Have you ever stood at the crossroads of life, ready to embark on an unfamiliar path? Our guest's story begins with such a journey—one that would take her from the warm embrace of Honduras to the dynamic pulse of Northern Virginia. With candid warmth, she recounts the tapestry of decisions and experiences that led her family from the comforting streets of Herndon to the blossoming community of Gainesville. Along the way, she navigates cultural shifts, financial hurdles, and the universal quest for happiness. Her story is not just about relocation; it's a chronicle of transformation, resilience, and the pursuit of the American dream.
In the heart of every home lies a story waiting to be told, and our guest, a compassionate realtor with a unique perspective on the American home, shares just that. Real estate is more than transactions and commissions for her—it’s about creating nurturing havens where memories are made and futures begin. She shares how her career, propelled by her own emigration story, is a mission to ensure everyone has a place to call safe and secure. Tune in as we uncover how personal values and gratitude play a pivotal role in shaping her approach to building lasting relationships with her clients.
Finally, we stitch together the themes of trust and resilience that resonate through our guest's narrative. She imparts her understanding of the nuanced tapestry of life, discussing the importance of authenticity in forging connections and the courage to ask for help when needed. It’s a tale of overcoming adversities with a heartfelt reminder that everyone deserves to feel valued, supported, and above all, loved. Join us for a conversation that’s as touching as it is enlightening—a true testament to the spirit of perseverance and the importance of community.
Have you ever stood at the crossroads of life, ready to embark on an unfamiliar path? Our guest's story begins with such a journey—one that would take her from the warm embrace of Honduras to the dynamic pulse of Northern Virginia. With candid warmth, she recounts the tapestry of decisions and experiences that led her family from the comforting streets of Herndon to the blossoming community of Gainesville. Along the way, she navigates cultural shifts, financial hurdles, and the universal quest for happiness. Her story is not just about relocation; it's a chronicle of transformation, resilience, and the pursuit of the American dream.
In the heart of every home lies a story waiting to be told, and our guest, a compassionate realtor with a unique perspective on the American home, shares just that. Real estate is more than transactions and commissions for her—it’s about creating nurturing havens where memories are made and futures begin. She shares how her career, propelled by her own emigration story, is a mission to ensure everyone has a place to call safe and secure. Tune in as we uncover how personal values and gratitude play a pivotal role in shaping her approach to building lasting relationships with her clients.
Finally, we stitch together the themes of trust and resilience that resonate through our guest's narrative. She imparts her understanding of the nuanced tapestry of life, discussing the importance of authenticity in forging connections and the courage to ask for help when needed. It’s a tale of overcoming adversities with a heartfelt reminder that everyone deserves to feel valued, supported, and above all, loved. Join us for a conversation that’s as touching as it is enlightening—a true testament to the spirit of perseverance and the importance of community.
Speaker 1:
So you said your neck on the woods. Where is your neck on the woods? I mean Gainesville. We moved to Gainesville six and a half years ago. We used to be in Herndon, Okay, yeah. So we lived in Herndon for almost 10 years and then you know the typical cycles of life, right? Like you know, our kids are getting bigger. Our home in Herndon is built in the 70s, so we kind of needed more space and so we started, you know, expanding our search. Nice, so yeah, and we were actually only looking in Loudoun County, because most people to this day they think I live in Loudoun County because I'm like here all the time. Right, and I wanted to be in Loudoun County, but the truth is that my husband is very conservative when it comes to spending.
Speaker 2:
Like he's the numbers guy, I'm just like he's like it's going to cost us much more to live in Loudoun County and you can just drive there. Yeah, right, and so.
Speaker 1:
I'm like, okay, he's like we still want to take vacations and do all the things and he, you know he's again, he's more conservative with money. I'm more like you know, yolo kind of life and like, yeah, let's just live our best life every day. I'm so sorry.
Speaker 2:
Can we move this chair a little bit here, because when you're forward this is too close. So like, yeah, we're going to move the chair just a little bit, let me check real quick.
Speaker 1:
Okay, sorry, no, you're good, you're good, you're good.
Speaker 2:
And then the cup. Now, I think, it would be best if it was down just because it's too much going down here.
Speaker 1:
Oh, okay.
Speaker 2:
So and then if it's here, it's like she can still grab it.
