CURRENT MISSION

While work keeps us from exploring the world, we decided to have the world come to us.

ABOUT ME

I view the world and the people in it from a humanistic perspective. Although I am not religious, I feel very strongly that many of the world's problems could be solved if all of us, and especially the politicians, would think about the Golden Rule before taking action. I was born in Brazil and have lived in the United States for the past 45 years. Although I would probably label myself quite liberal in my political views, I chose to become an American after September 11. I have traveled extensively I have never seen a place that is half as wonderful as America.

I am open to all cultures and fascinated by people in general. I tend to be a bit impatient by nature but totally intolerant of people that hold deeply seated prejudices. I am still amazed that people I know think bullying is "just part of growing up."

I have a great sense of humor, love a good joke and somehow seem to remember them all. I feel fortunate to still have my mom in my life and she has always been my best friend. She is an amazing woman. She was born in Germany and still recalls the Nazis searching her home when they first came to look for the men. My grandfather had friends who warned him about those early raids and he never was found. They left everything behind and moved to Brazil. My grandparents and their 3 daughters are what is left of their family.

PHILOSOPHY

I try to treat everyone as I would like to be treated. public office. I am a firm believer in honesty, common sense, integrity and using words before using my fists; I guess this makes me ineligible for public office.

Interests

I still work once in a while in the bridal business, but have closed our store. I spend a great deal of my time reading, playing Words With Friends, finding new areas of interest online and visiting family in Los Angeles.

• reading
• business

Music, Movies, and Books

I love almost all music. I am a voracious reader and enjoy movies but have never been particularly interested in science fiction.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

As odd as it may sound, those moments still happen to me. I read somewhere that an optimist is a person that is falls off a window from the top of the Empire State Building and as he/she descends keeps saying, "I am O.K. so far." I must be an optimist because I really think I was lucky to have survived a stroke. It was my Mother's Day gift four years ago. Fortunately, my only impairment is my short term memory, which is not great. However, as we all age, my friends are starting to catch up to me! Secondly, it gave me a gift of really being awestruck by life and what is really important. Bottom line is this: things never make us happy. Joy comes from positive emotional connections. It is that simple.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil, India, Pakistan, United States