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!

400th Post-WOW

WOW...I can't believe I've blogged 400 posts! Who would have thought I actually have that much to say? I guess in retrospect, you can say that I've used it as a sort of a tamed down diary.

What I've learned over the past 399 posts is that I've grown as a person. I used to worry about how the things I'd write would be perceived by those who know me (Will they think I'm weird for writing that? Does that sound stupid? Will this offend someone? Oh yes, the list of thoughts were endless).

In the past, I put a wall around myself, only trusting a few chosen people to see my true, overly sensitive, goofy, kooky, sarcastic, crazy & joking side. I never allowed outsiders to get close enough to see my vulnerable side...always afraid of being hurt. It was safer to put on a tough, don't come too close, exterior.

But through blogging, I've gained a better sense of me. I've shared my heartache, laughter, worry & shame with the world. Over the past 399 posts I've learned that opening myself up to people, allows me to also help others who may be going through similar situations.

So what I'm trying to say is, thanks to all of you for liking me, following me, leaving comments & most of all, sharing ALL of my happy, sad, fearful, sometimes ridiculous life moments!

Here's some links to the most life changing, fun & inspiring moments of my 400 posts!

My Very First Post (1/26/08)
Can You Make a Difference in a Day?

Inspirational/Uplifting Posts
Push Ahead Poem
This Will Give You Chills
I Had a Really Cool Experience
My Late Brother Johns Missing Gift
Play Vocabulary Game-Feed the Hungry
Her Goal Was To Walk
100th Post-I Can Do It

Scary Moments
My Son Elijah-Bacterial Meningitis
Hidden Dangers of Endometriosis
My Sons Car Accident
Elijah Got Hit by a Car
Scary Walk

Memories of Lost Friends & Loved Ones
My Brother
My Grandpa
Stacy Mazzone
Nick Mazzone
Joanne Phillips
Mike Burk
Drake & Zach

Funny Moments
Oh Mickey Your So Fine
The Freshman & The Seniors
Need a Laugh
Golfing Mishap
Butts & Fireworks

T.V/Gameshow Appearances
Brainsurge Recap
Dr. Rey Infomercial
The Cleaner

Sports Highlights
Elijah-Edison vs. Newport Harbor-Football
Elijah-Edison vs. Esperanza-Football
Elijah-Track
Jullien-Edison vs Mater Dei
Jullien-Edison vs. Los Alamitos
Jullien-Edison vs. Fountain Valley

Proud Moments
Jullien H.S. Graduation/Elijah Jr. High Graduation
Dillon's H.S. Graduation
Natascha & Jeremy's Wedding
Anthony-My Soulmate
Joshy's 21st Birthday
(BTW-I'm also proud of Josh & Tasha's Graduation, but they graduated before I started blogging)

Thanks again to all of you...you're comments always bring a smile to my day!

Happy 22nd Birthday Joshy

22 yrs old today!

I can't believe my oldest son is 22 today! It was just yesterday when I gave birth to a HUGE baby! He weighed almost 9lbs. & came out looking like a 3 mo. old. He had a full head of black hair & could lift his head up out of the hospital bed to look curiously at all of the family & friends staring at him through the glass window.

My niece (a year and half at the time), was trying to see her new baby cousin, spotted the only one with a full head of hair & shouted, to her mothers horror, "LOOK AT THE BABY MONKEY MOMMY!"

Most mothers think their baby is beautiful no matter how ugly they really are. I on the other hand knew that my baby wasn't very cute & I also was upset that I didn't have a "newborn" for my first time giving birth. This kid was a miniature man!

As the nurse came to give the lady in the adjoining room her baby, I listened as she said, "What a beautiful baby!" Next she brought Joshy into me & said, "WOW, look at all that hair!" I remember thinking, "Even the nurse thinks he's ugly!"

Thank goodness he grew into all that hair & cheeks. But I should have been careful what I wished for, he ended up being the most beautiful little boy. The girls would go crazy for him from the time he started kindergarten all the way through school.

Joshy was an incredible athlete always faster, more agile and athletic than all of the other boys his age. He was a 4 yr. Letterman in track & still holds records at Edison H.S. He also received MVP award for breaking the Freshman rushing record for a single season. He unfortunately tore his ACL his Senior year & was unable to play.

He currently is finishing cosmetology school & working. I'm so grateful that I was blessed with Joshy as my son. He has been such a joy in my life!

Reading my card/book...I always write too much!

Hugging my boy...they never grow up in a mothers eyes.


Joshy & his girlfriend Charmaine...waiting for cake & watchin the X-Games.

Jullien & Elijah...CAKE NOW PLEASE!

Makin' a wish


I love you...Happy 22nd Birthday!

So Proud

Thursday my stepson Dillon graduated from Edison High School with Honors. I was so proud of him & all of his accomplishments. He will attend a Jr. College & then transfer to a Christian University...he wants to become a Pastor.

Congrats Dillon!

5 of our 6 kids (Jullien is still in NY but will be back for Tasha's wedding on July 16th for 2 1/2 weeks WOOHOO!)


My hubby & his kids







So we have four kids graduated & two left (they will be a Junior & Sophomore). Can't believe we are almost done...well I guess when you're a parent you're NEVER done!

