About Me
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I am entering my third decade of life. It’s pretty amazing when I think of the journey thus far. I used to be so concerned about where I was headed: getting my law degree, going to an Ivy-league university, have an accomplished career, have unlimited wealth and be famous like a Rock Star! I also spent most of my days locked up in my past.
Well, thank goodness for epiphanies! I am finally focusing on today and squeezing every last ounce out of what life and those around me has to offer. So after all these years, it’s reassuring to finally be able to come up with a semi-acceptable answer to that ever-so-famous question that you are asked at orientations, social gatherings, and more importantly, on myspace: “So, who am I?†My response: a person who is constantly evolving. Nowadays, I seem to cherish friends and family more than anything of material worth. So you think I am trippin’, don’t you? Come on: for those who have known me for years realize that I have submerged myself into this new-age philosophical rhetoric. Yup: I want connection and purpose more than anything else in life. Call me whatever you want. I am just so relieved that I finally realized what defines me in life. And that, my myspace friends, is the select few people who I surround myself with. Having their encouragement has helped me become comfortable in my own skin.
So again, you ask: “Who is Bernard?†Well, I was born Bernard Allan Bermudez on October 25, 1976 in San Jose, California to Francisco Pilar Bermudez, native to the Philippine Islands and Shirley Casison Domalina, native to the Hawaiian Islands. They also conceived two other children – Fely Bermudez Rayas (born in Honolulu, Hawaii and married to Luis Manual Rayas of Leon, Mexico, and have three beautiful children together) and Frank Bermudez (born in San Jose, CA and a graduate of my Alma Matter, San Francisco State University), who both live in Milpitas, CA. My parents divorced when I was 10 years old. Recently, I reached a turning point in life: I forgave my father and mother for a childhood that haunted me for years. And to make matters more interesting, I am a middle child; so yes, I dramatized everything!!!
So what did this haunting childhood comprise of, you ask? You name it: I lived it. Alcohol. Drugs. Abuse. I spent some time in The Santa Clara County Children’s Shelter, struggled with poverty, lived on food stamps and no health insurance and watched my peers in envy as they had something that I didn’t: security. Most people around me never knew what I was going through, because I figured that there was one thing in my out-of-control life that I could have control over: my image. I worked hard to survive amongst my peers where physical appearances, fashion and wealth dominated. I stayed busy and always made sure that I kept a safe distance from people, never allowing anyone in deep enough, for fear of them finding out my secret: my life sucked. And boy, was I miserable. So I kept myself busy by keeping myself over-involved with anything I can get my hands onto, and escaped into “survival mode†constantly trying to get people around me to validate who I am and my purpose for living. So anyway, I finally realized that I am worth something, and the only person I need to please is myself. And finally, I am proud to say, that in my late twenties, my life has begun.
I honestly can say that I have never been any happier with my life. To most people’s standards, I guess you could say that I have found success. I own four properties, worked for three fortune 500 companies, am college educated and have money the bank. And to my own standards (which by the way are the most important), I agree that I have found success, but not for any of the reasons I listed. I have a beautiful and loving wife, Jaclyn Licerio Bermudez,
have the most supportive group of friends and family, supported myself through college, and enjoy what I do for a living. Further, I am extremely careful to not spend more than I make, and am patient with new purchases. This latter point has provided my wife and I with many opportunities allowing us options in life. And, together we have made the decision to embark on the journey of defining our legacy.
Speaking of options, I was given the opportunity to relocate to Las Vegas at the end of 2004 from The Bay Area. During the transition, I took under a year off from work to dabble in the philosophical debate of defining happiness (I knew those college philosophy classes studying Plato and Machiavelli would come in handy one day in the real world!). And I realized being miles away from friends and family that I need connection to be happy. And every chance that I get to tell my circle that I appreciate them, I take it. I do it. And I repeat it again.
Professionally speaking, I am a money-manager. I have spent the last decade perfecting my ability to help clients manage their money. My current role with my firm is to consult with successful high-valued entrepreneurs. I consult with business owners who follow their dreams and they inspire me every day to do the same! And Las Vegas is an amazing place to be, professionally and personally. There is a vibrant and optimistic energy here that goes beyond the glitz and glam of the infamous strip. And when work gets exhausting, I can take a stroll down Las Vegas Boulevard, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or take friends and family to the many sites that tourists never take the time to explore. Las Vegas has also provided me with the chance to start my own franchise, and take part in real estate opportunities, and help those around me with financial management.So the headline of my profile is “Staying Connected.†I know that life gets busy. And I know now that the older we get, the faster time seems to fly. Therefore, I intend to grab life by the horns, and steer it in the direction that I would like to take. So again, you ask: “Who is Bernard?†Steer your horns in my direction, friends, and let’s spend some time getting to know each other better. Here’s to connection and friendship. Talk soon.
