CURRENT MISSION

Try to stay as brave as I was when leaving for my 9-month stay in Central America to go off and hopefully use my TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) in many places in this wonderful world!

ABOUT ME

Well.. all about me..
I live in the north of Holland, in the nice student city of Groningen. I've just been away on a sabattical for nine months, but for now I have returned to my old job at the university hospital. It's a nice job, but I've decided that eventually I would like to see more of the globe. Not just as a tourist, but also to work in different places. To realize that, I've done a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course and am currently specializing in teaching young learners.
So, when I've saved up enough money, I hope to go off teaching abroad again. I'm thinking of South America or Asia this time.
Next to working and studying, I love music (I've sung in a band before), reading, movies, jogging and being outdoors. I love kids and animals, although I don't have them myself :)

This is just a supershort description of me of course, so you'll have to find out all the rest if you come and stay with me one time!

PHILOSOPHY

Sounds a bit tacky, but I guess it comes close to this: 'Live and let live'.
I live my life according to what I believe is right, which has aspects of Buddhism.
I believe that all people are able to learn and grow all through their lives. I'm allergic to the sentence: "Well, that's just the way I am.." Gives me a rash.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm supernew to CouchSurfing. I heard about it when traveling and I like the concept. Since I won't be traveling myself for the next year, I thouhgt it would be nice to keep a bit of the traveling feeling by receiving other travelers at my couch.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Sorry, still unexperienced in this area. I've never used couchsurfing before myself (because it's new to me), but like I said before, I like the idea of hosting other people. You have to start somewhere, right?

Interests

Photograpgy, traveling, how the world works, how people 'work' (think, act, react), listening to music, making music, having (good) conversations over (good) wine, cooking, playing games, books, movies, festivals, concerts, cabaret etc.

• animals
• culture
• books
• singing
• concerts
• festivals
• cooking
• wine
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• poker
• music
• guitar
• piano
• outdoor activities
• buddhist

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm reeeaaally bad at remembering titles, but some film titles that linger are:
What's eating Gilbert Grape?, The educators (Die fetten Jahre sind vorbei), Amélie, Lord of the Rings, A beautiful mind. I also like the Pixar animation movies like Ice Age and Shrek.

I'm currently reading 'Eat, pray, love' by Elizabeth Gilbert, which genre I really like. It's a novel style book, but it gives you something to think about.
I also like books written by Paulo Coelho.
And although I'm not a religious person, the children's bible is still on my nightstand, because I believe I should have some knowledge about the bible story as well.

As for music, I like almost every style of music. I love soul, alternative and dance. But a classical piece or some lounge music makes me peaceful from time to time, too. Some artists I like:
Pixie Lott, Joss Stone, Eminem, Amy Winehouse, Scissor Sisters, Sade, India Arie, Jeff Buckley.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The culture shock in El Progreso, Guatemala. I've seen what poverty and -as a result of that- despair will do to people.
There's also a lot of cheerful things I've seen, but sorry, this was the thing that had the most impact in my life so far.

Teach, Learn, Share

Things I have to offer for sharing, next to my couch, are my experiences in life so far. Ideas about life, ideals and moral. Next to that I'm always willing to give some singing tips :)
I'd like to learn how to play the guitar, how to play the piano, expand my cooking skills, how to perfect playing poker etc, etc.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Mexico, Nicaragua, Poland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Guatemala, Netherlands