Friday, October 28, 2011

Changes to British Monarchy...about time!

Sons and daughters of British monarchs will have an equal right to the throne under changes to the United Kingdom's succession laws agreed to on Friday.

Representatives of the Commonwealth of Nations approved the changes during a summit meeting; idividual governments of the 16 Commonwealth countries which have the Queen as head of state also must agree to the changes for them to take effect.

The changes would mean a first-born girl has precedence over a younger brother. They also mean that a future British monarch would be allowed to marry a Catholic.

The changes would apply to any future children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who married this year.

Good on ya, Brits!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Fundraising for Cancer Research - 12 marathons in 12 months in 2012

The two most important women in my life, the women who made the person I am today, were touched by cancer in significant ways. My mother, Nancy Sartain Robinson, lost her battle with breast, bone, and brain cancer at the early age of 48. My aunt, Dr. Peggy Sartain, who was like a second mother to me, successfully battled uterine cancer. More importantly, she served as Pediatric Oncologist at Children’s Medical Center, Dallas, Texas for 31 years, and touched the lives of thousands of children and their families who were affected by childhood cancer.

In memory of these remarkable women, I am running 12 marathons in 12 months in 2012. Basically, one marathon a month, starting with Marrakech in January, London in April, and 10 others sprinkled throughout the year.

I’ve set a massive fundraising goal for myself (£10,000) so please consider supporting my chosen charity, Cancer Research UK by donating through my JustGiving page. Donating this way is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to Cancer Research UK and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation (for UK taxpayers only).

http://www.justgiving.com/Holly-Young2012

Please join me on my marathon journey and help to find a cure for this dreaded disease. Your support would be greatly appreciated!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Georgia Festival Chorus at Oxford

I realize this group "came and went" much earlier this year, but the Budman and I had a great time catching up with Baylor friends AND seeing Oxford for the first time.

The Georgia Festival Chorus, founded in 1987 as the Cobb Festival Chorus by Frank Boggs, is a chorus of 100+ singers who have a far ranging repertoire of classics, anthems, hymns, spirituals, and folk songs. The choir routinely tours internationally as well as within the US and recently just completed a UK tour, which contained a performance at the Cathedral at Christ Church where we were honored to see and hear them perform.

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So...what is our connection to the Georgia Festival Chorus? Simply put, the Budman and I became acquainted with the Boggs family through our own collegiate choir experience...the Baylor Religious Hour (BRH) Choir. During our stint in the choir, we had the pleasure of knowing (and singing) with Catherine, Frank's daughter. So, not only did we get to catch up with lifelong Baylor friends, we reminisced about BU and BRH.

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It truly felt like "old home week", both seeing friends and catching up with their lives as well as listening to some very familiar choral pieces we have had the opportunity to sing ourselves. A truly lovely program including:

* Glorious is Thy Name, Mozart
* Create In Me, Oh God (Opus 29), Brahms
* Almighty God of Our Fathers, James
* Saul, Hovland
* Salvation Is Created, Tschesnokff
* The Majesty and Glory of Your Name, Fettke
* In This Very Room, Harris
* Redeemer of Israel, Lewis / Arr. Wilberg
* I Will Not Leave You Comfortless, Wm. Byrd
* Daniel in the Lion Den, Caldwell-Ivory
* His Voice as the Sound, Walker / Arr. Wilberg
* My Song in the Night, Arr. Wilberg
* My God, My Portion, & My Love, Lewis / Arr. Wilberg
* Amazing Grace, Newton / Arr. Wilberg
* Ev'rytime I Feel the Spirit, Arr. Dawson
* I Want Jesus To Walk With Me, Arr. Hogan
* Danny Boy / Londonerry Air, Arr. Flummerfelt
* Moses, Medema
* Total Praise, Smallwood / Arr. Williamson

Led by the capable director and singer, Frank Boggs, who we have known for over 30 years...

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...the atmosphere was perfect for a concert and for reflection.

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A special treat was to meet the youngest members of the Bogg clan.

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While the highpoint of the trip was seeing friends and attending the concert, Budman and I did enjoy a quick walk about Oxford. What a pretty day....enjoy the tour!

Ashmolean Library

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Bodlean

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Out and about in Oxford

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Sunday, October 09, 2011

I've gone over to the dark side

I have appropriately been accused of spelling my words with "Ss" and not "Zs"...guilty as charged.

Sad thing is, I don't even notice it anymore.

May Trip: Edinburgh and the marathon

Nice problem to have....so many trips and not enough time to post. However, a quick note re: Marathon #14, Edinburgh; not the time I had hoped but a good run considering wind speeds were 30-35 mph from mile 17 onwards.

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Hachie Gal will fight to run another day, however!

Being a fan of destination running, we took the opportunity to explore Edinburgh a bit prior to the race. First up, Edinburgh Castle....

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Views of the amazing Edinburgh skyline.

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The other exciting bit of the weekend involved that "pesky ash cloud" that raised its head again, delaying our departure out of Edinburgh by a day. No worries, as we checked into a lovely hotel called "The Witchery" that was FAB-U-LOUS! So, when can I make a return trip?

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