9 Facts About Me: Star Sign, Nationality, and 5 Things I Can't Stand
Hello, my name is Melina Maria Morry. Most people reading this probably already know that. (I’m assuming.) However, I wanted to reintroduce myself with nine fierce facts about me. After all, there are more layers to me than a runway look from The Row.
I’m a chick lit author with a début novel on the way but I’ve got a lot more going on inside of my overworked yet stimulated brain than that. Although, my fabulous career can be quite consuming—as you know because I’ve written a lot about my self-publishing journey. Let’s take a break from business and get personal.
Here are nine facts about me—from my favourite foods to the things that I absolutely cannot stand.
9 Facts About Me: Star Sign, Nationality, and 5 Things I Can’t Stand
1. I’m half Peruvian with Aussie citizenship
My mom was born in Pacasmayo, Peru. She moved to Lima with her mom when she was a little girl. (She’s the youngest of 11 children.) In her early twenties, she left Peru for a “better life” in Sydney, Australia. That’s where she met my dad—a British-Canadian guy on a year abroad. So, I’m Peruvian, British, and Canadian with dual Australian citizenship.
2. I went to university in Sydney
Taking full advantage of my double passport situation, I decided to study journalism in Sydney. I can’t imagine having gone anywhere else. I loved my time in Sydney so much but ultimately felt like it was just too far away from my Canadian family, so I moved to Toronto after graduation. And before all of that, I studied fashion at Pacific Design Academy.
3. I’m a loquacious Gemini
I more than live up to my star sign. I’m creative, indecisive, and a total chatterbox. All throughout grade school, I think every single one of my report cards said that I had great potential, if only I’d shut up once in a while and stop socializing. Of course, not in those exact words.
4. I wrote the fashion column in high school
My first taste of fashion reporting came from writing the style column at my high school newspaper, The Jacklin Standard. It was a natural fit, considering I used to rock up to English AP in stilettos and hand-sewn dresses that I made in my spare time. One of my classmates recently told me that I was “dressing for the life I wanted, not the life I had” and I’ve never felt something more.
5. My favourite foods are…
Pesto linguine. My dad taught me how to whip up this simple yet delicious dish when I was a moody teenager who hated anything to do with the kitchen. To this day, it’s one of my favourite things to make. The more basil, the better.
Spicy salmon sushi. Japanese food is a weakness of mine. My boyfriend knows that when he asks what I want to order for dinner, he has to be very specific with options or I’ll default to sushi every single time.
Anything with salted caramel or lavender. I have a massive sweet tooth. Currently, my favourites are the salty caramel and lavender honey ice creams from Booyah.
6. I have 11 piercings
Ten in my ears and one in my belly button that I got when I was 13. I think that the movie of the same name was a major influence in that decision. I still can’t believe my mom let me get my belly button pierced at that age. Regrettably, I used to have a labret piercing as well—much to the dismay of my entire family. I had to take it out because it was eroding my gums. Gross.
7. I fall asleep instantly on airplanes
It’s wild, I know. But I really can’t stay awake on planes. Even on a short flight from Toronto to New York, I find myself dozing off sometimes even before wheels up. It’s insane! I think the humming of the engine is like a lullaby to me. I can’t wait for the day when I can fall asleep on a flight again.
8. My active lifestyle started young
I started skiing at three, horseback riding at seven, and practicing yoga at 14. Growing up in Victoria, British Columbia really helped foster my love for being active and living a healthy lifestyle. (West coast, best coast—don’t @ me.) My dad was super into hiking, sailing, and running as well, so I often joined him for jogs through the forest or boating trips from our summer cabin.
9. My pet peeves are…
Being mean for no reason. Some people obviously didn’t get the “treat others how you want to be treated” memo.
People who don’t cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough. Also, when people cover using their palm and don’t sanitize before touching everything around them.
People who say “I seen” instead of “I saw”. Also, people who can’t tell the difference between there, their, they’re and you’re vs. your.
Constantly being on your phone. Live in the moment! Experience life! Make eye contact!
Hitting REPLY ALL when you really just needed to email one person.
What are nine facts about you? Comment or reach out to me on social.
—ᴍᴍᴍ