Check out my instagram and twitter, username: MsPenaTXCO

CURRENT MISSION

to find future couches so I can travel the world in 80 days. or more.

ABOUT ME

PLEASE READ. I LIVE IN FORT WORTH, NOT HOUSTON!
I don't know why the site keeps putting me in Houston! I live in south Fort Worth, close to Crowley and Burleson, TX

there's a lot about me! I'm quiet in the beginning but tend to gain respect...eventually.

Taking life easy and enjoying my new city. I just moved up to fort worth and meeting new people. I like to be in the company of others. I'm looking forward to all my future trips all around the world. I also participate in a project called Postcrossing- where I exchange postcards with people all over the world. I've had great experiences with that, and until now, it was the only way of me seeing the world. However, i'm in Europe until the end of August, so i'm trying to see as much as possible, and meet as many people as I can while i'm here.

The hardest question i've had asked to me was by a fellow couchsurfer, the question was: Is life better in Europe or America? What do you think? I'm still not positive about what the "correct" answer is.

PHILOSOPHY

To do everything with little or no fear. You set your own limits, you are your own boss.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I want to exchange ideas with locals and share what I've learned about Fort Worth with other travelers. There is so much that travel sites don't show you and a local often knows best.

I am not "verified" because I was verified about a year ago....but no one came to visit or was asking to stay with me for a conference; I couldn't justify the $20 to get verified. But, i'm here.

If you are staying with me, could you possibly bring me a tourist magnet from your city? I like magnets, they don't take up too much space and are more meaningful than money.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've finally had my first experience with couchsurfing- in Poland! It was absolutely marvelous, and I want to do it almost everywhere I go! Couchsurfing is more than finding a couch- it's meeting new people, seeing their outlook on life, and getting a taste of what kind of life they live. I've also surfed in Italy, Spain, and France, most were wonderful and welcoming. I would love to do it again. Now that I have the opportunity to host, I would love to share my home with those that are traveling through.

I am all about doing free or cheap stuff! There are plenty of low cost things to do in DFW, it just requires some traveling around. Fort Worth is known for having one of the safest downtowns in the US. There are also some parks, the stockyards, and other random sites within the city.

TIPS:
The only bad experience i've had with CS is that sometimes planning ahead may be TOO ahead. This should go for couchsurfers, but mainly for hosts: don't send out invitations if you cannot fulfill them. I've had to deal with kind invitations, but at the last minute the host has either been unresponsive or has decided to host someone else. Put on your profile if you'd rather get last minute requests or would like to have your schedule planned way ahead.

to the couchsurfer: keep in contact with your host and keep a strong communication. One pet peeve of mine: when people cannot follow through with commitments. Yes, i'm guilty of it, but rarely do I commit it. If I give someone my word, I like to stick to it. Read through people's reviews. If you're a female, be especially careful. It's unfortunate, but better safe than sorry.

Interests

Music, sleeping, coffee, taking pictures, making friends, learning swear words in other languages, studying, traveling, Astronomy, Political Science, metal, black metal, hard metal, viking metal, death metal. I love metal.

I am a meat eater, but I am cutting down my intake quite a bit. It's really hard to find good vegetarian restaurants in Fort Worth. Dallas has some better options, but I hate driving in the city.

I drink in moderation. No more than 2 beers at a sitting is what I can handle now. I am still very much into the microbrewery culture.

I am also a teacher and have many stories to share. Mostly funny student stories, but also get ready for some ranting. I love teaching, but like any job, it has its negative sides.

My true passion however, is politics. I can talk about it all day. If we have opposing views, I am open to hearing your arguments, but be ready for rebuttal. The current United States of affairs is enraging to me.

• pets
• culture
• coffee
• traveling
• music
• metal music
• astronomy
• teaching
• languages
• political science
• science
• volunteering
• heavy metal
• veganism
• black metal
• death metal

Music, Movies, and Books

System of a Down is my favorite band, KoRn, Rammstein, Indochine, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Seether, A Perfect Circle, Metallica, Tori Amos, Lacuna Coil, The Used, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Mars Volta, Mindless Self Indulgence, Kotiteollisuus,and many more...a lot to write down, really.

Movies: Pretty much anything. I don't like campy movies.

Shows: unsolved mysteries, the walking dead, the handmaid's tale.

Books: Also a lot, i'm open to suggestions. I mostly stick to classics or things easier to read. My attention span is pretty short.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've become a teacher after working for corporate America for a few years. In only one year, it has been life changing.

The experiences of traveling is something no one can take away from me. I would love to keep traveling and learning.

Teach, Learn, Share

the world is a vast place, learn from it.

I can give you some basic Spanish lessons, or lessons about government, literature, and some reading comprehension skills. I also have some board games we can play (my collection keeps growing!)

What I Can Share with Hosts

As mentioned above, I can teach some Spanish, cook a breakfast with lots of cheese, help clean, do some chores, or tell some corny jokes. I can also share some stories about teaching, my experience, etc. I'm also pretty good t finding cheap or free attractions.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, United States