i know i haven’t posted in forever on my blog, but i have a duty to remember, every year on this day. i made a promise, years ago, to remember someone on this day, every year, and so today, i remember.
Giann worked for Aramark as a manager at the Top of the World observation deck atop the south tower of the World Trade Center. He was one of the countless heroes that terrible day – thinking of someone more frightened and more fragile than himself when he gave his employee his spot in the elevator.
Giann’s story was spotlighted in an article written by Patrick Reilly, asking “Where was God on 9/11?”
Among the thousands of posters of people who were still missing, was one of one of Giann Gamboa, a manager at the Top of the World Restaurant. Giann was a devout Christian who regularly attended the 6:00 AM prayer service with other members of staff. He was a man of faith who would pray with colleagues if he knew they were in distress. He was last seen waiting for an elevator on the 78th floor of Tower 2 at the World Trade Center. He gave his place to a young female colleague. As the doors closed, he was heard to reassuringly say, “I’ll get the next one.” Giann believed with all his heart that no man has greater love than this than he lay down his life for his friends. That was the last time he was seen ever seen again.
In the years since I originally posted a tribute to Giann, people have continued to share their memories from near and far. Giann’s sister, Gaby, continues to leave messages for her brother on this terrible anniversary. Here is one of her tributes to a brother she obviously loves very much.
June 06, 2009
Giann is my brother, and he was my best friend too, every day I remember all the things I used to do with him when he came to Ecuador, Giann was the most important person in my life and my big pride, I miss him a lot… I am grateful to all hes friends especially Rich Costa, because I know how my brother appreciated you.
Gaby Gamboa Ambato, Equador
A cousin of Giann’s posted her thoughts on the man she never got the chance to know.
September 10, 2009
Even though i did not know Giann F. Gamboa I just found out he had died and was apart of my mom’s side the family and i just turned 12, i really never knew him our really seen him i was only little but i will regret it for the rest of my life i hope that i will see him in the after life my god take care of you and my the lord bless you with all his might i wish you luck up there i will always remember you for the rest of my life love ur distant cousin xoxo <3
Krystal Penafiel, Miami, Florida
Gaby and Krystal, if you ever read this, i am so sorry for your loss.
Here are some of the comments about Giann that were left in internet guestbooks in the months and years following 9/11/2001, including messages left just today on this sad day of remembrance.
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i guess i sort of passed right by christmas and new years, eh? well, nevermind that! valentine’s day is coming! and we have been busy little bees around here CREATING!! look – over there on the left –> see my *new* etsy shop? been whipping up scrabble pendants! AND i have a few ideas of other items to add, once everyone in the family gets healthy!
i don’t know what could be any better – i LOVE scrabble, and i love handmade jewelry! i hope you go take a look. let me know what you think, and if you have any ideas for designs *you* might like! ;) oh, and while you’re over there, check out my friend ali and her adorable coffee cozies. ♥♥♥
i hope everyone is having a fabulous new year.
but it’s hard this year!! too much going on at school and in scouts and in life in general! is anyone else feeling this way? i have a tree – sitting bare in my living room. lights ARE up, thanks to my dear husband (no humbugs here!!). lots of presents are bought, so that’s a relief. but the decorating, the enjoying, the creative spark?? it’s not quite here yet. i’ll get up some posts this week – some etsy finds, some CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS (yay!!), and some cute christmas cheer!
some decor
some gifts
some martha
some food
time to get in the spirit!!
after the 10o〫temps around here last week, the rain was briefly back and the cool weather is here again! yay fall. look, i love the heat more than the average bear, but it’s hard to get in the mood when you’re lounging by the pool and thinking about sunscreen and bathing suits.
and in celebration of the return of fall, i made this little thanksgiving wall hanging. give thanks, indeed!
