CURRENT MISSION

To live a carefree, happy life with meaning and dignity

ABOUT ME

Things I am not (or at least try not to be):
A liar
A smoker
Lazy
Inconsiderate
Type B
Pessimistic
Lonely

Things I am:
Happy
Ridiculously honest
Type A (without the hostility)
Devoted
Self-assured
Optimistic
Selfless
Independent

Things I hope to be:
Worldly
Understood
A vampire slayer
Spontaneous
Unburdened

Music = my outlet.

More than anything, I want a baby polar bear. And world peace, of course.

Ironically, I cannot speak English well (i.e. pronounce words) even though I am an English major.

I live in my head most days, but it's part of my charm.

Lastly, if I were an inanimate object, I would be a box of cereal (most likely Cheerios), hands-down.

PHILOSOPHY

My personal philosophy has been clear since I was a freshman in high school and read the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson at a friend's funeral:

"To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

I strongly believe in those words, and hope that I accomplish them before the day I die.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have surfed, and now that I have my own place, I would love to host!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

For about a week, I stayed with two Couchsurfers while in Puerto Rico. They were incredibly hospitable and helpful. They really made me even more supportive of Couchsurfing.

I plan on doing a lengthy backpacking trip through Europe after I graduate from grad school, so hopefully, I'll have even more experiences and acquaintances through Couchsurfing.

Interests

Talking, laughing, eating, work-out classes, watching movies, slack-lining, riding my bike, playing cards, listening to music, singing off key, hanging out with friends, reading, writing, ect., ect. yada yada yada ya. I love, love, LOVE psychology and English!!! I've always wanted to do the following but sadly, I never have ~~ play piano, surf, ride a horse, sky-dive, ride on a jet-ski, scuba dive and do yoga. Maybe someday...

• writing
• singing
• beauty
• yoga
• running
• gardening
• movies
• reading
• music
• piano
• cycling
• backpacking
• scuba diving
• sailing
• skiing
• boxing
• psychology

Music, Movies, and Books

Books:
The Time Traveler's Wife
The History of Love
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Historian
Harry Potter series (especially Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix)
Stumbling on Happiness
The Female Brain
World War Z
Twilight series
Troy Trilogy

Movies:
When Harry Met Sally
Gladiator
My Best Friend's Wedding
The Dark Knight
My Cousin Vinny
Death at a Funeral
Titanic
Runaway Jury
Independence Day
The Insider
Mona Lisa Smile
The Notebook
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Music:
Anything really. If I hear something enough, I can grow fond of it.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I went to France with my high school French class. Seeing the Louvre was AMAZING. We also visited Nice, Avignon, and Monaco, all beautiful places. Unfortunately, as a young and foolish teenager, I don't think I fully appreciated the trip as I should have. That's why I plan to go back after I graduate.

In March of 2009, I went to Puerto Rico with my best friends. We spent about a week seeing San Juan and two islands off of Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra. We also explored El Yunque rain forest. Absolutely breathtaking!

Teach, Learn, Share

Wrinkles should indicate where smiles have been.

Brain plasticity: the most important quality of our brains in my opinion. With plasticity we can continuously change how our neurons fire -- we can train our brain to fire easily regarding good mood situations or we can inadvertently cause our brain to forget how to be happy (if we dwell on the negative). All in all, one should strive to look on the bright side in life; your brain will be better in the long run!

Overall, I love learning about all kinds of things. One of the best things I have ever learned how to do is slackline--maybe the very best actually. My dream hobbies include playing the piano and sailing on the my own.

Countries I’ve Visited

France, Monaco, Puerto Rico, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States