4PM

While the boys were outside playing, I thought of taking some photos. It was not a hot day even if it was 4pm. (In the Philippines, by 430-5pm, the sun's rays are no longer too hot - perfect time to go out and play.) I suppose the clouds helped in shielding the sun.

I love this photo. I think it's very dramatic. Plus the silhouette of the tree is amazing.

Photo taken several days ago.

AUSTRALIA

Tita Nicki (who is married to Mama's brother) is urging me and Ruther to try to migrate to Australia. I told her the other night that Ruther and I are considering migrating to Australia or New Zealand after Ruther's stint in his current company ends. We really don't want to be in this position years from now because it's really not a happy situation. We just don't want to keep on living apart. She agreed and suggested that we could stay at their house in Newcastle. Natasha (Tita Nicki's daughter and Ruther's cousin who is here in the Philippines right now) is actually excited about the idea. She said that it will be great to have us there since they are the only family living in Australia as it is.

Ruther and I have been talking about migrating for the past 5 years or so. We have tried to weigh everything and consider everything and it came down to New Zealand and Australia because of the existence of relatives, because it's easier and because these 2 countries seem like nice places to live and work and bring up a family. Also, with family to guide and help us, we won't be fearful of the unknown. Of course, I would have wanted to migrate to Japan instead but well, I have to be practical about it because of the high standard of living and language and cost of education. I suppose I could just visit Japan every once in a while. That wouldn't be so bad...

Anyway, who knows what the future holds for us? We just might make it there in a couple of years. As long as my family is happy, healthy and together, anywhere is home for me.

ALL I HAVE

Jennifer Lopez
featuring LL Cool J


Love is life and life is livin
'It's very special
All my love...

Oh...oh...oh...oh...oh...
(Baby, don't go)
(Baby, don't go) Yeah
(Baby, don't go, uh)
(Baby, don't go) Yeah
(Baby, don't go)
(Baby, don't go) Yeah, yeah
(Why you act like that)

It's such a shame, but I'm leavin'
Can't take the way you mistreated me
And it's crazy, but oh, baby
It don't matter, whatever, don't phase me

I don't believe you wanna leave like this
I don't believe I just had my last real kiss
I do believe we'll laugh and reminisce
Wait a minute, don't bounce, baby, let's talk about this, man

Well, I'm bouncin' and I'm out, son

I gotta leave you alone

'Cause I'm good, holdin' my spot

And I'm good reppin' the girls on the block

And I'm good, I got this thing on lock

So without me you'll be fine, right

All my pride is all I have(Pride is what you had, baby girl, I'm what you have)

You'll be needin' me, but too bad(Be easy, don't make decisions when you mad)

You had to your choice to run alone(I know you're independent, you can make it on your own)Here with me you had a home, oh, yeah(But time is of the essence, why spend it alone, huh)

The nights I waited up for you (Oh, boy)

Promises you made about comin' through

So much time you wasted

That's why I had to replace you

Uh, uh, uh

It makes a cat nervous,

the thought of settlin' down

Especially me, I was creepin' all over town

I thought my tender touch could lock you down

I knew I had you, as cocky as it sounds

That's the way you used to giggle right before I put it down

It's better when you angry, come here, I'll prove it now, come here

Stop playin, you gamin'

I gotta leave you alone

'Cause I'm good holdin' my spot (Stop actin' like that)

And I'm good reppin' the girls on the block (Now youknow you need to stop)

And I'm good, I got this thing on lock

So without me you'll be fine, right (Here we go)

All my pride is all I have(Pride is what you had, baby girl, I'm what you have)

You'll be needin' me, but too bad(Be easy, don't make decisions when you mad)

You had to your choice to run alone(I know you're independent, you can make it on your own)Here with me you had a home, oh, yeah(But time is of the essence, why spend it alone, huh)

People make mistakes to make up, to break

To wake up cold and lonely, chill, baby, you know me

You love me, I'm like your homey

Instead of beef you come hold me

I promise I'm not a phony

Don't bounce, baby, console me, come here

Ain't nothin' you can say to me that can change my mind

I gotta let you go now

And nothin' will ever be the same, so just be on your way

Go 'head and do your thing now

And there's no more to explain to me, you no

I know your game and I'm feelin' what you do

SATURDAY

I don't know why but I have been craving for chocolates these past few days. Must have something to do with hormones. Or depression. Or sweet cravings. Anyway, I try to limit my chocolate consumption as much as I can though. Diabetes is in the family...

