About me:

As a person:

As the youngest in a family of four children, I have cultivated a strong sense of independence and a diligent work ethic from a young age. I grew up in Darien, Connecticut, but moved to North Carolina at 13 years old. Some of my favorite hobbies include visiting the beach, walking with my mom and dog, trying a variety of new foods, and dancing to music with friends. In addition, I thoroughly enjoy going on vacations to warm places and enjoying the sun. I am a cheerful and committed person, always approaching life with a positive outlook and a strong dedication to my goals. My upbeat personality often brightens my environment and the people around me, and my commitment ensures that I follow through with my tasks and promises.

Throughout my life, I have always loved to talk. I love to talk about myself and have conversations with others. Sometimes, I will set up my phone and just film myself talking. My talkativeness contributes to my love for writing. Ever since I was a young girl, I have had a deep passion for writing, eagerly crafting stories about my family and journaling about my days. Unlike many of my peers, when we are assigned an essay to write, I cannot wait to begin. In contrast, I feel very differently about reading. I have often found reading to be quite tedious, struggling to maintain focus and frequently catching my thoughts drifting away. The only times I have ever been caught reading a book was when it was assigned for school, or about a boy band I adored (as seen above, holding the Big Time Rush magazine). This made AT Lang particularly fun for me, as most of our required readings were short texts from the Patterns book, no more than a few pages.

At the beginning of this year, I harbored a reluctance to revise my work. Operating under the belief that my submissions were already flawless, I resisted making significant changes, limiting myself to fixing minor grammatical mistakes. However, as the year progressed, I cultivated a more meticulous approach to the revision process. I have learned to appreciate the value of thorough revision and detail in my work, and I have become much more open-minded to considering feedback and criticism. This has not only enhanced my writing but has also enriched my ability to reflect on situations more thoughtfully and engage in more meaningful conversations. This journey of growth in my writing has been profoundly rewarding.

As a reader and writer:

I have always been an extremely organized person, a trait I inherited from my mom, who is perhaps the epitome of organization (definitely not inherited from my Dad, who is the epitome of DISorganization). Her meticulous approach ranges from crafting precise trip itineraries to maintaining a flawlessly arranged kitchen and systematically ordered file cabinets with our information. We both frequently receive compliments on our handwriting, often described as looking like a typed computer font. This organization has been very helpful in my writing process, allowing me to efficiently brainstorm, plan, and maintain order among my work. As a precise planner, I pay considerable attention to creating detailed timelines, ensuring that each phase of my work is structured and that I have a specific outline to follow.

My Mom's organized pasta shelf: