State of the Union Address 2012

Each year the President of the United States gives a speech on how things in the country are running, and gives an outlook of the year ahead, and how to go about accomplishing the goals set forth by the country. I think that in a relationship, they same thing should be done. To ensure things are headed in the right direction, and to outline the challenges ahead, so that they can be planned for and things can be adapted in case anything drifts off course.

Thus far, it has been 323 days. And I really don't have anything negative to say aside from the fact that we can't agree on what to have what for breakfast, and going to fast food restaurants is a nightmare waiting to happen.

As the end of college was winding down, things were moving so fast and so much was going on it was really hard to focus on the bigger picture. It didn't really occur to me that for the next 367 days after graduation that we were going to be apart. To me everything was happening quickly, and I really just kind of went with the flow. And before you knew it Bri was complaining about how badly she had to go pee, and i was rushing off to JFK, just thinking about how to "set the world on fire" (defiantly an image I can never get out of my head.)

It's you and me against everything B. We starting off just two free lovin' hooligans who liked to pool hop and cobb, and transformed into two lovers who can travel anywhere, share a glass of wine, and talk under the stars forever. We have been to Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Maryland and Massachusetts together. And there are so many places left to explore. Only time can help that one out though. "And that's where the power of love comes in. Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are." #TeamRegionatorsGetsomeworld!!!

For as long as I can remember, I have had a pretty good standing on things. Most things have worked out. Of course there have been a few road bumps along the way, but who doesn't run over a few road bumps on a 22 year ride? I thought a 1 year long distance relationship right out of college would be a huge road-bump, but so far, it has been as cool as the underside of the pillow.

I think we have done some pretty cool things along the way that will help to keep this going while I'm off in Bangkok and your planting the roots in Baltimore. Having a book club is a really good idea. Literature really has a way of speaking to the soul that no other medium can really achieve. Possibly because of the way that the plot is slowly developed and you discover themes as you go, very similar to how things occur in life. I just finished reading The Alchemist, and a book hasn't hit me that hard in a really long time ( I know, how had I not read this by now) But it spoke about destiny. And I am a man who lives, and thinks about destiny a lot. Heck, I'm a Lost super fan. What do you expect?? But It really got me thinking about the journey. I'm a traveling man who doesn't like to be in one place to long. I think you can't say you think somewhere is the best, until you have travelled the globe, and seen many places, and talked to many people. That's what I'm about. Just expanding my horizons, and trying to push my self to a higher level. But along the way while trying to fulfill my destiny there are other things that are important, other treasures. You have to be able to hold the spoon full of oil and not spill it, while at the same time, looking around that palace and seeing what is right in front of you. That is something that you cannot forget. Sometimes the journey itself, is the treasure. And along that journey you run into people, fall in love, and the rest will be history.

"If a person is living out his destiny, he knows everything he needs to know. There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure." And Bri, you give me the strength to take risks in life. 

So when people ask... is being in a long distance relationship hard? and why would you want to do that while teaching in Bangkok? For me the answer is simple. I'm on a roller coaster now, full of fast paced turns, crazy experiences, and some killer head rushes.  But right now, we are just on the up climb. That is usually the worst part of the ride. It's scary and you think "WHY THE HELL AM I DOING THIS!?!?!" "I WANT TO GET OUT OF THIS RIGHT NOW!!!", but it doesn't last forever, you know when your gonna reach the top. And the roller-coaster is on tracks, so you know you're gonna make it, you just have to hold on and wait. But once you get there, it is so worth the slight moment of fear and trepidation, because that free fall is a once in a life time feeling. Pure joy, something that gets you going and rattles your insides and makes you feel so free. To me, that's why I'm in this. I'm waiting until we get to the top; so I can kiss my beautiful girlfriend on the lips, and say," are you ready for the free fall....together?"


Top 3 odd things I miss about Ms. Brianna Kelliher:
1. Something about the smell of South Carolina.....
2. The way you say dude..
3. Calling me out on the 2BC

Blue Balled by Khong Kaen

So we had a big day planned today.... get our motorbikes, have a great lunch, explore the city. And then we wanted to see Batman! So we get into the theater, 90 baht tickets...30 baht popcorn, it was perfect. Great theater. And then the movie started....It was in THAI. How infuriating is that! So it totally put a thorn in our day. As Bri would say.... Sooo Pissseddddddd  Rule #1.... Don't try to see a movie in rural northeast Thailand.

