SeanChoe : open travel blog

The Valley : How Silicon Valley Became A Startup Paradise

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 23:36:00 -0700

This is the video I took on May 2010, when I traveled around United States.

I visited as many startups as I can in Silicon Valley, and interviewed people who work there.

I'm very inspired by the people there, and the atmosphere of the startup industry. Thanks to all the people who gladly allowed my interview.

And I hope all of you enjoy this film.

Staring:

Jia Shen (Co-founder, RockYou)
Mickey Kim (Google. Now he changed his position to Head of Google TV Partnership Asia Pacific.)
Robin Sloan (Media Partnerships, Twitter)
John Yamasaki (Director of Community and Partnerships, Seesmic)

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Day 23-28 - New York City, the Cocktail of Culture

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:04:00 -0700

Itinerary

June 2 - Wall Street, Ground Zero, Time Square

June 3 - Amy's Bread, Circle Line Boat Tour (Statue of Liberty), New York Yankees baseball game, Natural History Museum, Central Park, Apple Store fifth ave, Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock)

June 4 - Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum, Museum of Modern Art(MOMA), Korean Town

June 5 - China Town, SOHO, Musical "Wicked"

June 6 - Brooklyn Tabernacle Church, Dumbo, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Smalls jazz club

June 7 - Washington Square, NYU, Guggenheim Museum, Williamsburg, Carnegie Hall, Japan Town

New York City. The center of the world, the melting pot, the city never sleeps.

It was the city that I've always been wanted to visit most. And I made it there!

6 days were too short to watch and feel every details of New York City. There are too many things to experience in the city. I should definitely go there at least once more.

The most impressive thing I felt in New York was that the city is full of cultural diversity. There was America, there was Asia, Europe, Africa, every culture of every countries in the world were literally melting together inside the city. I think that's the reason New York could be the mecca of fashion, art, and culture.

While I was in New York, I was always listening the 2 songs below.

Frank Sinatra - New York, New York

Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind

I recommend you to listen to one of the songs while you're reading this post. Specially the long-loved theme song of New York, "New York, New York". Here is the lyric.

Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today

I want to be a part of it New York, New York

These vagabond shoes are longing to stray

Right through the very heart of it New York, New York

I wanna wake up in a city that doesn’t sleep

And find I’m king of the hill, top of the heap

These little town blues are melting away

I’ll make a brand new start of it in old New York

If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere

It’s up to you New York, New York

When I was listening to this song on the "Top of the Rock", which is the observatory in Rockefeller Center, Watching the indescribable night view of New York, I just felt like the lyrics of the song. Like I'm on the top of the world, like I could make it anywhere. That was a life-changing experience.

The second best moment I had in New York was watching a performance in a jazz club in Manhattan called "Smalls". It was a very small venue and the tickets only cost 20 bucks, but the performance was just world best's. The guitarist and the pianist was from Russia, the drummer was a woman from Japan, the vocalist was from New York and the bassist was from other state in US. You can see the diversity there. They didn't have any list of songs to play, they just chose them impromptu. They were so great, I loved the music, place, atmosphere, everything.

Thirdly, Broadway musicals. I watched "Wicked", and it was just gorgeous. I expected much because of the fame of Broadway musical, but it had got over my expectation. Stage was amazingly fabulous, actresses and actors were funny and incredible, music is so romantic, and the story was interesting and great.

Fourthly, Time Square. the house I stayed in New York was very near to Time Square, so I could have several chances to visit there in day and night time. I can't forget the moment I got there on the first night in New York. Shining neon signs, big crowd, it was literally the city never sleeps. I could feel that I was indeed in New York City.

Fifthly, Brooklyn Tabernacle Church. it was a church in Brooklyn and they have got several Grammy awards with the gospel singing. I went there with my cousins, and it was so great service. They performed some music concert, and the signing by a choir of 200 or more people was just mind-boggling. I could feel very much of grace of God. Their voice was so powerful, and I could feel tight bond with the christian people there.

Last but not least, If you go to New York, you should go and try something at Amy's Bread. It was a bakery near my place and I found it on Yelp. I tried a banana muffin and it was awesome. The real banana was inside. In New York, you can stumble upon many great places.

