Tacos, Cucumbers, Vodka and Wine....

Well this week was very exciting! On Saturday, July 24, I had my second fundraiser event at Taco Cabana off 410 and Nacogdoches Rd. I had hoped for a big turn out because this location was more centrally located in San Antonio. Unfortunately, it didn't seem like that was going to happen.

The event was from 3-9pm and Taco Cabana was going to donate 10% to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I informed everyone that I invited that I would be there from 4-6 but that they would come any time. Well, it was ten minutes to 6pm and only my parents and two friends had come. I felt reminiscent of my preteen years when I was a social outcast and no one came to my parties, I almost wanted to cry - but I didn't. I said, "Well, I don't think anyone else is coming, we should just go." My dad replied, "No, you said you'd be here until 6pm. What is ten more minutes?" So I waited.

Well, within five minutes, nearly ten more people came. I actually ended up staying until 8pm as we were having so much fun! I went home where I changed quickly and then went out again to meet some colleagues at a local bar/lounge. We went to a place called The Green Lantern. it was a very nice and upscale lounge in the Stone Oak area. I asked for a unique drink and they served me my first cucumber martini. It really did taste like a cucumber! The vodka was obviously top shelf because it didn't burn at all; in fact, it was actually pretty refreshing!

Anyway, that is not why this week was great. Actually, my biggest accomplishment this week was that I finally booked the venue for my Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction on September 18, 2010. It is going to be a Wine Tasting at a local store Winery called WineStyles, which is off of La Cantera in the RIM. I will have finger foods, wine, a silent auction and guest speakers. I am very much looking forward to it as this will be my first ever large scale fundraising event!

I am very nervous because I need at least 50-60 people to come. I am actually incurring a cost for the wine, food and possible entertainment, so I need to recover my expenses as well as generate money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. So, I will probably be charging around $30 per ticket.

I can say one thing, this has certainly been an incredible experience. Raising money for a cause is a noble thing to do but it really is outside of my comfort zone. I am not used to asking people for money. In fact, I was reflecting on a time when I sold Mary Kay products. I did not do very well, mainly because I was so moved by people who liked the product but could not afford it, so I sold it to them at cost. Yeah, I really did not do well.

But then again, I didn't have an MBA back then. Perhaps an education in Business and Marketing has helped me in my fundraising initiatives. I suppose the real test will be the turn out I get at my Wine Tasting/Silent Auction in September!

If you are in San Antonio, I hope you will consider coming out. If not, please pray that things go well! I will keep you informed as I have more information.

Thanks for reading this and God Bless.

For a Cure,

Julia

Training Log for Week Seven:

• Mon, July 19: Ran 2.28 miles at the Phil Hardberger park in 38 minutes (16 min/mile)
• Tues, July 20: Ran 3.0 miles at the San Antonio Riverwalk in 44 minutes (14 min/mile)
• Thurs, July 22: Ran 2.39 miles at Eisenhower Park in 36 minutes (15 min/mile)
• Sat: July 24: Ran 6.0 miles at Rogers Ranch. Finished in 1 Hour and 35 minutes (15 min/mile).