CURRENT MISSION

Beginning a year-long round-the-world trip through Europe, Asia, and South America, while developing my blog at world-smith.com.

ABOUT ME

When my cousin and I were about 2 or 3 years old, our grandfather gave each of us a chocolate cookie. Once all was said and done, I had the tiniest spot of chocolate on my thumb and forefinger. Alex was covered from head to toe to table to walls and just about everything in between. I suppose you could say the writing was on the wall for who we would eventually become...it was just rendered illegible, being covered in Alex's chocolaty handprints.

So here's where things stand a couple decades later.

I am a young not-quite-professional. I am a Gal Friday. I am the rare 'social introvert.' I am the ultimate townie -- please, for the love of all that is not orange and blue, stop asking if I went to UVA.
There's likely not an un-obnoxious way to say I love to travel. But it's a simple truth. I thrive on potential and, while I appreciate having the deep roots that I do, nothing makes me feel quite like I do when I have a new place to explore.
I am a dog lover, swing dancer, and cook. Avid reader, occasional hiker, excessive pop culture quoter. (And on that note, I'm not a concept, Joel...)
I am the girl you see smelling books in some nook or cranny of an independent used bookstore, but don't notice right away...or maybe at all. I usually prefer the role of observer over observed anyways.
Most of all, I am a storyteller and the best stories come from what goes wrong. So I am a skeptical believer, optimistically cynical, and always looking for a little middle ground.

And yes, I am still an obsessively neat eater.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Starting July 2016, I'm embarking on a year-long round-the-world trip. Most places I visit, I already have accommodations lined up, so many of my trips I'm open to meeting people rather than looking for a place to crash.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Teach, Learn, Share

English, cooking, and dance are probably the easiest things for me to teach.

I'd love to learn how to kayak this year - I've done it once or twice out of necessity but never had an actual lesson. It's probably also time I learned more than kindergarten Spanish.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Happy to help with cooking or cleaning during my stay.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Monaco, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom, United States