Hi! I'm Jackie :)
I am a Clinical Dietitian from Los Angeles county, and currently a PA student in Oakland, CA. I really have not stopped being a student at all. I am always looking to learn something new, and I think being wrong can be more eye-opening than it may first appear.

I think the human spirit feeds my soul and gives me strength to go home to face all the harder things. And in the same way people spark joy in me, I hope I’ll always have the chance to make a positive difference for someone else.

I LOVE FOOD. I’m a foodie all the way. Amazing cuisine, background music, and good conversation with any specialty cocktail is my happy place.

I travel with my boyfriend of 7 years, Rishi. He is just as emphatic about meeting new people. He is an unforgettable free spirit with a kind heart and more curiosity than a kid at times. He is new to couchsurfing, and I am on a mission to make sure he never wants to stay at a hotel again ;)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I absolutely love meeting new people, hearing their stories, and making lifelong connections that just enrich my life [and theirs hopefully]. I have always felt that the people I meet are the ones who make my trip what it ultimately is. And there is nothing more beautiful to me than a stranger opening up his/her home to another. Go humans!

Interests

-Enjoying the beach. Always barefoot.
-Anything with music (playing, watching, listening, dancing)
-Running, gym time, cycling, pilates
-Trying to read outside of school, but I stick with Audible
-Architecture & interior design
-History history history
-Bhaṅgṛā (traditional Punjabi dance)
-Photography (although I possess little talent)
-The art of mixology (wine/craft beers/spirits/ cocktails)

Music, Movies, and Books

Classical, jazz, Bossa Nova, country, electronic, rock, alternative... All kinds! I play the violin myself.

Standout books: Kitchen Confidential (a delicious book) by Anthony Bourdain and The World by Richard Haass. I love auto-biographies, just finished Dick Cheney’s, Matthew Mcconaughey’s, and about to start Betty White’s.

Favorite shows of all time: Frasier, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The West Wing, Friends, Peaky Blinders, and Never Have I Ever. But I watch so many things.

Anti-hero and tragic endings intrigue me. Some favorites: all the Rocky movies, Joker, Shawshank Redemption, Legends of the Fall.
I LOVE MOVIES. Disney, foreign, Indie, blockbusters… some of my favorite actors are Tom Hanks, Anthony Hopkins, Mark Wahlberg, Eugenio Derbez, Eddie Murphy, Emma Thompson, Ralph Fiennes, Shailene Woodley, Woody Harrelson, Kelsey Grammer.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

City-hopped through India, 1 new city every 2 days, staying with locals at every stop- and ended with a massive 3-day Hindu wedding in the most modern city of Chandigarh!

Teach, Learn, Share

How to live peacefully and with self confidence.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Time to get to know each other by sharing stories and getting to know your favorite parts of the town! I am silly, open, and friendly... And I don't turn down an opportunity to do something new :) Plus, I like leaving tokens of appreciation for my hosts when I can.

And when you are ready, come and share in my love of culture and diversity here in LA. As a local who has lived here over 30 years, I know the hot spots at the beaches, trendy suburbs, various inner-city downtowns and culture hubs (Little Mexico and Little Armenia are some of my faves!).

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, France, Iceland, India, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States