Hi! My name is Rumi, your host for the evening. I am an American born Japanese girl, born in Boston, Massachusetts, raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, and currently living in Seattle, Washington.

After graduating high school, I attended DigiPen Institute of Technology for their 3D animation program. There, I learned a lot about time and project management. I was often at school for thirteen hours a day taking advantage of lab hours so that I could finish my animation projects. During those years, I drew a lot (as animators should) and filled up countless sketchbooks.

About half way through the animation program, I realized that the animation industry wasn't where I wanted to be in life. My interests were geared more towards graphic design. However, I stuck with animation and finished the program so that I could earn the degree. After graduating, I transferred to the Art Institute of Seattle.

I feel I can call myself an expert on time management because of my experiences during the last two quarters of school. Because of timing issues with an apartment lease, it worked out best for me to finish in the spring rather than the summer so I ended up overloading myself and taking 21 credits (7 classes) per quarter and worked two part time jobs to make ends meet. After clawing my way through the busiest time of my life, my hard work was rewarded with a job offer a month after graduation.

Though there are still times when I burn the midnight oil and work thirty-six hour days, or work an entire month without weekends in preparation for a company sales event, I have gotten used to the high demand of my time and work steadily on. During my down times, I enjoy running, cooking, rock climbing, reading, and embarking on personal creative projects.