Heartland of America Tour

Badlands National Park
June 17, 2005
Welcome to the American Heartland. Over a ten day period, Monica, myself, and the Nissan Sentra travelled 3,158 miles from Michigan to San Francisco. While many of us may have a negative impression of Middle America, we thought we would check it out and see what's truly out there. We were quite impressed.

From the fantastic National Parks like the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and the Badlands... to the awesome adventure activities like fly fishing and spelunking...to the more intriguing sites like the Corn Palace, Spam Museum, and Wall Drug...we can definitely confirm that there is plenty to see and do.

To access the full album, click on the link below. Enjoy.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=8sh1f8v.8y92mhkb&x=0&y=-hdwvon

Surprised?

Monica with Engagement Ring
April 13, 2005
After 8 years, or 100 months to be exact, I was able to 'surprise' Monica by flying out to Ann Arbor and proposing to her at a nice restaurant. Weeks of planning with her roommates paid off as Monica had to pinch herself (several times) to believe I was even there. After a few tears, tense moments of negotiation, and a couple of glasses of champagne, Monica finally said yes. (Okay, she said yes right away, but that doesn't make for a good email).

While many of you may think it is too early for such a crazy step in our relationship, we decided to say "what the hell, let's go for it." We look forward to celebrating with you all in the coming months when Monica returns to California.

Surfin' Costa Rica

Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
March 24, 2005
Reuniting the European backpacking team of Rishi, Poon, and Chen, we decided to hit up South America and see what Costa Rica had to offer over spring break. It took myself and Poon a while to get over there (TACA airlines bumped both of us), but it was well worth the wait. Costa Rica has everything to offer...fantastic beaches, strange wildlife, active volcanos, some of the world's best whitewater rafting, and awesome food (casados and more casados).

On top of that, Chen's med school buddies provided plenty of entertainment. I fell in love so much that I am planning to go back...on TACA's dime. So get ready to refresh your Spanish speaking skills and check out the pictures.

To access the full album, click on the link below:
http://www.snapfish.com/share/p=11341120541449209/l=52595366/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

Super Bowl Sunday

Alltel Stadium, Jackonsville
February 6, 2005
2005 will be remembered as one of the best and worst football seasons in recent memory. For the last three years, Yatin and I have been committed to going to the Super Bowl if the Eagles advanced. Of course, the last three years saw three consecutive heartbreaking losses in the NFC Championship. We decided that the only way we could actually see our Eagles was to finally to go Philly to root them into the Super Bowl. Success!

After surviving a snowstorm and below freezing temperatures, we were able to celebrate our victory NFC Championship by blowing a huge huge wad of cash to finally see the Super Bowl live and in person. While the outcome is not what we would have liked (why the hell didn't you guys run a 2-minute drill at the end of the game?!?!), it was a once in a lifetime experience.

Share in the highs and lows of being a Philly Eagles fan. Fly Eagles Fly.

To access the full album, click on the link below:
http://www.snapfish.com/share/p=292171121663985333/l=53984502/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

Boca, La Vida!

Buenos Aires, Argentina
December 18, 2004
Myself and thirty of my new friends (from Stanfurd Business School) decide to wreak havoc on South America and visit Punta del Este and Buenos Aires. It was the first time I have ever gone into a trip with:

a) Absolutely no planning whatsoever (and no guide book), relying solely on other people taking initiative. Fortunately I was traveling with Type A business school students, so things actually got done (thanks Angie and Louie)
b) No digital camera, as I was hoping others would take all of the pictures. So I cannot take credit for any of the pictures you will see in this album.
c) No intention of gaining any cultural experience beyond eating at great restaurants and partying at clubs. Needless to say I was quite exhausted at the end, and will need to go back to actually learn about Uruguay and Argentina. But it was a lot of fun.

Fortunately I got to hang out with a great group of people, eat some fantastic food, party till the sunrise almost everyday, riot with a few futbol fans, and even experience a true Argentinian wedding.

To access the full album, click on the link below::
http://www.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=24767242/t_=17402905

The Land of the Incas

Machu Picchu, Peru
August 23, 2004
To celebrate the end of my four year tenure at Bain, Ian and I decided to use my free month before the start of business school to explore Peru, the Land of the Incas. As always, the highlight of the trip was meant to be Machu Picchu and Cusco, but we wanted to explore all that Peru had to offer...including Lima, Arequipa, and Colka Canyon.

The country is simply amazing...a version of New Zealand, but with a much richer history. I learned plenty too...about the unique culture of a native Incans, the quality of Peru airline travel (LanPeru is the worst airline, ever), the great taste of alpaca (a local domesticated animal), and why we should hate the Spanish (killing off the Incas and all). That of course doesn't even include Machu Picchu, which is worth any amount of hype that people can label on it.

To access the full album, click on the link below:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=8sh1f8v.29xb8rtj&x=1&y=gopvdg

Adventures in Oz

Great Ocean Road, Australia
January 13, 2003
As many of you know, Monica recently visited the land of Oz as we took a week-long driving trip through the heart of the East Coast. Armed with a Mitsubishi Lancer, a Canon Powershot S30 digital camera, and a Lonely Planet East Coast Australia book, we took to driving on the wrong side of the road in Australia. We stopped in many of the larger towns of Port Stephens, Port McQuarie, Coff's Harbour, Byron Bay, and Brisbane...and some of the not so large towns, like Katoomba, Woolgoolga, Murwillumbah, Coolangatta, Gympie, Booti Booti, and Bangalow.

After a couple of wrong turns, some near death experiences, visits to many gorgeous beaches, and plenty of eaten meat pies (Aussie's version of the hot dog), the trip has come to a sad end. I thought I would send everyone a photo album which highlights some of the best parts of the trip and includes a small introduction into the wacky history of Australia (trust me on this one).

To access the full album, click on the link below:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=8sh1f8v.4vokn5b&x=1&y=-4dvd3x