THANK YOU TO MY KELLER WILLIAMS FAMILY

On Tuesday January 24th, Keller Williams VIP Realty held their annual "kick-off" event to help KICK START a successful year for their agents and employees.  I always look forward to attending this event as our brokerage invites a special guest speaker whom is always inspiring and motivating. I gets me rev-ed up and ready for the great opportunities that await me in the new year! 
This year, to my surprise, my Team Leader, MIETTE DRIVER invited me to come up on stage (no, I wasn't the special guest speaker...lol) to speak about my my goal to make a big difference in my life, and in the fight against Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes by having the honour of representing my Country while completing a half-marathon in Iceland.
I was caught by total surprise, but I was so happy and honored to have the opportunity to share this exciting story with over 100 people.
After I finished speaking, Miette encouraged everyone to support my cause to help me reach my $6,100 fundraising goal.  I was so touched that Miette thought of me and that she was so incredibly supportive...although not surprised by her action as it is the Keller Williams Way!  Keller Williams agents are different than most...we pride ourselves on helping others and giving back...and ONCE AGAIN....MY KW FAMILY has demonstrated this.
Pledges and support have come pouring in from agents in the office.  Right after the event, I had people come up to me and tell me that they would be happy to run with me, that they had contacts for me to connect with, and just some amazing support!  My team leader was contacted by many agents in the office asking if they could have an automatic deduction from their commission cheque go towards my fundraising and my wonderful Broker WENDY BELL has committed to give $25 per cheque for my run.  Keller Williams is truly blessed to have such kind hearted and generous agents.....I am truly blessed to have them in my life.
Thank you Keller Williams Family for your tremendous support!
FUNDS RAISED TO DATE: $1000.00

MY THEME SONG

Spent a fun evening brainstorming fundraising ideas with friends and came up with my theme song.  I wanted this song to be fun, inspirational and representative of my life now.  Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_hL7tI7o1Y&list=PL44E7B5C36490CEF5&index=13&feature=plpp_video

Whenever you hear the word "Africa" replace it with "Iceland" :o)
Thanks April and Cody...luv ya.

Saturday the 14th-The morning after

OMG.....what have I signed up for? 
Reality kicks in....doh!

Julie's past running experience:  10KM run - 13yrs ago :o(

Current Physical activity level- Started walking/running on treadmill daily after Christmas

Endurance level: I can pull my 7yr old daughter on her GT almost up to the end of my street....struggling getting back.

Top amount of money ever fundraised: no more than $1000.00
Feelings: Excitement, fear, worry, motivated, anxiety, excitement

Friday the 13th, 2012-Sign up day

So excited to hear on HOT 89.9 that the Canadian Diabetes  association was holding a walk/run event in Iceland with return airfare and room accommodations paid to raise funds for Diabetes.  I had a goal on my vision board to complete a half-marathon before 2013.  What a great opportunity this would be!  AND coincidentally, the day before, I had met with a new client that told me she had been to Iceland and wanted to travel back as she had really enjoyed the experience.  I run down to my computer and look up details....UNBELIEVABLE!!!!  Don't I find out that the half-marathon date is scheduled on the exact day of my 40th birthday!  This is too uncanny!  Almost like it was meant to be.  I thought, what a great cause to support...my grandpa has lived with Diabetes and I remember a boy in my grade school class having a seizure in the middle of the class.  It was so scary to witness at that young age...I didn't know what was happening and had never seen this happen before....it turned out his sugar levels were too low.  He had diabetes!
So I do a bit more research to find out commitments and turns out I have to raise a minimum of $6,100 by July 6th.  Well, this changed my excitement to fear and worry!  How would I ever raise that kind of money?  But I was sooooooo excited and I felt like this was meant to be as there were to many coincidences with my life!  After some "himming and hawing", I remembered my New Years Resolution: "Just Do It".  So I thought...what the heck...I'm going to register.  I'll just do it! And I did.