Looking Toward the Future

I have neglected this website for quite a while now. The reasons, I am sure, are probably many. Probably, I say, because I, myself, honestly find it hard to pin-point an exact reason why, and when I do, I find it isn’t very accurate or true at all.

Self-Censorship?

But allow me to admit that one of the reasons, most likely than most, has been because I sometimes fear what I say here will return to haunt me. I love to write about my interactions with people, about both my thoughts and feelings about them. But when you start realising that the people of whom you write about do, on occasion, read about themselves on your website, it does make you feel a tad apprehensive about pressing the “Publish” button, especially when what you have got to say is not as positive as you’d think that person would like, or when it is likely to cause misunderstandings.

(As a side note, there have been times I’ve written negatively — constructive criticism, one might say — about people, in the hope that they’d read it.)

Thinking About the Future

I have been thinking quite a bit about the future of late. I can’t really say for sure, but I think that it may have something to do with my getting into a romantic relationship.

In case you haven’t already heard, I’m now involved with a girl, called Lishya.

Some Background on Lishya

I’ve actually been in a relationship with her for the past three weeks, but for the above-mentioned reasons, I have been hesitant about proclaiming it on edonn.com.

But, I think, sufficient time has passed, most of the dust has settled, and it’s time to let the world know.

For friends (and strangers) whom are unfamiliar with her, Lishya’s been my hostel mate (in Currie Hall)for the past year or so. We took the same unit last semester (Economic and Business Statistics), but even during the first semester often studied together. How romance came about between us I don’t know, and I doubt she does either.

We hadn’t really thought of each other as potential romantic partners before — just good friends and nothing more — and our getting together has surprised even ourselves.

Retirement

I guess it might prove strange for some that a 23-year-old would talk about retirement, but if not now, when?

I recently rediscovered an old audiobook of mine called The Automatic Millionaire, by David Bach. Listening to it on my way to work a couple of weeks ago, I was reminded of how important it was for me, if I was interested in retiring financially free, to start saving and investing as early as possible. Being relatively young, I had the advantage of time, a critical component of the magical compound interest.

I was once more inspired to reorganise my finances, and, subsequently, the rest of my life.

Financially, I have been lucky to have had the positive influence of both my parents.

My mom has investment savvy, and a propensity to save. She is, however, a little less inclined to sacrifice comfort for money (car vs. bus), and she’d almost never go for second-hand or refurbished things. My dad, on the other hand, is not so investment savvy. He doesn’t save much, and digs his 4D. However, he has a knack for bargaining and findings good deals on everyday items, and is more than willing to go for second-hand things if he finds value in it.

In terms of investment savvy, I do believe that I’m pretty well financially educated. I also have a huge propensity to save, while being willing to rough it out in terms of comfort (bus and train for me please, if I’m not driving anyone else around). I’ll go for second-hand so long as I believe it’s of greater value (my handphone and computer are second-hand), while I have some talent in bargaining (especially for things I know the true value of, like computers and running shoes), and I do try to find good deals on everyday items whenever I can. I guess one problem I have is that I am quite often penny-wise pound-foolish, sometimes spending time and money shopping around only to shave off a bit here and there.

eDonn.com

I’ve given this website some thought. The money that I spend on this site might be used for other things. I could use the money saved in investing, say, or saving it. But I think that I deserve an indulgence or two every once in a while. But what I think I’m going to do is to see if it’s possible to cut costs, probably by moving to a cheaper hosting company or something.

eDonn.com has brought me lots of fun and joy, but I’m starting to feel a little indifferent to it. I’ll see how it goes.

And Lishya, you’re the first name I mentioned here in a while. Feel proud. 🙂

Oh, what the heck, here’s a shoutout to everyone else (drop me a comment if I missed you!):
hey wei hao, happy burning the house down wahaha
eh-oh athena, may you not have to write too many malayu reports! 😛
hello wilson chen, the one in nz now, whose birthday i forgot! (so sorry!)
hi amanda, who’d have known, eh??
heya han, how’s china? cool eh?
still jogging zixuan? 2.4! woohoo
jason, meet you someday at coffee-bean ya?
boon tiong, jia ling, li ling and chon eng!!! hello!
dominic (still travelling like siao ah?) and sean (mr. adidas! sorry i couldn’t go stand chart man, fever!)
and mr chan wei hao, missed your new age mambo jambo man….
rachel, i know i haven’t contacted you in ages, but, heh, it’s just too weird now… i’m pretty sure you understand.
mr. steffen zorn, who left a comment on my site! you’re way too cool for uwa 🙂
ken, i want more anime!
oh man, who have i missed out?? i’m pretty sure there’s plenty of you, but wahaha,

anyways, to everyone, here’s wishing you a merry christmas and happy new year!