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What was your childhood like growing up in your neighborhood, and who was your best friend? My home is in Vancouver, British Columbia. I grew up in the only Japanese family in a white middle class neighborhood. My best friend was and is Lesley Chow. She is half Irish and half Trinidadian. I remember my absolutely shocked reaction to the first Japanese boy in Grade 8. I had never seen an Asian boy in school. I ran to the girl's bathroom and looked into the mirror wondering if the other kids in school reacted that way to me. What were your high school career goals? My high school career goals were to become a veterinarian, doctor, or biologist. Who was your greatest influence between ages 13 - 19 years of age? Mrs. Forrest, my piano teacher, was my greatest influence. She reinforced the qualities of honor, discipline, commitment, perseverance, endurance, meticulousness already drilled into me by my parents. |
What was your "AHA" moment? In 1995 when I regained my soul and lost everything else. I was culminating an 18 year corporate climb and being groomed for the position of Vice President of Operations for a multi-national corporation. The President announced he was moving the head office into the United States, hired an American for the position instead and let me go. My husband announced he was leaving our marriage of 8¾ years. After fighting to keep our marriage and going through six counselors (male and female, secular and non-secular), he chose alcoholism and womanizing. I had just come out of a 9 year depression. I was sexually assaulted by my husband's pastor in 1986 and spent three years as the prosecution's witness. Crown Counsel advised me not to share my experience until after the trial was over for fear the defense would invalidate my testimony. I could no longer afford my house and was forced to sell at a loss. I moved back home to live in my parent's basement suite. I looked at my life and realized that I had spent 18 years for the results in my life. In that moment, I made a promise that I would do everything 180 degrees opposite to everything I had previously done even if it didn't make sense. |
45 | July*August 2008 |
Silke Endress | 46 |