I am a grandma of five beautiful grandchildren. Originally from Cali, Colombia, migrated with my immediate family to the USA in August 1969. I went to school in Morristown, NJ. Married in 1972 to Tom an American citizen and we had two children, Tommy born in 1974 and Susan born in 1977. I am fluent in both English and Spanish. Up until October 2009 I worked for a large tax administrator company and did medical, utility and tax collections. I worked there for over eleven years. I am currently unemployed like a lot of Americans, but confident that I will find a suitable job that I will enjoy and that will utilize my bilingual and people skills. In my spare time I am a decorative painter - my passion. I have been painting since 1996. I love to read and write in both languages and enjoy spending time with my family, especially my grandkids!

How did you get to where you are now?

By working very hard at learning a English as a second language. I took big chances by taking challenging jobs and learning computers and always perfecting my grammar and the correct way of speaking the language without an accent.

How do you see yourself differently now than you did 10 years ago?

I have grown in ways that I never knew I could. I am a very patient grandma, I try to take care of my body/health, despite some aches and pains here and there. I feel that I need more contact with people and that I truly enjoy interaction with different people. I feel that it makes one grow spiritually and emotionally.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Not retired. I see myself painting, furthering my dream of opening my own gallery and teach my painting techniques.

Dear self: You should have continued to further your education. You definitely had the intelligence and the drive but found excuses, such as kids, etc etc and let that dream go by. I know I would have excelled at anything I put my mind to but didn't pursue it.

My maternal grandmother was definitely a role model. Although she was a woman who had little education, she was a funny, full of life woman who loved to dance and was the best cook and hostess and entertainer. She knew all about etiquette, she knew all about world affairs and she instilled in me and my sisters the importance of always keeping ourselves dressed up nicely and use make up so that our husbands would always come home to a nice looking woman. She was a christian woman with an enormous faith in God. She was kind and made a big impact in my life.