Hmmm, I guess more is better than less sooooo...

I was born in the mid-eighties, and have lived on BCs Sunshine Coast since the summer of 2012. I moved here from Vancouver because I needed to be closer to nature... but still be able to visit a big city for the weekend if I wanted to.

I've been a Chef at restaurants ranging from a greasy pub beneath a hostel, to a family Italian restaurant inside an old mansion, to fine Lebanese cuisine (across the street from the greasy pub beneath the hostel). I love making good food.

But I got tired of cooking, so I studied for 3 years to become a Massage Therapist. Such a rewarding career! But I struggled with starting my practice in the beautiful new place that I live.... turns out marketing is not my strong suit. I still work on friends, but no longer practice for the public. I love helping to heal.

Then I sort of fell into a job as a Mac Technician. Half of my job is comprised of computer repairs, the other half is customer service and education... mostly helping little old ladies learn how to use their iPads. I love helping people understand, and feel empowered.

TL;DR: I'm the offspring of a University Professor of Biochemistry, and a High School Counsellor, and my life lies somewhere in between.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Largely because my partner, whom I'm living with, re-introduced me to Couchsurfing, and they're getting requests. Since we live together, I figure potential guests might like to know a bit about me as well! Hi!

I haven't done a whole lot of travelling, myself ... yet ... but I plan to! I love hearing stories from people who've travelled abroad - these stories stoke the fires of my dreams! So maybe I'll make some new friends, new connections, meet some like-minded human beings

Interests

Fire Spinning - to feel completely at peace while spinning flaming balls of fuel-soaked wick on the end of chains ... I just ... I'm so happy that I've learned to do this one skill so well that I barely have to think about it :)

Fine foods that fulfill - I make a mean curry. I'm really good at making sauces and dressings. Tomato sauce from mirepoix, sauteéd mushrooms deglazed with a bit of marsala wine, some tomato paste and diced tomatoes, all the good spices.... mmmmmmm yeah. Or how 'bout a creamy blueberry balsamic vinaigrette drizzled over a bed of garden green topped with fresh apricot slices and warm beets.....

Ok, sorry, I got carried away. Onwards!

Existential ponderings - what even IS a cat?

Board gaaaaaaames! - Backgammon? It's on! Friendly round of Catan? Let's do it! (may or may not be friendly). Got board games we haven't played? We're down! (who travels with board games?

• cats
• education
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• pub crawls
• gardening
• board games
• traveling
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: If you're a fan of fantasy and have not yet read The Name of The Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss, go out and do yourself a favour right now! I love the way he crafts the world he has created. And the pacing - so good! Full disclosure: the main character kinda reminds me of me... I may not be the musically inclined, orphan child of a wandering Gypsy-esque caravan, but I still feel like we have a lot in common.

Movies: The Fall - a visual feast, heartbreaking/warming
Cabin in the Woods - campy, but awesome, with a dark and intelligent sense of humour.
Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail - I watch this movie any time I'm sick and stuck in bed. It reminds me of afternoons spent chuckling on the sofa with my dad.

Music - I like music of all types. My tastes change with the season. Or week. Most recently I've been listening to:
The Crow Quill Night Owls
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse OST - by Jake Kaufman
Caro Emerald
Thriftworks

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One time I made this curry with raisins in it - SOOO GOOOOOOD!!

I've been trained in CPR and artificial respiration since I was a teenager... but I've never had to use my training... I guess that's a good thing?

Countries I’ve Visited

United States