So these past 12 months have been quite the roller coaster for me. It was not easy at times, but things are looking good. I by no means am playing a victim, but man do I feel I am deserving of some good luck. And it looks like it is happening.
Since my last post, I have become somewhat of a local celebrity around San Diego. It's not a big deal but I'm kind of a big deal. I'm the Dine & Dash field producer for the Prep Pigskin Report. Long story short I eat food while on TV every Friday night during high school football season. My Ohio State journalism degree is finally paying off! It's a fun segment where I get to interact with all sorts of people. Plus I get fed while doing it!
This Monday I have an interview to be a teacher at the school I've been working at for the past four years as a supervisor. Who would have thought I would one day be teaching? 2010 John would have laughed at the idea. 2019 John is excited for the opportunity. Once again, my Ohio State journalism degree is finally paying off! I'm excited for the chance to contribute even more than I have been doing the past couple of years.
I also began contributing to EastCountySports.com during the winter. I hope to be more available where I can showcase my talents during the fall, winter and spring.
On a professional level, I am seeing my efforts being rewarded with opportunities and recognition. As happy as that makes me, it pales in comparison to what is bringing me the most joy. The wife and I decided a while back that our bendiciones will be going to school in the US of A this school year. Meaning, I will finally be able to see my kids everyday! My son starts in August and my baby girl in January.
My Gordis, my lady, la dueña de mi corazon, has her immigration appointment late October. If all goes well, a few days later we will be living together as a family in San Diego.
Of course, that means I will be a papa soltero for two months while we wait to go to Ciudad Juarez. I will have the support of my parents in SD but, for those who read my last entry from a year ago, it will be a challenge for me. But it is a challenge I am so looking forward to! My kids are awesome. I cannot wait to have them everyday.
It looks like the universe is finally done beating down on me. As I mentioned earlier, I am no victim and I know there are plenty of people on this Earth who have it faarrrrrrr worse than I do. But these last seven years have not been ideal. They have been quite tough, honestly. But I feel I am coming out of this a better man, husband and dad. Plus studies show that women prefer a dad bod over a fit bod. So I got that going for me as well.
I am only a few months out from being able to wake up to this everyday.
Once in San Diego together, there will be no slowing down. I have held off "living life" for too long. I never felt right having fun without my wife and kids. So what will be on the schedule? Padres games. Gym. Hiking. Date night. Runs at Lake Murray. Traveling. Getting my kids involved in sports. Maybe joining a sport myself. Anything and everything. The trick will be to do all this while (hopefully) being a teacher, working for the PPR and ECS, running a few after school programs, and coaching three different sports. The "Hey Mon" skit with the hard working Jamaicans on In Living Color really speaks to me on a personal level.
Despite my full schedule, you will not catch me complaining or saying I am too tired. The stars are finally aligning for my family. We deserve to be happy.