But we just got back to our hotel, and are mapping out our trip to Loei (look it up, it looks great.) But there are no easy roads to get there, and any map that we found was in Thai. ugh. So we went to Google Maps and pulled up the directions. Literally so confusing. All the road names are just numbers. Take 1242 to 201 and then turn right on 806, keep going and take a right?? (On what road??) And what if the road have no signs....ummmmm. So we have no idea where we are going, how to get there, or anything! But that is the point of travelling I guess...taking risks and living in the moment. So I hope we make it back....Until my next blog...

-JP

(Your blog made no sense btw)

Traveling is the point of life

Today we embarked on a journey to the issan province. Not a bad deal when a six hour train is only 50 baht. But it was a third class train so it was certainly an interesting ride. I had a lot of time so I finished 50 shades too! But Bangkok has become so close to home that nothing really phases me any more. Im used to most things. i know my surroundings and the areas around me. I totally forgot the mindset while travelling. Being in a train and riding through rice fields is the perfect place for your mind to wander. There is no stress, and nothing for your mind to focus on. Im in the perfect place here, only positive thoughts, good feelings, and the experience to try new things. The food here is a little different so its fun to try new things. But i started a journal that Im gonna have forever that i only keep while travelling, so i got a few good entries in today. Nothing else to report aside from the fact that life is perfect and i wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

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What Exactly Do We Remember?

Think back to last night. Whatever you may have done. You can imagine being there again. What it looked like, what it smelt like, you can remember the essence of the evening. That is a memory.
 memory |ˈmem(ə)rē|
noun ( pl. -ries)1 a person's power to remember things : I've a great memory for faces |my grandmother is losing her memory.• the power of the mind to remember things : the brain regions responsible for memory.• the mind regarded as a store of things remembered : he searched his memory frantically for an answer.• the capacity of a substance to return to a previous state or condition after having been altered or deformed. See also shape memory .2 something remembered from the past; a recollection : one of my earliest memories is of sitting on his knee | the mind can bury all memory of traumaticabuse.

        
           I remember being at graduation at Loyola. I remember what I was wearing, who I was sitting next to, what we were talking about. And that is a memory in my head. Memories help us to remember things from our past, and keep them with us when they are no longer around. But what happens when the memories fade? and we forget the event, but only remember the stories. Memories change over time because we lose sight of what actually happened, or we lose sight of how something actually is, and we fill in the gaps with thoughts from our imagination. "Memory is deceptive because it is colored by today's events." Einstein. We fill in the voids based on how we are feeling at the moment, or what our current state is. I miss having my girlfriend around, and i miss feeling her and being encompassed by love. And those feelings are starting to fade. I am forgetting what is actually like to have her around, and I'm only remembering the stories of things we have done, and forgetting the essence of the events themselves. At first, I got really discouraged by this thought. Because I am forgetting what it is like to have Bri around. Will that change my feelings for her? I don't think so. The feeling you get when you close your eyes and picture what the other person is doing is strong in my head. So strong actually. I can imagine what she is saying and doing. And I hope she can do the same for me. Once that bond is established, it cant be broken on distance alone. Something has to cut the bond. And there is nothing that is coming close to cutting our bond. I know it is going to work out between us, and that is all i need to keep going, even if I cant feel her next to me at the moment. Because I know it will happen soon enough. And that is good enough for me...... <3

I guess it's off to Pienza....

How good would photography be here??

 Pienza is a beautiful Tuscan city in the heart of Italy. It was built as a weekend getaway city for the Romans. It was one of the first cities to be designed with a humanist urban planning design, so it was a precursor to many European cities. There is the beautiful Palazzo Piccolomini at the center of the city that over looks a beautiful garden. This littttterally seems like the most relaxing town in thw world. Italy is the country of food and love and language. This city seems to embody them all. Pienza was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the wonderful architecture and  craftsmanship that the city embodies. For me, this would be a place I would love to come to for a week and sit out in the countryside with a book in hand and read for hours and drink Italian wine, and sit and ponder about how relaxing and peaceful life can be. With such divine scenery, your mind would be freed from all stress and worries, allowing it to rise to a different level, and break free from any problems. This is somewhere I want to travel to in a few years. When the stresses of life build up, this seems like a place that can return you to your peaceful place. 


