Thursday, January 27, 2011

Why I want to live in San Francisco + The Awesomeness of LetterBoxing


How bout that article, "Why Chinese Mothers are Superior," huh? Ask anyone on the street if they read it and they've had, to the point where I'm thinking Amy Chau deliberately wrote that piece in the Wall St. Journal to draw attention to her book. I saw 2 people in front of me during class today on their laptops checking out "Tiger Mother," Chau's most recent book. Gets me thinking, what if I wrote a piece on "Why Chinese kids are superior?" Cuz for every Chinese parent who's imposing her parenting prowess, there's gotta be a willing Chinese kid who gets the parenting imposed on him/her, right? I got plenty of material. Actually, stay tuned for that: that will be a title of my next post, coming soon to a blog near you.

Anyways, a few weekends ago, I visited my friends in The City By the Bay, "Frisco," "Fog City," "The Golden Gate City," (nicknames lifted straight out of Wikipedia), a.k.a. San Francisco, CA.
I gotta say, I've been to Frisco like 3 times in my life, and each time I'm even more impressed.

The Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, but it's not just the tourist scene. San Francisco's the city where I've always pictured myself growing up, the perfect dichotomy to the flat, mundane surbaban community that I grew up in. Don't get me wrong, I loved where I grew up in friendly Darien, IL: A good place to live. San Francisco, though, offers just the opposite of my homely little neighborhood: large urban atmosphere, mountains in the background, city by the ocean, large Asian community, fine arts, professional sports teams within reaching distance.

The view of San Francisco is just absolutely beautiful, especially in the early summer: from scenic spots like Angel Island, you can see sprawling views of virtually the whole city, most of the bridges, and the bay leading out to the vast expanse that is the Pacific Ocean. I LOVE that about San Francisco, the fact that you can wake up in your neighborhood and take a trek to the Golden Gate Bridge and just be literally on top of the ocean; or that you can go to a quite beach and just take in the day; or you can go to the markets and street stores in downtown and shop for awhile without worry of the time. Basically, many of the qualities of Los Angeles, except more of a city feel. (L.A. has a city line of about 3 buildings standing next to each other). O and AT&T Park is a GREAT place to watch a baseball game, ESPECIALLY with the World Series champ SF Giants. The fans there are proud of their teams and are avid fans.......something I can't say really about L.A. fans, except maybe Lakers fans......during the playoffs. They really know when to show up.

Also, allow me to introduce to my viewership the concept of letterboxing. For those who have witnessed me espousing the virtues of The Amazing Race, it's basically The Amazing Race for the average citizen, or anyone who has the time for it ( without the $1 million cash prize at the end of it, just the satisfaction of finding the letterboxes, which some may argue is worth more than the mone).

Basically, people around the country hide "letterboxes" in locations around the country, usually hidden in little crevices or crannies not usually accessible by most people. The letterbox consists of a "mark" or "stamp" that represents the location that it's hidden in. the objective is to find this letterbox using a set of clues that are presented online by the originator of the letterbox. It's fun stuff, and the search for these guys have taken me to some awesome locations throughout the world. It's basically "The Amazing Race" without all the emotion and stress-related drama prompted by the producers, and I'm getting hooked. There's little treasures hidden all around the country that most peoel don't know about, including parks, bridges, recreation centers, truck stops, mountain passes, and some of the best-looking places in the world. I did some letterboxing in San Francisco, and found some of the finer parts of San Francisco. Give it a shot.

Fantasize on,

Robert Yan

Sunday, January 23, 2011

State of the Robert Address


In anticipation of President Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday (which I'm looking forward to, by the way, as 2011 may be THE biggest year the US has seen in decades, as well as being ALL-IMPORTANT for the Guru himself), would like to update readers on state of the Robert (I know, readers, somewhat selfish of me, but maybe you'll pick up some tidbits that you like along the way)

DaMan promised in 2009 that 2010 would be HIS year, and.......it really wasn't. He didn't achieve many of his goals, he didn't "break through" in the way he wanted to, and in many ways it was disappointing, but I like to count my blessings.... on most of the important things, I actually did have a successful 2010. Lost 15 pounds, spent a lot of time with my family, held two different PAID jobs (yay!), improved my basketball game, finished whole TV seasons of the Wire, Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, Friday Night Lights, Pushing Daisies, Firefly......good shows one and all. Didn't win a fantasy championship or an NCAA tournament bracket, but placed 3rd in the bracket and continued my run of making the playoffs in all my leagues. Stayed healthy, stayed fit, stayed tragedy-free (cross my fingers this year too), and even helped my sister with her interpersonal and physical skills.

