BREAST CANCER UPDATE

I've been spending the past few months preparing for the Breast Cancer 3-Day and this month has been a pivotal point for me. I've walked 130 miles since I registered in March. Depending on where I am in the world, and how much time I have between flights, I try to train as much as possible. I have been walking about 5 times a week, anywhere from 3-10 miles, whether outdoors or on a treadmill. This past week I was in Geneva, Switzerland and I was able to explore the country on foot thanks to their extensive bike paths. It was absolutely beautiful and rewarding.

 

This month I have also raised 50% of my fundraising goal. Thanks to everyone who has donated! I wouldn't be able to do this walk without you. For those of you who haven't donated, it isn't too late. No donation is too small and any amount will help. The net proceeds will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Your donation is greatly appreciated.

Two of my friends have decided to join the 3-Day walk as well. It has been great having a team to motivate and push each other on our walks and in our fundraising. We are planning some fundraising events over the next few months that we hope you can be a part of. I will keep you posted!

WINE TASTING

MAY 3, 2009

(Deedra, Myself, Carly)

Sunday morning, we all met at Tyler's house for mimosas, bagels, muffins, and donuts before we loaded up in our limo bus. We weren't celebrating a special occasion, we just felt like getting our friends together and going on an adventure. There were 20 of us who joined in on the fun. Our bus was fully equipped with a great sound system, ipod dock, TV, flashing lights and our favorite thing- the stripper pole! 

(Andrew, Scott, Heather, Deedra, Carly, Myself, Tyler, & Will)

Preoccupied  with eating and drinking we were a little behind schedule.  We had to make a quick bathroom stop on the way there which ended up being some portable toilets off an exit...GROSS! Bryan and Heather's great dance routine entertained us all. The ride up was fairly mellow, compared to the ride home...

(Heather, Myself, Deedra, & Carly @ Wilson Creek Winery)

We knew we were going to miss our appointment at Ponte Winery, so we continued on to Wilson Creek Winery. After getting a wine glass we all went to town trying various wines. They are famous for their Almond Champagne which we drank all morning in our mimosas. The winery was a bit crowded but the wines are exceptionally good. 

(Tyler, Myself, Carly, Deedra, & Bryan @ Mt. Palomar Winery)

Our next stop was Mt. Palomar Winery. This place was less crowded but really nice. There was some live music and most of us got a bite to eat while we were here. We were having a great time and we didn't want the fun to end, so we decided to go to one more winery and to keep the limo for another hour. We ventured on to Keyways Vineyard and Winery. Some of us were refused service because we were a little too intoxicated, but that didn't stop us all from having a great time. We were blessed with a beautiful day, so we were able to spend a lot of time outside enjoying music and great company. 

Finally it was time to go home and the ride was nothing but eventful. After stopping to get beers, we had a dance party the whole way home. Heather, with her bum knee was our DJ and the we all danced around the pole. Don't worry...no ones clothes came off, it was all in good fun. Bryan became a member of the blue man group and also the only guy to dance on the stripper pole! 

(Bryan)

(Tyler and Myself)

After we got home we all went our seperate ways, some of us filling our empty stomachs and trying to sober up. We ended up with some wine glasses, good laughs, and a great memories. Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun and to Manny for driving us around! 

Where are we going next in the limo bus??? 

EGG DONATION

For those of you who don't already know, I have been an egg donor since 2006. I have donated to 6 families over the past 4 years and it has been an incredibly rewarding journey. I was contacted by an agency when I was 23 and I had just graduated from college. The agency was based out of the town I went to college in and my mentor and I had a lot of mutual friends. I decided to fill out a profile and give it a shot. Two days later, I was picked by a couple who wanted me to donate to them. I was shocked at how fast it had happened, but was informed that since I am asian, I am in very high demand; there are not many asian donors. With the support of my parents, and working with a great team at Miracles, I was able to donate to my first couple. They got pregnant with twins and are now a family.

 

Although the process is demanding and very time consuming, the outcome is remarkable. I feel that I have been able to give life and joy to a couple who so desperately wants to become a family. I know that child will be cared for and loved so much. I can't wait to have children some day, but that day is not today. Therefore, I want to let those that want kids today to be able to have them. All my donations have been completely anonymous. People ask me if it's weird knowing that I have children out there that I don't know, but I don't look at it that way. As much as I would love to know who they are and that they are well, so much happens while being in a mother's womb, and I know that child is being loved unconditionally.  

 Ethically and physically there are only so many donations you can do. This past May I retired from being an egg donor. It was a blessing being able to help so many families and I learned so much about myself throughout the whole process. 

If you, or anyone you know would like to be an egg donor or are looking for a donor you can visit their website at:

 www.miraclesinc.net  

 

There you can find a lot of information regarding the process. If you do decide to sign up, dont forget to mention that I sent you, they are like family to me.  

PADRES

APRIL 26, 2009

Padres 3, Pirates 8

One of my favorite things about San Diego is going downtown to Petco Park to watch the Padres. The new stadium is absolutely gorgeous and with San Diego's growth, there are so many good restaurants, bars, and things to do. 

Tyler and I had been debating going to the Padre game all week. After breakfast at Swamis with my parents and walking the Encinitas Street Fair, Bryan Davis gave us that needed movtivation to go. We drove down and met up with my friend Steve Pak I haven't seen in a while and we all sat together. It was a lovely day out, too bad the Padres lost 3-8 to the Pirates. Hopefully they can turn things around and make it a winning season! 

LYKKIE LI

APRIL 20, 2009

With work being chaotic, I wasn't sure if I would even make it home for the Lykkie Li concert. Tyler wanted to go and  bought me a ticket just in case I got home. Luckily I made it home and Tyler got our tickets before it sold out. I had never been to the Belly Up (Solana Beach, CA) for a show before. It's a more intimate venue, there isn't really a bad seat in the house, and they sell tall cans of PBR. She put on the most amazing show, far better than I ever thought she would.  Here is a short clip of one of my favorite songs "Little Bit".