Gia Ilole
Gia is a native Californian who has lived all over the state from San Diego to Trinity County, plus Washington DC for a short time. She recently relocated to Ventura County with her family to build a compound property together with her sister’s family so that they could always share wardrobes and parenting responsibilities for their 5 combined children at home. Gia graduated from UCSB with a degree in Linguistics (which she thinks entitles her to make up words). It took her just three years, as she was eager to graduate early to go live with her long distance boyfriend and his toddler daughter at the time. That seemed to work out, as the boyfriend got promoted to husband years ago and her step-daughter promoted her to grandmother recently! Gia’s husband is from East Africa and runs their Bed and Breakfast in Tanzania from near and far. Gia is a Human Resources Director who has a major obsession with watermelon and eggnog lattes, depending on the season.
Creating Community Through Vulnerability
Recently I was volunteering at our youth-soccer info booth (as I do every Saturday morning), but this particular morning was different because another mom had volunteered too! We don't get as many volunteers as...
Be the One Who Takes the Photo
So Many Photos
The days of "real cameras", disposable cameras, or polaroids have changed! We now have hundreds, even thousands of photos on our phones of everyday events. Photos of special events, duplicates, ones to...
Resilience for Mother’s Day
This year, I’m celebrating Mother’s Day and the ten year anniversary of my ten year old son’s open heart surgery. I spent my first official Mother’s Day at Rady’s Children’s Hospital while my new...
Didn’t She Almost Have It All?
You Can Have it All
Empowering women over the years we've all heard the messages that we can have it all. We can have the family AND the career. We can be beautiful AND brilliant....
My Life is (Legit) Alarming
Life is so busy sometimes. We have so much to do, such limited time. Sometimes, while commuting or showering, I let my brain relax only to have things pop up that I forgot, one...
A New Year’s Look Forward
I am not opposed to winning or losing at a New Year’s Resolution. Everyone loves a chance for a refresh. However, I also totally understand that there are a lot of feelings around the...
Be an Imposter Assassin
Imposter syndrome is a real thing, especially for women.
Even when we earn a role (be it at work, at home, in the community – I’m talking manager, mother, organization board member..) we feel like...
What Kind of Holiday Entertainer are You?
Remember those quizzes we used to take in Teen Magazine or YM? The ones that it became really apparent "what kind of flirt" you are or "which Babysitter's Club member" you are... when you started...
The Future – Anxiety and Excitement
I’m far-sighted.. and it’s not a good thing.
Anxiety
I’ve been reading about anxiety lately. The idea is that anxiety is related to the past or the future, and that to quell it, you should realize...
Become a Hallmark Heroine
Every year as the seasons change, I wish to live in a Hallmark Channel movie.
I want to be the busy career woman who is forced to move to a small apple orchard or Christmas...