I grew up in Maui and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada near Sacramento, California. I’ve lived in Oakland, California for the past nine years. I absolutely love it. I live with my tuxedo cat Minou in a historic art deco apartment building. She is literally the cutest.

My professional journey has been eclectic - from conducting botanical stream surveys in the wilderness of Idaho and Montana to working in a cosmetics research and dev lab, and now supporting a theoretical math research nonprofit that connects mathematicians globally. I've also dabbled in floristry, pastry arts, and transportation advocacy. Looking to get into the field of mental health counseling next.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm here for cultural exchange and to create meaningful connections. Super proud to of my city and I'm excited to share its beauty and see it in a new light through the eyes of fellow couchsurfers. My goal is to host diverse people, swap stories, learn random things, and have new experiences I wouldn't have encountered otherwise.

Let's be silly and do weird shit!

Interests

• design
• street art
• burningman
• environment
• cooking
• hiking
• backpacking
• biology
• sociology
• lgbt
• house music
• bicycling
• community
• pastry
• couches
• botany
• community development
• floristry

Music, Movies, and Books

Always looking for new material! Not an exhaustive list at all...
Music: an emo kid at heart (Bright Eyes, anyone?), now I'm mostly listening to house music, hyperpop, indie, and folk.
Movies: fav directors include Wes Anderson, Jean-Luc Godard, Akira Kurosawa, Greta Gerwig, David Lynch, and Hayao Miyazaki.
Books: I enjoy a wide range - science fiction (especially Octavia Butler), cognitive psychology books like "Thinking Fast and Slow", culinary science ("On Food and Cooking"), memoirs like "The Collected Schizophrenias", and dystopian novels.

Podcasts: 99% Invisible (made in Oakland! Must-hear <3), Code Switch, This American Life, Radiolab, Ear Hustle, and Throughline are my go-to listens.

Teach, Learn, Share

I Can Teach:
- Sewing spandex pants and bootie shorts (pro tip: 1 yard of fabric makes one pair of pants and two pairs of bootie shorts!)
- Floral design
- Plant identification and ecology basics
- Vegetarian cooking

I Want to Learn:
- What's on your mind
- New perspectives on culture and life
- Cooking techniques from around the world
- Music from different global scenes

I'm Always Happy to Share:
- My knowledge of Oakland and its hidden gems
- Botanical and ecological insights
- Spotify playlists

What I Can Share with Hosts

- Engaging conversations about science, environment, and culture
- Cooking skills - I can prepare delicious vegetarian meals
- A willingness to help with household tasks
- Respect for your space and personal boundaries
- Potential music and podcast recommendations
- A positive, adaptable attitude

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, Saint Martin (French part)

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, United States