CURRENT MISSION

Learning, playing, contributing, exploring, preparing

ABOUT ME

At the moment, I'm an Oregonian living in Salamanca, Spain. I'm here for the year to teach English in a bilingual school. I'd never done much traveling in Europe, so I saw this experience as a great post-graduation (majored in urban planning and public policy) activity. At the moment I'm really enjoying what I am doing, and I'm hoping to get to explore some other parts of Europe while I am here, meet people with a passion for travel, eat excellent ethnic cuisine and enjoy where life takes me!

If I had to describe myself (as painful as it is) I would probably say that I am... Interesting, intellectual, laid-back, socially conscious, open, kind, a reader, a learner, easily inspired and interested in exploring all that the world, and the people in it, have to offer.

PHILOSOPHY

Living with purpose, loving without reservation, learning without limit

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

No couch available now, but hopefully in the future. I would love to meet people coming through Salamanca though! Particularly interested in exploring new spots around Europe this year on my small teacher's salary.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Just a little bit this far - and all exceedingly positive. I'm determined to become a legitimate member of this fantastic travel movement!

Interests

There are very few things I'm not interested in... But, here's a random list of things I'm interested in: social policy (hoping to work in human-trafficking), exploring, learning about all kinds of things, sustainability, urban growth boundaries, women's studies, music, writing, Spanish football (Madrid fan here), cooking/baking (always happy to make food for others too)... and SO much more.

• writing
• dining
• cooking
• baking
• boating
• traveling
• socializing
• painting
• drawing
• music
• kayaking
• soccer
• swimming
• teaching
• public policy

Music, Movies, and Books

What is the What, A Prayer for Owen Meany, The House of the Spirits, Harry Potter, To Kill a Mockingbird, A Fine Balance, ect.

Adele, Iron and Wine, Patty Griffin, Avett Bros, Jose González, Brandi Carlile, Bonnie Raitt, The Black Keys, The Blue Scholars, LOTS more

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Driven a rice barge in Thailand, interned in a red-light district of Mumbai, paraglided in the Himalayas (and I have the scars to prove it), visited Igazu Falls and so much more. Ask me!?

Teach, Learn, Share

Let's see. I can teach people to swim, roll a kayak, speak English (its my job, but I make no promises), make jewelry. Others that don't come to mind probably...

I'd love to learn how to: tie lots of intricate knots, row an oar boat, draw portraits and capture moments with words, paint or film.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, Spain, United States