Since I was very small, I have been writing and illustrating stories about my life and about imaginary lives. I have boxes and boxes of notebooks full of my childhood. I knew at that age the importance of childhood so I documented everything. I also vowed to never let that part go of me.
All I've ever wanted to do was be an artist. I didn't know how that would be possible since I would never consider myself anything like a Michaelangelo or the like. After I decided this, I backed off, discouraged, and then I decided I didn't care and so I continued on with my artistry. But, as I have traveled around the world and seen art from so many places (and even more because of the Internet--one can see everything and tour the art world all very quickly, inexpensively, and easily) I have decided that "art" is not something that I cannot do. I have been doing it all along--expressing myself through writing and paintings and the like.
During high school, I began traveling a bit: taking a photography trip with my class and my cousins around Italy (Rome, Pompei, Milan, and Florence) and Greece (Athens and some islands). During my studies at St. Mary's University of San Antonio, I traveled a bit more. I lived briefly in London, England, Innsbruck, Austria, and Tamarindo, Costa Rica. While on these travels I visited several cities around England; Cardiff, Wales; Cork, Ireland; Paris, France a few times; Barcelona, Spain; Italy (Rome, Pisa, Florence, Anzio, Milano); La Ciudad, Mexico, Uxpanapa, Southern Veracruz, Mexico, and Cancun; Brussels; Belgium a few times; Rotterdam and Amsterdam, Netherlands a few times; Munich, Germany many times and Oppenwia, Obberamagau, Germany; Split, Bar, and Hvar Crotia, and the beaches of Slovenia; and Mosow, Russia.
After finishing university, I traveled around the United States, living briefly in Key West, Florida and Virginia. Afterwards, I found myself in South Korea; at the time I was teaching at Kyongbuk University of Foreign Studies. Since I've been in Korea, I have traveled back to the US many times and also to India (Rishikesh, Delhi, Agra, and Rajastan), Bali, Indonesia for a month of surfing and playing with monkeys; I have visited Japan many times (Tokyo, Fukuoka, Kyoto, and Uji); China (Xian, Beijing); and South of Kenting in Taiwan; Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket, and Khaoluck); North Korea; and I have traveled much around South Korea (Seoul, Daegu, Jeju-do, Gimpo, Gyeongju, Andong, Pohang, Chilpo, Youngin, Chilgok, and more).
But, it is in South Korea where I really began seriously working on the idea of creating stories for children. It's continued and has become more serious with each effort. It is my hobby, my dream, my job, and my obsession.
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