CURRENT MISSION

To reflect the Love and Beauty in this world.

ABOUT ME

I'm a home-town girl who loves to travel as much as possible.

PHILOSOPHY

"Beauty will save the world." Dostoevsky

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I thoroughly enjoyed my role as a host, but currently cannot host as I sold my home and most of my belongings in order to live more intentionally. I'm sharing time between the road and helping my elderly mother in her home. I think the concept of hospitality is a lost art in some circles, and I'm glad to have discovered it here on CS... it fills my heart to overflowing! I couchsurfed in Italy in 2013 with a lovely Moroccan host, and I'm inspired by those that have come into my home. I look forward to meeting new friends and seeing the world through their eyes. I enjoy preparing meals and helping around the house as a guest, and the conversations that flow around daily living, hopes and dreams.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've been hosting since August 2012, including several parties of Canadians, a cross-country French pair, a traveling musician from South Dakota and her uncle, and a couple from Spain on a world tour, and an Englishman transplanted to Florida riding his bike to Alaska and back. I surfed through an Italian adventure for myself in February/March 2013, and will definitely do more surfing in the future! All wonderful individuals, and each experience opening my heart and mind a little more :-)

Interests

For me it's all about connectedness, creativity, and spirituality. I'm interested in transformative learning and encouraging others to dive deep and expose the authentic self. I'm rediscovering my artistic tendencies and redefining what is possible in my writing, drawing, painting, photography, music and beyond. If that all sounds too clinical... I really love to laugh, entertain friends, cook for crowds, and I'm always planning the next trip!

• arts
• writing
• photography
• beauty
• cooking
• partying
• traveling
• painting
• drawing
• music
• cycling
• surfing

Music, Movies, and Books

BOOKS: All-time favorite book: "Sacred Roads" by Nicholas Shrady. I love a good story that challenges dogma, or that holds attention with suspense and intrigue. When I downsize my life, I gave away half my books, but still have at least 10 boxes in storage, waiting for me to have a library again. These days I pick up e-books, easy for travel but will never replace my love of being surrounded by books I may never read.

MOVIES: Light-hearted travel-based such as Hectar and the Search for Happiness, French Kiss, The Holiday, The Last Holiday, Eat Pray Love, Under the Tuscan Sun; fun action-adventures that aren't too bloody, like the latest Sherlock Holmes flicks, James Bond, Dan Brown's Novel-to-Movie; and comedies with Mike Meyers, Jim Carrey, Steve Carrel.

MUSIC: Something from all genres! I listen to a wide variety, depending on mood.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Life is amazing! A few of my favorites so far are Santa Fe New Mexico where I was introduced to Labyrinths; Tromso/Balsfjord Norway where I encountered the land of my paternal great grand parents; Lucca Italy and the Volto Santo; standing in Red Square, Moscow, Russia after growing up during the "Cold War"; traveling through Morocco by car with my local host "creatively" getting us through police check-points on roads everywhere, and enjoying tea and bread with a semi-nomadic family on the edge of the Sahara; being immersed in the other-worldly music and beauty of traditional Sundanese villages on the island of Java in Indonesia; and the spectacular festivities of New Year's Eve and Dia de los Reyes in Barcelona!

Teach, Learn, Share

I've embraced the "Retire early and often" motto: My last job was at a university as a professional development trainer with a focus on new employee orientation and staff development. I can teach you begining to advanced features of the Microsoft Office suite, I can coach you through Clifton_StrengthsFinder discovery (my Strengths are Connectedness, Empathy, Maximizer, Intellection, Relator, Learner), and I encourage creativity and expressive arts of all kinds, because I believe we are here to express ourselves uniquely. I love to introduce people to the Labyrinth walk experience, and I'm told I have a knack for cooking and entertaining, which I love to share.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I love to lend a helping hand with cooking and cleaning up; exchanging travel stories and tips; conversation, friendship and kindness.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States