I'm currently living in Santa Cruz County, California, USA. I enjoy living among the redwoods and close distance to the beach. I live with my life partner, Colin, 2 dogs, and 1 cat.

After high school, I joined the US Navy, where I lived in Japan and saw much of south east Asia and the Middle East. I also spent a year in Bremerton, Washington. I left the Navy after five years and moved back to Chicago where I went to school for physics. During this time, I encountered some significant health challenges (invisible chronic illness - fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome). It was severe enough that I needed to leave school for the time, and don't work a traditional 9-5 job.

After 7 years in Chicago, I moved out to California, and the weather here is much more supportive of my body. I am very into spirituality, and practice polytheism. I am a professional Tarot reader, and teach classes on this and energy work and healing.

I am also a burlesque dancer (similar to cabaret style). I love the creativity that is involved and the open-minded, caring and progressive people I meet in the community.

I'm also a fire spinner! I love my lotus fans and big fire.

I enjoy herbalism, and kitchen-witching. I make all sorts of homemade teas, brews, and body products. I enjoy cooking and baking, often Paleo, or at least gluten and dairy-free. I can make some mean Swedish pancakes.

My favorite hobbies include dancing, writing, and art in general. I also enjoy being out in nature, traveling, and getting to know different people from all different walks of life.

I'm compassionate and strong. I make the most out of what I can do with my body and the challenges involved in having limited reserves with my disability. I believe life is to be enjoyed and about finding community and making connections to all living things.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm interested in meeting people along my travels and having an intimate experience of the place I am visiting. I want to share stories, cooking, and talents with each other.

It's also not always cheap to travel. I enjoy the idea of helping others along the way and having an inviting home for rest and connections.

Due to my physical conditions, I do need extra time to rest and recover in between doing things. I am out-going and social, and also need some space to recuperate in between fun and adventure.

Interests

• animals
• arts
• writing
• performing arts
• cooking
• crafts
• music
• visual arts
• travel
• nature
• spirituality
• dance
• metaphysics
• paranormal
• burlesque
• tarot
• scubadiving
• herbalism
• fire spinning
• energy healing

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite Music: Grunge, Rock, Folk, Classical (and most everything in between), too many bands to name! Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Jack Johnson, many more

Favorite Movies: romantic comedies, thrillers, horror, documentaries, drama, comedy

Favorite Books: The Giver, Catcher in the Rye, Time Traveler's Wife, Weetzie Bat series, memoirs, thrillers, occult, urban fantasy

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I recently started working with rescued horses through a veteran therapy program. After the program ended, I continued to come back as a volunteer. I groom the horses, do energy work with them, provide body work, and physical exercise. It is the most amazing and calming experience. The horses and humans give to each other and I couldn't be happier than on my days at the barn with my best friends.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd love to learn more about caring for horses, and riding.

I also would like to learn about your culture, language, favorite local sites, what activities bring you joy, and perhaps some local ghost stories!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Tarot
Cooking
Crafting
Dancing
Music

Countries I’ve Visited

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Canada, England, Guam, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin (French part), Singapore, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, United States