My new home, och aye!

I was now 16 and mom and I became the best friends ever! That was a wonderful experience and would not have been possible in the busy life of a city in El Salvador. We arrived in Scotland and wow! it was November – you know, the good old days when November meant freezing temperatures! And we had just left the really warm temperatures of El Salvador’s tropical climate…………man! it was like walking naked in a freezer! ha ha! It was here that I met my step-father, Laird Murdoch John Smith Mackenzie (from Nairn), a man whom one can only describe as golden-hearted, a man who loved life and the world without prejudice. To my surprise his talent was music. He could play anything from the penny whistle to the guitar but also my favourite instrument, the violin — and wow! he played it with such feeling! It was magnificent!

Later, back in 1982, I became a volunteer Spanish interpreter with the Northern Constabulary. Later in the same year, I got a job as a part-time Spanish teacher at Lochaber High School. This was a good challenge for me and a great opportunity and experience!

 My biggest obstacle in furthering my career was my American qualifications which were not recognised in the U.K. Undeterred; I decided in 1984 to prove my worth through my own initiative and created ARBJr Graphics & Translations. By doing this as a side-line and at the same time working in other jobs to subsidise my new venture, I established a good reputation and by the early 90’s I was managing a graphic studio in Fort William, “The Image Factory” …

Today, I am still registered as a self-employed/freelance graphic designer and an interpreter/translator for Spanish and English. I also worked part-time as an ICT lecturer at Inverness College from May 1997 to June 2009– and of course, I continue my own studies in a constant search to improve my knowledge and skills. My business is my hobby too and I have a passion for Photography and Digital Graphics. I have gained a reputation as PhotoShop Guru and hold membership in NAPP (the National Association of Photoshop Professionals); ACITP (the Association of Certify IT Professionals)