I'm a Registered Dietitian, currently doing short-term contracts at different locations across the U.S. I have had a predictable life for 18 years when I was married and raising 2 boys. They are now 19 and 16 living back in Oklahoma. After divorcing, I have learned to embrace who I have always been. This includes taking chances with my career, friends, life in general. I have traveled to Guatemala and Puerto Rico. I would love to go to Spain, Peru, Costa Rica in the near future. I discovered a real soul connection with Latin culture. I can dance some basic Salsa and love music/dance events in general. Soccer is my main hobby. It's been a few years since I was actively playing in a league, but I have played, coached, and refereed the beautiful game. I am conversational and engage in about any topic. Expansion of my experiences is big on my to-do list and I hope I always give back what someone has given to me.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I joined in 2014 when my ex-gf and I hosted a couple from this site. It was so cool to meet them and share some of our life experiences together. I enjoy meeting and learning from people with different backgrounds. When we are open to the hospitality of others or offer such hospitality, I believe fulfills needs in our heart and soul to connect with others. What better way than sharing our personal spaces?

Interests

I took up cycling right before my divorce in 2010. It was to ride in a tour event in Washington state for DaVita. I was a registered dietitian for them at the time. Tour DaVita is designed to raise money for The Kidney Trust. I raised $750 to be eligible to go on the ride. I had to pay my own way there and back. They provided a bike for me to ride, food on the 3 day tour and we slept in a tent city each night. It was 70 miles each day. I had never ridden more than 35 miles in a single day before I left for the Tour. I set a personal goal to complete at least days 1 and 3, not knowing how I would "survive" the ride. I actually rode all 210 miles with much of it in rainy 40-50 degree weather. This is possibly the most defining change point in my entire life. Please ask me and I will tell you the entire story of this time of my life.

• cycling
• hiking
• soccer
• travel
• exploring new places
• weight training
• playing soccer

Music, Movies, and Books

I listen to a lot of Spanish language music. Grew up on rock and pop and still love current pop, hip-hop, and rock. I enjoy authors like Malcolm Gladwell who wrote Outliers, Blink, and The Tipping Point. Love all film, foreign and domestic. I am a big Neil Degrasse Tyson fan. Sometimes my brain hurts listening to his podcasts, lol!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was in Puerto Rico NYE 2018. It is amazingly heartwarming to see the resilience and compassion of humans in the face of unthinkable disasters. I spent time driving across to Aguada and south to Ponce. I stayed in hostels and heard so many stories of death, fear, bonding, humanity, and recovery. Another amazing experience that a thousand words can only crack the surface.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A friendly guest with stories to share and a good ear. I can offer respect and gratitude for being an open person. I rarely meet a person that I feel we don't exchange something of value.

Countries I’ve Visited

Guatemala, Puerto Rico