The wisest thing I've ever heard is "No matter how old you are, you can still pursue your dreams". I decided to follow that quote when I made a choice to go back to school to work towards my AA/BA/MA degree in Gerontology. It has been a slow process, but I am working towards my transfer to a university. Society rules groomed me at a young age, to believe there's a specific timeline to follow. Go to school, attend college (in your 20's), get a job, get married, start a family and retire. I was inspired when I attended an AARP presentation that showcased older adults, walking across the United States for their 90th birthday, an 80 year old man who decided to start working out, and a number of people who went back to school in their late 60's. I thought to myself " That's me!" Of course, my inner voice would remind me " You're too old to get a degree. You let that opportunity pass you by". But I fought past that mindset and decided to "jump in". I was either going to land in water or a net, but it was a chance I was taking. I felt invigorated when I registered for my first Gerontology class. I noticed I was not the oldest one in my classes. There are others who have taken that belief to heart and that inspired me more. I have become a curiosity to my grand-nephews and nieces, "You're in school Auntie?" This question makes me realize that they have been groomed to think that opportunity is for the young. I'm proving them wrong and I'm having a blast!!

My two favorite quotes "Do unto others as you would want them done unto you", and "Actions speak louder than words", is how I try living my life. I have to give credit to my grandmother, who I observed and listened to, who showed me examples of her kindness, caring, sense of community, and friendship. From those experiences grew my empathetic heart. Seeing people's reactions when something kind is given or done for them is a great feeling. The biggest thing I give to family, friends, and people in my life to make them feel loved, is my time, and more importantly, listening. We are race around in the world with work, school, and careers that we get stuck in task oriented living. We can Zoom, email, Skype, text or send a card, note or letter when face to face contact is not an option. Taking a moment from everyday life to spend quality time with our loved ones is vital for our health and our spirit.

Why don't I feel 60? Didn't I JUST graduate from high school?! This is my mindset. I don't want to focus on a number that many believe is considered "old age". I believe you can do anything your mind and heart tell you no matter your age. It just took me a while to believe it! My motivation to continue schooling is attributed to my grandparents. In memory of my Mexican and Filipino grandparents, I want to work towards my Gerontology degree focusing on aging, especially within our diverse communities. Growing up in Mexico or the Philippines, both sets of my grandparents didn't get past 8th grade. They came to the US and worked in the fields of Watsonville, Salinas, or wherever there was a field that needed to be picked. When they were raising their families (my parents), they didn't put any importance on education. My father and mother graduated from high school and that was that. When it came time for me to graduate high school, I recall talking about going to college. Both parents responded with " We never went, so you don't have to either. Go get a job and some insurance, that's all you need." But I wanted more for myself. I just didn't know who to talk to about advancing my education. And I was an overly proud teen to ask a school counselor. I graduated and followed my parents' suggestion... I got a job with insurance and that, well that wasn't enough for me. I took classes here and there at a few community colleges, but there was no focus. I took fire science, holistic health, nutrition, literature and composition, real estate classes, and tai chi. I didn't feel fulfilled though. So I turned my back and went back to focusing on work and keeping my health insurance. I finally decided to go back to school in 2015. At first, I thought I was going to get flack about going back to school so late in the game. I figured I would give it a go and I am glad I did. I knew early on that I wanted to pursue a degree in Gerontology. But I didn't take time to research the subject, teachers, or schools that offered classes that worked towards this specific degree. I am staying the course, but the process has been turtle slow. I can't quit my job and focus on school full time. I've had to figure out ways to juggle both. It hasn't been easy, but I am confident I will see myself to a grand end of having my BA and MA in hand one day. Once I reach my goal, I will continue to build my consulting business, helping individuals and families find the resources and tools necessary for them to thrive and age gracefully in the process.

JOY - it's not just a girl's name or a word in a song. Joy is attainable by everyone. It is all around us and can be felt in a moment, an hour, a day, or a lifetime. We don't have to search very far, but we do have to keep our eyes, hearts, and minds open to receive it. We understand when we receive joy, how it feels, and the lingering effects it has on us spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. I find that joy is tied to gratitude. If we are thankful, joy is part of the party! I've shared and given joy to family, friends, co-workers, strangers, and animals! I seek out joy by working alongside our elders, our aging population. It is a joyful and rewarding feeling. We can belt out a song together, dance the foxtrot, reminisce about the good ol' days, or share a joke or two. Watching family members see their loved ones experiencing this playful joy, gives me a feeling of accomplishment. I strive to continue being a seeker, creator, and giver of joy for individuals and communities through my continuing education as I work towards my degree in Gerontology.

I would like to impact the Filipino-American community by leaving a legacy behind for future generations. People worldwide are rounding the corner into their golden years. There will be more people over the age of 65 than any other age group the world will ever see. A Betty Davis quote in the movie " All About Eve" - " Hold on, we're in for a bumpy night!" sums up what is in store for the world. The Silver Tsunami has yet to crest, but is building in size at a very fast rate. This is true of our Filipino-American communities. I am second generation Filipino-American in the United States. I am the first in my family that is attending college. My grandfather was President of the San Francisco Filipino Masonic Hall. He passed when I was quite young, but stories of how he helped his community are still shared. I want to honor his memory by continuing to do the kind of support he and his fellow Masonics offered. At 28 years old, someone handed me an AARP flyer. They were hosting a meeting at Stanford University "On Aging". This is when the word "gerontology" came up on my radar. I knew that was my calling, but at the time there weren't many college courses on the subject. Sitting in the auditorium, I got more than a few glances, stares and side whispers. A man approached me and asked "Why are you here?!" My reply, "I'm getting older too. I'd like to find out how I can prepare myself and how I can educate others on how to age successfully." I also realized during the presentation that there were no Asians in the presentation. I decided to follow my calling by returning to school to build upon and improve my skills. Working towards my Gerontology BA/MA degree will allow me to continue to consult, create and support Filipino Americans who want to live their best life, and more importantly, working alongside our Filipino communities in the Sacramento/ Bay Area regions. My goal is to help individuals and families find the necessary programs, tools and resources to remain youthful and useful with a continued sense of purpose. Life doesn't end when you turn a certain age. Life should always be "Getting Better" with age.