particularly exciting. To my closest friends Marcus Pest, BJ Johnson, Stephanie
Taylor, Antonios Kontsos, Natalia Castro, Jessica Cruz, Gabi Vega, Leonard Chan,
Ed Roche, Scott Berger, Fr. Justin Price, and Fr. Juan Torres, thank you for your
friendship and support.
My family has also been a source of great support, and my siblings, older and
sometimes wiser, have always been there for me. Mike, Beth, Kris, and Steve, you all
have taught me to follow my dreams and work hard, but also to take time to enjoy
life.
The people who deserve the most thanks are my parents. Mom and Dad, thank
you for all your support before and during my years at Rice, for your encouragement
and your belief in me. This would not have been possible without you. I love you
both more than I can express, and this thesis is dedicated to you. And guess what?
After 9 years you can finally say your son is out of college.
Finally, I thank God for all the talents and gifts He has given me and which I
hope have gone to good use here.
A.M.D.G.