After thinking about it for years it's finally happening

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:38 pm

Well, I've decided that I've had enough of the corporate life for awhile and I've put the house on the market. (buried my St. Joseph statue - upside down of course - in the front yard.

I've decided happiness is more important and am moving back to Omaha. :D

I'm in Omaha next week for the CWS, back to Lubbock and then I'm taking 8 weeks off to travel around the world.

A new adventure in life! yea!

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:47 pm

Cool. Glad you can break away from corporate America. Something tells me I'm tied to them for the next while. Welcome back to Omaha!

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 11:07 pm

Great news. I'm excited for you!!!

Asten · Post by **Asten** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:10 pm

That's supercool. I'm jealous and happy for you. I need to figure out how to get back permanently. Every day I want it more

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:05 am

That's awesome, I hope you find a really cool place and are enjoying yourself this week. I thought the statue gets buried in the backyard, but I'm not really sure.

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:25 am

Thanks for the sentiments guys - I'm really looking forward to the move. It's been great being here this week. I hope that I can continue to keep my "tourist glasses" on after I move because you really see Omaha in a different light when you're looking at it that way. I think most forumers do also but a lot of Omaha residents don't see it the same way. There's a lot to do in this city and the thing is so much of it is free or little cost - you don't see that in a lot of cities. ex: In Dallas you have to pay to get into their arts festival. Jazz on the green, Memorial Park concert, great fireworks exhibits, the best zoo in the country, and on and on..... Omaha is truly a treasure.

There are not many cities where its wealthy citizens are giving money to make the city better or where such a high percent of citizens are involved in volunteering. There's something very special about what's going on here.

Minneapolis Boy · Post by **Minneapolis Boy** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:14 am

Right on! Spending a few years living elsewhere can help you realize all the special things Omaha has and the special place it is. I always liked Omaha, but I came to realize how much I LOVE Omaha during my "away" years. Glad to hear you're moving back.

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 9:38 am

Also, yesterday 2 friends who were driving from upstate NY to Denver (moving from school in Syracuse) stopped in Omaha so we could meet for lunch. I took them to Upstream and then we went to Delice and took our desserts to Heartland of America Park. We drove around a bit after that. They were both very impressed with Omaha and strongly considered spending the night but practicality overtook them - they had to be in Denver by noon today.

They plan to come back to visit and see the sights.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:14 am

I don't know how I missed this one..

Welcome home jjjjhskr!..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:14 pm

Here's the latest update -

House is up for sale - hopefully before long it will be sold.

Sold most of the furniture last weekend and have most things packed. Movers coming at the end of the month.

Decision on where we'll be living hopefully tomorrow.

Leaving on the around the world trip on Wed. 7/11 (six weeks instead of

, final stops are:
Hong Kong
Bangkok
Amman
Jerusalem
Prague
Helsinki
St. Petersburg
New York
New Orleans

back to Lubbock on 8/23 and should be in Omaha sometime that next week. Yes

Now I just need a job.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 5:33 pm

Yes. The world tour and then the job hunt.

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:54 pm

Welcome back, Very cool. It's always good to get people back especially the ones as involved and enthused with the community as you are.

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:24 pm

Decision made - moving to the Cornerstone Apartments at 11th and Harney. Now I can relax.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:41 pm

jjjjhskr wrote:Decision made - moving to the Cornerstone Apartments at 11th and Harney. Now I can relax.

Nice location in the midst of Downtown apartments. I hear they may open up the parking lot across the street to apartment dwellers. You will just have to get used to the hawk noise that tries to scare away other birds that echoes from in there. Good luck in your move.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:47 pm

Those are the ones about the Spaghetti Works?

That would be great to live on that intersection.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:51 pm

One block north - above Famous Dave's - I think they even have a private section of that above street patio.

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:33 pm

Thanks guys - the apartment is on the 3rd floor facing Harney St. The parking garage across the street is $85 per month. The 2 dogs are going to really like being downtown with all the things to keep them busy.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 5:18 pm

Glad I could 'twist your arm' on getting Downtown.

Welcome to the neighborhood.

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 5:24 pm

you can head our way and help us walk the dogs. By the way, Farrell's was a nice. Should be a good place to hang out before/after events at the Qwest center.

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:47 pm

okay, time to start thinking about the small details - when I get to Omaha who do I call to set up gas, electric, etc..?

Leaving Hong Kong today for Bangkok. Loved Hong Kong.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:49 pm

OPPD for electricity. MUD for gas. Does your apartment use gas that you pay for?

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:55 pm

I'm not even sure if it uses gas and if I pay for it. Haven't even seen the place. You probably know better since you have a friend who lives there. If gas is included is the heat gas? - that would be nice!

