Christmas 2005

Luz got some bad news after my trip in July. Her mother had a serious stroke and is now paralyzed on one side. I told her to move her mother and sister into her house so the whole family can take care of her. She is doing well considering, but her mind is also starting to slip. It's good that she has a large family there to take care of her and she seems happy.

Luz's sister, Perla, also found out she was pregnant. Her boyfriend took off on her and left her high and dry. So the summer of 2005 was a rather difficult one for Luz.

I decided to give Luz a little reward. I planned a trip for Christmas!! I didn't tell her I was coming until I had already bought the ticket and had my vacation time approved. I will never forget the look on her face when I got back from the travel agent and woke her up. I played it rather devilish with her. I woke her up out of bed and she asked me "what is wrong?" I just said in my most serious voice I could muster, "just check your email". She went online and turned on her webcam first. I could see that she was confused and apprehensive. She kept asking me "what is wrong baby?" I just said to check her email and find out.

When she opened up her email and saw the e-ticket that I had forwarded to her the look on her face was choice!!!! She started squealing and dancing around!! It was so good to see how happy I had made her!!

On December 22 I left after my midnight shift and started my 5th trip to see my baby!

I got there late at night on December 23. She met me again at the airport and we took a van to Olongapo. I had to take two suitcases to bring all the presents for Luz and her family. I guess I went overboard but this was the first Christmas with my new family.

It was a magical time for all of us. On Christmas Eve we went to Mass together. It was beautiful. The next morning we had such a wonderful time. There are no words to describe it. I think the present that Luz liked the most was an animated Santa that I brought with me!

When you get close to it the Santa would start to dance and sing. It was going the whole time there!!

Later that week Luz had another surprise for me. She had planned a trip for us to Baguio! We got on a bus and took a 8 hour ride up to the mountains. It is so beautiful up there. We spent 3 days in Baguio together, Luz called it our "honeymoon". We had such a good time!

When we got back Robin had a Tie Kuan Do tournament. We went to watch him fight. Robin won the gold!!! I am so proud of him! At the end of the tournament I was asked to hand out the bronze medals. That was very cool!!

We went to the Subic Freeport for New Years Eve. They had a big celebration on the boardwalk with a band. The mayor of Olongapo even came out and sang some Beatles songs.

Later that week we took a tour of the Freeport. This used to be the Subic Bay Navel base but the people of the Philippines have turned it into a really great place. One of the things they did was make a zoo there. It's called Zoobic Safari. They had all kinds of things to do and see. We even road in a caged jeepnee and looked at some tigers. They also had guided tours through the jungle which I enjoyed very much.

The whole trip was so special. It brought the three of us together even more. I love every minute that I spend with my family and you can bet that I will be back!!