About me

Hi, I’m Tania. I’m a web developer and designer from Chicago. I currently work as a front end software engineer (React). I write for DigitalOcean, SitePoint, Envato Tuts+, and other publications.

A few highlights:

• The Beginner’s Guide to React, included in the official React docs
• The How to Code in JavaScript/the DOM tutorial series on DigitalOcean
• The definitive guide to Developing a WordPress Theme from scratch

I started this website as a place to document everything I learned while transitioning from chef to developer. I’ve continued throughout my career and the free resources I create help thousands of people successfully become developers. I turn down every ad, affiliate, and sponsor request I get. Please consider supporting me with a coffee. (I might use it towards beer.)

Email me at [email protected].

Timeline

• 1989 – Born in Chicago. I’m the youngest of four, and the only girl
• 1994 – My family buys our first computer, which runs Windows 3.11
• Also 1994 – My brother deletes Win.exe, so I learn some basic DOS commands in order to keep being able to play Warcraft
• 1998 – I go to the library and discover the internet. I make my first E–Mail address and learn the meaning of lol. I make my first website on Geocities – a clan website for some Zelda–themed online chat game
• 1999 – Earliest record of I can find of me on the internet, signing a guestbook
• 2000 – I become internet famous for making a website about me and my made up Digimon Here’s a long fanfic someone wrote about my character, and I also found whatever this is
• 2003 – I make a website dedicated to George Michael’s facial hair through the years
• 2005 – I become internet famous in the Philippines for creating the only website dedicated to Seona Dancing, Ricky Gervais’s failed 80s pop duo
• 2007 – I graduate from high school and go to college for a culinary arts degree. I spend the next eight years working in the restaurant industry
• 2014 – I decide to make a website about accordions
• 2015 – Nearly a decade into my chef career, I realize it’s not the right career for me and I need a change. After a trip to the wilderness and some lengthy soul searching, I begin a career transition into web development. I start this blog
• 2016 – I get my first job in tech, as a web developer for Lettuce Entertain You. I design and develop restaurant sites like Shaw’s, Cafe Ba–Ba–Reeba, Stripburger, Krispy Kreme, Tokio Pub, and more.
• 2017 – Solo backpacking trip around Europe
• 2018 – I get a job as a backend PHP developer at RateYourSeats.com
• 2018 – I get a job as a front end software engineer at DAIS, working with JavaScript/React

Links

A non-exhaustive list.

• Vanya Sergeev – a brilliant programmer who is very important to me
• Teodor Nikolaev – a talented designer, developer, artist, photographer, and Bulgarian
• Craig Lam – one of the funniest people I’ve ever met and the mastermind behind Scripto
• Ben Schroeder – a dear friend of mine who is knowledgeable, hilarious, and eloquent
• Dave Bock – an excellent designer and insightful friend
• Joe Carlyon – Automation expert and an awesome guy

Music

Sometimes I sing and play accordion/piano. I like to record music in my spare time. Here are some.

• I’d Like to Walk Around In Your Mind
• Such Great Heights (duet)
• Night Nurse (duet)
• El Pasadiscos
• Mad World
• You And I
• Just Like Heaven
• The Winner Takes It All
• Wicked Game
• Truce
• Something Wild
• Bridge Over Troubled Water
• Rainy Monday
• Saloon

Currently Using

• Computer: MacBook Pro 2015
• Host: NFS.net, AWS
• Editor: Visual Studio Code
• CMS: WordPress
• Syntax highlighting: PrismJS
• Code theme: New Moon
• Newsletter: Sendy
• Workflow: Gulp, npm
• Notes: SimpleNote

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