I love languages! In particular I collect how to say I love you in different languages, but have learned many other phrases as well. I studied Spanish when I was in high school and have had little opportunity to use it. However, I recently met a wonderful man from Mexico Ciudad DF. He speaks English well, but of course, I can't let him do all the hard work! So I find myself re-learning all that I have forgotten.

Aside from that, I love, love, love animals. Especially cats, and especially the big ones. My absolute favorite is the white Siberian tiger. My greatest desire is to become an animal behaviorist and live with lions or tigers in the wild. For now I practice my "skills" with the ferral cats at a local shelter where my daughter and I volunteer.

Another passion of mine is music. I trained classically at a local conservatory with an emphasis on opera. I enjoy singing opera immensely, but I don't like to listen to it. (Weird, I know.) I also play piano, harmonica and violin (Jack of all trades and master of none, I´m afraid.) And because I'm an audiophile, I have also learned how to run a soundboard for concerts and recordings.

What I believe - *The Bible *Everything happens for a reason *Every day is a new beginning, don´t get stuck in the past *Even in the most horrible and ugly things there is a sweetness and a beauty that can be found. (And believe me, I have seen some of the ugliest things there are, but it´s absolutely true.) *Everything that has happened in my life, the good, the bad and the ugly, makes me who I am today.