From one European apple known as Prague to New York City (a.k.a. The Big Apple,) to Washington, D.C., to Delaware, back to D.C., then Baltimore, D.C. again, and then Delaware once more, only to finish off in New York City...PHEW! that's so much traveling in 3 weeks! In any case, I had finally arrived in the USA and now I'm back again! Words cannot describe how happy I am to have been home for two weeks and to be able to see so many people that I've missed entirely too much. There are so many things that I looked forward to doing while there, and there were also long lists of things to be accomplished as well. Nevertheless, allow me to chronicle some of the things that took place the first few days prior to arriving in New York City.
After having begun my vacation 3 weeks ago, a few friends and I found it fitting to take a trip before I came home, celebrate, and most importantly get in a last little bit of traveling. Consequently, 5 of us agreed on dates and a location, and once Friday night rolled around we found ourselves in Prague, Czech Republic! Many of you loyal readers already know my excitement for this city as the last time I made my way there (my only previous visit) I had an unforgettable time. It is fair to say that this weekend, too, was unforgettable in many aspects, albeit on a different level. I indulged in activities I had never done before (some of them legal, and well...some of them not at all haha) partied/danced my ass off with my travel buddies and new-found friends, but I think one of the biggest highlights of my weekend was meeting a girl that I made an extremely positive and strong connection with. Anna resides in Germany in a city north of me, and is a terrible, TERRIBLE liar hahaha. Nevertheless, after having danced together a little bit, getting to know her actually consisted of us learning one another through extensive conversation in an isolated table in the shadows of a loud and crowded lounge.
While at first our interaction was almost as generic as any others we've both had in our past, there came a point in which a strong an mutual attraction became evident and we ended up calling each other out on our bullshit lies and actually presented ourselves as we truly are. We confessed our attractions, and agreed that if it wasn't true we wouldn't be spending time away from our respective friends and having fun with everyone else. The only bad part of it was that it almost seemed as if it happened at the wrong time, as the next day I would be heading back to Germany in order to fly over to the US. I was cognizant of this, and decided right then and there that this was a person I honestly and truly wanted to get to know, so I exchanged contact information with her and promised to be in touch. I know that I'm the kind of man that when I see something I want, I HAVE to have it. This situation is no different. It's now been many days since this happened, but honestly I'm still on a high from it, and am hoping that it won't fall through...we'll see.
That Sunday I got back to Illesheim and spent time mit mein Kumpel Danny. Early on Monday morning I took the train to Frankfurt and boarded my 9 hour flight into the US. After being heavily questioned by US Customs, per usual! GGRRRR!!!! I made my way into the city and met up with one of my first roommates from college, Jaisal Noor. These days, Jaisal is a journalist in New York City and he's a frequent correspondent for democracynow.org and therealnews.com. Check out some of his work here and here. He was an amazing host; when I first got there we caught up for a little bit and then took the subway over to the World Trade Center to dine in a near-by Chipotle restaurant, which I had been craving all year! So delicious! Afterwards, we met up with one of his colleagues, Eric Stoner. The three of us took the PATH over to Jersey City as Eric is a professor at St. Peter's College and he had a class to teach that afternoon. On the ride there I got to know a lot about Eric, his prior endeavors, and his extensive involvement in non-violent demonstrations and protests along peace-keeping as well. Truth be told, I told Eric about my current situation right now with becoming a conscientious objector, and he told me that he's worked extensively with GI hotlines in the past and that he's knowledgable in that regard. He then asked me if I would share my personal experience in his lecture, and afforded me the opportunity to give a last-minute speech at his lecture. Overall, it was a new and positive experience in which I got a lot of feedback as well, and I even shared my blog with several people.
