CURRENT MISSION

To experience as much as I can in the time I have ... it could be short, it could be long, but it will be awesome.

ABOUT ME

I'm eclectic, ridiculous, and full of stories. I love all the places I've lived, but right now, I love Pittsburgh most of all.

Most often I'm an introvert with an outgoing side if you take the time to get to know me. Clearly, I'm full of surprises.

I study Human-Computer Interaction. If you don't know what it is, I don't blame you, and if you surf with me, you'll get to see me try to explain it. I need to be more successful at explaining what I (want to) do.

I don't know what else there is to say, other than that I would hope that if you find my profile interesting, you would take the time to get to know me. :)

Ohh ... and as much as I enjoy chilling out, I'm not too much of a partier, so if that's your scene ... well, clearly, I'm not there.

Also, I use the word "pleasure" like it's going out of style. Oh yeah ...

PHILOSOPHY

Work hard. Play harder. Love hardest.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I try to host as much as possible ... it's been a ton of fun. I'm hoping that one day, my fellow CSers can return the favor. :)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Pre-CS: Surfed Barcelona, New York City, Washington D.C., and Boston

CS: Lots of hosting! And Pittsburgh, once.

Interests

I love knitting, baking, trying new classes at the gym... I would like to believe I would try almost anything once.

• chocolate
• baking
• knitting

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Casablanca, Funny Face, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Singin' in the Rain ... just to name a few

Music: Duncan Sheik, Josh Groban, Josh Rouse, Matt Nathanson, Michael Buble, Nick Drake, The Beatles, Vienna Teng ... those are just my favorites; I love ton of music, particularly alternative/indie/folk rock (http://www.last.fm/user/_celestia)

Books: Angela's Ashes (McCourt), Invisible Man (Ellison), Middlesex (Eugenides), Of Love and Shadows (Allende), The Five People You Meet in Heaven (Albom), The Things They Carried (O'Brien), The Time Traveler's Wife (Niffenegger) (http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1311432)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Done: Slept in a tunnel in Venice. In the rain. I was so proud of myself after I survived that experience, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Seen: The view from Budapest's Citadella, after we climbed to the top. Exhausting, but entirely worth it.

Teach, Learn, Share

This was a classic recipe from my childhood. My friends call them "brownie-cookies." They're actually called "Fudge Ecstasies." Same difference! :)

Serves 24-30

INGREDIENTS:
○ 1 12 oz. package (2 cups) semisweet chocolate chips
○ 2 sq. (2 oz.) unsweetened chocolate
○ 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
○ 1/4 cup flour
○ 1/4 tsp. baking powder
○ 2 eggs
○ 2/3 cup sugar
○ 1 tsp. vanilla extract
○ 1 pinch salt
○ 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:
In a heavy saucepan or double boiler, heat 1 cup chocolate chips, unsweetened chocolate, and butter until melted. Transfer to a large mixer bowl and cool slightly. Temper in eggs. Add vanilla extract and sugar. Beat well. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Add remaining chocolate chips (and nuts, if desired).

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a lightly greased cookie sheet.

Bake in 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 8-10 min. Cool 1 min. on cookie sheet then remove to cooling rack.

Countries I’ve Visited

France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy, United States

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