1. Karen Uehira Smith is born (Dec 1, 8:20pm EST)
    Our healthy baby girl was born one month early... but everything was
    okay. She was born in Ft. Lauderdale while we were on vacation (we
    were coming back to Raleigh on the 2nd, but Karen wanted to be born
    in Florida apparently)
    
 2. I will be a father
    Tetsuko is pregnant and the baby will be due around Dec 30. We went
    on June 2nd for her first visit to the baby doctor, had an ultra-sound
    done... the whole works. 

 3. Eagles 21, Buccaneers 3 (Dec 31)
    I couldn't go to the game what with a newborn in the house and all,
    but watching the Eagles win their first play-off game in 5 years was
    plenty exiting anyway.
    
 4. Eagles 41, Cowboys 14 (Sep 3)
    The Eagles opened the season with an onsides kick and never looked back.
    Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb took this team farther than anyone thought
    they could, even if Duce hadnt been lost for the season in week 5.
    
 5. Trip to California (Dec 26, 1999 - Jan 3, 2000)
    Yeah, it actually *started* in 1999, but I am going to count it here
    because it was the first part of the new year. Saw the sights in
    San Diego for a few days before heading to San Jose and San Francisco
    for the rest of the trip. Highlights included Old Town SD, the SD Zoo,
    My cousins (and their kids), Chinatown (SF), Fishermans Wharf, Alcatraz,
    Winchester Mystery House, Lombard St, watching the Eagles beat the Rams
    at Garys house, Napa Valley and seeing my friends Jenny and Henry who
    moved to SJ last fall.
 
 6. Received my open water diving certification (May 22)
    I had completed my training and open water certification dives about a
    month ago, and finally receievd my certification card.

 7. Open water certification dives (April 29-30)
    I did my certification and test dives in Crystal River Florida and in
    Rainbow River Florida. The Rainbow River drift dive was incredible, and
    I got to see a manatee in Crystal River.
    
 8. Flyers at Hurricanes (January 11)
    Yeah, the Flyers played like crap in their 4-3 victory, but that is the
    great thing about the 'canes... when your team plays like crap they'll
    probably still end up winning against Carolina. It was great not having
    to drive all the way to Greensboro any more.

 9. R.I.P. Probe (March 27)
    After 6 years and 137,000+ miles the Probe (my first new car) gave up
    the ghost. I officially sold it for scrap today. It was used and abused
    during the first two years I owned it (60,000+ miles and the way I drive 
    that's about 100,000+ of normal wear and tear), and I had been pleasantly
    surprised that it held on as long as it did.

10. Tetsuko received Employment Authorization Card (April 12)
    Tetsuko received Social Security Card (May 22)
    Some more INS and U.S. Govt hurdles cleared.