TravelTalk - Paris 2012.

I can't believe how fast time flies by.  I was just seriously packing and going crazy ensuring I cleaned everything, packed everything and made sure everything was ready for the trip.  Not only have I arrived in Paris, but its almost time to go (at the time of this writing - tomorrow morning!!)

So... when people associate Paris, they ask me a lot of things, did I see the Louvre? Champs-Élysées? Eiffel Tower? and the weird thing the answer is - no, no and no.  To be honest, I spent little to no time in "Paris" for the exception of driving through it...

Yes, I have seen those places, but this isn't my second or third time here, I think its my 6-7th time in Paris and this particular trip was to hang out with a friend and catch up on school work and relax while enjoying Paris - specifically Vincennes, Paris - which is where I have been staying for the last couple of times.

This particular trip was a combination of sight seeing, hanging out with locals, barely understanding (rarely talking) in French, everytime I come to France, I seem to speak less and less French.  I probably just need to live here for a year and become a master of this language (but that's probably another trip).

Alright, so this trip, I visited Versailles for the first time and it was so beautiful.  Its just one of those things where you have to see for yourself the sheer magnitude, pristine surroundings and the various statues and castle is just breathtaking.  Actually, Marc made me close my eyes and I walked half a block with a my eyes clothes (which is quite scary) and even up some stairs. wow. so beautiful.

Another day, I spent it with locals (well Marc's maman, brother) in Maisons-Laffitte.  What was I doing in Maisons-Laffitte?  Well, it was the annual yard sale!  Locals in the city sell their things in the city center - highly organized (of course), with everyone choosing to participate having a certain section, which expanded 5 square blocks of the city center.  It was really cool.  I mean, seriously - who else gets to participate in selling things hanging out with French peeps away from Paris and just conversing.  Funny story - there was a lady who was interested in a sponge - she asked (in French), is the sponge "new"?  I told her that the item was 4 euros. HAHAHAH.

I also ran here in Vincennes, its actually one of my favorite places to run.  There are many lakes, beautiful green scenery, right next to a castle.  In the morning, I would run and then go straight to the boulangerie to buy croissants, eat breakfast and shower! I mean seriously, its a great place to be.

Of course partying! Yes, I drank one night (way too much wine), smoked too much cigs (that night - I haven't had any since)...

Oh food. lol yes the food here is just funtabolous. 

Marc's maman is so sweet.  She even bought me escargot and champagne (and crepes for dinner!)

   Well, you're probably waiting for pictures, so here they are...

From here, I am heading to Porto in the morning an pretty much spending the whole day traveling.  I mean the WHOLE day, flying and then the bus to A Coruña then to Ferrol.  Long day tomorrow, just relax and packing today!  That and more croissants.  Seriously - I've had about 20 while I'm here... =]

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

TravelTalk - What do pack for an 8-9 month trip!

I can't believe this is only my 2nd post this month, its not that nothing has been going on, its just I've been a combination of total and utter laziness and procrastination along with various other projects that are taking up most of my time, you know school and such as well as running around trying to get a visa in order.

So.  I realized this past weekend that I am leaving on Thursday.  Yes, this Thursday.  No, I haven't started packing yet, a lot of procrastination really, so I figure I would write a blog and help me itemize the things I would need to pack for a 8 month adventure to Ferrol, Spain.

I am not sure if you've had the time, but if you Google Ferrol, Spain, you'll find out its a rather small town (roughly 75,000 people), for us who are use to American conveniences, packing for Ferrol may be a bit of a challenge.  Yes - they have electricity, that is not what I am talking about, but rather, simple things that we perhaps would take for granted.  Example, while I am sure there are heaps of coffee places in Ferrol, Spain, sometimes you just want to go somewhere that you know, like Starbucks.  I am sure I will not have a problem finding black tea to drink at home, but just in case I am bringing a bag (with 50 bags) of Starbucks Tazo tea.  Another thing that I am packing is gels and goos - yes, I am sure there will be a gym for me to work out at, but things that I am use to (gels and goos) may or may not be available, and if they are - they are probably pricier.  For example, a San Disk 64GB Flash Drive at Amazon.com is 34.43 USD, the very same item in Europe is worth 45.36 EUR (CLICK HERE), which is 59.50 USD (a 73% premium over its US Counterpart), so its just little things like this that I have to figure out what will eventually save me monies in the long run.  No, I am not going to bring a printer (if I could check in a 2nd luggage for free, I would), but its $100 to check that in, so I will have to pass.  

Speaking of saving money, I ordered all of my electronic needs, pretty much all of the adapters and what not to plug in every imaginable device I would need, which is surprisingly not that many, I have sold heaps of my electronics and actually the only electronics I will be bringing is my unlocked iPhone 4 and my laptop (quite surprisingly really, I am rather astonished myself, but I figure the more electronics I bring, the greater likelihood I'd be out and about...)

Any ideas on things I should being, 8 months, 1 check in bag (not to exceed 50 pounds and 2 carry on - my rolling luggage and duffle bag)

Trick is, put all your heavy things (and important) in your carry on - so all books, jeans (as many shoes as possible) are in the rolling luggage, since I'm flying United - they always ask for carry on luggage to be checked in - so there you go! Just gotta pass security!

