Amanda Anhalt
IAAP Member
What’s the coolest thing you’ve
ever done? I sang at Carnegie Hall in New York my senior year in high school with my chorus and concert members. We were provided with a private cruise around the Statue of Liberty after our performance
and the best part was that my mother was able to attend as a chaperone.
Who are the most influential people
in your life right now? My grandfather
for his unbelievable strength, bravery and wisdom. My mother for her independence,
work ethic and determination.
What are your hobbies or interests? Completion of second degree in Criminal Justice and
Masters of Business Administration.
What is your favorite TV show? Law and
Order
What are your best and worst personality
traits? My best personality trait would be conscientiousness
and my worst is being indecisive on certain issues.
What’s something your parents
taught you that you’ve never forgotten? Determination
What do you do for fun? Exercise
Do you own any pets? How many? What
kind? And Names? I have a 4 year old, orange tabby named Barley and a 12 year old opsolopso named Sugar.
What’s the last conversation you
had? Expressing how thankful I am to have such great friends and family in my life, especially on my birthday (June 29th).
Tell us one thing that you think no
one knows about you? Growing
up, I had an aspiring dream to be a country singer like Reba McEntire.
Cindi Thomas - IAAP Member
(January - March 2009)
Who
was your second grade teacher and what did she teach you?
Miss
Fant at Hickam Elementary School in Honolulu, Hawaii, was my second grade teacher. She was the first teacher that I ever "aided"
for. I passed out papers, helped her with the bulletin boards, took notes to the principal's office, etc. I went on to
be a Teacher's Aide for many teachers, which I feel directly led to my career as an Executive Assistant.
Name a character in a TV show, movie, or book that you admire.
Sally
Dugan in "The Associate" - This 1996 movie starring Whoopi Goldberg and Dianne Wiest has a plot that is far-fetched, to put
it kindly. But Dianne Wiest, as the assistant to Whoopi's character, is excellent. She is professional, resourceful, and smart.
One of my real-life favorite characters is Abigail in the book of Samuel in the Bible - the wife of the wicked Nabal.
The Bible says she was "a woman of good understanding and of a beautiful countenance." She exhibited remarkable diplomacy
and cleverness, but her most admirable trait was the humble spirit about her.
What's your favorite
color and what does it say about you?
My favorite color is green (John Deere green,
like the country song!) I love green because I love plants and flowers. Spring is my favorite season, when the earth returns
to life after a cold winter. It rejuvenates me as well!
Have you ever wanted to change your first name? What
would you choose and why?
My full name is Cynthia. The only ones that call me that are my parents. When
I was in the fifth grade, there were 4 or 5 Cynthias and Cindys in my class. So I became "Cindi". Now changing my last name...let
me know if you have any candidates that would like to help me change that!
How
many times a day do you smile?
I find myself smiling frequently. I can attribute
that to several things: a positive outlook, the fact that I enjoy reading cartoons, jokes, and uplifting material, and most
of all, "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart" - the love of Christ that shines through me.
What is your favorite meal?
Ah, a good steak (medium
rare) is always a favorite. Add a baked potato (butter only, please) a wedge of iceberg lettuce with chopped tomatoes, crumbled
bacon, and Bleu Cheese dressing, a loaf of warm, buttered bread, sweet tea, and a crème brule for dessert.....phooey! Now
I'm hungry!
What is something that you will NOT eat?
I try to avoid peppers and onions, whenever possible. But I absolutely WILL NOT eat lentils - baked beans,
chili beans, etc. I never have cared for them.
What is your favorite movie?
"Somewhere in Time"
with Jane Seymour and the late Christopher Reeves is my all-time favorite. Time-travel movies (and books) are a weakness of
mine.
What is
your favorite place to travel?
I'm a home-body, and there's no place like home...but I would love to visit Milford
Track, New Zealand's famous walking trail. And,\of course, I'd choose the guided walk, where walkers stay in lodges with hot
showers, catered meals, beds, lounge areas, electric lights, etc. That's my idea of roughing it!
How many
times have you moved in your life?
Oh, the life of a military brat! I was born in southern California in a
coastal area, then moved to Hawaii when I was 2 months old, then Nebraska for 2 years (talk about a culture shock!), then
back to Hawaii until I was 10, then back to California (same base I was born), then to Japan for 3 years (yes, I loved it!),
then again to California - this time to the foothills of the Big Bear mountains, then to Sherwood, Arkansas, where my father
retired. Married, moved to Arizona. Divorced, moved back to Sherwood. And this is home.