In this year, the Year of the Rabbit, I hope to do the following:

1. Maintain a healthy interpersonal relationship with a certain someone;
2. win a fantasy trophy (get some hardware somewhere, almost don't care what type of sport it is)
3. graduate law school
4. pass the bar
5. obtain a full-time job (a job, any job!!!!!) sometime by the end of this calendar year
6. continue in my healthy, disciplined way
7. make some sort of signficiant breakthrough in my life.........something, anything!!


It's funny, President Obama took the Presidential office on a platform of change (a CHANGE in America!), and that's exactly what American society is doing, just maybe not in the way President Obama wanted voters to think (he meant a change in decisionmakers and the way things are done politically, what's really happening is a fundamental change in the way we live our lives, how the economy operates, and what drives businesses, people, and all decisionamekers). That's how a capitalist society works; it's built on change; the market is constantly changing based on what consumers desire and what the market demands and what is the most efficient; And we as individuals also need to adapt to change to what society demands. Smartphones, social networking, wireless devices, solar panels, alternative energy, fuel-efficient cars, stealth planes, these are the things that will define the rest of this decade and beyond; we need to be aware of these changes and adapt.

When you think about it, that's life: Life is constantly happening, things are always changing, there is no status quo; which just means we all need to adapt, and whoever adapts best will most likely succeed. Fantasy basketball: the seasons' always progressing; you gotta pick up guys from the waiver wire to compensate. Tennis: the ball is always moving, you gotta move your body to get in position Life: you gotta roll with the punches. Your car breaks down, gotta get it fixed. One career didn't work out; gotta find something else you're good at and start a new one.

So in 2011, the main thing I gotta do, if nothing else is: adapt to what's happening otu there. Be well positioned for when my opportunity comes. Because it's gonna come: There's a change coming in America, and we all gotta be ready for it.

Fantasize on,

Robert Yan

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Hey Ho, Whaddya Know, Bears are going to the ........


Finally, it's here: Tomorrow is the Day of Reckoning. Ever since the NFC Conference Game participants were decided last weekend, when the Packers beat the Falcons and the Bears took care of the Seahawks, it's been the same message: the Packers are going to use Chicago as a stepping stone to reach the Super Bowl, fulfilling the prophecy that is Aaron Rodgers's career and adding to their storied tradition of winning. All week I've heard it, from ESPN analysts, football diehards, radio personalities, supposed "sports experts," and even (unfortunately) some Bears apologists. Las Vegas oddsmakers seem to agree, as most betting lines have the Packers as a 3.5-point favorite on the road against the Bears (basically saying that the Packers are a touchdown better than the Bears).

NOT SO FAST!!!

Listen, I have a reputation on sports analysis and on this site and people who listen to me or read me probably would agree, I am NOT a sports homer. I root for Chicago teams, I root for certain SoCal teams, I root for my alma mater (Illinois) whole-heartedly, but I am ALWAYS objective in my analysis. If I think my team's gonna get beat, I say so.... I hope they win regardless, but I know in my heart (and I express it through words) that I feel like it'll be an uphill struggle. Like today: Illinois basketball hosting #1 Ohio State: Illinois had high expectations coming into the season and haven't played well because their lack of size underneath and sometimes-stagnant offense, and I predicted a loss. I really hoped it wouldn't happen, but it did. So is life.

NOT SO about the Bears. It's amazing how much the beloved Bears have been this season. Early in the season they were one of the last undefeated teams in the league @ 3-0, got no credit because they didn't deserve it, and got thumped by the Giants and subsequent home losses to Washington and Seattle, and the league wrote them off. That was the first half of the season. After their bye (and going into the 2nd half), this has been a COMPLETELY different team. Except for one snowy day at Soldier Field in November (trouncing by the Patriots), the Bears have showed up to play every game. They always seem motivated, they play solid football, and they wear out their opponents. The Defense is living up to its Monsters of the Midway nickname: It is once against having another Glory Year, much like it did in 2006 or 1985: Super Bowl runs.

