Ramble ramble.. cryptic.. cryptic..

Its funny sometimes how life works.

I think no matter how much you plan life, or try to anticipate it, it doesn't always turn out the way you want, or even, turns out better than you expect.

Either way, if everything always went to plan, wouldn't it be pretty boring?

As 2008 is slowly coming to a close, this has been a very significant year.

I think this is one of the years where from a personal point of view, I've accomplished a lot. And more importantly, I've learned a lot about myself.

I think the first year I moved here I was learning a lot, adjusting, and getting use to the London "grind." Then, I think I got into a groove and things just started "settling" in. Things became more "routine."

But I think the past year, I've gotten into the "mix of things." I've experienced a bit of "change" from a personal and professional perspective.

I've made time for things I normally wouldn't, and I've taken on new challenges that I didn't think would be possible in my first year here.

I've realized a lot of things about myself that I didn't know about. You know when you are happily cruising in life, without giving into too much introspection, and you just go with the flow? You think to yourself, life is good. But then what happens when things go bad? What if the routine is disturbed?

At least for me, I start "thinking." Being an analytical person, this whole "go with the flow" routine is thrown out of the window. A lot of introspection takes place and you start to think about how to resolve the problem, or make the situation better.

Do I just do nothing and complain or do I take "action." Do I admit my mistake and correct the problem, or do I wait until it goes away by itself?

I'd like to say this year, I did take "action." I'd like to say that I've made some mistakes, and will do everything I can to resolve the problem. I have in some cases, and am continuing to work on others.

I don't want to "go with the flow" as I've done, because sometimes that's not enough. Sometimes you just have to be proactive and not be "stagnant." Sometimes you have to look within yourself and do what you can to make things better.

With this in mind, I came to a realization the other day that, in some respects, I don't know a part of me as well as I should. Its weird. Its like when you are studying something, and you overlook something because you think you know it, but when someone actually quizzed you on it, you don't know that answer? It's like that.

"Oh, I know I'm like this or that." But then when you are "tested" on it, you don't turn out that way? But I guess the fact that I've recognized that is a good thing. And its something that I should work on.

I know, I'm confusing.

Blog, I miss you. Sorry I haven't been as faithful as I should. =)

Its times like these..

that I'm proud to be an American! Its times like these I'm proud to have Chicago as part of my hometown!

And I'm still watching coverage, albeit a bit refreshing that its Jon Stewart with the Daily Show that is a rerun from yesterday evening!

BBC was on all nite yesterday evening watching and waiting. I loved seeing Grant Park on the BBC, smiling at seeing all the people fill in to be part of the historic rally.

I fought hard to stay up to watch the swing state results, and after learning Obama was projected to win Pennsylvania and Ohio I hit the sack. 15 minutes later, as I distinctly remember the last time I looked at the clock at 3:45AM, Obama was officially declared the winner!

Congrats to President-Elect Barack Obama and VP-Elect Joe Biden.

I hope this "change" is just the beginning in America.

Pardon my French...

After wrapping up my long career with my old company, (more on that later), what better way to take some time off in between jobs!

After over 9 years in one company, I decided to take a break. 1 day and a weekend to be exact. Sad isn't it. Bad planning I call it!

Anyway, it was nice to get away and the destination was Paris. Why?

First, its easy to get to. None of this 2 hour before departure stuff and long queues at security. You can turn up 30 min of departure, check in, go through security and sit on the train. Its perfect.

Second, I didnt' want to hit a city that required much sightseeing. Luckily I've been before, so I wanted to get away from London and just relax.

Third, I'm learning French, so why not apply what I've learned!

It was a good and memorable trip. We spent the weekend mostly cafe hopping. I did get to experience a lot of Paris that I haven't seen. The St Germain De Pres and Le Marais neighborhoods were my favourites. I also fell in love with the Place des Vosges. We also hit destinations that I always wanted to check out such as walking on Pont Neuf, Pont des Arts, wandering around Montmartre, and visiting Musée d'Orsay.

There's just something about being able to hit a city, take in its culture, and relaxing. It was only a 3 day visit, but well worth it.

O-Town

For some odd reason, O-Town's song, "All or Nothing" entered my head this reason. Very strange. Anyway, it got me thinking about this blog. (And additionally, the disappearance of boy bands, and guilty pleasures in general, but I won't go there.) Specifically the fact that I haven't written in it as much as I've wanted to. I was thinking of opening the blog to more random topics as this whole "assimilation" project of living in the UK has gone stale. But I won't rant on that now...

What I do want to rant about is how funny it is learning a new language.

As part of my New Year's resolutions I posted back in January, I wanted a pick up a new skill. I'm actually picking up a couple of new skills, one of which is speaking French!

I have class every week and its so funny because I feel like an idiot trying to read and speak. When I'm reading, I feel like I'm in grade school, sounding out each word and reading ever so slowly. And when I speak, its just as bad. There's a bit of embarrassment as well as I feel my classmates know much more than I do. Its also something to get use to as we have homework due each week and of course, if I really want to learn it I have to study!

But I'll get there. Maybe at some point I can blog in french! Au revoir!

Tourist in my hometown

It's weird being a tourist in my hometown. I guess its no similar than me taking people around London. But, its weird mainly because I don't live here anymore, and coming back and visiting, and being a tourist, even though I use to live here... if that makes any sense. =)

In any case, we were at the Cubs game on Saturday when they clinched the division. Unforgettable experience. Bleachers too. I just hope they don't break my heart, again.

But its nice being back, and we've been blessed with such awesome weather! I think this week I'll get more sun than I did in all of the London summer! And when I mean sun, I mean, "biting your skin" sun. The sun where you say.. "wow, its hot." Not the, "wow its bright, but its still kind of mild" sun like we do in London.

In any case, I'm in enjoying the summer that never was, now.