CURRENT MISSION

See more of the world, with an open mind, enthusiasm and compassion for everyone.

ABOUT ME

I'm a single American woman who loves to travel, get the inside scoop, off-the-beaten view of wherever I go, and meet people from all over the world. I have lost count of my careers. I have been an actress/singer, a professional dancer, a costume designer, a puppeteer, a novelist, a Tour Director for escorted group tours, a truck driver (yes really!), a secretary, a waitress, a cowboy boot designer and leather tooler, a webmaster, a newspaper journalist and editor, a freelance writer. I now make my living as an editor/writing coach, writer and book artist/bookbinder and teacher of book arts.
I'm pretty comfortable with people of any age, though I am not very hip to current youth culture. I am no longer much of a partier, though I still love to dance--especially salsa.
I am a meditator and a yoga student--fairly new at it but liking it a lot.
Although I grew up in California, I lived a good part of my adult life in New York City. I now live in San Miguel de Allende, in central Mexico, one of the most beautiful cities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I feel I have been blessed with a great gift to be able to live here.

PHILOSOPHY

I've been around long enough now to have really learned, in my soul, that this moment is all we have--all we will ever have. I love to plan/anticipate experiences, and I love to remember them, but my main goal now is to simply LIVE them, in the moment, with mindfulness and with compassion and kindness to everyone I encounter along the way.

I don't believe in a world of "us" vs. "them." There is only US, all of us, in this together.

Though I like to be comfortable and enjoy my home, I believe in the value of experience more than things, and will always prefer to spend my money on seeing, doing, experiencing rather than on buying and having.

I am a passionate believer in and fighter for social justice for all beings and equality in all things. I have a very liberal political viewpoint that says no one deserves to go hungry, or go untreated when they are sick, or be without a home, or not get an education.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

To begin, I will be looking for locals to hang out with when I travel in Europe this year. I likely will not need a couch, although it's possible for a few days in Amsterdam in October. Mostly, I want to meet people, have interesting conversations, and get inside information about how to spend my time.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Complete newbie. I will add more info here as I gain experience!

Interests

Writing, book-making (binding), mixed media art, music, reading, flea marketing, spending time with friends.

• arts
• culture
• writing
• books
• design
• dancing
• education
• cooking
• recipes
• yoga
• coach
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• communications
• teaching
• freelancing
• journalism
• tours

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Big costume dramas, romantic comedies, chick flicks, and just about anything that makes me think. Music: Most anything except hip-hop/rap. Being a child of the '60s, I especially love classic rock--Janis, the Stones, Led Zeppelin, Jimi, as well as '60s folk music. I like classical music and even some opera. I'm not real big on jazz, but I'm open to learning more about it.
Books - I will read just about anything and always have 2 or 3 books going at a time. I love biographies and well written history. I read a lot of current novels and also love mysteries and legal thrillers. I am a huge Jane Austen fan. My favorite book of the last couple years is Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Zafon.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

A trip to Michoacan, Mexico, to see the monarch butterfly migration left a lasting impression. Standing on a mountain, in a forest of tall pine trees covered in huge clumps of as many as 10 million orange-and-black butterflies, seeing thousands of them fluttering through the air in golden clouds, having them land on my head and hands and shoulders, was a spiritual moment for me.
Also, showing others the wonder of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon and other magical places int he American West was a great privilege.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach simple book-binding techniques, great for making personal journals/art journals. I can also do simple editing/line editing. I'm a decent cook and like sharing recipes.

Countries I’ve Visited

Aruba, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cayman Islands, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Mexico, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States