People say the Bears didn't beat anybody......they beat the Packers @home, the exact same game they'll play tommorrow. They beat the Jets.... seems like the Jets are a pretty good team now, doesn't it? They played the Packers tough @ Lambeau in a game the Packers needed infinitely more than the Bears. They DEMOLISHED the Seahawks in a game that wasn't close to as close as the game indicated.

Concerns? Everyone's favorite whipping boy, Jay Cutler. Yes, go ahead and show the errant throws Jay Cutler makes. Go ahead and show the Redskins game. Go ahead and doubt his tenacity. Underestimate him. Cuz when you look deeper at the stats and at past games, it tells a different story: Jay Cutler threw 23 Touchdowns to 16 interceptions this season, an above-average percentage for the NFL this season. He did it with minimal talent at WR positions (Knox, Bennett, Aromashedou, WHOOOO???) and a Tight End who doesn't run all that fast despite being a big target. Rushing game not exactly the best to set up the pass. For all the love Aaron Rodgers gets for pulling it down and scrambling with the football, Cutler is no tortoise. He can run too.

Colin Cowherd says if he had $10,000 to bet on the game tomorrow he'd put it all on Green Bay to cover. OK, Colin, I say if I had $10,000 to bet on the game tomorrow I'd put it all on Chicago. Something's gotta give. I feel SO convicted about this; I have never felt so strongly about sports ever in my life: So much so I've set up a personal stake in the game: if the Packers win tommorrow, I am wearing all-Packers gear and colors for a whole day and saying "I love Aaron Rodgers" all day in response to any questions. This would be terrible; I would truly be devastated if I have to do this, which is why I made the bet: I am confident the Bears can help me avoid that fate.

Obviously, it's not a sure thing. Something could go awfully wrong (as it does many times in sports) and Green Bay could come out with a blowout victory. Sure. But is it likely? No. And that's where I think my lesson is here: Before you count your chickens before they hatch, Green Bay, before ESPN starts setting up Aaron Rodgers personality story angles for the Super Bowl, before Colin Cowherd puts his life savings down on the Packers -3.5, I want to just remind everyone:

NOT SO FAST.

Fantasize on,

Robert Yan

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Reflections of the Mole


Plenty of stuff going on in the world today, including a HUGE upset in the NFL playoffs with the defending champs getting upset by a 7-9 Seahawks team (well, now a 8-9 Seahawks team) AND the colts getting leveled at home, thus assuring that neither of the Super Bowl participants will be there again this year. Such is the NFL.

But I HAVE to, HAVE to pay patronage to one of the most cherished parts of my life: The Mole. Specifically The Mole 2: The Next Betrayal. While the initial season of "The Mole" was important in initiating the series and bringing the show to life (as well as still being a pretty good season of reality TV), it pales in comparison to the masterpiece that is The Mole 2 (IMO, of course). I will flat out declare right now that I declare it to be the best television show of all-time. Better than the Wire. Better than Seinfeld. Better than MASH. Better than the 3 stooges. Anything. The Mole 2 is the perfect combination of realistic people + precise casting (bringing enough diversity from all walks of life that the players complimented each other) + INTRIGUING host (Andersen Cooper = much love) + Mind-numbing challenges (episode 9, the ball-rotation game, is the biggest mindf*ck challenges ever created) + Excellent music (very underrated portion of this show) + built-in conflict (the Mole v. the other players) + viewer interactivity (viewers at home could guess who the Mole is).

Even if you don't believe me that it's the greatest show ever created, you should at least try it (it's free): To get started, go on youtube and type in exactly, "the mole 2-1-1." We're also waiting for The Mole 2 on DVD......Get it when it comes out. You'll be begging to know who the mole is by episode 3, I guarantee you. It'll probably turn out to be those all-nighters where you watch the whole series all the way through and wonder why it's morning already when you're going to bed.

The Mole 2 is SO good that I've watched it several times (not just the initial TV airing, when it came on in the summer of '02- I've been hooked ever since), and each time it actually gets BETTER. It's like a baseball mitt: it actually gets better with use. You see little nuances that you hadn't seen before; you focus on different things. I'm so hooked on this show that I recently ordered "Reflections of the Mole" by (the actual Mole of the Mole II, whom I won't reveal for people who haven't watched it but will). The Mole gives a brief biography of his/her life but pairs it nicely with what Mole fans are actually interested in, inside secrets about the show.

