Friday, June 26, 2015
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
2014 Almost Over, 2015 Almost here
Today 12/30/2014 is one of those days where I am so bless to be home even just for a day.
Our home is a place of solace, laughters, commotion, craziness, serenity, arguments, name it you will find it here yet LOVE abounds thus I always want to be home even if it means less rest for me.
It also gives me time to be on my PJ all day without worrying of being called to be at the airport anytime soon. Blessings on a day to day basis. The best is playing with Einstein and goofing with JD.
Yes I called times like this my "Stinking Day!"
With all of that it also gives me time to remind myself to think of others, to be in touch with friends and family, to catch up with communicating and remembering those in despair, in pain, in suffering. By doing so it also catches on knowing life is vulnerable and must not be taken for granted.
As what a friend said and this applies to what I believe, be thankful and grateful for every good memory, laughters and lessons 2014 taught me. I am very grateful to met new friends, established new relationships and make existing ones stronger, fortified those that are close to your heart and rekindle old ones. I travelled and lived in multiple countries and places growing up and my younger years but 2014 gave me another opportunity to experienced fabulous places around the world.
From a Flight Attendant to becoming an International Purser I inherited responsibilities that are challenging yet full of rewards. A career that developed my inherent people skills and love of human contacts, a career that gave me the opportunity to be involved in multiple charity works that are supported and generously provided by American Airlines.
My life changing experienced with UNICEF/AA Change for Good Program open my eyes to the meaning of little can be gigantic, small steps can bring a dying community back to life. My first assignment as an Airline Ambassador that I failed in so many reasons yet when it happened I met the one of the most loving girl who waited 16 years to get that medical treatment to live a normal life. The volunteering with Wings Foundation knowing it benefits my fellow Flight Attendants is another way of giving back a little.
There were millions of things happening in the world, in our country, in our community and even in our own household and at times difficult as it is to comprehend, it gives us reason to get involved and play a role that you are gifted with. Even just exercising your right to suffrage can change the world.
I am not as eloquent as many but by writing what's in my heart will probably compensate for that.
My wishes for all :
May the tears of 2014 pave the way to more laughters in 2015
For all the grieving and heartaches of 2014, may 2015 brings joy and complete healing
For those memories that you wanted to fade and never remember in 2014, allow 2015 bring memories that you can cherish for the rest of your life
Those days of miseries in 2014, may 2015 you see rainbows and brighter days
All the sufferings, relationships lost, material losses in 2014, may 2015 replaced it with abundance in blessings, relationships that is encouraging and defies
For every good things that 2014 gave you may 2015 be even better.
To my friends and families my very best wishes for 2015 to bring us all peace, joy, stronger belief in what is pure, human and right. May 2015 be the year of giving more kindness, more of thinking about yourself and your neighbors, more of being trustworthy and honest, more of many laughters and fun days, exploring, being healthy and most of all LOVE yourself and possess those qualities so you can share it with mankind.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Friday, October 24, 2014
OLGA LOPEZ
10/23/2014
I am home this day and like any going home day I love to catch up with girlfriends and do girly stuff. Gail Newman and I got a date for Mani/Pedi day and who knows what after that. Went to her house and Margit Schloesser was there too another great girlfriend. It was a beautiful day having coffee at Chateu Newman Garden. We were interrupted from when my phone rang. Olga was on the other line. It truly gave me goose bumped she sounded like a voice from graveyard. Is this a halloween joke? She wanted to see me and talke to me. I told her I am at the Newman's and Margit was there too if it is ok for her to come over or I will drive back home to see her. She said ok. It did not take long the door bell rang and came right in front of us a beautiful creature wearing a beautiful wig. The rest was history.
Olga is diagnosed with 4th stage cancer!!!! She said it is now in her liver and bones. She wanted to give up and tired and weak. Her 2 daughters requested her to continue and as a mother she dont want them to think she is giving up.
Olga been with me and JD and been a faithful, trustworthy, loving, caring househelper of ours since we moved to Atlanta. A lot of our friends complained on the quality of her services which is understandable and gave up on her and her sister in law Adriana. We did not for we saw in them thhe true meaning of loyalty. They are in many occassions proved to be dignified ladies. There being poor have never been a hindrance to be generous in giving whenever there were occassions for charity or someone in need. They contributed more than some of our neighbors that are rich and not short of money.
