Put your $$$ €€€ £££ ¥¥¥ where your mouth is!

Aloha everyone,

For those of you that have known me for a long time, there are many things I am passionate about (currently my afternoon siesta - but I digress)... one of those things is non-profit organizations.

Most people say, yes - I want to help, yes I want to help... but it stops at that.

So... Put your $$$ €€€ £££ ¥¥¥ where your mouth is

and make a difference in someone's life...

One of my favorite non-profit organizations is Kiva - a microlending site... 

(you lend people $$$, and they pay you back!!)

CLICK HERE to learn more about Kiva!

I've made over 500 loans since 2007 to many countries all around the world.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SpainTalk - ESLTalk - NA2 - WEEK9 - Poverty

With the holiday looming around the corner, this is a perfect opportunity to appreciate the things we have and to even help those that are less fortunate.

The lesson for this week is poverty.

There are many ways to support individuals and marginalized groups in poverty-stricken countries, but I have found that Kiva, a non-profit organization has created a system of helping those in need help themselves.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Kiva.

CLICK HERE for this week's lesson.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

LifeTalk - Making a difference

This year it really bothers me that I don't have a major fundraiser for a non profit organization. Many of you have supported me in my endeavors for numerous organizations; such as, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Life Foundation, the MS Society and many more. Together, we have raised over $40,000 for people who are in need. 

 I want to raise awareness for a non-profit organization which I have been supporting for 5 years - Kiva.

One of the reasons I love Kiva is the fact that you can support people - and it is not a donation.  In fact, it is a loan, since banks do not make any money on small loans (microlending), they have to charge really high interest rates to make $$.  This is where Kiva comes in.  For as little as $25, you can support an individual or a group, with their small business - you decide.  There are many small businesses around the world eager to change their fortunes.  

To learn more about Kiva, CLICK HERE.

I have supported over 450 individuals to change their lives and I am sure you have the capacity to do the same.  The great part is, once they pay back the loan - you can deposit the funds back into your account or help someone else in need.

What are you waiting for?  You're not earning interest in your bank account - so why not help someone?

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Microlending - Make a Difference...

Microlending...

What is it?!  Microlending is a way for individuals in developing countries to borrow money for their business.  Most banks will not lend to individuals because they do not make money.  For as little as $25, you can lend your money to someone who can use it towards their business so they can sustain themselves and make a living.

Then, they pay you back in small increments.  Then when you get your $$ back you can re-lend it again.  I've been fortunate enough to a part of Kiva (My Kiva profile here!) for over 4 years and I've lent over $10,000 to individuals all over the world.  

What %% are you earning on your checking account?! Close to ZERO, I bet - so why not lend and make a difference.

Wanna know more about Kiva? Shoot me an email or post a comment!?

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Health - What does it mean to me? A Photo-Montage

Health is a lifestyle, it truly is.  

Health is a compromise and the act of integrating healthier options into one's life.  

Most of you know that I am very regimented person.  Wake up at 0600 and 9 times out of 10, I'll wake up before my alarm clock.

After a pit stop at the loo, next stop time for a run.

I normally run 3-5 miles, at least 5 times a week, with my longer runs on Saturday morning with Team in Training.

Sorry for the bad photo... My roommate isn't awake yet, well most people aren't...

I'm weird, I know...

Whatever you choose to do, get out there and BE ACTIVE...

After a quick run... breakfast time!

Breakfast seriously is the most important meal of the day.

I did mention, I am a regimented, right?  Every day, I will have oatmeal (not from a box...) with organic white honey, a banana and a glass of soy milk.

This takes less then 6 minutes to make!

10am, everyday, it's snack time.

I normally have a yogurt when I am at work (we have a fridge!), or while I am in school, I will have another banana or a granola bar.

I eat lunch everyday around noon.  Today I ate a sandwich and I was so hungry, I forgot to take a picture of it... o_O.

I have dinner everyday at 1900, like clockwork, I start cooking at 1830 for something yummy.

Today, I was running late and decided to order some take out from Buca di Beppo... This picture was taken later after I ate, went to class, got home to re-plate this and take a picture.

Note:  If you eat pasta - stick to any red sauce.  Way better for you than ANY white sauce made of cream!

I love SWEETS! Ice cream, chocolate, ice cream and chocolate, waffles, waffles + ice cream + chocolate.

One thing I've learn is never deny yourself.  Once you start denying yourself the stuff it craves, you'll binge...

Just eat in moderation...  I eat 2 Ghirardelli every night around 8PM.  Kills the sweet tooth...

I think the most important thing is regulated sleep.  I sleep every night around 2200-2230 and wake up at 0600.  Sleep is VITAL to functioning.

Alright, that's a quick insight to my daily routine.

But before I go, I want to talk about another piece of the health puzzle that I believe in.

Helping others...

I participate, volunteer and fundraise for non profit organizations which are essential to our community.  We are truly blessed to have our "health".

The first non-profit organization is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  This year I will be running the Alaska Marathon to raise funds with those afflicted with Leukemia and Lymphoma.  This is a non-profit near and dear to my heart, as I have lost friends with this disease.

http://thepowerofadollar.info

The other non-profit organization I am active with is called Kiva.  Kiva assist members in third world countries with "micro-lending" so they can run their own business and help themselves.


I decided 2 years ago when interest rates on savings account started to hover around 0.000%.  Instead of the banks having my funds, I can lend monies to businesses and I know that I am helping others help themselves through kiva.

Kiva.org for more information.


Well, its almost 2100, so its decompression time, so I can do it again tomorrow.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Make a Difference.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE
I have been a long time advocate of Kiva organization and for good reason. Instead of grants and such, Kiva is basically microlending. Kiva allows for people to help themselves. Today, I have lend to my 100th business via Kiva.org.




Make a difference.

My Lender page.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

Kiva

KIVA
"Be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi. This is one of the most inspirational quotes I have ever read. I have now been with Kiva for 1 year. Today, I lent $50 to 2 individuals trying to make change their world for the better.

"Be the change you want to see in the world."



A link to my personal lending site.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.