Doctor Catherine :)

I met Catherine when I lived in Orlando in 2000. We worked together as tellers at First Union Bank, which later became Wachovia. I remember the first day I worked there, she was so nice and asked if I wanted to have lunch with her at Subway. I guess I made an impression on her when I asked the lady preparing my food to squeeze about half the bottle of mayonnaise onto my sub. Apparently, mayo has a lot of calories in it.. a fact I wasn't aware of, nor much cared about. Then Cat told me I was crazy and a bitch for still being so skinny after consuming such large amounts of the fattening white stuff I drenched everything in. LOL! A great friendship begun, and soon I would learn that Cat loves BBQ sauce the way I do mayo... Or perhaps even more (she can drink it)!

Catherine is a very pretty Egyptian girl that kinda reminds me of my sister Luli. She has fair, porcelain, perfect skin and dark brown, curly hair. It's weird, but it wasn't at the bank where we really were able to become closer friends. It wasn't till months after we both quit that, because we kept in touch, we ended up hanging out. We lived pretty close to each other, and when I met her mom I felt very welcome at her house and with her family. Their culture is very similar to my Hispanic upbringing, and it was easy to click. As we became good friends, she started to focus on her future career as an optometrist and began working at Lenscrafters to gain experience in that field. Meanwhile, I began studying audio engineering at a local, reputable trade school. During that period, we would often spend time at each other's homes and keep one another informed of all our drama with school, work, friends, and boys. We would ask each other for advice and give it freely. We would encourage each other to be motivated, and occasionally argue, as great friends do, when we got on each other's nerves. Eventually, I finished school and moved up north on my way to New York. Catherine soon moved to Ft. Lauderdale to study optometry. Throughout the years, we have continued to keep in touch, some years more than others, but always as if we had just seen each other yesterday.

Catherine is whom I consider to be my first real best friend. One time when I was sick, she surprised me by showing up, without notice, at my house with a stuffed animal and a balloon that said "Feel Better!" or something of that nature. No one had ever done that for me. I felt really touched and special, and I knew Catherine was a sincere and lifelong friend. Other than just her immense sensitivity and thoughtfulness, Cat's personality and mine get along fabulously. She is very down to earth, kind, open-minded, and easy going. She is sarcastic to the core, but it makes me laugh hysterically! She makes fun of everything, but it's hardly ever offensive. I've always been rather clueless, or maybe just naive, and once I didn't notice a nose hair that was protruding out of my nostril. LOL! Of course, Cat has no problem speaking her mind with people she's comfortable with. Through ridiculing laughter, she firmly commanded me, "Pluck that sh#% out!" To which I replied, "No, it's gonna hurt!!" It carried on much longer than that, but culminated with her taking a wad of hair from her brush and sticking it up her nose. As the ball of hairs dangled from her nostril, she turned to me and exclaimed, "This is what you look like! Do you wanna look like this?!" I almost peed, it was so funny; it's one of my favorite memories of her and we recall it often. Since then, my nose hairs are always neatly trimmed and tucked away! Thanks Cat!

Time goes by so unbelievably fast, and Catherine is now a profession optometrist practicing in New York City. After 8 long years of studying, stress, and brain-frying exams, she is finally beginning to see the fruit of her diligence and dedication.

Catherine, I am so proud of you Doctor, and all your hard work!! You have been a true friend to me and are one of my BESTEST friends in the world. I miss you and love you! I know you are going to do exceedingly well in New York and where ever else life or your job may take you. I'm glad and blessed to know you, and I am always here for you. Mwah!!