Sarah Nyberg

I wasn't as close with Michael Vega as most of you were. We worked with each other at Apple, and our conversations with very surface talking occasionally about how his vegetarian Chipotle burritos were the size of Texas, To Die For, or talking about his rides. The Monday before he past away I had a strange feeling towards him at work. I had noticed how we didn't talk as much as we had in the past, and for some reason that I can't explain it bothered me. I didn't give it much thought then because he wasn't going anywhere. We worked together and I didn't see that changing.

Since the night of August 28th I have regretted not getting to know Michael more. After hearing stories about him from close friends or Yvette, I feel like I missed out on what could have been a closer friendship with Michael. I now understand how important it is to embrace people that give you a good impression. I recognize that what I felt on that Monday was just a coincidence

but for myself I'm using this as a lesson that I will carry with me.

As far as the bike. I told my girlfriend Corrie my idea and she said I could use her mountain bike. When I went to my parents house after work on Wednesday I couldn't find it anywhere. It had been stolen, and I panicked. My dad was home at the time and I was really emotional because I knew I wanted to follow through with my idea and had already purchased everything to add to the bike. I wanted to contribute something to raise awareness at the site that it wasn't just a car accident, but an accident involving a bike. I wanted drivers passing by to see a bike and hopefully drive safer. After expressing this to my dad he offered his bike from his classroom. My dad has worked at Upland High School for over 25 years. He has had the same classroom and the same bike. To quickly maneuver around campus he would ride from his tucked away classroom at the north end of campus to the office on the south side of campus. Since I can remember I've had his past/present students ask me if I was related to Mr. Nyberg, the "old hippie guy with the bike." Since my dad is a drawing and painting teacher, the bike was always in an art classroom. My dad used it every day, until a few days before Michael past away. After picking it up at his classroom my dad explained how he almost took it to a bike shop to have something replaced the previous day. I never thought I would say this, but I'm glad my girlfriend's mountain bike got stolen and that I had to use my dad's. I'm pretty sure Michael would be glad too.

Corrie and I both in Colorado and will not be there on Saturday, but our hearts are with all of you. ♥