2008, the year that was.

With two days left until 2009 begins, I've decided to write my first blog by recapping the events surrounding the 2008 year.

-On December 27th, 2007, I proposed to my then, girlfriend of 6 years, Jennifer, in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
-The month of March allowed me to receive my first "teaching award" by being named Teacher of the Month at Auburn Junior High School.
-In May I went to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It was the coolest place even though Yellowstone was kind of overrated.
-In July Jennifer received an amazing job offer in Jacksonville, FL. After much debate, we decided to leave Auburn (sigh).
-Also in July my parents hosted our first wedding shower in Philadelphia. As girly as it was, it was really great that all of my childhood/school friends came to it.
-In August I replaced Mrs. Jean Lamar at Callahan Middle School in Florida. To those of you who have no idea who she is, Jean Lamar was the teacher of the year in the STATE of Florida. I had big shoes to fill.
-I witnessed the first Philadelphia Championship in 25 years by watching the Phillies role over the Brewers, Dodgers, and then the Rays. My dad, Cuban, and I took off and went to the Phillies parade. This was, by far, the single greatest sporting event I have ever witnessed.
"World Champions. World F*CKING CHAMPIONS" - Chase Utley
-I thought the year couldn't get any better until the week of November 22nd. All of my Philadelphia friends; all of my Auburn friends; and some surprise friends (Mark, Puff, Canuck's Family) came to my wedding.
-On December 25th Jennifer and I spent our first Christmas together.
-And finally, on December 28th the Philadelphia Eagles went into Sunday with an 18% chance of making the playoffs. Houston beat Chicago - check. OAKLAND beat Tampa - Check. PHILADELPHIA beats Dallas - PLAYOFFS!

There were definitely some ups and downs that went along with 2008. I hated to leave my friends from Auburn. I watched the Flyers lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 7th game of the Semi-Finals. I forgot my wedding vows. My best friend Brian was in a serious accident. Jean Lamar came back to Callahan, therefore I lost my job. Jennifer lost our honeymoon pictures.

But overall, I wouldn't change anything that happened to me in 2008.

Sincerely - me