ABOUT ME

My husband and I live in Bellingham, WA, a beautiful and well kept secret of the Pacific Northwest. We are both outdoor enthusiasts and love backpacking, climbing, mountaineering, foraging and biking.

I work for a non-profit natural resource organization, reviewing forest practices and Phil is a middle school science teacher.

We love international travel, and are equally passionate about exploring our local gems here in Washington. It seems like a lifetime isn't enough to see everything that's just in our backyard! It is our hope to share some of these little known places with others.

I've also recently discovered performance theater and improv and have grown to be very passionate about these art forms. I perform improv on a regular basis at the Upfront Theater in Bellingham.

PHILOSOPHY

Laugh until it hurts

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I surfed on many couches when I biked across the U.S. and during our travels in South America and Europe. We are finally settled enough to return the favor and host travelers coming through Bellingham!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

We had our first couchsurfing experiences while traveling in Peru. It was a pleasure to meet people from all walks of life, and to be welcomed into homes of total strangers who turned into life-long friends, despite some admittedly embarassing communication attempts in Spanish. My friend and I also surfed during our cross-country bike trip. I was overwhelmed by the hospitality and kindness we encountered on this journey and the willingness of humans to share with others.

Interests

Climbing, mountaineering, hiking, backpacking, gardening, biking, improv, acting, theater, foraging for wild mushrooms, plant and mushroom ID, good food, tennis.

• arts
• theater
• performing arts
• acting
• dining
• gardening
• traveling
• socializing
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• backpacking
• mountaineering
• rock climbing
• tennis
• teaching
• science
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite Books: Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, The World According to Garp, Hotel New Hampshire, anything by Kurt Vonnegut, 1984, Ionesco's Rhinocerous, anything by Terry Pratchett, Omnivore's Dilemma, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Everything is Illuminated, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Dark Materials Trilogy, Grapes of Wrath.
Movies: Amelie, Seven, Memento, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Little Miss Sunshine, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Singing in the Rain

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Climbing Mt. Baker under the aurora borealis

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach basic Russian and Spanish, a bit about Washington plant and mushroom ID, mushroom cultivation, wild edibles and gardening. We can also share our basic climbing skills and knowledge of local mountains. Lastly, I am happy to talk your head off about the principles and philosophies of improv.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Russian Federation, Slovenia

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ukraine, United States

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