Hello. My name is Kyah, I'm a Toronto native and I'm setting out on my first long adventure around the world. I graduated from film school in 2012, and I've spent the last several years working as a charitable door to door fundraiser and team leader and advocate for over a dozen different charities. I've been invited into the homes of a LOT of strangers doing the work that I do. I have stories. Strange people are the best kind.

My life philosophy basically boils down to this:
1. The world has a lot of funny stuff in it. Laughing is good. Let's do it more.
2. There are approx. 22 Million cool things to learn about in this world. That's science. I'm aiming to get at least 12 million of them.
3. Gratitude is important. For instance, I am alive, which is pretty great. Not everyone gets to do that. Not only am I alive, but I also get to walk around and touch things and eat ice cream. Also great. On top of that, there are other alive people who are also happy about being alive, and some of those people make me very very happy. What's not to like?

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Several years ago, I had a guy from Denmark stay on my couch for a couple days. He ended up being a really close friend that returned multiple times and even hosted me during his stay in Montreal.

Now, it's my turn to travel and I'm looking forward to couch surfing for the first time. I like the philosophy of it. I like being able to experience a city like a local, meet strangers and learn. Makes for a more interesting experience.

Interests

I enjoy screenwriting, cartooning, playing ukulele, improv, theatre, hiking, scuba diving, cycling reading, films, politics, great food and excellent conversation.

• arts
• womens rights
• dining
• cooking
• drinking
• politics
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• drawing
• survival
• music
• guitar
• cycling
• hiking
• surfing
• scuba diving
• science
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I appreciate most musical genres, but right now I'm listening to a lot of St. Vincent, Glass Animals, Sylvan Esso, Courtney Barnett, Father John Misty, Shakey Graves, Alt-J, Alabama Shakes. So on, so forth.

I love film, so it's a long list. Some favourites include American Beauty, Eternal Sunshine, In Bruges, Silence of the Lambs, Thelma and Louise, Some Like It Hot.

I read a lot. I have a lot of love for Tolkien, Vonnegut, Irving, Franzen. Graphic novels, non-fiction. Really, I'll read anything that's good.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I can happily say it's a long list. Trekking in Guatemala has to be one of the best things, specifically because it was really difficult. Guatemala is basically all hills and it was my first time hiking with a pack, so it was slow and painful and impossibly beautiful.

Also, secondary mention has to go to diving off the coast of Belize for a week. That was one hell of an experience.

Teach, Learn, Share

I've got some knowledge of Guitar and Ukulele, and I'm happy to teach someone some really basic stuff, or just jam out for a while.

I've been professional door to door fundraiser and team leader for several years, so I have a lot of experienced teaching public speaking and sales techniques . If you need help with a presentation, proposal, or just want to improve public speaking skill, I can help.

I'm also a screenwriter. Got a story or a screenplay that you're working on? I can help with structuring, formatting, editing or just talking through an idea in a constructive way.

I'm happy to learn anything. I love being taught. Show me how to cook something, or mix a badass drink, or dodge ninja stars or teach me a wilderness survival skill or school me in the ancient origins of egyptian pyramid building. Whatever it is, I'm in, let's do it.

Also, I love good conversations. If you want to really get into it about politics, feminism, LBGTQ issues, art, movies, music, philosophy, I'm your girl.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Often I trade people a personalized cartoon in exchange for room and board. Ever wanted to see yourself in ink riding a robot dinosaur into a space battle? I know you have. If not, I also draw normal stuff sometimes.

Sometimes.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Belize, Canada, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada