CURRENT MISSION

to share the love!

ABOUT ME

I'm originally from Dallas, Texas and although I love southern hospitality, Texas just ain't for me. Upon graduating from Loyola University in Baltimore in 2009, I headed to Thailand to teach English for a year and got the opportunity to travel all over Asia and Southeast Asia while I was there. I came back to the states, caught up with some friends on the east coast, and family in Texas, but ultimately decided that neither place was right for me. I bought a one way ticket to Alaska in July and am completely in love with the Homer energy and community. I strongly suspect I will be one of the many that visits this "cosmic hamlet by the sea" and never leaves.

I'm definitely the happiest when I'm active. I'm a certified yoga teacher. Seeing someone peak in a pose or the face of a satisfied student after class has been exceptionally gratifying. I enjoy diving under water, and from planes, trekking, running, dancing, and bodily exhaustion in general. BUT, as I'm huge on balance, being physical must also be complimented by some relaxation time.

I'm usually verrry open and enthusiastic. Before I left Dallas, I was canvassing for Texas Campaign for the Environment. I can definitely see how some people would think walking around from 4-9 in the Texas heat, knocking on peoples' doors and teaching them how to save the planet is a bit crazy- but I love it! Meeting and educating new people every day is not only fun, but very rewarding as well.

That being said, I really value my quiet time and space. If you decide to surf with me, know that if I head my my bedroom and stay there for a few hours, I'm not angry. I also practice meditation and/or yoga in the morning and like to have the place QUIET. Please respect my space.

I'll go out for a drink every once and awhile, but would rather drink at home with a few friends or host a potluck. The Homer "night life" is wonderful- everything from bonfires on the beach to contra dance to exceptional live music. If you're looking to rage during your stay, you may want to find another host who will be more accommodating.

This summer I'll be pretty darn busy working. I plan to deckhand 3 days a week (I'll be gone from 5am-5pm). I also do the advertising for the local newspaper, The Homer Tribune, which also takes up a chunk of time on the other days. Once you get to Homer, you'll see-- everyone does a lot to stay busy and make money during the summer b/c winters are very, very slow.

PHILOSOPHY

Live in the present and make as many people happy as possible.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I surfed in China and went to several CSing meetups in Bangkok. I wasn't able to host people in Thailand because I was living in a teensy apartment, but am looking forward to hosting in my new home in Homer :)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

surfed in China and met up for group meetings coffee/advice in Bangkok (The Bangkok group is awesome and oh so helpful!) I met my travel partner in crime, who stuck with me through Tibet and Nepal, on a CSers message board.

Interests

Yoga, climbing, Scuba Diving, Ecstatic Dance, Meditation, Travel, Running, walking and getting completely lost.... all the time. I have a very, very bad sense of direction

• dancing
• environment
• coffee
• potluck
• yoga
• running
• meditation
• walking
• drinking
• traveling
• volunteer work
• music
• live music
• kayaking
• camping
• scuba diving
• skydiving
• rock climbing
• teaching
• tourism
• volunteering
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Anything by Wes Anderson, Almost Famous, Closer, The Constant Gardener, Breakfast at Tiffanys

Bob Dylan, Radiohead, The Talking Heads, Ratatat, The Brazilian Girls, Wilco, Kings of Leon, Regina Spektor, Wah!

Anything by Paulo Coelho, The Bell Jar, Brave New World

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Cayoning and skydiving the Swiss Alps
Kayaking the Napali coast in Kauai, Hawaii
Annapurna circuit and Annapurna Base Camp treks in Nepal
Yoga teacher training at an ashram in India
Spending 10 days on the top of the world in Tibet
SCUBAed in SE Asia
Created a fundraising campaign for a children's home in Western Thailand
Spent 1 month living behind the Monkey Forest in Ubud, Bali- did some wild stuff here, but I'll save that convo for coffee (and, maybe a drink to really get me talking about it ;-)

Teach, Learn, Share

I taught English in Thailand and still teach yoga at Anahata in Homer. I wrote travel articles about SE Asia and parts of Europe for an online social network for travel geeks called sosauce (www.sosauce.com). So, I guess I could say I'm a pretty good guide. Ask me about BALI- I'll talk your ear off.
I also volunteered at a children's home called Baan Dada, in western Thailand on the Burmese border. If you're interested in volunteer work in Thailand, this is a outstandingly beautiful place and a wonderful experience.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Thailand, United States

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