PHILIPPINES TRIP UPDATE

I arrived in the Philippines two weeks ago and had the opportunity to visit an orphanage. The Carmelite nun Sister Emma was very generous with her time. She gave me a tour of the facility, introduced me to the 30 children ages 0-4 years, and shared ideas and experiences that might assist with my goal of opening a Home for Children.

The biggest obstacle they have is funding since the home is run on contributions alone. Two children had medical issues and budgeting is very tight. In spite of all the challenges, it was comforting to see the very clean facility, loving care takers and otherwise happy children. I held a crying 2-month-old baby in my arms who immediately stopped as I cradled him. It was difficult to leave and yet I felt hopeful and full of purpose.

GOALS SET AND BAGS PACKED...TO THE PHILIPPINES I GO!

One of the advantages to working at a great company like Keller Williams Realty, is the fact that they not only help you with your Real Estate career, they also help you with your life goals. After several months of soul searching and working closely with my team leader, I finally  identified my "BIG WHY".

When I was 12 years old, the top ten students from my school were invited to visit an orphanage. Being one of those ten was a miracle in itself, I thought, since there was no way I could have belonged in such an elite group of smart kids. I remember not knowing what to expect from such a visit. All I remember now is the range of emotions I felt when the  orphanage gates were opened and a swarm of young children came to me for hugs. That image and how I felt at that time has stayed with me to this day.

Those who know me know that I have a deep love for children. My dream is to create a Home for children in the Philippines. It is a huge undertaking and one that will take years of planning and vision. I read somewhere that if you believe in what you are doing, then let nothing stand in your way. The best work of the world has been done against seeming impossibilities. So, I'm ready for this task and trust that with God's blessing and your prayers it can happen.

    

In a few days I am traveling to the Philippines for a month to do the initial work of discovery. I will be meeting with several individuals (e.g., the Dominican Nuns where I went to school, members of my high school class, past clients who live there, etc) and asking for help to get this adventure started. I will be visiting some orphanages, too, to see how they are run.

In time, I hope to have this Home opened. It will be in honor of the three women who have taught me so much about life: my grandmother who was a social worker and worked many years at a Home for boys and taught me about compassion; my mother who taught me and continues to teach me about goal setting and putting your heart and soul into something you believe in and working hard to achieve it; and my mother-in-law who also had a passion for children and taught me the value of sacrifice and unselfish love.

FIND ME ON FACEBOOK OR CHECK THIS BLOG FOR MORE UPDATES ABOUT MY TRIP!

Win a $15 gift certificate to Powell's bookstore!

Enter the Back-to-School 2012 Essay Contest and if your essay is selected as the winner you will receive a $15 gift certificate to Powell’s bookstore! 

Submit a 1-page essay (500 words max) on the following topic: 
“Invent a New Olympic Sport.” Invent a new Olympic sport that would be fun to watch and compete in. Is it a team or individual sport? Explain how to play and what equipment is needed.

Submissions may be typed or hand-written legibly. You may choose to use the essay contest form for your convenience, but it is not required. Download the essay contest form here. 

This contest is open to all students Kinder-Grade 12. One winner will be selected from each of the following categories: Elementary School (K-Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and High School (Grades 9-12). 

Include your name, address, phone, e-mail address, age, grade level, your teacher’s name (if applicable) and school that you attend. Entries must be received no later than Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012 at 5:00 pm.

Mail entry to:

Essay Contest

Attn: Elizabeth Ramos

Keller Williams Realty Sunset Corridor

1915 NW Amberglen Pkwy, Suite 250

Beaverton OR 97006

-OR-

E-mail entry to:

dhomeagent@gmail.com

In the subject line: 2012 Essay Contest

The winning essays will be published in the next issue of The Neighborhood Connection newsletter, on this blog, and online at www.dhomeagent.com.

Download the essay contest form (not required) here.

A MONTH FULL OF PERFORMANCES!

My dance group had a successful performance in Las Vegas earlier this month. The new dance routine was performed in Vegas after less than 2 months of putting it together. Now that we've returned from Vegas we are ready to show off our routine to our Portland friends. First stop was the Sante Fe Taqueria (on NW 23rd) on July 12th. Our next stop is Aztec Willies (16th & Broadway) on  Friday, July 20th. Then Conga Club (MLK & Alberta) on Saturday, July 21st. Please feel free to come by and check us out! See you on the dance floor!

Ladies of the Rumba Y Caché Amateur Team

VEGAS HERE I COME!

Our group had our final practice run a couple nights ago and tonight we flew to Las Vegas for 9th Annual Las Vegas Salsa Congress at the Tropicana. This is our 3rd routine for the year. It's by far the most challenging of the three and we only had two months to learn it! It's a wonderful mix of chacha and salsa. I'm excited to perform on stage. Wish me luck!

CATCHING UP

With warmer weather and longer days, a lot more can be accomplished in a 24-hour period. And a lot has been going on since my last blog post. Here's a collection of photos to catch you up on all the happenings this Spring.

The 13th Annual Egg Hunt was a success, with great weather and lots of children and their parents.

I barely survived the week without my eldest daughter/assistant while she was in Disney World. So thankful she's back!

On Cinco de Mayo we had a complimentary shredding "fiesta"/fundraiser where clients and friends were invited to the Keller Williams Realty Sunset Corridor building where we had an on-site Shred-It truck. We collected 13 bags of donated items for the Oregon Food Bank.

On RED DAY (5/10/12) the KWSC office was closed as all agents volunteered at the Edwards Center in Beaverton.

My son Nathan started this year as head coach for the Liberty High School Boys Tennis team and was named Coach of the Year district wide!

My daughter, Eliza, graduated from Columbia University in NYC on May 16th with a Master of Science in Social Work, International Social Welfare Concentration.

My husband, youngest son Danzel and I spent 10 days in the New York area as tourists. Here's the view from the Empire State building.

Danzel playing chess with a Grand Master in Central Park in NYC.

If you would like to receive e-mail reminders for next year's Egg Hunt, Shredding Party, or RED DAY, please e-mail me at dhomeagent@gmail.com.

13th Annual Easter Egg Hunt

When: Saturday, April 7th (Rain or shine)

Where:  Reedville Creek Park 11:00 am
and Cooper Mountain Elementary 2:00 pm

Come prepared to collect your Easter goodies, play games and win prizes! Please bring donations of canned goods and toiletries for the local homeless shelter.

Click here to RSVP, add a comment, or ask a question.

SPRING FORWARD THIS SUNDAY!

Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday, March 11th.
Don't forget to set your clocks forward one hour.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE TIMING... and the time is NOW!

There's a new buzz in Real Estate. If you've been waiting to buy or sell a home, ACT FAST! Inventory is low, prices are stable and interest rates are hovering at 4%.

For the last 3 months in a row I have been writing offers close to full price or above it and I have been competing with other offers. Multiple offers are not too uncommon right now. The main advantage of multiple offers to a seller is that the interested buyers are trying to out bid each other and you end up getting the highest price possible for your home. If you have been considering selling your home, there is a good window of opportunity here. Do it now before the banks start releasing their "shadow inventory".

If you are looking to buy a new home, get pre-approved for your loan and call me at (503) 310-4612 to start the search. I have access to all homes that are listed for sale. If you search on your own the "good deals" may sell before you even find out about it. If you are faced with a multiple offer situation, you need an experienced negotiator on your side.

A GREAT START TO THE NEW YEAR!

The 2012 Five Star award winners is a select group of fewer than 7% of Real Estate agents in the Portland area. Look for my name in the April issue of Portland Monthly.

I’m once again very proud to tell you that because of your feedback I’ve been named as a FIVE STAR  Real Estate Agent for Overall Satisfaction for the 2nd year in a row! Recent homebuyers were asked to evaluate Real Estate Agents whom they have recently worked with and rate them based upon nine criteria:

• Customer Service
• Integrity
• Market Knowledge
• Communication
• Negotiation
• Closing Preparation
• Finds the right home
• Marketing of the home
• OVERALL SATISFACTION