without thinking to persist. 

Other notes:
Click on picture for source of poster.

Albert Outler

once prayed, "Lord, protect us from the mindless love that deceives and the loveless truth that kills."

Being a boss

"There are as many opportunities in a down market as there are in an up market, but if you find yourself blaming the externalities all the time - well I can't set up a business yet because of the economy or because of the weather or because I have a job - then you're not thinking like an entrepreneur," says Reed.

"An entrepreneur accepts that the world is the way that it is and goes about changing it rather than waiting for someone to make it easy for them."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19542914

Being like Job

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33

It was difficult to presevere on, when all around you is negativity, when the point is such a question mark, when it meant giving up time for family, friends, leisure, or even work!

I still don't know the point exactly sometimes. Or what He wants to do with this selfish soul.

Nevertheless I see hints of the reward here and there.


If a leaf

can be so complex:

what more the Creator of all of the world?