So You Want to Be a Sports Agent?

My son Elijah is in an International Business program at his high school "The Center for International Business and Communications Studies" (CIBACS.) For his junior year project he had to choose a career he might be interested in and intern there. He chose a Sports Agent. He spent 10 hours working for a Major League Baseball sports agency, Full Circle Sports Management. I was able to help him find the contact through my boss who's good friend is the owner of the agency.

They came up with a project that would not only teach him a part of their business but also help their company. He had to make housing spreadsheets for every MLB team & their lower divisions (AAA, AA, A+ & A.) He then had to contact apartment complexes in the area of each team and compile a list that the agency would be able to use and give their players. He also organized player information in the office. The project ended up actually being more than 10 hours...he worked at home for weeks. He also learned about becoming an agent, the schooling needed (a lot of agents have law degrees-but it's not required), the positive & negative aspects of the business. It was such a great opportunity & Elijah realized that this is truly something he would like to pursue.

On Saturday, all the Junior Class CIBACS students gave individual presentations in front of a panel of judges. This included PowerPoint, portfolio, and job description presentations. I was able to sit quietly in the back behind the judges and watch. He is such an amazing speaker/presenter. I asked him after if he was nervous (he didn't show it...and I would've been freaking out!) and he said, "No not at all."

After a few hours, the judges tallied up all the votes and during a luncheon, handed out the awards.
Elijah ended up winning the TOP Award "Outstanding Portfolio and Product Presentation 2012!" He was shocked...and didn't expect it at all.

Can you tell he was shocked? Look at his face!

Congrats Lijey...you never cease to amaze me. You give your all in all you do and I'm one proud mama!

Proud Papa too!

Adam's 18!

Today is Adam's 18th Birthday! He's an official man, which he made sure to tell me after I told him he'll always be my lil guy no matter how old he is.

Adam became my son at the age of 4. He's a fun loving, rambunctious little bugger who loves life. He could barely contain himself...throwing everything he had into everything he did. He was a little chatter box who loved to talk to people. Whenever there was a question to be asked of a stranger, we'd say, "Hey Adam...go ask that guy if..." Before we could even finish he'd be running over, thrilled that he'd be able to talk to someone new.

We'd often come up with crazy jokes to play on people and get Adam to do the dirty work. One night we were out to dinner having sushi when my hubby spotted a guy from work Loren, sitting at the sushi bar. He didn't see us so we came up with an idea to have Adam walk up to him, call out his name, stand there looking at him making this crazy noise that he liked to make -MMMmmmMMMmmmMMM (in a high pitched up and down tone) while raising his eyebrows up and down. Then he turned & walked out of the restaurant. We were peaking over our booth trying not to laugh too loud. The guys face got beat red, he looked at his date, then back at Adam, while he continued to make the noise & face. It was hilarious! After Adam walked out of the restaurant, the guy was so freaked out by the whole thing, everyone was looking at him so he got up, face like a bright, over-ripe tomato, shrugging his shoulders he said, "What was that all about?" Then headed to the bathroom. Adam came back in & sat in our booth...all of us, along with most of the people in the restaurant were cracking up. When my hubby's friend came back out Anthony called him over & the guy started laughing, he said, "I was trying to figure out what just happened and why?"

That's our Adam...he loves attention & doesn't care how he looks.

He loved to climb EVERYTHING, usually falling off and then doing it all over again. One time we were looking all over the baseball park for him only to see him across the field at the very top of the baseball backstop. To the normal onlooker, it would seem that everyone in the family (kids included) were always yelling at Adam; but in reality we were trying to stifle our laughter while attempting to reprimand him. He always knows how to make you laugh. He just has this craziness about him that keeps a smile on your face.

Adam Making a Tackle

Adam & Girlfriend Carla

Today, as our little Adam turns 18, I'm just so grateful that the Lord put him in my life. I'm thankful for the person he is and the man he's become. He's truly a loving, kind, caring and special boy oops MAN!

My Lil Adam

Thank you Adam for the love, joy and laughter you bring into all of our lives. I love you and am honored to be your step-mom.

Got the Monday Morning Blues?

Monday's always seem to be a difficult day. It's time to gear up mentally and get your "work" brain on. So I thought I'd do something to teach myself to appreciate the day...yes...even Monday's.
I decided to try and look for something seemingly ordinary and yet find the beauty in it.

We have things everyday right in front of us but our minds are gearing up for the day and sometimes too overwhelmed to notice.

Here's an example:

THE MOON IN THE DAY

So, if you're having the Monday morning blues take a moment, look around...put your day in the proper perspective.

Happy Monday!

Here's a Little Escape Today

It's almost the weekend and I wanted to give you a little something to look forward to...beach anyone?

Making the Most of Every Moment

I miss my blogging. Unfortunately, my home computer crashed and now we're down to only my laptop...which my son needs for homework & I'm sure lots of Facebook time in between studying. I can't get on it until after 10:45 pm and when it's that late...I'm too tired to think of anything interesting to write about.