For avid fans, did you know that the Mole was actually in danger of being replaced DURING the filming of the first episode? Did you know the Mole's family situation was so dire that the Mole almost didn't make the trip? Stuff like that is SO valuable for me, a fan of the Mole but also of reality TV and the whole casting process.

Sigh, I am so loving life right now. I think in everyone's life you need something (some THINGS) probably that make you happy, that you can draw on whenever you need it to give you some joy. And I'm not talking about drugs. The Mole makes me very happy.

Fantasize on,

Robert Yan

Friday, January 7, 2011

Movies of 2010


Da Guru saw a lot of movies in 2009 -2010: A quick recap of them all in one sentence each:


1. The Lovely Bones: flashy, but not very good when it comes down to it.

2. Avatar: Didn't see it on IMAX; plot non-existant

3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1: instantly forgettable.

4. Get Him to the Greek: Really really funny......don't think it got the praise it deserved.

5. Hot Tub Time Machine: Less funny, but clever. Good for cheap laughs with friends.

6. Alice in Wonderland: Gave this movie 15 mins, didn't like it, moved on.

7. Toy Story 3: Genius.

8. Valentine's Day: Lovely mess of a movie -- good if you like really famous actors/actresses.


Realized very quickly that I actually didn't get around to seeing many movies in 2010, like Social Network, The King's Speech, The Kids are All Right, Inception, Black Swan......yeaaaahhhh.... Changed this to recap of favorite fantasy players:


1. Dustin Pedroia: A wasted year; He'll be back.

2. Kevin Love: was freed in 2010.

3. Arian Foster: Living proof that fantasy football is just a crapshoot.

4. Jamie Garcia: proof of life on the free agency list.

5. Chauncey Billups: is done.

6. Derrick Rose: Blossoming (cliche alert)

7. Jhoulys Chacin: Up and coming.

8. Adrian Peterson + Chris Johnson: Enjoy while it lasts.

9. Aaron Rodgers: Fantasy God. Dislike team he plays for.

10. Blake Griffin: perfect illustration of dichotomy between economic + fantasy value: I wouldn't draft him in top 50 for fantasy, yet would draft in top 5 as owner to attract revenue.

11. Trevor Hoffman. You had a good run. Enter Sandman.

12. Robinson Cano: Welcome to 2012 #1 draft pick (Trust me).


Fantasize on,

Robert Yan

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Fantasy New Year's Resolutions


Fantasy New Year's Resolutions only the Fantasy guru can deliver: Everything you need to know about fantasy teams this year (specific things YOU can do to improve yourself):

1. BE READY for all your fantasy drafts. This is what most owners do when they sign up for a fantasy league: 1. get the email from the commissioner, 2. look at what date and time the draft is. 3. show up to the draft. That's not enough. The draft dictates about 50% of how your fantasy season turns out. You gotta do some research. You gotta look at last year's stats. You gotta check out this website. DUE DILIGENCE. I've been guilty of it, but vow never to do it again.

2. Draft a Boston Red Sock in your fantasy baseball draft. Loaded lineup. Preferably one of the "old" Red Sox.... I'm not sure how Adrian Gonzalez adjusts to AL pitching, he and Carl Crawford both have incentive issues with the fat contracts they just signed. Prefer: (in this order): Pedroia, Youkilis, Ellsbury.

3. win your NCAA tournament bracket. No real way to do this.....early rounds are more luck of the draw; FOCUS on your Final 4 picks (though they can also be VERY random). Pick 4 teams you like and stick with them; usually the best teams get there, and if not, usually the people in your bracket also picked them.

4. STOP drafting parasite hoops players: one of the nuances about fantasy hoops I love: guys help you, but also HURT you in multiple categories. Anyone who hurts you in more than 2 categories, AVOID!!!! (FT borderline = 75-76%, FG borderline = 45-46%). Turnovers, anything more than 2.5 is getting hurtful.
Examples: (Baron Davis: FG, FT, TO). Degree of hurtfulness also must be in consideration: can knock it down to 2 categories: (Dwight Howard: FT% AND TO, STephen Jackson- I've NEVER owned that guy).

5. Covet young, up-and-coming skill players (RB and WR's, especially WR's).
5a. Don't draft WR's with BAD QB's (see Larry Fitzgerald). However, even servicable QB's (Shaun Hill) are OK.

