*Marissa* profile picture

*Marissa*

Wealth is the ability to fully experience life...

About Me

Passionate, driven, genuine and eager to experience life all makes me who I am. Everyday is seen as a challenge to make myself and others around me better human beings.My goal is larger than me. My ultimate goal is to positively influence and affect people's lives no matter what medium I am using. Art, music, sports, school and being of service to others are all things I love. I grew up playing basketball, playing cello, singing and loving to learn new things. After high school, my life took an unexpected turn after I was crowned Miss Teen USA in August of 2001. I moved to New York for what turned out to be the coolest, most challenging year of my life. 9/11 happened, I juggled college simultaneously with the responsibilities of the national title and in August of 2002, relinquished the title on CBS. In 2003, I was hired by MTV as a VJ for The College Television Network. Currently, I am on the west coast continuing my work as a performer with a broader perspective than simply being "an actress". The art of finding yourself while creating tangible characters is why I act.I have many other ambitions aside from acting. I love writing and would love to write a number of books before I die.My life revolves around staying productive and positive, which hasn't steered me wrong yet. I trust my instincts and truly enjoy the process of meeting, learning, traveling and enjoying all that the world has to offer.

My Interests

I am an over-active person who loves to experience life to the fullest. I have been told I have a lot of balls and am fearless~both of which I take as compliments. Acting is my way of expressing different sides of who I am. My ultimate goal is to become a name synonomous with greatness and serve others in whatever capacity He deems fit. From writing a book, writing a screenplay, guest starring on TV shows and then starting my own production company are all things that I want to accomplish professionally.I have played basketball since grade school and still love to grind people into powder with my jump shot and tenacious D!! ;) Traveling, writing, singing and anything where I am able to meet new people and expand my life is what it's about. I have an artistic side and enjoy scrapbooking, photography, working out, organizing people's homes, and collecting art. I love to dance!!! My heart is with my family and getting to see them make all of my sacrifices to make my goals a reality so much sweeter.

I'd like to meet:

A traveler of this world, I love to meet people of every and all walks of life. Everybody has a story to tell and I'm a listener who believes that life is only as great as the people you know and meet. I want to meet anyone who stands up for what they believe in. I am not a celebrity crazed person my desire is to meet genuine people who are smart, sane, positive, ambitious, solid folks with a good heart and a sound soul. PUT YOUR I'D LIKE TO MEET SECTION HERE! Changes may take up to 2 mins to show on your profile

Music:

I love an ecclectic mix of music~ Prince, Madonna, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Mary J. Blige, The Police, Sting, India.Arie, Yo Yo Ma, Jaheim, Jagged Edge, Nelly, Dixie Chicks, Fleetwood Mac, Jimmy Hendrix, The Cars, Lauren Hill, Goapele, Faith Hill, Janet Jackson, Craig David.... well you get the point. Good beat + cool message = It's all deadly...

Movies:

I'M A MOVIE FIEND! Where to begin? When Harry Met Sally (the best line of any movie lies in this film), Shawshank Redemption, Matrix, The Color Purple, Contact, Ace Ventura ( I know, I know!) Antwone Fisher, Heartburn, Crash (my favorite film of 2005), I am Sam, Driving Miss Daisy, Seven, Fargo, Monster's Ball, Philadelphia, This Boy's Life, A Beautiful Mind, Ray, Blow, Ali and Gia.

Television:

CSI, Boston Legal, Will & Grace, Grey's Anatomy, Nip Tuck, Dexter, Brothers & Sisters, Entourage, The Sopranos, and Dateline, investigative reporting. House is pretty sweet, Scrubs is a guaranteed show full of hilarity and quick wit which is totally my sense of humor.Home decorating shows on Bravo, HGTV... Bravo, TNT and TBS for cheezy old movies and SportsCenter.

Books:

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, White Oleander, The Lovely Bones, In Cold Blood, Tuesdays with Morrie, Sula, Beloved, The Alchemist, anything uplifting or books that spread positivity through stories of overcoming tremendous odds and achieving unquestionable greatness.I hope to one day write an autobiography and children's book.

Heroes:

The reason I am in your presence is my mother Carolyn, my Aunt Cynthia, my siblings (sisters and brother), my twin nieces, and my family in its entirety, Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Muhammud Ali, creative minds, all of the underdogs of the world and people who won't take mediocrity and ignorance for an answer. True heroes are those who allow and motivate others to become greater than even they ever knew they could be. I hope to be someone's hero someday.

My Blog

things I am grateful for

Stolen Moments Laughter His unconditional love Opportunities New Friendship Changing Seasons Memories The Power of Prayer Letters from loved ones Pursuing Happiness The best things are the...
Posted by *Marissa* on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:00:00 PST

coincidence or karmic sign?

Believing in something deeper than ourselves has been tested, tried and debated since the beginning of time.  Whether or not you agree with religious views or the idea of fate and destiny, when d...
Posted by *Marissa* on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:52:00 PST

crazy going slowly am i

In elementary school at Eugene Field in Mrs. Dobbin's music class, this was an actual song that we sang.  Now, I sing it in my head from time to time when I run across a situation that ...
Posted by *Marissa* on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 01:15:00 PST

hooded

Visit my Site...
Posted by *Marissa* on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 01:12:00 PST

skeletons

the closet is closed. sealed to anyone who wants to know, see, feel all of my past decay, regrets, losses and failures.   "skeletons in the closet" means something now that it's October...
Posted by *Marissa* on Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:30:00 PST

ray of light

See More of My Photography...
Posted by *Marissa* on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 04:12:00 PST

karma

My sister sent me the book phenomenon The Secret a few months back which led me to think about the concept.  I must admit I haven't read it for fear of something bad happening to me, o...
Posted by *Marissa* on Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:10:00 PST

beautifully flawed

everything in this world is flawed.  it's the part of life that can't be contained, manipulated or destroyed.  that's why it's so incredible.  but leave it to us to want to change the i...
Posted by *Marissa* on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:51:00 PST

malibu blaze, burnt sunset

On Venice Beach yesterday, I rode to Santa Monica to see the Malibu flames.  Luckily no one was injured in this blaze but two landmark buildings were destroyed and lots of acres burned. The smoke...
Posted by *Marissa* on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 01:10:00 PST

industrial wasteland

Visit My Site...
Posted by *Marissa* on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 01:00:00 PST