So here's a quick little update: I've been working on my son's college recruiting/coach contact letter. This whole process seems to be a job in itself. I never knew how much work is involved! Just praying it pays off in the long run (free education while playing the sport he loves.)

He'll be headed to visit the Ivy League colleges as well as participate in some big football combines the first week of July. He's going with the QB from his high school & his father. This is an incredible opportunity & we're trying to make the most of it by contacting all the attending coaches ahead of time = lots of emails.

Track is still going and so between the two, there's not much me time. Guess I shouldn't complain, I'm going to miss all of this soon enough.

Since I haven't had much time for hobbies (writing & photography), I decided to find interesting things to shoot during the combines, practices etc. So here's a shot I took while roaming around, waiting for my son. This little guy continued to hold this pose while I fumbled around to get my camera out, lens cover off & settings right. He knew he looked good matching the color of the tree branches set against the vibrant blue backdrop. It's nice when you actually take time to stop for a moment and notice the simple things around you that are beautiful.

There's something to be said about making the most of each moment!

Monday at the Beach

On Monday...a perfect, gorgeous day in Southern California, I went to work and found out one of my bosses was sick and wouldn't be in so I ended up getting the day off. I headed to the beach and spent the day writing and taking pictures.

It's so wonderful to just sit and enjoy nature. Here's some of God's beauty.

This cluster of birds flew in circles & then landed directly in front of me

 

 

 

 

My hubby stopped by to visit me

 

 

BLOOM WHEREVER GOD PLANTS YOU!

Jullien Herrera for Barneys New York

Jullien recently did a co-op video for Barneys New York. Here's a few of the looks...be sure to watch the fun, quirky video at the end.

The first look is by Robert Gellar. I love the trendy vibe of the leather pants, jacket & floppy hat; all working together to give a cool, "stand out in the crowd" look.

The second look is perfect for spring. It's by ATM-Anthony Thomas Melillo/J Brand. The mustard colored pants are my new favorite. This outfit can go easily from day to night...just add a jacket and you're ready to hit the town. To purchase these items visit Barneys New York website HERE:

http://www.barneys.com/null/LOOK_20M,default,pd.html

   

I thought you'd enjoy seeing the quirky video for Barney's Co-op: casting by JV8, directed by Daniel Jackson. Watch here:

http://www.barneys.com/Spring-2012-Men%27s-CO-OP-Video/MCOOPSPRINGVIDEO,default,pg.html

My Baby's 17?

Today is my baby boy, Elijah's 17th Birthday. I've been so blessed to have such an incredible son. He's always made my life easy. Since the day he was born he was just the perfect little boy. He was just born responsible. It's never been anything I've had to teach him.

At the age of 5...the night before he was going to start kindergarten, I went downstairs to see if he had everything he needed for the next day and found him packing his own lunch! I told him I was going to pack it after he went to bed and he said, "That's okay mommy, I can do it." He wanted to be prepared and ready for his big day.

As he got older his big brothers would often make him their little slave, taking advantage of his responsible, kind, sweet, loving nature and disposition (as most older brothers do.) They made him pack their lunches everyday too. He never seemed to mind and was always willing to do whatever he could to help his brothers.

When it came time for homework...I would tell him, "Okay Lijey, it's homework time." Only to have him say, "I already did it mommy." To this day, he never has to be told to do his homework. He has an incredible inner drive, whether it's school work, sports etc. He always gives 100% in everything he does.

He has such a caring, love for his family and friends. He never wants to see anyone hurting or upset and will do whatever he can to help people. I'm so proud of my son and truly am so blessed. He has brought so much joy and love into my life. So today I want my son to know that he is loved beyond what words can express. He is such an amazing & special boy. I know the Lord has great plans for him!

Nike Football Combine Last Weekend (He ranked in the Top 88th Percentile of all tested Class of 2013)

Football Parent Appreciation Night

Thank you for being such a wonderful son! HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY! I Love You!!!

Last Years Football Luncheon

Check Out These Nails!

While in Las Vegas last weekend watching my son compete, I went to sit down and did a double take. A mom had nails like nothing I'd ever seen in person. I'd seen other peoples pictures online before but to see them in person was a little shocking.

I'm usually not a very bold person but found myself so overcome with the urge to take a picture of them that I actually asked her if I could...(normally I would just try to sneak one...lol.) Imagine my surprise  and embarrassment when she said, "NO, you can't." I felt stupid, and just repeated, "Oh, I can't?" She laughed at me and said, "I'm just kidding!" Then held them up for me.

I took the shot and then sat down to discuss them (=needing more info on the nails for this post.) She's been growing them out for 17 years. I asked her if they've ever broken and she said, "Oh yeah, I just glue them back on."

I couldn't imagine trying to function in your everyday life with nails like that. I mean, I think you'd leave yourself handicapped. How do you even put your pants on, button your shirt, wash dishes, etc? I didn't have the courage to get that personal with her...so I'll leave you with those thoughts too.

How about that for some nails?