beach house

Instructions / Answers: Fly into Charleston (make sure they're not trying to fly you to West Virginia; that would be a no fun vacation). The house is on Folly Beach. There are bars on the island that are 3 blocks from the house, and downtown Charleston is a 15 minute drive away. We have the house from June 22 (a Friday) to June 29, the following Friday. That means if we want to stay for Friday or Saturday night we'll have to figure something else out, like a couple of rooms at the Holiday Inn. I don't know how much rates differ, but you might want to fly in either late (I mean like after 8 or 9) on Friday or early Saturday... for those of you that are getting there that early. My last day of work is that same Friday, so I can't really just duck out early. The earliest I could be at the Charleston Airport is probably 7 or 8. Don't worry about a ride from the Airport; I'll come get everybody, so long as you let me know when you're coming in (accurately).

I'm looking forward to it, boyos. Sundy, what's your status on coming or not? SWEET pictures, seriously. I wasn't sure what you meant by your choice of words, but your brother doesn't LIVE on the Azores, does he? B/c that would be awesome... and bizarre.

I liked Greg's proposal on everybody weighing in on whether they are coming and if so, what days... just to get a comprehensive if not definite list.

No particularly wild stories lately... another excellent St. Patrick's day, running around as a drunken leprechaun... not like those douchebags at the ND football games though. And getting excited about starting business school in July, and trying to get some fellowships to do it, lighten my debt load a little bit. Anways, later dudes!

Pat

trip questions

what airport should I fly to? for that matter what beach are we going to? can i get picked up?

Azores Trip!

Dudes,

I just got back from a trip to the Azores (islands off of Portugal) to visit my brother and his family. Meryl met us there and it was an amazing trip. Such a beautiful place. Here is a link to way more photos than any of you are interested in seeing:

http://flickr.com/photos/92835134@N00/sets/72157600006263210/

And yes, I realize that it is creepy how much my brother and I look alike. Also, I just got some great news: Meryl is planning on coming home from Peace Corps in August (instead of November)! She's been in Senegal for about a year and half and I'm really excited for her to finally be home. She's moving to St. Louis and applying to Wash U to do a post Bacc. program before she starts Med school.
I'm heading up to South Bend this weekend for a design thing; I'll be thinking of you all as I rub up against sweaty, double-thick townies at the Backer. Hope all is well, dudes!

- Jonathan

Pat Can't Post for Shit

Since Pat can't post for shit, here's what he would say...

I am obviously in. I emailed Alissa, and she was excited but couldn't commit. I've been meaning to email Sarah and Tim to invite them, but haven't gotten around to it. If anybody wants to pick up the ball on that one, please do. Oh, also, if you guys are going to do roll call, do mention what days you'll be there too. We have the beach house from Friday June 22 to Friday June 29. My mom will probably be down there sometime after noon on Friday, but I will probably be evening before I can get down there, since that's my last day of work. SPRING BREAAAAAAAK! I mean, MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAAAAAAAAM! Wait that doesn't quite work either

-- Pat

So lets get ourselves the beginning of a list...

So, who do we have that's in (and for how long)? Who's a "maybe"? And who's a "no"? Also, who hasn't been invited that we want to come on down? Lets get ourselves a nice little list going (I'm somewhat add and don't want to deduce who's coming from disparate posts.

The More the Merrier

I'll only be there a few days, but I say if there's room, the more the merrier! Invite the girls, invite Tim and whoever else. Why not?!

South Dining Hall

excellent Sam, glad you're coming! there's no inherent problem having the chicas along. i mean other than pure numbers: we probably have sleeping room for 10 of us max, with everybody sharing a bed. and given, it looks like at least a few of us wont make it, so that does clear up a few spaces. you don't want to rock it dillon sausage party style? how about this: if you get engaged, you can bring amy along. just kidding? i mean i suppose if you brought amy, i would bring liz if we're still together. other takers? it could be fun, having people there to make sandwiches for us. i propose an informal weigh-in by other parties to be present: john, ted, greg: sausage fest or sexy coeds? speaking of which, i haven't invited Alissa or Sarah or Tim (not that he's a coed, but i still don't disclaim the sexy part)... I suppose I should? please engage in the democratic process here; i'm not going to take all the responsibility or all the blame for various vacation-related decisions; i just happen to have access to a house

- Pat

In my mind, im probably going to Carolina.