Duffle bag - pack the most important, expensive and a change of clothes. 

Try to put it at your feet and not overhead (if possible)...  

So... Packing List, which I will be breaking up into 4 categories (in CAPS below) 

CONVENIENCES

-Starbucks Tazo Tea

-Various Running Gels

-GNC AMP Protein Performance

(Yes, I am bringing a huge jug of protein, I figure my luggage is huge and weighs 15 pounds, so to make sure its not overweight, I will put huge, things that are light.)

-Toiletries (Origin Shaving Cream, Special Floss, etc!)

-Running belt (with water bottles!)

ELECTRONICS

-Laptop and chargers

-iPhone and accessories

-Camera (both DSR and POS)

-Debating on buying a tablet

SCHOOL

-books

-books

-books

-books

(FML)

CLOTHES

(This is the trickiest part really!!!)

-4 pairs of jeans (1 of which wearing on the plane)

3 shoes (boots worn on plane - heaviest!)

-2 dress pants

-Socks

-Dress shirts

OMG. So many things to pack... What else should I add on my list!?

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

ElectionTalk - DNC - Michelle Obama Speech

I haven't decided who I'm moving for this upcoming election, but after watching the RNC and now the DNC, I think Michelle Obama's speech has pretty much sealed the deal for me.

Here is a YouTube video of Michelle Obama's DNC Speech.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

TechTalk - 2 reasons why I HATE Windows Phone

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the Operating system, the live updating tiles, the integration between the various social networks.  Actually, I've had two Windows Phones the past year - a Dell Venue Pro and a HTC HD7.  I would completely recommend Windows Phone to anyone as long as they understand the Two  Reasons I Hate Windows Phone.  Yes, its a love/hate relationship.  We're currently in the broken up stages.  I currently have an Android phone.

Reason #1 - Hard Reset

A "hard reset" is basically erasing everything off your phone as if it were brand new.  While this may not appear to be a big deal, there isn't a way to re-download all of your apps automatically.  Apple iPhone have the iTunes ecosystem where all apps are stored locally, so theoretically, you can just "sync" your phone.  While Windows Phone uses Zune (and its great at wireless syncing) if you have need to perform a hard reset, you will be forced to manually download all of your apps via your phone or (online Windows Marketplace).

Why do I need to perform a hard reset?

Your Windows phone is tied to a Windows LIVE email (you don't have to use a .LIVE or .HOTMAIL), but once you set up your email as a Windows Live email, that is set on your mobile device.  Recently, my Xbox live account was hacked and after contacting Xbox support, they changed the Windows LIVE associated with my account for "safety reasons" with a new random email.  This basically renders your Marketplace useless, if you try to assess application or update your phone - your phone will AUTOMATICALLY provide your current Windows LIVE email, with another Gamertag.

If you aren't a gamer, this probably isn't a big deal, but many Windows Phone users love to play games and probably currently have an Xbox as well and achievement points are just topping on the cake, needless to say changing emails and gamertags is a frustrating experience.  There is a workaround, but it will involve you (not xbox) creating another email, associating your current (unused) gamertag to that email and finally associating your email with your original gamertag.  Needless to say, I no longer a windows phone after this experience.

Reason #2 - Applications

While the number of applications is just a number to me in regards to marketplaces, there are applications that doesn't exist in the Windows ecosystem that I like to use on nearly a daily basis.

Applications such as Yelp (the Windows version doesn't have a check in method), RunKeeper (an application which tracks your workouts - cycling, running, etc.), Instagram (my current favorite picture sharing application).  Check out http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/marketplace before you decide on a Windows phone - chances are you've invested in an Apple or Android ecosystem and your favorite applications may not be available on this ecosystem.

Microsoft, I love your operating system and I wish you the best with the release of Windows 8, but being an early Windows phone adopter and not having access to the latest and greatest after 2 iterations of the operating system is quite a bit much to bear.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

TechTalk - Phone and Texting Etiquette

Considering that I occasionally blog about technology, not to mention I am switching phones again (I think this makes 6-7 phones the past year), that technology rules every aspect of my life - the truth is it sort of does, except in one aspect - in person communication.

I realized this particular notion when spending time with an individual who was consistently on the phone - texting, surfing, etc.

I am not saying abandon your phone completely, but there are probably times you should use your phone in front of others and when you shouldn't.

When to use your phone:
-Waiting for another individual to arrive (so you know where to meet, etc.)
-When the other person is going to the bathroom
-Talking about technology and showing an application or phone feature
-Talking about an individual and they asked to see a recent photo
-When you're searching for directions

When not to use your phone:
-All other times.
-When having dinner or lunch

Maybe, I'm a bit old-fashioned when it comes to communication.  I have a few handful of friends around the world and when we finally have time to spend together - emails can wait (when does an email really need a response?), texts can wait (its probably not that serious), phone calls (sure if you have kids, etc., but 99% they're probably fine - you were raised without your parents having a cell phone - chances are they're ok).

What do you think? Am I getting old?! 

When do you think its acceptable to use your phone to text, email, talk on the phone?

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.