CURRENT MISSION

first time couch surfer

ABOUT ME

Eager for a fresh perspective of what has become a consumer-obsessed and shopping crazed Christmas holiday season for much of the western world, I packed my bags in November and flew off to Myanmar, for a month of teaching at St. Matthew's Orphanage Center in Pyin Oo Lwin. I was teaching 7th and 11th grade English, but what I didn't know right away was that I was learning so much more.

I keep my mind open to new experiences, I love meeting new people and making friends. I am constantly reminded how much I have to learn from other people. I celebrated my 21st birthday - for Americans, a birthday infamous for drinking heaps - at the orphanage, and there was no where else I would rather have been.

Pieces of my heart are scattered over the world - in sunny Dunedin, and the misty mountains of the South Island, New Zealand, in Myanmar, at the orphanage, and at home in New York with my family, dear friends, and the memories of long lazy summers at Keuka Lake. Still, I am eager to find more places in the world to love and call home, and when I leave, to long to return to.

I try to make the most of life and am always keen to wake up for the sunrise or stay up for the stars. Life is short and sweet, and I am loving every minute of it!! I believe that every experience in life gives you something more- whether it be refined technical skill, character development, or something less tangible.. The rewards may not immediately be clear, but I can look back on my life and see how everything I've done has gotten me here today. Thus, with that openness, I take any adventure, challenge, unknown... head on!

PHILOSOPHY

I am incredibly grateful for everything in my life - the good, and the bad - because I see how it has helped me get where I am today. I don't know what's in store for me but I try to live with an open heart and a gracious enthusiasm for what's next.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have heard many good things from my friend Becca, but have yet to couch surf myself!

Interests

I have a powered paragliding license but would like to learn to paraglide at some point. I am interested in photography but not as a career path. I have a soft spot for the mountains and, though not particularly skilled in any of these things, I have climbed ice in Alaska, and skied down glaciers in New Zealand.

• photography
• cooking
• drinking
• shopping
• flowers
• paragliding
• volunteering
• mountains

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Celebrated Christmas in Myanmar with 98 loving, bright, selfless orphans who gave me gifts - a photo, a flower, some marbles- all they had- on my last day before returning home. To see such character, love, and generosity was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I am continually reminded that true learning comes not from textbooks and lecture halls, but from other people in all different places of the world.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love taking photos and can teach you to take better pictures.
I can share places that you can volunteer with children and make a difference, teaching, playing, loving.
I'd like to learn how to cook traditional foods in any part of the world that I'm in

Countries I’ve Visited

Cambodia, Myanmar, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

New Zealand, United States