About the Author: Derek

David covered most of the Olin info in his post below. But just to recap:

We graduated from high school in June 2010 (me from Masuk High in CT, him from Holliston High in MA) but we won't be going to college until Fall '11. We decided to defer our admission to the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering and take a gap year to see the world. 

After our trek across Europe, I'll probably be working in some sort of internship from January to May. Although I have a few prospects, I don't have a confirmed position anywhere yet so I'll keep you updated on what's happening with that. In the summer (May through August) I'll hopefully be working as a Ranger at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

If you want to get to know me, it's easier to do so in person or by having a regular conversation. But I'll give you a bit of info here.

I define myself as a nerd. Many people think I'm putting myself down when I say that - but I look at it instead as a mark of pride. I enjoy being the tech-savvy one. I'm good at math and science. I absolutely love programming. I wear a USB bracelet that reads <N3RD> and sign my name in angle brackets. It's who I am.

On the flip side, I'm also an avid outdoorsman. I'm an Eagle Scout and I regularly hike and climb mountains for fun. One of my favorite activities when I'm on a hike is to just sit and enjoy the pristine beauty of the wilderness.

My greatest fear is mediocrity.

Keep on reading! We hit Europe in 15 days and things are going to get really interesting.

<Derek>

Link

It seems blogspot doesn't like links
Copy and paste this into your address bar:
http://michelle-taiwan.blogspot.com/

About the Author: David

So I figure we need an intro to what exactly is going on.
To tell a bit more about ourselves. So here's a start.

Many of you may be wondering why a pair of teenage guys are going to be wandering the expanse of Europe in the middle of the school year. The reason is that we are both in our gap year; our year off between high school and college. After our year off, we will both be attending Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering as part of the class of 2015. We decided to utilize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and explore the great beyond... of Europe.

Just to make sure this is clear, there really are two of us. I am not schizophrenic... In case you were wondering...

Anyways, after 3 months in Europe I (David) will be rounding off my gap year with an internship. I'll be working with a research group that focuses on tissue engineering located in Boston.

So who am I? I am an 18-year-old originally born in the UK, but who has lived in Massachusetts for 16 years. I am a complete nerd; I love science, math, gadgets, computers, etc. I live in a town with less industry than the average pineapple, who's claim to fame is that the poem, "Casey at the Bat", took place in herein. I have a passion for biomedical engineering, and will always be a fan of the Fire Emblem series. I am unbeatable at Super Smash Brothers (and if you want to test that I'd be happy to take you on online).

I love food of any kind, and am rarely without a good book. I am also a cancer survivor (Leukemia) and a lover of animals. I live at home with my mother, step-dad and adorable cockapoo (that's a dog). I also have a pet bearded dragon named Kira. My sister attends UNCW in North Carolina. I have a wonderful girlfriend named Michelle. Anyone interested in Asia should check out her blog, as she will be spending her gap year as an student in Taiwan. She just arrived this morning. I miss her terribly.
Here's the link: :


Well that's a brief summary. Feel free to ask any questions you like; you'll find I'm a very open person.

Intro Part 2

Eurotrip!

The phrase conjures many images of all-night parties, drinking until you hit the ground, and wild sex. (Those images are thanks to the 2004 movie under that title.) But let this serve as a warning: if you're on this blog to hear about these types of activities, go watch the movie instead! It takes less energy on your part and will probably be easier to digest.

On our blog, we have something better than that. We're here to tell you about the escapades of two self-titled nerds on a whirlwind trip through several European nations! You'll hear of adventures, new friends, old relatives, amazing sights, and fantastic experiences. We'll also throw in some advice in case you decide to replicate our trip on your own someday.

I'm Derek (known by the alias phprogrammer) and as my esteemed comrade said below, we are embarking on a quest of epic proportions. You're not only invited along, you're obligated to join us! Over the next month, check back to hear about all of our preparations. Then, after September 12th, the stories will start rolling in, along with photographs (pics or it didn't happen, right?) to make it seem like you're traversing the canals of Venice or cheering the matador firsthand!

We're going to take Europe by force. And it is going to be a WICKED time.

<Derek>

Intro Part 1:

Greetings.
By viewing this page you have become a part of an elite group. On September 12 2010, I (David) along with my partner in crime, who will probably post his own name, will be launching our insurrection. And as you are now privy to that knowledge, we will have no choice out to drag you along for the ride.

Our attack shall begin in England, my homeland. We will use this island nation as a diving block into he rest of Europe. We will slip into Spain with barely a splash and seize control before they know what hit them. From there we will invade France, taking their army head-on. We will forge through the sea of white flags to Italy. Our war path shall lead us forward through Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark, and possibly even Ireland

So prepare yourself for an epic voyage.

Await further instructions