Olga and Adriana gave from the heart not wanting any recognition nor accolade. Truly they are not perfect but are we. They may not have anything materially but they are richer than anyone I know of.
Olga and Adriana's heart are both flowing with generosity even if it hurts their own pockets, even if it is a hand to moouth existence, they will part with it with no hesitation to extend help to someone.
I tried very hard for me not to be the focus of this difficult time, not to let anyone how broken hearted I am, not to let anyne knows the tears and emotion I am controlling. Not just the possibility of losing OLGA but the thought of losing Jeni and Elaine's mother that they so adored and depend on. A mother and a father to them, the only sole bread winner that wanted nothiing but to make them responsible Christian adult.
The past 2 days have been nothing but trying to organized and reached out to all friends to at least lay out her wishes and try to help them in the best way we can as her friend, extended family and moreover as our dearest OLGA .
OLGA trusted me with so much of her pain and joy, her struggles and triumph. She trusted me with her deepest feelings knowing I will keep it very close to my heart.
As days pass by I am lifting her to our Almighty God.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
UNICEF Field Visit to Colombia with American Airlines
From June 22 to 27 of 2014 a total of 7 American Airlines Flight Attendant travelled to Colombia. Four of us were chosen for this life changing event. I became a Champion for Children volunteer when I learned what they did to my motherland when it was hit by devastation during Super Typhoon HAIYAN where an entire community was wipe out and children left with nothing. It was a timely action to reached those kids.
REFLECTIONS on UNICEF Field Visit to Colombia with American Airlines
REFLECTIONS on UNICEF Field Visit to Colombia with American Airlines
June 22-27, 2014
By:
Carmi Daniels, AA Flight Attendant
As part of the American Airlines
Champions for Children volunteers we recently travelled to Colombia to visit
the UNICEF Country Program , American Airlines Supported Water and HIV/AIDS
projects. This post shares some
observations from the trip and general thoughts about the value of site visits .
The Project:
Environmental Protection School:
To recap, the project consists of 18 school campuses in
the rural zones of the municipalities of Santander de Quilichao and Buenos
Aires in the Department of Cauca where the overall objective is to generate
sustainability for healthy environments in the areas of water, sanitation and
environmental protection.
During the Field Visit we learned
the Department of Cauca has the second highest
poverty levels in Colombia, 5th place with the level of inequality. 43% of population are ethnic group
(indigenous or afro-descendants). Each
of the educational campuses there were no basic hygiene products like soap,
toilet paper , insufficient toilet bowlsTaps
and wash basins and even urinals are shared between boys and girls, There is no
adequate system for the disposal of solid waste nor an educational program to
educate and encourage the very simple practice of hand washing with soap and
water.
UNICEF collaboration with the
community, children, adolescents, parents, teachers, government and other local
institutions have improved environmental
and sanitation infrastructures, formulated
and implemented hand washing strategies and established integrated disaster risk management
plans.
Promotion of sexual and reproductive rights: prevention of pregnancy and HIV among
adolescents and young people:
The program aims to increase the
opportunities of Colombian children and adolescents especially the most disadvantaged and
vulnerable which includes the internally displaced population affected by
violence, those living in rural and poor areas and the indigenous and
afro-descendants communities.
Based on the information gathered, Santander de Quilichao with a population of
less than 100,000 residents faces the prevalence of infectocontagious
diseases. It was also identified as one
of the municipalities with the greatest risk of sexually transmitted infections
(STIs) due to sharing of syringes associated with drugs like heroin among young
population aged 10 and 25.
During our visit, we saw adolescents and young people from Santader
de Quilichao increase their capacity for genuine participation in initiatives
that are designed to prevent early pregnancies, transmission of HIV and
consumption of psychoactive substances.
General Thoughts on the Value of our Field Visits
As a Champion for Children
volunteer with American Airlines, the Field Visit impacted me in so many ways:
- It helped me develop a fuller picture of the context of
why we are collecting donations.
- It gave me a deeper appreciation
of the tremendous work UNICEF does in research, collaborations and implementation
that I did not understand from afar.
- The amount of time we spent
with the UNICEF staff, local
authorities, other donors as well as all the unstructured times on the site,
the long road trips, eating meals together built camaraderie, trust and
strengthened our mission. We asked
questions on a personal level that we cannot do over the phone or by email. Those times build relationships that will in
the end solidify our common goal.
