So a lot of people from facebook know what’s going on, but I know that some folks here check here as well.

My sister works as a chef in New Orleans and was on her way home after working at the restaurant on Christmas eve. They have to clean up and wash down the whole restaurant, so she was stilll working easily beyond midnight. Given that Christmas eve is one of their busiest nights (on average they serve 1,500 on busy nights alone), she was cleaning to the wee early morning hours.

5AM Christmas day, we get a phone call from New Orleans Police Department asking if we know the person from the phone he is calling from (it’s my sister’s cell phone). We say yes, and let him know who my sister is. She has no ID on her (she puts her driver’s license in the coin pocket of the car since her work clothes have no pockets). He tells us she’s been in a very bad accident, is in grave condition at the hospital, and has no memory of who she is. She’s taken to New Orleans University hospital, which is the #1 trauma center in the south.

11AM Christmas day: she regains consciousness, and calls my mom. At this point she knows who she is, but has no recollection of any memory in the past 3 months, including Christmas eve -> day. We book plane tickets to New Orleans

We arrive in New Orleans, and at this point, we learn that she has 2 broken ribs, a broken specula (shoulder blade), and has bleeding in the brain. First CAT scan revealed it. 2nd CAT scan revealed the bleeding has increased, and they bring in surgeons on call in case emergency surgery is needed. Organs and other things are ok.

The next day, CAT scan #3 reveals bleeding has subsided. Her status is reduced to stable. Further tests reveal that bleeding has stopped and is ok. They prescribed percocet and another drug to prevent seizures.

Car is totalled, I got her stuff out. I also got her medical records, police report, and thanked the Police officer personally for going through the extra step to contact us (otherwise she could’ve been a Jane Doe case).

We’re flying her back to NJ on New Years Eve, hopefully before the snow storm hits. Thank you everyone for your concerns, help, sympathy and support. It’s much appreciated.

Especially many thanks to my sis’ roomate Ferrel and her family who have graciously treated us like family by opening up their hearts and home to us. You are now our family!

Thanks everyone who have asked how I am doing given the circumstances of my situation over the last 2 weeks. I am grateful to have such great friends and family. I now begin a new chapter on the rest of my life. The sails are unfurled, the wind is blowing, and the vast ocean of life and opportunity beckons me.

EDIT: Apparently people have been googling me lately and have had questions about my personal life, and have been asking me, so I’ll just put it here. Yes, I am now divorced. For further discussion please contact me directly. Thanks!

Our 2nd trip to Mexico pics are now posted HERE.

We went to Playa del Carmen again and Chichen Itza.

My vacation to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico pictures are up. My wife and I flew to Cancun, then drove south to Playa Del Carmen (across the water from the island of Cozumel). Then also went to the ruins at Tulum, and snokeled off Cozumel. The pics are up HERE. Descriptions for the pics will follow shortly.

New York Magazine has an interesting map and tidbits of crime in NYC, which is now being touted as being one of the safest cities in the country. Granted that there will always be crime, there’s some really bizarre stuff listed. Take a look for yourself HERE

Here’s one just a block away from my apartment:

9th Street and 5th Ave — “December 9, 2007: At 4 p.m., a 24-year old man pushed a woman headfirst into scaffolding and took her purse before being tackled and captured by two bystanders.”

BTW- those waiting for my Thailand stories and pictures bear with me. I have 20 gigs of photos for a grand total of 4,000+ photos taken, and it’s taking a long time to go through them (even just to pick a few highlights). With the long weekend, I should have something up by MLK day.