Three yearanniversary of moving to Bermuda

Three years ago today, we left our home in Chicago and made our way to Bermuda. Funny enough, I'm flying today as well, though for a much different readon. Admittedly, back then I wasn't all that thrilled about the move. Yes, it was a tremendous opportunity to live on a tropical island but, in my opinion, we already had a great life in Chicago.

Overall it's been great, and I'm glad we moved. It's just a lil difficult to think objectively right now, as the two biggest losses of my life have occurred in the past 7 months. If could go back in time, would I choose then over now? If it means having Grandpa and Rocky still around? I'd give anything. Of course that's not possible.

Still, had we not been in Bermuda and me not working the first two years, there's no way I would have been able to spend this much time with my grandfather before he passed. So , for that alone, I'm grateful, especially now, that I was able to spend months with my grandparents these past three years.

I've prolly traveled more the past three years than I have ever before: China, Taiwan four times (including this trip), Croatia, Paris, Spain (Barcelona, Granada and Madrid), Ice Hotel in Sweden, London, Big Sur, Newport and over a dozen other trips to the states.  On top of taking all these vacations, we basically live in a vacation spot year round.

Most ppl would kill to be able to not work for two years. Being the negative person that I am, I mopped around the first year like an idiot. It wasn't until the second year, after a trip to Taiwan, that the light finally clicked and I realized what an awesome opportunity I had. Got scuba certified and logged 60+ dives in one summer, went golfing every day and lost 35 lbs (18 from 3 weeks of eating in Taiwan) by working out 2 hrs very day. And where else can you go catch lobsters 7 months out of the year and spearfish and fish whenever you feel like it?

Weather on a tropical island beats Chicago any day. Water almost every where you look. Not to mention our nice houses we've lived in with great views of the ocean. Tax benefits and Sandy's ridiculous salary don't hurt either. And now that I've started working, I can actually contribute (and interact with people on a daily basis).

Being here has also helped my marriage a lot. Before, I was a lil arrogant and lazy. Being a lowly house husband, I had to lose the ego fast and start helping around the house. Thanks to all that time with my grandparents, I went from not being able to cook anything to being able to whip up some pretty decent Chinese dishes. I'd like to think I also became more attentive and caring. 

Setting aside personal grief and events unrelated to being in Bermuda, I'm definitely glad we made the move. So much so that I don't want to leave. Ever. No where else can you make this much money, travel this much, enjoy such nice weather and spectacular views. I just wish others were still with us to bra part of it.

Happy birthday to the greatest wife in the world!

Growing up, I always pictured myself rich and happy…who doesn’t? It always involved a big house, extravagant lifestyle and hot wife. That’s what dreams are, just wild fantasies where you can imagine whatever you want because the possibilities are endless. Dreams rarely become reality. Thanks to my amazing wife, I have all that, and so much more.

When someone came up with the phrase “my better half”, this is exactly what they meant. When you hang out with people, you want her there with you so they can all meet her. And every one will see how wonderful your wife is cuz she’s got a great personality and is able to get along with anyone. And, more importantly, it increases your credibility exponentially cuz this amazing woman is your wife.

She’s one of the smartest people I know. She passes actuarial exams after studying for only two weeks when others study for months straight and don’t. There’s no way you’d be able to tell though cuz, unlike most smart people who like to act snotty and throw it in your face, she talks and acts like a valley girl. She has an innocence and purity that’s truly admirable.

For someone who acts as young and naïve as she does, she’s somehow also unbelievably strong. No one could imagine what she’s been through cuz she doesn’t show it. Even after going through the most painful experience imaginable, she put on a brave face and carried on. She even managed to pass another exam, even there was no way she could have focused on studying.

Yet for being as strong and intelligent as she is, she’s still incredibly caring. She remembers insignificant details of your friends and family. She’ll fly halfway around the world every year just to spend some time with your family for a couple days without even asking to see her own. She treats and loves your family like they’re her own. And she’ll put aside her own worries so you can leave her for months at a time to spend precious time with your aging grandparents.

On top of all that, she’s incredibly successful professionally. She’s done great things at work that you can’t begin to understand but know is important. So much so that you’re able to putz around for two years without a job and still travel wherever you wanted to go and buy whatever you felt like you had to have. And she’s made an unimaginable dream a reality by taking you to live on a tropical island. And you still get to travel the world and go on way too many vacations. So, to the most incredible wife in the world, I love you. Happy birthday.