Desafinado

Christmas Newsletter 2011

2011 was an eventful year; one filled with wonderful moments, as well as a few sad ones.

As with the past, my travels allowed me to spend quality time with my nephews and godchildren, as well as visiting with dear friends and relatives.

Some highlights included:

* Cameron accomplishing his goal of visiting all fifty states. This year's road trip took us to the Great Plains, as well as Pennsylvania and West Virginia (his last state).

* Trent starting his goal of visiting all thirty MLB ballparks. A die-hard Dodger fan, he also attended their summer camp, meeting his favorite players: 1B James Loney, CF Matt Kemp, & OF Trent Oeltjen.

* Scott embarking on his first road trip (to Arizona). While there, we also got to visit my cousin, an old high school friend, and their families.

* Taking a college road trip with my goddaughter and her mother; through New York, New Jersey, & Pennsylvania.

Tragedy also befell our family this year, as one of my godsons passed in February at the age of 11 after battling cancer. A dear uncle also passed away in August, succumbing to Alzheimer's. I found a little solace in the happy memories that we had during my last visits with each (with my godson last summer and with my uncle during a visit to the Philippines).

All in all, I still find that I lead a blessed life; quite happy with where I am and where I believe I am able to make the greatest difference. While life had its share of disappointments, it was coupled with ample amounts of laughter, amazing twists, and new opportunities.

As we bid farewell to another year, here's to wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Joyous 2012.

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!

Joseph

Christmas Newsletter 2010

Here's wishing you and yours all the best this Christmas season and that this newsletter finds you well.

The new year of 2010 started out in Buenos Aires, as my nephew Cameron and I spent the final leg of our Antarctic journey in "la París de Sudamérica". We awoke early on the first and seemed to have the entire city to ourselves. As the rest of the city slept, we took our own walking tour, visiting the Obelisk, the Cabildo, the Casa Rosada (Argentina's version of the White House), and the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Our journey to Antarctica was a trip of a lifetime. We logged in several hours observing penguins, seals, sea lions, petrels, and even a few whales. I easily filled several memory cards with photos of the scenery and wildlife. After visiting about a dozen different bases and islands along the Antarctic Peninsula, however, our trip was cut short when we had to come to the aid of another ship which had lost one of its engines. Despite the brief disappointment, we still felt that we had gathered enough lasting memories and experiences..

In March, Mom, Dad, and I took our annual pilgrimage to North Carolina to watch Duke win yet another ACC Basketball Tournament Championship. We were further treated to a NCAA Championship a few weeks later. Also that month, I began my first year as a season ticket holder with the Dodgers. I had been a limited season ticket holder with the Yankees when I lived in New York and missed being at the ballpark in that frequency. What made the decision all the more simpler was when former Yankee skipper Joe Torre and boyhood hero Don Mattingly had joined the Dodgers a couple of years earlier.

It made for a great season of baseball, especially being able to share my love of the sport with my nephews and other family and friends. An added perk involved getting a chance to meet many of the Dodgers; hanging out in the dugout with Joe Torre, meeting Vin Scully in his broadcasting booth, getting batting tips from Tommy Lasorda, and practicing my Spanish with Fernando Valenzuela.

My annual road trips with each of my nephews continued this year. Trent and I visited Seattle and Portland in April; adopting a hippo at the Woodland Park Zoo, visiting the Space Needle, searching for sharks, and relaxing at Cannon Beach in the shadow of Haystack Rock. Cameron and I traveled through the Atlantic Coast this year, starting in Philadelphia and visiting Princeton, Wilmington, Baltimore, Washington DC, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh-Durham. Highlights included going to Great Adventure with his cousin Christian, visiting the White House, and participating in Duke's basketball camp where he got to meet Mike Krzyzewski. His states visited count now stands at 42. My youngest nephew Scott will embark on his first road trip next year.

Other travel included our family vacation to the Dominican Republic, a trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Teton with a couple of college friends, and a trip to New York to watch my sister run the NYC Marathon (her tenth of the year and 13th in the last 14 months).

During my travels, I again had the delightful opportunity to reunite with aunts, uncles, and cousins; and dear friends from college and high school. It was my annual reminder of what a charmed life I lead whereby I not only get to see so much of this country and planet, but that I am also blessed with so many great people in my life with whom to spend time. Thank you.

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!

Joseph

Christmas Newsletter 2009

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope that this newsletter finds you and yours happy and healthy.

