Monday, November 20, 2006

Marine Corps Marathon 2006

I completed my third Marathon. (That's a sentence I never thought I'd be able to say!)

In honor of my Florida home.. I wore my Minnie Mouse ears for the race. Here I am smiling...(that's because the race hadn't started yet!)

The Marine Corps Marathon turned out to be a tough race. Because of that, it was a great feeling of accomplishment that went with me across the finish line.

My good friend and running partner was there for the second half of the race to keep me going all the way to the finish line! Thank you so much for being there.


Saturday, November 18, 2006

Fannie Mae Walk For The Homeless

This year I was chosen to be part of the Martin family annual Fannie Mae Walk for the Homeless team. It was a chilly morning, but it felt good to be out showing our support for a great program.

The 19th Annual Fannie Mae Walk for the Homeless is Saturday, November 18. This is a great opportunity for exercise and to raise funds and awareness for homelessness. It will take place on the National Mall, Washington, D.C., between 4th and 7th Streets, N.W.


Singer and songwriter Jewel will serve as the honorary chair of the 2006 Fannie Mae Foundation Help the Homeless Program and Walkathon. Jewel will bring a powerful and personal perspective when she speaks at the 2006 Help the Homeless Walkathon.


The Fannie Mae Foundation Help the Homeless Program raises awareness and funds for Washington metropolitan area organizations that are working to prevent and end homelessness, with an emphasis on programs that help homeless people return to independent living. The Help the Homeless Program also fosters volunteerism in service to the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

How I Learned to Cook


Three Chefs: Anthony Bourdain, Jose Andres and Michel Richard

Thanks to a tornado watch and heavy rain all day, I was able to go tonight to this lecture given by the Smithsonian Resident Associate Program. It was a sold out show but some people stayed inside because of the rain and I was able to get a ticket on stand by. I'm so glad I went.

All three chefs were very entertaining to listen to
Every chef has to learn how to cook, whether in grandma’s kitchen or at a professional culinary institute, or perhaps both. Three superstar chefs return to the Smithsonian to recount true tales of the early days in their culinary educations.

Sometimes hilarious, sometimes touching, but always entertaining, chefs Anthony Bourdain, Jose Andres, and Michel Richard recount their first experiences in the kitchen, the miraculous moments that made them want to cook forever, and the unexpected epiphanies that occured just when they thought they knew it all. If you love food and cooking, their stories are an irresistible treat.

Bourdain is executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles in New York, and the star of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations on the Travel Channel.

Richard is owner and executive chef of Citronelle and author of Happy in the Kitchen.

Andres is executive chef at Jaleo, Cafe Atlantico, and Oyamel, and host of Vamos a cocinar on Television Espanola.

The book How I Learned to Cook: Culinary Educations from the World’s Greatest Chefs (Bloomsbury)—which features essays by more than 25 professional chefs, including this evening’s three guest chefs—is available for signing after the program.