CURRENT MISSION

To simplify my life. I'm getting ready for my big move to Italy and this means sorting through all my material things and only keeping what is truly essential. I'm learning how to let go. Sometimes I forget; stuff is just...stuff.

ABOUT ME

Studying abroad at university changed my life and ever since I've become fascinated with being a foreigner. I'd much rather live in a new place than visit there. The surface doesn't interest me too much, I'd rather experience life like a local.

I don't like to label myself too much (or others for that matter) as labels can be so limiting and anyways, we're all constantly changing...aren't we?

PHILOSOPHY

I don't ascribe to any religion but I do believe in something that's much bigger than you or I; us. That we're all connected. Sometimes I forget this but it's a beautiful idea to come back to. I'm an optimist who gets inexplicably weighed down by sadness sometimes. A new friend introduced me to Nichiren Buddhism just a few weeks ago so I'm trying out the chanting aspect now to see where it takes me. Apparently you can always spot a Buddhist, they're the ones who are smiling all the time : )

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've just joined CS, but I feel like I've opened the door to this whole new world I never knew about. It's quite the network. I haven't gotten a chance to participate yet but that will be changing soon...

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My actual couch surfing experiences have been quite limited but I'm looking forward to changing that. I couch surfed at this tiny apartment in Lima, me and my two girlfriends had just flown in from the US and one of them had a friend in Lima so we crashed at her little apartment and she and her Peruvian boyfriend showed us around. It was a great way to start a trip.

Interests

Some of my passions include singing, learning languages (have only tried the romance languages so far), shopping for sundresses, reading, dancing (when I'm not feeling shy), cooking simple, delicious and healthy dishes and need I say travel? I'm also really interested in yoga, dark chocolate, wine (know nothing about it but love to drink a glass of red)and... nothing else comes to mind... all I can think about now is red wine and dark chocolate and how I wish I had some. Damn.

• singing
• dancing
• belly dancing
• cooking
• chocolate
• wine
• red wine
• yoga
• athlete
• drinking
• gardening
• shopping
• reading
• traveling
• guitar
• surfing
• buddhist
• rock climbing
• languages
• religion
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Love the Wes Anderson films, also Pedro Almodovar is amazing. Love Baz Lurhman's style. Lucia y el sexo and Amelie are two favorites of mine.
Regina Spektor, the Strokes, Vampire Weekend, Joni Mitchell, Ray Lamontagne, Patty Griffin, Marvin Gaye, Aretha, Al Green, Fleet of Foxes,Flaming Lips, Manu Chao, Bebe, Chambao...
Always enjoyed reading Kurt Vonnegut, Margaret Atwood, John Irving and am just now getting into Tom Robbins (how did I not know about him before?) I'm also a sucker for spiritual self help books.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I felt amazing after climbing my first fourteener in the Andes mountains in Peru at the end of a five day trek. I had a horrible cold that whole time and have never been much of an athlete but I climbed that tall beautiful mountain anyways!

Teach, Learn, Share

I could teach you a few chords on the guitar, how to make a pot of chicken soup and some dance moves from my old belly dancing days. I would love to learn how to garden. Or even just how to keep a plant alive : )

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Belize, Canada, Chile, France, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Spain, United States