About me

I’ve never done anything the conventional way in life.

College is a distant, and faint memory. Many students had the time of their lives, while I juggled four jobs, a full course load, a commute that lasted anywhere from 35-90 minutes, and dated a single mother of a newborn baby.

Upon graduating with my bachelor’s degree in 2011, I spent three-plus years working as a part-time reporter with The Journal News/lohud in White Plains, N.Y. before the opportunity for a full-time position presented itself.

It was a grind to get the position, and it’s a constant grind to stay sharp and ahead of the competition. I try to remain cognizant of the fact that there is always someone out there willing to work harder than you are.

When I’m off the clock as a reporter, I regularly contribute to Thought Catalog to write about the perils, elation, and all-around confusion that comes with love, dating, and relationships. (I know, I didn’t see that one coming, either.)

My first book, “A Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” was published in April 2016. The title was inspired from Californication, and not the Queen song, in case you were wondering. I self-published my second book, “Inside Out,” in November 2016.

In my spare time, you can often catch me on a volleyball court, softball field, a pair of bowling lanes, or rocking the mic during a night of karaoke. One of my oddest (and proudest) athletic accomplishments is that I’ve bowled sanctioned 300 games as a one-handed and two-handed bowler.

Here are some quick-hit biographical fun facts:

Favorite writing spot: Starbucks on Main Street in New City, N.Y. It’s where I started putting together, “A Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and finished my final chapter of, “Inside Out.”

Favorite musicians, in alphabetical order: Zac Brown Band, Michael Buble, Michael Jackson/Jackson 5, Billy Joel, Maroon 5, Jason Mraz, The Temptations, Meghan Trainor.

Pet peeves, in no order: Canceled plans at the last minute, people cracking their neck like they do knuckles, “Drops of Jupiter” by Train, dishonesty, and inconsideration.

When I’m not writing I’m…: Probably singing loudly and obnoxiously in my car, or cleaning my apartment while dancing like a fool.

Five things on my bucket list, in no order: 1. Go to a sock-hop, dressed in all 50’s garb. 2. Go to a masquerade ball. 3. Blast a song on the radio while sitting in traffic, start singing, and get neighboring cars to sing along. 4. Travel to Italy. 5. Move to California.

Favorite life quote: “Pay close attention to people who don’t clap when you win.”