“Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance.To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.” -Oren Arnold
These are the best gifts of all. What is amazing is that they are recession proof, they are timeless, and they all come on everyones size. Happy Holidays, everyone.
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Friday, December 25, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
What I learned from the Inaugural Maryland Half Marathon
The morning of Sunday, May 31, 2009 began cold and damp and with plenty of rain. I showed up to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium and sat in my car contemplating whether to go back home and skip the 13.1 mile run that I had committed to run. I sat in my car and wondered to myself, “Why do you even need to run anyway?” Honestly, the answer was not as simple as my needing to keep my word. Months of training wasn’t swaying my feelings either. Running for the cause (the Greenebaum Cancer Center) was doing nada. While watching two runners run back and forth doing warm-ups and seeing race volunteers direct the crowds, a woman in the vehicle next to mine was trying to get my attention. I rolled my window down and she asked, “Do you know if the staging area is where all those people are headed?” I didn’t know, but answered, “Yes, I believe so.” The woman thanked me and then got out of the car. I decided that even though it was raining I should probably get a move one and at least see what was happening in the area where everyone was gathering.
I arrived in the staging area (thank God I was correct) and turned on my IPOD, being able to tune out all the pre run chatter helped calm my nerves. Questions began to swirl in my head. Would I have to run in the rain? Was the course difficult? Would I make my time goal (which for me was under 2:12:24)? What if I couldn’t finish? Then I noticed that the woman from the parking lot was standing next to me. “They just blew the rallying horn. I guess that means things are going to start soon?” I introduced myself and then we began to walk towards the start line. Kim (parking lot woman’s name) and I began talking about what we both heard about the course. We compared training stories. And then Kim said, “This is my first race, ever. I am worried that I won’t be able to finish.”
Well my experience spirit took over, which in itself is hilarious (the Maryland Half was going to be only the 2nd organized half marathon that I had registered). I advised: Don’t let the energy from the crowd take you out too fast. Take advantage of the water stops. Take the race one mile at a time. I even told her how I dedicate each mile to think about something different. Have a plan when you go through the water stops. Get to the finish. Kim seemed to be taking in all of my tips and then she asked, “Why are you running?”
I didn’t get to answer her because the start crowd began to move and then we were off. I lost Kim shortly after mile one. Miles 2-3 were alright. I loved the course between miles 4-5. Running on the 2 lane road was kind of cool. I think the covering of the trees added to the effect. I was mesmerized by the man I saw shortly after the split. He decided he was going to do his 13.1 while skipping rope. I met up with Kim again at the overlap at mile 7. She was looking good. I cursed the course organizers for all of mile 8. Why they felt a hill at that point was a good idea I couldn’t figure out. The Little Red Devils at mile 9 provided the comic relief. I had to dig really deep, so that I could navigate the hill at mile 11. I wish I had gotten the name of the race volunteer, so I could thank her personally for her encouraging words. I was wearing a hat that said, “I run so that I can drink wine.” The race volunteer reminded me that I had a bottle of MD wine chilling at home. I was stoked when I saw the 12 mile marker. As I crossed the finish line and heard the announcer say my name, it hit me.
I run because I can. I run because nothing mimics life more closely. I run because nothing is more satisfying than coming across the finish line knowing that you’ve done it. You’ve finished. My icing on the cake was my finishing time of 2:10:52.
I arrived in the staging area (thank God I was correct) and turned on my IPOD, being able to tune out all the pre run chatter helped calm my nerves. Questions began to swirl in my head. Would I have to run in the rain? Was the course difficult? Would I make my time goal (which for me was under 2:12:24)? What if I couldn’t finish? Then I noticed that the woman from the parking lot was standing next to me. “They just blew the rallying horn. I guess that means things are going to start soon?” I introduced myself and then we began to walk towards the start line. Kim (parking lot woman’s name) and I began talking about what we both heard about the course. We compared training stories. And then Kim said, “This is my first race, ever. I am worried that I won’t be able to finish.”
