CURRENT MISSION

To explore/study/experience foreign cultures/history/architecture - primarilly European to start.

ABOUT ME

Seems I'm unusual. A serious student of life and learning, love to study and read (nonfiction). Very independent/fearless, something of a solo/solitude-liking person. Though I thoroughly enjoy people and society at times and for short durations, I've rarely been able to relate to the American). Early in life my passions were nature and art studies, and athletics. I was a competive swimmer (STILL ADORE swimming but in fresh water), gymnast, runner, etc. But ballet was my greatest passion and I danced professionally until age 27. (I had the great honor of having as my teacher the first prima-ballerina of the San Francisco Ballet - Ruby Asquith Christensen.)My artistic talent is very developed and I have worked a lot in the art field (decorator, landscaper,designer, etc.)I went to Europe briefly in my 20's and never wanted to leave. It's taken me 30 years to get back to Europe(and back out of The States where I've never felt much at home)and now with the added background of years of history and cultural anthroplogy studying, I have been enjoying driving, hosteling and studying in Europe. I plan to drive onto The Continent from Ireland in the Spring (presently in Cairo, my car is in Ireland)to see/study and visit friends and family in France, Germany, Slovakia, etc. I'm just beginning to consider what I might do after my travels are over (I have limited coffers and no income at present). I am considering teaching and/or 'missionary work'. Meanwhile I 'travel-logue', and otherwise write. I've been urged to publish and may pursue this in the future as well.

PHILOSOPHY

Hmmm...huge subject. I'm not sure. Much is in review, much reflection, reconsideration, open for 'new outlooks' and adjustments. Personally speaking I am a rather conservative person (traditionally oriented, spritually interested and inclined)from a very liberal background (far Left politically). I share my family's and some other American's horror re the country and the rest of the world having endured Bush at the helm of the country for 8 years. It's part of the reason I left the country. I am close to my Slovakian mother who never quite became an American. Like me she is very creative, an artist, philosopher, etc., who feels much distaste for materialism and the American over concern with things and money. I have always tried to witness fearlessness, openmindedness, strict equality and justice, sensitivity, consideration, politeness, thoughtfulness, modesty and quietude of spirit. I believe I am SO SHORT of fulfilling my own ideals of what a person should be, do, etc., that it is difficult to speak of 'my philosophy'. I don't 'walk my talk' as accurately as I once believed I did, was doing. I am facing the greatness of my own imperfection and mistakes at this point in my life. It is my intention to become ever more like the person I believe I should be. This happens to include my liking of spending times in spiritual retreats in monasteries. I have wonderful memories of such in Ireland for example and hope to get the chance for more such (Greece?).

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Unfortunately I 'am homeless' for the time being. I put all my household into storage when I gave up the house I was renting while my children were growing up. I have no particular plans as to when/where or even if, I will settle back down eventually. My future is very open-ended at present. I would be very happy to open my home to travelers if I do find myself settled again into one in the future. Meanwhile I like to think my travels and experiences might be of some interest and/or inspiration to others I meet.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

It's brand new to me. I'd heard of it but figured it was only for the very young as I imagined a literal couch in cramped flats full of fun-loving youth and didn't see this as a 'fit' for me (or them). But recently I met a Chinese man my age who's been CouchSurfing around the world. I learned a great deal and realized it may well be of value to me and myself and what I have to share possibly for some others (hosts). I'm considering looking into possible hosts as I look forward to traveling in Europe this Spring and down the Carpathians to the Balkins in the Autumn.

Interests

As fore-mentioned: History (presently European specifically 1600 - 1900 but also including earlier times and surrounding areas for foundations-sake), cultural anthropology, venacular and high architecture.
I am looking forward to scuba-diving to combine both my love of water/swimming and nature. I also have a relatively recently born interest in inter-relationships - personal communication vocabulary, skills, etc. I've done some work towards some writing on this subject including Feelings Vocabulary. I'm interested in E.Q. and related subjects. I find the fact that relationships are so much about 'skills' a relatively new subject and to be of interest. It's all about time for me, so many interests and not enough months in a year to pursue them all.

• horses
• arts
• writing
• books
• architecture
• design
• ballet dancing
• running
• traveling
• scuba diving
• swimming
• anthropology
• teaching
• history
• philosophy

Music, Movies, and Books

I have enjoyed so many books (and mostly foreign films)and remember so little in terms of titles. I quit watching TV years ago and rarely go to movies anymore. (I remember the first few films that 'Wowed me' many years ago; Saragossa Manuscript, Women in Love (DH Lawrence), Zorba the Greek, Amadaeus, The Joy Luck Club, for examples.)The first memorable books I read were the Life of St Francis and that of Mohatma Gandhi - both of whom I identified with early. I loved The Magus, and also Steinbeck's The Pearl, The Red Pony and Grapes of Wrath. I loved D.H. Lawrences works (recently reread many stories), books by Alan Watts (The Art of Love)and Thomas Merton (No Man is an Island). I enjoyed all of C.S. Lewis's books (nonfiction) and recently read a biography written by someone from his home town in Northern Ireland while I was there. I read exclusively nonfiction now, studying Arab culture while here in Cairo now for example. Musically I have always liked music that appeals to me as a dancer (classical like Rachmanicachs Concerto #2 in B Flat Minor, Moonlight Sonata, Swan Lake music, etc.), including Flamenco, Tahitian drum music, Arabic dance music. I grew up loving the old 50's music of The Platters, Roy Orbison, etc., and also Joan Baez's music. I liked only very particular songs of later music like Sting's Every Breath You Take and Sarah McLaughlin's 'Angel'(or whatever it's actual name is). I dislike most of todays American poplular music (rap, hardrock, etc.). For years now I never listen to music unless to 'workout' to (normally I prefer silence). I made my own music tapes to workout with for years while raising my kids in The States. Still I listen to music for this reason only - my 'senior years' version of dancing is the special kind of ChiGong, Yoga like workouts that I do (did, since now traveling) together with regular swimming when the chance allows.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hmmm...too many to mention. My person and background invite adventurousness and I have had many including amazing 'dangerous', 'near-miss' kinds of stories. (Near drownings,run away with on horses, being lost and or stranded, etc.)I've had a stunning mystical experience in adulthood and many virtually mystical experiences in nature as a child. Let's put it this way, I'm regularly being told,"You should WRITE a BOOK!!"

Teach, Learn, Share

I feel I have MUCH more to learn than to share. People have expressed interest in what I have had to share in the past but it's difficult to be specific. In that I am an unusually serious student of life I suppose I have some interesting insights into some things. But I am traveling to broaden my mind and spirit and to gain a renewed outlook on things and to solidify my values along lines pertaining to my stage in life. (I'm in the Buddhists 3rd transitting to 4th stage - about retirement, reflection, spiritual refinement and inner peace/quietude.)