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 Quickstep Organizing is about applying the art and science of organizing to anything and everything possible in one’s life; getting it right the first time, and … in quickstep timing! And timing is everything, no? “Quickstep” is also the name of a “smooth” looking and feeling but very fast-paced, American-style ballroom dance that derived from the “Fox Trot” ballroom dance invented in 1913 by Henry Fox in New York city. It is also one of my favorite dances. I am a part-time independent ballroom dance instructor, who loves organization in all things! An old and dear friend of mine used to say, “’tis best to do it, ‘tis best to do it quickly!”
Control, peace-of-mind, preparedness, accountability, stability, continuity, pride, joy, intelligence, security and confidence are all what I feel and experience knowing just where anything has been, is or will be, in my home, office and my life as a whole. I have always had these convictions and made them my daily reality through organization and cleanliness since my childhood. I was instilled with these values and practices by my parents, who complimented each other with their respective talents in the home, office and in their lives as a whole.
 My father, born in Mexico of Spanish decent and raised in San Antonio, Texas, received a degree in mechanical engineering at West Point Military Academy (a non-commissioned officer), served a director of the European C.A.R.E. organization for the reconstruction of France, Germany, and Yugoslavia at the end of World War II. He is now a retired subcontractor in masonry for commercial high-rise and residential construction. My mother, born and raised in Flushing, Long Island, NY, and of Irish decent (Clan Guinness – Guinness Irish Stout of Ireland), returned to college in 1970 after bearing and raising twelve children (I’m the eleventh), to earn a degree in architectural drafting in order to work with my father both in his office as well as at home. So we were raised with the highest esteem for education, self-discipline, establishment and maintenance order and authority, love of God and “duty, honor, country.”
 I grew up speaking, reading and writing six languages at home: English, French, German, Italian, Irish and Spanish. This was because of my father’s highly international business, our frequent international travels and receiving foreign visitors, his speaking five languages as well as my mother speaking three, and their mutual love of culture, education, and concerted efforts to instill linguistic skills in us children. I also maintained 65 pen-pals around the world for 13 years. I continued pursuing linguistic study over the years and have working knowledge to fluency of 10 languages.
 As there are twelve of us--seven girls and five boys, we grew up in a large house and estate, and we were all expected to do our assigned chores and held accountable. I always took to organizing and cleaning around the house; indeed, every room in the house as well as the garage and basement. No matter which room, no matter the type of objects involved, I would find an appropriate, practical and safe home for the items at hand and occasionally repair broken things, which gave me opportunities to learn about engineering and various industries insofar as how systems work and the power of team work. I have also always found that invariably cleaning is always a part of organizing, wherever and whatever necessary.
 Since my early adolescence and young adulthood, aside from pursuing the Traditional Catholic priesthood for approximately 15 years, I have been regarded among my social circles as a “Renaissance Man.” This is due to my wide-ranging interests and activities from the fine and performing arts to teaching in academia, ballroom and Irish dance and computing, writing and research, cinema, the culinary arts, interior design and visual display in addition to calligraphy. I enjoy a fitness regiment at the gym, baseball, soccer and hockey games, volleyball, and swimming, cross country mountain hiking and snow skiing, ice and roller skating, bicycling, billiards, and gardening.
 I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in World History and Western European Philosophy with minors in Spanish, French, German, Russian and Italian; a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineering license in computer networking and PC Technician certification in computer design and technical support. I am also an active member of the National Association of Professional Organizers.
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