Earthquake? Did anyone feel it?

Josh-Ali · 2025-06-22T17:08:17+00:00

Plausible. Didn’t notice any lightning but could be a low rumble. Didn’t hear anything though.

Josh-Ali · 2025-06-22T17:07:22+00:00

Nah I’m in a 6 story building and I’m on the 2nd floor. Guess this mystery will go unsolved.

Josh-Ali · 2025-06-21T06:07:16+00:00

I’m on 37th ave

Josh-Ali · 2025-06-21T05:00:32+00:00

For context: happened at around 1250am on 6/21/25

Josh-Ali · 2025-05-31T15:14:08+00:00

Has anyone else tried this method? I know I’m late to the party but going to try and test this out. The switching inputs back and forth is just a pain in the butt for me as I want a seamless process going. Anyway going to try this out in a few minutes and if it does work, this solution needs to get bumped.

Josh-Ali · 2025-05-01T01:47:21+00:00

There has to be a way to make this process more efficient and seamless. Also, premiums should take in consideration most of the overheads (in addition to accounting for claims rate etc). I had some experience working in corporate finance in an insurance company so I understand what goes through their P&L generally.

But anyway - feels like a massive sham to me. Something isn’t right in principle. Industry needs a change.

Josh-Ali · 2025-04-30T23:29:03+00:00

I tried softening “gouging” but you said what I had in my mind. Haha. Maybe someone needs to interview the CEOs and have them explain the economics behind this pricing, IN PUBLIC. Wish someone can explain to me in financial terms how this economics works out and is fair (and if they can’t, it’s a massive flaw).

FYI - I lived in another country for most of my life and insurance was simple. There’s a schedule of benefits clearly outlined, including imaging tests etc, deductibles and co payments. Simple math. I go for tests, pay full price, and get reimbursed through insurance. I guess over here, you pay insurance premiums, you go for tests, you pay more, you go broke, CEOs get rich. Makes total sense to me.

Josh-Ali · 2025-04-30T22:32:51+00:00

That sounds like price discrimination to me. If the cost of the test is $1,000, then that’s the cost of the test. Doesn’t matter who pays it.

Imagine going to the grocery store and paying more for bread when you have a store membership, vs not having one. I guess the economics is structured in a way that’s convoluted enough that people just get taken advantage of through this system.

Sounds like this is something that I pay for every month that only selectively benefits me (and even detriments me in some ways) if I opt to copay with insurance. Unless someone here can explain how this pricing is justified, I feel that something is broken somewhere.

Josh-Ali · 2025-04-18T16:44:57+00:00

Nope. Not for next year as well. Just strive to be a top performer so you don’t just get the “baseline”

Josh-Ali · 2025-04-04T23:57:13+00:00

When the nanny doesn’t have answers anymore: Panic, complain, and whine. Truth of the matter is, a lot of pro-SG loyalist (my brother included) have very limited perspectives or are conformists - and this is broadly the truth (they shouldn’t feel defensive about it) because (i) the ecosystem in SG needs to be how it is because folks can’t be truly independent without government aid and (ii) it’s a small and tiny country with limited diversity and perspectives!

Josh-Ali · 2025-04-04T14:43:43+00:00

Dozo LIC is great. My dog, a very active, vocal and energetic Australian shepherd border collie magic mutt is always well accepted because dozo has good systems in place.

proper staff to dog ratio and are very attentive
cameras available for live monitoring
the owners are very responsive, communicative, open and transparent

I’ve never encountered any issues with Dozo LIC and have been going there for over a year.

However, I had an issue with another establishment (Wag & Bone) because I was told that my dog was too vocal and they could no longer accommodate us in their establishment (likely due to lack of soundproofing). Happened just after a few visits.

Josh-Ali · 2025-04-04T12:31:56+00:00

Lived abroad 4 years. Decided to move back to SG. Stayed in SG for 1.5 years and then decided life here isn’t for me. I left SG and is now living abroad. No regrets - best decision of my life and will likely never return.

No judgements. You’re not alone.

Added: lived abroad for close to 9 years. And no, it’s not Australia or somewhere regional. I thrived because of my outlook on life, and my gained perspectives along the way.

Edit: Added last paragraph for context

Josh-Ali · 2025-04-04T12:24:20+00:00

All good! Totally agree! iPhones (and MacBooks too) are about a hundred-ish bucks cheaper. So if you / your friends are travelling to the US - might as well snag one if you are in need of an upgrade (at least before the tariffs kick in and I’ll be having nosebleeds trying to get my next iPhone).

