When I was seven years old, I would venture out in my Ocean Beach neighborhood of San Diego with a spiral notebook and a pen in hand, a hand-crafted “spy belt” around my waist and an oversized bucket hat on my head to accentuate my inconspicuousness.
I would peer around hedges, driveways, and boardwalks channeling my inner Harriet the Spy. Everything I observed was documented in my notebook: Two small kids across the street fighting over hopscotch chalk. Skinny old woman with tanned, pencil-thin legs wearing a short black skirt, and shiny red high heels is searching for a lighter in her pink tote bag. And with each notebook entry, I wondered about the story behind each of my observations. What came before?
This persistent curiosity has led me to many adventures and misadventures all for the sake of the story. I’ve written about what it was like to unexpectedly lose my boyfriend before I turned 30; about facing my fears and taking the BRCA test; about how friendships after college can be incredibly challenging.
In my communications roles at the University of California, along with writing for HelloGiggles, I’ve always been driven by uncovering the stories behind the story—From showcasing the lives of DACA recipients, to reflecting on my experiences as a young widow, I’ve learned that nothing is ever as it appears.
Today, Harriet the Spy remains with me. I’m always on the lookout for people, brands and organizations that generate thoughtful, compelling and relevant content. Mining those stories is what drives and inspires me, and seeing the world through my spy lens keeps me on my toes, prompting me to imagine more possibilities. We live in a time where it’s easy to feel exhausted by the constant barrage of information and faux drama. I want to cut through the noise and help carve a more genuine take on the world that just might change one person’s viewpoint. And maybe even help them find their own authentic voice along the way.