In January of this year, we celebrated New Year at our home with our favorite people! We prepared food and cooked for our friends. I baked some red velvet cupcakes that we gave out to our neighbors and friends. Rommel, Eugene, and MM joined us to welcome 2014! We had so much fun catching up and talking stories.
In February of this year, Rap and I conquered Chinaman's Hat. We literally swam from the shore to the little island. Nevermind those sharks who want to kill us LOL! We had a great time with our friends.
March of this year, one of my internship projects was entered by the BYU-Hawaii Food Services in a National Food Services Competition(USA). The project was entitled "PAHIYAS Festival". We won 2nd place for that event. Without the help of the cafeteria workers, managers, Filipino Club members and DVA XOO members, the event will not be possible! On the other hand, I joined the Hawaiian Student Chapter for my last Culture Night in BYU-H. It was an unforgettable learning experience.
April was the highlight of our last few months in Hawaii because Rap and his brother Michael graduated from BYU-Hawaii. Also, their sister and her family, flew from Texas to Hawaii to attend their graduation. We also got to spend some quality time with them! We finally went to our first hike to together ---> We conquered Makapu'u Lighthouse! Amateurs!!! <3 I also had the opportunity to take my sister-in-law's family pictures. We also celebrated Rap's birthday with friends.
May was the most relaxing month for Rap and I because we have finally conquered the busiest semester we've had in BYU-H. This month was special to us because it was the first Memorial Day Holiday that we got to spend together. We went to Ala Moana and joined the community in their Floating Lantern event to remember their loved ones who died. The best part of it is that we got the lanterns for free and we got to dedicate it to our grandfathers who passed away.
In June of this year, the reality that we are leaving Hawaii is finally kicking as in as we slowly buy Balikbayan large boxes and slowly emptying our apartment. However, we didn't let that part stop us from having fun. We went to Hanauma Bay and Halona Blowhole with the Kimak family to go for some snorkeling. We had so much fun. We went snorkeling for HOURS. We had to leave early though, because the baby was getting cranky and tired. Nevertheless, we had a great time with them and the sight was breathtaking.
July was probably the most adventurous month that we've had. Believe it or not, Rap and I rode our bikes from Laie to Turtle Bay Resort! If you're from the North Shore, you'll know that its not a joke to ride your bike that far. IT WAS VEEEEERY FAAAAAAR!!!!! :D We had to stop as some point to catch our breath. On the other hand, we had sooooo much! We had to run home fast to attend baby Kalila's blessing. By some miracle, we got their in time. It was so special because I know that they've waited for her for a long time and I'm glad that she finally came. Best part of it, I was the photographer...Lucky me!
The month of August was the saddest month of this year because we had to say goodbye to our second home and to our beloved friends. Most of all, we had to say goodbye to the baby girl that we babysat for a year and four months. I cried a lot because I knew in my heart that I did not want to leave but we had too. We have realized that we have been blessed with soooooo much by God eventhough sometimes we think that we don't deserve it. We love Hawaii and we are grateful to call it our home. Rap's relatives were so amazing because they threw us a surprise Bon Voyage Party. In exchange, we cooked for them. I know that its not going to be the last time but for now its "See You Later!"
September will be the month that we will never forget. It was the month we were able to finally fly for our honeymoon/my birthday month celebration. We went to Los Angeles, California, Anaheim, California, San Francisco, California, Utah, and San Antonio, Texas. In LA, we visited the whole city via bus tour. We saw the Hollywood sign, Hollywood Blvd, Universal Studios, Beverly Hills, and a lot more. In Anaheim, we visited Disneyland. In San Francisco, we visited our friends (Ira and Emil) and they showed us around the cold San Francisco. In Utah, we went around different cities and visited significant and historic places of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We got to see the Salt Lake Temple!!! <3 In San Antonio, we visited Rap's sister and her sons. We played all the day long. We got to bring them to school, pick them up from school, saw them swim and we went to Sea World where we got to see different animals and explored rides. After our 3-week vacation in the mainland USA we moved back to the Philippines. The day after I went home, my brother, Sieg, went home from his mission. It was a sweet reunion. After 5 years, we were finally complete and together.
October became a month of challenges and struggles as we started from scratch again. Moving back was a bit difficult for us because we were still adjusting with the weather, way of living, and a lot more. We also had a difficult finding jobs. Though it was a challenge for us to start all over again, we knew that the Lord will not leave us. We felt more comforted and blessed when we got the opportunity to see and hear an apostle of the Lord speak before us. Elder Dallin H. Oaks visited the Philippines and we were blessed to be a part of that spiritual event.
November was our lucky and blessed month. We have jobs!!! I was hired to work as a training associate for the number one telecommunications company in the Philippines, SMART Communications. Raphael was hired as a Junior Database Engineer for UniStar Credit and Finance Corporation.
December is Raphael's favorite month because he was finally able to go home in his hometown to see all his relatives for Christmas. We ate so much and we went to see different places. Also, it was the first Christmas my family were together after five years. I could say our Christmas was A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!! Oh! I forgot to mention...I got accepted in De La Salle University-Manila for Master in Science in Psychology! Yeah, this month was amaziiiiiing! :D
Although we struggled along the way the past 2014, we were still blessed with so much! I am grateful for such a loving husband, family, and friends. I am more grateful for a loving Father in Heaven and Lord, Jesus Christ. Happy New Year Everyone! Keep dreaming! <3
LOVE Always,
Pateet and Rap
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