As always it's probably important to begin a blog with a post about myself.  My name is Jeff, I'm 25 years old and from Stillwater, MN land of -30 degree temperatures and hockey .  I went to the University of Wisconsin and studied History and Communications/Public Relations.  After I graduated I spent a year teaching English in Yuyao City China and traveling around Asia and Europe.  I have one brother who is currently studying to be a lawyer, both my parents are retired and a plethora of cousins, uncles, and aunts that live to make my life interesting.  I am totally addicted to Ultimate Frisbee and the Dave Matthews Band, I will make a promise right now that most of the posts I leave here while reference one or the other.  I'm studying beginning Mandarin now that I'm back in the U.S., I was too busy having fun in China to work on the language and I'm preparing for Graduate School.  My goal is to work in a field that will either allow me to travel back to China regularly, or move there long-term.  I miss green tea and dance clubs and going out to McDonalds as a special treat instead of as an everyday thing.  I miss bicylce taxis and karaoke rooms, I was the American champion among my Chinese friends.  Right now I'm working for Target Corporation in their Transportation department and soaking up all the knowledge I can about air, land, and sea transport.  I also play the cello, piano, guitar, harmonica, and am trying to learn the Chinese flute, it's been quite an experience.  I'm a dedicated long distance runner, looking forward to completing my first back-to-back marathon weekend this summer, it's not about the time you post, it's all about the race you run.

I guess that pretty much covers me in a nutshell, I'm easy to get along with, fun to hang out with, and most likely frustrating to understand .  There will be more but for right now that is it, outside we have two feet of snow and it's not that cold so time to bust out and head to Afton Alps for some snowboarding!!  Take care everyone and of course, Happy 2009!