May 28, 2010

For those of you who work or live in DC, I am confident you have come across a group of young people who wear red coats and khakis. These young people work for an organization called City Year. This organization empowers young people by encouraging them to give back to the community full time. You often see these young people in Dupont Circle or U Street gathered together getting ready for their day of service once a week. I had the privilege of attending City Year's 2010 Gala on Tuesday night. It was held at the Ronald Reagan building on Pennsylvania Avenue in DC. The event honored and awarded a small group of individuals who have given back to the community in various ways. I enjoyed hearing one young lady describe the challenges she faced as a young person and how she used community service (or giving back to others less fortunate) to help empower herself as a young woman. While I have passed the age of joining City Year, I always enjoy sharing the various volunteer opportunities in the District.

Many of you know that I am going back to my high school to teach a Business Ethics course through the organization-Junior Achievement. I have completed 3 sessions so far and have 4 sessions remaining. Slowly I have gotten over my fear of speaking in front of high school students. The majority of the class have responded well to my words and participate in the weekly exercises. These young people are always thinking and changing each day. While the class starts at 7am, I work really hard to bring strong enthusiasm to each class. I will keep you posted.

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After staging my folk's house for the market, my friend (and agent) Tammy quickly sent me another staging project- an Arlington townhouse in the Ballston neighborhood of VA. The owners are newly married professionals-(the wife-CPA and the husband-lawyer) who bought the house 2 years ago. Tammy and I will be working together to help the power couple. The completion date is June 14.

My best friends -V and her husband have decided to move to NYC for a year. They chose a 600 something sq ft studio on the border of DUMBO in Brooklyn. It is in an ultra modern building with views of the bridge. And V's husband has hired me to make their studio work for the family of 3 (they have a beautiful dog named Riley). The challenge in this project is not just space. Their "official" home is Atlanta where they are leaving behind most of their furnishings. Basically, the new NY couple will need to start new and create a second home. I am beyond excited to have a project in NY especially a studio. This is my 1st official NY gig and what a great 1st gig to have-to work with my best friends. NY here I come!