12 Lifts of Christmas

First time was Dec 23, 2009
38 mins 30 secs |


1 Clean and Jerk (65#)
2 Muscle-ups (scaled)
3 Wall Balls (14#)
4 Medicine Ball Cleans (14#)
5 Push Presses (65#)
6 Pull-ups (red band)
7 Box Jump - 18 in.s
8 Kettlebell Swings (12 kg)
9 Sumo Deadlift High-pulls (65#)
10 Jumping Lunges
11 Burpee Broad Jumps
12 Handstand Push-ups (2 1/2 abmats)

Count down just like in the song.

This year: ‎
12 HSPU (2 abmats), 11 burpee broad jumps, 10 jumping lunges, 9 sumo deadlift high pulls (65#), 8 kettlebells (16 kg), 7 box jumps (22"), 6 pull-ups, 5 push press (65#), 4 medicine ball cleans (14#), 3 wall balls (14# to above 8' mark), 2 jumping muscle-ups, 1 clean & jerk (65#). Only part NOT Rx was the muscle ups. Aw...esome "sweat devil" at the end.



32:47

2010 Christmas Can Cure 5K

Last year: 27:25
Training was mostly CrossFit and just a few "long" jogs to the Boulevard for brunch on a weekend morning.
This year: 26:00 (3rd place out of 10 in my age division) 8:22/mile pace

And I won a couple of the raffle prizes!

Every year, partnering with the Wounded Warrior Project, Christmas Can Cure provides selected veterans and their families a Christmas they won't soon forget: a Christmas vacation to either the picturesque New England town of Jackson, New Hampshire or the snow-capped peaks of Park City, Utah. Our goal is to provide the magic of Christmas for our defenders of peace and their families.

Philosophy

Why we do what we do and how we do it. "No excuses"

Happy Thanksgiving

Jogged to the Boulevard Bar & Grille for lunch (my route is 4.5 miles there, about 4 miles back).
Great meal (I think the sweet potatoes were my favorite).


Nice conversation with Dee. Fed the video poker machine a little too much (but it was money won the night before at the M Resort Poker Tournament). Nice relaxing day (albeit a little wind chill). No mess, no leftovers (wait, that might be a bad thing).

I am a CrossFit Woman

Posted on CrossFit Serious Fitness (Friday, July 30, 2010)

I am a CrossFit Woman.
I do not wear makeup to the gym. I wear chalk.
I do not get manicures. I scrub the calluses off my hands.
I do not glisten or smile while I’m working out. I sweat, grunt, and curse.
I am a CrossFit Woman.
I am as proud of my muscles as I am my scars.
They are evidence of my hard work and dedication.
I am a CrossFit Woman.
Student. Trainer. Coach.
Increased work capacity is my mission.
Elite fitness is my goal.
I am a CrossFit Woman.
I may scale a WOD, but I will never quit or give up.
I do what others won’t and excel where others can’t.
I am stronger mentally and physically because of it.
I am a CrossFit Woman.
I am invincible.
And you could be too.

This is NOT Proper Use of Equipment

AMSUS 31 Oct - 2 Nov in Phoenix AZ

Spent a few days in Phoenix at the Association Medical Surgeons - United States, at their 116th Annual Meeting. Why was I there?





Biomedical Science Corps Individual Mobilization Augmentee 2009

Meritorious Service Medal

3 Dec 2006 - 7 Feb 2010
This includes the deployment to Joint Base Balad, Iraq (Operation IRAQI FREEDOM), my contribution to my flight at Nellis (at the 99th MDG) being named the 2009 Air Combat Command Nutritonal Medicine Team of the Year, the manning assist to the 779th MSS (Andrews AFB), and being recognized as the 2009 AF Medical Service Biomedical Sciences Corps Mobilization Augmetee Officer of the Year
(more on that after the AMSUS meeting next month).

Its a Matter of National Security

US Obesity rates is now a matter of National Defense. Smaller pool of potential recruits. Not to mention the growing number of current members who are not "fit to fight" any more (e.g. weight creep, poor nutritional habits, inactivity, injuries).





More Military-Aged Americans Are Too Fat to Fight
Released: 10/15/2010 7:05 AM EDT
Source: Cornell University


Newswise — At a time when American military forces are stretched thin overseas, a growing number of potential recruits are too fat to enlist, according to an analysis by Cornell University researchers.

In the past half-century, the number of women of military age who exceed the U.S. Army’s enlistment standards for weight-to-height ratio and body fat percentage has more than tripled. For military-age men, the figure has more than doubled.

As of 2007-08, 5.7 million American men and 16.5 million women of military age were ineligible for duty because they were overweight or obese, according to John Cawley, Cornell associate professor of policy analysis and management, and a Cornell economics doctoral student Catherine Maclean.

The findings, published in September by the National Bureau of Economic Research in a working paper titled, “Unfit for Service: The Implications of Rising Obesity for U.S. Military Recruitment,” are cause for alarm for the four U.S. military branches, which together must attract more than 180,000 new service members each year.

“Almost one in four applicants to the military are rejected for being overweight or obese – it’s the most common reason for medical disqualification,” Cawley said. “It is well-known that the military is struggling to recruit and retain soldiers. Having a smaller pool of men and women who are fit enough to serve adds to the strain and creates even more problems for national defense.”

The study follows a similar report last spring by retired generals and admirals. But Cawley and Maclean chart the climbing obesity rates over a much longer period, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys spanning 1959-2008. Moreover, the Cornell study estimates the number of civilians who meet the body fat requirements of each military branch, which had not been tracked previously.

“It’s another example of the underappreciated public consequences of obesity,” Cawley said. “We tend to think of obesity as a personal, individual health problem. But the fact that U.S. military leaders view it as a threat to national security and military readiness shows its far-reaching impact.”

The paper is available online: http://www.nber.org/papers/w16408

USAF Fit Test Results

As I posted last year, the AF Fitness Standards were updated. The new AFI started this July. Harder to get 100 points, more weight given to the run (cardiovascular fitness), but a little more room to wiggle in the waist measurement. And a hell of a lot more push-ups (I have no idea why that standard went up so much).

This morning's results:
1.5 mile run - 11:40 (I think my fastest time ever). Scored 59.9 (needed 11:22 for full 60 points).
26.5" waist (could be up to 31" for full points). 20
36 push-ups (so close, so close to full points). 9.5
43 sit-ups (only needed 41 for full points). 10
--------------------------------------------------
Total score: 99.4

Feels good to be setting a proper example as a health care provider who is part of our fitness & health AFI. And even though the score went down, my overall results were markedly improved.

This Fight Went Very Bad.....

I started out strong, on target in the first round. But the wall was HOT, and the medicine ball was HOT (burning fingers even), and despite good fluid intake all morning I think I was dehydrated.




In the second round I was dizzy and knew something was wrong. My first DNF. So embarressed. So dissapointed with myself.



I cooled down under the tent with water & ice. Then went back about 45 min later but this time at half-pace.



Kept to my plan for taking it easy (maybe too easy?) and only scored 188 . But I finished!



I did this in support of our military, active & reserve, retired & veterans, healthy & wounded, and in honor of those no longer with us. Too many are affected by this war on terror. I hope we can finish the job and get the rest of our troops HOME!

Thank you again to all who supported me, inspired me, and pushed me. I LOVE YOU.

Wounded Warrior Project - Fight Gone Bad 5

Reposting because I only have 1 more days fundraising!!!! 65% to my goal (and pumped to do a PR tomorrow).


Fight Gone Bad began as a fundraising event in 2006. From those humble beginnings and with the support of the CrossFit community, we’ve proven what a small, totally committed group of people can accomplish. The first four editions of Fight Gone Bad have raised a combined total of more than $2 million.

Why I'm Doing This: I discovered CrossFit when I was deployed to Balad, Iraq taking care of our wounded in the Air Force Theater Hospital (AFTH). The dedication of our medical team & the courage, strength and resolve of our military inspire me daily. They are the men & women who push me to be a better person and a better airman.

FGB5 takes place on Saturday, September 25, 2010. CrossFit Las Vegas will be setting up in front of the Whole Foods at Town Square on Las Vegas Blvd & Sunset. We start warming up at 1p. If you are in the area, please come out and cheer us on. We might even get local news coverage.

In this workout we move from each of five stations after a minute. The event is in the 3 round format with one minute rest between rounds.
The stations for women are:
• Wall-ball: 14 pound ball, 8 ft target. (Reps)
• Sumo deadlift high-pull: 55 pounds (Reps)
• Box Jump: 20? box (Reps)
• Push-press: 55 pounds (Reps)
• Row: calories (Calories)

FGB is my favorite CrossFit Benchmark. My current PR score is 252 268. My goal for this event will be to score >275....and to raise at least $1000.

Please Click Here To See My Fundraising Page

6 Sep 2010 - Fresh Water Diving

6 Sep 2010 - Brian's Boat
Originally uploaded by konamouse

Went diving on Monday (first time in fresh water) in Brian's "new" boat out in Lake Mead.

He was a great divemaster. Very safe. I haven't been under water since 2006. He said I was very good at maintaining neutral bouyancy.

Definately colder and more "olive" colored than Hawaii. Less plant & fish. It was fun trying to find boats & other junk underwater. Thermoclimes were very noticeable. The water was crystal clear under 80 ft. I need a 5mm wool wetsuit before I go again.

Hero WOD: Hermanson

Today's Tier 2 WOD will be a Hero WOD.

This WOD is in honor of Adam Hermanson, who was killed in Iraq September
1, 2009 while serving with the United States Air Force. He was a beginner
CrossFitter and a personal friend of CFLV member, Ash Nemetz. Scott Pugh also knew him.

“Hermanson”
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 rep rounds of:
Burpee
Wall Ball (20#/14)
Ring Dip
Box Jump (24”/20”)
*In between every round, 50m walking lunge with 45#/25#.

It's going to be tough, but it's in memory of someone special to members of CFLV.

-----------

Okay, we did it. Sort of. After 3 rounds even the trainer (Joe) agreed that 50m weighted lunges was too much. He gave us the choice of 50m no weight, or 25m with the weight. So the last 6 sets I did the 25m weighted. That's 1 lunge per meter for me. 9 rounds of those lunges. I did bench dip (with my feet on the 12" box) because I don't play with the rings any more (my shoulder). And the tire I used for the box jump turns out to be 22" (but I find it easier than jumping on the 20" box - go figure).

I got a little dizzy in the middle. But pushed through with a finish time of 40:41. Took about an hour to recover. Now it's been 3 hours and my butt muscles are feeling it. Wonder how I'll feel in the morning.

Lifting a cold diet Sprite now in Adam's name. We'll see you next year, and I promise I won't cry during the lunges.

The Filthy Fifty Redux

Last year in Balad I did my first "Filthy Fifty" (but it wasn't totally correct since we didn't have a GHD for the Back Extensions, I couldn't do double-under jump rope, and my weight lifting weren't at the Rx level yet). My time was 35:00.

Today I wanted to give it another try, but this time try to do it as prescribed (Rx) for women: Box Jump 20", Jumping Pull-ups, Kettlebell Swings 12kg, Walking Lunges, Knees-to-Elbows (this is the only exercise I could not do Rx, half were done on the floor), Push Press 35#, Back Extensions (GHD), Wall Balls 14#, Burpees (made me very dizzy), and Double-unders (...my best event in this WOD).

39:24 (felt longer). But all the weights were heavier than last year, and I did the double unders. My "knees-to-elbows" in Balad were definately not being done even close to correctly. In the end, I didn't puke (but the guy doing this with me did and couldn't finish). I'm exhausted & my throat is sore. But I'm tickled that I did it, and looking forward to a PR next time. That won't be until next year.

Next up? Taking a look at some of the more well known benchmarks (the "Girls"), maybe Angie or Barbara.

Noted today: Ryan came up to met afterwards and asked to touch my muscles. He said "you're looking like an action figure" and told me he wanted to come to the 6a WOD more often because I was his motivation to get off the pull-up band.
Awwwww. Blush. And "Wow" at the same time. I've never really seen myself as a role model for fitness before.

Fight Gone Bad 5 - Working Out for Wounded Warriors Project

Reposting because I only have 4 more days fundraising!!!!


Fight Gone Bad began as a fundraising event in 2006. From those humble beginnings and with the support of the CrossFit community, we’ve proven what a small, totally committed group of people can accomplish. The first four editions of Fight Gone Bad have raised a combined total of more than $2 million.

Why I'm Doing This: I discovered CrossFit when I was deployed to Balad, Iraq taking care of our wounded in the Air Force Theater Hospital (AFTH). The dedication of our medical team & the courage, strength and resolve of our military inspire me daily. They are the men & women who push me to be a better person and a better airman.

FGB5 takes place on Saturday, September 25, 2010. CrossFit Las Vegas will be setting up in front of the Whole Foods at Town Square on Las Vegas Blvd & Sunset.

In this workout we move from each of five stations after a minute. The event is in the 3 round format with one minute rest between rounds.
The stations for women are:
• Wall-ball: 14 pound ball, 8 ft target. (Reps)
• Sumo deadlift high-pull: 55 pounds (Reps)
• Box Jump: 20? box (Reps)
• Push-press: 55 pounds (Reps)
• Row: calories (Calories)

FGB is my favorite CrossFit Benchmark. My current PR score is 252. My goal for this event will be to score 275....and to raise at least $1000.

Please Click Here To See My Fundraising Page

My CrossFit Athlete's Profile

Aug 18th was the 1 year anniversary of my first WOD at CrossFit Las Vegas. I finally submitted my athlete's profile.

First and Last Name
Holly "kona" Brewer
Where ya from originally?
Santa Monica, CA (then San Diego & Salt Lake City)
How long have you been with CrossFit Las Vegas?
My first Elements was Aug 18th (just saw that on my calendar and decided it meant it was time for me to fill out this profile).
What's your favorite WOD?
Fight Gone Bad (cause I've been able to see the improvements and I love doing different exercises). Any chipper WOD. And box jumps (it's a love/hate relationship right now).
What's your least favorite WOD?
Right now Kettlebells are making me cry. And I won't go back to the rings (cause of my shoulder).

What were you doing before CrossFit? How did you hear about CrossFit and/or CrossFit Las Vegas?
TV nerd and bookworm in school. Started swimming in high school and while not athletic (ie. I was the often the slowest), I was stubborn (still am) and had a decent stroke so I got to stay on the team. I was good at pacing in the distance events. Swam in college & even played a little water polo. After that jogged a bit, then got certified to teach aerobics for about 10 years.

Found CrossFit while in Balad, Iraq - wanted to lose weight and P90X looked silly (can't exercise to a video when the guy looks like the host of Survivor; and I hate repetition, seeing people doing exercises improperly in the class watching the video, and it seemed so boring). I think my first class was Filthy Fifty (I only did 30 of each and even that was too much - I was limping ALL week, my calves were killing me, probably from jumping pullups and box jumps). Did the class 3-4 x week for two months and at the end redid the 50 (this time the whole thing. I have my time and equipment used written down some where. Just remember that my time was comparable to the 30 as far as pacing but I was stronger (i.e. higher box, used band for the pull-up, heavier weight, etc). Lost about 5# on the scale but probably gained muscle. I looked and felt great! Wore a two piece bathing suit for the first time in years.

When I got home I tried to keep going using the main website for workouts. But the place I went was missing some key equipment and it wasn't the same (though I got compliments on my lifting when doing Bear Complex). Internet search "cross fit las vegas" and you know what comes up first. Only 4 miles away, Kismet! First evaluation and then Elements started. I was in heaven!

Give us some insight as to your thoughts after your first workout at CrossFit Las Vegas.
Loved it, of course. Shorter than the WODs we were doing in Balad, but here I was getting good instruction for proper lifting (I knew I had some bad habits or lack of knowledge cause in Balad there wasn't any training for beginners).

Tell us a little about then vs. now with regard to your performances on a couple of the benchmark WODs, ie Fran or Cindy.
I keep surprising myself. Beginning of the year I set a couple of goals (10 pull-ups, 20 burpees without getting dizzy) and now I have to find new ones. Funny thing is some times I'm jumping up and down all excited when I do a PR, other times I'm just quiet and smiling to myself. Then there are the times I freak out at what I've been able to accomplish (climbed halfway up the rope last week and got a little scared when I looked down).

I'd love to see more opportunities to compare or measure progress, like offering one benchmark per week. My favorites are still chippers. "12 Lifts of Christmas" was so much fun. I think next Sunday open gym I want to do Filthy Fifty just to see how I compare to the end of last summer.

Do you have any special or favorite CrossFit Las Vegas memories/moments?
1. First time I did 5 pull-ups in a row; and then again when I did 10 (it was sort of a surprise to me - I'd been working on them after the WODs and when I did it, believe it or not I didn't jump up and down, I just quietly walked up to Zach and smiled).
2. Passing Tier 2.
3. Meeting so many new & awesome people.
4. The most recent FGB when I improved my score by 30.
5. Doing 30 double-unders in a row (again, surprised myself).
6. Shooting in the desert.

What advice would you give to a newbie or someone just joining CrossFit Las Vegas?
You don't have to "be in shape" or "young" to do this. We don't bite, kick, or snicker about what you are wearing. OMG this place is so *non*judgemental compared to globo gyms. Trust me, I used to teach aerobic, step & cross training classes. This is the only place where other people are working out WITH you, not you working out with other people around you. So cool how supportive everyone is and love how we socialize before & after classes.
You don't get that at most globo gyms.

This is about improving yourself. This is about your own self-esteem. This about listening to your own body and watching some amazing things change. The only competition with within yourself. Embrace the challenge and love the results.

And finally (and most importantly) Who is the best and most incredible coach at CrossFit Las Vegas? Explain/defend your answer.
Zach is precise, but my hip is still mad at those GHD back extensions/wall balls you set for me that Sunday.
Vili knows me so well now (all those early mornings together).
Mike is precise in his cues to get me back in proper alignment.
Lauren is so supportive and really does have the best warm-ups/stretches. Nice to see we're getting more of the stretching after class.
And then there is Joe, damn I enjoy the sarcasm, really, I do!

But what I love the most is that little push. Yeah, I know I'm tired and when the muscles fail I don't want to do the lift improperly, so I have to stop for a sec, but then you guys yell "get moving kona" or tell me "you have 30 sec" and I find the strength to pick it back up again. Thank you all!

Please pick out a cool picture :)

Burpees at 38,000 ft

CrossFit702 is doing the "100 days of Burpees" challenge. No rest during vacation. But I decided to try something unique.



Thank you to the flight attendants on American Airlines flight 1372 for allowing me to block the aisle for a minute, and taping it for me.

CrossFit on Vacation: Arlington Heights, IL

It's nice to find CrossFit Affiliates when traveling. I'm north of Chicago this weekend and found Elite Athletic Development (EAD) in Arlington Heights, IL.

Friday noon was working on strength/form on back squats (3 reps @ 125# for the third set). Then 10 minutes of sit-ups, jumping pull-ups and double-unders (completed 8 + 2/3rds rounds).

Saturday morning was 3 rounds of 30 wall balls (16#) and 30 hang squat snatch (35#). Exhausted (20:31).



Nice group of folks.

They have a strict on-time policy; the whole group does 5 burpees for every minute someone is late. Everyone goes through the posted dynamic warm-up before the trainer starts working with us. There was no PVC pipe range of motion work these two days. It's been interesting seeing how other places CrossFit. But it's tough when the trainer doesn't know your strengths/weaknesses. I miss my trainers and workout buddies back home.

Fight Gone Bad

1 minute for each exercise: Wall-ball, 14 pound ball 8 ft target (Reps), Sumo deadlift high-pull 55 pounds (Reps), Box Jump, 18″ box (Reps), Push-press 55 pounds (Reps), Row (Calories). Three rounds with 1 minute rest in between rounds.



First time was in January, score 219.


Second time was in April, thought I'd do better but only 221.


Reviewed my scores and saw how I blew myself out in the first round and had nothing left. So I set some goals for each exercise looking for a 225 or better.

Third time in June, score 252!

End result is still the same - exhaustion.

Fun Right Brain - Left Brain Exercise

Hubby forwarded this to me this morning.

"These are the things we're supposed to do to challenge our brain and try to slow up Alzheimer's Disease.....
It takes an average of 5 tries to get to 100%. Follow the directions!
It's harder than it seems, a real brain wake up"

The Color Test

How did you do?

Passed Tier 2 Testing at CrossFit Las Vegas!

Testing for Tier 2 looks at your mastery of the 9 Essential movements, Olympic weightlifting, and ability to maintain output. Barbell lifts (deadlift, sumo-deadlift highpull, shoulder press, push press, push jerk, front squat, back squat, overhead squat, hang power clean, hang power snatch) done with 55#, pull-ups without any band, cannot come off the bar for each set of 5. Push-ups done strict, no knees, 10 reps nonstop. Double-unders could be mixed with singles, but no stopping at all. Good posture for the handstands (as you can see in the photo - that was easy). Knees-to-elbows were my only worry; I think the trainer might have been a tiny bit generous in passing me (but it was the last element and the first two were perfect).

With an average score 4.27 (out of 5) I have officially graduated into Tier 2 status! This was not an easy journey. 13 months of CrossFit and lots of watching, listening, practicing.... Phew! On to the next step. Vegas Fit Wars 2011.

Two Fitness Goals for 2010 Have Been Met

1. 10 pull-ups, unassisted. Check (did them two days in a row just to make sure)
2. 20 Burpees in a row without getting dizzy, without stopping to catch my breath. Check (done as part of 16 June WOD: 21-15-9 Burpee + 400m Run after each round).

I'm also doing the 100 days of Burpee challenge posted on CrossFit702. Each day we do 1 more Burpee. Today is day 11. So either in my office, or at home, I'll be doing 11 Burpees. Piece of cake..... Good news is that next month we can break them up throughout the day. I've done that before; 10 Burpees every half hour to break up long study sessions or boring desk work. Rumor is the last day the 100 Burpees will be the WOD - so we'll be doing them all together (that's the rumor I'm trying to start).

Next goal: Pass the Tier 2 Test at CrossFit Las Vegas. It just means I have safe & effective form on my Olympic lifts, can do 3 rounds of Cindy (5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, 15 air squats) as prescribed (no bands, no knees), 5 knees-to-elbows, and medicine ball cleans all with good form. Won't change my workouts but will allow me the option to do the 6p WOD if I desire.

Reconnecting with Family

Lots of people are pissed about the privacy stuff going on around Facebook these days. I say "take the time to reset/check your settings, be careful what you post about yourself, pick your friends carefully, and use the place wisely". Because right now I believe the benefits outway the risks.

I haven't seen my half-sister in over 10 years. We didn't grow up together and her life has had lots of ups & downs (most of which I heard about third hand from our father). Recently we "found" eachother on Facebook. And this week, while in San Diego for a conference, we gathered together for a short visit. Our dad and his wife drove down from the LA area, and my mom joined us for dinner.



Jackie & I still don't have much in common (except some facial features and half of Dad's genes, including the one that doesn't show our true age) but as we all grow older we learn to value the benefit of family ties. I hope it's not 10 more years before we see each other again.

CrossFit in San Diego CA

With the growing popularity of CrossFit, it's becoming easier to find a box in most major cities. When traveling I look up affiliates and with this trip to San Diego was fortunate to find that CrossFit Invictus was only 4 short blocks away from my hotel.











They were very welcoming (if you're already an affiliate member, you can drop in for any group coaching class). Monday evening we worked on Push Jerk (I'm not a natural at the split but managed 5 reps at 105# x 2 sets - just need to work on widening my feet on the landing) then pushed my thrusters up to 65# for 20 reps in the WOD (previously been doing 55#). Monday was also Sage Burgener's birthday. She dressed appropriately.

On Tuesday morning was a fun set up Deadlifts, Box Jumps and Sprints...worked on continuously improving my time for each set. And pushed a couple of people who were lifting/jumping near me so they got better times (which makes me work harder).



That lesson/habit is one of the things I love about my affiliate, CrossFit Las Vegas - we are encouraged to push each other. You're not done with the WOD until the last person in the class is done. I love the support I get from the better athletes, and I enjoy working side-by-side with newer folks as they finish their sets.

This past week marked the one year anniversary of my first CrossFit WOD (in Balad, Iraq). When I started it was just a means to help lose weight. But it quickly became a lot more. I firmly believe I'm now more fit and healthy than 20 years ago when I was teaching aerobics, jogging, and even when doing short distance triathlons when I lived in San Diego. And I look forward to staying "young" with a healthy lifestyle for as long as my genetics allow it.

Wednesday is a rest day. Looking forward to future WODs and learning new things about what my body can do.

Catching Up With An Old Friend

Some time in the late 1980's I was doing temp work as a receptionist in family planning at a San Diego cemetery. One day a dozen roses were sent to me. Had to do a little detective work to find out they came from a young man from a Hillcrest mortuary. Later that week we went out, stayed up all night talking, and started a 5 year friendship.

In 1992 I left San Diego for my dietetic internship in Salt Lake City and our paths never passed again.

Until this past December when he looked me up on Facebook. Six months later we finally reconnected in person, and I could introduce him to my husband (and vice versa).

Gregg, me & Ray

Yay for renewed friendships!