The Way of the Johnny

Wow, yet another year gone, and I only had 1 blog post in 2011!  I promise I'll post more in the coming year (I don't believe in New Years resolution, so that's probably as close as I'll get to one).  Like last year, I wasn't sure how many things actually happened this year because it was such a blur, but here they are as best as I can remember at the moment: The Bad The father of close family friends passed away.  I've known the family for most of my life and losing him was like losing an uncle.  May the soul of Francisco Buenconsejo rest in peace. Needed laser retina surgery AGAIN because I had a torn retina for the 3rd time The Good Photographed 1 wedding (better than none!) Attended my cousin's wedding Got more house projects done Worked on reviving the Filipino American Society The Awesome Celebrated 3 years of marriage with Sophia Found out Sophia was pregnant with our 2nd, and the baby will be a boy! Celebrated Cecilia's 2nd birt

This year, 2011, marks the 10 year anniversary of my dad's death. Thinking about everything that has happened in my life since he left this world, it feels like the decade has just flown by. Since his death, I've graduated college, worked for 3 different companies, I've been unemployed twice, met and married my wife, and had my first child. It's sad to think dad wasn't around physically for all these events in my life. One of the things I've been surprised by over the years is how little things remind me of dad. A commercial on TV, a scene in a movie, music, food, and just about anything else can conjure up memories. And after having my first child, seeing anything associated with fatherhood can also trigger thoughts of dad. It's bittersweet to think that my wife and I had our daughter when I was the same age as my dad was when him and mom had me. I am going through a lot of the same experiences he did, so I feel a closeness to my dad I didn't fee

Last year, I did a "The Bad, the Good" type list for the year, so I thought I'd do it again this year. I wasn't quite sure how many things actually happened this year because it was such a blur, but Sophia and I were talking and there were indeed a lot of things that happened. So here they are as best as I can remember at the moment (had a little wine to ring in the New Year): The Bad Had to replace the Element's windshield 2 times Needed laser retina surgery because I had a detached retina for the 2 nd time The Good Got a job! Photographed 3 weddings Got lots of house projects done Elected president of the Filipino American Society The Awesome Celebrated 2 years of marriage with Sophia Celebrated Cecilia's 1st birthday Watching Cecilia develop: going from being non-mobile to walking, babbling more and more, starting to eat solid foods, etc., etc.