14th Annual Easter Egg Hunt

When: Saturday, March 30th (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.

 

Click here to view in separate Web page

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!