No!

I just got this pic today (funny timing).

This is the exact face Gita makes when you ask her to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star... right before she yells, "No!"

I knew I liked her for a reason!

Growing Faster than Weeds

Gita not long after she moved to Kathmandu.

Gita in the late Spring with Michael (look how long her hair is!).

Not sure when this was taken, but I'm guessing Fall since her hair is still quite short.

Valentine's Day 2010

My Christmas present to Gita.

Michael has been updating me here and there about Gita and I'm happy to report it's all good news. She has lots of friends in Kathmandu and is enjoying school. It's been almost exactly a year since I've seen her, and she's aged years. She's actually looking like a 10 year old. It's amazing what substantial food, friends, an education and some TLC can do, and it's shocking how apparent it is in the pictures Michael sends. Go back to my first posts from Nepal and look at her pictures there, then scroll back to the ones above, you can see for yourself...

Cheers to good health and friends!
Laura

A Pool Present

As our wedding present to the Kids of NOH, Justin and I rented a pool in Kathmandu for a day of swimming, friends and a special lunch. We heard the party was a hit and all of the kids had a great time. Swimming was the one thing we were missing at our reception! I just wish we could have been there...

A HUGE thanks to Michael for doing all the planning and dirty work to make it happen.

Happy Wedding to Us!

Smiles,
Laura

You're Famous! Driftwood Dash on YouTube

You're famous!

Not really, but there are probably lots of sweaty pictures of you on the slide show...

Check out the
2010 Driftwood Dash on YouTube!

Enjoy!
Laura

Run Times!

They're

finally

here!

Take a

peek

below

to find

your

finish time.

Participant Times

1. Bryan Hoon #245 @ 20:47 –First Place Male Finisher
2. Chris Boone #244 @23:30
3. Scott Thorsteinson #211 @ 24:20
4. Nate Pigza #219 @ 24:27
5. Dave Kempe #227 @ 24:53
6. Sonya Fry #254 @ 25:04 –First Place Female Finisher
7. Trent Taylor #259 @ 25:22
8. Kyle Fox #208 @ 25:42
9. Emily Ness #252 @ 26:15
10. Angie Yarbrough #229 @ 27:41 –with Shasta, First Place Dog
11. Mical Bryant #230 @ 27:48
12. Kristy Thorsteinson #212 @ 27:59
13. Tyler Freed #240 @ 28:49
14. Jodi Rivard #204 @ 29:09
15. Meagan Freed #241 @ 29:30
16. Beth Najarian #214 @ 29:50
17. Lindsay Leisner #226 @ 29:59
18. Name? #260 @ 29:59
19. Andrew Leisner #225 @ 29:59
20. Jeff Coffey #249 @ 30:22
21. Dean Johnson #203 @ 30:40
22. Mike Haukenberry #206 @ 30:52
23. Ryan Monson #238 @ 31:25
24. Patty Haukenberry #205 @ 31:25
25. Colin Grice #210 @ 32:28
26. Kara Handy #209 @ 32:28
27. Danea Stogsdill #201 @ 33:19
28. Joe Suver #217 @ 34:59
29. Brandi Dipold #239 @ 35:47
30. Meagan Stogsdill #202 @ 40:12
31. Cheryle Diamond #216 @ 40:12 (one lap)
32. Jen Bonner #213 @ 40:12 (one lap)
33. Sandy Stapleton #215 @ 40:12 (one lap)
34. Kelsey Waring #232 @ 44:30 –First Place Big Kid
35. Sarah Waring #231 @ 44:30
36. Keana Callon #256 @ 46:55 –First Place Stroller
37. Bart @ Bri Iaia #261 @ 47:37
38. Debbie Suver #218 @ 51:55
39. Lisa Hutchens #207 @ 51:55
40. Carre Avery #247 @ 51:55
41. Jared Nimick #248 @ 51:55
42. Mariah Gordon #233 @ 51:55
43. Jessica Pigza #220 @ 58:30
44. Linda Popejoy #242 @ 53:30
45. Mandi Highland #243 @ 53:30
46. Cori Turner #255 @ 53:55
47. Mark #258 @ 53:55
48. Melissa #257 @ 53:55
49. Ann Cameron #253 @ 53:55
50. Cregg Handy #222 @ 56:15
51. Nancy Handy #221 @ 56:15
52. Rebecca Latham #236 @56:50
53. Kathie Thompson #237 @56:50
54. Ken Root #223 @ 57:00
55. Joni Root #224 @ 57:00

Participating in Spirit

• Justin Nimick
• Laura Handy
• Dawn Taylor
• Lee Howard
• Chris Nimick
• Will & Denise Stocking
• Justin Lagers
• Diane Rodman
• Bryan Brown
• Andrea Johnson

$1800 Worth of Thank You!

