So, my
intentions were good, but there is no way in the near future (i.e., 2010) that I'm
going to able to adequately get to concise posts about the trip to
Austin.
Instead, I'll try a pictorial tour and recap. How's that?
Instead, I'll try a pictorial tour and recap. How's that?
You saw
in the last post, Friday was spent getting there, getting dinner, and attending
an ice-breaker event, complete with finding out whether our fellow survivors
rolled, folded, or crumpled our toilet paper. It was full of laughter and
getting-to-know you games. We then sat around and told our stories....how
we got there. There were stories that made you laugh, stories that made
you cry, and stories that made you want to get up and cheer because we all were
fighting this disease, with all we had. Pretty cool.
This was my take from that night. He sits on my desk at work. He's Wayne Duck-sky. I know - I don't get out much.
Then, off to bed and up the next morning. Saturday morning came WAY too early for me (remember, Austin is two hours ahead of Phoenix), so there was to be no running for Michelle, despite all the good intentions. Breakfast was delicious, and we all met in the library to break out into discussions (via a rousing competition of rock/paper/scissors used to break us into two groups).
The
finale....Team Edward versus Team Jacob. I don't know WHY they chose
those names (I mean, I get they are from Twilight, but...). I was on Team
Jacob. He's cuter, anyway. Right? I don't know - never saw
the movies. ***I digress***
These talks were pretty emotional and centered around where we are today. It was quite an eye-opening experience to realize that I wasn't the only one still struggling with the reality of what I've been through. I suppose that was the point. :-)
After this kumbaya moment, we headed into another room for painting. Now, this is something I have ALWAYS wanted to do. Kind of a bucket-list item, if you will. You know on PBS, that guy with the poofy afro-like hair that paints "happy trees?" Yes, I love watching him. And, I got to paint happy trees. So. Happy!
This is
me, Crystal (center) and Eden (right, and my roommate) painting. This was
so much fun, because Crystal is a self-professed Type-A person, and had trouble
"letting it just flow."
My
painting - not the most beautiful painting on the world, but it's MINE.
That makes it special. :-)
After painting, I think we headed to lunch (it seemed like we were
always eating), and we had a few moments to just relax. We hung out
outside, on the patio. Gorgeous.
After this, we had the chance to participate in a class
hosted by the resort. It was billed as a yoga/meditation type
event. Not so much. I guess the best way to describe it was that
this very nice lady who wholly and completely believed in what she was doing
tried to teach us methods of breathing that would help us through pain,
etc. At first, I was thinking it was going to be a lamaze-type
class. It wasn't that, either. She started out by telling us that
the technique is used regularly in Russia, but isn't accepted practice
in the US (first flag). Second flag - she told us that by doing
these breathing techniques, she was able to get rid of fibrous tissue in her
breasts. Hmmm...wrong crowd, lady. Third flag - we had to hiss like
snakes while holding our hands on the part of our body that hurt. Oh -
there was growling involved, too. Needless to say, we were very patient
with her and didn't talk badly about her until after we left. At that
point, though, all bets were off. It was priceless. It has become a
running joke, and will continue to be so. Awesome.
They came
prepped for the yoga. Hmmm.....sorry guys!
Wow.
Just, wow.
The looks
say it all. REALLY?!?!
After
this, we headed to a pizza-making contest, which was fun. They resort had put out
all sorts of yummy pizza toppings. We all got to custom-make our own version,
which was then taste-tested. Mine didn't win the contest, but was delish
nonetheless. Half sauce, half pesto. Sauce side had mushrooms and
cheese, pesto side had artichoke hearts and cheese. All of it was topped
with fresh basil and oregano. MMMM....
In line,
making our creations...
Yum...
After we were completely stuffed, we headed out for some free
time, and where better to spend free time than at the pool. It is a
gorgeous pool with an infinity drop, so it looks like you're going to fall
right into the canyon. You don't, but the effect is cool. :-)
After the
pool, we headed back to the rooms to get dressed up for dinner. We were
all fancied out, and dinner was, um, well, not worthy of our dress but
okay. We were not as impressed as we had been for the other meals.
Oh well.
The Colon
Kids! We are all colon cancer survivors, and you can imagine how HAPPY we
were to meet one another. Just amazing.
After dinner, we saw two comedians (who used notes to remember
their routines, which took away from their lackluster performances).
After this, the real fun.
YouTube videos and Duct-tape wallets. Oh yes.
Indeed....
The materials
The end
results. Loved it. Still using the bottom one.
After this, I went to bed. I was exhausted.
Sunday was mainly getting packed to head home, having discussions
around where we could get help moving forward, and the trip to the
airport.
Flipping
cancer the bird.....awesome!
This was an amazing, life-changing trip. Meeting and
spending time with other AYA survivors was truly what I needed. It was
spectacular, and emotional, and just.....right. It was perfect.
I want
to go back. Anyone else up for a reunion?
Comments:
mtbikernate said...
love
it, I had no idea you got a close-up of me before I bolted during the crazy
lady's "the bob". And yes, I do have an expression that just SCREAMS
"this lady is absolutely off her rocker batshit crazy".
September
21, 2010 at 9:05 AM
Your
painting is awesome! Much better than the one I did at a survivor's day of art
at Banner Desert...
September
21, 2010 at 1:26 PM
jnwhiteh said...
I
love the painting! Any chance we could get some reprints? I'd definitely hang
it!
September
22, 2010 at 1:55 AM
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