CURRENT MISSION

This quote is my personal motto - "I shall pass thru this world but once, therefore whatever good I can do, let me do it now for I may never pass this way again.

ABOUT ME

I am the first-born to immigrants who met and settled in Sterling, IL. Dad is from Munich, Germany and Mom is from Tole', Panama. I have a deep appreciation for the value of travel in growing and experiencing various cultures, people, places, etc. I travel very inexpensively (I work for nonprofits / ngo's) and have made it to 32 countries (so far) and 46 states in the U.S. I LOVE learning, experiencing, photography, conversation (deep conversations and fun), hiking and biking and downhill skiing. Travel well in groups or solo as follower or leader...whatever my role is in the group. German is pretty good, Spanish is present tense only and gets me through...NOT fluent! Very conscious of culture and respect practices and language of places I visit. Don't like eating anything that looks like it was and while I do eat some meat and sushi, I do quite well on vegetarian diet and am probably 90-100% vegetarian in my normal day to day eating. I have worked primarily in nonprofits and love being able to make a positive impact in my community and world.

PHILOSOPHY

See my mission. I have benefited from mentors who helped me to see more about me than I knew or understood. I seek to help others become all that they can be while I continue to learn more about myself and how I can contribute back to the world and our society.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Lots of volunteer activities from hands on to governance and service work in community and also international community. Volunteered on medical missions thru Rotary to Guatemala, Panama, India and Nigeria. Rotarian since 1985. In U.S. able to be a Rotarian where as a nonprofit professional, this would be much less likely in other countries. One of 3 persons starting Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee and more recently, Rotary Club Amigos de Milwaukee. Volunteer the last 11 years as facilitator of a Leaders Circle for nonprofit executive directors. Even when unable to host I try to share my region with visitors as I love where I live and the Greater Milwaukee area!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I know someone who has done some extensive CouchSurfing. I now have one night under my belt and had an AMAZING experience I discovered the organization thru web searches a couple years ago. Tho not an official extensive CouchSurfer yet, I have couch experience when traveling in other countries.

Interests

Travel, Photography, Hiking, Biking, Swimming, Learning, Cooking, Gardening

• culture
• photography
• cooking
• vegetarian
• dieting
• clubbing
• gardening
• board games
• traveling
• cycling
• hiking
• skiing
• swimming
• teaching
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

I LOVE Heartsfield, polkas, folk music, and much more. HARD Rock is not a favorite but my cd collection and LP's show a very eclectic music range. Movies...Love "Momentum", "When Harold Met Maude", Errol Flynn movies, Alfred Hitchcock, Twighlight Zone, Honeymooners, and much more.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have been an effective and inspirational teacher...acknowledged by former second grade students who are now in their 40's and folks who have been in classes and workshops that I have conducted within the YMCA, Rotary, and nonprofit executive director classes and Leaders Circles

Teach, Learn, Share

Expertise in starting, managing, and growing nonprofit organizations; working with volunteers and board of directors; strategic planning; fundraising/fund development.

I am a really good gardener of veggies and have been gardening for 50 years. I LOVE Indian food and it truly accommodates anything I grow! I love sharing my knowledge of organic gardening and cooking.

I'm also very knowledgeable about domestic and wild animals and rehabilitation of injured wildlife and love sharing my love of animals and skills with others.

Would love to learn about effective nonprofits making a difference in their community.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share everything that I mentioned above. I do love looking at other people's pictures and hearing and telling stories! Like to play sheepshead and board games. Love gardening & cooking with or for others. I am also a good photographer and am happy to share any photos I take.

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, India, Japan, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Vatican City State, Venezuela

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States