.....

Nikki is currently interested in geography. I got him a world map puzzle and he loved it! He now knows a lot of countries and their locations (Canada is beside United States, Mexico is below the US, Japan is above the Philippines, etc.). We are also slowly getting to know the continents. Of course, no pressure but the interest is there so I am excited. He also loves the flags! So far he already knows the flags of Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Egypt, England, Mexico, Australia, China, Canada, United States and some others. We also studied the oceans and the mountains and the rivers. Of course, this did not happen in one sitting. We are still going through it all and then going back for reviews but I am really pleased with Nikki's interest. He is only 5 for goodness' sake! I hope he will continue to have this thirst for knowledge.

Ethan is also starting to speak more these days. He could already form simple sentences although it seems I'm the only one who can understand him. Not that I mind. It's nice being Ethan's only interpreter. Makes the Mommy-Ethan bond more special. =D He's still into bugs. And until he finds something else to pique is interest, I'll have to get used to it. =D

GUITAR

This is one of the guitars bought by Mama when they went to Cebu before. I can't even remember when that was. I was quite pleased that the boys have their guitars even if they are still young. I want them to learn how to play later on. Ruther already knows how to play and he already has his bass guitar. I've always been a piano person so I guess I would not have the patience to learn how to play the guitar. I would like to learn the drums though. I don't know what it is about percussion instruments that make it so appealing to me. =D

Photo taken a few days ago...

HANDEDNESS

I was reading my text book last night when I encountered an interesting topic. Let me share some excerpts:

Ninety percent of all humans are right-handed; 10 percent are left-handed. Right-handed individuals who write with a straight hand and lefties who write with a hooked hand, are usually left-brain dominant for language. Left-handed people who write with their hand below the line, and righties who use a hooked position are usually right-brain dominant. If you gesture mostly with your right hand as you talk, you probably process language in your left hemisphere. Handedness cannot be dictated... To do so may create speech or reading problems. (Coon, 2006)


After reading this, I must say, I am truly left-brain dominant. Not only do I do most things using my right hand (writing, painting, stitching, pointing) but I did a handedness test and all my answers were "right". So I guess I AM right. Ruther is right-handed as well. Nikki and Ethan are too. Everyone in my family are right-handed. And so is everyone in Ruther's family. My textbook further says that handedness is influenced to a degree by heredity. I guess that would explain why all of us are right-handed here at home. Here are more interesting things about handedness:

Lefties are definitely better at visualizing three-dimensional objects. This may be why there are more left-handed architects, artists and chess players than would be expected. In general, left-handers are more symmetrical on almost everything, including eye dominance, fingerprints - even foot size. (Coon, 2006)


Interesting, isn't it? I did have some left-handed classmates in high school who were really great artists. So I always wondered WHY left-handed people are so artistic. Now I know. =D

So, are you a leftie or a rightie?

FINALLY!

I am so psyched!

The carpenter I have been waiting for ages finally came today. No, it's not like he took his sweet time coming. It's just that there were some hiring problems with 2 previous carpenters so I was starting to get frustrated. Why shouldn't I when there is still a lot to be done in the room?

Anyway, I asked one of the workers to please help look for a reliable carpenter for me because I want to have the room fixed already! It's just taking too long and I want to be able to organize our room. So one of the workers suggested this guy who did some carpentry in a nearby house. I agreed. That was yesterday. And he finally came today!!

When I saw the carpenter I was a bit skeptical because he was older than I expected him to be. But it turns out, he really knows what he's doing. Right away he started cutting and drilling and hammering. I was amazed at how fast he was working. This was the result at the end of the day:

This going to be our book/DVD shelf. Ruther wants to keep his DVDs "within reach". =D

This is where the hanging cabinets are going to be. These might be done by tomorrow, I guess...

Not bad, right? I am actually really happy with the way he is working. I mean, for P400/day pay, Manong is really worth it. After he does the shelves and cabinets, he'll be doing the bedframe and then the access to the attic and then fix the doors/change the hinges. Ooooh! Can't wait to get everything done!!!

