读万卷书，不如行万里路

Dear friends,

If you have been following my blog or email, you will know that I was away for an oversea trip and company convention some time in November. To those not sure where I went, I had travel to Korea to conquer a mountain, attend a convention and to gain wisdom. Fortunately, I finally manage to squeeze some time to update it especially to my loyal fans who supported me. This is for you.

As the Chinese proverb state: 读万卷书，不如行万里路。


Translated for the benefit of non Chinese readers: There is an old Chinese saying: reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.
Travelling allow us to embrace change. Break away from old routines. Re-examine our lives, recharge our "batteries" and gain a new perspective as we learn to see it from the view of another culture. Travelling also tell us how small we are yet how inter-connected our lives are.

Do not be surprise that majority of the people in Korea is still very much used to speaking in native tongue as oppose to the English language. It also demonstrate Korea does not need English to be main stream as they can be self reliant and sufficient. Its the Korea culture that make them unique too. Similar to Japan.

Although I have to admit I was surprised to catch not one but 2 taxis drivers who cannot speak English or drive us to our hotel when we were in Seoul. Even showing the GPS co-ordinates does not help. Nonetheless, it was a humbling and valuable lesson learnt that just because we speak English or a certain language does not mean everyone else does.

I am always thankful for the support my company and clients gave to me. Indeed I am blessed and grateful for all the experiences we have in our investment journey together. Life is abundant if you look at it from a grateful heart. As mentioned, if you have a scarcity or negative mind set, everything is negative or looks bad. So how you treat others is a mirror reflection of your own mental state.

Whether you think Life can be an exciting adventure or a boring existence - You are right.

So in this sharing, I will be presenting a feast for your eyes, character building or something deeper that you desire but cannot express in words.  If so, kindly contact me as I love to interact with successful person who are positive and have an abundance mindset.


Manjanggul
This Jeju island is home to a various world heritage site. The first site I went was the Manjanggul Cave. This is a cave formed of lava. In this case, the temperature in the cave is definitely lower than outside the cave.

Your trusty mode of transport in Jeju: You need to drive to experience the fun of adventure and exercise patience as the speed limit is only 70km per hour.. Not for the reckless and impatient.

Mystical feeling of being in a cave.

The cave tunnel is more than 1 km walk.

Everything with Abalone,  Abalone rice, porridge=)

 Of course, when you travel, you get to taste the different type of food. So we have to try the different ways of eating the abalone. Fresh, fried, steam you name it.  Tonight we feast because tomorrow, we have to conquer a mountain.

Mount Hallasan (If you do not know this is a volcano mountain)
Warning: Need planning and training before you attempt unless you are fit and young.

If you are planning to climb this mountain. please prepare for a tough climb. Even though I jog regularly and exercise, this is not for the faint of heart and those who are not in good health. Anyway, by the time we came down after 10 hours of climbing, my legs were sore. We started in 710 am and came down at 510 pm.

Well the view from the top and the experience is definitely etched in my memories for years down the road. Sometimes the worse ordeal is the best training because after you went through it, you become stronger, wiser and more ready to take on the impossible.  Beside sometimes there are things you can only do it when you are young and not when you are old.Moreover, you will also discover friends or allies who you never know about. =)

Don't let the initial gentle slope fool you.It get steeper as you climb.

You don't see such clear blue skies everyday. Thank God.

Its not 1600 m above sea level only and we had to reach the mid point by 12pm else we will not be allow up the summit, It is more than that. OMG!

We are the caretakers for this world too=) So remember to bring down your rubbish.

Nature work in wondrous ways

Remember to take a picture with this rock to get your certificate of climb to Mount Hallasan.

After which we visited some scenic waterfalls and place of interest to enjoy the relaxing mood in Jeju and get away from the busy and hectic city life.

Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak

Beautiful Sunrise peak (Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak)

Live octopus anyone? Next we head to the scenic waterfall after having our lunch.

Jeongbang Falls

Water fall that can be seen from the sea. Jeongbang Falls

Cheonjeyeon Waterfall

Victory lies in our hands

After which we took the domestic flight to Seoul for my company lunch convention fit for the King.

Myeongdong area:
Jin Poong Jeong, Yeouido

My group elite=)

Actually I have more than hundreds of photos from my Nikon DSLR and Hp from the other visit like Deoksugung Palace, Grevin Seoul, Running Man thematic Experience center, Petite France, Everland, Comex aquarium , N Seoul Tower, Myeongdong street market and night market, Nami Island below

Nami Island 

Nami Island and the autumn leaves

Learning to cook for others haha=)

N Seoul Tower

Beautiful view

But I will stop here. If you wish to know me personally, we can arrange an appointment and catch up.

Thanks for reading and referrals and introduction to positive leaders, travelers, busy parents are always welcome and appreciated. Because the power of network is unstoppable and amazing. So lets make a difference in someone's else life. As you pay it forward, others will follow.

If you are travelling, do remember to get a travel insurance especially those with pre-existing conditions and be protected as you never know what may happen overseas. Check out my services by clicking here.

Cheers and have a great Xmas and a joyous New year in 2019.

‘No chances of making money’: Chinese retail investors have lost more than 100,000 yuan each this year

Dear friends,

We recently saw panic and fear as the tension and price action of markets went down for past weeks,

The title of the news article seem to imply that the China market could continue to spiral down. Is this really so?

Click here for details.

In my personal view, the market will move up and down because being a risk asset it is not supposed to stay fixed in price as demand and supply will cause the price to fluctuate.

