Well, I’ve just spent my first Christmas in San Diego, and tonight will celebrate the New Year. Of course, the ending of one year brings about a certain sense of reflection. 2003 was one of the most eventful and surprising of my life, right up through today. Here is a list of some of the events and experiences:

January, 2003 Christopher and I discuss the possibility of him seeking employment in places other than the Columbus area. The idea being that it would be a temporary measure, until things got better.

Around St. Patrick’s Day, 2003 Christopher goes to San Diego to interview. The idea still is that, if offered a job, he would work out here, live with his parents, send money home, visit as often as possible, and move back when the market improved.

About 10 days later Christopher is offered a position, and tells me that if he takes it, it would be a permanent move. He also tells me that he wants me to move with him. After some discussion, we get engaged and start the planning to move.

April 23, 2003 Christopher gets on a plane with Baldrick (the cat) and moves to San Diego. I stay in Columbus and get the house ready to sell.

June, 2003 The house goes into contract and the move is tentatively scheduled for July sometime.

June through July 2003 Columbus experiences some of the worst storms ever. Severe thunderstorms happen at least every other day right up until the closing.

Early July, 2003 Benito (the other cat) is put on a plane for San Diego. He promptly escapes in the belly of a Delta jet as he’s being loaded, mauls a couple of Delta employees, and is finally recaptured, delaying the flight for the passengers. He is later flown out (successfully) on a different flight.

July 22, 2003 The house closes and I hit the road for San Diego.

July 24, 2003 I arrive at Christopher’s parents’ house in Rancho Peñasquitos, a northern suburb of San Diego. 2200+ miles in two and one-half days on the road.

August 5, 2003 We move into our apartment in Ocean Beach.

August 8, 2003 Our neighbors throw the first of a constant string of parties which will shortly result in our moving again.

Around September 5, 2003 We determine that in order for me not to lose health insurance coverage, we need to get married…now. Wedding date is set for 9/27/03. Entire wedding is planned in less than 10 days.

September 15, 2003 My brother Jim appears on Jeopardy. He didn’t win.

September 25-28, 2003 The wedding weekend.

October 9, 2003 My father has a semi-unexpected angioplasty where they put in a stent. He gets through it all just fine, which is great since the coronary artery was blocked 95%.

October 19, 2003 San Diego bursts into flames. The biggest fires in history strike San Diego, and we drive to Valley Center to evacuate Christopher’s nieces and nephew (the parents stayed to try and save their home). The sky is filled with smoke and ash for days. It looks like someone has nuked the city.

November 27, 2003 Our first Thanksgiving with the whole family out here. Something like 17 people for dinner.

November 29, 2003 We move into our small rental house in North Park. The partying neighbors play “Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead” at full volume as I leave. We love our new home.

December 25, 2003 A HUGE Christmas dinner event occurs at Christopher’s sister’s house in Valley Center. The weather is the worst we’ve seen since arriving here (heavy rain and wind) and Valley Center is over 1 hour away. 35 people for dinner. I’m overwhelmed at the huge family celebration—especially as the family is not religious at all.

I haven’t even mentioned the visits by friends and family, as well as the other Dell’Acqua family events since our arrival. All in all, it’s made for a pretty packed year!

Which brings me to today, the 31st. Today we picked up Christopher’s car from the shop, and are preparing to go to his parents for another big family dinner tomorrow—they’re having ham, but I’m bringing pork roast and sauerkraut for good luck in 2004.

It still feels weird to live out here, and there are so many things that are different (like having a Camellia bush that is starting to bloom by the front porch—in December). But all in all, we’re happy we’re here.

We’re just hoping 2004 is a bit calmer.