Big and Cold

Last time I went to Berlin was in Chicago. =) If you are from Chicago you'll know what I'm talking about.

The city was big and the weather is cold. The city is bigger than most cities we've visited so it was harder to wander around especially in the cold weather!

Anyway, I think any city that comes after Amsterdam won't even compare. =) I think we should have done more research on the Berlin nightlife because it was "bleh." Unfortunately I don't think we hit the "hot spots" of Berlin. We drank a lot of beer as usual. And we did see a lot and learned a lot. Especially about the wall. What was interesting is that there are parts of the wall that still stand in the city. And in some streets, bricks embedded on the road would trace out where it use to be.

What thing I did notice was this picture:



I remember this picture while watching the Amazing Race! (Which happens to start tonight in the States!) This is the Berlin Sculpture which represents the reunification of East and West Berlin. Underneath it is the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. If you look closely only part of it exists. It was damaged during World War II bombings, and it serves as a symbol of the destruction of war.

The Checkpoint Charlie museum was very interesting as it revealed how many different way people tried to escape East Berlin. People would hide in suitcases, speakers, take hot balloons, dig tunnels, etc. to get to the West Berlin side!

Why was the Berlin wall built?

Its estimated that over more than 2.6 mil East Germans escaped to West Berlin or West Germany from 1949 to 1961. Many people had to suffer under repressions of the Communist system and they wanted to live a better life in the West. The East German government saw no other way to prevent from escaping to the West via Berlin than closing the border between East and West Berlin on August 13, 1961.

And if you wanted to know why East and West Berlin were divided in the first place, then google it because you should know your history. =)

Scammed
I was watching a guy on the street move a little ball under these three boxes. I had to pick out which box the ball was under. Before I knew it I lost 50 Euros. That was really dumb on my part. Story is better told face to face. =/

Berlin!

Off to Berlin this weekend so it should be a blast. But I think it will be pretty cold. I think it will be interesting to see the differences between East and West Berlin now that the wall is gone. We're actually going to be staying where Check Point Charlie use to be.

The last time I was in Germany was a while back about a year after University. A bunch of us visited Frankfurt and I remember distinctly ending up at a bar that was owned by Filipinos! We ended up drinking these tall glasses of beer and singing karaoke all night. It was so much fun!

London Soundtrack
Another addtion to the soundtrack: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! - Gimmie Some Salt.

I thought the whole time the band was singing "Gimmie Some Sun!" and I thought to myself, oh perfect, this is how I feel sometimes living here. But then I was wrong and looked at my ipod and saw the song title! doh! Great song and the CD has really grown on me!

That was fast..

I had my last class of yoga yesterday. Unbelievable. 6 weeks just like that. Well, I did miss one for a steak dinner. =) We performed more complicated moves without a lot of guidence. There was about a half hour of constant motion and we were all shadowing the teacher and all you can hear is breathing! It was pretty intense. Despite the bare feet, the "oops" and being the only guy, I think I'm going to do another 6 weeks!

Snow?
It kinda snowed the other day. Actually I think it was hail because it hurt my head coming down. =/

Another online dating comment..
So you look through all these profiles and its like hard work. So you find someone interesting and you decide to send them a message. Especially the ones where they specify: "Any" for "Type of Relationship" So you figure what the heck? The funny thing is, you'll send a message, and you'll get this notification that they read it. Normally, if they've "read" it, they should write back right? Yeah, still waiting for that part.. at least I get rejected online than face to face! Too bad I can't give them a link to my blog to reveal my brilliant writing ability. =)

Ambassador and accents

Nothing like hitting a pub and meeting new Brits. A coworker and I were sitting and enjoying our pints after a long week. We kept to ourselves and discussed the week that was.

There was a large group next to us and well, let's just one of them interrupted our conversation. This worked out quite well since it gave us reason to join their group!

The thing about meeting new Brits is the views they have on America. There are a few main themes that seem to be consistent with most of my interactions with the Brits. (And I like to reserve the fact that these themes are only my opinion.)

1. For some odd reason, every Brit I've met thinks I'm Republican and asks me why I voted for Bush. (This usually results on a discussion about the electoral college.)

