CURRENT MISSION

To remember who I truly am until at last I never forget.

ABOUT ME

Thinking back to the times in my life where I've been the most excited and full, I am remembering moments of mindfulness and honest sharing between myself and others. I am fascinated by what you're thinking and what you're feeling right now, whatever it is.

I love music and dancing, and I find my love again in music and dancing. Seeing other people find their creativity and playfulness always brings me deep joy.

PHILOSOPHY

These are all big questions! I'll put something down here, but part of my Personal Philosophy is the inevitability and wonder of change. After having tried staying the same and experiencing that stress I've committed myself to awakening to the possibilities in change. I can't really say I've made any progress, because I keep changing and I'm not always sure in which direction. Sometimes I forget what my philosophy is for long periods of time and then, inevitably, I remember. I'm deeply interested in taking 100% responsibility for my life (not less OR more), and for the present that I continually create around me. But, I forget about that interest a lot too. I am sometimes silly with serious times, and sometimes serious with silly times. Accepting the world for the way it is - that's a practice that I keep coming back to again and again.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I live in a multi-generational home and cannot currently host. Though someday, I would love to do it again. I've lived in several big community houses in college and after, and we occasionally offered our couch to host guests. I always valued the feeling of newness guests brought into our home.

The added adventure of hosting and being hosted has always been a welcome experience that has inspired me to look to couchsurfing as a possibility whenever I travel.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've hosted often through the swing dance community, and less often through this site. I've been hosted many times (in this community and in the dance community, and have had the best experiences).

I've always valued quirky rooms, odd doors, slightly weird interactions and idiosyncratic people.

Interests

I am interested in new ways of looking at 'old' things. When I see an object, like the 'pen' sitting next to me, not as a 'pen', but as it really is, with all its nicks and scratches, it's unique weight and shine based on the fluorescent lights in the room I find myself in; an entire spectrum of stimuli there for me to access.

When I'm invited into new perspectives on old things, and I make the leap, I often find myself jump started and jolted alive.

I pursue old and new activities, with my fingers crossed for little sparks.

• arts
• dancing
• cooking
• meditation
• traveling
• music

Music, Movies, and Books

Radical Honesty, by Blanton; Conscious Living, by Hendricks; Ray Bradbury in his entirety; Winnie the Pooh; slow, artsy movies done for the art of film; uproarious, irreverent, insane movies like Everything Everywhere All at Once; Post Rock; Jazz of the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella; pump up jams (like the Bee Gees).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I went to a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat. It was silent, meaning no communication between students. It was amazing to witness the outward shell of determination and commitment of the other participants alongside my inner fear and ambivalence. It was also amazing to witness the generosity of the center- for 10 days I was housed and fed through the work of volunteers, and the whole experience cost $0.00. I had not previously seen giving of that sincerity and magnitude in my life. It opened my eyes to that possibility, and I see it more and more.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love music, and I can share a good deal about what I've learned about sound appreciation, experimental music, and electronic sound art. I've also spent years as a swing dancer in Seattle. I've taught weddings and private events, and I would love to teach anyone who wants to learn. I could spread that joy almost any day. I'm studied deeply with the Hendricks (google 'The Hendricks Institute'), and I would also love to talk about mindfulness, authenticity, creativity, doubt, judgements, emotions, thoughts- the stuff of life.
I studied French in college (one of my minors)! I spent a month in a program in Paris, and I speak conversational French. I will speak French with you, and share what I know of Paris and of the language (and what little wonderful slang I have at my disposal).
Furthermore, I love to cook, and I can share what I know about inspired improvised meals that don't turn out to be mush. I would hope to be able to cook a meal with someone I stayed with, or just for them. Finally, I would meditate with you if you asked.

Countries I’ve Visited

Estonia, Latvia, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, United States