CURRENT MISSION

To travel to new places to see new things, meet new people, and play music together

ABOUT ME

I've spent the better part of my late teens and early 20's feeling as if I'm running out of time to do something amazing. I've felt limited, whether by funds or responsibilities or just general shyness, to just going through the trouble of finishing school and finding a good job so that I can do amazing things later. Recently, I've realized that's a pretty terrible idea and I need to start fitting adventure into my life. So, yeah, hi. My name is Miki, I'm down for anything.

PHILOSOPHY

I have very strict instincts on how one should treat people, so I've grown up unfalteringly polite. I strive to be absolutely compassionate. Compassion is the most important thing in the world to me, and I celebrate finding it in other people. Mostly, I just want everyone around me to be comfortable and happy, because I find it pretty hard to have a good time otherwise. I think the best moments in my life happen when everyone around me is smiling.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I haven't surfed yet, but I'm so excited to start. Unfortunately, since I live at home with my family in our tiny townhouse, I can't host anyone, but if you want a cup of coffee and some friendly conversation, I'm here for ya.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've never done any official Surfing, but I have spent a good week or so hopping between distant friends' houses, catching trains, not really knowing where I'd be laying my head that night or when I'd be able to get a ride to where I needed to be. While a lot of people might find that stressful, to me it was wonderfully exciting! It felt a little like an adventure.

Interests

Music, mandolin, art, graphic novels, reading, Art History, internet culture, philosophy, science, video games... I always find it difficult to think of things to put on these lists. I can be interested in anything...as long as it's interesting?

• arts
• culture
• coffee
• running
• video games
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• drawing
• music
• surfing
• art history
• teaching
• history
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm crazy about music, and juggle about five favorite bands at a time. At the moment, they include: Andrew Bird, The Arcade Fire, Beirut, Iron & Wine, Sufjan Stevens, The Mountain Goats, Owen Pallete, My Brightest Diamond, Mumford and Sons, The Smiths, Bright Eyes, etc, etc, etc...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was on a mandatory trip to the National Gallery in D.C, very early in the morning, so I was wandering around (eyes half closed and generally resenting my professor) when I looked up to avoid a wall and found myself face-to-face with my favorite Monet painting, "The Walk. Lady with a Parasol". I was absolutely astounded. It had never occurred to me, for some reason, that you could really go and be so close to something made by such great hands. It was one of those moments that make you feel so small, like a minnow in a flood of history, and I've been obsessive about art history ever since.

Teach, Learn, Share

I've got a brain full of Art History, and sometimes it gushes out everywhere. Messy. If you're coming to Philadelphia I'll be happy to take you through the Philadelphia Art Museum and answer questions!
I also play the mandolin, and while I've only been playing for a year or so, I'm happy to show you what I know.
I'm an art major but, despite all my courses in teaching, I feel like I'm terrible at teaching people how to draw. If you don't mind me taking long pauses and saying "Um" a whole lot, then I can give you some tips. Or, I can definitely page through sketchbooks and portfolios and offer a critique!