ARBJr Page 2.

February 2012 A. R. Bárcenas Jr

My name is Armando; I was born in the Republic of El Salvador

in Central America. I belong to a large family of six sisters and

four brothers.

My two best friends Lino & Joaquin Siu we met at Kinder

Garden and to this day we remain best of friends

My childhood

I had one of those childhoods that few in El Salvador can say

they enjoyed, when peace reigned there and we could walk the

streets without fearing that something bad could happen to us.

However, in the late 70’s and 80’s all hell broke loose and violence, crime and terror changed

the character of our society and brought an end to our happy experiences.

In late 1980 I graduated from High School and emmigrated to Great Britain in search of a safe

haven and a new start in life.

Life in Scotland

My new home, och aye!

I was now 16 and mum 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! It was here that I met my

step-father, 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!

My English was not good and I couldn’t understand a thing unless it was written down.

Everyone spoke with different accents and it was hard to understand. Furthermore, few

people spoke my native language, Spanish. It was at this point

that I wished I had paid more attention in class.

By the age of 17 I was more confident in my English and things

started to gel as I was able to sustain a good conversation with

almost anyone. What did help was enrolling as a student at

Lochaber High School for a year. I was then exposed to all

sorts of accents and, being such a good student and keen to

participate in class, I was forced to lose the fear that somebody

would laugh at me. Once I overcame that fear I was

unstoppable. My first ever job was with Glen Nevis Farm, Camping and

Caravan sites. By then I had bought my first motorcycle a

Honda MT50 and had fun getting to and from work. Toiling hard

on the farm I soon worked up a sweat and was able to wear

shorts – no need for endless jumpers and long johns to keep

warm! 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!

I tried getting into university but, hey, there is always college. I am not known for taking “no”

for an answer! So I attended Inverness Technical College where I studied Welding and

Engineering. It was not my ideal course but it was better than sitting at home twiddling my

thumbs. I went through the Careers Office courses like no other! Learning is a passion of

mine so I gave 100% commitment to any course they sent me, as one never knows whether

one might need that skill in the future.

I had one year unemployed and that was torture for me as I hate not to be busy.

Nevertheless, I joined various charitable organizations as a volunteer. That way I got to

meet people from all walks of life and to learn about local needs.

My biggest obstacle in furthering my career was my American qualifications which were not

recognised in the UK. 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”. I later left the “Factory” to form a joint venture between my own company

and ADCOM UK Ltd. (Advertising Direct Company). Sadly it proved to be an unfruitful

partnership and one from which I decided to withdraw. We live and learn – sometimes the

hard way!

Today I am still registered as a self-employed / freelance designer and an interpreter /

translator for Spanish and English.

I also worked part-time as an ICT

lecturer at Inverness College up to

last 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 Digital Graphics. I have

gained the level as PhotoShop

Guru and hold a membership in

NAPP (the National Association of

PhotoShop Professionals USA);

ACITP (the Association of Certify IT

Professionals) and few others. I have had the pleasure of working

with Treasures Of The Earth, Warner Bros; STV, BBC, KIA and many other... but all this I

ow it to my Mum & Dad, for their support and instilling in me the never say die!!