one billion dollars around the world!

Faustina, you made #1BillionInChange!

Yesterday, Kiva crossed $1 billion in loans to students, farmers, women, refugees and so many more entrepreneurs around the world.

This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without our passionate community of lenders, volunteers, partners, staff and supporters like you. Your dedication to creating a better world and your willingness to share Kiva’s mission powered this movement from day 1 to make this moment a reality.

Here's how you helped make $1 billion in change!

9 : Loans supported

$225.00 : In impact

6 : Countries

We’re looking forward to the next billion in loans, and we’re so thankful to have you by our side on this journey.

Best wishes,
The Kiva team

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

What a fabulous email to start my day!
Woohoo!

i thank You, God, that i was able to be helpful to nine others with my small investments!

d subsection for my invention!

Late last night (or early this morning), I finally made an addendum for my invention, the Periodic Table for the Visually Impaired. Honestly, I had meant to do so weeks ago, but... well, let's just say I've been enjoying the time off since the spring semester ended.
(smile)
As timing seems to work for me, the readying of my invention for the Industrial Patent application fell just before I went on Barbara's mountain vacation. By the time the kinks were worked out a week ago Friday, Bob Montgomery of MIPA went on his vacation.
I hadn't known that part.
So, I returned last Tuesday thinking that things were rolling along.
But they were, instead, at a standstill.
That was really to my benefit.
Without those extra few days, I would not have had a more complete product to be patented.
i thank You, God.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****
So, here is what I emailed (at 1:18 AM today) to Stephanie, my caseworker at MIPA.

"Stephanie,

I am again bringing up what I had written before,

'On page 2, line 26, it is specified - correctly - that "The device 10 provides a type of periodic table of elements (minus the Transitional elements) having features particularly suited for a visually impaired user."
Perhaps a line could be added that "The Transitional Elements can be added to 10 in the future, as a temporary attachment at fold line 50b. The attachment would be composed of the same materials as on 10. The Lanthanides and Actinides can be added to 10 in the future, as well, as a temporary attachment under fold line 50c."
I think that would add further protection, as it would extend the Patent to include an entire representation of the known Periodic Table.
Thoughts on that?'

This week, I have created the addendum with the Transitional Elements, for the "d" energy sublevel. It consists of four rows and ten columns, as well as a deliberately blank space on the left. (Please refer to Figure1-TransE.)

I designed the addendum to be able to be folded for storage within the hanging folder embodiment, as shown in Figure2-TransE and Figure3-TransE.

The fold line is located between the fourth and fifth column of the addendum. (The blank space on the left is not counted as a column.)

Rather than have it attach to the Periodic Table, the addendum can be simply inserted. The addendum has a deliberately blank space which is four inches in width along its left side. When the left edge of the addendum is against fold line 50a (of the Figure MIPA already created), and the lower edge of the addendum is aligned with the bottom of the Periodic Table, then the addendum is in perfect position and will extend over the right side of the Periodic Table. (See Figure4-TransE.)

The Periodic Table can then be folded along fold line 50b (of the Figure MIPA already created), such that the atomic numbers then run in the proper sequence. (See Figure5-TransE.)

Figure6-TransE shows the entire combination of the Periodic Table, with fold lines 50b and 50a in folded positions, and the ten columns of the addendum. Please note that the atomic numbers in place are all correct . (I have not included the Lanthanides and Actinides, which account for the jump in numbers seen in the lower two rows of the addendum. Again, the numbers I have in place are all correct.)

So... I am hoping this can be included in the Patent Application.
Please do call if there are any questions."

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Mr. Montgomery will return to the office tomorrow.
I'll be hoping he likes my idea and can quickly draw it up for inclusion with the Patent application.
I'll be hoping...

nerdfighter of kiva, for education!

Education truly is the key to ending poverty.
A degree in higher education leads to making better choices, which is always beneficial.
Kiva is having a push toward a goal of one billion dollars loaned since its inception in 2005.
I became a Nerdfighter for Kiva in July of 2012 and have now made nine loans, including the two today.
One was made to Yaleska, a young woman in Nicaragua, striving to complete her degree in accounting and finance.
The other was to Maycol, a young man in Nicarauga, who will become an anesthesia technologist.
I suggest you check out their causes, or perhaps find others close to your heart, and give a mere $25.
I assure you: every dollar helps.
(smile)

let me be brave in the attempt

The full quote is:

Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.

That is the Special Olympics Athlete Oath.
That is a worthy quest for all of us, isn't it?
That is why I am a Special Olympics Partner, having renewed my membership for yet another year.
I honestly do not recall how long I have been a Partner...
but I became one sometime after Mama's death in January of 2001.
Quite likely, I have been a member for those seventeen years betwixt then and now.
The cause was special to her, as she had been blessed with thirteen grandchildren who were free of mental and physical disabilities (except for ADHD).
She gave to a local group here in Savannah, for the sake of the grandchildren.

Special Olympics was the path I chose, for her sake.
The organization has been helping the world since 1968, serving athletes in 177 countries with major events held in several countries.
Amazing!
The athletes compete in 32 Olympic-style sports, including alpine skiing, gymnastics, swimming, snowboarding, and power lifting.
Amazing!
Perhaps, one day, I will attend the games for the Georgia Special Olympics in Atlanta.
That would be very nice!
Meanwhile, I will cheer from these pages until I can cheer from the stands:
Go, be brave!
(smile)