The Worst Predictions About 2008

Just read an article from BusinessWeek online.

The Worst Predictions About 2008, an article written by Peter Coy about 10 of the worst predictions that were made in 2008 and I thought a few of the predictions were pretty funny to share on:

4. "The market is in the process of correcting itself." —President George W. Bush, in a Mar. 14, 2008 speech

For the rest of the year, the market kept correcting…and correcting…and correcting.

5. "No! No! No! Bear Stearns is not in trouble." —Jim Cramer, CNBC commentator, Mar. 11, 2008

Five days later, JPMorgan Chase (JPM) took over Bear Stearns with government help, nearly wiping out shareholders.

9. "In today's regulatory environment, it's virtually impossible to violate rules." —Bernard Madoff, money manager, Oct. 20, 2007

About a year later, Madoff—who once headed the Nasdaq Stock Market—told investigators he had cost his investors $50 billion in an alleged Ponzi scheme.

Happy Holiday Seasons,

Leroy

"When I Stop Learning, I Stop Living."

Reflections - A new blog feel

It's been almost 2 years since I'd started blogging. With a good long break this period, I'd thought of doing reflections for all my actions in motion, including the sharing of my learnings on this blog. So I thought of adding some new features to give my blog more life. The new feel of my blog can be referenced @ www.leroyang.blogspot.com.


So What's New?

1. Followers of LA's Blog. I'd added a new feature for readers whom wish to follow up on what I am sharing. By subscribing to this feature, you will be able to follow my sharings automatically on your own blog dashboard.

2. 1-Year Charts of NYMEX Crude, Gold and Coal. With courtesy from EnergySTOX.Com, I'd added three yearly charts of Crude, Gold and Coal to my blog for easier reference.

3. Replacement of my Avatar. I thought it's time to reveal my real face to readers, thus I had my Avatar (which i like very much) replaced with a photo I'd taken in Dec 2007. Many of my friends and blog readers told me that I should not hide my handsome face behind a picture. I thought this sharing was funny so I'd posted my photo here to give ever reader a good laugh. :-P

4. About me. I'd updated my structured academic learnings. The latest being the completion of a Diploma in Financial Management, and two modules of the Certified Financial Planners (CFP) programme, all did on part-time basis. I have subscribed to the Module 4 (M4) of the CFP study programme which will commence in Jan 09.

5. New Blog List. I'd added a new feature to show blogs that I personnally am following. These blogs offers interesting views which I like to grab a glance on and I am recommending the blogs to my readers here. Other bloggers whom wish to exchange blog links may write to me for considerations too. :-)

6. Learning Resources. Some of the valuable online resources will be updated here for sharing.


Last but not least, what are some of the areas which you think I may improve on this blog to benefit readers better? Do share with me by leaving your comments.


Merry Christmas and cheers! :-D

Leroy

"When I Stop Learning, I Stop Living."

Up to 15% off textbooks

The Power to Dream

I came to know a new friend today during our group's periodical Cashflow game and I am glad that I know him. He'd shared with me one of his experiences and I responded to his sharing. I thought my email response may be a good sharing session with the rest of my blog readers.

His situation is about his family members and close friends "not so encouraging" reactions to his ambition. He continues to hold steadfast to his dreams. And that's encouragement to me! :-)

Below is my response to him:

===

Share with you a statement, made by a ex-US President, Mr Abraham Lincoln.

It was so powerful a statement that someone was willing to translate it into mandarin to share. I came to know about this inspiring statement when it was already in mandarin and I don't know the actual English version. So i will try to translate it into English as best as i can here to share:

"Mankind is Great because of our ability to Dream

and

All Great People were once a Dreamer."

As we grow older, our dreams tend to get smaller. Many people allows their dreams to be destroyed by a reality that is not real. We dream our dreams and these dreams are as real as what we see in it. That's the reality i see.

"Believe to See."

Those whom you'd shared your dreams with, may not be able to see what you see. Many are concern that you may be "destroyed" by your pursuit of dreams that may not be realised. This is out of their goodwill, but they may not be presenting their ideas in an encouraging way. We are Asians fundamentally, and encouragement is not our forte. (I am working very hard on this right now too)

"Without dreams, we are but living corpses."

So hold on to your dreams. Hawk over it. Guard it with your life. You are right to commit to your dreams, take actions to realize it! :-)

I am truly inspired by a gentleman, who is pursuing his dream at a young age that I dare not even try. His energy level to achieve success is fueling my drive. His name is Alex and you can read more about him from his blog @ http://thebillionairejournal.wordpress.com

Read more, Talk more, Learn more and act on plans to make your dreams come true. I am. ;-)

For sharing on my Concept to achieve my dreams @ http://leroyang.blogspot.com/search/label/PME2 

Cheers! :-)

==

Merry Christmas to All Readers,

With Lots of Love,

Leroy

"When I Stop Learning, I Stop Living."

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

"An old man, a young man, and life's greatest lesson" - The sub-title of this book sum it all. As I read, I cannot help but find the book filled with love, compassion, wisdom, and serveral tints of enlightenment!

[Tuesdays with Morrie] is a great book to trigger our reflections this coming Christmas in 2008. Are we living a life that we want? Or are we living at all? When is the last time we'd contacted our teachers, or have a cup of coffee with them or a get-in-touch email?

A few life lessons, as mentioned by the dying Morrie, written in this book that touches me deeply:

1.  "So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."

2.  "To know you're going to die, and to be prepared for  at any time ... That way you can actually be more involved in your life while you are living."

3.  "Learn to detach. Don't cling to things, beacuse everything is impermanent ... Let the experience penetrate you fully. That's how you are able to leave it."

4.  "As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away ... You live on - in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here ... Death ends a life, not a relationship."

There is also a very beautiful analogy written in the book, which I'd like to quote here to share with those who are keen to know what this book can offer.

[Quote]

I heard a nice little story the other day ... the story is about a little wave, bobbing along in the ocean, having a grand old time. He's enjoying the wind and the fresh air - until he notices the other waves in front of him, crashing against the shore.

"My God, this is terrible," the wave says. "Look what's going to happen to me!"

Then came another wave. It sees the first wave, looking grim, and it says to him, "Why do you look so sad?"

The first wave says, "You don't understand! We're all going to crash! All of us waves are going to be nothing! Isn't it terrible?"

The second wave says, "No, you don't understand. You're not a wave, you're part of the ocean."

[Unquote]

I will like to take this oppotunity to thank all my teachers, coaches and mentors, for sharing your life experiences and making who I am today. You are:

My Family

Alvin Kek

Alvin Yapp

Benson Soong

Desmond Fu

Eric Tan

Eugene Aw

Freddy Yip

Jason Low

Lawrence Lim

Lee Liang Huat

Lim Koon Pah

Melvyn Chia

Michael Yau

Patrick Sim

Soh Guan Khwee

Sng Siak Keng

Last but not least, Chang Phuan Sim for introducing this book to me.

If you names are not mentioned here, it does not mean you are forgotten. The life lessons that all my friends and associates had embraced me with, will be part of me forever, and the experience will evolve and promulgate down to the next receipents to benefit them. Keep sharing. :-)

Warmest regards,

Leroy Ang

"When I Stop Learning, I Stop Living."