Other things I experienced were all very nice too, but these things above are the 6 best things I enjoyed in New York. And I still have so many thing I want to do if I go to New York again.

The New York I felt, was a big cocktail glass of culture.

See more pictures here.

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Day 19-22 - Chicago, the Gotham City

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:10:00 -0700

Itinerary

May 28 - Night view of Chicago, Chicago style hotdog

May 29 - Chicago style deep dish pizza, Chicago Cubs baseball game, Millennium Park, John Hancock Observatory

May 30 - Attending a church, Wendella Architecture Boat Tour at Chicago River

May 31 (Memorial Day) - Shopping at an outlet

June 1 - Willis(Sears) Tower Skydeck, Navy Pier

The first impression of the city of Chicago to me was "Wow, this city just look like the Gotham City in Batman movies!". And turns out, it was true!! They filmed the whole "the Dark Knight" and "Batman Begins" movie in Chicago and I didn't know that before. After I figured it out, I fell in love with this city even more.

Chicago had very unique attractions. One of them was the buildings. There was a big fire called Chicago Great Fire in 1871, so the whole city burnt out at that time. So Chicago decided to build every building according to it's master plan. So now they have so many beautiful skyscrapers. Almost every buildings in Chicago was really amazing.

Second great thing was food. Chicago deep dish pizza was just as good as it's fame. I tried Uno's and Giordano's, and I prefered Giordano's. It had more cheese inside. Once you order the pizza they say it'll take 35 minutes to cook, and it took exactly 35 minutes. We(me and my friend) check the time because we were so hungry.

Chicao style hotdog was so great too. They don't use catchup, only mustard and onions. You should try them both if you have chance to go to Chicago.

Third, Chicago Cubs. I bought the ticket for a Cubs game in Wrigley Field in advance and went there with my friend Sam. Wrigley Field is home of Chicago Cubs and it is one of the oldest baseball stadium in States. It looked old and small but it was really attractive. Everyone who were watching the game seemed to be just enjoying a family picnic. I loved the atmosphere. They even made seats on the rooftop of building around the stadium. It was kind of a big game, Cubs vs. Cardinals, and we enjoyed it really much.

And there was Chicago Blackhawks. It's a NHL hockey team, and when I was in Chicago, they made it to the final round. So everyone went almost crazy. On many buildings they wrote "Let's Go Hawks!" or "Go Hawks!" with lights and windows, and when I walk through the city at night, many people were screaming by the joy. They even kept shouting "Go Hawks!" to a stranger like me.

And I just found out that they won the final game!! I should've be in Chicago at that moment!! It must have been an unforgettable moment.

Chicago was the city of romance, passion, and artificial beauty. I had not known much about this city before I went there, but I really miss it now. I should watch the Dark Knight movie again every time I miss Chicago.

See more pictures here.

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Day 16-18 : Moving On

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:02:16 -0700

I spend 3 days to move from one city to another. I drove for 7 hours from Irvine to Sacramento, took train from Sacramento to San Francisco Airport, the plane delayed for 4 and half hours, I flew to New York JFK airport, and then flew to Chicago Midway airport again. The whole journey took 3 days. I bought cheap tickets so I was supposed to take the connecting flights. But I learned a lesson that time is worth than money. I should've bought the direct tickets even if it was a little more expensive.

But I think it was really a good idea to drive through California road no. 5. It was a different road with no. 1 which I took when I drove to LA, and it had different attractions. It was almost like driving through a desert.

I was running out of gas on the way, and the gas station appeared right before it all runs out. God helps me a lot on this journey. indeed.

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Excuse

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:46:36 -0700

I'm writing this after I got back from the travel. I planned to write my travel logs everyday, but I couldn't. My excuse is I was busy and tired more than I thought before. I apologize this to everyone. Anyway I'm writing the remaining logs from now on. Please stay tuned!

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Day 15 - City of Angels

Sun, 30 May 2010 14:06:54 -0700

On Tuesday we went to Los Angeles. the first place we got in the morning was Getty Center. It was really nice place. There were many great paintings and statues, but for me the building itself was more impressive. They built it so beautifully, and it was on a hilltop, so the view and nature around it was so amazing. It's very nice place to go as a picnic with family.

