CURRENT MISSION

To be the best friend that I can be.

ABOUT ME

My name is Elena. I am a college librarian, a graduate student, and an aspiring yogi. Striving to improve my community by expanding a circle of friendships and meaningful connections.

PHILOSOPHY

"Control your appetites before they control you." - From the Philokalia, John of the Ladder

There’s got to be a lightness in your way. There has to be a lightness; you have to be as light as you can be and not get weighed down and stuck in your emotion, stuck in your body, stuck in your head. You just want to always be trying to elevate somehow. - Bill Murray

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Both hosted and surfed since 2009. I recently established this new profile due to divorce.
You can read more references here: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/norcalsurfers/

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

CouchSurfed in Japan, England, and California.
Hosted several travelers in California.

Interests

Pets, nature, organic and slow food movements, yoga, mindfulness, hiking, Chinese medicine, massage, music, dancing, drumming, singing, reading, movies, gardening, mushroom hunting, crafts.

• pets
• singing
• dancing
• dining
• yoga
• crafts
• gardening
• movies
• reading
• music
• hiking
• hunting
• medicine

Music, Movies, and Books

Book "How to Be Idle" by Tom Hodgkinson
Old classical movies, such as Casablanca and My Fair Lady.
I love most music, especially classical, indie, new age, reggae, and jazz.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Traveled around the world for 300 days.
Moved from Russia at age 20 and established a new home here.

Teach, Learn, Share

Learning to take life one day at a time being present and aware every moment.
I also want to start a drumming circle.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation, United States