Thank you for wanting to learn more about me. Here is my attempt to introduce myself in a real and transparent way to you.


25 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME:
In no particular order.

1) I want to direct a music video for Juan Luis Guerra, Andrea Bocelli and Isaiah Six. (If you haven't heard of any of these you should Google them.) The first music video I ever directed was for Riaz Kahn an artist from Pakistan. The song had to be translated into words, concept, and cultural cues for me to produce it.

2) I have an irrational fear of snakes, alligators and rats (or any other rodent that looks remotely like a mouse). They literally freak me out.

3) When on flights, I enjoy turbulence. It Always makes the trip more adventurous.

4) At age 15 became the Dominican Republic's youngest certified paramedic. Unfortunately, it didn't last too long after working at ER and on an ambulance, some fatal accidents showed me I did not have the stomach for the job.

5) I used to live in a Catholic Seminary because wanted to be a priest.

6) The kitchen and I = 1; the affirmations from my wife have made me press on to fall in love with culinary arts. Unfortunately I have been unsuccessful at making my own tomato sauce. Any suggestion?

7) I have an obsession with the Italian and Israeli language and culture. I hope to visit Italy again and Israel at some point in my lifetime. Not to mention I can sing lots of Hebrews songs phonetically. Italian songs I can sing and know what I am saying. PS: I am a horrible singer*

8) I am convinced that God is real and that he really does loves me. Being aware of that gives me great hope, joy, peace that I cannot describe with words... not to mention the promise of meeting Christ and worshiping him for ever and ever. If you want to know more, just ask me, I love to talk about Jesus.

9) The first time I saw a computer was in 1997 after I came to the USA. My first impression was something like this; "WOW so that's what a computer looks like." I remember thinking that I would never learn how to type... that's also how I felt about English. At the time only knew how to say "yes", "no" and "token" for the NYC's MTA fare.

10) I was honored with the role of best-man at Engels & Dania Mendez's wedding. During the wedding toast I accidentally called the bride "my wife".
TIP: If you are reading this and you will be someone's best man, DO NOT refer to the bride as "your wife", you will mumble through words trying to get out of that one. Good luck.

11) Vehicles that I've owned in order: 1985 Buick Regal, 1992 Toyota Corolla, 2001 Volvo S80, 2004 Mini Cooper, 2007 Denali Road Bicycle. Does a bicycle count as a vehicle?

12) When I was 8, I stole .10 U.S. cents from my brother. My mother asked if I did and I denied it to her. I confessed 5 years laters. The conscience hit me so hard the thought of stealing and lying was hunting me. Since then, I never stole anything again in my life. Well, I guess that’s not true, I am guilty of downloading music from LimeWire and purchasing a few pirated films in NYC.

13) Before the engagement proposal, in my attempt to protect the "element of surprise", I pretended to break up with Stephanie because I thought she knew it was coming . I proposed 8 days later on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in front of a few hundred people. I was introduced to the audience as the "guest of honor" to sing Marc Anthony's "My Baby You" but was too nervous and forgot the lyrics. She said "Of course" and people cried.

14) In Dom. Rep., during power black-outs, I used to make movies with little plastic green army soldiers, a shoe box and a candle. After a while, the production grew to flash lights, a cast of brothers and friends and a white bed sheet attached to trees to project on. Casting shadows was the secret.

15) My first speeding ticket was clocked at 93mph on 65mph speed limit. I was really excited because I was being a deviant and was on my way to shoot my first music video in Boston. Stephanie did not share the sentiments with me. I didn't know why.

16) I want to ride my road bicycle to NYC from Troy, NY. Roughly 160 miles of back roads. Also want to do a road trip from NYC to Argentina on a 4x4. In fact, I have it all planned out, just need the time and money... and full elextric/hybrid 4x4 - Ha ha ha!!!.

17) Nick names I've been called in my life time: Ricky, Richie Rich, Ricardito, Care-culo, Romano, Flaco, Furby (from the Gremlins), Taco, Ricky Martin, Beba, Papi chulo, El Gallo, Roman-charges, Romen Noodles, Fabio, Fabrisio, among others.

18) Grew up harvesting vine ripe mango, grapefruit, passion-fruit and avocado, all fresh from the trees in the backyard at my home in Dom. Rep.

19) On my wedding day, when I saw Stephanie walking down the aisle, I cried a lot; kind of went on through the entire ceremony. Honestly though, prior to that, I thought I had dry eyes... still can't remember when was the last time I dropped a tear. (I arrived about 30 minutes late too.)

20) I love my friends. I really do, they probably don't even know that. I kind of don't show it too much not to freak them out, but will take a bullet for them.

21) Stephanie is the only woman I have ever been with and would like to keep it that way. I trust her more than I trust me, she is a good steward of my heart.

22) When I was 10 years old, I fought with a girl that was way taller than me. The fight started because she hit my sister really hard in the back and it was loud. My reaction was to slap the girl's boobs and run away. She got mad and threw pebbles and hit me in the head. She must have had good target skills because I ran fast.

23) In the Summer, I like to wake up before the sun rise to drive, run or walk on the empty streets.

24) I have visited 141 cities in 16 countries includding Africa, Asia, Europe, Caribean and North America, . When I travel and visit new restaurants I enjoy local foods. The more traditional and exotic, the better. (well, that's not fully true I guess. I still won't eat bugs, reptiles, dogs or cats... eww!!!, I know thats gross)

25) I still can't figure out why I was inducted to the alumni wall of fame at the Art Institue of New York City.