Around the world in 24 Days

The trip around the world has begun!

I am blogging from a free internet terminal in Singapore Changi Airport. The journey so far has been a trip, pun intended. I missed my connection in Singapore so now I have an extra flight. If you are following my trip, here it is:

Aug. 23 - Frankfurt - Singapore - Hong Kong - Taipei
Sept. 6 - Taipei - San Francisco - Seattle - Spokane
Sept. 10 - Spokane - Phoenix - Philadelphia - Frankfurt

More to come!

Blog Tracker

Ok, I admit, I am not the most reliable blogger. I keep the blog so that I can write about new exciting things going on over here in Germany or where ever in the world I may be, that way friends, family and anyone else can live vicariously through me. :) But this means that if I am staying in Bonn for an extended period of time, chances are, I do not update the blog at all.

In addition, I like reading some blogs, but I don't check them all every day, mainly because there are others like me that do not post every day (sometimes every week). If I haven't looked at it recently, I usually forget to look at it.

But, I found something that helps me and wanted to share it with you, to help you avoid looking at my blog and realizing, I didn't write anything recently. I use Blogarithm, you sign up, give it the URLs of the blogs you want to follow and it sends you an e-mail daily for any of your blogs that have been updated in the previous 24 hours. There are probably other similar services out there, and they may be better, I just settled on the first one I found that did what I wanted. The can be found at www.blogarithm.com

Single Again (updated)

So, for the first time in many years, I am (un)technically single again...

I drove my wife and son to Frankfurt Airport today to send them on their way for the beginning of what is just short of a three month trip. First they are going to her parent's house to drop off luggage and set the house up for the baby. Then I will meet them in Asia to pick our daughter up and return to the US with them. Then, if we want to continue to eat and have a place to live, I have to return to Europe to work while they wait for certificates and passports. Which leaves me on my own in Europe for most of the next three months.

To be fair, it works out, especially as it has enabled me to over schedule implementation projects for work. Normally, I wouldn't have scheduled so much because of the travel required, but since they aren't going to be here, might as well make sure the target objectives for this year are met and exceeded [finally bonus eligible this year:)]

Well, it was sad to see them off, but the bachelor life beckons... catch up on e-mail, go for bicycle ride, defrost the freezer... Oh yeah, the good ol' days.

UPDATE:

So, for the first meal, I figured nothing says "family is gone" like fries, chicken nuggets and a Kölsch Beer. Speaking of Kölsch, I am going to miss this stuff when we move back to the States... I used to like Sam Adams and Yuengling Lager. On recent trips to the US I have had both, but they just don't compare to the German Beer...

Wonderful Week!

Well, I did it - made it to Platinum. The flight to Miami put me over the top. Once I get the return miles added in, I will be 17,000 miles away from Chairman's Club - still can't wait to see what the color of that e-mail is...

This isn't what made last week wonderful though! It did start with travel related wonderfulness...

I flew to Miami and reserved a rental with National. They have the Emerald Club, which, if you are a member and reserve a mid-size car through your account means you can take advantage of the Emerald Aisle. You just walk up to any car in the Emerald Aisle, hop in and drive off - no counters! Plus, most sites have better than mid-size cars there. As I was on the shuttle bus I was scouting for the Aisle - spotted it and saw a PT Cruiser Convertible - BINGO! It was a really nice drive from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale with the top down!

Then, to end the work week, I booked a quick flight to Philly to see family. Good ol' US Airways came through for me. Once you are a silver member, you can get free upgrades to First Class on domestic flights if it is available. The higher your status, the earlier you can upgrade. The great part is if you book with your DM number, you don't have to do a thing! 3 days before the flight I received an e-mail telling me I was upgraded - Bingo #2!

In addition, on Friday we finally got the word that we can go pick up our daughter from the orphanage in Taiwan in a few weeks - #3.

Finally, the wonderful week ended by spending the weekend at my Mom's house and seeing all of the family in NJ that I could. Plus some friends who have a little boy I haven't met yet. Of course, for all of the wonderfulness of the trip, it was great to get home too!

Well, the "Where in the World" spot will be changing as things are finalized, Chairman's will get here very, very soon...