New Years Eve

To bring in 2009 I was able to find Detroit Piston tickets on Craigslist for $5. The seats weren't great but I still had fun screaming with the fans, doing the wave, and cheering on the team to victory. It was a fun way to bring in the new year and celebrate the end of 2008! After the game, Randy, Erni and I met up with Abby after she got out of work. We spent the rest of the night in Detroit driving around.

Happy Birthday Josh!

Happy Birthday big brother!! In honor of his celebration, Josh, Caleb and I played poker :) Josh took all my chips :(

Happy Thanksgiving!

It has been a fantastic and special day to be with family! Josh, Caleb and I got to spend Thanksgiving Day together (Caleb and I could not remember when the last time we spent Thanksgiving Day with Josh) with Michelle's family in Adrian, hurrah! On the menu was the delicious 20 lb. turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn casserole, green bean casserole, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pies, applie pie, salmon dance dip, and chesse and crackers. There was not a glimpse of white space on my plate after I went through the line of food. I left no scrap of food behind on my plate, everything was eaten and savored in my belly :) Josh, Caleb and I played rounds and rounds of pool. After eating till our belly's were content, we relaxed for a bit . Then everyone crowded around the TV and we had fun taking turns playing the Wii's Outdoor Challenge. After playing on the Wii, six of us played Monopoly, we began at 6:00pm and ended at 9:00pm. It was fun until I had to mortgage all my properties!

I just wish that mom and dad were here to spend Thanksgiving with us this year. I'm really looking forward to having them around soon! I am very thankful for my family :)

sorry no pictures!

Happy Birthday Caleb!

Tonight we celebrated my brother's birthday! I came home campus late in the afternoon, and shortly after, Michelle got home from work. The "Birthday Person" always get to choose where to go to dinner, and Caleb chose Sushi! I had been craving Sushi for weeks so I was extremely excited! We called Josh, he came over to the house, we piled into the Jeep and off we went to Lansing! There's nothing finer than dining in good company! After we were full we headed home and played Monopoly. I lost and had to hand over all my properties to Josh. Tonight was fantastic: I love Sushi and I love Monopoly :)

Fall Break - Appalachian Train

To spend my Fall Break I had the opportunity to hike 28 miles of the Appalachian Trail. It was a great experience, the group was fun, and the weather was great. The drive was long but it didn't bother me since I slept the entire way there and back. We drove from Spring Arbor, MI to Boiling Springs, PA. Sadly, I got lost on the trip but 3 guys were able to catch up with me and brought be back to the campsite. I mistakenly continued hiking when I was supposed to stop and read the signs and go to our campsite. From that point on I made sure I had a partner! Robbie Bolton led the trip and I would love to have the opportunity to do it again.

BMX

Bored after class one day...

21!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

IT'S MY GOLDEN BIRTHDAY, BOO YAH!

Jet-lag Weekend

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were great! Friday night I called

Josh telling him that mom sent him 9 packages of Hopia - his favorite Filipino snack! Then he invited me out to a dinner and a movie. I went over to his house and saw that he was watching the Olympics. Instead of going out for dinner and a movie we ordered in pizza and watched the Olympics - TiVo is wonderful :) I left his house close to midnight went home, surfed the web, played Mario Kart and Rock band on the Wii and headed to bed at 7:00AM.

On Saturday I woke up around 4:30pm to my cellphone ringing. Josh called and invited me over to watch the Olympics. It was really fun keeping up to date on the Olympics.

U S A - U S A - U S A - U S A - U S A - U S A - U S A - U S A!!!

Sunday, I woke up late in the afternoon again. Caleb and Michelle came home from their family reunion and then we went out for pizza. I'd say it was a relaxing weekend for me!

JET-LAG

...is kickin' my butt!!
I left Wednesday, August 13th from Manila...everything was went smoothly until my flight from Tokyo to Chicago left late. I missed my connecting flight to Detroit but was thankful I made on the next flight with all my luggage! The only perk I enjoyed about flying with American Airlines were the personal TV screens. Next time I'll fly Northwest so I can earn more miles!

I landed in Detroit on Wednesday and got home around midnight. I went to sleep around 3:00AM and woke up the next day around 6:30PM. The next day was similar and I woke up around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Hopefully only a few more days of this!

Farewell Party/Pre 21st Birthday Party

Friends from the Church
Master Herbert and his family

Mom and Dad invited some friends and people from our Church to our house for a farewell and pre 21st birthday party for me. On the menu was rice, chicken barbeque, lechon (roasted pig - my favorite!) salad, buko salad, biko and other yummies. It was a really great time.

My parents also asked four people to speak and give me advice, encouragement and share a special memory about me. My middle school principle, Mr. St. Clair, my Ninang/family doctor, Dra. Ritchie Tan, My Karate instructor, Master Herbert and my kindergarten teacher, Pastora Ruth were there to share and it was really special hearing from each them!

This was a great night to be with and celebrate with friends, and it was a great night to wrap up my summer! My parents are awesome!

