In 2016, I worked as a photographer and driver for a rafting company in Colorado. I lived in a tent all summer to save money and spent most of my time on the river. Always drawn to adventure and a nomadic life, I decided to move, or try to move to Puerto Rico. I went, not knowing anything except that I wanted to surf and photograph the ocean.

So I packed up my puppy, what little cash I had and flew to San Juan. I traveled alone, against the wishes of my parents, as a 24 y/o 5' tall woman. Externally, I was so excited. Internally, I was terrified.

Everyday I would take out my non-waterproof hearing aids, stash them in a secret spot in the truck I was borrowing (high theft areas) and paddle out completely deaf. With no hearing, I had to learn to read the waves explicitly by visuals.

After surfing, I would go wander this underrated island with an ND filter and photograph the ocean's movements. 1.5 months later, I ran out of money and filled up my soul.