CURRENT MISSION

I am a creative person, very interested in people and the world around me. I love hearing different perspectives. I do have a sense of adventure and curiosity.

ABOUT ME

My husband Marc and I share a home and a nice life, having raised our three sons. I've had several cottage businesses over the years, then pivoted to the Experiential Learning field.
I primarily lead groups (all ages) through a team building experience as well as taking groups on our high ropes course and climbing tower. I work outside 8 months a year in the forest and am currently studying to become a naturalist.

PHILOSOPHY

Experience life, be open minded, curious and don't put roadblocks in your own way. Make yourself useful. Try to make even a small, positive difference every day.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCH SURFING

I love to meet new people and listen to their stories and life as they see it. Couch surfing is so much more than what you might think!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Years before I had ever heard of Couchsurfing, I met four girls from Lithuania who were completing their travel in the U.S. I asked them to stay with us a few days. It was a wonderful experience. Several years later I looked them up and they reciprocated! I hosted four girls from China also traveling. Again, an amazing experience. I hope to travel to China one day. I've "surfed" in Washington D.C. and Australia. And all this time I've had the couch surfing experience and never knew there was an organization devoted to this!
The only places I've couchsurfed are Ireland and Amsterdam.
I've hosted people in my home several times.

Interests

I love to travel anywhere, as well as garden, raise orchids and bike, take hikes and read when I get a chance. Reading about history is a favorite. I cook but my passion is baking. I used to have a cookie catering company. Currently I teach junior high kids how to cook. I can promise there will always be homemade cookies in my house.
I'm pretty artistic and currently planning to paint a nature mural at my place of employment.

• cooking
• baking
• working out
• gardening
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• cycling
• hiking
• surfing
• snorkeling
• rock climbing
• history
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I love movies, especially the ones that really make you think about the human experience, warts and all.
I wish I was musical but I am not. However, I enjoy all kinds of music, thanks to continual input from my sons.
I read almost exclusively non fiction, though I am open minded to those who recommend their favorites.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, standing on the Continental Divide high in the mountains of Colorado, parasailing in Mexico, Inauguration Day/2008, rolling my ATV in Aruba but the bruise and cactus needles were worth it. Standing in front of the Taj Mahal. Watching my three sons grow into good and caring people, which takes the cake. Oh, you asked for one...

Teach, Learn, Share

When my youngest son first told me about couch surfing, I was not at all for it! But then again he didn't even show me the site. But he had a very positive experience biking around Lake Michigan, surfing along the way. In addition, I've read everything on your site and have come away impressed and am eager to host and surf.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can cook you a good meal, take you around the beautiful sites in Chicago (time permitting), share my travel experiences. Did I mention the cookies?

Countries I’ve Visited

Aruba, Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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