High School Football Tickets on Craigs List?

It's been tough being consistent with updating my blog lately. With football season in full swing, I get writers block because all I can think about is football!

Oh speaking of football, did I tell ya that next week is a HUGE game for Edison H.S. Football? Ya well Freshman, JV & Varsity are all undefeated. We play our rival school Fountain Valley for the league championship.

The game was supposed to be at the local Junior College because it holds a larger capacity. However this year it completely sold out in 1 day! People are selling tickets for $30.00 or $40.00 on Craig's List. WHAT? Isn't that crazy?

They decided to move the venue to a larger stadium. It's now at Cal State Fullerton. They're selling tickets only to Edison students & the parents of students (tons of people couldn't get tix to watch their own son's play) I would love to hear if someone actually pays for those Craigs List tix when it gets close to game day because they couldn't get them anywhere else.

Anyways, to give you an idea of the stuff going on this next week to prepare. Tomorrow all of the parents meet to do posters, goody bags and clean & decorate the boys lockers (it's pretty gross!) Last year one of the boys had an old, smelly, moldy breakfast, not to mention the stench from their sweaty unwashed clothes! We bring tons of Lysol & fabric softner sheets to try to get rid of the smell!!

On Wed. the Freshman have a big dinner. JV/Varsity have theirs on Thursday. Then all the parents show up at the H.S. @ 2:00 A.M. (YES...I said 2:00 A.M., it's not a typo) on Friday morning to decorate every inch of the school with posters, balloons and signs along the street. It's a BIG tradition. It's not only for the championship, but also for the "BATTLE OF THE BELL". Which the winning school gets to keep for the whole year until the next match up. We've had it for the last 4 years.

It's going to be fun...I'll post pics. Also, they announced that they will broadcast the game live on the internet. I'll find the link and post it.

GO EDISON...BEAT FV!

Another Win For Edison High School

We are on a roll! Last week the freshmen team for Edison H.S. won a hard battle against Esperanza 16-14. Elijah scored both of the touchdowns...which was very cool because it was his first this season. I told him, "You waited till it really counted!" That was our first official league game.

ELIJAH HERRERA #9- TOUCHDOWN #1

TOUCHDOWN #2





Juking & Out Running to the End Zone
He is having such an awesome season. He's spent his whole life on that field watching his older brothers play. It's so nice to see him finally out there showing HIS stuff! He also plays outside linebacker and is doing incredible on defense too. I'm so proud of him!



We just got back from their second league game against Newport Harbor H.S. We killed them 56-22. We put our second string in when it was 50-8. We had a complete team win...everyone played well. Elijah got another TD and caught several passes and had a great punt return juking about five guys.

I'll post some pics after I upload them. I LOVE Football season!!

SIDE NOTE: Our Varsity team is ranked #1 in CA and one report has us at 4th in the Nation...GO EDISON!!

My Baby's Done-Mixed Emotions

Last Saturday ended a family tradition...Elijah (my baby) had his very last Pop Warner Football game. We have been playing in the league for 15 years, my husband and I met and fell in love on that field, all of our kids played and my step-daughter was a cheerleader. We have been doing this for what seems like FOREVER.

Elijah's team made it to the playoffs, lost their first game and went into the loser's bracket. They played their final game at 8:00 p.m. last Saturday. I thought, "It's finally done, no more drama, politics and drama!!" You sports parents know what I'm talking about, half of the parents are living vicariously through their kids, one would think that these kids were in the NFL. I was ready to be done, or so I thought.

As the game was winding down, we were slaughtering the other team...I started to get a little emotional. This is the last time I'm going to watch my baby play youth football, how weird this is! The clock slowly ticked away, the buzzer sounded the final game of my son's Pop Warner career. As they were going to shake hands, I normally wouldn't even pay attention, but I found myself standing alone off to the side, watching and taking in the moment...my baby would now be playing in high school. The final end to a perfect game, the kids pouring the ice cold water in the cooler over the coaches head (who also finished coaching his very last game), laughing, cheering and hugging.

As we were walking away, very quiet, a cheer coach, Amy, came running up to us, hugged us and said, "I can't believe you guys are done! You have been here ever since I started coaching 15 years ago...it's going to be weird next year not having you guys around." That did it for me...I got a little teary eyed, I hid it from my son and husband. As we got into the car, I asked Elijah, "Are you sad that it's over?" He said, "Kind of but I'm ready to play high school." My husband was still quiet, we drove out of the parking lot...honking, waving and saying our final goodbye to our Pop Warner family. I'm shocked that 15 years has gone by SO FAST!
THE MEMORIES

Elijah way back when running strong.

Elijah now...still out running the competition!

One of many touchdowns to come!

The final year...touchdown #???

HUGE WIN-Edison vs. Mater Dei

#9 Playing Linebacker

Last week our whole family was sick. I missed a whole week of work and Jullien kept trying to go to school but couldn't make it most of the week. We had a HUGE game against Mater Dei (the private school that Matt Leinart (USC & NFL QB) went to. The current Mater Dei quarterback, Matt Barkley won the Gatorade player of the year and has a full ride scholarship to USC. We haven't beaten them since 2005, not to mention the public school (us) vs. private school (them) issue (recruiting). Now that I've given you a little background, here's how it all went down.

