JROTC Military Ball 2009

It's time again for the annual North High School Junior ROTC Military Ball, held on Saturday, March 28, 2009. As usual, they have a nice formal program held at the Knott's Berry Farm Resort Hotel in Buena Park (http://www.knottshotel.com/). Each company (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, and Foxtrot) had to take formal portraits, while the rest of us were busy enjoying either a nice veggie pasta or the famous Knott's Berry Farm Chicken Dinner (http://www.knotts.com/camplace/dine_restaurant.shtml).


















This year's theme was Hollywood, and each company had to perform skits of many popular movies. After the speeches, dancing, and retrieval of the colors (our flags), the kids changed into their play clothes. Then off we all went to enter the park (Knott's Berry Farm, http://www.knotts.com/) to enjoy an afternoon and evening of fun, food, rides, food, snacks, games, and more food. Did anyone get their funnel cakes?!?!? Deep fried batter topped with powdered sugar (strawberries and whipped cream, optional). Yummy!!!





It was a long day, but I really enjoy the company of Sgt Mjr Duran, Sgt Graham, other chaperons, and our 130 cadets. I'm so thankful no one got sick this year. God had blessed us with safe travels for our three school bus loads of kids. God's love is so amazing. It's been very rewarding for me to serve them over the years. I thank God for healing me and giving me enough energy to keep up with all of those teenagers. I look forward to serving with this great group of young people again.

As the end of this week approaches, I can't believe I survived two theme parks in the same week. Radiation does drain my energy. Taking afternoon naps really help, but also I guess I'm on a natural high when I'm having fun. God is sooooooo good to me!





Margie and Tom were visiting LA. After attending service at South Bay Community Church, eating lunch at the Local Place, we had our fun shopping for munchies at Marukai, Gardena. Hot roasted chestnuts, anyone?!?!? Their pretty tasty!!! ;P



Paula and I first met at TMMC Radiology Department, then we met for yummy lunch at Thai Thani in Redondo Beach. We were blessed with a beautiful day.
(http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-20503645R-thai_thani_restaurant-i)

I'm CANCER FREE and going to Disneyland!!!

On Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - I have finally finished my radiation treatments!!! It has been a long 6.5 weeks of daily treatments. But, it is worth peace of mind knowing I've done everything I could to rid any hint of cancer from my body. I've followed doctors orders, I've taken all of my medicines, and I've been sleeping about 8 hours a night. Now I wonder how I had ever got away with sleeping only 4-5 hours and working full time in the past. But that was a lifetime ago, a lifetime without the word cancer in it.

Once upon a time, a long long time ago, a patient previously had donated a special plaque to Torrance Memorial Medical Center - Radiation Department. This plaque had a nice simple poem and a large silver bell. When we finish all of our radiation treatments, we are able to have our own "Bell Ringing Ceremony," and we are presented a graduation certificate. It was really nice that TMMC go out of their way to make us feel special. Well, today was my turn, and it worked for me!!! But then again, I love this kind of sentimental mushy stuff. I am going to miss the special people that I've met there, but I surely won't miss driving there daily, nor will I miss the radiation going through me (zap, zap, zap)!!! My skin is a bit raw, and it looks sunburned in special areas. I feel like I've been microwaved until firm and rubbery on the inside, and I've been toasted until I'm extra crispy on the outside. Although I still get a bit tired, I give all my thanks and praise to God. I'm so relieved, and happy to say, that I am now officially CANCER FREE!!! Yippee!!! PTL!!! And I plan to live happily ever after...and way after that too!!! hee hee hee





To celebrate being cancer free, I went to Disneyland!!! Literally!!! I had such a great time with my friends, Angel and Jill. It was Jill's birthday too! For the next 3 months or so, I have to get lots of rest, eat plenty of good healthy food, let my body heal, and prepare for the upcoming reconstruction surgeries starting in late June, early July. I give thanks every day to God, for every breath I take, for Him allowing me to spend more time with my family and friends. I am so grateful for all the people He put in my life. You are my angels and my blessings!!! And thank you for Disneyland, the happiest place on Earth!!!
I've made it!!!
Happy Birthday, Jill!


Well, hello Grumpy!!!!!
Tiny bubbles...
Hey Mickey ears, not Roger Rabbit ears!
No Nemo found in this picture.
Lemon Butter Club!!!
No parade, but band!

Pirates!!!
I couldn't find the Holy Ghost in there!!!
California Adventure
Hey SF GANG, we're coming really soon!!!
Badge of honor.


We had to leave early, but God blessed our ride home with incredible pink salmon colored skies!!!


By the way, in case you didn't hear... Disneyland is offering free admission for your birthday for 2009!!! You must register online in advance, and they will send you an email confirmation. If you have difficulty opening the pdf file (as I did), don't worry! I've contacted them and they were kind enough to respond within a few days. All you have to do is print your email confirmation, bring it along with the proper ID (driver's license, passport, child's birth certificate, etc.) to the ticket booth to redeem you pass. Here's the link to get you started: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage. Have a wonderful time... I sure did!!!

Memory Bears...

Joseph and Joneth (rear), Sammi and Jimmy (front) - On their way for a day of ice skating in Palos Verdes. It's nice to be young and healthy... Those were the days!!!


On Saint Patrick's Day, March 17, 2009, it was Joe's last day of radiation. His wife was visiting their daughter in Northern California, and wasn't going to make it home in time for his last day. So I got there just in time for his "Bell Ringing Ceremony." I'm really going to miss seeing his warm smiles every morning before my radiation. May God bless you with good health, Joe! You are a cancer survivor!!!



After my radiation, I've been joining Ada, my mom, and friends for lunch and foot massages. Connie, Morgan, Louise, Ada, and myself are relaxing after our treatment today. It's been a blessing to get pampered this way.



Here's Angel attempting to put a bike together for my friend, Jill. That's an impossible task to do when there are some crucial parts missing! Oh well, Jill! It's back to the drawing board, or in this case, back to the bike shop!!!



I love my new pink "breast cancer awareness" bracelet, Joanne!!! You are so talented and creative!!! Thank you!!! I'm really going to miss having you for my radiation therapist. Best wishes to you at your new job in San Francisco!!! Torrance Memorial will not be the same without you!!!



Here's my Sammi with her funky pipe cleaner glasses, Angela (aka Bianca), and me!!! There's never a dull moment in my house.


Happy birthday to Poa Poa, Jordan, Emily, and Ed.


I want to personally give thanks to VITAS Healthcare Corporation, a non-profit organization who provided end-of-life care for my Dad (http://hfahospice.blogspot.com/2008/12/hospice-volunteers-sewing-memory-bears.html). VITAS' volunteers also took Dad's old clothes and gave them new life through these cute Memory Bears. Here are the five bears they've made for our family, one for each sibling. The great thing is that we actually remember Dad wearing these clothes! What a wonderful way to keep him close to our hearts. Thanks VITAS for the many loving hearts of your volunteers and supporters!!!