What are your hobbies or interests?
I love to garden, read,
garage sale (shop, not host!) watch movies, and have friends and family come over to visit. The welcome mat is out....if you're
in Sherwood, come visit me!
CAROLYN
RUFUS CPS, President-Elect A-O Bylaws & Standing Rules Committee Chair (July - September, 2008)
· What books and magazines are you reading right now?
I am reading "The
Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd - a good read.…
· Name a character in a TV show, movie, or book that
you admire.
Rosa Parks. Also, Gail Fisher as Peggy on "Mannix" detective show
that ran on CBS from 1968-1975, Gail's character, Peggy, inspired me to become a secretary.—
· What's the last conversation you had?
With an Oncologist at UAMS regarding Breast Cancer treatment for a
loved one.
· What is the best gift you've ever given?
Paid for a very expensive cosmetic procedure for a loved one that has had
a life changing affect for her.
· What is your dream car?
One that can go "100" miles on a gallon of gas.
· How has your personality changed in the last 10 years?
I believe I'm a more confident person and have grown spiritually.
· What's your housework strategy?
Keep the kitchen and bathrooms really clean, vacuum once a week and do everything
else when I have to.
TERESA TIDWELL CAP, President-Elect, Webmaster, and A-O Certification Chair (May-June
2008)
· What books and magazines are you reading right now?
I am reading A View From A Height,
a new novel written by a friend and coworker of mine, J. E. Murphy. It is a bit sci-fi; not my normal reading material, but
it has captured my attention. Ever the stickler for typographical errors, I made a comment to him halfway through the book,
that he should have asked me to help him proof, because I had come across a few errors. He asked me to mark them and let him
know what I found. Well, he asked for it…I continued reading and in the remaining 200 pages, I found 30 changes. He
made these corrections as well as adding my name as a proofreader. I told him if my name was being included, I would like
to reread the first 400 pages and look for more changes. This is my idea of fun (see question 5 below).
· How do people in your life show you they love you?
I used to think of “I Love You” as purely a romantic thing;
because that is the way I heard it in my childhood. My children have reminded me that there are different kinds of love. I
can honestly tell friends “I Love You” and they don’t even think I’m weird (I hope).
· What is your best and worst personality trait?
This is so perfect for me right now—nonassertiveness! Let me explain,
I like being easygoing and nonassertive and I have found it to be a very good trait. However, it can also be a bad trait.
For instance, last week I got my hair highlighted and left the hairdresser’s - obviously unhappy with the results -
but do you think I would stand up for myself and ask her to fix it? Are you kidding, I tipped her and left. For the next three
days, I picked up three different products ($) and asked countless friends for advice on what to do. Wouldn’t it have
been easier to ask the hairdresser for help? I finally did and now I like my hair.
· How did you meet your best friend or significant other?
I met my husband in a singles Sunday School class. I was the social chairperson
and the day I met him, our class was going bowling in the evening. For the first (and only) time, I called three guys to invite
them to our social. Guess who showed up? That was twenty-seven years ago!
· What do you do for fun?
See question 1 above. Plus, scrapbooking, sewing, crafting, reading, swimming,
traveling, and hanging out with my family.
· What's the last song you listened to?
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” came on at lunch today as I was
getting out of my car. I turned it up loud and sang along!
· What's your housework strategy?
Hurry up, company’s coming!
· What's the last Web site you visited and why?
http://iaap-centark.tripod.com. I had to do some updates (including this column).
SANDEE LARA, Bylaws and Standing Procedures Chairperson
(March - April 2008)
· What books and magazines are you reading right now? I don’t
have time to sit down and read so I listen to audio books when I’m in my car, cooking, or cleaning. The one I’m
listening to right now is by Janet Evanovich, she is so funny!
· What's the last TV show you watched and why? Guiding Light, I’m
by no means a soap opera fan; in fact this is the only one I watch, but my goodness, I am so addicted! Thank goodness for
TiVo!
· What's your favorite color and what does it say about you? Red
is my favorite color and my daughter says it’s because I’m so fiery. Hmmm, I’m not sure that’s a good
thing or a bad thing.
· How do people in your life show you they love you? HUGS! And
lots of them, plus we say it, everyday. We don’t end a phone call or visit without saying “Love”.
· What's the last conversation you had? With my daughter, we were
making plans to go walk the “Big Damn Bridge” and then go shopping when I get off work.
· Have you ever had a dream come true and then wished it hadn't? Absolutely
yes, and I learned my lesson real quick on what to wish for.
