South Bay Sunsets
The South Bay is an area south of Los Angeles that sits along the Santa Monica Bay. I live in Hermosa Beach, one of the Beach Cities in the South Bay area. I just moved to California and will be writing about my experiences out here!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Fall is Here
It's been a few weeks since I've had a chance to write. In fact, it is a new month and almost a new season. It sure feels like it here in Hermosa, anyway! It's amazing how different the weather can be around Los Angeles. A 65 degree, overcast morning in Hermosa Beach can turn into 80 and sunny in Beverly Hills. It is really nice to get into the city sometimes. Not only the climate, but the terrain and general 'vibe' are quite a bit different. We took Molly (my brother's basset hound) to Runyan Canyon yesterday in Hollywood. It's a beautiful mountainous walk above and through a canyon that overlooks the city. In movies, when you see characters going on hikes or actors in US Weekly, this is usually where they are. It is a great workout and the view is pretty inspirational. Fall doesn't seem to have hit Runyan yet though because it was sooooo hot!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Personal Assistants
Who knew there was a group called the Association of Celebrity Personal Assistants, also known as, ACPA? My first reaction was, "what for?" but after going to a meeting yesterday (no I've not taken on a new job) it was cool to see what exactly goes on in the lives of these professionals. I attended the meeting, poolside at the Luxe Hotel on Sunset no less, to help my boss promote our tennis company. Everyone was quite hush-hush about who they worked for but a few names were dropped and insight was provided as to what it takes to be a personal assistant. The main purpose of their monthly meetings is to bounce ideas around about ways to make life easier when dealing with celebrity-related issues. For example, which restaurants do the best job of keeping paparazzi away? Is there a company that can help us with lavish party planning? It's also an opportunity to tell and compare stories. Now why was Ojakian Tennis asked to attend? We offer (and currently give) lessons to celebrities and high rollers, so this group of personal assistants to celebrities and high rollers was exactly our market. The planning and errand-running were just part of it and hopefully we added 'tennis lesson scheduler' to their list of tasks!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Another day at the Office...I mean Panera
I'm sitting at a Panera in Marina del Rey with my computer, paperwork and a few books. It's time to start the off-court work to increase the on-court. Since we just opened the Ritz-Carlton to tennis lessons, we now have to get the word out. Easier said than done I'm finding. I can't wait until our classes are jam-packed and there's a waiting list to get in them, but to be honest, I'm enjoying the process of looking for clients. I find business to be really intriguing and I'm having fun thinking from a business point of view. It's a challenge to find new ways to market and continually reassess the product and make it better, but I'm having fun with it. In fact, I like the challenge. My main focus right now is the kids program. Hopefully my experience in teaching in Georgia will help me out! I'm currently putting together proposals to give to principals at private schools in the area. We've met with local parents and are looking for ways to partner with schools and bring tennis to kids in the area. I'm confident we'll have a full junior program up and running by Christmas. Hopefully we'll be hiring by next summer and I have a few people in mind!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Oh those Allergies
If you knew me in Atlanta (or saw me at all the last three years) you probably couldn't find me without Kleenex in hand. I was severely allergic to something down there in Georgia and being in a constant state of allergic reaction triggered polyps to develop throughout my sinuses. To break it down, I became severely stuffed up. Anyway, this stuff doesn't just go away and I've decided to have surgery before the end of the month. Not looking forward to the surgery but for sure looking forward to feeling better!
On a more fun note, I met Tracy Austin yesterday! She co-chairs the celebrity Pro-Am tennis tournament that Ojakian Tennis hosts in November.
Shout out to Trip Elementary- first week is almost done!
On a more fun note, I met Tracy Austin yesterday! She co-chairs the celebrity Pro-Am tennis tournament that Ojakian Tennis hosts in November.
Shout out to Trip Elementary- first week is almost done!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Back from the East Coast
Hey everyone! It's been a while since I last wrote. I travelled east to go to a couple weddings and to make a trip back home to Toronto but I'm now back in Hermosa!
Two friends from Ohio State got married the last few weeks. The first wedding was in New Jersey for a college tennis teammate of mine, Sadhaf Pervez. Her family is from Pakistan so it was really cool to see how her wedding weekend was celebrated! See my facebook page for pictures! I went to Toronto for just a few days in between weddings but it was plenty of time to see family and some friends. The next wedding was in Cleveland for my sophomore year college roommate and Ohio State soccer player, Jen Heaney. Both weddings were a ton of fun and let's just say I am looking forward to catching up on some sleep this coming weekend.
