Fleeing Friends, Family, and Fiances!!

Its been a little while since I updated my current situation. At last blog, I had just proposed to my one and only, and we were preparing for her to pursue an amazing opportunity on the Norwegian Jade in the Med. While those 5 months apart did not look appealing, we knew that it was where Sam needed to be. However, those 5 months apart have quickly turned into 45 days as I will be cruising on her ship for 2 weeks at the end of June! We are both extremely excited about spending some time together in Italy and the Greek Isles. In the meantime, I did vista Sam at rehearsals in Tampa, went to Spring Training in Scottsdale, and built a pretty sweet peeps diorama for Easter. I got to see my parents new house in Chico, saw my beautiful niece, and I've been to five Giants games.

I cannot help but feel a bit like the people closest to me are making every attempt to escape my presence. Sam took a job in the Mediterranean, my best friend Josiah is in Georgia, kicking' ass in the Army, trying to decide what his next move will be, and my brother Tim moved to South Korea for a year to teach English. I'm trying not to take it personally. Go Skype.

As you know I am also educating myself on the finer points of the business of sport. I have finished the first two classes in my graduate program and I am a couple weeks into the third. The program has more then lived up to my expectations, and I greatly look forward to the next 18 months of it. I have already had the opportunity to attend fun events as an intern or student that I would have had to pay to attend before. Have class at AT&T park is not bad either. My cohort is full of great people that share my passion for learning and for sports.

As for wedding plans, we are trying reign in our excitement and not plan the entire wedding 14 months before, but we do have some of the major details figured out. For one, the date. You can mark down July 7, 2012. Many of the other things we are going to wait to do until Sam gets back from the Med.

Until next time, take care, stay classy, and keep us in your prayers.

D

My Favorite Story

It was a cool, prototypical San Francisco day, January 30, 2011. Sam and I left church on our way to Marin headlands for a hike and picnic. It was seemingly just another day, as Sam had just finished a ship contract and was visiting the city for a week. We get to the headlands and begin to walk, admiring the stunning postcard-like views of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco. Before long, we get to the top of the hill and see the Golden Gate Bridge perfectly framing the city we have come to love. I begin to feel a round-metallic-burning-sensation in my right pocket, so I quickly suggest we find a place to sit and eat. We walk until we happen upon a "random" chunk of grass overlooking the ocean, where we sit down to enjoy our sandwich and wine lunch. The burning in my pocket quickly returns, so I jump up and tell Sam to join me at the railing (Her first clue that something was up). After a threat to throw me over the railing and a comically-rude jab in the direction of our soon-to-be photographers, I cannot take it any longer. I pull Sam close and describe the unconditional love I have for her, how much she means to me, and some additional things that neither you need to hear or we remember. As I reach into my pocket and drop to my knee, the jig is up. I ask Sam the question that I've been waiting to ask. Remembering she has a line amidst a flood of emotion, Sam says with an obvious tone, "Of Course!" I will never forget the look on Sam's face as I attempt to slide my token of love on her finger while we stare into each other's eyes. At that moment, as we experience this truly unique and organic moment, our favorite song begins to play from the surrounding foliage. We spend some time soaking in the moment, as my dear friends act as paparazzi. As the following minutes and hours go by, we both begin to realize the wonderful and exciting journey we have just embarked on. Thus concludes the best day of my life...so far.

Two-thousand and ten in review

January: I rang in the new year on the NCL Jewel, thought I would be headed to Europe for my next ship assignment but was then informed I would be sent back to the Jewel. Put plans in motion to go see my brother in Europe.

February: I was sent back to the Jewel. Became reacquainted with a dancer named Sam while making fun of a "cone" doing "The Cro-Mag" (A little inside, I know). Later that month we started the relationship that changed my life.

March: Enjoyed fun times on the Jewel with Sam and old friends, including pranks, slumber parties, and YC shenanigans.

April: More fun times on the Jewel. I met Sam's Mom when she cruised for a week. Stayed on the ship as a passenger for a couple weeks to hang out with Sam and explore more of the Caribbean. Giants season started, they went 13-9 in April.

May: Came home from the Jewel, started getting ready for the Broventure around Europe. Also, began trying to figure out what my next ship assignment was going to be, and preparing my grad-application. Giants go 14-14.

June: Europe. Tim and I had the time of our lives, so many stories, so much fun, memories forever. found out I'd be headed to the Bahamas on the NCL Sky. Giants go 13-14.

July: The Sky was different, but I met a lot of amazing people and had some good times. Sam's ship was in Nassau with us once a week so we could hang out every Wednesday! Giants go 20-8!!

August: Sam and I both get off of our respective ships. I go to Chico, she goes to PA. We begin our post-ship relationship and plan our SE Asia trip. Giants go 13-15.

September: Sam comes to visit Chico, meet my family and friends...except sis ;-(. On my birthday Sam and I fly to SE Asia. Visit 3 countries, amazing memories, met up with good friends. Great trip!!! Giants go 18-8, and are within striking distance.

October: We finish up of SE Asia trip, get back to the states in time for the Giants final regular season game and see them clinch the NL West and the playoffs. I am home to see the Giants make a run for the ages through the playoffs and into the World Series. I also bought a car and got accepted to Graduate School at USF!

November: Giants win the World Series! Justin and I got to go to Game 1, and Tim and I went to the Championship parade. I went back to Starbucks and Alyssa and Jon were gracious enough to let me stay at their place while I looked for an apartment in SF. Spent Thanksgiving in Chico with my Family.

December: I found a place to live, me my roommates who are in the Sports Management program with me. Sam came to visit for a few days before taking a replacement contract on the Star. I spent Christmas in Chico with my Family, and had a great end to the year!

2010: Best year so far! I had the opportunity to do so much, meet so many amazing people, and learn a ton about myself. God was good in many ways through good health, good fortune, and maybe most of all, through placing Sam in my path. She was the highlight of a great year and I look forward to what 2011 has for me and for us.

Thank you for joining me on my journey and I hope you had as good a year as I did!

D