A Mathematical Problem

On one of the days when I walking alone down the streets of Champs-Élysées. I was probably shopping for gifts for family and friends. Usually, when I am alone, a part of my mind will retreat into the dark recesses of the cortex and I'll be thinking. Thinking about what? Many, many things. I usually just let my thoughts wander. Sometimes, I'll think about politics; sometimes it'll be philosophy and other times, just about life.

On that day, the Paris sky was clear and blue and the air was slightly chilly. It was a good day for shopping and deep thoughts. An interesting mathematical question just came to my mind. All the numbers below are for illustrative purposes only.

About 10 years ago, I started with $20k savings as my initial start-up capital. During the third year, I almost lost everything. But I caught a break. A stock I bought many years ago, before I started my venture, at $1 which crashed to $0.10 went back up to about $0.90 again which I managed to sell to inject some much need life-blood back into my business. Today, my company has about $500k (hypothetical numbers).

In 10 years, I grew my business from $20k to $500k. That's a 25 times multiples.

Just a thought occurred to me then (some may call it an epiphany).

With $500k, in 10 years time, and based on 20 times multiples (a slightly less ambitious number), can I grow it to $10 million? :p

I wonder if this is a simple mathematical question of proportion and multiples. Well, let's see in 10 years time. I intend to prove the mathematical equation correct.

I guess this was what walking down the streets of Champs-Élysées did to me. *wink*

Paris

Just recently, I went to France for 11 days: 3 days in Reims and 8 days in Paris. I went to Paris for both work and holiday, my first holiday in 4 years. Work was really just an excuse for me to feel less guilty to take a vacation. Of course, the Singapore Air promotional fare to Paris on A380 surely helped me make my decision a lot easier. I had wanted to fly on a A380 since it came to Singapore. For the past years, I've prepared my company to function without my presence and this trip would be a good test. I'm glad to say that most systems are in place and the test passed with 90% score.

First morning in Paris 7.06 A.M.

The first 3 days weather in France was cool and fair. But the weather became rainy and cloudy when our friend arrived later. She has that effect... she brings the rain. The temperature was generally in the range of 10 degrees C to about 25 degrees C - air condition temperature. As it was almost summer in France, the sun does not set until 10.30 pm! The daylight sure give "late night" shopping a new meaning. Even though it was 9 pm, we would still feel wide awake and kept going.

Our networked netbooks in the room. Do you see the white router?

We brought our own router so that we can share the broadband connection in the room and we can continue to work.

Arc de Triomphe at 9.49 P.M.

The Arc de Triomphe will be our most familiar landmark for the next 8 days as our hotel is near Champs-Elysees where we would shop and dine. It was also in the Laduree restaurant and pastry shop where we would have the best and worst memory of the trip.

Laduree

We had sort of a mini-celebration at Laduree after we've completed our business mission in Paris. It was a great feeling to have the mission-impossible successfully completed and a great load off our shoulder. All of us were laughing our heads off over silly jokes and friendly banter and the nice pastries helped too. This is where I had the best macarons. I would go back to Paris just for them.

A 100 euros worth of pastries and drinks

A swarm of locusts flew by :p

Unfortunately, a dear friend lost an item of sentimental value in the pastry restaurant. I made 2 trips back to the restaurant hoping that the staff may have found it but it came to naught. :(

Louvre

I managed to steal time from our busy shopping schedule and visited the Louvre museum. The entrance fee was 9 euros. The place was huge. I managed to catch a glimpse of Mona Lisa and she ain't pretty. After my 2.5 hours visit of looking at oil paintings and sculptures in the museum, I feel immensely cultured. :p

The last 2 days in Paris was spent in shopping. Buying gifts for family, friends, staff and wife. :) We practically shopped from 10 am all the way till the shop closes. We just walked and walked, swiped our cards and hear the cashiers go ka-ching! Prior to the trip, I had my card limit raised to an unthinkable level. It was both a scary and liberating feeling. With the new limit, I can walk into any branded shop and buy anything (almost lah). It is a strange, intoxicating and liberating feeling.

I met a client today after I came back to Singapore. He remarked that I had lost weight and he asked me for my secret. I told him, "I went shopping in Paris." :p

He liked the idea immensely of losing weight thru shopping. :D

Our Loot: 13 bags of 9 different brands

I actually maxed out the new limit during the trip. :p

During the trip, I bought a Van Cleef & Arpels pendant for my wife. It was this item that took up most of the credit of my card.

Van Cleef & Arpels Pendant

I expected my wife not to know the brand Van Cleef & Arpels. I forsee one day she would tell me, "Sorry dear, I dropped the pendant and could not find it... it wasn't too expensive, right?"

With a forced calm demeanor, I would answer, "Not to worry dear... it wasn't expensive, there is more where it came from... "

Overall, it was a good trip. There was time for self-reflection too. I had many good memories and I learnt something about myself which I may blog about it in a later date.

P.S. Time to eat bread or instant noodles for the rest of the year... :p