Europe ’09

Do You Remember the Time?

Do You Remember the Time?

Random Observation/Comment #211: Jake, James, and I would make the hottest person imaginable if only our powers were combined.  Separately, we do a very good job attacking and defending our different fronts.  I usually get the intellectuals and Asian girls.  James goes for the tall blonde girls that like eccentric guys with white t-shirts and tattoos.  And Jake gets the...

How was your trip?

How was your trip?

Random Observation/Comment #208: As the trip winds down, I feel this nervousness that I can only describe as the feeling I get right before I wake from a lucid dream.  I try to concentrate on my hands and relish the dream state, but I know it’s slipping.  It’s like the universe realizes I’m close to finding the meaning of life,...

Muchisimas gracias por todo

Muchisimas gracias por todo

Random Observation/Comment #207: Christian is a gentleman and a scholar – or in more colloquial terms – he’s freakin’ awesome.  Not only did he act as a tour guide and “couchsurfing-type” host for a week, but he also reminded me of something very important: a summer is not a summer vacation without friends. Yes, I’ve met quite a few random...

A Study Abroad Winding Down

A Study Abroad Winding Down

Random Observation/Comment #206: There’s always a level of sadness during transitions.  I’ve found that I’m always looking for excitement, yet I deep down yearn for a conservative state of equilibrium.  No matter how much I reject these routines, I desperately cling on to creating a new familiarity.  When you’ve grown accustom to the freedom and the friendly faces, it’s hard...

Blessed with an Extended Family

Blessed with an Extended Family

Random Observation/Comment #205: The less I post; the more fun I’m having.  Without this me-time, I do feel a little bit claustrophobic, but at the same time, I’m usually spending it with people for a good reason.  It’s not exactly what you can call “efficient,” but I feel these small social breaks are mandatory for an enjoyable lifestyle.  I sound...

Productivity Bar

Productivity Bar

Random Observation/Comment #204: This soul searching business is wearing me out.  I’ve written and thought so much about each subject methodically, yet I can’t make a solid decision.  Every damn methodical and calculated approach has been used, but I don’t feel like I’ve gotten anywhere (Where you goin’? – Nowhere).  If I really had a passion for this thing (whatever...

Writing for You or Writing for Me?

Writing for You or Writing for Me?

Random Observation/Comment #203: I seem to make more interesting observations and comments in my twitter feed.  They are definitely more succinct and directly relate to my everyday life.  I’m tempted to remove this section, but I really like how I’m keeping track of the posts with the comment numbers. Ever since I’ve started writing, I’ve been trying to cling on...

Traveling Han-Style (Solo) vs Wingman’d

Traveling Han-Style (Solo) vs Wingman’d

Random Observation/Comment #202: I consider myself a quiet guy with a lot to say.  It requires a bit of prying, but it’s quite easy to get me on some weird topic rant.  Since I try to gain a little bit of knowledge in everything, I’m sure it won’t take a long time of searching to find something we have in...

Join Me Backpacking in August!

Join Me Backpacking in August!

Random Observation/Comment #201: Over the past 6 months, I’ve become a travel guru. I wonder if I have to wear any special attire.  In boy scouts, the badge I sew on would probably be of a guy wearing a backpack with a hiking stick.  In real life, my uniform would probably include sandals and the same badge, but with me...

A Hungarian Tribute

A Hungarian Tribute

Random Observation/Comment #199:  The past 4 months have passed by unbelievably quickly.  It felt like just yesterday we were all drinking our first beers in public, dancing on tables, and finding valid excuses to party every day of the week.  I’ve had an absolutely wonderful time getting to know everyone, especially the “Hungarian group” (to which I will dedicate this...

A series of parties

A series of parties

Random Observation/Comment #198: This dorm life I live is continuously surprising and ever-so lively.  Somewhere, a party lurks every night and sometimes they exist for the strangest reasons.  “It’s Thirsty Thursday – we have to drink.”  “Let’s party because it’s Wednesday and that’s hump day.”  “It’s Monday so I need a small low key party to slowly wean me off...

Why Study Abroad?

Why Study Abroad?

Random Observation/Comment #196: This blog has been around for a little over a year and I am glad I have kept it consistently updated about random things for this long. It’s has been my greatest success in side projects and has led to so many more different ideas that keep myself enjoying what life has to offer.  It took some...

My Intermediate Overview of Study Abroad

My Intermediate Overview of Study Abroad

Random Observation/Comment #194: It’s interesting how I’ve always saved the overviews of my trips until the trips are finally over when I’m in my pajammy-jams at 3PM while sadly trying to piece my life together for the next phase.  I never actually capture the intermediate stages of feelings when I’m truly happy or sad.  Instead, I’m usually writing it in...

