CURRENT MISSION

Get my orchard and greenhouse operational and organic, offer farm to table cooking classes

ABOUT ME

International aid worker (have worked abroad for 20 yrs, recently returned to the US, settled in a farm in NM), educator, teacher-trainer, adventurer, organic gardener, foodie, friendly, appeared in Afghanistan's Iron Chef as the "giggling-vegetarian chef", divorced but not bitter, buddhist, enthusiast of the power positive thinking, lover of growing, playful things and belly-aching laughter, regularly host dinners, poetry readings and cultural events, enjoy working with kids, animals, and exploring the outdoors through hiking and farming.

PHILOSOPHY

En la boca del tigre se medita mejor...laugh, giggle and leave a good legacy, do good work in hard places, engage in service to the community and planet, take bucket baths when you need to and thoroughly enjoy electricity and other amenities when you have them, be a good friend and embrace the wrinkles that come from smiling and living a full life. festina lente.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

My house hosted a steady mix of couch surfers in Kabul (who surf's a warzone? a lot of people, apparently). Mostly, I've surfed in the US while travelling cross-country. I really enjoy meeting people, making personal connections and learning more about the places I'm visiting. I try to be a courteous, thankful guest.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've surfed sporadically in the US and hosted internationally. It's been an opportunity to learn about new places more in depth, make new friends and connections and share some good conversations and personal relations while travelling. I'm enriched by the hospitality and personal exchanges.

Interests

FOR THE BODY: Cooking, Hiking, WWOOFing (volunteer farm work on organic farms), eco-living (organic farming, solar-wind power, adobe-straw-bale and green building, reduce-reuse-recycle)

FOR THE MIND: poetry, ancient history, self-devt groups, travel, world music, The Sun magazine

FOR THE SPIRIT: buddhist study & practice, meditation, yoga, humanitarian and community service, fabulous friendships

• animals
• culture
• writing
• poetry
• design
• cooking
• vegetarian
• yoga
• meditation
• gardening
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• world music
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• adventure races
• anthropology
• teaching
• history
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC: eclectic musical explorer...sephardic, 20' instrumentalists like Django Reinhart, South African township jazz, k-pop, traditional african artists like Habib Koite, Satie, Edith Piaf, Nina Simone, ancient music...

BOOKS: adore kids books, ancient greek poetry, ancient history, poetic and deep reads like Kingslover's work

MOVIES: lean towards fantasy, adventure...Lord of the Rings, Avengers, Stardust and love stories with a twist or depth

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

As a young girl I worked with a 'horse whisperer' cowboy who taught me how to raise my wild, but gentle green Appaloosa filly in a compassionate, respectful way. Never had to use a bit, whip, or saddle. My horse Quannah was a wonderful, wild hearted friend and mountain trail companion throughout my youth.

Teach, Learn, Share

I know some worthwhile things about: composting, home gardening, poetry, world music, dialogue groups, social change and non-violent activism, anthropology, hispanic culture

I have some skill in: training, curriculum design, literacy, humanitarian aid, sustainable devt, program management, qualitative research, grant writing & fundraising, volunteer management, cultural anthropology

What I Can Share with Hosts

International mishaps, musings and hilarious stories, cooking, social exchange and enrichment

Countries I’ve Visited

Germany, India, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Afghanistan, Ecuador, Italy, Liberia, Mexico, Rwanda, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

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