About Marisa

I was born in Hollywood and lived in Eagle Rock, CA until I was almost 9 years old. My parents had been looking for a way to escape the smog and rot of LA when my mom had a dream about living someplace with snow-capped mountains. They looked around, checked out Portland and about a year later we were living there. Nearly 20 years later, they are still there.

I went to Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA and while I love the west coast, after college, I was looking to be someplace else. About three months after I graduated, I came to Philly to visit my grandmother (both sides of my family are from here), and as I got off the plane I knew I had to move here. It was like I had been hit in the head with with a long, heavy piece of wood, so strong was the message. Always one to try to listen to the little dribbles of guidance the universe sends my way, I transplanted myself to the east coast. Five years, three jobs, many dates and one car later, it still feels like the right choice.

I have a younger sister who is well on her way to making her living as rock star (okay, she’s more of a folk star) and I write about her frequently. In addition to all her musical talents, she has the best head of hair I’ve ever seen close up. If she wasn’t my sister, I’d be really jealous of her.

I am organized, wear a lot of black and have an herb garden that lives on an old wooden ironing board by my dining room window. There are six wicker laundry baskets in my bedroom and almost everything I own is used. I get rid of the books I’ve read, so I tend to have cases full of books I’ve have yet to open. I never pass a penny on the ground without picking it up, no matter if it’s heads up or heads down.

I started this blog as a way to help me figure out what I want to do with my life and I’ve figured it out. I want to write. I’m currently working on a Masters in Writing at St. Joseph’s University. I’m working hard to minimize the worries about what happens when I’m done with school. It’s hard sometimes, though.

I post here, just about everyday. If you’re here reading, please leave a comment once in a while, they never fail to make my day. If you want to get in touch, shoot me an email at apt2024 AT gmail dot com.