CREATIVE // CAN-DO ATTITUDE // EFFICIENT // EASY GOING // HARD WORKING 
ABOUT ME

I crave the unusual -- unique people, new experiences, the open road, the untraveled path. I'm organized, diligent and fast. I love technology and new media, I'm a voracious reader and a greedy consumer of content. I have a wide array of interests including art, music, astronomy, literature, cooking, history, film, media, science, politics, etc. and enjoy meeting new people.

Born in the north side of Chicago, I spent my early years in smokey bars, playing darts and known by the locals as 'Twinkey Toes'. As a music enthusiast, I played double bass for symphony orchestras, jazz bands, musicals and concert bands, and I played electric bass in a ska band, folk group, and an alternative indie band. I have medals in math and English, was voted the 'most unique' of my high school class, partook in Korean fan dancing, started an international dinner club, solo backpacked around Europe for 6 months, and was a top student in a highly competitive creative advertising program. I lived, fished and hiked in Alaska; own a kayak and three bikes; am an avid doodler; roommate of international students and visitors; a postmodern enthusiast (lit, art, architecture); and am a big time dreamer! In search of the cure for Bieber fever, Waldo's GPS coordinates and my stolen Hogwarts acceptance letter.

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
  • Had my authors' books reviewed  in major publications such as NYT, WSJ, HuffPost, Forbes, Economist, TLS, Choice, etc.
  • Worked with renowned environmental MIT professor to produce and deliver digital journal (Anthem EnviroExperts Review) to 30,000+ subscribers each month
  • Coordinated 3 international book tours with author appearances on major television programs including BBC, CNN, PBS, Bloomberg, etc.
  • Helped produce seasonal catalogs, series and book flyers, and book covers
  • Interned for an award-winning full-service advertising agency, servicing clients such as Walgreens, BP, University of Alaska, Alaska Airport, United Way
  • Organized and manned the company booth at major librarian conference attended by 3,000 key decision-makers and purchasers

I love the cold though it's barren,
I love my dreams though they give me no comfort,
and I'm in love with the stars though they do not love me back.

PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS
  • Backpacked across Europe (Read more here)
  • Illustrated a children’s book (See some images here)
  • Kayaked a marathon, ran my first race (8 Mile Hustle)
  • Traveled to 27 of the U.S. states last year
  • Figured out the meaning of life
  • London Underground Level 3 Expert Tube Rider
  • Lived in Alaska & England
  • Bass player (jazz, orchestra, symphonic band, ska band, etc.)
  • Mathlete State Champ
  • Voted 'Most Unique' in high school
  • Polar Bear Plunge
  • Awarded 'Top English Student' of my high school class
  • Joined Toastmasters
  • Read 100+ books last year

CONNECT WITH ME
@Marieeeka

"But I will confess that I began as an astronomer— a liking for bright flashes, vast distances, unreachable things, a hand stretched always toward the furthest limit..."
 --TROY JOLLIMORE