Well my experience spirit took over, which in itself is hilarious (the Maryland Half was going to be only the 2nd organized half marathon that I had registered). I advised: Don’t let the energy from the crowd take you out too fast. Take advantage of the water stops. Take the race one mile at a time. I even told her how I dedicate each mile to think about something different. Have a plan when you go through the water stops. Get to the finish. Kim seemed to be taking in all of my tips and then she asked, “Why are you running?”
I didn’t get to answer her because the start crowd began to move and then we were off. I lost Kim shortly after mile one. Miles 2-3 were alright. I loved the course between miles 4-5. Running on the 2 lane road was kind of cool. I think the covering of the trees added to the effect. I was mesmerized by the man I saw shortly after the split. He decided he was going to do his 13.1 while skipping rope. I met up with Kim again at the overlap at mile 7. She was looking good. I cursed the course organizers for all of mile 8. Why they felt a hill at that point was a good idea I couldn’t figure out. The Little Red Devils at mile 9 provided the comic relief. I had to dig really deep, so that I could navigate the hill at mile 11. I wish I had gotten the name of the race volunteer, so I could thank her personally for her encouraging words. I was wearing a hat that said, “I run so that I can drink wine.” The race volunteer reminded me that I had a bottle of MD wine chilling at home. I was stoked when I saw the 12 mile marker. As I crossed the finish line and heard the announcer say my name, it hit me.
I run because I can. I run because nothing mimics life more closely. I run because nothing is more satisfying than coming across the finish line knowing that you’ve done it. You’ve finished. My icing on the cake was my finishing time of 2:10:52.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
25 More Random Things
On my first day of Spring Break, I find myself sick as a dog. Since I am bed ridden anyway, I've decided to share some random thoughts. These are not in any particular order.
1. Technology scares me. It really does, seriously. Take this Facebook account for instance….I only have it because of a class requirement.
2. I believe that ALL things have a season. Life, friends, jobs, relationships, clothes, etc.…enjoy what you can, learn what you are supposed to learn, and move on when it is done.
3. Even though she died back in 1999, it is still sometimes incomprehensible to me that my cousin Lisa is dead. I hope that she is proud of all me.
4. I am a gypsy at my core. I am at home anywhere on this planet.
5. Teaching was the absolute last thing I thought I would be doing for a career. I only began teaching while waiting for the Foreign Service to place me.
6. Monday, January 6, 2006 and running have saved my life. Literally.
7. I don’t believe in Political Correctness. I think it has abused Truth. However, I still hold out hope that Truth will prevail.
8. The first book I ever read from cover to cover was Gone With the Wind. I read the sequel Scarlet…what a let down.
9. I do own an IPOD (someone had to set it up for me though) and I have everyone from Conway Twitty to TPain loaded in it.
10. I have friends that have interesting careers. I know an ice trucker, a CEO of a bank, fitness trainers, foreign service workers, writers, archivists, reporters, pilots, a taste tester, exotic dancers, bartenders, fashion designers, professional athletes, private investigators, personal assistants to famous/wealthy people, numerous chefs, Peace Corps workers, actor, recording artists, ministers, a jeweler, a hand and foot model (not the same people, btw), a few regular models. I could go on, but I’ve made my point.
11. Closed Mind People (People that “Don’t like this/that/him/her/them/it” for no other reason other than mere existence), really, really tick me off.
12. I believe that people have the time to do what they desire to do. Period.
13. I am a principled person.
14. I despise winter, but understand its necessity in the cycle of things.
15. I am jealous of artistic people in general. I wish that I could express myself in the ways that they do.
16. I once spent an entire paycheck on a purse and a pair of shoes.
17. I get a kick out of seeing my students having an “Aha! Moment”. It never ever gets old.
18. The concept of rewarding people for doing things that they are supposed to do is the saddest practice I have ever seen.
