A charitable New Year's Resolution

I have decided to give over $100 a month to a different charity every month throughout 2008.

This month I gave to the Grameen Foundation http://www.grameenfoundation.org/

The Grameen Foundation makes microloans of an average of US$60, which help women in the Third World set up sustainable businesses that keep them employed and solvent for the rest of their lives.

And these women have an almost 100% repayment rate! The average Pakistani rupee is worht only 5 American cents. so $60 is 1200 rupees, a lot of money for the average woman just starting out. Think of that next time you whinge and whine about your credit card debt!

Next month: smiletrain.org

Happiness

At the Ipanema Bar at 14th and 8th in the West Village, they have a sign:

"Everyone here brings happiness

Some by arriving
Some by leaving."


AMEN to that!!!!!

Ice skating!

One of the great things of working for yourself is that you can go ice-skating at 11am. So I did. It was my first time ice-skating too!

I went to the temporary pond set up in Bryant Park, behind the New York Public Library. (I got some books first too). I rented skates for $10and bought a lock for another $10 (I needed to buy a new one anyway). So free ice-skating cost at least $20.

It is 55 degrees today so the ice was actually melting as people skated. Luckily, it is not a real pond, so no fears there!

At first I was very slow, but gradually figured out how to balance myself and went faster and faster. It was a lot of fun! And if ever there is way to make your ankles stronger, this is it!


The Pond at Bryant Park is open for ice-skating from 26 October 2007 to 15 January 2008

Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday from 8am to midnight

Admission to skate: free

Skate rentals $10, lockers free, locks $10, bag check $7

Happy 2008! and centennial!

A happy and healthy new year to one and all!

It was also the 100th anniversary of dropping the ball in Times Square!