A lot of things has happened this year. Gosh! I can’t believe how fast this year went by! I swear it seemed like yesterday that I had left for the Philippines to visit our family there! Now its December and it’s time to welcome another year?
Here are our highlights for this year; the good, the bad, and the ugly…
January: Ryan and I celebrated our 5th Year Anniversary. We visited Philippines and prayed at central temple (the place we were wed) to thank God for blessing our marriage. Our friends Kuya Ed and Shey got married this month too!
February: Photography business starts to pick up with portrait shoots and events. Happy 27th Birthday to my sister Janice!
March: Celebrated my 30th birthday. This month also marked our 10th Year Anniversary as a couple. I can’t believe it’s been so long.. it seems like only yesterday I met Ryan on the #iglesia channel on mIRC. Cheryll (Ryan’s sister) celebrates her 29th birthday.
April: We got even busier with photography/videography work but I made sure to celebrate Ryan’s 31st birthday watching Wicked at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. Erika celebrated her 18th birthday!
May: Daddy (ryan’s dad) celebrated his birthday this month. Ryan and I worked a couple of weddings: Jane & Isaac and Tallulah & Farrell! Attended and volunteered to help with our INC Socal District Track & Field event. —– A beloved head deacon, Bro Roque, finished his course. My cousin kuya Ambro also passed away… :(
June: This month was a bit better – crazy – but better. Ryan and I visited Seattle, WA for the very first time to photograph an engagement shoot. We also spent most of the month preparing of the church’s 94th Anniversary & 40th Year Anniversary in the West celebration. —– Ryan’s grandfather passed away. I’m just thankful we were able to see him in January when we visited Philippines :(
July: Mommy (ryan’s mom) celebrated her birthday this month! The church’s anniversary celebration was held in Stockton, CA. It was a fun family trip to northern California. After the celebration, our van took a morning/afternoon trip to San Francisco. The first time my parents actually saw the Golden Gate Bridge. I’ll forever remember that weekend.
August: My cousin Fred and now cousin-in-law Natasha’s wedding month! We traveled to New Jersey to witness their special day and visited ate Peachy in New York. Ka Jewel and Sis. Micah also got married this month! It was an honor to be their photographer. Maia Angeli Caasi was born! —– The sad part about this month is: Jodick, Fred, and Joy’s mom, my aunty Vivian passed away. We also miss our beloved deacon Ka Delfin Gaspar and our friend’s baby: Gian Matthew Ordinario :(
September: Happy 26th birthday Johnson! This month, Lauralee & Steve got married. Ryan and I attended Kuya Richard and Mimmie’s engagement party! —– Also another beloved head deacon in our locale passed away. He was also a pioneer INC member for the District of Southern California – Bro. Romy Flores. :(
October: My dad celebrated his birthday this month. The 2nd Annual CFO Night event took place at The Grand in Long Beach. Also, our Ninong Vem celebrated his birthday. —– Aunty Fe Evangelista passed away after a long year battling with cancer… :(
November: Ryan and I traveled to Sacramento to photograph Anafe (his cousin) and Mark’s engagement session. Sheila celebrates her 18th birthday.
December: My mom and Jordan and Kuya Mike celebrated their birthday this month! Happy birthday also to Ninang Inay! Baby Kai Elijah Arceo was born! Anafe and Mark as well as Ate Lan and Joben got married! Meredith celebrated her 18th Birthday! —– Our sympathy to the Ortonio family who’s loved one passed away this month as well. :(
Only a couple of more days till 2009.. I’m looking forward to a new year with new plans and goals.
Torrance locale brethren – I’ll definitely miss seeing you around the chapel so I hope we can still do activities together! It’s exciting to see how the church is growing and spreading all over the world! Glory be to God!
One last reminder: If you would like to attend our Grand Evangelical Mission on January 2, 2009 at the Anaheim Convention Center Arena - please contact me. I HOPE-HOPE-HOPE that you can join us! If you are looking for spiritual inspiration – this is the event to go to! PLEASE Contact me at joan.solitario@es-sense.com for more information.
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!