Chapter 1: Introduction

Allow me to introduce myself—I'm Alayne (pronounced A-lane) Unterberger, though sometimes I go by "Justicia," and yes, I do share my stories!

I feel fortunate to have experienced a life filled with diverse interests. To keep things organized, I've compiled my thoughts into a list format for easier navigation. Here are a few highlights that resonate with my journey.

My followers are aware that I'm navigating life after divorce, which I've discussed often on Medium. For me, self-improvement is a continuous pursuit, evolving as time goes on. Just so you know, I'm actively battling the aging process!

This isn’t a simple listicle; instead, I’ve broken down my uniqueness into seven parts:

1. I share my dating experiences. I'm currently working on a series of ten articles about my internet dates. The final installment will cover my last date from okCupid, which led to a four-year marriage—now, an ex-marriage. Many of these stories are humorous, while some carry a bittersweet tone. Here are the first two:
2. I believe I was meant for a warmer climate. Growing up in chilly Pennsylvania, I could never quite find warmth. My birthday falls on May 3, and you’d think that would allow me a chance to wear shorts, but no—I've even seen snow in May! That’s why I’m now writing to you from sunny, albeit crowded and humid, Florida. I’ve lived here for decades. Honestly, I think I would be happier in California, but the idea of homelessness is concerning. If anyone has a job opportunity on the West Coast that wouldn't leave me broke, please reach out!
3. I’m quite short—standing at just 5 feet. Height influences how we’re perceived, and I’ve faced my share of bullying. Short people often develop a feisty attitude; it’s a necessity! And please, don’t attempt to pick me up; it’s happened more times than I care to admit, especially at events like Renaissance Fairs or Oktoberfests. I get it—Napoleon's complex is real.
4. Being called "cute" irks me. For the first two decades of my life, it was fine, but after graduating from college early, I found it increasingly annoying. In my opinion, no adult woman should be labeled this way. "Cute" is acceptable for things like houses or pets, but for a grown woman? Let’s aim for terms like beautiful, fabulous, or striking. Here's a photo of me where I feel anything but cute:

5. My goal in life is to improve the world. This felt more achievable in my twenties, but my commitment remains steadfast. I’m a scholar-activist in a conservative, anti-science state, yet I press on. I want my research to lead to actionable policies that reflect real data. Yes, I believe in science! As a medical anthropologist, I study how culture impacts well-being across various demographics. The phenomenon of migration fascinates me, especially how we create laws around it only to disregard them.

Dear reader, I confess I’m a lifelong learner, deeply passionate about my mission, and admittedly frustrated. Climate change is displacing millions, creating a new wave of migrants, and our response has been insufficient. I fear that my mission may not be fulfilled in my lifetime, as conditions have deteriorated since my birth. You can find my thoughts on these issues in my socio-political writings.

On Facebook, I use the name Justicia, which means Justice in Spanish. At community meetings, I've been introduced as Doctora Justicia, which is quite an honor.

6. My love for animals and nature runs deep. I once hiked Half Dome in Yosemite and celebrated my birthday at the Grand Canyon—what an exhilarating experience! Though I grew up with cats, I’ve had dogs throughout my adult life, and I can't imagine life without them. Losing them is heartbreaking; I’ve felt the pain of losing my best friends. Recently, I lost my beloved Ms. Mollie May to epilepsy, which I wrote about here:

My remaining dog, Giovanni (Gio), a 17-year-old poodle, was grieving after Mollie's passing. To help him adjust, I fostered a pekapoo who had never been trained. When it was time to return him to the rescue, I adopted him instead, as I couldn't bear the thought of Gio losing another companion! This new pup, Charlie, has much to learn—currently, he has no clue what "sit" or "stay" means. Ironically, we’re enrolled in training at "Sit and Stay Academy."

7. Traveling is a passion of mine. Yes, having two dogs complicates things, but I make it work. During the pandemic, they've been a source of joy, providing the perfect excuse to get out for walks and hikes. I’ve visited nearly 20 countries, including Nepal, India (twice), Turkey, Greece, Italy, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia, and I’ve lived in Spain and Mexico for research. My farthest trip was to Thailand in 2013, and I’m eager to return. I’ve couch-surfed and slept in hammocks, actively participating in the early days of couchsurfing.org before it evolved into something different.

Traveling opens my eyes to humanity in all its forms.

Here’s a classic tourist shot from India, featuring the Taj Mahal from 2007.

I think this is a good place to pause. I’ll revise this as needed. Thank you for taking the time to read my lengthy post.

If you feel inclined, I’d love to hear about you—perhaps your favorite vacation? I’m always looking for travel suggestions, though I already have a plethora of ideas. Take care!

Alayne Unterberger resides in Tampa, FL, with her miniature poodle Giovanni and newly adopted pekapoo Charlie Chan. She is an anthropologist, researcher, Hurricane Irma survivor, non-profit executive, adjunct professor, and lifelong learner with a passion for travel. Follow me @ dralayne.