I am running to raise money for blood cancer research, and most of all, to help prevent cancer from taking more lives.

Monday, June 27, 2011

MIA: No Excuses

I apologize for not updating the ole blog recently. I have no excuses really I just need to set aside some time. I will do my best to catch you guys up.

My last good friend has left the area. We were really good about having dinner every week together and of course over a good beer or fabulous wine. It was hard telling her good bye but in her words "its not goodbye rather a see you later." I am excited about the new adventure in her life in NYC and wish her the best.

Miss you already

Next, I tried something different courtesy of Blank Canvas blog which said to try something new because I have the opportunity too (check May 2011 post). I went to the Paul Mitchell School to get a hair cut. Now to some, this may seem trivial but to me my hair is literally an extension of me and I take care and pride in it most of the time. Usually I shell out between 80 to 100 bucks on a good haircut this including a tip and this next I decided to branch out and try a student for a change. It took a little longer (2 and 1/2 hours) than I would have liked but it turned out nicely. Thanks Marco for the trim. I do believe I will be returning to my normal chica Rachelle for a fresh new look in the future.


Pulling your on humanitarian strings for a minute, I got a call from NIH Blood Bank about giving a blood. You should you know that I usually faint when I get a shot so this was no easy task for me. I made my way over to Bethesda and down the many halls to the Blood Bank and it was like a party in there. They had music playing in the background and not the elevator music I mean disco ball dancing music. I was greeted by a nurse named Denise who treated me like a rockstar. She made my experience extremely pleasant so much so that I have decided to go back in 56 days. I want to urge you all to go out and give a pint of the good stuff to your  local Red Cross or hospital as they are in desperate need of blood as only humans can give sorry zombies and vampires maybe in the future. Mister did take me out to a nice dinner afterwards to which I was very thankful for.

myself, Cathy and Pat (2/3 of Team Graves)


Saturday morning was greeted extremely at 5:30 to get up for quick run in Reston. We ran 7 miles (I ran 6 miles) down the WO&D trail. It was so nice to have Jenn Z back on the team and Mike C. out at the water stop. I am truly thankful for the wonderful people I have met through TNT. Jenn Z was my mentor my first season and I met Mike during my first season as well. We even had a few birthdays to celebrate so I made mini cupcakes to celebrate the occasion. Happy Birthday to Geet, Jasti and Karen, who's turning the big 5-0!




Jenn Z., Cathy, Pat and myself










Monday, June 13, 2011

One Million Acts of Kindness

This past weekend was a typical weekend got up to go run in the heat, attempt at taking a nap(this didn't happen) and met two guys riding their bikes across country to stop domestic violence and childhood sexual abuse. Their names were Bob and Nathan. Bob started the organization "One Million Acts of Kindness," which if you do the math is 50 acts a day for 55 years but whose counting right? These men intrigued me. They started in Coney Island and are headed to San Francisco with the anticipated riding time of about 6 months.

The Mister and I met them at a cookout that our TNT buddies were having at their house. Bob and Nathan explained to us that the were on day 29 of the journey across country and had to double their miles in order to keep their vehicles with them. They would ride out and ride back on their bikes to pick up the bus and truck and then ride on. And when I say vehicles, I mean a school bus painted white with words of how to be kind to one another painted on the bus. Bob is the go getter behind the organization; stopping and speaking with people about the cause. Nathan is the guy videotaping the whole expedition. We had a great conversation about documentaries and what direction he saw the adventure going. Nathan said that he was going to let the documentary take shape on its own and see where it goes. I am excited to see the finished product.

These guys are coming back to DC for the "Walk a mile in Her Shoes" event this coming up on Sunday June 19th. This event is where men walk in heels for a mile promoting awareness of domestic violence. I think I might go just to see a bunch of men strut their stuff in a pair of stilettos.

Check them out. http://www.onemillionactsofkindness.com/

Friday, June 3, 2011

Happy Friday

This week has literally flown by. Oh how I love four day work weeks.

Good News on the family side: Middle Sister and the little niece have moved down to Bumpkinville full time now. So happy news for them.

The weather up here has finally started to cool off (thank goodness) so running outside isn't too unbearable. I am super pumped about my run tomorrow morning. We are doing a cool 4 miles so nothing to complain about or shy away from either.Here's to hanging out with some pretty cool peeps tomorrow.

I might even hit up a wine festival this weekend but we will see how the weekend rolls out. Cheerio my friends.