| Interview with Astrid Martinez - Channel 4 News Anchor  Astrid Martinez is currently an Anchor with Action 4 News. She has a degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Latin America Studies. Astrid, I understand you are from Medellin, Colombia. What is Colombia like? What were your likes and dislikes? It’s easy for me to say I love Colombia.. But it is a bit harder to answer why… I always hear myself sounding too general, too broad. It’s this: the feeling of the hilly, jagged, roiling countryside, the colors stark and vibrant warm inviting people and despite all the violence, corruption and instability we experienced in the past, the grand majority of Colombians still don't seem beaten down and trodden upon And I can’t forget to mention the delicious food. Of course when I was growing up in Colombia, early 80’s, the violence and instability was increasing. That is one thing that as a young child I didn’t like, but it also inspired me to become a journalist and showed me how strong my people are What do you like best about the United States? I feel the freedom to be anything I want to be here in the US. This is my home. What did you have to do to prepare for Miss Colombia USA 2000? I had to practice my Spanish tons!! I also started exercising more, rehearsed dance routines and walking the runway 6 hours a day in heels. I also started living more of a healthy life. I became more health conscious. Do you have a role model in the news industry? Who is it and Why? I admire many people in the industry like Colombian news anchor Ilia Calderon, Barbara Walters, Robin Meade from Headline News.. I take away my favorite qualities from my favorite people and try incorporate them into my life. You have appeared on many shows and now work full time on the news. What do you think is the hardest part about becoming successful on TV? I think in this business you have to remember to always stay true to who you are , be humble and never let negative as well as positive comments influence or get to your head. What do you like most about reporting? I love learning from everyone I talk to. I like listening to people’s life stories and finding out how or want they went through to be where they are at today. What do you do in your free time? Any hobbies? I spend as much time as I can with my daughter. Family is so important to me so I make sure I don’t let a week go by where I don’t call or Skype with my folks and brothers back in Jersey. I enjoying working out, reading and lots of naps. It’s a tradition in my Martinez family to nap. What goals have you set for the future? I want to continue being a great mother, daughter, sister and friend. I want to grow in my career. Have another child and marry the man of my dreams. Is that too much too as for? What is your favorite book, movie, color? I love all colors. I seriously do. I think they all evoke different feelings. I am a movie lover so that is tough… I can watch Titanic every time it’s on TV. I love Westside Story, Scarface, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, A Bronx Tale, The Wizard of Oz, The Other Sister…well you get my point Musicals, comedies and action movies are my thing. Same with favorite books.. I enjoy a good book except thriller or romantic novels.. They do nothing for me. Some of my fave reads are 100 Years Of Solitude, Love in the Time of Cholera, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Song of Solomon, To Kill a Mocking Bird, gotta love the classics.  Astrid, Thank you for taking the time out of your business schedule to meet with us. We look forward to following you on the news. More interviews available here for the Rio Grande Valley | 