This year's newsletter might seem a little rushed, but hopefully for good reason. Later this month, Cameron, my parents and I will be embarking on a cruise to Antarctica. The cruise takes place at this time as it is summer in the southern hemisphere and travel to the continent is relatively easier and warmer. Needless to say, it's a trip of a lifetime and we're all very excited.

This year's ACC Tournament in March took place in Atlanta, so I again treated Mom and Dad to a weekend of Duke Basketball as well as a little shopping and sightseeing. The fact that Duke won it all only added to the enjoyment. And despite their early exit in the NCAA Tournament, the other teams I follow (the Steelers, Penguins, & Yankees) more than made up for it.

In April, Cameron and I embarked on our Annual Road Trip. This year, we traveled through the Gulf Coast states, starting in Atlanta and going through Pensacola, Mobile, Biloxi, Gulfport, New Orleans, Little Rock, Houston, and Kemah. Highlights included NASA's Mission Control, the French Quarter, the Georgia Aquarium, the USS Alabama, the Clinton Library, the Boardwalk at Kemah, and several beaches. We were also able to visit the Cassars (dear friends from college) and Cameron's cousins (Matthew & Andrew).

In June, Trent and I went on our first road trip together; albeit just a short one through Kansas and Missouri. Despite the heat, we were able to enjoy a few theme parks (especially Oceans of Fun in Kansas City) and learn quite a bit about the places we visited: the Capitol at Topeka, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, the Brown vs. Board of Ed Museum, and the Kansas Speedway. This trip also marked a personal milestone for me, as I have now visited all fifty states.

In July, Dad sustained a foot injury while playing basketball with the grandsons. He has since recovered and the only long-term damage has been to his pride. Unfortunately, the injury sidelined him from joining Mom and I on a trip to see Mount Rushmore and the Badlands.

In August, the Cruz family took their annual vacation; this time to Kauai. Some family activities included surfing, mountain tubing, snuba diving, kayaking, and on our last night there, a luau at the Smith Plantation.

In September, I was given the honor of being godfather to my cousin Arnold's son, Carson. The baptism and reception was a grand affair of which I was fortunate to be a part. Later that month, I had the "honor" of another sort: playing single father to my three nephews while my sister and brother-in-law went on a week-long cruise to the Mexican Riviera. Despite a few episodes, enough time has passed that I can now laugh about it.

This year also brought many a visit to Disneyland with the boys (I'd wisely invested in Annual Passes last year). At last count, I believe I averaged a monthly visit to the Magic Kingdom. We were also able to take weekend trips to San Diego to visit friends and take in the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld.

In taking a look back at 2009, this year afforded me the opportunity to reunite with several old friends from high school and college through my travels and the marvel of Facebook. I am thankful for having had the chance to catch up with many of you face-to-face over a meal or an outing. The great memories and friendship that have been brought back have been an immense blessing.

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!

Joseph

Christmas Newsletter 2008

It's that season again and as always, I hope this newsletter finds you well.

This year took me to several places where I was able to reconnect with old friends and make some great new ones.

In January, the family traveled to Lake Tahoe to relax after the holidays, as well as to visit my cousin Nicole. The nephews enjoyed the snow and Cam learned to snow ski and properly ice-skate (hopefully wiping out my attempt to teach him last year). Learning to ski & skate were part of Cameron's quest to earn belt loops for Cub Scouts. Later in the year, I'd also teach him golf (of course, this was a little self-serving of me, as now I have a regular golf partner).

In March, we went on our annual Cruz Family vacation; this year on a Disney Cruise, where we were able to visit Orlando, Key West, the Caymans, Cozumel, and Disney's own private island in the Bahamas. I initially had reservations about the cruise, as I had thought it involve mostly kid-related activities and itineraries, but was pleasantly surprised at the great time I had.

In May, Dad celebrated his 70th birthday. Honoring his wishes not to have a grand party, we had a relatively small dinner with family and friends. Then Mom treated him to a cruise around the Mediterranean.

In June, Cameron and I went on our Annual Roadtrip. This year, we adventured around New England, first starting in New York, then driving to New Haven, Providence, Springfield, Brattleboro, Hanover, Portsmouth, Portland, Rockport, and finally Boston. Cameron's state count is now 33. Along the way, we visited some Ivies and met up with old college friends, colleagues from previous projects, and former professors.

