Well it's 2007 now and, as always, life has been ever-changing.For New Years, Salma and I went to visit our friends family in Ogaki - near Gifu City. It was a wonderful time and everytime we go on trips like this, our Japanese doubles. I hope to vastly improve my speaking ability before we leave for Africa.
I am happy to report I have achieved another one of my goals. December 30th, 2006 I obtained my
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt. I feel very proud.
Another update regarding our plans for going to Uganda is after contacting Kids of Africa - a village for orphans, they requested we stay, not for 2 months, but for 4! I'm going to Uganda for 4 months!!! Now Salma and I are in the process of preparing for a sabbatical from the "rat race".
Also, from my list of goals. I have completed and am awaiting the results of my exam for the ISSA's Personal Trainer Certification Course.
This means from my list of goals:
- Complete the Invisible Children DVD
- Obtain my BJJ Blue Belt
- Goto Uganda for 2 months
- Obtain my ISSA Personal Fitness Trainer Certification
- Increase savings by 20%
- Enroll in a Project Management Professionals course or workshop
The beginning two are fully complete, I AM going to Uganda, for MORE then 2 months this May! Plus I am currently awaiting news of my ISSA Exam score. Now I'm preparing to achieve the final two:
7seas is a small consulting firm which I have been fortunate enough to gain employment with as a freelance consultant. This job will also enable me to increase my earnings so I will be able to increase my savings as planned. Not to mention the training this company provides might also be an adequate suppliment for the Project Management Professionals course, a warm up for it, or perhaps even help me pay for the cost of the course!
Keeping my head up and making the best of everything. Year after year my life is getting better and better!
The world of success has always belonged to the optimist
- J Harold Wilkins
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Monday, December 11, 2006
There Is No Energy Crisis, There is a Crisis of Ignorance
| A sustainable global energy strategy, first proposed by Buckminster Fuller in 1969, to interconnect the abundant renewable energy resources between nations around the world. Benefits include: Reducing pollution and climate change, reducing poverty and hunger, and increasing trade, cooperation and peace. | |
Friday, December 08, 2006
New Beginnings
Ahh... Nothing like a couple weeks of rest and relaxation. November 16th, Salma and I went back to Canada for two weeks as part of a surprise visit. My family has a yearly xmas party and this year my cousin, who was hosting the party, helped me to plan this surprise for my parents. It went off without a hitch.
Being back home was a breath of fresh air.
Now we are back in Tokyo, back into the swing of things, and beginning our Tokyo hustle all over again. Except one small difference. We have regained our perspective. I think after working 6 days a week, chasing endless savings goals and being fully submerged in the Rat Race does more to drain your mentally, physically and spiritually then to serve any real purpose.
Now at least as I run in my wheel, I remember what I'm running for.
Freedom.
So I may spend time with my family. So I may play a bigger role in my children's lives. I may travel to the places and do the things I want to do.
My goals again:
Click here
I will have my blue belt before the years end. I am going to pass the fitness trainer exam. I am going to Uganda next year, and we have a professionally finished DVD at hand. The dominos are set.
Now it's a matter of TIME.
Being back home was a breath of fresh air.
Now we are back in Tokyo, back into the swing of things, and beginning our Tokyo hustle all over again. Except one small difference. We have regained our perspective. I think after working 6 days a week, chasing endless savings goals and being fully submerged in the Rat Race does more to drain your mentally, physically and spiritually then to serve any real purpose.
Now at least as I run in my wheel, I remember what I'm running for.
Freedom.
So I may spend time with my family. So I may play a bigger role in my children's lives. I may travel to the places and do the things I want to do.
My goals again:
Click here
I will have my blue belt before the years end. I am going to pass the fitness trainer exam. I am going to Uganda next year, and we have a professionally finished DVD at hand. The dominos are set.
Now it's a matter of TIME.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
The Paradox of Our Age
We have bigger houses but smaller families;
More conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense;
More knowledge, but less judgement;
More experts, but more problems;
More medicines, but less healthiness;
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour;
We built more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication;
We have become long on quantity, but short on quality.
