I grew up in a small town in the American south, but I've never been a "small town girl" on the inside. I've had a fascination with the cultures and languages and politics of the world, and of history, and for most of my life I've considered myself a citizen of the world. Now, in my mid-20s, I don't care about having stuff. My value lies in experiences. I'm not afraid of change or newness--in fact, they are the source of my energy and motivation in life.

I was an INFJ when I last checked, if you buy into that personality test stuff. I'm full of paradoxes: a very sociable introvert, an optimistic cynic, and a head-in-the-clouds skeptic. I'm an amateur on ukulele, intermediate on vocals. Music is my greatest passion in life, and traveling is a close second.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm still fairly new to the Couchsurfing scene and ready to get started! I've traveled around Asia quite a bit, and I'm hoping to meet new people and and help out my fellow travelers when I can.

Interests

My life in two words would be "art" and "travel".
I've been obsessed with writing, video production, and music (particularly musical theater) from a young age, and the obsession never wore off. I sing and play ukulele, I write songs, fiction, and articles, I make stupid music videos. I've traveled all around Asia, and I'm currently working in China as a literature and English teacher for the second year. I never saw myself as a teacher before, but have been surprised by how much I love my students and how naturally teaching comes to me.

• arts
• writing
• literature
• singing
• theater
• clubbing
• politics
• traveling
• music
• canoeing
• teaching
• history
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm obsessed with music. I feel constantly compelled to fill silence with music. I love electronic, ambient, acoustic, alternative pop, jazz, downtempo, house, and so on. I'm learning the ukulele and I've been singing in shows since I was little.

I love to read! I started reading at age 3, and I'm always in the middle of a book. Right now, I'm reading something smart and funny. Before, it was a popular science book. Before that, it was Catcher in the Rye. After this one, I'll probably move on to a classic like Pride & Prejudice or Frankenstein. I have no favorite genre, or preference for fiction/non-fiction. I just read whatever suits me that week. I also love to write, although the responsibilities of adulthood have kept me from doing it as much as I'd like.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was groomed by a monkey in Guilin! I was trying to take a photo with him, and he climbed on my shoulder and began picking things out of my hair. XD

Teach, Learn, Share

I lived and studied in Hong Kong for four months, I attended university in one of America's most beautiful cities (Chattanooga, TN), I've climbed the Great Wall of China, seen a ladyboy show in Thailand, beheld the majesty of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, been canoeing down the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, stood at the base of Mt. Fuji in Japan, drank myself silly in some of Asia's craziest bars and clubs, and so much more. I hope to continue adding to this list until my very last days.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share, among other things, my warmth, my humor, my intelligence, my passion for experiences, and my singing.
I also like to bring little trinkets from Changsha. :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, United States