How long have you been enrolled in the SMC Emeritus program?
Approximately 15 years
What was your occupation prior to retirement?
Sales
What was your highest level of education?
High school graduate – no college degree
What are the top three reasons why you value the SMC Emeritus Program?
- An opportunity to explore and indulge in new activities and with the help of the instructors become fairly proficient.
- Meeting other people and learning about their lives.
- Having access to so many different instructors and learning something different from each of them
Pearls of Wisdom: What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Don't be afraid of trying new things. Its okay if you don't excel in all of them and try to learn from your failures. Set goals and do your best to reach them, but remember that life has a way of changing the journey you started. Learn how to adapt.
How would your advice to your 50-year-old self differ?
Look around yourself and appreciate what you have and what you've accomplished. Be aware that there are so many whose lives are very tough and be thankful and grateful for what you have. Make the most of what comes your way.
What are some of your biggest accomplishments in life?
My husband and I uprooted our 6 month old and 3 year old sons and emigrated from South Africa to the USA to give them a better life. One of the best decisions we made.
One of my biggest accomplishments is my amazing family. I feel blessed so have such a close family unit where we spend a lot of time together and everyone gets on with one another.
As a child and teenager I spent a lot of time dancing and as a young adult became a dance teacher.
My husband and I ran a business together for many years. We then changed our respective professions and I successfully built up my own one person business.
The SMC Emeritus Program has helped me as a lifelong learner because it encourages me to indulge and try new things.
The best part about being an SMC Emeritus student that it has given be the skills and encouragement to try a new activity and offers the opportunity to keep learning more.