Week 2 Update

Week two of my excursion home has been interesting to say the least. I've been running myself ragged to meet as many members of my family as humanly possible before my time here is up as well as drinking and carousing with my good friends since we won't have that opportunity for at least another year.

I got to go to my cousin's wedding this past weekend which was an interesting time because I was able to meet an entire side of my family in one day and also see my cousin who had just recently come back from Kuwait. As always, I spent most of my time at the reception drinking and mingling with family. I was in such a hurry to get there on time that I actually forgot my camera at my father's house, so no pictures of this event unfortunately.

My doggie, Colt

Watching the Chicago Bears play the 49ers this Sunday was too funny. It's very satisfying to watch the team that trounced us all through the 90s finally get their comeuppance for a decade of making me wince whenever I watched sports updates. 41 to 10. Haha. Stuff it up your ass San Fran. GO BEARS!!

That evening I also went out with some of my friends I haven't seen in awhile. Since we all wanted to drink in a bar setting without paying bar prices, we decided to go to my friend Chris's basement to play pool and drink. The night ended like it usually does when 8 people spend a better part of the evening drinking, with slurred yelling and head shaking. Here's to all of you drunken derelicts.


The cast from Cheers

Finally, Halloween this year seems like it will be a bust. Everyone is working and I can't drive anywhere because I lost my damn license. So the only "holiday" that I get to spend here seems like it will go out with a whimper. Whatever. At least I can sooth myself knowing that my friends back in Korea will be having a great time with whatever shenanigans they have planned. Rock out guys, take some good pics.

Homecoming

It has been a busy, yet fun, first week back home. I finally arrived home to surprise my family and took the following video:

http://www.youtube.com/v/z6szypyDlTo

I think it's safe to say they were surprised...

A picture of my house

My first night when as planned, I slept for a countless amount of hours into Saturday afternoon. After awaking and having breakfast with everyone, we drove out to surprise some other members of the family. The next victim was my aunt, who, after having me walk in and greet her nonchalantly, stood there blank faced for a minute before she recognized me and gave me a hug. After having lunch together, I decided to do some shopping. Since my 16 months in Seoul gave me few options in the underwear and runner department, I decided to stock up while I was here. After buying a few more things I went home and prepared to surprise my friends.

My friends, while excited to see me, weren't too dramatic about seeing me for the first time in months. I guess it would have been a little awkward if they had the same reaction as my mom, so I understand their reactions. We proceeded to get shit-faced on beer, grey goose vodka, jose cuervo and the soju I brought back with me. I don't remember doing much during this time except laughing my ass off, playing pool (one game took a few hours at the end) and overall having a great time. One of my friends summed it up by saying my being there was "surreal" or maybe he said "so real" or possibly "No Deal", either way the vodka was good.

From the left: Ralph, Myself, Chris, Marc and Brandon

Sunday left me nursing a decent hangover and waiting to surprise the next major person on my list: my Dad. I was eating some Taco Bell (love to hate it) when my Dad rang the doorbell. I answered the door, once again rather nonchalantly, and my Dad greeted me with a smile, a hug and a "No Shit". If you knew my father this would be exactly what you would expect him to say. After sharing some stories and some coffee, we went out to the local Sports Authority to buy a few things and play with the air hockey tables that were on display. Overall it was a great afternoon.

Monday and Tuesday were much of the same thing: surprising relatives and drinking with friends. Needless to say, two more great days. I hope the next two weeks are as good as the first was.

Sweet Home Chicago...

The Touchdown

Seeing the beauty of the skyline from my elevated position as the light cracked over the horizon. I'm home again. It's been 16 long months since I basked in your welcoming aura.


Sweet home Chicago.

Though I haven't surprised the folks yet (that will be transpiring in 3 hours) it has been exhilirating to see the same familiar roads and buildings again. I can't wait to see what the next 3 weeks hold in store.

Kid in an all too familiar candy store...

Going Going Back Back to Chicago Chicago

As I write this, I realize I will be getting on the plane to go home in 8 hours. I haven't been home to see my family or friends in almost 16 months so this visit is definately well over due. I'm anxious to see how everyone has been doing in my absence. Even though it will only be for about 3 weeks, I look forward to spending time back home. The most interesting aspect of this trip, however, is the fact that NOBODY (with the exception of my friend Ralph, who is picking me up at the airport) is aware of the fact I'm coming home. I'm excited to give my family an "international surprise" that I'm sure they won't soon forget. I plan on putting all the videos and pictures from the trip on here when I get back so look forward to that.

Get ready Chicago, I'm coming back to you.

Back to Basics...

Well, this is the first post. Expectations are high and I'm eager to disappoint so here goes...

A brief description of me for those of you who don't know me that well.

I currently live in Seoul, South Korea, one of the largest (if not the largest, depending on your tools of measurement) in the world. I have been here a grand total of 28 months dispersed between January 2003 and present day and it doesn't look like I'll be leaving anytime soon. I am originally from Chicago, where I spent the first 20 years of my life before I went to live in Japan as a student from 2001 until 2002. I graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in December of 2004 with a major in International Business Management and I have just procured a position at AC Nielsen Korea where I will be a Market Researcher. Hope thats a good enough description.

On to recent developments...

As I said, I have just recently been hired by AC Nielsen Korea. While it has been a rather tiresome process to obtain a job in Korea as a non-native, I look forward to the challenges it offers. The bright spots of this deal were beyond my expectations in many respects. My salary is well beyond expectations and I actually get to go home and see family and friends for 3 weeks before starting the new job. I am not, by the way, telling anyone about my trip home (with the exception of my friend Ralph, thanks for picking me up bro!) because I want it to be a surprise. Other than this recent excitement, I have just been resting up and recovering from my latest job at Wonderland English school.

I promise to start putting pictures and other forms of entertainment on here as soon as I have the time and energy.

Peace