I’m Meagan Adele Lopez (sometimes known as MAL or the Lady Who Lunches. The lady who lunches came about when I lived in England for two years, and sat around, ate crumpets, sipped tea, oh, and wrote a novel - click here to find out what Wikipedia’s explanation of a lady who lunches is). I’m a mutt – a mixture of Cuban, Irish, Norwegian, German and English.

I wrote a novel called “Three Questions” (stay tuned for some exciting news).

I have acted my entire life, and miss it dearly, but I have a new passion that is equally fulfilling – writing and social media. I am currently a partner in the top social media company in Chicago, SocialKaty.

I grew up in Baltimore, went to Baltimore School for the Arts for high school (that awesome place that Jada Pinkett, Tupac, and Josh Charles went to), and majored in Theatre with some of the best teachers around.

 University of Southern California for college as a French and Theatre major with classes in Business. I filled my time with things like becoming the spokesperson for the National Rainforest Association, acting in plays, writing screenplays, working in casting for film and television, starring in a bad horror film and trying to find myself.

The craziest thing I ever did? Move to New York at the age of 19 for a year with $35 in my pocket. I survived – worked five jobs and lived in a shared studio. Taught me more than anything that I can get by on a little guts, grit and inner strength if I really wanna. I designed lighting for off-broadway shows, stage managed and learned that I needed to know another language. While there, I worked with the LAByrinth Theatre Company, and learned more than I ever could have about dedicating your life to an art.  I realized I needed to go back to school, and study abroad in Paris.

Moving to Paris shaped and changed my life forever. I studied at the Sorbonne and L’ecole Florent (for film). I was enchanted by the French and their ability to present everything wonderfully and with so little effort. I lost thirty pounds plus some. I worked in a bar on the Seine across from Notre Dame. I lived in an apartment overlooking Marie Antoinette’s tomb, and I became fluent in the language I revered so highly. I also traveled all over Europe – learning about the country my Cuban ancestors originated from: Spain, reveling in the care free attitude of the Amsterdamians, and becoming enchanted by buildings older than our own country. I never wanted to leave, but alas, I wanted a career.

That’s how I feel about Chicago now though – I’ve found that city in America. I’m proud to be here and excited to work in the passion I always had but never know could be converted to money – Writing and Social Media. I’m a true tech nerd at heart, but will forever need to be on stage.

I live with my British boyfriend that I met in Vegas one Easter Sunday in 2008.

Follow me @meaganadele on Twitter.