A 2005 retrospective

During this time of year, almost all newspapers, magazines and TV news shows are doing a lookback at the year that just past and looking back to 2005, I realized that there were a lot of things that happened to me that changed my life.

2005 has been the most memorable year in my life so far. It is the year of change, to say the least. It would be very tough to find a year that will top this. But as with all things in life, you have to expect the unexpected.

January 21- KC and I got married in a civil ceremony held at the Paranaque City Hall in the presence of our family and friends.

January 22- We left Manila for a short 6 day honeymoon in Singapore and Hong Kong. Bumped up to business class on Cathay Pacific on the Manila-Hong Kong route. Arrived in Singapore around 5 p.m. and missed the city tour the next morning because we didn't wake up. ;)

January 26- Watched Sting live in concert in Hong Kong. It was one of the best concerts I have ever seen live. I guess we got pretty good seats as we are in the same row as Bongbong and Imee Marcos and other socialites from Manila.

April 17- Got married (again). This time it was a grand celebration with the wedding ceremony at the Manila Cathedral and the reception at the Manila Peninsula Hotel. About 300 guests showed up to celebrate with us - or just to get drunk.

April 19- Went to Boracay for fun under the sun.

May 1- Onwards to China for a tour of Shanghai and Beijing. The Great Wall is breathtaking.

June- KC received the approval from the USCIS. WE ARE MOVING TO U.S.A.

July- Interview at the US Embassy went well. There is no turning back now. We are definitely moving to Seattle (or close to, anyway).

Found out that KC is pregnant!

September- Went back to Boracay again to enjoy the beach and the sun. Problem is, there was no sun. Rained the whole time we were there and it only cleared up a few hours before we are scheduled to fly back to Manila. Bummer.

September 24- The big day has arrived. Loaded with 280 pounds of our personal stuff in 2 gigantic luggage bags and 2 full-and-ready-to-explode balikbayan boxes, we are stepping to the unknown.

Arrived at SeaTac airport and met by Mom's childhood friend who treated us a part of their family (we will always be grateful).

October- KC started working, I officially became a houseband. Learned how to cook, do laundry and clean the house.

Found out we are having a boy!

November- Our first Thanksgiving here. Decided not to get a turkey, instead ate lamb. Yummy!

December 15- watched T-Mac and Yao Ming demolish the Supes. Would have been a better match if the 2 teams didn't suck this season.

My family called me at halftime and informed us they got their visas! They will be arriving next year!

December 25- Christmas here is very very different to the Christmas I grew up with. I miss the malls in Manila.

Merry Christmas everybody!

from me, KC and the baby inside her belly. :)

Impossible is nothing

Got this photo from Sports Illustrated's Pictures of the Year. Stupid referee didn't allow him to play in a high school football match because he is not wearing any shoes. How stupid is that?

Today is the official start of winter. Ironically, it has been the warmest day for a long time.

KC and I are also excited that my brothers and my parents finally got their visas and will come and visit us here early next year! This is one of the best Christmas gifts you can ever ask for.

Merry Christmas everybody!

Live at the Hardcourt

KC and I went to Seattle last Thursday to watch the Sonics against the Houston Rockets. This is the first time I ever saw an NBA game live and it was better than what I have ever expected.

T-Mac was sensational and it was fun to see Yao Ming play. They did pretty well and won the game. Definitely not the last game we're gonna watch live.

Can't believe it's just a few more weeks to go 'til Christmas. I think that this is the first Christmas that I'm not in Manila, the first away from the family and the first without having to go through the hellish traffic along EDSA.

Christmas will be totally different for KC and I, as this is the last Christmas we're gonna celebrate that's just the two of us - which is a scary thought. With two months left before our baby arrives, I am still not sure what to do. I am not sure that I am ready to be a Dad. I think that everybody who reads this would agree.

Oh well... let's see.

Let it snow...

It's snowing quite heavily now, and it forecast to stay this way well into tomorrow. I'm worrying about driving later to fetch KC from work but also excited to see the snow. It is really nice to see the snow if you are just home with a hot cup of coffee beside you.

By the way, threw my first snowball earlier. :) And yes, those were my footprints.