DRAGONFLY

I caught this dragonfly the other night. Ethan is so interested in bugs and I thought it would be nice to show him a real dragonfly. He was really delighted at the insect. When he saw me holding it, he grabbed his Insects book and looked for the photo of the dragonfly. He was so cute! Anyway, there was a piece of wood outside our window and I placed the dragonfly on it. It didn't fly away which pleased Ethan to no end and he would go to the window every so often just to take a quick peek at the insect. =D

I can't even recall the last time I caught a dragonfly. I think it probably was when I was in High School! So it's a good thing I was able to catch this little bugger. =D Of course, one quick photo before I let it go...

FLOWERS AND FRUIT

Whether it's for sympathy, for love, or just because you can, Vogue flowers is the only place you'll ever need to visit for all of your fresh flowers and fruit baskets needs. They have the best selection of all your favorite flowers, which is why they've been the Richmond florist that everybody prefers for over 20 years. Check out their website, order some flowers, and you'll see what I'm talking about.

LESS GORILLAS NOW

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070912/ap_on_re_eu/endangered_gorillas;_ylt=Amn1Ls9pWVPKh16e6Ww_Efus0NUE

Gorillas now 'critically endangered'
By ERICA BULMAN, Associated Press Writer
Wed Sep 12, 4:10 PM ET

GENEVA - The most common type of gorilla is now "critically endangered," one step away from global extinction, according to the 2007 Red List of Threatened Species released Wednesday by the World Conservation Union.

The Ebola virus is depleting Western Gorilla populations to a point where it might become impossible for them to recover.

Commercial hunting, civil unrest and habitat loss due to logging and forest clearance for palm oil plantations are compounding the problem, said the Swiss-based group known by its acronym IUCN.

"Great apes are our closest living relatives and very special creatures," Russ Mittermeier, head of IUCN's Primate Specialist Group, told The Associated Press. "We could fit all the remaining great apes in the world into two or three large football stadiums. There just aren't very many left."

In all, 16,306 species are threatened with extinction, 188 more than last year, IUCN said. One in four mammals are in jeopardy, as are one in eight birds, a third of all amphibians and 70 percent of the plants that have been studied.

"Life on Earth is disappearing fast and will continue to do so unless urgent action is taken," the IUCN warned.

The Western Gorilla's main subspecies — the Western Lowland Gorilla — has been decimated by the Ebola virus, which has wiped out about a third of the gorillas found in protected areas over the last 15 years.

"In the last 10 years, Ebola is the single largest killer of apes. Poaching is a close second," said Peter Walsh, a member if IUCN's Primate Specialist Group, told the AP. "Ebola is knocking down populations to a level where they won't bounce back. The rate of decline is dizzying. If it continues, we'll lose them in 10-12 years."

Female gorillas only start reproducing at the age of 9 or 10 and only have one baby about every five years. Walsh said even in ideal conditions, it would take the gorillas decades to bounce back.
The World Conservation Union also said the Yangtze River dolphin is now "possibly extinct."

There have been no documented sightings of the long-snouted cetacean since 2002. An intensive search of its habitat in November and December proved fruitless but more searches are needed as one was possibly spotted in late August.

The Redheaded Vulture soared from "near threatened" to "critically endangered." The birds' rapid decline over the last eight years is largely due to diclofenac, a painkiller given to ill or injured farm cattle so they can still work. But the substance poisons the vultures when they scavenge livestock carcasses.

Only 182 breeding adults of the Gharial crocodile remain, down almost 60 percent from a decade ago. India and Nepal's crocodile has become critically endangered because dams, irrigation projects and artificial embankments have reduced its habitat to just 2 percent of its former range.

The woolly-stalked begonia is the only species declared extinct this year. Extensive searches have failed to uncover any specimens of the Malaysian herb in the last century, IUCN said.

Only one species moved to a lesser category of threat. One of the world's rarest parrots 15 years ago, the Mauritius Echo parakeet, eased back from critically endangered to only endangered.

That was a result of close monitoring of its nesting sites, and supplementary feeding combined with a captive breeding and release program.

IUCN says 785 species have disappeared over the last 500 years. A further 65 are found only in artificial settings such as zoos.

The Red List, produced by a worldwide network of thousands of experts, includes some 41,000 species and subspecies around the globe.

STUDY TIME

I am spending most of my days studying now. Which is not a problem for me but will mean less blogging time. Oh well. I made a choice so I should stick to it til the end. I'm actually quite enjoying this latest module. It's all very interesting and very detailed. Which means, I should not lose focus. I plan to finish this textbook by end of September. That's not too farfetched, is it?

