CURRENT MISSION

To grow, meet new people, shape new perspectives, and to end each meeting with a smile

ABOUT ME

Excitable, thoughtful, curious, flexible, athletic, accepting.
Self-reported audiophile, tea connoisseur, extreme sports enthusiast, and old school gamer.
Introverted yet extroverted - I'm adaptable.
Occupation: Art therapist and counselor. Freelance photographer - I specialize in portrait photography.
I prefer a vegetarian diet but I'm open to eating fish or meat - Natural food is the goal!

PHILOSOPHY

I can't imagine a life without experiencing it for myself so I've made it my own philosophy to experience life at any cost (preferably at a cheaper price) because that's what makes a person's life worthwhile.

I also want to live each day knowing that I've made myself better. I'll make any attempt to improve myself, whether it's through an exercise routine, reading, learning about the latest science invention, writing poetry or singing a song for memorization when I want to serenade another person.

Lastly, I want to be myself, none of this "keeping a front" idea. This means I want to be honest by stating what I feel, think as well as stating my opinions in an honest and well-thought manner. I hope that my genuine, and usually hyper, self will be apparent when I meet others.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I become a greater part of the CS community through my travels and hanging out whenever possible!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Locations where I've couchsurfed include Ohio (Columbus, Cleveland, Lakewood), Illinois (Chicago, Joliet, Plainfield) Florida (Orlando, Kissimmee, Sarasota, Key West), California (San Diego, Redondo Beach, LA, King City, Santa Monica), Tennessee (Johnson City, Nashville), Wisconsin (Kenosha), Arizona (Scottsdale, Phoenix), Oregon (Beaverton), Washington (Vancouver), Utah (Green River), Nevada (Elko, Carson City), Colorado (Denver, Vail), and Michigan (Grand Rapids, Trenton).

From my first couchsurfing experience with several fencers awaiting a tournament in Columbus, OH to a memorable and breathtaking journey out in Sedona, AZ with a loved one, these trips would not be possible without the kindness of others!

Interests

I enjoy nature greatly when I have the opportunity through: running, climbing trees, parkour, cycling, skateboarding/longboarding, hiking, backpacking, camping, skydiving, surfing, swimming, or simply lying on my back in the grass.

The hitchhiking lifestyle recently became a great influence on my life when I went hitchhiking around the US for 15 days. Starting in Chicago, I reached California in 7 days and ended in Phoenix, Arizona. Although I flew out from AZ, I'm highly interested in hitchhiking once again with the intent on making a round-trip.

I have a biology, art and psychology background, as well as performing arts on the side.

For in-depth conversations, I enjoy talking about the underlying meaning behind music, societal norms (and how to break them), occasional politics if I can follow it, human behavior, and theology/philosophy all while enjoying a cup of tea, a glass of wine (or beer) or a hookah session.

Some hobbies include photography, motorcycles, art-making, candle-burning, theatrical improvisation, swing-dancing, card-playing, thrill-seeking, questioning theology/philosophy, old-school gaming, and dog wrestling.

I also have an interest in cooking. If you want a cooked meal, throw me a recipe of your choosing and I'll cook it up for you! I'm open to approaching meals with a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dietary-based restriction - It helps living with people who are sensitive to many ingredients so I've learned to adapt to the diets of others. Also, participation's welcome - I'll provide an apron for you!

• dogs
• fish
• arts
• writing
• books
• poetry
• singing
• performing arts
• photography
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• beer
• vegetarian
• vegan
• exercise
• dieting
• running
• motorcycles
• politics
• video games
• reading
• traveling
• minimalism
• music
• cycling
• fishing
• hiking
• backpacking
• camping
• surfing
• skydiving
• skateboarding
• sports
• wrestling
• rock climbing
• swimming
• extreme sports
• biology
• divinity
• freelancing
• law
• psychology
• science
• hitchhiking
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Thinking movies, quirky, psychological thrillers & foreign - Mr. Nobody, Memento, Fight Club, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Submarine, Gattaca, Old Boy, Restless, Brick, Seven Psychopaths, Downfall, Phoebe in Wonderland, Malice in Wonderland, Amelie, Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.

I enjoy electronic, techno/dance/pop, folk, certain kinds of rap music, acoustic, swing/jazz, game soundtracks, bands that many people haven't heard of, and cover songs, preferably in A Capella.

For books, I enjoy books addressing virtues of life/ethics/morality, maybe philosophy as well as manga on occasion - Dune, Hush, With the light: Raising an Autistic Child, Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles, The Buddha and the Borderline, Wicked, The Good Earth, The Book of Lost Things, The Alchemist, The Giver, How to Win Friends and Influence People, 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, and the Harry Potter Series.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Mine had to be conquering my fears, whether it was with dogs, roller coasters, or heights. Heights was the most memorable due to the extent I went to accomplish this feat. My friend asked how I felt about jumping off a plane and I had a rush of emotions surge through me. I decided that I wanted to go for it so I agreed, paid for it and went to Kenosha to jump off a plane 15000 ft above the ground.

I was scared and had two instances where I had the desire to run away. The first was when the pilot signaled everyone to get on the plane. The thought that went through my mind was, "I can still walk away, you know" but then decided I paid too much to run away. The second time, I looked out the hatch of the plane and saw everything without a window between me and the air. That moment, before I could object, the tandem jumper somersaulted in the air with me attached to him. It was the most exhilarating experience in my life. I can only compare it to going 90 mph on a motorcycle but that still wouldn't compare to what the experience was like.

When I landed, I felt the urge to jump back on the plane and recognized that I was no longer afraid of the consequences that stemmed greatly from my fears. By not letting my fears hold me back, I could accomplish anything I want in this world.

Lastly, my hitchhiking adventure in November 2013 was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to grow as a person in many ways. I was hitching by myself for several days and experienced loneliness and isolation in unknown areas yet I met many people and traveling companions along the way! I found so many good people who gave me rides, fed me and invited me into their homes. My faith in the good of society increased once the social barrier was broken with a smile and a hello.

Teach, Learn, Share

In psychology, I'm knowledgeable in Adlerian psychology, art therapy, internal family systems, play therapy, conducting therapeutic sessions and general knowledge of psychology on a textbook level. If anyone's interested in a listening ear, I'm here.

In the art realm, I can offer tips on photography, adobe applications for retouching photos, techniques in using several art mediums (oil paints, watercolor, acrylic, oil pastel, charcoal, multimedia with fabric).

I know quite a bit about video games in the past and can offer strategies or help in several games, such as the final fantasy series, zelda series, pokemon series, minecraft, genesis/PS1 or 2/xbox 360/gamecube/ds games, and many others. List any on your mind and I'll see if I can help out.

I am a conscientious cook with the ability to sew and survive in the wild. I can also provide tips in hitchhiking as a young female who has traveled across the US alone, for those considering taking that journey.

Minimalism is a favorite lifestyle of mine and I do my best to teach others how to make that happen. I find that enjoying life literally gets cluttered by consumerism so taking the first step in living a simpler life starts with acknowledging that 80% of people in the US own too much stuff. Considering that the US is the only country that spends money to store our unwanted items, it's no wonder people feel tied down to the cycle of consumerism. Feel free to ask questions and I'll do my best in helping out!

Above all else, I believe that conversations are the greatest teachers among peers. With that said, I believe you will not be disappointed if we have the opportunity to converse, trading ideas and beliefs.

Countries I’ve Visited

Ecuador, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States