CURRENT MISSION

Finding and cultivating compassion with people, places, plants..

ABOUT ME

I am a person who is is highly effected; by good energy, suffering, compassion, sickness, healing, caffeine, sleep, positive intention, thoughtful conversation, thoughtless conversation, water, waiting, heat, hormones, anxiety, meditation, medication.. being this way has allowed me to adapt and to see opportunities in experiences I don't think I otherwise would. I like to think it makes me stronger, more open and receptive. I wouldn't call my self a writer, but I write a lot and often need to write to process/come to terms with situations and circumstances. I hate to say I hate anything :) but I dislike pessimism and stagnation. I like pillows and blankets, Haruki Murakami, physical touch for healing, feminist theory, social justice themed conversation, and crimson red. I love vibrancy, reflection, intense honesty, effortless compassion and food in my belly! But mostly I love connecting with others, and listening to their stories.
A quote I try to live by: "We heal ourselves by giving to the world what we need most" Eve Ensler (creator of the Vagina Monologues)

PHILOSOPHY

Be who you are
And say what you feel
Because those mind don't matter
And those who matter
Don't mind
-Dr. Seuss

I really believe in the power of vulnerability and authentic expression, I try my best!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am traveling through Ecuador and am using CouchSurfing to meet up with other travelers, locals, to find a couch, a bar with great vibes, a must-see destination, insight/advice from others. Whatever chooses to come my way!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Just starting out, haven't had any yet!

Interests

Commas
Leaves
Beautifully phrased phrases
Hiking with others, or alone
Swimming, Swimming, Swimming
Whales
Folk-y ,music
WRITING things down!
authenticity
acro-yoga
adventurous spirits
organic farming
dancing
sustainability (in all forms and on all levels)
comfortable pants
concentric circles
compassion without condition
movement with commitment
Alliteration (have you noticed already?)
vulnerability
religion
dinosaurs
rooftops
tree climbing
birds and bees (what they represent together and apart)
alternative/natural/holistic medicine
energy work/healing
watching things grow
pottery
exclamation points!
loving lovingly
exploration (in a respectful non-imperialistic way)
what I don't know!
Gender Studies
Feminist theory
Growth
The cyclical nature of everything

• birds
• writing
• dancing
• dining
• yoga
• meditation
• traveling
• pottery
• music
• hiking
• rock climbing
• swimming
• teaching
• gender studies
• medicine
• religion

Music, Movies, and Books

I love to read!

Byron Katie, Wally Lamb, Janet Fitch, bell hooks, Dave Eggers, Pablo Neruda, John Updike, Tales of a Female Nomad, Off the Map ( a wonderful vignette-boute book about WWOOFing in Europe), Letters to a Young Poet, Toni Morrison (love love love) Louise Erdrich, Barbara Kingsolver, Zadie Smith, Arundhati Roy, Orhan Pamuk (just starting to read)

Music: Most anything as long as it is expressive and passionate

A few of my favorite artists:
Zero 7
Yelle
Florence and the Machine
Bon Iver
Iron and Wine
The Great Lake Swimmers
Cat Stevens
The Avett Brothers
The Weepies
Horse Feathers
Nick Drake
Mirah
The Roots
Old Crow Medicine Show
Dead Prez
Goldfish
Goldpanda
Fleet Foxes
Grizzly Bear
Muddy Waters
Elliot Smith
Toots and the Maytals
Radiohead
The Teenagers
Empire of the Sun
Dr. Octagon
DJ Shadow
Blue Scholars
Common Market
The Expendables

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

As an older child of five, and with a mother afflicted with autoimmune issues,I had the opportunity to help care for and raise my younger siblings. They are growing from raw, helpless infants to increasingly independent, contributing members of society. They are beeeautiful!

Teach, Learn, Share

At this point I see myself as more of a student than a teacher. But I think I can teach/share some feminist theory. I want to share the gift of being heard, it is a wonderful thing!

I want to learn about: Drumming, Vedic philosophy, carpentry, community, creating open spaces, dance (any kind of movement)creative writing, how others build their inner and outer strength.

Countries I’ve Visited

Botswana, China, Guatemala, South Africa

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ecuador, United States