CURRENT MISSION

To explore as much of this amazing planet as I can

ABOUT ME

I grew up in a coal mining town in Pennsylvania and have travelled to more than 40 countries since!

I'm a very liberal person with strong views on right and wrong. I'm not very tolerant of intolerance (smile).

A former publishing/marketing manager, I changed careers at 40 and became a high school English teacher. I've also been an adjunct university professor. I am currently teaching at The American International School of Muscat. Previously, I spent five years at Colegio Maya, the American International School in Guatemala. Before that, I taught on Long Island and in New York City.

My husband Chris also is an educator as a second career. Previously he was an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, dedicated to saving lives.

As I get older, I find myself less and less patient with inconsiderate people who think the universe revolves around them.

PHILOSOPHY

You're either part of the solution or part of the problem.

I also believe strongly in the ancient Athenian Code of Citizenship, that your community should be a better place because you lived.

We are here to help each other, if we can't do that, there is no hope.

Perform randon acts of kindness.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Couch surfing is a great way to get to know new places and new people. We're happy to host folks coming through wherever we are, and hope to enjoy the hospitality and friendship of others.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

We just hosted our first surfers, a delightful couple from Germany who has stayed with us four days. We're travelling for the summer, so won't be able to host again until September.

Interests

Avid reader. Enjoy travelling and exploring. Also enjoy trivia, wine tasting, and spending time with friends.

• literature
• performing arts
• wine
• wine tasting
• trivia
• traveling
• coding
• surfing
• baseball
• teaching
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

I enjoy independent and foreign films (i.e., not Hollywood blockbusters). As a literature teacher, I enjoy reading; life is too short to read trashy novels.
As far as music, there's little I don't like. I admire people who can make music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Amazing things . . . I was fortunate enough to see the evolution of Prague from Soviet-occupied city in 1980 to the Velvet Revolution in 1992 to post-revolution in 1997 and again in 2010.

In Berlin in January 1989, I saw East German soldiers on top of the wall pulling folks up over the wall at Brandenburg Gate. Amazing since only six months before, they would have shot those same people.

I climbed an active volcano in Guatemala -- don't think I'll do this one again.

Teach, Learn, Share

I know quite a bit about English grammar and literature -- I should, as I teach it! I'm also very interested in 20th century history. Chris also is a history buff and a mariner. We both love baseball.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Palm Coast has no public transportation. You must have your own car. Also, although on the map it looks like we are on the beach, we are not. The beaches here are all private beaches for the condominiums built there. The closest public beach is Flagler Beach, and it is 20 minutes away by car.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Austria, Canada, Germany, Guatemala, Oman, United States