2. I've been asked if I own a gun. (This then results on the debate about gun control.)

3. America is such an insular country. (This I usually agree with and isn't much of a debate)

4. And of course, the ever so popular, America has everything. Why are you here?

Sometimes I feel like an ambassador since I feel like I have to defend America and remind people that there are America is not just about guns and oil and that there are Americans who have an open mind to other cultures!

Anyway, I'd like to briefly focus on the last two since they are so much related. I've read somewhere that there is only 34% of Americans over 18 that have a passport. Why is that? What is that figure so low? I assume it has to deal with the last theme I mentioned: America has everything, so why go anywhere else!

I find it quite sad that only about a third of Americans have passports. Perhaps its due to American culture to travel only within the country. Perhaps is the limited amount of vacation days Americans have. Maybe some Americans don't have the opportunity nor the money. I respect it all. But I think visiting other parts of the world opens a person's mind to new cultures and the experiences can even be life changing!

I'll admit, America does have its conveniences and offers great opportunity. One of things I do miss is the convenience factor. Things seem bigger and better. But I think experiencing/visiting other countries can only help open one's mind to human nature, its diversity and ultimately to increase knowledge and decrease ignorance.
So if you ever have the opportunity to visit countries outside of America and see a foreign land, do it! Even if its Canada, eh? =)

Ultimate compliment
So despite all the debate with some of the Brits, and after a few pints, I decided to bust out my wannabe British accent. The thing with my British accent is that I can't do it on the spot or when I'm around all Americans. I need to be around other Brits so I can listen and imitate. Its like a singer or a choir that need a harmonica before singing. So feeling quite confident, I started saying a few phrases in my accent to these two girls. They complimented me! One said:

"Wow, that's quite good!"

while the other agreed saying:

"That IS quite good!"

I'll never forget that. It made my night. I wonder if there's a "How to speak with a British Accent" class because I would sign up in a heartbeat.

Random Thoughts

I love the milk that's left over after I eat a bowl of cereal. But sometimes there's too much milk left and I put more cereal in the bowl. But the milk tastes so good at the end.

I heard a song this morning and it’s by an artist named "Chico." I believe the chorus went something along the lines of "Don't take life too serious, or else you will become delirious." Maybe I'll add that to my London soundtrack.

A new friend is in town so I have the responsibility of acting like a tour guide this weekend. The problem is if someone visiting asks me: "So what's that building?" or "When was the Great London fire?" or "Who was Guy Fawke?" I'll have to have a more thoughtful answer than: "I don't know." The problem is I don't have google in front of me. But I guess I'm slowly learning. By the way, the Great London Fire was in 1666. And well, I've blogged about Guy Fawke.

This online dating stuff can be addicting. Not so much of the actually dating part, but just viewing profiles of all these women. Its like online shopping. The difference between online shopping and online dating is that if I put something I like in my shopping cart and even buy it, I know I'll get it delivered to my door. With online dating, I can express interest, even consider making a date out of it, but you don't get that guaranteed front door service where she just shows up at your door. If it were only that easy. But I guess that where mail order brides come in. =o Not that there's anything wrong with that. =)

Valentine's Day: Past, Present, Future

Happy Valentine's Day!

The past few years I've spent Valentine's Day getting utterly wasted with a group of bachelors as a couple of my faithful readers can attest. There are a handful of Valentine's Days that I've remembered throughout the years.

One was during kindergarten. It was my first Valentine's Day and the teacher asked us to bring our Valentine's Day cards for our Vday party. This was a daunting task. I didn't have any experience with it. I remember going to Hallmark and picking out 2 or 3 of those "regular sizes" Valentine's Day cards. You know, the ones you get now for someone. The problem is, you didn't get these "regular size" cards when you were in kindergarten. I showed up to class the next day and everyone had those "baseball card" sized Valentine's Day cards and passed it out to everyone! Everyone also brought shoeboxes decorated with hearts and it had these slits on top so you can shove your cards in the box. This presented a few problems for me.

