CURRENT MISSION

Figuring out who I am and what I want to do through meeting new people, exploring new places, and living life without an agenda

ABOUT ME

3rd child out of 4 from a small town in NY State. I like to find friends all over the globe and meet up with them in different locales. I studied Modern Languages and Literatures in college (major in French, also Hebrew, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese) although I'm starting to lose a lot of them. Know any? Let's practice!

Following a new-found love and interest in the American Civil Rights Movement, I have decided to pursue a career in Human Rights Activism. Not sure exactly where I will be working after I finish my volunteer work this year, but I'm excited to find out.

PHILOSOPHY

Relax. I probably say that word numerous times a day to friends and family and most importantly to myself. Yihiye tov, It will be OK, it always is.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

First-timer! Help me out :)

Interests

Foreign languages and cultures. I love getting lost in translation and mixing up any and all forms of communication. Current hybrid: Hebrish, a beautiful mix of Hebrew and English. Films are a big part of my life, especially ones that come with subtitles. Traveling is very important to me as well as sharing the experiences with anyone who is willing and able.

• civil rights
• human rights
• movies
• traveling
• volunteer work
• languages
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

#1 movie: L'Auberge Espangole. Also love the classics: Now & Then, Home Alone, A Christmas Story, etc. Rom Coms are a must as well as anything starring Humphrey Bogart.
I'm a lost cause when it comes to music and actually get made fun of my lack of musical knowledge quite frequently. I do enjoy a good (or bad, however you see it) rap song and am open to all musical suggestions, because I could really use the help.
Love to read, but haven't had much time to lately. The Great Gatsby, Catcher in the Rye, other classics are great. I like mysteries à la Agatha Christy and Mary Higgins Clark, romances, comedies, dramas, the works.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Right now I'm living in Tel Aviv and volunteering with African refugees mostly from Sudan and Eritrea. I love my work and I love the people I've met. I teach English to 6 men from Darfur and 1 from Eritrea who quite frankly, are some of the nicest people I have met in my life. I also spend a couple of hours a week at an underfunded daycare with children of migrant workers and refugees. The people in this community are unreal.

In December '10, I participated in my 1st ever protest for refugee rights in downtown Tel Aviv. The energy was through the roof with over 1,000 people in attendance. We were all yelling phrases such as "We need protection!" and "We are not criminals!" At one point we were repeating the phrase “We need protection!” which I obviously shouted loudly along with everyone else, when one Eritrean guy looks at me and asks skeptically, “YOU need protection?” Taken completely off-guard, I stuttered something like “Well, no, I, uh, I’m just helping you!” He laughed and we shared a brief moment.

Countries I’ve Visited

Aruba, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Egypt, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Palestine, Panama, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Israel, Martinique, United States