I'm extremely competitive, can be a work-aholic, and can be lazy as hell personally, and at times procrastinate like you wouldn't believe... but when I really want something... I'm extremely motivated in getting it!
I am a passionate single mother of two incredible children, a business professional, a recruiter, a soccer team manager, a friend to many, an entrepreneur, a supporter of equal rights, and a cheerleader by nature! My family and friends are my priorities and I love to help others. I am passionate about all I become and get involved with!
My children and I stay very involved- I believe it's important. I was always involved in several sports and activities through Highshool and into College. As you can probably gather, both my children are active in an array of sports and activities. Amanda is a current competitive Cheerleader. She competed with Mt. Hood Cheer last year, which provided a great Cheer foundation for her...she has now moved to Spotlight Cheer Studios for her 2nd year of competitive Cheer to participate on the Travel team. She also continues to play soccer, and was involved in gymnastics since age 4. Amanda was on Student Council at her school this year and joined several classes after school such as gardening, cooking, and knitting. She does very well in school.
Alex played year round soccer since age 7, and most recently played Premier Classic until this year. He wanted the opportunity to divulge more time in his other sports he loves, including Wrestling, Football, and Basketball. He quit Track last year after taking 1st in all 4 District events. He found the sport boring, as in soccer now where he was absolutely phenominal. I am very proud of my son for the decisions he's made with his sports, and drawing boundaries for himself due to being an incredible athlete and always pulled in different directions from top level Coaches in a variety of sports, and in particular soccer, due to his skills. He has been blessed with more opportunities than most due to his talent, not only with sports, but with academics, met many many great people and has made great friends along the way, along with some enemies (and when it came to the adults obviously it was due to their immaturity and unacceptance of a child). He has traveled to a variety of different cities and states competing with his soccer, including San Diego, Boise, Spokane, Phoenix and Seattle; each a number of times.
My Dad Ted has been coaching both my children in soccer for the past 9 years, with myself managing. Ted coached Alex until Alex was able to tryout for Classic soccer. Alex became one of the best Players in the State of Oregon & Washington, and was highly recruited at this level, including to play ODP (Olympic Development Program). Although he gave up soccer last Fall, he has continued to have his old teams try and recruit him back, even rostering him again in hopes for him to change his mind. Alex has finally stood firm and continued to pursue the other aspects of his life and sports he missed out on.
4 years ago, when Alex moved to Classic, Ted started coaching Amanda, as she turned 5, and has continued coaching her year round, within the recreational level and beyond. This has become a family event for my dad and I, as I have managed our team(s) and assisted in the development, and marketing, while also providing the top connections and resources, through networking, to take our team above and beyond the recreational level and participate in tournaments, in and out of the State of Oregon. We have been fortunate to create strong ties and bonds not only with our team(s), but communities outside of Gresham, and outside of Oregon. Having my dad be here for my children like this, is a true blessing, not only for my children and other children, but for myself now, as I didn't know him well as a child, and this was very difficult and confusing for me. I was fortunate to have two dads, yet raised out of town from my biological father, Ted. Of course, I didn't realize my fortunate until years into my adulthood. :) It's only been the past 15 years I have really spent some quality time with my dad, Ted, and have been able to get to know him. I love you Dad and thank you very much for being there for my children, and myself. Here is a picture of our current girls' team...
You can also check out our Soccer Chics Website, that I created and maintain, for further detail and up to date info! http://leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=soccerchics_u9girls
And, here is a part of our boys's Hawks Team... we carried 2 teams, with 18 boys, with a few of them, including Alex playing on both teams... they were an incredible team of Players with an unbinding loyalty and strength in each other. Due to their unmatched skills, we typically played them Up, and found they were still untouched... Our Hawks will not be forgotton, which includes each and every family a part of them/us!
Besides My children, other children are also of the utmost importance to me. I have given my life to my children and others, and will never compromise their interests. I have been single for a long time due to this desire and need I have in me to not compromise my children, their needs, their time, and the extras that go into having my children involved above and beyond. As some think I'm crazy, and have given up myself to not only care for them, but other children as well, I believe I can still give more. I have walked away, and lost, many relationships and friendships due to my uncompromising passion for my children, as well as other children. Besides my career in building my recruiting business and owning my own restaurant someday, my other passion lies with the children and building for those in need, not only with my time, but my financial resources. Prior to having my own children I was a live-in Nanny and cared for two. Children are my life, and always will be.
Check out Leona Lewis' Video, 'Footprints in the Sand'... What an Amazing Woman who gives to the children, and the children in Africa... I am deeply in awe, and very much impressed!!!
Leona Lewis - Footprints In The Sand
Uploaded by FresHipHop
To learn more about me professionally...
Professionally, I am in transition which has been a huge life change and challenge for me. As I worked in the corporate world for 18+ years next to executives the majority of my career, I have recently not only left corporate life, but I have transitioned from being an Executive Administrator for top executives, to return to the recruiting industry which is and has been a passion of mine for many years. Since returning to recruiting and going to work for a small staffing firm in Gresham, 3 minutes from home, I have now went further in my risk taking and gone out on my own as a sole proprietor. The change has forced me to downsize my lifestyle drastically due to reducing my immediate compensation. However the advantages have enabled me for the first time in my children's lives to be home more, be available to them more, and have much flexibility. Eliminating my commute, my corporate stress, and my workload, has also been advantageous to my children and family. I am excited about my future, yet nervous... but most importantly very optimistic. As I come with a varied professional background, including time in the restaurant industry, I have always had a multitude of options with my career. This time in my life as my son gets ready to enter high school, I believe is vital for me to create the flexibility and life style to enable me to be the Mom I always wanted to be while also preparing to become more financially stable on my own drawing on the 23 years work experience I have been blessed by.
I owe much to many of the executives I have had the opportunity to work with and next to. To name just a few... Angela Ryan (past VP of Consulting at Pacific Crest Technology), Brad Greer (President of Pacific Crest Technology), Kerry Padrick (CEO of Pacific Crest Technology), Bruce Walters (past Chief Development Officer at KLC Corporate offices), Dan Jackson (Sr. VP of Financial Control at KLC Corporate), Curtis Noteboom (past Audit Manager & College Recruiting Manager at KPMG), David Wu (past Attorney at Law/current Congressman), and most importantly I will never forget the ones who gave me a chance at age 19 and developed my people and professional skills... Deanna Dyer (President & Owner of Rhino Tank & Line Testing, Hobbs, NM) and her son Steve Dyer (President/Owner of subsidiary). Thank you to each of you from the bottom of my heart... you have all held a vital role in my growth not only professionally but personally.
In addition to my career, over the years, I have owned 3 different properties, including rental properties, as well as sold and provided lease options to my tenants of my own properties. The initial stage of downsizing my life, included eliminating this aspect of my time and energy. I do have a strong passion for real estate and will divulge more time into this area again, when the right time presents itself.
"It is better to lose everything you have to keep the balance of justice level, than to live a life of petty privilege devoid of true freedom." - Bryant H. McGill
"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself. "
-Harvey Fierstein
"Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple."
-Barry Switzer
"Fans don't boo nobodies."
-Reggie Jackson
"I have spent many years of my life in opposition, and I rather like the role."
-Eleanor Roosevelt
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"Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance."
~ Albert Einstein
"It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon. I seek opportunity to develop whatever talents God gave me -- not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any earthly master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say -- ..This, with God's help, I have done.' All this is what it means to be an American."
~ Dean Alfange