Speaker 1:
Yeah.
Speaker 2:
Okay, still take your steps.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, I'll take my steps. It looks great.
Speaker 2:
But, yeah, take your steps and you need to. She's like I'll be extra. Yeah, yeah, totally.
Speaker 1:
I got the camera I went in there. Tell me a little bit about your background. So originally from Honduras, in Central America, I'm born and raised there. I moved here 21 years ago Okay, 20 of which I have been in Northern Virginia.
Speaker 2:
And what brought you here.
Speaker 1:
By decisions that I made with my heart. Back home. You know, I had the perfect dream job in Honduras. Right out of high school. I started working with the United Nations and then I made my way up to work at the US Embassy and I was working at the only US military base in Latin America now because they closed Panama so and I was the executive assistant to the battalion commander there. So I had like a beautiful like I didn't have to worry about anything. You know, because in my country, as some of like you know underdeveloped countries like, if the political party who enters in power, you know, they typically tend to like employ the people that support that party and then if you are a government employee, then you're at risk that you may lose the job. But since that was more of a diplomatic you know environment, I didn't have to worry about that.
Speaker 2:
Like, I'm sad.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, but I was, like I said, in my mid-20s, made some like poor decisions with my heart. What I thought it was like the amount of my life. And I ended up here and life was really, really different, based on, you know, my experience working with people from other countries, and especially people from the US. When, you know, in a diplomatic environment they're super nice, super, you know, kind diplomatic, of course, right. But then when I came here, it's like wait a minute, this is not the US people that I'm used to work with and it was so different. It was so different. It was like a big reality check. And you know, I mean, when you come here and you're not from here and you're not like you don't have a lot of family or support system, like you start working. I had three jobs to be able to make ends meet, you know, and so that's how I ended up here, you know.
Speaker 2:
Why didn't you go back? What kept you here?
Speaker 1:
once you realized, oh, because once I left, I left my very good paying job, One that you know I knew I wasn't going to get. I wasn't going to get it, and there was an aspect of, like you know what I have to face, the bad decisions that I made.
Speaker 2:
Made my bed and now I'm going to sleep in it.
Speaker 1:
Yes, yes, well, actually it wasn't the cold floor, because I was sleeping on the cold floor.
Speaker 1:
So I'm like, you know, I'm going to stock it up and I'm just going to trust that, you know, this is part of, you know, god's plan for me and that he's going to make a beautiful message out of the mess that I've made.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, no-transcript. And I stayed, and I'm glad I stayed, because this is where I met my husband and I built a beautiful family and I, you know, I feel like sometimes we have to go through those really miserable times in our lives that we see at the moment, and they are very hard right, in order to get to that next level. You know, because if I had gone back, I would have probably, you know, I would have been like the laughing stock of a lot of people because, let's be honest, some people will be happy when, when they see you, you know, down right, and so I was like I'm not gonna give them that satisfaction and so, and so I'm glad that God gave me the endurance to go through that period and Just just trust that he will, you know, see it through and and give me something better on the other end.
Speaker 2:
So that's an amazing, beautiful story, thank you. And I'm sure it's not the whole story, probably pieces of it. Yeah, oh yes, yes, you dropping in the know, it was on the cold hard floor part.
Speaker 1:
I was like, oh no, there's more to that yeah.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, what have you learned from that period of time that you carry through you with you?
Speaker 1:
from there a lot of grace, a lot of humility and a lot of gratitude, like I wake up and I leave every single moment of my day in gratitude. Gratitude is like the only thing I can describe because, you know, we we have bad moments in here and there, right, but I don't let those bad moments ruin my day and make me lose perspective, right, because, honestly, my bad moments Maybe what somebody else wishes they had right in other parts and in other situations. So, gratitude, humility and humility and and, just like you know, just be in the moment. Yeah, yeah, yeah, let's have gratitude.
Speaker 1:
Especially because you work with a lot of different types of people, absolutely, absolutely and and you know being through like Not having anything this, especially in this market that we're in right, it's so competitive.
Speaker 2:
What do you do?
