Ernestine Shepherd (Like Ernestine, If I Could Be Like Ernestine)

"Wisdom doesn't automatically come with old age. Nothing does - except wrinkles. It's true, some wines improve with age. But only if the grapes were good in the first place."
Abigail Van Buren

There are very few people who can honestly be described as "inspiring" in the manner of which Ernestine “Ernie” Shepherd can be described as "inspiring". She's "get up out of your bed on a Monday morning" inspiring. She's "I just ran 10 miles but I won't allow myself to be tired" inspiring. Ernestine Shepherd is "battery in your back" inspiring. When a person is able to will his or herself to defy commonly held physical (not to mention psychological) limitations and succeed, that person deserves a collective applause from the rest of us. And so without further ado... The Sophistiques applaud you Ernestine Shepherd...(the crowd goes wild.)




At the age of 74, Ernestine Shepherd is a personal trainer and has been recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest competitive female bodybuilder ever. She resides in Baltimore, Maryland where she runs 10 miles per day in addition to her time spent at the gym. What makes Ernestine's story all the more captivating is she was a self described "couch potato" up until she was 56!!! (...there are officially no more excuses.) She told the Washington Post "If you are going to try to motivate people, you have to live that part". (...and has she ever.)



Oz

Mo'Betta & Oz a.k.a. The Sophistiques

Geneva... beyond convention.

"If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies."
Moshe Dayan

It has been referred to as the "Peace City". It's also one of the most expensive cities in the world in which to live (kinda makes sense... whoever said "peace" was cheap). It's renown for its high quality of life as well as being an important European financial center. It is Geneva, Switzerland. Geneva is the essence of tranquility and civility. The city can be described as a metropolis with a suburban feel. It's a place where a person can go to "catch their breath" if only for a moment.





The Jet d'Eau serves as the icon of the municipality. It's a large fountain which shoots into the air from Lake Geneva. The Jet d'Eau adds to the uniquely Genevan experience of walking along the shores of Lake Geneva. The Flower Clock, a symbol of the Swiss watch industry and Parc de Bastions are two other uniquely Genevan experiences.





Geneva is a mature destination. When you've reached the point in life where you can admire the simple moments, only then will you comprehend the beauty that is Geneva...

Oz

Mo'Betta & Oz a.k.a. The Sophistiques