Thinking about a place like this makes me think it is the PERFECT place in the world. Beautiful scenery, great food, and no stress. But then what about Paris, Barcelona, Boston, and Bangkok? Are they not perfect places in their own right? Each of these cities have something about them that is perfect. But someone could travel to Bangkok and absolutely hate it, while someone else could move there and love it more than love itself. Someone could move to NYC and love the hustle and bustle, but someone else would rather be in a small town in middle america. Someone else would call living in West Texas perfect, and someone else would say that LA is the perfect place to live.To relate this to relationships, there are so many people out there that are defined as "perfect." The models, athletes, actors, and CEO's. The people with their faces on TV, the people with money. Our society calls them perfect. Who wouldn't want to date Kate Upton, or Leonardo DiCaprio? They have it all, the personality, the money, the cars, the wit. But what is perfect to someone, could be someone elses worst nightmare. So life is not about finding the perfect place to live, or living in the perfect city, but rather being with the person that is perfect for you, living in the place that best suits you.

What is life?

So im crusin down the freeway in Bangkok and we somehow have wifi. Domino is blasting on the radio and there was just a huge thunder storm, and the sun is setting so the clouds look majestic. Things are perfect. The view of downtown made me think of something. We live in a world of war, crime, poverty, injustice, blatant wastefulness, selfishness and millions of people live in fear. While at the same time i am off to lacrosse practice in Bangkok. Im so blessed to be doing what Im doing. I was thinking of all the things wrong in my life, and nothing came to mind. It is absurd that that is the reality, but it is. I have my health, as does my family and loved ones. I have a great job on the other side of the world. Money isn't an issue. I have a great, close group of loyal friends. To live without any of these problems is a blessing from god, or whoever mapped out our plans. It is so important to appreciate things for what they are because at any time things could change. So it is important to value all the doors that have been opened for me and give thanks to everyone who has been there along the way. You can't do any of this alone. So i just want to say thanks to my family for doing virtually everything for me, my friends who have put up with me, good times and bad. And everyone else who ever held a door for me, or let me borrow a pencil, because as the butterfly effect states, any little thing that would have gone differently, so much could have changed. So each day it is important to give thanks to those close to you, and to value and appreciate every opportunity given, because some people would literally give everything to be in you shoes. So cherish every hour of the day of go out there and set the world on fire.

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Words of Wisdom..

(Always puts me in a good mood)

The saying goes, if you can't explain it to a 5th grader, you don't really understand it. And the same is true about one's feelings and thoughts. You can think about it, journal about it and what not, but until you talk about things and verbalize your thoughts, they aren't fully out there. When you are talking to a group of younger kids, it's such a humbling feeling. You know the ropes, and the bumps they are going through and are at the center of their universe, are mere molehills in your rearview mirror. It is true that with age comes wisdom. And it really is true that in just a few years one can grow so much. Even last night talking with kids just two years younger, there seemed to be such a difference in thoughts and perceptions of the world. And that brings up the question, what was I like that two years ago? We always think we are so mature for our age and are "different" than everyone else. But when you then hang out with people that are younger, you can't seem to fathom that you once acted like them. So I was talking to a few people in the study abroad program here in Bangkok, just one of those conversations that covers everything from "do you believe in God?" to talking about dinosaurs, conspiracy theories, capitalism, crazy Bruno stories and the feeling you get when a girl makes you feel like the most special guy in the world. It was great. Kind of like that first epic talk we had in that little park in Baltimore. But  it was awesome to hear their opinions of relationships and love. We were all on totally different pages. That's what made the conversation great. But then I started talking my relationship. And they were so amazed that I was in a long distance relationship while in Bangkok, they didn't get why. They figured being in Bangkok meant being with random Thai girls, and getting with girls in their group. They thought that being with someone in a long distance relationship wasn't worth it. If you cant have sex with someone is there a point of being with them? All I could do when they said that was laugh. There is so much more to relationships than short term gains. If that's what they are about, then there is no point. Relationships are meant to help you get to the places you want to get to. Your flaws are their perfections and vice versa. You both come together in order to become better people. Even if you can't be around the person on a daily basis, that doesn't mean you can't progress as a couple. If you want to be the best possible couple then you have to do so in whatever the situation arises. The joy of seeing you at the airport in March is going to be worth it. And so much more rewarding that hooking up with Thai girls, or finding someone to have a summer fling  with. That is not how I operate. I'm in this for the long haul. A really insighful person once told me "Distance is not for the fearful, it is for the bold. It's for those who are willing to spend a lot of time alone in exchange for a little time with the one they love. It's for those knowing a good thing when they see it, even if they don't see it nearly enough..." They say you must experience the pain before you can fully experience they pleasure. And that is totally true with relationships. You don't fully realize how good something is until it's gone. There really is nothing that could come up Brianna, that would stop our current situation. I would wait as long as it takes to be with you. 

