CURRENT MISSION

Cultivating patience, compassion and discipline. Also petting every cat I see

ABOUT ME

I'm primarily a student of anything and everything. I can talk with anyone or not talk with them and still be comfortable. Getting out of the city refreshes my spirit; I don't do it often enough. I love traveling not only to meet other people and places, but because of the contrast it provides and all the insight into my own self and culture it generates.

I've been a paralegal, a costumer, a working artist, a guide at a science museum, an event organizer, a personal assistant, a financial manager, a travel agent, a dogsitter, a retail clerk, a yoga teacher, a journalist, an activist, a radio pirate, and a few other things. I'm not a dilettante - I like variety. Now, I'm delighted to say, I'm a registered nurse, putting compassion to work by offering listening and love and smarts and science to people when they really need it.

My life is better when I have projects; that is, a good challenge to delve into and learn from. My main project for awhile has been figuring out how to be happy now, rather than in the future (since in the future it will still be now), and trusting that by taking care of today, the future will take care of itself. It turns out that diet, exercise, and quality relationships are key! Who knew? And now that I have internalized this, I've got lots of practice to look forward to.

PHILOSOPHY

I try to ascribe to my dad's philosophy: Do more than your share, and spend less than you earn.

In my intense yoga teacher training class of 17 women and three teachers, three people got pregnant unexpectedly. Those babies really wanted to be here right when they came. I take that as near-proof that we choose to be born where and when and to whom we do, we all play a role in whatever show this is, and we're right where we're supposed to be at any given moment. Even in the challenging moments. My life changed when I learned to love and embrace challenge and discomfort.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

My "requests responded to" went down to 40% because my email was defunct and I didn't get the notices. So sorry to those of you I inadvertently ignored.

I couchsurf when I travel. Right now I don't live in a place where I can host, but next time I move, "couchsurfable" will be on the must list on the apartment hunt.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My best travels have been fueled by the people I've befriended along the way. I've been very lucky in that respect, and CS helps continue the tradition.

Interests

Reading, conversation, hiking and camping, woods and water, running and yoga, history and anthropology, typography and design, traveling (duh), physics, biology, astronomy, crazy coincidences that make you wonder what's up

• cats
• culture
• books
• folklore
• design
• exercise
• yoga
• dieting
• running
• reading
• traveling
• hiking
• camping
• anthropology
• astronomy
• biology
• teaching
• history
• journalism
• nursing
• physics
• science
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

You're welcome to go through my bookshelves while you're here. They're mostly full of political criticism, history and science (and history of science), scifi, literature, and self-exploration.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In Istanbul, I was marveling at the Blue Mosque when I met eyes with a woman I'd never seen before and we both lit up. She held me and rocked me back and forth and sang to me in Arabic; words I didn't understand wholly but I knew they were a blessing. I've been living under that blessing ever since.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can tell you your blood pressure and give a basic yoga lesson. I'm at a point in my life where everything is new again. I am not an expert at anything but I'm open to everything. I am a pretty good editor though! And I can read tarot cards with support of select books.

Countries I’ve Visited

Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, India, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Poland, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, Spain, United States