I’m a wandering soul. I love the world and want to experience as much of it as I can. I enjoy learning about different countries as well as understanding about people’s cultures while taking in as many panoramic views and scenic walks as I can.

My last trip: Beirut, Lebanon!

I have been playing guitar since I was 14 years old. Since then, I have found a passion in creating music and learning different instruments, which led me to pursue the keyboard and drums, as well as creating my own in-home recording studio and writing my own songs. My pride and joy is the Schecter that you see above!

I’ve recently started mixing my own music, my latest cover is a version of “Raining the Fire by Jack Wall

After exploring various exotic locations in the Army, I began doing hikes domestically, including the Appalachian Trial, many Western National Parks, and the Rockies. I love the calmness of nature, and eventually I decided to go after one of my dreams; summitting Mount Kilimanjaro. I successfully accomplished this in January, 2021.

Last hike: Grays and Torreys Peak, Colorado

If you haven’t before, meet Syri! She is my parting gift from the Army that I found in Syria on my last deployment overseas. She is my partner in crime through all walks of life and is my furry soulmate. My love for animal rescue began with her and she is my little reminder of everything that we have been through together, survived, and accomplished.

Check out Syri’s story here!

I rescued my dog on a combat deployment to Syria in 2017. Soon after, I joined the Board of Directors for the nonprofit that facilitated her rescue, SPCA: International. After 2 years of development with the organization, I left to more heavily pursue my academics, but remain involved helping them and their partners to this day.

I have received overwhelming support in my transition from active-duty to civilian life and couldn’t be more grateful for it. To pay it forward, I provide mentorship to servicemembers through an organization called the Military Assistance Foundation. This group helps transitioning veterans in achieving success at top-tier educational institutions across the United States.

Y’all, I definitely embrace the “live to eat” over “eat to live” mentality in life. My friends often refer to me as the group garbage disposal or, more simply put, the Trash-Dan. I love exploring different areas of the world through their cuisine. Renowned for eating beyond the capacity of any self-respecting human, I will never miss the opportunity to eat out at a new restaurant.

My latest food recommendation:

Any steak at BnB Butcher in Houston, TX.

One consistent taste that I love is the flavor of Kentucky Bourbon because wherever I go, I know that with a well-made Old Fashioned that I’m getting a pure taste of home.

And pro-tip, when it comes to maraschino cherries, always use Luxardo!

(95% of bourbons are distilled in Kentucky!).

My current pick: Old Forrester Signature, my go-to for an Old Fashioned.

I consistently out-quote anyone that I meet when it comes to movies and TV shows. From Mean Girls to Step Brothers, if there is a spot in a conversation to stick an aptly timed quote, count on me to make it.

My favorite movie right now: The Gorge on Apple TV+

I think perhaps one of my earliest experiences with UI design came in the form of my interaction with video games during my childhood. Every title has it’s own brand, attitude, and aesthetic that every gamer nostalgically will remember for their entire lives. From the solemn ambience of Halo’s title screen to the EDM-fueled lobby of Rocket League, I love the visual stories that I get to experience firsthand in the individual worlds of each of these games.

What I’m playing now: Foxhole

I believe in trying nearly everything at least once. I see living and enjoying existence as one of the greatest blessings one can feel. It may sound like a cheesy copy and paste from a self-help website, but having moved from a place of darkness and pessimism in my past, changing lenses was one of the healthiest things I could have done for the way that I choose to view this experience that we all share.