Snowbirds Living in the Philippines : Introducing Erik Watts of THD

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Introducing Erik Watts of THD

A couple of weeks ago, I finally met Erik Watts in person along with Val ( spouse) and Steve Davis (brother-in-law). Steve is one of the 132 residents here at THD currently.

I told Erik that sometimes in the future, I would like to interview him with wife Val for my blogs. The next week I received this e-mail from Erik as follows:

Erik and Val at the Heritage Downtown, Walnut Creek- Photo from THD Website

From: Erik Watts

Chairman Comet Management Corp

(702) 296 7833 ewatts@cometnv.com

David, I heard a lot of good things about your work, look forward to doing an interview with you. Here is a little background of my life:

I was raised in an almost middle class family in Gardena California, played football at Gardena High School and received a 4 year scholarship to San Jose State University.

I graduated with a degree in Chemistry in 1967 and was drafted by the Detroit Lions. After 1 1/2 years in Detroit, I left for a Sales and Marketing position in Beverly Hills with FM Financial.

In 1967, I meet a wonderful and talented girl named Valerie Davis. We feel in love, got married and had two amazing kids Hamilton and Aimee who both work with us in the family business.

After 2 years I created my own innovative financial products and began my life's quest to design and run my own company, and unique product line. This lead to among other properties the development of The Heritage Downtown THD.

I am also getting older, at age 80 but continue to push forward by walking and reading with all the wonderful spare time in retirement.

Look forward to our conversation. Best, Erik

Meanwhile enjoy this video by Sulic and Genchev-Czardas -one of my favorite classical piece

Lastly,  Like Erik, let us strive to aging gracefully💚. Again thank you Erik for your quick response and e-mail above.    It was a pleasure meeting you in person and introducing you to my blog readers all over the world.  I am hoping that I can have a more detail interview with you and Val in your hopes and future for THD. 

Here are the Secrets of Aging Gracefully:

💚https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-secrets-to-aging-gracefully.html

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Joys of Retirement

I have been retired from USFDA since 2002. At first, I feel I have lost my identity as an individual or have lost my contribution to society. However, within a few weeks all these feelings were gone. It started when my wife and I started baby sitting one of our grandchildren. As some economics professor states: "Your children are your capital investments, but your grandchildren are your profits. That is why you love your grandchildren more than your children". I really agree with the statement. Retirement also gives you lots of time to do things you like to do, such as your hobbies and of course travel. In my case, I turned my hobby of gardening and landscaping into a small business in the Philippines. This endeavor was planned about five years before 2002. That year my wife and I started construction of our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque , Philippines. The next year we built a beach house, followed by a Conference Hall two years later. Needless to say, planning and executing the landscaping was a challenge and very enjoyable. With the help of local labor, I not only enjoy the time gardening and landscaping, but also help improved the economic situation of the province by providing work and jobs to the local residents. With plenty of time, I have engaged into two specific activities as follows: First, I created a website for my small business. By trial and error, I created and design the website, www.chateaudumer.com I have never been a computer nerd or expert. But with plenty of time and patience, the fruits of my labor could be enjoyed if you visit the website above. The second activity, I have not done before was to utilize on-line activities, such as shopping, paying bills ( save you stamps) and playing computer games in the Internet. I really enjoyed playing duplicate bridge on line. You play with players all over the world and can chat in between games. But be careful, you are not spending too much time in the computer. It is very addictive. With a lots of time, my wife and I devoted more time on our favorite humanitarian project. For the last 15 years, we have been involved with medical mission to the province of Marinduque. For details please visit the website: www.marinduqueinternational.org As a summary, the joy one gets on retirement is very specific for an individual. Some enjoy their free time by learning new activities, getting involved with humanitarian projects or spending more time with their grandchildren. Others hate it, since they missed their former jobs and co-workers. Others with no children still enjoy retirement by traveling, turning their hobbies into business or more community involvement. Of course those that retire and hate it, is believe to die earlier than those that enjoy their retirement years. So, plan your retirement as early as you can. The happier you are on retirement, the longer you will live.