Maui Christmas!

I wish you a Maui Christmas and a Happy New Year! Or Mele Kaliki Maka, Ha ole maka heke ho!

Mom, dad and I enjoyed two weeks of wonderfulness in Maui, as kind of a last-minute vacation of sorts, with no agenda and no expectations. The time was spent mostly at two beaches nearby our condo, boogey-boarding, snorkeling and just relaxing. The most tangible thing that came out of our time on the beach was a giant sand sea-turtle that dad and I created (which tourists had pictures of them taken in front of!), and a video I took of a sand crab who was able to throw a little clump of sand further than most professional baseball players.


Of course, being Tricia and being the tropics, some record-breaking crazy weather had to be a part of our trip. The worst rainstorms in 50 years hit Maui and we had no power for a day and a half...not that surprising after my hurricane escape in August, the last time I met a coastal area. We really didn't complain given that it was -17 back in Calgary! A few card games by candlelight later, we were back on the beach anyway! All in all, it was one of the best vacations I've been on

Maui was...energizing to say the least. Once again, my body engaged the sand and sea with happiness and I was far stronger when we left than the day we arrived. A daily workout of riding waves in to shore, getting up on my feet and charging back into the ocean was better than all the physio I've been attempting back in Alberta. A day-trip to the island of Lanai also opened up some dozen views of whales enjoying some ocean time, incredible fish among beautiful coral, and sea turtles bobbing near Maui's coast. We also managed to find some wonderful restaurants and places to visit at night after our daytime seaside adventures. My legs were sore from the ocean workout and my arms were sore from clapping to the Irish bands!

After the red-eye flight home, we drove directly to the hospital for chemo, which was delayed by a day or so due to timing of blood-work. The update on the clinical trial was pretty flat - a contract at the entity-level of all parties involved needs to be drawn up, and the doctors in Calgary do not have a sense of how long this may take. Patience and a continued tolerance for the unknown seem to be my best tools in this challenge. I wish for both in ample amounts for Christmas.

Oh yeah....Christmas! In just two days! We are lucky to be spending Christmas Eve and morning with Dana, Brandon, Davis and Jack, which should be entertaining as the twins discover wrapped boxes as a tradition. A simple but wonderful few days are ahead, and I look forward to enjoying them, physically able, healthy for the moment. I'll likely eat too much, sleep too much and make resolutions for the New Year, just like everybody else. And it will be excellent.

2007 was a pretty fantastic year, filled with experiences that I never imagined I'd be able to see, taste and feel. I travelled, I visited, I learned, and I laughed more than I hurt and more than I cried. I guess that's what it's all about. So I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and for 2008 - more days filled with joy, laughter, love and happiness than you have days of loss and tears. I thank you for all of your continued support and toast to you - a wonderful life!

Cheers