Born and raised in California, USA, my interest in languages began at a relatively early age when I attended a Spanish immersion elementary school from grades 1 through 6. I continued to study Spanish through high school and college (UC Berkeley), where I also began studying Portuguese to earn a bachelor's degree in Spanish and Portuguese Literature in addition to a bachelor's degree in Sociology.

After graduating from college, I moved to Portugal to complete a master's degree in Tourism Studies and later another master's degree in Translation and Language Services (University of Porto). I have primarily resided in Porto, Portugal since 2009. 

My interests aside from translation (although these always intersect, don't they?) include spending time with my husband and daughter, traveling, cooking, practicing sports (running, swimming and various other fitness modalities), movies (comedies, horror and drama), beauty routines, reading and undertaking (but not always finishing!) craft projects.