I'm a nerdy and silly science teacher who loves to read, watch bad tv, travel and spend time with friends. I love to laugh and listen to and/or tell stories to learn more about the people I am around.

I grew up in Portland Oregon but moved to Atlanta in the summer of 2012. So far I am really loving it and I have a great friend community here. I have done a fair amount of traveling, starting with my first international trip in 2004 to rural southern India. I've been to Colombia twice because my best friend lives there and I lived in Monteverde, Costa Rica for 6 months while teaching science at an English immersion school there.

I teach chemistry full time at a high school north of Atlanta but that doesn't stop me from spending time reading and hanging out with friends two to three times a week. When I have larger spans of free time I enjoy doing various kinds of art projects, my favorite of which is to make sterling silver jewelry.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love to travel and I adore meeting new people. I live in a house with three other roommates and a lot of living space. I enjoy hanging out with them a lot. About a year ago I had a roommate who was studying abroad from England and it was such a blast to have someone in the house to share experiences with and that I could share some of my favorite Atlanta spots with. I'd love to open my house up to people again. I'm also looking to do some more traveling in the next year and I love the idea of being able to stay with people who live in the areas I visit, rather than staying in hotels or even hostels. Hostels are great for meeting groups of people that are all traveling, but the prospect of staying with locals who might be able to give me a bit more of an insider experience sounds like a LOT of fun!

Interests

Spending time with friends, watching bad TV (I like a lot of forensic and crime drama shows), reading, crafting (Jewelry, photography, writing letters), being pen pals with my friends (even if they live nearby), and, of course, TRAVEL!

• pets
• arts
• writing
• photography
• dining
• reading
• tv
• traveling
• chemistry
• teaching
• science
• the ocean

Music, Movies, and Books

My music choices are very eclectic, but my favorite genre is folky or bluegrass music. Couple of favs off the top of my head: Wailin' Jennys or Mumford and Sons.

Movies are also tend to vary in terms of genre. I love most fantasy movies, a lot of action movies and almost any superhero movie. I have a rather pathetic weakness for romantic comedies, but that is part of my charm. Some of my TOP movies are: The Princess Bride, How to Train Your Dragon, The Fifth Element, Hook, and Labyrinth.

Since I do a lot of reading for work, I don't have as much time to read for fun. The books I'm currently enjoying are the biography of Jim Henson, Devil in the White City, and the I just started the first book of the Dresden Files. We'll see how it goes!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I lived in the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador with a family for a week. It was a rough yet amazing experience. I helped cut down the rainforest so they could cultivate food, I learned how to fish the way they do, I bathed in the river, got eaten alive by mosquitoes, ate more yucca and plantain than I every wanted to eat in my life and worked one of the hardest days of my life. By the end of the week I just wanted a warm shower and a bed that didn't have to be surrounded by mosquito netting but it was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had.

Teach, Learn, Share

I adore learning things from people who are passionate about them. I myself am a scientist and am a huge advocate for our oceans. I'll talk your ear off about what I love about the ocean if you let me, but I also love to hear about other people's passions and talents. I love to swap stories and see where the conversations lead us.

I love playing games and would love to learn your favorite game and maybe you can learn to play mine?

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am a positive person with spectacular communication skills. I have travel experience and am very respectful. I will share my smile and laughter with my host(s) and I adore kids and pets of all kinds. I think of myself as easy going and flexible so even if there is an unexpected change of plans or scheduling I am able to adapt.

My goal is for me to add to your home, rather than feel like an additional burden while I stay there.

Countries I’ve Visited

Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Nicaragua, Panama, Scotland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, United States