- The Field Visits is a reality
check, extremely eye- opening and replaced my previous assumptions.
- Lastly, the emotional connection from being among those children is a testimony to
the work we all do and means we cannot
GIVE UP! They showed us despite their conditions and no
reason to go on they do anyway. They do not feel they belong and have been
discriminated against and carried the
stigma even in their adolescent lives. They choose to go on anyway. Their families and neighbors die and they live a life of poverty and struggle every day
of their life, but they rise up anyway.
Despite those conditions they sincerely showed us their appreciation,
they shared to us their meals, they showcased their artistic side, their innovations,
their talents and skills and gave their
all to us. We parted taking with us
their dreams of a better tomorrow.
Been three days and I am back to my normal routine but the faces of those children remain in my vision. The poverty and way of life is beyond my comprehension. I heard from one UNICEF staff what they have is luxury compared to Africa or other countries. I came from the Philippines and I thought the poorest of the poor in my country was the worse. Heart breaking as it is , I only hope that those in a position to give even a little of what they have will at least alleviate if not totally improve the life of these children. I am proud of my own family that followed our legacy of GIVING even when it hurts our own pocket. For that I am grateful and will never wish for a better family.
To JD, JR, Vlad, Vic, Mark, Beejay, Calie, Matet, Butch .... continue to share your blessings to those that are less fortunate than us. Find in your heart to always be a cheerful giver. Giving does not always constitute material things. I learned on this trip how the community come together, how parents binded and how those small kids contributed to better their lives and those of their neighbors and community at large by simply giving their time, talent, skills and loving LIFE and being thankful what little is given to them.
UNICEF Field Visit to Colombia with American Airlines
I became a Champion for Children Volunteer when my company American Airlines through UNICEF donated all our November/December collections to my motherland the Philippines due to the devastating effect of Super Typhoon HAIYAN. I felt the need to pay forward but moreover remember my Mom's legacy - "None of us own anything in this world, those that are given much, must share more and those that are given less still must share what was given. Everything can be taken away in blink of an eye" and she continues , "be always a cheerful giver either your wealth, your time, your talent and skills, for it is only then you will know your true value!" Mdm. Bienvinida Arcilla.
REFLECTIONS on UNICEF Field Visit to Colombia with
American Airlines
June 22-27, 2014
By:
Carmi Daniels, AA Flight Attendant
As part of the American Airlines
Champions for Children volunteers we recently travelled to Colombia to visit
the UNICEF Country Program , American Airlines Supported Water and HIV/AIDS
projects. This post shares some
observations from the trip and general thoughts about the value of site visits .
The Project:
Environmental Protection School:
To recap, the project consists of 18 school campuses in
the rural zones of the municipalities of Santander de Quilichao and Buenos
Aires in the Department of Cauca where the overall objective is to generate
sustainability for healthy environments in the areas of water, sanitation and
environmental protection.
During the Field Visit we learned
the Department of Cauca has the second highest
poverty levels in Colombia, 5th place with the level of inequality. 43% of population are ethnic group
(indigenous or afro-descendants). Each
of the educational campuses there were no basic hygiene products like soap,
toilet paper , insufficient toilet bowlsTaps
and wash basins and even urinals are shared between boys and girls, There is no
adequate system for the disposal of solid waste nor an educational program to
educate and encourage the very simple practice of hand washing with soap and
water.
UNICEF collaboration with the
community, children, adolescents, parents, teachers, government and other local
institutions have improved environmental
and sanitation infrastructures, formulated
and implemented hand washing strategies and established integrated disaster risk management
plans.
Promotion of sexual and reproductive rights: prevention of pregnancy and HIV among
adolescents and young people:
he program aims to increase the
opportunities of Colombian children and adolescents especially the most disadvantaged and
vulnerable which includes the internally displaced population affected by
violence, those living in rural and poor areas and the indigenous and
afro-descendants communities.
Based on the information gathered, Santander de Quilichao with a population of
less than 100,000 residents faces the prevalence of infectocontagious
diseases. It was also identified as one
of the municipalities with the greatest risk of sexually transmitted infections
(STIs) due to sharing of syringes associated with drugs like heroin among young
population aged 10 and 25.
