What you should know right now

I moved to texas in november and started a new job in january. I've started working out now so I won't have to cram next summer for my wifey's wedding…I miss you michele!!! she's not really my wife haha but she's a great friend…we're merely hours apart in age and she's taught me a lot.

Self Description

daughter, sister, babysitter, dance leader, best friend, unofficial psychiatrist, writer & strong woman

Proudest Accomplishment

Graduating from army basic training and receiving an award after being injured

Hardest learned lesson

Hardest lesson learned i fell in love with someone i had a crush on in high school. back then he didn't even remember my name because he was older than me. when we met again in life we started dating. he was my first adult relationship my first love and first extreme heartbreak. my mother always said he was no good for me but i was in love and blind. after we had broken up and were completely done i realized the abuse i had taken. it was never physical but he made me feel so horrible. when he drank he'd get angry and scream at me and talk down to me like i was a child. i wasn't allowed to wear make up or skirts or be woman. if another man looked at me he'd get angry with them and then with me. from that situation that lasted a little over a year i learned to love myself and put myself first. i learned that i don't have to please a man to keep him around and that even love isn't worth losing yourself.

Who inspires me

My Mom
My mother is the strongest person i know. she stopped working and gave up her independent life to raise my younger siblings and i. she was at every concert, recital, softball game, rotc competition and everything. she was my backbone when i was at my lowest and without her i wouldn't be the strong outspoken independent no nonsense loving and valued person i am today. she overcame adversity marrying a black man whose family did not accept her because she is puerto rican. 36 years later she is still married to my father and is not affected by his family's ignorance and hate. she is a rock and i pray i maintain a sliver of the confidence she has.

Linda Mallozzi
A former employer who treated me like family. her name is linda mallozzi and she's a successful attorney in union, NJ. i started working at her firm in high school for my co-op program and i loved going to work. when i left for the military she wished me the best and i knew i had her support. i was injured in the army and ended up being discharged and had no back up plan. i went to linda's office to say hello and she offered me my old job. the firm was in dissolution and the attorney that left did linda very dirty. she stayed strong. even when she was stricken with a fatal disease she over came that. she is married running a business is a wonderful mother and a dear friend of mine. she's a strong woman and i'm proud to know her.

Shannon Boodram
Shannon Boodram contacted me about a book she was putting together and asked if i would contribute. The last few years has brought many obstacles and the journey to get this masterpiece in the public view has been rough yet she hasn't given up. This book is her baby as well as the many authors and she proceeds with a positive attitude that it will be a success and there aren't too many people in the world who have that perseverance. I wish to one day be granted the honor of meeting such an amazing young woman. She allowed me to share my story in hopes of helping others.Her heart is big and that makes her amazing.