Meggie Hulsey
United States
I am what you would call the typical black sheep of my family. From a predominantly conservative and religious household came a blond-haired, green-eyed child that managed to become none of those things. However, from these Southern roots, I have managed to obtain attributes like compassion, loyalty and a spunkiness that may be mistaken for attitude.
As a child of 1984, an Aquarius and a Rat in the Chinese Zodiac, there were certain pop cultural aspects that must have contributed to the person I am today. Shoulder pads were an essential part of one’s wardrobe, “Amadeus” won the Oscar® for best picture and Prince had a number one hit on the radio.
So naturally, this has already predetermined my personality to one that has a sense for spontaneity, a dedication to a craft, and exuding a charismatic nature that could even charm the pants off a nudist.
But for safety’s sake to new readers, the real me is a girl with an off-the-wall sense of humor that is desperately searching for la pura vida and only wishes that I could possess half of Prince’s dance moves.
Chef Nathan Lippy: Food
United States
Raised in Tampa, Fla., I fell in love with the “Beach Life.” I grew up eating “Floribbean” Cuisine (Imagine good ole’ southern fried cooking with tons of fresh fish and fruit). Home-schooled from junior high school through my senior year, I had a lot of free time. I would spend hours a day playing my guitar until mom would come home from work, and then we would spend hours playing in the kitchen. I started to understand the kitchen and the valuable purpose of a good cook when I was about 8 years old.
I began my education at the illustrious Culinary Institute of America in October of 2000. My culinary paradigm was forever changed in one day. I moved to NYC after graduation in late 2004 into a tiny apartment in Harlem. I started working in the nicest restaurants I could to broaden my knowledge of the NYC scene. I have so much respect for the chefs I have worked for and the achievements they have attained. In that process, I have found where my passion for food is. I began to think, “How can I rock out and cook at the same time?”, “How can I bring people together and have a great time as a career!?” I think I figured it out…or at least I almost have. I suppose the journey from here will be my greatest yet. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Wojtek Witkowski: Technology
Poland
Hey, I’m Wojtek. I’m the youngest Quarterlife Mag writer. I was born in Poland but raised in the beautiful U.S. of A. My job is to make the site stand out and keep it running. I’m the brains behind Quarterlife Mag’s design. I also write some tech posts from time to time.
I love attending various gigs and concerts. It’s a great way to meet people and discover new artists. I’m a passionate guitar player as well as a photographer. Life is short and I’m trying to make the best out of it. While I’m still in the process of getting higher education, I work on the side as a freelance web and graphic designer. It’s working out pretty well and there is always some extra cash when I need it.
Anyway, you can follow me on twitter, tune in to my tracks, and check out some of my photos.
Jenna Wessinger: Politics
United States
Jenna here! A quirky blonde with Southern roots who enjoys long walks on a beach, knitting, aaaand trees. Okay, none of those are true…Haha, I actually hate sand (it gets everywhere!).
In all seriousness, I’m a recent graduate of Clemson University, also known as the Harvard of the South (really just to Clemson grads). Gooo Tigers! I was born and raised in the small suburban town of Goose Creek, South Carolina of which there are no geese, and no creek…the fun stops there my friends.
I have been a political fan since the ripe old age of…seven. My second grade teacher, Mrs. Abrams, passed around our Weekly Reader (anyone remember those), and it was completely centered on the current election between George H.W. Bush and William J. Clinton.
That was it. I was hooked. I was the child who didn’t care about TGIF programming on Fridays but instead looked forward to the Friday night edition of “20/20” with Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters (Babs is my homegirl). So here I am today, a 24-year-old IT Consultant in Atlanta, Ga. I read political analysis books for fun and check the CNN political ticker like it’s my job (it isn’t btw).
Dodd Hulsey: Business/Finance
United States
Being born in 1981, I am probably the old man of the group (though sometimes I may not act like it). With the end of my “quarterlife” coming up, I hope to give those approaching theirs’ some helpful insight to living and working in a business climate like no generation before us.
Born in Charleston, S.C. and grew up in a small town called “Round O” about an hour south. I graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Finance and Real Estate with a minor in Psychology. I have returned to my home in the South Carolina Lowcountry where I work for a small community bank as a loan officer and in branch management. For me, I cannot think of a better place to work and do business, from the Southern-elite downtown on the Charleston peninsula, to the sea islands like Sullivan’s, Kiawah, and Edisto, to all the farms and small towns headed south along the Carolina coast.
Boe: Fashion
Friends! Hello there! I am so thrilled to be joining the Quarter Life family! I am bohemian gal from the Sunshine State 
who loves LIFE, diet coke, playing outside, meeting new people and surrounding myself with the ones I love!
Growing up – the middle of 3 girls – I developed a very strong and independent personality from a very young age (oh how those traits still live on today). As an adolescent, I distinctly remember the daily battle that would undoubtedly erupt between my mother and me in regards to what I was going to wear to school. You see – in my mother’s “perfect world” I was “dolled up” with dresses and bows – but ohhh did I have other plans. Since 7, I have had a love for fashion. While my mother’s pursuit was a noble and adamant one – my headstrong persistance eventually prevailed – sporting high tops, shift dresses, leggings and pig tails the majority of my pre K career – I know, I know, you can just imagine I looked pretty good! That passion for my own sense of style still lives on today. I love to learn about it, photograph it, study trends and experiment with different genres of clothing! Fashion keeps life interesting and allows us to express ourselves every, single day!
I charge you all to do the following, “Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.”
Desiree Lawrence: Advice
Desiree B Lawrence better known as Ms Dare I Say has begun to take her down to earth, no holds barred advice to the masses. She has become aware that people are truly hurting in love and wants to aid in the healing and wake some people from the comas of loveless and foolish behavior that is detrimental to themselves and others. Join this Bronx native on her journey to uncover the hidden truth and lies within the most personal of spaces, your love life. Her advice and thoughts are worth the read as there is no topic that cannot be touched, and no space that cannot be healed. You can reach her at AskMsDareISay@gmail.com and follow along at www.twitter.com/MsDareISay
Feel free to follow or ask any questions you may have @ Twitter, LinkedIn, and of course, here at QuarterLife Magazine.