About Me
I must preface this by stating that THE MOST important "thing" in my life is truly my 2 little children. They bring me complete and absolute happiness in an uncertain and often disappointing world.Just a simple smile, a touch of their little hand or even watching them sleep brings joy to my heart like nothing else. I am a better person because of them...............Being a mother has been the most difficult yet rewarding job I could ever imagine having. It is scary to think that I am essentially responsible for who they become as adults..................What I find most challenging to motherhood is discipline. When you love someone with every fiber of your being, how then can you "punish" them for wrongdoings to teach a lesson? Yes, I know all about tough love and the super nanny and why one must discipline. Of course, a parent must succomb to this; but I never realized just how difficult a task it is. The wise old phrase of "this hurts me more than you, is so true." ................................Like I said, nothing in life is more important than my two children. But of course, in order to provide the lifestyle and material comforts for them, I also work. The God's honest truth is that I am one of the very rare people who can actually say that I love what I do................My job is a little difficult to explain to someone outside of my industry but I will try. I am a Director for a large international plumbing company. We manufacture faucets, bath accessories, shower systems, vitreous china (toilets) primarily in China. We are headquartered in Taiwan. However, we have manufacturing facilities in Italy, Germany, UK, Montreal and Mexico. I am on the "private label" side of our business which means that I make products for other companies and sell under their private "label" (brand). Confused yet? Well it only gets more complicated.As a private label Director, we handle everything for our customers. I oversee all back end issues like: new product designs & development, marketing, package design, photography , instruction sheets, translations, production, shipping, distribution and then of course front end sales, forecasting, analysis, etc. (I feel like I'm writing a resume, so i'll move on) Essentially I tell people I do "nothing but everything" at the same time yet am ultimately responsible if any step along the way goes wrong. I have an amazing team of people that report to me. I "direct" and make sure everything is running smooth & efficient like a fine oiled machine..........Because of the breadth of my responsibilities I travel frequently. Since I am not willing to compromise time away from my children for my job, I often take them (and a nanny) with me. Especially if it is for any length of time. But I can assure you that traveling with children on business is not an easy task. By the time my daughter was 2 she had more stamps on her passport than I did at 25. She has traveled to places like China, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Austria, Lichtenstein, Canada, Mexico and naturally to most states..............I have worked in the plumbing industry now for almost 8 years; consequently and I must add, much to my chagrin, have acquired the beloved "Katie the plumber" title as well as "GOBOKAT" from my Chinese brothers and sisters. ........................ Besides my children and work (which truly leaves little time for much else) my time is spent remodeling my house. I have also started up a land development company on the side with the help of my father. I will "break ground" on the construction of my first investment home in a few weeks. It is very exciting! ..................... In the very rare moments that I have "more" free time, I sleep :-) ........ I love to travel (for pleasure as work travel does not count) I also enjoy flying airplanes, being outdoors, bike riding, swimming, reading, exercising, yoga, cooking, gardening, photography, music, dancing (salsa especially), acting and of course playing the cello. But truly I seldom have time for any of these things right now, especially with a new baby.................... While born and raised Catholic, I find my values and ideals seem to coincide with that of Buddhism. I have a growing interest in this way of life.My life is truly blessed .........
