*** I'm fully vaccinated. Just to clarify that I'm Hosting/Accepting Guests in Dallas, TX not DC/Maryland. You will get your own bed or couch as well as access to a gym and a pool! Will also be traveling to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan in January if anyone wants to meet up and hang out!***

When I travel and visit, I plan to bring my host(s) a token of thanks for their kindness and hospitality, which is called "omiyage"in Japan, "makana" in Hawaii, and "pasalubong" in the Philippines, because that's just how I was raised since I've lived in all three places.

I'm new on here, but I am excited to join you all. I know that I don't have many friends on here yet, but I'm hoping to change that (though I do have friends on Facebook and Twitter). I'm a US Army OEF female veteran. I'm American, but of Philippine ethnic background who grew up in various locations in Japan, Philippines, and the USA since my father was in the US Navy. I can't swim, so I joined the Army rather than the Navy. I am involved with Team Rubicon, The Mission Continues, IAVA, WWP, Veterans Voices, and Team Red, White, and Blue. I'm not a smoker, but won't judge you if you do, though I'd prefer not to be smelling smoke indoors. I don't do drugs and would hope for the same from you. I love to travel, do volunteer work, help others, and make new friends! You only live once, so I try to live each day to its fullest.

More about me can be found on my Twitter at: https://twitter.com/libertyisntfree

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love to travel and I love making new friends! I think this would be a fun way to see a location and to be more immersed into the area as well as a great way to meet new people. I think doing Couchsurfing is a fun and more personal way to visit a place. I'm very open minded and like to go with the flow. If you'd like to show me around your city, that's great, but if you're too busy, I completely understand as well. I'm fine either way. I'm respectful of people's time and I greatly appreciate people's kindness in opening up their homes and sharing their couch. I believe you can never have too many friends!

"Every person is a new door to a different world."
- from movie "Six Degrees of Seperation" (thanks to Steve's Famous Quotes)

"A true friend is someone who knows everything about you and still likes you." -Unknown source

"Remember that every good friend was once a stranger" - Unknown

Interests

I love to do volunteer work and help others. I also love to travel and am addicted to cruises. I also love to read to exercise my mind and to go biking to exercise my body. I'm currently learning how to play the guitar, do salsa dancing, and play golf. I love taking pictures since I want to capture moments and memories since time just flies by so quickly. I like to write, and this quote sums it up:
"We write to taste life twice: in the moment and in retrospection." ~ Anais Nin

I just go with the flow of things and am willing to try new things, like recently I did zip lining in the dark, paddle boarding, and dragon boat racing.

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm currently reading through the Game of Thrones series of books, and I watch the show as well. I watch and read comedies/funny and romantic stuff since life is short, so I'd rather fill my days with laughter, love, and smiles!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

While deployed to Afghanistan with the US Army, I taught a local Afghanistan little boy to say "Please", "Thank you!", and "I love America!" in English. It just warmed my heart to break down the walls of hate and to teach peace, love, and tolerance. It was a pleasant change to exchange useful words rather than only learning bad words from other countries.

Also for Thanksgiving a couple of years ago I volunteered and was selected to feed the hungry with President Obama and his family. I also got a hug from President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama!

Teach, Learn, Share

I love to teach, learn, and share as much as I can. I have taught entrepreneurship to veterans for a couple of years now. I also enjoy mentoring middle school girls on Cyber Security and STEM.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share my experiences and stories with my hosts. I'm also happy to help out whenever I can.

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, Haiti, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin (French part), South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago

Countries I’ve Lived In

Afghanistan, Japan, Philippines, United States