I’m not a big fan of drawn-out, overly wordy explanations, so here are the basics. If you want more info, even if it’s just the recipe for my soon-to-be-famous peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, please drop me a line. I don’t bite.

Full name: Dalia Michele Nicole Wheatt

Born: August 23, 1982

Birthplace: Exotic Cleveland, Ohio

Occupation: Reporter for tbt* (Tampa Bay Times), a publication of the St. Petersburg Times

Other jobs I’ve had: Baby-sitter; camp counselor; waitress; buser; maker of tissue box cover Christmas gifts for my brother, Freddie; bulletin board putter-upper for my mother the teacher; and player of chords for my father the musician.

Favorite authors: Anne Lamott, Michelle McKinney Hammond, Beverly Cleary, Susan Orlean, Toni Morrison, and Wally Lamb.

A few favorite things: World travel, knitting, Mommy’s macaroni and cheese, tulips, bike riding, Grey’s Anatomy, cello music, brownies, J’adore perfume by Christian Dior, mandarin oranges straight from the can, ReadyMade magazine, people with accents, National Public Radio, running, the color purple, the comedy of Kevin James, and laughter.

On my nightstand: Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver

Five things you might like to know about me but probably wouldn’t think to ask:

1. I have a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in Spanish education.
2. During college I was an exchange student in Cuenca, Ecuador.
3. My first job was as a poolside waitress at the HillBrook Country Club in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. My first journalism job was as assistant editor of Cleveland Magazine.
4. I’ve kept a journal since age 13. I highly recommend it.
5. I can walk on my hands. :)