 You shouldn't be in a relationship with someone if you don't think they would do just about anything for you. And with 100% certainty, I know we would do whatever. I don't know anyone else like you B. You are wacky, funny, compassionate, summer lovin', adoring, and beautiful. Heck I can picture you dressed in a tank top and shorts, with oddly colored and mismatching socks on, hair a mess, in you room, blasting country music doing a crazy ol' dance.  I can picture you sitting outside somewhere sippin' on a BLL just thinking how the moment you are in is the best situation in the world to be in. I can picture you laying in MY bed all snuggled up and just wishing to be in your spot. You make me smile Brianna, every day. Even the days im down in the dumps, or in one of my crazy stress out, irrational moods. I still think of you and know that everything is alright. And it will be. 

I miss you...

To see you when I wake up
Is a gift I didn't think could be real.
To know that you feel the same as I do
Is a three-fold, Utopian dream.

You do something to me that I can't explain.
So would I be out of line if I said "I miss you"?

I see your picture.
I smell your skin on
The empty pillow next to mine.
You have only been gone ten days,
But already I'm wasting away.
I know I'll see you again
Whether far or soon.
But I need you to know that I care,
And I miss you.




Sometimes the walls of life come crashing in on you. Whether that be because you are thousands of miles from home, realizing that the world can be a cold place, scared to grow up, or just discontent with the people around you, we all have these feelings sometimes. They can stem from anything. But the matter of fact is that they are often times hard to deal with. But it really helps when there are people who you can open up to and make things feel alright. You know, that rock you can grab onto, and feel safe. Safe from everything going on in the world. Life becomes so much easier when you have something or someone to grab on to, because life can be a war sometimes, and it's one you can't fight alone. 

Sometimes a jug o' wine and a pretty girl is all you really need. 

The Second Time Around...

So this used to be one of my jams in high school.... I listened to it all the time. It is an awesome song that puts you in a great mood. There are so many emotions that this song conveys. It is truely an increduble piece of art. But I think I listened to this too much that I sort of burned it out. My last blog  talked about how trying new things is always better. How experiencing the "newness" of the world is what helps people to grow. I came across this song on youtube today and after listening to it, I have more to add to my blog. Sometimes doing what you know and staying within a certain zone can be to your advantage. Last night, as we were out in Bangkok, it was really nice to call it my home. When you are in an area for an extended period of time you can really find somethings that are truely worth your time. When you are in a new place or trying a new thing, it is almost as if all the lights are flashing and things seem so cool because they are new. But when you become familiar with a location, the glitz and glamour of places die, and it really gives you a keen eye for going to the places and trying things that are really worth your time. How fun was powerplant and Fed Hill the first few times you went? (for the most part) Because bars were new, things were coming into our consciousness for the first time. But then after the initial buzz died down, you kinda realize those places are mostly smoke and mirrors. But after getting to know Baltimore for a while, some really cool places came into play. So newness is not always better. I guess just the emotion and intensity that one goes into new situations with should be carried throughout life, not just when going somewhere new.

The same could be said for relationships in  a certain sense. The "honeymoon" phase. How great is that? Endless 3 hour conversations where you are learning so much about the person, it is so fun to be around their company, and everything they do seems wonderful. You are feeling one another out, romantically, intimatly, and intellectually. The first 3 or so months of any relatinship are awesome, because of the newness. And then things sort of slow down for a bit. It's how things work. You don't necesseraly become content with things, and stop pushing the envelope, but the initial newness just wears off I guess. That is where couples either sink or swim. Those that sink are the ones that just get frustrated by how things are, and want that "newness" to return. Just an FYI.... it wont. So as I have been taught, when something wants to change, you have to change the culture first. So the relationship has to change. It becomes a lot less about learning new things about your partner, and more about taking what you have learned and applying it. Finding the things that you both love to go, and going on epic drives, taking lots of photos, finding fun areas to explore. Thats what things are truely about. So when the 'newness' wears off..... you don't have to get upset and even look for something else that will bring back that feeling. You must adapt, and appreciate the small things.

Playing under the table and dreaming

He wakes up in the morning 
Does his teeth bite to eat and he's rolling 
Never changes a thing 
The week ends the week begins 
She thinks, we look at each other 
Wondering what the other is thinking 
But we never say a thing 
These crimes between us grow deeper 

Take these chances 
Place them in a box until a quiter time 
Lights down, you up and die 

Goes to visit his mommy 
She feeds him well his concerns 
He forgets them 
And remembers being small 
Playing under the table and dreaming 
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/dave+matthews+band/ants+marching_20036621.html ] 
Take these chances 
Place them in a box until a quieter time 
Lights down, you up and die 
Driving in on this highway 
All these cars and upon the sidewalk 
People in every direction 
No words exchanged 
No time to exchange 

