GOODBYE 2010, HELLO 2011

The year was highlighted by many happy events, which included two enchanting weddings our visit to a world famous European destination and visits to joyful events in other places featuring family and friends of note. But first, let me state that I turned 80 on August 24th, with a Luau party held at Gina's place. We were so happy in January witnessing the fairy tale wedding ceremony of Zenaida and Bill Evans which was solemnized in the ballroom of the Embassy Suites Hotel at Milpitas, California. The reception that followed like many Mendoza clan celebrations was truly enjoyable and memorable. Zenaida (or Baby) was lovely. Featured show was the hip hop number choreographed by Mikee, Bobby's and GI's son, which also displayed the talents of the smallest and cutest dancer – Julian Joaquin, son of Jay and Jenny. All the male dancers wore dark suits and so did Julian. Cute! The other wedding was celebrated at a garden ceremony in Virginia where Jonathan, son of Joey and Flor was wedded to Tara, a lovely American girl. The reception was delightful to recall for Joey and Flor really enjoyed themselves dancing and seeing their guests having fun. The only wrinkle was the fact that Jon had to report that days after for assignment at the U.S. Army camp where he was admitted and assigned to work as a chef which Jon really chose. We certainly took advantage of our Virginia trip by seeing relatives and friends which included Tony’s sisters Nenita and Josefina and their children. The last time the couple visited Virginia was when Mama Sarah died in 2002. They had a necrological service and then brought her ashes to Christ the King crypt in Quezon City. While in Virginia, Chita and Tony stayed at her sister Elizabeth's home in Falls Church Virginia. They got to see some of the Enciso siblings of Manny who live in Virginia. Chita's sister, Menchie with her husband, Rob drove from Chesapeake to Fairfax, VA just to see Tony and Chita on Easter Sunday. Both had a happy reunion with Jennifer Nguyen, an accomplished Vietnamese pianist and teacher whom they met with her mother during their Mediterranean cruise with Mikee and Nico. Jennifer showed the couple her beautiful home and piano studio and topped the event by treating us to dinner at a plush Italian restaurant in the area. Still in Virginia, they saw Jenny Joaquin's older sister Lisa, a nurse, and husband Cris, who worked in the same hospital in Washington DC. Come June Tony and Chita finally got to revisit their favorite European destination – Paris, The City of Light. Their first visit was in 1983 when Tony was incumbent president of the Makati West Rotary Club. This second visit, they bonded with Mona, a friend of Tony's sister, whom they met at their golden wedding anniversary in August 2009. Mona has been living and working in Paris for 40 years and speaks fluent French. Since they were already in France, the couple decided to visit the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine by hopping into a train heading there. It was an overnight train from Paris to Lourdes. Upon arrival some ten hours later, they discovered that a sort of pilgrimage featuring military officers from many countries were also in Lourdes so there were crowds of uniformed persons and civilians in wheel chairs ready to pray to the Blessed Mother for a cure or relief from their ailments. Back in California. taking advantage of good weather, Chita and Tony decided to take a ten day cruise around the New England ports of Maine and Boston as well as Canadian ports of Halifax and St. Johns with their two grandkids - Mikee and Nico. The year 2010 was truly a happy one for our Joaquin and Mendoza clans. We shall always be thankful to the Lord and His blessed mother for blessings showered on all of us in 2010.