6. Keep drafting pitchers late in fantasy baseball drafts........one thing I've never had to resolve, I've never been burnt by this rule and stick by it steadfastly. If 2010 was the Year of the Pitcher, just wait til 2011.

7. Get in shape.

Fantasize on,

Robert Yan

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Going to the Dentist


Usually don't devote much energy to something as mundane as going to the dentist, but this particular visit needs to be mentioned.

I should have noticed the warning signs, but I guess I was oblivious: random Tuesday afternoon, first week of the year, I'd been going to this particular dentist all the time (twice a year) for the last 5 years or so......I was used to it.

However, today when I stepped into the patients' chair, I sensed a different aura. I expected Dr. Liu, the guy I'd been with for the longest time, to come any time now and get it over with. A visit with Dr. Liu, while never pleasant, wasn't the worst, and it was necessary: my teeth needs a good cleaning now and then. But today, something was different. Something was......off. Suddenly, a new face stepped into the room and rang out, "So how are your teeth doing?" The rest went downhill.

Even after meeting the new dentist, my spider-sense still didn't go off: I'm like, "eh, can't be too bad. She seems cool....I wonder what a substitute dentist is like....Let's just get this over with." I lay back, open my mouth, and close my eyes. BIG mistake. Like inviting an intruder into the house, that was asking for trouble. As the scalp/drill/torture device went into my teeth, it felt like my mouth was instantly on fire. The drill worked right into my gums, so as my whole mouth felt the pain. Nerve endings I never knew existed screamed for relief. My hands clenched. I opened my mouth to scream only to realize my mouth was already open. I didn't want to offend this new dentist, but HOLY JESUS she was making my life miserable. When will the pain end? O god finally she's done. One tooth down, 31 to go.

So yea, basically the ten longest minutes of my life. The substitute clawed into my gums over and over again, sending waves and waves of pain, distributing it evenly along ever corner and crevice. Half the time I wanted to ask, "Haven't you worked that corner enough already?" The other half wanted to use the submissive approach: "Please, anything......" I kept trying to go back to what a wise man told me once: "When in pain, try to think of a happier place and channel it." Uh, that wise man didn't know what he was talking about. I was thinking about ice creams and chocolate and ice water in the middle of summer, but like reading my mind, the substitute instantly crushed those thoughts with a sharp stab into the most tender of areas.

Afterwards, I felt like I was in a daze. Was I alive? Can I leave now? Are my teeth still there? Am I EVER coming back here again?

The lesson here is: NEVER take the substitute dentist! You never know what's gonna happen!!! Going to the dentist is kinda like getting a haircut or going to an interview: You don't any surprises.

Fantasize on,

Robert Yan

P.S. It still hurts, man. Collateral damage.

Monday, January 3, 2011

10 Questions with.....Robert Yan


Based on the Time Magazine column "10 Questions for (insert celebrity here).



1.) Q: If you were the richest person in the world, what would you do?

A: I would finish up law school and pay off all my loans (gosh, that'd be such a load off), buy my parents another house somewhere (somewhere exotic, most likely), buy the Dodgers (heard they're having some problems there) or similar pro sports franchise, become the sole financier for the production of the Mole 4 (with real-life contestants, not celebrity version) and run my own business. I've always thought I'd be great at running company as its CEO or owner; I'd love to have a chance.


2.) Q: What advice would you give to prospective law students?

A: Think long and hard before accepting. List out the pros, list out the cons. Sure, law school can be a very valuable experience with excellent career prospects if you're able to land a big firm job afterwards.....but therein lies the rub. Law is not for everyone, and more importantly law doesn't have enough room for everyone. Be sure that law is what you want to do, because if it's just the allure of money you may be bitterly disappointed.


3.) Q: What is the most valuable thing in your life?

A: I've been very lucky in life from a health standpoint; I rarely ever get sick nor sick. And my family, all things considered, is pretty awesome. So I wouldn't change those two things for the world; you need those as a baseline to go anywhere in my opinion.


4.) Q: You've had a lot of success with fantasy sports. To what do you attribute that success?

A: You gotta like what you're doing. I have a passion for following data on players, statistics, and watching sports. Gotta love what you're doing so that you put the man-hours in, or else you won't be motivated to manage your teams. Don't let it become a chore; play because you love it. O, and as with everything, luck......especially fantasy football, man.