19. I am most at peace when I am near water. I sometimes turn on the faucet and watch the water run. Lately, since I have been trying to be less wasteful of the world’s resources, I have started the practice of filling a large bucket with water and then using it to clean things. Yeah, you got it…the dipping my hands in water thingy.
20. I am an English teacher that happens to be the worst speller known to man.
21. I cried when I left Brazil at the end of last summer. I really, really considered not boarding my flight back to the US.
22. If one got a passport stamped for travel within the US, my passport would be stamped the most for Las Vegas, Nevada. Yeah, I don’t get this one either. I’ve been to Las Vegas so many times now that visits have begun to blend together.
23. Sometimes people don’t get what they deserve.
24. It is in part of because of charity that I am where I am today. I am charitable one, to remind myself of it and two, to hopefully bless someone else.
25. My mom and my aunt are my heroes.
1. Technology scares me. It really does, seriously. Take this Facebook account for instance….I only have it because of a class requirement.
2. I believe that ALL things have a season. Life, friends, jobs, relationships, clothes, etc.…enjoy what you can, learn what you are supposed to learn, and move on when it is done.
3. Even though she died back in 1999, it is still sometimes incomprehensible to me that my cousin Lisa is dead. I hope that she is proud of all me.
4. I am a gypsy at my core. I am at home anywhere on this planet.
5. Teaching was the absolute last thing I thought I would be doing for a career. I only began teaching while waiting for the Foreign Service to place me.
6. Monday, January 6, 2006 and running have saved my life. Literally.
7. I don’t believe in Political Correctness. I think it has abused Truth. However, I still hold out hope that Truth will prevail.
8. The first book I ever read from cover to cover was Gone With the Wind. I read the sequel Scarlet…what a let down.
9. I do own an IPOD (someone had to set it up for me though) and I have everyone from Conway Twitty to TPain loaded in it.
10. I have friends that have interesting careers. I know an ice trucker, a CEO of a bank, fitness trainers, foreign service workers, writers, archivists, reporters, pilots, a taste tester, exotic dancers, bartenders, fashion designers, professional athletes, private investigators, personal assistants to famous/wealthy people, numerous chefs, Peace Corps workers, actor, recording artists, ministers, a jeweler, a hand and foot model (not the same people, btw), a few regular models. I could go on, but I’ve made my point.
11. Closed Mind People (People that “Don’t like this/that/him/her/them/it” for no other reason other than mere existence), really, really tick me off.
12. I believe that people have the time to do what they desire to do. Period.
13. I am a principled person.
14. I despise winter, but understand its necessity in the cycle of things.
15. I am jealous of artistic people in general. I wish that I could express myself in the ways that they do.
16. I once spent an entire paycheck on a purse and a pair of shoes.
17. I get a kick out of seeing my students having an “Aha! Moment”. It never ever gets old.
18. The concept of rewarding people for doing things that they are supposed to do is the saddest practice I have ever seen.
19. I am most at peace when I am near water. I sometimes turn on the faucet and watch the water run. Lately, since I have been trying to be less wasteful of the world’s resources, I have started the practice of filling a large bucket with water and then using it to clean things. Yeah, you got it…the dipping my hands in water thingy.
20. I am an English teacher that happens to be the worst speller known to man.
21. I cried when I left Brazil at the end of last summer. I really, really considered not boarding my flight back to the US.
22. If one got a passport stamped for travel within the US, my passport would be stamped the most for Las Vegas, Nevada. Yeah, I don’t get this one either. I’ve been to Las Vegas so many times now that visits have begun to blend together.
23. Sometimes people don’t get what they deserve.
24. It is in part of because of charity that I am where I am today. I am charitable one, to remind myself of it and two, to hopefully bless someone else.
25. My mom and my aunt are my heroes.
Monday, January 19, 2009
National Day of Service
Colin Powell has made his post Secretary of State gig a mission to turn Martin Luther King, Jr. Day not only a day of reflection, but a day of service. I love the idea. Martin Luther King served the country, albeit in a non-traditional fashion, and did so with no expectation of getting anything in return. My personal observation is that too much of what service has turned into today is not 'how can I help?', but 'how can I help and get the most people to see me doing it?'As America gets ready for the inauguration of a new president, I hope that my fellow citizens takes the realization of Dr. King's dreams as an opportunity to serve someone. I'm heading out to rake my elderly neighbor's yard.
Now as promised, the next 6 locals in the 1000 Places to See Before You Die series...
Jan. 12 - The Red Sea, Egypt and Israel
Jan. 13 - The Strip, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Jan. 14 - Punta Del Este, Uruguay
Jan. 15 - Bali, Indonesia
Jan. 16 - Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
Jan. 17 & 18 - English Harbour, Antigua
This list tells me I better get going. I've walked, run, and driven up and down Vegas' most famous Boulevard. I've done so more times than I would like to admit and I have plans to return this upcoming spring.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Their Coming to Baltimore
Runners have this saying that you can be anything you want to be when you are out there hitting the pavement. Back on my Feet takes this notion and puts it into action...literally.Back on my Feet is coming to Baltimore on March 16th and I cant wait to be a part of it. The organization's focus is homeless people. The homeless get a chance to realize hope and opportunity, which includes a stable job and a place to live. They just have to be able to work towards their goal one (sometimes difficult) step at a time. How is that not like running?
Members of Back on my Feet understand what runners understand and that is no one is going to take the steps for you. They understand (like other runners do) that the community is there to cheer and to motiviate. From that you will get what you need to take that next step, to go that next mile, to make that next turn. Members of Back on my Feet get empowerment. They understand the simple notion that to get anywhere in life, including out of homelessness, you have to take it one step at a time.
You can find out more here: http://backonmyfeet.org/main/index.html
Sunday, October 26, 2008
It is done...
in 5:05. That is what it said when I came across the finish line at The Marine Corps Marathon. Now according to the Marine at the finish line when my official time is posted (in 72 hours), my time will be less than that because the clock at the finish is the race clock. Since we all didn't start at the same time (I came across the start line 5-6 minutes after the Marathon actually began), my time has to be adjusted accordingly.
Miles 1-9 were grueling! The hills were unlike anything I have ever seen. Miles 10-23 were alright. I cried from mile 24 to the finish. I am not sure where the emotions came from. They just rushed me and I sobbed the entire way to the finish. One the very last hill (about .2 miles), my charity sponsor's trainer Kathy literally ran with me. I was grateful as I didn't think I'd have been able to do it without her.
I am sore and tired. But I feel good. I even got a cool medal for all my trouble.
Miles 1-9 were grueling! The hills were unlike anything I have ever seen. Miles 10-23 were alright. I cried from mile 24 to the finish. I am not sure where the emotions came from. They just rushed me and I sobbed the entire way to the finish. One the very last hill (about .2 miles), my charity sponsor's trainer Kathy literally ran with me. I was grateful as I didn't think I'd have been able to do it without her.
I am sore and tired. But I feel good. I even got a cool medal for all my trouble.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A Nice Suprise
So all of you readers (the 2 of you) know that on October 26th I'll be running the Marine Corps Marathon. In order to get a spot in the popular marathons, one must have a charity sponsor. You raise money for them, you get training and nutritional support from their team trainers. I am running for Fisher House Foundation.
My goal was to raise $1000. To say the fundraising has been slow is an understatement. People that I knew were financial guarantees fell through. People that I didn't expect stepped up. That wasn't more evident until a co-worker walked up to me today and handed me 3 checks, totalling $250. I am now $45 dollars off of meeting my goal.
Thanks Diana.
To see more on my great charity click http://www.fisherhouse.org/
To see more on my great charity click http://www.fisherhouse.org/
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