26.2

My roommates and I signed up for the Fargo Marathon and started training about 3 months ago (minus December, which was a bust). But with the new year I've decided to rededicate myself to the training schedule. So far this week I ran 6 miles on Monday and 6 miles today and will run 8 miles tomorrow, 4 miles on Friday and 10 miles on Saturday. Yep, that's a lot of running and it takes up much of my free time. But I'm getting more and more excited about the whole marathon experience.

Yesterday when I was talking to my roommate about the marathon, we realized that we never received a confirmation email that we were registered for the race. So today I decided to look into it and look what I found! It's official!

This is what the website has to say about the race:

Are you ready to run what has become one of the country’s most popular marathons? Then you’ve come to the right place! Are you ready to ROCK in the city of Fargo? Then you’ve come to the right place! How about if we combine those two…..in 2011, you can Run Fargo and Rock Fargo when you join us for the 2011 Fargo Marathon! Known by thousands for being one of the Fastest and Friendliest races on the calendar, we’ve now added a Fun twist….Fargo Rocks!

The Fargo Marathon is best described as Flat, Fast, Friendly & Fun….with an emphasis on Friendly & Fun! The recipient of the Runner’s World Reader’s Choice Award as the #1 Best Value Marathon in America and the 8th Best Overall Marathon in America (January 2010)! We’re proud of this honor, but NEVER stop trying to improve…our goal is to give you the best marathon weekend possible!

Your Fargo Rocks Course Tour begins and finishes at the FargoDome! Starting just outside the front doors of this magnificent facility, this awesome route will bring you through the finest that our community offers, including the historic and revitalized downtown districts, beautiful tree-lined residential streets which take you from turn of the 20th Century to the 21st! And remember….bands at every mile will keep you running strong!

FAST AND FLAT defines the terrain here, but the MOST important “take home piece” for you will be FRIENDLY! Our community proudly boasts its friendly side as you visit our streets on your way to your personal Finish Line!

The marathon and half marathon routes take you into Fargo’s wonderful sister city, Moorhead, Minnesota, which means you will traverse through two states in one race! Everyone will stroll along and over the mighty Red River, and full marathoners will take in the impressive campus of Concordia College before heading back to North Dakota.

As you make your way back into Fargo, the challenge will be to see which street “WOWS” you the most 7th, 8th Street or 9th Street? You decide….but either way; you will know the meaning of FUN after you are done with them.

Two passes on Fargo’s infamous Broadway mean more people, more fun and more Fargo….Fargo Theater, that is!

Finally, your Fabulous Rockin’ Finish Line means the Dome again! This time, you’ll make the grand entrance in front of thousands as you raise your hands up high and smile for the Jumbotron Video Monitors!

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If you want to learn more about the marathon, go to http://www.fargomarathon.com/. If you want to come cheer me on, I'll see you on May 21!

Pound for Pound Challenge

Bob and Jillian are my fitness heroes! Sometimes I'll be at the gym, trying to push through a workout (usually during a grueling spin class) and thinking that I can't do anymore and then I think of Jillian and imagine her screaming at me to keep going...and so I do. True story, it's happened more than once for me.

My family and friends know that one of my most favorite shows is The Biggest Loser. I love watching people transform their lives by not only losing weight, but by working through their emotional problems. I watch people overcome obstacles, both big and small. And during it all, I transform myself a little too. It's inspirational to see people put their minds to something and making it happen. Sure, the winner or rather "Biggest Loser" of the competition gets some money out of it, but everyone is really on the show to change their lives.

So what changes do you want to make in your life? Are you going to be motivated to make those changes? Are you going to make goals and overcome obstacles, both big and small to make it happen? You can do it! You are a champion.

Every season, the show always talks about the Pound for Pound Challenge. For every pound you pledge to lose through May 31, 2011, the Pound For Pound Challenge will donate 11¢ to Feeding America® — enough to secure one pound of groceries on behalf of local food banks. $1,040,000 maximum donation. Go to http://www.pfpchallenge.com/ to pledge. I just did.

The Harp Days Are Over

the harp days are over

the harp days are done

the horses are coming so you better run

So tonight was the last night with my harp. I have decided to stop taking lessons for now to save money and dedicate my time to other pursuits. Learning how to play the harp was one of the best things that I have ever done. I started taking lessons almost a year ago exactly and have learned a lot from my teacher, David Crookston. I hope that someday I will own my own harp and will be able to pick it back up again and continue to improve.

