London 2012 OLYMPICS!!!

Hey all, So, thank you for all the comments during the Olympics in London! It was a great time here, and the buzz is still in the city with the Paraolympics occurring right now. I thought I would write a quick update about the Olypmics!

Olympics!

So, I was really bummed awhile back, because there was a lottery system a couple months back for tickets to the Olympics... Well, that coincided with a lot of travel on my end, so I completely forgot about the deadline and missed out on getting any tickets. Yep, I was super bummed about that, especially since this was something I was looking forward to since the first day I found out I was moving to London. However, as you may have seen from my facebook, I did end up getting tickets. First, my friend Regan offered me his extra ticket to see Table Tennis. Score one for Belton, I was excited I was now going to be a part of the Olympics. Next, they sent out an email announcing extra tickets on a Friday afternoon, and I was able to log in and immediately purchase beach volleyball tickets... Last, my good friend Drew, offered me an extra one he had to see the USA play in beach volleyball again. Zero to three Olympic events in 5 days!

Table Tennis

When I first heard about these tickets, I was excited to go to the Olympics, but I was also a bit disappointed with the sport... This was confirmed when I told my sister what sport I was going to see when home for Christmas, and she proceeded to laugh for five minutes straight (thanks Cicely)! Well, turns out Regan was smarter than I was in this instance, because the sport was amazing. They had four games going simultaneously, so it was a bit difficult at first, but when we focused on just one or two, we really started to get into it. It was a fast paced sport, where the players might start at the table, but after a couple hits, they are 5 or 6 feet back from the table hitting that ball back and forth. I was actually surprised when one of the players asked for a shirt change because he was so sweaty... Who would have thought! If I ever go to the Olympics again, table tennis will be one sport I will try to get tickets to again.

Beach Volleyball

OK, I know what you are thinking; I wanted these tickets because of the players attire... Well, wrong! This was actually one of the only sports I played regularly as an adult, having been on a couple beach volleyball teams in Milwaukee a couple years back... Now, I will add, that while I said I was on a team, I may not have been that good, despite my height... I am pretty sure both Sara Schmitt and Tim McDonald will attest to that! Either way, the games were amazing, and I was able to see the US play, which was also great. Only bad thing was the London weather... Come on, it is the summer here and the weather was cold! I was actually so chilly during the first match, I had to go buy a sweatshirt... Yes, and it was one of the Olympic ones for $75...

JP Morgan Chase

So, I am also going to mention JP Morgan Chase, for their spectacular support during the Olympics. Although they do not operate in personal banking in the UK, they decided to rent out a bar, bring over a celebrity chef and a ballroom at a centrally located hotel in London. Further, they allowed anyone with a Chase Credit card to enter from 10 AM to Midnight every night and drink and eat for free! The celebrity chef was amazing and the food was incredible, and free! We had shortribs, sliced filet, nigiri, maki, mac’n’cheese, and many other great dishes... All while sipping some really good (complimentary) wine. Their goal was to welcome Americans who were over in the UK, and provide them with free food and drink, but my and my other US friends who are still customers of theirs took full advantage of it!

Well, that’s about it for now. I will be back soon to talk about my recent trip to Amsterdam and my trip to Porto, Portugal next weekend!

Belton

Hey guys, So, apologies on the very long delay since my last post, it has been a very busy year this year. I still plan on writing about each of my trips, but I know there might be a slight delay in publishing them. This post I am going to dedicate to my good friends Meredyth and Drew Hunn. I am currently on a plane flying back from the US after attending their wedding. It was a good time and the ceremony was amazing. So, here goes!

I spent about a total of 10 full days in Chicago and Milwaukee as part of this trip, and it was great to see all my old college friends again. I arrived on a Monday, and was met by my good friends Scott Brooks and Erick Drobinski, along with Scott’s girlfriend Hannah. We decided to make some steaks, and wrapped them in American bacon (yum). Bacon is one of those thing that we don’t have in the UK, so it was a special treat to enjoy them. Thanks Scott for the meal! After some great catching up, the jet lag finally started to settle in, so I was in bed by 10PM. The next night I attended a ‘welcome back’ dinner organised by my good friend Christina Tincher (she actually planned quite a few get togethers for me while I was home). Christina, Jeff Tincher, Kristin Koh and I started with an Architecture boat tour around Chicago. After the cruise, my friend Pete Naramore joined us for dinner at a place called Hub 51. The dinner was GREAT and was followed by some drinks at a fun venue in Chicago. The place we went to had a live band, and one second I was dancing with some friends to the music, the next I hear someone on stage saying “my friend Belton is visiting from London.” I turned to see my friend Suzie Rotter up there with the band. Next thing I knew, I was on stage and the band asked me what song I wanted to hear. I told them to play the new LMFAO hit to which they replied ‘Dance’! All of a sudden, I was dancing to my request on stage in front of over 100 people, what a great time! The next day Pete and I made our way to Milwaukee for the Bachelor party! Drew had rented a boat, so 20 of us guys piled in for some fun on Lake. It was a perfect day, and we had a great time with the guys. We all then went to Summerfest, the World’s largest music festival, to see the Thievery Corporation. Let’s just say the rest of the night was fun and involved lots of Shenanagans with the last men standing being myself, Pete and Brad Vogel! Thanks for letting me stay with you Sara (no H)! Sunday, I met up with my Milwaukee friends for a delicious brunch at a place called Trocadero. Tim McDonald, Jenna Lara, Pete Naramore, Sara Schmitt, Drew & Meredyth Hunn and Tonly Alivo were all there to celebrate with me. Afterwards, we explored Milwaukee, since it was the first time I had been there for two years! On Monday, I went to one of the best restaurants in Milwaukee, Coquette Cafe, owned my by friends Chris Hatelli and Nick Burke, and had brunch with some of my old colleagues from before I moved to London (It was great seeing you Juanita Banks, Jenna Lara, Angela Halakma and Kathy Zdarstek). I returned to Chicago on Tuesday, for another welcome dinner (thanks again Christina!), followed by some great Karaoke at a place called Allison’s. Wednesday, Jeff and Christina hosted one great 4th of July BBQ, in which we took turns acting out various movie and television scenes. Finally the time was upon us and we headed back to the rehearsal dinner and the wedding. The rehearsal dinner was amazing, and was on the rooftop of Hotel Metro. Not only was it a special time with great friends, but the wedding party received the best gift ever, Rayban sunglasses! On the day of the actual wedding, a limo picked us up and drove us around the city for pictures, starting at North Shore Bistro country club, followed by pictures at the Milwaukee Art Museum (designed by Calatrava), and finally at Marquette University, where the bride, groom and myself all graduated. The wedding itself was amazing, as you can see from the picture of the bride and groom, and we heard some pretty amazing speeches from both fathers, the Maid of Honour and the Best Man. The bride has been a great friend of my for some time now, and as such, the Maid of Honour asked me to say a couple words at the wedding. As such, we wrote a song using the instrumental version of Postal Service’s ‘Such Great Heights’. It was one of our college favourites! I want to send a special thanks to all my old and new friends who made my trip home a special and great experience: Scott Brooks, Erick Drobinski, Christina Tincher, Jeff Tincher, Kristin Koh, Mike Heffren, Tim McDonald, Sara Krchmarik, Ally Beck, Sarah Chambers, Drew Hunn, Meredyth Hunn, Brad Vogel, Jenna Lara, Pete Naramore, Suzie Rotter, Chelsea Dobrinski, Sarah Michaels, Hannah, Julie, and of course, Alexa and Jim Naramore and Mr. And Mrs. Hunn! The only thing I missed this trip was a trip home to Texas to see my family. I love you Mom, Dad, Avita and Cicely! See you all at Christmas! Thanks all!