.....

It rained again today. Not really stormy, just good old shower. It did clean the air and made everything look so fresh and clean. Except for the junk around the house, that is...

DEJA VU

Have you ever dreamt the same dream? I have. Last night. I cannot recall when I first dreamed the dream. It seems like it happened ages ago. But last night, I KNEW I dreamed that dream. It was very similar to watching the same movie. You actually know what's going to happen next. And it happened as you expected it to - no changes, no deviations from the original plot. It seemed, I could hear myself think, "this is what's going to happen next" and it usually does. Funnily, I also heard my thoughts say, "this is really strange" when the dream unfolded just the way it was before... It was really ... weird. And a bit creepy because this never happened to me before.

And now the questions: Did I really dream this dream before, or did I experience it and mistakingly thought I dreamt it? If I DID dream it, are there other cases where the sleeper got to dream the exact same dream? Was this the first time I had dream deja vu or did I do it several times in the past but when I woke up, forgot all about it in consciousness? I may not know the answer to these questions at this time but I'm just happy that my mind stores my memories well. I just hope someone up there sweeps away the cobwebs and dustballs in the process...

ROOSTER

This bird wakes us up in the mornings these days. Russell has already complained about his crowing since it usually loves to crow VERY early in the morning and right outside Russell's window. I once heard it crowing at 1am!! If it doesn't shut up it might end up on our dining table. =D

Photo taken a few days ago.

EARLY BIRD

I had to wake up early this morning. Ruther wanted to go to work early today because he had to talk to his sensei about something so he was thinking of waking up at 630am aside from his usual 720. Since I know how hard it is for him to wake and get up, I told him I'll ring him up at that time just to make sure he wakes up. He of course, didn't want me to because that's around 530am here. But I insisted. So adjusting the time a bit (because I know Ruther would NOT get up on the first ring of his alarm clock), I woke up at the 540am alarm of my cellphone and promptly called him. While we were talking, I heard his alarm clock sound in the background. Waking Ruther up in the mornings is mostly a challenge so I hope that he DID get up after I hung up on him. I'll know for sure later.

LADIES' GOLF APPAREL

If you desire to look chic and trendy on the fairways and greens, womensgolfproshop.com is for you. Check out the ladies' golf apparel. They have great designs for skorts; really comfy and really feminine. If you're not so keen on skorts, you can take your pick among the many shorts designs. Their tops (polos, sleeveless tops, jerseys) are not only fashionable, but they are comfortable, functional and the special fabric keeps you cool. They also have ladies' pants, fitness wear and even plus-sized selections! Accessories like belts, socks are also available. You want to look chic while having rounds on a Saturday? Sure. Desire to be sporty during a tournament? Why not? You can take your pick. And not only that, check out their sale items. They are really worth a look. See if you can resist the prices.

golf apparel ladies

PASALUBONG

Russell's wife, Christine arrived today from the US. She is a Filipina working there as a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It's really a wonderful thing having her home. Since she and Russell have been married in June last year, they haven't been physically together for more than 3 months which is really a sad thing. Christine's work is in the US and could only leave her work a few weeks in a year. So hopefully, she could stay longer so that she and Russell could spend more time together. Russell and Christine are like me and Ruther. We were childhood friends. So it's like I've known Christine for a long time too. And she's a really sweet gal.

This afternoon, I got my pasalubong from her.

Love my new black flats!

Ooooh! New make-up!

Victoria Secret panties.

The boys got a stuffed dinosaur each but Nikki picked the brontosaurus immediately which leaves Ethan with the triceratops. They also got some small cars from Disney Cars. Nice. =D Thanks Tita Christine!

