GO QAPTAIN GO - RECENTLY DISCOVERED PHOTOS!

I finally got these photos from my husband's camera. He took the photos and kept forgetting to "forward" to me.

Since LG enjoys seeing the nice photos I took of QQ, I decided to post these additional photos from the St. Louis Marathon on Sunday, April 10th.

Click on the photo below and you might be able to enlarge the image of QQ after he crossed the finish line.

Below is a really nice photo of QQ at the starting line. I was so glad to find QQ among the sea of runners wearing the same bright green shirts. Good thing QQ was tall (and good looking) so it was easy to spot - haa haa! (In the Vietnamese language, there is an expression "Meo khen meo dai dui" which translates to "A proud cat brags about its long tail". I am not bragging about my long tail, just being so proud of my little brother!)

YOU'VE DONE GOOD, QAPTAIN!

Even though it was disappointing that QQ was not able to achieve his goal of running a full marathon, I had a lot of fun cheering and was happy that we got to see each other. QQ's visit was short yet I believe we spent a good amount of quality time talking and being together. We managed to do a little of sighseeing and also a lot of R&R (resting and relaxing). On Monday, April 11th, after we got up, QQ and I had a chatty walk around the neighborhood. It was about 3.5k walk. We talked and laughed reminiscing about our childhood in Viet Nam, living in the refugee camp and our early years in America. After the walk, I again made breakfast. Later we visited a local library (not sure if QQ was impressed with the Asian Center, probably not since its collection was limited compared to what is available in NYC.)

After the trip to the library, QQ relaxed in the patio while enjoying lunch before going to the airport.

I was a bit sad when taking QQ back to the airport. We talked about getting together in another city when QQ decides to run another marathon there. The next trip could include my sister CH and that would be a great way to have a mini family reunion.

GO QAPTAIN GO!

Sunday, April 10th - Surprisingly, I was the first one to get up at 6:00 a.m. I am not a morning person and I hate to get up early. But when there was a purpose, I could easily be motivated to spring out of bed and ready for action. While I got ready, CP went thru the connecting doors to the next room to wake up QQ. We were at the starting line at 6:45 a.m.

After taken a few photos, we wished QQ good luck, stayed outside the fence since only runners would be allowed to get inside the corral.

Go Qaptain Go!

I really had a lot of fun holding up the sign waiting for QQ and cheering for other runners. It brought back fond memories when I used to run the women's mini-marathons (I still have the medals) and was a volunteer for many years with the New York Road Runners. One year I was assigned to be a marshal during the New York City Marathon. To this day, I wonder why anyone would assign me, a little short, not yet chubby, woman to be a marshal!

We decided to walk to the Old Cathedral by the Arch for an 8:00 a.m. Mass. After church, we walked back to the hotel and were getting ready to enjoy breakfast when QQ called to inform us that the Marathon was cut short due to the high temperature. We quickly walked from the hotel to the finish line. Go to www.qaptainqwerty.com for details of QQ disappointing outcome not able to achieve his goal of running a full marathon.

ST. LOUIS WELCOMES "DA QAPTAIN"

Whew! The last two weeks have been so exciting and I could hardly wait to share what happened with all my adoring fans. I will try to post frequently to update you all the wonderful activities, especially about Qaptain Qwerty's visit to St. Louis. Go to QQ's blog at www.qaptainqwerty.com if you wish to read all about QQ's preparation for running the St. Louis Marathon on Sunday, April 10th. Let's catch-up on what have taken place since Friday, April 8th. Friday, April 8th - "Da Qaptain" was scheduled to arrive at St. Louis Airport around 1:50 p.m. and I was ready to greet him with the above sign. I told many people in the waiting area for arriving passengers that "my brother is coming to visit me and to run the Marathon on Sunday." QQ was tired and hungry when he arrived. I brought along a bag of goodies that included a banana, a tuna sandwich and a few cookies. We decided to take our time, got drinks, shared the sandwich and an onion bagel with cream cheese for QQ, at a coffee shop at the airport.

As I drove QQ from the airport to Chaifetz Arena at Saint Louis University to pick up his bib number, I thought of the letter QQ wrote to me in 1989. In the letter, QQ reminded me of the time when we zigzag thru the streets in Woodhaven, Queens so I could practice driving before moving to Michigan. QQ encouraged me to be steady and not be intimidated as other drivers zooming by.

After picking up the bib number and registration packet, we spent time walking around the exhibit area. My husband left work early and we had time to relax before going out to dinner. We planned to get up early the next morning to go for a walk.

QQ with his running shirt and bib #2574 - ready for the Marathon!