So here we are at the end of July, more than halfway through this year, and I realized that I have no idea where these 7 months have gone. I actually have no idea. I think back on it and as I spin through my Rolodex of memories, all the days seem sort of the same. They seem to be all marked by Alan’s fight with cancer in one way or another, but other than that, nothing really stands out. This year has not at all been like 2008, which was a much more fun year all around.
In 2008:
- I got hit by a car
- I lived with the abrasive, suburban Beavis and Butthead in Walnut Creek (whom I found on Craig’s List (beware Craig’s List browsers!) and who could not explain to me why we each paid $100 per month for utilities and yet could not turn the heat up past 62 degrees in the winter)
- I got fired from my advertising agency job for creating this online portfolio (which didn’t even get me an interview for the job I had made it for)
But, but. In 2008:
- Denise and Justin (also lovingly referred to as DJ or Deej, after the great DJ Tanner of Full House fame) got married
- Irene moved to the Bay Area
- I ran my first 10k (Wharf to Wharf)
- I found crumpets in London
- I went on my first cruise
- I moved from Walnut Creek to San Jose (from one suburbia to the next; sometimes I don’t know how I can stand all this adventure!)
Lately, Alan and I have been nostalgic to our stomachs, just reveling in 2008. And I have to remind him that better days are so soon upon us. And until then, I promised him a few pictures recapping my favorite moments of 2008, the year we never stepped foot in a hospital and never thought twice about our colons.
I havent gotten a chance to read all your posts. But you 2 make an adorable couple. wish you all the best.
Is it weird that this post brought tears to my eyes? I hope not. I cry over everything, if it's any consolation. Even when I watch Oprah!
I mean, um. Who me? I don't watch Oprah. Pssh!
*sniffles*
What a great post this is. I love all the pictures, and your little simple (yet telling) captions that go with. I kind of know what it's like to go back and re-live your "pre-sickness" days, and to spend quiet nights longing desperately for things to be that way again, even though you know they quite likely will never be.
I wish you two nothing but the best and lots of positive, happy thoughts with this battle. I might wish you a little Oprah, too. A little Oprah never hurt anyone, right? Right. ๐
I love your dog haha, it's huge.
Well…This is the life… A combination of happy and sad moments…But what we should remember is that nothing remains , everything change and what is important is not to give up hope . Best wishes for you and Alan
Years are never the same. 2008 was exciting for me too. I joined my present job on 31st Dec., 2007, so it's in 2008 that it really began. Now it's been more than one and a half years and the job is getting boring. There were other exciting things that happened around me in 2008: my friends got married early 2008.
I admire your attitude. My ex husband has been battling Lymphoma for 2 years now, some days are up, some down. I try very hard to remain positive. On a lighter note-the toaster strudel is hilarious & I love all of your photos. ๐
One more thing- I got hit by a car when I was 16. :/ Not to many of us share this claim to fame, lol.
great photos! you do look adorable together ๐
You should watch "Kung Fu Panda." It's one of my new favorite movies. Cartoon or not it's awesome. In it the Kung Fu Master Oogway is the senior master of Jade Palace and he is a wise turtle. He mentions that there is no "good" news, no "bad" news; there is only news. There are amazing quotation nuggests:
"One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it."
and my personal favorite…
"Quit, don't quit. Noodles, don't noodles. You are too concerned about was and what will be. There is a saying: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present."
That last one has helped me get through the tough times in fighting my own disease. Interestingly enough, movie came out in 2008!
Be well…
I really do wish the both of you all the best: sometimes life can be bleak and dark but I hope it all brightens and lightens for you soon.
Wow the pictures are amazing…..
I am an emotional boy and I am not afraid to say that I found this very sweet and you two definitely make an adorable crying…. The pictures remembered me the times when I was with my first ever girlfriend in our first ever date this year in valentines day…… Kinda brings back happy memories =]
I wish you and Alan another million of pictures for many many more happy moments to share.
:-))
Giovanna
Beautiful memories. May you have many, many more… I will be waiting for the pictures to prove it! ~Lynn
Your memory's are surreal and classicly lovly. I Love your pictures too. They show real emotion and time savored moments in them. There all beautiful.
Wow, you two really are very cute! And your parents (I'm assuming that was them?) are handsome. I, too, LOVE your dog – he's so wonderfully lugubrious…
I'm hoping that you'll get to spend many more colon-free days together…
Oh my goodness! What a year! I'll have to go back and read about the other events. The pictures were adorable though.
Wow, Alan is gorgeous. I've been reading your blog every time you post and just wanted to say so many times that thank god Alan has you in his life during this time.
xxx
btw, you're really funny!
It's great to see what Alan looks like! He's so cute! Speaking of…BOTH of you are so cute!
I'm so sorry you lost your job and didn't get hired to the other! You really have had quite a year! And you're dealing with it so well! You have a job now, right??
