CURRENT MISSION

to have fun and live a balanced life. Easier said than done!

ABOUT ME

***I accept about 1% of couch requests (I receive about 20/day!!!). I encourage you to send a detailed message/request***

I am a friendly, midwestern, American expat scientist living in Amsterdam for a my postdoc at the Netherlands Cancer Center. That is the executive summary. On a personal level, many people tell me that I'm like a nurturing mother: really loyal, extremely empathetic, great listener, naturally caring, put others before myself...that sort of thing.

I am living with my Spanish boyfriend, Rafa, in de Pijp--a coveted spot in Amsterdam for expats. Rafa and I have very similar personalities--a bit shy, quiet, serious, intellectual, but also appreciate a great party (ask how we met ; D) We will love you and treat you like family.

Amsterdam is our city. Did you know that Amsterdam has one of the largest expat communities in Europe? It is amazing to be a part of it! You will probably meet some of our friends if you stay with us: )

PHILOSOPHY

eat well (LOADS OF VEGGIES!!), respect nature, fuel your body and mind. Live your life well balanced--like a shot of wheatgrass and a shot of tequilla...or something.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

(member since 08) It has been absolutely great fun

I have hosted and surfed a lot with my ex, Jan. We loved hosting people from all over the world.

Rafa and I now have an extra room, so we are happy to "pay it forward" so to say, and give travellers a cozy place to hang their hat

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Surfed:Rafa in miami; Dawn in Fort Meyers; Adam and Janine in St. Augustine; Logan in Knoxville; Finn and friends in Savannah; Kyle in Asheville; Maija in Helsinki; Nata in Turku; Hanna in Finland? no idea what city

Hosted: Jacob from Brooklyn; Shinri from Japan; Moi and Kim from Korea; Ivana from Argentina; Andrea from Ecuador (stayed 5 nights together); Andrei and Christian from Austria; Janine from Germany via England; Pizzagirl (kelly) from NY; Florian and Ceci from Lyon; Christiane from Munich; William and Mattias from Sweden; Martin from Austria; Anna-lena from germany; Sofie and andrijana from austria; Annemarie from Berlin; THE FRENCH TEAM! ( Gary, Murielle, and Camille) from paris. Karin, Ruben, and babies : ) from Switzerland; Nils and Hannah from NORTH germany : ) ; Brandon from Ft. Lauderdale/the WORLD!! lol' John from Japan; Brian and Rob from San Fran; Linas and Antanas from Lithuania; Jan and Anna from Czech; Larry and Phil from LA; Ieva and friends from Lithuania; Elizabeth from Germany; Natalie from Georgia; Eva and Fabien from France; Wheslee from Canada; Sarah from Baltimore; Sandra and Ivan from Zagreb; Devon and Rachel from US via Barcelona

Interests

traveling, science, personal fitness, rock climbing, mountain trekking, Hiking, Kayaking, Birding, (all nature stuff) running, yoga, kickboxing, books, live music, ethnobotany, puppies, beaches, fruit, vegan, minimalism, art, feminism, rocks, wine, beer, tea

Lately i'm interested in business...having a science background I feel disconnected sometimes with how the world really operates on a financial level. Trying to fix that with some self study...

• arts
• books
• concerts
• womens rights
• dining
• cooking
• recipes
• wine
• beer
• vegan
• fitness
• yoga
• running
• partying
• traveling
• blogging
• minimalism
• music
• live music
• hiking
• kayaking
• rock climbing
• business
• science
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Music...many different styles. I used to be a super hippy, Phish, grateful dead, etc. I listen to pop sometimes, country (for when i miss Ohio), loads of techno.

Movies...Super artsy fartsy. The weirder the better.

I love to read...but usually don't have the time. Some favorite books are The Signature of all things and Lolita. At the moment I'm really into Dutch east indies literature...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Started my own company at age 18; Climbed Mt. Whitney-tallest peak in continental US;
Rock climbing in Provence;
PHISH new years eve concert 2010;
swam in the bioluminescent bay in vieques, PR;
walked 60 miles and raised over $2K dollars for breast cancer ;
got a cemetary tour by a toothless man in paris;
gave a chimpanzee a high five in Ireland...of all places;
fed a kangeroo a strawberry;
donated my hair to locks of love... twice;
got married and divorced before age 30. I learned a lot to say the least; Got my PhD in biochemical research; Started a vegan lifestyle blog;
um hello!!? moved to Amsterdam, greatest city ever;
Fell oh-so-totally in love with the best human ever...hope you get to meet him

Teach, Learn, Share

I would love to learn how to make beer. I can teach how to make different macrame jewelry, and how to hula hoop! I am also an excellent vegan chef---and on that end always ready to learn new recipes

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share my home, my life, my love and passion for veggie food/cooking, a bottle of wine, or a walk in the park.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands, Puerto Rico, United States

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