CURRENT MISSION

100% success in making strangers smile every day.

ABOUT ME

I work a lot on whatever interests me, paid or unpaid, and either travel or move around from time to time.

So far, I've lived in Vancouver, Toronto, and Hong Kong. I'm in London for a year doing a Masters in Development at LSE.

I've worked with non-profits and startups as well as organized TEDx events. I was an English teacher at a great learning centre that two best friends founded 15 years ago. Before that I coached and managed a badminton club for two years.

I'm a cycling addict, although only a hobbyist and wouldn't say I'm any good. I also love to walk for hours just to see places and better understand them, even if it's not scenic. I used to compete in badminton.

I also love food, and specialize in baking and desserts. Of course, there are a few savoury dishes I satisfy myself with, and would love to share them.

TRAVEL TIPS:
My Travel Tips for Solo Female Travellers:
https://medium.com/quirky-travel/travel-tips-for-lone-female-travellers-37a444488bf1

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I also do a lot of event organizing. It started in Toronto, with the student groups. In Hong Kong, I was (and still am) the speakers coordinator for TEDxYouth Day. Along the way, I meet other cool people along the way, and one result has been taking a group of high school students to an AFESIP centre in Cambodia for a week.

If I'm somewhere for an extended period, I just start projects with people or I find ways to help people with whatever they're doing in the places I go. I'll find sports groups, volunteering groups, and TED events to get involved with.

With hosts, I do whatever is best for the host: I can either give them their space and do a minimal contact, or am happy to spend lots of time with them and immerse myself in their lifestyle.

I like trying everything once, and just having an exchange between my experiences and the people I meet's experiences.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've never managed to officially been a CS host, but I've hosted friends of friends many times in the cities that I've lived in because it always seemed like a waste to be spending such a huge portion of the travel budget on a room!

While I was living alone in HK for 1 year I hosted more than 10 people and had a blast. They were all friends or family who brought their friends along. It made HK a lot more fun, and always refreshingly new.

Interests

Sports: biking, racquet sports, kayaking, climbing, hiking
Lifestyle: food, cooking, coffee and cafes, gigs, reading, photography

• writing
• photography
• dining
• cooking
• coffee
• desserts
• baking
• clubbing
• flying
• reading
• traveling
• cycling
• hiking
• kayaking
• sports
• rock climbing
• badminton
• teaching
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: The Little Prince, The God of Small Things, Invisible Cities

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Offroad mountain biking Nepal's Kathmandu Valley was a wonderful experience: had no experience prior, and fell so many times, but it was so new, fun, and with amazing sites.

Living in Cambodia's villages: we were visiting the AFESIP centre, and I am just amazed by the strength of those girls (3-18) whom were rescued from the brothels.

Watching a thunderstorm overtake the Taipei basin from Maokong as we were having a great lunch and sipping tea: and then having it crash into us and falling asleep to the sound of pouring rain and thunder.

Flying off my bike. Cycling the Eastern side of Taiwan.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: I don't know if this is teaching, but if you're ever heading to Vancouver, Toronto, or Hong Kong I'm more than happy to give you very organized and detailed information on what are some hidden gems (even from locals) that should make your trip enjoyable.

I was a phonics and writing teacher, so I love reading to kids if you have them, and helping them with homework.

Share: I've been very lucky to have been to many places in Europe, Asia, and North America and I love to compare them. I'm also an avid photographer, so the narrations can come with visuals. And I guess I likes spewing comparisons of places and things.

Learn: Local lifestyles, your life values, new sports, how to kayak well

Countries I’ve Visited

Cambodia, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, China, United Kingdom