Wish You Were Here...

Khami Leon finds herself grieving...

As some of you may have read in my opening blog, I mentioned that I had been through a lot of personal tragedy. I have lost many people close to me in the last 8 years and it doesn't feel like it is going to stop anytime soon. On Saturday March 3rd 2012, my beautiful eldest cousin Craig lost his 16 month battle with cancer. He fought the most courageous battle right to the very end and I am so very proud to be able to call him my cousin. The loss was extremely hard for me as I am very close with my family and this is the first death that I have been living overseas for. I made the horrible discovery on facebook, as people thought I would be asleep and were not going to call me for a while. It then became very hard to deal with because I felt very alone. I don't know if any of you have had people close to you pass away, but from my personal experience one of the best things to help you move on is to sit around with other people grieving and reminisce about funny stories and memories. Being in America I don't get the chance to do this. I also don't get to say a final goodbye, because I wont get to attend the funeral. As well as feeling immense pain, I am also feeling a strong sense of guilt. I feel guilty that I wasn't there for the last six months of his fight. I am not there now for my family and his kids, I am feeling so many emotions that I cant even explain. Fortunately I have made some beautiful friends here and they have helped me the best way they can considering most of them have never known someone to die. I received hugs, kisses, beautiful flowers and a weekend filled with activities that I love to keep me busy. If it wasn't for such good friends, I certainly wouldn't be holding myself together so well. In Craig's honour I want you to all promise me that if you aren't feeling 'right' that you will see your doctor. Symptoms of cancer are often hard to detect as each cancer is so different. Regular doctor check-ups are a must. Life is too precious to risk having it cut short. Craig is survived by his beautiful wife Kiley and six children, Tiffany(21), Samantha(18), Kylie(16), Logan(11), Brody(8) and Zac(4). Rest in peace Craig xxx


Below you will find links to sites that have helped Craig and his family through such a tough time, please help them out in anyway possible.

Cancer Council Australia
Red Cross


Love and Laughter,




Khami X






*Video taken from www.youtube.com, I do not own this video

One Door Closes And Another Opens...

Khami Leon Finds Herself - Tail Gating

Being an avid Australian Rules Football fan, it was hard when I came here knowing that one of my favourite things would be taken away. It is a code of football like no other and although there are minor leagues here, it is just not the same. On my first weekend in 'The Bay', I came to see that as one door closes another really does open. I was introduced to college football by my bosses, who were wonderful enough to give me a season pass to Stanford games. Not only do I get to go to every home game (across my little dirt road), I also have been introduced to 'Tail Gating'. Much like back home, football involves food, drinks, fun and laughter. I was quick to realise that like most things here in America, it is exactly that, just BIGGER! Think endless beers, home made starters, chips, barbeque's, secret recipe chilli, decorations, tables, chairs, TV connected to a Toyota Prius to watch the pre game and half time show and the list goes on. How could you not love a new tradition like this? 

Love and Laughter,

Khami X

*All pictures taken and edited by Khami Leon of www.khamileon.blogspot.com