CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA
She remembers scrapbooking for the first time seven years ago after a vacation to North Carolina. She had never thought she had enough patience or time to do memory books, because she begins feeling very ADD about projects and tends to lose interest very quickly. But, she found that sitting down and reliving the moments was wonderfully refreshing to her.
Autumn believes it’s great for people to start (or continue) scrapbooking while living on Okinawa. For one thing, it puts your experience here all in one place. It allows you to tell a story without having to use too many words. It is a forever item that will be there in the middle of winter back in the States when you are wishing you were here. And scrapbooking is a great tribute to the beauty of the island itself.
I asked about a favorite memory she has preserved in her scrapbooking since arriving on Okinawa:
My favorite memory so far would be the trip(s) to the aquarium and how my 2 year old really lights up and shines. The look of sheer happiness and joy in his eyes is amazing. I love to see him learn more and more every time we go.
And now I’ll let her tell you a bit more about her job:
1. What is my job and what do I do? I am a scrapbooking consultant for Close To My Heart scrapbooking company. I sell scrapbooking supplies such as stamps, inks, papers, and accessories out of my home. I also hold monthly workshops where people do a two-page layout to add to their books and learn more about scrapbooking.
2. What are my hours & pay? I work as much or as little as i want…a normal time for me is 2-3 hours a week. I receive a percentage of my sales as pay.
3. Education or training? A basic knowledge of scrapbooking or cardmaking is a plus, but CTMH is so user friendly that you could join without ever looking or touching a scrapbooking item before in your life.
4. Is this a dream job or fill-in-the-time? For the moment it is my dream job, but once we go back to the states and my boys are both in school, then I am going to finish my degree in nursing. This will then become my fill-in-the-time job.
5. What am I learning? I have learned so much with this job. I find myself being more open and just enjoying myself. I have learned how other branches of the military or career fields work and how much my husband’s job really does not suck. I have learned different ways to pack, move, unpack, organize and just relax a bit more. It may not seem like that big of a deal, but to me it is the world.
6. Do I love my job? YOU BET I DO!!!!! I get to create a beautiful book for my boys, I get to relive all those precious memories and keep them safe. I love to look back and see how our family has changed. It helps me to appreciate the little things in life.
7. Do I feel like I am making a difference in other’s Okinawa experience? I would like to think so. I have met so many new people and would like to think that the women I work with enjoy each other and think that we all enrich each other’s lives in some way or another. We are all friends and that is really important when you are stuck so far away from everything that you know.
8. How has this job improved my own island experience? I think that selling and having to put myself out there to let people know that I sell has made me a bit more outgoing and has helped me to relate to other people. It has also helped me in my communication skills and getting comfortable talking to and in front of people.
9. My website and phone number: www.amaney.myctmh.com – 959-5265
Please tell us about the job or business you’re involved in here on Okinawa!! Just fill out a template and email to me at joelle1971@gmail.com. Thanks!
I love to scrapbook and Okinawa is a great place to preserve your memories through photos and our albums. This is our second tour here and I’m so glad I have a scrapbook from the last time we lived on this beautiful island. Autumn – you do have a great job!!!! Thanks for sharing our heart for your family and Okinawa and for sharing your passion for scrapbooking!!