CURRENT MISSION

The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to one his own.

ABOUT ME

I’m long-winded. You’ll realize this by the time you finish reading my profile (if you get that far). As much as I relish learning about other’s lives, I also enjoy sharing mine. I’m a pretty open individual (sometimes too open for my own good).

Originally from Eastern Washington, I’ve enjoyed living in the Pacific Northwest for over a decade and now call it my home. I’ve been in Seattle for 5 years, and truly feel that I’ll never quite finish exploring my own backyard.

I work a typical 8-5 job as a Career Counselor/Academic Advisor/Disability Support Services Coordinator at a local college and find it both challenging and rewarding.

I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to travel in the US, but am aspiring to travel internationally in either Spring or Fall of 2010. Currently, I am interested in hosting/meeting up to chat/planning Seattle adventures in order to “get a feel” for the CouchSurfing concept.

I try to be as open-minded as possible, and welcome the opportunity to learn about personal values, beliefs, cultures, religions, ideals, dreams, hopes, and ethos of those outside of my realm. I also take pleasure in fostering friendships. I love wholly and completely, so if I like you and consider you a friend, I am your friend for life. I’m a very passionate person. If I love something, anything, I love it 110%. I believe soul mates can be found just about anywhere. I can think of a dozen people off the top of my head who I consider to be my ‘kindred spirits’…and I look forward to meeting more!

I think a good cry is good for the soul. I think a good laugh is even better. I envy people who have found their passion and I encourage everyone to go for it! I am fascinated by artists and musicians to the point where watching them (or appreciating their artistry) can bring tears to my eyes.

I have what I like to call “hobbies du jour” -- I don’t believe life should be spent focused on any one thing. I’d rather figure out how it works, then on to the next mystery! (Which is why my storage unit has been or is stuffed with cookbooks, sewing machines, fabric scraps, how-to books, sketchbooks, paintbrushes/canvas, soap making molds, dance shoes, etc).

I truly admire people who join the Peace Corps, but I just don’t think I could do it myself because I cherish a long, hot shower and a warm bed. Am I awful?

PHILOSOPHY

Go first in the world, go forth with your fears,
remember a price must be paid.
Be always too soon, be never too fast
at the time when all bets must be laid.
Beware of the darkness, be kind to your children,
remember the woman who waits...
And the house you live in will never fall down
if you pity the stranger who stands at your gate.

(Aptly applies to CouchSurfing as I understand it, but is a philosophy I've adhered to for a long time).

Daily Motto:

1. Give back more than I receive.
2. Make each day an opportunity for service.
3. Challenge my own assumptions of others.
4. Strive for excellence in everything I do.
5. Life each day to its fullest.
6. Act on working toward at least one goal.
7. Laugh.
8. Be honest with others and, more importantly, myself.
9. Show gratitude.
10. Never stop learning.

"Do not travel far and futilely to dusty lands, forsaking your own sitting place. If you cannot find the truth where you are now, you will never find it."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

For the time being, I’m only interested in hosting (or perhaps surfing in the States should travel opportunities arise). I plan to travel more next year, but would like to try out CS from the hosting end to see what it’s like.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

CouchSurfing was recommended by a friend when I expressed interest in traveling internationally, on a tight budget, with opportunities to experience a local, resident perspective. I have yet to participate in the concept, but from the rave reviews I’ve heard so far, my interest is piqued.

Interests

Travel, of course (why else would I be here?). People, and the stories that make up who they are. Art in all its forms. Music. Laughing. Loving. All things vintage, particularly 30’s – 50’s era (clothes, cars, movies, art, music, advertising, etc.). Cooking. Bodies of water. Mountains. Bonfires. Sunsets and moonrises. Being outdoors. Nautical stuff. Faith and religion. Spying on little animals. Activism and advocacy. Simple pleasures. Simple treasures. Good food (favorite cuisine: Italian). Career exploration. Tantalizing scents and aromas. Defying snafu. Natural beauty. Dancing (East Coast Swing, primarily). Knowledge. Femininity and being girly. Science. Imperturbable and/or exuberant personalities. Festivals and Farmer's Markets. Mysteries of the world we live in. Creativity. Books. Peace. I enjoy photography and like to take pictures, but I’d never call myself a pro.

• animals
• arts
• books
• design
• photography
• beauty
• make up
• festivals
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• clothing
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• cars
• music
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• surfing
• skydiving
• languages
• law
• religion
• science
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I’ll listen to anything at least once. It’d be much easier to classify what I don't like compared to what I do. I love pretty much anything from A cappella to Zydeco and everything in between. Particular favorites: big band, vintage jazz, indie rock, anything acoustic, lo-fi, tunes with a catchy beat or memorable lyrics (with tendencies to get stuck in my head), liturgical (Gregorian chant, hymns, songs of worship in any religion. Not Christian ‘rock’, though.), rockabilly, ballads, obscure musicians, classical (baroque, renaissance, classic, romantic, modern). I’m a sucker for good harmony, and anything that touches me personally via melody, lyrics, tempo, etc.

Movies: Foreign, Classics, Drama, Documentary…anything that I can connect with, makes me think, or elicits emotion.

Books: Yes, please. I tend to steer clear of fiction (though I’m not against it…love short stories). Biographies (especially autobiographies), fact books, Almanacs, travel essays, forensic science literature, books on medical issues/neurological functioning, poetry. Love “classic” authors - Steinbeck, F. Scott, Flannery O., Pearl S. Buck, Hemingway, Tolstoy, Bradbury, Kafka, Joyce Carol Oates, Salinger, Upton Sinclair, George Orwell, O. Henry, Kate Chopin…don’t get me started.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Skydiving was pretty amazing. Hiking to the top of Multnomah Falls on a whim in July without any gear whatsoever (not even water), wearing sandals. Teaching my little brother how to ride a bike. Graduating college. Touching a Picasso sculpture. Watching order and growth evolve out of chaos and destruction. I’ve seen far too many amazing things in my life to even begin listing them here.

Teach, Learn, Share

I critique resumes, offer career advice, and do personal counseling to make a living. I’m always happy to give feedback on a resume or cover letter, love offering tips and suggestions for the interview process, and help you identify your hidden skills or talk about career exploration. I can also talk about Universal Design and disability-related issues for hours on end.

What I want to learn: how to use my dad’s old manual camera, dance, languages, guitar technique, glassblowing, anything artsy, and how to whistle real loud using my fingers. That's the short version of the list. You wanna teach me something? I wanna learn.

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