1. I only bought 2 or 3 cards, and at the time, these cards were considered Jumbo sized.

2. I didn't have a decorated Valentine's Day shoebox so everyone just threw the cards on top of my desk.

3. While everyone spent 10 mins passing out their Valentine's Day cards to everyone, it only took me like 2 min and I sat there at my desk while everyone looked at me, wondered why I didn't have a shoebox, and simply dropped the card on top of my desk.

Quite memorable and embarrassing at the same time. As the years have gone by, I learned my lesson. I remember using my "best handwriting" on the Valentine cards that I was giving to my "secret crushes." Sometimes I would insert one of those candy hearts with those sayings on them. Picking one that expressed how I felt was very critical during those times!

Today
This year I was determined not to stay at home. So I treated myself to a nice dinner, visited my local Borders, had my Chi Latte and buried myself in knowledge.
It was definitely "me" time. Something I should appreciate.

Future
I think it will be interesting a year from now what progress I will have in the "dating scene." Hopefully I will still be writing in this thing and can reflect back a year later.

Cabin Fever

This past weekend I stayed in and I felt like Tom Hanks in the movie Castaway. I felt like I was stuck in an island with no human contact. Sometimes I'd blast my music and make weird noises to break the silence. I think I've even decided to name my computer "Wilson." I guess my computer is more entertaining than a volleyball that has a face drawn on it.

Choose your own adventure: Meat or yoga?

I wasn't one to ditch class during my times at university. I felt bad. Although as the years progressed from being a freshman to a senior, I'd find it easier and easier to ditch class. The funny thing about most of this is that I'd go to class only to fall asleep. I never understood it. I would go to my 8:00AM class psyche myself out and stay up for 10 min, only to pass out in the lecture hall. I could have easily just slept through and get that extra hour of sleep, but I felt guilty not going, so I went anyway, even though I knew I would pass out.

So I came to a similar decision this evening. A fellow employee is in town from the States. They had a plan to go out for drinks and dinner. I was committed to only drinking a pint at the pub before dinner, then going to yoga class, but that didn't work out.

As soon as we left the pub, I told everyone that I was going to yoga. Sure enough I was given a hard time.

Choose your own adventure: Go to Yoga class or free dinner at a nice Argentinian steakhouse?

It didn't come easy. I would ditch my first yoga class for a gluttonous dinner.

And I must say, what a great decision. Starters consised of chicken langoniza, spinich and cheese empanadas, and chirizo. Main course I had the ribeye which probably is the best steak I've had to date in London. It was so good. For sides, I had asparagus (that makes my pee smell) and grilled mushrooms. Top that off with a few glasses of red wine and finally, dessert that was a combination of pancakes and ice cream.

Probably the best meal I've had since I've moved here. Helps it was free too. You have to understand how much I appreciate a good steak these days now that I live here in the UK, let alone a good meal. I believe I've made the right decision. And for all the food lovers out there, I know you believe I did too.

Here comes the sun...
Living here for 5 months has made me appreciate the sun so much more. It was a bright sunny day when I woke up and I'll admit, it effects my emotions. Its cloudy most of the time here and when the sun comes out it puts me in such a good mood.

Cocktail Parties and Sequels

So I went back to my stylist on Saturday. He did a good job before so I trust his haircutting skills. The puma on his head is gone because he grew out his hair. Its always weird for me when I get a haircut, even when my aunt use to do it. I'm constantly trying to strike conversation, but it never works. So when he was cutting my hair, I wanted to say..

"Hey you grew out your hair! I can't see the tattoo on your head anymore!"

But then I would play that over and over in my head while he cut my hair and realised how stupid that sounded.

Anyway, so he asks me if I was going out that evening. In hopes to hide my nonexistent social life, I immediately respond like I had these big plans. Little did he know I had no plans at all. =)

To hold some kind of truth to my answer I made the effort to call my other coworker that works in the business side of things. He was invited to a cocktail party by a colleague of his and he didn't know anybody but him. A flat full of people I didn't know, how could I not pass it up.

