Left orphan by both parents and destitute at a very early age, my childhood in Sicily began terribly sad. I was placed in a poor orphanage where I stayed for several years. However, with some help from a singular concerned uncle and my strong willpower my life gradually improved. I succeeded in building a small embroidery business and then I studied and succeeded in getting some diplomas. Shortly afterward, I left my hometown and went to a big city, Palermo, to pursue a better life. In Palermo, after many ups and downs, I finally reached my goal of being economically independent. I also fell madly in love with the wrong man. Then, when the opportunity presented itself to get away and break from this fellow, I went to America.I was able to stay in New York City for a few months with distant relatives, who wished that I would marry their son. It didn't happen. Instead, I was determined to remain in America and begin my life all over again. Since I didn't speak any English, I enrolled to school to learn English, and subsequently I went on to school to learn computer programming. It was a very challenging period for me, but I finally achieved what I had always wanted. Perseverance, self-reliance and faith in God helped me getting ahead in life.