Thank you for reading my blog and coming along with me on the journey of my life and how I see it. I never really knew how easy it would be to write when you had something to write about. I have always known that I have a lot of things to say about a lot of different things and it is really gratifying to know that others think so as well.

I need to bring you back to 2009 for a few minutes. Please indulge me while I do that.

As you all know, my car accident was in February that year. The months to follow were very hard and emotional for me. And then Shari got sick and we all know what happened to me after that. But there is something you may not know.

The company I work for has what is called “Pinnacle Club” and to reach Pinnacle Club you need to have a certain level of sales per fiscal year. That year, 2008/09 though all the hardships and everything, I was able to reach Pinnacle Status, which meant being able to go with my peers on a trip – to Vegas.

Brad was able to join me on that trip. It was an amazing three days and it meant so much to be there with Brad, who as you know, I met in Vegas. We did amazing things, like riding in a helicopter over the strip at night, lots of work stuff, but lots of time to spend together as friends.

On the last night the company treated us to an amazing dinner at Manadalay Bay, then off to Lion King and then up to the 64th Floor of THE hotel in the Manadalay to a bar called The Mix. There we had a roped off section, table bottle service and the most amazing view of Las Vegas.

It was a really good night. I just remember always having a drink in my hand, and dancing with Louise, and not having a worry in the world. I drank a lot that night, but never seemed to feel it. It was such a freeing experience to be with your friends feeling safe enough to let go. I will always remember that night.

Now…you are asking…what does that have to with November 2011? I will tell you.

As with 2009, the year of 2011 has had challenges for me in many aspects of my life. I am not going to dwell on them now, but they were (are) there. A couple of weeks ago a few friends on facebook (old skool friends) wanted to plan a small get together. What a great idea, so what was the plan? Well, my friend (many) is Russian and said, “how about a Russian restaurant” experience – and my “Mama’s” Vodka…..how could that be bad?

And off we went……

I will come back to the Russian experience later because that was not really the point of this story. The point of this story was that being with people I trusted, in a safe setting, allowed me to feel the same sense of freedom I felt that night in Las Vegas. Free to partake in as many NASTAROVIA shots as I felt like, free to dance, laugh, share with friends. I want to thank my friends that were there with me last night, for allowing me to have such a well deserved good time.

Nastarovia, L’Chaim, to long life, good friendship and good health!