Leaving something behind, sort of

Two weeks after we made our big migration, my wife and I are still on the airwaves. No, we're no longer heard live on Jam and WRocK. It's just that some TV commercials we recorded voice overs for before leaving recently started airing.

Several months ago I auditioned and got the part to be the official announcer of the Close Up Crystal Frost ad campaign. I'm not sure, but I might have gotten it even before I knew we were leaving.

Anyway, friends and relatives there tell me our ads are always on TV. It's just too bad that we won't be able to see it. Especially mine, since it was a completely different style of delivery than my usual.

Great people like Jesse Quigley

This Holy Week has been an extra special one for me. It's the first for us in Texas, plus it's so soon after our big move here. Over the past days, I've been thinking about all the these things that have recently happened.

Our trip here was a tough one, since we were travelling with lots of luggage, a young restless boy, and had a 25-hour trip with lots of turbulance. What made it a lot easier was all the help we got along the way.

It turned out that the nice guy at the check-in counter, Jesse Quigley, was a fan of my a cappella show "The Blend", and was able to get us good seats for all 3 of our flights. It was a huge help, since we were supposed to sit apart - something extremely difficult when travelling with a child.

There's been a lot to be thankful for, like the nice men who helped us with our baggage at the Detroit and Houston airports to our parents and relatives in the Phils. who've helped us so much.

But don't get me wrong, things still weren't easy for us. But a little help here and there goes a long way. The trick is seeing it and being thankful.

The lay of the land

We've been here in Houston for a few days now and we're still adjusting. Mainly it's the jet lag and minor sickness. Probably from the strain of our 25-hour trip and the time-zone difference.

The weekend was mostly resting, unpacking and catching-up with my sisters and brother-in-law. This first week I start to get to business.

There's so much to do as we begin our new life here. Earlier today, I opened a checking account and applied for a credit card. Tomorrow I will take my driving test (something I've been dreading).

After I get all the basics out of the way, I have to start looking for work. Hopefully I find something soon. I don't want us to be a burden for very long.

Crazy life

With just two days left before we fly out of the country, there's still so much left to do. Our bags are not all packed yet, and we're not completely done cleaning out the house. I never realized we had so much junk stacked up and hidden.

I've got so many things hanging over my head right now, but I can't help but worry about my a cappella show "The Blend". There's still no host set to take over the program and I'm worried that it may be cancelled.

Oh well, I really should try to focus on the life ahead of me. But of course, I'd still like to leave some sort of legacy behind. Sigh...

Letting go

The reality of leaving the country is finally beginning to hit me. I've known the date of our departure a some time now, but until recently it was just mark on our calendar.

Yesterday (Saturday) was my last hosting of my a cappella show The Blend. I didn't cry or anything, but I did get a bit choked up when I began to play my last song. The listeners were asking me to sing along, but I didn't have it in me.

Today we had two goodbye parties - one hosted by my in-laws, and another for my side of the family. It was really tough saying goodbye to everyone. I had a hard time looking in the eyes of my cousins.

The roads that life leads us down are not always easy. I just have to grit my teeth and know that this is what's meant for me and my family.

Nearing the final leg

Last week I said goodbye to my weekday listners. I was touched when the people at Jam wrote notes on a big laminated picture of me. It was a good thing my wife cooked pasta for all of them. :)

Yesterday, I hosted my last Jam-in-the-Box advance screening; the movie 10,000 B.C. While in front of the theater, Gabe introduced our new DJ, as I "passed the torch/mic" to her.

Both my last weekday show and my last hosting for Jam went as expected. Now, I just have my final edition of The Blend to do this Saturday. It'll probably be the roughest one for me.