Hi there. I'm from Wisconsin in the USA. I studied philosophy and french at University. Ive worked as a cook, a farmer, a butcher and a teacher. I play guitar and piano (piano since I was very young but I'm better at the guitar) and I sing. I played sports all the time when I was growing up and still try to when I can find games (mostly soccer and basketball). I love animals - dogs and cats of course but cows and sheep as well. I'm fascinated by history and culture - I find that music and daily activities like what we eat, how we shop, how we greet each other... are beautiful insights into people's world's. I'm a language assistant in Normandie, France right now. I can speak ok French. I like dancing, wine and discussion. But I also like peace and quiet - some people say I'm unlucky to be "stuck" in a small Norman town but I think quite the opposite.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

The chance to meet great people in places that I go to visit is so intriguing. It energizes me when I meet great people - it's always good to be reminded how many there are out there.

Interests

• cooking
• reading
• music
• country music
• hiking
• sports
• history
• philosophy
• travel
• food
• farming
• fingerstyle guitar

Music, Movies, and Books

There is good country... There is! It's some America's greatest poetry

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

When I got to France to teach I flew to Paris and took a train out to Vire, a town in Normandy. I was going to spend the night there in a hotel because the train I got did not arrive until 11:30pm and there were no buses that late to my final destination, Saint Hilaire du Harcouet. I had made a reservation and received a confirmation email but when I got off the train and crossed the street to find the hotel. I found it was locked and all the windows were dark. Some people I had asked for directions off the train came over because they could see I was a bit lost. They called the phone number posted on the door for me (I had no Sim card at the time) and when there was no answer they told me they were take me to the center of town to find the other hotels. The older gentleman walked into both hotels with me and they both turned out to be full. We got back to the car and told his wife and she turned, looked at me and said "bah, tu vas rester avec nous!" (Well, you'll stay with us!) I ended up spending the night and during the next morning helped the man, a farmer, to corral his small herd of cows to the barn so we could administer a treatment for a bacterial infection in one of the calves. Then we had a long, long, very french lunch after which they brought me back to the station where the bus was to take me the rest of the way to the small town of St. Hilaire. It was one of the most amazing experiences I think I'll ever have. They were so kind and open and trusting. Never in a million years did I think in the first 24 hours in France I'd be using my farming skills on a picturesque farm in Normandy. I will never forget it and hope to remain friends with them for a long long time.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm a respectful clean person. I'll always leave a space as/better than I found it.

I love to go dancing so... if that's what your into and want me to tag along, great! I'm also happy with quiet, early evenings. Both are important.

I can play the guitar and can show you some tricks for picking up songs quicker.

I can offer an open and accepting attitude. I love good conversation and other peoples' stories. I want to know your world.