Backpack networking

Backpack networking

Random Observation/Comment #193: I’ve continued to try and find some meaning behind my travels and I’ve realized that, particularly for Europe, the true value of this adventure lies in the history and moral themes throughout the free walking tours in every major city.  I’ve covered the usual suspects, including London, Berlin, Prague, Munich, and Amsterdam, but I hope to explore...

Berlin University Buffet

Berlin University Buffet

Random Observation/Comment #190: I can’t believe I’m writing this entry two months later.  It was fresh in my mind, and now it’s like trying to remember the details of a complex dream before you’re able to tell someone (I think there’s an xkcd about this, but I’m too lazy to find it).  Luckily, the abundance of pictures I’ve taken is...

Berlin Nightlife – a day and back

Berlin Nightlife – a day and back

Random Observation/Comment #185: When I was in Japan, I was doing weekend day trips like it was my job.  I’d take the train for 1.5 hours and walk around a random hike in the middle of nowhere for about 6 hours and still make it home for some dinner.  Why don’t I do this now?  Hamburg is not as close...

Germany Studying Conditions

Germany Studying Conditions

(This is a new start.  I am trying to reduce my writing lengths, but increase the posting frequency.  It’s like microblogging, but for my personal experiences traveling abroad.  It will take a little more time to make the entries meaningful, but I think it will be the highly concentrated-powder form on what matters in my career.)   Random Observation/Comment #182:...

St Patty’s Day Recollections

St Patty’s Day Recollections

Random Observation/Comment #179: There aren’t many rules I follow for St Patty’s Day.  In fact, there is only one rule I follow: I must drink Guinness.  That whole wearing green thing is non-sense; everyone looks like a pink elephant by the end of the night anyway.  I often wonder why I don’t try to make every party night a reflection...

Study abroad is all about Diversity

Study abroad is all about Diversity

Random Observation/Comment #177: Visiting Germany, I would expect to see a large number of Germans; however, the majority of my friends have been from everywhere but Germany.  The major countries I’ve noticed are Finland, Sweden, Turkey, Hungary, Spain, Italy, and the States.  Since I’m living in this international dormitory world, I suspect that I was roomed with fellow foreigners, but...

A Photographer’s Paradise

A Photographer’s Paradise

Random Observation/Comment #176: Fuji-san was such a remarkable experience that I compare every hiking scene to the rollercoaster of hardships and appreciation for nature throughout the entire journey.  From the exhaustion and freezing cold to the final reward of watching that Heaven above all clouds, I had truly stretched my boundaries of emotions.  Every short-breath I took and lactic acid...

Peddling Through Towns

Peddling Through Towns

Random Observation/Comment #175: Bike riding used to be much less painful for my ass when I was younger.  I’m not sure if it was the enthusiasm for peddling while standing, the shorter and more comfortable seat, or a more cushion-y blubber-butt, but I don’t remember having trouble walking and sitting down after an afternoon of bike riding.  The effects of...

Useful Swiss Army Knife

Useful Swiss Army Knife

Random Observation/Comment #174:  I never understood the nerdy Cooper kids that carry around Leathermans and Swiss Army knives everywhere they go (cough, JHG).  Do Cooper and the Computer Center reach the levels of intensity that require such a tool?  I guess the knife would be useful for opening a box if you’re in the stockroom, but that’s nothing a pen...

Sledding or Sledging once or twice

Sledding or Sledging once or twice

Random Observation/Comment #173: I’ve always thought sledding (or “sledging,” as they call it with “proper English”) was a childish thing similar to tubing, or represented by those inflatable boxing gloves you fit around your arms in the swimming pool.  What I forgot was the level of creativity us more mature people apply to make these normal childhood pastimes much more...

When in Rome…

When in Rome…

Random Observation/Comment #172: No matter how much I love trying to find those hidden treasures in an unfamiliar city, I can’t help but feel the need to conform to those guidebooks and millions of suggestions online.  After all, these people are paid to travel and write these reviews – I think they should have done the job that I’m trying...

Swiss Choco-gasm

Swiss Choco-gasm

Random Observation/Comment #171: Chocolate has always been a forbidden desire in my life.  It constantly tested my self-control, and I almost shunned its very existence to avoid obesity.  This philosophy existed before I began following the “everything in moderation” rule and decided to step away from the edge of extremities.  Since then, chocolate is simply seen as a special treat...