The past couple of hours I have been recording a bunch of harp songs that I learned over the last year (and some that I just site read - mostly the Christmas music). It was really fun getting on my roommate's Mac and using GarageBand to record and burn the CD. (Btw, I REALLY like GarageBand now). It was enjoyable and nostalgic to play through all of those songs tonight. I will miss you my little green harp.

Some final photos with this green beauty (I have to return it to my teacher tomorrow). :(

(Please excuse the messy room and my post-gym appearance)

So long, for now, my little green harp. I will miss you very much!

A Woolley Family Christmas 2010

This year for Christmas we went to Disneyland!! It was absolutely fantastic. Before going out to California I made t-shirts for my family. The designs are below.

Bambi- Lauren

Flora, Fauna & Merriweather - Mom

Steamboat Willy (Mickey) - Eric

Princesses - KK and Sammie

Baby Mickey - Baby Alex
Jasmine - Cammie

Buzz Lightyear - Fred

Goofy - Dad

Prince Philip - Me

My family loved them and most of us were able to wear them on Christmas Eve, the first day we went to Disneyland. And before we even got in the park we were recognized by one of the "cast members" and were made honorary citizens of Disneyland.

Here are a few more pictures of us in our t-shirts.

More Disneyland stories and pictures to follow.

1/1/11 - Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's 2011! I can't believe that I will be turning 30 this year! I can't believe that I've lived in the DC area for almost 3 years! I can't believe how great life is!

Speaking of turning 30, I was inspired by my roommates to make a list of 30 things that I want to do before I turn 30. One of the things was to write on my blog everyday for an entire month and January 2011 sounds like the best time to do that as I write about my life, dreams, ideas and much more.

After a long day of driving, napping and relaxing, I'm going to call it a day. Day one of blogging...check.

Elf Yourself

A couple of weeks ago my friend, Kim Walters and I decided that it would be fun to dress up like elves and sing for money outside the metro. We ended up singing for fun and had the best time of our lives! The pictures tell the story.

We started off at Unique Thrift Store to look for some treasures and we were not disappointed. We found elf hats, wigs, sparkly dresses and more.

It took us hours to put it all together...

Before and After

Photoshoot!

When riding the metro into DC we got a lot of looks, smiles and heard plenty of people whispering. We were trying to keep our cool but we couldn't stop giggling. A couple of people on the metro wanted to take a picture with us...and that was only the beginning. I'd say over the course of the evening at least 30 people asked to take pictures with us.

We found a spot that was in good sight of the National Christmas Tree (which is located in front of the White House) so people could take pictures with us if they wanted to. We started off by handing out mini candy canes to kids that walked by. Then it turned into taking pictures with kids, some Asians and other random people.

Then we decided to try out our "routine." We had practiced 4 songs and had some dance moves to go along with each one. (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Here Comes Santa Clothes, Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas).

It was amazing to see the crowd form and the kids' eyes light up and even had some people sing along. Then the cheers came and the screams for more! It was so great! One of the funnest and best moments of my life. It was great to help people smile and feel excited for Christmas.

We had a great time and will never forget the fun we had!

A Lovely Thanksgiving Break

I was blessed to be able to go home, very last minute, for Thanksgiving this year. Thanks Mom and Dad for helping me make it home! It was definitely a much needed break for me. One of the highlights of the trip was going to Temple Square to check out the lights. Here are some pics of its beauty!

The luminaries were my favorite part. They were incredible. Each one was written in a different language.
World peace, that's what that is.

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At the BYU Museum of Art there is an extraordinary exhibit of Carl Bloch originals. Click here to read about it. If you are in the Utah area, the paintings will be at BYU until May 7, 2011 before returning to their original locations in Europe.
Some of my favorites included:

Gethesemane

Luke 22:41-44 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Healing at the Pool of Bethesda

John 5: 2-9, 16-17 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

AND HERE'S MY FAVORITE BLOCH PAINTING

Why? Because I love old people; I love the old woman's countenance. I feel like she perfectly expresses God's love for even some of the smallest and insignificant creatures on this Earth.

Old Woman Feeding Sparrows

Matthew 10:29-30 "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

"God is in the details! Just as the Lord knows all of His vast creations, He also knows and loves each in any crowd—indeed, He knows and loves each and all of mankind!" ~Elder Neal A. Maxwell