Im a tentative yes to the June dates. I will be in Oregon the preceding weekend for my brothers graduation, so assuming i have enough leave ill make it. Is this a guys weekend or are the missesses included?

Sundy, where are you? Africa or something? Seriously.

Seems like we have a critical mass at least for the second weekend. Should be a lot of fun.

From the bottom of my heart off the coast of (South) Carolina...

Who sings that song? Anyway, that's where I'll be for a least a few days in June. As of now, I'll be there Tues-Thursday night (June 26-28). Wish it would work out for longer, but that's all I could work out with flights. Hopefully we can get a few more people down there though! Who else is coming?? Sam, Ted? Jonathan, cmon.....bring Meryl!! Chris, what's a job, really?

Anyway, haven't posted in a while. Here's a quick update on my life. 3 more exams to go this year....I cannot wait to be done. I defiantely like it and it's interesting stuff (right now we're doing Neurology and Psychiatry), but I'm sick of listening to doctors give lectures and studying in the library 24/7. Don't get me wrong, I find the time to have fun to, but I"m kind of done with school. Want to do something that feels a little more productive. And that'll all start this summer, after boards. Boards are basically the worst exam imaginable. It crams everything we should have learned in the past 2 years into one test. I'm studying 28 days straight for it...8 am -12, hour lunch, 1-5 every day. What is that? It's almost like having a job, which is ridiculous at my age. But, after that I get a few weeks off and then start actually doing rotations in the hospital. Not sure what I'm going to start with, probably internal medicine or surgery. Get the hard stuff over with. Alright, I'm starting to bore myself, so I can't imagine how you feel if you've been reading this whole thing.

On to a more interesting topic: S---E---X. Well, that was just to get your attention, but speaking of sex, I am dating someone now and it's pretty serious, especially for me. It's about time. For those of you who I've told you can skip through this, but it's kind of funny how we met. I was on winter break and flying back to Philly from Florida on New Year's Eve. I was sick as a dog but determined to go out because I had bought a ticket for a party/open bar and one of the bars downtown. My flight was delayed, which destroyed my plans of taking a long nap so I'd feel better, so I just had to pump myself with drugs and leave as soon as I got back. This bar, called Club 27, such a ridiculous name, was not exactly the nicest place I've ever been to. It was OK, I was having a good time and drinking plenty, but still I've been to nicer places. Anyway, after midnight (not sure exactly what time) me and a friend saw a group of females downstairs on the dancefloor, so we went over to them. I busted out my awesome moves, and how could they resist? Later, Kate (my girlfriend) told me they were the most ridiculous dance moves she had ever seen. Never thought they would land me a date. So, after a few hours of dancing and frivolity it was time to go. Me and my friend offered to walk them back to their car (one was sober, so they said) because they parked pretty far away and Philadelphia can be not so safe when it's late. It started to pour raining and so I carried her, piggy back style, most of the way. The whole time she kept saying she would buy be dinner since I carried her to her car, which I didn't believe. But....we ended up going out the next weekend where she did buy me dinner and went out a bunch of times in Jan before she went back to school. She's in grad school for creative writing at VCU and I've been down there twice to visit, so I guess you could say things are pretty serious. (Movie?)

So, I'm definately happy and doing well. I can't wait to see at least some of you in June. And I'll try to post more often, although I can't promise anything.

I added a updated picture of me, just since it's been a a while.

Later y'all.

-John

The Beach House

It sounds to me like Pat has set us up for a perfect vacation. I'm in, and like Pat said, even if I can't get the week off (though I'll try), my evenings and weekend days will be free. I'm probably going to be getting a 2-day pass soon also, which would let me take two more days off. Anyway, you bastards should make it happen. I'll put out another (probably false alarm) deployment notification for motivation...I should be heading to Baghdad for 365 days, leaving in early to mid-July, and I probably won't be able to take a trip anywhere else at that time because of the deployment and my brother's wedding in St Louis on 16 June. Anyway, I've got to get back to the Wisconsin v. Michigan St. game, but I'll post more if something interesting happens. Take care and hopefully I'll see all you guys in June.

