Happy birthday, my dear blog!

Happy birthday, Perpetual Padres Saga!

Exactly a year ago, December 12th 2008, I started a blog and wrote my very first entry with literally two sentences. My blog’s name began with Made in San Diego and later I eventually changed it to more descriptive and creative way. It was a shaky beginning and it was so hard to even touch the keyboard to write in my blog. Thankfully as time progressed, my entries got longer and improved as well. I do strongly believe in my opinion. Referring back to my old posts, they helped me to just keep write, write, and write. Naturally, my writing skills improved which is amazing.  

Looking back through the year, my life definitely changed with a start of new school year as a high school freshman in late July, growing up mentally and emotionally, and believe it or not, blogging changed my life in some way shape of form as well. I did get upset several times when my blog didn’t make it on top 50 every month. Then I realize that numbers are not the main thing of blogging here. It’s about how much passion and pride you show about your favorite team to others, sharing thoughts and news, and just be friends with your bloggers. My dream is to be a baseball reporter and blogging is my first step to express myself and show that I have a very strong desire to have this job someday. Without huge support from my family, friends, and my dear readers, this blog could have been pointless and shut down.

My goodness, I made so many great friends here in blogosphere! Seriously, I cannot thank you guys enough. It has been very fun reading and commenting on your great blogs throughout this year. All of you rock and I admire your blogging skills. I did have to take several weeks off blogging because of school, but other than that, things went smoothly. The work I have done with many of you came to a result with a record of 134 entires with 824 comments so far; This being number 135. I hope to double or even triple up those numbers by the time I celebrate my 2nd year blog birthday. My job and goal is to write that will be eye-popping that will have to express your thoughts even further. I will continue to blog consistently as possible to make you guys come visit here. 

2009 baseball season has been a much better one from the previous years as a fan. With my blog, I was able to enjoy understand this game even more. This year, I was able to go to not one but three games out of 162. It doesn’t sound a lot but I enjoyed going to Petco to watch all three games. I finished the season by watching one winning game and two losing games. When baseball starts all over again in April, I hope to improve my record.

Top 5 Entries of the Year

From over 100 entries, I now present to you the top 5 entries of 2008-2009.

# 5: Baseball and Heels

This is one of my old entries. In fact, it was published all the way back in March! In case you didn’t know or happen to forget, I love heels. Heck, I even wear them to school sometimes when I really feel like it. Not stilettos or those crazy high ones, but I love cute shoes like black oxford 3-inch ankle boots for example. In this entry, I shared my feelings about loving baseball while incorporating my girliness, such as wearing shoes that are not-so-appropriate-for-baseball-or-other-sports-games. It turned out to be a sucessful one and I always put a smile in my face while reading the entry and the comments I recieved.

# 4: Night at Petco Park with three friends (bloggers)

I was able to go to Padres vs. Rockies game at Petco with Kaybee, Kylie, and Jen on July 18th. I had a blast hanging out with them, taking pictures, etc. Kylie totally cracked me up and I hope to see her again someday whether it’s going to be at Petco again, Coors Field or other ballparks. It will be so much fun. Same thing with Jen! This game turned out to be great since I got my very first autograph from my hero at a game, and the Padres won by the score of 3-1. Going to a baseball game is always like a Christmas to me, especially when you go with awesome MLBloggers.

# 3: Honoring Nick and the Angels

I wrote this entry the day after the Angels clinced AL West Division in September 29th. When the Angels yelled “Adenhart! Adenhart!”, ran toward to the picture of Nick Adenhart and touched it, said their words and prayers, they inspired me to write an entry about them. Losing Nick really hit me hard. I was crying nonstop, especially since he left in such a tragic way. He was a young guy who had so much bright path ahead of him. I wish I was at Angel Stadium on April 8th to see him pitch. Nick is, will be, a forever angel and nobody will forget him. No one. Los Angeles of Anaheim showed baseball fans across America a true meaning of high class. Also, 18 people recommeded this point and I am very greatful. Thank you my readers.

# 2: Goodbye Jake

I was very upset a long, hour when I heard that Padres ace, now a member of the White Sox, Jake Peavy got traded on July 31st. Jacob Edward Peavy pitched for us for eight years and it was just so hard to watch him leave San Diego. Jake winning 2007 NL Cy Young Award was very memorable to watch as a Padres fan myself. He had ups and downs, dealing with painful injuries, but he always fought back. Everytime he goes up the mound to pitch, the cute boy from Alabama with adorable southern accent will turn into a player who barks and yells at himself when something doesn’t go right. He is a fierce competitor, that’s for sure. I love the energy he brought to us and I will cherish those moments for a very long time. This entry consists of photo tributes and a long, personal letter I wrote to Jake. I hope he reads this someday!

# 1: A loss to the Padres, but a chat with David Eckstein? Priceless 

Wow what a mouthful! On August 21st and 22nd, I couldn’t stop screaming. 21st was a Friday, and that was the day I got a very valuable e-mail from Ashley Eckstein. It’s not like everyday I recieve a mail from a famous person so this day was very special to me. My face felt so sore from smiling too much! The next day was even better. The Padres vs. Cardinals game that I went for free since I got the tickets from the Ecksteins also consited of getting autographs from Kevin Kouzmanoff and Chase Headley. I also had an opportunity to talk with David Eckstein infront of crowds (Technically, I was in the middle but let’s move on.), who looked quite jealous of me, which I felt bad a little. I believe I mentioned about this story about 2304987213 times but it is so cool to have this rare chance and enjoy it. Padres ultimately lost 7 to 0 on that day, but the score didn’t matter. I had a blast rooting for my boys and watching them play baseball. Will I talk with David Eckstein everytime I go to Petco? You bet I will!

There are more to choose from but those are strong and meaningful entries I have written thus far. I am so proud of my top 5! I read each of these entries more than once and it feels so good to read words that you are completely satisfied with.          

Thank You!!!

First of all, thanks to Kaybee as my first commenter and Padres buddy. We are like sisters who are obessed with our boys! I hope to work with her someday. When she covers for the Padres and I become a Padres reporter, it will be extremely legit. She wrote the very first comment and it was so cool to know that people do read my blog. I had fun meeting her twice including watching a great game together yelling “Kooooooz!” and “Go Padres!!” so loudly. I can tell that she enjoys my blog and I really appreciate that. We already made plans to have our David Eckstein fun at Padres Fan Fest on February 13th which will be the day made up of Win with a capital “W”.

Also thanks to Mark, Julia, Jen, Emily, Kylie, Tom, Jeff, Ted, Matthew, Elizabeth, Virginia, Cat, diamondgirl55, xcicix, John and anyone else I forgot who deserves a big “Thank You!”. You guys definitely helped me out as well and kudos to everyone!

My fourth year as a baseball fan is the best season so far. Hopefully next year, more wonderful things will happen to me and I will definitely keep up my blogging to bring you guys back here whenever I post latest entries. Once again, thanks to each and everyone of you who read my blog consistently or just read one entry, wrote comments, and other great things you do here, in MLBlogosphere.