The remainder of my time in NYC was absolutely splendid, mainly catching up with my old roommate as well as taking it day by day. I think part of the reason why I had decided to fly into NYC was because I had never really given it a chance on my previous visits and was extremely critical of it. However, this time around I decided to see the NYC that the locals see and experience by completely neglecting any of the tourist attractions to get a better taste of what the city is actually like. After spending 3 days there, I made my way down to my hometown: Washington, D.C. Although the majority of my trip seemed almost like nothing but business, it was extremely satisfying to finally be back in the one place on earth where my heart belongs, regardless of my geographical location. I spent an unprecedented amount of time with my mother, which was a great thing, but my only draw-back was not being able to see many of the people I hoped to see while home. I suppose that the important thing was that I at least was able to see the people that I love the most including my family and closest friends. I also had the pleasure of meeting a collection of pleasurable people during my time home including some of Eugene's friends in the likes of Panos and his international crew, dined and wined with the beautiful Erica Shoemaker, and of course caught up with Daisy over drinks, Marcelle on the dancefloor, and Nick and Chetan through an absolute and utter rage in downtown Baltimore. Overall, I am endlessly thankful for everyone that made an effort to come out and see me, my apologies to those that didn't have the pleasure of seeing me haha ;) and an even more special apology to Eugene and Nick for my drunken episode in Baltimore. I'll make it up to you both, you have my word.
Although being home consisted mainly of taking care of business as well as catching up with my loved ones, perhaps my biggest take away was the clarity that I received on many of the things that haunt me today. I have come to a realization and decisive point about so many things I still need to work on as a person and a grown man, I understand how much more maturing is still ahead of me, the sense of urgency that I need to have with the serious tasks and obstacles that are quickly approaching me with this coming year, and several other things that deserve and will be elaborated on in an upcoming post. I left Germany 3 weeks ago as a different man than I came back, and many of these changes will manifest themselves on my daily routines and way of life beginning Today. I understand that every second on this earth is not only valuable, but beautiful as well and refuse to waste a single one. I will work restlessly to achieve and obtain the things I want; nothing nor anyone will stop me from doing or getting what I want...and that is 100% honest.
On the news front, James will be arriving in Illesheim tomorrow Thursday, and will spend the following 10 days with me, in which I plan to show him the parts of Bayern that I know and love, as well as exploring along with him too. As far as I'm concerned, New Year's Eve is still a work in progress, but there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this may very well be one of the best, if not the best NYE I've ever had. So much more to write about, but not enough words nor time. A big big BIG thank you to everyone that took part in my life throughout the last 3 weeks, and a very special 'I'll See You Soon' to those that will play a part in these coming days and weeks. It's been a long time since I've said this, and there is no better time than now: I LOVE MY LIFE! ;)
Peace and love to all,
-Jay
After having begun my vacation 3 weeks ago, a few friends and I found it fitting to take a trip before I came home, celebrate, and most importantly get in a last little bit of traveling. Consequently, 5 of us agreed on dates and a location, and once Friday night rolled around we found ourselves in Prague, Czech Republic! Many of you loyal readers already know my excitement for this city as the last time I made my way there (my only previous visit) I had an unforgettable time. It is fair to say that this weekend, too, was unforgettable in many aspects, albeit on a different level. I indulged in activities I had never done before (some of them legal, and well...some of them not at all haha) partied/danced my ass off with my travel buddies and new-found friends, but I think one of the biggest highlights of my weekend was meeting a girl that I made an extremely positive and strong connection with. Anna resides in Germany in a city north of me, and is a terrible, TERRIBLE liar hahaha. Nevertheless, after having danced together a little bit, getting to know her actually consisted of us learning one another through extensive conversation in an isolated table in the shadows of a loud and crowded lounge.
While at first our interaction was almost as generic as any others we've both had in our past, there came a point in which a strong an mutual attraction became evident and we ended up calling each other out on our bullshit lies and actually presented ourselves as we truly are. We confessed our attractions, and agreed that if it wasn't true we wouldn't be spending time away from our respective friends and having fun with everyone else. The only bad part of it was that it almost seemed as if it happened at the wrong time, as the next day I would be heading back to Germany in order to fly over to the US. I was cognizant of this, and decided right then and there that this was a person I honestly and truly wanted to get to know, so I exchanged contact information with her and promised to be in touch. I know that I'm the kind of man that when I see something I want, I HAVE to have it. This situation is no different. It's now been many days since this happened, but honestly I'm still on a high from it, and am hoping that it won't fall through...we'll see.
