Hello!

Our names are Elan and Naomi and we're from New York (Manhattan, currently) and Baltimore.

I (Elan) am a Product Designer at a news organization called Quartz (qz.com) in NY, as well as a musician. Studied Theories of Creativity in college, and got a masters in Integrated Product Design. On twitter @elankiderman and my personal website is holdthebull.com.

I (Naomi) am a medical student at Johns Hopkins down in Baltimore, on my way to becoming a family doc next year. Studied biology in college and spent a year working in homeless social services before starting med school. I also sing along with whatever Elan is playing.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Most importantly, to meet people. And secondly, because we love to travel but hate seeing new places exclusively through the lens of a tourist.

This summer, we're heading from the east coast out west (and back) because Naomi is spending a month doing family medicine in Shiprock New Mexico with Navajo Nation.

Interests

Both of us like cooking (lots of vegetarian/vegan food), baking, the outdoors, animals (especially dogs), biking, singing, talking to people, having philosophical conversations about gender, feminism. Social justice-wise, we try to do our best on this planet to fight for people of all genders, races, sexualities, abilities.

Elan:
I play the violin, guitar, mandolin, ukulele, have dabbled in sitar. I play in a string quartet back at home. Love music in general.

Designer — I've done a little bit of everything: user experience, user interface, physical products, graphics, branding, typography. It's my main tool of trade and I'm very passionate about it.

Writing — fiction, non-fiction experimental poetry

Naomi:
I sing a cappella, choral music, and showtunes (I don't play any non-vocal instruments very well but where there is music I'll be making harmonies)

Medicine-wise, I'm interested in primary care, mental health care, and LGBTQ health equality.

• dogs
• writing
• poetry
• singing
• design
• photography
• lgbt rights
• cooking
• baking
• vegetarian
• news
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• guitar
• violin
• outdoor activities
• biology
• biking
• musical theatre

Music, Movies, and Books

Authors: Roxane Gay, Tim O'brien, Rodha Lerman Derrida, Edward Albee, Amelia Gray, Vonnegut, Nabokov, Borges, Junot Diaz, David Sedaris, Philip Pullman

Musicians: tUnE-yArDs, Sufjan, Regina Spektor, Fleet Foxes, San Fermin, Kishi Bashi, Jaymay, Janelle Monáe, The Shins, Pomplamoose, Saintseneca, Lianne La Havas, Dirty Projectors, Andrew Bird, Norah Jones, Shaina Taub, Beyonce

Movies: Have you seen Moonlight? It's the first movie the two of us bonded over.

What I Can Share with Hosts

cooking/baking, company, chores, Elan-happy to help with any design or computer needs. i usually travel with my ukulele so we can play songs and sing too. Naomi-happy to give you semi-professional medical advice or even bandage up a minor flesh wound (jk! maybe).

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Egypt, England, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, South Africa, Spain, Uganda

Countries I’ve Lived In

Israel