Hi there! I'm a writer and editor eager to sink my feet into the dirt of any and every country I can! I'm also interested in doing some sinking in any water I can, as I'm a scuba diver and a student of marine conservation. As a working science journalist, telling the stories of our incredible, unpredictable, and changing natural world is my passion. The people and animals I meet along the way are the best perk such a job could offer!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm looking spending the rest of my life exploring new places, and know that staying with locals can provide a unique and awesome perspective to a trip. (Plus, they know the best places to eat and drink.) I've had great experiences with AirBNB in the past and look forward to expanding my perspective to Couchsurfing!

Interests

I'm an avid writer and photographer both by profession and as a hobby. I also swim for sport and pleasure and scuba dive to get up close and personal with the marine life I've loved since I was a kid. I love hiking and am hoping to expand into backpacking with my upcoming adventures!

Food is a big part of any trip I take. I'll try any food once and love expanding my palate for beer.

• animals
• writing
• dining
• cooking
• beer
• instructor
• drinking
• hiking
• backpacking
• scuba diving
• sports
• swimming
• journalism
• languages
• science
• sign language

Music, Movies, and Books

I read constantly, so picking favorites is a tough one. Recent favorite reads have been American Wolf (Nate Blakeslee), This Much Country (Kristin Knight Pace), Endurance (Alfred Lansing - a classic for a reason!), Enchantments (Kathryn Harrison), and Circe (Madeline Miller). My most frequent re-read is probably Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke.

As for music, right now the Districts, Led Zeppelin, the Head and the Heart, David Bowie, the Arctic Monkeys, the Shins, the Tallest Man on Earth, Gregory Alan Isakov, and Lorde have been making frequent rotations in my library. Gregory Alan Isakov is perhaps my all-time favorite and always my #1 played artist, as Spotify likes to remind me.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In spring 2015 I sailed down the east coast of New Zealand on a tall ship with SEA Semester as an active crew member, student, and working scientist.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach any swim stroke, as I was a swim instructor for 6 years. I can also teach you to cook or bake pretty much anything that I've cooked before.

I'd love to learn some more languages. I speak Spanish and I'm working on French, and know a smattering of Italian and German, and would love to learn American Sign Language.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I love to cook and bake and will be happy to fill your home with delicious foods!

I'm also an enthusiastic dive partner for any scuba divers out there.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Bermuda, Canada, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, England, France, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, United States