5.) Q: You were a certified chess nerd in high school and co-captain of the chess team. How's that going now?

A: I only play against the 7-to-10 year-olds at the camp I work at and I constantly lose to boost their confidence. Or crush the kids who think they're really good. I think chess was one of those things in high school that fueled my competitive drive, and I also happened to be good at it. Any of those board games like chess or card games like hearts, if there's a clear winner/loser, I get competitive. I did really love chess and being in tournaments......those were the days, man.


6.) Q: Weren't you supposed to appear on Reality TV, like Survivor or something, by now?

A: Yea they haven't called me. Next question.


7.) What's the best job you've ever worked?

A: Haven't had that many yet.....lotta internships, work experience in college, high school grocery store worker.......still gotta be the 3 years I spent working at summer camp as a counselor. Basically getting paid to be a big kid and help kids become socially competent with their peers. I loved that job. But to propsective employers: You could definitely give me my BEST job ever........call me!


8.) Q: Favorite sports memory?

A: Still gotta be Illinois's 2005 NCAA tournament run to the championship game, man. I've bled orange and blue since little-tot status and love that team....that crazy come-from-behind victory against Arizona was like, EVERYTHING had to go right for that to happen. And it did. The "one time" miracles did happen.


9.) How's Laser Eye Surgery going? Any unexpected side effects?

A: So far so good. One year out and I see wonderfully; I probably will have to get reading glasses later on in life but no signs of deterioration; we'll see in like 10 years. But I'd recommend it if you have the cash; I feel like a free man unleashed from having to wear glasses.


10.) Q: Where do you go from here?

A: Finish up law school, take the bar, and most importantly find a job. My job from here on out is to find a job. Then excel at that job. Learn a lot. Seek mentors. Become an expert. Make fantasysportguru even better. But along the way, remember where I came from, retain the values that have gotten me this far. They haven't let me down yet.


Fantasize on,

Robert Yan

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Mr. Yan Goes to Vegas

Starting off 2011 (the new decade!) by recounting what happened at the end of 2010: ANOTHER trip to Vegas. After swearing off going to The Land of Losing Money, my parents decided on a "close-to-home" vacation after all the travel problems last year (what with Carnival cruises shutting down, delayed flights, airplane crashes, and all that)........and so of course where do I find myself the day after Christmas but the main casino room of the Bellagio hotel.

Observations from Mr. Yan's trip to Vegas (and some other places):

1. Blackjack is fun when you're winning/breaking even. Rooting for the dealer to bust, congratulating fellow players when they get blackjack, saying howdy-do's to the dealer, getting drinks of your choice for $1.....it's all good when you're not throwing money down the toilet.
*I do NOT have a gambling problem!

2. What in the world is pai gow? Baffling game with cards, mahjong tiles, etc....don't plan on ever playing that.

3. Three-card poker just LOOKS like a game for suckers........there's like 3 levels of betting, a.k.a. 3 levels of losing all your money.

4. Proof that dumb luck exists: I sat down at a Casino Wars table (the game where high card wins each hand, nothing to it) and won $200 with 10-dollar bets. Allllllll skill.

5. Sports betting is made much too easy for derelict gamblers. Big screens up front set to each and every NFL, NBA, and college hoops game, and bookies ready at the counter waiting to take your money. Also, personal note: Never bet on Oklahoma Thunder, never bet on the Atlanta Falcons. Sounded like 2 confident bets..........NO.

6. Blue Man Group is a nice show for people of all ages. Even my parents got it. But they sure do a lot of the same things: I remember going to see them in 2005 (WAY back in high school) and them having a lot of the same material.

7. Mystere @ Treasure Island is NOT worth your money. Yea, cool acts, good flexibility, funny old guy, but felt awkward and forced. Half the time I didn't know what was going on. Not a good sign.

8. Joshua Tree is fun and one of the outdoor treasures of California, but NOT fun when it's close to FREEZING outside.

9. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is AWESOME.......bring your sleds and gloves and snow stuff in the winter, cuz there's snow up there for sure. Get there early though cuz you'll be waiting at the mountain station for awhile.

10. Vacations aren't necessarily about going to exotic locations and splurging on everything.......it's about sharing time with people love and enjoying relaxing. And that's what I did. Hopefully you did the same.

Fantasize on,

Robert Yan