CURRENT MISSION

To eat, breathe, sleep and live Japan during November/December 2010

ABOUT ME

Melinda: I lived in Nagoya, Japan for two years teaching English at an Eikaiwa. I didn't travel nearly as much as I wanted to, so I'm going back to correct that. In the meantime, I enjoy reading, watching cynically as the American government continues its downward spiral, and traveling anywhere and everywhere I can. I currently live in Dallas, TX; it's hot. I don't like it. But it's where I met Molly, my travel buddy during Operation_Nippon!

Molly: I am a poet and artist at heart. I love to create and to write. I also love photography and making short films. If I could choose any profession in the world, it would be to make art, films, and to sing. I cannot be inside very much because the outdoors and nature make me so much happier. You can do and see so many beautiful things in this world, even without money. I love the world and want to travel because it opens up my mind and I see other worlds besides the tiny microcosm in which I was raised and grew up. I am very ticklish and a happy person who is also random at times. I enjoy life and I value good, honest, and loving friends. I am sensitive and very caring. I love to talk about film and books and I love meeting new people!

PHILOSOPHY

Melinda: My personal philosophy is "don't be a douchebag." So people have different ideas, beliefs, customs...if they're not bothering you, why does it matter?

Molly: I live to love others and to feel passion and connectedness.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Melinda: I bring goodies to the people kind enough to host me.

Molly: I donate and also work to tell others about this awesome project!!!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Melinda: The first time I couchsurfed was in Galway, Ireland. I also hosted some wonderful people while I lived in Japan, and now I plan on sleeping on as many futon/floors/couches/beds while I make my way around Japan for the second time!

Molly: I just joined :)

Interests

Melinda: Reading, writing, slathering sunblock on my pasty, white, Scandinavian skin (oh I know, right? Sexy!), eating, correcting people's grammar, discussing the finer points of Lady Gaga's insanity, being a complete dancing fool and an even bigger karaoke fool ;)

Molly: I also like anime, skiing, dancing, reading, Seattle, Stanley Kubrick, good art museums, philosophy, flying, writing, tryin to play guitar, picnics, NYC, ultimate frisbee, trampolines, roller coasters, bowling, French New Wave, California, impressionism, fireworks, rowing/canoeing, sculpture, baking, Canada, drawing, intaglio relief, theatre design, musicals, biology, golf, swimming, hiking, swinging, hookah, concerts, having deep conversations with awesome people till mid morning hours, horses, traveling, volunteering, and FOOD--especially mashed potatoes, NUTELLA, paella, chipotle, QUESO! cheescake, Chicago pizza (pizza in general), Ben&Jerry's ice cream, oatmeal squares, cake, cracklin' oat bran, cheese popcorn, honey nut clusters, capn' crunch (okay, cereal in general!), cheeto puffs, great grains, any breakfast food really, hot brownie with cold vanilla ice cream, reese's pieces and popcorn, mac n' cheese, tomato soup with grilled cheese... :)Obviously, I like food!

• horses
• arts
• writing
• books
• poetry
• singing
• design
• impressionism
• photography
• concerts
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• breakfast
• cheese
• baking
• fast food
• flying
• anime
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• drawing
• music
• guitar
• karaoke
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• canoeing
• skiing
• swimming
• golf
• bowling
• rowing
• biology
• psychology
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Melinda: I'll listen to anything. And I will most definitely provide said music with a range of nerd-tastic dance moves you will never forget. I refuse to read romance novels, unless it's to openly mock a passage describing the act of sex. I enjoy watching any genre of movie that has a good plot AND good acting. I dislike attempts at Americanizing foreign films (i.e., taking a film that was successful in England, replacing the entire cast with Hollywood tarts and slapping a pithy catch phrase on the movie poster).

Molly: (Coming soon!)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Melinda: I saw the sunrise on the summit of Mt. Fuji. After coming to terms with the fact that I wasn't really going to freeze to death, I realized it was the most amazing thing - as of now - that I had ever witnessed.

Molly: I have seen the Dali Lama and he is amazing.
I have also made a short film of which I am very proud of and I have won a few photography contests.

Teach, Learn, Share

Melinda: I think any experience is ultimately a good one, as long as you learn from it. I'll try almost anything at least once unless it conflicts with my personal philosphy ;) I enjoy cooking, and have been known to bake when it strikes my fancy (baking cupcakes always strikes my fancy).

Molly: I could share knowledge of the English and Spanish language, of music and poetry and writing, and probably teach you a lot about psychology and Freud and film and the Catholic Church's doctrine...haha.