CURRENT MISSION

Learn spanish and travel with as few expectations as possible!

ABOUT ME

I'm studying Conservation & Resource Studies as well as Geography in hopes of soon working in an environmental NGO (or something like it). I will most likely end up making no money at that but I've come to terms with it! It's sort of awkward to put myself into words here (as people who know me can tell you, I can be slightly spazzy when I get excited and jumble my words a good amount.) But here's a try at the top 10 things you should know about me (not necessarily in order).-I love to cook-I am trying to improve my beer palate-Hearing people's stories--their lives and especially their ancestries--is my absolute favorite thing to do around a bottle of wine or beer or something exciting like that. -I'm not a big small talk fan (is anyone?) but I can be good at it if needed. More often than not, we just skip to being friends.-I have a somewhat limited tolerance for passive aggressiveness, so I'm a big fan of communication!-I can be incredibly silly. -I love reading. I can't do a lot it one sitting, but if you have recommendations, share!-The only thing better than a home-cooked meal with friends is when no one goes home in the end. I love having people over. It's kind of a Persian-mother thing I guess. -I like being neat. And clean. It can be weird at times but it's calming.-Life would be unfortunate without: natural light, my friends, vegetables, fire, sweatpants, trees, board games, books, new friends, new places, learning new languages, laughing fits.

PHILOSOPHY

Personal philosophy? Hah. I wish I had one that I could stick to. I guess for these purposes I'll share that I'm not religious and I try to let that help me live as presently as possible but more importantly to let go of things that will hinder me from using the time I have. Which can often mean sitting in my house for an entire day. Which I just love doing sometimes, too. Honestly, I think if we all had a little more friend time we could be a lot happier.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I am new to this! Haven't stayed or hosted with anyone yet--having landlord issues here and just haven't had time to venture. Until this winter!

I've of course couchsurfed with friends around California which is always fun. I like to bring beer and food to the house and cook something random, vegetarian, and full of spices.

Interests

traveling! movies! gender theory!

• books
• environment
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• beer
• vegetarian
• movies
• board games
• reading
• traveling
• poker
• muslim
• geography
• languages

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One amazing thing I've done so far--climbed (with a broken wrist) an hour and a half up a mountain in the dense, humid forests of northern Iran to reach a 1600+ year old castle built literally in the middle of nowhere. Or everywhere. While in the Islamic Republic I decided that in this ancient fort, which was built before the Arab invasion and subsequent introduction of Islam, people did not wear head coverings out of modesty. I took off my head scarf and the coat I was forced to wear and walked around this castle in rolled up pants and a T-shirt, sweating. There were a few other people there, men, women, children. No one cared. One old man came up to me and said "Up here, young lady, it's a free land." And smiled.

Teach, Learn, Share

Let's! I'm really interested in border/identity theories, development, environment, human nature, economic critisisms, queer and feminist theory, marxism theories, globalization, languages.I would really like to learn a few words (at least) in every language, as well as stuff about finance, how to play poker, beer knowlegdge, how to make stencils, how to tattoo, and anything else you are passionate about and want to share.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Dominican Republic, France, Iran, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Spain, United States