Once again time has flown by so fast! My summer in Davao has been really great. I enjoyed every minute being by the ocean, my scuba diving experiences were fun, and I've made new friends. It was a busy and fun summer, I wish I could have stayed longer!

Tonight I need to pack and because I have the first flight out to Manila with Dad. We're leaving the house at 6:00 AM so it's time to pack for real this time! Tomorrow we will go to Immigration and finalize everything so I can receive my dual citizenship before I fly back to Michigan. I don't want to leave...

Let's see some pictures!

I AM PADI

I am FINALLY a PADI Advanced Open Water Scuba diver! I was first certified back in 2000 during middle school (it was offered as an elective at my school!) as a YMCA Junior Open Water Scuba Diver. 8 years later and I finally upgraded my scuba license! I'm proud to be part of the world's largest recreational diving organization!

I am pictured above with an octopus and my Dive Instructor, Potpot. This was taken after our group night dive. We loaded up a friends truck with our dive gear and tanks and took the ferry across to Samal Island. We parked at El-Magic Beach Resort and did a shore entry dive. There were seven of us and we were on the search for an octopus and Potpot found this guy! After surfacing we had to hurry and remove our gear, load up the truck and catch the last ferry home to Davao. I got home around midnight excited to show my parents these pictures. After this picture was taken, the octopus was taken home to be cooked!

Night diving is awesome and I can't wait for another opportunity! I hope to make it back to the Philippines for more beautiful scuba diving! I LOVE SCUBA DIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!

....next level, Rescue Diver!

Signaling "OK" during our pool session

View some pictures.

Wind and Wave Davao

I started working with Wind and Wave at the beginning of July and so far it has been a good experience. For one week I worked at the dive shop, now I am at Paradise Island for 2 weeks and then will be at Pearl Farm for 2 weeks. I've enjoyed taking part in the Island Hopping and Coral Tours but I've really enjoyed the scuba diving :) I've been working Tuesday-Sunday, from 7:30 AM- 5:30 PM, and Monday's are my day off. It's pretty quiet during the week but Saturday's and Sunday's usually have a full agenda. I love wearing my swimsuit to work and I'm just excited about scuba diving!

WIND AND WAVE DAVAO is a diving company. For your perfect diving experience. Wind and Wave Davao, the first and only PADI Dive Center in Southern Philippines.

• The most complete and experienced aqua sports facility in the region
• More than 10 years in diving experience
• Certified competent and experienced dive instructors & divemasters
• PADI Courses from beginner to instructor level
• Well-equiped classroom & training facilities
• Multilingual dive guides & instructors
• Ultra clean air refilling station
• Multifunction system used for nitrox
• Accredited PADI Dive Center No. 6208
• Accredited by the Phil. Commission on Sports Scuba Diving
• Accredited by the Dept. of Tourism
• DAN-Diving Physician
• Accredited Starboard Windsurfing School
• Consistent National Shopper’s Choice Annual Awardee 2003,2004,2005 - No. 1 Scuba Dive Shop in Davao City
• PADI Project Aware Awardee

email: info@windandwavedavao.com

Pootie's favorite game

Pootie is a miniature pincher. She is an inside dog and is spoiled by my parents!

Hello Manila!

I arrived in Manila on the 25th, now my summer can really begin! Mom and Dad along with some friends met me and picked me up at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Then we headed to the SoBap guest house to spend the night. Mom and dad were in Manila for our annual Mission Meeting...this year the meetings were held at the Diamond Hotel, they had a fantastic lunch buffet, delicious Filipino fruit and desserts! This was a fantastic way to begin my summer :)

Misson meeting was short but the Adams had an agenda:
1) Apply for my Dual Citizenship
2) Starbucks

My parents were prepared to go to Immigration, months before they had checklist of all the documents needed, signatures, photocopies, pictures etc...We went as soon as Immigration opened, dad texted his friend he met at Immigration in Davao, and he helped us get the process moving. Hopefully I will be able to get my Dual Citizenship soon!! After Immigration, we went right across the street to cool off at Starbucks :)



I'm ready to be in Davao!

Special Olympics of Michigan

I began my practicum with Special Olympics of Michigan (SOMI) mid-May and I have enjoyed my time so far. Over the weekend I attended the SOMI State Summer Games. The games were held at Central Michigan University and I was a chaperone for 2 Bocci Athletes, Marriete wearing green, and Debbie in pink (pictured above). It was a fun and tiring weekend but I loved being able to watch the different sports and make new friends!

Take a look at my pictures!

Mom visits Michigan!

Mom arrived from the Philippines a few weeks ago! It has been so great having Mom around. She came for 3 important reasons:

1) Caleb's Graduation - Masters Degree!

2) Spend time with Evy, Grandpa and Grandma Adam's first grandchild!

3) Spend time with the kids!

It's always a treat having mom cook delicious meals. I miss spending time with my mommy!!

May 16, 2008: Caleb recieves his Masters Degree!

We took Mom and spent the day at South Haven, MIEvy and I at the Spring Arbor Memorial Day Parade

More pictures please!