These are times of fast foods but slow digestion;
Tall man but short character;
Steep profits but shallow relationships.
It's a time when there is much in the window, but nothing in the room.
- Dalai Lama
More conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense;
More knowledge, but less judgement;
More experts, but more problems;
More medicines, but less healthiness;
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour;
We built more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication;
We have become long on quantity, but short on quality.
These are times of fast foods but slow digestion;
Tall man but short character;
Steep profits but shallow relationships.
It's a time when there is much in the window, but nothing in the room.
- Dalai Lama
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Coming together...One day at a time
Well, here we are a little further down the road and I am proud to say things are coming together. I have completed a partner information kit for companies and individuals who want to know more about the Invisible Children Japan Initiative and possibly contribute to our cause. I also feel myself improving and getting closer to that elusive blue belt, not to mention I am so in love with my girlfriend. Yes things are coming together nicely. Of course, with every gain there is a loss. After putting in so much work with Invisible Children, I now have to work just as hard with my paying jobs to make sure I keep my earnings and expenses balanced. Always pushing forward - like a seed who's destiny is to spend every day reaching for the sky - so too, I must keep reaching, one day at a time.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
The Beginning of Great Things!
Well this is the first of many posts. Actually this is also my FIRST blog, so bear with me.
At this point in my life I am living in Tokyo, Japan and working on establishing an office for the Non-Profit Organization:
Invisible Children Inc.
Our biggest project thus far was to translate and add Japanese subtitles to the film. Now this past Friday the 13th I went down to Kwansei Gakuin University
Kwansei Gakuin University to speak with the audience after they watched our version of the film. UNHCR's representative, Kirill Konin, organized a 3 day film festival focused on Refugees. Friday was the last day of this event and it was an honor to be involved. I expect great things to come in the near future. I expect together, UNHCR, Invisible Children and I will help a lot of people. Here's to changing the world for the better!!!
" You must BE the change you wish to see in the world."
- Gandhi
.......................
Being the first blog I should outline my goals for the near future, so I can guage how things work out.
Within the next 6 months I....
I think this is more for myself, an online diary of sorts, but thank you, whoever you are for your support and for caring enough to read this. May good fortune always smile upon you.
Until next time, take care and Keep Smiling!!!
Well this is the first of many posts. Actually this is also my FIRST blog, so bear with me.
At this point in my life I am living in Tokyo, Japan and working on establishing an office for the Non-Profit Organization:
Invisible Children Inc.
Our biggest project thus far was to translate and add Japanese subtitles to the film. Now this past Friday the 13th I went down to Kwansei Gakuin University
Kwansei Gakuin University to speak with the audience after they watched our version of the film. UNHCR's representative, Kirill Konin, organized a 3 day film festival focused on Refugees. Friday was the last day of this event and it was an honor to be involved. I expect great things to come in the near future. I expect together, UNHCR, Invisible Children and I will help a lot of people. Here's to changing the world for the better!!!
" You must BE the change you wish to see in the world."
- Gandhi
.......................
Being the first blog I should outline my goals for the near future, so I can guage how things work out.
Within the next 6 months I....
- Will completely finish the Invisible Children Japan DVD and be ready for production
- Depending on our sponsors - pending - If all goes well I will be working full time on this project, have an established volunteer base, predictable funding, infrastructure among volunteers, partners within the industry, projects to fundraise for and a solid feeling of personal achievement for building this all from scratch by myself.
- Will have attained my Blue Belt for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Will be in Uganda, for a minimum of 2 months
- Will have increased my savings by 20%
- Will have passed my Personal Fitness Trainer Certification Course
- Will be enrolling in a Project Management Professional Training Course or 3 day workshop
I think this is more for myself, an online diary of sorts, but thank you, whoever you are for your support and for caring enough to read this. May good fortune always smile upon you.
Until next time, take care and Keep Smiling!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)