It's all about MEME!

I got MEME'd today by Brian Block then Scott Montgomery so I figured I'd better join the crowd.  
 
Drumroll pleeeeeeeeeeease.......... 
World Traveler
 
 
 
1.  I have been on every continent with the exception of Antarctica (with no intention of going there).  On April 12, 2003 I stepped out of the airport in Rio de Janeiro and inhaled the warm Brasilian air and accomplished my goal of being on every continent that isn't almost entirely an icecap.   I have lived outside of the US for 12 years and have been very fortunate to travel to a number of countries.   I hope to continue seeing the world.
 
 
 
 
 
2.  I am an American born in the US, yet English is my second language.  I left the US and moved to Ghana at age 1 and learned Twi before English.  I remember taking standardized tests where 
Ghana Mapnon-US citizens who were ESL speakers had the option of TOEFL, etc. 

Granted I was too proud to take a "helping hand", I believe I should have qualified.  After all, English *is* my second language.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Redskins Helmet

 

3.  I am a die-hard Redskins fan and I have had season tickets for over 10 years.  Even though I'm now in Florida I fly to DC and catch 4 or 5 games per season - the warm weather games of course.  We haven't had much to brag about in recent years, but the optimism doesn't fade.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.  I ran track and tried to make it on the circuit in Europe (unsuccessfully).  I trained post-NCAA at the University of Virginia and in June 1993 earned my first sponsorship to a meet in New Jersey (this would serve as a stepping-stone to Europe).  Two days later I ran barefoot from my car in the rain and Tommie Smithslipped into a railing and got 2 lacerations in my right foot and my season was instantly over.  I then semi-retired.  I have been in semi-retirement ever since.  ;-)
 
I did hold the UVa Indoor 200m record for 2 years.  It was broken by my friend who then had it broken 10 minutes later by another friend.  Even though the first friend was faster than me, I can always brag that I held the record longer than he did!   
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 
5.  I hope to one day have an M-collection.  I'd like to own 1 of each generation M3 - I currently have an E36 and would like to add
BMW logo   
 
Porsche 993
an E30 and E46 too.  I'd like both generations of M5s as well, but I'm more interested in the 3-series.  My appeciation for BMW started in 1991 when I took a friend's mother's 535i 5-speed through a road nicknamed "21 curves" (and survived).  Six years later I bought my first BMW, and it has been an absolute joy to drive.  I'd also like a Porsche 993 targa or cabriolet - enthusiasts will understand why.  One day......
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 3 people I MEME'd are:

Teressa Thompson because she's brand new to AR and I want her to make a grand entrance.

Hamid Grinage because I recently referred business to him and he's performed wonderfully.  AR members should get to know him.

Grace O'Malley because she's been a latent AR member and I want her to be more active.

 

16 Comments on It's all about MEME!

Tchaka, thanks for sharing in your Meme.  Now that you've been to all the continents, what's next?  Do you get much chance to speak Twi these days?

07/24/2007 07:17 AM by Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate (RE/MAX Allegiance)


Tchaka -- What a fascinating life you have lived and I like your choice in cars! Aloha

07/24/2007 04:20 PM by Bruce Bourgault, Vice President, Mpro (Central Pacific Home Loans)


Katrina - this is about ME(ME).  Didn't you get the memo?  ;-)

Brian - I rarely get to practice Twi, but there are quite a few Ghanaians in the DC area.  A number work in the Home Depot in Reston and also at Dulles.  So occassionally I'll throw a few words out.  While transiting in DFW back in February I did run into two women employees having a conversation in Twi and I joined in.  I'm getting a bit rusty but I could hold my own. 

Bruce - Thanks!  I'd really like an E30 M3 as it's apparently the best M3 made in terms of true driving.  I see on your site you're a survivor - congratulations!!!! 

 

 

07/24/2007 05:46 PM by Tchaka Owen (Elite Coastal Properties)


oh yeah I did... it seems like you see a lot of the same ones though...  :)

Thanks for visiting my blog posts, maybe we'll bump into each other at a BUCS game or so... I know the section you are talking about, we sit in that lower 305 section. (right below you opposing fans) he hee

It's almost football season!!!!!!!!!!

myspace layouts, myspace codes, glitter graphics

07/24/2007 10:46 PM by Tampa Real Estate | Florida Relocation | Land | LakeFront Home | Katrina Madewell (Charles Rutenberg Rlty- More than 3,500 agents(813) 235-9889)


Note: last comment deleted because though it appeared legitimate on the surface, further investigation revealed it to be a spam post.

