Friday, September 23, 2011

Do you want to meet Maria Bello?

So Maria Bello, a super cool, super tough actress is starring in a new show called "Prime Suspect".  This version of it is a remake of the British version, but apparently the two are different enough to be related, but are their own unique entities.  Cool.

So why am I going on about an actress in a blog about Haiti?  Maybe because we are having our 5th annual Festival for Haiti on October 15th.  Maybe because we have a silent auction that is held each year to help raise money for Haiti, and we've received super cool items this year that I'm completely stoked about.

Maybe because Maria Bello and her colleagues may have just donated a super cool item that we are hosting online bidding on our website about right now.

Just maybe.  ; )

Maria Bello, who helped found an organization called We Advance in Haiti (an organization designed to empower women and girls in Haiti to take care of their health and safety), has graciously agreed to something that is neat.

Has the suspense built up enough?

Okay:  Bello + associates have donated an awesome package:

  • 2 tickets to see the filming of "Prime Suspect" in California (including lunch with the cast and crew!!)
  • 2 tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park
  • A signed copy of the show’s pilot script
We are currently hosting online bidding on this fantastic item (starting bid = $950) on our website.  You can get to the bidding instructions by clicking HERE

C'mon...haven't you always wanted to rub shoulders with big movie stars and help Haiti at the same time??

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Reality check.

So the doctors said I could keep running with this pregnancy as long as I felt alright.  Well, I do not feel alright.  I've felt incredibly run-down for the past couple of weeks.  Finally someone suggested that I quit running, and think about not doing the October marathon either.

=(

As much as I hate to admit it, running no longer brings time with God, peace of mind, and a sense of over-all well-being and general health.  Instead, running feels like I'm putting my body through a meat-grinder and I just feel all sorts of ick when done and for the rest of the day and the next.

I'm not a very large person, and don't have many energy reserves, and it seems as though my body is shouting "Wake up!  You're growing a baby, we need the energy you are running off!!"

So I'm done running for the summer.  =(  I am also, sadly, not running the October marathon.

Those of you who know me personally know how much I balked at the idea of quitting, as it is admitting that I am simply physically unable to do something...not an admission that comes easily by any means.  Arrrrrrrgh.......but this baby means more to me than keeping the 300 mile goal I set.

Oh well.  Baby and I will just have to run together when he/she is old enough and if he/she is interested in running.

Until then, I have almost a year to prepare for the Riverside Ragnar in Minnesota next summer.  Woot woot!  I'll be working on helping organize a team for that to take place next August.  I don't know what those race officials' rules are on running for a cause, but if they'll allow us and the rest of the team is interested (this is a relay race), then this will be for Haiti too.

BUT...here is BABY! (due April 10):

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Running hiatus

Elliptical machines make me feel like a rockstar - nowhere else can I run 5 miles in 20 minutes!  Hmmmmm, may have to check the settings on that machine, but for now I'm just going to go with it.

After the half-marathon a couple weeks ago, I felt ill for the next week (allergies + pregnancy + not being allowed to take allergy medications = sick Nora) and was then in Alaska for a week for my brother's wedding....so today was the first time I ran in 2.5 weeks.  : (

The nurse has told me that I need to be running on an elliptical now to save Baby any unnecessary bouncing.  She's not too thrilled that I'm going through with running the marathon on the 2nd of October, but only broken limbs will prevent that.  Plenty of pregnant women run marathons.  : )

So, the 300 mile goal may be a thing of the past, given that I'm still under 200 miles and have less than a month, but I'll still aim for as close to that goal as possible.  We'll see.