I'm not the perfect bride after all.

I decided to go to Latin America because many of my students in Washington emigrated from this region and inspired me to learn more about their home countries.

I'm a perfectionist - I could rewrite forever.

I'm more like my father, personality-wise. But my mom and I get alone really well, obviously, because my mom and my dad get along so well.

I think I've become more like my mom just because of what we're both interested in, children and teaching and writing.

I didn't go to Latin America thinking, 'I'm gonna write a book. This is what I'm gonna do.' I went there to work for UNICEF and to learn.

Luckily I've had a lot of great friends that I've had for a long time.