A Collection of Dreams
A commitment of hope

Welcome to Vincent Chen's website!

This is just a place for me to express my thoughts and to share things with everyone. Feel free to contact me for anything.

Actuaries, rejoice! You top a list of the best jobs in 2009.

Posted Tue, 01/05/2010 - 23:58 by Vincent

The Best and Worst Jobs of 2009

By SARAH E. NEEDLEMAN
JANUARY 5, 2010

At least twice a month throughout the recession, headhunters have dangled job opportunities in front of Ryan McAllister, an actuary for Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. in Novato, Calif. "If I were ever unhappy with my employer, I could pick up the phone and find something else very quickly," says the 28-year-old Mr. McAllister. He joined the high-net-worth property and casualty insurer after graduating in 2005 from the University of California at Davis, with a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics.

Moving life

Posted Tue, 12/29/2009 - 21:30 by Vincent


It's been more than a month since I joined the new company in Hong Kong. However, I haven't settled down in Hong Kong. In fact, I am currently doing a project in Taipei. The client is the first company I worked for. It's funny to work in the same office with old colleagues again.

The colors of the autumn in Boston

Posted Tue, 10/27/2009 - 01:00 by Vincent


In two more days, I will be leaving this city where I have so many memories. I studied in Boston University from 2005 to 2007. This is the second time I came back to Boston since I left in 2007. And every time I came back, I have totally different feeling about the city.

New members in my family

Posted Thu, 10/15/2009 - 14:11 by Vincent



There are two new members joining my big family recently. One is my cousin's daughter, Emma Jade Gould, born on September 28 in England. Her father is British. The other is my sister's son, whose name has not be given yet. He was born on October 7 in Taipei. I play with him everyday now.

Actuary is ranked No. 6 in the list of top-paying jobs in America

Posted Tue, 10/13/2009 - 12:08 by Vincent

Money magazine and PayScale.com released a list of Best Jobs in America. Actuary is ranked No. 6 in the top-paying jobs list. Below is the description.

Source: CNN Money

Best Jobs rank: N.A.
Median salary: $129,000
Top pay: $257,000

Private Moon: Leonid Tishkov

Posted Mon, 10/05/2009 - 12:54 by Vincent

Exhibition venue: The Museum Lobby and Museum Art Park, Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts
Exhibition dates：10/2/2009-3/28/2010
http://www.kmfa.gov.tw

Upon my entrance to the Museum, the visionary photos caught my eyes. It is difficult to tell whether the images are photos or paintings at the first sight. The large moon is the main character of each photo which expresses a strong sense of solitude. In those pictures, it seems that the moonlight can warm the darkness, as the sunlight shines the day.

A real challenge has come

Posted Wed, 09/30/2009 - 00:20 by Vincent

Since my first actuarial job in Nan Shan Life Insurance, working in Hong Kong has been one of my career dreams because Hong Kong has the leading actuarial market in Asia. I never thought that this dream would come true so quickly in this year. It just happened with a phone call from China and an interview in Taipei. I had the interview directly with the boss. He spent more time introducing his team and practice than asking me questions. I think he was already impressed when he first read my resume. The interview just assured him that I am indeed the person he wants. Miraculously, the great opportunity and challenge were acquired through the shortest and simplest interview I've ever had in my actuarial career.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Posted Tue, 09/22/2009 - 22:59 by Vincent

美國精算學會（SOA）於2009年1月1日正式實施會員「持續專業發展」（Continuing Professional Development）計畫，凡是ASA、FSA以及擁有CERA認證者皆適用CPD的規則。最新的CPD的規則請參閱 http://www.soa.org/cpd，以下提供基本摘要介紹。

Guangjhou 1st St: Cultural Village

Posted Wed, 09/16/2009 - 00:48 by Vincent

Right next to the Cultural Center, Guangjhou 1st Street (廣州一街) has congregated artists in Kaohsiung since 1980s. Many cultural shops, bookstores, galleries, artist workshops are located on the street and around its neighborhood. There are also several peculiar cafes and restaurants in this area. A list of the shops can be found at http://www.art-in-kaohsiung.com.tw/. It will be nice to visit there in late afternoon and enjoy dinner at one of those distinctive restaurants.