CURRENT MISSION

Because I'm new.... to become an active member of the CS community...

ABOUT ME

I get accused of being a 'closet' people-person often (zoo keepers really aren't as anti-social as they'd have you believe!;). I get along very well and enjoy doing things independently, but also am able to talk to just about anyone and make new friends very easily.
On my weekends I need to spend most of my time recharging, via horseback riding, hanging with my parrots, taking my dog for a walk/jog at one of my favorite wetlands/wildlife management areas, or reading.
If I can ever drag myself away from the penguin colony I currently care for, I am hoping to pursue a PhD in penguin biology - I'm crazy about penguins!

PHILOSOPHY

I try to live each moment with gratitude, an open mind, and presence.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am completely new to CS, but a great friend/coworker recommended it to me. She has participated by both surfing and hosting with her family. In the future, I hope to start hosting.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I'm a newcomer!

Interests

Horseback riding, Buddhism, Reading/Learning, Flora and Fauna, especially birds, Meeting new people, Music, Great food (sushi, indian, thai, etc).

• animals
• dogs
• wildlife
• birds
• fish
• dining
• reading
• music
• equestrian
• fishing
• surfing
• buddhist
• biology
• genealogy

Music, Movies, and Books

I don't own a television, but I get together once a week with friends to watch movies. We watch some rather interesting things that I wouldn't necessarily choose on my own, such as foreign films and documentaries that are hard to find, but no horror or violence.
I love to read.... but, again, I don't read horror, romance, or anything with violence.
I enjoy almost all styles of music - country, bluegrass, jazz, blues, r&b, world music, reggae, pop, classical (especially baroque, especially piano), alternative, rock n roll.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Truly, everyday on the job is amazing! I never dreamt I would work with penguins, let alone be able to be up-close and personal with all of the penguin drama. Although I truly wish zoos didn't exist/have to exist, I am thankful to zoo keeping for helping me find my passion.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have worked as a research assistant/lab technician in a mate choice lab with swordtail fish, in a nematode taxonomy lab, in a molecular genetics lab with algae, and in a biochemistry lab on a plant/animal protein. And now I'm a zoo keeper at my third zoo:)

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