CURRENT MISSION

Discovering as many places, people, and perspectives as possible

ABOUT ME

I'm a Texan turned Louisianian turned Memphian now living in Southern France, working as an English Language assistant at a high school!

Some random and relatively meaningful/less insights into my character:

I have a habit of setting my alarm for seriously random times, like 8:41 or 7:37 a.m. Really not a fan of the whole numbers, like 7:30 or 8:00. This all stared in high school when I routinely woke up at 6:31 am. (Never, ever, 6:30). I felt strongly about that extra minute of sleep

It's really difficult for me to take a bath without falling asleep. For significant chunks of time.

There was a point in my life when I was kind of obsessed with ice-cream trucks (11th grade - sophomore year in college). I even wanted to spend a summer driving one. This phase probably happened a little late in life compared to average developmental patterns of American youth.

I chain chew gum and regularly store it in bottle caps or on paper or even momentarily on my upper thumb, when drinking, for later use. I usually get disapproving looks or outright condemnation from people. I like to think of it as resourceful.

I'm developing the (not so safe) habit of doing ballet or hip-hop whilst riding my bicycle, depending on the music in my right earphone (or just the music in my head).

Travelling stirs my soul. I’ve realized more and more how the human landscape of a place is just as rich, just as significant as its physical landscape. It gives a place a lasting personality for the traveller. I crave discovery, and I've recently learned how much I especially love doing so by bike. When you travel that way, you really see how every minute of the journey, not just the arrival at a destination, is a vivid part of the total experience.

I am seriously interested in ways of life that challenge or at least differ from our conventional methods of living -- of thoughtless consumption, of constant environmental harm, of inadverdently supporting large corporations that take resources from struggling people groups in third-world countries. I'm really interested in encountering people who can share insight about how they live outside of this 'mainstream,' perhaps. Especially lifestyles that are devoted to serving people and the planet.

PHILOSOPHY

Live in a state of constant learning.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've just joined this world in the full sense of the word, and what attracts me most is the real sense of community here. There's an apparent, shared spirit of openness and discovery - a kind of world-without-borders feel, and I LAHV it. I want to open my door in figurative and literal ways to others and take part in this communal way of life!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

In general, I love the chance not only to give a (sometimes weary) traveller a place to rest but to show them my favorite parts of my city and to engage with them. What a rich experience as an 'outsider' to a place to instantly connect and engage with someone on the 'inside' of a city, someone who knows the place you're visiting in a personal way. AND what a unique experience to receive guests from all over, be encriched by their worldviews, and hear about some of thier life experiences, all while staying in your city!

Interests

Urban and rural cycling, Hiking, Grooving, Theme parties, Wine, People, Dancing, Documentaries, Head massagers, Juicy fruit (not the gum), Savory food, Positive energy, Beaches, Feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, Music that makes you move, Live music, Goofballs, thoughtful living

• documentaries
• dancing
• ballet dancing
• dining
• wine
• partying
• drinking
• traveling
• music
• live music
• cycling
• hiking
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: WAVVES, School of Seven Bells, Grizzly Bear, Band of Horses; Rogue Wave; Mumford and Sons; Marina and the Diamonds; Animal Collective; Santigold, Delorean, Here We Go Magic, Best Coast, Le Loup, La Roux; Bon Iver; Passion Pit, MGMT, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros; Daft Punk, Fleet Foxes, Nickel Creek, Vampire Weekend, Ben Folds, Andy McKee, Tété, Missy Higgins, Yes, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson

Books: currently reading (and savoring) Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer

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