"Live like a warrior"

On this night before my surgery, I can't help but think that a blog post is necessary.  In the past few weeks, I have really been living the dream.  After moving out of Champaign, I spent three days in New York City with my mom.  We did many things, but the highlights were:

1. Eating at Katz's deli (where the famous scene from When Harry Met Sally was filmed)

2. Visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

3.  Sex and the City Tour

At Buddakan - where the rehearsal dinner in the SATC movie was filmed

4. Seeing 5,000 Chase locations

5. Laughing hysterically during The Book of Mormon.  To all the Chicagoans, you owe it to yourself to see the play when it comes to town.

After my mommy-daughter weekend, I headed off to Israel on Birthright with a high school friend.  It was, to say the least, an AMAZZZZINNNGGG experience.  I met some really incredible people and saw a ton of things.  From the brief visit to Tzfat (Safed) to Jerusalem to the Kibbutzim to the four hikes, it was a truly beautiful experience.  Given my hip condition, I would never have chosen to do the hikes, but I am glad that I not only survived but enjoyed and succeeded at hiking.  

There were, of course, some not so great moments--e.g., my iPhone making aaliyah somewhere between Masada and the Dead Sea.  Nevertheless, it was eye-opening, inspiring, and emotional.  I really hope I get the chance to go back and see places we skipped because of time, especially Haifa and Eilat.

After some shenanigans and a cancelled flight, I made it back to Chicago almost ten days ago.  It's amazing how time has flown by since then.  Still, I kept myself busy.  I shopped a little for furniture for my new apartment, and I spent time dealing with my jetlag before heading to San Francisco for a friend's wedding.  While in the bay area, I walked and drove across the Golden Gate Bridge, visited the Picchetti Winery in Cupertino, and went out with people in San Jose. In a word, it was bliss. 

Now, back in Chicago again, I've managed to get my house in order just in time for tomorrow's surgery.  I've been asked by a bunch of you whether I am nervous and/or looking forward to the operation.  The only response I can come up with is that I'm ready.  Tomorrow marks 13 months of enduring the pain caused by this condition, and I'm ready to begin life again.  I'm ready to feel like me...a me I haven't felt like in a really long time.  So, I hope that this is the beginning of a string of positive posts about my recovery.  I am already so indebted to so many of you for all of the support you have given me, and I doubt I will be able to repay you.  Please accept my thanks and know how much it means to me.  Until I catch you on the other side...

Besito,

A