CURRENT MISSION

Surfing in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti

ABOUT ME

I'm a former Ann Arbor News reporter, raw food chef, canvasser to protect the Great Lakes Water Basin. I just returned to Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti after doing an internship at the Creative Health Institute in Union City Michigan. It is a raw living foods institute where I received certification as a Level 2 Raw Food Chef and Holistic Health Counselor. I'm kind, easy going and portable. I'm in a career transition at the moment and wanted to try out couch surfing with my current friends -- and some new ones I'll meet through this site -- to help me save money on rent for a few months.

PHILOSOPHY

There is something you must always remember: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. - Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh

I am a simple person. I enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

I am a Catholic and I love this quote from the Dalai Lama "Kindness is my Religion" (at least I think it's from the Dalai Lama)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm just getting started here. Any tips and suggestions would be appreciated! I plan to read local profiles and start connecting with people.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have never surfed on the couches of people who I do not know. But I have frequently surfed on the couches of friends and family members -- and also I've hosted many friends and family members during their travels. I hope to be able to offer to host surfers by the end of the year.

Interests

reading, writing, music, sailing, art, family, friends, raw food, vegan food, kindness

• arts
• writing
• dining
• raw food
• vegan
• news
• reading
• traveling
• music
• surfing
• sailing
• journalism
• law
• religion
• lakes

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Traveling Mercies, Ann Lammott; 100 Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia-Marquez; Music: Dixie Chicks; REM; Steve Miller Band; Johnny Cash, Natalie Merchant; Taylor Swift; Whitney Houston; Movies: Little Miss Sunshine, Juno

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've been on two hot air balloon rides and interviewed a bunch of cool people as a journalist, including a private hour-long(ish) interview with Bobby Kennedy, Jr.

Teach, Learn, Share

The Great Lakes Water Basin has more than 22 percent of the world's fresh water. Michigan, the heart of the Great Lake's Basin, is still a huge king of out-of-state trash importation -- endangering out water. The reason why? It's because Michigan charges 20 cents a ton to dump trash in our landfills. Neighboring states and provinces charge $3, $5 and even $8 per ton. So it is economical for trucks to travel from as far away as New Jersey and Pennsylvania to dump their trash in Michigan -- and, in fact, they do.

Countries I’ve Visited

France, Greece, Italy, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States