| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | The most memorable experience in my childhood was when summer came and my dad had to take me to his job at the dealership. My mother was working at the hospital, and I couldn’t stay home by myself, so my dad needed to take me to his job. I knew it was going to be the worst day of the summer since I thought it would be the most boring thing to experience, but it ended up being the best day of that summer. We helped each other fix cars and we got our hands dirty, real father and son moments. My dad pulled me aside as we were leaving the dealership and said to me, “Son, if there’s something that I try and encourage you and your brother to do every day of you lives, it’s to respect the people around you. But I also want you to remember as you grow up that if there’s something you’re determined to do in life, make sure you have a passion for doing it. I love you son.” |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | My brother is someone who I can truly say I can relate to. He’s my biggest influence and my best friend as well. We connect in every aspect, and have the same likes and dislikes. At times, we can talk on and on about things and we end up sharing the same ideas. I know that if I share something with him, it’ll never leave our circle. The only difference between us is that we don’t have a similar complexion, and people freak on how much of brothers we really are. We say out loud in public to each other “I love you man. Nothing is ever going to change that.” And we just laugh when we get looks. But there's something special about me and my brother, and that’s our way of saying it to each other. We didn’t live rough lives, but even if we did I would say to him, “Always remember this. I love you and nothing is going to change that. We’ve been through a lot, and sometimes days get dark, but there’s always a way out of things. Remember, it’s you and me against the world.” |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | When someone is loyal and sincere, it’s a no brainer to really admire them. For me, I admire an individual who is determined and optimistic, which is something both my parents try and show me to be. Future plans have their day in life, and sometimes for me to try and connect with someone, that’s something I look for. Why are you determined on a particular career? Does optimism play a big role in that career? Things like that are what got my dad his dream job. Determination and optimism say a lot about someone’s character. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | This is more of a funny thing, but ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me growing up so I’ll just say it. I wanted to be friends with this kid who was the “popular kid,” and see if I could join his group of friends as well, but he never noticed me. We played in the same soccer league and it was the day our teams faced each other. I wanted to make a good impression so I decided to play my best in this game and I ended up scoring two of the three goals that we scored before half time. I saw him get benched and I felt guilty, so at the start of the second half I had my own plan. I let him have the next two goals, and we ended up in a tie game. Afterwards, his dad approached me and said, “I’ve never seen a kid do that before for another kid who just wanted to be friends,” and he shook my hand, inviting me and my parents to dinner. We couldn’t go, so I felt like my efforts were worthless. The next day at school I was called many names such as four eyes, dummy, and “Hey kid, want to let us win? We’ll be your friend,” and so forth. He ended up coming up to me asking me to be his friend, and we were friends till I had to transfer to another school. Coincidentally, high school soccer was coming up, and to imagine how small the world is, we ended up playing for the same team. The best/funniest thing that has ever happened to me. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | England and Jamaica. These countries have different things that make the experience of traveling extraordinary. I’ve always wanted to go to Jamaica and just escape into paradise. The resorts, the areas in which you can sightsee, the people and the environment of Jamaica don’t compare to any other country, in my opinion. Jumping into a waterfall and breathing the fresh air is my way of entering paradise. England is a country that me and my brother always wanted to go to as kids, when we first heard of the Manchester United team. We just wanted to go and explore. The people are passionate and welcoming, and the way the country is run makes it easy to start a life there, or a business or whatever comes into mind. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | One thing that my dad told me is something I want to tell my kids as well. He told this to me and my brother and it just stuck with us. He told us, “Boys, there’s something I want you two to know. Your mom and I raised you to have respect for the people around you, because you never know what life may bring you. It can be the job you wanted, the wife you dreamed of, the house you dreamed of, the car and the elegant things, but there are things that you need to uncover yourself. Happiness, as well as determination. And with those things, the world is at your feet. Always give the best you can to your loved ones and care for one another. That’s how the things you want will come your way.” I always remember that from my dad and my mom and how hard they worked to give us the life they never had. I would also explain to my kids about my decision to be a donor. This will take them some time to comprehend. |
