The Oddity Effect: June 2009

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Leaving on a jet plane ...

I leave today for Brazil!

A week long conference in the middle of a giant South American country! I am very excited about the work and also hope to get in some time at the pool! My tan is definitely suffering with the 28 days of rain we have endured in The Little Town!

I plan to blog from the pool, so stay tuned!

This is the start of our busy, busy summer! RyGuy leaves for London this week, then we're both off to Buffalo, then Vegas!, then moving in together! Crazy good times in the next few weeks!

Monday, June 08, 2009

A plea to my friends -- Relay for Life 3!

Dear friends,

As many of you know, my dad was diagnosed with cancer about 6 years ago. He has been doing well and is currently trying new treatments to stay healthy. There is no "cure" for multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that affects the immune system.

In his honor, I am again taking part in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. This is a great event that raises money for cancer research and cancer survivors. For 24 hours this weekend, my BOGS team will walk the track at a local high school to raise awareness!

This is my third year participating in Relay for Life. With your help and support, the last two years I have reached my goal of $500 donated in honor of my dad! Thank you all!!

I urge you to visit my webpage and make a donation. Both in support of my dad and in honor of everyone that you know that has been affected by cancer.

Every little bit helps! Just a few dollars really does make a difference!

Thanks so much for your support and contribution!

Go to my Relay for Life webpage by clicking here!
or cut and paste this into your browser:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09PA?px=6186164&pg=personal&fr_id=16833

THANK YOU!!

Friday, June 05, 2009

Memorializing with Hannah!

It's been a few days since I last put of photos of our niece Hannah, so I thought I'd share some of the cutie from Memorial Day Weekend! We had a great time with her -- a BBQ at her house, playing in the rain, going to the local fair (where I totally beat RyGuy TWICE in the watergun game and won 2 giant prizes for Hannah), and (the next day) dinner out (Hannah's Favorite) and some more fun! Enjoy this little cutie!!

Hannah at the restuarant -- she loves dining out!
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Uncle Ry teaching Hannah how to ride a tricycle
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Hannah & Mommy on the Carousel!
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So cute!!
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Trying hard to blow BUBBLES!
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"Say Cheese"!
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Dancing in the rain!
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Aunt Sneks had to join in the fun!
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She's ridiculous!
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A video of her favorite Uncle Ry activity!
(I just love her laugh!!)

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Benefit for Heather!

Our friend Heather was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) on March 13, 2009. This is a very rare disease, especially for a 26-year-old. Heather is an extremely happy person and has kept a positive attitude as she has undergone many bone biopsies and doctor's appointments! Luckily, Heather can be "cured" with a bone marrow transplant! In preparation for her transplant at the end of June, Heather has also undergone fertility treatments (to freeze embryos, since it is unlikey her eggs will survive the chemotherapy she has to undergo). Needless to say, Heather and her boyfriend Matt (my officemate) have racked up a whole bunch of medical bills already!

What else could we do, but get together a Benefit for Heather? At the local bar, of course! The professors in my department agreed to be "Celebrity" Bartenders and collected lots of tips for Matt & Heather! We had a fabulous turnout and lots of support! I hope Heather looks back on the night and has a good laugh while she's recovering in the hospital!