It just seems like yesterday we were all high school seniors, no real care in the world, sitting in the forum, chatting and laughing, waiting for our next class. As I told my daughter when she entered Beyer, appreciate high school. Enjoy every moment and savory every day. Time will fly by and before you know it you will be a senior, stepping into the uncertainties of life. Well, here WE all are 30 years later, living the uncertainties of life. The path that has led me here today has sometimes been easy and other times extremely challenging, but for the most part it has been well worth it.
After high school I attended Modesto Junior College graduating with an AA. While at MJC I changed my major twice, but soon found my passion and sunk my teeth into Public Relations. I graduated from San Jose State University in the spring of 1983 with a BA in PR and a minor in Marketing. It has been a great ride for over 25 years and I always tell people I have the fun job!
While at San Jose State University, my parents encouraged me to stay and earn my Masters Degree. As an academically, burned out, twenty something, I declined. I was anxious to start my career and leave the books behind. WHAT THE HECK WAS I THINKING!!!
I moved back to Modesto, and was hired by an advertising agency that, at the time, was the largest in the Central Valley. Because of mismanagement, it closed its doors two years later. What was I to do now? I packed up the U-Haul and headed to Monterey Bay, living the beach life for two years. I worked for a world famous clothing store in Carmel. I met and dressed Hollywood stars and corporate millionaires. Ate sushi next to Clint Eastwood and walked the white, sandy beaches of the Pacific Ocean daily. It was the BEST!
I later returned to Modesto, working for Doctors Medical Center in their Community Relations Department. From there I entered the financial world. Then onto National Medical Enterprises opening their PR Department for the HMO division. After NME, I discovered economic development. Then onto Chamber work. All in all, my most rewarding and life changing job, to date, was my five years at Community Hospice. I was hired to create a marketing and PR Department for the organization in 1993. The people that touched my life then, still impact my life now.
Currently, I work for the Stanislaus Economic Development & Workforce Alliance. Our mission is assisting business at every stage of their growth and development, whether they are an existing business or a new company looking to relocate to the area. I am also in a business relationship with two PR/marketing gurus. We are developing our company and a reputation in the PR field. One of my partners has already earned national recognition for her work.
OK, you now know the career side of Teri. How about the personal side?
I am the mother of four beautiful, high-spirited, intelligent, loving, and strong-willed daughters. The only man of the house is their father. Even the dog is a female. My oldest is 18 and my youngest is 8. My two in the center are middle school tweens, ages 13 & 11. My oldest just entered college. My 13 year old is a social academic. My 11 year old is an athletic academic, and my baby is a princess scholar. Being a mother has enriched my life. My girls bring great joy to every waking day. They teach me how to see life again, untarnished and with endless possibilities. It is through them I truly know the meaning of life.
I am a breast cancer survivor. Every day is blessing. I swore off cancer after my mastectomy and never looked back. During my experience I learned two things, you don’t need hair to live, but you do need love to survive. I had that in my family, friends, doctors and colleagues. I also found out when you don’t have hair, how many people like to rub your head. Someone told me it’s a good luck thing? Now I understand why there are so many bald men in the world.
OK, for all the male classmates, this is where you stop reading or read at your own risk.
People ask how do you feel about not having breasts? I tell them I lived half my life like Dolly Parton, and now I’m living the other half as a flat-chested teenager (which I never was). I also tell my female friends, I’m lucky because when I get tired of my boobs, I just take’em off and hang’em on the back of the bathroom door. You on the other hand have to worry about them sagging to your knees in the next 15 to 20 years. So tell me, who’s the lucky one?
Remember, you can never say “I Love You” enough or give too many hugs.
God bless all of you and remember to laugh!!!
After high school I attended Modesto Junior College graduating with an AA. While at MJC I changed my major twice, but soon found my passion and sunk my teeth into Public Relations. I graduated from San Jose State University in the spring of 1983 with a BA in PR and a minor in Marketing. It has been a great ride for over 25 years and I always tell people I have the fun job!
While at San Jose State University, my parents encouraged me to stay and earn my Masters Degree. As an academically, burned out, twenty something, I declined. I was anxious to start my career and leave the books behind. WHAT THE HECK WAS I THINKING!!!
I moved back to Modesto, and was hired by an advertising agency that, at the time, was the largest in the Central Valley. Because of mismanagement, it closed its doors two years later. What was I to do now? I packed up the U-Haul and headed to Monterey Bay, living the beach life for two years. I worked for a world famous clothing store in Carmel. I met and dressed Hollywood stars and corporate millionaires. Ate sushi next to Clint Eastwood and walked the white, sandy beaches of the Pacific Ocean daily. It was the BEST!
I later returned to Modesto, working for Doctors Medical Center in their Community Relations Department. From there I entered the financial world. Then onto National Medical Enterprises opening their PR Department for the HMO division. After NME, I discovered economic development. Then onto Chamber work. All in all, my most rewarding and life changing job, to date, was my five years at Community Hospice. I was hired to create a marketing and PR Department for the organization in 1993. The people that touched my life then, still impact my life now.
Currently, I work for the Stanislaus Economic Development & Workforce Alliance. Our mission is assisting business at every stage of their growth and development, whether they are an existing business or a new company looking to relocate to the area. I am also in a business relationship with two PR/marketing gurus. We are developing our company and a reputation in the PR field. One of my partners has already earned national recognition for her work.
OK, you now know the career side of Teri. How about the personal side?
I am the mother of four beautiful, high-spirited, intelligent, loving, and strong-willed daughters. The only man of the house is their father. Even the dog is a female. My oldest is 18 and my youngest is 8. My two in the center are middle school tweens, ages 13 & 11. My oldest just entered college. My 13 year old is a social academic. My 11 year old is an athletic academic, and my baby is a princess scholar. Being a mother has enriched my life. My girls bring great joy to every waking day. They teach me how to see life again, untarnished and with endless possibilities. It is through them I truly know the meaning of life.
I am a breast cancer survivor. Every day is blessing. I swore off cancer after my mastectomy and never looked back. During my experience I learned two things, you don’t need hair to live, but you do need love to survive. I had that in my family, friends, doctors and colleagues. I also found out when you don’t have hair, how many people like to rub your head. Someone told me it’s a good luck thing? Now I understand why there are so many bald men in the world.
OK, for all the male classmates, this is where you stop reading or read at your own risk.
People ask how do you feel about not having breasts? I tell them I lived half my life like Dolly Parton, and now I’m living the other half as a flat-chested teenager (which I never was). I also tell my female friends, I’m lucky because when I get tired of my boobs, I just take’em off and hang’em on the back of the bathroom door. You on the other hand have to worry about them sagging to your knees in the next 15 to 20 years. So tell me, who’s the lucky one?
Remember, you can never say “I Love You” enough or give too many hugs.
God bless all of you and remember to laugh!!!
2 comments:
Rest in peace my dear friend and neighborhood buddy!
Dear mom,
I miss you :)
love,
your princess scholar
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