Saturday, June 28, 2008

My How Time Flies

God has been so kind as to bring some old friends back into our lives:


This is Ferlin, Aileen, and Little Ferlin.  (Big) Ferlin and I were good friends back in the CAL days of chemistry lectures, labs, and study groups.  Ugh!  Somewhere along the way, life happened, and we lost contact.  We did run into each other briefly when a mutual friend of ours got married, but that was 6 years ago.  Ya - that long.

Our lives intersected again a few months ago. Our calendars finally cooperated, and our families were able to get together last week.  Hopefully it won't take another 6 years for us to get together again!

(Big) Ferlin was diagnosed with CML almost 5 years ago.  Thanks to that miracle drug, Gleevec, he has been in remission and is doing very well.  He and Aileen are taking care of Aileen's mother who is currently fighting her own battle with cancer.  Please remember them in your prayers.


Tonight, we had dinner with Ester (2nd from the left) and her daughter, Angelica (2nd from the right).  Es was one of my good "Ferry Friends" when I used to ride the ferry to my part-time job in SF.  That was 8 years ago!  How in the world did we let that much time go by?  Never again, I hope.  Never again.

Jelly, Angelica's nick name, was in a horrible car accident in 2006 and suffered TBI (traumatic brain injury).  Though she was in a coma for 17 days, she has made, and continues to make, tremendous progress in her recovery.  I'm so proud of you, Jelly!

I read somewhere that procrastination is the thief of time.  I hope I'll do a better job at staying in touch with those who mean so much to me. 

Sunday, June 22, 2008

If Tiger Can ...

doesn't mean I have to.

I was in Reno sitting in a casino for hours with Andrew and our uncle watching Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate go head to head. Tiger eventually won the major championship in the 19th hole. It was an incredible match, the kind sports fans talk about for years. And I was there (well, in a casino) watching every drive, every pitch, and every putt ... ooo'ing and ahhhh'ing ... gasping with disappointment and cheering in celebration ... for both Tiger and Rocco!

We'd eventually learn that Tiger won the tournament playing with a broken left leg.  (Picture courtesy of www.boston.com Charlie Riedel/Associated Press)

With the Valle Reunion, I hadn't ridden in 2 weeks.  So I knew yesterday's 77-mile ride plus the scorching heat was going to be tough.  We started at 8 am on Lucas Valley Road and climbed "The Rock."  At our rest stop after the descent, someone whispered that we'd only gone 10 miles!  The heat was already getting to us.  And I was beginning to feel the twinge in my knee again. But it was after a climb at mile 31 where I had my epiphany.  I gasped for air and grunted with the last few pedal strokes.  At the top of the hill, I stopped to refuel and rehydrate, and after picking up my lung from the road, I got back on my bike and thought of Tiger.  I thought, "If he can suffer through and play with a broken leg ................................................. DOESN'T MEAN I HAVE TO!"

So I got off my bike, hopped in the SAG (support and gear) vehicle, and helped at water stops for the rest of the day.  

Friday, June 20, 2008

Reunited

Reunited, and it feels so good 
Reunited, 'cause we understood
There's one perfect fit
And, sugar, this one is it
We all are so excited
'Cause we're reunited
Hey, hey ...

This past week was Valle Family Reunion and what a week it was! Such a blast.  It started Friday night with "da kine boofay" ... that's how you say buffet with a pigeon accent.  We met aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends we've never met or haven't seen in years.  The food was bountiful as were the hugs, stories, and laughter.  Oh and let's not forget the karaoke. (Just can't escape the karaoke.)

Saturday morning was our group picture followed by free-time which many of us Fairfield Ohana used to "work" on final reunion details.  The banquet Saturday night put it all in perspective for my youngest daughter who said, "Now I know why we're so crazy; it runs in the family!"

On display at the banquet was the Valle Family Tree ... 22 feet long!  We found out Uncle Earnest and Auntie Wanda, who were the only ones able to come from their family, has the largest "branch" with 49 descendants.  I can't even imagine what the party would have been like had all 49 of them come!  "Eh, good fun, fo shu, brah!"


Plans are in the works for a 2nd Valle Reunion in Maui in 2010!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

By Special Request

Some pictures are the same, but there was a request for a slideshow.  Enjoy!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

GO TEAM!



Coach Cooper and Coach Dave



My ride group: Donna, Michelle (Mentor), Me, and Jeanne


Team Picture

Monday, June 2, 2008

2008 America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride

This has undoubtedly been one of THE most amazing experiences of my life.  Not just the 100 miles we rode around Lake Tahoe on Sunday, but the whole Team In Training experience.  I don't even know if I have the words to explain it right now, but here are some statistics, highlights, and pictures for you:

June  1, 2008

3,300 Cyclist
1,800 TNT Participants
$7.2 million raised for cancer research

Pasta Party the night before the big ride.



My Patient Heroes


And Honorees


Up at 4 am


Rolling at 6 am
(Note our GPS's : Wine glasses - Redwood Wine Country Chapter)


GO TEAM!


Mile 72 - "I'm so ready to finish this thing."


7-mile climb up to Spooner Junction


Rolling into the finish


Congrats! I did it!