I am an eclectic person and I just don't fit in boxes. I wouldn't want it any other way!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love to travel, and I really thought I would have seen more of the world by this time of my life. I am determined to change this oversight! I love a resort as much as anyone, but REAL travel experiences happen where people live! I want to learn about the culture and lifestyles of people in other areas. I want to learn how we are similar as well as what makes us different. I want to embrace local community as I explore new parts of the world, and if you come to my area, I would like to reciprocate the host experience by giving back.

Interests

I am a very eclectic person, and with the exception of sports, there isn't much that I am uninterested in. A great cup of coffee starts my day, and I am intrigued by topics such as philosophy, history, cultures, psychology, travel, music, theater, wine, art, learning new ideas, and making the most of the time I travel this earth. I'm also a bit of a nerd-- I love sci-fi, cosplay (give my ANY reason to wear a costume and I'm in!), karaoke, and all things comicon. I enjoy girly things, but I am pretty low-maintenance and I love the adventure of hiking the unknown, scuba diving to explore underwater life, being off the grid, and seeing the stars at night. I always want to know what is waiting to be explored around the next bend in the road. I love meeting new people and learning what they value and what makes them who they are. It's a great time to be alive because technology has made the world so much more connected, and we ALL have something new to teach each other!

• arts
• culture
• theater
• wine
• coffee
• traveling
• music
• karaoke
• hiking
• scuba diving
• history
• psychology

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC: My home is often filled with music, and I have wide and varied tastes. My favorites by far are Progressive Rock and classic rock bands, but I also enjoy singer-songwriters, world music, classical, jazz, and almost anything except rap, hip-hop, and R&B. Bands? Well, this is hard! A sampling would be Pink Floyd, Anything that Steve Wilson has touched (Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, Steve Wilson Band), Led Zeppelin, Rush, Crosby Stills and Nash, Moody Blues, Bob Seger, Lynyrd Skynard, Dead Can Dance, Def Leppard, The Eagles, ELO, Elton John, Evanescence, Dream Theater... I need to stop or this will get way too long!

MOVIES & TV: My favorite genre is sci-fi and fantasy. The Matrix, Star Wars, Star Trek, Babylon 5, Blade Runner, and Braveheart, Game of Thrones... My favorite comedies are Dumb and Dumber, the Jerk, and Meet the Parents. I also enjoy documentaries and indie art films.

BOOKS: My favorite book- Atlas Shrugged followed closely by Les Meserables. I love classic literature, especially the dystopian novel- From George Orwell and Kafka, to the Greek plays, and everything in between.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I went scuba diving with whale sharks in Mexico! In my mind, I KNOW they are harmless to humans and are only filter feeders, but when you see a 4' open mouth coming at you, it's still pretty instinctively terrifying!

I also explored a salt mine deep, deep below the earth in eastern Ukraine, and I have been cave exploring in Missouri.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have much to teach and even more to learn! The exchange of ideas makes us all better people who live fuller and more well-rounded lives. I am certified as a life and executive coach and I have conducted corporate trainings on Meyers-Briggs personality types.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I will respect your home, your culture, your rules, and your traditions. I will be a good citizen and lead with appreciation and gratitude for your hospitality. I will be a new friend and share my world with you as I strive to connect with yours. And as I venture out and explore your area, I will allow you to experience your city and region through fresh eyes. I will also give you as much space as you need so as to not be a great disruption to your life and routine. I do not demand to be tied to your hip at all times, and I do not expect you to cater to me. I strive to leave everyone a little better than I met them, if only in some small way.

Countries I’ve Visited

Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Greece, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Spain, Ukraine

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States