2008 in Review

With each year that passes, change comes to those who seek it. As the cliché goes, “change is inevitable,” but 2008 has certainly turned my life on its ear. Despite the state of the country, I can confidently say that 2008 was a good year for me.


I started off year with a decision to quit my job and focus on graduating. It was about time I took myself seriously enough to finish school and be a functioning member of society. Though Coach was a great place to work, I found it to be a dead end to my plan for life. I felt that I needed to focus my energy on the bigger picture.


Before my last day at Coach, I had gone to a Confirmation retreat that I was never going to forget. We had braved through the tough weather to run a year 1 retreat. The snow was relentless but beautiful. Though the retreat was a success, a few of us did not make it back home as scheduled. It was certainly an adventure to “survive” the SDYM blizzard of doom. However, my co-workers did not seem the least bit worried about my welfare. Next time I’m in a dire situation, I have to make sure I’m not working.


This year, I decided to pick up a stray Confirmation group and it certainly kept me grounded. Dane, Gloria, Josh, Mikey, and Tanya, I love them all. I am especially proud of Mikey as he is the only one who stepped up to become a leader. He went from being dragged to classes and retreats to becoming a great example to his peers as well as myself. My love for SDYM is as strong as ever.


Las Vegas was certainly the destination of 2008. However, I didn’t know that while Arnell and I surprised NA for her 29th birthday. It turns out I would visit Las Vegas another eight times in 2008. In fact, the next time I would see the city was to celebrate my degree. The JW trip was a $1000 trip I’ll never forget. I got to see Janet Jackson perform for the second time in life at the Mandalay Bay. Seeing her was a huge dream of mine since I was very young. Whether I was there for a Wells Fargo event, concert, birthday or family event, Vegas was always a hoot.


The summer of 2008 brought about a huge wave of change. It started with me finally graduating from CSUN with a BA for graphic design. Not too much later, a new addition came, Matthew Brendan while his kuya Scott graduated from Kindergarten. In the same month, I had gone on my first “touristy” trip to the bay. Weeks later, my Tita Josie got married. Among all the tee games, photo shoots, I also had the biggest job I’ve ever had. I had the privilege to work with the Diversity Unit of the Hilton Family. I learned a lot from that experience.

As the summer wound down to and end, I made new friends, I passionately fought for my rights as an openly gay person, and most importantly, I celebrated a fourth year with the love of my life.


Now that the year is at a close, I realize that I would not have lived any other way. I look forward with hope and faith that I will only grow. My faith in God has strengthened and the love in my heart has intensified. that’s all I can really ask for.


I have received a lot of unwarranted advice as to what I should do with my life, but I have learned that it’s really about what path I choose, and not having to please someone else. Whether I succeed or not is up to me…and honestly, I cannot say that I am much of a success right now. But, I can confidently say that I have learned and gained a lot.


Now 2009 is an opportunity to continue and improve myself. I have no reason not to continue my progress. I am grateful for all of the people who are in my life who have made me a better person.


I love you all. I mean it.


If I have learned anything in 2008, it’s this:
Life is full of purpose, but only if you empower yourself to find a purpose each day.



Happy 2009 to all of you.