THE MACALUSO 2007 CHRISTMAS LETTER

Season’s greetings once again from Kingwood, Texas. This year has once again been full of events that we would like to share with all of you.

To begin, Robert has continued his part time flying job in the B737 transporting prisoners around the country and to Central and South America for the Department of Justice. He flies out of Alexandria, LA; Oklahoma City, OK; and Phoenix, AZ on an “as needed” basis. While not flying as many days this past year, the work is still enjoyable and he looks forward to going.

In May, Robert took both sons to his boyhood home in New Jersey enroute to a family visit to his 80 year old Uncle Warren who is retired in Vermont. He wrote a letter to “Resident” at the old address and asked if they could stop by for a visit. The present owner quickly replied that all were most welcome. Some old photos of the home were exchanged and all three had a most enjoyable visit going through the old house and sharing stories with the present owner.
It was amazing that after 50 years the neighborhood had changed in many ways and yet in many ways had not changed at all.

In September Robert attended a weekend Vietnam flying squadron reunion in Washington, DC and got to visit all the wartime memorials with many of his old USAF buddies. “Unlike me, seems like they are getting older every year,” he remarked upon his return.

In November he participated in a “once in a lifetime” opportunity as a crewmember in a 1500 mile offshore sailboat race from Norfolk, VA to the British Virgin Islands. He and the other 3 crewmembers raced a 47ft sailboat for a total of 8 days at sea in competition with 71 other boats ranging from 35 ft to 60ft. It was challenging, but slow motion when compared to the luxury of the high speeds enjoyed by aircraft. “It was like buying a big motor home and touring America for 8 days at 8 miles per hour!” Clearly not a jet pilot’s cup of tea…but it was a most enjoyable and unique experience. “I learned a lot from the other experienced crewmembers, but it did revalidate my decision many years ago to join the USAF instead of the Navy.” This Thanksgiving Robert inherited the duty of cooking his first turkey plus all the trimmings. His niece, who had previously cooked for the family was moving into her new house and did not have time. He stated that, “After watching women cook many turkeys for over 40 years, I figured it couldn’t be too hard.” Fortunately, he successfully cooked a 17 lb turkey, an 8 lb ham plus all the usual side dishes in good time so everybody could enjoy a good hot meal at the appointed time.

Brenden is currently in his last year at the University of Houston as he completes his second Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design. This past summer he worked an internship as a designer with a large manufacturer of house wares located in south Houston. The company primarily manufacturers pots, pans, and cutlery for large volume retailers (Target, Wal-Mart). While he still enjoys the challenge of the college program, I know he will be happy to exit the academic environment this coming May. He still resides in downtown Houston and rides his bicycle to school every day (5 miles).

Marc moved back home from Lubbock, TX in April as he waited to hear from 6 Health Sciences Graduate schools. After much waiting he was offered a position in the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center’s graduate study program in cancer research under the University of Texas. All their cancer research is conducted at a unique facility about 150 miles northwest of Houston in the small Texas town of Smithville. Several house hunting trips later we rented a 1920’s Victorian style home in Smithville for this academic year. If he stays the course, he will graduate in 5 years with a PhD in cancer research. The program is indeed “hands on” as the students must conduct actual cancer research funded by national grants. Long hours in the lab are the norm and would you believe that his entering class numbers 6 students. Yes, it is very intense and individualized training and exposure to real world research.

Happy Holidays… Robert, Brenden, and Marc Macaluso. Let us hear from you!