I’m doing it again!  Come March 29, 2009, I will be participating in the Lavaman Triathlon for a second time – kicking it off with a nice 1.5k swim, a scenic 40k bike ride, and topping it off with a fun 10k run.

Now I’m sure you’re probably thinking why I would put myself through that kind of endurance pain again.  Wasn’t once enough?  Apparently not!  And this time around, I’ve taken on a mentor role and will be mentoring 12 other participants, helping them meet their fundraising and training goals and complete the program with a high level of satisfaction and success.

As you know, all of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am once again completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line – a cure!

With your support, by March 2009, I’m hoping to personally raise over $10,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in my two years of participating with Team in Training.  Although given the current state of our economy, I understand that people are cutting back in all aspects of spending.  However, please know that each donation helps accelerate cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and brings hope to the patients and families who are on the front lines of the battle against these diseases.   More than 894,000 Americans are battling leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Every four minutes, someone is diagnosed. Every 10 minutes, someone dies. Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. The need is critical.   Donate in memory of a loved one who has lost the battle. Donate in honor of those who are still fighting and surviving. Donate for the patients who need your help.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/lavatri09/dchang3hel

All donations are made in your name and will be paid directly to the organization.  The website is secure, fast and easy to use.  Best of all, it’s tax deductible!  Please also check with your HR department to see if they have any gift matching programs.  Just think, your donation could essentially be doubled!

In any case, thanks in advance for your support, and sincerely appreciate any help and support you can give!

Can you say…HOT???!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zeR3NSYcHk

I <3 your Britney!

Full marathon in ROME anyone???

http://www.maratonadiroma.it/eng/home_en.asp

All work and no play makes Deb a very, very cranky girl.

Thank goodness Halloween is just around the corner

Then a weekend spa trip to Napa

Then a half-assed “vacation”

Endure some more misery

Then let freedom ring

Then we wait….

for some

grand

news.

How poetic am I?  It funnels!  Ok ok, maybe poetic is not the right word…

Next April, I’m going to experience one of the most meaningful events of my life.  I’ll be participating in a triathlon (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run baby!)* with Team In Training, a group within The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that helps raise money to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.

Why in the world are you doing a triathlon?  I’m training for a triathlon partly because I like the challenge of an endurance/training event, but mainly because I’ve recently realized how fickle cancer really is.  I used to think that people who got cancer usually did something to bring it about – they purposely tanned without wearing sunblock, they smoked a pack of cigarettes a day knowing it causes cancer, etc.  It wasn’t until recently, when my friend passed away because of cancer, that I realized cancer is a universal disease that knows no age, no race, and no reason.  My friend was only 27, did not smoke, and I’m pretty sure he always wore sunblock.  The loss of my friend drove me to actively aid the quest to find a cure against this horrible disease. 

My goal is to raise $6000 for the search for a cure.  I know it’s an ambitious goal, but with your support I know I can reach it.  Each donation helps accelerate cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and brings hope to the patients and families who are on the front lines of the battle against these diseases. 

So how do I donate? Simply use the link below to donate online quickly and securely.  All donations are made in your name and will be paid directly to the organization. The website is secure, fast, and easy to use.  You will receive email confirmation of your donation, and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

http://www.active.com/donate/tntsvmb/go_deb_go

Also, at this website you can learn more about the organization, my progress, and any details about company gift matching programs (Tax ID 13-5644916).  Just think, donating is a lot easier than having to wake up at 7:00am on Saturdays to train for the next 6 months  

Here are some added incentives to donate:

-You’re helping a great cause to save lives!
-It’s tax-deductible!
-I will love you forever! 

Hey, I know it’s not a Maserati, but just think of all the good you’ll be doing!  Please check with your HR department to see if they have any gift matching programs.  Just think, your donation could essentially be doubled!

In any case, I thank you in advance for your support, and sincerely appreciate any help and support you can give!  

  Me!

*Here’s an interesting tidbit:  I originally thought you could choose which level you wanted to do, Sprint (.25 mile swim, 6 mile bike, 2 mile run) or Olympic (.93 mile swim, 24 mile bike, 6 mile run).  I was going to do the Sprint, because I figured it’s my very first triathlon and I don’t want to NOT finish. Well, very recently, I found out that my entire team would do the same race and of course, we weren’t going to train so hard for the Sprint level.  OH MAN that was a shocker.

In any case, as of today I am very optimistic that I will not only finish the race, but do it in under 6 hours.    This I will guarantee.  And if I reach my fundraising goal of $6000, I will strive to complete it in under 4 hours or else drinks are on me!