When all the little ants are marching 
Red and black antennas waving 
They all do it the same 
They all do it the same way 

Candyman teasing the thoughts of a 
Sweet tooth tortured by the weight loss 
Programs cutting the corners 
Loose end, loose end, cut, cut 
On the fence, could not to offend 
Cut, cut, cut, cut 

Take these chances 
Place them in a box until a quieter time 
Lights down, you up and die

There is really something special about new experiences. Nothing is ever the same the second time around. Whether it is the anticipation that does it, or the surefire newness, you can never really duplicate the first time you do something. That is why constantly opening your horizions  to new experiences is key. Whether you are in Boston, Bangkok or Baltimore there are so many things to do in new places to see. It's easy to go to the places that are convenient, or close by, but if you only  live 1 mile from Fortunados, why would you go anywhere else. But trying new things and having new experiences is what keeps the fire going. It allows one to break from stagnation and experience the unknown, while trying some pretty cool new things. Your senses are fully accustomed to the places you know. Nothing can fool your senses because the surrounds you are familiar with are so imprinted in your memory. Nothing is going to surprise you. But when you go somewhere new, it is like diving into the unknown. Anything can happen. Especially when you are working or have a busy routine it is very easy to fall into the trap of complacency, not out of bad character, but rather out of connivence. We are all tired after work, or after a busy long day. And we enjoy having some dinner, putting our feet up and just relaxing. And that is fine. So if you don't always want to go on a adventure after work, or trek somewhere new that is ok, but there are so many small things to do as well. Try something new for dinner. Read a new book. Work on a painting or photo project. Just about anything new is better than the same ol' routine. We aren't just ants who follow orders and walk in line. That is what separates us, the ability to get up every day and do what we wish to do. So don't take that for granted and march in line with everyone else. Break free and try some crazy things once in a while!

Hope your night was fun BB

(My self portrait for day 1 btw)

Love you!....... I have to go to an extra help session so I couldn't finish the blog.. but here are some pics of me instead! 

Bucket List

Whenever you think about all the things you want to do in life, it is very important to write those things down. On my first day of high school (way) back in 2004, I decided I needed to write a bucket list. I started this list and have been adding to it ever since. I haven't completed even a fraction of all the things I want to do, but heck, I'm only 22. You can't complete things on a bucket list alone, and heck, why would you want to. Things done with others are better than things done alone. So It is very important to surround yourself with people who are on the same page as you, and want to get the most out of life with you. I have a beautiful girlfriend who I know will travel anywhere with me and some pretty awesome bro's who will do the same. Now all we need is a little free time.

For updates about the most interesting man I know, check out his blog at http://www.longdistancebromance.blogspot.com

Here is what I have so far on my Bucket List and what I have completed so fat:

1. Attend a Superbowl
2. Visit all 50 states
3. Go scuba diving  ( September 2010)
4. See the Statue of Liberty
5. Watch Star Wars in 1 sitting ( November 2011)
6. Go to a World Cup Soccer Match
7. Have a Wild Las Vegas weekend with the guys.
8. Go on a fantastic camping trip
9. Always look for great art.
10. Go to a Broadway Musical (December 2009)
11. Solve a Rubix Cube
12. Sleep out under the stars
13. Bike across a country
14. Attend a "Burning Man" Festival
15. Stay close with my true friends
16. Change someones life
17. Always be a leader.
18. Read all 7 Harry Potters
19. Live in California with Dave Hallman.
20. Have a picnic somewhere unusual
21. Take a breathtaking photo. (August 2010)
22. Longboard in San Francisco
23. Start a blog (May 2012)
24. Learn how to sail a boat
25. Take a stranger out on a date
26. Be completely alone for a weekend
27. Go snowboarding in the west.
28. Go on an African Safari with Brianna Kelliher
29. Finish Zelda Ocarina of time
30. Eat a hotdog
31. Do an awesome deed for a stranger
32. Do something really cool for one year. ( 2011- swim in the ocean in all 12 months)
33. Sit in the Purple row in Invesco Field (Broncos Stadium. Mile High Row)
34. Go skydiving
35. Hike the Appalachian Trail
36. Horseback ride in swan valley Montana
37. Hang glide over Rio de Janerio
38. See the Northern Lights
39. Walk on the great wall of china
40. See a movie in a drive in movie theater
41. Go to the Redwood Forest
42. Lourve Museum
43. Go to an airport and take the next flight to somewhere random
44. Go to the little league world series in Williamsport PA


It just takes a little bit on money and some spontaneous people to do some pretty cool things.