15 Things About Me

 

Hi, I’m Ariane. Like most blogs, I thought I’d write something similar — a list of facts, quirks, and preferences that somehow add up to me.

👉 I’m a Filipina, born and bred in the Philippines. I packed my life into suitcases and moved to Taupō, New Zealand, in September 2023.

👉 I speak three languages: English, Filipino, and Bicol (a dialect from one of the provinces in the Philippines). I tried learning Korean for a few years, discovered I was terrible at it, and gracefully retired from that dream.

👉 I have two siblings, and I’m the middle child — which means I’m boyish with my older brother, girly with my younger sister, and the family referee when arguments break out.

👉 I’m an introvert, but a socially capable one. I can talk to people just fine for a few hours at a time, but after that, I need to recharge my social battery.

👉 I love the colour pink. I’m really just a little girl inside, except with bills and opinions.

👉 I love reading books. All genres are welcome, with no judgement passed. I’m currently deep in fantasy worlds, but I’ll happily detour through classics, thrillers, sci-fi, horror, romance, and the occasional “I’m improving myself” non-fiction.

👉 I love coffee — but don’t test me with black. I’m a latte girl through and through.

👉 I love video games. I have over 5,000 hours on Steam, which sounds impressive — until you realise it’s also evidence of many cancelled outdoor plans.

👉 I’m a bit of a dork. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree, even though I absolutely do not look smart, or like an engineer, much less!

👉 I used to be good at maths. Now? I respectfully reach for a calculator adding more than two digits. Skills disappear when unused — along with my confidence in mental arithmetic.

👉 I love long walks but hate running. I enjoy swimming and cycling. I’m not a pro at any of them, but I try my best.

👉 I can play the piano and used to participate in church, high school, and university choirs. These days, my audience is limited to my shower walls and whatever I’m cooking for dinner.

👉 I grew up in a very religious Catholic family — conservative, strict, and traditional. My auntie literally built a chapel. That upbringing gave me a strong urge to grow my own wings, which I did as soon as uni was over.

👉 My mom is a single parent, so I grew up doing chores, taking care of myself, and becoming annoyingly independent. Bonus: I also learned the value of money and became ridiculously good at saving for a rainy day because of her. (She's my hero!)

👉 After living in both the big city and a small town, I’m officially a small-town girl! No skyscrapers, city energy, or excitement could ever beat peace and quiet.

Oh, well. That’s me — slightly introverted, overly caffeinated, and pretending I have life figured out. Spoiler: I don’t. But I make good coffee and decent life choices most days!

No Rhyme, Just Reason is a Taupō, New Zealand–based blog by Ariane about books, good food, long walks, and unapologetic naps.