CURRENT MISSION

To find my place in the world, and make the world a better place

ABOUT ME

Hi there! I'm originally from Maryland, but I lived in the Pacific Northwest (Portland and Seattle) for the past 10 years, although that time was interrupted by 2 years in Japan teaching English, and 7 months in Ghana volunteering as a teacher trainer. I have a MS in Nutrition from Bastyr University, a natural health sciences school near Seattle. So, though I'm a Registered Dietitian, I'm more like a holistic nutritionist. I'm an omnivore, and I am not judgmental about what others eat. Plus, I only give health advice when asked -- I will not nag you, I promise! Also, I can eat vegetarian if that is what is required in your house. I don't smoke, I don't need to drink, and I don't have pets.

I'm quiet and understated, but quick with a joke and a lot saucier than people first assume. I like to be informed about current affairs involving the environment, politics, food freedom, and health. I'm respectful and responsible, but fun-loving. I appreciate the outdoors and being fit and healthy. I like to be social but I also enjoy alone time and can entertain myself. I'm liberal, easygoing, and free-spirited. I enjoy crafts like sewing and knitting, cooking, practicing guitar and yoga, travel (of course), and karaoke.

I recently moved to Austin from Seattle (couldn't take the weather, unfortunately, because it's a great place). I WWOOFed at organic farms in CA and TX along the way to Austin. Before that, I was teaching classes (health, nutrition, English, speech, sociology, history) at colleges in Seattle.

PHILOSOPHY

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Assume people mean the best until proven otherwise. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Measure twice, cut once.

Por qué estoy en Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I will help around the house as needed - I believe in giving back! No job is too humble, just tell me what you need. Also, I have lots of stories from my international travels and teaching experience, as well as my recent WWOOFing experiences.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've surfed a couple couches in Austin. And I've also WWOOFed at 4 farms, 3 in CA and 1 outside Austin, TX, and that is similar to CS.

Intereses

I like practicing guitar and yoga, karaoke, camping and hiking, cooking, reading, travel, gardening, swimming, naturist beaches, and just relaxing.

• pets
• chickens
• culture
• writing
• design
• graphic design
• environment
• dining
• cooking
• vegetarian
• yoga
• drinking
• crafts
• gardening
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• knitting
• coding
• guitar
• karaoke
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• camping
• swimming
• teaching
• history
• sociology
• volunteering
• beaches

Música, películas y libros

Books: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams, is my favorite book, though I love to read all sorts of things. The Poisonwood Bible is my most recent favorite, and I was proud to finish Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace.
Movies: Stranger Than Fiction, Children of Men, District 9, Rubber, Anchorman, Shawshank Redemption
"Small screen", which I only watch in spurts, online: Eastbound and Down, True Blood, Breaking Bad, Dexter, Grimm, How I Met Your Mother, Walking Dead, Gossip Girl, Archer, Saxondale, Delocated, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Modern Family
Music: Ween, MGMT, Rolling Stones, Baths, Aphex Twin, TV on the Radio, Prince, Lionel Richie, Willie Nelson, Led Zeppelin, Hall & Oates

Algo increíble que he hecho

(Just one?!)
-The first time I went to Burning Man, in 1999, I was struck by the sheer enormity of all the human effort that put that event and city together, and then took it all apart.
-Being in West Africa and learning how much slower things happen in a third-world country, and getting used to it. I guess that's not really one particular moment, but it affected me deeply.
-Seeing a thunderstorm from above, out of a plane window, was stunningly beautiful. I enjoy weather in its many facets, especially when it's exciting.
-Crawling around on an ancient ruin in Angkor Wat, Cambodia.

Enseña, aprende, comparte

I can teach: Nutrition, holistic health, herbal knowledge, hooping, international culture, travel, English grammar and copyediting, writing, sociology, history, public speaking, basic graphic design, basic internet coding, knitting, sewing, making sauerkraut and kombucha, basic cooking
I would like to learn: Spanish, basket and fiber weaving, advanced knitting and sewing, better hooping skills, gardening, greenhouses, urban chickens, quilting, food preserving and canning, advanced cooking, more guitar chords

Países que he visitado

Austria, Cambodia, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Laos, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Spain, Thailand, Togo, Viet Nam

Países en los que he vivido

Ghana, Japan, United States