I have been enjoying watching the 2012 Summer Olympics this year. My two favorite sports to follow are gymnastics and swimming, which I participated in as a child. My gymnastics career was cut short due to my height and I moved onto other sports after giving swimming a try. This year, the U.S. Olympic team hosts 269 women compared to 261 men. This is the first time that women have overpopulated the male athletes. Great job ladies! For daily features of women athletes, visit NAWRB's blog reel by clicking here. 

Today is my last day in San Francisco before I fly back home to Orange County, CA. The Real Estate Connect conference was great and I am so happy I was able to attend this year. Traveling and speaking with Renee Smith in Walnut Creek was another great opportunity as well! I got to meet a lot of influential women, which I hope to keep in touch with for many years to come. After a long and busy week, I am looking forward to getting back home. Of course business never stops and I'm sure my to-do list is off the charts, but one day at a time. To learn more about Renee Smith, The Short Sale Guru, please click here. 

Most of my day is dedicated to prepare for my travels in San Francisco Wednesday- Friday this week. I will be traveling with NAWRB member and friend, Renee Marie Smith. I am looking forward to the cooler weather San Fran is famous for, and attending the Inman News Real Estate Connect. I have never been to this specific venue before, so I hope this will be a successful business trip! On Thursday afternoon, I will be in Walnut Creek with Renee while we co-host a MLS session partnering with ECAR, a local chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. For more information about this MLS session, please e-mail [email protected]. Registration is required.

Tweet me if you are attending Inman News Real Estate Connect! @DesireePatno

Tomorrow is National Dance Day and I am excited to celebrate a holiday so important to me. I feel like dancing can improve your outlook and mood. I have been dancing since I was three years old and it has always stayed a passion of mine. As a former professional dancer at Billy Clower Dance Studio, I learned a lot of skills which I still use in my daily life. Self confidence, healthy lifestyle and hard work have always stayed at the top of my list. I encourage everyone to let your feet lead the way tomorrow, and everydée! 

I had a great time yesterday being around such a strong group of successful women at the WCOE Western Regional Conference in Los Angeles. To see so many people gather together to overcome the challenges in a male dominated industry like construction, is very motivating. From morning until evening, there were plenty of inspiring speakers with lots of informative presentations. Judy Hoberman’s presentation about effective leadership techniques was dynamic and Beverly Kuykendall’s passion during her speech about successful federal contracting and teaming was strongly felt. All in all, the WCOE Western Regional Conference was another successful event I’m glad I attended.

American Idol Concert was phenomenal as well!

I will be in Los Angeles all day for two very exciting events. During the day, I will be attending the WCOE Western Regional Conference with NAWRB Executive Director, Cade Holleman. I'm looking forward to learning more about communicating with major prime and federal contractors and effective leadership tactics. These resourceful skills can make the difference when doing business and trying to win bids. Later tonight, I get to unwind with my family and enjoy the taping of American Idol at The Nokia Theatre. Who do you think will be America's vote? 

What a crazy adventure getting back to Orange County last night from D.C., but I’m glad I finally made it home. I really enjoy being able to reconnect with old colleges and constantly meet new ones through such great events. WCR Chapter 10 Business Forum and WIPP’s Annual Leadership Meeting was reinvigorating in ways I can't describe. Business is tough for everyone right now but I'm glad I made the investment to go and take a few days to remind myself about the big picture. Next up: WCOE Western Regional Conference on Monday in Los Angeles. I'll be there with NAWRB Executive Director Cade Holleman and meeting tons of women in the construction industry. Exciting!

The first day at the WIPP Annual Leadership Meeting was filled with education and meeting great peers. It definitely upheld to my expectations from the previous years I have attended. It’s so nice to be surrounded by so many influential and professional women. I will be accepting WIPP’s Business Leadership Award for Social Media this evening and I couldn’t be more excited! It will make a great carry on piece for the flight home and look amazing in my newly re-decorated office space.


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After attending a huge WCR event all day yesterday and a redeye last night, I’ve finally arrived in Washington D.C. WIPP’s Annual Leadership Meeting is something I haven't missed for the last several years. This year NAWRB is co-hosting a government contracting session to help small women-owned businesses learn from large prime contractors. I'm also excited about the WIPP Business Leadership Award for Social Media that NAWRB is being recognized for... the awards ceremony is tomorrow, but hey, I'm excited :)

Tweet me @DesireePatno if you're in DC!  

Today over at NAWRB the folks there blogged about comments Elizabeth Warren made about "banking should be boring". Currently, Warren is running for a US Senate seat and she's calling for a new Glass-Steagall Act. If you remember, that post-Depression legislation is what created the two types of major banks: depository institutions and investment banks. Increasingly blurred lines between the two since the 1990s could be what got us in such a mess today. 

Want to read more about it? Check out the NAWRB blog here.