I hope Chris is unemployed

Sorry, brother; Hope you do well in your interview, but you GOTS to come this summer! Well, I asked Mom, and I got the go-ahead to invite all you guys to Folly Beach, South Carolina from June 22-29. I wont be a bully about it; so if another plan will work better for everyone, I totally understand. But so far the count looks Ted, Rowlands, Sam?, probably Greg for at least weekend days, assuming everything goes as planned and he's back stationed in Charleston when he gets back. Jonathan? And who knows, maybe Ax will be playing ball there this summer! I think Anthony will have had enough of the beach to want to come, anyway. Y'all let me know so we can plan to do this or figure something else out.

Pat

Good Idea, Don't Know If I Can

Hey Guys,

I'd love to get all the guys together. My graduation is May 12th and the week before is finals. A little update on my life. I'm flying to Kansas City, MO for an interview this weekend. It's a one year fellowship where I would rotate through various city offices. If I get it, it would start at the beginning of June, so I don't think I'd really be going anywhere in the summer. If I don't get it, I'll probably be interviewing at other places to try and get a job, so I don't know exactly when I'll be available. If I'm unemployed, I'll definitely try to make it. According Mapquest, Charleston is 930 miles from Chicago, but if it works out maybe Ted, Jonathan, and myself could arrange it to road trip it together (It could be just like the movie - stealing a bus, donating sperm, jumping bridges with Jonathan's Jetta).

Anyway, I haven't done a real post in a while, so I'll give you a little update on my life. Like I said, I'm going to Kansas City this Sunday for an interview, which would be a really good opportunity for me. Molly's not thrilled about the idea, but she has been pretty supportive. We both have spring break starting on the tenth, so it'll be nice to spend a whole week with her. On the 10th I have my comprehensive exam, which is supposed to tell whether or not I learned anything in my Master's program. I'm almost done with my capstone paper (50 pages and growing). I'm so ready to be done with school. It just really is not as enjoyable when you live with your parents and are working at the same time.

News from people without regular Blog Access:

I talked to Axford last week, and he is in Florida working out and getting ready for Minor League Spring Training, which I'm pretty sure starts on Monday. He doesn't have a TV or computer, but he now has a cell phone that works, so give him a call. It sounds like things are going OK and he's anxious to get started. One amazing note- He thought Babel was a good movie (I bet Jonathan just threw something at his monitor). I thought it was a bit over-the-top and repetitive and painful, but I'm not a film major.

In regards to Anthony, I did email Hannah for an address.

1LT Michael Anthony Roffino
DCO/1-28 IN
Unit 42532
APO AE 09361

According to Hannah, he left Kuwait for Iraq on Feb. 22, so I guess he has been there for around 10 days. I'm planning on sending him some field & stream magazines, and anything else I can think of. I don't really know what his internet access is like, but I'll try to find out from Hannah.

Well, that's it for my obese post. Hope it finds everyone in good spirits.

Peace Out,

Chris

ps- Greg, has got a great Thailand story, but it may not be blog appropriate. Give him a call to hear the details.

beach?!

awesome idea!!! i have exactly two free weeks this summer, the same week that ted mentioned (my exams end on friday may 4th or 5th), and the week before july 4th week (so like june 23-30ish). i called mom to see when we have the beach house, and she said we do have it that second week! i'm waiting on her approval though, b/c obviously its a primo week and she's going to want to be down there too. it would be a full house, but hell, we lived in DILLON. oh, by the way, i got into business school here at USC (international MBA = #1 in the country!), so I start that program July 2nd! gotta run to school (not literally); i'll post more soon!

Lets take our shirts off, and wave them around our heads like a helicopter.

Hey Guys.

I'll go ahead and start the process: lets try to meet up this spring or summer. I suggest going to a beach somewhere in the Carolinas. This would be easy for Patrick and Greg, and driveable/inexpensive flight for the rest of us. Perhaps late May or June?

Its been tough to get these things moving in the past. If you think you would want to do this, please blog it and give the dates that are good for you. Hopefully in the next few weeks we can settle on a date and place. Im all for a more involved trip (Mexico, Caribbean, etc) but am guessing we'd have the best chance of getting everyone to come if the location is cheap and close.

Did anyone ever get an address for Anthony?