20 (or so) questions on how Charles Ek works
This series of posts was inspired by Lifehacker’s How I Work series, which I’ve been reading for quite some time and thoroughly enjoy. It’s about time we discover how our colleagues work and get to know them a little better.
If you want to participate in this fun series, send us an email at info@linguagreca.com so we can send you the Word template where you can fill in your answers and your bio (incl. your site/blog/social media links) and then send it back to us as an attachment along with your photo (optional but preferred). If you don’t like any of the questions, just delete them and add your own. You can read the previous interviews here.
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Desired location: We have 300 days of sunshine a year, so I’m right where I want to be!
Current work title: Part-time Freelance German<>English Translator
Desired work title: Full-time Freelance German<>English Translator
Languages you have studied or currently speak: English, German, French, working on Spanish
The project you’re most proud of: My translation business in general. I started out when my first daughter was just an infant and worked hard to get to the point where I am now without missing out on my kids growing up.
Your current computer setup: 17″ Dell Inspiron Notebook hooked up to a 26″ Samsung monitor
Do you own a smartphone? My iPhone owns me 🙂
Favorite time of the day: In the evening, when I get to watch the sun set behind the Rocky Mountains from my deck.
Favorite gadget (apart from computer & smartphone): My iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaning robot – it cleans the house all by itself!
Next conference/event you’re planning to attend: Annual Conference of the Colorado Translators Association in April
How many hours per day do you usually work: Anywhere from 1 (for just social media/marketing duties) to 10 or more if I am working on a big project with a tight deadline.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? I am an introverted extrovert: I’m not good with crowds of strangers but come alive in a group of close friends.
Are you an early-riser or a night-owl? I’m a total night owl and my best ideas come to me after 9 p.m. Unfortunately, my kids are early risers and I have to play by their rules.
What do you listen to while you work? Classical piano music, usually Yiruma Radio on Pandora
And a few non-work related questions to get more personal.
Your babies or pets, incl. names and ages: 2 daughters (ages 3 and 7), 2 dogs (a Maltese named Einstein and a Jack Russel/Westie mix named Mozart), and we just adopted 2 cats named Skye and Charlie from a local rescue group.
Next city/country you want to visit: My husband wants me to visit him at work in Kuwait City this summer, so that might be next on my list.
Favorite vacation place: I really loved Marrakesh in Morocco – the culture was so different!
Favorite book: I like anything written by Ildikó von Kürthy, but her book “Unter dem Herzen” hit home.
Favorite song: There are so many, but “Crash into me” by Dave Matthews Band is definitely up there.
What are you currently reading? “The Horse That Wouldn’t Trot” by Rose Miller
Author bio
Marion Rhodes is a bilingual German<>English translator specializing in PR, marketing, corporate communication and news translation. She grew up in Germany and moved to America after she fell in love with the country and its people during a high school exchange year. To learn more about Marion, visit her website, follow her on Twitter (@IMCTranslations), or like her Facebook page Integrated MarCom Translations. You can also find her on LinkedIn.
About the author
Catherine Christaki has been a full-time English-Greek translator since 2001 and co-owner of Lingua Greca Translations since 2012. She specializes in Information Technology, Medical, and Technical texts and loves writing for the Adventures in Technical Translation blog. She regularly shares her experience and insight on social media and blogging for translators, giving interviews and presenting at conferences. Connect with her on Twitter @LinguaGreca.
You may also like
That’s absolutely great, Marion! As a mom myself, I just loved reading this! It kind of boosts your confidence and know *you are not alone*. I am one of those “stubborn” moms that don’t want to depend on anyone so I never hired a baby-sitter or asked a friend to baby sit (my mom lives in another country and I can rarely depend on my husband). Definitely fatigued but happy! 🙂