CURRENT MISSION

Traveling the world while making a positive difference in it!

Currently on a 4-month + road rip through the American SW and West Coast, where I hope to connect with Native American communities and conquer a whole new mode of travel for me - the Great American Road Trip (solo!) Route: NOLA, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Vancouver, Washington, Oregon and ending in California.

ABOUT ME

I consider myself to be very creative, open-minded and loving, among many other things. My life involves a lot of dancing, creating, writing, painting, traveling, thinking deeply, nurturing my personal/spiritual growth, and spreading love. I am a 32/yo Chicago-native who has lived and traveled around the world. I am a full-time nomad, a part-time ESL teacher and an artist/writer at heart. I'm nurturing a growing passion for hiking, camping and living off the grid. The older I get, the slower I travel. I value the connections I make on the road and the glimpses into new places and alternative lifestyles as much as the air I breathe. I'm a mix of modern hippie and a Buddhist, a farmer in spirit (hope to have my own somewhere along this journey), and a true adventurer at heart.

Life has taken me to so many amazing places (42 countries and counting). I was calling Southern Thailand home for a few years, where I was teaching, mostly, and writing a lot. I journeyed from there through Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific on a mission to learn about and connect with the Indigenous cultures of the Pacific as part of a creative project/novel idea I have been developing ever since. I was on the road for about 7 months and finally arrived home to Chicago, where I have been spending time with my family for the first time in 7 years! I have continued my research into the indigenous cultures of North and South America here and am excited to get back on the road after a year at home!

Instagram: Universal_Traveler

PHILOSOPHY

My biggest philosophy right now is to live without fear. To take a line from Dune, one of my favorite books, "I must not fear. Fear is the mindkiller..." (This was also my first tattoo.)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have been both a host - in Chicago and Washington, DC - and a surfer - throughout Europe, Central/South America, and now Asia. I try to embody the spirit of Couchsurfing in my every day life.

Interests

This is one of those sections that I just don't know how to summarize! I'm a bit of a Jack (Jill?) of all trades, or at least I want to be. I'm interested in learning about/how to do almost anything. I will travel forever, I've know that for the past 10 years - still going strong. I love life! I love love. I'm grateful for all of it.

• culture
• writing
• dancing
• yoga
• flowers
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• music
• electronic music
• hiking
• backpacking
• beaches
• art
• spirituality
• learning
• native american culture
• personal growth
• hiking in the mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Books - Dune, Watchmen, and several of Paulo Coelho's books, Brave New World, The Giver
Movies - Big Lebowski, Shawshank Redemption, Dazed and Confused, Pulp Fiction

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I used to update this section, but really my life has been comprised of so many amazing experiences I don't even know where to begin anymore! This is a sit-down-together and share kind of question!

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach. Learn. Share. ... actually, these should go in my life philosophy section too.

Things I like to do and share:
- Writing/Editing/Blogging
- Painting/Drawing/Designing
- Teaching
- Yoga and meditation/mindfulness (I am not a licensed instructor, but I enjoy teaching and sharing these ways with those interested)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am by no means an instructor, but yoga, meditation and mindfulness have transformed my life. // I've been teaching for 3 years and have become quite good at it - especially English! I am confident enough in my Thai to give some lessons as well! // I can draw, paint and create - so let's do some of that together. // And a secret little talent, I love to rap/freestyle/sing - let's boogie!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Kenya, Thailand, United States

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