SAND

You would think that he's at the beach right? But the boys were just playing with the sand supposedly used for construction. Since they were really into it, I decided to give them some toys to play with. Just accented the yellow color in this photo. Am quite happy with the result. =D

THE FLIGHT THAT FOUGHT BACK

Last night, I watched a show on the Discovery Channel honoring those people onboard United 93 who gave up their lives to stop a terrorist act. It was sooo sad. It was as if I felt what it was like to be on board that ill-fated aircraft. Then I ended up thinking, what would/could I have done if I was in the same situation? Would I have done something different? How would I be taking it all knowing I would/could die in a few minutes? I thought about those and more and really, I just cried. I cried for the people who bravely fought til the end, I cried for their families, I cried for those people selfish enough to include innocent people in their evil plans. It was just a really really agonizing night for me. Everytime a family member would talk about their departed loved one, I would not stop crying. I wondered, if I were in that plane, would I have stayed on the phone talking to Ruther until the end? Would I have had the courage to do what these brave people did? Sometimes it takes things like these (terrible though they may be) to question the principles and choices we make and will make in life. Sometimes, the situation will be dropped in front of us without warning and we have to rely on our judgment and morals to make the right decision. I cannot say for sure that when that time comes, I will make the right choice. I would want to, but I will never know until I am right smack in the middle of it. I hope these people will always be remembered. They deserve to be remembered. They were just ordinary people who just wanted to go home to their families but fate intervened and they became heroes.


The 40 Heroes of Flight 93 - Passengers & Crew

Christian Adams - The 37-year-old husband and father from Biebelsheim, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, was flying to San Francisco for a wine-tasting event as part of his job as director of export for German Wine Institute. Christian Adams left behind a wife, Silke; son, Lukas; and daughter, Theresa.

Lorraine G. Bay, Crew - a 37-year United veteran and senior flight attendant of Flight 93, Lorraine Bay, 58, from East Windsor, N.J. had chosen Flight 93 over another flight because it was nonstop. Lorraine Bay left behind her husband, Erich, and no children.

Todd Beamer - An account manager for Oracle Corporation, this 32-year old father of two was traveling to Redwood Shores, California for a business meeting, and planned to return home on a red-eye flight that night. Todd Beamer left behind his wife, Lisa, and two young sons - David and Drew. Lisa was pregnant with their third child - daughter Morgan - on September 11, 2001. Famous for his "Let's roll" statement made to the passengers as they prepared to try and overpower the hijackers of Flight 93.

Alan Beaven - Alan, a environmental lawyer from Oakland, California, was headed to San Francisco to try a case before leaving on a planned year-long sabbatical to do volunteer work for the SYDA Foundation in Bombay, India. Originally born in New Zealand, Alan Beaven left behind his wife, Kimi; daughter, Sonali; and two sons from a previous marriage, Chris and John.

Mark Bingham - The world-traveling, fun-loving owner of The Bingham Group in San Francisco, California, was heading home after a weekend in New York City on Flight 93. The 31-year-old Mark Bingham left behind his mother, Alice Hoglan, father, Jerry Bingham, and step-mother, Karen Bingham.

Deora Bodley - A junior at Santa Clara University, in San Diego, California, 20-year-old Doera Bodley was returning home from a visit with friends in New Jersey and Connecticut. Deora left behind her mother, Deborah Borza; father, Derrill Bodley; and a half-sister, Murial.

Sandra W. Bradshaw, Crew - A flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 93, Sandy Bradshaw, 38, lived in Greensboro, North Carolina, with her husband, Phil; daughter, Alexandria; son, Nathan; and stepdaughter, Shenan.

Marion Britton - Headed to San Francisco for a computer operations conference with fellow Flight 93 passenger, Waleska Martinez, 53-year-old Marion Britton was an assistant regional director for the U.S. Census Bureau in New York City. She lived in Brooklyn, N.Y. and left behind a brother, Paul, and half-brother, John.

Thomas E. Burnett, Jr. - The 38-year-old family man from San Ramon, California was senior vice president and COO of medical devices company, Thoratec Corporation. Tom Burnett was a passenger on Flight 93, heading home from a business meeting in New Jersey and a weekend in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He left behind his wife, Deena, and three young daughters, Madison, Halley, and Anna Clare.

William Cashman - This fun-loving Ironworker was headed out west, for hiking in Yosemite National Park with his old friend, Patrick Driscoll. William Cashman, age 60, left behind his wife, Margaret, in West New York, N.J.

Georgine Rose Corrigan - A hard-working mother and grandmother, Georgine Corrigan made her living buying and selling antiques, vintage jewelry and clothing. She was returning home to Honolulu, Hawaii, where she lived with her daughter, Laura Brough, after an antiques buying trip to New Jersey.

Patricia Cushing - Mother of five, Patricia Cushing, was traveling on vacation with sister-in-law Jane Folger on Flight 93. Patricia Cushing, 69, was a retired service representative for New Jersey Bell and lived in Bayonne, N.J. She left behind sons Thomas, John and David, and daughters Alicia and Pegeen.

