Vanessa Ocana

Happy Birthday Melissa!!! I have SOOOO many fun memories of you. Just the thought of sharing an office with you makes me smile. One of my favorite memories of you is listening to you talk to yourself when we shared an office together. Loved it!!! By the way, I find myself doing the same sometimes (thanks to you!) and find it very therapeutic. :) Another fond one, which may not be so memorable to your husband, is when Sheri, Falah, you and I were all in the office together talking about...who knows what -- probably something very insignificant --anyway, amidst our conversation, your husband called and we all started laughing about whatever we were talking about and you just had to join in our laughter, which resulted in your husband hanging up on you because he had no idea what was happening and couldn't talk to you. Oh, I still laugh out loud thinking about that day!! Poor Steve. He just couldn't compete with your office mates!! :)

On a more serious note, you have been such a great example of a dedicated and hard working student, a caring teacher, an intelligent researcher, a fun-loving friend, a loving wife and mother, a passionate person, and much MUCH more!! I'm glad we're friends!! Hope you have a wonderful birthday, lady!!! Love you!!!

Vanessa :)