During our visit, we saw adolescents and young people from Santader
de Quilichao increase their capacity for genuine participation in initiatives
that are designed to prevent early pregnancies, transmission of HIV and
consumption of psychoactive substances.
As a Champion for Children
volunteer with American Airlines, the Field Visit impacted me in so many ways:
- It helped me develop a fuller picture of the context of
why we are collecting donations.
- It gave me a deeper appreciation
of the tremendous work UNICEF does in research, collaborations and implementation
that I did not understand from afar.
- The amount of time we spent
with the UNICEF staff, local
authorities, other donors as well as all the unstructured times on the site,
the long road trips, eating meals together built camaraderie, trust and
strengthened our mission. We asked
questions on a personal level that we cannot do over the phone or by email. Those times build relationships that will in
the end solidify our common goal.
- The Field Visits is a reality
check, extremely eye- opening and replaced my previous assumptions.
- Lastly, the emotional connection from being among those children is a testimony to
the work we all do and means we cannot
GIVE UP! They showed us despite their conditions and no
reason to go on they do anyway. They do not feel they belong and have been
discriminated against and carried the
stigma even in their adolescent lives. They choose to go on anyway. Their families and neighbors die and they live a life of poverty and struggle every day
of their life, but they rise up anyway.
Despite those conditions they sincerely showed us their appreciation,
they shared to us their meals, they showcased their artistic side, their innovations,
their talents and skills and gave their
all to us. We parted taking with us
their dreams of a better tomorrow.
I thought growing up the Philippines is a very poor country but all is relative. To my family JD, JR, Vlad, Vic, Mark, Beejay, Matet, Butch, Calie ---- continue our family legacy of being a CHEERFUL GIVER even if it hurts our own resources either in kind, in time, in your talents and skills and pass it own to your family. One day you will be delighted when we all achieved a goal of no child should be denied of a decent living let alone of the basic necessities to survive.
 |
Sunday, September 2, 2012
SUMMER 2012
There were the heat wave, the 3digits temperature, the sun, the surf, the blooms of summer , the yard picnics, political campaigns, new beginnings, recreation, milestones, families. friends, travels and nostalgia that brought a life of heated wonderful summer blues.
JD and Einstein started their annual road trip to upstate New York while I finished my work to also
head to the Far East. Before my big trip I set aside to be sure I will be present in celebrating my
great friend Stephanie Watson's birthday at Eleanor's. I was able to manipulate my schedule in a way that I can be free that night. Once again the phrase if there is a will, there is a way worked!
What a great celebration and my favorite was her singing balloon which is really annoying! (I gave that to her.) Following day was another milestone to our great neighbor and family friend Herbert & Margit Schloesser in celebrating their citizenship. They are now an official USA citizen! Hurray!!!!
A flight distance of approximately 9, 600 miles travelled by car, plane, train and foot. Left USA on 14th of August and arrived Singapore on the 17th of August. It took me 3 days to reach the Far East, Japan and Singapore. It was planned way ahead for our group of special friends to get together and celebrate Ian's life . It was also a birthday month for Cris that played an important role in her life.
Unexpected turmoil happen in the Philippines where many parts of the country were affected by the storm and flooded. My family were not exempted but unhurt. For that we are very grateful. Unfortunately our friend Vicky and her family not only got flooded but also lost her Dad. Other's personal life took a toll on them. "When one or two are gathered in my name!".... I lifted this trip to HIM knowing that Em have made arrangements for our arrival despite the fact she herself been inundated with family gatherings and other social and family obligations. Moreover, I so wanting to spend time with Cris and celebrate her birthday too.
Another great memories been created. It was a blast! Thank you to Bill Butler for the nice room at the Grand Hyatt Hotel and a very impressive impeccable customer service. How can you not smile remembering those moments, how can you not shed tears of the past, how can you not rejoice sharing our tribulations and struggles, how can you not relax when you can open your heart and bear your soul to your true friends without worries. Then the reality strikes, time to say goodbyes.... although there was sadness, there is also that connection that whatever the future brings there will be a permanent place of each other in our heart.
It was another long journey to be reunited with JD, Einstein and our NY family and friends. I survived and joined the gang in NY. Family reunions, friends reunions, catching up and picked up where we left behind. The best part I get to spent time with Cindy Near, my first best friend in NY.
