Just an American trying to live a European lifestyle in America. Doing okay with that so far, but I still need a Vespa…

I'm a foodie, wine geek, soccer-playing, coffee-drinking, perpetually confused and blissful, Jesus-loving, Christianity-hating, community-life extroverted social worker who's working on a Sommelier certification and constantly trying to figure out how I can live in Europe (Italy or France preferably, if you have any ideas CALL ME). And feel free to ask me about any of the above ;)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It's not quite what it was back when CS didn't charge to have this service, people didn't treat this like a free Air BnB, and random people you for sure have never seen try adding you as a Friend, but! This platform is still, to this day, the host of some of the greatest travel experiences I've ever had. If you approach it in a communal, trusting, open-minded, flexible, safe, intelligent manner (always check references, don't stay with guys that have only references from women, etc.), it can be for you too :)

Interests

I have two delightful cats, named Bucket and Squeak, that are currently staying with a foster parent while I try to get my life in order, but hopefully if I can get back to hosting again and if I can get them back soon, you'll be able to meet the two crazy furballs.

• cats
• seafood
• cooking
• wine
• drinking
• music
• jazz
• sports
• soccer
• hockey
• tennis
• languages
• social work
• travel
• food
• social justice
• biking
• foodie
• jesus
• the sea
• mental health awareness
• birding
• non-profit
• pingpong
• sommelier
• house church
• coffeeeeeeee
• thumb wars

Music, Movies, and Books

Jazz! Also jazz. Arrival is the most genius and life-changing film I've seen in a decade, Gladiator is still somehow my favorite of all time despite the overused vengeance trope, LOTR is simply the best, and honestly Season 6 of Game of Thrones deserves to be up here too no matter what those Star Wars [I mean] GOT writers did with the rest of the series.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I'm from Colorado where snow gets so deep you can jump off the tops of trees into it, which is just as scary as it sounds. I also waived at Ben Stiller, was a case manager at a Permanent Supportive Housing program, recorded 4 assists in a Grand Valley Adult Soccer League game once, and was homeschooled.

Teach, Learn, Share

Wine and almost anything you could need to know about it; the names of almost any European pro soccer player; my struggles with the American Christian church and any extended conversation(s) about that; how to befriend Squeak; some cooking techniques born of watching all 11 seasons of Master Chef; literally any philosophical thought or idea around social work and the criminal justice system and how truly disadvantaged the Disadvantaged are in my country and other countries.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Possibly the cleanest and most chill guest you'll ever host, every detail of my story you'd like to hear, photos of my cats, the best bottle of wine you've ever had, an unplanned soccer match in our living room, thumb wars, and my exquisite hospitality whenever I can get back to hosting folks.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Haiti, Iceland, Italy, Kenya, Montenegro, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Scotland, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Switzerland, Uganda, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Pakistan, United States