Growing Old January 31, 2007
Posted by cimpa in Health.add a comment
I just got an email from a friend of 50 years – Dr. Crisologo Padilla. Forwarded. Like the many jokes many friends forward all too frequently.
Paddy woukd not have known how well this piece describes my own thoughts – coming a few hours after my oncologist hits me with the bad news that the radiologist’s report shows cancer activity and that I may have to undergo chemotherapy again.
I should be researching all the medical procedures and the hard-to-decipher terms that are in the radiologist’s report. Instead, I read Paddy’s email and cry.
REFLECTIONS of a Senior Citizen
- You know, time has a way of moving too quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems only yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate.
- And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago,
- and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all ... and I have glimpses of how things were back then and of all my hopes and dreams.
- But, here it is ... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise! How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies go? And . where did my youth go?
- I remember well, seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that my winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.
- But, here it is ... we're retired now and we both are turning getting gray ... we move slower and I see in us those older folks I used to see that we never thought we'd be.
- We're not in such bad shape considering our years ... but, I see the great changes and our winter is upon us. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore ... somedays it's mandatory because if I don't on my own free will ... I just fall asleep where I sit!
- And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do all the things I love.
- But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last ... this much I know, that when it's over...its over....
- Yes , I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done . things I should have done. But indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done Its all in a lifetime of living and loving.
- So, if you're not in your winter yet ... let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you ever thought possible. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Life goes by swiftly so, do what you can today, because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!
- You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...
- "Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one."
- LIVE IT WELL MY FRIEND!!
- ~author unknown~
Happy New Year! January 22, 2007
Posted by cimpa in Conferences.11 comments
Hello Everyone,
As winter wraps its snowy blanket around us, I wish you warm mornings, little miracles, good health, prosperity, joy and love in 2007.
I wish you a meaningful start to a new year full of challenges. Welcome to an exciting world of great possibilities! We all have 365 mostly blank pages on our new 2007 calendars. Please save these dates:
Spring Event: June 4-5 – Asian Academy Hall of Fame Awards in the Capitol and the White House
Summer Camp: August 11-13 – Camp Diversity
Fall Conversations: October 15-17 – International Technology, Meetings and Incentives Conference. Last year, it was in beautiful Prague; this year, it will be in amazing Asia – China, South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Online conversations on the certification programs currently being revised.
Let us continue our conversations – as partnerships and friendships begin with ordinary conversations.
PRAGUE COMMENTS: I am still getting wonderful letters about our conference in Prague. Here is a sampling but the complete file will be at http://www.cimpa.org . Credit goes to our fantastic speakers, sponsors and participants for the success that it was. I cannot thank them enough.
“Excellent educational program combined with a great opportunity to learn about international destinations to host your events. A must attend event for the experienced international meeting planner.” - David Williams, Executive Director, International Association for Energy Economics
“I had a wonderful and fun trip of a lifetime! Dining at beautiful castles and chateaus is wonderful, I highly recommend it! It was very interesting and I enjoyed the conference presentations and meeting such interesting people”. – Margaret Lickteig
“I had a fabulous time in Prague and I met wonderful participants coming from such interesting backgrounds”. – El Cid Butuyan, World Bank
“Again thank you for a wonderful, unforgettable trip to Prague and Vienna. You are the WOMAN when it comes to planning meetings”. – Cathy Gonzales, Vice President, Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce
“WOW! Nestor and I thoroughly enjoyed the CIMPA conference and the Awards Ceremony! Thank you so very much for the wonderful venue, the great conference, the many side fun trips and most of all the great people who came”. – Edith M. Ardiente, Vice President, International Truck and Engine Corporation
“Thanks so much for another great conference. It was excellent! The President Hotel was great and the speakers were the best!” – Dr. Ken Webster, Executive Director, American Osteopathic Association
” am sorry I missed John Bell and Kathy Loveless. I heard they were fabulous. I will check out their websites and join you in Asia in October.” – Linda Steinberg, Independent Planner
“The conference in Prague was terrific. We met many interesting people and we learned a lot from the great speakers. Also, the Hotel President was perfect”. – Margaret Gonzalez, President, International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals
“A very thought-provoking forum.” – Pepi Stunkel
We will try to make our meeting in 2007 an even better one. Please suggest a timely, provocative theme. (In Prague, it was “Planning Meetings in the Google Age and the Era of Terrorism). Please join the Conference Committee which Dr. Sonny Lee has agreed to chair and I hope to see y’all in Asia in October.
E-BROCHURES: If you liked our state of the art brochure on the Prague conference, I am happy to announce that Tat Leong Sweeting (remember her brilliant presentation on distribution of conference materials?) has agreed to give all CIMPA members a very special discount. You can have your own ebrochure that loads fast, does not crash the recipient’s mailbox and expands to fill the full screen at more than half the price. No distribution cost. Also, if you are a CIMPA member, we will distribute your brochure. Here’s a sample:
http://www.epage-international.com/clients/c/cimpa06/index.html
CERTIFICATION: The beginning of a new year is also a good time to make an investment in your career. Ask us about CPPM (Certified Planner of Professional Meetings and CGMP (Certified Global Meeting Professional) programs. We are currently revising these programs. If you are a member, you may participate in the revision and get grandfathered into the program.
MEMBERSHIP: Get connected. I am personally inviting you to be a member of CIMPA. Email me and I will send you a unique gift I picked up from my travels with your membership credentials. We are also running a membership promotion until February 14, 2007. You get a 25% discount on gold membership and a chance to win a great vacation. It’s a good time for emerald members to experience the privileges of gold membership. Hit reply to request the coupon code.
If you are already a member, other active members and I want to get to know you better and explore how we can do business together. I am inviting you to serve in one of our committees. Do please email me so we can start a conversation on this. I would love to chat with you.
For details, please visit us at http://www.cimpa.org or just hit reply.
All the best,
Andrea Sigler, PhD
President, CIMPA