Much delayed post!

Hey All,

I hope everyone is doing very well. Sorry I have not posted as of late, I have thought about it, and actually written a couple posts, but have not had the chance to get them online. I guess in this post I will provide a quick recap of the rest of 2011, as well as the beginning of 2012!

2011

The year wrapped up very well for me. I was extremely busy with work toward the

end of 2011, but it was worth it because I was promoted, as of Jan 1, 2012! London is still a very exciting place, and I did not do that much travel toward the end of the year. I tend to do a lot of travelling early in the year, so toward the end of the year I was pretty chill. I had my good friend Leanne Eberle visit for Thanksgiving, which was a lot of fun!

It was actually perfect timing, because she was able to attend our friends 2nd Annual ‘Straysgiving’ dinner, which is her version of Thanksgiving for all the strays who cannot be with their families over this holiday. It was a great time, and she cooked a huge turkey and transformed her living room into an epic dinner for 12! I am really thankful to have found a great group of friends in London.

Christmas
Since I missed Christmas in Houston with my family last year, I was extremely excited to see my folks this Christmas! When I arrived in Houston on the 21st of December, it was pretty interesting how I experienced ‘reverse’ culture shock. I was amazed at how much space was around, and the fact that so many people were driving. You see, Houston is one of those cities where driving is the norm, and walking (or taking the tube) just does not happen that much.

Top 10 differences I noted when I was at home:
1. When you go to a store/shopping, you drive around the parking lot for 10 minutes looking for a spot that will save you a 5 minute walk...
2. When you do choose to walk somewhere, the sidewalk just ends when you come to a major intersection... What to do?
3. We went to a restaurant, I ordered a meal, and the server commented in his highest voice, “that is a FANTASTIC choice sir”. I was like, uhh, thanks. What customer service.
4. The fact my water glass was filled at all times when in a restaurant.
5. The fact that I did not have to ask for my bill once when we ate out.
6. The fact that you cannot get one meal that does not contain cheese!
7. How fruits and veggies last almost two weeks (they last less than a week here in London). What do they put in the food?
8. When you go to an outdoor shopping centre, you go to one store, get in the car, then drive across the parking lot to the next.
9. That you spend about $50 on gas every couple of days.
And the biggest culture shock I experienced...
10. Driving on the 16 lane freeway, and having to get over 7 lanes to the exit ramp.

I do have to say, it was funny how I started to ‘miss’ London toward the end of my visit. I missed my new friends (aka. Badgers). I also missed working out at my gym, being able to take the tube anywhere, and not having to spend hours in the car every day just running normal errands. I truly like to walk around when going places, it is not only healthier, but it is a great experience going place to place just enjoying your surroundings.

New years was also great this year. Since I am rarely in Houston over New Years, I really wanted to spend it this year with my big sis. In addition to her job, she is a pretty cool DJ. As such, we decided to go to her club for a fun night of dancing! It was such a great time, from the free entry, to the surprise complimentary bottles they provided, she definitely showed me a great time, thanks sis!

Mom, Dad – Thanks for showing me yet a wonderful time at home again. Avita, it was really great to see you and talk to see how things have been with you. I wish you much happiness and health in 2012. I love you all and will see you soon!

2012

So far, 2012 has started out with a bang! Work is going great. I am really happy to have found a job that I am actually excited to go to most days. I have plenty of trips planned for 2012 (Barcelona, Iceland, LA, Chicago, Milwaukee, Brighton and hopefully some others).

I also am starting to feel like London is my home. I have good friends, and have recently met someone who is making me really happy. Life just seems to be going great right now, and I hope it continues into this year. 2012 will be my year.

Thanks again for reading, and let me know if you want me to blog about something in particular.