See Deb Go!

Swim/Bike Workout at Burgess Pool in Menlo Park (11/3).  It was effing freezing that morning! Thank goodness the water was nice and warm.

Listening attentively to the coach for our swim drills…we swam for about 40 minutes.

After swimming, we did a 20 minute run.  

After running, we did a 50 minute bike ride.  

Run and Bike at Edgewood and Canada in Redwood City (11/17).  We biked for about 55 minutes through a valley.  Got to see some really cool houses and open space.  It was quite refreshing and a good bike riding area.  After getting off the bike, we went for a 20 minute run on a trail.

Go Deb Go! http://www.active.com/donate/tntsvmb/go_deb_go

i’m reviving my xanga blog.  granted, i think i stopped mostly b/c i don’t really want to add more salt to the injury (i feel like i’m getting carpel tunnel syndrome!), but i figured i’d update people i don’t talk to that often on whats going on with my life.

———————–
  PLACES I VISITED
———————–
in a nut shell, this summer, i went to:
Boston (work)

Sarah, Kristin, Aly, and Me

NY 3x (work, wedding/fun)

Chris and Esther’s Wedding!

On the Ferris Wheel at Coney Island!

Nathan’s at Coney Island!

Bryant Park, right next to SUNY Optometry School

Waiting for the subway after eating at Katz’s Pastrami!

LA 2x (work, wedding)

Joel and TeeTee’s wedding in LA

Vegas 2x (fun, fun)

Jen, Gina, Me, Swathi, and My @ Tao

Swathi, My, and Me outside of Studio 54

My and I having some fun with a breadstick

Kim and Jen were also having some fun with a breadstick

Wilner, My, Brenners, Me and Kim at Tryst

St. Louis (fun)

The Arch!

Arch again!

Patrick and his yummy DQ cake!

Hawaii  (wedding/fun) – stay tuned for pictures!

————————————
ACTIVITIES I’VE ENGAGED IN
————————————
when i wasn’t traveling, i:
celebrated Checkout’s 1st anniversary!

Wilner, Gina, My, Me

went indoor skydiving

$50 for 2 mins of flight time = pricey, but fun.

Look ma!  I’m flying!

went paintballing (i LOVE paintballing!)

went to watch a movie in the park, or rather, union square (awww, princess bride)

The screen was really clear, sound was great, and the nighttime weather was perfect!

My, Wilner, and Me

went to the california state fair in sacramento

people don’t know how to use cameras anymore…sorry it’s fuzzy! Ate funnel cake and drank lemonade to our hearts desire!

went hiking/camping in yosemite

Me, Tracy and Karen trying to form a heart

The picture after our victorious climb to the top (4.8 miles baby!)
Jon, Karen, Ang, Me, and Trace

No, we didn’t climb half dome.  No way in hell.  But you can SEE it in the back!
The gang…everyone from the picture above + Alan.

helped organize my sister’s bridal shower and bachelorette party   
The place we stayed at in Napa for the bachelorette party!  (Thanks, Juliet!)
   

Belated Bridal Shower gift – Sexy Lil Bridge zip up hoodie & Just Married tank! (gotta love victoria’s secret).

Felicia found some helpers who were “feeling lucky” to help take the condoms off her veil.

Grape Stomping Competition!  We had to dress up!

  
Katie and I were the ‘Platinum Gangsters’ for the grape stomp.  The crowd didn’t get it…

 
Everyone at the bridal shower.  It was “Asian-culture” themed and eveyone was asked to come dressed up in the traditional outfit of an Asian culture.

Mom, Me, Flea, Jenie

The yummy food that Katie made!

Bridal Shower Presents!

———————–
   Googleween 2007
———————–
had a blast at our halloween party at google.  a lame guitar hero person won first place for the individual halloween
contest.  the 2nd place person was a lava lamp (fantastic costume) and
the 3rd person was a wii character (also a fantastic costume).  dunno
how that guitar hero person won.  ahh well.  

Lava Lamp

Back to the early ’90s we go! p.s., his shirt says “West Beverly High”

Some of our team’s costumes

It’s Harry Potter and someone from the House of Slytherin. It’s not Cho Chang. She’s a Ravenclaw.

dick in a box! LOL.


now for the most
important question, can you guess what i am??

hint:  my expression in the first picture should be a clue.  too funny! 

we
also went to the pumpkin harvest festival at half moon bay and the corn
maze in ardenwood.  both were very fun, but also very crowded.

the pumpkin patch!

brenners, kim, me, and wilner

wilner and i in a pumpkin beret

 

brenna and “the chosen one” pumpkin