That Sunday I got back to Illesheim and spent time mit mein Kumpel Danny. Early on Monday morning I took the train to Frankfurt and boarded my 9 hour flight into the US. After being heavily questioned by US Customs, per usual! GGRRRR!!!! I made my way into the city and met up with one of my first roommates from college, Jaisal Noor. These days, Jaisal is a journalist in New York City and he's a frequent correspondent for democracynow.org and therealnews.com. Check out some of his work here and here. He was an amazing host; when I first got there we caught up for a little bit and then took the subway over to the World Trade Center to dine in a near-by Chipotle restaurant, which I had been craving all year! So delicious! Afterwards, we met up with one of his colleagues, Eric Stoner. The three of us took the PATH over to Jersey City as Eric is a professor at St. Peter's College and he had a class to teach that afternoon. On the ride there I got to know a lot about Eric, his prior endeavors, and his extensive involvement in non-violent demonstrations and protests along peace-keeping as well. Truth be told, I told Eric about my current situation right now with becoming a conscientious objector, and he told me that he's worked extensively with GI hotlines in the past and that he's knowledgable in that regard. He then asked me if I would share my personal experience in his lecture, and afforded me the opportunity to give a last-minute speech at his lecture. Overall, it was a new and positive experience in which I got a lot of feedback as well, and I even shared my blog with several people.
The remainder of my time in NYC was absolutely splendid, mainly catching up with my old roommate as well as taking it day by day. I think part of the reason why I had decided to fly into NYC was because I had never really given it a chance on my previous visits and was extremely critical of it. However, this time around I decided to see the NYC that the locals see and experience by completely neglecting any of the tourist attractions to get a better taste of what the city is actually like. After spending 3 days there, I made my way down to my hometown: Washington, D.C. Although the majority of my trip seemed almost like nothing but business, it was extremely satisfying to finally be back in the one place on earth where my heart belongs, regardless of my geographical location. I spent an unprecedented amount of time with my mother, which was a great thing, but my only draw-back was not being able to see many of the people I hoped to see while home. I suppose that the important thing was that I at least was able to see the people that I love the most including my family and closest friends. I also had the pleasure of meeting a collection of pleasurable people during my time home including some of Eugene's friends in the likes of Panos and his international crew, dined and wined with the beautiful Erica Shoemaker, and of course caught up with Daisy over drinks, Marcelle on the dancefloor, and Nick and Chetan through an absolute and utter rage in downtown Baltimore. Overall, I am endlessly thankful for everyone that made an effort to come out and see me, my apologies to those that didn't have the pleasure of seeing me haha ;) and an even more special apology to Eugene and Nick for my drunken episode in Baltimore. I'll make it up to you both, you have my word.
Although being home consisted mainly of taking care of business as well as catching up with my loved ones, perhaps my biggest take away was the clarity that I received on many of the things that haunt me today. I have come to a realization and decisive point about so many things I still need to work on as a person and a grown man, I understand how much more maturing is still ahead of me, the sense of urgency that I need to have with the serious tasks and obstacles that are quickly approaching me with this coming year, and several other things that deserve and will be elaborated on in an upcoming post. I left Germany 3 weeks ago as a different man than I came back, and many of these changes will manifest themselves on my daily routines and way of life beginning Today. I understand that every second on this earth is not only valuable, but beautiful as well and refuse to waste a single one. I will work restlessly to achieve and obtain the things I want; nothing nor anyone will stop me from doing or getting what I want...and that is 100% honest.
On the news front, James will be arriving in Illesheim tomorrow Thursday, and will spend the following 10 days with me, in which I plan to show him the parts of Bayern that I know and love, as well as exploring along with him too. As far as I'm concerned, New Year's Eve is still a work in progress, but there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this may very well be one of the best, if not the best NYE I've ever had. So much more to write about, but not enough words nor time. A big big BIG thank you to everyone that took part in my life throughout the last 3 weeks, and a very special 'I'll See You Soon' to those that will play a part in these coming days and weeks. It's been a long time since I've said this, and there is no better time than now: I LOVE MY LIFE! ;)
Peace and love to all,
-Jay
