I'm philosophically minded and easy going, with a passion for gardening, music, and artistic interpretations of life. I play folk music on my acoustic guitar, and generally enjoy cooking and living a peaceful life, although I used to be a lot more adventurous. I have been learning how to make herbal tinctures that include crystal mineral salts (for example rose crystals, or st. john's wort crystals). I study holistic health through a unique school, where students learn to analyze and observe each persons unique constitution in order to provide balance and healing on all levels.
My family moved to the Oregon Coast when I was seven years old. I was born outside of Portland, yet we moved to New York, and then moved back again. I spent my youth kayaking with my best friend, exploring estuaries, oceans, and coastal forests with our dogs, where we happened upon monuments devoted to Native Americans, and dreamcatchers. Growing up in this area certainly influenced my perspective of life, and I'm certainly interested in other cultures around the globe that feel a direct connection to the earth and it's creatures. I initially intended to be a zoologist or marine biologist, as I was exposed to amazing wildlife including eagles, pelicans, seals, whales, elk, coyotes, hummingbirds and owls as a child, and also spent a lot of time boogie boarding and surfing in the ocean. By the time I was in high school I began working at the local aquarium. My life path has opened up a lot of new perspective through travel, music, art and philosophy. I studied at WWU in Bellingham for a couple years before embarking on a 6 month trip to New Zealand. I lived on 4 different farms in New Zealand including a Buddhist retreat, and I also helped to build an eco-castle. I have participated in several intentional communities. I love working on organic farms and I have started a few bands. I have worked at a permaculture education center, a state park, a blueberry farm, as a personal tutor, at a plant nursery, and within a natural food store (to name a few). My love of nature has expanded to include the study of natural medicine, specifically western herbalism. Most recently, I have spent several years living on the Oregon Coast, studying at the School of Evolutionary Herbalism online, and finishing paying of my student debt. I spent the winter/spring living on Olana Organic Farm in Kaua'i, and just finished a summer job in Alaska processing sockeye salmon with Leader Creek Fisheries.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm on couch-surfing because I enjoy community and the potential we have by creating alternative social structures and networks,. I have enjoyed other programs such as WWOOF (working on organic farms), community housing, living within permaculture education centers and an environmental land trust. I really value what can happen when humanity interacts and shares ideas. I also love travel and meeting new people. It can be really inspiring and enlivening to go new places and meet fun people! I want to see humanity, animals, plants, and the earth heal, have celebrations, and create a positive sustainable future filled with diversity and creativity. Couchsurfing is a step in that direction.

Interests

• animals
• music
• outdoor activities
• philosophy
• nature
• fun
• plants
• community
• bicycles
• organic farming
• herbalist
• organic cooking
• herbal tea
• recreation
• peace loving
• freedom loving

Music, Movies, and Books

One of my favorites is Fat Freddy's Drop from New Zealand, however it is largely due to a life altering experience I had when seeing them play live at a festival within a national forest
Hamsa Lila
Ian George
Fleet Foxes
Buena Vista Social Club
Nick Drake
just started listen to Waves by Tubby Love

the last airbender tv series

Books: i used to enjoy Kurt Vonnegut, when I was young I read the Redwall Series. Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The Doors of Perception. The Prophet. Ray Bradbury, The Alchlemist, Siddhartha, the Golden Compass triology. I read more than half of the 5th Sacred Thing. A lot of interesting books about plants have found me thanks to my herbal school. I'm a member of Goodreads.com if you are interested I have most of my books listed there.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One time I willed myself home from Fiji with no scheduled plane ticket for that day. I was given a ticket by a government ambassador who had three seats to himself. I also was wearing only mittens on my feet.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am really excited about sharing information about western herbalism as I am starting to discover that there are plants that help with basically all of our human anatomy. Herbs can calm you down, regenerate nervous tissue, help with cardiovascular issues or simply warm up and enliven the heart! I feel lucky to study with a great teacher and if you visit me or vice versa, I will probably end up talking to you about nature and natural medicine. I understand medicine can be a sensitive subject and I do respect modern medicine, however I am particularly enthralled with the wonders of the natural world.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can cook, clean, share knowledge about herbal medicine and constitutional analysis, play you songs on the guitar, and be a kind and considerate friend from the get-go. I'm pretty quiet and goal oriented but would also be interested in going out to see good music, or going on a hike. I can help do chores and fix bicycles. I embrace diversity and am always open to learn, grow, and be creative.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Czech Republic, Fiji, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

New Zealand