CURRENT MISSION

To share humanity with as many people as I can; to create real, living, personal connections that undermine the chaos we're living in.

ABOUT ME

I have a home in Portland OR with my ex-husband, my dear friend, and two wonderful pooches. We have a large food garden and are regenerating a native ecosystem in the back yard. I spend my days doing work as an anthropologist talking to people living with illness as well as their doctors. Then I spend time walking with the dogs in nature, gardening, writing, doing art, knitting, and learning history.

PHILOSOPHY

Find enough joy in every minute to make all the hard knocks seem like light taps...

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I surfed in Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, and all across the U.S. during my college years, and it was the most wonderful way to travel! I am hoping to pick back up in Spain soon! And always happy to show you around PDX, even though I don't have a room anymore.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Wonderful people and plenty of memorable experiences! CS has treated me well, and I hope to give some of that back.

Interests

Writing, gardening, knitting, drawing, anthropology, queer theory/rights, gender studies, disability rights/advocacy, domestic violence advocacy, reading, historical fiction, peacefulness, exploring...

• writing
• singing
• education
• cooking
• gardening
• shopping
• reading
• traveling
• knitting
• anthropology
• teaching
• history
• languages
• communal living
• indoor plants
• disability advocacy

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Classic rock (Led Zeppelin's up there), Beethoven, Chopin, Death Cab for Cutie, Diam's, Carla Bruni, traditional Irish, the Beatles, Tracy Chapman, etc. etc. etc...
Movies: the Pianist, Amelie, Under the Tuscan Sun, TransAmerica, Les Miserables (the original)...
Books: Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder, Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day-poems by Nikki Giovani, Chicago by Carl Sandburg...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I climbed Mount Nemrut in southeastern Turkey at 2 o'clock in the morning, and watched the sun rise over the plains that stretched for miles. I've helped women give birth and held newborn babies. I have seen the wonderful kindness and generosity of perfect strangers and loved ones alike.

Teach, Learn, Share

I speak French and Turkish passably and can discuss the recent history of the Turkish Republic (and Ataturk, of course) ad nauseum. My Spanish is growing! I love poetry and can bring some of my own or my favorites of others' to share, and I will discuss anything cultural at all, whether it be a unique greeting or an entire cultural system. I want to learn to cook, and to sing songs from other cultures. As a household we are learning regenerative gardening, producing our own food, and fishing!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Belize, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Dominican Republic, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

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