Hi! I’m Valerie … Nice to meet you …

I’m just a simple, quirky girl who happens to think and dream A LOT. I’m passionate about personal development, getting to know interesting and positive people, and living life to the fullest. Writing is a way for me to open up and share with others. My goal is to show you a different perspective to personal development while (hopefully) making you chuckle every now and then. I’d also like to hear your perspective because I’m fully aware that there is a bigger world outside of my tiny bubble.

Of all things, I actually hate writing autobiographies (even if I like reading them) but I do like writing lists. So… I’m going to write a list instead. Everyone likes lists, right?

1. I find it mildly humorous (but it could just be me) that I share the same birthday as William Penn, who also founded the city I was born in.
2. I was diagnosed with degenerative hearing loss in second grade. It played a big part in shaping who I am and is a major reason why (fortunately or unfortunately, depending on who you ask) I think so much.
3. I absolutely adore corny biology humor. But I guess that’s what happens when you get taught by batty, but weirdly lovable, biology and chemistry PhD’s.
4. Currently am working in accounting and to this day, I’m still asking myself out how the heck I did get here.
5. I’m a big fan of Star Trek and Monty Python, which is why you just *might* see references of both littered around like a crumb trail behind a thieving cat. You’ve been warned.
6. I enjoy cooking and baking, especially. My specialty is a moist lemon cake I make from scratch (yes, down to the grated lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice) that everyone eats up like there’s no tomorrow. Also, I hate major chain restaurants and I love Korean and Arabic food.
7. I love airplanes and flying. I hope one day to have a pilot’s license.
8. I’m actually fairly quiet in person a lot of the time. But clearly you shouldn’t let that fool you.
9. I’ve dabbled in quite a few creative endeavors. I’ve played piano for 5 years, drew housing floor plans off the top of my head as a teenager, I paint and draw, and I write poetry.

My most popular posts

• Dear college students: Wake up and smell the coffee
• Chicken and tuna are the same thing, anyway
• Just do it: Put your sneakers on and walk
• Stop looking for heaven elsewhere, you’re not going to find it
• 101 Ways to Discover Yourself
• “Hey girlfriend, you need to get rid of those bags.”
• No, your friends won’t be better if you feed them manure.
• Narcissism and Insecurity: Two sides of the same coin
• If you don’t have a solution, don’t bother complaining.
• Are you barely alive non-verbally? Why American Sign Language can improve your life

And this list wouldn’t be complete without a more “human” touch:  My First Video: In honor of my 22nd birthday