*give thanks*
i found this cute little cardboard-y banner in my stash… i sure wish i could remember where i got it… and got out a little making memories fall kit that i found last year. LOVE the glitter leaf!
i’m adding my little creation to skip to my lou’s “made by you mondays” series – there are some seriously cute crafting ideas over there!
and i guess this season really does make me want to create! i made this little necklace with my vintage groove goodies. this stuff is really awesome – and if you judiciously use those michaels coupons, it’s really affordable, too. but really, this just screams FALL to me – yay!
i hope this stuff keeps selling well so i don’t have to drive to ORANGE to get it! ;)
and i leave you with this final fall thought – my keen mary janes and my favorite smart wool socks (the best EVER – no more more cheap socks). have a great day! :)
so many spooky and yummy halloween recipes out there! while mummy dogs are a big hit with kids, don’t forget to think about some creepy eats that everyone can enjoy!
jello candy corn(!!!) from jelly shot test kitchen
tombstone cookies in chocolate pots de creme from sunset magazine
halloween pancake molds from williams sonoma
frankenstein bento from happy little bento – SO CUTE
owl s’mores from living locurto
mashed “boo-tatoes” from martha stewart
spider eggs also from martha
coffin cookies from bake at 350
cheese pumpkins from betty crocker
meat hand from not martha
pumpkin spice latte from javaqueen
and last, but not least…
candy corn cordial from food network
i think i might need to go infuse some vodka… how’s that for scary? ;)
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becky!! you’re a winner! :) i’ll have to stop by and bring you your banner. congrats!
and if anyone is looking for something fun and halloween-y to do this weekend, make sure you check out just spotted – the place for info on what to do in oc! TONS of halloween activities over there! those girls are on top of things for sure.
and fall is here in full force! it’s raining cats and dogs out there. the thunder is shaking the house, and i LOVE it! i thought i’d do a little project this morning while staying warm and cozy by the fire…
i got this little banner kit at michaels, brought it home, and ribboned it up! i knew that ribbon stash i had would come in handy from time to time. BUT the good news is, i have SO many different halloween and fall banners, i just don’t have a spot for this one! so, drum roll please, it’s another GIVEAWAY!! just leave a comment telling me your favorite thing about halloween, and i’ll draw a winner on wednesday afternoon! i want to get this out into someone’s happy home before halloween comes and goes.
we visited the pumpkin patch this weekend, gathering the first of what always ends up being our many, many pumpkins. there aren’t too many farms around here, and i refuse to do the mall parking lot “pumpkin patches” ( really, can we call a mall parking lot with a bunch of bouncy houses and carnival rides a PUMPKIN PATCH??). so off we went to tanaka farms over in irvine (along with what seemed like everyone else in south oc) and had some fall fun.
if you haven’t been to tanaka farms… try to get out there and have some fun!
the kids are so ready for the big day… costumes are bought (ariel and anakin skywalker) and the pilowcases are on stand-by! we can’t wait. i never know who is more excited for halloween – the kids or ME.
oh, i almost forgot, i made the best pumpkin cupcakes the other night! they were so good – not too sweet, and almost like a pumpkin muffin. well, except for the cream cheese frosting! i found the recipe via foodgawker (love that site), and it did not disappoint! i didn’t have cloves so i just substituted pumpkin pie spices for the spices that the recipe calls for, and i thought it turned out just fine. and, oh how i LOVE cream cheese frosting. make them – you will love them!
have a great day! :)
around the web…
witch of the east card
halloween cake bunting
mummy dogs
free halloween printables
halloween banner
american crafts halloween goodies
candy corn cupcakes
i love halloween!
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annie! you are a winner!! congratulations!! i’ll get you your goodies this week – we might have to do breakfast to celebrate!
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i got a chance to get out sans kids (and husband for that matter) to attend a party to launch OC restaurant week at prego ristorante in irvine. it was so nice to get out with some sweet friends. we ate. we drank. we chatted. it was a fabulous evening!
restaurant week is a great way to experience some delicious OC restaurants – a great way to try something new! grab your hubby or your girlfriends and make a date! you can check out links to the different restaurants and their restaurant week menus on the website. there are dozens of restaurants all over OC to choose from. i may need to partake to get the energy to finish putting this site together properly! please excuse my dust and messy sidebars while i work it all out…
tomorrow, i am off to michaels to check out all the new vintage groove jewelry! i can’t wait – i’ve been dying to go see it all in person and share it with you. we are so lucky to have gotten it into an OC michaels (in orange). it’s only in about 20 stores nationwide…
hope everyone had a great weekend. it was so hot here – i’m just waiting for a nice cool down. seriously, my AC just switched back on… it’s almost midnight, and it’s almost october! that’s just wrong. so stay cool out there!
oh my goodness, my mailman was very, very good to me today!
martha stewart is my halloween roll model, so the october issue is a big event.
and have you seen the new making memories vintage groove jewelry? i am going to have some FUN with those goodies… i’ll be sharing, for sure…
have a great day… the weekend is almost here!
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