An Unexpected Beginning
One story my parents still remind me of always makes me smile.
My father tried to introduce me to computers while I was still very young, hoping I'd enjoy playing a simple game in his office. Instead, I wanted nothing to do with it. I remember refusing to use the computer altogether.
It's ironic, considering how much of my life would later revolve around technology. Today, I genuinely enjoy understanding how systems work, building small automation projects, and using technology to solve problems. Looking back, neither of us could have guessed where that first encounter would eventually lead.
The Sounds I Remember
One interesting thing about me is that I have aphantasia, which means I don't naturally recall memories as vivid mental images. Instead, many of my memories are tied to sounds.
I can still remember the unmistakable screech of a dial-up modem connecting to the internet, the rhythmic clicking of a hard drive running a late-night defragmentation, and my mum calling upstairs because she wanted to use the telephone while the internet was connected. Even today, those sounds instantly take me back to a time when technology felt exciting, unpredictable, and full of possibilities.
From Hobby to Obsession
As my confidence grew, so did the projects. I began building high-performance gaming PCs, first for myself and later for friends. Before long, I was even selling custom-built systems while I was still at school.
Looking back, I realise it wasn't really about gaming. What fascinated me was understanding how everything worked together and discovering how to make it better. That mindset of taking things apart, solving problems, and continuously improving systems has stayed with me ever since.
LOG ENTRY 02
Curiosity Takes Flight
An early fascination with technology grew into countless evenings spent taking computers apart, building new ones and discovering that curiosity often opens unexpected doors.
Discovering Technology
Although I wasn't interested in computers as a child, that changed during secondary school. What began as playing games gradually turned into wanting to understand how they worked.
Before long, I was taking computers apart, upgrading components, and learning how to fix problems myself. Back then, every upgrade felt significant. Adding more memory, installing a larger hard drive, or fitting a CD writer wasn't just a quick online tutorial away, it meant reading manuals, experimenting, and occasionally hoping everything still worked when you pressed the power button.
Over time, I became the unofficial tech support for my family. If a computer stopped working, needed Windows reinstalling, or simply refused to cooperate, I was usually the first person called.
Looking Beyond Technology
By the time I started university, I had planned to study International Business. Like many students, I arrived convinced I knew exactly what I wanted to do. That certainty lasted about a week.
After taking an introductory module in International Relations, I changed my degree. It was a decision that surprised a lot of people, but it felt right. For the first time, I found myself exploring subjects I had never encountered at school: politics, diplomacy, economics and the complex relationships between nations.
It completely changed the way I looked at the world. I became fascinated by the mechanisms behind global events and the forces that shape societies. Like many optimistic first-year students, I genuinely believed I might one day help change the world in some small way.