Before I left, we (Ojakian Tennis) shot a fitness segment for ABC and it finally aired! Here's the link:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=7603782&syndicate=syndicate§ion
It was a great few weeks seeing everyone! Please come visit!!!!
Two friends from Ohio State got married the last few weeks. The first wedding was in New Jersey for a college tennis teammate of mine, Sadhaf Pervez. Her family is from Pakistan so it was really cool to see how her wedding weekend was celebrated! See my facebook page for pictures! I went to Toronto for just a few days in between weddings but it was plenty of time to see family and some friends. The next wedding was in Cleveland for my sophomore year college roommate and Ohio State soccer player, Jen Heaney. Both weddings were a ton of fun and let's just say I am looking forward to catching up on some sleep this coming weekend.
Before I left, we (Ojakian Tennis) shot a fitness segment for ABC and it finally aired! Here's the link:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=7603782&syndicate=syndicate§ion
It was a great few weeks seeing everyone! Please come visit!!!!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Not Just Any Tennis Job
Well, it's been a fun few days! We had our Grand Opening at the Ritz Carlton in Marina del Rey and had a great turnout. Hopefully, the city now knows we're there and will start coming to more and more lessons!
I knew when I was hired at Ojakian Tennis I knew I'd get to do some cool stuff. So far, in two short months, it's lived up to the hype! If you've seen my facebook pictures, you'll know that we shot a fitness segment for the Los Angeles ABC morning show. They wanted to feature Cardio Tennis (yes, that thing I keep talking about!) to show was a great workout it is. We went to a private home in Studio City at 8:30 this morning and ran through a pretty typical Cardio class. The celebrity participant was a girl named Kendra but I'd never heard of her. She was REALLY cool. Super upbeat and the nicest girl you could meet. It turns out she had just completed her first movie, Step Up 3D, that dance one you've probably seen commercials for. When I got home, I Googled her to figure out her last name and, I thought this was pretty cool, she's ESPN reporter Erin Andrews' sister! For those that don't watch ESPN, Erin was on Dancing with the Stars this past season. Anyway, I can't say I was going to go see Step Up 3D for sure, but I will now because like I said, Kendra was great. I'm not sure when this Cardio Tennis class airs but it will be posted on ojakiantennis.com as soon as it does. It was fun to participate in the class with the four guys that are also pros for the company. I'm getting to know them better and they've been awesome. This morning show is great publicity for the company and hopefully it not only brings us new clients, but also introduces people to Cardio Tennis and gets them on the court!
Tomorrow I'm off to a cocktail hour/fundraising kickoff for the Ojakian MS charity, with Tracy Austin (former tennis pro) and then going to watch the night matches at the LA Open mens pro tournament.
Usually it's just tennis lessons, so today and tomorrow's events are pretty out of the ordinary. Gives me cool topics to blog about though!
Thanks to everyone who's been reading! Don't forget to "follow" my blogs!
I knew when I was hired at Ojakian Tennis I knew I'd get to do some cool stuff. So far, in two short months, it's lived up to the hype! If you've seen my facebook pictures, you'll know that we shot a fitness segment for the Los Angeles ABC morning show. They wanted to feature Cardio Tennis (yes, that thing I keep talking about!) to show was a great workout it is. We went to a private home in Studio City at 8:30 this morning and ran through a pretty typical Cardio class. The celebrity participant was a girl named Kendra but I'd never heard of her. She was REALLY cool. Super upbeat and the nicest girl you could meet. It turns out she had just completed her first movie, Step Up 3D, that dance one you've probably seen commercials for. When I got home, I Googled her to figure out her last name and, I thought this was pretty cool, she's ESPN reporter Erin Andrews' sister! For those that don't watch ESPN, Erin was on Dancing with the Stars this past season. Anyway, I can't say I was going to go see Step Up 3D for sure, but I will now because like I said, Kendra was great. I'm not sure when this Cardio Tennis class airs but it will be posted on ojakiantennis.com as soon as it does. It was fun to participate in the class with the four guys that are also pros for the company. I'm getting to know them better and they've been awesome. This morning show is great publicity for the company and hopefully it not only brings us new clients, but also introduces people to Cardio Tennis and gets them on the court!
Tomorrow I'm off to a cocktail hour/fundraising kickoff for the Ojakian MS charity, with Tracy Austin (former tennis pro) and then going to watch the night matches at the LA Open mens pro tournament.
Usually it's just tennis lessons, so today and tomorrow's events are pretty out of the ordinary. Gives me cool topics to blog about though!
Thanks to everyone who's been reading! Don't forget to "follow" my blogs!
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