MMXI

Well 2010 begins to wind down and that's another year (and decade!) in the books. This year would have been a bust if it hasn't been for Australia. I've met amazing people so far and glad I went for it when I still had the chance. The year has been crazy with unsuccessful FBI interviews, AT&T, Stubblefields and who could forget Andrew and my trip to Canada. It started "Two Guys One iPhone" (TGOI) and while it sounded like a great idea, that was our only adventure. Which means Andrew needs to hurry up and get down to Australia so we can continue that series.... And lastly, the start of my Chinese teachings have also been a good response to the year. Come the end of 2011, I hope to be able to fluently carry a conversation in Chinese and then begin to re-learn the German that I lost years ago as well.

But all in all, it was a good year with good people and good memories. I'm glad to say 2011 is going to be even better with trips to Asia, New Zealand and finishing my masters degree at Bond University in December. From there, who knows wherever life will take me or the wind blows or the sun shines I guess. My tentative goals for 2011:

-Skydive
-Bungee jump
-Asia
-Tasmania
-New Zealand
-Drop down to 220lbs or lower (at 244 right now, started at 260 in Sept.)
-Graduate Bond University with a masters in criminology
-Watch the Seahawks, Mariners, Sounders and Cougs all go to championship games (ha)
-Just enjoy life overall

I sit here now drugged up on Benadryl since the weather and humidity have increased significantly. I think the fact of watching over two dogs is also contributing to it. But they keep me company so I can't complain! So wherever you are, or whatever you are doing, I hope you all have an amazing end of 2010 and ring in 2011 the right way: alive and juiced up on Jim Beam! Miss you all and here's to MMXI!

Cheers and 再见！

-H

Movember

In 2007, I became aware of a growing trend on campus that all the men were participating in called "No Shave November". The premise behind it was, well, to not shave at all for the whole month of November. Unfortunately for me, I could not participate because working at Pizza Hut required strict grooming standards. However, come November 2008, I was fully ready to participate and take on the world. I don't grow much hair on my body, but after 30 days of not touching the razor, it became evident that most of that hair grows on my face. Not to mention the feel of a smooth face with some Nivea for men aftershave on December 1st is AMAZING.

Returning home for winter break and Christmas to the family was strange to them as they had no idea what their son was doing. Let alone, the Christmas pictures of their hideously looking child! Come 2009, I participated yet again, this time holding a full time job at AT&T and part time at the night club I worked at. The night club wasn't so bad, but I have a feeling my sales were drastically lower than usual because of that rugged look at AT&T. My boss just rolled his eyes as I let it grow out and asked when I was going to shave, and I promptly told him "Not til December 1st".

It wasn't until last year that I found out the purpose behind "No shave November". The idea of not shaving for the whole month originally was created by a group of Aussies down in Adelaide. The idea was to show support and raise awareness for men's health issues, more specifically prostate cancer and depression. Much like you see someone with a LIVESTRONG bracelet and you immediately now it's for testicular cancer within men, the symbol of not shaving is a way of showing support to those going through health issues.

However, the only difference is down here they call it "Movember". Moustache and November (obviously). So instead of growing your hair out, you just grow out a moustache. It seems a bit bizarre to me, but I am assuming many Aussie men can't grow full beards but only moustaches? Who knows... but now I have to shave everything BUT my moustache until the 1st. Which partially sucks, because after a few days, I look absolutely disgusting with just a moustache. So this year, as always, I'm helping raise awareness for prostate cancer and depression among men! See you on December 1st!

Cheers!

-H