Find Your Candidate in Ten Minutes

I think that several important issues were left off this "game," but it's quick and easy. Also, it's a bit entertaining.

The Race Course

Here's a map of the 10 mile course I'll be running. I imagine that it will be a beautiful run. The cherry blossoms will be in bloom and the view along the water should be breathtaking (maybe in a literal sense after mile five!).

Fellows Retreat last weekend

Here are some pictures from my retreat last weekend.

We stayed at the College of Preachers, which is part of the National Cathedral. I tried to capture the architecture in many of the photos, but I know justice was not given. It iss European in style (there were a few people that said it reminded them of Oxford) and has beautiful details.

I know you won't recognize the people, but everyone in the pictures are either Fellows, Speakers, or the Directors (there are two of them). You may also recognize Rich in a few photos. Also, Kat (whom I've written of a few times) is in the first couple of pictures.

The last picture is taken in the Cathedral, where we heard former Congressman Tony Hall speak. He is an advocate for the hungry and shared some touching stories and statistics. Did you know that 25,000 people die every day from hunger related diseases? 37 million people in the U.S. go to bed hungry 2-3 times a month. Odds are that they aren't the people we see on the streets, but mothers and children who are hungry and silently coping with their situations.

More commentary will come later...

There's Snow, Yo.

It's snowing here and beautiful. My favorite moment of the morning came when Mike sent me this picture of NC's snow this morning...

That is one unhappy chicken! Guess she isn't a fan of her first snow.

Too funny!

A Fun Visitor

Mike was here this weekend! We both took off Friday and enjoyed three days together. We visited the National Air and Space Museum. I've included some of our best shots (below):

Mike touching "moon rock." It was really smooth and black, like slate.
I didn't pass as a "Stewardess" in the 1950s. Too tall, heavy, and spunky. Whatever.
The two of us in a cockpit (from the 1950s).
He was checking out an engine...
I was posing in front of it.

Yeah, I made him "pose" for me. Not quite sure what he's supposed to be doing here.

I think looking at a map of some sort.

Showing off some acting skills of my own as I steer a ship on which planes land. Impressive, eh?

There was an early airplane that only weighed 70 lbs. Probably because it looked like a guy sitting on twigs and plastic while wrapped in saran-wrap.

Checking out the planes.

Thought this was appropriate: A line of birds perched on top of the Air & Space Museum. Cute.

As well as the A & S Museum, we also went to one of our favorite places to visit, the Botanical Gardens. They're beautiful!!

Aww. In the biggest room of the Gardens.

For more pics, you can click on this link.

Besides the two places mentioned above, we went to a play at a local theatre. I had been before, but the play was completely redone so it was new to me too. It was fun and entertaining.

In between, Mike got to meet some people whom I've lovingly mentioned in my stories of DC. We met some folks for dinner on Friday night.

It was a wonderful, but super fast weekend. I'm actually kind of exhausted.

Here are some recent running stats:

• Best Distance Completed: 4.5 miles
• Longest Time: 55 minutes (this includes a five minute walking "cool-down")
• Weight lost to date (since training began in mid Dec.): 3 lbs.

As a reminder, I will be running the 10 miles on April 6th. I have pledged to complete the distance in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Each week, I'll increase my running time to slowly improve my endurance. I'll post an update to these stats in another two or three weeks.

A 10-Mile Run Horoscope??

My grandma sent this to me yesterday along with an email referencing my 10 miler in April. Coincidence? Seems pretty fitting to me...

Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 - May 20)

You are a champion of methodically reaching your destination, even if you set very high goals for yourself. Currently, your determined sense of integrity gives you the foundation you need to climb to even the loftiest places. You may believe that you can do almost anything, but you won't accomplish it all overnight. Remember to pace yourself and rest when needed.

I like the "rest when needed" part!

Good-byes and Hellos

It was hard to get back in the real world" groove last week. Thank the Lord it was only a three-day work week with the holiday and all. It seemed to drag and the weekend flew.

Friday night was relaxing compared to the days that followed. On Saturday morning, Billy moved into Drew's room. I haven't seen him since he dropped his things off that day.

Saturday afternoon Drew and I watched a movie until Mallory came into town that night. The three of us had dinner together before other people started showing up for Drew's "Bon Voyage" party. At around eight, friends started coming by and we all hung out for a couple hours at the house before hopping the bus and rail to the karaoke place where we'd reserved a room. It was much fun and Drew made sure to stress it was a "retro" night. So, we gals all glammed ourselves up in retro styles and made it even more interesting.

I afro'd my hair and put on lots of make-up to get in touch with my inner 70's soul. Mallory and JoyAnna dolled their make-up to bring out some old school flavor as well. We were quite an interesting looking bunch! There were some pictures taken that I'll try and get my hands on to post for your amusement. Good times.

On Sunday, Mal and I went shopping before she headed back to VA. After she left, Drew and I headed for Dulles Airport, where his plane for Morocco was departing.

It was sad to say good-bye. I'll miss him.

Drew returns in April and until then we'll make some memories with Billy.

I'm slowly training for my run in April. I can't believe it's in three months. Yikes!

This week is back to the grind after the slow, holiday transition. I'm going to the Pregnancy Center tomorrow and have my first Fellows Group meeting of 2008 on Wednesday. I'm already counting down the days until Thursday evening, when Mike arrives for a long weekend visit! :)

Bake me a Cake

Mal gave us a preview of her wedding cake while I was home over the break. Check out the pics! The cake was vanilla and super yummy. Mmm.


Mallory and Jill, her friend from high school and bridesmaid, will be coordinating to create it. This was their first test (hence Mal holding a "One" in the air in the first picture).


I shared the cake with Mike and he said, "Tell Mal that I'll test any of the other cakes she makes." I'd say that's a good sign!