CURRENT MISSION

To be open minded and explore the world.

ABOUT ME

I love new experiences and meeting people. I believe it is important to try something new and leave your comfort zone in order to learn, and discover who you really are.

I am outgoing, confident, fun, happy, energetic, enthusiastic, and perhaps a little bit crazy (but only in the most positive sense!)

I grew up in a small town called Hartland, New Brunswick (population of approx. 1000 people!). I moved to Saint John, New Brunswick when I was 15, and lived there most of the time until 2011. I briefly lived in Montreal, spent time in Stratford (Ontario), and backpacked around Europe twice

Before beginning university I spent time working as a theatre technician and volunteering with a local theatre company. I love watching theatre, live music and opera.

I have a Bachelor of Arts, with a double major in English Literature and International Studies. I spend a semester studying abroad in Den Haag, the Netherlands.

I spent last year living in Paris, working as a tour guide on the Eiffel Tower. Then I moved to the Isle of Islay to work as a tour guide at the Caol Ila distillery, then Edinburgh to work at a whisky bar. Now I'm back in the fine country of Canada about to start a Winery and Viticulture Technician program. I like to joke that I am on my way to becoming a professional alcoholic.

PHILOSOPHY

To me, happiness is the most important thing in life.

I believe in looking at things from a positive side. I figure there is no sense in getting frustrated or annoyed when things go wrong. Find the good in the bad- there is something that can be learned from any experience.

Furthermore, I do not believe in regret. Things happen, and sometimes they do not happen quite as one hopes them to happen, but you cannot spend time lingering on the past. Make the best of the present and the future.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I heard about couch surfing from two Polish-Canadian girls on a train between Prague and Krakow. It sounded cool, and I would love to show people around my city, and hopefully find people to stay with on my future travels.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have hosted a number of times in Saint John (my hometown), and also opened up my home to surfers in Paris and on Islay. I have hosted more then I have surfed, but hopefully in the future I can find people to host me when I'm traveling so I can enjoy both aspects of CouchSurfing!

Interests

My interests include literature, movies, politics, history, wine, beer and whisky making (and drinking!), nature, the environment, being healthy and enjoying life. I love to cook, hang out with friends and acquaintances (or complete strangers when the occasional arises), cuddle my kitty, listen to music, hike, run, bike, and travel.

I love staying up all night drinking wine and having awesome conversations.

I love the moment when writing an essay when everything makes sense, and you know you have a solid argument.

I love feeding people- I frequently take baked goods to friends, family and my professors.

I love hiking till you can no longer hear or see any sign of civilization.

• arts
• writing
• literature
• environment
• cooking
• wine
• beer
• wine tasting
• scotch tasting
• running
• drinking
• politics
• movies
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• live music
• opera
• cycling
• hiking
• surfing
• history
• tourism
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

My favourite books include: 'Song of Ice and Fire' series by George R. R. Martin; 'The Wars' by Findley; 'The Alchemist' by Coelho; 'Handmaid's Tale' by Atwood; 'The Princess Bride' by Goldman
'Metamorphosis' by Ovid; 'George and Rue' by Clark; 'Neverwhere' by Gaiman; 'The Hobbit' by Tolkin; 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' by Joyce; 'A Room of One's Own' by Woolf; Anything Shakespeare (esp the tragedies) or Wilde.

Non-fiction I enjoy works by Jared Diamond and Gwynne Dyer, and anything about Scotch, wine or beer!

Favourite movies include: Snatch, Lord of the Rings, Bon Cop Bad Cop (Canadian film with great Canadian humour!), Little Miss Sunshine, Thank You for Smoking, The Life Aquatic, The Royal Tennebaums (Any Wes Anderson films!), Pirates of the Carribean, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Matrix

When it comes to music, I'll listen to just about anything. Favourites include: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beck, Joe Strummer, Ben Folds, Jack Johnson, Moby, Beatles, Simon and Garfunkle, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Queen, CCR, David Bowie, Dave Brubeck, Louis Armstrong, Bill Evans

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I once tried to hike down a 3000 meter mountain in Switzerland... not a good idea when you are by yourself. And I did not stretch afterward, therefore the next day my muscles were so tight I could not bend down.

Also, I went across the Ukraine boarder by myself, which ended up being one of the biggest adventures of my life.

I got attacked by a Barbary Ape in Gibraltar. The phrase "monkey on your back" has a whole new meaning for me.

I've been up the Eiffel Tower 275 times (by elevator).

Teach, Learn, Share

I can lead you through a Scotch tasting or a wine tasting!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom

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