Iniciativa notável na Luta contra o CANCRO da MAMA

Querido(a) amigo(a),

A meados do próximo mês de Outubro, eu e uma amiga minha iremos participar num evento muito especial chamado Susan G Komen 3-Day. Nós iremos caminhar 60 milhas (>95 km) durante 3 dias com milhares de homens e mulheres para sensibilizar e angariar fundos para a investigação do cancro da mama e programas de tratamento para vítimas.

A cada 74 segundo uma mulher morre de cancro da mama. É por isto mesmo que estou a participar neste evento. Estas mulheres precisam da nossa ajuda mais do que nunca! Não existe outra organização que fornece apoio e cuidados a vítimas do cancro da mama para além de Susan G Komen.  Cada avanço significativo na luta contra o Cancro da Mama tem tido o patrocínio dos fundos Komen, e milhões de mulheres diariamente dependem desta Fundação.

Eu prometi angariar pelo menos $2,300 em doacoes e só assim poderei participar.  Ja consegui!!!! 

Link para a minha página - Irina’s Fundraising page

Muito obrigada a todos pelo inestimável apoio. Cada tostão é um passo largo para o alcance da CURA do Cancro da Mama.

*** Irina ***

9/11 Pentagon Memorial

"The Pentagon Memorial is a place of solace and healing and a reminder to future generations to renew their faith and commitment to the values that citizens of a free world share."

No dia 11 de Setembro de 2001, terroristas desviaram um avião na direcção do Pentágono destruindo o lado Oeste do edifício. Apesar das teorias de conspiração, é um facto que 184 funcionários federais, pessoal militarizado, civis e tripulação morreram no local. As vítimas (homens, mulheres e crianças) de idades 3-71 anos, representam variadíssimos locais deste país. A reconstrução do Pentágono durou menos de 1 ano mas ficará para sempre na nossa memória um acontecimento que mudou o nosso mundo para sempre.

Desenhado por Julie Beckman e aberto ao público a 12 de Setembro de 2008, a área do Memorial é o único local na proximidade do Pentágono onde visitantes podem tirar fotos (que bom!). A designer descreve a sua obra como estática e orgânica: "enquanto que as unidades do memorial se manterão estáticas para sempre, as árvores e a gravilha crescerão e mover-se-ão com o tempo..."

Cada faixa desenhada no chão representa uma década em que pelo menos uma das vítimas nasceu. Cada componente metálicos erguidos na linha das faixas (banco), sob uma pequena piscina com água e gravilha, representa uma vítima. O nome e a idade da pessoa está bem legível. 
O formato e o espelho na água faz lembrar lágrimas.

É um local calmo e que me permitiu reflectir no significado de "segurança" e "paz" no contexto do mundo ocidental que eu conheço.

O Pentágono é a sede do Ministério da Justiça norte-americana. A funcionar desde 1941, é um dos maiores edifícios governamentais do mundo; tem o triplo da área do Empire State Building, em Nova Iorque. 
O Pentágono é uma cidade virtualmente independente. Trabalham cerca de 23 000 pessoas (militares e civis), que contribuem para a defesa deste país.
Números que caracterizam esta "cidade" diariamente:

• 16 parques que acomodam 8770 automóveis
• 131 lanços de escadas e 19 elevadores
• escritórios com área 344 280 m2
• 4200 relógios, 691 bebedouros de água, 284 casas de banho
• consome 4500 cafés e 800L leite preparados por cerca de 230 pessoas

Aboriginal vs. Maori - an indigenous experience

There I was in Australia and later in New Zealand, on my dream vacation! It was planned with detail but I made sure to allow time and opportunities for surprises.

I had the most extraordinary surprise at the Australia’s countryside, known as Australian Outback. I met and learn about the Aboriginal people that live side-to-side with the white Australians. Only in 2011, through DNA evidences, researchers found that Aboriginal population split off from the European and Asian between 62,000 and 75,000 years ago (24,000 years later European and Asian populations became differentiated). They were the tribe opposing the arrival of Captain James Cook in 1770. 

Their connection to ancestral land exists, even where people have not lived. (They morn the dead upon their death and will never talk about them again). Material goods are not highly prized because spiritual matters are more important. They used to be nomadic and would not own any land, it was borrowed. The combination of disease, loss of land and direct violence reduced the Aboriginal population by an estimated 90% between 1788 and 1900. By the end of World War II many Indigenous men had served in the military.

All aboriginal art tells a story and is characterized with dotted patterns. Lines denoting tracks of a particular creature (Australian wildlife). Earthy colours, particularly red, oranges, yellows and browns. This art is now sold but in the past it was used as maps or to write messages.

Aboriginal Dreamtime
Alice Springs, Australian Outback

Later, in New Zealand, in a town called Rotorua, I visited a Maori Village. Contrary to the Aboriginal tribes, the Maori were warriors and won many battles against the Europeans (17th century). Their origin was eastern Polynesia and arrived to New Zealand in canoe some time before 1300. Due to common society rules Maori way of life adapted gradually to the Western culture. With the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, the cultures coexisted as part of the new British colony. They make ~ 15% of New Zealand population (644,000). One of the most famous word used by New Zealanders is “kia-ora” that means “be well/be healthy” and is used as an informal “hi”. Tattoos below the face mean physical strength, above the face mean spiritual strength.

Maori Village
Rotorua, New Zealand

The famous “HAKA” is a traditional Mãori war cry dance. It is a posture dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment (watch the movie below). The New Zealand rugby team’s practice of performing a haka before their matches and made this dance more widely known around the world.

The human race has changed and has evolved with time and technology. 

We should be proud of and continue to stand up for great principles and integrate peoples and cultures aiming for a Nation’s prosperity.

Becoming a Citizen of the World

Handout that I gave to my audience

My first speech, the Ice Breaker, given at my Toastmasters Club: (4-6min)

" I would like to take you traveling through my experience of becoming a citizen of the world.

(The handouts will help you on this journey)

     I was born in Portugal, a small coastal country in the south of Europe. A country that had a dictatorship until 1974. Homogeneous culture, full of History, very isolated were characteristics that both my grandparents and parents generations only knew. My generation learned more, saw more, experienced more. We indeed are living more... that was a result of THE piece of art of democracy - known as European Union - has accepted Portugal in 1986 and opened doors to development and prosperity. Much was applied in education and public health creating high quality academic institutions and took Portugal from the bottom of the European infant mortality list.

    In 2002 we become part of the Euro zone: one single currency that spiked our cost of life. In the meanwhile I was finishing my Chemical Engineering degree in Porto - the second major city of the country, where Port wine is from.

    Brazil was the destination to celebrate my graduation with my College friends. Imagine a "Spring break", across the Atlantic, speaking the same language. Cultural similarities between Portugal and Brazil are summarized by a clear sense of historic connection witnessed by the language. Geographic and tribal understanding, social behaviors at glance, opportunities to breath, eat and feel their magic helped me to place my origins and appreciate many given things.

    A fantastic invitation brought me to the US in 2004. A PhD scholarship in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering allowed me to live in a fascinating country for almost 8 years now. With academic challenge I learned about work flow, foreign language applied to science and new ideas. An international graduate student community facilitated my adjustment and taught me so much about many countries. I made friendships that will last forever.

    My dear Indian friend Dhara met the love of her life in 2005 and I couldn't say "no" to her wedding invitation. Location: state of Gujarat, India. The most wonderful experience I had until now! India is not a postcard! It is 360o of light, colors, smell and sound. After 4 days with her family, experiencing every traditional wedding step, I visit New Deli, the desert of Rajasthan and Mumbai. Unforgettable feelings gave rise to the comprehension of cultural diversity.

     Two years later another friend's wedding attracted me to Mexico City. A different angle presented a civilization historically very rich and an obvious perception of social clashes in an enormous high populated city.

     A priceless sense of being has been growing with each and single one of my traveling experiences. A realization of my world and how it fits in everyone else’s world is a continuous routine that promotes healthy relationships through social awareness, challenging perspectives leading to flexible thoughts.

Where next?
        My dream destination is about to become true..."


If you want to know more about Toastmasters visit here.

Occupy Wall Street Movement

As demonstracoes dos activistas pertencentes ao movimento OWS (Occupy Wall Street) comecaram no passado dia 17 de Setembro no Parque Zuccotti, na cidade de Nova Iorque. Motivados pela falta de igualdade social, elevada taxa de desemprego, ganancia, corrupcao e a influencia desmedida de organizacoes do sector financeiro no Governo norte-americano.


No fim-de-semana do Thanksgiving estive em Nova Iorque e testemunhei o ainda vivo, mas mais calmo, grupo de manifestantes que tem acampado no Parque desde Setembro.
O slogan dos prostestantes "We are the 99%" refere-se 'a enorme diferenca da riqueza entre os americanos mais ricos (1%) e a restante populacao.

 Apesar de serem menos em numero, as conviccoes eram mais fortes que no inicio. Conversas fundamentadas enchiam os dialogos entre estranhos que, por curiosidade (como eu) ou para em alta voz partilhar as suas opinioes a quem prestava atencao, se muniam de argumentos para defenderem a condicao dos 99% vitimizados por uma sociedade capitalista que permite um fosso cada vez maior dos restantes 1%.

Foi bastante benefico parar e ouvir. Perceber o que motivava cada individuo. Com ordem todos falavam e ouviam. Para saber mais vale a pena visitar o site.