Courtney Buchanan, Patch Staff

I am a summer intern for the Silicon Valley Patch. I am currently a student at Lehigh University, pursuing a double major in journalism and Spanish as well as a minor in business.

A Northern California native, I love to travel the world and savor the flavors that different cultures have to offer. In spring 2012 I studied abroad in Seville, Spain, giving me deeper insight into another culture’s way of life. I chronicled my <i>sevillano </i>adventures through my blog called SenseSeville.

Through my baking blog Swellsweets I share photos and recipes of my culinary adventures with others. My life revolves around my passions of writing, enjoying food and experiencing different cultures.

As inspiration for how I approach life, I look to the meaning of the Greek adjective <i>meraki </i>(may-RAH-kee), which means to do something with soul, creativity or love; to put yourself into what you are doing.