Speaker 1:
Oh, I'm a rockstar realtor. I'm sorry I didn't say that, but I'm assuming everybody already knows that and if you don't know, you do so. In this market, in this area, where everything goes, goes super fast, right, I try to be patient and Just understand that somebody's first home it's like their dream come through, coming probably out of, like you know, homelessness or, you know, living in a rental forever. That probably was, like you know, not the best living conditions. So I try to always go back to that spot where I started and see that you know it's a privilege to walk with them, hold their hand and give them those keys. It's like I mean everyone of my closets on the buyer said. It's like I Always cry because it's like it's very emotional. Yeah, I can't help but connect with you know, at different levels. You know with everyone that I assist.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, that's that, that empathy and compassion coming through, I'm sure you have to.
Speaker 1:
You have to because then, if you don't, then it's just the numbers, and you know numbers have no end. Yeah right.
Speaker 2:
What do you?
Speaker 1:
mean by that. So you know, if your happiness, if your sense of Worth is based on numbers, then you're never gonna be happy, because the numbers never end. There's always a number above and a number above and a number above. But when you do it from the place of gratitude, it's the situation where it feeds off, and then it always gets bigger and bigger the more you practice it. So that's why I love that.
Speaker 2:
Hmm, thank you. You have two kids that have gotten to watch this journey.
Speaker 1:
Right, yes, yes, well, we've we. We model, we model grace, we model love and acceptance and safety and nurturing our house to. Maybe some people will say, like I spoiled my kids, and if that's what it's called, then let's call it that, but my kids are always gonna be safe, welcome and love to know and in our house, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:
I want them to be safe, even in their screw-ups. You know, I want them to come back, and now that they're entering a different age, like my son is 13, my daughter is 16 I Reassure and reaffirm that even more because, let's be honest, as they get older, they're gonna make mistakes that are probably gonna leave marks, bigger marks, in their lives, and so I have to just always reassure them home is always an open, safe, loving place for you.
Speaker 2:
Keep using the word safe. What does that word mean so much to you?
Speaker 1:
My goodness, because for a long time I wasn't, for a long time I was, and so now I'm gonna keep them that.
Speaker 2:
You'll make me cry that, like, like giving people, like being an agent. Well, would you mind grabbing some tissues?
Speaker 1:
Thank you, You're so kind. Thank you so much. Transition, I Wasn't ready for that question. Okay, no white paper, no white paper, alrighty.
Speaker 2:
Do you, do you feel like being a real estate agent like is that connected to a little bit of that longing inside of you to want to give other families a safe space?
Speaker 1:
Yes, I feel like you know, when a family, when young children, when a woman that's being through abuse and whatever, when they have a place that is their nest, that is safe, that is their haven, that is the place where they go, at the end of the day, you know, and just relax and just, you know, say their prayers, be grateful, whatever. That is the sense. That cannot be quantified, cannot be quantified. Having that Sacred space in their home, you know. So home is that, is that safe place.
Speaker 2:
I'm gonna connect this into marketing. Have you ever positioned this within your marketing, or within your branding, or Well?
Speaker 1:
I always speak of you know home from the numbers perspective. You know, like appreciation, like you know we, we are privileged to be in this area and to be able to, you know, just just grab the keys of our car and go home. But now that you mentioned it, no, I haven't just made that correlation of like you know, home is that place where you are safe.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, yeah, I think just me giving my unsolicited marketing advice. If you Start sharing that piece of your story as that mission, yeah, you're gonna serve people. Obviously that aren't coming from domestic violence. Yeah, yeah, yeah demographic, but there's a lot of women that will rally behind, wanting to support a brand that does you know? That is a part of their statement.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, big a moment right now. Big a moment, yeah, for sure, for sure. That's why you're the expert.
Speaker 2:
When I see myself tearing up, you know, I'm like, ooh, that touched, like definitely yeah.
Speaker 1:
I need to keep being it.
Speaker 2:
Let's dig a little further.
Speaker 1:
Resonate with that. Yes, because unfortunately there's too much of that, you know, one case is too much. Yeah, one case is too much. So, yeah, absolutely Thank you so much. Definitely will keep it in mind. Thanks for pushing that button, aliyah. That's right, I'm an open book, I'm an open book.
Speaker 2:
You're so bright and colorful. Where did this like? Where did this bright color? You know your hairstyle is so cute like you don't. You're not. You're not a conformist. Like you don't know.
