I just had a great time traveling the last few days… It was an interesting “adventure” since it was the first time my entire “family” of Kelly, Obi, Ethan and myself traveled together. I used to think traveling with a dog could be a challenge but Obi is a piece of cake compared to handling an infant! It was Ethan’s first ride on an airplane. We had wanted to travel earlier but we wanted to wait for him to turn 3 months and for his body to get stronger before we got him on a plane.
Ethan is growing up fast. It’s been an enjoyable experience watching him grow. Since Ethan was born, both Kelly and I take at least 1 picture or video a day.
The other day, Kelly was shopping for a Halloween outfit for Ethan and I was just playing around with him… and I caught Ethan’s first laugh! I always have my camera ready so I was able to catch his first “crackle.” He must have been super happy that day since it’s been a week and Ethan has not laughed like that since! Anyway, it’s a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life. Here is the video:
It was great to be with family and in Vancouver. Vancouver is a beautiful city with TONS of awesome Chinese dimsum and sushi! If you ever visit that city, make sure you check out Sushi Garden in Burnaby! (it is located across the street from Metrotown mall)
After taking Kelly and the “kids to Vancouver for them to see Kelly’s family, I went to NYC and to Maryland. I went on a great 2 day trip with my mom to Maryland… I had an important business meeting there so I just rented a car and drove the 3 1/2 hours. It’s interesting to note that when I used to live in NYC, that drive would seem like a huge long road trip… but after years of driving around in California (and especially doing the 6 hour drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco) that NYC to Maryland is like a nice Sunday drive. It just flew by… My mom decided to accompany me and we turned my business trip into an awesome 2 day of mom/son bonding. We went shopping together at Bethseda and also spent time in the Baltimore Harbor. It was really my first time in Baltimore and I came away with an awesome impression of the city. I really liked the harbor area a lot… I had a great time sharing and catching up with my mom and the fine dining made it even better! It was definitely a lifetime memorable moment.
It is always nice to be back in the east coast. I don’t think I would ever live here again but it’s great to be back and it brings back the memories… it is so different from California and you can consider it a totally different country from California. The environment, the people, the culture, etc, etc… everything is so different! I’m grateful I can travel back anytime to visit my parents and also plan to take Ethan to as many places as possible as he gets older. Traveling is not just for fun but one of the best educational experiences. I constantly teach others that where you will be 5 years from now depends on the books you read, the people you meet and the places you travel.
In order to be successful, we need to constantly challenge ourselves to nonstop learning. There is a saying from the late business philosopher, Jim Rohn, “formal education will make you a living but self education will make you a fortune.” Traveling is a fun and essential part of your learning process. You get exposed to new people, new cultures and most importantly, new ideas. You learn that things are not always what you think they are and that other opportunities exist. Mark Twain said it best:
“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”
Traveling expands your mind and challenges your current beliefs. It allows you to think outside the box and to consider other opportunities.
You don’t necessarily have to travel to exotic countries to maximize your educational experience… sometimes it can be as simple as getting outside your neighborhood and go some part of town that you have never ventured before. Or if you live in an upper income area, then visit a lower income area… and vice versa. One of my favorite things to do when I visit a new city (such as Baltimore this past weekend) was to go jog around the city and see how the locals live their lives… another favorite hobby of mine is to visit neighborhoods with $5 million dollar mansions and to see how the successful people live. Both are educational and inspiring.
Wherever you go, it will help you get out of your comfort zone and allow you to expand your mind and experience something new.
Let me know where you go this week. Happy Travels!
Simon Chan
it’s great to see Ethan enjoying his first trip with his Mum and Dad. Awesome photos and thanks for sharing his first ‘crackle’ with us.Cheers!
hi upline, good to hear from you again. I miss you! hope to see you , kelly and ethan soon 😉
Hi Ups Simon,
Ethan is soooo cute!! 😀 Definitely ups, will be constantly traveling!
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