Bristol Condominium

Thursday, November 9, 2017

It’s Thursday night, Friday jr., in college lingo. “What you feel is a choice, what you feel is a choice.” repeating out loud, dismissing the fact that I am about to hyperventilate. I was now behind in two of my classes. On top of that, I've had one of those days where nothing went my way. Everyday seems like having to catch up to it, making me exhausted. I’m staring at my dashboard, but my mind is in a washing machine accompanied by worn out thoughts that are meant to break me. “What you feel is a choice.” is the detergent and my positive reflection why I’m here. The saying “What you feel is a choice.” rinses all the negative thoughts away, replacing them with new gratitude and grit. I retrieved my tears that are sitting at the rim of my eyes, right in time before they begin to fall. My vision is no longer blurry and I notice the mileage on my car is in the same situation as me, reaching my breaking point.

I thought I had calmed myself in my car, but I’m having to calm myself even more on my walk back to my resident hall. I reach for my headphones, so one knows not to talk to me, unless they want to make me cry.

I walk in my room, relieved that my roommate isn’t here. I love the girl but I didn’t love myself at that moment. I needed that time alone. I start to recalculate my next steps. Because I failed my two of my exams, tomorrow will be another day of bending my schedule to try to fit in tutoring. Working two jobs plus being a full-time student feels like I’m superwoman. “I wish the library opened at 5am,” I pondered to myself, but said no college student ever. I’m now ready for bed and certainly ready to lay the day to rest.I count my blessings and fall asleep doing so.

—

Friday, November 10, 2017

I know today is going to be long, so I clean up my dorm to feel the maximum satisfaction when I get back. I check my email before I head out the door. Amidst all the emails from my teachers, one stands out. The one I always look forward to…

CC: Mentor to mentee

Here’s an article regarding pros and cons about mobile home investing. You sure are putting your foot in the door, and at your age, you’re bound to be successful. BUT I do want you to take repercussions, especially in the investing world. Read this and get back to me later, I have a few I may add.

PS: Saturday night is a big night, please show up early. The chef will be there to assist you on how to set up the dining tables. The parking lot will be behind the building to your left, ask the valet man if you need help locating.

Best regards,

Howard Lorber A.K.A “Da Don”

Friday nights consist of a completely different environment from school and my other job. Not your typical college night party. After all, I knew I did not fit in with the social aspect of college since freshman year. For starters, I was never into social media. That should let you know how disconnected I am from others.

Mrs. Clara greets me at the door and asks how my family is doing, per usual. Ever since I became baby Silas’ sitter she’s become like family. She greets my mom on video call and proceeds on her way to work. I catch her before the door closes,

“Just a reminder, I have an important event tomorrow night!”I said.

“Me too! But no worries, I've already made arrangements. Silas will be staying at grandpas.” I smile and admire how she’s always a step ahead.

Mrs. Claire is also a superwoman, she juggles her life like I do. Middle aged, single mom, fast paced, work-aholic with cooked food always in the fridge for Silas and I. She also manages to keep her high end home clean with a 4 year old. After all, I met her at a church event as she was volunteering. I try to help her anytime she needs me, she’s too amazing for me not to be.

I follow through with baby Silas’ night routine and lay him to rest. It's now 10:10pm, about to start my assignments but too interested in the crime series playing on T.V. in the background. My mind shifts and I feel a wave of gratitude. I’m in this beautiful home, right where I should be, doing what I should be doing. Around this time a night is when I feel I've finally caught up to my day. I finish my homework and lay on the couch. I count my blessings and fall asleep doing so.

__

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Today I woke up proud and excited. Mr. Lorber big project will be revealed to the community. The grand opening of a luxury car dealership, WestMAN Motors. Honored to be a server at his event along with West Palm Beach’s prettiest women. This event has also given me a day off from my housekeeping job. I get all my studying out of the way and go about my wonderful Saturday.

5pm

As soon as I arrive I get busy. Chef hands me my uniform that reads WESTman Motors, and I can’t help but smile. I put on my uniform with pride, and proceed to set up tables. I am told to put on gloves before setting down the wine glasses to prevent fingerprints. That’s when I realized I was somewhere way out of my tax bracket and I loved it.

The time has come and the girls and I are standing by the door, seating guests. Everyone looks so elegant and classy. I can’t help but think how lucky I am to be in the same room with our city's officials, such as our mayor.

I greet Mr. Lorber and his wonderful wife who loves the texture of my hair. This time she says my hair looks lovely. I tell her, “Of course I had to do something different hence the big night!” we both chuckle. “Congratulations, Mr. Lorber. I know how long you've worked hard on this.” I tell him as he pats me on the back.

The night is going as planned and it is now time for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The girls and I are standing at the corners of the room. When it’s time, the girls and I are going to pop the bottles filled with party poppers. The hosts welcomes Mr. Lorber and I'm instantly smiling in excitement. He commences his prepared speech and informs us about how he came up with the name, WESTman Motors.Tonight I learned that Mr. Lorber grew up in Colorado, and had this drive to become something beyond himself and his environment, amidst his family’s financial struggle. Mr. Lorber concludes his speech, “Today I open this car dealership under the name of the West Man I still am, but in a different lifestyle I dreamed of.” I manage to applaud along with the crowd even with the bottle in my hands.

