about

Welcome to my personal blog. I’m Matthew or Matt Cooley. I started this blog awhile ago but after some time became bored with it.  I’ve relaunched it primarily as a way to share my travel stories, to keep myself motivated in my language learning, and simply to write.

I was born February 23rd, 1984 in Fort Wayne, Indiana in the US. I am or have been an upholsterer, a sandwich maker, a veteran, a tank gunner, a fighter, a journalist, and a mechanic. I hold an associate degree in business administration.  I was married for ten years but am no longer. I have three much younger brothers -Sean, Daniel, and Robbie- who are the most important people in my life. I’ve been to more than 10 countries and five continents and am currently trying to figure out how to visit the rest of them. I’ve lived in Indiana and Texas back in the States as well as South Korea and Iraq where I’ve been for the last four years. I’m not an expert in much of anything but I do enjoy a challenge and feel that life is to experience.  I’m learning Spanish and speak no other languages yet. I think space is neat. I like dogs. Books are cool too. Can’t stand much TV. I’m smarter than I look and dumber than I sound. I once lost a frog on a ferris wheel, made a hook shot from half court, and traveled to Australia but didn’t see a single damned kangaroo. I am talkative when I’m feeling great but usually keep to myself.  I am kind of hungry right now because I didn’t yet finish my dinner. I am so . . . Cooley.

You can read more about me and my blog in my old about page, this old post, this other old post, or this newer post.