The day of the game, Jullien couldn't breathe AT ALL! The team REALLY needed him and he was going to be playing linebacker more than safety to pressure Barkley. So I rushed him to the doctor at 2:15 and they had to immediately give him a breathing treatment. They checked his oxygen level and said it was still way too low. They had to give him another treatment and his levels were still too low. We sat and waited while she checked different fingers. Finally his levels went up enough to leave and she said he would need to use an inhaler before the game also. I asked if he thought he could play and he said, "I'm playing no matter what mom!"

Getting Double Teamed

Jullien made a key tackle to stop their drive on 3rd down

He played INCREDIBLE...every time he came off the field he would throw up and then go back out and make another tackle. During half time he was so out of it he fell asleep and they had to wake him up when it was time to go back out. We had a bunch of our key players hurt and our quarterback, Matt Viles was sick too.

Jullien tipped a pass and we intercepted

WE WON 24-14!! Everyone stepped up and played with so much heart, it was a HUGE WIN!!

WAY TO GO CHARGERS!

Perfect Ending to a Perfect Game

FSN Prime Ticket - Friday Night

I wanted to let everyone know that my son's team will be on t.v. tomorrow night after the Dodger game, appx 10:30 - on FSN Prime Ticket - High School Game of the Week. It will replay on Monday Sept. 29th at 7:00 p.m. in CA, (not sure of the time in other states). I don't know how many states will be able to see it, but if you're sitting at home on a Friday night, TUNE IN!! It should be a really great game. My son is #9, and plays strong safety (defense) for Edison High School (we are Green Bay colors).

Jullien is REALLY nervous he said he doesn't want to mess up, especially on t.v. I've been trying to tell him NO ONE is perfect...and as long as he corrects himself, he will be fine! He doesn't want to hear it though...he's just a freak about it, even gets so worked up he throws up before every game!

Servite (the school we are playing) is selling programs for $10.00 and half of the profit will go to Luke Gane...very cool. http://lukegane.blogspot.com/ They will also show the interview with the Gane family. SO TUNE IN!!!

THANK YOU!!

First of all...You guys made my day SO special!! I can't believe ALL the comments I received...WOW! I will be getting back to EVERYONE, I just had one of those CRAZY weekends. We had four separate football games, a parent-player luncheon, pictures, and I worked in the nursery at church...so don't think, "I see how it is, I comment and she just ignores me, she's one of those people who just take and never show the love back!" I'll be by, you guys are the BEST, you are all so patient and understanding...no wonder I love SITSta's.

ME AND JULLIEN AT HIS LUNCHEON BEFORE FRIDAY'S GAME (Do we look alike?)

Now about the football games, Jullien's Varsity team killed Dana Hills 48-20 (it was really 48-6) but they always put the second string in to give them a chance to play in a varsity game and keep the starters from getting injured. This Friday is the BIG game against Servite High. It will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net. They will be doing a huge special interest piece during the airing about Luke Gane.

DISCUSSING DEFENSIVE STRATEGIES FOR THE GAME

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS...YAAAAY!

I don't know if you remember from my previous post, but Servite was the first team to show up at a fundraiser called "Locks for Luke." At 7:00 a.m. all the senior players were the first one's there along with their coach and a large check for the family. They buzzed their heads and all went out in the parking lot, knelt down in a circle and prayed for Luke...pretty AMAZING! They will be airing all of this along with interview's from the boys and the Gane family.

Watch it if you get a chance, I think it will be aired Friday night and then repeated on Saturday. I'll let you know exactly when I hear the specific times. Oh yeah, my son is the strong safety (defense) on Edison (Green Bay colors) HE'S #9...let me know if you see him in the game.

Adam (my step-son) played in the A & B Freshman game, the A team won, the B team lost. He played wide receiver in the A game and linebacker in the B game and had some great plays.

ADAM CATCHING A PASS AND BREAKING TACKLES

Elijah played the other Huntington Beach team (HUGE rival)...it was a battle and ended up 0-0. They had scouted us and had his number as you can see whenever he got the ball they SWARMED him...it was a good but stressful game.

ELIJAH TRYING TO AVOID BEING TACKLED!

TALK TO YOU ALL VERY SOON!!!!!

THE FUNDRAISER WAS AWESOME!

The fundraiser for Luke..."Locks for Luke" was amazing. It started at 7:00 am and one of our rival schools, Servite High School was the first team there (even before our boys from Edison arrived). They came to get their heads shaved and show support. After they were done, they huddled in a circle in the parking lot and prayed for Luke. The Huntington Beach Fire Dept. showed up and shaved their heads. Fox Sports Net was there interviewing and covering the whole event.

What an incredible day...it sure renews your faith in people!


JULLIEN


One of the players with Luke's initial's


Quarterback shaving his long hair


Inside the Salon


Jullien and Teammates


Football team in front of salon and Fire Engine (Jullien's the tall one in navy tank)


Fox Sport Net Interview

More Interviews