Why I’m on Couchsurfing

My immediate reason for joining Couchsurfing.com is a fast approaching backpacking trip that my boyfriend and I have planned to Europe. We will be traveling February 2nd through February 25th and will be visiting five different countries during our stay abroad; Starting with England, Prague, Amsterdam, Germany, and Lastly France. I have a love for Traveling, meeting new people, and learning about other cultures. I lived in Sevilla Spain for Six months in 2009, and from my experience of that trip and the travels I have embarked on in other various countries, including European ones, it is a definite treat being able to stay with people who know the land of which I am just a visitor.

Interests

I have a Wide array of interests. People in general interest me, the way we are drawn or not drawn to one another, even without talking. Learning New Languages, Learning about art, and learning about the world we humans inhabit. Every day I find I am constantly trying to gain a better understanding of how I can benefit the rest of the world by living fully and rightly by myself and in turn by my fellow citizens of the world. I strive to maintain enlightenment so as to enlighten others... easier said than done... I Love animals, I love Family, I love breathing and yoga too! Did i say i love to cook.... oh, and eat.. I Ride Horses any chance I get, which is sadly less often than I would like. I love my cat 'Bonne Chance'. I am interested in Staying Present in the moment, ideally every moment of every day!

• animals
• cats
• horses
• arts
• photography
• cooking
• yoga
• traveling
• painting
• drawing
• backpacking
• teaching
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

I grew up with a really eclectic family of which I am extremely grateful to each and every one of them. At a young age my grandparents would take me on trips to New York for broadway musicals and buy me CD's of Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and all the rest. My parents introduced me to Rock and Roll, my first concert was a lynyrd skynyrd concert at the age of nine. In my pre-teen years, I admired my older cousins who would jam with me to Alanis Morissette, and then later the postal service. In high school, my first boyfriend and I would lay and listen to oldies for hours every day. I cannot deny the fact I also love country, especially after spending the majority of my coming of age years in Rural Lexington Virginia, going to barn and field parties flooded with banjo pickers, fiddles, and guitars alike. With a history of such a wide array of musical influence, its hard to say a favorite, I find joy in all the genres. but thats not to say i cannot have a musical mood. so if i were asked what my most common musical mood would have to be rock and roll, because it soothes my soul. Led Zepplin ... enough said :)

As far as books go, The Alchemist has been my favorite book for as long as I can remember. I have re-read it a number of times, and I am sure it wont be long before I pick it up again.
I love to read poetry, I am currently reading a book by Kalidasa, called The Meghaduta, or "(poem) wherein a cloud is messenger." Dated back to the 4th or 5th century A.D.; , it is translated from Sanskrit and in these 110 four line stanzas, a yaksha, a sort of demigod exiled from his home and his beloved wife, asks a cloud to take her a message. It is hands down the most beautiful, lyrical, poetry I have ever read.

Movies........ Movies.....
Well, the truth about movies is, I love to start them, but, I cannot seem to stay awake for them. I did watch the entire first three seasons of breaking bad in two weeks once.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I volunteered for three consecutive years at Brenners Childrens Hospital in Winston Salem NC for a non profit organization called Arts For Life. http://www.artsforlifenc.org
Arts For Life organization is dedicated to supporting people facing serious illnesses, and disabilities.
I worked Primarily with cancer patients ages 2-20 and their families, by providing educational art programs. I worked one on one, in room settings, as well as group settings at the "art table".
ArtsForLife strives to enrich patients’ lives, nurture their minds and spirits, and encourage positive healthcare experiences.

Teach, Learn, Share

Every summer I work for the Sawtooth school for visual art
www.sawtooth.org
Teaching art classes to children grades k-5 from 9am-5pm
art skills including anything from drawing or painting, to printmaking, photography and so much more.
Not only am I a teacher in these summer sessions, but I am also learning valuable skills myself.
Time management is a crucial aspect to teaching younger people, as is preparation.
How to orchestrate a room full of young individuals, which is again easier said than done, how to give individual attention and create valuable relationships with each an every one of my students, and how to treat children as individuals with great minds ready to soak up information and relay information.
All of these seemingly simple concepts are put into action daily and it is a challenge and an inspiration to maintain homeostasis.
I would say maintaining interest by making things fun and exciting is the key factor.
If they aren't interested in whats being taught, kids are not going to be attentive. The most difficult thing for a teacher to understand is that it is not the students fault they aren't drawn in. It is our responsibility as teachers of the youth to give the children something to be interested and engaged in.
Children are our future, they are our hope for humanity and what we have to rely on for making this world a better place. if we (older adults) are not able to instill in them good practices, then what do we have to look forward to?

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Costa Rica, England, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Spain, United States