The girl who missed her first class.

For years she had contributed to a foundation called doctors without borders, always wondering what more she could do. She wanted her involvement to be more than financial, up close and personal where she could see the difference she actually made. Having traveled to many countries, especially in South-East Asia, she saw first hand just how much help is needed in underdeveloped countries. Of course, like any other tourist, she marveled in the sights and the culture. The pleasure of meeting different people and learning about their way of living made her feel like the richest person on the inside. From temples to beaches, passing through busy streets and staying on secluded islands, from the jungle and into the cities she found herself awake and felt more alive than ever. There was something missing, she just didn't know it yet.

Her first order of business was to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. She needed to find a sense of purpose, to have a goal and actually believe it could be achieved. After a lot of soul searching she figured out that the answer lied within. She had known the truth all along, but wasn't willing to give herself the opportunity to change. As soon as she realized that all it took to move forward was a little courage and a whole lot of effort, doors started opening up and possibilities seemed endless. After therapy and thanks to the help she received from her piers, her outlook on life completely changed. She decided that life wasn't meant to be lived with regrets, especially not at her age. She decided that the best way to go about reaching her goals was to combine her passion for traveling with her need for helping people. Now she's on her way to becoming a nurse.

On a cold and windy Tuesday afternoon, that girl (some would say a woman) was heading to her first English class in a really long time. Nervous about her new surroundings, she climbed the three flights of stairs wondering what would be waiting for her once she reached the classroom. Eleven years had passed by so quickly yet she had forgotten what school was all about. Everywhere she looked, faces would look back smiling, staring, wondering what this older girl was doing here. Little did they know, not so long ago, this girl was living with lingering disappointment about her life and the choices she'd made. Going back to school after so many years is a challenge but the thirst for knowledge is not so easily quenched. This is one of the main reasons that motivated her to hit the books and open her mind.

Having a vast social network of friends and family from all walks of life makes her feel very well surrounded. They often meet for dinner and love to share a nice bottle of red wine, especially if she's cooking! From the simplest meal to a feast worthy of royalty, her cooking skills hardly go unnoticed. Never afraid to try new recipes and spices, her food is rich in variety and love. Even though she is considered to have an insatiable sweet tooth, deserts are one of the things she hasn't yet mastered. Other then cooking, her interests vary from the arts, especially photography, to scuba diving in tropical countries and learning different languages. In her eyes, communication is the key to learning about one another and understanding where we come from. This can only be achieved with an open mind and a desire to grow.