CURRENT MISSION: Enjoy all that NYC has to offer

ABOUT ME

Born in Manila, raised in Southern California, schooled in DC.... but New Yorker through & through. My husband & I live in Chelsea with our two cats.

PHILOSOPHY

We can learn from everyone, both good people and bad. Good people inspire us to be better than we are. Bad people remind us of how we never want to be.

That which does not kill me, only makes me stronger.

“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life - and travel - leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks - on your body or on your heart - are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.” ~Anthony Bourdain

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am a life learner. Every person one meets can offer a wealth of insight if we'd all just take the time to say, "Hello," and introduce ourselves.

I hope to meet people from all over the world when they visit NYC and if available, show them the city I love from a local's perspective.

When travel abroad, I would like to meet locals and experience life away from the tourist fare.

Interests

Food (cooking and eating... But let's face it... mostly eating), travel, scuba diving...did I mention food? :-)

I especially like to learn about how food shapes & influences cultures around the world. Our eating habits are born from necessity but can evolve into a tradition that defines who we are as a people or a person aligned with a specific cause or values. Food is a universal need for all who inhabit this planet and it's through this common bond that we can connect with one another.

• cats
• folklore
• education
• dining
• cooking
• traveling
• socializing
• knitting
• scuba diving
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm an avid reader of both fiction & non-fiction. Favorite books include: Symptoms of Being Human, Watership Down, Factory Girls & The Art of Racing in the Rain
I have an eclectic taste in music and enjoy pretty much everything depending on my mood and fancy.
I tend to lean towards indie flicks and documentaries. All-time favorite movie: Princess Bride. Recent fave: Searching for General Tso

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I set up a college savings fund for my neices & nephews instead of buying them birthday & Christmas presents that they will quickly discard. Education lasts a lifetime & is a far better investment than material goods.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can show you how to knit a Gryffindor scarf. Hubby says I make the best garlic fried rice.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Great conversation and a friend in NYC. :-)

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Bahamas, Bermuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, England, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, Oman, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin (French part), Scotland, Serbia, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Virgin Islands, U.S., Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Philippines, United States