Speaker 1:
No, absolutely not. Why? Absolutely not, because it would be a huge disservice to the gifts and the colons that God's put in my heart. Right, like some people are good at, like being a good nurse, I Don't know being a good cook or whatever my, my mission in part is like to just, you know, be a big ball of bright energy and just bring joy to people's lives, and through colors, through creative, like you know, accessories and stuff like that might, like I recently changed my hairstyle, which is fun. I'm like I should have done this. I should have done it a long time ago.
Speaker 1:
It's like, you know, it's amazing the effect that we can have on somebody. But just entering the room with a smile on our faces, you know so I Wasn't always a, you know like I wasn't always wearing like the bright colors, until one day I'm like, why am I not showing who I truly am? Because I'm afraid of like being seen or what people might think, or, you know, I'm like you know what, from now on, this box, I'm walking out of it, I am turning it, I am tearing it in like a thousand pieces and burning it. There's like no box, and so it's just, it's just a my. It's more so that I can Be a reason why somebody maybe smiles In their day it's not just your color in your hairstyle, though.
Speaker 2:
You also have the energy when you walk in a room right.
Speaker 1:
Thank you, you got a very bright gift. It's a gift and and I want to honor that gift every time you know.
Speaker 2:
I love you saying that I want to honor that gift. Yeah, right, you're not saying I want to make this gift flashy, or I'm better, I'm this is more of like no, I'm just honoring what God has given to me. Yeah, yes, yes, you know like yeah, it's.
Speaker 1:
You know, I feel like a lot of us walk around Not even discovering our gifts, right, and when you, and when they do discover it, they're afraid to use them. Why are they afraid? Because we want to confirm, like you mentioned right, we're afraid that if we become who we really are meant to be, that there are going to be people that are not going to like us or whatever. And I'm like you know what? I have a t-shirt. I'm not for everybody. Yeah, I love it and I stop worrying about that. I feel like the fear that we let sink in our minds and our thoughts and grow prevents us from just reaching our potential and the blessings that we can be to others. I love that.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, and I agree with that. I think it's a lot of people it's almost like this superhero who, before they become the superhero, they realize that they've got like some type of you know amazing abilities, special abilities. And it's like do you use that to go and like save the world and do big things, or do you just keep it hidden out of fear for people saying like you know, pointing fingers and whatever.
Speaker 1:
There's always going to be critics, you know, but we don't live for them. We live for the rest of the world that needs to hear our message.
Speaker 2:
Yeah no, I love that. So how do you? I'm going to transition over to the real estate agents and community. How do you see the real estate agent community transitioning right now, in terms of locally in the northern Virginia area, loudoun County and beyond? Yeah, how do you see the community transitioning, if at all, or do you feel like everything is?
Speaker 1:
So you know, definitely there are changes right, and changes as humans we don't like changes right. The truth of the matter is that you are going. The good agents, the good realtors are going to survive based on their negotiation skills, their ability to connect with people and the level of care that they show. You know, because inevitably that's how you're going to want to grow your business. When you show somebody that you care, that you're invested, that you know you're the thing, that's when they continue to trust you and refer you and that is the best way to build the business. So the agents who continually take training, education, stay involved in the community and show their level of care, personalized care, to their clients, not just the transaction, but I really care those are the agents that are going to. We are the ones that are going to survive.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, I love that You're like basically just care, like give a crap about what you do and who you do it for, absolutely.
Speaker 1:
Don't be transactional, really care, you know it actually. You know, you don't even have to say it, it just shows, it just shows.
Speaker 2:
I think also people that get into the business because of that, even if they don't recognize that that's why they do it. You know, a lot of things have happened, whatever career, and a lot of things happen in our life that lead us. I was just talking to an amazing therapist, dr Suzanne Nixon, upstairs, and a lot of why we do what we do today stems from what we did as a kid or you know, our upbringing or something that's happened to us, for us who we were as children, and so it's interesting that people that follow that career path they might not know it, but it's not transactional for them. No, like why I do what I do? Yeah, is not transaction for me. Yeah, do I build a big, amazing business out of it? Yes, but because of what you said, I give a crap about every single person that walks in the door. I want to make sure that the product is up to a standard that, yeah, I would want for me and my right.
