CURRENT MISSION

To become fluent in Spanish. To learn. To teach. To see the world.

ABOUT ME

Curious about the world, people, culture, language, places. I love listening to and telling stories.

I'm interested in art: music, literature, film/tv, photography. Not in a snobbish formal way, but because it excites me. Anything that captures the essence of a place and its people, a shared experience, and/or a moment.. something that tells an interesting story, and evokes an emotional response of some kind.

PHILOSOPHY

I think honest self-reflection is the most important thing in the world. To know oneself and be true to oneself is the key to happiness.

The traveler/couchsurfing lifestyle isn't for everyone. I don't think there is one right way to live. Some people value consistency and stability and certainty over travel and uncertainty. And that's ok.

The most important thing is to understand your own values, what truly matters to you, what touches your soul. List those things. And live your life according to those values. If staying planted in one place makes your heart sing, do it! If wandering the world makes your heart sing, do it!

Just be sure whatever you do is something that aligns with your personal values, don't let societal norms or pressures dictate how you spend your short time on Earth.

For me personally:

Be curious. Keep learning. Share what you know. Adapt. Be humble and respectful. Fight for your dreams.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'd love to host one day when I am able to do so. For now, I'm going to be a surfer. But I do plan to give back to this community when I have my own place and a nice comfy couch for travelers.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I am new to couchsurfing. I love the idea of it, and I've had a profile for a while now, but I still haven't actually hosted or surfed *yet*. I hope to do so soon!

Interests

Travel, seeing new places, meeting new people, learning about new cultures. Coffee, reading, writing, taking photos. History.

• arts
• culture
• writing
• literature
• singing
• photography
• perfumes
• coffee
• reading
• tv
• traveling
• minimalism
• music
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

Books:
~Everything by Junot Diaz.

~Raymond Carver's short stories (particularly, "Where I'm Calling From.")

~Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies.

~James Baldwin's novel, "Another Country" may be my favorite book.

~ I really want to like Roberto Bolano, but I was underwhelmed by 'By Night in Chile' and Savage Detectives was hard to stick with. I will try again.

Growing up, The Catcher in the Rye was my favorite. It's cliche, but I loved it and I don't care. I taught it to my 10th graders.

Music:
I can appreciate all types of music, but hip-hop and r+b are my favorite. Currently obsessed with SZA.

Movies:
I'm more of a quality TV series fan these days: House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Breaking Bad, the Sopranos are among my favorites.

The Godfather will always be my favorite film.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I think picking up and moving across the country from New York to California, thousands of miles away from my family and friends, without a job or plan was one of the most amazing things I've done.

I had to start from the ground up in a brand new place - an unfamiliar place, and on limited funds. I knew I was no longer happy in New York, and I made a drastic change to do something about it. It was an incredible experience.

Teach, Learn, Share

- Using Apps/Technologies that save time + money
- Minimalism
- Photography
- Writing
- Cities
- Travel

What I Can Share with Hosts

Good conversation, experience, curiosity, interest in exchanging ideas and perspectives.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, United Kingdom, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

Spain, United States