Yes, I know, everyone else has done this back in December, but nothing like starting the new year looking at the huge adventure the last one was, no?
It was an exciting year! (You can click on the link for each month if you feel like reading those posts – I admit I was too lazy to link post by post here…)
We had a super-fun NYE, Karl started his new job with the State Department, I gave my 30-day notice at the IMF, I thought I was going to vomit waiting for the results of Flag Day but it was good news: we found out we were moving to Manila!
I officially left the IMF and we adopted a puppy!
I ran two half marathons (my only half marathons of 2011) and visited Tracy in NY!
April was a busy month! I ran my last race in DC, we traveled to Brazil and the day we got back, the movers came to pack us out. I had a bittersweet goodbye party with my favorite people in DC. After a quick stop in San Francisco, on April 21 we officially arrived in Manila!
We explored more around Manila, finally moved to our permanent housing in Makati after a month in temporary quarters in the compound, I found a tiny kitten and we nursed him back to health, I ran what turned out to be my last race of 2011, and took our first trip in the Philippines: Bohol!
We found amazing parents for the stray kitten and took our first international trip in Asia: Hong Kong and Macau!
Our car arrived and we got all our stuff!
We learned how to dive! Then took an awesome diving trip to Moalboal, Cebu!
We traveled to Coron for yet another diving trip, then celebrated my birthday in Cebu! We also hosted our very first guest from the US!
We traveled to Korea!
We traveled to Taipei, the park near us started a light show (that I never blogged about, but I have pictures to prove how ridiculous it was!), I said goodbye to one of my favorite people in Manila, my friend Irida who moved back to Italy, then my friend Liz visited from DC and we explored El Nido and Puerto Princesa!
I started Muay Thai classes nearby, then became an American citizen in Guam and got to see my friend Margaret! We finished off the year by spending New Year’s Eve in Singapore!
2012 should bring us even more adventures: my parents are visiting in a few days, we’re hitting 3 new countries in January, we will be swimming with whale sharks in February and also be getting our bid list for our next post in a few weeks. In April we’re going to Jakarta AND Palau! At that time, we should also find out where we will live in next… (Oh please please please let it be Brazil!)
I love that I got a shout out 🙂
But I’m most excited that you’re one of us now, finally!
(We need an emoticon for being AMERICAN.)
Ha, now you should guarantee that 2012 shout out and come visit me here as well! (Seems like Karl didn’t get that TDY in Afghanistan, but I still think you should come and stay as long as you want!)
I’m so in love with your adventures! keep it coming!
Ah, thanks, Pebs!