I am a U.S. citizen, born and raised in San Diego, California. I lived there until graduation from university in 2001 (Fine Arts). Immediately after graduation, I moved to Taiwan as a way to practice teaching English to non-native speakers with the plan to go back to California to be an elementary school teacher (where there are many non-native English speaking students in the school system). However, I enjoyed the lifestyle, the Chinese language, and the culture I encountered in Taiwan so much that I have stayed here ever since. I began learning Chinese diligently in 2002 (with a teacher once a week for one year, and then on my own since then) and now am quite fluent in reading, speaking, listening, and writing. My abilities were greatly enhanced when I did post-graduate coursework at a local university in the city where I live for 3 semesters in language and literacy education. Most of the coursework required the reading of simplified Chinese texts, so I am capable in both traditional and simplified Chinese. I have been translating since 2009, and my regular work includes C>E translations in a variety of fields such as tourism, music, marketing, economics news releases, film/TV, academic documents and other odd jobs. I also do E>C transcription. I am married with two daughters and plan to stay in Taiwan most likely forever.