I was born and raised in Orange County, California to an Irish-English father and a Filipino mother.

I am a dual US/UK national, and I currently live in London.

I was fortunate to grow up attending an International Baccalaureate World School; I am who I am thanks to this education. Though, in third grade, when my classmate Morgan started to feel sick and was sent to the nurse’s office, she returned with a drawing she’d made while in recovery. Turns out when students were not fit to be in class, Ms. Koselag’s office became an art studio.

I was soon giving myself obviously self-induced hangnails or complaining of a stomach ache. Initially, the nurse greeted me with a raised eyebrow when i arrived at her door days in a row, but she didn’t turn me away for as long as it did not interfere with my grades. I even started taking my exams in her office on test days.

My drawings lined the rim of her desk like a bunting. Despite having a set time for art class every day, I just couldn’t get enough. We studied Monet, Cassat, Degas, Seurat, and Chagall, creating our own works in their styles. My art teacher, Ms. Gorman, encouraged me to compete. On award nights, if my parents were available, we would visit the gallery.

My dad was the one who induced my love for art. We were always drawing together: him doodling, me focusing. He was an accountant and a hobbyist creative with various unique interests. He played the vibraphone and could play a song on the piano after hearing it once or twice. He built my sister the most intricate dollhouse, complete with drawn curtains, paying special attention to the wallpaper, and of course not forgetting to set the dining table.

My mother’s and my personalities clashed, probably because we are similarly stubborn. I have only been able to admit this as I’ve gotten older. We constantly debated right and wrong. I was always right, but so was she. In the heat of an argument, she would jab that I was so argumentative, I would make a good lawyer. I never paid attention to this until later.

While still trying to spend as much time as I could get away with practicing drawing techniques, mediums, and finding new subjects, I found myself stuck with my last choice elective in eighth grade: Speech & Debate. I associated debate with fighting and it seemed to be the total opposite of my safe space, communicating with a pencil rather than my voice. I hated it, but I was good at it.

Now, I love it. I’m in law school studying to be a solicitor in the jurisdiction of England & Wales with aim to eventually take the California bar. These days I rarely have time and space to draw; maybe once a year, and it’s a real treat. But thanks to the graphic design training I did in college and my Marketing career, I’m able to create whatever I need for an employer, my friends, family, or clients. I thoroughly enjoy being able to apply my creativity to the workplace without feeling pressure to monetize my hobby.

I think as a lawyer I will have the opportunity to be creative in ways I have not been before and that is exciting to me. I’m grateful to be on this path, honoring my passion and fueling my goals.