CURRENT MISSION

Pack for 6 months in a 10 day bag...

ABOUT ME

If you would like to stay with me please email me on helenw.hebden@googlemail.com as I accidently can miss couch requests on here (explaining my rubbish 43% replies to which I feel awful about!)Anyway, I'm just a normal girl in their 20's - working lots and when I'm not working I'm trying to travel (and keep the flat clean) which is a constant battle! I worked full time at a craft shop in Guiseley (Hobbycraft) where I did a lot of charity and outreach work - this involves visiting local schools or groups and teaching arts and crafts. In my spare time I'm crocheting scarves and gloves, making cushions or costumes or cards or drawing or... ... So I hope this makes sense!!

When I was living in Sheffield I worked in St Luke's Hospice, I previously qualified as a massage therapist and upon finding barely any non-freelance work ran a Ski/Snowboard chalet in Courchevel, France.

I've been through various stages of defining myself and I doubt it will ever stop! The arts will always be an escape of mine. I love grasping spontaneous opportunities and jumping on trains, previously to Hebden Bridge and now anywhere that puts up an opportunity.

PHILOSOPHY

One thing I've always said about life is 'balance'. Balance and Aspiration - everything comes with it's Ying and it's Yang and I think you need a bit of both in there. If you have an open attitude and you are willing to give things a shot you seem to get far in life, further than complaining and moaning...

Also, once when I was a lot younger, I realised to myself that I would always prefer to regret doing something than wish I'd done it. I've stuck by this ever since. Seems common sense now and something everyone says - seemed like a brand new tho.ught at 14..

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Couch Surfing has opened my eyes to a world I didn't know could exist. Wish for world peace and I think CS gets you pretty close.

It seems to provide an opportunity to really meet people, it's like jumping into a conversation without having to small talk about the weather first.

I've shown a few people around my home town, Norwich, so far, gone out for a couple of CS meetings and cooked dinner for a CS friend from France. I spent an entire day yesterday with a CS couple, initially showing them around the city, but then it developed into coffee and bob the builder live shows, with fake snow and then firewalking... Who knows where you'll end up!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Generally, meeting for coffee and lots of conversation is what I've sought out through CS so far. I have already met the Calderdale group leader, Karen, for coffee which I really enjoyed. The Norwich and Norfolk group is becoming more and more active, I cant wait to come back to the UK and join it again.

If there's something I want to aim for, it's being able to jump on a train, or a plane, or a bus or whatever, and end up somewhere. I feel like CS enables you to visit places through the eyes of it's own culture, rather than through a tourist guide. Finally being able to grasp independence has enabled this to be so possible... just need to work enough to escape to a little island where I can keep a cow.

So many places, so many dreams!

Interests

I'm interested in:
Making - anything: Food, clothes, decor, crochet, sock looming, costume making, drawing... just about anything.
Music - playing guitar and piano to myself when no one is around and 'singing' as loud as I can over the top (badly).
Family - I'm trying to spend time with family close and far.
Walks - Out of practice I have to admit, but proper or lazy walks appeal to me, especially on a misty morning up a hill. The smell of the dew on the grass at that time is one of my favorites in the world.
Sleeping - I just love bed. I'm a tucker which means the blankets are constantly folded around my feet as if I am a caterpillar in a cocoon (I don't wake up as a butterfly though, unfortunately...)

• arts
• culture
• singing
• photography
• dining
• cooking
• breakfast
• coffee
• crafts
• shopping
• clothing
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• crochet
• drawing
• music
• guitar
• piano
• surfing
• skiing
• snowboarding
• freelancing
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

The most hilarious thing I have ever seen has to be 'Silence!' - a comedy musical in Victoria, London of Silence of the Lambs; absolutely priceless!! My favourite films include Pulp Fiction, Chocolat, Pan's Labyrinth, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Truman Show (and a lot more...) It's a rare event that I watch TV, but I really enjoy series' such as The Wire and Arrested Development - both recommendations of Sam Woodhead.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Very simple, but the most amazing thing I've seen is the sunrise over 200 miles in France, breakfast pick nick at 5am!

Although, putting the world to rights with someone you've only just met comes pretty close.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am willing to help/teach anyone with anything if I have the ability! I'd be happy to help with cooking, arty things, photography, map reading... am also known for being a good ear :) I can't wait to get learning things, up for anything anyone can teach me.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom

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