Dear Host,

My name is Ellie, but my friends call me Jelly! Like the jelly you can put on bread, I am bubbly, versatile, and... realizing this metaphor is quite difficult to make, haha!

By "bubbly" I mean I love to laugh–I'm part of an improv comedy group at my university, where we put on crazy shows based on mild suggestions like "carrot" from the audience. Laughter is always bubbling up, even when the character I'm playing–perhaps an old heiress to a pizza empire or a racecar-driving infant prodigy–is supposed to be taking things seriously.

"Versatile" is usually used to describe an ingredient, but what I mean is that I have many loves in my life. Martial arts, skateboarding, freestyle rapping, even making a short film–these are all things which I've done for the first time in the past year, and began to learn seriously. I love trying new things, and a philosophy of mine is to do things that initially scare me, so that I can keep growing as a person.

This summer, I want to do just that–grow and learn from the places I go and the people I meet there. As an artist, a goal of mine is to really focus on writing and improve. So, I'd be happy to write you a poem or short story as a testament to our friendship!

Cheers!
JELLY

Por qué estoy en Couchsurfing

When I stayed with a host family in rural Morocco, I taught some English classes, but I felt more like a student than a teacher at the end of my stay. Coming from the individualistic culture in the US, I learned what it was like to be a part of a more collective culture. I learned about the importance of cross-cultural exchange, and deepened my empathy and found it easy to connect across great differences.

I’m on Couchsurfing because I want to continue learning and experiencing life through travel. I hope to meet new people who challenge my perceptions of the world!

Intereses

• guitar
• hiking
• skateboarding
• basketball
• languages
• philosophy
• nature
• laughing
• stories

Música, películas y libros

I'm currently reading To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. I like fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, and memoirs. My favorite movies include La La Land, The Godfather, and Spirited Away. I love to write, and I hope to work in film one day!

As for music, I love rock, jazz, and classical! I've played guitar and bass in a garage band, taught kids how to play jazz on clarinet and saxophone, and played in an orchestra on clarinet. I compose music as well; I've actually written a piece which was played by the Seattle Symphony! I also play piano, and I love to sing. If you like music too, I'd love to listen, play, or write songs together!

Algo increíble que he hecho

This past fall, I made a short film called "Tiger's Eye" after visiting my grandmother in Qingdao, China. Her Alzheimer's has gotten worse, so it saddened me to see how my family treated her with impatience and annoyance. In hopes of reminding my family and others that people with Alzheimer's deserve to be treated with respect, I wrote a story told from the perspective of a grandmother who doesn't remember that her grandson has passed away.

Enseña, aprende, comparte

I've always loved reading, writing, and hearing stories. At my college, I'm studying Political Science and Creative Writing. I'm curious how stories and art impact our beliefs, and how they can make meaningful change in the world. I'd love to learn about your favorite stories–whether from your own life, or from others!

Qué puedo ofrecer a los anfitriones

Laughter, music, a listening ear, Chinese noodles, conversations about anything from my pet cat to religion and philosophy, happiness to learn, willingness to have some spontaneous fun... and I'd love to write you a poem at the end of my stay :)

Países que he visitado

Canada, China, France, French Polynesia, Japan, Mexico, Morocco

Países en los que he vivido

China, United States