Most short term investors who hold such a short term view cannot possibly generate returns as they run for the exits when volatility increased. When they return, they will have to pay a higher price because the "market" has calmed down according to their analysis.

Usually, its the long term investors who benefit from such market move as they buy more to average.

Anyway,  when the going gets rough, the tough gets going.

Cheers and have a great day.
Eric Oh

A mixed bag of returns

Dear friends,

On 31 Aug 2018, there was an article that downplay Einhorn's fund vs Ackman funds.

Einhorn's Greenlight off 25% for year; Ackman up double-digits

Activist investors: David Einhorn (left) and Bill Ackman

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/01/einhorns-greenlight-off-25percent-for-year-ackman-up-double-digits.html

For details,please click here.

In this article, I like to share with you that such comparison may not be helpful to the investors who are investing in the hedge fund because both funds could be pursuing different strategies to produce their returns.

Another point to note is that most investors who chase performance over the short term may be shooting themselves in the foot. The reason is just when the fund is doing poorly for some time, the investors pull out of the fund. Then almost immediately, the fund start to recover the losses and make back the return.

So the market is punishing those who wish to invest but have very little patience. I remember a wise saying :" Your investment result in the market is a reflection of your own mental state. If you have the right perspective and attitude, it will repay you with what you deserve." Similarly, that is the reason why I stated how well you treat others will be repay by how others treat you in the past article.Click Here

To change or improve, start by appreciating what you have and those around you. Learn to let go and move on if someone has wrong you else you will always be stuck in a negative vicious cycle filled with negative energies and thoughts.

Sometimes, there will be people who want to get something for nothing. This show a lack of maturity because it defies the basic law of compensation.

With that in mind, I encourage those who interested investing to consult me or a professional before they start chasing after the mirage. 

Cheers and have a great day.

Global growth vs risk off

Dear friends,

I recently was invited for UOB asset management global outlook. Some of the pictures and highlights include:

Panel Discussion from UOB

Sharing session

Selfie with Tony Raza Senior Director Multi Asset Strategy

Hearty Discussion and Sharing with Managing Director of Investment Strategy from Wellington Management.

Highlight and discussion:

1. What is the current view of the economy? Where are we heading

2. How is the trade wars going to affect the market going forward?

Trump Mascot. WIll his policies affect you?

3. Are we heading to a recession or slower growth? Etc.

If you wish to know what were the details. Kindly email me at ericohlh@gmail.com or please fill in the contact form on the right. Take action and seize the moment.
Cheers

Working hard=)

Btw we also believe that all work and no play make us dull.

Some of the fun moments we have in our group.

Having buffet dinner to relax and share ideas

Monthly Birthday celebration with our members. Aug birthday=)

14 July 2018-I.M Possible

Dear friends,

I want to share with you someone who has been a source of motivation for me when I am down. Everyone has their ups and downs, their difficulties and sorrow.

I may not know how you are feeling now because you could be someone who is from a broken home and could be having the worse of your life. But I do know what its like to feel when you are lonely, beaten and rejected. You are not alone. So let me share with you a story.

Several years ago I encountered some set backs in my personal life and in trading, I heard about this man Nick vujicic from my inner circle and decided to check what this man has to share. His story is inspirational and wonderful. It will not do justice if I tell you all about him but you can contact me if you want to know what impact he has on me.

So when I knew he was coming to Singapore, I got to meet him in person. The experience of meeting him and watching YouTube is so different.

Some experiences cannot be gained from watching a video, attending seminar. You got to be there to feel it.

Sometimes, I get questions like:"Eric, I have attended and paid for so many courses yet I am still in the red.I am there the whole time."
To which I will have to share honestly with them that reading a book on investment or attending several paid seminars does not make a person become an expert or professional overnight. To become good at anything, a minimum of 10,000 hours and countless of failures are required.

Lots of people want to see the money grow in their investment exponentially or in double digit returns in a short span of time without any risk. To them, such a product exists in their mind. So when volatility increased they disappear and pull out at the slightest pullback from the market.

Unknowingly, such investors will often lose because they are too short term and opportunistic. Or when they have huge returns, they also don't sell because they will keep the investment to boast to their friends. So when the market crash, they will said in hind sight if only they had sold.

In fact, all the successful traders and investors will often add more into their positions when Mr Market act crazy and give them a lower price for them to average. So while the masses are busy selling their shares due to fear and price dropping, the wise investor will be consulting the professional how to adjust their portfolio.

The affluent understand that their view could be wrong hence they will pay to get an independent voice and perspective. They value their time and will rather use a professional than they do everything themselves.  You can't be everything at the same time. Hence the rich get richer by leveraging on others because they are willing to pay to achieve a balance of work and life.

So when Nick was approached by one of his fans to host a talk. Nick told him. $25,000 per session. The man said "Double it and I want 6 sessions." Morale of the story: Everyone has a dream, opportunity cost and a value. Maybe today, no one knows your value but one day somebody who respect your work will recognize your value and pay it in full. So try not to be cheap when paying someone because cheap is creepy.

Anyway, some pictures I took while I was there with my friends.

For a person without limbs to a life without limits revealed that it does NOT MATTER what we look, what we wear, how much money you have in the account. The key thing is whether you are making a difference in other people's lives or to the community.

Below is the first video I found most encouraging which I like to share with you. Cheers and if you feel you benefit from my sharing or services, please kindly refer your friends or relatives to me. Referrals are always welcome and I am sure they will enjoy my services as you have. Take care and till we meet again=)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBCfxhyEDB0