Setting Intentions....

Alpen-ites. Tomorrow it begins! Yes, tomorrow, Alpen will be admitted to the hospital to begin the inpatient portion of his bone-marrow transplant.

As such, Alpen-ites, I ask each of you to spend a little time tonight gathering your thoughts, prayers, intentions, and wishes that this bone-marrow transplant will heal, protect, and ultimately free Alpen from disease.

Today, rather than focus on the possible risks, uncomfortable side effects, or frustrating restrictions that come with this treatment---let us instead focus on the possibility, blessings, and opportunity that lay within this treatment.

Today, let us feel deep gratitude for the kind and generous stranger that traveled across continents to donate their marrow to Alpen.

Today, lets us revel in our good fortune that Alpen being treated at the best hospital with the best doctors---with our family's most trusted and brilliant doctors close by.

Today, let us count our blessings that unlike thousands of others in this country, Alpen has health insurance and that finances have never decided whether he has access to the best and most advanced treatments.

Finally, today, let our hearts expand with joy and our mindseye linger on the possibility of a cure within this treatment.

Now this is not to say that we should place any unnecessary expectations on this treatment. Though we most certainly will hope for the best, we must be sure to maintain a certain agility, openness, and grace for whatever terrain lies ahead.

However, today, we set forth our intention and determination that this treatment will begin auspicously without obstacle and will yield the highest benefit possible to Alpen.

Onward! To a cancer-free existence!

Alpen Has Left the Building!!

Alpen-ites:

Yes. It is true. Alpen has left the building! Suresh Uncle and I just got back from the airport. Whew! It was a hectic morning to say the least--complete with a trip back to the house for a forgotten coat, luggage/trunk puzzles, short-term parking hassles, nail-bittingly stressful bag weigh-in---all while we were running late! BUT we made it. And after a special airport breakfast (and love) delivery from Nayan & Harsha....Niru Aunty & Alpen are safely on their way to Boston!

Boston Team....you are up!

Now let me just tell you Boston, I'm not trying to brag, but Miami has sent Alpen off with his heart, pockets, socks, luggage, ears--everything---filled to the brim with love. For the last 10 days, Alpen has been literally been surrounded, engulfed, smothered by support, love and laughter. There have been planned and improptu lunches, dinners, concerts, hang-outs sessions, beach excursions, car rides, and all around good times.

Alpen has flown kites, talked politics, changed tires at midnight, packed (and re-packed) his bags, Bahama-Breezed, both appreciated/critiqued live music (classic Alpen), gone swimming on the coldest day of the year, enjoyed homemade arepas, treated Suresh Uncle to lunch at his favorite Italian restaurant, made suprise visits to the DDA, stayed up till the wee hours of the morning, and of course laughed laughed laughed so heartily with many of you.

Big ups to Mazen, Monique, Hearns & Louise & the kids, Gi & Marcia, Nas/Xandino, Tony, Joseph, Emerson & Carolina, Subhash & Nilu, and of course Rashmi, Murthy Uncle, Maytri Aunty, Nayan, Harsha, Baa, and Suresh Uncle for fortifying Alpen's spirit and soul with so much love and protection!

And so Day 1 of this journey begins.

With each other's support we are all ready to face what lies ahead with determination, optimism and joy.

One last thing: as you know, Suresh Uncle will be working very long hours for the next few months at the Indo-American Store. Please remember to pick up the phone every now and then to give Uncle some extra love & check on him (305-382-7570). Or if you are local, stop by sometime and see him---bring him some tea, or a snack, set up Skype for him---just let him know that we are here with him!

Alpen's first doctor appointment is tomorrow. More from me after that.

Much love Alpen-ites. Much love.

Were BAAACK!!

Alpenites!!

We are back in session. As most of you know Alpen is heading off to Boston on October 25th for a Bone Marrow Transplant. So the time is ripe to re-ignite this blog....here are some recent pics of Alpen and the family for your viewing pleasure while you stay tuned for more posts.....

Love,
The Alpen Repor(t)

Alpen at Krupal & Mira's Wedding

Raksha Bandan with Rashmi, Purvi & Sush

Family Pizza Night before Sush moved to Chicago


Alpen's Three Moms

Suresh Uncle enjoying(?) pizza...

Papa Got an Award!

MC: As a community service professional I know that my mission is to make the community a better place to live for all. I also know that certain people of the community are the eyes for many professionals like me who cannot function without active help and assistance from these concerned and sensitive members of our community. Our next recipient is one such member of the family who has astute observation, keen eyes and sensitive ears. He is never hesitant to stop somone who appeared distressed or down to ask "what is the problem, how can I help you," and then is able to turn the challenge over to those who appear best equipped to deal with the problem. Ladies and Gentlemen, our next honoree and unsung hero is Suresh Sheth. As I invite him to the stage, I also want to make another observation that Universal Heritage Institute deserves your applause for dicovering and recognizing community gems like Suresh. Thank you.

Finishing Painting

My mom recently finished one of her paintings. Unfortunately, this one is already taken.

Day/Night out in Miami

We begin at the succulents section of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. It was the annual Chocolate Festival, where they explain how chocolate is made, feed it to you in various forms, and sell cacao trees as well as the rare Oncidium "Sharry Baby" Chocolate Orchid. As you can see, we met up with Marcia and her two sons, Nasir and Ramesh Sandino (Sushma's Godson). The whole crew also included: Purvi, Jospeh, Tony, Rashmi, and special guests Krupal and Mira from Durham. The evening before we took a trip to Miami Beach and took pictures of Downtown Miami from the Bridge to Key Biscayne.

HNA 2009!

Happy New Administration!