MISSION

Meet amazing, kind, fun travelers from around the world!

ABOUT ME
Hi, my nickname is "Karey Poppins"!

I'm a fun, friendly, compassionate, neurodivergent, queer, Korean-American Holistic Voice Coach + Speaker/Speaker/Singer/Songwriter/Actor/Game Designer (yes, all of the above)!

I've lived in South Korea, CA, TX, MN, IA, Chicago, IL, and I'm now living in rural, TN.

I have lived many experiences and overcome some unbelievable obstacles, and it has made me a better person ~ especially in the past year.

Couchsurfing can be a nice way to connect with people, stay in unique homes, and learn more deeply about different countries, cities, cultures, art forms, and foods.

PS I am a chocolate lover, and I have a goal to try chocolate from EVERY country in the world that has chocolate!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

A while back, I hosted, surfed, and was a tour guide for Couchsurfers in Korea 2013-2016, and I really enjoyed it!

Also, I hosted on another platform when I lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota for many years and traveled to El Salvador, Panama, Brazil, Paris, and Barcelona.

Interests

I love board games, music, traveling, good food, museums, photography, books, art, yoga, dancing, nature, thrift stores, architecture, and more!

• arts
• books
• theater
• photography
• dancing
• dining
• coach
• traveling
• music
• jazz
• equestrian
• teaching
• tourism
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - jazz, gospel, singer/songwriter, 80s, R&B, funk, punk, Latin, blues, hymns, classical
Movies - chick flicks, dramas, sci-fi, international, adventure, left-wing political, documentaries, comedy, mysteries, animation
Books - biographies, non-fiction, sci-fi, novels, self-help, kids, history, poetry, comedy, cookbooks, travel, art/photography, Bible

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Getting a fairy godmotherly hug and a kiss from Maya Angelou
Experiencing Gaudi's Casa Batllo
Recording my Karen Lyu & Fresh Jazz CD live at Sound Stage Studios on Music Row in Nashville
Mont Saint Michel at sunset
Visiting Yosemite National Park and the Grand Canyon
Being the singer and bandleader of the Karen Lyu & Global Jazz band for 10 years
Driving friends around in my handpainted art car with the 4 seasons on 4 sides
Working as an Executive Director for 2 years and helping to save a community music school from closing
Filming 9 voice instruction videos for eHow.com
Co-creating an original 2-woman musical with funds from a MN state arts grant
Volunteering for a women's organization in El Salvador
Horseback riding the incredible sand dunes on the Island of Florianopolis in Brazil
Taking a riverboat cruise along the Seine River in Paris

Teach, Learn, Share

I have 27 years experience teaching voice, 11 years experience teaching English, plus I've taught acting, improv, HTML, various computer software programs, and more. I love to teach!

One thing that I've learned, recently, after my Dad died...

In any moment of life and acting, I can choose 4 things;
1. My Thoughts
2. My Feelings
3. My Actions
4. My Place

And, when we have choices, we have HOPE ~ and HOPE changes lives!

What I Can Share with Hosts

It depends: I could choose to a) bring one of my CDs to share, b) teach a voice lesson, c) share interesting snacks, or d) draw a simple picture with a note!

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Singapore, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Malaysia, South Korea, United States