Shelley S. K. Ho
                                                                                            Bio
                                                                                                                          
                      
                                    Kailua Bay                                                                  My Parents and Family                                Las Vegas 2004          Holiday 2005
                                                                                                   

I am Island born, Hawaiian Native and Chinese.  Our family lived on a rural hillside of Kailua, above the famous Kailua Bay and Lanikai Beach.  From our front yard we could see the ocean and small islands of the Bay.  My older brothers often fished the abundant reefs.  We spent many hours playing and swimming there.  In our 'backyard' we had a garden and many animals including; turkeys, chickens, a cow and a pig.

Number 5 of 7 children places me near the bottom of the birth order.  In a large family, that is a significant placement of nature.  My three oldest brothers are prime examples of 'type 1' personalities.  Two served as full time HPD police officers, the other as an auxiliary.  This had both advantages and disadvantages.  Growing up in my family is memorable for the logistics of moving 9 people from one side of the Island to the other just to visit  Grandma.  Back to school shopping required patience and innovative thinking of our parents.

My parents are typical of the Islands.  Both worked hard to provide us with a decent home and standard of living.  Most of us (kids) made it through tech school (Police Academy) or college.  My youngest brother, Jeffrey is the MBA degree CPA star of the family.

After Kailua High School, home of the Surfriders (He'e Nalu), I attended BYU Hawaii (Church College of Hawaii) at Laie.  A beautiful campus just one block from the sandy beaches and private coves of the area.  Yes, temptation to skip class and run to the beach required discipline I never possessed.  I majored in a composite Speech and Drama.  I enjoyed working backstage on the college's drama productions. 

A few years later, I attended Honolulu Community College.   I did well in the Fashion Arts Program.  We covered both factory sewing techniques as well as couture garment finishing.  I acquired and refined my sewing skills here.

I moved first to Groton, Connecticut in the fall 1976 and then to Seattle in 1978, following my spouse.  I decided to stay after our separation and divorce.  My brother Steven lives in  Briar (Lynnwood).  In Seattle, I've continued my education at Edmonds Community College and  received an AA at Shoreline Community College. 

I volunteered evenings and weekends at Civic Light Opera in Lake City, following my interest in theater production.  I spent 6 seasons working on many of my favorite shows backstage or with costumes.   On Sunday afternoons I volunteered at Blessed Sacrament's hot lunch program (University District).

My 'working years' began early.  My first job was after school at the Wigwam Store where my mother and brother worked.  Holiday Mart Jewelry was next, Gem's Jewelry, the flower shop at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel and  Aloha Carpet Cleaning were other jobs Hawaii. While living in Groton, Connecticut, I sold Avon to pass the time as a Navy wife. 

Here in Seattle, I worked 9 years for Fred Meyer at the Lake City store and later at the Broadway store.  Following that, I worked for a few years, then owned Gala Costume rentals in the Greenwood neighborhood.  What a fun place.  Unfortunately, everything you associate with the term 'starving artist' is true.  I returned to a 'real job'  (medical coverage) as receptionist at Pacific Lighting Systems.  I felt conflicted as a new mom trying to balance daycare and work.   I decided to take a year+ off to care for my niece (brought home from the hospital just 8 hours old). 

When Rachell was 2 1/2, I interviewed with Drug Emporium at a job fair for the new Ballard store.  I stayed through the change over to Longs Drugs in 1998.  I 'wore many hats' during my 9 years with Longs.  I self-studied computers (software) to get raises and promotions to become the Point of Sale Pricing Coordinator (my store and Regional) then the Bookkeeper of Longs Northgate.  I also served as the store Ambassador (HR) that required a 'train the trainer' seminar.  After the Manager hiring process, new employees spent up to 12 hours under my supervision to acclimate into the Longs culture.  

Today, having just completed IC3 Computer Certification at the Seattle Indian Center, I see my 'dream job' just beyond. I will continue to make my home here with the 'mountain to sea landscape' of Western Washington.  Help me to continue reaching for a future filled with success.