CURRENT MISSION

Promoting the well being of individuals and of my many communities, especially advocating for children.

ABOUT ME

I'm lively and earnest, with a healthy sense of adventure. People are why I get up in the morning; my main pleasure in life is connecting with folks. Also, I get excited with and about kids, brains, and kids' brains. I've had a lovely and meandering path thus far (cello, literature, languages, dance, puppetry, the medical field, autism, craniofacial birth defects, and onward). My life is exceedingly good, and I like to share it.

PHILOSOPHY

I am here in this world to love the softness and strength of people, to share my spirit and live my life in a big, connected way. And I am committed to promoting respect for young people.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I think I am meant to be an inn keeper, but my current circumstances may prevent me from hosting much. I would love to meet people passing through Eugene and Seattle (I split my time between the two cities). I travel a fair amount (soon to be quite a lot for work), and I'm pleased to be joining this community. I look forward to discovering how I will contribute and benefit as a member.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Lots of experience as host and traveler, but only one CouchSurfing.Org connection thus far (very positive).

Interests

Neuropsychology, poetry, storytelling, ending oppression, various and sundry forms of silliness, cloud formations, fresh produce, peonies, public transit, public health, puppetry, mime, dance, hiking, and and and...

• literature
• poetry
• dancing
• traveling
• socializing
• hiking
• teaching
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

I have been deeply moved, throughout by life, by the work of Laurie Anderson. Bill T. Jones is another source of inspiration for me. I just recently discovered the books of Maira Kalman (hurray!). "The Warmth of Other Suns," by Isabel Wilkerson, is the book that's had the greatest impact on me in a long while. Marleen Gorris's movie "Antonia's Line" resonates with me completely. I strive to keep up with the New Yorker (and fail, but enjoy the struggle).

Teach, Learn, Share

I have found that the most effective way of encouraging people to behave the way you'd like them to is by letting them know how much you appreciate all that they are already doing. (If you pay attention, you'll notice that most people are already doing a lot to be helpful and cooperative and skilled.) And, as part of my training as a teacher working with kids with autism, I learned how to deliver a minimum of six praise statements a minute. I challenge you to try it.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, China, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Timor-Leste (East Timor), United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Russian Federation, United States

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