07/25/2007 02:23 AM by Tchaka Owen (Elite Coastal Properties)


Tchaka,

I was hoping for an explanation in your meme of your unusual name.  How do you pronounce it?

Very impressive list of travels......very unimpressive choice of football team (I'm a Cowboys fan).

Good luck on your beamer collection.

I just listed your meme in my alphabetical meme list.  Check it out when you get a chance.

Thanks,

Lucky :)

 

07/25/2007 07:14 PM by Lucky Lang, Davenport, Iowa Real Estate (Mel Foster Company)


Katrina - I will certainly be in touch if I make it up for the game.

Scott - my tix arrived by FedEx on Wednesday!!!!  >:-)

Lucky - it's pronounced like the Zulu warrior and it is South African.  I wish your Cowpokes an 0-16 season.  I still remember the year (was it 89 or 90) when you guys went 1-15 (sweet!) and your one victory was against the Skins.  And we won something like 12 games that year.  Back in those days the spread never mattered. 

07/28/2007 01:12 AM by Tchaka Owen (Elite Coastal Properties)


Tchaka,

Shall we remember all of the years that the Cowboys reigned supreme in the league?

I still like your name!

Lucky :)

07/28/2007 06:50 AM by Lucky Lang, Davenport, Iowa Real Estate (Mel Foster Company)


Tchaka - what an interesting life you've had! I think you're A-Ok even IF you're a Redskins fan! LOL 

Ain't gonna happen here in North Texas! Tony Romo rocks!

10/05/2007 11:26 AM by Linda Scanlan ~Selling All of North Texas (Hall Team Homes)


Ouch, that hurt my ears.  Any Cow....Cow....see, I can't even say it.  Sacrilege to my Redskin-ness!  :-)

10/05/2007 01:35 PM by Tchaka Owen (Elite Coastal Properties)


As someone who ran long distance track 3,000 and 5,000 steeplechase in high school and ran in both Hong Kong and main land China trying to get to the next level. I understand the retirement thing, but it fun to brag about the holding the record just a little longer than the next person isn't it.

10/12/2007 12:11 AM by Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Washington Co, Beaverton, Oregon) (Kastings & Associates, Oregon)


Good for you, Todd!!  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  Speaking of broken records, 11 years after I graduated HS, I went back to Jakarta (for a wedding) and spent one afternoon with the track team.  I emailed a letter to the top sprinter about mentally running the 100m from start through the finish (most HS athletes don't have the mental focus down pat).  A few months later I received a picture in the mail from my old coach.  In it was said top sprinter squatting by a time display (at a track) and it had 2 times on it.  My initial reaction was, "Awesome time!"......then I recognized the slower time and thought, "Wait a minute....that's my record".  Doh!

After sobbing a while and spending a week on skid row I finally accepted that all good things come to an end.  :-D 

 

10/19/2007 11:25 PM by Tchaka Owen (Elite Coastal Properties)


Very interesting background!! Even traveled a bit...Go Cowboys

10/22/2007 08:59 PM by Tracy Santrock - Cary NC Real Estate (Fonville Morisey)


It does sound like you've lived an interesting life so far. No traveling here for me. Actually, I have but with in the United States. Never been out of the Country yet. Hopefully one of these days I'll get the chance. I know you hurt yourself in Track but do you get involved in any Marathons or Triathlons? My sisters mother-in-law, is a Triathlete. I believe she is somewhere around 55. I've heard of a couple athletes that have injured themselves but since they started the Triathlons, they are actually better. She's one example. Except she was already a Triathlete when it happened. Something to do with an injured disc. They told her not to do the races anymore. Of course, she's a stubborn Jamaican and did it anyway. She feels great.

Sorry for the long post. I can get carried away sometimes. Thanks for some personal insight into your life.

02/22/2008 05:29 AM by Dawn Rodriguez/HomeRun Title/ Title Insurance Company (HomeRun Title)


Leave a response…

Name:
Notify me of new comments:
Comment:
What does the graphic say?
 
Real Estate Agent: Tchaka Owen (Elite Coastal Properties)
Tchaka Owen
Hollywood, FL
More about me…
Elite Coastal Properties

Cell Phone: (954) 552-6112
Email Me
http://tchakaowen.blogspot.com/ is primary blog. But I will repost RE related blogs here.

Links

Tags (Tag Cloud)

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog
ATOM 1.0 Feed for this blog

Find FL real estate agents and Hollywood real estate here on ActiveRain.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
© 2007 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved