Received an early Christmas present! I have been named as a Five Star Real Estate Agent for the fourth consecutive year. Thank you to my clients who continue to bless me with this award. I am deeply honored and grateful.

Over the past month I received essay entries for the Back-to-School 2013 Essay Contest from students ranging from Kindergarten through High School. Thank you to each and every one of the participants—I truly enjoyed reading all your essays.

The winners from each category (elementary, middle and high school) received a $15 gift certificate to Powell's bookstore. The teacher from the elementary school category also won a $25 gift certificate to Office Depot for school supplies.

The winning essays were published in my November/December issue of The Neighborhood Connection newsletter. Below are the winning essays and the honorable mention essays. Thank you and happy reading!

TOPIC: “What is the best way to study?”

What is the best way to study?  Do you study individually or in a group? Explain why this is the best way to earn good grades in class.

**Elementary School Winner**

Emma G.      Grade 4

There is no right way to study because everyone has their own way to study. I personally think it is easier to study in a quiet room then a loud room. If you study in a loud room, it is hard to concentrate because of all the distractions. For example, if I try to study in my family’s living room, my sisters are always talking to me or they are watching TV. Also, my cat George will be doing something funny that I will have to watch or my mom will be talking to my sisters, so it is impossible to focus. On the other hand, my sister Madeline can study for a math test if she was at a concert or even in the middle of a circus. I’ve always been jealous of her ability to study anywhere, but it shows there is more than one way to study and get good grades.

I think the best way to study depends on what the subject is. When I’m studying my math, I need to be alone because it is best to read through the problems first and memorize the vocabulary then I can go back and work on the problems. Math is difficult and takes a lot of concentration. This is also the best way to study for spelling and vocabulary tests. My favorite thing to do with vocabulary words is to write them down several times and then study my notes. When I think I have them all figured out, I have my Dad read them to me and I write them down again. I also think studying alone is important when doing my reading comprehension. When we do reading comprehension in class, we always do it alone and quietly so we can focus on what we are doing. My teacher must think that’s the best way too. I don’t think studying alone is always the best option. For example, when I do brain storming it is easier to come up with more ideas if there are more people. When I come up with ideas I get a piece of paper and pencil and write down the most important parts and study them. Another thing, I like doing with friends is studying science. This is the best way because we all get to do a science experiment and write down notes about the results. Doing work together helps us all learn more because we get to share.

To conclude, there is no right or wrong way to study because everyone has their own way to get good grades. For me, it depends on what subject I am studying and where I am when I need to get my homework done. I don’t think it matters how you study, it just matters that you know what works for you.

**Middle School Winner**
Jay C.    Grade 6
I have observed that everybody has different learning style, also I noticed that each style has something useful which can be adopted by everyone.

Here I am going to give you some suggestions on how to study effectively and efficiently. Since I am getting some benefit out of it I want to share some of the ways with you.

I generally study individually.

First of all I want to make sure that studying is not only doing homework but it is a practice of what you studied. This helps you keep up with the school at present and also remember what is already done. Practice helps revising what we have learnt.

Manage your time schedule and your time table in such a way that all the subjects are being covered regularly.

Take notes in class, this is an easy way to remember more while it reduces your efforts doing homework taking a quiz etc. While taking notes you can use some shortcuts for technical word, or draw pictures etc. that you can understand.

Try to explain the concepts by experimenting them at home and understand the logic behind it.

Put charts on the walls in readable font so that whenever you walk by them you read them. This will help you remember easily for example you can make charts for math formulas.

Work hard practice regularly for 1-2 hours each day. In case you have any questions discuss with friends, teachers if you want some help, clarifications

Get up early and utilize morning hours while mind is fresh and all set to learn and grasp. It helps in better understanding, remembering.

Finally play with friends to recharge yourself.

I am sure that these tips will help you to make learning improve your grades
--Honorary Mention--
High School
Mark Wakeland.    Grade 10

I think the best way to study is to study by myself with music. But some people can't pay attention at all when there is music. If you are going to study with friends then I think it is important to actually be productive. A lot of children would get sidetracked and talk about other things and not study at all. The best way to get good grades in class is to study a lot and to learn things. You can't memorize the answers to a math test like you can with a English test so you must learn how to negotiate a problem or an equation. I think you should write things down when trying to memorize a speech, words or the definition of a vocabulary word. People learn things differently like some people can memorize things by writing them down and some can do it by using repetition. I can relate some words with pictures. Like in geography, class I could see the countries and it would help me remember the names. So I think the best way to study is to be in a good studying environment and to have people that are interested in studying and not getting sidetracked if you're going to be in a group. Aside from that I think all people are different and learn and study differently, so find a way that works and use it.     

Win a $15 Powell's Bookstore Gift Certificate!

Back-to-School 2013 Essay Contest

TOPIC: Back-to-School 2013 Essay Contest: “What is the best way to study?”

What is the best way to study?  Do you study individually or in a group? Explain why this is the best way to earn good grades in class.

Entries must be received no later than Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013, at 5:00 pm (PST)

Essay contest form (You may choose to use this form, but it is not required)

Win a $15 gift certificate to Powell’s bookstore! Submit a 1-page essay (500 words max) answering the topic question. Submissions may be typed or hand-written legibly. This contest is open to all students Kinder–Grade 12. One winner will be selected from each of the following three categories: Elementary (K–Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6–8), and High School (Grades 9–12).

Please e-mail submissions to dhomeagent@gmail.com (Subject line: 2013 Essay Contest)

-OR-

Mail submissions to:

Essay Contest
Attn: Elizabeth Ramos
Keller Williams Realty, Sunset Corridor
1915 NW Amberglen Pkwy, Suite 250
Beaverton OR 97006

Include your name, address, phone, e-mail address, age, grade level and school that you attend. Entries must be received no later than Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013, at 5:00 pm (PST). The winning essays will be published in the next issue of The Neighborhood Connection and on this Web site (www.dhomeagent.com).

For more info and to download an essay contest form, click here

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!