I am praying for Alan to get better soon! And for continued strength in both of you to endure this mess. <3 *cyberhug*
Thanks so much for sharing – what an amazing couple you are…I'm looking forward to reading more.
I found your blog via the 'blogs of note' function, and I was up most of the night reading. An ovarian cancer survivor myself, I so admire your ability to write as well as you do, it must be cathartic for you- its very entertaining for me! I laughed and cried, and laughed, and laughed, as Ive read as far back as Jan 2009.
You have a great talent for writing and a superb sense of humor. I so much wish you and Alan well; keep hanging in there and being positive, it really does help heal.
Very nice pictures. I especially like the toaster strudel art
Glad to hear that Alan is eating again, Sobrina. A major triumph and something to include on the positive (But, but.) half of the upcoming 2009 list…I imagine.
It's a rare talent to be able to write on such topics in such an entertaining, genuine and touching fashion as you always do. I look forward to your book when you get around to writing it…be it fictionized or non. (Or am I being presumptuous as well as hopeful?)
Great photos, by the way. My favourite is 'Admiring Colons' ๐
I bunch of truly great photos to remember all your good times, I thank you for sharing. I am a relatively new reader (about 1 month) and really enjoy your writing and all that you share.
You are a brilliant writer. I love your style and would also love to read your book–should you write one!
Sobrina, this is such a touching post. I miss you and with you all the best, positive happiness that this life can bring you. I just love the first photo of you an Alan. Best!
Looking at your photos made me put "getting my camera fixed" to the top of my To-Do list tomorrow!
Thanks for sharing your great photos!
๐
Loved the pics! Such an encouragement. We are praying for you two and your fight with cancer…..God can do amazing things!
Thanks for sharing!
What a beautiful blog. Great photos! I'm glad I happened upon you.
Aw. Those are cute memories.
Wow, I love your blog. Mine's kinda like yours here's the link:
http://www.palomaalma.blogspot.com
Chloe — I seem to cry over everything recently, it's sorta embarrassing. Like today when my old boss told me she asked her 10 year old daughter to be her bridesmaid and how she started crying before saying yes! I just sorta blink rapidly in the hopes that no one will notice.
Dudley — thanks! I wish he were mine, he's actually Alan's parents. We would kidnap him but I think they would be pretty upset. He is really big and super long, just short. Alan calls him a limo.
Ann — I hope you weren't seriously hurt when you were hit! Aside from a few bruises and scrapes I was fine.
Andrew — we saw that last year I think, but totally forgot what great quotes were in it. Thanks for the reminder, that last one is too good, made me smile. ๐
W. Azam — there is nothing wrong with being emotional! I do it so much it should be my middle name.
The Bug — Lugubrious! Good word, not gonna lie, had to go look that one up. He does look rather glum doesn't he? But he's really not too sad, his looks are just deceiving.
Wuthering — I read that out loud to him, you made him blush ๐
J.Me — yes! I got a job last July, thank goodness! Thanks for the cyber hug. ๐
Robyn — wow, you must have been up late — thanks for reading! It seems that's what's happened to me lately too, I can't seem to get to sleep on time because I have to check out everyone's blog!
Makolyte — I'm glad you appreciate the Toaster Strudel as much as I do haha. Seriously, when you make them, don't you try to make them sorta pretty?
Non (Fictionizer) — Haha, funny you should mention it, that's one of my secret (now not so secret) dreams – to write a book about something worth reading… I will so include you in the acknowledgments section — cheering me on before I ever got started haha
Thanks Andi and SOL! I hope my future posts don't dissapoint.
Deanna — I miss you and the RA days too. Well mostly just you and Phuong and seeing that crazy striped pajama suit outfit.
Amanda — we appreciate it. Thank you both!
Alan's eyes are so pretty. Along with the beach and those trees. I envy you despite your troubles.
luv ur blog! visit mine @ http://diary-of-a-psychopath.blogspot.com/
Lovely photos great memories and sweet puppy dog!! I am just waiting for Alan to go home and hang be cancer free. I cant wait to hear that particular news. keep on being strong!!!
you are so cute together ๐ i havent had the chance to read all yr posts yet but i'll doing that… hope everything will be quite well for you two..
and i really loved the nostalgiac photo series ๐ great idea…
best.
What an incredibly beautiful and healing set of pictures – I love the 'watching trees grow' title… Alan looks like a beautiful person, beautiful eyes. I hope the illness hasn't dimmed that light.
Thinking of you.
Ohh Sobrina… you're a ray of hope for all of us those that struggle with things as minute as some of the things you've mentioned, but yet have managed to make light of them. I really "dig" this about you.
I'm very new to the world of "BLOG" (sounds like BLAH) so bear w/me as I try and keep up w/your updates. I look forward to catching up with you as much as I can. You make pet-peeves almost sound funny. Heehee.
awww, your christmas photo made me go all 'awwww'
we have a link to you on our blog
thetuesdaymorningmix.blogspot.com because we love you incredibly.
oooh i love your pictures..you guys look so good together..
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