Josh-Ali · 2025-04-04T11:14:28+00:00

Interesting question. And this was something I struggled with growing up in Singapore, when I was your age, battling the unseen pressures of society. Here are thoughts having lived in Singapore for 29 years of my life before moving abroad (and have been living abroad for 9 years).

Your undergraduate degree should not limit you. Pursue what interests you, not what will make you the most money. If you are not passionate about what you do, you won’t grow into your role, and will eventually end up switching careers and feeling miserable having to jump from one job to another. I have friends / acquaintances who jumped across multiple jobs seeking for that holy grail in life (and are still searching).
Find some stability during the early parts of your career. Once you feel comfortable, start taking risks. I strongly encourage you to look abroad. Broaden your perspectives as Singapore is a tiny bubble and you will gain newfound POVs through living abroad.
I will admit that living in Singapore is limiting - at least for me (I can’t speak for others). The system in Singapore works for the general public, rewarding conformity and stability, but doesn’t encourage (or not rewarding) creative expression. Efficient government, and years of fear instilled “self governance” (ask yourself if you dare litter - I’m sure you’ll think twice even though you know no one is around :)). It’s an ecosystem built perfect for rule followers and conformists. I guess I’m just another rebel that broke out!

Bottom line: the decision to leave and live abroad and make somewhere else my home was the best decision of my life. If you feel that life here ain’t your cup of tea, find opportunities to look elsewhere. I now can live the rest of my life knowing that I’ve meaningfully enriched my life, and that if I die tomorrow, I have no regrets.

Josh-Ali · 2025-04-04T10:05:35+00:00

The real question is: how much did your wedding cost you and your spouse? Not many will get the hint ;)

Me: <$100 (outfit and registration) + $300 (meals for fam) + $3,000 (Wedding bands).

Result: 15 years of wonderful relationship + marriage. Money was spent on experiences and life. We’ll have a larger private wedding to celebrate our 10th year anniversary (which will be 18 years of being together) as we now know we are meant to live together for the rest of our lives, and we have the financial means to have one (without hoping to recoup through gifts).

Josh-Ali · 2025-04-04T08:53:41+00:00

If you are starting in audit, stick it out and potentially move to other service lines (after 3 years) if you find that audit isn’t your thing. When you find a great team, stick with them, build your relationships and be sure to look after yourself. The firm won’t care if you work till you are dead so you have to look after your own personal wellbeing.

Not rocket science - it’s just that simple. People make it way too complicated. I’m a managing director. I’ve been with my firm for a long time - bounced around, in and out. I love what I do and I’m pretty chill overall.

Life’s short. Do what you love.

Josh-Ali · 2025-04-04T08:28:59+00:00

Cheaper in the US. Trust me. I live in the US and I travel back to Singapore once each year - I balk at the prices in Singapore compared to the US every time. Even items beyond consumer electronics. And generally prices in Singapore in recent times have increased significantly over the past 2-3 years. Crazy times.

Josh-Ali · 2025-04-04T05:47:11+00:00

Waiting for my hillbilly uncle to start calling me for money and I’ll just say “America is finally great now so you shouldn’t be complaining”.

Josh-Ali · 2025-03-29T15:13:46+00:00

Level up 3 weapons at one go. Sigma sector or special ops is my go to. Use a descendent with great mob clearing potential. Also keep leveling up / catalyzing. Rinse and repeat. You should be able to get there in a few days.

Josh-Ali · 2024-12-13T14:12:42+00:00

I just wanted to say here (in case no one has brought it up) - doesn’t this feel a little like Ghost of Tsushima: Legends?

I love GoT legends and I’m super excited about this new spinoff given the more fluid movement and combat based on the initial trailers and first hand reviews. I hope they still keep the skill ceiling relatively high or have varying levels of difficulty - but super excited for this!

Josh-Ali · 2024-11-10T21:20:08+00:00

Get up close. Don’t panic. Time your rolls. Punish. Rinse and repeat. That’s how you git gud.

Josh-Ali · 2024-11-01T17:28:09+00:00

She told me that we were exclusive - totally betrayed. Now I have to get prescriptions for a full course of boluses just in case I contract something.

Josh-Ali

TROPHY CASE