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