CURRENT MISSION

Make myself happy and facilitate other people's happiness

ABOUT ME

I try to find the good in every situation I encounter...not always easy but sometimes effortless. I grew up in North Dakota, but I call Fort Collins, CO home even though I'm living in Bismarck, ND now. Finding the good here hasn't been effortless, but I'm learning to appreciate my surroundings.
I am usually up for most anything (which is how I ended up sledding into a stream in -10C temperatures) but have a cautiousness that keeps me out of trouble (which is how I didn't end up lost in the bush when a friend wanted to follow a "trail").

PHILOSOPHY

If you live your life with consideration for all life, then you will be happy (maybe not all the time, but the good times will be GREAT!). I heard a comment once...
"Life isn't fair, but it isn't fair for everyone, which is what makes it fair."
I could spend my life envious of other people or make my life good for myself. The grass is always greener...appreciate what you have and where you are and life will be good!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I started out my surfing when I travelled to Australia and want to host people who are crazy enough to come to Bismarck!
Loved my hosts Australia and strive to be as awesome as they are.

Interests

I love the outdoors...every season, all weather, any location. I study snow, so I spend a lot of time outside in the winter. I am a snowboarder and lived one of my dreams by spending a season in Crested Butte, Colorado getting my 100+ days in for the season.
I love to hike/walk around aimlessly; I am fortunate to have so many options living now in Bismarck...the trail system is AWESOME, going along the river and through the rolling hills!
I love to ride my bike leisurely around...she's an old Schwinn cruiser and heavy as heck (hence the leisurely riding).
I love people watching and take the opportunity to sit back and observe whenever possible.
I love to cook/bake. I am not the creative let's-make-something-out-of-seemingly-nothing kind of cook (I've had a few great ones in my life), but I follow a recipe very well (I can read!). I love to bake and give all the baked goods away...I got a job at my favourite brewery for my excellent baking abilities :)
I am an avid reader and thankfully my reading has moved on from journal articles and model manuals to pleasure(!) reading...always looking for a good recommendation on reading material!
I also love taking pictures; I have a million close-up photos of lichens in the forest, water flowing over rocks, trees (LOVE trees) and everything else under the sun. I am always the one who captures the moment when no one else thought to bring a camera.

• cooking
• baking
• modeling
• reading
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• surfing
• snowboarding
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm not a movie person, but I am a music person. I can't play any instruments which is probably why I love to listen to music and LOVE to see live shows. I enjoy all genres, some more than others and some WAY less than others (heavy/thrash metal, pop-country, new age...). I love going to live shows and being introduced to new artists. I'm really into Mummford & Sons/Avett Brothers right now, but love everything from classical to bluegrass, lyrical hip-hop to Dave Matthews Band.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I am amazed by little things in my life...snowboarding in thigh-deep powder with no one in sight, seeing a rainbow over a high alpine lake, taking a helicopter ride to the top of a mountain, seeing my nephew for the first time...I don't really do any AMAZING things, but I have done a lot of amazing things.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love to teach and I love to learn. I am the quintessential Jack of all trades, master of none. Any skill I have, I will share and hope that people will teach me what they know!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, France, Mexico, Saint Martin (French part), Sint Maarten (Dutch part), Spain, Switzerland, United States, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, United States

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