CURRENT MISSION

Finding other life forms...

ABOUT ME

Ok, where to start?

At the mo' I am an au-pair for a 3yo girl named Delia and her Italian family near Pisa, but specifically near the town of Donoratico. I have never been an au-pair before, but I like new experiences. It is one of the reasons why I was also working in Paris for 8 months as an English teacher and volunteered at Exit Festival in Novi Sad just last year. Exit Fest really opened my eyes to the Balkans/Eastern Europe and I am hoping to travel there (Dubrovnik, Budva, Belgrade, Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Berlin, etc) once my job is over.

I am also studying to be graphic designer. By nature or by aesthetic sake, I like to be neat and organized. Though meticulous, I can be spontaneous. While enjoying being silly, I am pretty sensitive to others and enjoy analyzing the subtle nuances in everything, from wine, to places, to movies, to languages, etc. I would say that I am open minded and happy to give everything a try at least once.

PHILOSOPHY

I used to be ambivalent about what life meant, but after my second time around the Continent, I feel like nothing is more precious than the moment.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Well, I applied to CS a few years ago, but never used it as I was too busy. Now I am travelling so can only couchsurf, but in the future, I would like to host when I get a new apartment... in San Francisco!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Unfortunately, none, but I am hoping that will change soon!

Interests

Traveling of course! I like living in places rather than being a transient tourist (a great reason why CS should exist). I love learning languages and am a bit of culture-whore. In that respect, I love a good art museum, especially good contemporary art which is hard to find, or a great dive bar with what I call 'character.'

I love making food and drinks (alcoholic or not), though I am by no means an expert. Sometimes, I like to read in bed for hours, or days, or maybe go out dancing until dawn, or just having a nice picnic. I am constantly taking photos with my Canon 20D, but will stop to enjoy a nice coffee and people-watch at a cafe.

• arts
• culture
• design
• graphic design
• contemporary art
• festivals
• dancing
• dining
• chocolate
• wine
• coffee
• picnic
• drinking
• clubbing
• movies
• traveling
• sailing
• teaching
• languages
• au-pair

Music, Movies, and Books

This is by no means a comprehensive list! I am only naming a few things that come to mind.

Movies: In the mood for love, Harold and Maude. My preference for movies is from a wide variety as I enjoy all genres, from westerns to scifi.

Music: CSS, Black Kids. I like techno in general, but I also enjoy the Billie Holiday type of jazz, classical, and some popular music on the radio.

Books: Norwegian Wood, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I feel bad because I have not read any new books in a while:(

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Para-sailing from Innsbruck in Austrian Alps.
Been to Klute in Durham, England reputed worst club in Europe by FHM magazine.
Volunteered at Exit Fest, being in a mosh pit for the Chemical Brothers, and dub-dancing until 9 a.m. with DJ Sebastien!
Seen the Northern Lights from Reykjavik, and swam in the geothermal pools.
Been to the Lake District in the UK. The inspiration for Wordsworth and other great Romantic English poets, the foliage in the fall is something to behold.
Watching the Eiffel Tower glitter while drinking champagne, eating raspberries and chocolate.
Being an au-pair in an Italian vineyard owned by a Marchese.

Teach, Learn, Share

Let's exchange languages as well as cultures! I am fluent in both English and Vietnamese. I would warn people about learning Vietnamese as it is waaay harder than Chinese. I used to know Spanish and French well, but after speaking so much Italian, I would say it has suffered. I enjoying learning languages in general and would love to attack Chinese next!

Countries I’ve Visited

Chile, Iceland, Serbia

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Italy, United Kingdom, United States

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