Red Hat

I sold my Microsoft stock bec I was dumb and thought that their new XBox would come out soon, but I was wrong. I bought Red Hat (Linux) stock because it looked like it had major growth potential in the medium term and the price seemed undervalued ($11 now, was up in $50s 2 years ago). I gained 15% on it in a week, which is way higher than the benchmark 10 yr T Bill. I'm just trying to beat the T Bill, plus I'm more risk loving as a young adult. I'm also well aware that with more risk, quick gains can also become quick losses. It's no big deal for me because I'm in it to learn, to be a player in the game while I'm still young and figure some stuff out about capital markets.

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Late night swim in ocean last night.

Last night, 12 of us went to La Jolla Cove at 10pm and swam out 1/2 a mile into the cold dark ocean. I didn't have my wet suit on me so I went in shorts. It was so warm! The water felt like a cold pool, not like the usual ice cube coldness I'm used to from months before. Plus, the ocean was so calm last night. We had a great time! Out glow sticks lit up the surface of the waters, and the water glowed every time we stroked and kicked because of the bioluminescent algae. It was so cool and so unreal to have bright lights appear from a stroke of the arm!

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DC

I just got back from spending a week in DC. I visited my old office at State Dept headquarters and hung out with the old staff at the China office and Regional Security.

The Taiwanese "ambassador" gave me 3 hours of his time on Friday morning. I asked him academic questions on Taiwanese elections.