Meet Sharon!

Who I am:
I wish I could say I am a wizard, but unfortunately, that never transpired for me. Regardless, I’d say I’m a fairly fortunate individual. My dad was born in Malaysia, my mum comes from Scotland, and somehow they managed to meet in a small hospital in Australia. My awesome younger sister and I come from a beach town south of Sydney called Wollongong. I’ve always enjoyed being in the middle of two worlds, a theme that has played out throughout my life. In university, however, this made things a little difficult; I ended up changing my degree five times before completing a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Public Health in 2011. Currently, I’m in Florida for the fall as a To Write Love on Her Arms intern.

Stuff I like:
I will be the first to admit it: I am a nerd, and I like being a nerd. My favorite T.V. show is Doctor Who, and I often dream that he might appear to me in his TARDIS. When I’m not imagining an apparating blue box, I thoroughly enjoy watching Arrested Development, Archer, Community, 30 Rock, and Mad Men.

While many people find their escape in music, I often find mine in books. I love being immersed in a story, whether it be classic literature or a trashy holiday novel. I’ve been enjoying reading for fun again after five years of university and just finished The Man Who Was Called Thursday, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, and The Book Thief.

When I’m not reading, I love to cook, and when I’m not cooking, I’m planning what I want to make next. Food is my passion in life, and my friends have all learned that if I’m hungry, I’m a much less amicable person to be around.

My life is a consistent battle between my fear of change and my desire for exploration. Luckily, the latter won out, and last year I moved to Aspen, Colorado—without a friend, a house, or a job—to snowboard for the winter. I’m glad I made that leap because I’ve spent the last 9 months having adventures (not Tin Tin style, unfortunately) and meeting people who have become cherished parts of my life.

Why I’m here:
What exactly got me to this place, thousands of miles from home and in my third zip code this year? What I keep coming back to is that I want to be a voice for people. For those who are too scared, too tired, or too hurt to ask for the help they need. As a society, I think we forget the value of being part of a community, and in turn allow those who are struggling to struggle alone. I am here because I want everyone to know, whether or not they are dealing with the issues that TWLOHA talks about, that someone cares about them and they are loved.