About Me
Exploring the World, One Passion at a Time
I see you've stumbled upon my little domain - welcome! I'm Laura, a gamer, photographer, book lover, and avid traveler with a deep love for exploring new worlds - whether through a game controller, camera lens, or my passport. You may be here to learn about my career and professional experience, but this page is where I share what truly makes me me. I'm thrilled to give you a glimpse into my world, so feel free to explore below.
Gaming 🎮
I love being a gamer. It's one of my favorite hobbies - I revel from immersing myself in new worlds and diving into good gameplay. My journey into gaming started at a young age when my family got our first console, a Nintendo 64. I was immediately drawn into the world and storyline of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - a game I love returning to every few years. After Ocarina of Time, I picked up Halo and discovered the joy of First Person Shooter (FPS) games.
At my core, I'm all about FPS games. I've logged over 3,000 hours in Overwatch (and its sequel), and more than 2,000 hours in Destiny 2. From earning a top score of 490,000 during Guardian Games to become the champion of the tower, to achieving a staggering 578 seasonal rank during Destiny 2's Season of the Wish, or pulling off the elusive quintuple kill with a D.Va ult, FPS games bring me a sense of pride and pure enjoyment.
While my love for gaming may be rooted in FPS, but I am also an avid Roleplaying Games (RPGs) and cozy games. I have spent countless hours perfecting my Animal Crossing: New Horizons island, defeated the mighty Ganondorf in Skyward Sword, Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom, and explored the unique and expansive worlds of Pokémon (starting with Pokémon Yellow all the way through Pokémon Violet), Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West, Borderlands, and more. There's something magical about playing a game, and I can't wait to see what new worlds I'll explore next.
Photography 📸
When it comes to photography, I am still finding my footing, just beginning to explore this creative path. However, I've found real joy in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments, especially when I'm out and about. I'm drawn mostly to landscape and city photography, where I can mix in a bit of creativity and artistry. Photography has become my way of visually navigating the world, using light, lines, and contrast to tell stories that unfold in the spaces we pass through every day.
There's something special about seeing the world through a camera's 2 inch eyepiece - it pushes me to try and encapsulate all the little details that often go unnoticed, like the way a building's many roof lines intersect at just the right angle. In all my photos, I try to find and capture the simplicity of moments.
Though I'm still an amateur, I'm eager to keep honing my skills, particularly in composition, lighting, and mastering my gear. Right now, I'm in the exciting phase of experimenting and refining my style, figuring out what shots truly reflect "me". If you're curious about my work - follow my Instagram!
Travel 🛫
As you might have guessed, I love to travel. I was one of the lucky ones - when I was young my family moved to Paris, France for several years. That experience sparked a passion in me like no other, with a deep desire to experience new cultures and see the world through different eyes. I'm always eager to see more and do more, and exploring areas near and far has been incredibly rewarding. When I was younger, we'd spend weekends traveling to different countries, exploring most of Europe with our trusty minivan and GPS.
Now, I make a point to get out and see the world whenever I can. Japan is my favorite place in the world - rich with culture and brimming with experiences that keep both my nature-loving self and city-dwelling sides busy. I've also ventured to more remote places, like Iceland. Driving through a seemingly empty country, exploring the rugged (and freezing) landscape, and even going underneath Europe's largest glacier was such a unique experience.
Beyond immersing myself in new cultures and views, I also travel for the food. You haven't lived until you've tasted the perfect version of your favorite eats, and I'm lucky enough to have eaten my way around the world (as shown by a few of the photos below). From handmade buckwheat soba from Kyoto and indescribable fast-food ramen in Tokyo to charcoal-infused pizza from Iceland and paella made from scratch in Spain, my stomach feasts just as much as my eyes do when I travel. As Gandalf would say: “The world is not in your books and maps. It’s out there,” and I can’t wait to see more.
Books 📚
I've been obsessed with books ever since I was little. When I was three, I memorized my bedtime stories so I could recite them later the next day. My love of reading has only grown as I have. I'm a sucker for good world-building, and books are a natural way for me to explore all the worlds I could ever want. While I have a penchant for fantasy books, I also enjoy diving into dark academia, and I have a serious weakness for collecting gorgeous special editions. My TBR (to be read) list is ever-growing, and I'm pretty sure my bookshelves will eventually fill up with a collection of universes, worlds, and lives.
There's something magical about losing myself in a well-crafted story, spun by a wizard who knows how to make me cry through text alone. Whether it's the epic sagas of Branden Sanderson, or the immersive worlds of Leigh Bardugo and Sarah J. Maas. I love finding new gems to add to my collection, and I'm always on the hunt for my next read. For me, reading isn't just a hobby; it's a way to continually explore, learn, and connect with different perspectives, all from the comfort of my cozy corner.