Today was a long day, it could have gone different, it should have went different. It was an unexpected, disgraceful, guilt-ridden, heavyhearted day.

Afterwards, we were told we did the right thing, I think we did make the right decision.

"That's what a friend is for, when you're lost in darkness and searching for the light, to help you through those lonely nights, when everything around you fails just hold out your hand, and I'll come running, that's what a friend is for."

Abby's 21st

Today we celebrated Abby's 21st birthday! We had a small barbeque and then went to Michigan State University for a concert. The concert was great. The day was hectic, no one knew what was happening, planning did not seem to work, we tried to surprise Abby by having a barbeque and inviting people over. But by evening none of that mattered any more as we were all sweaty, laughing, thirsty, hungry and deaf! These girls are hilarious! Abby and Erni saw someone streaking...lucky. Cheers to your 21st Abby, I hope you enjoyed it!

Crowd surfing is dangerous. I lost my glasses, someone's foot swiped them off my face. But my friend found them at the end of the concert underneath her feet. I secretly think my friend jumped on them the entire time! My frames are bent but the glasses are still fine. Good thing I have a second pair :)

Goodbye Weekend

My good days were Saturday night & Sunday night. Saturday afternoon I went wall climbing and then stayed up till 5 AM investing myself into conversations.

Sunday night, instead of studying for my Accounting test (which I ended up not passing the next day) my roommates and I were invited to Ann Arbor. It ended up being a quick drive and I was in need of fresh air to clear my mind.

Lots of thinking this weekend....

Monday, I went to class at 9:00am, got out early and came home to sleep (to recover from staying up till 5:00am on Sunday morning). Around 1:30pm I was not gently awaken by my loving and caring roommate. She was very excited and tickled to show me the South Park Episode "Nagger" on youtube. It was silly of me to think that she would only play the youtube video once, and so she kept hitting "replay". I believe that was her way of saying "get out of bed, I am bored, entertain me now." How selfish of me to try and recover from my lack of sleep!

...goodbye glorious weekend

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom, I love you!

My mom is better than your mom because:

1) She can make cinnamon rolls from scratch
2) She knows my favorite Filipino dishes and how to make them
3) She took me to Singapore and Hong Kong
4) We both like to watch CSI marathons together
5) She loves to cook/bake everything from scratch 24/7!
6) She loves to play poker
7) She has a servant's heart
8) She drives a sweet truck around the city
9) She always brags about her children (specifically me!)
10) She chose me :)

Addicted to...PRISON BREAK

I began watching Prison Break during my Spring Break and I am very close to finishing season 2!! This show gets me, each episode something new happens or develops!!

I bought season 1 and 2 and I am so glad I did! This show is crazy and I love Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell!!

K6

Here is a tiny picture of my new house for my senior year. I am currently living behind this gigantic house with 4 of my friends.

For next school year we decided to upgrade and add 4 new girls. 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 kitchen and 2 large living rooms...seems fair enough! 9 girls in a gigantic house...hmph.

Pros:

2 large living rooms, decent sized rooms, cement driveway, on the edge of campus, heaters work

Cons:

9 girls in 1 house

Expectations for next year: livin' it up and deciding whose shampoo I pee in.

Tiger's Game!

Randy, Erni and I got last minute tickets to the Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox game...My good friend Randy lives across the street from Comerica Park so she was our ticketmaster. She called me in the morning and told me that the only seats left for 3 people were 'Standing Room' only. I was a little worried about what 'Standing Room' really meant. I pictured a big room filled with strangers all trying to huddle around a television.

For $15 dollars we learned a little secret. A nice gentleman told us that we could stand anywhere we wanted to without blocking the view of those who were seated. We stood underneath the big scoreboard and we had an excellent view! However, standing throughout the entire 9 innings tired me... The Tigers were doing very well until the White Sox took charge and they never looked back. I enjoyed everyone doing the wave because it kept coming around and around...There is nothing like expesnive yummy food, great weather, high-fiving drunk strangers, a great view and the Tigers losing their 5th game...

After the game we went to the mall and then Erni and I ended our evening with a fantastic meal at TGIF. Hurrah strawberry-lemonade!!

Spring Break

To make the most of my Spring Break I invested into 2 NBA games and a trip to Chicago with my roommates. Our first NBA game was the Pistons vs. Nuggets...an easy victory at the Palace! Then two days later we drove to Chicago to watch the Bulls play the San Antonio Spurs at the United Center. The Bulls were no match for the Spurs!

Chicago was cold and windy and it was an even worse combination when the snow started to pile down...We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and of course had to try their delicious cheesecakes!

The drive home to Michigan was even worse as we slowly headed into a mini snow blizzard.

Overall, my Spring Break '08 was great!

Plans for next year?

Be My Valentines Dad!

Dad came to Michigan! We were able to spend Valentine's day together :) This morning I called dad to come over to the house so that he could make me, I mean us, Amish Scramble (my favorite and Dad's speciality) for breakfast! I love you dad!

I am Dad's favorite child forever and ever and ever...