CURRENT MISSION

In a gender studies grad school program and working as a diversity and inclusion specialist. Having fun in the mountains every week, improving my snowboarding, mountain biking, or hiking depending on the season. Goals: keep my mind and heart open, and enjoy every minute of life!!

ABOUT ME

Traveler, always learning, always looking for an adventure. Never seen without a book! I believe everyone should keep educating themselves throughout their lives, whether by reading, having conversations, traveling, with music or art, keep on learning!

PHILOSOPHY

Try to live in the moment. Keep your eyes open for ways to help others. Smile ALOT! It makes you feel better. So does laughter and music and seeing the happiness of little kids. We're all kids inside still! Play!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've been hosted around the world by many amazing people, and have had nothing but positive experiences. I got the chance to host a few people as well, especially while living in Colorado a couple years ago.

This website has opened up so much for me. It is proof to me that humans are essentially good. Also, it makes travel affordable and more fun!

Interests

Love being outdoors, snowboarding, biking, hiking, swimming, you name it. If you visit me in Seattle be warned--we will go to the mountains and have fun! :D

• arts
• writing
• books
• education
• human rights
• dining
• running
• drinking
• reading
• traveling
• music
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• skiing
• snowboarding
• swimming
• teaching
• tourism
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

LOVE reading, always trying to educate myself. Lately I've been reading a lot about the environment and continuing my education in politics (there is so much they don't teach you in schools and university in the US....hmmm), and I always try to read something about the place I'm visiting.

Going to concerts is a favorite pastime. There's something so human about being together with a crowd and feeling the beat of a song. Love it.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Working with kids in Guatemala. People living in the "first world" have no IDEA how lucky we are. And yet Guatemalans are some of the most generous, and most joyful people I've ever met. Definitely learned a lot about what causes happiness from volunteering.

Hiking in New Zealand--the world is such a wonderful, beautiful, spectacular place that words cannot even begin to describe! I also saw a waterfall full of baby seals. In real life.

Volunteering in Malaysia with the Seletar people. Never though I would be teaching English for people who want to run an eco-tour through the mangroves!

Teach, Learn, Share

Don't take for granted that you can drink water from the tap without treating it. That you know you will have electricity every day. That you can go online, that you have access to information. I took all these things for granted until I spent 7 months volunteering in Guatemala, and when I went home the world looked so different to me. The streets were paved with lines on the edges and in the center to guide you! There is hot water in the shower! Even better, drinkable water from the tap! Kids can go to school without worry that they have to work instead. Most people at home (USA) have so many options, for food, entertainment, education, hobbies... and we don't even realize how lucky we are, or think about the unfairness of our access to these luxuries. Just something to think about!

If you're requesting to stay at my place, answer this question so I know you've done your homework ;) : Who is one of your personal heroes?

Countries I’ve Lived In

Guatemala, Netherlands, New Zealand, United States

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