CURRENT MISSION

Enjoying my work and exploring Antwerp.

ABOUT ME

I think I'm pretty easy going and people say I'm nuts, so for sure humor is important to me. I'm a happy lady, partly because I have had a lot of luck in my life, but also because I'm an optimistic person. I'm very easily satisfied with small things and I try to be positive in every situation, even when things aren't going so well. I try to take nice chances and create chances for myself. And, very important, I only listen to the recommendations of happy people.
I'm not used to spontaneously talk about myself; I don't really mind doing so, but I just don't easily do it. I try to do it more often though, 'cause otherwise people can't get to know you well. But for now, I think I did a pretty good job here ;).

PHILOSOPHY

Every day I try to follow the credo "live and let live (if no one is being harmed)", which to me is a challenge because it requieres letting go in situations. It's evident I strive in any situation to only do to others what I want others to do to me. And I find it important to be tough on the issues but soft on the people. We should strive for our principles but never hurt others in that ambition.

Nietzsche: "Those seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who couldn't here the music", probably one of the wisest quotes I know.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm curious by nature, so curiousity is my driving force.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Since I was around 14 I started doing exchange projects that were organised by my secondary school and by the city government. My parents, my sister and I, we hosted people from Hungary, Spain, France, Wallonia, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Portugal, ... I myself slept in families in Wallonia, France, Australia, Senegal, Costa Rica, Marocco, ... These stories are not all exclusively positive because it's not always easy to host people, but from every experience I have nice memories. It's very different from daily life, even when you continue with your daily life by keeping on going to school or work. I guess it's so special because people want to get the most out of the meeting between each other, each with different backgrounds, and you inform yourself about each other's life more consciously.

Interests

I'm proud about my social engagement in my environment. From my early teens on I've been always doing voluntary work in my spare time. From organising camps for socially vulnerable and foreign kids to coaching adults, ... It's my way of giving something back. This is one of the elements I try to always keep present and in balance in my life. Work or ambition is another one. For me it's important to love what I'm doing and I will do the best I can and take my responsibility. Another element is health. I do sports and eat consciously in order to keep my body and mind healthy. Working out, I need it and I love it. Another one is investing time in family and friends, and meeting new people. The last element I pay attention to is culture or exploration, like reading a good book, visiting a museum, going to concerts or theatre, visiting a nice city, etc... I'm Libra so I always tend to strive for balance :).

• culture
• books
• concerts
• festivals
• dancing
• education
• environment
• sports
• social work
• tourism
• volunteering
• meet people
• friends and family

Music, Movies, and Books

The movie "Black cat, white cat" by Emir Kusturica rules! And the book "Veronika desides to die" from Paulo Coelho also. In music I'm versatile: I listen and/or dance pop, latin, classic, jazz, rap, latin, drum'n bass, reggae, ... There’s just so much music! And I can appreciate quite a lot of it. But I must admit I don’t have a lot knowledge of it, I actually have almost none… But one of my best discoveries are Rodrigo y Gabriela for sure, they make me happy.

Teach, Learn, Share

I will think about this one...

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can show you around in Antwerp!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cuba, Czech Republic, England, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Morocco, Norway, Portugal, Senegal, Spain, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Costa Rica