Speaker 1:
Yes, and that just yeah, when you start serving, but you know it'll, it'll also ingrain in our upbringing, right? So when you care so deeply that you treat everyone as if you were treating your sister like you know your sister were to ask you get up, you know, hey, ali, I have. You know, I want some pictures taken, like that's the kind of level, yeah, of care that you take, right, yeah, so when somebody comes to me, I'm thinking of one of my tears, one of my nephews, you know, like one of my relatives that need that service, right, especially when I'm serving my Spanish-speaking community, because you know they have the barrier of language. Right, they have, like, the barrier of culture in a way, because not everybody is able to adapt to a culture so different from ours.
Speaker 1:
You know, when, when they come here, so when they hear somebody speaking their language fluently and that you know I can relate to, to the food they're eating, their cooking or how they might need the type of kitchen they're asking, because of the type of food they're gonna be cooking, and I expect to be invited To those meals I'm like, oh, yeah, no, we need you at these free kitchens, yeah, yeah. So it's different and it makes all the difference and there's something so true to you know, I know it's cliche, but when you truly love what you do, it doesn't feel like you know, like work. It is work, but it's like it's so satisfying that you know it fills you up, you know, instead of like completely draining you.
Speaker 2:
I totally get it. Yeah, you surround yourself with people that you love Doing the things that you love, and it never feels like work.
Speaker 1:
It is work. It is work.
Speaker 2:
But, like you said, it's fulfilling it's fulfilling right, it's fulfilling, and that's that's.
Speaker 1:
that's the point, that it doesn't matter If it takes me, you know, the first house that I showed you and you actually listen and we put the offer in, or if we have to wait another whole year, you know, until we get you into that house, it's, it's still very fulfilling. What?
Speaker 2:
are what are three tips you could give a buyer or seller. You pick which one.
Speaker 1:
All right, I love both. Like, I work out almost like 50 50 with both. So, first of all, find somebody that you truly connect. Right, because we're gonna be in like we're gonna be sisters, we're gonna be brothers, we're gonna be like we're gonna be family, because I'm gonna be fighting for you, right, yeah, so you get to choose that family member.
Speaker 2:
I love that. You said that you're like. You didn't just say we're gonna be family hunky dory, like you know, you're like I'm gonna be fighting for you. Like I'm gonna be the one who's like getting you what you need, and so you need your strong sister Absolutely absolutely, you know, and we all have that family member that we know if we need.
Speaker 1:
So I'm like hello and so. So choose that one person that you know it's I'm not to say that ratings online are bad or anything right, but go beyond that. Go beyond that, like, take your time to interview an agent where you know that you're connecting Because, honestly, you're entrusting me with your livelihood, basically, you know, and with your future wealth. Right, when, when we're talking about buyers and you know, same with sellers, right, like, don't go all about the, the 20,000 reviews or whatever, but do choose somebody that you know. Ideally, that comes recommended from you know, a person that you know and trust and care, right, um, but also that when you are having that conversation at the kitchen table, that this person gets you right and you just know it. Like your intuition never lies to you, like we might want to ignore it, but your intuition never lies to you. So find that person that you connect, that you connect and that you know it's going to have your back, um, so that would be like number one and then, from there, just do what that person tells you to do, because that person is doing this business.
Speaker 1:
We are doing this, you know, every single day. You may buy a house or two in your lifetime, but we do this every day. You may sell a house or two, maybe three, in your lifetime, but we're doing it every day. So trust the, the professional advice Of that person, and then you know, and then be patient. Sometimes we just want results, like overnight, and that hardly, you know, produces good, you know results. So Be patient In preparation of your house for sale. Some, some people say, think and some people do, that they can just say I'm going to sell my house and do nothing and they're going to get great results. Right, and it's not the case. So do the preparation. So that's the patience part, you know, um. And then for buyers, same thing prepare like you. I mean, we do have some grants and things like that, but you do want to come prepare with, you know, good credit, um, with you know, a decent amount of savings and ready to get your heart broke.
Speaker 2:
You know because we're gonna do some therapy.
Speaker 1:
We're gonna so yeah, so basically, I think, if it boils down to just one thing is to interview the people that you're gonna hire for this very important job, how many people?
Speaker 2:
How many would you recommend somebody interview before they make a good decision?
Speaker 1:
Yeah, yeah, I wouldn't say more than three, because then you know, then you start, you don't remember exactly what differentiated this person from the other. Like, once you start going beyond that point, you know, and ideally, ideally, you interview like the person first that you know, some like you know, if your cousin came to you and say, hey, alia Esther, she's the one, but you're like you know what, but I also want to interview another person. Well, if you want to waste a couple extra hours, then interview the other two.
Speaker 2:
No, but I think that's a good idea. I used to say that to you. I used to say like no, no, no, I don't think people should interview other people. But I think, as the professional, what we have to do is then say, okay, if they're like I need to go interview a couple, okay, that's really great. You want to make a? You know a sound educated decision.
Speaker 2:
Here are some questions, though, to consider, as you're asking these other people Absolutely, because people just don't know what to ask yeah, yeah, and I, you know, I typically say okay.
Speaker 1:
So make sure that you're comparing apples to apples, right, because we all bring different value, you know, to the table, right, Some of us very similar value, right, but what's going to make the difference is how you connect with that person. Yeah, because, again, you know, not everybody's meant to be our people. Yeah, and and, and, as long as you are providing that value and you know that you weren't chosen, you know that you were not chosen, not because you are not capable, it may have just been a matter of chemistry, you know. And then you release and bless and move on. Yeah, release and bless. Yeah, release and bless, always, bless, you know, always bless.
Speaker 1:
I always find, you know, at the beginning of my career it was so hard to practice that because you know you're broke, you, you, you need to make money. But then I came to the realization that if you are coming from that place of scarcity, then you're attracted more scarcity. Yeah, and then you release and bless that person. I've had a few instances when they come back to me yeah, you know. And, or they refer me, like you know, with like raving reviews, to to their family or friends, say you don't want to make the mistake of that. Yes, exactly so you know it ended up working even better for me. It's that. It's that blessed part. It's that blessed part exactly, I'm sorry.
Speaker 2:
So those are great tips and I love how they were very much about like the preparation and about the interview, so like really putting the buyer or seller at that vantage point of like making the best possible decisions and then preparing them for a little bit of heart rate, because that's unfortunately part of the process.
Speaker 2:
Part of the process you know, so if somebody comes in and says like, oh no, I'm going to be able to get this sold for a little bit of love, and they're like, oh great. And then they get the heart broken later, it's like you fooled me. Don't like that, you don't want that.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, no, no, no, I always under, under promise over the liver, yeah, you know, and I have a. I have a thing that I always, like I said, I always want to do things big extra, you know with the glitter and all the things, right, but I have to bring myself back and just be a little more conservative and just like, okay, this is what I'm promising, but this is what I'm really striving for. Yeah, and I, you know, 9.9 out of 10. I always get to the point that I'm striving for.
Speaker 2:
I love that, yeah. So just to kind of wrap this up, because I could like talk all day yeah, me too.
Speaker 1:
It's a gift. It's a gift. Yeah, we can connect with people and we can make them talk and come out of their shell and make them very comfortable, I know.
Speaker 2:
And I like, I want to. Sometimes I'm like, okay, leah, if you could give one piece of advice to somebody who has, or is not has, who is on the journey that you were on In the first couple of years of your arrival here in the US, what would be that message?
Speaker 1:
Okay, so it really is hard. It gets better and you need the lesson right now. You know, and you need to build that resilience right now for the greater things that are yet to come, and they will come. And pain is part of the process, you know, heart heartbreaks are part of the process, but the joy that comes does not even compare to, you know, that painful episode that you're going through. And as long as you keep resolute, as long as you keep your mind made up into what you want, there's not stopping you. No stopping you.
Speaker 2:
If they need help or if they need if they're in a situation where they don't feel like they're on that. Are there any resources or people that you, so you know?
Speaker 1:
unfortunately for me, I always, I always learned things the hard way. I was too proud to seek help, like I felt like reaching out to some office. You know so many organizations that you can, you know, turn to for help and they will help. I come from a culture where we work hard for what we have. We don't ask for things like we like. Build ourselves on our own hard work and sweat and tears and blood and I would say, be humble enough to accept the help or seek the help. You know. Nobody, nobody, should be in a situation where you don't feel safe, where you don't feel loved, when you don't feel appreciated. Get out of there, you deserve better.
