Photo Shoot - Beach

Maria Pau - Model Coach International

Modeling is not what you think it is. Modeling is more than just looks.


Maria Pau is an international model coach and so much more. She is an extraordinary and highly confident person. In person she is just as beautiful as she is in her photos; strong, knowledgeable, and creative.

I had only four questions for her since time was limited. She has been coordinating a huge modeling event that will take place March 8 - 9 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in their Columbia Hall. The grand event begins 12 noon. You can buy tickets to the event on their website http://www.modelcoachinternational.com/ and in stores at Lancaster Mall and Salem Center.

Modeling has many obvious benefits like clothing, getting your hair and make-up professionally done, but when asked what she loved most about modeling Maria Pau extraordinaire undoubtedly answered, "Traveling." She pulls out her passport, "I love to travel. I have been everywhere. " She flips through the many stamped pages in her passport book. I was in awe. After all, I've never been anywhere but California. She also mentioned that this was her second passport. Can you imagine traveling to so many places that you fill up two passport books?

Maria Pau started modeling when she was 16 years old. At the time she lived in Australia. As soon as a modeling scout spotted her, they signed the young beauty on the spot. My next question was if she was nervous when she first started her career in modeling. At the time she was signed, no formal model training schools where offered to her and she was basically thrown into one modeling job after another. Her response was, "... you don't have time to be nervous. That's how they train."

Over at least 15 years of experience, Maria Pau is now semi-retired as a model. She was hesitant to reveal her true age but I must say she looked to be in her late 20's rather than her 30's. So how did Maria Pau get into model coaching? Well she is more then just a model or a modeling scout; she is a life coach. She is completing her fifth degree and speaks five different languages, and she loves to read self-help books. She recommneded a book by Robert Hargrove, Masterful Coaching.

Maria Pau is definitely a knowledgeable person. She noticed that the modeling industry had gaps in it. "What do you mean gaps?" I was intrigued. Maria Pau answered, "Drugs, girls not eating and being too skinny, and the lifestyle associated with modeling." After hearing this I was impressed by her. She wants to help improve the image of the modeling industry. At the interview she had me read the International Coach Federation (ICF) code of ethics which is what she goes by. I've included Part 1 and 2 of it below:

Part One: The ICF Philosophy of Coaching

The International Coach Federation adheres to a form of coaching that honors the client as the expert in his/her life and work and believes that every client is creative, resourceful, and whole. Standing on this foundation, the coach's responsibility is to:

- Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve
- Encourage client self-discovery
- Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies
- Hold the client responsible and accountable

Part Two: The ICF Definition of Coaching

Professional Coaching is an ongoing professional relationship that helps people produce extraordinary results in their lives, careers, businesses or organizations. Through the process of coaching, clients deepen their learning, improve their performance, and enhance their quality of life.

In each meeting, the client chooses the focus of conversation, while the coach listens and contributes observations and questions. This interaction creates clarity and moves the client into action. Coaching accelerates the client's progress by providing greater focus and awareness of choice. Coaching concentrates on where clients are now and what they are willing to do to get where they want to be in the future. ICF member coaches and ICF credentialed coaches recognize that results are a matter of the client's intentions, choices and actions, supported by the coach's efforts and application of the coaching process.

For more information on the ICF code of ethics visit www.coachfederation.org .

Today was a bit busy. When I finally returned home I had some hard lemonade over ice and relaxed. My head hurt. I took a mini nap after sipping my lemonade. When I woke up I tried studying but instead I watched Girilicious.

Girilicous is a TV show about a bunch of girls wanting to be the next Pussy Cat Dolls. The lady who made hot singing group, Pussy Cat Dolls, is trying to make a new girl group called Girlicious. Any who, it was interesting to watch. Girls can be very mean in a sneaky way.

I went to the gym and ran today! My goal is to fit back into my size 6 jeans OK they were a 5. Sounds too skinny doesn't it? Before children my body was naturally petite. My body is structured to be petite any bigger then 5 or 7 I lose shape. (I've got a very modest bust size. shhh...) Moving on .... By June I will be healthier and happier and my fabulous self again but better because it's boring to be static.

Question: Is it bad to be confident? How can you be confident in a good way?

Attention! All Models ....

March 8 - 9 at the Oregon State Fair Grounds in the Columbia Hall area A huge Modeling Event will take place.

Project Multimedia will have a booth set up along with the Whos Next group at the event. Whos Next will also be playing on the main stage.

At our booth we will have a professional hairstylist and make-up artist ready to transform a random passer by into a glamorous model. After hair and make-up is completed the lucky woman or man will get their photo profesionaly taken.

So for those of you who aspire to be a model come check us out. For more info check-out www.modelcoachinginternational.com . See you there!

Beer Tasting: Fosters

This beer has a light smooth taste at first. Then it gently leaves a full bodied flavor on your tongue.

How do you discover what your passion is?

Understand my life is more than what my past is.

In my past I was being smothered by stronger personalities that dominated my actions and thoughts. Is was only when I reached out to God that I found the strength to climb out from the pile of rotting feces and hear and see past poisoned words and mannequin actions.

In the present I am someone new. A different person has survived from the past. I can discover myself and my passion for life.

How do you discover what your passion is?

I know I can't answer the question completely for you but here is what I've been doing.

In Aug 2007 I changed my job, from nurse aid to assistant at a design firm. I moved from north to south in my town. I colored and cut my hair from long to short. I changed my educational goals from nursing to journalism. I have also gained about 30-35 lbs in about 10 months because I've eaten primarily fast food and cut out exercise. Recently, I have been to the gym three days in a row (four if I go today) and I eat out less and control my meal portions more.

Change. I've changed my job, location, look, and my educational goals. I feel like I'm this ugly caterpillar and I'm spinning my cocoon and my goal is to come out beautifully in the end. How do I do that?

Discover. I skipped highschool and earned my GED and I've been attending college part-time for the past 3 years. I've changed my career focus several times. In the beginning I was looking for a degree I can complete quickly so I can get right to work. Keep in mind that I was still married and feces were still being thrown at me when I began college. He (my x-husband) didn't like me being out of his sight. Now that I've found room to breath and space to grow I've discovered that I would be happier with my first love, writing.

I would like to believe I've found passion, writing. Two years ago my passion was nursing. For about two years I worked as a nurse assistant. Working closely with someone who had discovered there passion is nursing I realized that it wasn't my calling or my passion. So what makes me think writing is my passion?

Remember, my life is more then what my past is. Who I was then is different than who I am now. Changing my environment and discovering the world without being buried by mountains of fowl words and manufactured actions or dictated by narrow minded people who don't know how to let a person grow or care less or more to leave the girl alone, I remembered just how much I loved to write.

Getting the perfect words in the right order down on paper or blog. The infinite ways a sentence could be structured. Knowing that the words chosen can communicate different feelings. Like "smooth skin" as oppose to "silky skin". The first sounds nice but the second not only describes how the skin feels but it can reveal the mood in which a writer would like to direct the reader to arrive at. Perhaps both can create mood (of course they both can) but that is how versatile writing is. You can bend it any way you want. Actually being able to write the way you want and the way it actually comes out are two different things.

I love writing. I do.

For the sake of those whose passion is not writing I will move on. I believe writing is my passion. Only time and my actions will reveal the truth. My advice to those who are trying to find their passion:

You are more then what your past is. Change. Break free and let yourself grow. Find that light you may have lost during the course of your life. Discover. Let yourself into unknown waters. Perhaps a seed planted in you when you were younger will begin to grow. For me, it was my writing. I don't know if anyone planted the seed of writing in me but I know that since I've let myself change and grow many things that were smothered and forgotten are finding there way out.

Clase de Espanol

Yo tengo un examen en mi clase de espanol. Estoy nerviosa pero yo estudiaba mucho.

(I have a test in my spanish class. I am nervous but I studied alot.)

I don't feel like studied spanish right now. I need too but I'd rather surf the interenet or read up on stocks and writing.

Valentines Day

Our 2nd Valentine was an experience I'll quietly remember.

Last year I made reservations at Hotel Lucia located in the heart of Portland. Our room had a fully stocked bar with all the delicous cravings a guest would think of ... m & m's, cashews, alcohol, skittles, more alcohol, and so on.

The bed was enormous and comfortable. Upon arrival we had champange and Moonstruck chocolates and beautiful red champagne glasses waiting for us. After a night around the town we came back and went to sleep. (I had just started my period. Of all the days!)

Our night included dinner at the Typhoon, Harvey's Comedy Club, and dancing.

----------------------- 2008 Valentine -----------------
We went on a treasure hunt with Kate Hudson and Matthew Mconaughy in Fools Gold. Which is a romantic comedy about a couple who loves adventure, the sea, and the hunt for gold.

After the movie we browsed the books at Borders. Somewhere between Borders and our dinner reservations at Bently's in Downtown Salem we had a deep conversation. Hamil spoke his peace and how I understand it is that he belives I am to blame for him being late and not getting things done and so on. It's complicated. Anywho ..... the mood at dinner was melow. I felt like crying but I didn't.

I can't control no man's actions or be held responsible for them either. I may not have been as helpful but .... If you have a problem with me you might want to say it as soon as it occurs rather then wait for Valentines to roll around for you to tear my heart out. He was gentle with his words and tone of voice but on Valentines day you don't want to hear complaints.

I was also upset at his criticism on the food. He said the meat was burnt and the rest lacked flavor. I was hurt because , yes the steak was slightly burnt but it was still enjoyable especially with the potatoes and tangy blue cheese sauce and the delicous pinot noir wine. He ordered a single appetizer and salad. I encouraged him to try some thing but he only wanted an appetizer. I paid for the meal and felt I had experienced something new and wonderful. I never had skirt steak and piont noir wine togethere at once or been at Bently's. I enjoyed the dinner and then paid for our meal and then quietly accepted his negative comments after quietly hearing his complaints. I had a wonderful Valentines beacuse the movie was funny, and the dinner was delicous and new to my normal food pallate. He was not in the right mood and I couldn't change that.

I'm moving on.