This one's for you!

I've come to a crossroad in this journey of mine.
I've learned that sometimes love isn't enough and that sometimes love hurts. A very, very smart person recently gave me this advice, "It's always most important to put the other person's feelings first," and "ask yourself, am I acting in love?" As of late I haven't done this.
With a loved one's best interests and feelings in mind, I'm beginning a new chapter in life by leaving my beloved city of Chicago.
After a wonderful dinner with some friends last night, I have decided to create a blog. Like most blogs, its purpose is to keep friends and family up to date with what's going on in my life.
I don't anticipate writing every day, but I do plan on posting any major events that occur in my life. In addition to being a journal of events in my life I MAY use this as an outlet for thoughts, but we'll see.
I'm not so arrogant that I think there are masses of people interested in hearing about my adventures, trials or tribulations; but I care about my friends and family and sometimes finding the time to catch up is difficult. Sometimes I think it's worse to abbreviate the process, as I did during dinner last night.
I've shared special experiences with every person in attendance last night (except for Grace, whom it was my first time meeting) and want everyone to know that I remember and cherish those experiences.
Obviously, for some of you, there are decades of experiences we share. Here are just a few... Let's start alphabetically:

Abby G.-

We howled at the moon for your birthday together and were the only pros at sink the biz! There have never been boring moments when we've hung out together.

Abby V.-

There are many many stories here. Abby's favorite is probably when we (Leo and I) made her ride in the back seat with the windows down in the dead of winter. Mine are the late night phone conversations about any one of the chicks I was having drama with.

Bardo-

Man, we go back to freaking kindergarten! You gave me one of the most special opportunities in my life when you asked me to stand in your wedding and I'm lucky to have as good of a life long friend as you.

Kafka (his first name starts with a "B")-

Dude! Sega/Super Nintendo everyday after school.... the power pad... your sisters getting uber pissed at me because I'd call so early on Saturday morning! Chilling in your backyard during the summer... You guys made coming home from college to Oak Lawn so much more fun...

Cindy-

I still remember when Michelle tried to hook us up in 8th grade and meeting at Oak Brook mall!
Recently, Thai food at my old apartment was lots of fun... actually watching you make the cheesecakes and eating the brownies was what I liked!

Dhara (pronounced: da-ha-ra; just kidding)-

My SLU buddy... the chick that thinks it's weird that I know her neighborhood AND the area she went to college in. My friend that is going to be on a team of physicians with the task of saving my fat ass sometime later in my life... I'm a snob and only want the best, and that's what she's going to be... one of the best physicians around.




Erik B.-

Probably the person on this list with the fewest experiences together, but what lacks in quantity is made up for in quality! Always a fun time with this guy... Hearing some of the stories of his college days from his friend the other night reminded me of me! We tore up the town on my last weekend and he's a good guy. He too would be a part of the army of physicians I'm going to retain if he weren't so set on being an OB/GYN. But damn is he going to be a great OB/GYN.

Eric Y.; a.k.a. "E-tim"-

This guy... all these years and we're, seriously, probably family! This guy is down for anything and is a rock, always there. I have never been so hungry, eaten so much, and been so full with any other person. I blame E-tim for me being as fat as I am... but he's got phenomenol taste in food! Moncada forever!

Jaime B.-

I can't think of anyone else I'd have NOT teaching my kids than this chick. Just kidding!
She is so incredibly down to earth and was mature beyond her years back when I first met her in high school. Seeing her always brings a smile to my face and I'm lucky that she let Brian ask me to stand in her wedding.

Josh-

Of all the memories I have of Josh, nothing jumps at me more than the time we partied together when I lived in Oak Park. He single-handedly battled Jack Daniel and kicked his ass. I've never seen anyone finish an entire 5th of JD and be able to see, stand and walk as coherently as him. Unbelievable... on top of that, he's a hell of a golfer and, this is for Abby, an incredible catch!

J-
(Sorry there's no picture, no camera does this guys muscles justice!)
First off ladies, this guy is RIPPED! We used to party back in the day and we've chilled ever since. He's got this quiet strength thing going on that seems zen like. Maybe I should start calling him "master."

Karl-

yes ladies, it's the same Karl from Beauty and the Geek 2!
Karl is just an absolutely nice, good hearted guy that knows how to have fun. Partying with him is great because he's hilarious! One time he got drunk and decided to play hide and seek... by himself! He and Josh also introduced me to the Wii, and although it is tons of fun to play, I still have to be loyal to my PS3. Sorry!
and oh... he's super strong too.. I once saw him carry a 37-inch tube tv that weighed 200 lbs up 5 flights of stairs!

Leo-

What more can I say... this guy is my best friend. Sometimes we get on each other's nerves, sometimes we annoy each other, and sometimes we have completely different interests. At the end of it all, he's there for me, as I am for him. There's not a thing in the world I wouldn't do for this guy. Over 14 years we've been through our own trials and tribulations and after 14 years he's still there for me.

Natalie-

As of late she's turned into my partner in crime. Whether we're tearing up trivia night at the local pub; having a night out on the town, or sitting around watching TV, it's always a fun time. I admire her strength, drive and focus in everything she does (especially when it comes to not wanting to get Strep again). She has been a wonderful friend and I don't know that I could have gotten through the past months without her.

Rene-

My quiet, hot friend. In high school we had girls on the north side, west side, south side, and in the city! He's always been there in my times of need and been a source of strength in my life. I still remember a time when I came home from college for the holidays and he was in the Philippines. He came back real late the night before I was heading back to school. This guy didn't even go home after the airport... didn't go to see his girlfriend at the time... he drove 45 minutes in the opposite direction of his house to come chill with me before I left. I can't even count the times he's asked who's ass we're going to have to kick to make things right.... We've both been incredibly busy and we haven't been able to chill as much as we used to but he's been there when it matters and always is.

Rommel-

Probably one of the most creative and funny persons I know. There is never a dull moment with this guy and some of the times I've laughed the hardest have been with him. If this guy can't make you smile then no one can!






I'm so greatful to have all of you as friends and thankful to you all for making it to my dinner. Again, I apologize it didn't provide us the opportunity to actually hang out as intimately as I would have liked.

TO THE REST OF ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY,
You may not be listed above but your impact on my life does not go on unrecognized.
Now buckle your seat belts, I'm going to take you on one hell of a ride!
In the coming weeks I'll be travelling to San Diego, Phoenix, LA, Anaheim, Long Beach, San Francisco, Westminster, Portland, Seattle, Boston and possibly Kuwait City via Houston, Texas.
Where will I end up?
Place your bets.

One thing is for sure, having as good friends and family as you all make it difficult to leave Chicago, but the lonely road ahead isn't so lonely knowing I have friends like you all.

I'm blessed and truly thankful for your presence in my life...

Please continue to visit this site every so often.
This blog is meant for you.

California here I come...