The Soultown! Volume III: Issue 10 OCTOBER 2019 | Page 20

EXCLUSIVE
JUMP FROM PAGE 17
designed and printed the t-shirts that symbolized the
2019 GGs Trip of the Year. During the 6 hour drive,
we discovered more truths about each other ... Ruby
is the biggest kid of all and her favorite place in the
world is Disneyland. Chillin, hailing from the Midwest
had never been to Disneyland and she doesn’t ride
the rides. Maribel is the sole GG that will do whatever
it takes to make others happy -- just as long as she
can listen or watch the 49ers on the radio or any
mobile device. “I thought we were going to be the
only ones dressed alike at the park”, says Chillin. “I
was wrong, there were couples, families and other
groups of women on Girls’ trips, just like us.”
The GGs have traveled all over the Peninsula /
Bay Area, Vacaville, Reno, Las Vegas, Chicago
and once during a road trip, stopped to admire the
Hoover Dam before they climbed to the top of the
Grand Canyon, then rode a helicopter to the bottom.
Maribel and Ruby -- both Californians -- are die-hard
Golden State Warriors fans, and Chillin -- born and
raised in Chicago -- is a Bulls fan. This has never
been a problem. Annually, the female fanatics gear
up and head to a Warriors / Bulls game. This year the
game is at the New Chase Center in San Francisco.
The GGs tickets have been purchased and they’re
ready to go Nov. 27.
“Our next adventure includes joining a gym and
a trip to Hawaii,” says Maribel. Ruby chimed in, “I
hope us GG’s will take a trip to Hawaii together so
they can learn a little more about my Pacific Islander
Heritage and understand more about what shapes
me.” “Well,” says Chillin, “I want to do all of those
things, but I also want to go to Atlantic City. None of
us have been. It’s where one of my favorite movies,
Beaches was filmed. We need to explore more of the
East Coast.”
“I believe what connects us three -- in addition
to working for BGCP -- is that each of us brings
something very different to our friendship, says
Maribel. On the other hand, Ruby believes “what
connects us deeply is all of the good and bad
experiences we have shared at BGCP in our growth.
The challenges we faced individually and collectively
have shaped us for the better, forever. I knew the
GGs were more than just co-workers when they
came to my family’s home to check on me after my
older brother passed away.”
Despite the differences of the GGs, they plan time
to check-in and hang out with each other. Maribel
is single with no children. Chillin is divorced with 2
children and 2 grandchildren and Ruby is married
with 1 daughter.
Courtesy Photo
The GGs pose for a photograph while standing on top of the Grand Canyon, with beautiful scenery in the background.
“It’s cool working for the same organization. Our
friendship automatically makes us stand in volunteers
if needed at events ... and we are welcome in any
one of the clubs at any time,” says Chillin, “Last
summer for Maribel’s birthday, Ruby brought her
cupcakes and I led the happy birthday song with the
K-5th graders in the gym. Those kids had no idea
who we were, but because we were dressed in our
BGCP shirts, they knew we were family.
Ruby shares, “I rely heavily on my spiritual faith to
get me through all of life’s challenges. I appreciate
my husband who loves me unconditionally and
accepts me with all of my flaws. He has influenced
my ability to be of service to anyone within reach and
constantly uplifts me to be a better person each day.
The GG’s provide me with varied perspectives based
on their culture, values, and life experiences. I love
that with my husband and GG’s, we can even agree
to disagree and still respect each other’s opinions
because of the admiration and respect we have for
each other. I am truly blessed to have family and
friends like these in my life.”
Photo by Chillin
At Disneyland, almost everyone
that travels in a group wears
similar t-shirts. The GGs
grabbed a quick photo of the
‘Sisters With Different Misters’
and their like t-shirts.
Oct. 2019 • The Soultown International Magazine • Celebrating 2 years • Connecting Our Cultures to Our Cyber & Conscious Communities • thesoultown.com
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