In the afternoon we went to the famous Walt Disney Concert Hall in the LA downtown. But since we are not there to watch the concert, there were not many things to see inside. But the exterior was really gorgeous. And we could look around places near the city hall of LA.

After that, we went to Santa Monica 3rd street Promenade. That place was famous by the street artists. It was very exotic scene that young artists were performing on the street. Although there were not many artists because it was weekday evening, but I had great experience.

And at night, we went to Griffith Observatory. The night view from there was absolutely amazing. We couldn't watch stars there, but lights in LA city was as beautiful as them.

LA doesn't have many landscapes I think, but it has a few great places and they are all worth visiting. And most of all, the fine weather of southern California is the best thing to enjoy in LA.

See more pictures here.

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Day 13, 14 - Irvine

Sun, 30 May 2010 08:12:27 -0700

Day 13, May 23rd was Sunday. My pastor took me to a American church named New Song Church. The service was very young and powerful. That speaker of that day was a pastor named Chris Seay, He wrote a book called "The Gospel According to Lost". Yes, the epic TV show Lost. Since I am a huge fan of Lost and his speech was so great, I bought the book. I haven't seen the last episode of Lost yet though. So much looking forward to it.

In the afternoon, we went to the Irvine Lake. It was an artificial lake, and everything was so beautiful there. Very exotic. It seems to be very nice place to live. And then we looked around the UC Irvine.

On Monday morning, We went to Laguna Beach. The houses and trees, beach, everything was so wonderful. And we had a brunch at the famous place called Las Brisas. The food was great too.

on Monday afternoon we went to another beach and had time to talk and watch the view. The beach was very calm and I enjoyed the moment so much.

Irvine was very clean and organized city according to my impression. I felt I could be more healthy mentally and physically if I live in that town.

See more picture here.

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Day 12 - A Road Trip

Sun, 30 May 2010 07:54:17 -0700

I drove from San Jose to LA to visit my old pastor in Irvine. It took 11 hours. yes, 11 hours. It was the longest driving ever in my life.

It just takes 6 hours if I take the direct freeway, But I choose to drive through the California No. 1 which is near the ocean, and it was really really great decision.

The view from the road was just spectacular. The best driving road I've ever seen in my life. really. It was like a course in the Need For Speed game. I dropped my jaw all the way through.

See more pictures here.

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Day 11 - Last but not Least

Sun, 30 May 2010 07:44:24 -0700

It was my last day in San Francisco. I will be missing this city so much.

Friends at the Korean tweetup in SF last night told me that I should visit the Palm Drive in front of Stanford University. So I went there in the morning. It was beautiful as they said. I was able to feel why Stanford is the Stanford.

And in the afternoon, I had an appointment with the CEO of RockYou, Jia Shen. We met once at the Kmixx meet-up in Korea, so he allowed me to visit his company. The company was in Redwood City, and it was quite big. They have up to 200 employees now. RockYou makes social games and widgets. And Jia allowed me to tape his talking as well, Very thankfully.

In the evening I went to Golden Gate Bridge again. The friends at the Korean tweetup also let me know the best view spot for the Bridge, where I've not been before. I could see the bridge very closely there. I stayed there until night, and was able watch the night view of the bridge and the city also. It was just gorgeous.

See more pictures here.

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Day 9, 10 - Google I/O

Sun, 30 May 2010 07:00:00 -0700

Google I/O was one of the main reason of my travel to United States. And it was beyond my expectations. I met so many great people, had great food, and watched the amazing keynote. The best part was I was right in the middle of the event I've always dreamed of.

The best part of I/O was the keynote speech of second day. They announced the next Android, Froyo, and Google TV on that day. Watching the keynote in the middle of the audiences was far better experience than watching a concert for me. The room was full of techies like me, and it was so fun to feel the same things with everyone.

Froyo was amazing. I haven't think that way before, but now I started to think that Android actually can compete with iPhone. There were so many great features in the new Android version. In fact, it even looked as they tried to make only the features iPhone doesn't have. And it worked.

And Google TV, well, the first impression to me was like "Can't I just connect a Mac Mini to a TV?". It was good that they made TV searchable, but the UI was not that different from PC. And they made too many mistakes during the presentation because of the bluetooth connection, And it even devaluated the product itself. My friend Mickey was also in part of the project, so I felt really sorry about the mistakes. But I can tell the Google TV is just starting now, and it has so many potentials. We'll see.

