CURRENT MISSION

Haul me and my bicycle from WA to NYC and to paint along the way

ABOUT ME

I am a dynamic figure, often seen climbing rocks or painting on mountain tops. I've been known to swim a mile on my lunch breaks and hitch hike to Mexico for tacos. I have been awarded for my visual journalism in earthquake devastated China, I take initiative to outreach and learn. I occasionally set goals to bike 1000 miles in one month, conditioning my body for absurd physical exertions.

I manage my time wisely. I once hiked a 10,000ft mountain, completed a painting, and baked homemade biscotti all before teaching the afternoon art class for homeless school children. In Guangzhou China, I offered better directions than the locals without speaking the language. I built the furniture I use and welded my own tall bike, I take pride in handwork and craft. When backpacking 230 miles of the John Muir Trail, I utilized a poncho, trekking poles, and knots to build my tent. I've ridden a bicycle alongside galavanting coyotes. Songs have been written in my name, I am the muse for paintings, and I have been published in a South Korean "Mountain" magazine.

I inspire children with only a pencil and my conviction, I am loved by grandmas, and respected by dirtbags in Joshua Tree. I once single handedly saved a South African and his sinking kayak in the Mediterranean Sea. My endurance lasts as long as my positive temperament and longer than it takes to rock climb Half Dome. My library books are returned on time. I have cliff dived in Italy, kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, bicycled and the breadth of the country on my own, and I have topped a Guinness World Record. I bake a mean chocolate chip cookie and have been blessed by a Buddhist priest in Sichuan.

I'm excited about life and just as excited to meet you.

PHILOSOPHY

Love earth
and
Be bold

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

right now just surfing. True to my nomadic ways, I don't have a couch to share yet, but I can help you around the city.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've met all sorts of people on the road, not always on CS, but I've learned to be a great guest, and find time to really enjoy the company new stranger.

Interests

I have three simple WOBALs (ways of being a lot)
-Active Exploration
-Create and Creativity
-Fantastic Foods

If any activity fits into one or more of my WOBAL categories, I'm super stoked on it and all are heightened with friends :) Currently that usually entails biking and rock climbing, painting and drawing, and eating tons of great food.

• arts
• books
• dining
• chocolate
• painting
• drawing
• cycling
• hiking
• backpacking
• kayaking
• surfing
• rock climbing
• swimming
• journalism

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In 2009 I went into the Wenchuan, the 2008 earthquake epicenter. I could not get over the amount of destruction, both natural and manmade. Huge tanks barreled over debris mounds and women and children would follow to sort the remains. I was there to paint and document the destruction, the reconstruction, and the people's reactions and stories. What I found was a year after the earthquake, mourning was at and end, and this was the time to pick up the pieces to rebuild, move forward with strength and grace.
Other moments are when I've completed all 220 miles backpacking the John Muir Trail and reaching the top of Crater Lake on my 700 bike tour through Oregon. Such physically demanding tasks and that I, a solo female traveler with no outstanding background could accomplish something so great. When I stood at top of Crater Lake and Mt. Whitney, I felt open and free as I'll ever be.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Myanmar, Netherlands, Thailand, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, United States