Alba Alicia Pickslay

My twin sister and I were born in Mercedes, in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where our paternal grandparents lived. We were raised in Pilar, one of the small suburban towns near the Capital. We received our elementary and secondary diplomas and some years later, after 4 years of study, our diplomas as Professors of Modern Languages specializing in Portuguese.

We worked in Argentina for over 10 years as primary teachers, and a short time at secondary level.

We did research in Brazil in response to an official invitation. We spent two years in Madrid, Spain, on a scholarship from the Spanish Government.

Before settling in the United States, I lived with my husband in Paris, where our only child was born. My sister came to Paris to help me with Patricio, she is his Godmother. I worked as a volunteer in France, teaching Portuguese immigrants to read and write. We then spent almost three years in Madrid.

In the United States I received my M.A. degree in Education (Multicultural-Spanish) and a PhD degree, also in Spanish, with two areas of specialization: the use of theatre as a teaching strategy for foreign language acquisition and the philosophy of Hispanic-American women writers as found in their works.

In September 2009, my son Patricio married Laurie Chapman. They have an adorable 2 1/2 year-old daughter named Aria. I'm the happiest 'Bela" in the world.

Since my arrival in the San Diego area in 1972, I've been teaching Spanish at many local Colleges and Universities.

I have very much enjoyed writing a number of short stories, which I hope to see published shortly.

I try to live by the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. I have the certitude that God exists. I trust in him. I'm a Christian by firm and intimate conviction. I venerate the Virgin Mary Mother of Jesus under many of her titles. I know that my guardian angel is looking after me. I believe in the Communion of Saints and that we are protected by the spirits of our loved ones who have preceded us in the journey to Heaven.