I remember seeing my first Playboy up in my father's closet and thinking how beautiful all the women were, but I never dreamed I would become a Centerfold myself. It all began when I saw in a San Antonio newspaper that Playboy was searching for Latin women for an upcoming pictorial. I remember thinking, "I'm 32 years old and I have always wanted to do this. If I don't try now I probably never will." So the next morning, I went to the open call. I hit it off with all the Playboy scouts, and the next thing I knew, I was getting a call from a photo editor in Chicago. From there I appeared in the July 2000 issue, and in September 2001 I became a Cyber Girl on Playboy.com.

That's when, for the first time, I attended a Playboy Mansion party. I met Hef at his 2001 Halloween bash, and from there the rest is history. I was working full-time as a lawyer, and I would spend all my vacation time and free time in Los Angeles working on my Centerfold. Juggling my two lives was pretty challenging, but in the end it was well worth it.

Posing for my Playmate pictorial was an experience of a lifetime, and it's one I will always carry close to my heart. I still can't believe I was able to pull it all together, especially while I was working a full-time job. I would finish a hectic week at home, get on a flight, and be shooting the next morning or through the weekend. Then I would hop on a plane home late Sunday night and have to switch gears the next day.

I remember going to the studio for the first time and seeing the set built for my Centerfold. I loved my law office setting -- it was perfect for me. I also never realized how hard Playboy's photo staff has to work to make one picture happen. After an entire week of shooting the Centerfold, we wrapped and I went back to San Antonio. The next day Playboy's photo editors called and told me we had to redo the Centerfold because my smile was not quite right. Hef is truly a perfectionist.

Since I've become a Playmate, my life has changed on all fronts. People come up to me all the time asking for autographs. I remember feeling shy when a fan at the grocery store took off his jacket and asked me to sign it -- yes, the entire back side of the jacket!

My friends and extended family thought my new status as a Playmate was great, but my immediate family was another story. I had to defend myself a lot! But I still know I made the right choice. In my professional life, being a Playmate has also inspired me to complete another lifelong goal: to become a licensed, practicing attorney here in California.

As a Playmate, I've also had the chance to hobnob with some very cool celebrities. I've met Snoop Doggy Dog, Marilyn Manson, Britney Spears, Drew Barrymore, Matthew Perry and David Spade. I have to say, though, that Judd Nelson is my absolute favorite. He's hysterical, witty, handsome, charming and considerate, which are rare qualities here in Hollywood.

When I'm not busy practicing law or modeling, I spend my free time working out, running, cycling, doing yoga and reading. I also love music: Madonna and Gwen Stefani are my favorites. And I still hang out at the Playboy Mansion. I never miss a party, and the women there are great -- it's like one big family. One time some of the girls and I were up until 5 a.m., just playing cards. I also love Hef's menagerie of animals, and I even made friends with an African crane named Spot. Whenever I go in the backyard he follows me everywhere. It's quite an experience.

For all those women out there who hope to become a Playmate, my advice is to never give up. Don't put your professional life on hold, but keep trying to achieve your dream -- even if it seems impossible. As a Playmate at 35, I am living proof of that. Good luck!

Love,

Rebecca Ramos