Ramen Art

I guy I went to high school with, and a fellow expat, is currently living in Japan and has taken it upon himself to not only blog about his experience, but also to photograph all the ramen he has been consuming. He literally posted an album with 99 different ramen shots on Facebook — who knew any food could have such a variety. I find them fascinating, sometimes delicious looking and always like little works of art.

Read more about Abram's culinary adventures and more on Yo! Japan. 

Happy Anniversary Berlin!

Tegel Airport, August 5, 2009

One year ago today I stepped down on Berlin soil for the first time and was picked up by my brother Michael in his hooptie with the license plate GR81LVR "The Great One Lover" that he actually got for free (only Michael, only in Berlin). Despite the passenger door not being able to open, I certainly had something to smile about.

But little did I know how huge the adventure I was embarking on would turn out to be — that a two month holiday (see I really am European now) would soon turn to three and a trip back for Christmas and in the end an indefinite move. Little did I know I would fall in love with a city and a person (I met Karsten the next day) and everything would change. This photo, shot with my bro's phone after he stuffed my suitcase in his trunk, shows the excited face of someone on the brink of something monumental — I can feel my blind anticipation.

It's crazy to think this was just a year ago because so much has gone down since then. But at the same time, I can recount every detail of that day and the days to come like it just happened, from what I was wearing, to what we talked about, to how I felt about it all. I still daydream about those moments constantly. Is that weird?

I know I am lucky to have had such an amazing experience and even luckier that a year later it still continues each day. Thanks for everything Berlin!

Mad World

The premiere of Mad Men Season 4 (how long has it been!?!) is tomorrow and I seriously cannot wait. It's not like I will actually be able to watch it or anything, but it makes me happy just knowing that it is out there and at least somewhere in the world people will be enjoying Don Draper and Co.'s ridiculous chain smoking good-lookingness. How long do you think it will take until someone uploads the show to one of my Chinese websites? Oh the luxuries of the expat life...