| so in case you haven't heard yet, major changes are afoot. i was in a serious car accident in early february. this one was particularly bad; the worst i've ever been in. i'll leave out most of the details, but my beloved highlander was a total loss, and i thankfully walked away with only bruised ribs and shoulder after being the primary point of collision (i.e. driver door was impacted by the other vehicle). riding in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, i was asked questions about emergency contacts and family in the area, of which i had none. it really stirred up my desire to be closer to my family, to watch my nephew and niece grow up, to be around if my parents need my help in the future. in the past i've always talked about moving back to california, but my attitude was more of the "i'll wait until God moves me." after the accident, i decided to take the attitude of "i'll move until God stops me." after wrapping up a few important things at work, i started applying for jobs at the beginning of march. by the end of march, i already had an offer. after weighing two options, i accepted a position at kaiser permanente in their national IT function in mid-april. the enterprise architecture department is based in pleasanton, california. i will start work there the day after memorial day/end of may. i left abbott laboratories on may 9. i left chicago on may 15 and shortly thereafter put my townhouse on the market. i'm in phoenix right now for my annual visit to the wongs, and i'll be in oakland on may 19. some other interesting tidbits:
Q. with what did you replace your 04 toyota highlander?
A. at the end of february, i purchased an 08 honda pilot at $4000 below invoice because the new 09 models were coming out in the middle of the year and the dealers were aggressively pricing the 08 models to clear them out.
Q. how long have you lived in chicago?
A. 12 years.
Q. will you miss chicago?
A. of course! i spent the majority of my adult life there, and have built up the closest of friendships with people who are still there. i intend to visit in the future often, and hope to go on some group vacations with those very friends. i'll also miss potbelly's, portillo's, bob chinn's, stoney river ...
Q. what are you looking forward to in california?
A. season tickets to the 2008 california golden bears football team. spending time with my nephew and niece. spending time with my girlfriend.
Q. you have a girlfriend??
A. her name is christine, and she has lived in the bay area since the late 70s. we were introduced through mutual friends and have been dating for a little less than four months. another good reason to move to california, neh?
Q. what church will you attend?
A. i don't know yet. i have a pretty strong existing association with christian layman church in oakland, but i also want to be open to wherever God is calling me to serve and worship.
Q. where will you live?
A. my parents own a small condo (essentially a one-bedroom apartment) in san ramon. it's 20 minutes away from my new office at kaiser, 5 minutes away from my sister's house, and 20 minutes away from christine's place. my sister and brother-in-law are gracious to allow me to store whatever doesn't fit in the condo at their house. it's going to be interesting going from a 2100 sq ft. townhome to a 700 sq ft. condo. need to get rid of stuff and learn to live more simply.
Q. are you going to buy a house in the bay area?
A. eventually. i'd love to take advantage of the current buyer's market, but i have to sell my place in vernon hills first. it's a blessing that i'll be "rent-free" in san ramon because of my parents. they rock.
Q. when will you update xanga again?
A. don't know. don't hold your breath. 
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| 6. Patty
5. Louis
4. Joey
3. Larry
2. Tommy
1. Ewa |
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