What Are You Waiting For?

I have enjoyed several years of lunches and watching soccer with my coach, father figure and friend, Jim – a good Irishman dealing with life and cancer. He made several plans to go home to Ireland over the past year, only to change them to wait for a better time, better health or the next big game or town event.

Jim celebrated his 81st birthday with news that he had six weeks to live. He died within one week.

Bad things never happen at a good time. You either have the time and no money or the money and no time. Life is full of the unexpected – all words Jim and I said many times. So I have some advice for you: Carpe Diem (seize the day) and make the good happen when you can. Jim was a very learned man. He read incessantly and kept his memory clear and strong by participating in theater. He felt if you stopped learning, you stopped living.

I agree.

I’m encouraging you to plan, act and reap. As a GIA graduate, you’ve accomplished a big step in your career development. But don’t stop there. Advance and improve yourself. I, for one, am going to.

I’ve been planning to take the Visual Merchandising course through the GIA’s School of Business, which is available through Distance Education. This is a retail necessity, one that will definitely lead to higher sales in my store. I will take what I’ve learned from Jim’s unfortunate experience and take action.

I will reap what I sow. This is my year. I encourage you to make it yours. What are you waiting for?

Starla Turner, G.G.
We Are the Alumni!

To learn how you can become a volunteer on one of the Alumni Association’s committees, contact Alumni Manager Rose McKenna at (760) 603-4145 or e-mail: rmckenna@gia.edu