Family
Rick Zurita, Husband
Alma Kalliste Zurita McKinnon
Daughter, Born: May 5, 2002
(aka The Maha Princess)
Occupation
Psychologist/Writer
Hobbies
I still use the same camera I got for
my high school photography class.
When I got to New York and started
working in an art archive, I got
interested in collage and painting
which I do too infrequently to get
any better. In my 30s I took up all
the things Lisa Estrada tried to teach
me how to do: play tennis, ski (I
haven't broken a ski since the ones
she lent me). I also collect ceramics
and old photos (mostly of ancient
cities but I have a 1932 picture of
Frida Kahlo taken in the Little Rock
train station under a sign that says
Coloreds--my mom was born not far
from there that same year).
Likes
Risk, skill, good intentions fulfilled.
Dislikes
When people engage in personal
hygiene on the subway, especially
nail clipping and shaving.
Favorite Quotation:
"The beauty of the world has two
edges, one of laughter, one of
anguish, cutting the heart asunder."
--Virginia
Woolf
Most Memorable Hangout:
Terri Campbell's car.
That old dairy out on Foothill.
The Amaral's.
Teacher(s) Who Had The
Most Impact On Me:
Mr. Estrada, as a friend.
Mrs. Patten
Ms. Charles
Mr. Aguilar
Most memorable incident(s)
during high school...
Flipping over in a car.
Driving through Jack-in-the-Box
in reverse with Lindy and I wearing
our mother's wedding dresses.
Having to wait in the ice machine
chute until the cops left.
The morning of the SATs finding
my dog, Brandy, floating in our
swimming pool. Not on a raft.
Oh, you said one incident.
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My journey....so far.
I had every intention of being a therapist but when the AIDS epidemic hit I
started doing research about HIV and severe mental illness and I've been doing that ever
since. I also started writing fiction and traveling, and I love how many lives I've
gotten to live by way of these activities. Ever since my father died (5 months after
our graduation from Amador) I've felt the clock ticking. I don't want to miss
anything...
Post-Grad Highlights:
Rick and I after our taxi's brakes went and we had to walk to
the pyramids.
80-Best college year.
82-First real job out of school: Stony Ridge Winery with Lindy and Julie
Atkinson's dad.
83-First year in NY/grad school/job at Art Resource.
84-First year with Rick/first trip together: Italy.
86-First attempt to live in another country: Greece/Switzerland.
87-First research scientist job at Psychiatric Institute/Columbia/first
article published.
89-First AIDS research grant/first time living alone while Rick went to
Spain to work on the Olympics.
90-Smallest NY apartment/riv vu/darkroom, first trip to Ecuador.
92-First sabbatical in Ecuador.
94-Married Rick.
In the "full" version of this photo,
above our heads is a sign that reads:
"Criminal"...which was sort of how we felt.
So now you know what it feels like
to get married at the Pleasanton City Hall. |
95-Won New Voice Fiction
Award from Francine Prose.
97-Mom moved to East Hampton.
00-First short story published/amazing agent took on
novel/first trip to Egypt and Mexico City (excursions to Ecuador and Italy).
01-Novel, Narcissus Ascending, accepted for publication by
Picador --coming out May 2002.
02-Rick and I were blessed by the birth of Alma Kalliste Zurita
McKinnon, May 5. Almost simultaneously, my first novel, Narcissus Ascending
was published. Busy month!
04-Marina Sonia Zurita McKinnon was born in
2004, making Alma a very happy big sister and
Mom and Dad elated and exhausted new parents again.
 
 
(click Alma and Marina photos for larger versions, book cover for excerpts and reviews)
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