Current Situation:
I got fed up with being stuck at home and doing school largely unconnected to the people I care about, so once I got an early vaccine, I decided to hit the road! I’ve been traveling for almost three months now, doing school virtually from coffee shops, bars, car hotspots, friends houses… almost anywhere. I’m taking the opportunity to connect with old friends, and learn new dance styles across the US. I’m just a few weeks from home now, and recently graduated, so I’m dancing and climbing and hiking my way back to North Idaho.

I’ve been alternating working on my degree in public policy, with a focus in education and mental health policy, with finding an odd variety of ways to work and do good in the world. In the past few years I’ve been a wilderness guide, musician, teacher, maintenance worker, dance instructor, policy consultant, ski patroller… and my personal life has been similarly cluttered by running, meditating, singing, playing music, writing poetry, reading... Politely, I’m a well-rounded and skilled person. Perhaps more accurately though, I’m a slightly lost individual. I’m wandering and sometimes desperately searching for the purpose and meaning I’ve lost along hard times and long journeys.

Logistical Note: I don’t smoke or do drugs (including caffeine). I love kids and pets. I occasionally enjoy a nice glass of wine over dinner, but don’t drink much. And while in my personal life I very much enjoy cuddling and physical intimacy, I do not use couch surfing as a way to hook up with people.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I don't live well in a vacuum or blank space. To be healthy, I try to cultivate an adventurous and open spirit, and regular encounters with new ideas, people, and places. Couchsurfing is wonderful way to do this… to connect with others, to build faith in humanity, to have interesting and heartfelt conversations, and to share and receive each other in our homes and lives. And when I'm traveling, it's really nice to sometimes have electricity and a roof over my head instead of always living outdoors or in my car (it's not big... I drive a Prius -- which outs me as a liberal anywhere I go).

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite Books: The Name of the Wind and the Ender's Game Series
Favorite Play: My Name is Asher Lev
Musical Home: Folk Music (especially Nickel Creek!) and Musicals
as of June 2021, been listening a lot to Jesse and Joy and techno this month
Favorite Movies: A Beautiful Mind, 127 Hours, The Imitation Game, Perks of Being a Wallflower
Favorite Poet: Mary Oliver
Favorite Time of Day: In Between Times

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I'll switch this to a much easier question for me... One Amazing Gift I've Been Given:

It would be living for three months in the Taize Monastery in Southern France. My time there, the community I lived in, the experiences I had, the ways I grew... it was an incredibly full experience, and the chance to be a part of it was one of the greatest gifts I've ever been given.

Teach, Learn, Share

Wow... anything! Teaching and learning is what I do for fun! (studying education....)

I long for refreshing conversations about almost any subject... also Alexander Hamilton, Dungeons and Dragons, philosophy, math jokes, muffins, backpacking, the state of the world, and your favorite smells.

What do I actually end up teaching usually? Mechanical skills like using a hammer or fixing a toilet, math and writing, barefoot running, games (board games and other), country swing and line dancing, ways to train your brain to have a better memory, meditations, some mental health stuff, living and traveling cheaply and safely...

What I Can Share with Hosts

Hmm... music, laughter, dishwashing (I find it relaxing), conversations, stories, and whatever wisdom this 24year old has managed to gather. Also happy to fix or repair things in your home, or tutor/teach children!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Canada, England, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Peru, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, New Zealand, Scotland, United States