CAP'S SHIELD_90 minutes.

"Oh, say! can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming;
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:
Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave..."

A few days ago, on a cold and rainy afternoon, Eric became a full-fledged American citizen. It was a very strange swearing in ceremony as 900 people packed themselves into a banquet hall, raised their right hands and pledged their allegiance to the United States and its flag. And when they sang the national anthem, I damn near shed a tear.

After the ceremony I asked Eric what he wanted to do, as in, "Hey, where do you want to go to eat?" I guess he misinterpreted what I meant because he said, "Well, why don't we take the new passport out for a spin?" To which I replied, "Okay. Where to?"

And that's our plan. But we are hoping we could get your help, participation, and kindness, dear blog reader. So, if you are from another part of the world, outside of the U.S., drop us a note and tell us where you are. And if you don't mind playing tour guide for a couple of days to a handful of guys who are genuinely interested in learning about your place and country, consider us there! Haha! And for your trouble, we'll make Eric draw a picture for you and as many of your friends until his hand falls off. That's what we Americans call a 'bribe'.

Just betwen you and me, I think this just Eric's way of saying F*CK YOU! to the whole Schingen headaches he's had to deal with in the past. As for me, I'd just love to visit different places. And why not do it with my friends? It'll be awesome. First up? Germany.

-Jon Tsuei