Jason Dahl, Captain - The Captain of United Airlines Flight 93, 43-year-old Jason Dahl was piloting that flight in order to have time off to take his wife to London to celebrate their wedding anniversary on September 14. Jason Dahl is survived by his wife, Sandy, and son, Matthew.

Joseph DeLuca - A trip to California wine county with his new girlfriend, Lindo Gronlund, put Joseph DeLuca on Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. The 52-year-old computer program designer for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare lived in Succasunna, N.J. and left behind parents Joseph Sr. and Felicia, and his sister, Carol Hughes.

Patrick Driscoll - He retired in 1992 from his job as director of software development for regional Bell telephone companies, and started traveling. Flight 93 was the start of a trip with friend and fellow Flight 93 passenger William Cashman to hike in Yosemite National Park, Patrick "Joe" Driscoll, 70, was from Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., and is survived by his wife, Maureen; sons Stephen, Patrick, and Christopher and daughter, Pamela.

Edward Porter Felt - A computer engineer for BEA Systems from Matawan, N.J., Edward Felt was taking Flight 93 to get to a business meeting in San Francisco. The 41-year-old left behind his wife, Sandy, and daughters, Adrienne and Kathryn.

Jane C. Folger - Jane Folger, 73, a retired bank officer from Bayonne, New Jersey, was traveling to San Francisco on vacation with her sister-in-law, Patricia Cushing. She is survived by her children: sons, Robert, Thomas and Michael, and daughter, Kathleen Kulik.

Colleen L. Fraser - A passionate lobbyist for the disabled, Colleen L. Fraser, was born with an inherited bone disorder that kept her height at 4 feet, 6 inches, and made it a little harder for her to get around. The 51-year-old from Elizabeth, N.J., served as executive director for Progressive Center for Independent Living, and vice chairwoman of the New Jersey Developmental Disabilities Council and was on her way to a grant-writing seminar in Reno, Nevada. Colleen Fraser left behind a sister, Christine Fraser; brother, Bruce James Fraser; two stepsisters and six stepbrothers.

Andrew Garcia - He was 62, but most people wouldn't have believed it if they met him. Andrew Garcia kept active, both physically and mentally, and loved to play tricks on people. The President and founder of Cinco Group, Inc. was returning home from a business meeting on September 11, 2001. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughters, Kelly Garcia and Audrey Olive; and son, Andrew.

Jeremy Glick - This fun-loving sales manager for Vividence, Inc. lived in Hewitt, N.J. with his wife, Lyzbeth and infant daughter, Emerson. Jeremy Glick was on his way to California for a business trip.

Lauren Grandcolas - A 38-year-old advertising sales consultant for Good Housekeeping magazine, Lauren Grandcolos was returning home on Flight 93 from her grandmother's funeral in New Jersey. She left behind her husband, Jack.

Wanda A. Green, Crew - The proud mother of son, Joe Benjamin, and daughter, Jennifer, United Airlines flight attendant also worked as a real-estate agent, and had plans to open her own real-estate office. Wanda Green, 49, was from Linden, N.J.

Donald F. Greene - Executive vice president and chief financial officer of Safe Flight Instrument Corporation, Donald Green, 52, lived in Greenwich, Connecticut. He was on Flight 93 on a trip to join four of his brothers for a hiking trip before attending an aviation industry convention. Donald Green is survived by wife, Claudette; son, Charlie; and daughter, Jody.

Linda Gronlund - It was to be a short business trip, and then a birthday tour through California wine country with boyfriend, Joe DeLuca. But for 47-year-old Linda Gronlund from Greenwood Lake, N.Y. it didn't quite work out that way. The manager of environmental compliance for BMW North America, Linda Gronlund left behind her mother, Doris; father, Gunnar; and sister, Elsa Strong.

Richard Guadagno - A longtime employee of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rich Guadagno was employed as manager of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Service. He was headed home to Eureka, California, after celebrating his grandmother's 100th birthday. Rich Guadagno left behind his parents, Beatrice and Jerry, and sister, Lori.

LeRoy Homer, Jr., First Officer - A graduate of the Air Force Academy and veteran of the Persion Gulf War, First Officer LeRoy Homer, Jr., 36, was in his sixth year with United Airlines. He left behind his wife, Melodie, and a young daughter, Laurel.

