Operation Christmas Drop Needs Your Help

I feel badly that we did not get up and run the Christmas Drop 5K at Piti this morning. I don't like registering for a race on the day of the race because it means it costs more and because I have to leave the house earlier because of the time it takes to register at the race site. The other reason we didn't run is because I've had a non-stop headache and anemia (which makes me feel better that I actually have a reason for feeling tired and draggy over the past few weeks).

The Christmas Drop 5K was done to raise funds for Operation Christmas Drop, the longest running humanitarian aid effort in the Marianas. Most of the supplies are obtained from military members and Guam residents and businesses

Donation boxes can be found at the following locations:
Ace Hardware 653-2237 Yigo/Dededo
Andersen Middle School 366-3880 Andersen AFB
Andersen Commissary 366-2425 Andersen AFB
New BX/Four Seasons 366-6136 Andersen AFB
Cost-U-Less 632-2533 Harmon Loop
First Bank of Hawaii 475-7884 Route 8 Branch
Guam Premier Outlets GPO) 647-4032 Tamuning
Guam Tropical Dive Station 477-2774 366-6975 Marine Dr.
Micronesia Dive Association 472-6324 Marine Dr.
Navy Commissary 339-5173 339-5177 COMNAVMAR
Navy Exchange 339-6594 COMNAVMAR
Micronesia Mall 635-1103 Dededo
USO/Royal Orchid 649-2000 Tumon
DHL 646-1765 Tamuning

If you want to get in on this year's airdrop, don't feel like you have donate money or supplies to be valuable. Operation Christmas Drop is always looking for help with inventory, sorting, packing and getting the word out to business and community leaders not only on Guam, but the rest of the world as well! Send them an email or give them a call and they'll be more than happy to put you in touch with one of their project-leaders!

The most crucial items needed are

• parachutes,
• first-aid kits,
• garden tools,
• school supplies,
• toys,
• fishing gear,
• snorkeling equipment,
• hygiene products,
• canned and non-perishable foods and
• used clothing.

There is a critical need for handsaws, tools, machetes and cooking utensils.

Take a look at the photo gallery. We are most blessed to have what we have.

Another Weekend Races Past...

Drew turned in an acceptable time for the Freedom 5K at Hagatna on Saturday---he came in third place in the male youth division. He didn't run a PR, and most of the fast runners in the youth division were at the other race sponsored by St. John's in Tumon. He also won a raffle prize to Jamaican Grill so he was thrilled.

I also signed us to run the 5K sponsored by SDA on Sunday morning, but Drew bailed, Anna and Gregg declined, and I lost track of time trying to get my iPod shuffle to work. I am finding it harder and harder to run while keeping my mind occupied---and I'm not happy having nothing rattling around in it. The shuffle is perfect because I download the free audio podcasts from NPR and become engrossed in the dialogue. Running to music has never satisfied me and running to cadences is even worse, but at least there are usually a lot of other annoyed people running with me in formation.

I found these 20 commandments for runners:

1. Don't be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.
2. Don't make running your life, make it part of your life.
3. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who is missing.
4. Don't compare yourself to other runners.
5. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
6. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.
7. Don't always run alone.
8. Don't always run with people.
9. The best runs sometimes come on the days you didn't feel like running.
10. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.
11. All runners are equal; some are just faster than others.
12. There are no short cuts to run excellence.
13. There is nothing boring about running, there are, however, boring people who run.
14. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.
15. Don't try to out run dogs.
16. With out goals, training has no purpose.
17. Go for broke, but prepare to be broken.
18. Unless you make your living as a runner, don't take running too seriously.
19. Runners who never fail are runners who never tried anything great.
20. Running is simple. Don't make it complicated.

Drew said this was a wonderful weekend---he and Anna celebrated a classmate's 8th birthday at Tarza. Tarza is Drew's favorite water park. He adores the Lazy River.

I've fallen in love with NPR's Song of the Day and have been introduced to an eclectic mix of writers and songs. Check out this song by Adele from her album, "19" called "Make You Feel My Love." While I like this arrangement, I prefer the version she sings here: NPR Fast forward to 14:00 to start this song.