Wednesday, April 16, 2008

X deals for a good deed

Last February, I received word that my post graduate thesis (actually referred to as Special Problem at UP) was accepted for presentation at the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium this event will be for July 2008. This event takes place every 4 years where marine conservationist, researchers, students and practitioners gather together to share and learn the developments in coral reef conservation. Four years ago it was held at Okinawa, Japan. I've been so blessed that I was able to receive a grant from Packard in 2004 and was able to actively participate. The host this year will be Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. But this time I am unable to secure a grant from ISRS Intl Society of Reef Studies.

I am now actively searching for possible sponsors. I reached out to several organizations for support and still awaiting for their reply. But I am happy to share that as of today I am able to raise approximately 20% of my travel cost with a couple of confirmed pledges from sponsors! God bless you! You know who you are!

Learning from Aloy, Ala and others who creatively raised funds, I am now kindly asking for your help. I am open for X-deals for donations to support my travel in exchange for a good deed. It can be a research project that you may need help, a slide presentation for a wedding of a friend, deliver flowers to a loved one, something that can be done in a week or two, let me know what you need help on. Just as long as it is legal and is fair to all concerned :)

Lastly, if you know of any organization that provides travel grants and support specially for women of the 3rd world please let me know email me at day_flores@yahoo.com.

Abundance

"For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him"--Matthew 13:12

Today, I think now I finally realized the essence of this verse. For the longest time in the back of my mind I was wondering "how can that be?" answer came to me today after a discourse of knowing oneself.

I've been immersing myself in the concept of abundance and I realized this has brought me to this moment. A great aha moment came this afternoon that recognizing abundance can only come from within and not without. I am also reminded that abundance is all around us. And again reminded to be grateful of many things in my life. Abundance is everywhere, the sun, the wind, the dog full of play around the corner while we are walking, the presence of my daughter, the space to create, and the list just goes on and on. Amazing. I am prompted to continue my gratitude journal. Actually this blog started with that idea. Most of the things and events that I write here brings me joy and inspires me. I rarely put anything that gives me anxiety. I realize it is my way of making it a gratitude journal without calling it one.

Now going back to the verse, it is clear to me now that it is only when we recognize the abundance in our lives that we are continually blessed of even more abundance. Thus, to those who have abundance will be given more. All this come from within. Acknowledging that you are already blessed, truly blessed that allows more abundance to flow into your life.

It has been weeks since I shared anything in this blog. But it doesn't mean that nothing eventful has happened. Many things to be thankful for has come to be. I want to share some highlights.

1) Baby and I together with Tatay was able to visit a friend Ria and her baby Maksil who is in Manila just before they went back to Kyoto. We spent an afternoon with friends. We swam in the small pool and baby Isay was able to play with Baby Maksil. It was the first time we met Baby Kylie of Mhel and Paul who just passed the bar.

2) There was one day when we went to a playground and for the first time Tatay and Nanay together with baby Isay played in a see-saw! Amazing! The last time I did this was when I was 8 years old in a playground in Laguna. We had a great time walking, spending the afternoon sliding down in the outdoor playground

3) Last Sunday, Isay for the first time played and run with her 2 cousins Jake and Kaila. Baby Isay doesn't mind that she is always the "taya". It was good to spend time with the family of Tatay A since we haven't seen them for a few months now.

4) Jollibee party of Baby Timothy that Baby Isay enjoyed together with cousins Jane and Julius. It was the first time she took on a huge slide on her own at the party place. I was so amazed that she was so brave to take on the challenge of the many older kids around her. I am one proud Nanay!!!