Kathy Ramsey
Updated Class Update 2000
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I've enjoyed receiving news of everyone over the past several years and have always vowed to send in an update too. As usual, other issues seem to jump into first place and the issue of taking the time to write, continues to fall further down the line. This year however, starts a new millennium and new resolve to write. I had just finished reading a book about Japan this weekend and felt nostalgia overcome me. So, I located my memory books - where I store my ASIJ goodies - and pulled them out for review. I discovered that we used the word "normal" a lot back then and that almost everything was a "freebie" and that almost everyone was a "cutie". I found football rosters of the days when John Swain, Paul Nagata, Ted Dale and Chris Shimojima played - the average weight of the players was ~140 lbs. Maybe that's why the military teams stomped us! I have many pictures of everyone as they walked the halls of ASIJ or as they sat in the courtyard during lunch or break. This I owe to Brad Zak who was quite the photographer then and who used to let me help him develop his film. I found train passes and the western get-up some of us wore when hostessing at Suehiro Steak Restaurant. I have my ALVY ski club patch (I still downhill), a piece of art painted by Terri Coons (she would die if she saw it), several Darumas and many school newsletters. It's great to hear that Carole, Ellen and Brad are doing so well. I enjoy reading Ann Ludlow's letters - they read just as I remember her. Congratulations to Patti Harbour, the proud mother of twins. It's also great to hear updates from Tracy Stephens, Kris Bell, and Irene Anderson. Greetings to All! You asked that we send news about our life today and/or reflections about the journey since ASIJ. My journey goes something like this ... My days in Japan always left me with a feeling that I would find a career in International Business. I took numerous Japanese language and literature classes as well as International Business & Management courses during my undergraduate days at Miami U. Life however, took me down that path to Retail Management. And I have in fact, spent my days since graduation, working for May Department Stores (known by many as Filenes, Lord & Taylor, Foleys', Kaufmann's, May-Robinson, etc.)
Having spent 20 years building one career coupled with the realization that I was way too focused, I finally stepped up to the plate and left my comfort next to "get a life". So, I'm taking that big step and marrying the gentleman I've been seeing for the past six years. His name is Jim Rooney and he is truly an Irishman. He too spent many years with May Dept. Stores and in fact was my boss for four of them. Yes, this was an office romance. He left Kaufmann's 3 years ago as Sr. Vice President of Stores and moved into that same position with HomePlace. Here he was responsible for the combined total of 100 stores nationwide. Since the buyout of HomePlace to Wakama, Jim and I are now the proud owners of a start up company - we currently have two locations with 3 more leases in the works for this year and our plans involve expanding to a total of 12 locations over the next 2 years. Welcome to the world of Entrepreneuship! Whereas, for 42 years of my life I was concerned about giving up la dolce vita, I in fact just really discovered the meaning of the phrase this year.
My father passed away 10 years ago and I still have a tremendous void in my heart that has never really healed. My mother is a social butterfly, always busy and surrounded by many friends. My greatest joy has been in the relationship she and I have built over the years. She recently underwent bypass surgery but has recovered remarkably well. I'm very proud of her and am glad I have her footsteps to follow. I am still a very close friend with Cathy Fell (now Cathy Wright). She resides in Chicago and is a reporter for a portfolio of newspapers. She and her former husband owned a production company and traveled to Micronesia, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and assorted other faraway places producing documentaries. She is now with a gentleman who takes her sailing, prepares her gourmet dinners and most importantly, ensures her happiness. Well, that's it in a nutshell, I have very fond memories of my days at ASIJ. I look forward to a return trip in the future where I can retrace all those great times. I wish everyone continued good health, much prosperity, and endless happiness. I look forward to receiving the anniversary album. Until then ... Much Love, Kathy Ramsey |
Even though my job didn't take me overseas, the success I've enjoyed has enabled me to travel extensively through Europe and 1 1/2 years ago, I spent two weeks in Russia touring and working at an orphanage for 600 children. I've enclosed a picture of myself with Peter the Great! (I really didn't want to pose for this but the group wouldn't move until I did. Tourists!)
We reside in Avon Lake, Ohio - just 2 miles south of the Lake. This affords us the opportunity to jog or ride our bikes to several great beaches and parks. Since turning over this new leaf in life, I have given gardening a real run for its money and I have indulged in cooking classes and home decorating. Seems all of these projects are endless but nonetheless, very enjoyable. I have two lovely pooches that I adopted from the APL. Both are terrier mixes and their names are Barkley and Spencer. I've enclosed their photos.
A quick update on my brothers… Jeff is married with 3 children ranging in age from 7 to 16. he's been an entrepreneur since graduation and has a very successful business outside of Denver. Jay is a M.D. - Ph.D. and is also married with 2 children - 1 and 2 year olds. He resides outside of Washington D.C. and works for the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda. He specializes in pediatric gene transfer therapy.