In July and for most of the summer, the boys discovered the theme parks around Southern California, including Disneyland and Knott’s. I was able to rediscover them myself with them. Incidentally, upon recollection, I found that I had been to Disney only once since high school's grad night and hadn't been to Knott’s in that entire time.

In August, I watched my Goddaughter's softball team play in a tournament in Las Vegas. They placed 5th out of about 50-60 teams, which was amazing since they played one-to-two games a day in 100-degree heat for almost an entire week. I was so proud of her.

Later that month, I went on my first solo road trip in a decade through Dakotas. I began in Bismarck, and then traveled to Medora, Devils Tower, Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, and the Badlands. It was awe-inspiring traveling through these monuments and national parks and experiencing the grandness and natural beauty of this portion of our country.

Another big trip came in October, as I made a pilgrimage to the Middle East, including Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Caesarea, Tiberias, the Sea of Galilee, Amman, Jerash, the Dead Sea, Petra, and Dubai. Without getting too religious, it was an amazing experience walking in the footsteps of Jesus and celebrating Masses at the places where Jesus died (Holy Sepulcher) and was born (Church of the Nativity). One of the more poignant moments came when our priest at the Church of the Nativity encouraged us to sing Christmas carols during Mass (in October). I had been to this region before, but had a greater appreciation for it this time around.

Finally, this month, I started my addiction with Facebook (as a result of Joyce's prodding). I had resisted social networking sites in the past, but quickly experienced its benefits; catching up with people I hadn't spoken with or seen since elementary school or high school or college. It seemed that despite our being scattered around the country and the world, we all now had this tool in which to reconnect. I'm only now finally processing the initial deluge of memories from my distant past.

It is at this time of year that I am reminded of the great blessing I have in my friendships with you. It is my hope that in 2009, we are given the opportunity to visit, correspond, or reminisce. Until that time . . .

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!

Joseph

 

Christmas Newsletter 2007

After last year's pilot program, I decided to create a full-blown, year-end Christmas Newsletter for 2007.

First off, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday. I also hope that this newsletter finds you and yours well.

This year, for me, was mostly about travel (much like last year) as well as continuing some traditions that have come to mean a lot over the years (i.e. annual father-son pilgrimages to the ACC Tournament for some Duke basketball, multi-state road trips with my nephew).

Now, for a quick overview:

In January, we celebrated my youngest nephew Scott's baptism. In March, my Dad and I traveled to Tampa for the aforementioned ACC Tournament. As a child, my Dad used to take me to see his alma mater's basketball team whenever they were in town. When I moved away from home and began making some money of my own, I continued the tradition and turned it into an annual father-son bonding thing. This year, however, my Mom decided to tag along. She had wanted to see what all the excitement was about. She had a good time, but failed to see why we needed to watch all eleven games.

In April, the entire Cruz family went on their annual family vacation. This year, we traveled to the big island of Hawaii. In May, we found out that my brother-in-law Ron passed that California Bar Exam; and on his first try! (something that less than half test takers accomplish).

In June, my nephew Cameron and I took a road trip around most of the Great Lakes States. Our travels took us to Milwaukee, Chicago, South Bend, Detroit, Sandusky, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. A couple of years ago, Cameron had made a goal of wanting to visit all fifty states. To date, he has now visited 27.

During the trip, I also had a chance to visit with some old friends and professors from grad school. By a great coincidence, I happened to be in Pittsburgh during a reunion weekend, so was able to see quite a few more people than I had expected to see.

In September, my parents celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary. We had a huge to-do at the Cathedral with a Mass and party at the Cathedral grounds. This was followed by a two-week trip to the Philippines where we had planned a grand Cruz Family Reunion in Manila. There were at least 50 relatives that gathered, spanning four generations.

Some sad news followed our return home. My Uncle Josefino (my Dad's younger brother) passed away after a year-long battle with lung cancer. We did feel fortunate, however, having spent some time with him while we were in the Philippines.

As many may know, I am still enjoying the single life with no current plans to settle down in the near future. Of course, this is not for a lack of effort on many relatives' part to set me up. Much to my chagrin, one of my nephews has been getting in on the act as well. A few months ago, he asked if I would be interested in marrying his best friend's aunt. When I asked why, he stated that it would be great if he and his best friend became cousins.

Again, I hope all is well with all of you. As always, I wish you all the best this Season in in the coming New Year.

- Joseph