PERSONAL INTERESTS

“Passion is the one great force that unleashes creativity, because if you’re passionate about something, you are more willing to take risks.”

-Yo-Yo Ma

My passionate character has shaped who I am. It has allowed me to challenge myself through gaining new perspectives. Continue reading to understand how I unleash creativity, take risks, and use my interests to view the world in a new light.

TRAVEL

My excitement for travel cannot be contained. Each time I explore new places, I empower myself to try new things. During my travels I immerse myself in the local culture. I utilize various public transportation systems, taste new foods, and visit famous architectural sites. Journeying to new locations has also enabled me to understand various Urban Planning & Development principles in each city. These experiences have permitted me to understand the technicality behind how we use different spaces. Over the course of 23 years, I have had the privilege to explore some unforgettable places. In these years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to visit over 10 states and 12 countries.

Here are just a few photos from my unforgettable travels.

Photos of my North American, Central American, and European Travels

DANCING, SINGING & ACTING

The Performing Arts challenges my abilities by requiring me to take on a new perspective. By taking on new perspectives, I have learned to take a step back and view things objectively. On stage, not only must I be self-aware, but I also must be cognizant of those around me. Starting at the young age of 4 years old, I spent 14 consecutive years performing on stage. Throughout these years I was able to improve upon my public speaking, articulation, and direction-taking skills.

While performing, I enjoy the ability to lose myself in dance, music, and interpretation. For 14 years I could always be found on stage rehearsing, or performing in musicals, plays, and recitals. The Performing Arts have always been a passion of mine as they are an incredible way to experience, enhance or escape reality.

These photos represent a large portion of who I was, who I am, and who I will always be.

Photos of my time spent performing on stage

PHOTOGRAPHY

It is so interesting how the single act of pressing a button can capture ever-lasting moments. Beauty is found in the mere act of looking at a photo and instantly being brought back to one exact moment in time. While there are no perfect photos, there are most definitely perfect moments. In these perfect moments, memories are created. Viewing life through a lens helps me to appreciate the small things in life: sunsets, landscapes, architecture, etc.

The saying goes, “A picture is worth one thousand words”. Thus, photography taught me how to express my emotions, perspectives, sights, and experiences creatively & visually. Overall, it truly has helped me to be more observant, increase my spontaneity & practice patience.

Below are a just a few photos I have captured.

Photos from my still photography collection

WRITING

Writing has always been a passion of mine for many years. Whether it’s music, poetry, or story-telling, I enjoy cultivating my thoughts on-to paper. I enjoy writing because it allows me to completely immerse myself in vulnerability and transparency. When emotions are hard to express, writing is what I rely on.

In the Fall of 2016, I was accepted to write for an online platform called “The Odyssey Online”. This platform helped me to understand the importance of allowing myself to be completely vulnerable and honest about my personal emotions and experiences. In just 9 months, I created over 24 personal articles which I wrote edited & proofread. Upon completion of each article, they were then published to various platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and the Odysseyonline.com. I truly enjoy writing because it enables me to clearly express my perspectives, thoughts, and opinions.

When verbally communicating it is very easy to say something incorrectly, or misuse the correct term. However, writing has allowed me to understand the meaning of being detail-oriented. In my opinion, words on a page are very permanent. Thus, writing has required me to take my time in expressing myself in a curated and creative manner.

Click below to read some of my work.