· Do you like to cook? I love to cook! My favorite is grilling
outside. I do it year round even when it’s freezing outside, and no gas grills, I always use charcoal.
· Where do you like to shop? Everywhere!
· How many times a day do you smile? Too many to count!
· Do you have a tattoo? Would you ever get one? No, I don’t
have one, but I really do like them, I think they’re very interesting. I probably wouldn’t ever get one. But,
never say never!
· Who is the last person who sent you an e-mail? My sister. She
lives in Redondo Beach CA. and with emails we get to keep in touch all the time. It really keeps us close.
· What's something your parents taught you that you've never forgotten? Never to lie.
· What's your favorite meal? Salad, Steak and Lobster.
THERESA SONTAG, Membership Committee Chair (January-February
2008)
· Favorite Meal: Anything Italian
· Won’t Eat: Mushrooms, Brussels Sprouts or Cauliflower
· Favorite Colors: Black, Blue and Brown
· Favorite Music Artist: Josh Groban
· Favorite Movie: “Wild Hogs”. I still laugh out loud every time I see it.
· Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy
· Favorite Place I’ve Traveled: I went to visit my sister & brother-in-law when they were stationed in Germany. We took tours
to Bavaria and Paris, France. I loved it!
· Fantasy Vacation would be: I would love to visit the Greek Isles of Santorini. I’ve seen pictures that are just breathtaking.
· Biggest Fear: Heights.
I didn’t even know I had this fear until I went on the above mentioned trip to Germany. We went to visit Neuschanstein
castle, and there was a wooden bridge set way high above a deep gorge. I started to walk across the bridge and literally froze.
My sister had to take my arm and walk me off the bridge.
· One word that would sum me up: Caring
DONNA LEWIS CPS/CAP, Certification Chair (November-December 2007)
·
If you could have a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, where
would you go? I would fly to Madrid, Spain, and then drive the 4 hours
to Zaragoza, Spain.
That is where my husband was stationed in the Air Force when we first married and we lived there for almost 2 years. We really
enjoyed it and I would love to have the chance to go back and go to our favorite restaurants and beaches, etc.
·
What's one important value in your life at this moment? To raise my two children to be good kids who have respect for others.
·
How did you meet your best friend or significant other? I met my husband in 1981 in high school. I was a Jr. and he a Sr. We broke up and then got back together in
1987 after I finished college. That's when he took me away to Spain.
My parents were worried about me going overseas, but never let me know it.
· How did you spend your last $10? I paid my son $10 for doing chores.
·
What do you do for fun? I
love to go out to eat with my husband and two children, Amanda - age 16 and Eric - age 12. Anything that we all do together
is fun for me.
· Describe your best and worst
personality trait? My best trait is that I am easy to get along with and have lots of patience.
My worst trait is that I worry too much.
· What's the last song you listened to?
Red, White, and Blue by Toby Keith.
· How many times have you moved in your life?
I have moved 8 times: Magnolia, AR (college); Spain; Valdosta, GA; Harmony
Grove-Camden, Camden, Baton Rouge,
Cabot, and Vilonia.
·
What's the last Web site you visited and why? www.ford.com - I was showing a Ford Escape to one of my co-workers.
· What's
your favorite sport to participate in or watch? Golf, when my daughter, Amanda, is playing. Football, basketball, or baseball, when my son, Eric,
is playing.
ANITA
ROWE, Treasurer (August - October 2007)
Do you like to cook? I love to cook for big family events. I
collect cookbooks and love to try new recipes. I am not as fond of cooking day-to-day meals. They can get monotonous.
What
books are you reading right now? Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark. She is my favorite author,
she can’t write fast enough for me. I’m also reading Working with You is
Killing Me – Freeing Yourself from Emotional Traps at Work by Katherine Crowley and Kathi Elster. This book
provides great information about relationships as we all deal with different personalities, habits, work ethics, etc., with
co-workers, managers, customers, or even relatives. We can’t change their traits, but we have the power to change our
reaction to them. Sometimes this is the hardest lesson we learn, as we refuse to believe that adjusting our reaction can make
a difference. I haven’t finished, but the part I’ve read has provided some good advice.
How do people in your life show you they love you? They say it. Growing up,
my family was not the type to say “I love you”. When my mother was killed in an auto accident, I realized how
few times I’d ever said those words to her. I decided my family tradition would be to say “I love you” instead
of assuming the feeling is there. I never end a phone conversation with my husband or children without saying “I love
you”.
What do you do for fun? We like to travel, but right now, spending time with our
granddaughter, Madison, is providing the most fun we’ve had in years.
What's your favorite sport? I’m not a big sports fan, but I love
hockey. When we had hockey teams in Little Rock, I rarely missed a game.
What's the coolest thing you've ever done? As a former EMT-Intermediate,
I took many emergency related classes. One class involved repelling down the side of a 5-story building. We had to go out
of the window on the 5th floor, then in order to make us trust that the rope would not let us fall, we had to let
go of the rope completely and shake hands with our partner before descending. When I let go, I was scared to death, certain
that I would fall. When I repelled to the ground, I was thrilled with the new experience!
What's your favorite meal? Anything Mexican works for me. I could eat it three
times a week!
TRISH
JENKINS, TREASURER & MEMBERSHIP CHAIR (MAY2007-JULY 2007)
§ §
Tell us something “special” about your family.
Both of my children have cystic fibrosis (CF), so I am involved with the Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation, various fundraisers, and the Great Strides Walk in May. www.cff.org. I have trouble dealing with sympathy and a helping hand--I have no trouble helping someone in need, but when it comes to
accepting help--I am very stubborn. Since my children have CF, they are eligible for “Make-a-Wish”. My
daughter was granted her wish to go to Disney World in 2001. My son is having his wish granted this year and we are going
back to Disney World sometime this Spring. (Note—ABCBS personnel
may remember Presley, the precious little girl in her bright yellow dress, who blew us kisses after she opened gifts
and found out she was going to Disney World. A day many will never forget!)
§ What are your hobbies/interests/passions? I love to sing, watch movies, do things with my kids, and design cards, flyers, etc. on the computer.
§ If you could do “it” over again, what would you do differently? I would finish school BEFORE I got married and had kids...
§ Do you like to travel? I love to travel and would like to go to the
beach. I don’t like to go places without my children, I want them to do and see as much as they can.
§ If you could talk about YOU for 30 minutes, what would you want people to know? I tend to talk way too much about myself and the kids, and I
love to help and have trouble saying “no”. I am very stubborn and feel like I could write a novel with all
of the things I have been through, but instead I consider myself blessed for all of the things God has brought me through.
I still may write that novel...
§ If you won $1,000,000, how would you spend the money? I would get out of debt; build a nice house with an art studio
for my husband, the house would have all of the latest and greatest germ-resistant devices; invest enough money to live off
the interest, and then donate what I could to find a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF).
§ What makes you “unique”? I know God is in charge of everything and if there is something I cannot change, then I do not
stress over it and I let him handle it.
§ Do you have pets? Three
cats--Kitty, a big, fluffy, white, outside cat, who is our guard cat; two small, inside, short-haired cats--Angel belongs
to my daughter and Charcoal belongs to my son. They are as spoiled as my children!
§ Do you think your administrative skills are valued as highly as they should be and/or do you think your skills are utilized?
A very big pet peeve of mine is to be told I am not capable of something because
I am “only a secretary”. I have held several positions at other companies that would be considered “career”
jobs, but I use all of them combined for my job now and do a great job because of the previous experience. I love my job. I have the best boss in the world.
WANDA PERRY CPS/CAP (March 2007 - April
2007)
P
PRESIDENT ELECT
· What are your hobbies/interests/passions? Music! Playing
piano, listening to music and singing. Also, I like to read and I love to learn!
·
If you could do “it” over again, what would you do differently? In life in general, I would pursue a higher education. Then, after marriage, I would spend MORE time
with my children and be absolutely diligent in trying to learn their special gifts and abilities and work harder to nurture
these. Certainly, I would strive to laugh more!
·
Where would you like to visit and with who? I would
love to travel with my family (children, in-laws and grandchildren) to the Hawaiian Islands for fun and to historic places
in America. Also, I would travel with my brothers to Alameda, California, to visit my birthplace and spend leisurely
hours talking, laughing, singing and reminiscing with them. We have such great fun together!
·
If you could talk about YOU for 30 minutes, what would you want people to know? Beginning with my early life through the present, I would want people to know that I had the most wonderful
parents and family ever! I would tell others about my brothers and the fine men they are. I would say that I am blessed
with a loving husband who is a man of integrity, loyalty, and wisdom. I would talk about my outstanding, loving children (a
son and a daughter) who have initiative, received an education, and have become fantastic parents to their children. I would
probably tell a “grandchild” story or two. You would love those, wouldn’t you?
·
If you won $1,000,000, how would you spend the money?
Pay tithes to my church and then pay bills! I would buy my husband a new vehicle of his choice. I would take care of my Mother
“in style”. I would provide a gift of money to both of my children and establish a college/trust fund for each
grandchild, and I would invest. I would find someone who had a financial need and contribute to help meet their need.
·
What makes you “unique”? I am not sure,
but perhaps it is because I am the daughter of a minister, the daughter-in-law of a minister, the wife of a minister, with
a son-in-law who is a minister.
·
Do you think your administrative skills are valued and/or utilized as highly as they should be? My manager definitely values my administrative skills! She encourages me,
provides training opportunities and believes that I can do whatever I want to do. My skills are utilized to the degree that
my job requires. Some skills that I have used in past jobs are not needed in my current position.
·
Do you have any pets? Yes, a Maltese dog named JAS –
pronounced “Jazz”.
· Tell
us a “special” story about you or your family. My husband
and I considered it an honor and privilege to attend the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., when President Ronald
Reagan became president.
LINDA
MYERS (November 2006 - February 2007)
Programs
Committee Chair
§
What is the best thing about your
family? I have 15 sisters & brothers and when we get together it is a family reunion!
§
What are your hobbies and
interests? Reading,
tennis, cooking, and growing flowers
§
If you could do “it”
over again, what would you do differently? I would be more prepared financially to retire
at “55” and travel the world. My husband and I have traveled 30 of
the 50 states.
§
Why did you choose to sit
for the CPS exam? The
experience; the challenge; meeting new people; monetary value; education has always been important to me; you
need to learn something new every day.
§
If you could change one
thing about yourself, what would it be? My weight – I would love to be a size
12.
§
If you could be an admin for anybody
in the world, who would you like to work for? Sharon
Allen (ABCBS), Reggie Favors (ABCBS), Oprah, C. Scott King, and Cicely Tyson - They all set goals and accomplished them; they are ambitious; they worked hard to get where they are; they
know how to “be yourself”.
§
If you won $1,000,000,000, how
would you spend the money? Retire; pay off all bills, including my home; invest
for the future; add an exercise and sunroom to my home; money to family members; money to local charities; my
husband and I would travel the world!
§
What makes you “unique”? I am a caring/sharing person; I focus on things that are important; I am a good team player; I think like a
“customer”; to me, everyday is a “Blessed Day”.
SHANNON MANN (September/October 2006)
- What are your hobbies / interests / passions? My passion is my family--my husband, Scott; 16
yr old son, Ian; 11 yr old daughter, Jessica; 5 yr old son, Sterling; and newborn, Gavin. Other interests include traveling. camping and from September to January, you'll find me in front of a tv as I am
an AVID football fan!
- If you could do "it" over again, what would you do differently? Complete college!
- What would you do if your car broke down and you couldn't get home from the hospital? Our
van broke down as my husband was returning from a visit to his parent's home in Clinton to show them photos of our baby
(I was still at the hospital recuperating). Since we have a 2-seat pickup and a 1992 Ford Explorer with no air conditioning,
he kindly went out and PURCHASED a new(er) vehicle so baby Gavin and I could return home.
- Do you like to travel? My family and I love to travel and have
been many places including Florida, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Maryland and many more states; however, not outside
the U.S. We are looking forward to our 2007 vacation to Canada.
- If you could talk about YOU, what would you want people to know? I'm from Virginia
and moved here when my husband retired from the U.S. Navy in 2001. He was based out of the Pentagon. My in-laws
retired in Clinton, AR, so we had family ties here. I have become more conservative and more focused on family
since moving to Arkansas. I was employed by non-profit membership organizations located in Washington, DC doing meeting planning
and traveled almost monthly.
- If you won $1,000,000, how would you spend it? Donating time and money to the V.A. Hospital,
hospice and Alzheimer's organizations, because of the care given to my grandparents. I might take all of my family members
on a trip around the world!
- If you could be an admin anywhere in the world, where would you like to work? I applied
as an Executive Assistant inside the CIA and wish I had pursued it further instead of accepting another position, as I have
been fascinated with the CIA and FBI for many years. I believe this is due to family members, including my husband,
being in law enforcement.
- Do you think your administrative skills are valued as highly as they should be? My company,
Maverick, has a wonderful recognition program where all employees can nominate a coworker for a "job well done". I DO
feel appreciated, because I often receive "thank yous" and it's the littlest things that can make your day!
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