I am lucky to be alive. Each year for the past 11 years, we have spent Christmas outside the US - usually in either India, Oman or Thailand. Exactly one year ago, from Dec 22 - 28, we were on Phi Phi island, south of Phuket. The year before, we were on Coral Island about 10 km south of Phuket. Four years ago, we were in Port Blair, in the Andaman Islands and snorkeling at Sylvan Sands. This year, for whatever reason, we decided to have Christmas on Jekyll Island, Georgia and then continue to visit Ellen's mom in Plant City, Florida. It is unusual to have spent time in a number of geographically different places - but all touched by the tsunami. Thus the events from last week have touched me in a special way.

Here is the bridge update. When I returned from Florida, I see that PBC has added the 14th set of edge girders to the east platform - nearing the end. My dream is to be up close and personal on the day that they erect the final pair of edge girders from each side. Thus far, I have been extremely lucky - with the help of SCDOT and PBC of course!