CURRENT MISSION

Live life in such I way that I get the most epic laugh lines when I am old (whenever that might be).

ABOUT ME

I love hearing the stories of strangers and feel a kindred spirit in those who love to travel in an unconventional manner. I have also been amazed by the generosity and helpfulness of strangers during my travels, and this seems like a great way to pay it back.

I have recently completed a career switch. My previous job doing computer work for a financial institution allowed me plenty of money to afford to travel, but I found it to be soul sucking. So I quit, enjoyed the gorgeous Seattle summer, and then headed to Africa.

After three months of backpacking solo through Africa, I decided to return and become a nurse. My schedule tends to be hectic, but I try to still fit in some fun in my time off.

Pretty new to the nursing thing, but my goal is to work for most of the year in the States and make enough to volunteer somewhere else in the world for at least one medical mission a year through an organization such as One Nurse at a Time. But who knows what the future will bring!

Oh, and I love taking travel photos to share with my friends, even though I am a spazz with a camera. I have my travel photos up to share, as well as my notes from previous travel.

PHILOSOPHY

I believe in living a meaningful life, valuing people, pushing the boundaries of my own comfort zone, having fun, seeing the humor in things, and standing up for myself and others who are unable to stand up on their own.

My personal philosophy is summed up by Dr. James Orbinski's quote: "We are responsible for our lives and our world. If we don't engage that responsibility, no one else will. And we will live or die with the legacy of our failures."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

While my trips are rarely planned enough to be able to use couchsurfing when I travel, I love hosting and sharing my favorite places in Seattle whenever I have the time in exchange for living vicariously through others' travel experiences.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have managed to meet wonderful locals to stay with throughout my travels, both through this website and from the generosity and kindness of random strangers. I have also been introduced to friends I have hosted or met through this website that I will keep in touch with throughout my life.

Interests

I love all things related to monkeys, cooking (and eating), the ocean, and adventure.

• photography
• coloring
• dining
• cooking
• running
• traveling
• backpacking
• languages
• nursing
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Generally watch independent films and documentaries. Love almost all music, but mainly listen to old school punk rock, ska, reggae, and rockabilly (I have a weakness for anything with an upright bass).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Snorkeled with whale sharks in Belize, caught a glimpse of Subcomandante Marcos in Mexico, breathed in the smells of the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador, witnessed the vast diversity of the Galapagos islands, cage shark dove with great whites in South Africa, watched the sunrise turn the sand dunes of Sossusvlei every color of red, white water-rafted down the Great Zambezi River, dove off rock ledges and swam in the colorful pools of the most beautiful river in the world at Cano Cristales in Colombia, slept under the stars in the deserts of Egypt, slept in a cave in Petra, Jordan... I know that is more than one, but I suck at following instructions.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love meeting just about anyone new. I believe everyone has something to share. I am horrible at languages, but would love to learn. I enjoy cooking and love learning how to cook meals from different countries. I love photography, and am always looking for tips to improve my picture-taking skills.

I suppose if we are ever attacked by zombies, my skills that I could teach and share involve cooking massive quantities of food and first aid/healthcare (and running websites, but that is probably not a very useful skill during a zombie attack). Oh, and I can fix just about anything with a hot glue gun and some duct tape.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, Botswana, Cambodia, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Iceland, Israel, Jordan, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Viet Nam, Zambia

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

•