YEAR IN REVIEW 2004

On the 1st of January, 2004, after a night of fireworks that rivaled the invasion of Normandy and a toast to the new year with Mr. Miguel, San his first name was, the bright sunshine of Puerto Galera, Philippines served as my alarm clock.  More diving, good food, beautiful scenery, reading my book on the balcony, watching the girls go by, and sipping a cold one in the evening as the sun sets is not a bad way to bring in another year.  Little did I know I would decide to return again in the spring. 

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Return to Puerto Galera I did in April for another week of diving. 

The children of Puerto Galera.

The shoreline of Puerto Galera.

Trevor and Bethany joined me as they wanted to complete their PADI Open Water Diver course they had begun elsewhere.  These two drove the price of Mangos up by devastating the supply... apparently, Trevor likes Mangos.  With certification in hand, they will be heading to Myanmar next year as a "teaching couple."  Congratulations Trevor and Bethany, I hope our paths cross again.

I ended up with a regular dive partner, Lothar (right), from Germany who was anything but regular.  Actually, he was a no-nonsense, get-into-the-water, relaxed, diver whose  passion is underwater photography.  Some of the pictures that follow, he was good enough to email me.  Thanks Lothar!  the guy on the left is Klaus and he is the dive instructor who taught Trevor and Bethany.  Those crazy Germans!

The dive shop - ACTION DIVERS - is small and personal.  I really enjoy diving with them.  Their transportation is not unlike that pictured to the right.   Most dives are less than 10 minutes from the shop.  Barely enough time to get your gear on!  No long, boring, intervals on the boat between dives as it is therefore only 10 minutes back from the dive site.  On shore for refreshments and a little relaxation.  Not a bad way to dive at all!

The following pictures are from Lothar!

Look into my eyes...

I'm a nudibranch... hey, anyone seen my bathing suit?!!

FLASH!!! NIMO FOUND!!!

Hey, didn't I see you in Australia?

So, ...where is the GOLD?!!?

SUMMER VACATION BACK IN THE USA!!!

So, after a 24 hour trip from Seoul, to Virginia Beach, my summer vacation begins.  Visiting with friends, fishing, and swimming in the Atlantic. 

Sister Pat Brennan, the aunt of a great, life-long friend, Dan McGuire, and a friend herself, celebrated her golden jubilee of ordination as a nun.  A trip up to New Jersey to visit my mom allowed my mom and I to travel over to PA for the celebration.  Not only was it great to share this moment with Pat, but I also got to catch up with my mom and visit with most of the McGuire clan as well. 

My good friend Drew, with his wife, Sue, my not-so-old, but long-time friend from West Virginia University days, with his family after his retirement ceremony this July (left).  Their three sons are Daniel, Nathan, and Johnny.  Sue is my WVU roommate's (Tom) sister.  Sue's mom and dad (Right).  Dad is a retired Navy Captain.  Tom served in the active duty army.  Drew and I served in the Marines together.  I was smart enough to get out... Drew now has a full government pension...  The only question remaining is how long can Drew stay Marine Corps thin? 

Luckily for me, they are all in Virginia Beach, Virginia. 

After a month and a half of non-stop work back at KIS along comes a five-day Korean holiday known as Chusok.  For the Koreans, Chusok is the time to return to one's roots, visit the ancestral graves, and give thanks for the harvest.  For international school teachers in Korea it is just long enough to squeeze in one more trip to Peurto Galara, Philippines with the high school English teacher - Phillip - and Dr. Dahlstrom, high school principal, and her husband Len, school college counselor. 

More pictures from Lothar, who happened to be back in Peurto Galera for more diving and picture-taking.  Thanks again!

At some point... 2004 had to end. 

Visit my 2005 page!

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