CURRENT MISSION

I am currently focused on deepening my relationship with water and plants, as well as expanding my knowledge of herbalism and natural medicine so that I can share with others and aid in personal healing.

I am also exploring and learning about permaculture. I want to meet open-minded, aware, and curious people who see the world as one global community made up of unique cultures that are to be valued and respected, and I want to explore and experience them all!

ABOUT ME

I am a "Jane of All Trades" and a master of some.

I love music, dance, travel, books, language, food, yoga, creating, and self-expression (not necessarily in that order).

I love to indulge myself in earthly pleasures, but also believe in the saying, "Everything in moderation, including moderation."

I am in a perpetual attempt to balance my many needs and desires, but then, aren't we all?

Nature is my church and my playground. I am especially fond of rivers and waterfalls.

I take care of my body - it's the only one I have! I try to put healthy things in it and on it, so I try to surround myself with positive influences, use natural products, and eat local, organic, and sustainable foods whenever possible.

I really enjoy culinary art and ethnic cuisine and will try just about any food! I am also a big fan of tea, coffee, wine, and hand-crafted brews.

I am in love with music!! It is my constant companion throughout my day (with much appreciate moments of silence laced throughout). I appreciate both calculated simplicity and complex structure. I am not into music that inspires materialism, anger, or hate.

My passion and meditation is dancing! It is my greatest form of self-expression, next to writing, and is how I clear my head and center myself.

Seek knowledge, novelty, and truth.
Books, travel, and human connection are great places to find these three things.

PHILOSOPHY

Your number one goal should be to BE HAPPY! If you are not happy, change something! If you are not doing what makes you happy, start now!! because you cannot make others happy if you are not happy yourself, and if you are not making yourself and others happy, what is the point of living life?

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I like to spread the word to those who still haven't heard of Couchsurfing. Some folks think it sounds crazy and unsafe. Most of the people I tend to roll with think it's awesome.
I used to host in my hometown of STL and in my home away from home, Ecuador.

Now I live in Hawai’i Nei, on Hawai’i, the Big Island. A little known fact is that the Kingdom of Hawai’i is a once independent and globally recognized nation that is now being illegally occupied by the US. The native people here are actively working to regain sovereignty.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

When I was living in Otavalo, Ecuador, my boyfriend and I hosted a couchsurfer or two almost every weekend and took them around to see the local sights and natural wonders. It was a great way to meet people from all over the globe and turned me on to the CS community. I have met many amazing people as a result.

Interests

DANCING!! funkstyles, hiphop, salsa, I want to learn more latin dance!!
MUSIC!! music festivals, raves, concerts, jam sessions - I play the baritone ukulele.
NATURE!! hiking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, walking, smelling flowers, tubing, biking, climbing
ART! photography, ceramics, figure drawing, abstract, writing poetry, reading, making jewelry
EDUCATION! Learning, teaching
NATURAL HEALING! Wild Water, Herbalism, Somatic therapies (Yoga, breathwork, etc.), Food as Medicine

• arts
• writing
• books
• poetry
• photography
• concerts
• music festivals
• festivals
• dancing
• education
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• coffee
• yoga
• meditation
• walking
• raves
• flowers
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• pottery
• painting
• drawing
• music
• cycling
• hiking
• canoeing
• kayaking
• camping
• rock climbing
• teaching
• rivers
• plants
• natural medicine
• plant medicine

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC!!
Drum&Bass, House, Funk, Jazz, Breakbeats, Afro-beat, Chill/Downtempo, TripHop, World, Brazilian (Samba, Bossa Nova), Latin (Salsa, Merengue), Bluegrass, Reggaeton, Flamenco, Hip-Hop (NOT RAP!!), experimental, electronic, reggae, some indie rock

MOVIES
Labyrinth, Shawshank Redemption, Y tu mama tambien, Volver, Slumdog Millionare, Run Lola Run, What the Bleep Do We Know, I Heart Huckabees, The Emperor's New Groove, Lucia y el sexo, Ciudad de Dios, Crash, Baraka, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, The Red Violin, Love Actually, Groove, Monty Python- The Holy Grail and Life of Brian, Spirited Away - the original version in Japanese

WRITERS
Isaac Asimov
Mark Twain aka Samuel Clemens
Paulo Coelho
Tom Robbins
Orson Scott Card
Shel Silverstein
Thich Nhat Hanh

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Watching the sun come up over the ruins at Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Phenomenal!

Teach, Learn, Share

Here is a bit of what I've learned in my three decades on this earth:

I would rather be truthful than kind, but there is a way to deliver the truth with kindness. (Satya and Ahimsa)

It is okay to be selfish, it just depends on the kind of selfishness you practice. You must take care of yourself so that you can be the best you for those around you - everyone benefits from this.

Whatever you're looking for will fall right in your lap if you only stop searching and live.

Follow your heart and your passions. This will lead you to meet everyone you need to meet.

In regard to relationships, love is NOT enough. Patience, communication, dedication, and honesty are also necessary, and even then sometimes it will still be tough. You must decide if the effort you are putting in is worth what you are getting out of the relationship.

Learn a second language, then a third, maybe a fourth or fifth. Words are not our only way to communicate, but they are the only way that lets us paint a picture of our thoughts and ideas with such accuracy, so it is important to understand language and use it to its fullest potential. That said, there is a great Buddhist saying that reminds us of the limitations that language can put on our reality:
"There is the thing, and the name for the thing, and that is one thing too many. "

What I Can Share with Hosts

I love to share and exchange experiences, ideas, and information.
I can share my knowledge of yoga, holistic wellness, and language.
I am a pretty good cook, so I would be delighted to cook up some healthy and tasty grub for my hosts.

Countries I’ve Visited

Aruba, Bahamas, Cambodia, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Honduras, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ecuador, Thailand, United States

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