Life in Marin

A Blog by Resident and Marin Realtor, Jaime Pera

Point Reyes National Seashore Lighthouse, in Northern California

Fun Facts

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE INTERESTING THINGS YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR PARENTS ABOUT YOUR CHILDBIRTH?

I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in a military hospital as my grandfather was a lieutenant Colonel in the Argentine army. I am told that a nurse placed a sign next to my crib in the maternity viewing room which said “Don” Jaime because of my size. The term “Don” in Spanish is a term of respect. To this day my mother claims that “I nearly killed her”.

YOU LIVED IN TIBURON FOR SIX YEARS WHEN YOU WERE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES?

Here are some of the top highlights. I was an avid baseball card collector and came up with the idea of re-selling duplicate card packs which included a stick of gum and were wrapped in homemade packaging to the kids in my neighborhood. One year I created a haunted house in our garage and neighbor kids lined up outside to enter at the cost of one penny! In the summer my friends and I played baseball daily in the cul de sac using tennis balls. We kept batting statistics, and even wrote newspaper articles about our games with my block letter kit! I liked to play near the train tracks and watch the trains roll by. I would fall asleep at night listening to the fog horns!

WHAT BIOGRAPHIES HAVE YOU READ ABOUT HISTORICAL FIGURES THAT YOU REALLY ENJOYED?

I enjoy going to Vascos & La Ginestra in Mill Valley, Sam’s Anchor Cafe in Tiburon, The Left Bank in Larkspur, and Arrivederci & The Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael

SPEAKING OF FOOD, WE HEAR YOU LIKE TO COOK. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOU FAVORITE MEALS?

I enjoy cooking Spanish Paella, Jambalaya, Italian meals that include sauces and pasta, and Italian pot roast. I also barbecue meat, chicken, and salmon. I recently discovered the slow cooker and have been experimenting with recipes found on the internet. I also love cooking interesting omelets for breakfast.

WHAT GUIDING PRINCIPLES DID YOU IMPART ON YOUR CHILDREN?

I wanted our children to understand above all that they are unique individuals and that it is important for them to respect others, be independent, to think for themselves, and to not be afraid to speak out.

WHAT ARE THREE INTERESTING AND COOL THINGS ABOUT YOU?

I was born on December 19th during the summer. I speak Spanish fluently and have also studied French and Italian. I landed my first job when I was 14 working as dishwasher for a Chinese restaurant in the Strawberry Shopping Center!

WHAT WAS THE MOST RECENT COMPLIMENT YOU RECEIVED AND SAVORED?

One of my buyer clients recently sent me the following note: Jaime, again thank you for working with me in such a flexible way. You were able to adopt an ebb and flow that met my needs perfectly, and when the right property came on the scene, guided me to make the right offer that was accepted without being countered by the seller.
In such a competitive market, your help was invaluable and yielded the result I wanted in a span of time that was shorter than I could have imagined. Thank you!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO CONNECT WITH NATURE IN MARIN COUNTY?

My favorite place to connect with nature is Phoenix Lake in Ross. I have been going there since I was child when my mother would drop my friends and me off to fish during the summer. For many years I have been running those trails. My favorite trail is Yolanda. I enjoy the solitude and the beauty of the area.

WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE QUALITIES THAT DRAW YOU TO SOMEONE NEW?

I enjoy meeting new people that have interesting and unique backgrounds, that are grounded and down to earth, and that have a sense of humor.