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March 31, 2005
choices
"there are no answers, only choices."
- (i don't remember)
ariel's commentary on the choices we make in our lives, and the profound impact they have on the course of our lives, struck a chord.
i've put a lot of thought into this subject. over the years i have learned some interesting lessons. probably the most important lesson that i have learned is that there is an order to the universe. every choice we make, the large and seemngly tiny, have a profound impact on the course of our lives. and more often than not, the impact of these choices are not felt for months, if not years after we've made them.
i think this is something everyone learns for themselves. well...maybe not everyone, but the lucky ones do. no one can teach this. at least i don't think so.
i look back on the choices i made in my early twenties, and am amazed at how they are affecting my life just now.
i recently had a change in my role at work (for the better) that has me doing some truly exciting work. i have the distinct sense this is a unique and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. reflecting on some of the most severe challenges in my career, moments when i've wondered why the hell i was working so damn hard. this is why. these opportunites that come along when you aren't looking or expecting them, but the tiny choices made that were made years ago made it possible.
but i never forget, how quickly things can turn. last night for example, after spending the day at an off-site where i looked around the room at the people i work with review the plans for the next 1-3 years and all the exciting opportunities in front of us, and i just couldn't quite believe my good fortune.
on my way home i was stopped at a light waiting to turn left onto abbot kinney and a couple of cars were stopped waiting behind me. the third or fourth approaching car (i couldn't tell which) attempted some complicated maneuver and slammed into the cars behind me and crushed every single car in front of it.
except mine.
i'm very lucky. but i've learned, it can all change in an instant.
Posted by heidijanet at 04:18 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 28, 2005
for a cause
my dear friend daniela is participating in an adventure race for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in June, and is looking for good folks to support the cause.
because my immediate family has been directly impacted by Hodgkin's Disease and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, the loss of my aunt janet (whom i was named for) and my dear grandmother, i feel strongly that this is a cause worth supporting.
and since i'm in no shape for an adventure race, given my vice-ridden, sedentary lifestyle combined with a broken back and a bum ankle...i'll be contributing by soliciting as much support as i can and cheering her on from the sidelines.
so please click here for more information about daniela's participation, and CLICK HERE to contribute online. and remember, your donations are tax-deductible!
Message from Daniela:
I've been threatening to participate in a triathlon for years, and have finally "bitten the bullet" so to speak--and have taken it up a notch for good measure. Those of you who have ever driven with me (or have had to give me directions to the same location multiple times) will appreciate how difficult The Red Tail Adventure Race could actually be for me. You see... this is no ordinary triathlon.
The Red Tail Adventure Race consists of kayaking, mountain biking and trail running, with navigation thrown in just to complicate things further. I'll have to navigate from place to place on land and water using topographic and other map forms and, of course, a compass. This particular race will consist of 5-7 miles of kayaking, 20+ miles of mountain biking and 5-8 miles of trail / sand running. Unlike a triathlon, there are multiple switches back and forth between the different disciplines. This essentially ensures a wet, muddy and challenging experience over 3-20 hours, depending on how lost I get… fun!
So why am I doing this, and - more importantly - why do you care? Well, I’m doing it to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to support its fight against leukemia, Hodgkin's Disease, lymphoma, and myeloma… and I think you see by now where this is heading. That’s right-your wallet.
To date, Team In Training has raised over $480 million to help fight blood cancer and support patients. These funds have been used to successfully improve survival rates and quality of life for survivors, but much work still remains. 75% of the funds raised go directly to research. The importance of this research cannot be overstated. It saves lives. Many lives.
My team will be racing in honor of Ciana Cervantes, a 13 y.o. survivor of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). The two and a half years of chemotherapy Ciana had to endure make this race look like a walk in the park and her positive attitude should be an inspiration to us all. If you or a loved one has ever suffered from any form of cancer, I will be proud to wear your names on my jersey. There is a space on the donation form for adding those names, or you could just email them to me.
To race, I need to raise $2,600. I have set myself a goal of raising $4,000 for this race. I hope you will help me achieve that goal.
For details on how to donate, please consult the attachment to this email. You can donate securely online by clicking here.
Note that the deadline for donations is April 25th (this is a soft deadline, and donations will be accepted at a later date, but your timeliness is appreciated). For those of you who reside outside of the US, please keep in mind that you can donate using a foreign credit card.
Posted by heidijanet at 09:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 27, 2005
mother, me and easter tulips
mother, me and easer tulips
Originally uploaded by in retrospect.
i always go to the family gatherings at my uncle's house and lurk around with my camera to get shots of my young cousins (once removed) dashing around. i always feel a little out of place with all the couples and babies and gourmet cooking stories. my cousin's wife katie was even in martha stewart's living last summer. seriously.
but i realized the i rarely get photos of me with my mother.
so here's a special easter treat. me with my mother. and the tulips as a prop.
my mother certainly knows how to pose for a photo.
Posted by heidijanet at 08:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
happy easter!
eastergirls
Originally uploaded by in retrospect.
happy easter from my nieces!
Posted by heidijanet at 09:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 23, 2005
snooze
i totally need this.
the snooze button is the bane of my existence.
Posted by heidijanet at 06:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 22, 2005
enoteca recap
enoteca
Originally uploaded by in retrospect.
here's the evidence from the enoteca gathering of good friends, excellent wine, and food at my house last weekend
there was an abundance of good conversation, valiant but unsuccessful efforts to organize party games resulting in flying american cheese slices and as promised...some extraordinarily poor judgement.
for those who couldn't make just take a look over here.
Posted by heidijanet at 10:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 21, 2005
fixed! (sort of)
about a month ago, fed up with comment and trackback spam, i attempted to upgrade my movabletype. and proceeded to break it. fixing it dropped to the bottom of my priority list for a while, but now it's all fixed.
to the five folks a day who want to know all about towel folding and my handful of friends and family who drop now can again and breathe a sigh of relief.
Posted by heidijanet at 10:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack