I'm a 39 year old woman who has spent the last 17 years raising an amazing son. I'm a nurse in an emergency room in Chattanooga, TN. Throughout my career, I worked weekends only so that I could stay home with my son during the week. I home schooled him for most of his school years, although he is now enrolled in a charter high school that has a major focus on Ecology and the environment. I raised him alone, and while he was younger there was never enough money to travel. However, I spent the last five years fixing up a foreclosed house and made enough of a profit that we can finally take a few trips. If I could, I would spend the rest of my life traveling, meeting new people, and learning something new every day.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Sometimes when I'm driving in my car, I look into the windows of the cars passing me and wonder about the lives of the people in them. Each person has a whole new set of dreams, joys, tragedies, friendships, loves gained and lost. Every person on Earth experiences the same human emotions, the same need for connection to others. I want to connect to people that I would never meet otherwise, and learn about their lives, their cultures and customs, and explore their cities with a better understanding than can be had from a tour group or from exploring on my own.

Interests

• books
• architecture
• humanitarian relief
• music
• history
• volunteering
• religious tourism
• adventures
• storytelling
• theatre
• ruins
• the sea
• exploring the world
• world religions
• helping others

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - I love all music. For a long time I said the only music I couldn't stand was jazz...then I heard the street musicians in New Orleans and immediately changed my mind. I prefer live over recorded every time, whether it's a huge concert venue or a few people playing on a street corner. A few of my favorite artists are Mumford and Sons, Kings of Leon, Radiohead, Tool, and Soundgarden. I like old Tori Amos and Nirvana also. If I'm in the mood for classical, it's usually Beethoven or anything in violin.

Books- When I moved recently, it took three days just to move all the books, and that doesn't count the ones I gave away or sold to the local used bookstore. I have a passion for books. I don't own an e-reader; it takes away from the experience of reading for me. At times, when I have too many, I seal a few in plastic and leave them on park benches for others to find. There is joy in sharing a good book. A few of my favorites- To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Luis-Zafon, Juniper Tree Burning by Goldberry Long, The Witching Hour by Anne Rice, and A Painted House by John Grisham. I loved that last one so much I bought at least six or seven copies to give away to people. If you haven't read it, give it a try. It's nothing at all like his other books. Really, I will read anything and everything. I like all genres.

Movies- I'm one of those people who believe that the book is almost always better than the movie. I'm not a frequent movie-watcher...however, if it has Bill Murray in it, I'm there. I mainly get my TV time in by binge-watching TV series on Netflix. A few of my favorites - Lost, The Leftovers, and Game of Thrones.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I know this sounds sappy and is probably not at all what this section is intended for, but I think the most amazing thing I've done is raise a polite, respectful, articulate, funny, friendly child in a world where that is increasingly rare. I am such a proud mother. He has goodness in his soul. He is helpful to his mother, charitable to the less fortunate, protective of the weak, and does an excellent Morgan Freeman impression. :)

Teach, Learn, Share

I would love to learn the languages and customs of each city I visit. I love to cook, so learning how to make local dishes would be amazing. I love music and would be excited to hear your favorite bands play.

What I Can Share with Hosts

As I said, I love to cook. I grew up with a German grandmother, so I make both German foods and Southern U.S. style dishes. I can teach you, or simply cook for you while you relax. Of course, I could also just treat you to dinner at your favorite local restaurant. :)

I'm a nurse, so I can teach you some basic first aid tips, how to do CPR, and how to treat minor illnesses at home.

I spent the last several years renovating a house by myself, so I'm a pretty fair painter and fixer-of-small things. My son fixed many things at the house as well, including plumbing and some appliances. I once dropped a sock into the dryer vent. In 20 minutes he had taken the whole dryer apart, found and removed the sock, and put the whole thing back together again. So, if you have a room you need painted or a faucet installed, we can help you with that too. :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, United States