10 Things You Might Not Have Known About Me

1. I grew up in Newport Beach, California, a small coastal town in Orange County, California.

The same Orange County that they made a TV show and movie about. Looking back, it really was kind of a bubble though I didn’t know it at the time. College and all the traveling I’ve done since then really opened up my eyes to the rest of the world. How so? Well, in terms of the way people live, different cultures, their values, their delicious food, and all those exciting and novel things that only travel can bring.

2. I used to get bullied in Japanese school.

Because I was fat. And my middle name is Jun, which the little kids would make a rhyme out of “Jun Jun the big fat balloon”. This was one of the main reasons I hated going to Japanese school when I was growing up. The other was I just wanted to play, like any other kid.

3. I used to be Yelp Elite.

3 years in a row, 2009-2011. By the time I retired, I had written 281 reviews! I started my foodie adventures while I lived in in San Francisco and wrapped up the last 2 years in Los Angeles. One of the benefits of being Elite, were the many parties they threw with local businesses, lots free food and open bars! This was the period that I really developed my palate and began to cook more. Eating out all the time got tiring relatively quickly, as did the parties. I soon began to cook a lot more at home and became much more particular about what restaurants we ate at or got take out from.

4. I hate watching sports.

Football and baseball were my favorites to play. I stopped football after freshman year to avoid getting injured for baseball. I was going to play college baseball but didn’t make the tryouts. I didn’t deserve to either though, the whole summer between high school and college I pretty much hit the beach the entire time, rather than practice and exercise. Now it’s just surfing for me, at least when there are waves, of which there haven’t been very many this year. Poo!

5. I love wearing sunscreen.

When I’m surfing or in the water. But when I’m hiking or not getting wet (not at the beach), I hate it. I hate how it makes your skin feel sticky. Then you smell like sunscreen too and everything you touch gets oily/sticky. And sprays are the worst. I hate it when I’m sitting at the beach and someone upwind decides to spray, and a big fat cloud heads into my territory!!

6. I’ve bought an annual fishing license 3 years in a row so I could fish when backpacking.

We go backpacking regularly once the weather warms up. Around 5 times a year seems to be the average. Out of all the trips we’ve made the past 3 years, I’ve caught a total of three fish. Was it worth it? Hell freakin yea! I’ve been meaning to go diving for sea urchin, but need a boat. Maybe next year!

7. I’m trying to start my own business and have been experimenting with different ideas.

My goal is to retire, or at least, be financially independent by the time I’m 40. I’ve never written my goals down before, but after listening to Michael Hyatt’s podcast episode I did. Mark my words.

8. I like to DIY.

As much as possible and when I have time. There’s nothing like building something out of nothing, especially if functional. When I was a kid LEGOs were my favorite toy and I still enjoy building things. Projects this year include: my hydroponic grow containers and converting my beach cruiser into an ebike with a mid-drive motor!

9. I’m going to take another extended trip to travel the world.

At least for one year, maybe two in duration. I previously traveled in Asia for 6 months and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I plan to embark on this extended trip within the next 5 years. Been saving money since my last trip and need to begin working on the itinerary.

10. My girlfriends name is Emi. 

And we’ve been together 8 years! She says hello!