I love her to the point that it bothers me when I see her sad looks and make me sad too! I believe in her and she will just be fine. There is no greater joy than joy itself when you spent time with all those that means a lot to you... my sister Donna and her family and Cole..... our baby! Aunt Flav and her family, our darling friends John & Missy, Sue & Dave, Joe & Kathy, Andy & Toffie (North Carolina)...... and saying goodbye never get easy, ugh!
There is no place like home!!!! and sumer ends. We now welcome the BER months!
My first stop to the Far East Tokyo, Japan
Singapore watch out to these Exotic beauties!
SINGAPORE SKYLINE
Wining & Dining to celebrate Cris Birthday at Ku De Ta, Singapore
This is the boy that stole everybody's heart..... COLE !
Our family in New York
Einstein buddies in NY ..... ANGEL & MORGAN
OUR AUNT FLAV AND HER FAMILY
FRIENDS REUNION IN SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE, SYRACUSE
BFF CINDY NEAR
ANDY AND TOFFIE'S LAKEHOUSE IN LAKE NORMAN, NC
JD and Einstein started their annual road trip to upstate New York while I finished my work to also
head to the Far East. Before my big trip I set aside to be sure I will be present in celebrating my
great friend Stephanie Watson's birthday at Eleanor's. I was able to manipulate my schedule in a way that I can be free that night. Once again the phrase if there is a will, there is a way worked!
What a great celebration and my favorite was her singing balloon which is really annoying! (I gave that to her.) Following day was another milestone to our great neighbor and family friend Herbert & Margit Schloesser in celebrating their citizenship. They are now an official USA citizen! Hurray!!!!
A flight distance of approximately 9, 600 miles travelled by car, plane, train and foot. Left USA on 14th of August and arrived Singapore on the 17th of August. It took me 3 days to reach the Far East, Japan and Singapore. It was planned way ahead for our group of special friends to get together and celebrate Ian's life . It was also a birthday month for Cris that played an important role in her life.
Unexpected turmoil happen in the Philippines where many parts of the country were affected by the storm and flooded. My family were not exempted but unhurt. For that we are very grateful. Unfortunately our friend Vicky and her family not only got flooded but also lost her Dad. Other's personal life took a toll on them. "When one or two are gathered in my name!".... I lifted this trip to HIM knowing that Em have made arrangements for our arrival despite the fact she herself been inundated with family gatherings and other social and family obligations. Moreover, I so wanting to spend time with Cris and celebrate her birthday too.
Another great memories been created. It was a blast! Thank you to Bill Butler for the nice room at the Grand Hyatt Hotel and a very impressive impeccable customer service. How can you not smile remembering those moments, how can you not shed tears of the past, how can you not rejoice sharing our tribulations and struggles, how can you not relax when you can open your heart and bear your soul to your true friends without worries. Then the reality strikes, time to say goodbyes.... although there was sadness, there is also that connection that whatever the future brings there will be a permanent place of each other in our heart.
It was another long journey to be reunited with JD, Einstein and our NY family and friends. I survived and joined the gang in NY. Family reunions, friends reunions, catching up and picked up where we left behind. The best part I get to spent time with Cindy Near, my first best friend in NY.
I love her to the point that it bothers me when I see her sad looks and make me sad too! I believe in her and she will just be fine. There is no greater joy than joy itself when you spent time with all those that means a lot to you... my sister Donna and her family and Cole..... our baby! Aunt Flav and her family, our darling friends John & Missy, Sue & Dave, Joe & Kathy, Andy & Toffie (North Carolina)...... and saying goodbye never get easy, ugh!
There is no place like home!!!! and sumer ends. We now welcome the BER months!
My first stop to the Far East Tokyo, Japan
Singapore watch out to these Exotic beauties!
SINGAPORE SKYLINE
Wining & Dining to celebrate Cris Birthday at Ku De Ta, Singapore
This is the boy that stole everybody's heart..... COLE !
Our family in New York
Einstein buddies in NY ..... ANGEL & MORGAN
OUR AUNT FLAV AND HER FAMILY
FRIENDS REUNION IN SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE, SYRACUSE
BFF CINDY NEAR
ANDY AND TOFFIE'S LAKEHOUSE IN LAKE NORMAN, NC
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Santa Monica Beach, CA
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