My Journey, Unfiltered

From the outside, you’d probably think I’ve had a pretty normal life.

What you might already know is I'm from North Carolina, and I’m someone who finds meaning in making things work better for people. But like many of us, there’s more to the story.

When I was 14, I unexpectedly lost my mom. Not long after, my dad left for Peru for a business opportunity. At first, he was flying back and forth — trying to balance work abroad with life here. But when the business fell through, he could no longer afford to return.

Since then, I’ve been finding my way through life — largely on my own, with the support of a strong village, while also helping raise my younger brother. There’s no easy way to answer any questions about my family, without pausing to decide how much to share or how much of the truth someone is ready to hear.

I don’t share this for sympathy. I share it because I know I’m not alone in carrying stories that aren't always visible. I’ve learned that grief, responsibility, and absence can shape you — but they don’t have to define you. I’ve been lucky to have people — friends, mentors, chosen family — who showed up when I needed it most. And I’ve become someone who shows up, too.

Writing has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started journaling in eighth grade and never stopped. My Abuelito founded the first newspaper in his small Peruvian town of Pucallpa, so storytelling is in my blood. More than a habit, writing is how I make sense of the world — capturing the experiences and emotions that matter, in words that might resonate with someone else.

This blog is where I reflect on the personal and political, the creative and the practical — the messy in-between of building a meaningful life from all I’ve lived. I’m here to write, connect, and keep growing. I’m really glad you’re here.