CURRENT MISSION

New experiences

ABOUT ME

"To experience, to engage, to endeavour, rather than to watch and to wonder - that is where the real meat of life is to be found" - Ben Saunders, a Polar Explorer said that, not me!)

A year ago I quit my job to start living life a little more. I believe a good life is one that is full of new, exciting experiences - the antithesis being routine, monotony and 9-5 work. This is not to say I disliked my previous or current jobs. I just didn't want it to take over my life, as it had.

I now have more time to dedicate to the things I love - travel, books, film, music, friends, cooking. I am poor financially, but rich with time. This is a much more satisfying existence for me.

I look forward to meeting new people, sharing stories, breaking bread and making new friends through couchsurfing.

PHILOSOPHY

Travel. Live. Eat well. Smell the world. Quit your job.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I am a beginner, but look forward to hosting and surfing.

Interests

For the past four years I've worked in the Film Industry, working in the independent sector, trying to get interesting and low budget films made and seen. I'm Co-Director of a women's short film festival in London called UnderWire, and am passionate about getting women's stories seen on screen and diversifying cinema. I also work voluntarily for a film and philosophy festival, and am involved in feminist activism.

As you can see, I have a great love for cinema, but I'm equally enthralled by interesting books and original music. I love to travel, and am planning more adventures next year, trekking through Patagonia, Chile and Argentina. For me, travelling isn't just about exploring new continents, but also sharing experiences with new people.

I enjoy listening to radio documentaries, TED talks, lectures and debates, and have just finished studying philosophy in my spare time. Nothing better that some stimulating chatter.

I find cooking (and eating) one of life's great pleasures, and am a lapsed vegan (now vegetarian).

• books
• documentaries
• festivals
• cooking
• vegetarian
• vegan
• movies
• traveling
• music
• cycling
• surfing

Music, Movies, and Books

Films by: John Waters, Kenneth Anger, Lynne Ramsay, Lukas Moodyson, Bela Tarr, Monsieur Godard, Maysles Brothers, Errol Morris, Andrew Kotting, Todd Solondz, Todd Haynes (all the Todds), Woody Allen, Guy Maddin, Jane Campion, Jim Jarmusch, Andrea Arnold, PT Anderson, Sophia Coppola, Noah Baumbach (more than Wes), Shane Meadows, Werner Herzog, Vera Chytilova, Terence Davies, Wong Kar Wai, the Makhmalbaf clan, Ingmar Bergman, Marjane Satrapi, Roman Polanski, Aki Kurismaki, Alexander Payne, DA Pennebaker, Antonioni-oni, Francois Ozon, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Michael Haneke, Kuchar Brothers, Jack Smith

Music by : Joni Mitchell, Dylan, Cohen, Bert Jansch, Rodriguez, Talking Heads, Nick Cave, Arthur Russell, Art Pepper, Bill Callahan, Boredoms, Liquid Liquid, John Martyn, Karen Dalton, Mulatu Astatke, Neil Young, Nick Drake, Patti Smith, Nico Muhly, Neutral Milk Hotel

Books by: Orwell, Jonathan Franzen, Patrick Hamilton, Lorrie Moore, Denton Welsh, Murakami, Jean Rhys, Jeannette Winterson, David Foster Wallace, David Sedaris

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Skinny dipping in a lake after cycling through Belgian woods on a sunny afternoon; Washing a baby elephant in the river in Masinagudi, India; Cycling with friends through London at night; Riding an Icelandic horse over lava fields

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you how to set up your own film festival?! Also happy to swap cooking tips.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom