Driggs: Getting Settled (11/20-23)

After arriving in Driggs, I had a few days to settle in and get situated with my new life here.  Granted, I might only be here for 2 months (never say never, right?) but I had a lot of things to do in that period of time so I wanted to get started on the right foot.  Hit the ground running, as they say.

My parent's home in Driggs, Idaho

Getting in Shape

One of my goa...Read more

Seattle to Driggs: The Oregon Trail (11/17-18)

First Leg: Seattle, Washington -> Lake Oswego, Oregon (11/17)

182 miles

Monday morning we loaded up the car and my mom, step-dad and I hit the road down to Oregon.  I managed to stay awake up until Tacoma but then jet lag got the better of me and I crashed for the rest of the way to Lake Oswego.Read more

Seattle: My Sister's Birthday (11/14-17)

Friday, November 14, 2008

I caught my afternoon flight from SFO to Seattle on Alaska Airlines and arrived just after the sun set.  It felt later than it was since the sun sets much later in Hong Kong, but it made me feel more like I was in the midsts of winter.

My sister, Linda, picked me up and after 30 minutes or so we arrived at her home in Ballard.  My step-father, Reid, had an event to attend so Linda, my mom and I went to the Indian restaurant that catered my sister's wedding this past Ju...Read more

Berkeley: Back in the Bay (11/12-14)

Finally touching down on U.S. soil.  It felt a little strange.  I realize I was just here in June for my sister's wedding, but that was a short trip and this had more of a "permanence" about it.  I would be staying in the U.S. for more than just a couple weeks ... I would be here at least for a few months.  It was taking a bit of time to get used to.

I was picked up at the airport by James from Wushu West.  We trekked across the Bay Bridge, made a pit stop for some caffeine and money in Emeryville an...Read more

Xi'an / H.K. / Taiwan / USA: Four Countries in 2 Days (11/11-12)

Waking up in Xi'an on the morning of the 11th, I don't think I fully realized the extent of traveling that I would be doing over the course of the following 2 days (well, technically three days, but I'm just counting the dates, not the hours involved).  But it was a good bit of travelling and a brand new start to the next chapter of my life ...

November 11 - Xi'an, China

After finishing our packing, x2 and I went down to the lobby and checked out of the hotel...Read more

Beijing / Xi'an 2008: Day 8 - Terracotta Warriors (11/9)

Although the women's nationals were starting up, I realized that I had been in Xi'an for almost a week and had not seen the "8th Wonder of the World", the Terracotta Warriors.  So x2 and I opted out of another day of wushu watching and I did a bit of research online to see the best way to get out to where they were.

Sadly, Shahaub was heading back to Beijing on this day so we had to say goodbye to him.  After we headed to our favorite muslim dumpling restaurant for a bit o...Read more

Beijing / Xi'an 2008: Day 9 - Goodbye Wu Di, Hello Shopping (11/10)

I pre-dated this blog so as it is released I am currently flying from Taiwan to San Francisco.  But this blog pretty much brings me almost up to date.  Enjoy!

After the long day checking out the Terracotta Warriors, we ended up sleeping in for a bit.  However, we couldn't sleep too long since we had arranged to go meet up with Wu Di after his morning practice session with the Chinese National Team.

Being on the Chinese National Team is a big deal, but there are differ...Read more

Beijing / Xi'an 2008: Day 5 - Men's Nationals Starts (11/6)

At last the competition had arrived!  We got up super early at 6:30 to get ready and make sure we were able to grab some breakfast before it started.  Once again we had the free breakfast buffet offered by the hotel.  Once again, it wasn't very good.

x2 and shahaub at breakfast

Four of us (Zane, Shahaub, x2 and I) grabbed a taxi out to the ven...Read more

Beijing / Xi'an 2008: Day 7 - Wu Di Gets Gold! (11/8)

It was the last day of competition for the Men's nationals.  Just two more events left in the morning and then the Women's Nationals would start on the next morning. 

Zane had left early for the competition and so Shahaub, x2 and I quickly grabbed our breakfast at the hotel and headed out to the venue to catch Wu Di's spear competition.  We saw a bit of the staff (cudgel) too, which wasn't bad, but I was mainly hoping that Wu Di would do well.

And, as you probably know...Read more

Beijing / Xi'an 2008: Day 1 - Beijing Sightseeing (11/2)

As most of you know, I am no longer employed at alivenotdead.com.  What this means for my blog is, I will actually have enough free time to post up some blogs and let folks know what I'm up to.

As I had about 2 weeks between my last day at alivenotdead and the time I had to leave for the U.S., I took the opportunity to take a trip up to Beijing and Xi'an to check out t...Read more