The great secret of all human success - connection

There are many many theory of learning, what make it works, what make it enjoyable.

There are also many theories of happiness, such as in the book I am readying "The Happiness Hypothesis", some argue the happiness is from within, take things as they come, many believe the happiness is from without, getting things we want.

The enpiphy is, all these human enjoyment come from the same source - connecting with others.  

Learning with other students, even those one dislike, is far more effective and enjoyable than learning alone.  Almost everyone unhappy feel "disconnected" "lonely" "isoliated".

Being innovative has to be have rich, frequent and diverse connection with all type of people and ideas.  That is why a society celebrate diversity and loving each other will always out innovate the ones that enforce homogeneity and uniformity.

The good school connect students

and faculty, the great leaders connect all the follower to their mission and to each other.

How to building meanfully and long lasting connect become the secret formula of happiness, and all human achievement for that matter.

Connect!

Risk and Time

Have been spending a couple of hours early morning to do trading.  It was fun and financially rewarding.  Earning a couple of thousands every other days.  The goal of 3M asset should be reachable in 2015.  That is the financial goal I set myself years ago, with a believe that with 3M, even just draw the everlasting 4%, will be enough for my very modest life style.

But I have to look at the cost.  These precious hours are spent on analyzing, trading, calculating stocks.  Is that meaningful?  Does it help me to achieve my mission of

Love,
Learn,
and Serve?

Should I put those hours into growing the schools and companies?
Should I put those hours into writing that might have a wide audience?
Should I put those hours into research that can benefit the world?
Should I put those hours into cello and enjoy the beauty of music?
Should I put those house into exercise so I felt more energetic and healthy?

Don't know, but maybe searching for meaning is the meaning we've been searching.

2015 outlook

Stock is getting to be expensive.  During the last few days, I have sold all my stock holding other than AIG.  It is predicted that the "Mega Cap" might be the way to go. 

2015 to buy - Apple, Google, Chinese

2015 not to buy - New Tech, Small cap, Alibaba

I am still buy in and out of ERUS - betting that oil price to go back up to $70 and tension in the Eastern europe well ease over the year

I am still interested in BAC, it will do well in a enviorment with interest rate increasing

I will refinance all my properties with interest rate higher than 4.5% to its maximum amount, so I should be able to get $500K out of them.  I will put them to work in acquiring other real estates and stock

I will put the maximum in to tax deferred account

- $5500 in IRA1 -$6500 in IRA2

- $28000 in 403.b

I will work with Blake to start a trading company, perhaps in Hong Kong, I will be a partner of the 2/20% company, I will be the first client with many be $25K, the best sinerio will be 

Company income

income 2% x $25K = $500 

profit 20% x 100% x $25K = $5K

Company expense =  $2000

company profit = $3500

mine = $1750+ $2000

To take some risk, try Russion natural gass Gasprom

European Recovery - Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK)

Europe is in recovery mood.  US stock as reached the 2008 heights and beyond, Europe has only recovered 60%, it might have another 30% room to grow in the next 12-18 month.  US might go into a bit of trouble in Q4 of 2013 - changing guard at the federal reserve, debt limits (yes, AGAIN!), jumping interest rates.  It might be good time to put 25% into Europe, since individual stocks might be too risky. Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is a good option.

Journal thru the scary, exciting, rewarding investment

Over the last 10 years also, I have been moderately successful in my investment in real estate and stocks.  My total assets started at modest $100K to now still modest $1M.  1,000% in 10 years.  Not spectacular but on par with long term records of some of the best investors in the world.  I just wish I stared with $1M:)

Many of my grad students in CSU and CalM&T asked me about my investment strategy,  I hate to say much in my classes, since there is no assurance that my strategy will work to everyone in every condition, I guess it is best to keep a blog to share, so only the ones who want to know can browse my blog entries, instead of taking valuable time in the classroom.

Caveat emptor!

This is just my personal blog and reflection.  Follow it with caution. While I made 1000% over 10 years, in some of the time during the year I am down by 40%.