Redon - France

Redon (France) happens to be one of the legs of Tour De France 2011. We are going to drive there from Rennes to be part of the July 4th celebration.

the day before departure

i must have gone to bed early from exhaustion. these days, without Mimi to talk to at night, i read a little bit, watch some silly movies on netflix and collapse (not to mention that i run 4 miles a few hours earlier) - as bad as it is, my life has been blessed with happiness and sorrow (who would think that sorrow is a blessing? i do :-)), i like to think that Mimi came into my life and left me for a reason; to teach me what life is all about, to enjoy life even you are at the lowest moment, and most importantly how to be a good human being. i have good families (mine and in-laws), i have good friends who care so much about me, i love my job at punahou and my new hometown (hawaii), i have a beautiful daughter who needs me and loves me...and above all i have had a wonderful and exciting life with Mimi.
i am leaving tomorrow in the hope of life is waiting for me to be rediscovered.

2 days before departure

Just realized that I need to bring with me Mimi's death certificate. Miranda is under 18 and they might ask me at the airport :-)
Got the passports, called the airport shuttle, went to the back to get some travelers' checks and more cleaning. Packing for the trip is tomorrow!

3 days before departure

A beautiful day in Honolulu with blue sky and lots of trade winds. I might take my surf board out to be in the water, I have found peacefulness when I am in the water and far from the shore, just me and the ocean. My surfing sucks, but at least I have tried.
I am not looking forward to the plane rides, but happy to be away to "rediscover myself" as my dear friend Jean said, LOL.
Things can only get better once u hit the bottom, I hope.

4 days before departure

Keep checking to make sure my flight and Miranda's flight are on the same date. I never know what i did months ago when i made this reservation. Anyway, it takes 2 days to get to Paris, hopefully I still have some energy to drive more than 200 kilometers to somewhere West of Paris on the way to Mont Saint Michel. Just have to wait and see what my mood takes me once I pick up the rental car in Paris.
Ironically, our honey moon was in Paris 22 years ago. Our wedding anniversary (July 15) is going to be celebrated without her in Colmar (France)
I hope Mimi is smiling, giving strength, and guidance on this trip. I will be listening to the song (Ordinary Day by Delores O'Riordan)) that we had heard over and over in Italy with Mimi in the car 4 years ago and think of her fondly.

Friday night

So much cleaning to do before the trip. Lissa and Sam are going to come on July 2 (the day after we leave). In a way, I am so glad that they come - it gives me some incentive to go over unwanted stuff and of course, clean the house. After 3 days with Miranda's help, I feel pretty good - the house is in order :)
So much appreciation for Mimi.

Getting ready

I am here at Coffee Bean and Tea leaf with Miranda. In 7 days, we are going to France and beyond with Sarah Ligon, my very first trip in 25 years without Mimi. I do not know what to think.
I finally finalize the trip with destinations and dates. Start out in Paris, drive to Mont Saint Michel, back to Paris so Miranda and Sarah can see the fashion week, drive to Strasbourg, Basel (Swiss), Lake Como, Milan, Nice, Aix-en-Provence, Nimes, Lyons, Dijon, Paris, fly to Prague, London, and finally back to LA (for the big movie reunion). All together in 46 days.
It is not going to be the same without Mimi - I am going to miss her deeply on this trip, but I know she would want me to be happy and see the world with our daughter Miranda. I am so glad that I had the opportunities to share the priceless moments and places with Mimi for the last 26 years.
Mimi will always be with me in my heart.