WHO AM I? I'M STILL WORKING ON IT, BUT THIS IS WHAT I KNOW SO FAR...
Sometimes I wonder how I got here. I'm not talking about where I live or what I do. I'm thinking about the experiences I've had, the people I've known, the life I've led. I haven't had an adventurous life, but I have had many unbelievable adventures some of which still amaze me when I think of them.
I've para-sailed and skinny-dipped in Greece; skied on a glacier at the end of summer in Switzerland near the post office at the top of the world; gone river rafting and snow skiing in Austria; hooked up with an Austrian ski instructor; driven a 4x4 over rough terrain in the Negev desert in Israel; written about the Maccabi Games (Israel's Olympics) after living in Israel for only 10 days; interviewed movie star, Denzel Washington, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles; met three presidents and two first ladies - two former South African presidents, Nelson Mandela z"l and Thabo Mbeki, and their wives, Graca Machel and Zanele Mbeki (with whom I worked on different projects) - and former Israeli president, Shimon Peres z"l; and had many more exciting experiences in various countries. But the most exciting, rewarding and uplifting experience of my life so far was delivering a baby! (Read the article under My Portfolio.)
I've written on so many different topics from computers and finance, cement and stone to enterprising women and cross-cultural communication. I've edited many different magazines and designed a few brochures and newsletters. I've taken thousands of photos of the faces, places and spaces I've loved, visited about 16 countries (although most of them were many, many years ago) and met some of the most interesting, dynamic and amazing people from all over the world, many of them social entrepreneurs who are, literally, changing the world.
I gave up everything I knew to move to a new country and start from scratch - a decision that happened on the spur of the moment and had me on a plane three months later; a decision that has taken me to the top of the world and to the depths of despair at times. I moved from a townhouse in the city to a "box" on a kibbutz in the desert, knowing not a soul and ended up with a "family" of friends who welcome me with open arms each time I visit. I have laughed with friends of every nationality, race and religion in more places than I care to remember. I've learned a little of many languages (although can't seem to master the one I need the most), and danced with strangers.
My life is filled with anecdotes, stories of things I've seen and done, and maybe one day I'll sit down and write about each one of them, but right now, I'm still on the journey - a roller-coaster with many highs and as many lows - and I'm looking forward to experiencing more adventures and laughing with many more new friends.
Professionally, however, I'm a magazine editor, journalist, content & marketing writer, photographer and PR consultant. My resume is available to read here, while examples of my work are under My Portfolio or available through a Google search.
| darryl_egnal_resume_2017.pdf |
