CURRENT MISSION

To create many unique moments throughout life's journey

PHILOSOPHY

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have been blessed with many opportunities to travel around the world with either my family, school or friends. Each time I venture out, I am always surprised by the generosity and kindness of others when I am obviously an outsider. Oftentimes people have given up their home, time and food to help me enjoy their culture and hometown and I can only wish to give the same experience back to those who want to learn of my culture. I am very proud of where I am from and absolutely love to show people around.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

In 2008, as a college graduation present to myself, I took two weeks out of my summer to travel across the US. I visited 13 different states and each time I stayed with a CS participant. I was amazed at how easy it was to find good people who loved to take the time out to make sure I was having a good time. I only ran into one creepy person, but the rest of my experience was life-altering. I was so proud to be a part of the CS community and I still, to this day, keep in contact with some of the people that hosted me. It is a great way to not only make friends, but to learn about one's culture first hand.

Interests

Blues music or any good music for that matter; camping and hiking; traveling; reading; seeing and experiencing new things; dancing; writing; social justice and activism; working with the youth; trying to make the world a better place.

• culture
• writing
• fashion
• beauty
• dancing
• dining
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• music
• blues
• hiking
• camping
• sailing
• buddhist
• religion
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: The Charm School, Angels and Demons, On the Road, The Historian, Dharma Bums, The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns...

Movies: forrest gump, almost famous, slumdog millionaire, garden state, eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, emperors new groove, across the universe.

Music: Blues, Classic Rock, Country... a little bit of everything

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One of my favorite experiences was when I was in Nha Trang, Vietnam and I hired a driver to take me to an island called Monkey Island. Now, it wasn't the island that was so spectacular, it was the drive there. Riding on the back of that motorbike, and looking out all around me and seeing nothing but mountains of green just got me all choked up. Knowing that 30 years ago an awful "war" ravaged the lands and yet beauty still remains- not only in the lands, but in the people as well. It was the best moment in my life because it showed that a country and it's people can go through hell and back, and yet still preserve their beauty.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have learned much throughout my travels, and just growing up in general. What I have learned is a lot of "what not to do's" but I think it just makes me better prepared for "next time."

I just find that people tend to enjoy things more if they are open to new trends, foods, experiences, cultures, religion, politics, fashion, lifestyles.

Step out of your bubble and comfort zone and just do something bold and daring. Nothing aggravates me more than coming across someone who refuses to accept the "strange and unknown." How can people say they don't like something if they haven't even tried it yet, or even been open to the idea of trying it. I am a white, young, Catholic-raised suburban girl from a middle-class family who wears Gap- However, two years ago I was in poverty stricken Myanmar, wearing a longi, going #2 in a whole, sleeping with a mosquito net around my bed, eating rice and banana leaves and practicing Buddhism. I would never have done that if I wasn't open. So take chances and live. God put us here, each with our own unique ways, so that we can learn from one another. Get out there and Work.Live.Learn.

Countries I’ve Visited

Aruba, Bahamas, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Honduras, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States