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Overview

  • 0 references
  • Fluent in English; learning French, Sinhala, Sinhalese, Tamil
  • 33, Female
  • Member since 2014
  • Freelance writer and researcher
  • BA, Georgetown University
  • From San Francisco
  • Profile 45% complete

About Me

CURRENT MISSION

Traveling in France to research a book!

ABOUT ME

I’m a freelance writer and researcher from Brisbane, California, a small town just south of San Francisco. I’m currently based in Middletown, Rhode Island, where I’m working on a narrative nonfiction writing project about a creaky but lovable 171-year-old house and its six generations of inhabitants (my family). While conducting research over the past 9 months, I found my footing in Boston by working at an independent bookstore and taking classes at Grub Street.

I spent 2012-2013 researching disaster management and teaching Business English in Sri Lanka, where I was a Fulbright Student Scholar. I’m a graduate of Georgetown University, where I received my B.A. in Government, wrote an honors thesis on technology and corruption in India, and developed a passionate interest in social justice.

I’m an enthusiastic wanderer, and have at different times called D.C., Boston, Pune and Bangalore (India), Colombo and Trincomalee (Sri Lanka) home. My independent travels have taken me to Europe, Central America, South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and 42 US states. I grew up dancing at a ballet school in the Castro district, and I’ve gradually accepted the wisdom in my teacher’s old adage that “one never stops dancing.”

PHILOSOPHY

Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is more people who have come alive. - Howard Thurman

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm a first time user of couchsurfing in Sept 2014, and I'm excited to meet people! I hope to host as well when I return to San Francisco.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've couchsurfed before while roadtripping across the US with a friend who had an account. I had very positive experiences and so I'm trying it out myself now!

Interests

Dance, Music, History, Politics, Social Justice, Tea, Coffee...and travel, of course.

  • writing
  • books
  • dancing
  • ballet dancing
  • coffee
  • politics
  • technology
  • traveling
  • socializing
  • music
  • camping
  • business
  • freelancing
  • history

Music, Movies, and Books

I read and write narrative nonfiction voraciously. I'm down with most music (minus country and heavy metal). I'm not a movie buff, but I love to learn from movie buffs!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

While living in Sri Lanka, I had the chance to interview an ex-Tamil Tiger fighter who lived in a displacement camp set up by the government. I was able to write an article based on his story. The man who set the interview up and commissioned the story, a Sri Lankan Jesuit priest, is one of the bravest people I have ever met.

Teach, Learn, Share

Ballet lessons! (I spent my childhood dancing)
I've also taught English as a Second Language several times.

Countries I’ve Visited

Cambodia, El Salvador, France, India, Jordan, Myanmar, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, Sri Lanka

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