Another best part of I/O for me was the GTUG(Google Technology User Group) managers' dinner on the night before the I/O. Managers of GTUGs from all around the world gathered in one place, had food together, and talked a lot. They were all fun and great people.

And as known to everyone, Google gave away the HTC EVO to every attendees! including the one month unlimited plan! That's perfect for me because I'm traveling here in US for a month. So I got 2 new Android smart phones from Google this time. I couldn't get more excited.

See more pictures here.

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Day 8 - Moments in San Francisco

Sun, 30 May 2010 06:25:28 -0700

On this day afternoon I checked in for Google I/O, and rest of the day I looked around San Francisco by car. Even though there was some parking fee, I found that it's more easier to move around by a car than walking. Well, which is pretty obvious.

First I went to a famous brunch restaurant called Butler & Chef. I knew there by Mickey Kim, a friend of mine who works in Google. It was a french restaurant located at South Park. The waiter who had great french accent was very kind. And food was so nice too. Specially the onion soup. There was Google Places mark in front of the restaurant which means it's already known to many people.

Then I went to Golden Gate Bridge. In fact, I was about to visit the Palace of Fine Art, but I ridiculously drove to wrong way and got to the famous place for travelers where they can watch the bridge. I just took some pictures of the bridge and moved on.

Then as I planned, I went to the Palace of Fine Art, took pictures, and then headed to the famous Lombard street. You know, the well-known zig zag load in San Francisco. There were many travelers and the street was beautiful as the fame.

Then I drove to Twin Peaks. I didn't expect so much about that place but turns out it was the best view spot I've ever been in San Francisco. The weather was great, and I could see whole city at a glance. It was a gorgeous view.

And I went to the Civic Center, which is the city hall of the city.

My purpose of this day was to tape and take pictures of the great moments of the city. I was not that interested to look around the famous places, but the scenes and moments I saw today was very priceless and unforgettable. I'm more and more falling in love with the city.

See more pictures here.

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Beach of California

Sat, 22 May 2010 14:28:28 -0700

At Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Weather is amazing today. :)

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And I got a new number!!

Thu, 20 May 2010 12:25:13 -0700

Oh my God. They provides free unlimited phone service for a month. I
stay here for a month, and it's perfect. Magical. The phone is just
awesome. God is preparing everything!

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I got the HTC EVO 4G!

Thu, 20 May 2010 11:35:12 -0700

Google gave away gorgeous HTC EVO 4G to every attendees! I've got 2
Android phone for 2days! Google takes care of deveolpers a lot. :)

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My iPad

Wed, 19 May 2010 11:46:10 -0700

I finally got my iPad!! Yes!!!

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Day 7 - Twitter

Tue, 18 May 2010 01:47:00 -0700

Twitter changed my life. Literally. I quit my job to start a company with people I met on Twitter, and I contacted people via Twitter to meet them during my travel.

Today, I visited Twitter headquarter.

I've contributed to a personal project of Robin Sloan before, who is working on media partnerships at Twitter, and I can get a chance to meet him at Twitter office today. Robin was really kind, funny, and smart person, on my first impression.

I could tape an interview of him also. He was so helpful. Thank you so much again, Robin. If you read this.

And I saw Biz Stone!! I wasn't introduced to him, but I saw he's working in the office. I could recognize him right away this time.

Robin told me that there's a coffee shop that all the people who are into starting a company are gathering and discussing. The place where it all begins. It's called Ritual Coffee Roasting. I visited there at night. Almost everyone was using their laptops and talking enthusiastically. Amazing experience it was.

This travel can't be more exciting. I mean, so far.

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Day 6 - the day I've been dreamed of

Tue, 18 May 2010 01:34:10 -0700

On Sunday, 16th, was definitely the best day of my travel so far and possibly one of the best day of my life.

I visited Pixar Animation Studio. And something happened. I'm sorry but I have to keep it quite about what happened. Confidential thing. :)

I thank God so much again. I'm so excited about what will happen to me later on!

