I consider myself a psychonaut. My brain is always hungry. - I love to learn about people, culture, psychology, philosophy, the nature of existence and reality. I could chat about this stuff for hours. But, sometimes talking is overrated... I love to play! Sports, board games, dancing, climbing, trampoline dodgeball, anything really. Great way to get to know someone beyond words.

My introduction to Couchsurfing was through a year-long project in which I was hitchhiking around the country and busking (street performing) in different cities: http://thestreetmusician-julieor.blogspot.com. I'm working on writing a book from all this.

In college I studied ethnomusicology, which, to put it simply, is the study of people through music (hence the street performing project). I'm now working towards my grad degree to become a therapist: I study mindfulness-based transpersonal counseling, which takes a Buddhist philosophical approach to mental health. I love it. In between these more formal studies I've worked as a performing musician, teach singing as a somatic means of processing difficult emotions, and teach nonviolent communication in prisons.

I love learning about people, I will probably ask you lots of questions about yourself and what you care about.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love Couchsurfing. Can't express my gratitude for this community enough. I've met some of my closest friends through couchsurfing. It's great to feel like you can be anywhere in the world and that your community travels with you.

Interests

I think I've covered that but to summarize... personal growth, play, exploring reality

• culture
• singing
• diy
• dancing
• education
• cooking
• partying
• music
• sports
• boxing
• rock climbing
• teaching
• psychology
• hitchhiking

Music, Movies, and Books

I like pop psychology and psychological thrillers.

For music, I would say... anything with some soul in it. Raw human expression. But extra into Neo-Soul/RnB.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I got to tour and record with a semi-famous hip hop group in Ghana

Teach, Learn, Share

Hmm.. Well, I could teach some hand drum techniques from Ghana, how to beat box, tap dance, or sing (I could teach music theory if you really want to get serious), share philosophical and spiritual theories.

If you want to get more Jungian and esoteric, I can help you find your personality type in MBTI or enneagram, more intuitive reading, or I'm pretty good at helping people get new angles on stuck places in their lives.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can cook for you, I can teach you things (see above), I'd like to think I'm a pretty good adventure companion

I'm also GREAT at making things awkward, if that is ever needed.

Share awesome experiences and conversations, warmth, and my house if you ever come to Portland!

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