Toshiya Kuge - Following a summer vacation in America and Canada, student Toshiya Kuge was headed back for his second year of college in Japan when he boarded Flight 93. The 20-year-old from Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, was a sophomore at Waseda University in Tokyo. He is survived by his parents, Yachiyo and Hajime.

CeeCee Lyles, Crew - Former police officer and United Airlines flight attendent CeeCee Lyles was a 33-year-old wife and mother from Fort Myers, Florida. She left behind husband, Lorne and sons, Jerome Smith, Jevon Castrillo, Justin Lyles and Jordan Lyles.

Hilda Marcin - Born Hildegarde Zill in Schwedelbach, Germany, Flight 93 passenger Hilda Marcin was a retired teacher's aide and bookkeeper from Mount Olive, N.J. She was traveling on Flight 93 to California to live with her younger daughter, Carole O'Hare. She is also survived by her other daughter, Elizabeth Kemmerer.

Waleska Martinez - She was traveling with co-worker Marion Britton to a computer operations conference in San Francisco when Flight 93 went down in Shanksville, PA, on September 11, 2001. The 37-year-old Puerto Rican from Jersey City, N.J. worked as a supervisory computer specialist for the New York regional office of the U.S. Census Bureau. Waleska Martinez is survived by parents, Juan and Irma Martinez; brothers Juan Jr. and Reinaldo; and sister, Lourdes Lebron.

Nicole Miller - A 21-year-old senior at West Valley College in San Jose, California, Nicole Miller was returning home after a vacation in New York and New Jersey with her boyfriend, Ryan Brown. She leaves behind her mother, Cathy Stefani; stepfather, Wayne Stefani; father, David Miller; stepmother, Catherine Miller; sister, Tiffney Miller; half-sister, Danielle Miller; half-brothers, Wayne Stefani Jr. and David Miller, Jr.

Louis J. Nacke, II - A distribution manager for Kay-Bee Toys, Lou Nacke, 42, from New Hope, Pennsylvania, was on his way to Sacramento for a business trip. He leaves behind wife, Amy and sons, Joseph Nicholas and Louis Paul II.

Donald Peterson - Half of the only married couple on Flight 93, Don Peterson, 66, was a retired president of Continental Electric Co. He worked with his wife, Jean, as a church and community volunteer in their town of Spring Lake, N.J. The couple was on their way to a family reunion at Yosemite National Park. Don Peterson left behind his sons, David, Hamilton and Royster Peterson, and stepdaughters.

Jean Hoadley Peterson - Wife of Don Peterson (above), Jean Peterson also devoted herself as a church and community volunteer. She was a retired nurse and nursing teacher, and this was her second marriage. Jean Peterson is survived by her daughters, Jennifer Grace and Catherine Price, and stepsons.

Mark Rothenberg - Called Mickey by his family and friends, Mark Rothenberg was on his way to Taiwan for business for his company, MDR Global Resources. The 52-year-old from Scotch Plains, N.J. is survived by his wife, Meredith, and daughters, Sara and Rachel.

Christine Snyder - Native Hawaiian Christine Snyder, 32, worked as a certified arborist for The Outdoor Circle, a nonprofit environmental group. She was returning home to her husband, Tom, in Kailua, Hawaii, after attending the American Forestry Conference in Washington, D.C. and a visit to New York City.

John Talignani - Retired bartender John Talignani, from Staten Island, N.Y., was headed to California on Flight 93 to claim the body of his stepson, Alan Zykofsky, who had just died in a car crash. John Talignani is survived by his stepsons, Mitchell Zykosfky and Glenn Zykosfky.

Honor Elizabeth Wainio - A 27-year-old regional manager for Discovery Channel stores from Watchung, N.J., Honor Wainio was on her way to a company-wide business meeting on September 11, 2001. She left behind her father, Ben Wainio; mother, Mary White; stepfather, Jay White; brother, Tom Wainio; and sister, Sarah Wainio.

Deborah Ann Jacobs Welsh, Crew - Debbie Welsh, the 49-year-old United Airlines flight attendant who served as purser on Flight 93, was a native of New York City, N.Y. She is survived by her husband, Patrick.

Kristin Gould White - This freelance medical writer from New York City was on her way to visit friends in California. Kristin White, 65, is survived by her daughter, Allison Vadhan.