Oh, one thing I can tell you, I've met Brad Bird, the director of Incredibles and Mission Impossible 4. I even had a handshake with him! But sadly I knew that it was him later. I didn't know how he looks. :(

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Day 4-5 : Family Gathering

Sun, 16 May 2010 23:02:40 -0700

On 4th and 5th day, I visited my relatives in Sacramento. I played golf, swam, ate a lot, and had great time so comfortably. Since I couldn't stay there that long, Every members of my family living in the area gathered on Saturday night. Thank you so much all. I love you!

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Day 3 - The Golden Sun

Sun, 16 May 2010 22:05:00 -0700

I drove to San Francisco early in the morning. The first destination was Golden Gate Bridge. I drove through the bridge and got to the north, where the Sausalito is. Golden Gate Bridge is like the symbol of San Francisco, so I could feel that I'm indeed in the city. Sausalito was so beautiful place. Hills, beautiful houses, ocean and yachts. I just drove here and there to watch the view and feel the peacefulness.

Next, I head to my favorite place, Apple Store. I was tend to buy the iPad, but it was sold out there as well. They set a notification for me that will email me when the new iPads come to the store.

I even got the parking ticket in San Francisco. I'm just thinking it as a very expensive special experience.

On the afternoon I visited Seemic.com office. I made an appointment with John Yamasaki(a.k.a Yama) in Seesmic, and he gratefully welcomed me. I taped some talks of Yama, and he introduced the office for me. He was so kind and I met so many great people again.

After that I parked my car near Soompi office and took public transportations to look around the city. Because parkingng in San Francisco was too difficult and expensive. I dropped by some favorite places like Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, but those were not my type.

At sunset, I spontaneously took my car and drove here and there, hills and piers of San Francisco, listening to the song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" by Tony Bennet. That was the best moment in San Francisco so far. Check out the lyrics of the song.

The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gay

The glory that was Rome is of another day

I've been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan

I'm going home to my city by the Bay

I left my heart in San Francisco

High on a hill, it calls to me

To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars

The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care

My love waits there in San Francisco

Above the blue and windy sea

When I come home to you, San Francisco

Your golden sun will shine for me

YouTube : Tony Bennet - I Left My Heart in San Francisco

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Day 1,2 - San Francisco

Thu, 13 May 2010 23:51:28 -0700

I'll be trying to post wrap-ups of every day during my travel. It's 3rd day today, but I came home to late yesterday and was so tired to post. So I'll do both today.

on Day 1, The weather was amazing. My uncle who picked me up from airport and gratefully provides a room for me, said it was raining yesterday. But today the weather was so great that he think America is welcoming me. :) Either way I felt really nice because of the weather. Everything looked so bright and vivid comparing with Korea because of the ray of sunshine.

on the first evening my uncle's family and I went to have dinner to a salad buffet restaurant named "Sweet Tomato". Since I got here in US, every food I had was just amazing. The restaurant was so great too. I had the best broccoli ever in my life at that place.

And fortunately I could borrow a cellphone from my cousin and rented a car from a shop for 2 days.

on Day2, I had an appointment with Mickey Kim at Google. it was on 3pm, but I got up early in the morning and drove to Apple headquarter. It was like pilgrimage to me. I couldn't go into the company because I don't know anyone there, but still it was really awesome experience to me. I bought some souvenirs at the company store.

And then I visited Stanford University. The whole campus was so clean and beautiful. But again, I didn't have any information about the campus so it didn't take long to look around.

Then finally I got to the Google headquarter. The meeting was on 3 but I've reached there on 1 and had lunch there. It was lunch time then so many people were there but no one recognized me that I'm a stranger. So I could have great time around the Google campus. Couldn't go into the office building of course.

It was first time for me to talk to Mickey in person but he was really great person. Kind and enthusiastic. He showed me the Liquid Galaxy, which was amazing, and we had an interview and I taped it. I will publish it later when I get to Korea.

I set an appointment with Joyce Kim at Soompi.com as well. I drove to San Francisco until 5pm. Joyce and I had coffee together and had great conversation. And unexpectedly but amazingly, The whole employees of Soompi was supposed to go watching the San Francisco Giants baseball game on that night, and they let me join!! And it was a Korean heritage theme game even!! I think God helps me a lot during this travel.

We lost the game but the whole experiences are just unforgettable. I appreciate to everyone.

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