We count down from ten as Mr. Lorber prepares to cut the ribbon alongside his wife. I am ready to pop this bottle even before the 3,2,1.The ribbon is now cut and everyone has stood up to celebrate. In the air, I see nothing but party poppers, crystal chandeliers, and pure joy emitting from the crowd. The crowd has now calmed and Mr. Lorber steps up to give his last announcement. He is handed a black book by one of the servants on the side. “This book by Russell Conwell has lead me to where I’m standing today. The title being Diamonds of Acres. I first read this book in college, and it has been the secret to my life ever since. “The idea behind this book is that, in this country of ours every man has the opportunity to make more of himself than he does in his own environment, with his own skill, with his own energy, and with his own friends.” He says. “I present this book to you all tonight, I am about to gift it to someone special. Some who wears their faith on their sleeves and put themselves in the environment as a peek into her future. This person has a fire in them that I felt when I was their age, and everyday, I see that fire rooted in purpose, grit, gratitude, and discipline.” he continues,

I have now stopped breathing. I am in utter disbelief. I put my hands in a prayer position close to my face and close my eyes as I continue to listen.

“A honor to present to you, my mentee and student, Dorcas Ndoli.”

All the positive feelings takes over my body as I walk through the applause and onto the stage. Mr. Lorber proceeds to hand me the book and I give him a hug of gratitude. He then reaches for in the pocket of his suit coat and remains his arm there. He walks up to the microphone once again.

“My team and I had kindly donated a portion of this proceeds to you, Dorcas.” He claims.

I hold my black book tightly and as I watch Mr. Lorber hand me a check. “This $20,000 is for you, you earned it. Keep being great. You’re already successful, your reality just hasn't shown it yet.”

We take a long pause for the crowd to applaud and to take pictures. I thank Mr. Lorber and wife greatly and I have the urge to speak. An urge I never experienced in my public speaking class.

“I’m standing here in utter disbelief. Mr. Lorber you really got me. Thank you for being such an elite person to acquire knowledge from, I will keep this book and pass it down once I’ve reached my goals.” I said with a shaky voice. The crowd applauded, giving me time to gather myself on what I am about to say.

“Mr. Robert Lorber ‘Da Don’ is my mentor, and the owner of the luxury condominium that I’m sure you all may know. I work as his housekeeper there. He approached me while back when he saw me mopping the floor in a hurry. He asked me, “Are you neglecting my marble floors?” completely catching me off guard. I explained to him that I had an important internship meeting and I wanted to get there early to talk to the employer, as a great first impression. There I was, in my apron, mop and mop bucket as sidekicks in hopes of that that was a good excuse. This tall, middle aged man in a suit, looked like he owned a couple corvettes and jet. I connected dots in my head and based on what he asked me, I was sure he owned those assets. “My name is Robert Lorber, owner of this building,” I was right and most definitely shocked.

“What made you decide to work here?”

“What’s your major in school?”

“Where are you from?”

Those questions lead me to our relationship we hold today. He now knows what makes me who I am and why I have this crazy drive to be successful. He acknowledges my family’s immigration process, facts about my country, my long term goals I must reach. I stop by his office at the end of every shift to see if he's there, and I leave with great advice and new ideas that only come from people within his demographic.

After a few mentor sessions later, he told me that I can drop the professional act around him.

One day after a long session regarding velocity banking, a way to quickly pay off student loans, I came to an emotional realization:

“Mr. Lorber, I am grateful for you, your word is like gold. There’s a reason why I don’t work at a local coffee shop or a gym receptionist but instead a housekeeper. When I walk through your floor to ceiling glass doors and into that lobby, it's like I get a feel for my future. As I clean up the place I receive inspiration of what my future house will include, even the professional way Mrs. LeBlanc (lady at the reception) carries her convocations at the desk. Now here I am having the owner of the the most luxurious estate I’ve ever stepped foot in, as a mentor. You actively teach me the formula on how you’ve acquired your riches and I thank you for that.

Mr. Lorber you Da Don foreal.”

The crowd laughed and applauded. I resumed my speech...

I made Mr. Lorber smile that day, a type of smile I never seen before. One that shows that what I had just said resonated with him. How do I know? He chuckled and asked me what “Da Don” meant. I explained to him it’s a term given to someone who is respected, not to buy his assets, but his work. The term is often used in modern-day rap and hip-pop music. Ever since then, he’s closed off all his emails to me with “Robert Lorber, A.K.A Da Don.” That makes me the most happy, because it is said with pride. Thank you once again Mr. Lorber, this has not only been a big night for the city of, but for me it was life changing, ”

I step back to to stand between Mr. Mr. Lorber and his wife. In the audience, I see a woman walking up to the stage. I am shocked to see that it is Ms. Clara. We lock eyes and as she walks with the biggest smile. I am very confused as I watch her greet Mr. Lorber, his wife, and I. Confused as to how I didn’t see her entering and realizing this was the same event we had both mentioned last night. She takes over the microphone and starts to speak.

“Good evening ladies and gentleman. My name is Clara St. Rose, head of the school board. I am unexpectedly standing here tonight, to also shed light on Dorcas. Dorcas has been my babysitter for a little over 2 years. I’ve grown fond of her by the many positive things Mr. Lorber has already mentioned, alongside with how much love she has for my son. I personally have connected with her family that live in Maine, and they have formed into family. I was not aware that Dorcas also was doing this good deed for Mr. Lorber, but I’m certainly not surprised. That’s just who she is!” she says as she looks back at me and smiles.

I’m so overwhelmed by this point and I start to tear up.

Mr. Lorber, Ms. Clara takes a picture. I walk off the stage with a $20,000 check in one hand, and a black book in the other. That's not it. I am filled with so much joy and pride in me. To see how my own community is reacting and over all, how this night transpired. I close my eyes briefly and think to myself: tonight I have too many blessings to count.

The end.