CURRENT MISSION

To accomplish missions I did not even knew existed.

ABOUT ME

I'm an active, thoughtful, and adventurous person, looking to live life to its fullest whether that means reading a really excellent life-changing book or trying out bungee jumping for the first time. I'm a California native, but I spent my college years on the east coast (US) and enjoyed them immensely. I just finished a year of living abroad in Botswana, doing vaccine development research at the University of Botswana under a Fulbright grant. I will be moving to Berkeley in the fall and look forward to hosting surfers once I've settled in to my new home, and until then I will be traveling in Europe. I hope to meet some wonderful people via couchsurfing during my travels!

PHILOSOPHY

I've put a little of this above, and I'll have to think more before I write here. Maybe that's illustrative and and of itself?

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm looking for interesting people to meet and maybe couches to surf on during travel in Europe. I look forward to hosting once I get settled back in California!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have had one extremely positive experience couchsurfing with a host in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I can't wait for many more great times!

Interests

I am a biologist by training, and I get pretty darned excited by nature--from dissecting cactus flowers to contemplating why sunsets are so red in Botswana, don't be surprised if I get a little science nerdy. But I'm a good liberal arts kid as well; I love discussing philosophy, politics, history, you name it. If I'm talking to someone who's passionate about a subject, it's likely I'll become interested in it too. I was a competitive swimmer in college and still love swimming whenever I get the chance. I also run, hike, and downhill ski and I'd love to get better at cycling and try my hand at a triathlon. I am typically happiest when I'm really engaged in something, be that swimming training or perfecting a science experiment or having a really great conversation with good people over some wine. I'm always looking for friends who are equally in love with life!

• arts
• books
• cooking
• wine
• triathlon
• running
• flowers
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• cycling
• hiking
• backpacking
• bungee jumping
• skiing
• swimming
• biology
• history
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

The Strokes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coldplay, Ratatat, Janis Joplin, Natalie Merchant--my tastes are pretty broad.

Some of my favorite books I've read recently:
White Teeth--Zadie Smith
36 Arguments for the Existence of God--Rebecca Goldstein
Sophie's World--Jostein Gaarder

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Backpacking in Mammoth National Park, California was a truly magical experience. There's something so satisfying about carrying a pack all day and finally reaching an isolated lake backed by the spiraling Minarette peaks. Being that full of nature is almost spiritual to me.

I bungee jumped at Victoria Falls on the bridge between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Definitely one of my more empirically crazy moments, and well worth it.

Teach, Learn, Share

Hmm. I teach swimming in the states... I'm also a pretty good cook.

Countries I’ve Visited

France, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States