Hi there thanks for clicking on my profile. I'm Emmalena, a published poet and novelist.
I graduated from Keele Uni with a BA Hons in English and American Literature in 2012 and am now working on an Advanced Diploma in Wedding Planning, Styling and Design, and considering my options regarding a Masters. So far I've been toying between Arts Journalism and Library Work, which both would fulfil my dreams and interests; and undoubtedly a larger hole in my pocket from Student Loans and/or travel... but I digress.
I am currently working as a social media executive for a local charity. In addition I provide my services as a freelance copywriter and would love to start my own interior design magazine one day. I really love writing, and to this end I have been published three times, for poetry and am hoping to get my debut novel released soon.
But what else can I say about me? Well: -
I guess you could call me a touch old fashioned, and a hopeless romantic. I like collecting antiques or discovering unusual finds at carboot sales, calligraphy, etymology, genealogy, mythology, history, reading, flower arranging and scrap booking.
I love to cook and bake, creating and adapting recipes, which I find in family albums, magazines and Pinterest, and save in my own growing collection. Whilst I'm allergic to fish, I enjoy the taste of traditional British cuisine and exploring different vegetarian and pastry dishes, alongside French and Italian smells an flavours. I enjoy going to dinner parties as much as I do the pub, and can be found equally at home with an Indian takeaway or a microwave meal as long as there is some variety. I do drink, but only socially - and prefer to try fruit cordials and ******tails and the occasional glass of red wine or rose, or a cheeky bottle of cider.
I'm also a massive nerd. I love Doctor Who and Sherlock and am unashamedly growing my collection of World Cinema and Anime. I also enjoy crime drama both the documentaries about the forensics and psychologies but also the dramas such as Castle, The Mysteries of Laura, NCIS, Law and Order SVU and CSI. I am also fond of the Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy, and am a proud member of the British Steampunk community. I enjoy Youtube videos by Tobuscus, OlgaKay and Jacksfilms.
I'm also into retro clothing particularly the Rockabilly style, and will be more likely to enjoy adding to a collection of hats and scarves than unpractical and uncomfortable shoes. I would in someways, therefore call myself a Bohemian - as I would prefer to walk along the grass and in the forests, alongside the river or wildflowers with only a picnic basket and bare feet.
In the evenings I try to unwind with jigsaw puzzles, hidden object games, board games and good old fashioned Dungeons and Dragons and love board games. I go rooting around in charity shops, old book stores and antique centers or wandering the craft and farmers markets to create something new and the smell of old books as I stroke their spines.
Family is very important to me and through them I gained an unwavering love of theatre, ballet and listening to classical music. I play the harp, sing, piano/keyboards and Soprano recorder and like to curl up with a good book and my cat Iola. My favourite musical is Les Misérables and I used to be in a choir, although I might be a tad rusty now, I'm still happy to break into song. In addition I adore celtic folk, 1960s-80, rock/indie and the occasional J-pop track. Bands I adore include Huey Lewis and the News, The Black Keys, Hundred Little Reasons, Blackmore's Night, Ghosts and Enya.
My social life is often varied, as I always try to culture myself as best I can. I am a member of the Association of Public Speakers and I formally acted in an amateur theatre group and have sung throughout the UK and Italy. My travels have taken me to France, Greece, Italy, Belgium, Turkey, Hungary, Iceland, Cyprus but I would love to explore more of Europe seeing the museums and galleries or discovering a hidden tomb in Egypt. I am a historical re-enactor and Steampunker.
I'm also very much a bookworm, and will read anything at least once. The ones on my shelf tend to be a mix of Romantic, Historic and Mystery based, but I also read a lot of manga and fantasy/Science fiction.
Perhaps due to my upbringing I'm not very into clubbing and have never got a piercing, tattoo or attempted to dye my hair. I make every effort to be polite and reply to everyone, although I am not too fond of text speak, and cringe a little inside when people replace 'you' with 'u'.
If you should find yourself curious by my ramblings, or wish to speak over a virtual cup of tea and biscuits feel free to follow and reply :) I'm hoping to find some good friends on here, so don't be afraid to send a message, I don't bite. - Even though I'm a bit of a crazy cat lady.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm always interested in meeting new people and learning about their lives both on an individual level and the way they see the world. I feel you experience a place or location far more through the eyes of others, rather simply through the picturesque postcards and hotel chains. I am always on the look out for new friends with similar or like-minded interests.

Interests

• cats
• arts
• writing
• poetry
• folklore
• italian food
• cooking
• indian food
• baking
• crafts
• anime
• board games
• reading
• scrapbooking
• painting
• classical music
• folk music
• opera
• art history
• history
• mythology
• countryside
• reading books
• theatre
• scrabble
• poetry slam
• drama
• antiques
• steampunk
• vintage
• spiritualism
• pubs
• french food
• reading book
• creative writing
• arts and crafts
• musical theatre
• public speaking
• art journaling
• retro
• reading novels
• celtic music
• flower arranging

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite Movies
In general I like fantasy, sci-fi, animation and world cinema. Occasional chick-flicks are also a guilty pleasure. Here's a sample of my DVD collection:

Bladerunner - Extended edition
Posesession - based on the book by AS Byatt
The Immitation Game
A Walk to Remember
The Notebook
Sleepless in Seattle
Sense and Sensability
The Duchess
Anna Kerana
The Grand Budapest Hotel
He Loves Me He Loves Me Not

Favorite TV Shows:
In general I'm a big fan of documentaries about crime and history, anime and cooking shows.
Come Dine With Me (UK)
Masterchef (UK)
Castle
Law and Order SVU
CSI
NCIS
Doctor Who
Firefly
Charmed
Xena the Warrior Princess
Law and Order Criminal Intent
Jerry Springer
Detective Conan
Sailor Moon (the originals) (Sub)
Fushigi Yuugi (Dub)
Card Captor Sakura (Sub)
Gundam Wing (Dub and Sub)
Chrono Crusade (Dub)
Marmalade Boy (including the Dub)
Ef a Tale of Memories (Sub)

Favorite Books:
Gosh this will be an awfully long list but to name a few.
The Harry Potter series.
Lord of the Rings series including The Hobbit
The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe series
Curse of the Kings by Victoria Holt
The Night Circus by Erin Morganstien
Posession by A.S. Byatt
The Linnet Bird by Linda Holeman
House at Riverton by Kate Morton
The Golden Key by Jennifer Roberson, Melanie Rawn and Kate Elliott
Whispers in the Sand by Barbara Erskine
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Night Time is My Time by Mary Higgins Clarke

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Aged 10, I performed at the London 02 Building, back when it was the Millennium Dome in London with my theatre group.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am always interested in learning new things, in particular sign language and ancient languages. I have learnt basic French and would love to improve upon this more. In addition I would love to learn how to sew/knit/weave and can teach and share with people how to weave with willow, write poetry or scrapbook.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am always willing to help out where I can, with washing up or cooking duties. I am a tidy person and a good listener, always willing to make a new friend.

Countries I’ve Visited

Cyprus, England, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Monaco, Scotland, Spain, Turkey, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

England