A born and bred New Yorker, I grew up with a passion for travel and a life philosophy informed by the children's book Miss Rumphius ( an underappreciated gem - I've yet to meet another adult that grew up on it, please message me if you did!) The central ethos is:

1) Travel to far-away places.
2) Live in a house by the sea.
3) Do something to make the world more beautiful.

On my way to all that, with a few misadventures, escapades, and travails on the way.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Having returned to home soil in the US after years of living abroad, couch surfing seemed like a great way to stake my wanderlust while at home, meet an array of people with whom I might not otherwise cross paths, and see the world from a new vantage. After glowing reviews from friends who described CS as a life-changing experience, I'm here to take the plunge.

NOTE: While I first signed up in 2011, it took me quite a while (and a couple of international moves) before actually engaging with CS, so I'm actually brand new and looking for my first CS experiences as of August 2015.

Interests

My passions include theater and politics. The latter is now my livelihood, as I work with democratic activists worldwide. The former remains my avocation, although I still tread the boards on occasion. Arts and food culture are a large part of my travel experience.

• arts
• culture
• writing
• books
• theater
• dining
• cooking
• partying
• drinking
• politics
• traveling
• surfing

Music, Movies, and Books

Rough Cut of my top-fives (demonstrative, not exhaustive):

Authors: Dawkins, Dickens, C.S. Forester, Robert Putnam, Waugh;

Films: Citizen Kane, Labyrinth, Raising Arizona, Real Genius, The Third Man;

Music: Citizen Cope, Ben Folds, Le Loup, Lennon/McCartney, Tom Waits;

Playwrights: Ayckbourne, Pinter, Shakespeare, Stoppard, Wilde;

TV: Daily Show, Game of Thrones, Mad Men, QI, Top Chef;

Courses at Last Supper: East Coast Oysters, Shanghai Soup Dumplings, Swiss Fondue, Coney Island Pistachio Softserve, Bubbly.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I have been fortunate enough to be the recipient of genuine warmth and hospitality from friends and strangers alike and fully believe in paying it forward.

I lament the fact that the party piece (http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/party-piece) hasn't caught on well here in the States, but I always come prepared with one.

More prosaically, I would love to share a drink or a meal - either taking my hosts out to a local haunt or perhaps trying to prepare something for you (I'm an erratic but enthusiastic cook). For non-native English speakers, I'd be happy to practice with you. A lot of my job revolves around writing, so I also frequently pinch hit for friends as a copy editor/resume writer/online dating profile polisher.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Kosovo, Liberia, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Puerto Rico, Russian Federation, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Virgin Islands, U.S., Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, Scotland, Serbia, United States