Working Through The Turbulent Months While America Is Changing

By: Maria Girlie Pascual

Stress is a killer. Everyone knows it, but it is hard to control especially when life happens. In my case, I learned about the American invasion of Iran two weeks after I just came back from a two-month winter break in Manila. But, what a terrible feeling that was. Are we officially at war, are we all in danger, what happens when America loses, what happens to all of us living here?
These were the questions running through my mind and after about a week of news binging, I decided to shut out all stories about the Middle East conflict and focus on the “now”. That meant going back to my work routine, responding to inquiries and calls on all things “real estate,” returning messages left for me while I was overseas. Needless to say, my strongest season, Spring 2026, started officially when the first bombs struck Iran.
During the last two months, I have plotted my year, continued to tend to my grandson Kenzo’s needs, continued with our yearly Asian American Golfers of Illinois’ playing schedule, met with clients, sold, listed and closed on current and past deals, and just went on about my life and business, but acutely wary of what’s going to happen down the line with this completely unnecessary and surprising world situation. Gas and grocery prices have skyrocketed, mortgage rates are at an all-time high, and opinions about the matter oftentimes result in raised voices and differing points of view. Still, we unfortunately, as residents of the good old USA, have to take the good with the bad, and I have found that going back to familiar work routine centers me, and helping my clients achieve their goals grounds me, while spending precious time with family, especially my grandson, makes me happy.
With that said, I recently hosted our dear publisher’s 80- something birthday party at one of her favorite Italian restaurants, Maggiano’s at Old Orchard Mall in Skokie. Seeing how much people respond to her and how family and friends care for her truly warms my heart having known her myself for the last 40 years, and counting. Her steadfast resolve to live her life according to her rules, breaking the glass ceiling in journalism for immigrants and as an ethnic woman publisher at that, Veronica has shown everyone what hard work and tenacity with style looks like. I would like to end my article with a heartfelt wish for her continued health and well-being, to stop dreaming about her late husband Joe Mauricio asking her to join him (Joe, we want to keep her here longer, please) and to continue to inspire and awe us with her grit and candor, at this young, very ripe age age. We love you, Vero!
Please take a look at my gallery for this issue and remember that I have been a full-time real-estate broker for over three decades and have closed almost 50-million dollars of real- estate sales in my long, interesting career in both commercial and residential spaces. Put my experience to work for you! Call, text, email me before you put your property for sale, or prior to looking for your next home or investment. I am available 24/7 for you and thank you to all my loyal buyers and sellers who have experienced the kind of service I provide, when they become my extended family after the deal is done. Have a safe and happy summer everyone!