CURRENT MISSION

I want to saturate in the beauty of the Australian coast! And meet new and interesting people...create some wonderful experiences, memories, and relationships.

ABOUT ME

I am endlessly curious and passionate about many things, traveling being near the top! I currently work in human resources, but am an aspiring social worker, and will be finishing my BSW degree in May 2014.

My husband and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary this past summer...we were high school sweethearts who jumped into marriage early. We have 2 kids, 11 and 7, who are our lives! I want to set an example of vivacious, passionate, and culture-filled living for them.

Me personally, in a nutshell -

-I love anything that expresses the trueness of oneself. Every last soul on this earth is uniquely gifted. Whether the gift's expression comes from art, music, the written word, the spoken word, a kind deed, it doesn't matter - it's all beauty in motion, painting a picture of the soul who holds that paintbrush.
-I can be chatty and social, but sometimes I need to withdraw from people and recharge. I respect others' needs to do this as well.
-I can be extremely corny at times (much to hubby's chagrin), but I do manage to elicit a hearty laugh from my audience every now and then. That keeps me going (again, much to his chagrin -lol).
-I LOVE to read...fiction, non-fiction, self-help, humor, heck, I've even read instruction manuals for the heck of it. My motto is to never stop learning.
-To chill out, I shoot hoops, enjoy a glass of wine, watch 90's sitcoms or the History channel, read, bird-watch, or ponder random subjects.
-I've been told by numerous people that I'm "too nice" (but is there really such a thing??).
-I love people. I love their strengths, their passions, their quirks, their shortcomings, their flaws, their differences...but mostly, I love learning from them. By having a teachable attitude, we empower ourselves!

PHILOSOPHY

We are all teachers. Teach something positive to a world which desperately needs it.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have yet to host/be a guest, but I'm in love with the concept of Couchsurfing, and cannot wait to stack some experiences under my belt.

I researched this site and various profiles extensively, and I feel that I'm ready to step forward and embrace the practice. I love the idea of opening my door to someone from out of town, and getting to know them. I absolutely cannot wait to be a host!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

None so far...I can't wait to create one.

Interests

Reading, writing in journals, people-watching, bird-watching, eating good food, exploring the woods behind my house, championing the cause of the widow and the fatherless.

I love listening to evocative music, getting together with friends, being outdoors, enjoying my pets (dogs, cat, fish, lizard), world history, spending time with family, cooking, dancing when no one's watching (because believe me, you DON'T watch to watch -I've no rhythm whatsoever!). I volunteer at a local homeless shelter, and have a passion for so-called "social misfits." I have been known to pick strangers up off the side of the road and give them a ride (long stories!). And see Mom, I'm still in one piece!

• pets
• cats
• dogs
• fish
• arts
• culture
• writing
• beauty
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• music
• spoken word
• outdoor activities
• fishing
• history
• social work
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

I like to think I have eclectic tastes. Anything that's genuinely good. I like reading/watching adaptations of history, especially WWI and WWII stories. I think music is such a beautiful language, and I only wish God had blessed me with musical ability - song, instrument, rhythm, something!! But alas, I am not gifted like that, and am therefore stuck with an inner appreciation of something that I cannot adequately express on the outside...I have yet to find my creative outlet.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Maui, Hawaii. God painted that one with a different brush...gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.

I've seen a cat give birth to kittens...don't know why that ranks up there, but it does. It was amazing.

The garbage dumps of Guatemala City, Guatemala. They double as living conditions for too many people... it's heartbreaking...seeing them changed me forever.

•