CURRENT MISSION

Be kind. Be brave. Be bold. But not too much of any of them.

ABOUT ME

I am addicted to culture shock and travel. Though not in the same way that many people like to think of it. I will rarely be attracted to large museums, monuments, or landmarks but prefer to stay long term in local places, learning the ins and outs of cultures different from mine. I have settled in Portland because of the people, for I believe deeply that people make places not the places themselves, and the people here are truly amazing!

An outdoors enthusiast, I love to hike, climb, cave, paddle, and ride pretty much anything I can. I teach kids for a living, which is amazing.

I also adore Irish/English/Scotish/American traditional folk music and will sing and play more than you will ever want to hear, so be prepared. My husband is an amazing fiddler and you'll likely hear it a bit while visiting.

Good drink and good food are a must in my house and you will be subjected to them if you come to stay :)

PHILOSOPHY

Hmm, I have a lot of them. I think its people that make places, not places themselves. I think that its important to work to live not live to work. I think that all models are wrong but some are usful but mostly I follow these rules:
1. Don't die
2. No wounds that won't heal in four days
3. Respect everything and everyone for all do the best with what they have and know
4. Laugh
5. Pay attention and do better
6. Just go with it.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

What can I say? I owe so much to this wonderful network of global people. I have hosted people in Tuscon, DC, Nanjing, Seoul, and Portland and surfed with dozens around the world. I have met hundreds of incredible friends through CS and CS events... I will forever be in your dept CS!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Once upon a time, a long long time ago, I worked as a caving guide and took a family of four out on a trip. They told me about couchsurfing and my life has never been the same since!

I think it is one of the most amazing networks that does a bangarang job at capturing and cultivating the traveler spirit. I try to pass it on to all the worthy folks I meet.

Interests

I enjoy languages, but more importantly the people that speak them.

Stories. I love to just talk to people about their life and adventures.

Cooking, music, travel, crafts...the usual suspects.

Music, Movies, and Books

I love sea shanties, irish music, modern folk, big band jazz/swing and indie for the most part. Obviously, there are worthy artists in most genres and I will never say no to new music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

It is always the next thing that I find the most amazing.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach:
English, dancing, cooking, caving, archery, sewing, orange peel animals, folk songs, banjo basics, rubber band tricks, some really good scary faces, stenciling

Learn and Share:
woodworking, guitar, vertical rope anchoring, graffiti lettering, and new bands/ music that I have never heard of is always good too :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Aruba, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Canada, China, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Peru, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, China, France, South Korea, Thailand, United States

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