I spend most of my days working in cybersecurity, specifically penetration testing and ethical hacking. If that sounds intense, it kind of is, but in the best way. I get to understand how systems work, poke at them until they break, and then help figure out how to make them more resilient. There's something deeply satisfying about that. It keeps me learning constantly, and it feels meaningful because I'm helping people and organizations understand their risks and protect what matters to them.

People sometimes describe me as an "old soul," which I think fits—though less in the quiet, serious sense and more in a spiritual one. I'm guided a lot by curiosity and intuition, and I've always felt a pull toward understanding things more deeply. That probably explains why I love learning so much. The best kind is the kind where curiosity takes the wheel and you're not entirely sure where you'll end up.

When I'm not at my computer (which is rare), I'm usually reading or occasionally art journaling. The journaling is a creative outlet I turn to when I need to process something visually, or just want to make something with my hands. And yes, I'm very attached to my cat. Possibly too attached, but I'm at peace with that. I'm also unapologetically obsessed with mechanical keyboards and tactile switches—I have far too many of both, and I regret nothing.

One more thing while we're here: yes, I use em dashes. That's not AI, that's just me. Don't believe me? alt + 0151. I'm a perfectionist about grammar, and sometimes an em dash is the best punctuation to use instead of commas, colons, semicolons, or parentheses. Em dashes interrupt sentences for emphasis—which is often exactly what I mean to do.

Coffee is a constant. Caffeine is less of a choice and more of a daily companion at this point.

I'm an ambivert at heart. I genuinely appreciate connection when it's real and authentic. I'm not great at small talk, but I love a good conversation that actually goes somewhere. Home is my happy place, and I protect that space fiercely. Some of my favorite moments are the quiet ones: doing something thoughtful for someone I love, or finding a way to make someone's day just a little bit easier or brighter.

This blog is a space for me to share what I'm learning—whether that's something technical about cybersecurity, an idea I've been turning over, or just a reflection on life and creativity. I want to write about security in a way that feels approachable, not gatekeep-y or overly technical. And sometimes I just want to think out loud and see where it leads.

Other people inspire me constantly—their creativity, their willingness to share what they know... I hope to do a little of that here too. If something lands for you, that's more than enough for me.

Thank you for being here.