(For those looking for a couch: I may be able to host depending on the dates, but am usually quite occupied with work and might not be able to show you around. If you're an independent traveller who's happy to connect over a meal or two then wander around town on your own, then we'll probably get along fine :) )

Once upon a time as a bright-eyed university student I purchased a Prada checkbook holder. This was with the expectation that I would eventually become one of those polished grown-up professionals and that having something fancy to encase a money dispensing book would signal that I had become a proper successful adult. While spring cleaning over a decade later, I unearthed the same checkbook holder, pristine and completely useless. I'm now living a life so different (in a good way) from the path I'd previously imagined for myself. That unused checkbook is a reminder that what we think we want is sometimes not what we really need - life is full of surprises! When one follows the heart the best laid plans are better jettisoned for unknown roads :D

I now answer to bosses that don't speak the same language, bark a lot and are full of shit - which is pretty much what a lot of people experience at their workplace figuratively, but in my case it's literal as I actually work with dogs full time :P Having been raised by a clean freak mumzilla I relish the challenge of keeping the house spic and span in spite of the furballs and dog drool and have been managing quite handsomely. As a result you'll find me a neat and considerate house guest - treat others as you would want to be treated no? :)

Что привело меня на Couchsurfing

I believe that in travelling, the people are a big part of the experience. And who better to help with cultural immersion than living with a local? :)

For potential hosts and surfers who would prefer knowing if we share similar lifestyle preferences before offering/asking for a couch, the following should cover it:

- I don't consume alcohol, smoke or do drugs, but have no issues with that sort of stuff being part of your lifestyle if you're my host. If you're my guest be clean and considerate - nothing illegal (drugs are very illegal in Malaysia) that might get me in trouble please!
- Despite the constantly changing kaleidoscope of hair colours, I'm not a raver/night club every weekend kind of person. Meaningful conversation over coffee, intimate gigs and meandering through streets is more my thing.
- Omnivore (but will respect your dietary rules if staying over i.e. if you're vegetarian, I will eat only vegetarian meals in your home/when dining out with you)
- LGBT-friendly - I'm pan and what you do behind closed doors is irrelevant to me. My home is a safe space for people of all orientations.
- Agnostic atheist - again, whether you're a devout Hindu or into Satanism is all fine with me , as long as we're mutually respectful of our beliefs it's all good.

tl; dr I'm a really open minded and easygoing person, just don't be an asshole and it'll all be okay :D

Интересы

I'm generally more interested in the local feel and experience of a place than taking 1001 pictures of tourist monuments that no one really remembers after giving that perfunctory 'like' on facebook. I treasure the shot of an old man smoking a pipe on a bench in Florence over a perfectly framed photo of the Eiffel Tower. Your grandma's lasagna recipe over a Michelin star meal. Playing with the village cat instead of buying knick knacks from a booth.

• animals
• pets
• cats
• dogs
• singing
• photography
• music festivals
• movies
• music
• live music
• atheism
• languages
• philosophy
• psychology
• cultural immersion
• sightseeing
• film
• laughter
• cultural exchange
• intimate conversations

Музыка, кино и книги

I listen to virtually any genre of music really and this is reflected in some of the acts I've seen live: Bruno Mars, Damien Rice, Death Cab For Cutie, Hiatus Kaiyote, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Mayhem, Michael Jackson, Mogwai, Muse, Tommy Emmanuel, Tori Amos, Opeth, Postmodern Jukebox, Radiohead, The Dave Matthews Band, The Smashing Pumpkins

If you enjoy live music, I'm the buddy who'll be game to go see something with you - anything from jazz to Mongolian throat-singing!

Some of my favourites to listen to: BANKS, Benjamin Biolay, Chris Cornell, Fink, Fiona Apple, Fyfe, Florence and the Machine, Janet Jackson, Jeff Buckley, Jessie Ware, Kimbra, Little Dragon, London Grammar, Portishead, Postmodern Jukebox, Ryan Adams, Shiina Ringo, Tinashe, The Hics, The Internet, The Weeknd, Up Dharma Down

Movies: As Good As It Gets, In The Mood For Love, Malena (I could watch Monica Bellucci for hours), Full Metal Jacket. General sucker for animated films - watched Disney's The Little Mermaid dozens of times, and loved Pixar's WALL-E and Up. I'm more of a telly series watcher though, with Sherlock, Battlestar Galactica and Westworld being among my favourites. Former otaku who still has a closet full of expensive PVC figurines that I no longer know what to do with.

Books: Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker series are the only books that have made me literally laugh to the point of tears.

Классная вещь, которую я сделал(-а)

I suppose this is where people write stuff like building houses for orphans or wrestling with polar bears but I choose to tell you about that one year I hated my geography teacher so much, I would go hide in the terribly dirty and smelly school toilets and read a book till her lesson period was up. If that isn't a shining example of grit and determination I don't know what is.

Oh and I've rescued homeless puppies (no really, I have).

Учу, учусь, делюсь опытом и информацией

Insights into Asian culture from a non-traditional Asian. If you're interested in learning some phrases in Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien or Malay I'd be happy to help - even if (okay, especially if!) you only want to learn all of the bad words :D Wondering what your dog is trying to tell you through his/her body language? I'm the gal to ask!

Чем я могу поделиться с хостами

My couch if you come by my side of the world. Buying you a meal or at least groceries if you prefer to cook. If you have a dog, I'd be more than happy to help walk Fido for you.

Где я побывал(-а)

Australia, Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Где я жил(-а)

Australia, Malaysia