First off, we walk in and its a table full of people that had just finished dinner. Its one of those awkward moments where you sit there and try to introduce yourself to each and every person where you know you'll probably won't remember their names anyway. While my coworker introduced himself to each person sitting in the dining room table, I took the easy way out. I performed the 'hanging tough' wave.

What's the 'hanging tough' wave? If you were ever a fan of the New Kids on the Block and the song 'Hangin' Tough,' you know what I'm talking about. There's a dance move during the chorus where they move one of their arms up in the air from side to side while they sing. It's a brilliant move. And if you are a true fan, you'll know what I'm talking about. In fact, here's a link for reference. The move is towards the end. (Turn down the volume unless you want to be embarrassed.)

Anyway, I performed the 'hanging tough' wave and at the same time introducing myself. Works wonders I tell ya.

The night was filled with meeting many interesting people. A German guy that works in Zurich who loves Asia (Singapore and China specifically) where studying abroad included: North Carolina and Buenos Aires. A couple of ladies where their studies included a 3 year program studying in the UK, France, and Germany. A Dutch guy that is considering a move to Asia and a couple that have actually been to Chicago and complain how cold it is!

I thought it was interesting fielding different questions including:

What's the difference between NY and Chicago?
Isn't it colder in Chicago than it is in NY?
If you lived in the States, what was the benefit of moving here?

All in all, it was okay. Will I ever see these people again? Who knows. I think I need to fine tune my social skills. I'm a bit too shy.

I get it.. part II
Perhaps I should elaborate more on my previous post on friendships. His quote was coming from my comment to him that I missed the 'instant chemistry' I had back home. You know, the chemistry that comes with not seeing someone for a while and basically 'picking up where you left off' the first time you see them after 'x' amount of months. I miss that here. Meeting up with someone face to face and just 'bonding.' I'm not saying its not going to happen here, it just frustrating that there isn't that 'go to' person that you can grab some 'Starbucks' and BS with.

Educational Sunday Part II
Went to visit the Science Museum. Yay. Saw the special Alien and Iceland exhibits. Did you know that a cockroach can live without its head? (But eventually die due to thirst?) Did you know that 11 percent of Iceland is covered in glaciers? The Iceland exhibit held most of my interest because they had these computers where you can click all these topics and watch videos on each subject.

Superbowl XL
It so weird. It's late night and the Superbowl is on. But without American commercials! Bah! At least they have American broadcasters.

I get it... and Oops.

It feels good to talk to someone that 'gets' you. Someone that understands what you are going through and someone that's not afraid to be 'blunt' at times. I had a realization yesterday drinking with one of my old coworkers. I was explaining to him that its so different here because I'm not surrounded by people I've known all my life or people that I have such close relationships with. He basically came out in so many words and said..

"You won't get that here. You are just about past the point in your life where you make lifelong friends. You are at an age where you are set in your ways and its harder to create long lasting relationships at this point. You just need to get hitched mate!"

I always knew this.. but to hear someone be so up front about it, it really hits home. He can totally relate to me because he in fact lived in the States for a bit before coming back here. Its always nice to talk to someone that 'gets' you. The best part of all of this is that we have the same sense of humour so it was quite refreshing to be around someone to share laughs with.

Oops!
It was bound to happen. We were doing some complex moves in Yoga class. It was a great workout and quite relaxing. We were doing different stretches and I lost my concentration.

You see I had a bowl of cereal before class.. with a lot of milk. I don't know about you but milk gives me gas. I've been so good in making sure not to 'let one go' during class. But I did have a moment of weakness. After doing a complicated stretch, we were supposed to take a neutral stance and then it happened.

At first I was in a state of shock. It wasn't that loud, but I knew it happened. It was one of those situations where I wanted to look around to see if anybody heard what I just did. But I was afraid to. The thing is...I was standing in front of the teacher, and right after it happened.. she said..

"Oops!"

I looked at her and she had a grin on her face. The thing is, I wasn't sure if the "Oops" was for me, or for something else. I didn't think it was that loud, but perhaps she heard it. I guess I'll never know.

The best part of all this is after class she asked me..

"So you feeling okay?"

Maybe she was just being nice and was concerned because I was covered with sweat.
Or perhaps she did hear my gas.