***Currently travelling: Taiwan, Shanghai, Australia, Okinawa until 01/11***

ABOUT ME
I grew up playing a lot of sport and being outdoors in a small town in rural Victoria, before moving to Melbourne to study.

I completed the last few months of that university degree in Jordan, fell in love with the country, and decided to stay on. I worked for the national airline as cabin crew for a year and had an amazing time travelling, as well as working with and meeting people from all over the world.

Although that was a great experience, writing remained my passion and after freelancing intermittently I was able to secure a full-time position with a magazine company in Amman. I worked as an editor for a women's lifestyle monthly, and a architecture, art and design magazine, as well as occasionally contributing to business and fashion titles. This job was a dream, as I find I am interested in everything from conflict reporting to wearable-tech innovations, and anything in between. I had a chance to interview and work with a diverse array of incredibly talented individuals, and learned a lot.

After four years in the Middle East, I decide it was time to come home and save some money before heading off on another adventure. My Summer16 was spent back at my family's farm, working in the wool industry and catching up with old friends.

Before long I was ready for a new challenge and opportunity to learn about another culture. Now I am living in Japan on a working holiday. I'm currently based in Kyoto where I work with a culture quarterly, an art zine, and teach English.

PHILOSOPHY
In the past few years I've learned to let go a little more and allow things to just happen - they tend to be more wonderful than you could have planned that way. I enjoy being adventurous; trying new things at every opportunity (ordering something I've had before, or watching (most) films a second time irks me – there's just too much variety to let it pass you by!).

I'm always keen to have a good time and share fun experiences with kind people.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've hosted in Jordan and Japan, and surfed in several countries (including Egypt, Nepal, Israel/Palestine, China, and Japan). I have always had wonderful experiences and find Couchsurfing is so much better then flying by and staying in an isolated chain hostel, learning nothing about the place.

Even if people can't host you, they usually take the time to offer you insights into their homes, far beyond those you could expect to find in a guidebook.

Interests

My interests include anything encompassed by the incredibly-general term: craftsmanship – hence my living in Kyoto, where I am eternally in-awe of the precision and attention to detail employed in EVERYTHING.

I enjoy sewing and embroidery when I'm not writing or watching Youtube tutorials on everything from how to whistle to adding effects in Adobe Premier.

I used to play a lot of sport when I was in school, and still enjoy hiking, bike riding, surfing, diving, and running – if I can get myself out of bed in time for it to still be crisp and peaceful.

I've just started taking aikido lessons, and my Sensei is the most kick-ass woman I have ever met!

• design
• fashion
• photography
• music
• hiking
• surfing
• scuba diving
• cultural studies
• international relations
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

As with most things, I'm drawn to variety, so, if I'm being honest: I don't have favourites and enjoy a little bit of everything!

If you're really one for more tangible answers, a sample of what I'm into includes:

Music: garage rock, progressive rock, surf rock, alternative music, and film scores. Lately, I've had Smashing Pumpkins playing on repeat again.

Literature: Classics, memoirs, and YAF. I'm currently working my way through Yasunari Kawabata's works.

Film: Dystopian, surrealist, Sci-fi, Gus Van Zant, historical drama, scenic cinematography, and foreign language films. Memorable films, which I have enjoyed this year are: High Rise, The Usual Suspects, Neon Demon and Only God Forgives – I can't get enough of Nicolas Winding Refn's trippy visuals and 80s soundtracks.

TV: Addicted to TWD (plus FTWD), Breaking Bad (and Better Call Saul), True Blood, Deadwood, HTGAWM, GoT, and, more recently, Mr. Robot.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Climbed to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro with my Mum for our birthdays.

On day 4/8 (my 21st) they made me a (pan)cake, which, at such a high altitude, didn't rise, but was delicious and memorable nevertheless. My mum (50) got so ill that she was hallucinating a rescue helicopter, but she kept going and made it to the top – where she was so exhausted she fell asleep standing up, leaning on her hiking poles for the summit photo. I was so proud I cried a little, immediately freezing my eyelashes together. We spent the following hours rolling down the snowy trail, cackling our heads off in deliria.

Teach, Learn, Share

I don't really like the idea of preaching or one-way teaching, but I'm happy to partake in cultural exchange, and I'm not bothered by helping you with English if that's something you would like.

I value learning by listening to people from different backgrounds and walks of life. I'd be highly grateful if you are willing to share your unique perspectives or introduce me to something new.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Like most people, I can share my own unique tales from my travels, my work, and my living experiences.

I'm also happy to share my opinions on art, film, music, fashion, politics, culture, religion, and current events (or just as happy to talk about none of these, and something new that interests you!).

If you like wagashi (Japanese sweets) I can probably squeeze some of those into my rucksack too!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, China, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Russian Federation, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Japan, Jordan, Tunisia