Hello, and thank you so much for taking the time to read my profile!

My name is Christina Mokwa. I am new to the Couchsurfing and Workaway communities, and, at 29, have begun a journey of healing and personal exploration. For me, that means living a life rich in experiences that are empathetic, compassionate, healing, and helpful.

My goal is to symbiotically connect with any person that crosses my path, giving all I can to better their life, and gaining a meaningful connection with a unique soul.

For five years, I was an AICE Psychology teacher at my alma mater. I've also interned/assisted a licensed mental health counselor, volunteered to support animals in need (cats and horses), spent much of my free time mentoring and counseling young adults, and organizing events and fundraisers (most notably at WEF, our winter equestrian festival.)

Those closest to me would describe me as empathetic, compassionate, and giving, but I'd also say I'm introspective, sensitive, intelligent, driven, optimistic, passionate, resilient, and determined.

I've also been told I have a witty and wonderful sense of humor, and I deeply appreciate that. I love making those around me comfortable, and to me, that means making them laugh. It's one of my favorite things in the world is to laugh and share with others!

My goal in joining Couchsurfing and Workaway was to embark on an adventure that would allow me to create the life I've always known I wanted to live; one that is uniquely my own, untethered to modern convention. One that respects the land, animals, humans, all of nature, and all of life. One that allows me to help people, and grow my skills as an empath, teacher, creative, and student. One that allows me to share my gentle, compassionate self, my sense of humor, my perspective, and the beautiful lessons I've had the good fortune to come to understand, so far, on this miraculous journey.

I sincerely believe I can gain something meaningful from every conversation and every person I encounter. The most important thing in this life for me is not money; it is energy, empathy, experiences, and love.

It is me giving the best, truest, purest, kindest of myself.

I've visited about fifteen countries so far, but have so, so much more to see. I cannot wait to see where the next chapter of this life takes me! Feel free to reach out to me if you'd like to connect, and/or think we would vibe.

Mahalo!

(TL;DR

Christina Mokwa, American, Sicilian, and Eastern European, 29, Scorpio, Teacher, Business Owner, Consultant. Obsessed with all things water; sea turtles, snorkeling, swimming, beach days, good laughs.

Proud of the following:

1) Nationally awarded and recognized AICE Psychology instructor from 2016 - 2020
2) Skydived in 2018, and cannot wait to do it again
3) Love to feed people; cooking and baking are my jam, and I often send friends my creations, usually various biscotti - I also make a wonderful Putanessca
4) I have 5 - 6 friends that I'm incredibly close with, the family I choose. So immensely lucky to have them in my life!
5) I thrive in environments with children (any age, but especially tiny humans) and animals (love them all, EXCEPT the cold-blooded ones.) Give me some lovely little souls to care for or babysit, and a dog or cat, and I'm happy as can be.
6) Owning land on Maui, building a tiny house/self-sustaining homestead is my dream! I'm currently working to move there permanently within the next few years :)
7) I'm an amateur photographer, love documenting my experiences, and would love to take photos and compassionately listen to anyone who would like to share. Thank you for trusting me with your story.
8) Currently working on creating an online hub of resources for those who have experienced sexual abuse and sexual trauma. Will be completed in 2022. Trauma-informed educator, practitioner, friend, and support system.
9) Sunflowers are my favorite flower
10) I live, love, connect, and express as healthily as possible. For me, that means a life of sunshine, laughter, exchange, experience, patience, and understanding. Respecting my body is key to living that out, so I do not consume alcohol or eat processed foods. I also limit all external sugars, limit caffeine, and am mindful about substances. Every body is different, just an FYI if you're considering hosting me :)

Thanks for reading!)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To see the world, share my gifts, and to spend time with lovely people I may not have otherwise had the pleasure of meeting.

To live a life I'm proud of, to enrich those around me, to build skills, learn, and have an incredible time :)

Interests

• animals
• horses
• writing
• photography
• cooking
• baking
• yoga
• meditation
• reading
• music
• teaching
• philosophy
• psychology
• volunteering
• travel
• art
• mythology
• dance
• mindfulness
• italy
• mental health
• advocacy
• sicily
• hawaii
• childcare
• ngo's
• maui
• emotional healing

Music, Movies, and Books

Too many to name, so I'll keep it short:

Movies

- The Fountain
- Blade Runner 2049
- Ex Machina
- Memoirs of a Geisha
- Pride and Prejudice
- About Time
- Eyes Wide Shut
- Amelie
- The Truman Show
- Princess Mononoke
- Spirited Away
- Burn After Reading

Shows

- Halt and Catch Fire
- Flesh and Bone
- Mad Men
- Game of Thrones
- True Blood
- Westworld
- Mr. Robot
- Fleabag
- House of Paper
- Penny Dreadful
- Black Mirror

Books

I always have a new book in my purse/backpack (even though I buy used ;)), and read constantly. Ask me what I'm reading right now!

Currently reading

American Gods by Neil Gaiman, Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins, and am listening to The End of Your World by Adyashanti on Audible.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Snorkeled with sea turtles on Maui
Swam with whale sharks
Skydived
Plant medicine

Teach, Learn, Share

It's exceptionally important to me that I'm not simply staying with a host. What I want, most of all, is to connect and give back!

That, of course, doesn't need to be in the form of money :)

Let me know where you could use a bit of help, and I'm happy to give it a go. Even if it's something as simple as tidying up, taking your pets for a walk, helping you organize your home, time, or schedule, or making you and your guests a lovely meal.

A bit more formally, my skills are as follows:

I would love to assist in the following areas, but am open to nearly any Workaway or Couchsurf, depending on the specifics and criteria. I want to accept Workaways and Couchsurfing invitations where I can give my best and enjoy the experience, and that means ensuring a natural, complementary fit.

Healing work within the following areas interests me most

- Equine therapy and horsemanship.
- Care of wild and domestic animals (of all sorts.)
- Meditation, mental health, spiritual health, body work and yoga.
- Charity work (especially benefiting vulnerable/protected groups, individuals with special needs, and victims of all forms of abuse/neglect.)
- Work with children and young adults.
- Preservation or restoration of historic buildings, texts, or other resources.
- Cooking, baking, or learning new culinary skills (as the child of a Sicilian mother who was constantly cooking and baking, I know the joy food can bring, and would love to learn about new recipes and cuisines.)
- The arts (music, literature, stagecraft/film, painting, drawing, sculpture, and so on. My minor is in Renaissance art and Humanities, and few things make me happier than a quiet, contemplative day at the museum.)
- Gardening, agriculture, and farming (my grandfather had a garden that he loved to tend, and his black fig tree is still thriving behind my mothers house. I love feeling the softness and strength of the earth, walking around barefoot, and getting my hands dirty! Theres nothing better than watching something grow, tending it with care and devotion, and knowing it will feed the people you love. My favorite flowers are sunflowers, and I'd love to help grow those, too!)
- Aqua therapy and other water activities (I've been swimming constantly my entire life, and feel more comfortable in the water than I do on land.)
- Homesteading and sustainable, environmentally responsible living.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My time, skills, compassion, and open heart.

In addition to the above, I'd love to complete a work-trade on Maui, or any of the Hawaiian islands!

Let me know what you need, and I'll try my best at it!

The few things I'd generally avoid are power tools (a bit clumsy), and hard, sustained physical labor for over a few hours per day (5 - 6 hours)(I'm 5'2" and 115 pounds. I'll work hard, practice gratefulness, and give it my all, but I also don't want to hurt myself or not take care of my body :))

Countries I’ve Visited

Aruba, Bahamas, Curaçao, France, Germany, Haiti, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Saint Lucia, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), United Kingdom, United States, Virgin Islands, British

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States