Well the year started off with a sparkle (as opposed to a bang), I alone in my apartment with a bottle of wine. Don’t say awww for me; that was my choice. I didn’t want to be around loud, drunk people at Times Square, nor did I want to be with family because Christmas had been enough. I just wanted to be alone, relaxed and no worries. Yeah, that didn’t happen. A subsequent date presented itself and that, needless to say, didn’t go over too well. So 2008 started not too good for the kid.

I attended the InfoSport Soccer Combine later in the week. I played with and against some of the top collegiate players in the country and some foreign talent as well. Although I was invited to participate and the fee was waived by a trainer, I still performed poorly. Well, take into consideration — I’ve only been playing soccer two years. My scores are there for the world to see. I suck. But no one can take that experience from me. It was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done and I’m better for it.

I began writing a blog for Latinosnj.com later in that year, which has given me an opportunity to speak my mind and I do so at my discretion. This also has been a great experience. One I wouldn’t trade.

I visited El Salvador where my 86 year-old grandmother taught me the meaning of what young is supposed to be. Vibrant at her age, she does all she couldn’t do when she was young. A mother of 13, she gave her childhood and youth up to take care of the kids. I broke bread with my uncles who are heroes in my book. Seeing my uncles sitting side by side when war just years ago never allowed them to be in the same room was worth the price of the expensive trip. I hung strong with my cousin and drank like I was in college. I visited historical ruins and pyramids. I cracked jokes and was the butt of jokes with uncles and cousins I rarely get to see. Learned about more family history that makes me proud to be related to the great people I’m related to. It was a great trip that almost made me tear up when I left.

My niece was here in August and she once again flipped my life inside out like socks in a washing machine. She ran all over the place, still doesn’t like soccer (‘cause Tio plays soccer) but excels at it. We spent half the summer in a water park called “Sesame Place” in Pennsylvania. We learned that Hannah Montana is really not a good show for girls under 15 to watch. She is the most popular girl in the neighborhood, because she’s pretty, smart and amiable, just like her uncle. She is the light of my life when she is here, except she might not be allowed to come up here after the age of 11, because the boys are already hovering, damn boys!

Then my best friend from California got married. This bringing into reality that I’m the last one left! Three of my best friends have taken the plunge; one has since been divorced and swears never to do it again. The other is happily married and is doing well. Now, my California friend is definitely enjoying married life and hopefully will be bringing in a mini him in a year or two. This event has shaken up my priorities a little. It made me think about my past loves and my once-upon-a-time opportunity to be married. I’m glad I didn’t do it! Pheeew the deep doo-doo I would be in if I would have married the person in question. Congratulations though good friend and like I said at your wedding, “If you are half the husband that you are as a person, marriage should be no problem for you.”

Then we had this thing called an election, wow, talk about your “Holy historical proportions Blackman!” Yup, this country’s first African-American President was elected November 5, 2008. This says something about the direction our nation is headed in forms of racial relations. Although this does not solve the social ills of this country, it does point us in a direction that not too many of us ever thought we would see in our lifetimes. We are all concerned about the economic state of our country and political ramifications this administration will have on the Middle East. We all know who the United States is allied with and with whom it will have all alliance to, no matter who is President, so let’s see what happens and let History tell the story. Oh and this is perfect time for the Independent party to make a move. The Republican Party really lacks vision, and direction at this point.

I went to church for the first time in about 13 years; that was a nice experience (I was invited by a very beautiful woman, I guess God knows how to entice those who are seeking Him). So, I’m trying to include that in my Sunday things-to-do now.

I also resigned from the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission. I’ve learned this year that I have to be a bit more subdued when speaking about my passions. Not everybody can understand why I am the way I am, so if people are not going to take the time to get to know the person instead of just the theories and thoughts, then I don’t need you. I am starting grad school in February and looking forward to it.

Christmas is coming and I’m going to be with my extended family, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because at the end of the day we are family, we’ve been through death of family members and friends, good times, bad times, sad times, and most of all HAPPY “F”en times!

Finally Facebook! Well, thanks to my great friends, I can officially no longer run for a political office! Thank GOD that obstacle has finally been diminished.

So, for the first time in a long time, I’m very happy. Not ecstatically happy but content. The year 2008 was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. But now, let’s see where this happiness ends.