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:07 pm

I'll ask him and get back to you about that.

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 10:10 am

At the Bangkok airport waiting for my flight to Amman. Getting closer to the move with each flight.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 10:15 am

Have a great flight/trip and arrive safely in the 'Big O' next month John..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:25 am

Off to Israel today after a really good visit to Jordan.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:58 am

Sounds like your having a great time! I wish I could be going on a world tour. How are you dealing with language, currency, and jet lag?

I think we should throw you a welcome home party when you get back. Have a good time.

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:45 pm

Jet lag was really bad after the flight to Hong Kong - we pretty much slept the entire next day. The flight to Jordan arrived at 4am so I was pretty tired after that one also. Other than that, no jet lag issues. Haven't had much problems finding people who speak enough english to help with directions.

I had a friend with me in Hong Kong and in Thailand. I'm on my own for Jordan and Israel. A sister of mine will join me in Prague and a friend will join me for Helsinki and St. Petersburg.

- Hong Kong is the most organized, clean place I've ever seen. Very westernized and very expensive. The people were very nice there.
- Thailand was beautiful and the people were extremely warm and welcoming. We walked to a Buddhist temple and stumbled upon a Buddhist celebration with people in dragon and tiger costumes - pretty cool! I've been blessed by a thousand monks I think!
- Jordan was very nice. I wish I had more time there. Petra (one of the new wonders of the world) was incredible. Yesterday I went to the Dead Sea, the place on the Jordan river where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, and Mount Nebo where Moses died. I hired a driver for 2 days (pretty inexpensive) and he took me to his favorite local places to eat, which was nice.
- I arrived in Israel today and am staying in Jerusalem. So far, this has been my least favorite place as most people haven't been to friendly or helpful and when I went to the Western Wall to say a prayer I was overwhelmed by people asking for money. Tomorrow will be better!

It's been a great trip and something that I will always remember. I'm keeping a journal and hopefully taking some good photos.

I hope to have a party at my new apartment in Omaha by the end of September. Hopefully I can get some help planning it (D'Shawn??).

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 2:28 pm

Incredible!!!

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 5:29 pm

Well I'm planning a forum meet so a welcome back/home warming party shouldn't be to hard.

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:31 pm

Off to Prague today via Budapest. Glad to be heading there. I saw a lot here in Israel (including going to the Palestinian territories) but did not enjoy it as much as other places I've been.

samizdat · Post by **samizdat** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:47 am

Man, Budapest is my second home. Your world travels are making me incredibly jealous.
I love Omaha, but nothing beats sitting on Castle Hill. How long were you there if I may ask?
You know, if you have a travel blog, I'd be very interested in reading it.
Go Ferencvaros!

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:59 pm

Only in Budapest for a few hours layover today. I was there about 4 years ago and really liked it. It was a long hike up to hill to the castle after walking up the wrong hill initially. There's something about eastern Europe that I really like and someday I'd like to spend more time in Hungary.

samizdat · Post by **samizdat** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:47 pm

There is no greater place than Central Europe. Hungary really is a unique and beautiful place.
If you ever need any info or tips, you now have a contact.
By the way, I bet you walked up Gellert Hill by mistake.
Enjoy Prague and have a safe trip.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:37 pm

Planning my own potential half-globe trotting endeavor, I stumbled across this:

http://www.daftlogic.com/Projects/Googl ... alculator/

It's all as the crow flies, but pretty cool nonetheless.

-Big E

ricko · Post by **ricko** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:41 pm

Prague is one of my favorite cities. If you like architecture, you're in heaven. One of the coolest things I did was to walk up to the top of the bell tower of St. Vitas Cathedral--- it's one of the best urban views anywhere---I hope you brought a camera. My favorite neighborhoods: Hradcany, Malastranska, Staremesto, Novemesto, and Josefov. They also have the best beer in the world, for my taste anyway---you gotta try the Budvar(the original budweiser). Have fun!

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 11:53 am

My heritage is Czech so I have a bias towards Prague. This is my third time here and I don't think I'll ever get tired of it.

Ricko - I've never walked the 287 steps (I counted while walking up them) before today but on your recommendation I did. It was well worth it.

My favorite Czech city outside of Prague is Cesky Krumlov - a wonderful medieval town.

We plan to rent a car Saturday to go visit the towns in Bohemia that my grandparents were from.

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:22 am

Off to Helsinki today. I'm really going to miss the Czech Republic.

jjjjhskr · Post by **jjjjhskr** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 3:14 am

Heading back to the states today after a great trip. Didn't make it to Russia - went to Estonia instead. 2 days in New York, 2 days in New Orleans, 2 days in Lubbock and then on to Omaha.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 10:54 pm

Well after your first official night back I can really say I'm glad you're home.