CURRENT MISSION

To get back to San Francisco

ABOUT ME

I currently work in administration. My professional background was in working with homeless people but I have taken a career change.

Travel, good books and food are my big passions in life. I love learning about other cultures and meeting people from other nationalities. I do spanish language classes but I am not able to converse beyond a basic level as such. I am not talented but I make up for it with endless passion and enthusiam.

I do a lot out of work, besides classes. I am involved in a local vegetarian group and organise small events.

I like - whisky, chocolate, garlic, California, bookshops, spending hours in places I visit aimlessly wandering, coastal walks, sunshine, water, animals, good food, chilling out with friends, flying, daydreaming, architecture, art, history and new social movement ideas.

I dislike - beer, coffee, romance, romantic music and pessimists.

Anywhere listed as being among my favourite places has plenty of good bookshops. I love spending hours mooching around bookshops, whether small specialist bookshops, campus bookshops, second hand books or the large chains like Borders.

Note to men - I am here to host people, be hosted, meet interesting people, make friends around the world and to learn about life in other places. I am NOT here to find a partner. I have received several dating messages and I would rather not. Please do not send me dating messages.

PHILOSOPHY

I don't believe in love.

Work is important to me, but these days I am not married to my job. When I was younger, my career meant everything and had priority. Now, as long as I can earn enough to live on - and save for travel - promotion and a glamourous title are not a big deal to me. Work is a means to an end, not the end in itself to me these days.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I participate by hosting guests when I can.

I also am a member of several groups and I am always keen to answer peoples questions if I know the answer, based on my own travel experience. If you need to know any information about travelling, working or studying in Newcastle upon Tyne/the UK I will help you as much as I can.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have hosted people and stayed with some wonderful people as a guest. I hope that I can continue to do so. If your coming to Newcastle and I am free at the time, please contact me. If I cannot host you or you have your accommodation arranged, I may be be able to meet up with you and give you a city tour or show you some nightlife. When travelling, I am always keen to meet others.

On recent trips to the USA and India, I was hosted by some great hosts, who gave me lots of time and care. I hope that I can offer as much to the people I host in future.

Interests

Travel. Youth hostelling. Hospitality exchange. Cooking. Eating out. Sudoku. Reading. Cinema. Writing. Listening to music. Outdoor activities. Learning spanish and arabic.

• animals
• arts
• writing
• books
• architecture
• make up
• dining
• cooking
• chocolate
• beer
• coffee
• vegetarian
• nightlife
• flying
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• eating out
• socializing
• sudoku
• music
• outdoor activities
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

I read lots, mainly travel literature, sometimes about food, social issues and other interests. I am VERY bookish. My favourite fiction works are generally around culture clashes and finding an identity - examples include Brick Lane, White Teeth, Namesake, Digging to America, Life isn't all ha ha hee hee etc.

My favourite movies? Amelie and My Summer of Love are among my favourite movies. I loved the Italian Job, Sister Act I and II, Sixth Sense and the Motorcycle Diaries. I don't like really violent movies. I confess to liking the odd teen/college flick. I watch Spanish language movies when I can.

I love music. I mainly listen to rock music. REM has been my favourite band since I was in high school. I also like U2, Coldplay, Big Country, the Caffreys (local rock band), Manic Street preachers, the Verve and others. I also sometimes like some world music, 80s, dance, classical, jazz, instrumental, Christian ... I will listen to almost anything but not lovey romantic stuff or opera.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I managed to leave school at 16 with no academic qualifications, but went to university as a mature student at the age of 25. At high school, my teachers said I lacked academic ability. I wasn't even entered for many exams as I considered unable. I accepted this without question then. When I got older, I questionned their judgement of me and realised that it was my teachers who said I was stupid - I never said that. I studied for GCSE's and A-Levels and got into university. This was one of my best ever experiences!

I believe that this has turned out to be a positive thing because ultimately it shaped who I am. Learning to organise full time work and part time study (pre university) and then full time study with part time work (university) developed a strong perserverance and organisation. I learnt to keep going when it was hard work, boring and tiring - that has helped me a lot in life. Succeeding at something really increased my confidence and encouraged me to keep reaching for my other goals. There was also a lot to be learnt about how damaging labels can be when applied to people.

Teach, Learn, Share

I believe that we all have something to teach each other,even if it is not apparent at first. I believe that everyone I met can teach me something. I believe that anyone could learn something from me - eventually.

Countries I’ve Visited

India, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom

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