I seem to have lost my accent. Don't worry, for I am a spunky Cajun nonetheless. I was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, but was raised in Louisiana. I grew up in a small conservative town close to the Texas border called Lake Charles, just a few bayous and gators away from where my parents grew up. I have two older male siblings, a father, mother, stepfather and stepbrother.

I attended college at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. It was there that I found myself trying many different avenues, found my love for analysis and expression, and finished my studies in creative writing.

I took a few semesters off here and there to work for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, a paddlewheel cruise line that ventured up and down the good 'ole Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. I became the wine steward/dining room manager for the American Queen to gain some working experience and raise some funds for the remaining semesters of college. My experience in the restaurant industry since I was fifteen was finally taking me somewhere.

It was this lazy river, Mark Twain experience that was the most eye-opening for me. Eating, sleeping, living and working on the boat with the same people for six-week intervals with no days off was intense, hard and taught me many lessons about myself, life and human interaction. It was also this experience that enabled me to realize my inner strength, determination, love for travel, joy of meeting different people and my constant desire to experience new adventures. Oh, and of course, I learned the importance of comfortable shoes, too.

It was this motivation that allowed me to buckle down and finish my last year of college. In the few last remaining semesters, I became an entertainment writer for the L.S.U. newspaper. I interviewed artists, musicians and reviewed their work. My own interest of writing, painting and music seemed to really thrive from inspiration at this time. Three months after graduation from L.S.U., I packed my bags and headed for the west coast out of pure adventure and the need for other creative opportunities that I wasn't even sure existed. I had no choice but to believe a fit was out there. I know I'm getting closer to it daily. Of course, the mountains, hills, ocean and open-minded people were also part of the lure.

In my dreams of San Francisco, I naively thought of writing and painting all day and joining an organization where I could help better the world. Then I started apartment hunting. Reality set in and I have had a myriad of jobs and personal growth spurts. Looking back, I have sold, written, recruited, interviewed, researched, created and examined. I finally caught on to incorporating these skills in the technical world. I found the passion for production and design at a company called Zoomedia, Inc. It was here that I was able to execute all the skills mentioned above and meet some amazing people.

My ultimate goal is take all my creative outlets, particularly my love of writing and design, to teach others. I believe mentorship is the key to a fulfilling life of learning, excitement and passion. And I believe that life without these elements is boring and depressing. I still thank the universe today for the many mentors that I have had, for I wouldn't be as far as I am without them. To return that wisdom, passion, and spark for life is mandatory.

And what are my creative outlets? Actually I will describe them as my loves. They are not outlets that happen for me constantly or simultaneously, but emerge from me sporadically and are what I truly believe are the "sparks of Kristin." They are: spiritual quests, dancing (I was a former ballerina but prefer modern dance now), photography, painting, afro-Cuban and Venezuelan drumming and playing a chord or two on the guitar. Hiking, camping, travel and summertime river swimming also keep me grounded.

I am searching for an opportunity where I can continue to expand my talents. The business world needs such diversity. I value collaboration and welcome the challenge that goes with it...allowing each individual perspective to remain an obvious, shining piece of the team.