Month of November 2025

An unexpected message came through one day from someone I have not seen since Covid. It was cousin J, a distant one considering our parents are cousins and our families had never hung out together before. Yet J and I had a rather special bond. We only knew of each other's existence when we were 17. It happened at an event and my dad recognized her. By coincidence, we enrolled into the same school and studied similar subjects. Our classrooms were side by side, so from that moment on, we interacted often. J was a jovial girl, fiercely independent and resilient, partly because her mother passed away at a young age. She would defend those close to her, step forward to lend a hand and yet maintained a low profile all the while. We confided our first loves, exchanged lecture notes and backed each other. After graduation, we kept in touch. She went to university while I had to serve national service. Later on, fate brought us back again in school as our faculties were adjacent, although this time she's the senior who helped me to settle in. Over two years, we held conversations at the school canteen or sometimes along the corridors on the way to class.

In our working lives, she chose the pharmaceutical industry while I went a different pathway. That didn't diminish our relationship as there's a feeling of kinship that cannot be broken. Over a decade, we caught up sporadically but the conversations were always unrestricted, maybe because of our easygoing characters. Then, I switched jobs and contact frequency increased slightly. Our workplace were ten minutes ride away which created lunch opportunities, much like the university days. This went on until Covid and before you know, we lost touch.

So when I received that message from J, it was over an issue that we discussed long ago and she just wanted to update me. I was curious to find out what she had been up to over the last few years. The first thing mentioned was she had retired and doing the things she love, especially travelling. She used to travel to a Scandinavian country every Christmas because her aunt worked in the national airline and got discounted tickets. I jokingly asked for her advice and her next reply was, "...but I don't know for how long." Something's amiss and I pointedly told her to spill the beans. Without hesitation, it was the big C and a really terrible one. Cancer of the thymus gland. A quick scroll of my biology knowledge came to nothing. J is classified as one of the tiny percentage and she proudly proclaimed to be in the top 10 patients of Singapore with this rare type, having "achieved" terminal stage. I met her a few days later, with a cap concealing hair loss but otherwise looking well, the usual cheerfulness and enjoying her food. It’s been months that she's on an experimental drug and chemotherapy. She’s become a treasured living specimen for research. Yet, we both know her compromised immune system cannot repel the persistent mutated growths in the organs. Costs had escalated since insurance did not cover her unapproved medication. She will have to stop eventually as savings are limited. Therefore, her funeral plans have been prepared, her will written and more travel trips are in the pipeline. As the only child, she worries for her dad who's immobile. In that moment, a quiet tear was shed for my brave cousin. Hope she gets her wish to outlive him.

Tip: Boksoondoga Sparkling Red, strawberry cream, fizzy burst of milky rice

Finance Investment Movement 63

Things are looking good, the improvement target increased to 7.2% and provided motivation that it could really get better by year end. This month was helped by positive stock movements, especially across Reits. There was zero leftover cash saving as it went towards SRS contribution and CPF housing refund. I have one last Tbill due to mature and that's it. Good yields are getting harder to find so I have adopted a new approach, that is to wait. Yet exactly what am I waiting for? Here's where I breakdown the thought sequence and current status.

Following the truce of the Israel Hamas war, there's a good amount of congratulations among world leaders. Various trade summits were held and the statements put out were rather positive, with the caveat of challenges still remaining. Meanwhile, global stock markets hovered around new highs, oblivious to the trade policies being in disarray. Against all odds, there are companies reporting strong financials. The Ukraine Russia conflict felt almost like a side note. Gold and precious metals are on a bull run which to me, is not a sign of fear but reallocation away from the USD. In Singapore, it's especially amazing to read high prices paid for big ticket items. The feel good factor is real. Money can be spent freely because there's loads floating around. In this regard, I have assessed my situation and decided on a spending diet. As I continue to buy small amounts of bonds, any leftover saving is put on standby for a market correction. I hope it comes within the next year. Time to be a contrarian.

Dividends as of October 2025: $8299.45 (avg $829.94 per month)

Tip: Jjangsu Brewed Jeong, pleasant chinese herbs, easy quaff, distinct floral after taste