Update: Baby Sonali was born 1/20/18. So my status of Not Accepting guests is real. Please help me by not requesting so I don't have a pile of emails. Thanks!

Food, drink and nature drive my superficial purposes of travel. In the end, it's the people I meet that have the greatest influence on my connection with a place. I love cooking too, so whether I'm surfing or hosting, I'll always be in the kitchen with you, taking you to eat something local, or just talking about foods from your region.

I want to hear your accent, listen to whatever you want to share, and understand the beauty you see in the world.

An idealist, optimist, cook, and nutritionist. I currently cook at a spiritual retreat center; I've been a cheesemonger, test cook, barista, electronics industry office worker, and done a host of other menial jobs. I'm a lot Californian, part Taiwanese, part Hong Kongese, and part Mexican with my wonderful husband, Tomas Maganda--look him up on CS-- all of our CS history is on his account.

In your request, please mention the word "vegetable" so I know you've read my profile and are truly interested in staying with me and Tomas. If you don't, then I may choose to decline your request. Thanks!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Tomas and I were on an extended trip from the end of November 2014 until March, 2015. We couchsurfed, WWOOFed, and met up with friends in Taiwan, Japan, and various countries in Europe. We met so many people and had such a great time with them and with CS events like the Polar Plunge in Barcelona.

We enjoy community. We enjoy sharing. We enjoy hearing people's stories. We enjoy having envelopes pushed and eyes opened. We've hosted many surfers upon our return, even in our tiny shoebox of a studio. They've included adventurous pairs of travelers from Germany and France, a sweet couple from Brazil, West Coaster and her dog, and a guy going cross-country in his restored VW bus with a Frenchman.

Interests

Cooking, eating, drinking, swimming, camping, walking, and a little karaoke here and there (with beer).

• culture
• coloring
• beauty
• dining
• cooking
• recipes
• chinese food
• cheese
• bbq
• walking
• drinking
• traveling
• karaoke
• camping
• swimming

Music, Movies, and Books

Classic rock, classical, Tampopo (movie), cerebral and heist movies. I may read 1 novel for every 100 cookbooks, but I did enjoy East of Eden and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Working at America's Test Kitchen in Boston, Massachusetts was pretty awesome for me. I love working with anal-retentive people when it comes to food, and I learned so much. Plus, we shared a love of fried chicken, schmaltz, pork belly, whiskey, and Chinese food.

Appreciating eyesight to see vast sunset skies, the color of water, and people's smiles. Appreciating the ability to smell things like BBQ smoke, cheese, tropical fruits, and moist oak-covered earth in search of chanterelles.

Meeting so many kind souls through CS and traveling.

Eloping to get married in Las Vegas with my partner of 15 years.

Teach, Learn, Share

Food and cooking--teach and share!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Cooking and cleaning are my expertise! I'll have you fed well and clean up afterwards!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Hong Kong, Taiwan, United States