CURRENT MISSION

Figure out my place in the world!

ABOUT ME

Hullo everyone! I spent much of 2011 in New Zealand making friends, becoming rugby-crazed, and loving every minute of it, and half of 2012 in Ghana, living there for the third time. 2013 was spent in Quito and coastal Ecuador, and I ventured to Peru and back to New Zealand in 2014. 2015 found me in Australia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and New Zealand (yes, again), and I've just returned from a trip to Eastern Europe: Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria (November 2016). I am usually not available to host , but am happy to get together, should you find yourself in the Bay Area, and more specifically, Marin and Sonoma counties.

I may come off as quiet or reserved at first, but don't let it fool you. I love to go out and have a good time, however it may be: bars, hiking, electronic shows, running, horseback riding (pretty much anything that has to do with the outdoors, except bicycles-see note below!), exploring with a camera, wandering around cities, getting caught in rainstorms, etc. I must admit I'm not much of a movie buff, sorry! Snarky and sarcastic almost to a fault.

I'm in the non profit world working with horses, and have two of my own, so when I'm in town, my life pretty much revolves around all things equine. As of February 2016 I have a full time job in Sonoma County, so won't be doing any long trips for a while.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

If I'm in town (as in my hometown) I'm not able to host, but I'm always down to take people out. Marin doesn't have a ton of stuff to do at night, but if you like the outdoors it's pretty much heaven. Beaches, redwood forests, cliff by the ocean, spectacular views.

I currently live in Sonoma, which is a great little town in Sonoma County. Lots of quirky charm, delicious restaurants, and a bit more country than Marin.

San Francisco is only 20 minutes away, and there's always something (or lots of somethings) interesting happening there.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I had great experiences traveling during Semana Santa, and can hopefully continue that tradition. I've stayed with people in all over the world, and hosted quite a few while living in Ecuador.

3 nights in Amsterdam
1 night in Prague
1 night in Vienna
2 nights in the Bahamas
2 nights in Southern Spain
5 nights in Guayaquil, y Salinas, Ecuador
all over the North Island of New Zealand, about a month and a half total
2 weeks on the South Island, New Zealand

Interests

photography, horseback riding, travel, music, learning about new cultures, spanish anything and everything, latin america, sushi, running, (almost) all things outdoors, attempting to cook, languages, motorcycles, reading, writing, old movies.

Just please! Don't put me on a bicycle! It's been 8 years since my last escapade, which involved mountain biking down the largest active volcano in South America. Let me tell you, it wasn't pretty. After flying over the handlebars three times, I decided that perhaps cycling wasn't for me. EDIT: I did get over my fear and use one at Burning Man in 2014, but only out of necessity. And BRC is flat, and soft. No crazy downhill trails there!

• horses
• fish
• writing
• folklore
• photography
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• vegetarian
• running
• flying
• motorcycles
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• music
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• equestrian
• fishing
• hiking
• rugby
• agriculture
• languages
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Almost any kind of music; I'm always open to hearing new artists.

Books: lately I've been into stories/memoirs set in other countries--Shantaram, The Wrong Blood, Cutting for Stone, Love in the Driest Season, Africa United, Cien Años de Soledad, The House of the Spirits, Hour of Sunlight, etc.. The Fear (Peter Godwin) was incredibly heartwrenching to read, but so important for people to know. It's about Mugabe's reign in Zimbabwe.

I don't watch much TV or movies, but a few that have caught my eye: Harry Potter(s), Boondock Saints, Empire Records, Community, Hart of Dixie, True Blood, Sons of Anarchy.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I spent the summer after my senior year of high school teaching about health and sanitation in a tiny rural town in Western Mexico...who ever thought you could learn so much about the world and yourself in six weeks.

Traveled to Morocco with a program in early May 2007, which definitely reinforced my desire to spend a significant amount of time in a Middle Eastern country.

Most of 2010 was spent in Ghana, or wanting to be in Ghana. I first traveled there in January, and spent 2 months falling in love with the country and it's people, and specifically, 26 beautiful children at the United Hearts Children's Center in Bawjiase. Since then, I've worked very hard to raise money in order to build them a new home...if you would like to read about it, please visit www.mamahope.org. I returned to Ghana in September 2010, and August 2012. It has wormed its way into my heart, and will be there permanently.

Teach, Learn, Share

I graduated with a degree in photojournalism, so if anyone wants to learn about digital photography, feel free to ask! I'm afraid I can't help you much with 35mm, I only used one for a couple of months before switching to digital SLR.

I've spent much of my life working with horses, and am happy to impart some wisdom. If you're interested in getting down and dirty, I'm at a barn in Novato a few times a week, and you're welcome to come along.

Also fluent in Spanish, and willing to help you practice yours!

What I Can Share with Hosts

If I'm staying with you at the beginning of my trip and there's something from the USA that you really want/need, let me know and I'll bring it over! Otherwise, food, wine, ridiculous stories, a tramping buddy, a heavy dose of sarcasm, and an eagerness to see the world through your eyes. And I know all the words to the extended version of "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." : )

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ecuador, Ghana, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, United States

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