ClubFreedom

On April 1, 2000, I was on a flight to Maui, Hawaii.  It was my first trip to Hawaii and my first official day of freedom.  My life experiences have since been classified as pre-Hawaii or post-Hawaii.  I've often described April 1, 2000 as the fateful day where I chose the "red pill."  I've since considered on a number of more painful occasions if I should have chosen the "blue pill," but settle always back on being grateful for the journey "down the rabbit hole."  For those who have not seen the movie, "the Matrix," from which I am referencing I say only - where have you been! 

Hawaii was symbolic choice for me.  In high school, my mother's partner of 11 years died of cancer within 6 months of the diagnosis.  He was a retired foreman from a manufacturing company after 30 years or so of service, and had saved up about $100k in the bank.  His biggest dream was to go to Hawaii someday.  He clearly had the funds to take the trip, and having been retired for several years prior to his death, also had the time to go.  He spent every dime on medical bills "surviving" the last 6 months of his life.  As a 16 year old kid, I was enlightened early to the very real understanding that tomorrow isn't promised, and someday might not ever come if you wait too long.  Read the rest of this entry »

My name is Mayumi Young.  My amazing husband is Clinton Young.  We live in San Diego, have been married for just over a year, and are ready to start a family.  We've been practicing being parents with our crazy cat, Ripley.  She's 11 and if she is evidence of my parenting skills, I have a lot to be worried about.  So far, we've remembered to feed her everyday, and she is still alive.  So, I think we've done our parental duties.

I'm 37 and my husband is 33 (yes, Demi isn't the only smart girl on the planet.)  I am the typical corporate ladder climber turned entrepreneur.  I became a CPA because I got an "A" in my Accounting 101 class in college.  I found out how much accountants were paid out of college, compared that to my Syracuse University student loan balance, and basically said "I'm in!"  Not that $32,000 a year (before Uncle Sam) took their share was anything to get excited about.  For me, getting hired by Price Waterhouse (one of the Big Six accounting firms at the time) was a big deal, especially coming from a small town in Massachusetts, raised by a single mom who had an 8th grade education.  Of course, I was going to go to college and get a job.  My mother sacrificed everything for me, my education and my future, and I wasn't about to let her down.  Read the rest of this entry »