Officer, Federal Government

I will be turning the big 5-0 next year. I’m super excited about hitting this milestone in my life. Turning 50 means that I’ve had the opportunity to experience so many different things. These experiences, good and bad helped shape the person that I am today, a confident, resilient and grateful individual.

My family moved to Oahu when I was only a few months old and although I wasn’t born here, I’ve always considered Hawaii my home. I have a 16-year-old son who keeps me pretty busy with chauffeuring duties to and from his sporting events. I joke but I enjoy every minute of it because it’s always time well spent when I’m with him.

One of my interests includes traveling. I love learning about different ways of life and seeing the beauty of new places. One of my most memorable trip was to Alaska; I got the chance to walk on a glacier and see the extraordinary northern lights. Standing on the top of a snowy mountain with the shimmering lights all over the night sky is truly an unforgettable experience. A goal of my mine is to visit all 50 states; so far I’ve been to 21 states, mostly on the East and West Coasts. I would love to someday take a leisurely train ride across the continental U.S., allowing me to see the beautiful sceneries while getting closer to visiting all 50 states.

What are your thoughts on aging?

I view aging as a gift. I’m very grateful for all 49 years. I’ve learned so much about myself and I accept me for me. I celebrate when things go great and I give myself grace when things don’t go quite as well. The experiences, my personal growth and the relationships I’ve made are priceless and I look forward to many more years to come.

What wonderful things can younger women look forward to at your age? Younger women and girls, might think that it's scary getting older. Let's inspire them!

Besides looking forward to basking in the sun during retirement, women my age will have the opportunity to motivate the younger generation of women by sharing their victories and defeats. I believe that learning through life experiences is so much more valuable than reading it in a book. You can’t put a price on the power of human interactions.

Share tips on how you celebrate yourself, what you do for fun, and self care.

Making time for self care is really important to me. I’m constantly on the go with a very hectic work and home schedule. Going to the gym 4-5 times a week is something I’ve recently prioritized. It helps me to de-stress and stay healthy. You’ll find me either walking on the treadmill for about an hour or using the resistance machines. I also enjoy going for a walk at Magic Island right around sunset. Magic island is so full of life. Others walking and jogging alongside me, people surfing, swimming, potlucking and groups of people doing yoga on long boards in the water or on the grass. It’s an amazing place to end my day. On occasions, I also like to take a trip to Lāʻie Point State Wayside Park. The peaceful coastal drive helps clear my mind and when I get to the park, I soak in all the beauty around me. The stunning rock formation in the ocean is definitely a site to see.

Share one experience/story. We all have life struggles. But the big share is how did you over come and lift yourself up? Advice to other women to empower them.

Earlier this year, I had a medical scare. As soon as the doctor told me, I kept thinking of the worst-case scenario. I felt like my world was falling apart. At first, I was in denial and could not believe what was happening. I then started to feel sorry for myself. If it wasn’t for my friends and family and their unwavering support, I would not have been able to pick myself up off the floor. They helped me change my mindset and I switched to “fight” mode. I started to follow up with doctors and scheduled procedures. Thankfully, after a lot of tears and prayers, my medical situation was taken care of.

Having a network of trusted individuals to support you in times of need is very important. The support you receive will help you refocus and guide you forward. Even a simple “it’s going to be okay” from friends and family goes a long way.

What would you tell your 14-year-old self?If I met my 14-year-old self?

I would tell her that it’s been an amazing journey so far and at 49, she’s not even close to being done! She should be incredibly proud of how much she’s achieved and that achievement is due to her determination and dedication to everything she does and holding the values instilled in her by her mom so close to her heart.

I would tell her that she can look forward to graduating from high school with honors and then going on to college to obtain both her Bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies, with a Philippine Studies minor and a Master’s degree in Social Work. While in college she would be involved with developing a mentoring program for disadvantaged middle school aged children, intern as social worker while also interning at a Federal agency as a Federal Officer. After college, she will obtain a career with the Federal government as a full time officer. She will find this job both very interesting and rewarding. Her career will allow her to travel to places she wouldn’t normally travel to like Guam, Saipan, and Brunswick, Georgia to name a few.

But her most important achievement will be her role as a mother to a very kind, sweet boy that she will be so lucky to share a life with. Her son has a heart of gold and the love she will feel for him is like no other. Her son makes everything in her life worth it.

What is your definition of success?

Success is when my son goes out of his way to open the door for the aunties and uncles in my building; success is sharing my experience and knowledge with my younger colleagues; success is lending an extra hand to family and friends when in need. The true measurement of success is when others recognize acts of kindness rather than telling them what those acts are. Making a positive difference in your life and someone else’s life is the result of success.