You volunteered.
You donated.
You walked.
You ran.
You sweat.
You won prizes.

You raised more than $1800 to improve the lives of needy children in Nepal!

THANK YOU!

A huge thank you to all of our sponsors and everyone who participated and donated to the First Annual Driftwood Dash 5k! Justin and I appreciate everyone's support and enthusiasm for this event. We had a great time running it and hope everyone had an even better time participating.

Those of you who know me know I don't cry easily. While I was in Nepal I faced pollution, poverty and forces of nature I couldn't have imagined and never shed a tear, but the tears snuck up on me as I added up all the donations. Never having been to Nepal or volunteered for NOH it might be hard to imagine what this money will do, but I can tell you that it will go far and every penny is greatly needed and appreciated.

Thank you again for your participation and support. The Second Annual Driftwood Dash will be even better! Start training for next year...

In Gratitude,
Laura

PS. Run times and a photo/video slide show to follow in the next few days. Stay tuned.

Driftwood Dash 5K Run/Walk

Hi There!

I hope you will consider joining us for the First Annual Driftwood Dash 5K Run/Walk on April 17th, 2010!

ALL profits benefit Nepal Orphans Home (NOH), a not for profit organization committed to improving the lives of ex-kamlari (slave caste) girls and other orphaned children in Nepal.

I spent a month in Nepal last summer volunteering for NOH and came back determined to help this organization grow. The poverty in Nepal has a crippling effect on families and children and I saw first hand how the volunteers and employees of NOH change lives. Read my blog (below) to learn more about my trip to Nepal and Nepal Orphans Home.

I hope you'll be able to join us in April!

My Best,
Laura

THE DETAILS!

Date: Saturday, April 17, 2010

Time:
8:00 am: Late Registration & Packet Pick-Up
9:00 am: Kids Run
9:30 am: 5K Run/Walk
10:30 am: Raffle

Price:
Pre-Register by April 5, 2010: $25 (includes event t-shirt)
Late Registration after April 5, 2010: $20 (no event t-shirt)
Kids: Free!
Donations: Of Course! You don't have to run to make a contribution.

Where: Driftwood Point Park
Since the park has no official address (I know, really?) follow these directions or drop me an email and I baby step you there.

Take Sumner-Tapps Highway to Driftwood Drive, follow until you end at the park.

REGISTRATION FORMS
It never occurred to me that I wouldn't be able to attach/link a PDF to my blog, but apparently I can't (or just don't know how). So, if you want a registration form drop me an email and I'll shoot one over to you! LHandy17@gmail.com

Other Stuff:

• All entrants will receive a raffle ticket to win great prizes from our sponsors. Additional raffle tickets will be sold at the registration table for $1.00 or 7 tickets for $5.00. All proceeds from the raffle go directly to Nepal Orphans Home.

• Since this is my first year organizing this type of event, I didn't want to get in over my head. Therefore, this event will be UNOFFICIALLY TIMED. It's not the Boston Marathon so I didn't think anyone would be too upset. However, your unofficial times will be posted here after the race.

• Oh, yeah and the Driftwood Dash isn't exactly a 5K...but it's really close.

• MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO NEPAL ORPHANS HOME.

A huge THANK YOU to our SPONSORS!

• Mt. Tahoma Fitness -Lakeland, Auburn, WA
• Edge Hot Yoga Studio, Puyallup, WA
  
• Puyallup Playcare Center, Puyallup, WA
• Forest Canyon Coffee, Lake Tapps, WA
  
• Salon Bella Dea, Auburn, WA
• H & S Printworks, Puyallup, WA
  
• ExploreNewHomes.com, Pierce County, WA
• Driftwood Point Home Owners Association, Lake Tapps, WA
  

Come out and run (or walk) with us. It's a good time for a great cause!