My mission: to discover/create the extraordinary and magic in the day to day while enhancing my personal growth and the lives of everyone I encounter.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love travelling on my own, and, while I could stay in a hotel and keep to myself, it's so much more fun to meet and make true connections with the people who live in the area you're visiting. It gives a whole other dimension and perspective to your travels. You can't truly experience the place you're exploring without knowing its people. Besides, these new experiences are more meaningful when you get to share it with amazing open minded people with similar values.

Interests

Singing to the radio, dancing like no one is watching, making people laugh/making stupid and sometimes witty jokes, being a big kid at heart, new experiences, reading, second hand book stores, adventures/exploring, getting to know new people, long walks/hiking, running, working out, health, nutrition, fitness, psychology, healing, attempting to learn new languages, roller coasters/theme parks/carnivals, nature (although I don't experience it enough living in the city), locally owned cafes/restaurants, making lists...lol....this could literally go on for a while.

• culture
• books
• singing
• photography
• dancing
• chocolate
• coffee
• baking
• fitness
• yoga
• running
• working out
• walking
• reading
• traveling
• hiking
• languages
• psychology
• solo travel
• parks
• food
• nature
• adventure
• tea
• laughing
• holistic health
• exploring
• learning
• deep conversations
• self-development
• nutrition
• making friends
• weight training
• herbal medicine
• journaling
• herbalism
• indoor climbing
• dad jokes
• local cuisine

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: I love reading memoirs (especially travel related). I find they provide me with unique perspectives/insights, a greater understanding of different people &cultures, courage to overcome obstacles and the inspiration/motivation to strive for a more extraordinary life. I mostly stick to non- fiction and also enjoy reading on topics surrounding health, nutrition, fitness, psychology, business and spirituality.

Music: My tastes are quite eclectic. I don't like to limit myself to just one genre. I can enjoy any music in the right environment. If I can sing, dance or lose myself in it, it's golden. Oldies, 80s, Classical, Motown, R&B, Rock, Alternative, Indie, Hip Hop, EDM, Pop, etc. -- all depends on the mood I'm in :)

Movies: Again-- quite eclectic tastes-- but some of my favourites are: Amelie, Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, Midnight in Paris, Edward Scissorhands, Shrek, About Time, The Shining, Home Alone, Practical Magic, Beauty and The Beast, When Harry Met Sally, The Wedding Singer, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, The Mummy, Great Gatsby (first half, anyway), Indiana Jones(1-3), Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, Sleepy Hallow, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, Witches of Eastwick, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, Coraline, Pretty much every Pixar Film (I never really 'grew up')-- okay-- I think that's a good start to the list :$ Essentially I enjoy movies that remind you that there's more to the world than what falls in the general perception and standards of society.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Posted this to friends and family on facebook when I was in Indonesia in 2015 :)

Sitting in the dimly lit open air café, drinking our black Java coffee, we huddle in the cold midnight air, mentally preparing ourselves for the climb ahead. We begin our ascent at 1am. Our torch lights shining our path in near darkness, the incline increasing, air thinning, breath deepening. The practiced Austrians surpassing us with ease, we maintain our tempo--moderate and steady will win our race. Reaching our half way mark, we stop and elevate our gaze to catch shooting stars, thousands upon thousands shining against the black sky, thoughts roaming to the outer universe as we become mesmerized by the sight of the Milky Way-- a sight unseen in the aura of the city lights. Fitting our gas masks for the upcoming clouds of sulfur, we begin our rendition of Star Wars, a little humor to lighten our way. We carefully step, guides taking our hands, preventing us from falling to the rocky depths below. Noses running, respiration labored, eyes squinting, we arrive at the smoky clouds of volcanic Mount Ijen. Blue flames ignite against the darkness, cameras flash, capturing nature's performance as hardworking miners strain back and lungs transporting large, heavy buckets down the mountain side. We continue on, higher and higher, reaching a plateau where we gather to watch the sun's ascension into day. It brings a beauty the lens cannot quite grasp and so, we sit in silence attempting to immortalize the image within the constraints of our minds. Morning coming into full affect, we descend. Friendships are created, pre-existing bonds strengthen, jokes exchange, slipping, balancing, assisting, laughing our way to the bottom. It ends as it begins--shared coffee among fellow travelers. Dehydration settles in, a sense of accomplishment. We depart, acknowledging our feats, our heartened connections, and an experience we hope to never forget.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A smile, a joke, a laugh, a shoulder, an ear, a helping hand, an elbow ;), good conversation, and quality company :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, England, France, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada