CURRENT MISSION

Live simply, listen, and learn.

ABOUT ME

I love people but am also capable of enjoying solitude. I am sometimes quiet, but rest assured that doesn't mean I'm not having a good time. :-)

I grew up with goals of graduate degrees (yes, plural), a professional career, husband, house, and family. Then, I learned that the key to my personal happiness was to break the traditional mold and live outside the box. Starting in 2006, I started to work seasonal, outdoor, and restaurant jobs and my overall quality of life has improved dramatically. It was a drastic change but I am fortunate that my parents taught me certain basic but key financial management practices that help me live a full and complete life on a lower income.

I am curious about other cultures and want to travel in a way that exposes me to genuine ways of life as opposed to a tourist facade (though I accept that tourism genuinely contributes to the ways of life for many locals). I am also interested in volunteer work, but have learned much about the caveats and unintentional consequences of volunteering and voluntourism. If you are working a project while I am visiting, however, I will often be eager to help!

PHILOSOPHY

Embrace and respect differences. Those who are strong in their convictions can still be open-minded and accepting of others.

我为什么加入 Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have a bad habit of having a feast and famine relationship with couchsurfing when it is something that fits my everyday lifestyle extremely well! I do not currently have a place of my own, but I live in an area of natural wonder, beauty, and outdoor adventure. I love to meet new people and show them around. Despite not officially being able to host, there are sometimes exceptions and I can usually figure out some good options for you. :-)

I like to travel in a variety of ways, but find that meeting locals provides the richest experience.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I joined couchsurfing in 2006 but just browsed until 2012. I planned six weeks in Ecuador where I met people who showed me around and I also stayed with folks in the U.S. to help facilitate overnight layovers on that trip. I am still facebook friends with these great people!

兴趣

Playing in the great outdoors, especially scuba diving, snorkeling, whitewater kayaking and rafting. I am currently recovering from knee surgery, however, so I am not as active as I would like to be. Any travel for me in the near future will focus on bright peace, rest, and growth. I love animals but do not have any right now. If you have pets, I will love on them as much as you and they will permit!

• animals
• pets
• culture
• performing arts
• photography
• beauty
• education
• dining
• flying
• gardening
• traveling
• eating out
• volunteer work
• music
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• kayaking
• camping
• scuba diving
• snorkeling
• boxing
• teaching
• mathematics
• science
• tourism
• volunteering

音乐、电影和书籍

Movies - Pixar films, kayaking dvds, and documentaries are the best (but I can be easily entertained by most anything). Music - most anything. I also love listening to NPR via radio or podcast, especially This American Life. Books - various flavors of non-fiction and NatGeo magazines.

我做过的一件不可思议的事情

In December 2009, I rafted the Grand Canyon of the Colorado with a small group of friends. As of yet, no journey could compare.

教，学，和分享

I feel like I know so little in the grand scheme of things but I learn from others every single day. I would like to learn more about gardening and skilled trades.

My experiences over the years have been in a variety of areas that have led to some great conversations with others:

- Outdoor pursuits and adventure activities - kayaking, rafting, hiking, biking, scuba diving, snorkeling, camping, and lying in my hammock.
- Culture and travel - societal norms, impact awareness, caveats of volutourism, photography, and just sharing cool stories about the people and places I have experienced.
- Education - taught middle school band and outdoor education. Certified to teach math and science.
- Music - used to play bassoon, direct bands, and perform with a bagpipe band. I like most music but know very little about genres, groups, who performs what songs, etc. I don't mind hearing about it, but I feel I have only so much RAM in my head so you might be surprised by how much it seems I *don't* know about music. :-)
- Food/Bev - from the perspective of an avid consumer and long-time employee.
- Finance - stretching my dollar allows me to enjoy more quality experiences. Love me some travel deals, and tips. (I just found out that by driving to PIT, I can sometimes fly to FLL for $117 R/T!!!)

我可以与沙发主分享些什么

An open mind and a listening ear, for sure. I have caretaking experience and am happy to help with any errands or household tasks you have going on. Beyond that, I have the tendency to be humble to the point of underconfidence...I often don't realize the extent of the qualities and skills I have until they emerge in the context of the situation!

我游览过的国家

Canada, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Nepal, United States

我居住过的国家

United States